Rating: 
Summary: A cool and fascinating story!
Review: This is the first book I've been able to read by Dara Joy.Although the manufactured language slowed down the reading a bit at the onset, once I got used to it it was easy to infer the meaning without having to look up the words in the glossary. The plot was intriguing to say the least, and if it weren't a "romance" I'd start buying it for all male relatives and friends. However, I'm afraid they wouldn't read it even though it would probably shed a new light on feminist philosophy. There were a few spots at the end that I was unable to completely understand, but I think that was intended by the author. It seems likely that more information will be given and more light shed when the author is able to write more about this "world," and it seems obvious to me that she means to. All in all it is a cool and fascinating story! This writer knows how to create imagery. I've read stories that I seriously wanted to throw back at the author and beg for better editing, or a complete rewrite. I can happily say that except for a small few ackward sentences--a very small few--this was well worth the read. I really enjoyed the new concepts that Dara brought out in this story. I truly hope that she is able to continue this as a series...I'll be eternally unsatisfied if she doesn't...I want to know what happens next, and where exactly Claudine's daughter and River turn up.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad, very, very bad
Review: This is the first book I've read by Dara Joy and it will most likely be the last. I read up to page 20 then skimmed the rest. I liked the concept of a women dominated society but this book is absurd.
Rating:
Summary: A Big Dissapointment
Review: What a let down this new Dara Joy book is. I have read and loved all her other novels to date but could barely get through this one. I think that it was her whole idea that the woman would dominate the men sexually and in every other way. Missing are the strong male characters that we are used to from her. These main characters are what made her earlier books so appealing. I do hope that Dara Joy returns to her old style of writing soon as I have always considered her books as some of my very favorite romances.
Rating: 
Summary: I liked it.
Review: I am suprised at the negative reviews of this book. This was the first Dara Joy book i ever picked up and i loved it, I have defentaly read books by her that were far worse. I thought this book was unique.
Rating: 
Summary: Tedious
Review: Dara Joy is one of my very favorite authors. I expected to like this books as much as the others. I was wrong. It was slow and the characters were boring. The book dragged. I could find no interest as to whether these two people ever got together. I did not like the setting of the book. I will pretend she didn't write this, and wait for the next one. I await more of the matrix series. More perhaps with some of the other characters in her books that beg for additional adventures.
I look forward to the adventures of the Rose.
Rating:
Summary: You have to love Dara Joy
Review: Will this book all senses are enriched and enticed. This is a must have and must read book.
Rating:
Summary: Inner Peace and Tranquility
Review: Initially a shocker. Why? Because it is such a role reversal of all earth cultures. Yet, the reader is lead to believe it is originally based on earth culture. The author stays true to form through out. Initially it is funny. To think that society would function as it does. Then comes anger or disgust that members do not rebel or that they would be so tolerate of the mores of the society. And finally, a feeling of satisfaction - all will end well for all. Total harmony and tranquility. Enjoy, I could barely put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Why, Dara, why?
Review: I will not rehash the plot, as the reviewers have before, but I disliked this book so much, I felt I had to say something. I just love Dara Joy's writing. Her "Matrix of Destiny" series was sensual, hilarious, fresh and so very entertaining. However, "Ritual of Proof" was one of the worst romances I have ever read. Wait, make that one of the worst *books* I have ever read. The plot was original, I will give her that much, but the characters were so unlikable. Horrid. In my 21 years of romance reading, I...well...I was just sick. May she'll do better with her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: A cool premise is you like femdom material
Review: The premise is unusually in a romance novel where the plot and character are basically formulaic in nature. The pursuer here is an important slightly older woman; the pursued a younger man from an important house. On certain levels the gender roles are reversed -- he plays hard to get, wants his freedom, she is protective but feels it is her right to have him. On other levels the gender roles are actually promoted -- he is able to physically overpower her at one point because he is physically bigger (why would genetically engineered men who are supposed to be submissive be made bigger than women?) One huge problem I had with the political and social set-up was the gendered terms when they were not appropriate -- "she-lord"? if only women can rule why add the "she" onto it? I think that Joy had a cool premise and for those of us into female rule we can still enjoy the book, but frankly the political and physical comparisons needed to be better thought out.
Rating:
Summary: Stupid!!
Review: I cannot believe that I wasted money on this book.
It is poorly written and incredibly stupid.
If you feel you must read it, just check it out of the Library.
Yuck.
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