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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
No
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
Really sweet and compelling romance that just so happens to blossom in a BDSM context, and the BDSM context is approached very genuinely, and is a nice introduction to the actual world of BDSM versus just being a titillating set piece. There is a genuine earnestness and vulnerability in the writing that could be a turn-off for some, but suits the themes well, and the introspective explorations of self-doubt and anxiety that are prevalent throughout. I do think the author is very explicit rather than implicit about everything regarding emotions and intimacy. Usually that’s too much? Like you don’t want to be hit over the head too much with “this-is-exactly-how-we-felt” in words. And repeated more than once! Usually that’s a big writerly no-no. But, I think it works well for this particular story. It ties into the theme of ultimate honesty and trust. And just saying the things you don’t want to just say. The personifications of shame, the alternate versions of conversations, they also tie into that nicely. It makes sense, and isn’t annoying like you’d expect.
I had a great time with this story. It's so much sweeter than you would ever expect. The main two are awkward and new to their relationship. The art is lovely. The spicy scenes were fantastic. Watching them figure out things together is lovely and I definitely plan on continuing with the next volume.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Dear Reader, this is the story of how I met the love of my lift. That one person who compl--
WAIT! DON'T LEAVE YET! THIS BOOKS HAS LOTS OF HOT LESBIAN BONDAGE SEX!"
These words appear a few pages into Stjepan Sejic’s “Sunstone,” and the series does not disappoint on either of its promises. It's a love story. It's a BDSM story. And it is a surprisingly delightful treat.
"Sunstone" is one of those things that has been on my radar for years. First on DeviantArt, as I followed Sejic due to his work on various Top Cow projects. It then slowly invaded my social media and seemed to pop up just about everywhere. It was even part of a comic and graphic novel Humble Bundle I bought a few months back. But it never really registered as something I'd enjoy reading. Mostly because of the whole “lesbian bondage sex” thing.
I picked up the first volume in the discount bin at a local used bookstore, and it went into my ever-rotating to-read pile of graphic novels and comics. Over the weekend, its turn came up at the top of the pile (the newest additions are always added at the bottom to keep things fair and ensure I DO get around to everything in the pile), and as regarded it as one of those “read it and get it over with” books.
So, needless to say, I wasn’t expecting to like it. I wasn’t expecting to keep turning pages, snickering at the awkwardness of Lisa and Ally as they set up their first date, then panic over it, then become swept away in the roles they have both been longing to play. I didn’t expect to laugh, or to find Ally’s isolationist gamer lifestyle so damn relatable. I certainly didn’t expect to read the entire thing in one thoroughly entertaining sitting.
Sejic’s art is, as always, a visual treat, though his tendency to draw women chewing on their lower lip is on full, repeated display here. This particular expression is everywhere in his other Top Cow work, and particularly noticeable here. Still, you can tell he had fun with the story, and thoroughly enjoyed working on it.
I reached the end of this installment unexpectedly (there is a LOT of bonus material after the story ends), and am now miffed that I have to experience downtime in the story as I chase down the next few volumes.
WAIT! DON'T LEAVE YET! THIS BOOKS HAS LOTS OF HOT LESBIAN BONDAGE SEX!"
These words appear a few pages into Stjepan Sejic’s “Sunstone,” and the series does not disappoint on either of its promises. It's a love story. It's a BDSM story. And it is a surprisingly delightful treat.
"Sunstone" is one of those things that has been on my radar for years. First on DeviantArt, as I followed Sejic due to his work on various Top Cow projects. It then slowly invaded my social media and seemed to pop up just about everywhere. It was even part of a comic and graphic novel Humble Bundle I bought a few months back. But it never really registered as something I'd enjoy reading. Mostly because of the whole “lesbian bondage sex” thing.
I picked up the first volume in the discount bin at a local used bookstore, and it went into my ever-rotating to-read pile of graphic novels and comics. Over the weekend, its turn came up at the top of the pile (the newest additions are always added at the bottom to keep things fair and ensure I DO get around to everything in the pile), and as regarded it as one of those “read it and get it over with” books.
So, needless to say, I wasn’t expecting to like it. I wasn’t expecting to keep turning pages, snickering at the awkwardness of Lisa and Ally as they set up their first date, then panic over it, then become swept away in the roles they have both been longing to play. I didn’t expect to laugh, or to find Ally’s isolationist gamer lifestyle so damn relatable. I certainly didn’t expect to read the entire thing in one thoroughly entertaining sitting.
Sejic’s art is, as always, a visual treat, though his tendency to draw women chewing on their lower lip is on full, repeated display here. This particular expression is everywhere in his other Top Cow work, and particularly noticeable here. Still, you can tell he had fun with the story, and thoroughly enjoyed working on it.
I reached the end of this installment unexpectedly (there is a LOT of bonus material after the story ends), and am now miffed that I have to experience downtime in the story as I chase down the next few volumes.
NSFW/
This felt really male gaze-y to me :( It was entertaining and I really tried to like it but it felt shallow and unrealistic. It promoted some unsafe BDSM practices and there were a lot of problems with consent among the friend group.
This felt really male gaze-y to me :( It was entertaining and I really tried to like it but it felt shallow and unrealistic. It promoted some unsafe BDSM practices and there were a lot of problems with consent among the friend group.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes