Customer Reviews

The Marketplace

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is the story of four submissives sent for training in a hidden underground organization, the Marketplace. Each submissive has excelled in the mainstream BDSM scene and have been selected for their potential to join the ranks of those that do not play at D&S but rather live it. Put in the services of the enigmatic trainer, Chris Parker, the four slaves are pushed to their limits and molded into the epitome of true servitude.

For those readers that fell in love with the BDSM classic, the Story of O, there has finally come a series that treats BDSM as more than just a cheap trick to sell poorly written porn. This book is well written, has identifiable characters and an interesting premise. Lara Antinou is a frequent guest at many BDSM conferences. I believe that her premise taps into the desire of many of BDSM scene (whether they go the events or just dream at home) that there is a group of people out there that take the leather scene a little more seriously than your average S&M aficionado. It is just a little exciting to think that if you can shine as a truly powerful Master or well behaved slave, that you may be allowed into a special clique of true devotees.

In addition to her well conceived premise, the characters in the book are well developed and interesting to read about. And while you may or may not identify with the disciplined Chris Parker or the powerful Grendel, they sure would be a lot of fun to meet in the proper setting.

Just one note of caution, if you are not comfortable with bisexuality then you may not enjoy this book. Otherwise I think that you find it is a welcome break from aggressive, badly written fare that passes for BDSM novels.

This particular title, and its sequels, are a few of the better BDSM works of fiction out there. More contemporary than the Beauty books, and less romanticized, it weaves its premise into reality enough to make the idea of a 'Marketplace' plausible irl. While parts of the book(s) might be a bit unpalateable and even foreign to the more vanilla crowd, those in the lifestyle will recognize and often relate to the drive, motivations and actions of many of the characters. Others may not relate to the characters and especially the mindsets and so may not get a comparably high level of enjoyment out of the book(s). Definitely a "must read" for people in the scene.

Whether a novice or veteran, you will enjoy The Marketplace. The characters are well developed and their backgrounds are explored in just enough detail to explain the psychological experience unique to each. The characters not only have to deal with their trainers, visitors, guests, etc., but also with each other. Vulnerabilities and emotions are well mixed into the day to day grind. There are no guarantees for a certain ending to each character's fate; each will stand and/or fall on their own. A real page turner and well written.

As a Dominant woman, this is true to life reading. Where Anne Rice's Claiming of Sleeping Beauty was romantic, this is hard edge reality. I can not put this book down and I would highly recommend it!

The first of the classic series. A must read for anyone claiming to know anything about "BDSM" erotica. Filled with complex characters and interwoven plots which leave you with questions you pant after, this is truly a masterpiece. There is something here for every orientation!

I had not expected a book on BDSM to be thought provoking. I mean really just how much of a deep thinker do you have to be to tackle this subject which always seems to boil down to sex and more sex. I enjoyed Laura's writing style immensely as she is easy to follow and she keeps the storylines straight. This book was a little more thought provoking in that as a volunteer slave are you in fact truly obligated to go through with the contract that would of course get thrown out in any court of law. I am referring to the end of the book when one of the slaves is bought by trickery to be given to someone else who we are under no illusions will be just terrible as a master. I did wonder at the author's lack of follow through on this. Above all it had very funny moments between all the titalating sex to keep you very much interested, I will now order "Slave" which everyone raves about and I think this book gives me a good foundation.

This is heavy S/M to say the least. No BSing around. While there was a bit too much emphasis on the homosexuality for my particular tastes, it all pretty much evens out. The scenes of pain and torture are done in a very realistic sense that makes them sensual when they should be, and torturous when they should be. You definitely know the difference between a good beating and a bad one. A good job was done with making the characters seem like you or me... just an average person, except for this desire to give themselves up. There was less sex in it than I was expecting, but what is there is hot! An interesting look into an S/M lifestyle fantasy

I found this book to be both erotic and thought provoking. Many of the situations involved I found to be true to life. Chris Parker, the enigma, and the mix of characters and how they inter-relate to him kept me spell-bound.

I would and do recommend this book to people who are players in the scene as well as to folks who really work at living this lifestyle...

If you liked Anne Rice's Beauty series, you will love this book, I couldn't put it down. If you haven't read Anne Rice and you like this book, do yourself a favor and buy them. I hope you like it as much as I did

a really good look at how, in this * fictional * book, four very different people with different desires and dreams come thru the rigorous trainning set by chris parker, a enigma in his own right. something for everyone in this book, and if not, perhaps the next 2 in the series will hold it for you ::smile