Human Rights [S. L. Armstrong] by S. L. Armstrong

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After landing in the pound after being abandoned by yet another family, Ewan is convinced he's too old to be adopted out again. For a pet like him, the only fate left is to be put down. But when Sir Jiat-of the City Guard, no less-visits the pound, he goes straight to Ewan. Jiat prefers the more mature pets and treats Ewan better than he's ever been treated by any previous owner. Ewan sleeps at the foot of his master's bed, not on the floor or outside; he is given toys and other pets to play show more with and plenty of room to run; and he's fed on a schedule and eats very well. But Ewan's love for his master begins to change, to become something else, something more. Plenty of pets have been killed over the years for acting on the feelings that Sir Jiat inspires, so he dares not express the desire building inside him. And yet, Ewan can't help but notice that Sir Jiat has begun to act differently as well, more doting, treating Ewan almost as an equal. So even though the thing he wants more than anything is also their society's greatest taboo, Ewan resolves that if he must die, he will die having felt, just once, the warmth of Sir Jiat's soft fur pressed against his bare naked skin. show less

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AdriV 698 reviews

I loved this. It made me feel a range of emotions, especially dealing with the treatment of the intelligent, sentient humans as dumb, oft abused pets. It made me not only reflect on animal rights, but also on the many versions of social inequality we perpetrate on each other, no matter the specific reason. This book transporting me into the eyes of the abused. And while it was sometimes sweet how innocent the pets were (the ones whose masters were part of the Human Rights movement), they (we all) are obviously not just beasts to be abused.

"I would go into that darkness loving Jiat, and that was mine, too. My love and my name, mine. The only two things I'd ever owned in my life."

I also loved the slow build of love and caring between Ewan show more and Jiat. It is not about zoophilia, or even the sex, but about two sentient beings falling in love and finding a way to keep that in a society that prohibits it on penalty of death.

I was drawn in from page one, and the intrigue of this world did not stop for a second. Very good story, definitely recommended. show less

Apr 3, 2026

Bookbee1 1,182 reviews

I waited a long, long time for this book to be released. Was it worth the wait? Definitely.

Just an FYI - there is one brief M/F sexual encounter described. I usually hate running across this in my M/M reading but in this instance it fit.

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