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Shannon
There is a difference in depiction of rape/violence and the romanticization of it. Unfortunately, some are not able to differentiate between the two. In the first book there are depictions present, but we view it through the lends of a character who is absolutely disgusted by it. Also, these are all actions by the royal upper-class, who as a whole are the villains of the trilogy. If depictions bother you as a reader, this probably isn't the series for you, but there is in no way any romanticization.
ladron
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Barbara Douglas
This is a book that depicts a society where rape, pedophilia, voyeurism, sexual slavery and homosexual prostitution are all condoned, but the main character and the writing all reject those things (with the possible exception of the prostitution) as ultimately unacceptable. Ditto war in the later volumes. There is no rape or sexual violence in the main relationship, though there is a pretty horrible flogging, which is a straightforward expression of one character's hatred of another.
Envoca Nobepe
Yes.
Main character is forced to receive oral sex against his will. That's rape. The main characters Damianos and Laurent condone the rapes.
Main character is forced to receive oral sex against his will. That's rape. The main characters Damianos and Laurent condone the rapes.
Sandra
No, they don't romanticize rape and violence. That things happens in the story as part of the context, culture in the kingdom, but as something wrong, not romantic at all. And the main couple certainly are not into that.
Swife
I've written a review of this book with the issue of rape in mind. If taken as a purely, pornographic, guilty pleasure novel; then this book is no different than adult videos. It's meant to 'arouse' but not reflect as acceptable to society, or that is what I'd like to thing. The problem, however, is that unlike adult videos, pornographic books aren't explicitly considered porn. It's the same issue with 50 Shades. 50 shades is emotionally abusive... but for some it gives carnal pleasure. I think books that are meant to be pornographic should be clearly stated as so, instead of jumping through loopholes just because they are written text. Heck, my public library has got this book. I'm all for discussing sex, and am in no means, a prude. But pop-culture reflects our society, and if this book isn't considered pornography, but substantial literature, then what kind of message are we giving society? That the rape of masculine men is morally-just just because they are masculine men?
It's my wish that one day pornographic books will be marked explicitly so.
It's my wish that one day pornographic books will be marked explicitly so.
Bentoboxcreature22
So, I know you're probably not still looking for an answer to this question, but I thought I would answer just in case any other potential readers would like to know :)
Short answer:
Yes to rape, no to non-sexual violence.
Long answer (minor spoilers):
Personally, I really enjoy this series because of the romance. However, it is a bit of a guilty pleasure read for me, as it does have really problematic content surrounding sexual assault, mainly in the first book. People who say there is no rape in the main relationship are incorrect. While Laurent never rapes Damen himself, in the first book he has others sexually assault Damen three times, and there is one instance in the first book that can be interpreted as Laurent assaulting Damen himself* (see the end of this comment if you want specifics).
As user ladron mentioned in a previous comment, one instance of assault is definitely romanticized, at the time and later in the series, when Damen and Laurent are having consensual sex and they refer to it as an arousing event. The characters never discuss the incidents as sexual assault.
It is worth noting that Laurent's actions should be taken in context of his own experiences and the society in which he lives, although these factors don't excuse his actions. In my opinion, their relationship gets a lot healthier over the course of the books. However, if the romanticization of sexual assault is a trigger or squick for you, you may want to avoid these books.
I wouldn't say that non-sexual violence is romanticized at any point.
*SPOILERS: Damen is forced by Laurent and others to participate in what is essentially a gladiator fight, but instead of trying to kill each other, each man is trying to overpower and rape his opponent. Damen is drugged, bathed, and anally penetrated with fingers against his consent before the "match," and during the match another man tries to rape him.
Later, Damen is chained down while Laurent has another man perform oral sex on Damen against his will. This incident is sexualized and romanticized by the main characters and the author in the first and second books.
There is also an instance where Damen is forced to bathe Laurent, which I consider to be sexual assault.
Short answer:
Yes to rape, no to non-sexual violence.
Long answer (minor spoilers):
Personally, I really enjoy this series because of the romance. However, it is a bit of a guilty pleasure read for me, as it does have really problematic content surrounding sexual assault, mainly in the first book. People who say there is no rape in the main relationship are incorrect. While Laurent never rapes Damen himself, in the first book he has others sexually assault Damen three times, and there is one instance in the first book that can be interpreted as Laurent assaulting Damen himself* (see the end of this comment if you want specifics).
