Beauty's Punishment (Sleeping Beauty, #2) by A.N. Roquelaure

Sep 10, 2010 Dina added it · review of another edition

Recommended to Dina by: My naughty curiosity, LOL.

Shelves: erotica-romantica, fiction, f-f, m-m, ménage, bdsm

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Disclaimer: I read the 1st book on a dare and even though I didn't particularly enjoy the experience - you can read my status updates and my review here, if you're curious - I got sucked into reading the next book. Once again, I'm not rating this read because I don't think it would be fair to "hurt" this book's average rating considering I knew I wasn't going to like it (I'm not a fan of pure erotica and I'm no expert in BDSM).

Just to get started, here's the plot summary given at the beginning o...more

like 27 likes · see review

Feb 05, 2013 PurplyCookie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, fairy-tale, book-series, retellings

This sequel to "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty", the first of Anne Rice's elegantly written volumes of erotica, continues her explicit, teasing exploration of the psychology of human desire.

Beauty, having indulged in a secret and forbidden infatuation with the rebellious slave Prince Tristan, is sent away from the Satyricon-like world of the castle. Once again Rice's fabulous tale of pleasure and pain dares to explore the most primal and well-hidden desires of the human heart.

"Beauty's Punishm...more

like 3 likes · see review

Oct 24, 2008 Madeleine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: head-in-the-clouds-nose-in-a-book, mmviii-partial, our-libeary

Despite plodding through this series, I am intrigued by the story. It really is fetish!porn (I used to say "well-written" before realizing what I really meant was "literate"), don't fool yourself. But it's so exploratory and so uninhibited that it demands your attention.

I'm actually torn over my rating: I enjoyed reading this book a bit more than I did the first one but the direction of the story in the introductory novel was so much more interesting to me. I do like how Anne Rice has developed...more

like 5 likes · see review

Aug 18, 2008 Laura Jacoby rated it 1 of 5 stars

Recommended to Laura by: Becca. WTF???

Phalluses with horsetails attached? Money bags shoved in anus holes? Butter and cats?? WTF???????!!!!!!!!!

like 20 likes · see review

Jul 16, 2012 Maya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica

Stockholm syndrome on steroids and BDSM on crack. That sums up this book nicely.
It still fascinating to read why the princes/princesses accept and even come to like their daily punishment.
I have known BDSM for a few years but there is not one person who can put up with years of degradation and humiliation every second of your daily life. In some ways this is truly a fairy tale - for pervs but still a fairy tale ;p
The plot is better than the first, but if you're looking for a plot rich book tha...more

like 6 likes · see review

Sep 28, 2008 Shanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Weird. Smut. But I admit, I read all three.

It's been a few years since I read this so I was tempted to give it only two stars but after some consideration, decided to bump it to three.

The whole premise was seductively intriguing. After finding the first book at the tiny public library I secretely hoped this and the third were available as well. There they were. On the very bottom shelf probably more read than anyone would care to admit. My bet is none of the librarians ever bothered to pick it...more

like 3 likes · see review

Aug 08, 2012 Valerie Zapp rated it 5 of 5 stars

intense and enthralling. getting ready to start the third book.

like 3 likes · see review

May 17, 2013 Robyn added it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, given-away

I got this one the same day I got book 1, fortunately the third book in the series wasn't available that day so I never bothered with it. After finishing the first book I decided to give the second one a try, but by the end I was shaking my head and laughing at Anne Rice enough that I started to wonder if she was essentially trolling the reading public. I'm sorry to say she wasn't, that's about all the series is good for. This is a used copy and I do like the inscription to a former owner on the...more

like · see review

Mar 03, 2013 Arlena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, a-good-book, adult-read, bdsm, ebooks, erotica, my-reviews, romance, twist-and-turns, fairy-tale, fantasy

Author: Anne Rice
Published By: Plume
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"Beauty's Punishment" by Anne Rice is a sequel from book one: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" where we find it is another 'steamy erotica' read of how 'Beauty and Prince Tristan' survive in 'The Village' that is told to you in first and third person.

