Sex Slave
by V.E. on February 3rd, 2012
filed under recap/review
I picked up Sex Slave directly from the author at Yaoi-Con 2011. I was trying to decide among a few of her novels when I mentioned that I’m a writer, too, and I wanted to show my support because us writers have to stick together. She seemed pleased and even knocked a dollar each from the two novels I ended up buying.
I had a plane flight to New York from Los Angeles and since I couldn’t fit my original book choice (“The Complete Sherlock Holmes”—yes, really) into my bag, I was pleased to bring with me instead the more compact Sex Slave. I read the 196-page novel from cover to cover during the trip (and was then left with the dilemma of what to read on the flight home!).
Let’s not mistake this, though the title would presumably make that difficult: Sex Slave is erotica. Of the gay variety. AKA: woo hoo! There’s no doubt about it. It’s fantasy. A captain in the king’s army takes in the 
only survivor of a group of bandits that his (the captain’s) men have all killed. It turns out that the bandits had been using this captive as a sex slave and he’s been so traumatized that he cowers at the very sight of other men… including all of the captain’s soldiers. The captive has no memory of his past life and so Captain Marinel names him Kitten and the story follows that he tries to re-acclimatize Kitten to freedom while simultaneously trying to find any information about his new ward’s past—his name, his birthplace, anything.
Kitten’s entire existence (as much as he can remember, since he remembers nothing before the bandits’ camp), however, has been as a sex slave, so Marinel’s plans immediately go awry when he discovers that the only way to help Kitten feel like he’s safe is to have sex with him. (I did say erotica, didn’t I? Enter sexy times.) When they return to the kingdom, Marinel and Kitten move into the captain’s aunt’s house mansion and proceed to grapple with Kitten’s past trauma—and his past life before his time as a captive.
Sex Slave is a fast read; I read the entire thing in less than six hours (though I admit I was a captive audience, sitting in a window seat of an aeroplane). First, the things I didn’t like. As a person who’s personally experienced sexual violence, I found Kitten’s reaction to men (that is, abject terror and subservience in the service of survival) to be completely realistic—and I found Captain Marinel’s reaction to Kitten (basically, he becomes a stand-in for the bandit king after his death) to be completely heinous. Marinel does feel guilt for his actions toward Kitten later in the novel, but he never stops having sex with him or takes him to see a physician. The time period sort of implies the lack of the existence of psychiatrists or psychologists, but I would have thought that Marinel would’ve tried someone before just deciding that Kitten was his and that he was going to defend the kid from his (admittedly abusive) family-ties.
Now, the things I liked. Putting aside that I found it personally difficult to suspend my disbelief regarding the captain’s dealings with Kitten (other readers may not have the same problem), the story was pretty good. I really, really loved Marinel’s aunt, Lady Faline. She’s possibly the greatest character in the whole novel. I was really happy to read a sympathetic female character in a gay romance novel. Truly, it was the highlight of the story. Faline takes both Marinel (her adopted nephew) and Kitten under her wing without so much as lifting an eyebrow, and she stays stubbornly loyal to them throughout the plot, though at times she may act as loyal opposition. She made the novel worth it for me (though, don’t get me wrong, here: I like me some man-on-man sex, same as the next girl). Also, having a horse (that is, Thunder, Captain Marinel’s warhorse) that can basically understand you is pretty fantastical—and pretty awesome.
Overall, I wasn’t disappointed. I mentioned buying two novels by the same author, and reading Sex Slave did nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for reading the other, Sacrifice, which is looking like it may actually be the better of the two. I may just take it with me next time I have time to kill.
You can buy Sex Slave now on Lulu for just $10.99 plus shipping. You can also visit the author’s website for her other work. (Click on the cover image—not the same cover I have for my copy, but it’s similar—to visit her tumblr as well.)
Martin Freeman and all the BAFTAs
by V.E. on January 30th, 2012
filed under entertainment, words, wtf
Yes, so here’s my contribution to The “Gee, Martin Freeman should probably have all the BAFTAs” Postcard Project.
All the information you want for this project is in that link, so don’t come running to me if you need help. (Well, I could probably help you, actually, but don’t come running until you’ve checked that page at least, will you?)
(ie: unassuming front)
(on left)
Dear Mr. Freeman,
ALL THE BAFTAS, SIR.
ALL OF THEM.Very sincerely yours,
VE Duncan
(on right)
Martin Freeman
c/o Creative Artists Mgmt
4th Floor
111 Shoreditch High Street
London
E1 6JN
United Kingdom
Honest to gods, guys; I don’t think I’ve ever sent anyone fanmail in my whole entire life, not even a postcard. Oh, okay there was that one letter of gratitude to the writers of L&O: SVU for a line they wrote for Elliot Stabler in the episode “Mask“, but other than that… never.
In any case, if you like Martin Freeman’s work in BBC’s Sherlock, please consider sending him a postcard yourself, too!
