Eighty Days Yellow (Eighty Days, #1)

Aug 30, 2012 Becs - Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-copy, bdsm-kink, dark-angsty, dark-erotica, erotic-romance, net-galley-for-review, smuttastic

This ain’t your Momma’s Fifty Shades.

This is another book that has that annoying ‘If you liked Fifty Shades, you’ll love this’ sticker on the cover. Fifty Shades, besides all the kinky f*ckery really was an idealistic, starry-eyed romance and this book truly is very different from that. To compare it, is detrimental. It will either put you off or you’ll be expecting a hearts and flowers romance and that’s not what you’re going to find here.

Unexpectedly, I very much enjoyed this book but it’s a d...more This ain’t your Momma’s Fifty Shades.

This is another book that has that annoying ‘If you liked Fifty Shades, you’ll love this’ sticker on the cover. Fifty Shades, besides all the kinky f*ckery really was an idealistic, starry-eyed romance and this book truly is very different from that. To compare it, is detrimental. It will either put you off or you’ll be expecting a hearts and flowers romance and that’s not what you’re going to find here.

Unexpectedly, I very much enjoyed this book but it’s a darker, much more taboo and a fairly gritty exploration of domination and submission – there’s no young billionaire in a penthouse just a university lecturer and a violinist.

So we have Summer Zahova, a New Zealander by birth, making a living in London as a violinist. She’s struggling to make ends meet between occasional music jobs and waitressing and so she has a slot to busk at a Tube station. Dominik hears her playing one day and stops to stand and watch completely mesmerised by her. Summer, who totally escapes into the music with her eyes closed, is blissfully unaware of her audience. Several weeks later, Summer’s violin is destroyed when she is caught up in a scuffle between rival football fans and her story makes the news. Dominik hears about it and contacts her to offer her a new and expensive violin if she agrees to meet with him and discus ‘terms’. So the aptly named Dominik is a dom and he has several demands to make of Summer. Summer and Dominik see each other infrequently and are free to see other people so Summer, who is highly sexed, starts to explore the fetish lifestyle with her hedonistic friend Charlotte.

So, this is the story – Summer’s growing curiosity with the D/s world and her attempts to explore her sexuality further. Summer has a lot of acquaintances but never seems to emotionally connect with any of them. She becomes physically intimate with several people but manages to maintain that emotional detachment, escaping somewhere in her mind to remove herself from the situation. Submission is like a drug to Summer – she needs increasingly larger doses to give her the darkness she craves yet fears. She’s seeking out ever more senseless sex, degradation and humiliation to make her feel more alive than at any other time in her life, chasing sexual oblivion as a temptation as strong to her as a siren’s call. But she is teetering on the edge of a well of darkness – there’s a desperate loneliness to her that I felt on so many levels. Can she reach out to the one person who is beginning to care for her when she finds her situation spiralling out of control?

She’s really quite self-destructive – there’s a scene when Dominik’s actions are upsetting her and she chooses a course of action to hurt him but ultimately devastates herself. I almost cried with her as she curled up on the sofa and sobbed. She switches off constantly, not allowing the enormity of what she is doing to truly touch her and I wanted to shake her, to wake her up to embrace what was right in front of her. Dominik is not faultless either – he’s fairly cold, keeping his emotions locked below the surface but he is beginning to care for Summer but is it too late?

I’ve had a quick scan through the reviews for this book and they’re not brilliant (I did wonder if the publisher had been targeting the wrong reviewers) but, for me, it worked really well. It is fairly darkly erotic with some very risqué things going on – unsafe sex, ménage, f-m-f, s&m to mention but a few. It’s also fairly intense and atmospheric – London is brought vividly to life in all its dusty, bustling glory. I don’t get the title – Eighty Days Yellow. What does it mean? The final 2 parts in this instalment are Eighty Days Blue and Eighty Days Red. I still don’t see the significance.

So if you’re expecting a Fifty Shades style romance, you won’t find it here. If you like darkly erotic and emotional tales, this may well work for you.

4 stars dark erotic romance

ARC provided by Open Road Media via NetGalley

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Sep 11, 2012 Alexis ~*Too many books, not enough time*~ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-romance-erotica, bdsm, erotica, self_discovery, sexy-series_read2012, arc_netgalley, alpha_male, discovery, dominatrix, flashbacks, heart_pounding_moments, his-her-pov, jealousy, m-f-m, master-slave_theme, may-june-jul-aug2012, strong_female_lead, tbc-storyline, unexpected-twist, very-steamy, dark_erotica

Spoiler Free Review
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: Adult Romance Erotica/BDSM
Series: Book #1 in Eighty Days series
WARNING- This book and review is for persons 18yrs and older. It contains strong adult themes. Reader Discretion is Advised.

What you need to know as a reader of Eighty Days Yellow.
- First and foremost I want to state that this book is not for everyone. As warned it has strong dark sexual content/themes and is not for the faint of heart.
- Second though it has been listed in the same company as...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs

Quick review:

Cover: Fitting
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: F’ing Hot
Thumbs Up: 3.8
Overall: Really good at first but by the end I was at a total loss
Characters: Solid
Plot: A perverse trip done the spiraling tunnel of a messed up adventure
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Absolutely
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Dominik

SUMMARY (50 words or less)

This book was brought to my attention as comparable to Fifty Shades of Grey. So I leaped on it. Let me just say that this book is more like Fifty Shades of (vie ...more

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Sep 16, 2012 KatLynne rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-from-publisher, installments, 2012-reads, g-erotica, romance-is-secondary, sex-full, hero-cheats, heroine-may-need-prof-help, bdsm, m-f-m, painful-to-read, sm-kinkery

Eighty Days Yellow is an exploration into the dark, sexual yearnings of Summer Zahova and the reader is taken along into “each stage in her exploration of perversity.” If you’re seeking romance or intimate connections, you won’t find it here. What I found was loneliness and a self destructive path that soon spirals out of control.

The book opens giving us a very good description of Summer, her love of music along with the powerful effects she receives while playing the violin. The author did a g...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Nia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm

Eighty Days Yellow is a very unique story which is rare to find in the Erotica and BDSM genre. Before your read my review, know that I rarely give bad 1 or 2 star reviews.

I found the lead male (and the other males) to be cold, unfeeling and controlling. The lead female is self-destructive and likes to be degraded. She will try anything. Naivety and stupidity are two different things and I don't tolerate women that put themselves in abusive situations.

There is no physical contact until you get ha...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Paris (kerbytejas) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This quote seems to sum up the whole book for me

It’s not that I needed a man, or particular men, to own me, use me; it was this yearning for something else, for the zone of nirvana that I reached in those moments of senseless sex and even degradation or humiliation, and which made me feel more alive than at any other time.

Jackson, Vina (2012-09-18). Eighty Days Yellow (Eighty Days Tril) (Kindle Locations 3431-3433). Open Road E-riginal. Kindle Edition.