Now, let me stop here and say if you haven't read the first book and not open to erotica, bdsm, fantasy, fairy tales, sexuality ......more

like 3 likes · see review

Feb 07, 2013 Al rated it 3 of 5 stars

This sequel to The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, the first of Anne Rice's elegantly written volumes of erotica, continues her explicit, teasing exploration of the psychology of human desire. Now Beauty, having indulged in a secret and forbidden infatuation with the rebellious slave Prince Tristan, is sent away from the Satyricon-like world of the Castle. Sold at auction, she will soon experience the tantalizing punishments of "the village," as her education in love, cruelty, dominance, submissio

...more

like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 PurplyCookie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, book-series, retellings, erotica, fairy-tale

This sequel to "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty", the first of Anne Rice's elegantly written volumes of erotica, continues her explicit, teasing exploration of the psychology of human desire.

Beauty, having indulged in a secret and forbidden infatuation with the rebellious slave Prince Tristan, is sent away from the Satyricon-like world of the castle. Once again Rice's fabulous tale of pleasure and pain dares to explore the most primal and well-hidden desires of the human heart.

"Beauty's Punishm...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 19, 2013 Helen rated it 1 of 5 stars

Review of the first book.

WARNING: A bit more graphic discussion here.

And here, things go downhill.

You know how you complain about grimdark and how everybody in it is a rapist?

Well, you are whining. There are at least a handful of characters that aren't involved in deviant sexual practices in almost every grimdark book.

Not so in Beauty's world.

It's a world of perverts out there, from children to elderly, that gleefully join in public torture and humiliation of the slaves.

I know it's not that "unr...more

like 1 like · see review

Dec 23, 2012 Paulene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: story-telling, sadism, rebel, she-s-innocent, she-saw-it-coming, popular-classics, prince-and-princesses, old-english, mature, hello-handsome, grown-ups, adult-fiction, cruelty-and-slavery

.So Beauty deliberately pissed off the Crown Prince...
How could she? When she was practically the favorite of the Queen, Lady Juliana and the Prince. And don't forget her secret love Prince Alexi. She was getting better at the punishments, the humiliating games, and the pain of a new lifestlye---tell me, why did she have to be curious about the village? The mysterious village Prince Alexi is talking about. She saw Prince Tristan and others being punished and I guess she suddenly decided "So, th...more

like · see review

Dec 21, 2012 Nic Echo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Nic by: Tesk

Shelves: anne-rice, erotica, fantasy, fairy-tale

About the Book:
The second of Anne Rice's erotic Sleeping Beauty trilogy continues from where we left off. When we last saw Beauty, she had purposely disobeyed her prince and was condemned to the village. While she is on the way to the village, Beauty becomes enamored with the slave prince, Tristan, who also purposely disobeyed his master. Once they reach the village, they are auctioned off. Tristan ends up in the care of Nicolas, the Queen's chronicler, while Beauty is bought by Miss Lockley, th...more About the Book:
The second of Anne Rice's erotic Sleeping Beauty trilogy continues from where we left off. When we last saw Beauty, she had purposely disobeyed her prince and was condemned to the village. While she is on the way to the village, Beauty becomes enamored with the slave prince, Tristan, who also purposely disobeyed his master. Once they reach the village, they are auctioned off. Tristan ends up in the care of Nicolas, the Queen's chronicler, while Beauty is bought by Miss Lockley, the owner of one of the inns. Once the auction has taken place, we are taken back and forth between Tristan and Beauty as we follow them on their emotional and sexual adventures of servitude.

Review:
I have to admit that this is a very weak six. Although it was better than the previous installment, I still can't say this was an arousing read. The book does delve into the characters a bit more, but even so there seems to be little sense of character development. We do, however, get a nice insight into the mentality of being a slave, and there are some tender and loving moments between Tristan and Nicolas, which is one of the main things that made this book redeemable. Beauty, however, was still as dull as the last time and seemed nothing more than a whiny teenager. At least her attitude seems right for her age. Throughout the book, we are constantly bombarded with how she is a bad, bad girl who disobeys to only try her damnedest to obey moments later. Although this would be a logical mentality for someone to take, it gets tedious quickly. Also, Beauty actually calls herself a bad, little girl mentally. Yes, those exact words. You would think Rice could come up with something better.

The other improvement was there seemed to be more variation in the humiliation and punishment. There is still lots of spanking, but they are no longer every other paragraph, and many of them seem to be integrated into other forms of punishment. Rice also introduces more plot in this book, but sadly, most of it doesn't come into play until near the end when there is talk of raider that will come and steal slaves.

