Prince of Ice

Tale of the Demon World #3

by Emma Holly

Humans like to call them demons, but the yama are an old and civilized race - far too civilized to fraternize with lesser beings, a view the highborn among them adhere to most stringently. It is only through plots and subterfuge that a quarter-human infant, one Xishi Huon, infiltrates a princely household.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Erotica, Fantasy, Demons, Fiction

294 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2006

About the author

I'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.

Reviews

[daemyra, the realm's delight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read Prince of Ice because I like courtesan - lord pairings. I wasn't quite on board with the paranormal demon lore and yeah, I'm still sitting with it because orientalism.

It's not that there are off-colour jokes that haven't aged well.

But I'm still sitting with the purpose of writing a demon omegaverse series set in an alternative China, and what it actually does for the story.

The demons are basically what we think of as fairies: beautiful people. They also have an advanced society hidden away from humans until recently, and now there are some diplomatic relations between humans and demons, however, the demons look down on the humans. So much so that royal demons who fornicate with humans are literally banished from the capital.

Omegaverse comes from the royal houses that go into heat and can only ejaculate with their mate. When they find their mate, their eyes go black (their mate is often called "the black of their eye"). The men can only find release with their mate, but they can still enjoy physical congress with their pillow girls or pillow boys (courtesans) - it just will be dry.

I didn't read the first Tale of the Demon World series but it's taking and using East Asian concepts for wallpaper decoration. For example, Chi. Human chi is the most irresistible for demons almost akin to blood for vampires. The royals live in the Forbidden City, the costumes are of silk fabric, the men wear queues. Cor, the hero, does martial arts.

But then they are demons. The demons are ostensibly in a kingdom similar to China. Is this fuelling exoticism of East Asia? Is this making you think of China as ancient, as a place that doesn't exist now?

What does it really add that we call human energy "chi"? Because that is what chi comes down and that is really how this book uses it. There is no further exploration or debate about energy so why even pull a different concept except for the sound of it?

It's the thing of hearing anecdotally by authors of East Asian descent who share their challenges in publishing where they are told China fantasy stories do not sell, but then seeing white authors create and publish without pushback.

And it's also the frustration many regency readers bemoan about wallpaper historical fiction where details are missed or not used - if you're not going to care if your hero go to White's or Brook's, why even dump them in this time period?

What about the steam?

Historical erotica authors all must have read the same book or attended the same workshop on what they think a sex scene should be: long, descriptive, and flowery. But it becomes not sexy at all? I've encountered this numerous times when getting into historical eroticas, and it just doesn't do anything for me.

I felt more when I read Cor and Xishi being separated, of Cor's obsession with Xishi. That moment when he enters to choose his pillow girl was so tense! When Cor is jealous, or when Xishi feels she doesn't understand Cor.

I felt much more in those moments because there was passion and development in their relationship than I did when Xishi and Cor are talking about using dildos on him. So at about the 50% mark, there are long, descriptive scenes of a carnal nature, and I started to flip past them to get to the political mystery.

I found out on Twitter that Emma Holly recently passed away, and after learning of her reputation for paranormal erotica, I started to look at her backlist on GoodReads. I wondered why the name was familiar, and I realized I had come across her name under historical erotica lists. I never finished her historical erotica romance, set some time in Regency period, I think.

Overall, I think Emma Holly did a decent job. I was hooked in the beginning, on the fence about the setting, but invested in the MCs. This is ok. I probably won't continue with the series, but I will probably try other works by Emma Holly.

[Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~]

DNF at 22%

I don't like books where literally everything hinges on sex. In this case, it's about the royal male demons going into heat and mating and having perfect "matches" among the female demons. Fate and uncontrollable heat (in this book it's called "rut") just don't appeal to me on the best day. And honestly, the rules for their anatomy, conception, and why or why not a match might not work are way too complicated and ridiculous. THEN we have courtesans thrown into the mix, because let's further complicate things. I guess the men are just so virile that they need extra satisfaction besides what their wives can give them. *eyeroll*

I should have realized this was more erotica than romance, but even the erotica part is lacking at this point. There have been random sex scenes among other characters, but at 22% the leads had met only as children (don't even get me started on the ridiculousness of them becoming soulmates when they were babies). I couldn't care less about the female lead's instruction in sexual arts at the brothel. So boring.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful! Does anybody remember the movie "The Princess Bride" with Robin Wright... anyway, this is like the story of the princess bride in reverse!

This story is about a Yamish prince who falls in love with his childhood friend years later after she becomes what is called a "Pillow girl" in their culture, which is basically a glorified whore... This is forbidden because he is royalty and she is merely "Rohn" which is the lower class.

This is an amazing love story with lots of romance and sex! I cant wait to read Emma Hollys next book in the series!! I loved it!

[Carol Storm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Emma Holly, but I could not finish this book. Too much of tab A fits into slot B -- only these creatures aren't actually human, so it was more like, "stroke the fununga gland to produce uncontrollable quivering in his golupniks!"

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Holly is known for erotica, and this novel does have some steamy, explicit (generally vanilla) scenes, but for the most part, it's an endearing paranormal romance novel. It's set in an alternative universe version of Japan's forbidden city and features characters that are genetically enhanced "yama" who have a thing against everyday humans. Basic plot: childhood friends (prince and servant girl) are separated at age 8. She is trained as a "pillow girl" (i.e. concubine), then at age 20 or so, he purchases her contract. They fall deeply in love and live happily ever after. There are, of course, lots of twists and turns along the way, including mixed blood acusations and palace intrigue. The character building is excellent in this book - you are taken on a journey that feels believable, even though it's a fantasy novel. This is the second in the series (after Demon's Daughter), but I'm not certain you need to read the first book, which isn't nearly as good. The first book will help you understand the yama's abilities and culture, but it's not connected to the plot of the second book in any way I can tell.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 5 out of 5]

#2 Demon PNR series

Emma Holly's alternate world where demons exist, are considered superior to humans, and live apart from them. But these demons are not the evil kind ... they're just not human.

Different characters and setting in #2 vs. #1 Demon's Daughter. I enjoyed the exotic Japan/China-like historical setting and details, as well as the royal court intrigue, with attendant double dealing, jockeying for position, danger, shifting loyalties, etc.

Corum (the Prince) and Xishi (his "pillow girl", aka courtesean (sp?)) share several secrets, which could ignite a royal scandal.

Enjoyable supporting characters ... such a unique world and story!

#3 Demon's Fire on my March reading list

[Mahlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I primarily read this book to get the backstory for Prince Pahndir from "Demon Fire", Book 3 in this series. Although he was only in the beginning and end of this book, he was still my favorite character.

In this demon world, a yama/demon will know it has found it's mate when his eyes go black with lust. Displays of emotion are looked down upon. Royals are under extreme pressure to keep the blood lines pure and not mix with any humans, or yama of a lower class. When young Xishi gets around her playment Price Corum (Prince of Ice), his eyes go black. It's not longer before his nanny and mother notice, so Xishi is sent away to an orphanage where she is ostrazied. There's something special about Xishi's energy and aura that brings about emotional reactions, so other children keep their distance. Fortunately, this is just what Madame Fagin needs in her next prostitute-in-training/pillow girl/courtesan.

Madame Fagin signs up Xishi to receive training in her exclusive Purple Crane Pillow House - a training ground for young men and women, and a favored choice for royals looking for some side action. Unfortunately for yama, a mate match doesn't necessarily mean a love match - so pillow girls and boys are acceptable and the norm in royal relationships. There, Xishi meets yummy Prince Pahndir, who is a forced prisoner and training subject used by Madame Fagin. His mate is dead, his family has let everything think he's dead, and he's being sexually tortured by Madame Fagin's students! Even Prince Pahndir can't resist Xishi's chi, and she treats him with kindness, so a friendly slighlty erotic relationship ensues.

Xishi and Prince Corum reconnect after years apart when he pays a visit to the Pillow House and purchases Xishi. The young lovers face many obstacles - Prince is torn and slightly ashamed about his strong feelings for Xishi, who he thinks is just a pillow girl (she's got some secrets even SHE doesn't know about), he's jealous about Xishi's past relationship with Prince Pahndir and current fixation with getting him free from Madame Fagin's grip, and there are royals plotting to kill them!

I enjoyed this, but I did get distracted and read a few books while in progress with it. I think I'll like Demon Fire even better since it's all about Prince Pahndir :)

[Jodz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st Emma Holly book I have read and all I can say is WHOA!

I loved every page and could not put it down.

I love the way she writes and the plot was awesome..lots of twists and action packed in the sense that so much was going on all at once. The book was so detailed without being even remotely confusing!


Perhaps reading this book at work wasn't a good idea - it was so saucy at times I was getting annoyed when I was interupted!!!

Will deffinitly be reading more of her work.

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorites by Emma Holly. It's an erotic fantasy novel that stands the test of time. I first read this book shortly after its release and have read it over and over again through out the years.

[Fi · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the first chapter of this book years ago, which prompted me to buy it from a used bookstore, I was intrigued and very much looking forward to seeing where the story would go from there. I even saved the book for a couple years for when I was in the perfect state of mind to enjoy reading it, but I have to say I ended up disappointed.

For the first third of the novel, it was very interesting. The two main leads (who you knew from infants were soul mates) are torn apart, the girl ending up in a pillow house to learn the fine art of seduction. This part I found quite interesting, though I almost wish it had gone into more detail of the ups and downs *snicker* of what they learned living in a brothel. But then again, later in the book, most of the techniques Xishi has supposedly learned don't really come into play anyway.

Then, Xishi and Cor meet again after being apart for years and... the story kind of falls apart. Sure, they have lots of hot (albeit mostly vanilla) sex, some of which was quite steamily written, but there was hardly any conflict to speak of. Pretty much as soon as he buys her they spend all their time together, more or less happy as can be. Have some sex, have an argument, sort it out by having makeup sex.

They find out they're soul mates (or close to it) pretty much right away, which kind of diminishes the excitement of meeting someone new for the first time (or in this case, again). There was a bit of plot regarding political intrigues (which I wish there had been more of), but it all just seemed too easy. I thought one of the biggest hurdles to overcome, especially from the title, would be Cor not being able to let his yamish mask of ice melt and be himself around her. Aside from one or two little incidents, he pretty much loses all aloof-ness right away and acts completely open around her as soon as they're alone together.

Also, as much as I liked the first chapter, I feel like the storyline could have been a lot more suspenseful if the reader didn't find out Xishi's real identity straight away. It was frustrating having to get through the majority of the book for the main character to find out the secret from her past that we knew from day one.

There could have been way more internal conflict in this story, and also stronger external. I thought the mother disapproving of Xishi would end up being a huge problem, considering she's the person who sent her away in the first place, but it was just kind of brushed over as something she's have to deal with on her own. I feel like the final action scene was written to be exciting and tense, but it just made me sigh and laugh at the silliness of it most of the time.

Overall I give this book 2/5 stars. It wasn't great, but since I'm intrigued by the world and the character of Prince Phandir, who I found way more interesting than the main characters, I'm interested enough to read the sequel, Demon's Fire. Review forthcoming!

[Wyrdness · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was awfully written and I doubt the version I read had even been edited considering I counted no less than 5 instances where Corum was referred to as [space-punctuation] because the author obviously hadn't known what nickname he'd have at time of writing and never went back to put it in afterwards. Hopefully that was at least rectified in later editions and other versions.

