In the past, I have read countless novels by Anne Rice. I think she's fantastic. Her Vampire Chronicles are among some of my favorite books, so when I came across this book written under her pen name (scandalous), I had to check it out. I had never read an erotic novel before and decided that this would be the perfect one to start with. I was a little disappointed afterwards.

In the traditional folk tale "Sleeping Beauty," the spell cast upon the lovely young princess and everyone in her castle can only be broken by the kiss of a Prince. Anne Rice's retelling of the Beauty story probes the unspoken implications of this lush, suggestive tale by exploring its undeniable connection to sexual desire.

Here the Prince reawakens Beauty, not with a kiss, but rather, with his dick. That's right; he rapes the sleeping virginal Beauty. He is then rewarded for ending the hundred years of enchantment with Beauty's complete and total enslavement to him.

Keep in mind that this book will put off anyone who does not see romance and sensuality in a power exchange. If you can't tolerate the idea that a woman or man may actually wish to submit to another person because they wish to please the Dominant, this concepts will probably seem too far-fetched to keep your attention. If you are put off by homo-erotic concepts, you'd best keep a distance. It's not for everyone, but for those open to the above mentioned "flavors", the book will probably be entertaining at the very least.

If you are going to read the Beauty Chronicles, expect pure, savage erotica and repetitive spankings with nothing hidden or explained away.