Cocktails and Books
Written on Oct 25, 2013
***WARNING: This book contains scenes of rape, graphic acts of BDSM and group sex***
Have you ever read a book that left you shocked and dumbfounded? How about one that left you feeling dirty… and wrong… in a seriously taboo sort of way… especially because you actually liked it? That’s kind of how I felt after reading this story. I’m a huge fan of the erotic universe taking classic fairytales/stories and turning them in to something raunchy and/or erotic. I think it’s creative, and for those of us who enjoyed those stories when we originally read them, it puts a new and exciting spin on them. So when I saw an adult retelling of Hansel & Gretel, I HAD to read it.
Now, for those who have read Hansel & Gretel (especially the Grimm version), you know how dark, twisted and demented the story is. So I was expecting something similar… just not to the degree that this author takes it. The adult version has the initial kidnapping, and then dives into a sexual deviancy that is absolutely indescribable. I have a super open mind. I’ll even go as far as to admit that I enjoy some BDSM, and my significant other and I have dallied on the fringe of taboo. I’ve even read some books in the past that had some pretty out there stuff. But even I was uncomfortable reading some of the stuff within these pages.
Once Hansel and Gretel are kidnapped, their lives of innocence are shattered, as the old woman that takes them decides to sell them to the top bidders as sex slaves. It is this section of the story that I had a difficult time with. Hansel is sold to a man that has no shame and no cares whatsoever for Hansel as a person, while Gretel is sold to a wealthy man who wants her only as a play thing. Their first days as captives, both are brutally raped (vaginally, anally, and orally) – tied down and forced to perform sexual acts for the pleasure of their captors. They are shamed, abused and treated like trash. Their virginities are stripped from them violently and without care. I can honestly say that these few chapters were difficult to read, and I almost put the book down, never to revisit it again. But, I had to know if they were going to get a happy ending.
I’m really glad that I did. I can’t tell you that what they ended up with was what I would call happy endings, but they both were happy. Both Hansel and Gretel were rescued from their lives of sexual slavery by wealthy individuals that wanted broken and attractive young partners to be their submissive – to feed their appetites for dominance. Once they are rescued, the book turns from violent to erotic. It touches on parts of BDSM that most authors aren’t willing to venture in to. There are even some scenes that I would be too embarrassed to even mention in a conversation with my spouse. Seriously.
But what I actually liked the most about this book is the fact that it wasn’t deep with emotion. There was no “true love” factor, or romanticism. There wasn’t a false hope of happily ever after. Which, don’t get me wrong, I prefer my books to have. What this author did a great job of, though, was showing that when you get in to some of the more taboo aspects of sex and BDSM, the stuff that most people wouldn’t even DREAM of engaging in (group sex, group anal intercourse, torture, the use of toys to inflict pain to create pleasure) you have to turn off the lovey dovey emotional crap and physically let yourself experience the pleasures - something most BDSM-themed books lack. They make it sound beautiful and loving – something to really connect with your partner on. No. It’s not romantic. It’s not sweet. It’s strictly sexual pleasure. And I love that the author brought to light the true face of the lifestyle.
Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books