Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Marnee Reviews THE SIREN by Tiffany Reisz
This is my first Tuesday Review-Day, but I was raving so
much about this book that the girls press-ganged, er, asked me to talk more
about it for you.
THE SIREN, by Tiffany Riesz.
Here’s the scoop, kiddies: If you have any interest in
reading erotic romance or erotica, GO FORTH, you, and purchase this book. Even
if you don’t have any interest or you never thought you’d like “those” kind of
books, I still recommend it. If you’ve
been curious about that “other book” everyone recommends (please, resist) when
erotic romance comes up, (please, resist and) pick up this book instead.
Erotic romance writer, Nora Sutherlin, is trying to “class
up” her latest story in order to reach a wider, more literary, readership. She’s published other books but, though they’ve
been regarded as enjoyable, they’ve been panned by “critics” as smut. The story she’s working on has the potential
to strike a deeper cord and Zach Easton, editor extraordinaire, has been
brought in to take the book to that next level.
The problem is Zach wants nothing to do with Nora and starts
off thinking her smut is beneath him. He’s got a reputation as a brutal
perfectionist and he doesn’t think Nora can hack it. Zach requires an extensive rewrite and, when
it’s done, only then will he decide if he’s going to sign Nora’s publishing
contract or not.
Zach. Oh Zach. Ms.
Reisz has said that Jason Isaacs was her inspiration for Zach and I can
completely see it. Separated from his
wife, he’s lost and heartbroken, sick that he’s allowed himself to destroy his
marriage but blocked as to how he can fix the mess he’s made of his life. Man, can Reisz write amazing characters. Any writer could use this book as a lesson in
characterization. Zach is his own worst
enemy. He’s a perfectionist who has made what he sees as an unforgivable mistake
with his wife. He can’t forgive himself and, if he can’t forgive himself, he
can’t see how his wife would ever forgive him either. It’s done so well and so
convincingly that my heart broke for them.
But, this book is overflowing with all sorts of well-rounded
and 3D characters. Nora is fabulous. Beyond fabulous. She’s tough and smart, this fast-talking and
witty pint-sized dominatrix. But, Reisz
makes her so vulnerable and soft sometimes too, she is an amazing exercise in
contradictions. As an example, there is
a scene where Nora takes the virginity of an under-aged boy. Now, if I just say it like that, it sounds squicky. But, Reisz has completely devoted herself to her
characters and, in her hands, the scene is poignant. The boy is fifteen and a submissive. He’s been made to feel like a freak by his
family and he’s self-harming. When Nora takes his virginity, she shows him that
there isn’t anything wrong with him, that it’s okay to be who he is.
This book also has some of the sweetest love scenes I’ve
read in a long time. I’m not talking
about the sex scenes. I’m talking about
angsty, sweet love. Nora has an “intern,”
Wesley, who lives with her. If the rest of the book explores the darkness within,
the relationship between Nora and Wes is all that is light and good. I won’t
say too much, but I will tell you that my heart ached sometimes reading the
scenes with them. In that good,
sighworthy kind of way.
I can’t reference the darkness without talking about Soren, a
priest and Nora’s Dom. The scenes between them explore the sort of power
dynamics you might expect in a BDSM relationship. But Reisz adds a new
dimension by also linking religion and the nature of sin to their sexual bond.
It’s textured and thought-provoking and makes their connection not just about
the physical, but the theological. It’s so well done I nearly swooned.
I could keep going about this book, for pages and pages. I
didn’t even touch on some of the other characters like Griffin and Kingsley. But, I’m going to show some
self-control. You, however, shouldn’t
show any self-control when it comes to buying this book. Even if it’s not your usual fare, it’s so
well-written and so beautifully executed, you can use it as an example of
brilliant writing, as a learning experience.
I hope my prose is as lovely and evocative as Ms. Reisz’s is when I grow
up. This isn’t my usual sub-genre but I’m
so glad I listened to the hype about this one and gave it a read. And you should too.
I've already preordered THE ANGEL, the next book in the series. It comes out at the end of the month.
I've already preordered THE ANGEL, the next book in the series. It comes out at the end of the month.
Have you read in the erotic romance or erotica sub-genre
before? If not, why? If so, what do you love about it? Have you read this book? If so, what did you think? And if not, what are you waiting for?!!
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10 comments:
Always good to have fresh reviewing talent and boyOboy have you jumped in at the deep end Marnee. My admiration is boundless!