This is definitely far, far more erotica than it is romance, with sex scenes being thrown in on what seemed like every second page just 'cause and most of the plot wasn't really explored or explained. They weren't particularly titillating sex scenes either as they all seemed to end up mentioning nothing but magical nerve scorching pre-cum (kith) being ejaculated all over the place and tight scrotums being endlessly pulled, though I think I vaguely recall something about a remote controlled dildo at one point (by then I was mostly skim reading and can't really remember). and the insemination scene! It's great that the love of his life didn't mind getting knocked up because he failed to mention beforehand the purpose of the extra secret and dedicated part of his cock that would pretty much guarantee conception took place before he stuffed it in her. Then they found out Xishi was pregnant not two minutes after their mutual orgasm when a pair of giggling light orbs turned up, danced about their heads, then sunk in to her abdomen. WTF was all that about? Also I want to once again point out conception doesn't work that fast. It can take hours, even days, for everything to properly get going and implantation to occur. Sometimes I wonder if no-one but me was paying attention to basic science in school.

I was also unimpressed with the great deal of effort that seemed to have been put in to setting things up just to make a cheap reference to Princess Buttercup near the end. I like The Princess Bride as well as anyone else, but who in their right mind would give one of their highly trained and very expensive courtesans the "flower name" of a common lawn weed when all the others are named things like Lily, Amaryllis and Chrysanthemum? They get names like that to sound exotic and elegant, especially when they're for the use of the royal elite in society. Whilst buttercups are a lovely little flower they don't evoke a sense of refinement and high class.

Definitely not worth the £3+ the kindle store is asking for (and boy am I glad that for once I had access to a book without having to buy it first!)

[Amarilli 73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il secondo libro della quadrilogia di Emma Holly (ambientata in una realtà alternativa, dove gli umani convivono pacificamente, anche se forse forzatamente, con la civiltà aliena degli Yama, sorta di demoni-umani geneticamente manipolati fino a divenire esseri più forti ed emotivamente più potenti) ci porta direttamente nel regno dei Demoni, e addirittura nella loro Città proibita.

Qui, durante la stessa lunga notte, l’imperatore degli Yama viene sedotto da un’umile cameriera che non è una vera cameriera, e, in un altro palazzo, la principessa Corinna della nobile famiglia dei Midarri decide di non abortire e di dare comunque alla luce il figlio maschio che attende, anche se i dottori le hanno detto che sarà affetto da una “imperfezione” genetica. A partire da questa notte, i destini di del principe Corum Midarri e della mezzosangue Xishi continueranno ad incrociarsi ed allontanarsi, tra madri gelose, giochi di potere ed intrighi di palazzo.

Devo dire che questo episodio mi è piaciuto meno del primo. La storia è abbastanza intrigante, e anche l’ambientazione creata dalla Holly è originale. Tuttavia, la trama complessiva è appesantita da troppe pagine dedicate alla descrizione dell’anatomia degli Yama, dal singolo dettaglio delle loro ghiandole sessuali a come funziona il periodo di calore dei maschi. Va bene che metà del romanzo si svolge nella scuola per concubine di Madame Fagin, e che le giovani devono essere educate a far esperienza con il corpo dei maschi nobili Yama, ma c’è un limite a tutto…Oltre all’imbarazzo (!?), si rischia di sbadigliare.

Speriamo che la Holly si riprenda con il terzo volume, ancora inedito in Italia (DEMONS’ FIRE: ho forti attese sul principe Pahndir….).

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Demon's Daughter loved the Victorian feel - and our hero who wanted a girl who was more enamored of him than her fainting couch.

Hot Spell (anthology)same world but not 'Victorian' in the way DD was

Prince of Ice not my favorite, sort of feudal Japan crossed with China's Forbidden City

Demon's Delight (anthology)Demon scientist is trying to develop the ability to 'upgrade' the body - again a piece of technology that will probably reappear should the characters of Demon's Fire get another book.