To a Stranger
by V.E. on January 30th, 2012
PASSING stranger! you do not know how longingly I look upon you,
You must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking, (it comes to me, as of a dream,)
I have somewhere surely lived a life of joy with you,
All is recall’d as we flit by each other, fluid, affectionate, chaste, matured,
You grew up with me, were a boy with me, or a girl with me,
I ate with you, and slept with you—your body has become not yours only, nor left my body mine only,
You give me the pleasure of your eyes, face, flesh, as we pass—you take of my beard, breast, hands, in return,
I am not to speak to you—I am to think of you when I sit alone, or wake at night alone,
I am to wait—I do not doubt I am to meet you again,
I am to see to it that I do not lose you.
—Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
The Past Week via Twitter: 2012-01-29
by V.E. on January 29th, 2012
filed under twitter
- @TheYaoiReview which episode was it? #anime Hitsugaya's probably my favorite character in #Bleach .. /grabby hands #
- truer words never written… RT @AdviceToWriters [A short story is] an apocalypse served in a very small cup. HORTENSE CALISHER #writing #
- omegle is killing me over here. http://t.co/qowxrf0Z #
- brb dying of laughter http://t.co/Miyv6nrk #
- omg brb omegle is awesome. http://t.co/7k7OwxEI #
- @Zekor whaaaat? I have the first season on DVD if you want it. seriously, though, don't watch that without me. totally unfair. #
- @Zekor of course I have. #
- @Zekor but seriously though, how did it get switched? #
- omg omegle what have you dooooooone. #
- hahaha Vanilla Ice whaaaaat. http://t.co/FHF5ecPs #
- I am going to cheerfully ignore everyone and everything for at least the next 24 hours. It's going to be lovely. #
- @Dredgly seriously, though, wtf. he can say that because even if something bad happened to him (gods forbid), he STILL wouldn't get pregnant #
- uuuuugh why, #Sherlock fans, why? I love you all and yet you're so fangirly it's getting ridiculous. #
- possibly the most productive Omegle chat I've ever had. entertaining, too. http://t.co/eLqadaDt #
- holy shit Jaaaaaawwn. #
- @TheYaoiReview yeah, all right. I can see it. #
- /crying #Sherlock #
- ugh. the day is awesome already. going back to bed. #
- that's interesting. #
- someone just take the internet away from me. #
- So it looks like my iPod Nano survived the washer and dryer. Hearty little bastard. #
- @Zekor No, I just left it. I completely forgot you mentioned the rice. #
- So this happened. http://t.co/dI2yoU48 #omegle #
- I maxed out my tumblr queue. Pretty sure most of it's #Sherlock spam anyway. hahaha ooops. #
- someone remind me: if I ever consider not sleeping for that long ever again to just have a smoke & figure out some other way to kill myself. #
- @Zekor you know what I mean. #
- holy shit The Postal Service is on the radio. when was the last time THAT happened?! #
- @Zekor sleeping requires me to get home, you know. -_- #
- @Nate_TheMan_ yeah yeah. way to ruin my excitement, Nate. I don't listen to the radio that often; only when I'm driving. #
The Past Week via Twitter: 2012-01-22
by V.E. on January 22nd, 2012
filed under twitter
- @jetset_ was really fun! had a good time… best friend @dredgly even won one of the rounds. wooo winning! #
- @jetset_ New Museum today. tomorrow w/ @dredgly, Tuesday w/ Yager, Wednesday don't know but I leave in the afternoon. #
- might go to Union Square today too and pick up a book to read on the train on Tuesday. Don't know. #
- Seriously, though; why is this girl's iPhone passcode '5555'? Worst code ever. #
- Oh, sorry; it's '1155'… you know, because that's so much better. Ugh. #
- Mirror Carrousel at the New Museum http://t.co/2uOEJ9m3 #
- Okay; timing the line for the slide. Got in line at 1:15. #
- You must not use the stairs while wearing Upside-Down Goggles. http://t.co/01j8CkXn #
- Will get on around 2:35. so how long is that? #
- @Zekor obviously. #
- "However, our victory was like a joke that only makes the person who tells it laugh." –Who's Afraid of Representation #
- @Dredgly hug hug hug #
- I think… I'm the most liberal person I know?… is that… right? surely there's SOMEone around here more liberal than I am. #
- @Zekor usually I think socially, but I think I meant generally. #
- @Mousapelli you're watching Sherlock, too? omg, I couldn't breathe watching the last ep. wtf oh my god oh my god. #
- Wouldn't be quite the same, now would it, if I didn't almost miss the train? #
- The lack of fences in Pennsylvania country will probably always freak me out if I haven't gotten used to it by now, won't it? #
- Trains are awesome. #
- okay, shutting down the computer for the trip to JFK. T_T /brb crying #
- don't wanna go. #
- On the AirTrain. New York subways are always an ordeal with luggage. At least here everyone else has luggage, too. #
- At the gate. #
- Sitting in my seat, 19F… the window, of course. #
- Shutting down my phone. See you in LAX. #
- On the ground at LAX. Missing NYC (@dredgly!) already. ;_; #
- @Zekor lol you mean you missed me. #
- At home. Just washed my hair. In my own bed. It's bittersweet. #
- RT @TFLN (314): hey this is Madison. you gave me your number last night and asked me to remind you that you didn't fuck anyone. you okay? #
- @Dredgly yaaaay. #
- back to the grind today. a short shift, though, and in the evening, so I think I can handle it… though it IS a Friday, so… #
- @donnatalarico less than an hour away. I'd love to take you to dinner and/or have you meet my family (my mom cooks awesome food, too)! #
- @donnatalarico or whatever. ^_^ let me know. #
- @Zekor @Dredgly I think she means she doesn't want snow. #
- Skeleton you are my friend, but you are made of bone. And you have got no flesh and blood running through you to help protect the bone. #
- Skeleton, we have been friends for years & you have seen me through some trials & tribulations & some tears, but everybody thinks I'm weird. #
- seriously, though, why is #YouKnowYoureDrunkWhen trending? ugh. uuuuuuuugh. #
- Not going to say falling down the stairs at Ditmars Blvd. last Wednesday was fun or anything, but also not gonna lie: this bruise is awesome #
- @Dredgly haha you didn't notice the limping? lol I was fine, obviously, but damn did it hurt. and like I said, this bruise is pretty sweet. #
- @Dredgly oh no! hope everything turns out okay. I know there was miscommunication (at the very least) at the beginning.
