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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
The artwork is gorgeous, and though it is a BDSM love story that I wouldn't recommend to everyone, at its heart it is sweet and an interesting look at finding happiness in a different way of loving.
I should write a proper review for Sandstone, as my previous review gave the impression that I wrote it with one hand only, and that's a shame.
I discovered Sunstone in the Humble Bundle, but man, it was something else. The BDSM part, sure, it was ok - after all, I won't lie to you Stjepan really knows how to draw good erotica. In a sense, I find the BDSM part the weakest - mainly because it's a personal introduction to the phenomenon, and while he tries to portray BDSM in a positive light (because it can be positive, like the author proves) he somehow overdoes it at the expense of character building and story. This is not a mistake he perpetuates, as the future issues are not suffocated with all these „what BDSM is and what it's not”. The whole BDSM part feels a lot like: „you know, I like something weird, let me explain why it's ok”. And it's ok, only that it feels weird and fake at times; because all of a sudden this is such a clean phenomenon - and we know it isn't; not only it is not, but what Stjepan describes is toy-BDSM, more like it. And I totally respect that, because he hangs on the safe-er side of the spectrum, and he talks about all the good parts, and I'm down with that (with talking about the good parts). It's all positive, but he is terribly preachy. I get it why, but still, the feeling is there.
What he manages to do amazingly well is the remote relationship, and that feeling of meeting someone for the first time. The over-enthusiasm, the imposed auto-limitations that follow, and all the stress of „oh my god it will happen” which he really captures incredibly well in the first volume. And while the characters are somewhat undefined for the time being, it does make sense - as the characters themselves are in the magic moment of getting-to-know-each-other. And it makes sense to have the characters not very well defined, and knowing the rest of the volumes I know that his characters grow in an interesting way - and, what's important, there's less overt sex and more relationship.
And the relationship is cute from the start to the end of the volume. It's an amazingly wonderful story, I love it, I love how it develops, how humane it is. That's why I loved this volume, my god, that's a superb development for a relationship. The emotion, the humanity, oh, it was just lovely. And that makes up for the somewhat boring preachiness about ideal BDSM. I guess, it was necessary for a wider audience.
I discovered Sunstone in the Humble Bundle, but man, it was something else. The BDSM part, sure, it was ok - after all, I won't lie to you Stjepan really knows how to draw good erotica. In a sense, I find the BDSM part the weakest - mainly because it's a personal introduction to the phenomenon, and while he tries to portray BDSM in a positive light (because it can be positive, like the author proves) he somehow overdoes it at the expense of character building and story. This is not a mistake he perpetuates, as the future issues are not suffocated with all these „what BDSM is and what it's not”. The whole BDSM part feels a lot like: „you know, I like something weird, let me explain why it's ok”. And it's ok, only that it feels weird and fake at times; because all of a sudden this is such a clean phenomenon - and we know it isn't; not only it is not, but what Stjepan describes is toy-BDSM, more like it. And I totally respect that, because he hangs on the safe-er side of the spectrum, and he talks about all the good parts, and I'm down with that (with talking about the good parts). It's all positive, but he is terribly preachy. I get it why, but still, the feeling is there.
What he manages to do amazingly well is the remote relationship, and that feeling of meeting someone for the first time. The over-enthusiasm, the imposed auto-limitations that follow, and all the stress of „oh my god it will happen” which he really captures incredibly well in the first volume. And while the characters are somewhat undefined for the time being, it does make sense - as the characters themselves are in the magic moment of getting-to-know-each-other. And it makes sense to have the characters not very well defined, and knowing the rest of the volumes I know that his characters grow in an interesting way - and, what's important, there's less overt sex and more relationship.
And the relationship is cute from the start to the end of the volume. It's an amazingly wonderful story, I love it, I love how it develops, how humane it is. That's why I loved this volume, my god, that's a superb development for a relationship. The emotion, the humanity, oh, it was just lovely. And that makes up for the somewhat boring preachiness about ideal BDSM. I guess, it was necessary for a wider audience.
I was really surprised at how much I liked this.
The angsty "Sure we're totally banging, but does she REALLY like me?" story between the two main protagonists gives a fix usually only fanfic can fill for me. The art is amazing and totally hot.
Worth reading (uh, for those who are OK reading a comic about BDSM lesbians)! I've already read all the subsequent volumes online, but I'll be buying them in print, too.
The angsty "Sure we're totally banging, but does she REALLY like me?" story between the two main protagonists gives a fix usually only fanfic can fill for me. The art is amazing and totally hot.
Worth reading (uh, for those who are OK reading a comic about BDSM lesbians)! I've already read all the subsequent volumes online, but I'll be buying them in print, too.
2.5 stars. I didn't mind the impossibly pretty bodies (in fact, I quite enjoyed the illustrations) but I did mind Alan. A LOT. I feel like this graphic novel would have been about 95% better if it weren't for the self-insert guy who gets to watch the hot bdsm-y (bisexual) lesbians (who don't know they're lesbians, it's just sex after all) make out. Because that's just how hot bdsm-y lesbians act, they can't restrain themselves in front of their exes who are dudes, and also they kind of think they're straight and that periods preclude sexual activity of any kind save cuddling and kissing.
(In other words, probably - I would have liked it more if it had been written by a lesbian instead of a guy.)
(Review edited to add comments.)
(In other words, probably - I would have liked it more if it had been written by a lesbian instead of a guy.)
(Review edited to add comments.)
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wasn't sure if I would like this - erotica not being my thing, but the characters really won me over on this one. The central relationship was both wholesome (i.e. focussed on care and consent), and not what most people would think of as 'wholesome' (i.e. kinky af). The characters are also really sweet in their vulnerabilities, and I kinda dig the set up of the drama being accidently catching feelings in a relationship that is meant to just be about sex. Being volume 1 and only short we don't get very into this couple's story, and so I'm not especially invested yet but I do think I could be easily drawn into their dynamic. I also appreciated that while there was a lot of discussion of BDSM and navigating boundaries etc., there was still an element of fade-to-black. I might continue with this if I find it online, but I'm not sure I get enough out of these to own them physically.
I really enjoy Sunstone. It does a good job of illustrating loneliness and caringness and the nervousness that comes at the beginning of a new relationship. The author made the characters so quirky and relatable.
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No