PSEUDO SPOILERS
(view spoiler)

Overall, Anne Rice may have improved from Claiming by attempting to introduce actual plot, sexual variation, and character development, but she still falls short of what this could have been. It is still repetitive and a sexual bore, and again I would advise anyone that dislike lots of sex, BDSM, or gay sex to stay far away, because once again that is basically all the book is.(less)

like · see review

Sep 24, 2012 Ivory rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica

Is it weird that I'm giving this one 2 stars and the first one 4 stars? I found the Tristan chapters to be pretty boring. His new master is into pony play, I get it, but I don't need 5 chapters about it. I'm not really in to Beauty's new masters either, I don't love them or hate them, I just don't really care about them. Beauty doesn't seem to care about anything that happens to her either, so why should I?

The sex has gotten a little boring. Spanking then banging, I get it. Also, there is a lot...more

like 2 likes · see review

Aug 17, 2012 Marleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica

Copy received from the Penguin Group through NetGalley

After Beauty has caused her own expulsion from the Castle at the end of “The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty” she finds herself with the irresistible prince Tristan and other naked slaves on a cart heading towards the dreaded Village. Once on the market square, Beauty, Tristan and the others are auctioned of to the highest bidder, with Tristan being purchased by Master Nicolas, the Queen’s chronicler and Beauty by Mistress Lockley, the owner of a...more Copy received from the Penguin Group through NetGalley

After Beauty has caused her own expulsion from the Castle at the end of “The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty” she finds herself with the irresistible prince Tristan and other naked slaves on a cart heading towards the dreaded Village. Once on the market square, Beauty, Tristan and the others are auctioned of to the highest bidder, with Tristan being purchased by Master Nicolas, the Queen’s chronicler and Beauty by Mistress Lockley, the owner of an inn. It soon becomes clear to both of them that while they were used, ordered around and punished in the Queens castle, their treatment there was child’s play compared to what they are about to encounter in the Village. In the castle they were the playthings of the Lords and Ladies, but here they truly are slaves. And although their masters are still not allowed to do any real harm, there are no other restrictions on the ways in which they may be used.
Tristan finds himself put to work as a human pony, complete with tail and harness when he’s not being punished in a public spectacle while Beauty is handed over the handsome Captain of the Guard for his pleasure as well as that of his men.
Both slaves at first experience deep fear as well as humiliation but neither can deny the pleasure even these feelings bring them. And slowly the realisation dawns that this is the treatment they prefer. The submission they are brought to under the cruel villagers brings them deeper satisfaction then the games played in the castle ever did.
When Master Nicolas allows Tristan and Beauty to spend an unexpected night together, what should have been a heavenly experience turns into a nightmare and the start of a whole new, but not very different, experience.

It is hard to figure out what to say about this book.
A lot of people will say that they don’t mind, and even like, sexual content in their books provided it is backed-up by a good story, and in general I agree with that sentiment.
That of course does raise the question; what about books in which the sexual content is the story? What standard do you judge a book by if that is the case, as it is in Beauty’s Punishment?
This is a story about discovering the pleasures of sex as well as the truth about yourself. The characters discover that those things they are made to do and endure, which they know are humiliating, are also the experiences that bring them most pleasure. Everything they thought they knew about themselves, their needs and their feelings turns out to be wrong. As they discover what really brings them pleasure they have to overcome their old believes and values as well as truly surrender both to their own feelings and to those who bring those feelings to life inside them.
In many ways this book is as much a psychological examination of the characters needs and true feelings and their acknowledgment of those as it is a very explicit erotic fairy-tale.
And yes, this is very much a fairy-tale even if it is one that is aimed only at adults. It takes a familiar theme to extreme heights, on to a level that couldn’t be possible in the real world. And I found that because I was constantly aware that I was reading a fairy-tale I had no problem accepting what I encountered on the page. Nothing was too extreme or too unbelievable because in a fairy-tale anything is possible and everything is acceptable.

Anne Rice is a good author who has a way with words and knows how to draw her readers into her stories, and this book was no exception. I enjoyed my visit with Beauty and was fascinated by the world created around her. It won’t be long before I read the third and final part in this trilogy because I can’t wait what else Mrs. Rice has in store for her characters.
(less)

like 2 likes · see review

Dec 31, 2011 Barbara Elsborg rated it 2 of 5 stars

I read all three one after the other - more to get it over with than through a sense of enjoyment, but despite my reservations there was something horribly compulsive about the story. I really don't like BDSM stories - I don't mind a little bit - but not the full on Dom and sub situation. I should have known I'd have a problem with these three books but I felt I ought to read them.
Well, first off, this is erotica NOT erotic romance. I suppose I'd expected a bit of human emotion but I didn't real...more

like 2 likes · see review

Oct 13, 2011 Alpha rated it 4 of 5 stars

"The second novel in the erotic trilogy of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice is the continuation of the story and how Beauty and Prince Tristan, who is introduced in the end of the first novel, fair in The Village. The prospect of the novel is that the princesses and princes aren't just royal playthings but true slaves as they are given chores and manual labor in the most exotic form to complete.

