Into This World We're Thrown :

Rating:
Summary: Into This World We're Thrown is Fantastic!
Review: The sequel to Desert Sons is truely a great read and follow-up. I couldn't put it down. The turmoil the main characters, Scott and Ryan are thrown into tests not only their love for each other, but their value as human beings. They rise to the occasion, in more ways than one, to beat the odds. The other new characters are great as well. Very well done, Mark my hat's off to you! I am surprised no one has approached you about making a film about these characters. I'm sure it would be great!

Rating:
Summary: A decent read but not great literature . . .
Review: They didn't print my first review of this book . . . so I guess I should tone down my critique a little bit. Bear in mind that I read this book AND Desert Sons (the first book), which would indicate that I found both books to be readable--interesting, diverting. I am, however, astonished by the number of stellar reviews of this book. Maybe those who would not have liked it bailed out after Desert Sons.

I thought that Scott--as a character--had a lot of potential. Likeable. Seemed like a good guy. I thought that he was more of a bundle of quirks and characteristics than he was a full character. Ryan might have been developed a little more fully but Kendrick's attempt to demonstrate how the kids realize that their lusty attraction to each other (there is a lot of sex going on in both books) had grown into love . . . I just didn't buy it. Adding extra exclamation points just didn't cut it. The story amounts to a fairly simple, After-School-Special kind of tale (with lots of sex), which made it a decent beach read. I think that there is a difference between beach reading and great (or even good) literature.

I think that there are other books out there where the authors manage to create vivid, adolescent characters with better descriptions of their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Try (instead . . .or perhaps in addition to this book and its prequel . . . ) PINS, Metes and Bounds, The Boys on the Rock, The Year of Ice, or The World of Normal Boys. These well-written (in my opinion) books are not only diverting but thought-provoking as well.

Rating:
Summary: A decent read but not great literature . . .
Review: They didn't print my first review of this book . . . so I guess I should tone down my critique a little bit. Bear in mind that I read this book AND Desert Sons (the first book), which would indicate that I found both books to be readable--interesting, diverting. I am, however, astonished by the number of stellar reviews of this book. Maybe those who would not have liked it bailed out after Desert Sons.

I thought that Scott--as a character--had a lot of potential. Likeable. Seemed like a good guy. I thought that he was more of a bundle of quirks and characteristics than he was a full character. Ryan might have been developed a little more fully but Kendrick's attempt to demonstrate how the kids realize that their lusty attraction to each other (there is a lot of sex going on in both books) had grown into love . . . I just didn't buy it. Adding extra exclamation points just didn't cut it. The story amounts to a fairly simple, After-School-Special kind of tale (with lots of sex), which made it a decent beach read. I think that there is a difference between beach reading and great (or even good) literature.

I think that there are other books out there where the authors manage to create vivid, adolescent characters with better descriptions of their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Try (instead . . .or perhaps in addition to this book and its prequel . . . ) PINS, Metes and Bounds, The Boys on the Rock, The Year of Ice, or The World of Normal Boys. These well-written (in my opinion) books are not only diverting but thought-provoking as well.

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Read
Review: This book is a continuation from Desert Son. I highly recommend you read this book but first you might want to read Desert Sons. Mark does a wonderful job of having you look at both Ryan and Scotts lives. Both of these books are worth the price you pay for them. Read both of them trust me you will enjoy it. I am looking forward to reading more of Mark Kendricks novels.

Rating:
Summary: Into This World We're Thrown is Fantastic!
Review: This book was awesome!! I read the first book, Desert Sons, and I was so facinated with Ryan and Scott's relationship that I had to read this book. It took me only four days to finish it and I wish there was a third book afterward because it was such an excellent book. YOU GOTTA READ IT!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!!
Review: This book was awesome!! I read the first book, Desert Sons, and I was so facinated with Ryan and Scott's relationship that I had to read this book. It took me only four days to finish it and I wish there was a third book afterward because it was such an excellent book. YOU GOTTA READ IT!

Rating:
Summary: MUCH BETTER THAN DESERT SONS!!
Review: This book was soo much better than the first Desert Sons. Desert Sons, although an excellent read, was an erotic novel more than anything. Into This World We're Thrown offered great insights on the ups and downs of gay teen relationships. An excellent and clearly a must read after Desert Sons. I gave it 4 stars, only because the book, in my opinion, was too good and perfect. Nothing like the reality.

Rating:
Summary: Into This World We're Thrown
Review: This is a very enjoyable and entertaining novel. The characters, notably Scott Faraday, are among the most likable and notable you will ever meet on the printed page. The setting, California's High Desert, is creative and interesting and adds to the development of the story. The dialogue is both realistic and hip.The novel is not without flaws. One character is introduced as having fallen off a roof in winter; several pages later the accident evidently happened in another season. The college application and admissions process is so facile as to be unbelievable. And ... the Ryan character should switch from engineering to probate law based on his ability to settle his grandmother's estate in lightning-speed time. But Kendrick is entitled to author's license on these points, as they don't really detract from the story.The author has stated that he's done with Scott and Ryan and is moving on to science-fiction. Those of us who have come to, yes, love Scott and Ryan will have to fantasize about what happens in the future of their well-created lives ...

Rating:
Summary: Another great book about Ryan and Scott
Review: This story kept me turning pages like I was reading about myself, and the trials I have dealt with throughout my life. I related to the inner torture that Ryan carried with him throughtout his young life, and admire his brave attempts to conquer and win. Each of us has our own demons, but this book is a fine example of the human spirit and its ability to not only survive, but strive to live. A fine Job Mr. Kendrick, I truly hope you continue the story of Ryan and Scott for the rest of us.