# - @Zekor I wasn't *planning* on performing the experiment at all. I already knew it works just fine. After all, I can't fly. #
- @Zekor unlikely. #
Is it strange
by V.E. on January 22nd, 2012
filed under writing
Is it strange
—a short poem for A.Y.
Is it strange that I
miss you more
right after I’ve
seen you
than after the
ache has settled
a little?
————
by V.E. Duncan
The Past Week via Twitter: 2012-01-15
by V.E. on January 15th, 2012
filed under twitter
- @jetset_ lol wut I totally missed this tweet; sorry! anyway, yes, I am… for a week starting on Tuesday evening. yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!! #
- half done w/ my #YaoiCon loot post (omg finally) and almost half done w/ 12 Moments in #Anime .. soo late… well, at least I'm consistent. #
- @Nate_TheMan_ So this is the real one, then? Snoop Dogg? Really? RT @coachella psst… pass it on #Coachella2012 http://t.co/BbEYcN4U #
- two more entries and then I can pack… great news, 'cept I'm out of ideas. #anime #
- one more! #anime #
- omg "Dixville Notch" is trending… >_> #
- hah! done and done. #anime #
- here! http://t.co/3dfGvqmE I've caught up… at least with the #anime stuff haha… ^_^;; #
- @Zekor 4:30 AM I'll be on the way to the airport. #
- @Zekor you know, just to be fair to me, it's usually YOU leaving, and you do that of your own free will. therefore, I have no sympathy. #
- @Zekor actions speak louder than words, my friend. #
- @Zekor you are a ridiculous romantic. also, you know that's a lie. #
- off to the see the wizard… #
- Grande iced chai cost twice as much as in LC… that's saying something. #
- Also, to the guy who thinks it's fine to talk as loud & as much as possible @ 5 am (or, y'know, ANY time)… you're wrong; please shut up #
- I keep thinking I'll pause the next song in this playlist and then keep thinking, "Damn; this is a good song." #
- And then I remember… I *created* the playlist, so I *hope* it's good lol. #music #
- @Dredgly haha I like Dunkin too. but yay Coffee Bean! #
- @Dredgly on chapter 3 already. ^_^ the book I *really* wanted to bring, though, was too bulky. #firstworldpains #
- On the plane. #
- Probably the emptiest plane I've ever been on. #
- Yep, definitely in New York. #
- Holy jesus I have a lot of books. #
- cell phone charger is at home. /cry #
- k, I have 4 hours to get my shit together. #
- hahahahaha; found this fortune in my jewelry box: "You tell the truth but have the decency to make it interesting." #
- @Dredgly found what you were talking about but none fit boooo. thanks though. I'll figure something out. story of my life haha. #
- I didn't realise how homesick I was until I got home. #
- Statue of Liberty today. it's rainy and cold, but I'm looking forward to it. #
- I'm in New York until next Wednesday afternoon. looking for suggestions… what was/is your favorite (inexpensive) event/trip/thing in NY? #
- @jetset_ I'm trying the lottery for tix to Book of Mormon, but if I don't get them, then sure thing! I'll meet you. Where is it? #
- @jetset_ also, I bought a charger for my phone, so I can receive texts again woooooo. #
- @jetset_ haha omg I don't drink or eat meat looool… but I'm sure they have other stuff too? I want to hang out anyway, so it's fine. ^_^;; #
- @jetset_ do you know a good place near you? I'd love to catch up and not have to sit on bar stools if we don't want to lol. #
- @jetset_ ooh ooh Thai food! I'll never turn down Thai iced tea. ^_^ #
- @jetset_ 24th or 44th? #
- @jetset_ 24th and 9th it is. ^_^ #
- @Dredgly loooooooove #
- Le Bingo with @dredgly ^_^ #
- @dredgly just won!!! #
- "Jack the Giant Killer"? Really? #