As user ladron mentioned in a previous comment, one instance of assault is definitely romanticized, at the time and later in the series, when Damen and Laurent are having consensual sex and they refer to it as an arousing event. The characters never discuss the incidents as sexual assault.
It is worth noting that Laurent's actions should be taken in context of his own experiences and the society in which he lives, although these factors don't excuse his actions. In my opinion, their relationship gets a lot healthier over the course of the books. However, if the romanticization of sexual assault is a trigger or squick for you, you may want to avoid these books.
I wouldn't say that non-sexual violence is romanticized at any point.
*SPOILERS: Damen is forced by Laurent and others to participate in what is essentially a gladiator fight, but instead of trying to kill each other, each man is trying to overpower and rape his opponent. Damen is drugged, bathed, and anally penetrated with fingers against his consent before the "match," and during the match another man tries to rape him.
Later, Damen is chained down while Laurent has another man perform oral sex on Damen against his will. This incident is sexualized and romanticized by the main characters and the author in the first and second books.
There is also an instance where Damen is forced to bathe Laurent, which I consider to be sexual assault.
Divya
It has been a while since I read the series, but as far as I remember there is violence and mention of rape. But the sex between the two main characters is fully consensual.
Dev
I can't really 'answer' this bc I haven't read it bc I've been trying to get a real answer to the exact same question, so hopefully someone can actually answer it here. so far I've mostly got like runaround answers like 'well it kind of maybe does at first but then in the later books they actually fall in love' so to me that answer means 'yes it does' but I think the people who keep giving me that answer mean it as 'no it doesn't'. so yeah, people keep reccing this to me but I honestly don't know if I should read it either???
Sara Petizzi
I only read the first one and I was worried for this exact reason, but even though part of the plot is indeed dedicated to explaining the sexual encounters and the sexual practices at the various courts I never found the acts romanticized. The perspective of the book is Damen's and it is clear that he sees these sexual acts as they are, rape. The writing, as user Barbara Douglas wrote, rejects the condoning of these acts.
Hafsa
nooooooooooo. They don't romanticize it but it is a common practice in Vere and some people don't find it disgusting. Trust me it doesn't support it. There are also parts where you will notice people engaging in some acts that are not really acceptable. like pedophilia and sex slavery.
Not too Game of thrones-ie
Not too Game of thrones-ie
Sam
yes. it also romanticizes slavery.
Nick
It absolutely does. In my experience this book is generally really beloved by cis women and reviled by gay men. After having read it, as a gay man, I can see why. It's transparently an incredibly rapey bodice ripper that will OCCASIONALLY give the lightest, briefest lip service to the idea that this is Wrong and Bad while also giving the most lurid extended descriptions of the abuse occurring on the page in prose that I will CHARITABLY describe as "giddy". This book sucks shit out of a Tennessee outhouse and its popularity is both unsurprising and depressing.
Winnie
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Shawn Zernik
No it doesn't romanticize rape - it actually notes the bad and atrocities. But in ancient times, rape was not regarded so. So books on gladiators and sex would include rape as well. The main character actually gets a slave sod because the rape is horrible.
Cookie
It's been a year since i read the first 2 books and I haven't yet read the 3rd so my memory may be a bit iffy, but i'm pretty sure it doesn't? Like there's plenty of violence and mention of rape but i don't remember it being romanticized as in "well they fall in love later so it's ok" like there's real horror and disgust portrayed.
Hope this helps!
Edit: I remembered a blog post where someone asked about this so I double checked and "there are a couple of mentions about a rape that occurred outside the direct view of the main character in middle of the book, but other than that all sex is consensual"
Hope this helps!
Edit: I remembered a blog post where someone asked about this so I double checked and "there are a couple of mentions about a rape that occurred outside the direct view of the main character in middle of the book, but other than that all sex is consensual"
Branislava
Yes, and it is distasteful and offensive. Raping 12, 14 old boys, sexual slavery of young boys... sick!
Miranda Canals
No, the book doesn't romanticize but this is trilogy so laurent and damien they in the final they are a couple
Anita
Yes they have viokence and rape, but the best part is the romance betwen laurent and damen, its the best
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