I felt nothing between any of the character...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Wanderlust rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 3way-or-kinkfest, oral-exam, you-are-a-bastard-but-i-love-you, a-is-for-anal, spanktastic, get-the-binoculars-out

Cover & Title - 5 out of 5.
Favorite Line - "I found it jerky and monotonous, but for a classical slot on a real stage, albeit a small stage, i would have played Justin Bieber and found a way to look as though i was enjoying myself"
Favorite Character - Summer

I found this story very interesting. I wasn't sure whether I would like this book as I read quite a few bad reviews before i started. I honestly think a lot of these bad reviews are because the book is not suited to the reviewer. I do not...more

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Nov 20, 2012 Michele ~ la Smoocherina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Those who liked The Good Student by Elliot Mabeause, and kinksters

Shelves: bdsm-without-love, c-o-n-d-o-m-s-people-please, character-asshole-for-a-time, couldn-t-put-it-down, domme-sub, enjoyable-mindfuck, good-dirty-talk-or-phone-sex, high-angst, high-sexual-tension, menage-in-every-conceivable-combina, mf, mfm, obstacles-of-their-own-making, opposites-attract, strong-heroine, two-guys-compete-for-girl, bdsm-love-pending

4 Stars

As reviewed for

Read OurLips! Book Blogt

This book is a beautifully written, enjoyable mindfuck. The prose was amazing. My favorite was "Steadying the rhythm of his pelvic assualt." Eighty Days Yellow is not usual BDSM by any stretch of the imagination. Summer is a starving artist, Kiwi-transplant to London, violin player. She has a hearty sexual appetite that has been left on low heat for far too long due to her overly hygienic boyfriend. Once she gives him up, Dominick enters her life th...more 4 Stars

As reviewed for

Read OurLips! Book Blogt

This book is a beautifully written, enjoyable mindfuck. The prose was amazing. My favorite was "Steadying the rhythm of his pelvic assualt." Eighty Days Yellow is not usual BDSM by any stretch of the imagination. Summer is a starving artist, Kiwi-transplant to London, violin player. She has a hearty sexual appetite that has been left on low heat for far too long due to her overly hygienic boyfriend. Once she gives him up, Dominick enters her life through a series of chance encounters and random relating of information.

Dominick is a college professor in his mid forties, also with a sexual appetite, that has explored his Dom side with only one other lover. When Summer's violin gets smashed when she gets in the middle of some drunks having an altercation, Dominick contacts her anonymously, asking if she'd be willing to play for him, the payment being a new violin.

Slowly through a series of "scenes", they become connected. The acts they perform are kinky, intimate and at times, tender. I loved Dominick's protectiveness over Summer. He didn't require her exclusivity and didn't practice (or should I say practise? It's a Brit book.) exclusivity himself, though both Summer and Dominick long for the other and picture each other in their minds, even when fucking other people.

The scenes Dominick sets up in the beginning are amazing. I really loved them. I don't want to give too much away, but Dominick never really enters the realm of humiliation with Summer, in my opinion. He wants to control her, control where they meet, how she dresses, what she will play for him when she sees him, but never does he seek to ensnare her. She's always her own person, giving over her power to him, trusting him to keep her safe, she can say no. There is no "Sir" or "Master" required from Dominick, because her compliance and willingness to submit is all that he desires. He's never wanted to possess a woman as much as he does Summer, yet he doesn't require it. It's BDSM on a more primal level. That's the only way for me to describe it.

Then an encounter between the two goes terribly awry and they decide to break from one another for a time. But in this time, a somewhat-trusted advisor to Dominick, named Victor, swoops in and fills the void that Dominick left in Summers life. Only Victor has no heart. He is about a game of humiliation that was at times very difficult for me to read through because of it's incredibly dark and sinister tone. Yet, I felt as though Summer had to take those steps to come through the other end. It came so close to lack of consent, but Summer always consented. Victor had no respect for her or the submission she had to offer. She was a pawn in his game and used by him and his acquaintances to the extreme.

The twists and turns and general kinkiness of the books really make for an interesting read. I gave it four stars instead of five because of the ending. The scene I was most interest in seeing, (view spoiler) was glazed over, so that you have an idea of what happened but not the intimate details of all the scenes before it. I felt cheated! Yes, they may put it in the sequel, but it really stunk that I didn't get that pay off.

The last thing I will say is that it's a shame that the book is named Eighty Days of Yellow. It seems so blatantly obvious that they're trying to capitalize on FSoG, when this is clearly a book that could stand on it's own. (less)

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Sep 14, 2012 Chanda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, net-galley

Definitely different!

I really did not know what to expect when I started this book. I am completely down with kinky sex and do love to read most BDSM for that matter as long as the story is not cheesy. So I have to say that this is not a cheesy story. With that being said though, I just felt like the story was a bit on the strange side of things.

The BDSM is pretty dark. Actually the whole story is. And I was shocked at what level someone would go in order to fulfill their sexual fantasy or sex d...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Breann rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: can-i-smack-you-now, contemporary-romance, dark, bdsm

Readers are introduced to Summer as she is lying naked on the floor of her boyfriend’s home blaring Vivaldi on the stereo. Having found her in the provocative position her boyfriend is not too happy, to say the least. He’s an uptight man who has no patience for Summer and her sometimes unconventional behavior. Ugh. Luckily, he didn’t last for long. Girl should not be having to ensure her own pleasure during sex. Ever. A newly single Summer -- not that what she had before could really have been c...more Readers are introduced to Summer as she is lying naked on the floor of her boyfriend’s home blaring Vivaldi on the stereo. Having found her in the provocative position her boyfriend is not too happy, to say the least. He’s an uptight man who has no patience for Summer and her sometimes unconventional behavior. Ugh. Luckily, he didn’t last for long. Girl should not be having to ensure her own pleasure during sex. Ever. A newly single Summer -- not that what she had before could really have been called a relationship -- is struggling to make it by. She is a violinist and when she is playing her music encompasses her whole being. Her music is everything to her. When her violin is irrevocably damaged she is desperate to find a replacement.

Dominik is a man of dark desires and never lacks a companion to help sate them. He is a professor at a University and while walking through the city he sees a woman playing the violin. He notices how completely consumed she is by her music. Her eyes are closed and she has stopped noticing the foot traffic that surrounds her. He’s completely taken by her but leaves before he learns who she is. He hears of a story about a violinist named Summer who’s violin has been broken. He instantly recognizes her as the woman from the street and offers her a deal that she can’t refuse.

Summer and Dominik have reached an agreement with one another. Dominik has agreed to replace her violin as long as she performs for him. Not only is she giving private performances but she is playing in the nude. As their relationship progresses, she finds herself obeying his every command. Even though her head is telling her “no” her body continues to betray her. Summer has always been, admittedly, somewhat promiscuous. She has desires that she feels she can’t share with the people in her life, except for her friend, Charlotte. Charlotte takes Summer to a fetish club and Summer realizes that, yes, she is a submissive. Of course, Dominik could have told her that! Summer and Dominik continue to explore a Dom/sub relationship with no strings attached. Which never really works out for anybody, so predictably, everything falls to shambles.