Beyond the Dark (anthology)this one is set in the distant past [think Ancient Egypt:]- this introduces a piece of 'technology' that appears in Demon's Fire

Demon's Fire (the sequel to Prince of Ice)and in my opinion much more enjoyable, linked to Demon's Daughter.

[Via_the_Book_Faerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just wish she'd written a novella continuing with these main characters. The empress surely wouldn't let the issue of an illegitimate child from the emperor go, and Xasha mentions that the emperor might not be as ready to end ties with Xishi as he thinks. I also want to know more of their life in this other land, their family, and friends. Does Muto ever get his return of karma? Do Xishi and Cor ever get to go back to Yamish lands? There is just so much left open to supposition. The rape and mm is between secondary characters for those who want to know. Also, the main characters are only ever with each other even though Prince Pahndir is used as a teaching tool at Xishi's pillow girl school.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prince of Ice has an original concept and exotic flair, and is an enjoyable, fun read. The extra "endowments" the royal men have reminded me of the Satyr book Nicholas. There's some exposition at the beginning, the back story that's necessary, but it doesn't go on too long. It's a pretty elaborate set-up - the demon world hidden amongst our own, technologically and genetically advanced - and vividly realised. Well worth your time if you're looking for something a little different.

[L8blmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a poorly written book, but not her best (I'd give it another half-star, if able). I've enjoyed a novella of Holly's set in this same "demon" (yama) world, but this full-length novel was almost too much of a good thing for me.
I didn't think her characters were as unconditionally loving as in her non-PN books, but that was largely due to the nature of the yama themselves. That being the case, I think I'l happily enjoy Holly's other works and leave the yama alne for a while!

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waited eagerly for the Prince of Ice to come out. It was well worth the wait. Ms. Holly does another wonderful job with this demon world. It takes a look at the dirty little secrets of the Yama world. More is revealed. The sex is still pretty hot and the intrigue was fun to figure out before it unfolded. I great read.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Give this Book a 4/5 Star Rating.

HEA(?): Yes
Relationship Type: MF
Heat: 4.5/5
Romance: 4-4.5/5
Pacing: Mid to Fast Mid.
Drama: 3/5
Suspense: 2.5/5

I love this world, I think it was so unique and the Heat scenes are so yummy! I don’t wanna spoil this precious gem of a read.
This is one of my favorites honestly, and I only read this in paperback and is such a great down time read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Palaces… bedrooms, sitting rooms, gymnasium, crown room; orphanages; Purple Crane Pillow House;

Xishi aka Buttercup: 1/4th human, ½ exiled royal, ½ royal (manipulations of mother and grandmother to seduce a prince); mom manipulated way into Midarri household, with hope/expectation of her daughter mating a prince, but when she was murdered, Xishi’s fate floated… she kept Corum quiet, and they were close childhood friends – until deemed he was too dependent on her, so she was sent to an orphanage; at 17 selected to train as a pillow girl (courtesan); kind hearted, warm chi, positive, looking for the best;

Corum Midarri: when unborn, mother and doctor knew he had a genetic imperfection that would make him more emotional; mom couldn’t abort, confident she’d be able to train him in control; Xishi kept him content and was his best friend, until….; he went into training with a zen master, and gained so much self control, called by others Ice Prince;

Xoushou Houn: Xishi’s ambitious mother; using drugs, and timing parlayed her maidship into seduction of the Prince when in rut and pregnancy; once daughter born, found position in Midarri household; when going to kill her cousin accomplice (provided drugs), she is killed instead;

Emperor Songyam: Xishi’s unknowing father;

Corynna and Poll Midarri: Cor’s parents;

Matreya: nanny

Violet Fagin: madame of the Purple Crane Pillow House; a business woman first and foremost, but an honest one… trains pillow girls and boys, to serve the sexual needs of the royals;

