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rhodered's review
3.0
Re-read for the first time since it came out. It stuck with me over the years, and began niggling at me recently. Not sure why even now.
Now I have the perspective to see the lead is as Mary Sue as they come. Everyone thinks he's handsome, but he looks in the mirror and sees nothing special. The head of medical is awed by his just-learned surgical skills. The head of training thinks he's beyond exceptional. His bonded servant (basically a slave) becomes utterly devoted to him because he's so amazeballs caring. Plus, he's also a genius chemist. And a prince, literally.
Yet soooo humble and kind and decent and a goooood guy.
Except for that rampant sadism.
The torture scenes are kinda lovingly written. They will gross you out unless that's your thing. I skipped this time.
The best bits were about the fish and the ocean - which is how his culture thinks of m/f sex. It's not hugely detailed, aside from the fact that he's able to satisfy like 3-4 women at the same time (MARY SUE). But I like the analogy - there's a great deal of charm to it.
The other trainee character is so awful that she feels very real. Yet, she's so awful that she's too much of a foil for him. It's all too black and white.
Science says confessions and information obtained under torture are not very useful or truthful. This book treats them as the opposite though. I'm not sure why - if the author knew the science or decided to twist it for her universe. If that were the case, I guess you'd end up with a lot of ethical considerations.
And that's in the end why I like this. Struggling with ethics in a bad situation, I always find that interesting.
Now I have the perspective to see the lead is as Mary Sue as they come. Everyone thinks he's handsome, but he looks in the mirror and sees nothing special. The head of medical is awed by his just-learned surgical skills. The head of training thinks he's beyond exceptional. His bonded servant (basically a slave) becomes utterly devoted to him because he's so amazeballs caring. Plus, he's also a genius chemist. And a prince, literally.
Yet soooo humble and kind and decent and a goooood guy.
Except for that rampant sadism.
The torture scenes are kinda lovingly written. They will gross you out unless that's your thing. I skipped this time.
The best bits were about the fish and the ocean - which is how his culture thinks of m/f sex. It's not hugely detailed, aside from the fact that he's able to satisfy like 3-4 women at the same time (MARY SUE). But I like the analogy - there's a great deal of charm to it.
The other trainee character is so awful that she feels very real. Yet, she's so awful that she's too much of a foil for him. It's all too black and white.
Science says confessions and information obtained under torture are not very useful or truthful. This book treats them as the opposite though. I'm not sure why - if the author knew the science or decided to twist it for her universe. If that were the case, I guess you'd end up with a lot of ethical considerations.
And that's in the end why I like this. Struggling with ethics in a bad situation, I always find that interesting.
jameseckman's review
3.0
I know this book was recommended to me, but I can't remember who or when.
The book covers training a doctor to be a torturer in a society where judicial torture is commonly practiced. While not specifically a bondage and discipline book, there's certainly enough here to gladden the heart of any John Norman fan. While the character development is well done and the background was interesting, I won't be reading more in this series, just too close to my personal yuckk! alarm.
Contains graphic torture scenes, you've been warned.
The book covers training a doctor to be a torturer in a society where judicial torture is commonly practiced. While not specifically a bondage and discipline book, there's certainly enough here to gladden the heart of any John Norman fan. While the character development is well done and the background was interesting, I won't be reading more in this series, just too close to my personal yuckk! alarm.
Contains graphic torture scenes, you've been warned.
brownbetty's review
4.0
I'm going to be honest: I can't tell if this book is actually that good, or if I just got sucked so far into the Id vortex that I can't even see the event horizon. So please take this entire review with about a tablespoon of salt. I stayed up 'til four reading it, and didn't notice.
So, this is a story about a doctor and, he discovers over the course of the story, a sadist, who is forced by his state into becoming a torturer, and how he deals with that. (There is a certain amount of torture, none of which is remotely safe, sane, or consensual, nor pretends to be. Take ye warning.)
Alternately, it is the Mirrorverse "Dr. McCoy to the interrogation room." (I believe this is TNH's description, and for a certain segment, an entirely adequate elevator pitch.)
It's written decently, and the only time it strayed (for me) into "Oh god, I can see your Id!" was when the author came up with two separate justifications for the protagonist to platonically kiss his armsmen/slaves. But that could be the blinding effects of the Id vortex. I'm pretty sure The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife would be the best illustration for what this book was like for me.
So, this is a story about a doctor and, he discovers over the course of the story, a sadist, who is forced by his state into becoming a torturer, and how he deals with that. (There is a certain amount of torture, none of which is remotely safe, sane, or consensual, nor pretends to be. Take ye warning.)
Alternately, it is the Mirrorverse "Dr. McCoy to the interrogation room." (I believe this is TNH's description, and for a certain segment, an entirely adequate elevator pitch.)
It's written decently, and the only time it strayed (for me) into "Oh god, I can see your Id!" was when the author came up with two separate justifications for the protagonist to platonically kiss his armsmen/slaves. But that could be the blinding effects of the Id vortex. I'm pretty sure The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife would be the best illustration for what this book was like for me.
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