The BDSM Book Club Discussion Thread

[FurryFury]

So MANY choices!!! Here are my pics, in order of preference...

1. I always vote first for Delaney, he's amazing. I also love the protagonist's female lover in this book and would greatly enjoy a re-read. Plus there's a gang bang scene that's positively amazing...

2. Wild Women : Contemporary Short Stories By Women Celebrating Women.

3. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by A. N. Roquelaure AKA Anne Rice (I'm also an Anne Rice fan)

4. Slave Trade (Mass Market Paperback) by Susan Wright

5. Gordon by Edith Templeton

6. Heir To The Shadows, by Anne Bishop (like many, I have a vampire fetish)

7. Slaves of the Empire by Aaron Travis - Rome? What's not to like?

Neon

Thanks Neon!

I put the Delaney on because you suggested it in another thread! Would you read it again?

Anyone else have an opinion? I must make a choice and announce it tomorrow!

Fury

 

[FurryFury]

As recommended by our lovely Neonflux the June 2007 BDSM Book Club selection of the month is:

Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany! Please read along with us!

Discussion of the May 2007 selection, Kushiels Avatar, by Jaqueline Carey begins at midnight, May 31, 2007!

 

[neonflux]

 

[FurryFury]

Let's begin the discussion of Kushiels Avatar, by Jaqueline Carey our May 2007 selection.


Did you like the book overall or not?

I did. I have liked everyone of these Kushiel books. For me they've been the best stories and books on the BDSM Book on the month club.

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

It does not portray BDSM in a real way or my way. However it does in some aspects show it in a positive way. The patrons and Phedre' both enjoy it. The fact in the books that Phedre' is the only one the whole world that does enjoy pain whether she wants to or not is off the mark for me. She considers this her god given gift and curse at the same time.

In my opinion, this shouldn't be used for espionage or to assassinate bad people who "fall in love" with her because she does in enjoy pain and sex. Why wouldn't they enjoy inflicting pain more on people who do NOT enjoy it if they are so evil? *shrug*

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

The sex scenes are not detailed enough but yes I enjoyed them.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

I love the stories in these books. They are wonderful epic stories in a world not so far removed from ours in certain time periods. Characters we like and pull for vie against those we mostly do not like or pull for. The characters grow and change somewhat. The world is described in just enough but not too much detail This is excellent writing and storytelling in my book.

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

Absofuckinglutely!

What did you like best about this selection?

The great long story that didn't seem long at all and the characters.

What did you like the least?

When it ended. *tears up*

How would you have changed the story?

More detailed sex scenes maybe? That's about it.

Okay who else has read it and will chime into our discussion?

Fury

 

[graceanne]

Did you like the book overall or not?

Oh, yeah.

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

Not really. It definitely has some kinky sex, but no kinky relationships. And while Phedre' is definately a masochist, she's what I'd call a bedroom submissive. Add to that her main relationship is not D/s at all.

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

What little there was, yes. I sure wish their was more detail.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

Yes, I love these books. They've definitely grown on me, the characters are awesome (and I liked Joscelin a lot more this time, even as I pitied him).

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

Oh yeah. I'm waiting anxiously for the money to get the new one.

What did you like best about this selection?

Hm. (spoiler alert) I love that part, at the river, when Joscelin and Phedre make up.

What did you like the least?

Once again there are places where it just goes on and on and ON, but it always makes up for it later.

How would you have changed the story?

Better sex scenes, a little less glimpse into the characters thought process.

 

[FurryFury]

Thanks Beautiful Graceanne!

It's good to have such good reading company! Last month I think I was the only one who read the selection or wrote about it.

It also looks like we agree which is nice!

I wish more really good stories were written in this genre.

Fury

 

[graceanne]

Thanks Beautiful Graceanne!

It's good to have such good reading company! Last month I think I was the only one who read the selection or wrote about it.

It also looks like we agree which is nice!