This book is quite a ride. I felt a variety of mixed emotions. I was hopeful, frustrated, all swoony, angry, bitter and then back to hopeful again. I loved the progression of their relationship. Dominik was able to show Summer who she was and led her through her discovery of her own sexuality. This is my favorite type of BDSM story. There aren’t any scenes, equipment or formal protocol to follow. Everything they did together was natural and in the moment. Dominik didn’t need those fetish toys to be the Dom that Summer needed. As much as I did love these two together -- when they actually were together -- some of their decisions drove me into craziness. They are so obviously good together, why not embrace that? Why push it away? Why the jealousy when it was stated no strings attached? When they were, inevitably, pushed apart by their mutual stubbornness this is when the story kind of lost me. I was completely captivated by their tale before this. I understand why they needed the time apart and why it happened but too much time was spent there. I found myself not caring about Summers “relationship” (which is a completely different WTF issue I had, but I will not spoil) during this time and I didn’t care to read about Dominik and his current lover. I am a romantic at heart and only want the H/h to want each other. No looking no touching. Which is unrealistic in any form, but it’s the happy rainbows and unicorns world I love to live in.

But, for the majority of the story I was completely engrossed and could.not.put.it.down. I am invested in Summer and Domink’s story and you will see me reading Eighty Days Blue when it's released.

Thank you Open Road Media and Netgalley for providing this copy (less)

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Oct 11, 2012 Deanna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5 stars

Eighty Days Yellow is the first in a triology that introduces us to Summer and Dominik. This first installment is not your typical romance formula and is somewhat dark and certainly erotic as the characters explore areas of BDSM troughout the book.

The book begins with both Summer and Dominik being in unfullfilling relationships in which they feel they can not fully be themselves or explore their sexual desires. Dominik is captivated by Summer the first time he sees her performing althou...more 3.5 stars

Eighty Days Yellow is the first in a triology that introduces us to Summer and Dominik. This first installment is not your typical romance formula and is somewhat dark and certainly erotic as the characters explore areas of BDSM troughout the book.

The book begins with both Summer and Dominik being in unfullfilling relationships in which they feel they can not fully be themselves or explore their sexual desires. Dominik is captivated by Summer the first time he sees her performing although she is unaware of him. When Summer unexpectedly loses her most precious asset, her violin, and Dominik hears of this he steps in and offers an arrangement to Summer that leads them down an erotic path.

Eighty Days Yellow is told in alternating perspectives between Summer and Dominik. Although at times I found myself skimming through some of the more lengthy and descriptive prose I found it to be well written and interesting over all. I was intrigued by the characters and was immediately drawn in by Summer. I found her to be real, quirky, interesting, self-aware and yet unsure and often times self-destructive. She is often times struggling between her desire to be strong and independent with her burgeoning need to submit.

"The drug of submission beckoned and it was as if the real Summer appeared, wanton, brazen, unahamed, a side of me that I enjoyed but feared, scared that it would one day lead me too far, that the pull of danger would be stronger than my need for safety." -- Summer's inner monologue

Although I really liked Summer and was intrigued by Dominik, I was not as connected to them as a couple as I would like to be. However, I do think that has a lot to do with this being the first in the trilogy and as the first installment there was a lot of focus on their individual sexual journeys. Summer and Dominik only had a handful of encounters throughout the book over a short period and it left me wanting more and desiring that emotional connection with them.

Overall I enjoyed Eighty Days Yellow. I think this series has great potential but it was a little slow for me at times and did not leave me desperate for more because as I previously stated I didn't necessarily feel emotionally invested in Dominik and Summer. With that being said I plan to check out the next installment because of how well written this book was and I am still interested and intrigued by Summer and Dominik even if I'm not quite emotionally there yet.

ARC provided by Open Road Media via NetGalley
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Aug 11, 2012 Emma-Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic-fiction

There's a lot of books out there being compared at the moment to Fifty Shades. So this one may slip under the radar in favour of some of the bigger titles, but believe me when I say this one is not to be missed. I'm not a big erotic fiction fan but I really enjoyed Eighty Days. The main problem I had with Fifty Shades of Grey were the disappointing characters but I almost instantly fell in love with Summer Zahova, a feisty violinist from New Zeland who catches the eye of Dominik, a University pr...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Kelly Knezevic rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: whyyyyy-did-i-read-that, review

An absolute terrible book that's poorly written. What was this author thinking?

I couldn't even make my way through the whole book. Stopped half way!

Don't waste your time reading this unless you like reading trash.

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Sep 08, 2012 Jus rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I got to page 110. This is utter rubbish. The writing is poor, I do not like the characters - nor can i relate to them in anyway. This reads without a hint of personality - as if someone has just documented what they did diary style. It's also a mixture of third person and first person - which not many can get away with - least of all these poor writers. The 'story' not that there is much of one - is full of gaps. Hate the main character Summer - she has no redeeming qualities. To say if you lik...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Georgana (AKA Mrs. Knight Sebring) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This should not even be in the same book shelf as 50 shades of Grey.

For anyone who wants a closer book to 50 read Bared to You or Naked....this book - to me - was a modern day Story of O and a bad knock off at that. The only thing that propelled me through this book was the fact I wanted to see what happened between Summer and Dominik, and they didn't even have a true romance per se. If they had no made references to it being in 2012, I seriously would have thought this story was decades old....more

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May 23, 2013 Kaddl rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: smut

Can you tell me why I just read this book? I already was sure I'm not into Dom/sub, especially not into degradation of any kind. Now I'm absolutely positiv I'll never read anything like it again.

Don't even understand the hype about it: It's poorly written, sometimes in third person, sometimes from the 'heroines' view. The sex scenes are more analystic then panty-melting and the romance - was there any?

Don't understand me wrong. I love to read smut, even light BDSM. And I knew this one wouldn't...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Cornelia Zass rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Beworben mit dem Slogan “Wenn sie Shades of Grey mochten, werden sie 80 Days lieben” erschien am 22. Oktober 2012 das Buch “80 Days - Die Farbe der Lust”.
Entsprungen ist es der Feder von zwei Schreibern, welche das Pseudonym Vina Jackson verbindet.
Diese haben einen 400 Seiten starken Roman verfasst und in Deutschland ist er im Carl´s Book-Verlag erschienen.

Summer liebt es, sich ganz der Musik hinzugeben.
Seit sie die ersten Akkorde von Vivaldis “4 Jahreszeiten” gehört hat, ist die klassische Musi...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Amarilli73 rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

da www.sognipensieriparole.com

Visto lo stile di partenza e l’accuratezza nell’introdurci ai protagonisti, ai loro desideri, alle loro paure, mi aspettavo di più.
Da una parte Summer, spiantata ma talentuosa violinista, ancora alla ricerca di se stessa e alla scoperta della propria sessualità; dall’altra Dominik, il benestante e più maturo professore universitario, ancora alla ricerca di se stesso e in fuga dalla propria noia. Tra loro, un violino, che diverrà l’iniziale prezzo di scambio perché...more da www.sognipensieriparole.com

Visto lo stile di partenza e l’accuratezza nell’introdurci ai protagonisti, ai loro desideri, alle loro paure, mi aspettavo di più.
Da una parte Summer, spiantata ma talentuosa violinista, ancora alla ricerca di se stessa e alla scoperta della propria sessualità; dall’altra Dominik, il benestante e più maturo professore universitario, ancora alla ricerca di se stesso e in fuga dalla propria noia. Tra loro, un violino, che diverrà l’iniziale prezzo di scambio perché lei accetti di realizzare le fantasie più oscure di Dominik (il Dominus, in effetti, della relazione).
Solo che a entrambi non basta, molto probabilmente perché hanno paura di spingersi più in là, di cercare qualcos’altro oltre la soddisfazione momentanea del piacere per il piacere, fedeli alla regola che “Se non scopri quello che vuoi, non lo otterrai mai”.
E proprio quando il legame rischia di fare un salto di qualità, Summer fugge lontano, ma solo per precipitare in abissi ancor più oscuri. E non è detto che Dominik abbia voglia o possa salvarla, e che lei voglia essere salvata.