What I like the most about this novel is the dual story as in the story is told two ways. The first is a t...more

like 2 likes · see review

May 20, 2011 Cyndy Aleo rated it 1 of 5 stars

As you can probably already glean from my review of The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, also by Anne Rice writing as A.M. Roquelaure, I wasn't impressed with this trilogy at the outset. A big fan of Anne Rice and no stranger to erotica, I found the book to be stuck on a theme that was trite and boring. However, never one to not read anything bound between two covers if stuck in front of me, I gamely plodded on to Beauty's Punishment, the second in this erotic triad.

:: The Plot ::

In the first book,...more

like 2 likes · see review

Mar 20, 2011 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I liked this one much more than the first book, or maybe I should say I liked Beauty much more in this one. Here, we see her exhibit some spirit, occasionally rebelling in order to be given harsher punishments. I could relate more to this side of her. She decided not to always be obedient, perhaps knowing that by pushing back she would reach a greater level of submission than if she meekly obeyed every order. This fascinated me as much as it disturbed me, yet ultimately made me adore her more fo...more

like 6 likes · see review

Oct 15, 2012 Christina added it · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica, warning-disturbing-material

WARNING: THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR CHILDREN OR EVEN YOUNG ADULTS. IF YOU ARE 18 OR YOUNGER, STOP READING THIS REVIEW RIGHT NOW!

Sleeping Beauty has been a very naughty dog... I mean girl. She is sent to the village for the summer as punishment, auctioned off and becomes a villager's slave who may do with her as he or she pleases as long as remaining within the same rules as the court. After her punishment, Beauty will return to court.

This is the second in the A.N. Roquelaure's Sleeping Beauty erotic...more WARNING: THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR CHILDREN OR EVEN YOUNG ADULTS. IF YOU ARE 18 OR YOUNGER, STOP READING THIS REVIEW RIGHT NOW!

Sleeping Beauty has been a very naughty dog... I mean girl. She is sent to the village for the summer as punishment, auctioned off and becomes a villager's slave who may do with her as he or she pleases as long as remaining within the same rules as the court. After her punishment, Beauty will return to court.

This is the second in the A.N. Roquelaure's Sleeping Beauty erotica series. Again, I want to mention right away that while many compare this series to the Fifty Shades series, it absolutely is not comparable. The slave in Fifty Shades is there voluntarily and has a code word if things get to intense. Beauty is not there voluntarily and there are no protestations. It is more a soft core version of the Marquis de Sade's works, if such a thing exists.

If you thought things could not get worse than The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, you would be wrong. If you thought that Anne Rice could not possibly think of more twisted, sexual tortures, you would be wrong. If you thought that the second book would surely bring some sort of redemption in the development of a love story, you would be wrong yet again. Maybe you should stop hoping.

The situations in this book are so bad that I won't even give hints. I read through the first book and the first half of this book thinking how tolerant and level headed I was because I could read through some of the scenes without batting an eyelash. Then I got to one scene and thought, "Oh no she is not going to go there." Then she did and I thought, "Ew." Look, if you are uncomfortable seeing a couple kiss in public or watching sex scenes in blockbuster movies, do yourself a favor and skip this series. I'm not kidding. I can't stress the point enough without giving actual details and since I cannot block children from my reviews on Goodreads, I am absolutely not going to do that.

There is a little more background in Beauty's Punishment and as mentioned in my review of The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, there is a story, which is not all that bad. The writing is good, although the spanking is a bit repetitive; it must be Rice's fetish. And there are worthy discussion topics if you can get past the rape, torture, degradation and so much more. In fact, in the newly released books, there is a preface written by Anne Rice in 2012 about why she wrote the books, why she wrote them under a pen name and what she thinks it is about the series that makes them appealing to so many.

