Vaginal Fantasy Book Club discussion

I finished the book this morning after starting it last night. And I have to say I quite enjoyed it!

When Felicia mentioned that the groups' need for "smut" would be sated.. I wouldn't necessarily say it's super smutty - however there are certainly a few steamy scenes.

Anyone else finished?

I already read the book so yes, but back when I first read it, it kept me up until 4am. Could not put it down.

And I agree that its not super smutty, as in its not one sex scene to the next with a thin story connecting the dots. The world is one of the best thing about the entire series.

It is fairly explicit though. =)

I'm about 3/4 of the way through. I read these type of books pretty quickly. Bit worried that I'm not going to remember it well for the next hangout but I can always refresh myself. *cough*

I'm enjoying it but I'm in the unfortunate position of just having finished the first four books of the Kate Daniels series sooooo this was a bad book to read straight after. The bar was set very high and I was still in "tough, ballsy, heroine mode".

I really enjoyed it as well! The amount of smut didn't stick out to me as much as I thought it would after hearing Felicia's comments. I feel like the sex scenes were well placed, they fit well with the story and there was plenty going on besides sex to keep my attention. I thought the story was great! Some of the twists were slightly predictable but the story overall kept me riveted. The characters were likable and relatable, the story was refreshing and original, and the 'explicit' scenes were well written and didn't make me uncomfortable (or maybe I just read enough of this kind of stuff so I'm numbed to it...lol) I have read plenty of books like this that weren't half as well written or had gratuitous smut so by comparison this book was great in my honest opinion.

I love Nalini Singh. I think her books really put the V in Vaginal Fantasy. Va va va vooooooom.

Finished as well - yummy! Not what I would call smutty but definitely some hot scenes

I can't start reading it until I get to Spenser's Gifts to buy everything I need to recreate the cover.

Finished this morning too. I agree, it wasn't super smutty. I enjoyed it, but I am I on the fence about reading more in the series.

All the comments about this book not being particularly smutty is making me feel very innocent and naive in my literary choices indeed.

How many two/three page sex scenes does a romance usually have???

Super-smutty, to me, is achieved by amount of sex, graphicness of sex and the gratuitousness of the sex. A super smutty book/series that comes to mind is Claimed. Though I have to give props to that author for finding reasons for people to almost have sex for absolutely everything that moves the plot forward. After reading that, STS just doesn't seem to make it into the super-smutty zone.

This was a page-burner for me too, which says something because I didn't finish the last book until the day after the online hangout discussion...

Loved this one!

Kathryn wrote: "All the comments about this book not being particularly smutty is making me feel very innocent and naive in my literary choices indeed.

How many two/three page sex scenes does a romance usually h..."

Are you used to reading novels w/ sex scenes?

I find some of the super smutty stuff have really long/graphic sex scenes - extremely descriptive... and some of them have a kinda fast & loose feeling to the encounters. Like "Hey handsome dude, you're hot... ok get in my pants."

I agree with Amber "Singh tends to make scenes super hot by making them more emotionally charged."

I'm definitely used to sex scenes but they are usually just one, two tops in one book and yeah a lot quicker, less descriptive. Usually a quick brush over the foreplay. I think this was the first book I've read with a blow job scene actually. I suppose the Fever series (Karen Marie Moning) was the smuttiest series I read prior to this book, to give you an idea.

I think along with the emotion, Sasha's innocence adds a bit of smut to the sex scenes, if you know what I mean. It's almost a little uncomfortable but Singh expertly walks that line.

Kathryn wrote: "All the comments about this book not being particularly smutty is making me feel very innocent and naive in my literary choices indeed.

How many two/three page sex scenes does a romance usually h..."

I think for those of us that do read these more often, we are comparing the love scenes to that which we do see in other books. It's not always about the content imo, I feel like the love scenes were classy and readable, and didn't stand out from the story as being too much or too silly.

I know, however, there are others who aren't used to reading or enjoy reading books with 'smut' in them. It's all a matter of opinion and I don't think you should feel silly if you feel differently!

Like I said, for me it may have just been that I'm used to reading books with the same if not more love scenes than this book, but the quality of the rest of the book is normally not as good.

Just finished! I really loved the world this was set in. From the way Felicia described this one, I wasn't really expecting it to be so fleshed out. Pleasant surprise!

This is also my first venture into the romance genre, so I'm with the few who are learning that this is just considered mildly smutty to others. Hehe :)So far, so good.

I sat down last night with this book at 10 and i didn't sleep until 1:30 when i finished it.

