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Tremble: Sensual Fables of the Mystical and Sinister
Book by Learner, Tobsha
Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
24 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Tobsha Learner
51 books87 followersAka T.S. Learner
Tobsha Learner was born and raised in England; she now divides her time between Australia, the UK and the USA. She is well known in Australia as an author and playwright.
Tobsha Learner was born and raised in England; she now divides her time between Australia, the UK and the USA. She is well known in Australia as an author and playwright.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 21, 2014
In this delicious collection of short stories, there's everything from raging, all-consuming desire to the dark and sinister urges of humankind. With fantastic and well-detailed writing throughout and believable in-depth characters, this is not something to miss out on.
(Received via NetGalley for my honest review. Many thanks to Penguin Group Plume publishers. Please be aware that this review may contain spoilers before reading further.)
The Root
Dorothy comes from a slightly eccentric family where the females commonly live their lives as spinsters (an unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage), however they seem to be more than perfectly happy without the presence of men. When Dorothy’s grandmother passes away, the inheritance that passes down from woman to woman is more bizarre than Dorothy could ever imagine; a magic mandrake root.
This was undoubtedly the most entertaining story I have ever read. Stemming from the folklore that the mandrake root is formed from the spilled semen of a hanged man, the story takes a humorous turn, where the root itself becomes a disembodied penis. Yes, that’s right. It follows our main character around, like a dog, walking on its testicles. What can I say? Creative, hilarious and outlandish; I applaud the author, whom from the very beginning, shows her superb imagination.
The story itself holds you until the very end, where the overall tone turns a lot darker, shockingly so. Dorothy was a likeable character, whereas Stanley, her love interest, I couldn't stand. Something the author indeed likes to do is give a lot of insight into her characters, which is quite obvious throughout and extremely well done. You can connect with them, or find yourself disliking them.
A great start to the book.
Rainmaker
A small, prejudiced town is suffering from a severe drought; animals and crops falling victim to the lack of water. With the visit of a rainmaker, he’s met with the utmost suspicion and dislike. All Jacob wants to do is make it rain, even if his actions will eventually get him chased out. But something in particular garners his attention, something he risks his life to save.
I couldn't get attached to this story, even when I desperately tried. I found myself unable to like Jacob very much. Yes, he proved himself to be a hero and yes, he made it rain, all very good, but I just couldn't warm to him. Perhaps it was the fact he thought himself a gift to women? That he had sex with just about the entire female population of the town? Granted, he needed to give the earth ‘moisture’, but really, if the tables were turned and he was a woman, most readers wouldn't have liked her. Let's face it, there’s an entirely different set of rules for men.
The ending was another shocker and I admit, I didn't see it coming at all. It was unexpected and I had to re-read the last few paragraphs to make sure it actually did happen. If an author can turn a story around and make you blink in utter surprise, yet still be true to the flow of the writing, then they are indeed talented.
Echo
Gavin is a destructive property developer with a loathing for all things natural. He even refuses to wear natural materials, instead adorning himself in synthetic fibres. Overall he’s not a nice man, yet when something strange begins to happen to him, he seeks out the help of a botanist, whom happens to be an 'enemy' of sorts.
I didn't really see how this was an erotic story as it contained merely one sex scene and the overall story wasn't sexually centred. As far as I’m aware, Gavin was being punished, but by whom? Mother Nature, the Green Man or both? I’m not entirely sure. I found the story confusing to say the least, especially the ending. I even ventured online to read some information about the Green Man, and there’s tons of it. It however failed to give me answers and eventually I settled with the conclusion that Gavin merely became cursed for his sins against the natural world.
Did I take delight in Gavin becoming insane? I certainly did as I disliked him. I love hating characters though, it’s a whole lot better than not caring about them at all. The term ‘opposites attract’ explained the brief relation he had with Saturday, the botanist, and it was definitely a breath of fresh air having an erotic scene with a woman not sporting the typical thin and perfect body.
Virgin
Clarissa has lost her faith in God and is therefore sent to a retreat on a Greek island by her Mother Superior. There, upon touching a Holy Relic, she suddenly becomes pregnant. Stuck in solitude, with nobody to help her, she has to overcome this miraculous conception by herself.
