Title: Oneiros
Series: Cast the Cards
Author: S.L. Armstrong
Genre: Paranormal, Myths
Length: Short (23pgs)
Publisher: Storm Moon Press (6th April 2011)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: For over 250 years, the use of the tarot for divination has been a mainstay of mystical and occult practices. The themes and forces represented by the cards are said to govern our lives and our destinies. Whether you believe that or not, the story of the cards is nevertheless the story of our lives — the accomplishments and the pitfalls, the path from soaring joy to crushing defeat and back again.
Caleb is fleeing from the realities of his life, hiding in a dream of the Moon. The God of Dreams finds him there and draws Caleb deeper into the night with promises of passion and closeness otherwise denied to him. But in the waking world, a chance for something real forces Caleb to choose between love and immortality.
(This short story was originally published in the “Cast the Cards” anthology.)
Purchase Link: http://stormmoonpress.com/books/Oneiros.aspx
Review: Caleb has had a lot to deal with in his life. When he is visited in his dreams one night by Morpheus he has the opportunity for a dream lover, he grabs at it with both hands; as he believes that he will never have a real one again.
This is quite a poignant little piece even though I am not sure if it was meant to be. How many times have we wished we could sleep away our troubles? To have a dream lover take all our worries away so we only have pleasure? To ignore the world around us, so we know only happiness? In this story that is exactly what Caleb does, he is seduced by Morpheus into only wanting to sleep so he can spend time loving Morpheus and knowing only pleasure, as he sleeps more and more he neglects his real life and the new friend he made in Scott.
Scott offered a relationship to Caleb and was rebuffed but he is determined to be his friend and be there when he needs him. As Caleb’s life spins out of control Scott is there to pick up the pieces but Morpheus is becoming unhappy. I really liked this story as it portrayed a dream-like mystical quality as Caleb’s mind became foggier as he lost touch with his real life. His escaping his fears, loneliness and unhappiness is completely understandable and Scott’s persistence and patience is laudable as he struggles to get through to Caleb.
This is a wonderful short with hot sex, longing and the realization that maybe just maybe dreams can happen in the real world too. I highly recommend this to everyone.