I wasn't sure I would be able to get into, but it quickly became something that i had to know what would happen next.

the sex is very steamy and has prompted me to look up the rest of the serries :S

Rune wrote: "I sat down last night with this book at 10 and i didn't sleep until 1:30 when i finished it.

I wasn't sure I would be able to get into, but it quickly became something that i had to know what woul..."

Don't worry I'm already onto book 3 :p

Ooo I just finished it today and I loved it!! I really like the world in this one and I'm planning on continuing the series asap. :)

I started it around 3 am on the 28th and finished it around 9 am... So yeah you aren't the only one. I totally got sucked in.

I finished it yesterday...

I finished the book earlier this week the same day I picked it up! I liked the Sci-fi/fantasy world and felt the sex scenes were wonderfully emotional and steamy. I really enjoyed the book and for anyone looking for something else to read by Nalini Singh I reccomend Lord of The Abyss

I read it in one day as well. I had commented to friends that this book was described as super smutty and that I thought it was only a 5 or 6 on the smut scale. I asked them if that made me a pervert. I was happy to see that I was not the only one that found this smutty but not super smutty.

Kathryn wrote: "I'm about 3/4 of the way through. I read these type of books pretty quickly. Bit worried that I'm not going to remember it well for the next hangout but I can always refresh myself. *cough*

I'm en..."
Kate Daniels is an AMAZING series. We gotta do a discussion on that one soon.

I was all set up to read this book in one day, but when I got to the end of the chapter where she runs off to tattle to her mother, I got so mad I put the book down for a couple of days. I do that when I get irritated at a character. I put them on punishment.

I was also surprised that there wasn't as much sex as anticipated. I think what made it feel "smutty" for me wasn't the number of times they had sex, but the sexual tension that permeated everything else in the story. It didn't matter what else was happening, that tension was always there. But, the tension is the best part, right? So, I certainly didn't mind. :)

Really enjoyed this one. I looked to see who would be staring in the next couple of books and was disappointed not to see Hawke's name mentioned. I thought this book sort of set up a story for him, the way Sascha talked about him. I think I'd really like to see his story. So, I might continue on to the next book.

Started this tonight and halfway through it already! If I didn't have to work in the morning I would probably finished it in one sitting...Addictive story!!

I finished the book really quickly too and I enjoyed it.

I read a lot of the more racy books (I gave up on the Anita Blake series only around three books ago, for example - I was a hoping it would get better!) so I thought this wasn't appallingly smutty, just smutty enough.

The world kinda reminds me of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series actually, the changelings being like the Arcadian/Katagaria and the Psy being kind of like the Dream-Hunters with the restriction of emotion.

I think, being an independent minded woman myself, I bristled a bit with the animalistic "mate" mentality. I love and hate the idea of being so completely claimed by someone else so I'm glad that the point was made that it's felt both ways. It's not just a matter of him claiming her no matter what she felt.
And in the end, Lucas is certainly not a bad mate to be "stuck" with. :)

I just finished the book. I have to say I was a smut virgin, so while I wasn't prepared for what true "smut" was, it wasn't nearly as "smutty" as I imagined. I thought the balance of smut was appropriate and has me intrigued to read additional books in the series. I found the sex scenes to be tasteful and appropriate in their context.

I was glad that I didn't have this book in paper format, because the cover really kills it for me, not exactly the image of Lucas I had in mind.

Julie wrote: "I just finished the book. I have to say I was a smut virgin, so while I wasn't prepared for what true "smut" was, it wasn't nearly as "smutty" as I imagined. I thought the balance of smut was app..."

I think that is the exact reason this book/series is a great smut introduction. Good pick by Felicia Day.

There certainly is sex, but its incredibly well written and manages to be fairly straight forward. And since the book is not inundated with smut, there is plenty of room for story and character development, which for me this turns the smut into a happy bonus instead of the focus.

There are certainly lots and lots of books that are far more smutty, more sex scenes, more variety in the sex etc. These probably would have been a bit much for the more virginal readers in the group. I know they were for me when I first started reading this genre.

Alyssa wrote: "Ok, now that I'm finished with the book. It actually ended up less smutty than it started...There was a bit of a lack of smut at the end. Which is sort of interesting, since usually it's the revers..."

What do you think of the next book so far? I was considering reading it, but was afraid it would be too similar to the first book to maintain my interest.

I finished this book super quickly and just finished the second book about an hour ago - on to book three!

It looks like each book is showcasing a different character from the series, so I'm looking forward to diving into each of their stories as I read along. This series has a lot of great world-building material and was surprisingly filled with more plot than I'd originally expected. It's guilty-pleasure with a nice surprise twist of substance.