Questo è solo il primo episodio di una trilogia scritta a quattro mani, la storia è intrigante e viene presentata con un packaging accurato: atmosfere patinate, attenzione per i dettagli, varie scene di degradazione sessuale ma senza inutili eccessi di volgarità.

Tuttavia, un mio personale motivo di insoddisfazione è stata la costante sensazione di déjà-vu, perché un po’ tutto, dai personaggi a certe scene di sottomissione di gruppo mi ricordavano una rivisitazione-riaggiornamento dell’Histoire d’O di, e quindi andavo con la memoria a quella ben più famosa ed infelice discesa agli inferi per un’interpretazione distorta dell’amore (addirittura, certe battute di dialogo sono riprese pari pari, non so per una qualche voluta forma di omaggio).
Alla fine di questo primo libro, non sono ancora riuscita ad affezionarmi a Summer e Dominik. Li ho trovati freddi, un po’ troppo prigionieri degli stereotipi che gli autori hanno cucinato a loro addosso. Aspettiamo i prossimi episodi per vedere se i due sapranno costruire qualcosa.
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Mar 22, 2013 Angelique rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: alphabet-cant-stop-reading, can-t-stop-reading-challenge, owned-on-gobii

If I hear one more person tell me this book is like Fifty shades of Grey I might just throw the book at them. Fifty Shades of Grey was a sweet romance with some hardcore scenes, which then tended to mellow out the more Christian fell in love with Ana.

Eighty days of Yellow was literally what my friends like to call book porn. A mass of hard core sex scenes with a whisper of a story line. I might just be over reacting due to the fact that I really am not a fan of all the slavery type nonsense that...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Ricarda Scola rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic

Inhalt:

Summer ist eine leidenschaftliche Geigerin, lebt aber derzeit nur in den Tag hinein. Ihr Geld verdient sie sich mit allerhand Nebenjobs, unter anderem als Straßenmusikerin. Bei einem dieser „Konzerte“ gerät sie zwischen die Fronten einer Schlägerei, wobei ihre Geige zerstört wird. Der attraktive Professor Dominik hat Summers Spiel einst live erlebt und konnte sie seitdem nicht vergessen. Als er von dem unglücklichen Vorfall hört, macht er ihr ein unschlagbares Angebot: Für ein Privatkonze...more

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Jan 15, 2013 Claire Looney rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Unexpectedly, I very much enjoyed this book but it’s a darker, much more taboo and a fairly gritty exploration of domination and submission – there’s no young billionaire in a penthouse just a university lecturer and a violinist.

So we have Summer from New Zealand by birth, making a living in London as a violinist. She’s struggling to make ends meet between occasional music jobs and waitressing and so she has a slot to busk at a Tube station. Dominik hears her playing one day and stops to stand a...more Unexpectedly, I very much enjoyed this book but it’s a darker, much more taboo and a fairly gritty exploration of domination and submission – there’s no young billionaire in a penthouse just a university lecturer and a violinist.

So we have Summer from New Zealand by birth, making a living in London as a violinist. She’s struggling to make ends meet between occasional music jobs and waitressing and so she has a slot to busk at a Tube station. Dominik hears her playing one day and stops to stand and watch completely mesmerised by her. Summer, who totally escapes into the music with her eyes closed, is blissfully unaware of her audience. Several weeks later, Summer’s violin is destroyed when she is caught up in a scuffle between rival football fans and her story makes the news. Dominik hears about it and contacts her to offer her a new and expensive violin if she agrees to meet with him and discus ‘terms’. So the aptly named Dominik is a dom and he has several demands to make of Summer. Summer and Dominik see each other infrequently and are free to see other people so Summer, who is highly sexed, starts to explore the fetish lifestyle with her hedonistic friend Charlotte.

So, this is the story – Summer’s growing curiosity with the D/s world and her attempts to explore her sexuality further. Summer has a lot of acquaintances but never seems to emotionally connect with any of them. She becomes physically intimate with several people but manages to maintain that emotional detachment, escaping somewhere in her mind to remove herself from the situation. Submission is like a drug to Summer – she needs increasingly larger doses to give her the darkness she craves yet fears.

Dominik doesn't realize it yet but Summer means more to him than just been in control of her and sex... But is it too late for them both to realize this. Can they make a relationship like this work ...

I enjoyed this book, was a bit darker than some books i have read, but if you like that kind of thing, then this book will grab you...

I love Summers name and her appearance, she's not your typically busty blonde babe. She's made out to be real, and is a beautiful young woman.. but she lets the control of her sex life into her daily life this is what she struggles with in my opinion how to juggle both.(less)

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Jan 06, 2013 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Summer liebt nichts mehr als ihre Violine. Nur wenn sie spielt fühlt sie sich vollkommen und vergisst alles andere um sich herum. Denn in ihrem Leben gibt es vieles, was sich zu vergessen lohnt. Beruflich könnte es besser laufen und auch in der Liebe ist sie mehr als unzufrieden.

Da bekommt sie ein unglaubliches Angebot. Sie soll für jemanden spielen und erhält dafür eine Violine. Was kann schon großartig passieren, denkt sie sich, und willigt ein. Doch dieser Jemand entpuppt sich als ein Mann,...more Summer liebt nichts mehr als ihre Violine. Nur wenn sie spielt fühlt sie sich vollkommen und vergisst alles andere um sich herum. Denn in ihrem Leben gibt es vieles, was sich zu vergessen lohnt. Beruflich könnte es besser laufen und auch in der Liebe ist sie mehr als unzufrieden.

Da bekommt sie ein unglaubliches Angebot. Sie soll für jemanden spielen und erhält dafür eine Violine. Was kann schon großartig passieren, denkt sie sich, und willigt ein. Doch dieser Jemand entpuppt sich als ein Mann, der Summer eine neue Welt eröffnet. Ein Welt zu sich selber und ihren geheimsten Wünschen und Vorstellungen. Dominik offenbart ihr eine Welt, in die sich immer mehr verrennt und bald schon nicht mehr weiß, wo die Grenzen sind - bis es fast zu spät ist.

Ich bin immer noch zwiegespalten, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll. Es ist auf der einen Seite wirklich unterhaltsam, fesselnd und höchst interessant, aber auf der anderen Seite auch brutal derb, verstörend und nicht wirklich nachvollziehbar. Woher übrigens der Vergleich mit Shades of Grey kommt, ist mir persönlich schleierhaft!

