Um, yeah. That was disturbing.
On a mission to prove there’s better writing in erotica than “50 Shades of Grey,” I downloaded Anne Rice’s first book in a trilogy, “The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty.” I’ll be blunt—it is better writing. Much better writing. But this is definitely a “to each their own” kind of thing. Rice takes the dominant/submissive theme to a level even Christian Grey wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot-pole.
This novel starts with a fairytale premise—Beauty has long been asleep, trapped by a curse. And like that fairytale, a Prince arrives to save her. But he doesn’t wake her with a kiss. Nah, he pretty much just climbs on top and …. yeah.
The Prince’s treatment of Beauty is pretty awful and his mother the Queen isn’t any better. However, Rice’s lyrical prose leaves the reader wanting to know what is going to happen next. (Psst … she doesn’t marry the Prince. Or Alexi. But she does marry. You just have to read the entire trilogy for that.) I will say this—there’s lots and lots and lots of spanking. Lots and lots of degradation masked as a giant power play. If “50 Shades” was your first foray into erotica, and you found yourself squeamish, this is not for you. If, on the other hand, you’re into baroque fairytale erotica and can handle the heavy BDSM themes, you may find this storyline more appealing.
As for LitzyDitz, I’m one and done.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty
Anne Rice
LitzyDitz 