I wish more really good stories were written in this genre.

Fury

Me, too. Have you read Bertrice Small's 'Love Slave'? It's kinda similar.

 

[Kierae]

Did you like the book overall or not?

I loved it!

Do you feel it portrays BDSM in a real way, a positive way and/or your way?

I really don't think it portrays bdsm in a whole but does address some of the thinkings of a masochist. Otherwise the Drujani portion was nonconsensual and quite dark. Phedre did come to a better understanding of her nature there though.

Did you like the sex scenes in the book?

Although they weren't very detailed, for me, it was fine to leave something to the imagination. The story telling was rich enough in description that it wasn't a huge leap.

Did you like the rest of the book, the story in it?

I really enjoyed this one of the series. It was nice to see the growth in the characters, how the various cultures and spiritual beliefs all came together.

Would you be interested in reading another book by this author?

I just finished Scion and am number 3 on the waiting list for Justice which is out in these next 2 weeks.

What did you like best about this selection?

We see more growth in Phedre and Joscelin and their relationship in this installment than in the previous two put together books. It was nice to see the maturity and evolution of their characters.

The least?

Carey tends to get overdetailed on minor things, ie the traveling portions which can drag the story a tad

How would you have changed the story?

I wouldn't change a thing except maybe not end Phedre's story with this book.


~kierae

 

[graceanne]

How would you have changed the story?

I wouldn't change a thing except maybe not end Phedre's story with this book.


~kierae

I agree that I'm going to miss Phedre, but I'm really thrilled to read more on Imriel.

 

[FurryFury]

Me, too. Have you read Bertrice Small's 'Love Slave'? It's kinda similar.

No!

Should we put it on the nomination list?

Fury

 

[FurryFury]

It's great to have more company, Kierae!

Seems we agree too!

But, you mean no more Phedre? Say it isn't so.

Fury

 

[graceanne]

No!

Should we put it on the nomination list?

Fury

Haven't I already? Nominated it, that is?

I hadn't! I cannot believe I forgot to nominate Love Slave. It's about a girl who's kidnapped from Scotland and taken to the middle east to become a sex xlave, but the man who buys her doesn't want just a sex slave, he wants a very trained sex slave. So he hires someone to teach her technique and all that. Of course she and her teacher fall in love, but he's made a commitment and still has to return her to her owner. I think you'd like it, Fury, cause the main character (I think her names Regan) isn't just a typical subbie type person. She uses her skills and stuff to bring herself security and all that. I can't tell you anymore without ruining the story, but in the end she and her teacher do end up with eachother. :nana;

Here's a link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&z=y&EAN=9780449002131&itm=3

 

[FurryFury]

Haven't I already? Nominated it, that is?

I hadn't! I cannot believe I forgot to nominate Love Slave. It's about a girl who's kidnapped from Scotland and taken to the middle east to become a sex xlave, but the man who buys her doesn't want just a sex slave, he wants a very trained sex slave. So he hires someone to teach her technique and all that. Of course she and her teacher fall in love, but he's made a commitment and still has to return her to her owner. I think you'd like it, Fury, cause the main character (I think her names Regan) isn't just a typical subbie type person. She uses her skills and stuff to bring herself security and all that. I can't tell you anymore without ruining the story, but in the end she and her teacher do end up with eachother. :nana;

Here's a link: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&z=y&EAN=9780449002131&itm=3

Thanks for the link! It looks good. We will have to put it on the list of nominees.

Fury

 

[Kierae]

yep Phedre's story is finished and she becomes a minor character. Kushiel's Scion is Imriel's story (as is Justice). Scion was great though and I actually found it had less dragging down with details in it. Carey is definitely great at character development.

~kierae

 

[Kierae]

You really should read The Marketplace series by Laura Antoniou too if you haven't. There are 5 books in the series.

I am reading Tease by Suzanne Forster right now which looked promising but its kinda falling flat (in that it is a tease - will see since I am almost done).

