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Average Customer Rating:

Erotica that satisfies the mind

Customer Rating:

I had peeked at these novels for years while browsing bookstores but finally had the nerve to purchase the first one about a year ago. Within a week, I owned all three. While I thoroughly enjoy reading good erotica, too many authors offer the same dialog and plots that are extremely unimaginative, trite, or downright ridiculous. It almost seems like sex is joke in such novels. I found nothing like that in the Sleeping Beauty novels. You can't describe these books with words like "steamy" or "hot." The sex depicted in the plot comes from deep down inside a person who finds freedom in submission, where their bodies only exist as means to serve and pleasure another. It is more spiritual and mental than it is physical. The characters are extremely well-written, their personalities and histories are just as important as the acts they participate in. (I personally fell in love with the character of Tristan who desperately wants to submit to another but yearns for a strict and merciless master.) But ironically, I found Beauty to be the weakest character and was happy that her story became almost secondary in the second and third books. Be forewarned: Most sex acts in these novels are between men instead of men and women. The characters are not necessarily homosexual or heterosexual, they are in bondage to please both sexes and must participate in any acts their masters desire. I used to turn away stories or novels with acts involving only men or only women, it made me a bit squeamish. But Rice writes with such emotion, that every coupling in these books is compelling and beautiful no matter which characters are involved. THAT is what I'm trying to get at - these books are not written just to stimulate someone for bedtime or foreplay. There are real emotions, love, fear, desire, and lust, involved here. I watched an interview with Anne Rice where she was asked why she wrote these books. In so many words, she explained this was something she had inside her and had to get out on paper. These books awoke something that has always been within me since I became aware of my own sexuality so I can understand Rice's explanation. Not only is this series erotic and exciting, it is literary, well-written, and a true exploration of sexuality, most of the discoveries being something real people would never admit to or are fearful of.

Sleeping Beauty	Customer Rating:
These books are erotic and a take you into a world that is unknown to most. She paints wonderful images that stimulate mind and body.

For the open minded...	Customer Rating:
This series is very strong and full of explicit descriptions. It is a good series, but it gets a bit repetitive. I think it could have been written in one book, not three.

Absolutely hated it	Customer Rating:
I consider myself open-minded and progressive, so for me to say that I hated this says something. Tasteless, boring, redundant, pointless, ridiculous. Shall I go on? I made it through the first book, and have not and will not read the other two.

Repulsive	Customer Rating:
I have read all of Rice's books and am just floored by this one, and I bought others in the "Beauty" line. Such a nasty mind coming from what I thought was a lady. But the writing is very good, just a bad subject.