The Great Wall

I am in love with ZALLORA! The characters in the Great Wall will make you happy and sad. I love this story and I would recommend this to anyone who loves m/m genre.

You will go through all of the emotions while reading this book! You will smile at the innocence of Styx and cry at his situation at home. This story is very unique in that it shows us on how the Chinese culture is towards their people and especially gays. It is very sad and heart breaking on how the Chinese people especially gays live in their country. But, it is also very enlightening and hopeful that their are some people who wants to change the culture. Styx wants Jin and has wanted to marry him since he was younger but was told by his grandfather that boys don't marry boys and that he will marry a nice girl to have a family with. He has to take care of his family first and forsake his own life choices. He is able for a short time to follow his dreams of becoming a drummer and spending time with Jin in another city. He is so innocent about life and almost kills himself by accident. This starts a turning point in Styx and Jin's story. Jin at this point starts to make his feelings known to Styx. Their story envolves even more when Li and Indigo moves in and they start a band together. They have many things including family obligations and cultural issues to over come to become the people they want to be. This is a wonderful read from the beginning to the end and leaves you wanting more. It also shows you how things like the internet and being who we are is taken for granted.
I was originally given this story for free for an honest review but I have also bought it. Their story has touched me and I bought it to read again and again. It is now one of my favorites and I am looking forward to revisiting them again in the future!

Reviewed by Truus for Diverse Reader

As the son of a conservative Chinese family Jun Tai/Styx has a duty to fulfill: "Take care of your family and marry a nice girl". What he really wants is to marry his best friend Jin and be part of a band, together.
Jun Tai and Jin are friends from way back when they were five years old.
As a teenager he didn't understand why Jin would look at girls...his heart hurts.
When Jin begs for Styx to come with him and live with him in Suzhou, far away from home, he just follows his heart, and there they go.
Living with Jin is wonderful and hurtful. He craves him... his mind and body are in conflict.
After Styx makes a wrong decision, one that almost costs his life, Jin is devastated and makes his own decision how to go on with their friendship.
Watching Jin take the lead and Styx's the one who followed blindly, is just divine. Styx is innocent and oblivious to what Jin really wants.
Jin is delighted when there will be two more guys sharing the two bedroom apartment because now Styx will have to share Jin's bed... Free-spirits Li and Indigo don't hold back on any subject. They have their own tale in this story, equally fun and intriguing as Styx and Jin's.
"Jin wanted more—more than Styx would ever be able to give, but the maddening part was he truly wanted to give Jin everything."
Styx's hope to gain a real and free future, free from duties towards his family. The only chance to live is to earn money by creating a successful band.
It's an extended story, a somewhat slow burn with lovable and endearing personalities. The growing love is sweet and strong despite all the difficulties. The Chinese environments are wonderfully entwined, we even get a sightseeing!! It's all about growing up in and extricate the Chinese culture. A culture where being gay is not allowed and family honor is the main priority.
Overall a good written story. The progress of the boys 'growing up' is well put down.
There are parts that will give you blurry eyes, a silly smile and will play with your heartstrings.

I'm in love with the cover

This was a wonderful book to read. Z. Allora have way to tell love and sexy story. This one happen in China where there are no gay people, right? Wrong. However the closet is huge and deep. This is a story of a dutiful son name Jun Tai Wong, AKA "Styx" who is in love with his best friend Jin Lan. Unfortunately, they can not show or act affectionately in any way or manner because is China, and China is ultra conservative and prohibitive on such things. So, by some kind of miracle Jin's uncle offer them his apartments to live in Sozhou. This was big step for Styx and Jin. At least something for them to be free even if is not forever. In come Li and Indigo, kind of running from trouble at the moment, so they all end up as house mates. The very best things was they, meaning, Li and Indigo are musicians too. The adventure continue with them getting gigs at a German restaurant and looking for a lead singer. Tian Di is the new singer, and finally when their band had some semblance of a band, Styx was called back home to be a responsible son, get married and take care of the family. All is not lost, when Indigo swoop in like an Angel and help "Styx" all his problems. The how you will have find out by reading the book. I just have to mention "Styx" is very innocent. He is like having a little devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. Some of the conversations that Styx have with the other members are quite hilarious. You will have to find that out for yourself. This book have enough angst for me. Thank you Z for the HEA. I highly recommend this book.