Slade, Matthias' best friend and companion surgeon, has orchestrated the job posting and interview in the best interests of the Toymaker. Bryce is his first choice, and he has brought in other applicants only in the event she proved unavailable. Her job will be to experience sexual experiences in all their variety, with pleasure robots and human testers in a laboratory setting. Identifying her responses to sexual stimuli under lab conditions will enable the Toymaker to more effectively program his inventions.

Matthias is wasting away, and so for Slade time is of the essence, in order to help his friend, the man to whom he owes his life and sanity. Slade has recognized immediately that Bryce has powerful psychic abilities, but his gift doesn't allow him to discern into which category her abilities fall. Though advertising specifically for an empath, Bryce had not admitted to that in her application.

Bryce's owner, Akim, had inherited her concubinage upon his father's death. She should have been freed at that time, but Akim, who is vicious and sadistic, refused. Now he deceptively promises her freedom in exchange for bringing him the Toymaker.

This novel is fast-paced and compelling; I was captive from Page One. Ms. Ross has a real talent for plot line and world-building. The characters are a little more difficult to get to know, but that's barely noticeable as the story moves along at lightning speed. I highly recommend it for any readers interested in futuristic/science fiction; however, the plot line is based on explicit alternative sexuality, and contains intense elements of BDSM and use of sexual appurtenances. The sensitivities of some readers may be offended, but for those who are intrigued by BDSM, the book will be fascinating. I totally enjoyed it.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Annie
August 18, 2006