Time to take a look at another story that can be found in GA Stories. This week, we're taking a look at Trouble Plus Trouble by Palantir. Thank you Timothy for the review. Don't forget, if you've read a story that you'd like to see featured, contact Renee Stevens.

Reviewer: Timothy M.
Status: Complete
Word Count: 170,574

Trouble Plus Trouble was quite a challenge the first time I read it. I could see myself in Peter, a serious, introvert bookworm with no siblings or close friends. Being teased (or ‘stirred’ as Palantir calls it) isn’t something he’s used to or understands, and like him I had a hard time coping with even friendly teasing as a kid and teen. And many of us know the pain associated with the crueler versions of pranks and joking, and the loneliness of being different and disliked.

Luckily, I had my own version of Andy, the boy who enters Peter’s life and changes it completely. Although I have to say Andy is a unique person, clever and caring behind all the brash words and crazy fooling around. He is the perfect friend for Peter, who in turn reaches out to Matthew, another fairly new boy in school. Andy’s best friend Marty is the fourth important person in this slowly enlarging circle of friends who are on the swim team together. They spend a lot of time ‘stirring’ each other, and while it made me cringe at first, just as Peter does, I gradually got used to it and even appreciated the fun and the good intentions. I also had no problem doing the ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ necessary for accepting the antics in the changing room, which some readers, as well as the author himself, said would never happen in real life. But who cares, because the end justifies the means, right?

As the story unfolds we learn there is a ‘method to the madness’ of Andy, Marty and some of the other guys Peter gets involved with. We also soon realize Peter himself is an intelligent, kind boy, who does his best to help his friends in return, e.g. with school work. Another great feature of this story are the helpful, understanding adults, in the shape of parents with a sense of humor ( yes, they do exist) and nice teachers, including the coach of the swim team. Almost every single character in the story is portrayed in a realistic manner, so we forget the author is creating an ideal world, where good triumphs over evil, jocks can do ‘gay stuff’ playfully, and friendship and love are driving forces.

If you’ve never read any of Palantir’s stories Trouble is a good place to start. Palantir has a style all of his own, easily recognizable by the bantering dialogue, the casual approach to nudity and friendly sex, the disdain for bullies, and the way he makes you laugh at the absurd images forming in your mind as you read. The only problem is you get so caught up in the story and wanting to know what happens next that you forget to review. At least that’s what happened to me, but I plan to go back and make up for it, apart from reviewing and recommending the story here. Hope to see y’all there.