A review by msdeecm
Beauty's Release by Anne Rice, A.N. Roquelaure
3.0
This review first appeared on Brazen Reads.
There’s a particular scene in the first or second chapter of the book that struck a cord with me when reading this. Laurent is discussing love with Beauty and in a paragraph she nonchalantly declares she no longer cares for the people and insisted she loved with all her heart in the previous books. The Crown Prince, Lady Juliana, Alexi, even Tristan who is still with her but so obviously in love with his master, are dismissed. She then mentions whether these erotic games they have been playing would be any different if played with someone she “was interested in”. This troubled me because, though I should be used to it by now, all these inconsistencies in how the characters feel and act are making reading this series a chore instead of a pleasure.
Regarding the writing, the change from first to third point of view was particularly bothersome in Beauty’s Release. I find that it interfered with the overall flow of the book. There’s also the not-so-pleasant feeling that Laurent does things (his narrative is in the first person) whereas Beauty has things done to her. It is uncertain whether Rice intended this interchange of an active and a passive narrator in order to underline their sexual preferences, since Laurent acts more comfortably as a dominant whereas Beauty is most content in submission. Nevertheless, for me, it was poorly done. As I’ve said before, the series would have been a lot better if whoever was Rice’s editor on this series actually edited her.
The conclusion was a little abrupt for me, though improved and better developed than the endings of the previous two novels. Oddly enough, I even found the ending reasonable. Given the circumstances, the “happily ever after” ending was fitting as no one else would have done as a pairing for these two once they were released in the real world.
A few words for the sex in this one. It is better. At least, I found it marginally more enjoyable than in Beauty’s Punishment. Not having to read pony play makes me happy. There are still elements of humiliation, non-consent and improbability but overall I found it more enjoyable. Maybe I finally got used to how surreal the sex can be in this series, right on time for the series to end.
If I had to say a few words for the entire series overall, I’d say it could be enjoyable, if you don’t think much. If you’re used to dwelling over your reading material, if you see it with a critical eye and try to de-construct it, this series will drive you mad, as it has driven me. If, however, you prefer to focus on the sexy bits and take things at face value, the series can be an enjoyable reading experience. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.
There’s a particular scene in the first or second chapter of the book that struck a cord with me when reading this. Laurent is discussing love with Beauty and in a paragraph she nonchalantly declares she no longer cares for the people and insisted she loved with all her heart in the previous books. The Crown Prince, Lady Juliana, Alexi, even Tristan who is still with her but so obviously in love with his master, are dismissed. She then mentions whether these erotic games they have been playing would be any different if played with someone she “was interested in”. This troubled me because, though I should be used to it by now, all these inconsistencies in how the characters feel and act are making reading this series a chore instead of a pleasure.
Regarding the writing, the change from first to third point of view was particularly bothersome in Beauty’s Release. I find that it interfered with the overall flow of the book. There’s also the not-so-pleasant feeling that Laurent does things (his narrative is in the first person) whereas Beauty has things done to her. It is uncertain whether Rice intended this interchange of an active and a passive narrator in order to underline their sexual preferences, since Laurent acts more comfortably as a dominant whereas Beauty is most content in submission. Nevertheless, for me, it was poorly done. As I’ve said before, the series would have been a lot better if whoever was Rice’s editor on this series actually edited her.
The conclusion was a little abrupt for me, though improved and better developed than the endings of the previous two novels. Oddly enough, I even found the ending reasonable. Given the circumstances, the “happily ever after” ending was fitting as no one else would have done as a pairing for these two once they were released in the real world.
A few words for the sex in this one. It is better. At least, I found it marginally more enjoyable than in Beauty’s Punishment. Not having to read pony play makes me happy. There are still elements of humiliation, non-consent and improbability but overall I found it more enjoyable. Maybe I finally got used to how surreal the sex can be in this series, right on time for the series to end.
If I had to say a few words for the entire series overall, I’d say it could be enjoyable, if you don’t think much. If you’re used to dwelling over your reading material, if you see it with a critical eye and try to de-construct it, this series will drive you mad, as it has driven me. If, however, you prefer to focus on the sexy bits and take things at face value, the series can be an enjoyable reading experience. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.