I will finish this series, mostly because I want to see how it ends. Does Beauty fall in love with one of her masters? Does she fall in love with one of the other slaves? Does she come to her senses and go all Spartacus on everyone? What happens when she returns to court? Does she become a dominatrix as other former slaves did? The questions are endless. Like I said, there is a story and it is good enough to make me want to come back for answers.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Aug 20, 2011 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Beauty's Punishment is the second book in Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty trilogy; I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I'm relieved that I only have one more to go. As much as I have an open mind, these stories are even a little much for me. This is not the Sleeping Beauty most of us knew an loved as children. She lives now in a much darker world where sexual depravity, slavery, and even beastiality are key components. I had written in my review of The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty that I was curiou...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jul 26, 2012 Sara McAwesome rated it 1 of 5 stars

I've got a major beef with this book.

Pros: lots of boning, and urrybody likes boning.

Cons: Seemingly endless, but let's name a few! The story is third person POV from the perspective of Beauty, entirely, until book two when another character, Tristan, tells his story in intermittent bits of first person POV. The female lead is constantly third person and a secondary male character is consistently first. He has more identity, I have a problem with this. Would this be less problematic if this wasn...more I've got a major beef with this book.

Pros: lots of boning, and urrybody likes boning.

Cons: Seemingly endless, but let's name a few! The story is third person POV from the perspective of Beauty, entirely, until book two when another character, Tristan, tells his story in intermittent bits of first person POV. The female lead is constantly third person and a secondary male character is consistently first. He has more identity, I have a problem with this. Would this be less problematic if this wasn't presented as a tale of willing BDSM while repeatedly speaking to the characters lack of choice or options? Their tears of shame and humiliation mixed with pleasure? Anne Rice, get it together. They're willing and consent or they do not. But to send that mixed message and to take away the first person point of view of the female lead while upholding the first person perspective of a secondary male character is crass as hell. What the hell is up with the cat? I can't get behind pedophila or bestiality because animals and children cannot give consent! I can't tell you how annoying it is to be reading a book and some random bestiality is just tossed in. Why is everybody acting ok with this? Seriously? Nobody has problems with a cat being forced to tease Beauty's nipples and perform cunnilingus on her? Dudes....that is WHACK AS HELL! Then, to make it even more whack, the first 'bad guys' in the entire series pop up and they are dark skinned and dark faced, speaking in cartoonish manner with exaggerated gestures, wearing turbans and carrying scimitars? So....brown man=bad guy again, Anne Rice? And it should be mentioned that all of Beauty's forced sex is never referred to as rape, but Tristan, the male secondary charcater that also gets first person POV has many sexual encounters that are referred to as rape. Malarkey, Anne Rice! I call shenanigans.

Look, I know she's beloved and I know erotica is fun, but this is too highly problematic to act like it makes no difference and it's just a fun book to read. I can't read those things and not be pulled out of a suspended state of disbelief by the misogyny, animal abuse and Islamaphobia. It's too jarring and frankly, I'm tired of seeing it in my everyday life and would like to enter a fantasy world where it isn't also rampant.

Ugh. Writing wise, come on, I'd recommend watching some porn or reading some Marquis de Sade to get some ideas. All the butt smacking and lashing and sucking and licking are tired. If that's all that can be come up with to seem edgy, daring, or OMG! FRINGE FETISH BANGING TIME!, then there's a problem.

So there's lots of boning, and that's great and all, but it's repetitive and tired sex practices that aren't very unique, original, or challenging, tossed in with some animal abuse/bestiality, misogyny, and Islamaphobia. If erotica is like a mental escape into a fantasy land, is that really what anybody wants? Not me. I won't be reading the third and I really want my $12 bucks back. (less)

like 3 likes · see review

Sep 11, 2012 TheMadHatter rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, erotica, fiction

This is book 2 in the Beauty Trilogy (that has been re-released on the wave of fifty shades popularity). I first read these books about 15 years ago and hated them. This time around, I don't hate them as I know what to expect so I don't have to deal with the failed expectations. However, I really need romance built into erotica. I just don't get into the characters without that element. That is nothing about the writing or the storyline....that is just because of a personal preference in reading...more

like · see review

Feb 05, 2011 Melissa rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm honestly not sure what I'm reading anymore. The writing is very eloquent, elegant even, and I suppose that's one of the reasons why Anne Rice is one of the most beloved writers of our time. However, I can't say I've enjoyed this book. The BDSM scenes are just getting way too brutal and they were definitely out of my comfort zone.

