Beauty's Release

**Links: Book 1 * Book 2**

I'm sort of glad that I'm finally done with this series. It just made me feel sort of uncomfortable. When so much of the book is basically just forcible rape, it's hard to be ok with what's going on.

Granted, this last book was a little easier. There was less beatings and whippings, but there was still that raping going on. Beauty and five other "slaves" were kidnapped and taken to an Arab country to become slaves to a Sultan. But they're treated, not necessarily better, but gentler in their new location. Hence, less beatings. So I was able to deal with this story a little better.

I still don't know that I'll ever read this series again. Unlike Fifty Shades (which excited me), I just couldn't handle the discomfort that this story made me feel.

A Crown of Swords

**Links: Prequel * Book 1 * Book 2 * Book 3 * Book 4 * Book 5 * Book 6**

Book seven of this epic fantasy series mostly followed two groups of characters. You follow Rand through a huge chunk of this book as he plots how to kill Sammael, one of the Forsaken. He has control over some Aes Sedai in addition to all of his followers in various countries and the Aiel.

But you also follow Elayne, Nynaeve, Mat, and various other characters in their grouping during this book. Elayne and Nynaeve have been tasked by Egwene (the Amyrlin of the rebel Aes Sedai) to find a bowl that can change the course of the weather, which, in the middle of winter, is scaldingly hot no matter where the characters are. In places where there is supposed to be snow, there is only heat.

Following the various different characters can sometimes be confusing. You have to be able to follow the different story lines, because the stories are not really the same for the different characters that you follow. But, if you are able to follow anywhere from two to half a dozen story lines, you will likely enjoy this series.

I enjoyed this one. Granted, they don't follow my favorite characters (Perrin and Faile) much, but the story was exciting, more so than some of the other books in this series.

Beauty's Punishment

**Link: Book 1**

Ok. The second book in this series is definitely better than the first book was. There's more of a story that happens, and the sexual parts are a little more fulfilling, both for the reader and the sex slave in the book.

But don't get me wrong. I still wouldn't recommend this to anyone who isn't in to that complete depravity and the complete sexual submission that is very prominent in this book.

There's more love that occurs in this book. Not necessarily full blown romantic love, but a definite tenderness. Beauty and other slaves are sent to "the village" which appears to be a much better environment for her at least. There is still the harshness of the abuse (whipping, paddling, etc), but that tenderness is apparent and kept me from feeling completely sorry for the characters that are slaves.

If you think you can handle this series, go for it. But I won't say that I whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone. It comes to personal preference.