“Hope was the most dangerous feeling of all. He knew that. Severing himself from it, he turned and drifted through the wall.” – Tal Frost, The Neverloving Dead
THE Neverloving Dead by Tal Frost is a prurient exploration of unsettling horror intertwined with morally ambiguous queer/gay eroticism. Within its pages, readers will encounter the haunting nuances of sensual and violent ghostly practices, witness chilling deaths that send shivers down the spine, and engage with a diverse and vibrant range of Welsh idioms.
This narrative reaches into the darkest aspects of human experience, exploring the pains and pleasures that come with the power of choice, especially when choice, conscious or otherwise, is removed. The Neverloving Dead leaves a haunting impression that will linger long after you’ve turned the last page.
In the shadowy streets of London, where a tormented history hangs like a thick fog, a figure wanders—Patrick, a repressed ex-priest who died centuries ago. Forever trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, he sustains himself by feeding on the “essence” of men, desperately gathering energy for a chance to reclaim both life and love. And by essence, I don’t mean in the esoteric, spiritual way—hint, hint.
Emotion is a luxury Patrick cannot afford; they drain his strength, restricting his ability to achieve a semblance of physicality. As a result, he carefully navigates his existence, avoiding sentiments that might diminish his already fragile power and grasp on sanity.
Meanwhile, Gethin, a spirited Welshman with an untamed heart, grapples with the remnants of his life after his
brutal murder stole everything from him. His spirit burns with a fierce, vengeful rage, driven by a single purpose: to track down and stop the monster who robbed him of life before he can kill again. Yet, as time slips away, Gethin falters, trapped in a cycle of anger, frustration, and failure.
Patrick reluctantly agrees to lend aid, if only to be rid of this new, relentless, haunting presence in his preferably solitary ghostly existence. In their quest for Gethin’s revenge and a sense of closure, the lines of dispassionate partnership blur; the emotions they both strive to circumvent soon blossom, creating, well, complications.
Gethin’s disdain for his untimely death is palatable. Each step he takes is heavy with frustration, not just over his fate but also as he grapples with the complexities of Patrick’s choices in life and (especially) in death as a spectral sexual predator despite no malicious intent. Again, it’s a tricky situation. Gethin finds himself wrestling with the very essence of what it means to truly “live,” questioning the decisions that ultimately led Patrick down a path so divergent from his own.
As the story progresses, for the investigation into Gethin’s murder runs throughout the book, the road ahead of them is littered with the debris of unresolved feelings and unanswered questions, making their progress, both personal and with their vengeance, even more daunting—though compelling for the reader. It’s never plodding.
The ghosts’ task seems relatively straightforward: aid Gethin in his relentless pursuit of the serial killer who murdered him and stop him. If they can accomplish this, Gethin will finally be free to move on from his ghostly existence and embrace the peace of death. This, in turn, would allow Patrick to follow his path, escape the abstract void of limbo, and journey backwards to reclaim the vibrancy of life he once knew. Easy right? Heh. You’ll see.
For those who differentiate between Gay Romance and M/M Fiction, considering one to be more focussed on relationships and romanticism while the other more sex-focused, I suggest you prepare for a level of sexual vocabulary and gay carnality that is overt and in-your-face. And I do mean splish splash in your face. (Haha!)
Yes, there’s romance, affection, and authentic connections, but make no mistake, Frost isn’t afraid or ashamed of being visceral in his depictions of gay sex and intimacy. His voice as a gay/queer writer of homoeroticism is forthright and colourfully descriptive. It’s not for the faint of heart or those looking for less graphic (and often) depictions of gay sex in varied forms.
As a reader, I lean more toward traditional romance with my hot men, but I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone with this innovative and compelling work (as I’ve done a lot recently with the Haunted Hearts books, where the spice levels are varied).
Tal Frost is talented at crafting vivid, queer-focussed titillating narratives that immerse the reader’s senses into a sensual and occasionally violent world. The elements of a classic slasher thriller are mixed with the (melo)dramatic relationship scenarios one expects from any romance work, supernatural or otherwise. He’s bold in his erotic writing while remaining thoughtful and compelling with the romantic. The Neverloving Dead is not for everyone, but for those who connect with more non-traditional, effusive forms of sexuality (queer or otherwise), this is a bold read that’s sure to resonate. The Neverloving Dead by Tal Frost is part of the “Haunted Hearts” Gay Paranormal Romance Own-Voices series.
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