REVIEW OF LAURA ANTONIOU'S MARKETPLACE SERIES FOR THE FTM READERSHIP
How many novels have you read lately that have a major character who's FTM, is one of the most admirable and honorable folks in the book, and the plot does not revolve around what he is except in an incidental manner? Not very many, I'll bet. And how about an entire series of novels like this? Even fewer, no? Now add to all that the fact that this same series also contains some of the most intelligent, best written, and downright hottest BDSM writing. Sound good? Well, check out Laura Antoniou's MARKETPLACE novels.
From a back-cover quote by Lori Selk, "These books depict a rich alternative reality with an honor-bound system of slave market hierarchies, but this is no fantasyland of perfect masters and unquestioning servants. Antoniou creates fully realized characters who struggle with loyalty, duty and service."
If you read the first book, you won't even be sure about this character and I'm not going to mention his name and spoil your own discovery unless you already know a lot about FTMs and pick up on the hints. In fact, it's not until the fourth book that the author gets around to spelling it out fairly clearly, and this isn't because of any shame or reticence about the subject, but simply that it is not truly relevant to the rest of what's going on in the novels.
Mind you, this character is also not some out, upfront, and in your face modern TS activist. He's from an earlier generation, and carries those attitudes and feelings with him. But if you want to read an FTM who is full of courage, honor, decency, and controlled passion, here he is. Truly heroic fictional role models for us are few and far between, but Laura Antoniou has created an outstanding one.
For more information:
http://www.lantoniou.com
These novels may also be found at Amazon.com and Half.com, among other places.
