The Marketplace

Did you know that sex slaves are trained and sold in modern America? The Marketplace depicts the training of four would-be submissives in such realistic terms, readers are compelled to check the New York phonebook for this uncommon academy. All of the characters are vividly portrayed with a nice blend of strengths and weaknesses, and a refreshing sense of humor permeates this classic of bdsm literature.

Whether a novice or veteran, you will enjoy The Marketplace. The characters are well developed and their backgrounds are explored in just enough detail to explain the psychological experience unique to each. The characters not only have to deal with their trainers, visitors, guests, etc., but also with each other. Vulnerabilities and emotions are well mixed into the day to day grind. There are no guarantees for a certain ending to each character's fate; each will stand and/or fall on their own. A real page turner and well written.

This particular title, and its sequels, are a few of the better BDSM works of fiction out there. More contemporary than the Beauty books, and less romanticized, it weaves its premise into reality enough to make the idea of a 'Marketplace' plausible irl. While parts of the book(s) might be a bit unpalateable and even foreign to the more vanilla crowd, those in the lifestyle will recognize and often relate to the drive, motivations and actions of many of the characters. Others may not relate to the characters and especially the mindsets and so may not get a comparably high level of enjoyment out of the book(s). Definitely a "must read" for people in the scene.

As a Dominant woman, this is true to life reading. Where Anne Rice's Claiming of Sleeping Beauty was romantic, this is hard edge reality. I can not put this book down and I would highly recommend it!