In 1994, the abridged audio versions of the first three books were published in cassette form. The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty was read by actress Amy Brenneman. Beauty’s Punishment was read by Elizabeth Montgomery (known for her role in the ABC situation comedy Bewitched) as Beauty with Michael Diamond as Tristan, and Beauty’s Release was read by Montgomery with actor Christian Keiber reading as Laurent.[2] A compact disc version of the audiobooks was read by Genviere Bevier and Winthrop Eliot.[3]
They’re something. I actually learned about the book series itself in the nineties from my surprisingly sexually open ex-mother-in-law. 😆
So, are they good? Involve vampires? As creepy as the title implies?
My recollection is that the books use a fairy tale setting with the addition of a lot (and I mean a lot) of explicit sex. I don’t remember any vampires, but it’s been years.
As for the quality, “good” is subjective. I would say they are…effective in what they aim to accomplish insomuch as they are premium wanking material. 👍
I remember reading “interview with a vampire” and being unable to put the book down, but it’s been a very long time. Maybe if I get really bored, song of ice and fire has enough explicit to where I couldn’t play the audiobooks in the car lol.
No vampires.
Creepy? That’s a matter of perception.
Good? Again, that’s a personal thing.
As erotica, they’re kinda too over the top for most people. The whole thing is extreme bdsm. Extreme as in doing things that would be very dangerous or at least risky in real life. But it is fantasy, so as long as you go into them with that in mind, it’s not really any more extreme than some porn that’s out there.
What I can say for sure is that her style of writing lends itself well to erotica in general, even if some of the specifics of her attempts in that general heading fall short of being actually arousing. In other words, it’s very readable, if you like the way she writes at all.
By that I mean her style, not necessarily her plots or dialogue. Like, her vampire books jumped jumped the shark decades ago, but the style of them is consistent even when a given book is not a good read. I personally like her rather distinct southern gothic vibe in her word choices, pacing, and description of scenes. Her writing drawls like a lady in her garden during a sultry late summer evening, offering iced tea to a guest.
Even when she’s writing action, there’s a sense of langour to it all.
And that zoomed applies to the beauty books as well as her “exit to eden” stand alone quasi erotic novel. I think e2e is more erotic in how it handles bdsm themes and scenes, but it’s also not a fantasy/fairy tale story. There’s a scene in e2e where one character is using butter and cinnamon in an erotic manner, and it actually works as erotica. The way she writes that scene is languid and dripping.
My overall take? The beauty books are worth a read even if only as an experience more than a read for pleasure. It’s a very interesting thing beyond its value as an erotic piece.
They might change your meaning for the word pony in a way you aren’t prepared for.