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literallyelza's review against another edition
This is not what the introduction promised to be.
Pretencious and bad
Pretencious and bad
cryptidcucumber's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it less than I thought I would, but I think I went into it with the wrong expectations. Traverses kink so widely
stephaniekturner's review against another edition
3.0
Too much BDSM, little else
Kink is more than BDSM. There is more to kinky sex than pain. Where is the dress up, the role play, the menages a trois, the group sex, the bestiality?
Kink is more than BDSM. There is more to kinky sex than pain. Where is the dress up, the role play, the menages a trois, the group sex, the bestiality?
kalisnowkitty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
"She recognized the words, but the meanings of the words in these new combinations drifted out beyond the range or anything she new." - Chris Krause, "Emotional Technologies"
The stories in this collection move between emotional and intellectual. At times I felt like the intellectual pieces brought me a deeper understanding of "why" kink, and at times I felt myself just skimming until the next part that I could understand. All of the stories gave me several "aha" moments and connections though, and for that reason I continued reading even when I didn't fully understand what an author was trying to do.
If you are going into this collection hoping for "sexy" or "fun" short stories, ye be warned. These are emotional, challenging reflections on what kink does for people and how they interact with it. Several other reviews seem unable to accept a kink experience that isn't immediately relatable - I read with an understanding that many of the stories would not reflect my personal experience or way of seeing the world, and that is essential for this book. There will probably be things in the book that you don't "like" (I had to mostly skip "The Lost Performance of the High Priestess of the Temple of Horror," the longest story in the book, because of the focus on gore), and that is OKAY. Accept that people have different experiences, that this book is an insight into many different brains and beings, and read with curiosity.
The stories in this collection move between emotional and intellectual. At times I felt like the intellectual pieces brought me a deeper understanding of "why" kink, and at times I felt myself just skimming until the next part that I could understand. All of the stories gave me several "aha" moments and connections though, and for that reason I continued reading even when I didn't fully understand what an author was trying to do.
If you are going into this collection hoping for "sexy" or "fun" short stories, ye be warned. These are emotional, challenging reflections on what kink does for people and how they interact with it. Several other reviews seem unable to accept a kink experience that isn't immediately relatable - I read with an understanding that many of the stories would not reflect my personal experience or way of seeing the world, and that is essential for this book. There will probably be things in the book that you don't "like" (I had to mostly skip "The Lost Performance of the High Priestess of the Temple of Horror," the longest story in the book, because of the focus on gore), and that is OKAY. Accept that people have different experiences, that this book is an insight into many different brains and beings, and read with curiosity.
highlowbuffalo's review against another edition
3.0
First off, I just want to say that this book should come with a major trigger warning. It contains various mentions of rape including a very graphic story revolving around such.
A few of these short stories were great; captivating and exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed the works of Carmen Maria Machado and R.O Kwon (would give 5 stars to both).
However, overall, I found the content to fall short of how it presents via title and description. Where is the kink? I think the book actually lacked kink. Many pieces were ill-suited to the theme of this collection and were more depressing or boring with an abundance of abstract thoughts. I also feel that though the book was aimed to depathologize kink, it was unsuccessful in doing so. I personally perceived most of the stories to be geared towards the idea that kink comes from trauma and/or those who practice it are emotionally damaged in some way.
A few of these short stories were great; captivating and exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed the works of Carmen Maria Machado and R.O Kwon (would give 5 stars to both).
However, overall, I found the content to fall short of how it presents via title and description. Where is the kink? I think the book actually lacked kink. Many pieces were ill-suited to the theme of this collection and were more depressing or boring with an abundance of abstract thoughts. I also feel that though the book was aimed to depathologize kink, it was unsuccessful in doing so. I personally perceived most of the stories to be geared towards the idea that kink comes from trauma and/or those who practice it are emotionally damaged in some way.
ciikukaranja's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
dianahincureads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
okvngie's review against another edition
1.0
if i could give 0 stars to this dumpster fire of a book, i would.
let me start off by saying that the editors opened with dedicating this collection of stories to those who have been discriminated against because of their love of kink, and how this book was made as an attempt to combat the stigmas surrounding kinky people ('they're all bad', 'only serial killers are into kinks', 'it's violent', etc.). reading that, i immediately felt so intrigued and was ready to immerse myself into the book.
however, my outlook on the book completely changed once i encountered the absolute violent nature of these stories. not only did they further stigmatize kink, but they continuously got many important things about kink and BDSM completely wrong. this, in my eyes, is extremely dangerous and appalling. over and over again, i saw 'doms' in these stories pushing boundaries and r*ping people, numerous misconceptions and cliches about BDSM, the incessant pushing of the narrative that something has to be wrong with you for you to be able to enjoy kink, and just a lot of uncomfortable lines that i had to get through. it felt like these authors collected their limited knowledge on kink from 50 shades of grey and TikTok.
all in all, i picked up this book expecting it to live up to its promise of the celebration of kink, but wound up feeling condemned and disgusted.
as for the smut, you could find better (and more accurate) depictions of kink in a Wattpad fanfiction.
let me start off by saying that the editors opened with dedicating this collection of stories to those who have been discriminated against because of their love of kink, and how this book was made as an attempt to combat the stigmas surrounding kinky people ('they're all bad', 'only serial killers are into kinks', 'it's violent', etc.). reading that, i immediately felt so intrigued and was ready to immerse myself into the book.
however, my outlook on the book completely changed once i encountered the absolute violent nature of these stories. not only did they further stigmatize kink, but they continuously got many important things about kink and BDSM completely wrong. this, in my eyes, is extremely dangerous and appalling. over and over again, i saw 'doms' in these stories pushing boundaries and r*ping people, numerous misconceptions and cliches about BDSM, the incessant pushing of the narrative that something has to be wrong with you for you to be able to enjoy kink, and just a lot of uncomfortable lines that i had to get through. it felt like these authors collected their limited knowledge on kink from 50 shades of grey and TikTok.
all in all, i picked up this book expecting it to live up to its promise of the celebration of kink, but wound up feeling condemned and disgusted.
as for the smut, you could find better (and more accurate) depictions of kink in a Wattpad fanfiction.
mariab27's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason, I thought this would be a light and fun read. It was anything but, which turned out fine. These short stories offer intimate portrayals of manipulation, power, love, and pain. Where does pain end and pleasure begin? If one party hoards power with another's consent, who actually holds power in that scenario? Can there be love without ownership? These stories may focus on sex, but the answers extend to relationships, movements, and social structures.