Jun 2012: KD: Am I the only one?

[Nicole]

I read through the other discussions and I was thinking I might be the only one that thinks this way. I was excited for BDSM flavored novel. I was ended up really annoyed by most of the BDSM scenes. Though I loved the story and everything.

Maybe it is because I am into this stuff and done most of the stuff in the book but it feels she just did some research but doesn't get it all the way in her description of the scenes. She thoroughly explains everything in the book EXCEPT to these scenes.

Still early on with her she goes to Melisande and at the dinner she is put aside to play the harp. She was really anxious in anticipation at the thought of going to this client prior to the night. To me the thought of just sit there and watch is a way to make someone agonize in anticipation saying you want to know what is in store for you soon but you can't touch or participate yet. but all of a sudden she is no longer anticipating anything. I am sorry for bdsm that is sometimes the fun making someone wait and long for what comes next. Anticipation makes the game more fun, like blindfolding someone as you draw things out (which I LOVED that scene with Melisande).

The poker event was annoying to me too. Realistically for someone that is manacled but not tightly tied down , you still have plenty of movement that if someone unexpectedly burns you that you can jump that it will still burn you will good but to get a good burn that will tear flesh. She says he just places it. I have friends that been through branding and I have been severly burned by pokers and whatnot in metalsmithing even to the point that it landed on my arm and where I was I could not shake it off immediately so it sat there for a good bit while being red hot. While excruciating painful it doesn't stick to the flesh to tear. I could understand if he burnt her for a bit for the moisture to burn away for it to stick. And for her to heal so fast without a scar. A burn scar lasts for years not months.

I do like the reaction after the burn and the pleasure she got from that reaction. being on the receiving end on a dom that gone to far. I have felt that satisfaction. I felt I really loved Phedre for her ability to refrain from saying her safe word. The pleasure it brings that she did not do so cause she truly loves what she does and prides her that she is that strong.

Another part I loved is the part she goes to D'Essoms after he felt betrayed. The fact that she goes so soon partly because she taunted the dom and she wants to reap the award that appeals to her masochistic nature.

[Mouse]

As a dom who actually went through the apprenticeship process, I do find much of fictionalized BDSM very frustrating. It worries me, and I think that it is either portrayed in a bad light, or made so appealing that people will try it without the proper safeguards and understanding.

This book is frustrating to me because I feel as though it manages to do both.