The Claiming Of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice (writing as A.N.
Roquelaure) is the first of the Sleeping Beauty trilogy. I found
that there was much repetition in the descriptions and the events
that occurred - apparently the characters noticed the same thing
about different characters, and the similar problems were inflicted
on the characters. Thus, I grew tired of reading because of this. I
cannot even imagine how much repetition the second and third book
will have.
This is a book that only adults should attempt to read. A lot of
the time I was very shocked at what I was reading; I guess I am not
used to this genre.
After sleeping for one-hundred years, Beauty is awakened by the
Prince after he has sexual intercourse with her without consent.
Beauty's entire kingdom awakens and she is consistently reminded by
the Prince that the curse was lifted and her kingdom was restored
because of him. Thus, the Prince has attained right to take her
with him to his kingdom.
Beauty is taken to the Prince's kingdom naked, and she becomes
slave there. She discovers that she is not the only naked slave
there; there are so many more, and all of the slaves are princes
and princesses from surrounding kingdoms that were offered to the
Queen - the Prince's mother - as a tribute.
In the palace, the slaves are trained to become submissive and
obedient. Everyone, even those in the lowliest ranks are above the
slaves. The slaves are spanked, displayed publically, must crawl at
times, kiss people's feet, and entertain their masters.
Will Beauty adjust to this place where pain and pleasure are one
and the same? Will she be able to submit and become an obedient
slave to please the Prince? Or will Beauty be sent to the village
along with the other princes and princesses that were unable to
please their masters?
2.5/5