The Golden Lotus by L.E. Bryce

[reviews_and_ramblings]

I think I have just said in the past that L.E. Bryce books reminds me of my childhood tales. There is a sense of fable in them that let you dreaming and pleased.

The Golden Lotus reminds me One Thousand and One Nights and also some movie setting in Persia. The author recreates a world which is a mix of medieval and arabic culture. I think that the kingdoms describes in the book are fictional (I have not a deep knowledge of the arabic culture, so sorry to the author if I'm wrong) but they are presented with a lot of details. The story is not very long, less than 70 pages, but it's complete in its scope.

Tamet is a pleasure slave. He has only know the hands of his first owner, a prince, and he seems happy for what he has. When his prince asks him to follow in battle, he dares not to refuse his master. And when his master is taken prisoner by the enemy, and the opposite High Prince asks an hostage to set him free, Tamet is the only to volunteer for the mission. He is sure that, if the death will not arrive for him, his prince will rescue him.

The very first night of his captiveness, Rahmad uses Tamet as a pleasure slave. He is not violent but a bit rough, and Tamet can see clearly the difference between the two men: Rahmad is a man, older and more experienced. But he is not an evil man, and treats Tamet with respect, admiring his loyalty and courage. He obviously doesn't accept to be denied, but on the other hand, to Tamet has not been taught to refuse.

And so Tamet, day after day sees his hopes to be rescued fade away and begins to know better his new Master. I like that the author has not pushed on the romance aspect, not making Rahmad fool for love: he is an High Prince, he has three wife, another three pleasure slave and, even if he likes Tamet, Tamet can be a favourite among the others, but still he remains one of the others. He will be cherished and honored and in the end he will have a wealthy old age.

So The Golden Lotus is a mix of fable and reality, a flash in the life of an harem of the past.

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=The+Golden+Lotus+by+L.+E.+Bryce

Amazon Kindle: The Golden Lotus

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Comments

[granamyr.livejournal.com]

Tajhaan is not a real place, nor are any of the other places described in my books.

There is a novel, Dead to the World, which also deals with the life of a pleasure slave in Tajhaan, but many people find it painful to read because it also deals with rape.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes I have read a previous review of Dead to the World and so I have some issue to read it. I KNOW it's a beautiful book, everyone speaks good about him, but in this moment I'm not of the mood to read about some topics. Nevertheless, who has read it has said it's very good. Elisa