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Review | Beauty's Kingdom (Sleeping Beauty #4), by A.N. Roquelaure (pseudonym), Anne Rice

4/20/2015

1 Comment

 
Hey friends,

I have a book review that's a little different from what I normally post.  Today's title is an adult erotica read.  This book is intended for mature audiences only, thus so is this review. Please keep that warning in mind if you choose to read on.  When I received a review request email from the publicist for this title, I was intrigued.  I read the three books preceding this installment years and years ago, I actually read them in the late 90's.  I believe that the first three books were published back in the 80's. I recalled that I enjoyed them at the time that I read them, so I was open to checking out what Rice has going on with these characters 20 years later.  

I think this book cover is so gorgeous and the digital version of this cover doesn't do it justice, so I included my Instagram photos of the hardcover and the first inside pages. My photo actually doesn't do it justice either, but I tried.  The cover is such a rich dark blue that it almost looks textured. Just gorgeous. Plus I love that the cover gives no clue as to what you'd find inside the book. Less is definitely more and classy, especially in this genre.
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Publisher: Viking
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
Genre: Erotica (This book is intended for mature audiences.)
Review Date: April 20, 2015
Rating: 3 bookmarks

Synopsis: Mega-bestselling author Anne Rice, writing as A. N. Roquelaure, returns to the mysterious kingdom of Queen Eleanor in this new chapter of her Sleeping Beauty series. When the great queen is reported dead, Beauty and Laurent return to the kingdom they left twenty years before. Beauty agrees to take the throne, but she insists that all erotic servitude be voluntary. Countless eager princes, princesses, lords, ladies, and commoners journey to Beauty’s realm, where she and her husband usher in a new era of desire, longing, and ecstasy. Provocative and stirring, Rice’s imaginative retelling of the Sleeping Beauty myth will be adored by her longtime fans and new readers of erotica just discovering the novels.

Disclaimer: I received this book/ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are genuinely my own.


This book is no joke! This story is more x-rated than any of the mainstream erotica that's popular right now. This series as a whole is not for the faint of heart.  It's an erotica take on a retelling of The Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. As with all retellings, the author can borrow from as much or as little of the original as they wish.  This one has very little of the original fairy tale story present.

While there is a plot present in this story, I do feel that it's secondary to the very explicit sex scenes. Some would go as far to call this pornography, but I wouldn't. There is as story here after all. The plot is moving. The characters are evolving and growing as in any other story.  Now, don't get it twisted, there is sex in Beauty's Kingdom, and lots of it.  So much so, that my advice to you is - don't read this in public. Don't read it with others around. You'll probably end up uttering things like "Oh my god."..."Woah."..."Eww."..."Um, no..."...you get the point. Keep this on your night stand for a some nighttime reading with a handy electronic within reach, or make sure that your boyfriend, husband, or significant other is near by - if you know what I mean!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, then you don't need to. I'm not going to explain further.

King Laurent and Queen Beauty, both from previous installments, end up running the kingdom in which they were once naked pleasure slaves 20+ years ago. The reigning Queen dies and leaves her kingdom to them knowing that they would make changes and improve their coveted system of dominatrix. Yep, this story centers around dominate and submissive characters, bondage, and discipline. Throw in the complexities of relationships and friendships and you have a pretty intense story.

I do not like nor endorse any story where women are being dominated, abused or belittled.  This book didn't rub me the wrong way because both men and women were being dominated equally. The characters involved were participating of their own free will. There were some same sex pairings going on and some threesomes, some of everything. Some of the dominates would do a role reversal and be submissive and vice versa.  Overall, the men weren't ruling over the women by trying to control and manipulate them. As I mentioned, everyone in this story is a willing and eager participant. That's what makes this title different from the Fifty Shades of the world.

This book is not for everyone. It's not for the majority. I recommend this title for adults that appreciate a hardcore erotica story. If you're not into it, don't bother. If you're even the slightest prudish, don't bother. If you're under the age of 18, don't you dare bother. Are you going to check this title out? If so, get your book order ready because Beauty's Kingdom comes out tomorrow, April 21st, 2015.

Happy Reading,
~Tamara

Get the Kindle version here: | Get the Audible audiobook here:Beauty's Kingdom
1 Comment
Chuck
4/21/2015 07:26:01 pm

It's people are dominant, not dominates. Sheesh.

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