Another aspect of this book I had some trouble with was Tristan's POV. Some of the chapters are written from his POV and I didn't understand the logic behind it. Th...more

like 1 like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Heather added it

I can't even give this book a rating, it really does not deserve even 1 star.

Let's go over what this book has to offer:
Prostitution *Offering your slaves bodies for money is, in fact, prostitution.*
Beastiality *They don't have sex with animals, but dress them up as such, which is just weird.*
Sword handles
More rape.

Alright, Anne, now you're really starting to piss me off. Is this magic little world free from STD'S AND pregnancy? And the idea of sex in these books is so mindblowingly FALSE, it dr...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Alex Owens rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-arcs

It's probably best to start of the review of this, the second book in the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy, with a section from my review of the first book:

"In order to read the Sleeping Beauty series, you mush set aside ALL of your preconceived notions about sex, sexuality, consensual sex-- all if it should have no bearing on this story. This is not "your" story, it is the fictitious account of Sleeping Beauty and the Prince who awakened her (at least in the beginning, after which it becomes a story of...more It's probably best to start of the review of this, the second book in the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy, with a section from my review of the first book:

"In order to read the Sleeping Beauty series, you mush set aside ALL of your preconceived notions about sex, sexuality, consensual sex-- all if it should have no bearing on this story. This is not "your" story, it is the fictitious account of Sleeping Beauty and the Prince who awakened her (at least in the beginning, after which it becomes a story of multiple "slaves" and their many different views on BDSM.)

That above point is the key to not only reading the first book to completion, but the whole series, so I'll say it again: SET ASIDE ALL OF YOUR PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS REGARDING SEX."

While I enjoyed the first book, things really got interesting once I acclimated to the unique sexuality views prevalent in the series and the plot hooked into me with deeper purchase. At the end of book one, I immediately started reading this book, despite the fact that it was well past my bed time. For most of the first book, Beauty is safely (or not, depending on your point of view) ensconced in the Royal Palace where the BDSM themes have a royal bent. Until, that is, Beauty does something so inexplicable (and on purpose) to relegate herself to the nearby royal village to continue her servitude.

Thus starts this book, with Beauty cast into the wilds of the village, not knowing if the punishments that follow will be something that she can tolerate at all. More character viewpoints are introduced, and some of the originals (like the Prince) are never heard from again. I found the new players in the game enhanced the book and rounded out the full slave experience, and on the whole I think I liked this book the best out of all three.

I do feel that I should mention that underneath all the sexual sadism, like the layers of an onion, are the internal struggles among the cast, and their deep longing to understand and fully realize their true selves without the confines of societal norms and expectations. In that sense, these books are wholly literary, even if it's hidden between the supple folds of what some may find to be perversion. (less)

like 4 likes · see review

Jul 16, 2011 Loretta rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm-d-s, fantasy, favorites, romance

THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR UNDERAGE OR DELICATE SENSIBILITIES IN THE ROMANCE READERS FOLLOWING!!!

IF YOU ARE NOT 18+ OR HAVE STRICT VIEWS ON EROTIC RELATIONS/RELATIONSHIPS - DO NOT READ!!

Surprisingly, this becomes not the tale of just Beauty, but of Beauty AND Tristan. Albeit, I wouldn't participate in many of these activities, it is quite arousing in it's psychology of the need to be challenged in subjugation and the raw acceptance in the pain of arousal and "punishment".

What I find most confoundin...more THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR UNDERAGE OR DELICATE SENSIBILITIES IN THE ROMANCE READERS FOLLOWING!!!

IF YOU ARE NOT 18+ OR HAVE STRICT VIEWS ON EROTIC RELATIONS/RELATIONSHIPS - DO NOT READ!!

Surprisingly, this becomes not the tale of just Beauty, but of Beauty AND Tristan. Albeit, I wouldn't participate in many of these activities, it is quite arousing in it's psychology of the need to be challenged in subjugation and the raw acceptance in the pain of arousal and "punishment".

What I find most confounding is the participation of not just a select few within the village, but of EVERYONE, both in punishment and in fulfillment. How is it that many of those exacting punishment seem to never have been on the subservient side of this equation. Although, it is hinted that villagers are allowed to request to be at the mercy of the Castle, and the royals are given the privilege to also be debased to serve in the Village, thus opening the possibility of more involved in both sides of the equation. Does this make better slaves? Or better Masters/Mistresses? Interesting... and very thought provoking in the steeped desires and fragile loving ties between those mastering and the mastered. I am also slightly amazed at the open sexual gratification of not just one but of many.