Thanks for the great rec, Felicia! I look forward to these books devouring my life (ahem, maybe that's the wrong choice of verbage).

I've read it at least five times and every time I'm done in under three days. Nalini Singh's books really draw you in. :)

I finished it a few days ago.

Lucas really irritated me. And the book wasn't overly smutty, but one scene went on for quite a while. Sex scenes were never very graphic either.

I keep thinking of the Psy as the Borg too! The difference being that they still keep their individuality and have suppressed emotions deep down.

Alyssa wrote: "I think that was my biggest complaint. these seem to be rather short easy reads. In some ways it's not the worst thing, the length is about right for the romance side of things. but at the same tim..."

These are all pretty typical length for vaginal fantasy reads. That just comes with the territory. The length tends to come with long series rather than long individual reads. These are books to devour. :)

Some of the later books get a bit longer (running at around 330 pgs). I'm into book 5 now, and the story just keeps building on itself - with character progression/story progression in an overlapping arc across most characters you've come across. And they're just fantastic.

I'm not finished yet, I'm probably 1/4 the way through and I'm wondering...where's the smut? So far all I've seen is an overabundance of explanation about their "animal" attraction to each other. And her constantly reminding us she is not supposed to have these feelings. Methinks thou doth protest too much...

I suppose this is foreplay?

This contains major long ramblings and spoilers.
I have just finished the book and decided to share my decidedly askew opinion of the book, figure why not what with this being a book club and all. First off minor disappointment that I got a non-misty eyeball wateringly disturbing book cover on the copy from my library but that has no real bearing on the review just wanted to share.
So I am going to start with the points that made me rage or at least irked me enough to want to shred the book and feed it to my next door neighbour’s cat(my cat has a delicate constitution). First point, if you are a bunch of emotionless or Vulcan like logic machines why would you use phrases like “I would be happy to help” or “I am afraid not” “my mother wouldn’t like that” really? Really? In over one hundred years you don’t think that language would have evolved into something more efficient? Secondly this is basically porn with plot which is fine but if I am going to read porn with plot I want it to be really good plot like the awesome Kushiel’s series in which the sex can seem secondary to the story at times, is tastefully done and the world building is exquisite. Not that I am prudish about sex in books. Minor irritant oh I wonder what E-Psy could be gee lets think about that for a chapter or two, hmm… so far I have been able to take peoples pain away, I feel things and oh yes it begins with E, could it be electric? Nope that’s not right, am I and elephant? No trunk that’s out, huh? I digress, RAGES at book throws it at wall!!! Anyway final thing could the only othere member of the Psy community that we see the character interact with be the killer? That would be too easy right, but wait Dum Dum Dum oh it is… aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!
The good points, the general premise is actually rather interesting, slight echoes of equilibrium and many other urban fantasy but done in a way I have yet to read. The food experiences were actually well written I enjoyed the reaction to the first taste of a chocolate cookie. And it did make me laugh out loud at one point the idea of chocolate flavoured penises I was all “I’m cured gotta go find me a man!” The final thing and this would be a like and dislike was the characters some of them were actually well developed and interesting and others were almost faceless drones I couldn’t pick apart and I am not talking about Psy characters, the more developed characters were intriguing.
Out of ten I would probably give this a four . I find that there is not a huge array of LGBT fiction out there (I promise I am not about to get preachy) 96% of books in the fictional market is targeted at the heterosexual market so if you like vamps, werewolves, witches and other paranormal genre you generally get the kinky stuff too. Granted there are more books out in the past ten years targeted at a more bendy audience making it mainstream but it is at times tentative.
Ramble over :-p

i have posted this on tow feeds because i am rubbish sorry about that

Started yesterday, finished today. A quick and cannot-put-down read!

I do think this rates higher than "porn with plot", Mell. For that, I'd rec Gena Showalter. *shudder* I thought the "dream" scenes tawdry and stilted...but they were a kinda supposed to be, her being emotionally stunted/starved and all. I was unable to predict the resolution that presented itself, although I did predict the antagonist. I *loved* the SF elements: while shared minds is a common SF trope, I thought this version interesting (if shallow), especially when contrasted with the changlings.

Lucas/Sascha were...ok. I liked the tactile obsession at the beginning, but the taste convo in the "dream" had me rolling my eyes. Kate/Curran by Andrews still have my vote for best sexual tension/romantic couple.

Tina wrote: "Some of the later books get a bit longer (running at around 330 pgs). I'm into book 5 now, and the story just keeps building on itself - with character progression/story progression in an overlappi..."
Would you say the later books are better than the first? I'm interested to know what you think cause I highly enjoyed this first book overal.

