kanha's review against another edition
2.0
I got this book through Netgalley for reviewing purposes, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Silk Threads contains three erotic BDSM stories set in Japan in the past, the present and the future. And the reason that I decided to read this is simply because it's about Asian women, and I enjoy that representation. So I went into this with no real expectations, because I didn't even read the book description before reading the book.
I have say that it is best to already know of some Japanese terms and perhaps mythology since there is no glossary, and you might have to search up some of the words used to better understand the stories, but it is not a must. I'm sure that you will still be able to understand everything that is going on without any prior knowledge about Japanese culture and words.
It's also nice how all stories incorporates/mentions some of the things that happened in the previous stories, which made the overall book fit together more nicely in my opinion.
My review will be a short description to each of the stories, so that you know a little of what you are going into. I will write my opinion and a rating for each short story.
Overall rating 2 stars, the book wasn't for me, but if you are interested in soft BDSM themes, and female empowerment, then I do think that you would enjoy this book.
The Way of Heaven by Laury Antoniou - 2,5 stars
A female general is the dom to a prince. She chooses his future wife and teaches her how to perfectly dominate and please the prince. The General also helps Umiko(the wife) find and accept her inner power.
I like the writing style, it feels very eloquent, but some places the writing did confuse me a little. I do enjoy the historical aspect, and I'm pleased that there is no love triangle, but mutual love between the main characters.
The sexual content wasn't too explicit, and the BDSM was quiet soft, nothing remarkable about it.
There are also some paranormal themes, which I did not expect, but I didn't mind it either. Since the setting is historical thus I do find it normal for Japanese mythical creatures to also be a part of the story. If I had to place the era the story is set in, I would think that it is the Edo Period, as far as my knowledge goes, samurais where part of that period.
Overall I liked the writing style, but found the story slightly boring.
The Secret of Silk by Midori - 1,5 stars (this review contains spoilers)
A female doctor has a clinic in a small village, and she becomes sexually attracted to one of the villagers. But the villager isn't like any other man.
The first sexual encounter starts of quiet weird, at first it made me unsure if it was consensual or not. Everything escalates really quickly, the first sex scene goes from 0-100, which caught me so of guard. Honestly the writing for that scene was so weird that I couldn't even wrap my head around what was happening.
There is a ton of foreshadowing in this story, in regards to the whole tengu thing.
I also noticed that there's quiet a lot of voyeurism in this story, but it's specifically crows "watching" the main characters having sexual interactions, I found that weird.
Again the sexual content in this story isn't too explicit, but it does get detailed at times, and it is very soft BDSM, a little bondage (tying hands together) and some spanking.
And the guy, kind of turns into a large bird (tengu) when he reaches peak arousal/orgasm, which in my opinion kind of turns it into bestiality... so that is pretty weird..
The male lead kind of gaslights the female lead which, doesn't sit well with me, no matter his reasons for it. It's not really gasligting per se, because the male lead is not doing it out of ill will, but Ami the female lead, starts to think that she is going crazy, hallucinating things, which really scares her, so I didn't like how he was lying, and keeping pretty big, important things from the female lead.
I thought that I was safe and would never have to read a sex scene in the sky ever again after ACOFAS, but sadly The Secret of Silk failed me. My eyes and mind are deeply scarred for life. RIP me.
I found this story too weird and off for me, I was really not a fan. This might be one of the weirdest stories I have ever read in my life, at least that one scene where he shape shifts. If you read this story then you know what I mean.
The Bond of Love by Cecilia Tan - 1 star
The story starts of in Nagasaki in 1945, and the main character Jiro ponders if he should follow his heart, or his families wishes. Jiro finds a cat that time travels him 102 years into the future. Tokyo, year 2047 the soon to be empress, princess Ami visits a hospital where she meets Jiro, whom has been in a coma for a month.
This story is more explicit than the other two, and contains elements of bondage, lots of it actually. The story is actually just about a bondage kink and how two people the feels misunderstood, gets to share their kink with each other, and how similar their life situations are to each other.
The way the bondage scenes are written, feels quite sensual at times, which helps with the overall mood.
There is non-con and intent of rape in this story.
I don't have much to say, other than I found this story too boring, it didn't carry the depth that the other stories did.
Silk Threads contains three erotic BDSM stories set in Japan in the past, the present and the future. And the reason that I decided to read this is simply because it's about Asian women, and I enjoy that representation. So I went into this with no real expectations, because I didn't even read the book description before reading the book.
I have say that it is best to already know of some Japanese terms and perhaps mythology since there is no glossary, and you might have to search up some of the words used to better understand the stories, but it is not a must. I'm sure that you will still be able to understand everything that is going on without any prior knowledge about Japanese culture and words.
It's also nice how all stories incorporates/mentions some of the things that happened in the previous stories, which made the overall book fit together more nicely in my opinion.
