Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Review: Death Row, The Trilogy by Jaid Black


Death Row: The Trilogy is a Romantica Novel by Jaid Black from Ellora's Cave Aeon.

Book Blurb:

The United Americas of Earth: 2249 A.D.

On the eve of his execution, Death Row inmate Kerick Riley overpowers the guard and escapes the violent penal colony that has been his prison for over fifteen years. On the run to find the answers he seeks, the grim-faced, gray-eyed Kerick has two things on his mind: revenge and woman.

Scientist Nellie Kan has spent the last several years researching a frightening disease that has manifested itself in certain populations of humans.  On the verge of developing a serum, Dr. Kan is kidnapped by an escaped Death Row inmate and claimed as his personal sexual property.  Is her captor the key to the answer she seeks...or a lunatic who will destroy them both?

Well now...this is the first book I have read from Ms. Black - or Ellora's Cave - and I am torn.

I enjoyed the part of the story that dealt with the disease and trying to find a cure.  I also liked that Nellie is obviously and intelligent woman.

But I ran into difficulty with the whole concept of women being nothing more than chattel to be owned by a man - literally bought and paid for - to do his bidding.

That was a huge turn off for me.  

Women had to go around dressed in little more than a pair of heels and a smile - and any man could walk up and fondle her - or back her up against a wall and take her, right there - in public, and there was nothing she could do about it.  And this was the unmarried, scientist.

For women who were owned - they had their own set of rules.  When their man was eating supper - she had to be under the table on her knees servicing him while he ate - no matter who was at the table with him.
I was honestly flabbergasted to think that this portrayal of women could, in any way - be considered erotic, romantic or sensual.

Maybe it's just me and I'm a prude.  I can live with that.  :)

I give Death Row: The Trilogy 1 out of 5 stars.

M    

6 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Ok, honestly wtf? This would be a thrown at the wall book

Anna said...

Hope you don't give up on EC altogether. Not all their stories are like this.


:)

Michelle Greathouse said...

B,

I know. :) The concept of the book is really cool - but that sex slave thing was just too much.

Anna,

You could have eased me into the EC world with something on the lighter side. LOL Whew, that was something else. And the whole rating system:

S-ensual
E-rotic
X-treme

I think that is it. Anyway, this book was rated E. My goodness, if that is an E there is no way I could read an X. ROFL

But no, I will not give up on EC. I'll give it another try - maybe an S book this time. Baby steps, baby steps. :)

M

Anna said...

LOL!

Actually I haven't read The Death Row Trilogy, although I have read the authors other stuff. Some of my favorite books came from EC, so I hope you find something you like as well. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Michelle, alas, we no longer use the S.E.X. rating system; haven't for a long time (Death Row is one of our older books, hence the outdated front matter). That makes selecting books a little trickier.

If you'd like to give us another try, and are willing to tell me what genre you prefer, I'd love to personally recommend something, erotic or non. :)

Cheers!

Kelli Collins
Editor-in-Chief
Ellora's Cave

Michelle Greathouse said...

Kelli,

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.

My favorite genre is Urban Fantasy followed closely by Paranormal Romance, I love that element of other with vampires, were's and shifters - but I also enjoy stories that are set off-world - that is what drew me to Aeon.

I would love to have your recommendations - but go easy on me with erotic element. I am not really into the sex slave angle (obviously), M/M or BDSM.

M