The Other Way
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
In the eastern United States, thousands of years ago, the Tebawa people lived. The Tebawa believed that an individual must survive alone and without aide as soon as a child was capable. Children, or gabia, in the Tebawa forest either strived to earn a name or avoided one at all costs. Teaching and learning were forbidden, so it was unknown to gabia whether earning a name was a good thing or not. When a name was earned, a Tebawa became Demiar, an elder, who was responsible for enforcing the natural order, or the new Demiar reached Ancestra through a natural ritual shortly after naming – the latter was witnessed more often than the former, so gabia often thought that earning a name meant death, or releasing of the soul to the ancestors.
This novel first follows one gabir, or female narrator, as she survives in this brutal culture, then follows one tabir, or male narrator, as he stands up for himself and becomes one of the most powerful Demiar to ever live. These and other Tebawa perspectives combine in a third part to create a wholesome view of this ancient culture and these two sani, or souls, who will be at the mercy of more than just their wills to live. To survive past their first physical life, they must avoid Bardete, or the true death, and thus follow and submit to the natural order at all turns, including living up to the names they have earned for themselves. Sometimes, living up to a name is not as easy as it would first appear, and sometimes, names are granted too easily by others who see an opportunity to control.
This novel is the true start of the Bawasani, or old souls, contained in the first-published book of the Merely Mortal series, Pieces, which is set in modern times. The Other Way comes first chronologically, and the events in Pieces will be clearer if read after this novel.
Customer Reviews
A Technically Impressive Story That Pushed Me Outside My Comfort Zone
The Other Way by Faye Hollidaye is not the kind of book I would normally pick up. With its strong erotica elements and intense subject matter, it falls well outside my usual reading preferences. That said, I have to give credit where it's due: this is an exceptionally well-crafted novel.
The author's technical writing ability is outstanding. The level of detail, the smooth flow of the prose, and the way she handles multiple perspectives make the story feel rich and immersive. You can tell a lot of thought and skill went into building the world and the characters—it's the kind of writing that elevates the material and keeps you turning pages even when the content isn't what you'd seek out on your own.
I was so impressed with her writing that I ended up collaborating with Faye on Moon Goddess. That collaboration came directly from the respect I gained for her craft while reading this book.
The narrative itself has real depth and strength. The different viewpoints add layers and complexity that make the story feel substantial, like the start of something much bigger (which fits with it being part of the Merely Mortal saga). It's ambitious and executed with clear talent.
If this were a genre I actively enjoy, I'd probably rate it a solid 5 stars without hesitation. Because it's not, I'm settling on 4 stars. I don't want to penalize the author for writing something bold and well-done just because it doesn't align with my personal tastes—that wouldn't be fair to the craft on display here. Readers who are comfortable with explicit erotica and the book's particular themes will likely find this a standout.
Overall, The Other Way showcases strong storytelling talent and technical prowess. Even if it wasn't quite for me, I can appreciate the skill that went into it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this style of intense, perspective-driven fiction.