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crystalisreading's review
3.0
This wasn't a bad collection of short fairy-tale inspired BDSM erotica. Not a great one either. I thought the Bluebeard story was very creative, and, while a little disturbing, very erotic. But the Beauty and the Beast story felt far too similar to the Bluebeard story, and less enjoyable. The Hansel and Gretel story was clever and quite erotic. sizzling, even. the Cinderella story was fine, but the Princess and the Pea story, despite some cheeky humor, was kind of boring. I wanted to be amused by it, especially the surprise at the end, but I mostly didn't care about the princess and Peony.
I feel like this theme could be done better, but it was a decent collection for what it was. Probably worth reading for Hansel and Gretel and the Bluebeard stories alone.
I feel like this theme could be done better, but it was a decent collection for what it was. Probably worth reading for Hansel and Gretel and the Bluebeard stories alone.
prationality's review
3.0
Cinder Feet by Mari Ness--A variation on 'Cinderella', the premise was good (Cinderella being submissive to her stepmother) the story itself was a little too short. I spent most of the 4 pages uncertain who exactly was giving Cinderella orders and it was only on the second read through that I understood.
The Princess and Peony by Mercy Loomis--A variation on 'The Princess and the Pea', I enjoyed this story the most. The Princess, Cara, arrives at the Prince's castle after chasing down her former lady-in-waiting Peony. Apparently Cara's parents didn't like Cara and Peony's relationship, so they sent her away. It’s a sweet and a treat to read.
The Last Mistress of the Chatelaine by Kieran Wyn Dewhurst--A variation on 'Bluebeard and his wives', I enjoyed this, but was at the same time unsettled. Told in the first person from Sophie' viewpoint, the story takes a sharp turn in the other direction upon the revelation of her lords sin. The story was good, but meandered a little bit in the middle.
That Wicked Witchcraft by Sunny Moraine--A variation on 'Hansel and Gretal', I did not particularly like this story. I didn't like Greta--swarmy is perhaps a very good term for her and Han was kind of a throw away. I liked the 'witch' Circe and was sad at her fate at the end.
Skin Deep by Shanna Germain--Another variation of 'Beauty and the Beast', but not quite. I won't ruin the surprise for you, but I was digging this one and really had hoped it would end out with our narrator, Beauty, winning out. It’s open-ended however, so I live in hope!
Overall the anthology is a solid one--it definitely explores several different ways that BDSM can be used (or abused) and the stories were well-written. I definitely found a couple new authors to keep an eye on!
The Princess and Peony by Mercy Loomis--A variation on 'The Princess and the Pea', I enjoyed this story the most. The Princess, Cara, arrives at the Prince's castle after chasing down her former lady-in-waiting Peony. Apparently Cara's parents didn't like Cara and Peony's relationship, so they sent her away. It’s a sweet and a treat to read.
The Last Mistress of the Chatelaine by Kieran Wyn Dewhurst--A variation on 'Bluebeard and his wives', I enjoyed this, but was at the same time unsettled. Told in the first person from Sophie' viewpoint, the story takes a sharp turn in the other direction upon the revelation of her lords sin. The story was good, but meandered a little bit in the middle.
That Wicked Witchcraft by Sunny Moraine--A variation on 'Hansel and Gretal', I did not particularly like this story. I didn't like Greta--swarmy is perhaps a very good term for her and Han was kind of a throw away. I liked the 'witch' Circe and was sad at her fate at the end.
Skin Deep by Shanna Germain--Another variation of 'Beauty and the Beast', but not quite. I won't ruin the surprise for you, but I was digging this one and really had hoped it would end out with our narrator, Beauty, winning out. It’s open-ended however, so I live in hope!
Overall the anthology is a solid one--it definitely explores several different ways that BDSM can be used (or abused) and the stories were well-written. I definitely found a couple new authors to keep an eye on!
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