This is an excellently written book of erotica. Anne Rice displays her flair for description and character development in this story of the release of the innocent Sleeping Beauty. However, this is very different than the simplified version in which she is claimed by a handsome prince to become his wife. Is he a scoundrel? Does he love her? She is claimed as a prize to be taken to his mother's castle to be trained in the art of erotic submission. She will be taught to submit her will in all ways to her master's and in doing so may find herself, in fact, released.

This book is not for the faint of heart. If graphic sexual situations and torment are not your thing, leave this book at the store. If you are interested in sexual awakening and interesting "situations" you will love this!

Wow! This book was a very deep. The twist of a classic tale brought into the dark. The torture, humiliation both sexual and abusive in an S&M dark way. I really found myself drawn into Beauty's pain. Anne Rice did an amazing job on a fairytale classic. I'm looking forward to reading Beauty's Punishment and Beauty's Release. I just hope she finally finds her HEA by the end of Beauty's Release.

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

This book will not be for everyone...it is not your typical bed time story...it is about going beyond the sexual imagination into a place many consider taboo. If you like something more riskier than the Story of O then this is a book for you...but remember that this book has sequels and you will need to buy them to finish the story

i found this book simpler than typical Anne Rice novels; however, i really wouldn't change a thing! love the subject, the descriptiveness, the flow of this book. 2 days to read.. i just couldn't put it down. on to the next one. :) and yes... i wish there were more than 3!!

captivates you so you much you'll be frustrated there aren't more then three!

This book is an intense introduction to an immensley erotic series. Anne Rice leaves vampyres in order to explore some of the world's most tabboo erotica subjects. A strong start to a great series.

Sleeping Beauty with a twist! Anne Rice puts a different spin on the classic fairy tale.

This book is clearly a fantasy where the exploits of our heroine defy human capabilities so leave your sense of reality at the door.

Be advised that there is intense imagery here that delves into bondage, discipline and humiliation. No reader will leave unaffected; some will be aroused, some will be repulsed and the rest will fall somewhere in between.

This is the first in a trilogy and only you can decide if they live happily ever after...

I originally picked up this book because I like Anne Rice's writing. After reading it I am trying to get my hands on the second and third books to the series. It was erotice I guess, but done in such a way as not to be pornographic. I found it captivating from start to finish. I give it two thumbs up...way up.

for some of us Anne only writes what we already know, but she does it so beautifully, tantilizing your appetite for more- it was a must read for me-one I couldn't put down and when I did I wanted to get back to it as soon as possible so I could recapture what I had envisioned as I read...beauty is as sweet as she was in the fairy tale and she will capture your heart. It's a book about submission and dominance, the erotic, sensuous world of pain and pleasure...desires that awaken from with-in..not for everyone but for those whom it is- it is a "must read"

Each page of The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty is painted with the vivid and sensual imagery that has become Anne Rice's trademark. Filled with sadistically erotic ideas that question conventional romance, this is a book that would, no doubt, make Sacher-Masoch proud. Unfortunately, the numerous episodes in which Rice pairs physical pain with spiritual pleasure get a little repetitive so that by the end the reader really doesn't care that much about the actual story and the outcome of its characters. Nevertheless, both the sexual stimulation and the thought provocation provided by the imagery is enough to make this novel worth the read. Be prepared... this is truly an erotic adventure...

If you think this is another Anne Rice book, think again. "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" is devoted to erotica and increasingly graphic sex (not all between people of different gender) so know what you are getting into. There is also a lot of sadism, but the author spreads it out equally between the genders so it may offend/turn off/turn on everybody (or nobody)equally. This was the first erotic novel I read, and although I didn't know what to think, it certainly stuck in my mind. Considering the subject matter, this book was classily written. I certainly won't read some parts of it again, but others were much more interesting . . .

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty was the first erotic novel I read. The premise of the story begins where the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty left off – not many authors would have been able to pull this off. After reading the series it is extremely difficult to find anything that compares to Anne’s sense of style and sexuality. Tastefully done, this is one of the most intriguing, exciting and arousing series I have ever read. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in reading erotic fiction.