Die erste Hälfte des Buches hat mich wirklich umgehauen. Ich wollte nur mal kurz in das Buch rein lesen und hab die ersten 200 Seiten am Stück inhaliert. Die Geschichte um Summer und Dominik hat sich langsam aufgebaut. Als Leser hat man es förmlich gespürt, wie es geknistert hat. Es war erotisch, anziehend und verdammt gut geschrieben. Sowohl Summer als auch Dominik waren für mich beide sehr überzeugend und ich konnte ihr Handlungsweise voll und ganz verstehen. Es war härter und direkter als bei Shade of Grey und das war auch gut so. Es war einfach 80 Days.

Doch dann gab es für mich einen Knick, der das Leseerlebnis für mich deutlich runter gezogen hat. Summers Gedanken waren für mich plötzlich nicht mehr nachvollziehbar. Ich konnte überhaupt nicht mehr verstehen, warum sie so handelte, wie sie es in der zweiten Hälfte des Buches getan hat. Es wurde für meinen Geschmack zu brutal und dunkel. Gut, vielleicht gehört es dazu, jedoch wenn dies der Fall sein sollte, dann hätte ich es mir vielleicht anders verpackt gewünscht. Es war für mich nichts mehr ästhetisches oder erotisches vorhanden und unterhaltsam war es auch nicht so wirklich. Es war eher mit einem Verkehrsunfall zu vergleichen, bei dem man nicht wegschauen konnte - im stark übertriebenen Sinne.

Während des Lesens kam mir ein Satz, der es meiner Meinung nach ganz gut trifft: "80 Days - Die Farbe der Lust" ist "Shades of Grey" für Erwachsene. Wer bei diesem Buch eine schöne, romantische Liebesgeschichte sucht, wird ziemlich lange suchen müssen und wenn, dann überhaupt nur ein kleines Lüftchen davon finden. Liebesgeschichte ist zwar vorhanden, aber alles andere als schön und romantisch. Könnte sich aber dazu entwickeln, mit viel Fantasie.

Der Schluss weckt nochmals die Neugier und es bleibt dem Leser fast nichts anderes übrig als sich zu fragen, wie es mit Summer und Dominik weiter gehen wird. Es war wie eine Talfahrt der Gefühle und Empfindungen, von Himmelhochjauchzend bis zur Tode betrübt und am Ende bleibt man ein wenig sprachlos, geschockt, aber auch fasziniert zurück.

Fazit:

"80 Days - Die Farbe der Lust" kann man eindeutig nicht mit "Shades of Grey" vergleichen. Dieses Buch ist um einiges härter, dunkler und hat seine eigene Faszination, die es ausstrahlt.
Ich bin ein wenig zwiegespalten und könnte mich nicht festlegen, wie es sich weiter entwickeln wird - daher erst mal "nur" 3 Sterne und eine Portionen großen Optimismus, dass der zweite Teil mich dennoch voll und ganz von sich überzeugen wird.(less)

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Dec 06, 2012 iloveladyporn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one intense book.
Odd to say the least. I was in love with Summer in her complete udder passion for music so much it was erotic. Dominik seemed to hold the key to some much for Summer but was unable to express himself to her. I was hurt for Summer even know she didn't know of Dominik's on night with another women. Then when things came to a head with them neither could speak up so they parted ways. Then don't get me started on Summer's friend Charlotte who seemed to just set Summer up thr...more

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Dec 02, 2012 Brook41913 rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

hmmmm i had never heard of this book before. i had gone into the shop to get another book and saw that there was a deal on this one and it was cheaper to get it all together. ok here it goes

i didn't find this book romantic in anyway. instead i found it so hard to finish it. i had to force myself to read all of the book cuz i had already started it and couldn't stop half way. this book is an interesting read but VERY disturbing. i didn't understand the reason why any woman will want to be used i...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Giota Papadimakopoulou rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Είναι γνωστό της πάση, ότι η ερωτική λογοτεχνία, έπειτα από αρκετά χρόνια που βρισκόταν στον πάγο, έχει πάρει τα πάνω της. Την αρχή έκαναν οι εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο, επανεκδίδοντας μερικά από τα αριστουργήματα του είδους. Ακολούθησαν οι εκδόσεις Πατάκη, που με το "Πενήντα Αποχρώσεις Του Γκρι", έκαναν την επιτυχία της χρονιάς που φεύγει, για να ολοκληρώσουν τον κύκλο οι εκδόσεις Τουλίπα και η τριλογία "Crossfire". Και ενώ όλοι οι υπόλοιποι εκδοτικοί αναζητούν το βιβλίο εκείνο που θα μπορέσει να κάνει...more Είναι γνωστό της πάση, ότι η ερωτική λογοτεχνία, έπειτα από αρκετά χρόνια που βρισκόταν στον πάγο, έχει πάρει τα πάνω της. Την αρχή έκαναν οι εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο, επανεκδίδοντας μερικά από τα αριστουργήματα του είδους. Ακολούθησαν οι εκδόσεις Πατάκη, που με το "Πενήντα Αποχρώσεις Του Γκρι", έκαναν την επιτυχία της χρονιάς που φεύγει, για να ολοκληρώσουν τον κύκλο οι εκδόσεις Τουλίπα και η τριλογία "Crossfire". Και ενώ όλοι οι υπόλοιποι εκδοτικοί αναζητούν το βιβλίο εκείνο που θα μπορέσει να κάνει την διαφορά και να ξεχωρίσει, ώστε να γίνει το απόλυτο αναγνωστικό φετίχ, οι εκδόσεις Λιβάνη έρχονται με τη σειρά τους να μας παρουσιάσουν το πρώτο βιβλίο της τριλογίας "Ογδόντα Ημέρες", δημιούργημα δύο πολύ διάσημων όπως λέγεται συγγραφέων, οι οποίοι κρύβουν την ταυτότητα και τις συνδυασμένες τους προσπάθειες, πίσω από το καλλιτεχνικό ψευδώνυμο, Vina Jackson.

Η ιστορία περιστρέφεται γύρω από την ζωή της Σάμερ Ζάχοβα ή για να είμαστε πιο ακριβείς, γύρω από την σεξουαλική της ζωή και ταυτότητα, σε μια προσπάθεια να ανακαλύψει, ποια πραγματικά είναι και τι είναι αυτό που αποζητά, ώστε να αισθανθεί ολοκληρωμένη. Η σχέση της με τον Ντάρεν, δεν είναι σε καμία περίπτωση αυτό που χρειάζεται και έτσι, αποφασίζει να τον αφήσει. Αυτό που δεν εγκαταλείπει όμως ποτέ, είναι το βιολί της και η μουσική που βγαίνει από αυτό, κάτι που την φέρνει στην έκταση εκείνη που θα ήθελε να την οδηγήσει και μια ερωτική σχέση. Τότε είναι που εμφανίζεται ο Ντόμινικ, ένας γοητευτικός άντρας που έχει τις δικές του εμμονές και ανάγκες, ο οποίος γοητεύεται από την Σάμερ που του γίνεται εμμονή. Όταν το βιολί της Σάμερ καταστρέφεται, ο Ντόμινικ, προσφέρεται να το αντικαταστήσει με αντάλλαγμα, ένα κονσέρτο μόνο για εκείνον, κάτι που η Σάμερ δέχεται χωρίς σκέψη. Τότε είναι που ανάμεσά τους ξεκινά ένα επικίνδυνο παιχνίδι που μπορεί να τους οδηγήσει αμφότερους στα άκρα καθώς, η απόλαυση και η ικανοποίηση, δεν έρχονται χωρίς κόστος στην τόσο παράξενη και ιδιόμορφη σχέση τους.

