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kcdennett's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
athenasure's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
emath98's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. A few of the stories really stood out to me, but I found most of them boring and uninspired - surprising for a queer erotica collection!
Echoing other reviews to say many of the stories gave weirdly "kink is evil and scary" undertones
Echoing other reviews to say many of the stories gave weirdly "kink is evil and scary" undertones
claire_macleod2345's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
natalie27's review
2.0
carmen maria machado’s story was 5/5
the rest…
it was so bad i want to give you a zero but that’s not possible so i give you a one
the rest…
it was so bad i want to give you a zero but that’s not possible so i give you a one
janeb97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
literarycrushes's review
4.0
I hadn’t heart of this collection of stories until I noticed it on display at my local bookstore last week and purchased it based on its impressive list of contributors. The collection has a clear mission: “Instead of pathologizing kink, the stories in this anthology treat it as a complex, psychologically rich act of communication.” It’s a unique angle for a collection that sheds light on a topic mostly cast aside in literary fiction (pulpy 50 shades of grey versions aside). These stories use sex as a tool for exploration into identity and desire. The resulting stories were as varied and thoughtful as they might have been had the topic been as general and textured as love.
Like most anthologies, there were a few standouts and a few that were a little too on-the-nose. I particularly loved Brandon Taylor’s heart-breaking (and well placed) story about a architecture student/part-time sex worker for older married couples, and Larissa Pham’s story about a young woman’s exploration of different kinds of vulnerability. Surprisingly, Roxanne Gay’s story was one of the least impressive stories and fell flat. I was also excited about Garth Greenwell’s piece (he also co-edited the book), but it turned out to be a recycled chapter from his book Cleanness (which is an incredible novel! I didn’t mind re-reading the chapter but had been hoping for something new from him). I also loved how queer the stories (& authors) were!
Like most anthologies, there were a few standouts and a few that were a little too on-the-nose. I particularly loved Brandon Taylor’s heart-breaking (and well placed) story about a architecture student/part-time sex worker for older married couples, and Larissa Pham’s story about a young woman’s exploration of different kinds of vulnerability. Surprisingly, Roxanne Gay’s story was one of the least impressive stories and fell flat. I was also excited about Garth Greenwell’s piece (he also co-edited the book), but it turned out to be a recycled chapter from his book Cleanness (which is an incredible novel! I didn’t mind re-reading the chapter but had been hoping for something new from him). I also loved how queer the stories (& authors) were!
ktaylorhurley's review
4.0
I’ve never read anything like this. It was fun, confusing, uncomfortable, exhilarating, stressful, and even a bit boring at certain points. I had no idea what to expect, and so the rating reflects a bit of that uncertainty. This book pushed me outside my comfort zone. Some concepts I’d prefer not to revisit, and some I’d love to spend more time exploring. And isn’t that what Kink is about? The book must have done its job!
caffeinatedfae's review against another edition
2.0
CW: Mention of Rape, humiliation play, mention of blood play, mention of needle play, Knife play, Spitting, incest, cheating, Coercion, Gaslighting, Graphic Sexual Assault, Graphic Assault, Transphobia, consensual body shaming, Violating negotiated scenes.
Like all anthologies, there are good stories and not-so-good stories. Unfortunately, there were more "meh" stories than good ones. Most of the stories were well written with some interesting characters and plots. I enjoyed that there were a variety of bodies & sexualities, but the kink aspect was subpar.
Maybe it's because I read romance and erotica, but this book didn't sit well with me. Some stories were good, but the majority of them were incredibly disappointing. It was as if most of the authors were against kink itself. Instead, they wanted to do the stereotypical "kink is dangerous" stories. They showed the raw, gritty dangerous side that the media often portrayed and skipped over anything that would be considered erotic or kink positive. It was just so disappointing to read. This is not a book I would recommend to anyone. No, kink is not always glamorous, but I wanted something more positive or something that didn't read like a scare campaign against kink.
Like all anthologies, there are good stories and not-so-good stories. Unfortunately, there were more "meh" stories than good ones. Most of the stories were well written with some interesting characters and plots. I enjoyed that there were a variety of bodies & sexualities, but the kink aspect was subpar.
Maybe it's because I read romance and erotica, but this book didn't sit well with me. Some stories were good, but the majority of them were incredibly disappointing. It was as if most of the authors were against kink itself. Instead, they wanted to do the stereotypical "kink is dangerous" stories. They showed the raw, gritty dangerous side that the media often portrayed and skipped over anything that would be considered erotic or kink positive. It was just so disappointing to read. This is not a book I would recommend to anyone. No, kink is not always glamorous, but I wanted something more positive or something that didn't read like a scare campaign against kink.