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medievil_'s review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit. Erotic fiction that isn't romance, starring a whole messy cast of people with messy lives. I like a healthy dose of tragedy with my love stories, and damn if I didn't get that here. Brilliant.
big_fav0r's review against another edition
didn’t finish - i feel like i should like this book but i just don’t
topdragon's review against another edition
5.0
There are many excellent reviews here from readers who have a lot to which to compare this novel. Readers of erotica in general and BDSM in particular have all chimed in. So how does a non-erotica-experienced reader feel about this book?
Happily surprised is my answer. I won't rehash the plot here but suffice it to say that I expected numerous hot sex scenes and I got them, of course. But where I expected that to be the main focus with the plot little more than a contrived setup to the next such scene, that was not the case at all. This is not porn in verbal form. Rather this novel is an engaging story with well-developed characters that I really came to care about, and certainly was interested to see what they would do next. True, there is definitely dark erotica here, most especially dealing with why BDSM is the only answer for some individuals. There is love, and lust, bondage, submission, etc. etc. Presumably you would be picking this one up to read if that sort of thing did not interest you. And, speaking as a novice of such things, this book is an excellent starting point because one of the two main characters is a novice himself and thus is educated in most of the basics and nuances of the craft.
The novel goes far beyond mere sexual play and delves deep into the dark edges of it all. So it's not for the faint of heart or for those readers who want everything tied up in a nice little bow with all the characters living happily ever after. Some do and some don't...but there are sequels and much yet to explore.
Highly recommended for the appropriate audience.
Happily surprised is my answer. I won't rehash the plot here but suffice it to say that I expected numerous hot sex scenes and I got them, of course. But where I expected that to be the main focus with the plot little more than a contrived setup to the next such scene, that was not the case at all. This is not porn in verbal form. Rather this novel is an engaging story with well-developed characters that I really came to care about, and certainly was interested to see what they would do next. True, there is definitely dark erotica here, most especially dealing with why BDSM is the only answer for some individuals. There is love, and lust, bondage, submission, etc. etc. Presumably you would be picking this one up to read if that sort of thing did not interest you. And, speaking as a novice of such things, this book is an excellent starting point because one of the two main characters is a novice himself and thus is educated in most of the basics and nuances of the craft.
The novel goes far beyond mere sexual play and delves deep into the dark edges of it all. So it's not for the faint of heart or for those readers who want everything tied up in a nice little bow with all the characters living happily ever after. Some do and some don't...but there are sequels and much yet to explore.
Highly recommended for the appropriate audience.
kyleethecatlady's review against another edition
A little too slow-moving for me. Not feeling this kind of dark romance right now
jmm61116's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
monicabuj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
library_breeder's review
5.0
I can't possibly remember how many times I have read this book, but it is at least 4
heidi_grey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Sexual violence