Πριν πω περισσότερα, θα πρέπει να τονίσω ότι το "Ογδόντα Ημέρες", δεν είναι ένα ανάγνωσμα για όλους. Η αισθητική και η φιλοσοφία του, παραπέμπουν σε εκείνη του Μαρκήσιου Ντε Σαντ γι' αυτό, όσοι τον έχετε διαβάσει και σοκαριστήκατε από την γραφή του, καλύτερα να επιλέξετε κάτι άλλο. Το ίδιο ισχύει και για τους υπέρμετρα ρομαντικούς που δεν μπορούν να δεχτούν την σκοτεινή πλευρά της σεξουαλικής φύσης του ανθρώπου, δεν την κατανοούν και δεν την καταλαβαίνουν, όχι απλά γιατί δεν τους ταιριάζει αλλά, γιατί αρνούνται να δεχτούν ότι για μερικούς ανθρώπους, αυτή είναι η αλήθεια της καθημερινότητάς τους. Κακά τα ψέματα... το βιβλίο μιλάει για τον φετιχισμό και τον ορισμό της υποταγής και άσχετα από το ότι, όσον αφορά το περιγραφικό σκέλος, δεν καταφεύγει σε προκλητικές ακρότητες, είναι σε θέση να σοκάρει έναν πιο συντηρητικό αναγνώστη. Προς θεού, δεν εννοώ ότι πρέπει να είσαι χαλαρών ηθών για να σου αρέσει αλλά, όπως και να το κάνουμε, πρέπει να είσαι αυτό που λένε, open mind.

Η σχέση της Σάμερ και τον Ντόμινικ, κάθε άλλο παρά συμβατική είναι. Άλλωστε, σκοπός των συγγραφέων δεν είναι να εξερευνήσουν τόσο τα συναισθηματικά κίνητρα κι ερεθίσματά τους αλλά, την σκοτεινή μεριά της ανθρώπινης φύσης και σεξουαλικότητας, μάρτυρας των οποίων είναι και οι ίδιοι. Και οι δυο τους, κυριεύονται από ένστικτα τα οποία είναι πάνω από αυτούς αναζητώντας μια μορφή ηδονής που είναι άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένη με την υποταγή αλλά και τον πόνο. Αλλά όσον αφορά το μεταξύ τους παιχνίδι, η σχέση τους, είναι δούνε και λαβείν, μέχρι την στιγμή τουλάχιστον που το να προκαλέσουν ο ένας τον άλλον οδηγώντας τον στα άκρα, τους κατευθύνει σταδιακά στο χείλος του γκρεμού. Όμως στο επίκεντρο βρίσκεται κατ' εξοχήν η Σάμερ, η οποία είναι λιγότερο συνειδητοποιημένη από τον Ντόμινικ, πιο πρόθυμη να φτάσει στα άκρα, ρισκάροντας ακόμα και την ίδια την πνευματικότητά της και την ψυχική της ισορροπία. Φτάνει στα όριά της και δεν διστάζει να τα ξεπεράσει μάλιστα, στην προσπάθειά της να κατανοήσει ποια πραγματικά είναι και τελικά αναρωτιέμαι... αυτό οφείλεται στην αδυναμία της να ελέγξει τα πάθη της ή στην αστείρευτη τόλμη της που ασυνείδητα την οδηγεί στο να δοκιμάσει τα πάντα, προκειμένου να απορρίψει ότι δεν της ταιριάζει;

Κατά την ανάγνωση του συγκεκριμένου βιβλίου, προσπαθούσα να αποφασίσω αν τελικά, μου άρεσε ή όχι. Ολοκληρώνοντάς το κατέληξα στο συμπέρασμα πως ναι, μου άρεσε και μάλιστα ιδιαιτέρως, για πολύ συγκεκριμένους λόγους. Το ψυχολογικό προφίλ των κεντρικών χαρακτήρων αν και ακραίο, δεν είναι μη ρεαλιστικό, όσο κι αν θέλουμε να πιστεύουμε πως ζούμε σε έναν ιδανικό κόσμο. Υπάρχουν άνθρωποι των οποίων η καθημερινότητα, είναι ίδια με τη δική τους και δεν μπορούμε να τους ακυρώνουμε. Από την άλλη, η αφήγηση γίνεται με τέτοιον τρόπο που έχουμε τη δυνατότητα, σε ένα πρωτοπρόσωπο επίπεδο αφήγησης να δούμε, τόσο την οπτική της ίδιας της Σάμερ, κατανοώντας σε βάθος τα συναισθήματά της και τους λόγους των αποφάσεών της, όσο και ένα τριτοπρόσωπο επίπεδο, που μας επιτρέπει να έχουμε μια πιο σφαιρική εικόνα των γεγονότων, πως αντιλαμβάνονται τις εξελίξεις οι περιφερειακοί χαρακτήρες, ο ίδιος ο Ντόμινικ και οι απλοί παρατηρητές, βλέποντας ουσιαστικά την ίδια κατάσταση, μέσα από διαφορετικά και πολλαπλά πρίσματα, όπως ακριβώς στην πραγματική ζωή.

Η ροή της αφήγησης είναι σταθερά ανοδική, με σημεία κορύφωσης και χαλάρωσης, εξισορροπώντας έτσι το σύνολο ώστε να διατηρεί μεν κάποια στοιχεία προκλητικότητας, χωρίς ωστόσο να αγγίζει τα όρια του πρόστυχου, προκαλώντας τα όρια του αναγνώστη, σεβόμενη προφανώς το γεγονός ότι δεν θα είναι όλοι όσοι πέσει στα χέρια τους εξίσου ανοιχτόμυαλοι. Η γραφή των συγγραφέων διακρίνεται από μια αδιαμφισβήτητη δυναμική, που συναρπάζει και σε καθηλώνει από την πρώτη, μέχρι και την τελευταία γραμμή. Η παθιασμένη με την μουσική Σάμερ και ο τρόπος που αυτή την κυριεύει και κατευθύνει τα βαθύτερα ένστικτά της, είναι τουλάχιστον γοητευτικός, όπως και ο τρόπος και τα μέσα που χρησιμοποιούνται για να αναδυθεί η σκοτεινή πλευρά του καταλυτικού πάθους και της ανάγκης μερικές φορές, ορισμένων ανθρώπων, να κάνουν την ηθική, συναισθηματική και σεξουαλική υπέρβαση, προκειμένου να φτάσουν στα όρια της απόλαυσης, έστω κι αν ρισκάρουν ακροβατώντας πάνω σε μια πολύ λεπτή και ακαθόριστη διαχωριστή γραμμή. Αν μη τι άλλο, ένα μυθιστόρημα έκπληξη.(less)

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Nov 10, 2012 April Brookshire rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

By definition, 3 stars means "liked it."

