Customer Reviews

Shadowland

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read everything Radclyffe has published and quite a lot of her unpublished fan fiction. This is by far the most daring and original story she has released.

From the back cover... "In a world on the far edge of desire, two women are drawn together by power, passsion, and dark pleasures. When Kyle Kirk embarks on a daring exploration of her most secret fantasies, she finds that Dane, the stranger who guides her on the journey of self-discovery, awakens something far more dangerous than her senses. In the dark hours of the night, when passions rule and the barriers of convention are stripped away, both Dane and Kyle are forced to confront the true nature of what has long lain buried within their hearts."

This story does not follow the basic recipe of many books in the lesbian fiction genre. In fact, this reader has never read a book quite like this 'Shadowland.' Granted, just the fact that it is loaded with BDSM references and situations puts it in a category all its own. However, it's the underlying love story that grips the reader and envokes a myriad of emotions from anger to surprise to compassion and everything in between.

Radclyffe is a master with supporting characters and adding dimensionality to her books. This one is no exception. Brad, the ultimate top; Nancy, the unfulfilled wealthy housewife; Anne and Caroline, the most loyal of friends. Kyle is new to the BDSM scene and is a fast learner, but doesn't know how to react to Dane's need for emotional space. Dane has been burned and doesn't know how to let Kyle in.

I finished this book two days ago. It is still fresh on my mind and is continues to trigger an emotional response. I don't run across many books that do that.

Radclyffe's best. A top 10 in the genre. A must own for any collector of lesbian fiction.

I have read many of Radclyffe's works and I am a huge fan. Shadowland was dark, imaginative, sexy, heartbreaking, and fantastic. Radclyffe is phenomenal with imagery. Not a story for the weak but if you like living on the edge vicariously then you'll enjoy Shadowland. It heightens the senses and allows the reader to become part of the sexual adventure, a voyeur hidden in the shadows.

The first time I read Radclyffe's, shadowland, I thought "hmm, this is a little different for her", but when I read it again I was less inclined to think so. Yes, the exploration of sexual boundaries is unlike those in her other books, but the expression of trust, love, and offered vulnerablitiy are still there. There's just a different path to them. Of all Radclyffe's books, this one wars with only one other for first place in my heart.

This was my very first Raclyffe book, and I LOVED it. I can't believe I have JUST discovered her, and between this book and the two LL Raand stories I recently read, she has earned a new fan for life. The subject matter of Shadowland may be a little too dark or heavy at times for some, but not this reader. This book is SUPER-hottt with its breath-stealing scenes but not for the faint of heart. Considering the heavy BDSM action in this novel, it was shockingly erotic, pleasantly tender and the passionate love was extremely beautiful in its own unique way. I loved the ambiguity of the characters roles the best. I appreciated that Kyle and Dane were not clearly and rigidly defined in those roles. Their fluidity was my favorite part of this story. I haven't investigated many of her other stories, but of the synopses I have read so far, this seems to be the only along the SM-D/s lines. I sincerely hope not. I look forward to experiencing more for from this top-shelf author, and if this is currently her only offering in the sub-genre, I hope the she gives us another superb option soon. (This book was written several years ago). On to the next one...
Happy Reading!!

The best thing about this novel is that is makes one think about their own definition of love and intimacy. Kyle and Dane are likeable characters, but the way they express their love for one another is considered outside the "normal" realm of sexual expression (this always causes me to smile, since lesbian sex is considered "unnatural" for so many ignorant people, perhaps we should be more tolerant of other "fringe groups"). Bottom Line-Radcylffe takes a taboo subject and demystifies it enough for the reader to see it for what it really is: Another way people love.

This was a very erotic and sensual book to read. Radclyffe created relatable characters who made the book even more enjoyable to read.

This was a wonderful read. Inside of all of us there are surely deep, dark, and delicious fantasies. This book was both erotica filled while holding the promise of hope to find true love. I travel a lot and these characters were great company. Thank you for not just filling time but making it enjoyable!

"It's just another way that people relate. Not for everyone- but so what?" (Radclyffe 54).

That's exactly how I felt while reading Shadowland by Radclyffe. To be honest, I did not want to read this book. I've read all of the others and loved them, but I wasn't too excited about reading an SM story. It's not really my thing, but I have an open mind, so I gave it a try. Surprisingly it was an interesting story that intrigued me. The story is about power and passion. Kyle Kirk decides that she wants to explore the dark world of leather after she reads a story in a magazine. In her first outing she meets the mysterious Dane in a leather bar and is drawn into this world of power and pleasure.

The story is a love story, but there is a lesson in the world of lesbian BDSM being told that I found quite interesting. I can't really say I understand the passion in it, but hey, some people don't understand plain ole lesbian love, and I'm no hypocrite. There is a intricate set of rules to be learned and dark desires that both Kyle and Dane must confront before they can find true happiness.

It is interesting how Radclyffe parallels this world of leather and bondage with the dog training arena. It was a subtle comparison of the dynamics of master/slave relationship between dog and trainer and top/bottom in the BDSM scene. You don't have to like SM to like this book, but I'm sure a lot of people will be afraid to read it. Don't be. You never know, your "barriers of convention may be stripped away...and you may be forced to confront the true nature of what has long lain buried within your heart" or you might just find an interesting read. :-) Be daring. Enjoy this one.

I give Shadowland 4 stars! What's next Rad?

This book wasn't all bad. It brought an interesting perspective to the subject matter, and made some intriguing points. Overall, however, it was just rather boring, which is not at all what I'm accustomed to from this author. There was a ton of talk, and long stretches of time where the characters didn't progress at all, and when they did it seemed either forced or less than three dimensional. Don't hesitate to check out the author's other books, however.

As an aside, I'm hardly experienced, but I've enjoyed much better lesbian S/M fiction from Penumbra's "Kink" series on the internet, or alternatively (no pun intended) Michal Salat's and Joann Muscolo's "Speed of the Beat of My Heart." These series seem to bring out the pleasure, love and trust side of the life more than the self-torture and pain that seemed to be over-emphasized in this book for my taste.

Very interesting book - I wish it was twice as long. I very much wanted to learn more about the main charater Dane. I highly recommend reading this book, I am very glad I did. I loved all the passages between Dane and Kyle. If I say anything more I am afraid to give away part of the story. I will say that the physical relationship between Dane and Kyle did not take the path I expected (what they shared was so much better) and that the end was just what I needed.

Look for the newest edition published by Bold Strokes Books October 2004.

This is a Keeper !

this from the book description - In a world on the far edge of desire, two women are drawn together by power, passion, and dark pleasures. When Kyle Kirk embarks on a daring exploration of her most secret fantasies, she finds that Dane, the stranger who guides her on the journey of self-discovery, awakens something far more dangerous than her senses. In the dark hours of the night, when passions rule and the barriers of convention are stripped away, both Dane and Kyle are forced to confront the true nature of what has long lain buried within their hearts.