Tender Mercies

When reading this book I was fascinated by my own reaction. Let me say, right away, what is great about this book - it allows both characters space to develop, the relationship has an emotional and a physical component and therefore allows the reader to engage with it, it is well written.

And still I do not like it. Why? Well, for once, I think the sex itself is boring. Normally I could get over that because the sensuality comes from the emotional relationship between the characters but the blandness is a little extreme - basically a poke and splash. But that is not even my problem - my problem lies in what I think is completely unintended by the author: it is an incredibly judgemental book.

I think the author tried so hard to call for show more a lack of judgement over people's non-vanilla desires that she went so far over the line as to be judgemental the other way. There is only one way of real, and true, deep submission. Her characters happily allow the lighter from of submission to remain unjudged, almost like professional sportsmen looking onto the dilettantes, but when it comes to deep submission, to Master/slave relationships there really is only one true way. I am not particularly fond of any one true way. show less

When reading this book I was fascinated by my own reaction. Let me say, right away, what is great about this book - it allows both characters space to develop, the relationship has an emotional and a physical component and therefore allows the reader to engage with it, it is well written.

And still I do not like it. Why? Well, for once, I think the sex itself is boring. Normally I could get over that because the sensuality comes from the emotional relationship between the characters but the blandness is a little extreme - basically a poke and splash. But that is not even my problem - my problem lies in what I think is completely unintended by the author: it is an incredibly judgemental book.

I think the author tried so hard to call for show more a lack of judgement over people's non-vanilla desires that she went so far over the line as to be judgemental the other way. There is only one way of real, and true, deep submission. Her characters happily allow the lighter from of submission to remain unjudged, almost like professional sportsmen looking onto the dilettantes, but when it comes to deep submission, to Master/slave relationships there really is only one true way. I am not particularly fond of any one true way. show less

"We can deny what we are, but it won’t go away."

Well damn! This was a tough read.

Another reviewer said they hated it and they loved it and every emotion in between. And that about sums it up.

Grace puts herself in a stupid, dangerous situation and pays the price. This will be too much for some readers.

2nd reading. Interesting psychological exploration of a woman who's broken being brought back to life and of a man atoning for a son. Villain however is one dimensional.

This is definitely a book where it tests your comfort level while reading it.

The whole island was an interesting idea, where women can go to give up all of their human rights for kink but I was not sure how realistic it was.

On the point of realism there are many points throughout the book where it is pretty unbelivable such as character actions and reactions of the 'masters'. That aside this book really entertained me and thats all I can ask from a book such as this really.

Its pretty short, easy to read. The sex scenes arent that grossly detailed it puts you off reading it. Its not for the easily offended or for someone with a genteel disposition.

Did you read fairytales as a kid? Did you enjoy the ones where the innocent and wellmeaning protagonist got hit over the head again and again with the vile doings of one evil enemy? Did the story appeal to your sense of what is and what isn't fair in this world?
This is the adult version of that tale.


Did you cheer as the king put the evil one in a barrel with nails hammered through the wood and rolled this barrel from a hillside?
In that case you'll like the ending.

Fairly well written with enough fleshing out of the landscape that i didnt feel lost. The characters had distictive personalities but i found it hard to reconcile graces supposed submissive nature with her very unsubmissive way of thinking whenever she wasnt terrified out of her mind. I enjoyed this book but i'm only giving it 3 stars because i would have liked more of a plot.