Did I actually like it? I wouldn't exactly call it that.

Do I appreciate the authors' talent? The co-authors definitely have courage and writing skills.

This is dark erotica and like most dark erotica, romance is left out of the equation. For anyone who hasn't read this type of book before, BEWARE!

It actually reminded me of old Rosemary Rogers books (The Insiders/Sweet Savage Love) in the hero and heroine's promiscuity and lack of monogamy.

This is not Fi...more

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Nov 05, 2012 MedievalMinstrel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When i read the title of the book the idea of travelling came to my mind (i was thinking of 80 days around the world). In a way, it is a trip. The journey to self-discovery or the descent into darkness if you will. Both the main characters are compelling and if you like dark stories, this one could be for you.

Beware! Spoilers ahead :D I'll try to keep it vague but i think a warning is necessary.

There isn't much going on in the story. The premise is simple and perhaps that's why it's well execut...more

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Nov 03, 2012 StefanieEmmy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jetzt hab ich den Beweis: Es gibt sie wirklich. Bessere BDSM-Bücher als Fifty Shades of "unlogisch - unterirdisch schlechter Stil - wiederhole lieber alles fünf mal damit auch wirklich jeder genervt ist" (für genauere Ausführungen meiner Meinung siehe bitte meine Rezension, aber diese drei Phrasen fassen es für mich schon mal sehr gut zusammen).

Mit "Eighty Days Yellow" kreist jetzt das nächste "solche" Buch durch die GoodReads- und Blogger-Squären. War auch zu erwarten, der Trend muss schließlic...more Jetzt hab ich den Beweis: Es gibt sie wirklich. Bessere BDSM-Bücher als Fifty Shades of "unlogisch - unterirdisch schlechter Stil - wiederhole lieber alles fünf mal damit auch wirklich jeder genervt ist" (für genauere Ausführungen meiner Meinung siehe bitte meine Rezension, aber diese drei Phrasen fassen es für mich schon mal sehr gut zusammen).

Mit "Eighty Days Yellow" kreist jetzt das nächste "solche" Buch durch die GoodReads- und Blogger-Squären. War auch zu erwarten, der Trend muss schließlich genutzt werden. Noch ein Sticker vorne drauf und der Verkaufsschlager ist vorprogrammiert.
Im diesem Fall bin ich jedoch froh, dass es ein zweites populäres Buch gibt, das versucht, dem ersten das Wasser zu reichen. "Fifty Shades of Grey" war für mich auf allen Dimensionen (von denen es nicht viele hat) eine Qual zu lesen. Da konnte nur was besseres daherkommen.

Meine Basic Facts zu "Eighty Days Yellow":
- ja, auch das ist reine Erotikliteratur, allerdings (GROSSES ALLERDINGS): sie ist bedeutend nachvollziehbarer als "Fifty Shades of Grey"
- zB die weibliche Protagonistin: Im Gegensatz zu Anastasia Steel war sie schon vor ihrem Treffen mit Dominik, naja, nennen wir es sexbesessen. Sie findet Sex notwendig, ein Ausgleich zum Alltag. Mit anderen Worten: Sex ist etwas völlig natürliches für sie. Als wir Summer das erste Mal treffen liegt sie nackt am Fußboden und hört Vivaldi. Für mich war das eine völlig andere Ausgangslage. Während ich den (viel zu unholprigen) Schritt von der Jungfrau (die außerdem nie mastrubiert hat) zu BSDM für unlogisch, an den Haaren herbeigezogen und für absolut nicht nachvollziehbar halte, lasse ich mir schon eher einreden, dass eine ohnehin sehr offene Frau Gefallen an "Härterem" finden könnte.
- Ganz ehrlich, verstehen werde ich den Wunsch, sich auspeitschen zu lassen, sich erniedrigen zu lassen, wohl nie. Mir fehlt einfach das Verständnis für diese Art von Sex. Nichts destotrotz ist in "Eighty Days Yellow" auch der männliche Protagonistik, Dominik, von dem die ganze Sache ausgeht, zugänglicher geraten als Christian Grey. Das mag komisch klingen, aber bei Dominik hatte ich das Gefühl, dass er nie zu weit geht. Da gab es diese Grenze - die sich im Laufe des Buches natürlich entsprechend ausgeweitet hat - aber er hatte Respekt für Summer. Respekt, der Christian Grey einfach fehlt.
- Die Sache mit der klassischen Musik ... naja, ich habe es so aufgefasst, dass die Autoren ihrem Roman damit ein Anti-Schmutzig-Feeling geben wollten. Die ganze Sache fand ich eher pseudo, aber gut.

Es sind nur wenige Unterschiede, die ich hier hervorgehoben habe, aber es sind diejenigen, die mich zu dem Urteil kommen lassen: "Eighty Days Yellow" ist ein besseres Buch als "Fifty Shades of Grey". "Besser" im Sinne von Nachvollziehbarkeit, Konzipation der Protagonisten und Sprache. Vergessen wir die Sprache nicht. Während EL James auf ihrem Blackberry ständig die Wiederholungstaste gedrückt hat, gibt es doch tatsächlich Autoren, die sich neue Beschreibungen einfallen lassen und auf "inner goddesses" verzichten können.
Soviel dazu.(less)

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Oct 28, 2012 Marie-Claire rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Frustriert von einer unbefriedigenden Beziehung findet die leidenschaftliche Violinistin Summer Erfüllung in der Musik. Sie spielt nachmittags in der Londoner U-Bahn auf ihrer ramponierten Violine Vivaldi. Als ihre Geige sich nicht mehr reparieren lässt, bekommt sie von Dominik, einem Uniprofessor mit ausschweifenden Fantasien, ein erstaunliches Angebot: Er möchte ihr eine wertvolle Violine schenken, wenn sie ihm ein privates Konzert gibt. Also spielt sie für ihn in der Krypta einer Kirche – doc...more Frustriert von einer unbefriedigenden Beziehung findet die leidenschaftliche Violinistin Summer Erfüllung in der Musik. Sie spielt nachmittags in der Londoner U-Bahn auf ihrer ramponierten Violine Vivaldi. Als ihre Geige sich nicht mehr reparieren lässt, bekommt sie von Dominik, einem Uniprofessor mit ausschweifenden Fantasien, ein erstaunliches Angebot: Er möchte ihr eine wertvolle Violine schenken, wenn sie ihm ein privates Konzert gibt. Also spielt sie für ihn in der Krypta einer Kirche – doch muss sie dabei nackt sein, während Dominik den anderen Musikern die Augen verbunden hat. Summer spürt, wie sehr Dominik sie anzieht und in ihr bisher unbekannte Saiten zum Schwingen bringt: Sie beginnt eine intensive erotische Liaison mit ihm, in der sie ihre lange verleugnete dunkle Seite ausleben kann. Doch hat eine alles verschlingende Beziehung ohne Tabus Bestand?

