"Far future world where men are wild creatures running free in the bush."

In the far future on a world populated by Earth survivors of a space wreck, a truly bizarre culture has formed. Women rule the world and men are wild creatures running free in the bush in Aridzone unless they are caught and kept as pets or as slaves used for work or pleasure. Mistress Arness is the finest trapper and trainer in the land who, with her two personal pets, Primary and Secondary, makes a healthy living from doing what she does best. Her wildlings love her. She gentles them and introduces them to the pleasures of sex before selling them to wealthy patronesses. Her favorite patroness, Morgena, runs a breeding farm where women come to rent a pet to reproduce with. Morgena charges Arness with a special task, preparing a pet she bought for her daughter's graduation present.

The headstrong Adan is determined to escape and live free, but he still wants the fiery trainer as his own. Surprisingly, a male as fierce and uncompromising as Adan catches more than Arness' attention. Morgena's daughter Salla, will not appreciate the gift of a pet. City- educated, Salla has read every surviving text from old Earth. She believes men are not dumb animals but a woman's equal. She abhors pets, but she might be willing to bend a bit on that if Primary was the pet in question.

This is a wonderful book, well written with well-defined characters. Adan was not as clearly drawn as Primary, but all of the men were delightful in their own ways. Salla's inner struggle as she walks the line between her ideals and what is expected of her is amusing and heartfelt. I had a little trouble understanding exactly what the monogamy leash constituted and wished the author had gone into more detail on that point. I also found their form of dealing with male children unrealistic. Better plans for the situation came readily to mind. I would have liked more information on WHY that particular system arose. Other than those two points, the world was well-drawn and utterly engaging. I loved that Morgena was given more depth as the story progressed and shown to be more than the bubble-headed hedonist we see in the beginning. Knowing that mother and daughter are more alike in the end is refreshing. The farm manager, Dorinda, was a truly comical character. I would have loved to see more of her. Her internal comments and observations added quite a bit to the story.

This book is rated NC-17 by the publisher. There are eight sex scenes including masturbation, hand jobs, menage scenes (both two male and one female, and two female and one male), oral sex, bondage, S&M, anal play, and voyeurism. The sex scenes are hot, and while there is mention of non- consensual and abusive sex, none of that is done 'on- screen'.

Reviewed by Brenna Lyons for Sensual Romance.

Reviewed by Sensual Romance
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted February 8, 2003

Also available in paperback (ISBN 1843604507).

Summary

In the uncivilized out-country known as Aridzone, Arness is the best at what she does. The wildlings she captures and domesticates worship her. In return she always matches her pets with doting, wealthy mistresses who reward hard work. She loves her job...

Until the uncontrollable Adan enters her life. He insists he is a man, not a pet. Will Adan fall under her spell, or will Arness learn that submission can work both ways?

Rated NC-17 by Ellora's Cave.