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Beauty’s Release by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice) – Book Review
Beauty’s Release by A.N. Roquelaure
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s probably best to start of the review of this, the third book in the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy, with a section from my review of the first book:
“In order to read the Sleeping Beauty series, you mush set aside ALL of your preconceived notions about sex, sexuality, consensual sex– all if it should have no bearing on this story. This is not “your” story, it is the fictitious account of Sleeping Beauty and the Prince who awakened her (at least in the beginning, after which it becomes a story of multiple “slaves” and their many different views on BDSM.)
That above point is the key to not only reading the first book to completion, but the whole series, so I’ll say it again: SET ASIDE ALL OF YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS REGARDING SEX.”
Now, on to the actual book’s review. I liked this one and the first book just about equally. The second book was my favorite overall. Of course, that may have had something to do with the fact that I read all three books within a 36 hour period, so I was functioning under the duress of spanking-overload.
For the final book in the series, Beauty and a few others are captured one night by foreign raiders, who’ve traveled there specifically to capture sex slaves to take back to their Sultan via a lengthy ship voyage. Once the vessel arrives with it’s captured cargo, the slaves have no idea what to expect and if, without the safety net of the Queen and her land, their lives will be better or worse. Even much worse, becomes a distinct possibility. Without the limited rules of their Queen, the slaves have had their last bit of control stripped away completely, and it’s through this complete and utter submission that the slaves begin to come into their true selves.
Overall, a satisfying end to on of the most unique series I’ve read in a good long while. Hats off to Roquelaure (Rice) for being mad enough (brave enough) to write the story that needed telling, and not the one that most readers expected. She could make a masterpiece out of cereal box copy!
Beauty’s Punishment by A.N Roquelaure (Anne Rice) – Book Review
Beauty’s Punishment by A.N. Roquelaure
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s probably best to start of the review of this, the second book in the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy, with a section from my review of the first book:
“In order to read the Sleeping Beauty series, you mush set aside ALL of your preconceived notions about sex, sexuality, consensual sex– all if it should have no bearing on this story. This is not “your” story, it is the fictitious account of Sleeping Beauty and the Prince who awakened her (at least in the beginning, after which it becomes a story of multiple “slaves” and their many different views on BDSM.)
That above point is the key to not only reading the first book to completion, but the whole series, so I’ll say it again: SET ASIDE ALL OF YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS REGARDING SEX.”
While I enjoyed the first book, things really got interesting once I acclimated to the unique sexuality views prevalent in the series and the plot hooked into me with deeper purchase. At the end of book one, I immediately started reading this book, despite the fact that it was well past my bed time. For most of the first book, Beauty is safely (or not, depending on your point of view) ensconced in the Royal Palace where the BDSM themes have a royal bent. Until, that is, Beauty does something so inexplicable (and on purpose) to relegate herself to the nearby royal village to continue her servitude.
Thus starts this book, with Beauty cast into the wilds of the village, not knowing if the punishments that follow will be something that she can tolerate at all. More character viewpoints are introduced, and some of the originals (like the Prince) are never heard from again. I found the new players in the game enhanced the book and rounded out the full slave experience, and on the whole I think I liked this book the best out of all three.
I do feel that I should mention that underneath all the sexual sadism, like the layers of an onion, are the internal struggles among the cast, and their deep longing to understand and fully realize their true selves without the confines of societal norms and expectations. In that sense, these books are wholly literary, even if it’s hidden between the supple folds of what some may find to be perversion.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N Roquelaure (Anne Rice) – Book Review
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A.N. Roquelaure
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a huge Anne Rice Fan, I’ve had the Sleeping Beauty series on my Wish list for years. I waited so long to read it simply because I love Rice, and I think I was scared that if I didn’t like them it would taint anything else I tried to read of hers in the future. That said, I ultimately liked this book (and the rest of the series) but I could see how someone who didn’t “get” the book might be turned off any new Rice books forever.
Now, I’ve read some reviews and know that this series isn’t for everyone. Heck, if I’d have read it a few years earlier it probably wouldn’t have been for me either.
In order to read the Sleeping Beauty series, you mush set aside ALL of your preconceived notions about sex, sexuality, consensual sex– all if it should have no bearing on this story. This is not “your” story, it is the fictitious account of Sleeping Beauty and the Prince who awakened her (at least in the beginning, after which it becomes a story of multiple “slaves” and their many different views on BDSM.)
That above point is the key to not only reading the first book to completion, but the whole series, so I’ll say it again: SET ASIDE ALL OF YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS REGARDING SEX.
This is a different world, and as so, it comes with a very different set of expectations and beliefs regarding sexuality and pleasure. The word “rape” is only used a few times in the books to signify when a man (or men) force themselves onto another man (usually in the form of punishment for misdeeds). But even then, it’s used as an action-identifier, not a legal term and it doesn’t hold the same connotations as the modern usage.
Homosexuality doesn’t appear to exist in the context of the books as it does in our modern world either. In these books, PEOPLE have sex with each other. While some may have preferences towards type or appearance, the characters in this book are equal opportunity. It’s all just personalities and body parts, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh.
So, if you can set aside every opinion you have about sex and tuck away your “I am woman, hear me roar” mantras for a minute, then you may find these books enlightening and psychologically deep. Like several of the characters in the book are told (something similar at least)… if you can relinquish everything (control, preconceived notions, expectations, fears, repulsion, pride) then you will be free and open to the experience.
Strip away the adult bits, and Roquelaure (Rice)has penned a historical/ literary/ fantasy that is richly woven like a tapestry and full-bodied like a fine wine. Add back the naughty bits and see if you don’t come away thinking about these books for days, if not weeks.
(** I received this book free via Netgalley for review purposes. No monies were exchanged. )