I'm not sure how erotic fiction is actually defined. I've read many romances which have fairly explicit sex. Currently Elizabeth Lowell's 'This Time Love' (wonderful book if you're interested in the beautiful natural sculptures of underground caverns); but erotica seems to involve darker elements associated with torture implements bondage and beating.
I remember how my primary school head used to delight in whacking us while bent over a chair ... he used a large ruler which made a loud noise but only tickled ..... though no-one enlightened him! That probably cured me of any interest in spanking and the like!
It sounds as though this book goes way beyond titillation, delving into psychological depths which many rarely contemplate. Sounds as though it may lack a HEA. Though as you rate it so highly Marnee, I may have a look.
Donna also tempted me with her recent review of humorous erotica. I have the trial of 'Kinky' by Elyot Justine. Seems to be cantered around a BDSM establishment called 'Kinky Cupcake'. I'm beginning to sense the humour! LOL
Q - I admit; this review was harder than I expected to write. The book is so complex, I didn't even touch on the majority of the things I loved about it. I'm a Virgo so this bothered me. LOL!!
It sounds as though this book goes way beyond titillation, delving into psychological depths which many rarely contemplate. Sounds as though it may lack a HEA.
I think this is exactly why I liked the book so much. It isn't just about titillation. It's deep and complex. It ponders the nature of love and pain.
And, there is one HEA but not everything is tied up tight at the end. I still found the end satisfying, though.
Oh, and humorous erotica? How interesting. :) I confess, I've never been a frequent erotic romance or erotica reader. But it feels like some really talented folks are writing in the genre right now and I like to see what's on the cutting edge, ya know?
This is an amazing review. Just enough information to make me long to read the book. So mission accomplished, Marn! I read an excerpt from this months ago and have been meaning to get around to the entire book. Must find more time to read.
I see on her site there are many stories that come before this one that involve many different character pairings. Did you ever feel like you'd landed in the middle of a story and missed what came before?
Ter - not at all, actually. The characters have lots of history. You can feel it in their interactions with each other. But I never felt like I'd missed anything. Kind of how when you're meeting two people who've known each other a while and you're just meeting them the first time? It's like that. The characters have that comfort with each other but they're not excluding you from their story.
Does that make sense?
And do yourself a favor and make the time!
Even though I see myself as very sex positive, I don't think I've read a novella or novel length erotic story. Truth is, I prefer a narrative that builds sexual tension and doesn't get to the sexin' until the latter part of the story. Prolly, because I'm married and sex I can get; but the days of first touch, first kiss, newness are gone, gone, gone.
And, frankly, I usually get bored after about the second sex scene and start skimming.
I will say, however, that you've sold this book well. It sounds like more than the usual, uh, wank fest.
I have read some erotica before, but it's probably on the erotica light category--Lori Foster erotica. Not a lot of BDSM if any, but the sex is way more explicit and done more often...and sooner than a "typical romance." Except when I read her, that was really the case. *LOL* Nowadays, it seems a lot of the romances I read now have the sex sooner, more often, and more casual...so it's almost like she set a bar for acceptance and now it's the norm.
http://www.amazon.com/Never-Too-Much-Lori-Foster/dp/0758200870/ref=sr_1_158?ie=UTF8&qid=1346775651&sr=8-158&keywords=lori+foster
I loved this one. It featured a heroine who wasn't a six 6...and he was all over her like white on rice. *sighs* Lovely, lovely.
And I want to agree: you definitely sold this book and great review!! :) I prefer the gushy, fangirl reviews myself. We all already know what we don't like...let's promote the things we do like.
I still have the book on my nightstand. I got under a group of newly published books: Eloisa James, Caroline Linden, Kristan Higgins, et al, and have only just finished that group.
Pat - I prefer my books as you do: more about the sexual tension than the actual sex. This book is not the "sex for sex sake" kind of book (that's the kind I find annoying). There's a real story and the sex is done to move the plot forward, to show things about the characters.
And I'm glad I sold it for you. For all of you. This is one of those books I haven't been able to shut up about. I even tried talking my mom-in-law into it.
I know, right?
Hells - I'll check this story out! I haven't read any Lori Foster before so I love a new writer. :) And I'm glad you liked my review. I worried it was just a rambly bunch of nonsense when I wrote it. LOL!!
You do really good review. I had to have the book after reading it.
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