What a way to end the book by throwing them not only into each others' arms but into the mercy of "pleasure slave" captors of a sultan from across the sea. The closing scene is one of great adventure and of acknowledged love betwixt these two slaves.

I think I would have greatly preferred that Anne Rice (writing under the pen-name A. N. Roquelaure) had left the legend of Sleeping Beauty to the myths and fairy tales and chosen a completely untouched figure of her making in this story, as it turns the melodramatic romantic tale of fairy tales into a much twisted and very powerless kingdoms of darker fantasies. I think that it is a much more enticing tale when separated from the tale told to children, even in its miniscule references.

All in all, the sexual exploration of this ongoing tale is to be enjoyed with an open mind, if not a hot libido. I know that even as I quaked with the horror that I am sure both Beauty and Tristan, as well as other princes or princesses in this tale, felt with abject humiliation and raging desire; I can only honestly state that I am inspired to try a little spanking myself... HAHAHAHA!!!!(less)

like 8 likes · see review

Feb 01, 2013 Megan Bodwell rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed-friends-family, 2013

In a word, tiresome. In three words, WHAT THE HECK?!? I suppose that as NOT an avid reader of romances in general, I might be at a disadvantage. However, as the book progressed, it became (to me, anyway) less erotic than painful and weird. At one point Anne Rice attempted to explain the mindset of the accepted and contented slave, yet she fell short of the mark. The result was feeling like I listening to a brainwashing subject trying to explain an alternate universe. I am all for pleasurable rel...more

like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Lexi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I would like to start by saying that I adore Rice's writing style. She uses words in a way that few authors have the capacity to understand, let alone mimic. I also find it impressive that she did such an outstanding job on this novel, given that she wrote it for an academic degree, and that the subject matter is by and large misunderstood in mainstream society.

With a nod to Rice's abilities, I will now move to my second point: This book depicts a Grimm-infused view of BDSM. For those who do not...more I would like to start by saying that I adore Rice's writing style. She uses words in a way that few authors have the capacity to understand, let alone mimic. I also find it impressive that she did such an outstanding job on this novel, given that she wrote it for an academic degree, and that the subject matter is by and large misunderstood in mainstream society.

With a nod to Rice's abilities, I will now move to my second point: This book depicts a Grimm-infused view of BDSM. For those who do not participate in the community, or bother to learn the reality of the lifestyle, I would like to point out that few people are able to engage in the kind of "day in and day out" dynamic depicted in the book. Even people who live the lifestyle 24/7 usually have some sort of balancing aspect to their dynamic.

When reading this series, look at it as a highly sexual version of Harlequin romances: You know that, no matter what happens, a washboard-abbed cowboy is not going to sweep into your home and present you with his motherless daughter to raise, large ranch on which he needs help, and feather-soft bed which he needs you to jump into. Similarly, few women are going to like being whisked away to a large estate where they are made available at all times, with little consideration to their needs or desires and no nod to pregnancy prevention or medical concerns. This is a fantasy, please read it as such.

I rate this is four stars for numerous reasons: I enjoy these kinds of stories; I am an unabashed erotica reader. Additionally, I can not stand the utter trash that is 50 Shades of Gray. I will not go into my rant here, but let me say that I wrote better erotica than "50 Shades", well before I ever had first-hand experience. Because of this, I feel that it is important to show people what GOOD (or, at least, passable) BDSM erotica is.

So, please put down your book about the "inner goddess" and read these novels. After that, find someone who actually lives a kinky lifestyle and ask them to tell you about how things really work. The dysfunction of "50 Shades" and the fantasy of "Beauty" are in no way realistic. It doesn't stop Rice's novels from being amazing, it's just something to keep in mind.(less)

like 3 likes · see review

title link	preview: Beauty's Punishment
avg rating	preview: Beauty's Punishment Goodreads rating: 3.59 (14750 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18750.Beauty_s_Punishment?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347048117l/18750.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18750.Beauty_s_Punishment?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Beauty's Punishment by A.N. Roquelaure[/url]

Beauty's Punishment (Sleeping Beauty #2)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (34)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About A.N. Roquelaure

Books by A.N. Roquelaure

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Beauty's Punishment

Quotes from Beauty's Punishment