Paige wrote: "Went back and was reading over comments -- there is a series! I'll have to check those out too."

There are 10 books and one more coming out in May of this year. I'm on the fifth book right now and highly recommend it as a series!

Paige wrote: "In some ways, I feel like it's a narcissistic fantasy to have someone so obsessed over you and it puts me off a little. "

That's an interesting take on this. I also am not a fan of this possessive romance thing, but I can't really pin point why. I'm fairly independent. Even though my boyfriend and I love each other very very much, the idea of having someone so possessive is off putting to me. I've never thought of it in this way. Very intriguing.

Paige wrote: "Also, I think it's interesting that the authors always try to position these women as strong and independent but I'm not sure I feel that either Sascha or Bella are all that independent.... I just think it's interesting when an author tells you a character is one way but the shows you that the character is really another."

I also read the Twilight series, (not really a fan, but we will not go into that here). I will state that I feel Sascha is definitely portrayed as more independent and strong than Bella ever was. However, focusing on this book. You do bring up a good point. I can see how some of her actions could be interpreted as needy. When I first starting realizing this romance was going to be one of those possessive "she's mine" things, I was thinking okay so that means Sascha is not going to be a strong character. However, I was surprised that toward the end of the book she did stand her ground on a few things. Specifically the last 20% of the book. I will not go into detail, in case some people in this thread haven't finished (although by the name I would think most people here have). I would agree that some of the Sascha's action do seem opposite of what you are told she is. I think this has to do with her character development though.

Laura wrote: "Would you say the later books are better than the first? I'm interested to know what you think cause I highly enjoyed this first book overal. "

IMO, yes. Not necessarily individually - but the way the story arcs throughout the series. I'm on book 6 now, and the world is just so interesting. The Psy-Changeling conflict gets intensified... you hear from outside groups, different changeling types, humans, etc.

The book isn't bad so far...I'm about 75% done. My biggest complaint is that there are only so many ways you can describing pining over someone before it gets tiresome and about half the book is Sasha pining over Lucas, and vice versa.

I also don't care for the possessive/co-dependent relationship between Lucas/Sasha. I would really hope that this is not the kind of relationship any woman or guy would want to be in.

I do think the world that has been created is very interesting, and the characters have potential if they move away from the two main characters acting how they do towards each other. The romance is fine, but the constant pining got old as did Sasha's co-dependence and Lucas' possessiveness.

Maybe I'll change my mind when I'm done, but those are my thoughts for now.

Chuck, could not agree more. Although the world that was created was enjoyable to read about, whenever the author talked about the pining/possessiveness I wanted to roll my eyes. I don't really understand where the whole wanting to be possessed/obsessed over fantasy comes from because I've never had any fantasies like that so it's hard to relate. Plus, for a while (about a year and a half), a friend of mine was stalked so I've seen what real obsession looks like, and it's a terrifying thing.

I also found the narrative about the pack to be very repetitve as well. The memebers of the group would die for each other, they're physically affectionate, and mated pairs have a super strong bond; there is only so much that can be said before it starts to get tedious. At one point I wanted to say out loud "I get it now move on", but I was in class and I don't think my anthropology professor would have appreciated that sentence coming out of my mouth.

Overall, I thought the book was pretty decent. The world that the author created was interesting, and the descriptions of the PsyNet and Sascha healing others with her mind were pretty cool. With the way Felicia was going on about picking a really smutty book I was expecting there to be more sex, but compared to other things I've read, this wasn't all that smutty or overdescriptive.


*Spoiler Ahead*
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Did anyone else guess empath as soon as the phrase E-Psy was introduced or was I being too proud when I yelled out "totally called it!"?

You're right Paige..."The Pact" concept wasn't given much dimension. This probably gets more fleshed out later.

I also just finished, and the climax of the book was less interesting that most of the other "climaxes" that occurred.

While I didn't read the book because we were told it was smutty I was surprised by how little sex there was in the it considering how it was described. I kind of went it expecting sex every fifth page with most of it being random and having nothing to do with the story. Of course that would have been as bad as the pining between Sasha and Lucas.

Paige wrote: "Did anyone else guess empath as soon as the phrase E-Psy was introduced or was I being too proud when I yelled out "totally called it!"?"

i guessed empath when she took Dorian's anger

Haha, I guess you're smarter than me. I had a feeling it would be something like that when she took Dorian's anger, but I couldn't remember the word for it until the phrase E-Psy showed up.