Dogpatch Press

Welcome to Kacey Pink, a trans lesbian writer of adult stories about transbodies and people overcoming adversity, trauma, and love finding a way. You can check out her novels here: pinkkacey.itch.io. Thanks to Kacey for her guest review of a novella based on characters drawn by artist Canisalbus and written by fan RoobrickMarine. 

Spoiler Free Separation Review

RoobrickMarine’s Separation is a story about reunion and yes, if you can believe it, separation. The novella is hosted on AO3, so it’s available for free if you’d like to give it a read yourself. The setting is 16th-century Rennaissance Italy. It is tagged History But Everyone Is Dogs, and star-crossed lovers for main characters Machete and Vasco.

Over a decade since he split from the only man he ever loved, Machete is now a cardinal in the political mire that is the Catholic Church. He has worked tirelessly to secure his own position and work towards his goals, having abandoned the idea of ever seeing his love again. Things are shaken up, however, when there is an attempt on his life. Now, plots will be uncovered, friendships will be tested, and something abandoned will suddenly be rekindled…

Here’s what character artist Canisalbus said about Separation:

What if I told you that RoobrickMarine went and wrote an entire novella starring my 16th century dog couple? It’s very canon-adjacent, well researched and thoughtfully put together, has inspired me a ton during these past months and it’s now publicly available at AO3. I highly recommend it.

It’s not a terribly grim story, but it doesn’t have a particularly happy ending. However, it does have a dessert at the end for you to enjoy if you want to see the boys thriving.

Overall, the story stands out for its strengths. The mystery and suspense is strong and getting to read a story about Vasco and Machete is really wonderful. I found myself rereading some of the lines in the story because they were just so fun. I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks and the retelling of the two’s history. The present time of the story is not safe or comfortable on purpose, so those escapes to simpler times are powerful.

Thanks to CanisAlbus

My only complaint really, which is more of an observation of the format than a real quibble, is that the story feels limited. I have written stories after pieces of art before and I can relate to one of the goals of this novella. Its goal is to create a story and a stronger context for the art amazing CanisAlbus has made of these two lovely dog boys. In that way, it does feel somewhat restrained. But yes, my big complaint is rooted in “I want more” and I’d love for that more to be wed with more art and context for their lives. An artistic endeavor that we may have to wait for in the form of a more direct work from CanisAlbus, since these babymen are theirs. No shame though, I’m just glad we get to enjoy them at all.

I like to give stories ratings based on where my expectations lay. I’m giving this story:

4 out of 1

I don’t mean to get down on fanfic or anything, it’s valid as a form of writing, I too have written fanfic. You go into the work expecting a certain level of “orbs” and this story didn’t really fall into that trap. Even with my previously stated issues, the format holding back the story, it was a great work. I think with some plot rework and scene adjustment this might even become a 5 out of 1.

I haven’t read anything else by RoobrickMarine, and am not sure how to find out more about them as a creative. It might be this is the pseudonym of an already accomplished author, you never know on the internet. However, this work has an opening note that it’s their first completed work, with a threat that they might rewrite it someday. I hope they do rewrite it and I hope they put it out there, because this is not the kind of work that should go unpublished. I would like to have a copy of this story on hard cover someday, with all kinds of glossy little jpegs within.

Please, I’m begging you.

Make it happen.

– Kacey Pink

For more by Kacey, visit her site, follow on Bluesky or check out her Patreon. 

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