My review will be a short description to each of the stories, so that you know a little of what you are going into. I will write my opinion and a rating for each short story.
Overall rating 2 stars, the book wasn't for me, but if you are interested in soft BDSM themes, and female empowerment, then I do think that you would enjoy this book.
The Way of Heaven by Laury Antoniou - 2,5 stars
A female general is the dom to a prince. She chooses his future wife and teaches her how to perfectly dominate and please the prince. The General also helps Umiko(the wife) find and accept her inner power.
I like the writing style, it feels very eloquent, but some places the writing did confuse me a little. I do enjoy the historical aspect, and I'm pleased that there is no love triangle, but mutual love between the main characters.
The sexual content wasn't too explicit, and the BDSM was quiet soft, nothing remarkable about it.
There are also some paranormal themes, which I did not expect, but I didn't mind it either. Since the setting is historical thus I do find it normal for Japanese mythical creatures to also be a part of the story. If I had to place the era the story is set in, I would think that it is the Edo Period, as far as my knowledge goes, samurais where part of that period.
Overall I liked the writing style, but found the story slightly boring.
The Secret of Silk by Midori - 1,5 stars (this review contains spoilers)
A female doctor has a clinic in a small village, and she becomes sexually attracted to one of the villagers. But the villager isn't like any other man.
The first sexual encounter starts of quiet weird, at first it made me unsure if it was consensual or not. Everything escalates really quickly, the first sex scene goes from 0-100, which caught me so of guard. Honestly the writing for that scene was so weird that I couldn't even wrap my head around what was happening.
There is a ton of foreshadowing in this story, in regards to the whole tengu thing.
I also noticed that there's quiet a lot of voyeurism in this story, but it's specifically crows "watching" the main characters having sexual interactions, I found that weird.
Again the sexual content in this story isn't too explicit, but it does get detailed at times, and it is very soft BDSM, a little bondage (tying hands together) and some spanking.
And the guy, kind of turns into a large bird (tengu) when he reaches peak arousal/orgasm, which in my opinion kind of turns it into bestiality... so that is pretty weird..
The male lead kind of gaslights the female lead which, doesn't sit well with me, no matter his reasons for it. It's not really gasligting per se, because the male lead is not doing it out of ill will, but Ami the female lead, starts to think that she is going crazy, hallucinating things, which really scares her, so I didn't like how he was lying, and keeping pretty big, important things from the female lead.
I thought that I was safe and would never have to read a sex scene in the sky ever again after ACOFAS, but sadly The Secret of Silk failed me. My eyes and mind are deeply scarred for life. RIP me.
I found this story too weird and off for me, I was really not a fan. This might be one of the weirdest stories I have ever read in my life, at least that one scene where he shape shifts. If you read this story then you know what I mean.
The Bond of Love by Cecilia Tan - 1 star
The story starts of in Nagasaki in 1945, and the main character Jiro ponders if he should follow his heart, or his families wishes. Jiro finds a cat that time travels him 102 years into the future. Tokyo, year 2047 the soon to be empress, princess Ami visits a hospital where she meets Jiro, whom has been in a coma for a month.
This story is more explicit than the other two, and contains elements of bondage, lots of it actually. The story is actually just about a bondage kink and how two people the feels misunderstood, gets to share their kink with each other, and how similar their life situations are to each other.
The way the bondage scenes are written, feels quite sensual at times, which helps with the overall mood.
There is non-con and intent of rape in this story.
I don't have much to say, other than I found this story too boring, it didn't carry the depth that the other stories did.
magnus_iskander_reim's review against another edition
3.0
Three stories linked to Japan and Japanese culture :
The Past : The Way of Heaven, by Laura Antioniou : a young bride discovers her husband with the help of his female general and over badass warrior. The story was well-told and historically very satisfying. The two main characters' relationship remained believable and sweet while retaining its historical accuracy.
The Present : The Secret of Silk, by Midori : A countryside doctor starts a relationship with Kansaburo, a gentle and burly young man still living in the traditional ways. Swept away in their affair, she however quickly discovers he's more than he appears. A lyrical and heartening mix of relationship study and fairy-tale based on traditional Japanese folklore. There be kitsunes and tengus ! My favourite story of the three. The narrative structure, style and relationship were particularly believable and deep and mixed beautifully with the supernatural element. A five-star story which I'll definitely need to re-read.
The Future : The Bonds of Love, by Cecilia Tan. Ami, Crown-Princess to the Chrysanthemum Throne, challenged her father's way, who wants to marry her and give the Emperor title to her future husband rather than her. She then flees and discovers what she always wanted, the rope-skills of shibari. A compelling story but to my opinion lacking the depth and grace of the two first ones. I felt like the shibari aspect of it was under-developed and under-exploited as a theme. Character development was also not as good as the first two stories.