Prince Pahndir: his wife/mate died (suicide? I think there is more to her story), and he is in doldrums for 5 years, so family, ashamed, declare him dead and ‘sell’ him to Violet Fagin – to be a sexual lesson for her students – in royal anatomy (slightly different then other men) and in how to manipulate it; in end Xishi (who befriended him and in whom he was attracted to) gets him free;

Tea Rose / Lily / Chrysanthemum / Jehol: other students; ends up Jehol is her cousin twice removed… and he blames her for his mother’s death (Xishi’s grandmother killed her because she had Xoushou killed, to stop Xoushou from killing his mother -vicious circle there : )
Very sexually explicit story – wow… in an educational way – and with the royal demon’s altered anatomy.
Xishi and Cor are reunited when his parents decide he needs a pillow girl to stimulate his sexuality, and Xishi is there (he feels her as he approaches the building)… a bit of fumbling, but they get it together… then some political intrigue (arrests, trials)…and freedom – and they go to human/demon city to live their best lives…

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 2 out of 5]

La storia si svolge nell’alternativo mondo di Yama e i personaggi di questo libro sono Xish e Corum. Lei rimane orfana da parte di madre praticamente appena nata, lui è un principe. La prima volta si incontrano praticamente in fasce e tutti e due nascondono un segreto: lui un difetto genetico , lei l’identità di suo padre.
Tra di loro ci sarà subito feeling (e per subito intendo fin dalla culla), che con il passare del tempo diventerà una tenera amicizia, ma raggiunto l’ottavo anno di età la madre di lui, gelosa di questo rapporto speciale, li separerà mandando la ragazza in un orfanotrofio. Arrivata alla maggiore età Xish, non avendo un posto dove andare, deciderà di accettare la proposta della scuola di Madame Fagin , dove diventerà una ragazza GUANCIALE . Nella scuola incontrerà altre ragazze e altri ragazzi con cui farà amicizia: le sorelle Giglio e Crisantemo, Amarallis, Rosa Tea, il bello e antipatico Jehol e Mingmar, che le darà il soprannome di Orchidea . Corum, senza saperlo e senza riconoscerla, la comprerà e la porterà nel suo palazzo. Naturalmente tra di loro scatterà la scintilla della passione che li porterà ad innamorarsi, ma questo amore si scontrerà con diversi ostacoli.

A dir la verità, questo libro non mi ha entusiasmato molto, sia per la lentezza nella lettura e sia per il mondo alternativo che forse non mi ha convinto. Anche i personaggi principali non vengono approfonditi particolarmente, la scrittrice predilige di più soffermarsi sul lato passionale del rapporto (molte le scene hot ben descritte), a discapito di quello sentimentale. Avrei preferito un po’ più di intrigo e sentimento e meno lato fisico, ma chissà… magari la Holly mi accontenterà nel prossimo libro.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was just not my type of book. The writing was too expository, and there were too many smut scenes that added nothing to the story. I knew the moment I reached the section about the Purple Crane that I was not going to enjoy the story. Also, the main villain had the weakest motivation I’ve read in a while.

Don’t be like me—read the reviews before purchasing. It might help you save a few dollars.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very “Spicy” and even though “Demon” is the world it revolves around you don’t feel Demon is what your reading: the story read just like any other story, the characters felt “human” with just some futuristic features (like air cars)...well and one other-worldly genitalia feature but you’ll learn about that when you read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was weird. And I haven’t decided if it was good weird or bad weird. I can say I finished it and is was really sexy so I guess good weird.

[Lorina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I... 👀

Emma Holly is uh, a wild one.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phew! Smutty smutty… the first 75% of this book was really good.. then it just fizzled out into who cares land… magic babies floating and getting locked up… I coulda done without that nonsense.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, loving Emma Holly and her tales of the Yama. Sooner or later, I will find them all...