"Die Farbe der Lust" ist der erste Band der Erotik-Trilogie "80 Days" des britischen Autorenduos, das seine Werke unter dem Pseudonym Vina Jackson verfasst.
Vergleiche zu "Shades of Grey" werden sehr oft gezogen, sind aber meiner Meinung nach nicht angebracht, da der erotische Aspekt hier viel höher ist als der in den Romanen von E.L. James, denn während dort der Fokus auf BDSM in abgeschwächter Form gelegt wurde, wird das Spektrum hier weit großflächiger abgedeckt; so findet sich in "Die Farbe der Lust" alles von Orgien bis Fetischpartys. Es geht stets hoch her.
Der Klappentext klingt sehr ansprechend, doch leider wird dieses Potential nicht komplett ausgeschöpft um einen facettenreichen Roman zu schaffen, der viele unterschiedliche Komponenten miteinander vereint und ein harmonisches Gesamtbild ergibt.
Das Autorenduo hat mir einfach das Augenmerk zu stark auf den Erotik-Teil gelegt und so eine vielversprechende Story ausgebremst, bei der das Zwischenmenschliche leider ein wenig auf der Strecke bleibt. Während man zu Anfang noch einiges über das Leben der beiden Hauptprotagonisten erfährt, beginnt nach und nach ein Strudel aus erotisch aufgeheizter Atmosphäre, der dieses Besondere der ersten Seiten ein wenig vermissen lässt.
Trotz aller Kritikpunkte kann ich dennoch sagen, dass dieser Auftakt das gewisse Etwas versprüht, es hat mich prima unterhalten und konnte sich durch Kurzweil auszeichnen.
Wenn in den Folgebänden ein Stück weit mehr Wert auf die zwischenmenschliche Interaktion gelegt und eine packende Handlung um die erotischen Szenen herumgewoben wird, ist das Potential genutzt und "80 Days" steht nichts mehr im Wege zu einer tollen Trilogie.

Der Fokus in den Charakterzeichnungen liegt definitiv auf Dominik und Summer, ab und an tritt auch der ein oder andere Nebencharakter stärker auf den Plan, wird aber nicht allzu ausschweifend charakterisiert. Sie bekommen grundlegende Eigenschaften zugesprochen, die aber nicht allzu stark vertieft werden.
Gerade auf den ersten Seiten erfährt man einiges über die beiden Hauptprotagonisten, doch später wird so viel Beischlaf praktiziert, dass ich mir ab diesem Zeitpunkt ein wenig mehr Ausdrucksstärke ihrerseits gewünscht hätte, um starke und einzigartige Charaktere zu schaffen. Denn während man in ihren ersten Begegnungen das erotisch aufgeladene Knistern zwischen ihnen förmlich spürt, weicht diese aufgeheizte Atmosphäre schnell der Leidenschaft und dieses Knistern erlischt leider ein Stück weit. Schade, denn gerade dies hat diesen besonderen Reiz zwischen den beiden Charakteren ausgemacht.

Sprachlich hat das Autorenduo genau den passenden Ton getroffen: Nicht zu gewählt, aber auch nicht vulgär.
"Die Farbe der Lust" wird stets aus der Sicht von Summer und Dominik erzählt, wodurch die einzelnen Szenen aus unterschiedlichen Seiten beleuchtet werden und ein atmosphärischeres Bild schaffen.
Weiterhin sei gesagt, dass dieser Schreibstil sehr direkt und unverblümt zu Lesen ist, sodass gerade die intimeren Szenen detaillierter geschildert werden.

Fazit: Schöner und vielversprechender Auftakt mit Potential nach oben, das hoffentlich in Band zwei zufriedenstellend genutzt wird. Definitiv erst ab 18 Jahren zu empfehlen.

3,5 Sterne(less)

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Oct 08, 2012 Tanya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Drawn to this book because of the "Fifty Shades" influence and a copy provided by NetGallery for review I was looking forward to a great read.

The first in s 3 part series, with BDSM in nature, this is however where the similarities end between this book and FSOG.

This book is more about the darker sides to BDSM in the relationships between Dominik and Summer as he is not your typical Dom (not judging by other titles I have read with a BDSM theme) and Vincent and Summer where the Master/slave rela...more Drawn to this book because of the "Fifty Shades" influence and a copy provided by NetGallery for review I was looking forward to a great read.

The first in s 3 part series, with BDSM in nature, this is however where the similarities end between this book and FSOG.

This book is more about the darker sides to BDSM in the relationships between Dominik and Summer as he is not your typical Dom (not judging by other titles I have read with a BDSM theme) and Vincent and Summer where the Master/slave relationship is taken to extremes.

The book opens with Summer lying naked on her boring boyfriends wooden floor, listening to Vivaldi's four seasons. He's boring for her as after six months together he does not fulfill her darker desires and she is restless to say the least. After several arguments she decides enough is enough and ends the relationship. She works part time as a waitress and spends a vast amount of her spare time busking around London with her violin.

Enter Dominik. He's a wealthy college professor who works two days a week and has a "no strings" relationship with a woman who is fast becoming everything he is trying to get away from. One night on his way home he hears Summer busking and is drawn by her music. He watches her from the shadows, totally consumed by the music she is playing and leaves her a £50 tip! From this moment he is eaten up by her, living out his fantasies of her with his long term no strings woman until he reads about a scuffle in the underground where Summer's violin is broken. From this moment he pursues her with an offer she cannot refuse.

The story quickly moves into Summer playing naked for Dominik in various situations which ends in them getting together, sometimes with others watching which escalates into pandemonium when an orgy ensues and he watches another man take her and is consumed with jealousy. This is the breaking point for them and she moves to NYC to follow a music job after losing her waitress job.

Here she meets Vincent who takes her an extreme adventure into a Master/slave relationship, offering her out for money. She never forgets Dominik however and he can't forget her.

I have to admit I was more than hopeful for emotional ties to build between Dominik and Summer and I didn't feel this at all until right near the end despite their seemingly close encounters where it all looked promising. And whilst she was with Victor I just wanted to shout at my kindle "What the hell are you doing? Get out, get out, get out!"

Having said this I did enjoy this book, probably because it is different to other things I have read and despite feelings of sadness for the relationship between the two leads I was enthralled enough by the writing to continue to the end. I will be reading the next books in the series as I feel this books ends abruptly so am hoping the second books takes off right from the first.

I would recommend to BDSM lovers looking for a different read, but not if your expecting this to be like FSOG because it isn't.(less)

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Smut Book Club: looking for two books before I read the third...	1	44	Nov 11, 2012 05:01pm
Goodreads Librari...: Wrong edition added of book	5	22	Sep 02, 2012 03:36am

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15824157-eighty-days-yellow?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356352986l/15824157.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15824157-eighty-days-yellow?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Eighty Days Yellow by Vina Jackson[/url]

Eighty Days Yellow (Eighty Days #1)

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