The authors of this novel began with an interesting premise. Ben is misogynistic, selfish, totally ignorant and very scathing about satyr society. His only redeeming quality is that he has a cat—but the cat appeals to him because it’s his match in every way, except it hates everyone, not just women. Mena has been trained to please and be an asset to her satyr mate. Great pains are taken to say she is submissive but not a doormat, and is bored with her cloistered, privileged life. There was so much potential for growth and sexual escapades offered at the beginning of this story, I was filled with anticipation.

Unfortunately, the book didn’t live up to my eager expectations. The world building was fine, but not as richly drawn as I had hoped. We’re never allowed to feel the characters’ emotions, but were only told they had experienced them. There’s lots of sex, but not a great deal of variety, and the natural theme of dominance/submission wasn’t realistically handled or explored. The characters felt the same at the end as at the beginning, with no discernable improvement or sense of having learned anything worthwhile. I didn’t believe in the happy-ever-after, because I didn’t think either Ben or Mena had earned it. I truly wanted to love them, and this book, but couldn’t.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Moe
March 2, 2010