A Whole New World
This is a good book for a bit of fantasy reading. It is not meant to be taken for reality and does not portray the master/slave relationship in a realistic, sane, or even legal way.Published: March 11, 2009
Pros:
Well written and easy to read.
Cons:
Very graphic and dangerously violent scenes that can border on torture.
I came across this book some years ago when a friend blushingly showed it to me. I was very inexperienced in the lifestyle of BDSM and she thought it might be a good introduction into the fantasy elements of the whole scene. I have never been a fan of Anne Rice's books but I thought what the hell and bought the trilogy for myself.
The story is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, in which instead of rushing in and waking his bride to be, our Prince carnally claims the Princess and then carts her off to experience life in his Mother's Queendom as a pleasure slave. This is a period of "training" aimed at stripping away ego and pride from the ruler's of the surrounding kingdoms making them, presumably, better rulers more in touch with their lowly subjects carnal desires and needs. It is well told from all perspectives, from Beauty's fright and humiliation to the Prince's confused desire to completely own this lovely new Princess. The story follows Beauty from her first tentative desire to submit to her eventually rebellion.
The BDSM scenes are beautifully described though they are all patently fantasy. Some of the punishments are dangerous and don't even border on abusive. Safe, sane and consensual is not the way this book even attempts to portray the master/slave relationship. This book should not be considered a manual to follow in planning or enacting a scene in real life but they are thought provoking and just plain HOT to read. It is definitely good food for fantasy and was good fodder for many a masturbation evening for myself.
This book has good re-read value as well. I would not recommend leaving this book around for younger readers as it is very much fantasy and should never be confused for reality. We removed the set from easy reach when our girls began to read the books on our family bookcase. When the time is right and they grow curious I will explain the realities of consensual BDSM and allow them to read the set if they desire to.
It is well written and a bit flowery. Overall easy to read and very graphic. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something very non-mainstream, as it is a good story even if it does get a bit rude at points.
The story is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, in which instead of rushing in and waking his bride to be, our Prince carnally claims the Princess and then carts her off to experience life in his Mother's Queendom as a pleasure slave. This is a period of "training" aimed at stripping away ego and pride from the ruler's of the surrounding kingdoms making them, presumably, better rulers more in touch with their lowly subjects carnal desires and needs. It is well told from all perspectives, from Beauty's fright and humiliation to the Prince's confused desire to completely own this lovely new Princess. The story follows Beauty from her first tentative desire to submit to her eventually rebellion.
The BDSM scenes are beautifully described though they are all patently fantasy. Some of the punishments are dangerous and don't even border on abusive. Safe, sane and consensual is not the way this book even attempts to portray the master/slave relationship. This book should not be considered a manual to follow in planning or enacting a scene in real life but they are thought provoking and just plain HOT to read. It is definitely good food for fantasy and was good fodder for many a masturbation evening for myself.
This book has good re-read value as well. I would not recommend leaving this book around for younger readers as it is very much fantasy and should never be confused for reality. We removed the set from easy reach when our girls began to read the books on our family bookcase. When the time is right and they grow curious I will explain the realities of consensual BDSM and allow them to read the set if they desire to.
It is well written and a bit flowery. Overall easy to read and very graphic. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something very non-mainstream, as it is a good story even if it does get a bit rude at points.
Follow-up commentary
16 months after original review
This is still a perennial favorite of mine. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Ann Rice's other works even though it is a total work of fiction and shouldn't ever be taken as reality. It is the true fantasy of BDSM and as such it is amazing!
This content is the opinion of the submitting contributor and is not endorsed by EdenFantasys.com
About author
Reviewed by
Airen Wolf
(Eden Advanced reviewer) "Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live." ~Oscar Wilde
wrote 245 reviews
Forum
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Does This Book Take on a More Negative Look of The Slave/Master Relationship or What?
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This book has been commented on as traumatic, and I think that she's more of a victim of rape and mental abuse than anything. I'm sorry to post this, for anyone who doesn't want to read about it, but I've been a victim of rape and don't want this kind of thing sold, personally, or read. What do you think of it? I don't like that this kind of fantasy exists, and I don't understand it. I don't mean to bring it up, it's just if that's the kind of meaning it has, I don't think it should be sold on EdenFantasys.
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The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy is a fantasy world based on BDSM interests. This isn't about the modern slave-trafficking; the characters live in a highly fetishized, stylized realm of casual bondage, servitude and lotsa kings and queens and princesses. I've read the trilogy and loved them. It was actually quite empowering for me to read, as both a survivor and a submissive. Elements did confuse me, of course, and some pages took longer pauses to pick back up from others. Overall, though, this is not a book about rape or violence; it is entirely about willing submission. Plain and simple, as the many many reviewers and commenters said: if you don't have interest in BDSM, you won't enjoy or understand these books.
I'm sorry that, if when reading this, it triggered personally traumatic memories for you. I understand why you would feel defensive and want to shun it, but that is not what these books are about. The Sleeping Beauty trilogy is a staple of BDSM literature--as much as you do not appreciate them, there are many others that do. -
Quote: This book has been commented on as traumatic, and I think that she's more of a victim of rape and mental abuse than anything. I'm sorry to post this, for anyone who doesn't want to read about it, but I've been a victim of rape and don't want this kind of thing sold, personally, or read. What do you think of it? I don't like that this kind of fantasy exists, and I don't understand it. I don't mean to bring it up, it's just if that's the kind of meaning it has, I don't think it should be sold on EdenFantasys.I don't like reading books about right-wing politics. I don't like horror films where masked men kill unsuspecting innocents. I really don't like ugly shoes because they traumatize my eyes.
Should all of these things be banned? Should they not be sold?
Extreme examples, yes.
How about a better one: should they not sell bondage gear on EF? Should EF not sell handcuffs or rope or blindfolds, because those can be used in a sexual assault?
I'm sorry that you found this book traumatic, but it IS a valuable piece of literature. That's why we have reviews, after all; to warn readers of the content and what to expect from such writings.
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LMAO "does not portray the master/slave relationship in a realistic, sane, or even legal way."
I cannot stand Anne Rice--I think all of her books sound the same--but I've been meaning to give her fairytale series a chance and see how it stacks up to other erotica. Great review; made me giggle!
This was one of the first hard core erotica books I had ever read though |I do wish I had had access to the "Story of O" or other classics, still this is a good read if only for the outrageous lengths it went.
*LoL* Beautiful review! I've been wanting to read this book for quite a while and I think this has pushed me over the edge. First thing tomorrow I'm going to the bookstore! And I have to admit, that I, much like Lauren, killed myself at the line, "...does not portray the master/slave relationship in a realistic, sane, or even legal way."
I loved reading these books, even if they were a little over the top. This book was the first piece of erotic fiction that I ever read. It gave me fantasies about being dominated and led me to my submissiveness in sex play today. I had gotten rid of these in my last move, to save some space. Reading your review has made me want to go out and buy the series again!
Funnily enough it brought out the dominant in me reading this series. I tend to be a voyeur and a "director" rather than a submissive. Still i can see how it would appeal to all types just because of it's outrageous nature!
I'm sure this is probably Anne Rice's first book with M/F combos vs. her vampire books that just seem to have M/M combos
good review
I've been thinking about reading this one for quite a while, but I wasn't sure. I think you've made up my mind though and I'm going to give it a try.
Ooh I want to check this one out.
It's nice to see someone else who feels the way I do about this book. I love the book, but it's definitely not something you should take overly seriously.