Scan barcode
A review by crystalisreading
Personal Geography by Tamsen Parker
4.0
This was an enjoyable change of pace from a lot of the BDSM erotic romances I've read, in that there WAS a lot of action going on, and yet the focus and energy of the story was less on the sexy times and more on the emotions behind them, on what was happening in India's mind (and body) before, during, and after those scenes.
Like in many other of this book sub genre, the protagonist India/ Kit was very emotionally damaged. Keeping her everyday self under the same ruthless control she applied to her job and the people she worked with, she only allowed herself occasional weekends of blissful release as a carefully contracted submissive with various doms. The written contracts were interesting--most BDSM novels I've read don't put much focus on them, but they are an core part of India's experience as Kit. Her relationship with her friend/ master Reyes was also an interesting and not often portrayed dynamic in these novels--a non-sexual connection, and clearly a very tight one, given the amount of time and money Reyes and his underling Matty expend arranging India's weekend excusions, apparently without any repayment. Perhaps that was because of Reyes' obscene amount of wealth, though, a fact that is rubbed in the reader's face during EVERY scene with Reyes. Frankly, all of the characters in this story were obscenely wealthy, and it was kind of annoying. How can you relate to characters who lives so far out of normal reality?
I also found myself questioning why Reyes, and Matty, and Cris were all so willing to devote endless time and patience to India/ Kit, generally without any seeming benefit. I get that that makes them heroes, but it also makes them a bit unrealistic. Selfless love is a rare and limited substance, yet India seemed to be surrounded by it, despite being extremely high maintenance, due to all her previous trauma.
Finally, as others have pointed out, India's strict divide between herself and her submissive self, Kit, was a little weird and unhealthy. I could understand, as I learned more about her previous life and experiences, why she might want to keep her experiences confidential. I did not really understand, though, how completely compartmented those aspects of her life were, almost like split personalities. It was a bit eerie.
On the other hand, given India/ Kit's level of previous trauma and current dysfunction, the story made for riveting reading, hearing how India grows and heals and develops during the story, despite kicking and screaming the entire way. I was engrossed through to the very end of the book (and then very irritated by the completely abrupt cliffhanger ending). And yes, I bought the second book in the series already. Because with an ending like that, to a book I liked, of course I need to know what happens. Well played, author and marketing. well played.
Like in many other of this book sub genre, the protagonist India/ Kit was very emotionally damaged. Keeping her everyday self under the same ruthless control she applied to her job and the people she worked with, she only allowed herself occasional weekends of blissful release as a carefully contracted submissive with various doms. The written contracts were interesting--most BDSM novels I've read don't put much focus on them, but they are an core part of India's experience as Kit. Her relationship with her friend/ master Reyes was also an interesting and not often portrayed dynamic in these novels--a non-sexual connection, and clearly a very tight one, given the amount of time and money Reyes and his underling Matty expend arranging India's weekend excusions, apparently without any repayment. Perhaps that was because of Reyes' obscene amount of wealth, though, a fact that is rubbed in the reader's face during EVERY scene with Reyes. Frankly, all of the characters in this story were obscenely wealthy, and it was kind of annoying. How can you relate to characters who lives so far out of normal reality?
I also found myself questioning why Reyes, and Matty, and Cris were all so willing to devote endless time and patience to India/ Kit, generally without any seeming benefit. I get that that makes them heroes, but it also makes them a bit unrealistic. Selfless love is a rare and limited substance, yet India seemed to be surrounded by it, despite being extremely high maintenance, due to all her previous trauma.
Finally, as others have pointed out, India's strict divide between herself and her submissive self, Kit, was a little weird and unhealthy. I could understand, as I learned more about her previous life and experiences, why she might want to keep her experiences confidential. I did not really understand, though, how completely compartmented those aspects of her life were, almost like split personalities. It was a bit eerie.
On the other hand, given India/ Kit's level of previous trauma and current dysfunction, the story made for riveting reading, hearing how India grows and heals and develops during the story, despite kicking and screaming the entire way. I was engrossed through to the very end of the book (and then very irritated by the completely abrupt cliffhanger ending). And yes, I bought the second book in the series already. Because with an ending like that, to a book I liked, of course I need to know what happens. Well played, author and marketing. well played.