A Matter of Disagreement

3.5 stars

I rather liked this little short. It’s an interesting mix between historical, steampunk and fantasy where the setting is very ‘noble’ while the subject matter deals with magic, machines, and acceptance of not only same-sex couples but marriage between them as well. It’s about Andrea, who’s pushed by his brother to attend a few parties so that he won’t be labeled a hermit to proper society. Unknowingly at first, the interesting man he meets at the party is none other than the very person he is fighting with in the media regarding his research. What takes place next is a few heated arguments, a few apologies but also a few heated glances.

As I said, I really liked this story. The fact that Andrea and Gregory are enemies when it comes to their stances on mechanical animations made for some good disputes where both their feathers are ruffled. Where Andrea is short with some meat on his bones, Gregory is tall and thin, the epitome of a good-looking gentleman. Andrea is stubborn, quick to pick a fight while Gregory mostly finds Andrea amusing when he’s in a fit. At the same time, some of what Andrea does hurts Gregory when he thinks he’s just being used and I found that really sad :(

The story is about the back and forth brief journey between Andrea and Gregory while they bond over shared passions and interests but argue over those same passions. Also, this story has a few surprises such as how Gregory is transgender (FtM) and that society accepts that. It really was an interesting story just because of the fact that while it was obviously historical, society accepted way beyond what, at that time, was considered unconventional and taboo. Even to the point that laws were created specifically for individuals like Gregory to enter back into society.

At the same time, the fact that this story was so short hindered the world that was so great. I wanted to learn more about why society was so accepting, what the ‘experiments’ Gregory went through to become the person he really was inside. It’s intriguing but, at the same time, largely unfinished and a bit vague. That was my only complaint, that the world was so underdeveloped. I loved the characters and their little spats but I also wanted to learn more about the world the author created.

In the end, this was a good little short. The characters are amusing and the brief courtship was sweet and cute. It ends way before things feel finished but I still really enjoyed the story. I hope the author will consider writing a sequel to develop things further. If you enjoy historical fantasies and you enjoy stories with trans* characters, give this one a try because you might enjoy it like I did.

This is a light and amusing romance novella, featuring delightful queer characters but set in a world that could have used more building. There's only just enough explanation of the main characters' differing opinions on magic and machinery to account for their initial antagonism, but only just. One doesn't really know what's going on, although it can be argued that one doesn't have to if romance one's only concern.

The rules of this world are also unclear to me. It's, like, 18th/19th century nobility and scholarly classes, but with magic and steampunk elements, and with hybrid 19th/21st century language and social mores. It's all interesting, but not solid enough to raise the stakes of the romantic relationship.

I'd encourage readers of queer romance to try this out for the fun of it, but not those looking for anything more.

ebook (edit)
review This was a lovely little novella! It had elements that I love in historical fiction, with hints of magic and a hint of steampunk in the corners. A Matter of Disagreement was a quick read that kept me smiling and kept me happy. I also adore how a trans character was just allowed to be a character, and their gender identity was not The Issue of the story. We need more romances like this!