~kierae

 

[FurryFury]

You really should read The Marketplace series by Laura Antoniou too if you haven't. There are 5 books in the series.

I am reading Tease by Suzanne Forster right now which looked promising but its kinda falling flat (in that it is a tease - will see since I am almost done).

~kierae

I've heard Marketplace is good and I do want to read it!

I'm sorry your current read is falling flat.

Fury

 

[FurryFury]

yep Phedre's story is finished and she becomes a minor character. Kushiel's Scion is Imriel's story (as is Justice). Scion was great though and I actually found it had less dragging down with details in it. Carey is definitely great at character development.

~kierae

So is there much sex? Or is there much pain? Does it still fit in the BDSM Book of the month club or not?

At least we see Phedre a little.

I really liked how her companion didn't whine or run away this time. He had a hard journey but he was steadfast. I'm proud of him!

Fury

 

[Kierae]

I would have to say the sex in Scion is much less since Imriel was growing up and just coming of age (and fighting his inherited legacy all the way). So basically there were a couple instances but nothing in comparison to the other books. I didn't mind so much but I do expect that Justice will have much more.

~kierae

Oh btw Hamilton's book is out on Tuesday I believe!!

 

[graceanne]

I would have to say the sex in Scion is much less since Imriel was growing up and just coming of age (and fighting his inherited legacy all the way). So basically there were a couple instances but nothing in comparison to the other books. I didn't mind so much but I do expect that Justice will have much more.

~kierae

Oh btw Hamilton's book is out on Tuesday I believe!!

I know! I'm just beside myself with anxiety. *chews nails*

 

[Kierae]

hehehe I have a friend in texas who is sending me the Hamilton book so my guess is I will have it by next weekend.

Gracie - I do have the Beauty series so when we do the series for the thread (or if you want to read sooner) let me know and I will gladly send to you (save you some $).

~kierae

 

[graceanne]

hehehe I have a friend in texas who is sending me the Hamilton book so my guess is I will have it by next weekend.

Gracie - I do have the Beauty series so when we do the series for the thread (or if you want to read sooner) let me know and I will gladly send to you (save you some $).

~kierae

That'd be great. Thank you.

 

[Kierae]

Absolutely! I have been in the mode to not buy any books unless I know I want to own them which means I have already read them. It is amazing the number of books the library won't order.


~kierae

 

[graceanne]

Absolutely! I have been in the mode to not buy any books unless I know I want to own them which means I have already read them. It is amazing the number of books the library won't order.


~kierae

I know. Makes me so mad! Especially when I give in, buy a book, and don't like it. I mean it's rare I have the money to buy a book, then to find out I don't like it?

 

[FurryFury]

Absolutely! I have been in the mode to not buy any books unless I know I want to own them which means I have already read them. It is amazing the number of books the library won't order.


~kierae

Have you asked?

My library asks for patron's to fill out a card about what they'd like. So far they've eventually gotten everything I ever asked for. Maybe your library has something like that?

I usually only buy books for school, for gifts, or because I have a gift certificate. I'd go broke if I bought every book I read or for that matter every DVD I watch.

I also share with buds.

Fury

 

[Kierae]

Have you asked?

My library asks for patron's to fill out a card about what they'd like. So far they've eventually gotten everything I ever asked for. Maybe your library has something like that?

I usually only buy books for school, for gifts, or because I have a gift certificate. I'd go broke if I bought every book I read or for that matter every DVD I watch.

I also share with buds.

Fury

I need to "order" them from the city library - basically they told me that the interlibrary" loan could take as little as a week to get to several months - so it wasn't very encouraging. Mind you my library is in a historically established old house and before I cleaned out my personal library to 2 bookcases, I am fairly sure it could have competed with it on some levels. It is always interesting establishing yourself with the library gals - they are use to seeing me at least once a week and the fact that I read several books at the same time.

~kierae