Best S/M Erotica: Extreme Stories of Extreme Sex

Rating:
Summary: Not your typical S/M drivel
Review: I bought this book because of M. Christian's reputation as both writer and editor (which is excellent) -- and I was disappointed only in two or three stories. As with any anthology, there will always be a couple of stories that aren't as appealing as others, but then, I think that's the sign of a good editor (someone who presents a diverse assortment of work). How could someone read Marilyn Jaye Lewis's story and not find it completely compelling and original, for instance? I also loved Jill Nagle's story -- absolutely riveting. There are definitely some memorable pieces here, so I have no problems overlooking the weaker, less interesting minority that somebody somewhere is bound to think are the best!

Rating:
Summary: Hot stories on a controversial topic
Review: S/M has intrigued me for a long time. I think about getting into it but have always held back, so these stories were a really good introduction for me. I really enjoyed most of the stories here (Jill Nagle's was unbelievable), and I think it was because they had some depth, they weren't all about just getting tied up and tortured, like other S/M stories can be. I understand that the second volume of this is going to come out soon and I will definitely buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Not even very good
Review: Talk about a book that fails - this "best of S/M" shows up M. Christian's worst flaws as an editor. Things like sticking with writers you know, not having enough of your own experience, fear of trying anything fresh, and simply putting too many words out there just to make a buck. There are some great new S/M books on the market, but this one can't touch them - seriously avoid.

Rating:
Summary: YAWN
Review: What a disappointment. Not much here worth reading, the title is also misleading - they should call it the best of extreme gay&lesbian s/m - it was nearly impossible to find a hetero story in the bunch (nothing against the others, that is just what I personally was hoping to find). The stories themselves with the exception of just a couple, Liquid Kitten was pretty decent if I had to pick one, were just poorly written and uninteresting, this book has an agenda other than entertainment and I didn't buy into it, that's for sure. [...] There is much better Erotica out there - settle down with the Marketplace. It covers all the s/m & sexual "bases" and yet is very well written, couldn't put it down really. One last slam on this book - the amateur and quasi-pro short stories and series found on [...]blow each and every story in this collection away. Save your money and check out their story of the day. Print them out and in a few weeks you will have created a much better collection to peruse than anything this editor can provide here.