[Mamma23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems I am reading the Demon series out of order. I read--devoured-- The Assassins Love last week, and saw this one is earlier. but in the same vein. I don't think it really matters if you read these out of order. They stand alone just fine.

After TAL, I wanted to read more about the Yama and their world. It is a very interesting world. This one takes place fully within their royal kingdom, sort of a cross between ancient Japan/China and I don't-know-what. The royals have this weird state of "heat" where they are uncontrollably horny and have just one or a couple of true mates that can relieve them completely. That set up lends itself to all kinds of interesting machinations....

The two main characters, Corum (The Prince) and Xishi, his mate, are very cute and not experienced when they get together. That is refreshing and their love story is sweet.

There is some classic villainy thrown in, but they get their HEA. It got a little sloow for me near the end, I guess I just wanted to finish, and sadly, the love scenes were getting a little boring because it was just the same two.. ..no menage to shock and titillate... or anything like that.

This was a much lighter read than The Assassins Lover, and the sexy scenes are a little less intense, more on the sweet side, but still pretty darn hot.

Funny enough, one of the more intriguing characters appeared in the beginning and reappears at the end. he is featured in a later book, which I will be reading soon. A little treat for me!

[Jane Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable but not recommended. I wasn't excited about the plot or characters.

Nothing surprised or delighted me. This book was easy for me to put down and go do something else. The characters weren't interesting enough.

CAUTION SPOILERS:
Story brief: Orphan girl is part human and part yama. She is training to be a courtesan. She is bought by a Prince who is 100% yama. She is his genetic match, they fall in love and they are mates. They have a lot of hot sex. It would have been ok if she was just his courtesan, but they were having sex while he was in heat, which was against the law, somehow. Then they are put in jail for potential mixed race breeding. There is a happy ending after that.

DATA:
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: thirteen, some were lengthy. Setting: 1800s The Forbidden City, in an undefined location on earth. Genre: erotic paranormal romance.

OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I’ve read the following Emma Holly books.

5 stars. The Countess’s Pleasure (in anthology Hot Spell). Copyrt 2005. Review Date 5/11/08.
4 stars. Menage. Copyrt 1998. Review Date 6/23/08.
2 stars. Prince of Ice: A Tale of the Demon World. Copyrt 2006. Review Date 6/23/08.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holly was one of the authors I decided to check out after reading Beyond Heaving Bosoms. In this tale demons live in our world, but only in the remote areas like the Himalayas so that they don't have to mix with humans. Demons are similar to humans, but with a few key differences. Demons have a much stronger control on their emotions, but have a much laxer view of sex. Also really interesting is that male demons are the ones with monthly cycles instead of females. Once a month they go into heat and can only get *ahem* release with their genetic match, but specially trained servants called pillow girls can take the edge off their uncontrollable desire when their genetic match isn't available. When Prince Cor gets his first pillow girl, his hope is that she will awaken his sexual desire so that he can finally find his mate. But Xishi is different than other pillow girls and the two soon discover that their relationship is more than that of servant and master. The construct of this society is a little convuluted for me, but the emotional connection between Cor and Xishi was compelling. Still, this is one I won't need to reread.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this Emma Holly book after reading raves about her in Sarah Wendell's Beyond Heaving Bosoms. It is certainly explicit, but I would place it as a paranormal romance with explicit sexual scenes rather than as erotic fiction because the love story was paramount. It's set in a convincingly created world, where demon species live in an isolated land reminiscent of a techno-infused alternate Imperial China. It's an excellent blend of storytellings, characterisation and hotness and the character's are certainly sympathetic. I would have given it 4 stars, but that I felt the heroine Xishi became quite passive and was more naive than I would expect some who had experienced what she had experienced to be. I loved her as a child - and I understand that part of her character's journey was to lose that spark, and regain it when reunited with the hero - but I felt she became less interesting as a result. However, I am most intrigued by the character of Prince Pahndir who I think appears in the sequel, so will be buying it.