The three stories are linked by recurring families and figures, but also by the theme of silk? It is sometimes the same silk which is being passed from character to character and stand as an obvious but efficient metaphor for the Japanese ways of life, love and aesthetic.
I was very happy to find stories who are celebrating Japanese culture without use of orientalism.
Thanks to NetGalley from providing me with an advanced copy of this work !
The Past : The Way of Heaven, by Laura Antioniou : a young bride discovers her husband with the help of his female general and over badass warrior. The story was well-told and historically very satisfying. The two main characters' relationship remained believable and sweet while retaining its historical accuracy.
The Present : The Secret of Silk, by Midori : A countryside doctor starts a relationship with Kansaburo, a gentle and burly young man still living in the traditional ways. Swept away in their affair, she however quickly discovers he's more than he appears. A lyrical and heartening mix of relationship study and fairy-tale based on traditional Japanese folklore. There be kitsunes and tengus ! My favourite story of the three. The narrative structure, style and relationship were particularly believable and deep and mixed beautifully with the supernatural element. A five-star story which I'll definitely need to re-read.
The Future : The Bonds of Love, by Cecilia Tan. Ami, Crown-Princess to the Chrysanthemum Throne, challenged her father's way, who wants to marry her and give the Emperor title to her future husband rather than her. She then flees and discovers what she always wanted, the rope-skills of shibari. A compelling story but to my opinion lacking the depth and grace of the two first ones. I felt like the shibari aspect of it was under-developed and under-exploited as a theme. Character development was also not as good as the first two stories.
The three stories are linked by recurring families and figures, but also by the theme of silk? It is sometimes the same silk which is being passed from character to character and stand as an obvious but efficient metaphor for the Japanese ways of life, love and aesthetic.
I was very happy to find stories who are celebrating Japanese culture without use of orientalism.
Thanks to NetGalley from providing me with an advanced copy of this work !
books_and_keys's review against another edition
2.0
The Way of Heaven by Laury Antoniou:
What It's About: A prince and his female general, who is also his dom, select and train his chosen bride. When the wife, Umiko, is unable to get pregnant, the women go on a quest up the mountain to find the solution.
Pros: No girl on girl hate or competition (in fact Umiko gets along quite well with the general and the general truly helps Umiko, and both mutually share the prince).
Cons: Sex scenes were a bit cringy (this story has the most explicit sex scenes, which surprisingly isn't saying much). The first half and second half of this story felt fairly disconnected.
Finishing Thoughts: Definitely my least favorite of the 3. Wish there had been more paranormal elements, wish there was more distinct historical elements. Overall, when I wasn't cringing at this one, I was just bored with it.
Ratings: 2/5
The Secret of Silk by Midori:
What It's About: A young doctor works in a small village and begins a sexual relationship with one of the residents. Shortly after, she believes she is hallucinating strange shadows, and a shady business man arrives in town with a deal.
Pros: Actually had potential to be decent fact vs myth, modernization vs tradition narrative (Sadly did not live up to it)
Cons: Male lead turns into a tengu every time he climaxes (just why), yet it takes over half the book for the female lead to realize this. The business man was obviously bad from the start, yet the female lead is willing to overlook any red flags because the sex is so mind numbingly good. In fact the "doctor" comes off as rather stupid due to her general lack of awareness, and she could also be rather offensive in her comments about the village.
Finishing Thoughts: Although I was more invested in this one than the previous one, it also meant that its flaws bothered me more, with very little good execution to counterbalance my negative feelings.
Ratings: 2/5
The Bonds of Love by Cecelia Tan:
What It's About: Starting in 1945, a young man has been outcast by his family, leaving him with nothing but a piece of rope. Just as the atomic bomb drops, he is transported to 2047, when a beautiful young princess is about ready to ascend the throne.
Pros: A fiercely independent princess along with a devoted and tender male lead. Best bondage scenes of the whole collection, which actually came off as sensual. Oddly I liked the sex club setting, maybe because of how well it fit into the story and wasn't gaudy. The resolution felt satisfying, both for the individual story and the entire collection.
Cons: Some contrived moments like time travel and everyone being in the exact right club at the exact same time. Minor thing, but some names utilized felt like there was very little thought put into it.
Warning: There is a rape scene in this one.
Finishing Thoughts: My favorite of the three. I think
Rating: 3/5
Entire Collection:
What It's About: Three stories set in Japan, taking place in the past, present, and future.
Pros: All stories are linked by use of the same magical silk, which gave the collection a certain level of cohesion (also makes the title apt).
Cons: Mostly female on male domination, which isn't my personal preference. Also for being a BDSM collection, the sex scenes felt rather tame.
Finishing Thoughts: Hoping it would be a high fantasy collection with smutty scenes, but it's basically a paranormal romance collection, which is a genre I don't read. That being said, it wasn't bad, in fact the last story was rather enjoyable, but this just isn't for me.
