Review: Creepy.... and awkward.
Rating: 1 out of 5
Date: 10 3, 2013
When I started this book I got the impression the author was trying to explore the dynamics of power exchange between two women.  Since I really *ahem* enjoy such stories, I thought this book might be a good fit for me.Unfortunately, the dynamics between the protagonist and the secondary main character were extremely dysfunctional.  It was almost like the author was trying to portray a D/s relationship but didn't understand the basic rules of D/s.  Even vanilla relationships have boundaries and deal-breakers, and D/s relationships especially need safe words.  Otherwise it's just... not okay.I can't really explain any better without spoilers, so don't read further if you don't want to be spoiled.********* Spoilers ahead**********It's not problematic for me that Arianna (a Witch) kidnaps Moira (a Familiar) and holds her captive.  Kidnapping and hostage taking are common ground for many a plot, and Witches aren't supposed to be nice.  However, it is problematic when the narrative implies that consent under duress equals consent.  Example: point a gun at my head and I'll agree to a lot of things.  But that doesn't mean I've given my consent.  It just means I don't want to be shot.The whole scene where Moira is strapped to the table and "seduced"... it wasn't seductive to me.  That was nothing more than a sexual assault.  It was creepy, not kinky.  When Moira attempts suicide to avoid servitude - that indicates there's some major deal-breakers going on.  If a suicide attempt isn't a cry for a safe word, then what is?  That's pretty serious stuff, and you can't just go back from that.  Yeah, I get that the Witch is able to force her Familiar's obedience.  But still, later in the novel, when Moira expresses her love and devotion to Arianna... it's not romantic.  It's creepy.I don't understand how this novel is erotic or romantic.  It's just dysfunctional and... creepy.  I know I keep using that word.  But "creepy" is the word that comes to mind.  If this is supposed to be a story about a woman who is forced into a submissive role and then discovers that her mistress really isn't terrible and then falls in love with her... it doesn't work.  Not without a basic understanding of healthy relationship boundaries.As for the awkwardness, the dialog is too, too much.  The protagonist regurgitates every word that pops into her head, regardless of whether the reader already has the information or not and both major characters spew forth needless pages of dialog even though I got the point two sentences in.  I couldn't sympathize with Moira (even though she was the victim) because she just talked too damn much.  I don't need her to quote Patrick Henry.  I need her show me her emotions, instead of telling me.  Show... don't tell.  Show.The bare bones of the plot were interesting.  That's why I loaded the book onto my Kindle.  The idea of exploring the relationship between a Witch and her Familiar is fascinating - even if the Familiar is captured against her will. In fact, that makes it more fascinating.  A better, more careful writer could have made this story seductive and sexy and a character study of the dynamics of power exchange.  Unfortunately, this novel is none of those things.