Liquid Silver Books, $5.95, ISBN 978-1-59578-470-4
Sci-fi Erotica, 2008
Oh boy, I believe I have better warn you folks right away that Queen of Shadows contains some sexual elements that can set your eyebrows on fire. There are references to sexual experimentation that took place when the heroine wasn’t even thirteen, for example, culminating with a mention of our heroine Audryn being deflowered in public on her thirteenth birthday. Given that this story is set in a different planet where the culture of those people are different from ours, I am willing to go along with the story, but I have this feeling that some readers may feel differently.
This is the story of Audryn, the Queen of Shadows, who is in a pretty ironic situation. Her people are very open and promiscuous in nature, but since becoming the Queen after the death of her parents, Audryn is barred from indulging herself with pretty people. The reason has something to do with wanting to make sure that she delivers the correct heir belonging to the correct person. Don’t ask. I don’t think one is supposed to think that hard while reading this story. The plot of this story, therefore, is Audryn trying to select a husband to create an heir with.
The sex scenes may be controversial at times, but I have to say, on the whole they remind me of a particularly dry and boring lecture on sex habits of aliens from distant planets. Take a look at the typical sample below and determine for yourself whether they work for you.
Parron’s cock sprang out of his loosened codpiece. He was thick and red, shorter in length than Rall, but he made up for that slight lack in girth. At the sight of the member that had pleasured me so well in the past, I drew in a hissing breath and gripped Rall’s equally hard tool. Leaving my breasts, he pulled me atop him. I shoved my hands underneath his shoulders, holding them for support.
He lifted his hips, grinding his cock into the leather covering my pussy. Desire sparkled through me, and he groaned, digging his hands into my buttocks, pulling me apart. I tightened around the rod inside me and felt it push up against my clit. I moaned, and Rall slapped my arse. I jerked with the sting.
The bed creaked as Parron joined us. I felt his weight between my spread legs a moment before his hand slid up and down my crack. He’d moistened his fingers with perfumed oil, and I scented the invigorating aromas of peppermint and cinnamon, herbs that would stimulate my sensitive tissues, make them swell and tingle.
I have this feeling that Queen of Shadows will hold some appeal for fans of Bertrice Small’s more outlandish works of fantasy erotica. For me, this one is too stilted and boring despite containing some controversial elements. It doesn’t work for me, not even a little.
