A subculture has grown up around BDSM sexual practices. It has its own jargon, etiquette,  and rituals. It is a close-knit community, because outsiders may be confused or skeptical and prejudiced about the various practices, and the practitioners band together for solidarity, for mutual protection, and because there is often a significant element of exhibitionism/voyeurism involved. When it is practiced in groups at BDSM clubs, there is sometimes a quasi-religious ambience.

 

In an effort to gain a better understanding of this subculture, I read two popular romance novels set in the BDSM club scene.

 

                                 

 

 

 

 

 

are somewhat idealized; all the dominants ("doms") are tremendously wise and insightful, in addition to being good psychoanalysts and generally the most compassionate and loving people on earth. And the members of the Shadowlands BDSM club are big extended loving family, free of discord and far more loving than "vanilla" families could ever be. 

       I have difficulty believing, for example, in the character of Sally, who is fresh, young, innocent, bouyant, a veritable Gidget, and yet has no inhibitions whatsoever about cumming in front of audiences -- say what? Does that happen in real life? Maybe. I can't help but think that no one has sex in front of audiences for long without getting just a little jaded and slutty. The fact that the polyamorous relationship between her and the two dominant men is idyllic and goes off without a hitch is also a little bit hard to swallow.

       Also, for everyone in this stories, being a dom or a sub appears to be a sexual preference, not a kink or an experiment. Every character is genetically hard-wired to the BDSM lifestyle. In the real world, I can't help but think that some people might be a little tentative, may have mixed feelings. I also find it hard to believe that so many women become totally wet at the mention of some kind of impending "punishment", although I imagine that some do.

       So, I think that to an extent this book, which is part of an extended series, is intended to introduce the lifestyle to outsiders and present it in a favorable light. As an outsider, I found it generally helpful in that regard.

 

                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

     However, this one stands out in two ways: it breaks from the typical gender stereotype (male dominant, female submissive) and offers a romance between a female domme and a male submissive. This caught my interest. The two lead characters, Violet and Mac, are also well-developed and believable. They have flaws and anxieties; they are not Cinderella and Prince Charming. 

     The main problem I encountered in the story was the believability of some of the descriptions of sexual activity (an anal vibrator that brings a man to 5 involuntary orgasms in rapid succession? that's a stretch), and the believability of the villain(s). The motivation seemed a bit too convoluted, and the characterization too shallow. I won't say more, lest I trigger the spoiler alarms.