Overall Rating: 2/5 stars
What It's About: A prince and his female general, who is also his dom, select and train his chosen bride. When the wife, Umiko, is unable to get pregnant, the women go on a quest up the mountain to find the solution.
Pros: No girl on girl hate or competition (in fact Umiko gets along quite well with the general and the general truly helps Umiko, and both mutually share the prince).
Cons: Sex scenes were a bit cringy (this story has the most explicit sex scenes, which surprisingly isn't saying much). The first half and second half of this story felt fairly disconnected.
Finishing Thoughts: Definitely my least favorite of the 3. Wish there had been more paranormal elements, wish there was more distinct historical elements. Overall, when I wasn't cringing at this one, I was just bored with it.
Ratings: 2/5
The Secret of Silk by Midori:
What It's About: A young doctor works in a small village and begins a sexual relationship with one of the residents. Shortly after, she believes she is hallucinating strange shadows, and a shady business man arrives in town with a deal.
Pros: Actually had potential to be decent fact vs myth, modernization vs tradition narrative (Sadly did not live up to it)
Cons: Male lead turns into a tengu every time he climaxes (just why), yet it takes over half the book for the female lead to realize this. The business man was obviously bad from the start, yet the female lead is willing to overlook any red flags because the sex is so mind numbingly good. In fact the "doctor" comes off as rather stupid due to her general lack of awareness, and she could also be rather offensive in her comments about the village.
Finishing Thoughts: Although I was more invested in this one than the previous one, it also meant that its flaws bothered me more, with very little good execution to counterbalance my negative feelings.
Ratings: 2/5
The Bonds of Love by Cecelia Tan:
What It's About: Starting in 1945, a young man has been outcast by his family, leaving him with nothing but a piece of rope. Just as the atomic bomb drops, he is transported to 2047, when a beautiful young princess is about ready to ascend the throne.
Pros: A fiercely independent princess along with a devoted and tender male lead. Best bondage scenes of the whole collection, which actually came off as sensual. Oddly I liked the sex club setting, maybe because of how well it fit into the story and wasn't gaudy. The resolution felt satisfying, both for the individual story and the entire collection.
Cons: Some contrived moments like time travel and everyone being in the exact right club at the exact same time. Minor thing, but some names utilized felt like there was very little thought put into it.
Warning: There is a rape scene in this one.
Finishing Thoughts: My favorite of the three. I think
Rating: 3/5
Entire Collection:
What It's About: Three stories set in Japan, taking place in the past, present, and future.
Pros: All stories are linked by use of the same magical silk, which gave the collection a certain level of cohesion (also makes the title apt).
Cons: Mostly female on male domination, which isn't my personal preference. Also for being a BDSM collection, the sex scenes felt rather tame.
Finishing Thoughts: Hoping it would be a high fantasy collection with smutty scenes, but it's basically a paranormal romance collection, which is a genre I don't read. That being said, it wasn't bad, in fact the last story was rather enjoyable, but this just isn't for me.
Overall Rating: 2/5 stars
mmodo's review against another edition
3.0
Silk Threads is comprised of three novellas that are all connected through the ages. This book is described as a fantasy and a romance, but I would say it's mostly romance with some fantasy.
I found the cultural backdrop and mythology in the book very interesting and enjoyed seeing something new and refreshing (mainly not european mythology). I wish the stories were a little longer just to see more of this folklore.
This book can be described as mostly just romance. My main gripe with it is its poor plot. It seemed the authors just wanted to write really detailed sex scenes, then shoved a brief storyline in there so it wasn't just smut. I wish the plot was more prevalent (where sex scenes weren't the introduction to the story) and it carried into each story better.
3/5
I found the cultural backdrop and mythology in the book very interesting and enjoyed seeing something new and refreshing (mainly not european mythology). I wish the stories were a little longer just to see more of this folklore.
This book can be described as mostly just romance. My main gripe with it is its poor plot. It seemed the authors just wanted to write really detailed sex scenes, then shoved a brief storyline in there so it wasn't just smut. I wish the plot was more prevalent (where sex scenes weren't the introduction to the story) and it carried into each story better.
3/5
industrialathena's review
3.0
I've been a fan of Laura Antoniou's writing for a while, so I was excited to read this work if only to read her portion. It was a pleasant surprise to enjoy the stories by Midori and Cecilia Tan just as much as Antoniou's. All three stories feel like they could have been individual novels in their own right. I finished each one with a feeling of, "but then what happened?" I wanted to spend more time with all of the characters.
If you've never read any of these authors before, this is a nice way to get your feet wet. I know I will be checking out more of Midori's and Cecelia Tan's work in the future. Full disclosure: I helped Kickstart this book into existence. I am very proud that I did.
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