I didn't know what to make of this story. It was… well, unbelievably odd. I’m not a particular fan of incest and even though this wasn't technically incest, it was far too close to it. She did give birth to him. She did breast feed him. She looked after him and experienced motherly feelings. I also failed to understand how this restored her faith in God. Indeed he was a miracle and supernatural, but sex gave back her faith? I’m fairly sure fornication is against the vow of celibacy that every Nun takes. One of the weaker stories for me and something I couldn't quite get my head around.
The Snore
Upon the death of her beloved husband, Miriam finds herself haunted by his excessively loud snore. Unable to sleep in her own bed or fully move on from her loss, she sets about finding the reason why her deceased partner can’t rest in peace.
This was another story I wouldn't have classed as erotic and it was unfortunately a dull read for me. Essentially it was the ‘unfinished business’ concept and would have been better suited in another collection. The only erotic thing about it was that Aaron died via heart attack whilst making love to Miriam. That’s it. It was definitely a struggle to finish this one.
Hair Shirt
Robert is cheating on his wife and unknown to his knowledge, his mistress has collected a bag-full of his hair. Turning to an old woman, young Madeline pays her to make a shirt of her lover’s dead strands, but with dire consequences.
This was a decent story, if not a little bizarre. I have to believe Madeline was surely mentally ill, because I can't say I see the appeal of collecting my loved ones head hair, then wearing it as a piece of clothing. However such obsession can obviously drive certain individuals to extreme measures at times. And it never ends well.
I can't say I'm fond of cheating husbands and this story all boils down to being Robert's fault initially. Perhaps he didn't deserve a happy ending. From liking his wife, I felt he didn't deserve her, nor did she deserve what happened.
Custodian
Wanting nothing more than to prove his worth, Alistair accepts the chance to work with Lady Whistle and her collection of erotic art, but nothing prepares him for the journey of desire and flesh he's about to take.
I loved this story, I really did. Involving ancient Greek art and a ritual performed by the God Dionysus himself originally, it was interesting and exciting. Obviously, from the beginning, it was apparent how it would end, but that certainly didn't ruin it and I cherished every word, dreading the inevitable. I liked poor Alistair.
The orgy itself that the group re-enacted was written so sensually. I adored the details, the flowing of words as the bodies preformed multiple sexual acts. The innocence of Alistair, his inner turmoil, why, it was all fantastic.
It brought up the question, what would people do to stay young forever. Steal the youth from someone else? I believe many would.
Bat
Clive and Juan are soldiers in the Falklands war, both hiding the secret of their sexuality from their fellow comrades. Indeed enemies, after a strange bite from an albino bite, they join together in an erotic dream.
Very much another oddball story. I will admit I didn't understand it. Yes, both males were bitten by the very strange bat, but why? And why exactly did they then dream about each other? I really feel I missed something and I've pondered over it again and again. It may merely come down to the authors very wild imagination.
With a tasteful homosexual scene and an almost poetic ending, it shared good points through the mist of confusion.
Diver
Suffering from the divorce of his wife, whom then ran off with his best and only friend, Seamus finds contentment and solitude working on an oil rig. The engineer is a loner, preferring his company over others', but with such comes the risk of losing his mind.
This was another one of my favourites. Perfectly executed and entwined with a myth we all know and should love; the beautiful siren that leads sailors to their downfall through promise of passion. Seamus was a wonderful character and I really connected with him on some level. I share the same solitary preference, however not as extreme. He was believable and he finally was able to take control of his life, even if it ultimately led to his destruction.
As for his state of mind, I did wonder if the whole encounter was purely in his head. Was it possibly delirium? I think it's thrilling to keep the reader guessing.
A fairly mixed collection, but something to suit everyone. It was a pleasure reading!
© Red Lace 2013
(Received via NetGalley for my honest review. Many thanks to Penguin Group Plume publishers. Please be aware that this review may contain spoilers before reading further.)
The Root
Dorothy comes from a slightly eccentric family where the females commonly live their lives as spinsters (an unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage), however they seem to be more than perfectly happy without the presence of men. When Dorothy’s grandmother passes away, the inheritance that passes down from woman to woman is more bizarre than Dorothy could ever imagine; a magic mandrake root.
This was undoubtedly the most entertaining story I have ever read. Stemming from the folklore that the mandrake root is formed from the spilled semen of a hanged man, the story takes a humorous turn, where the root itself becomes a disembodied penis. Yes, that’s right. It follows our main character around, like a dog, walking on its testicles. What can I say? Creative, hilarious and outlandish; I applaud the author, whom from the very beginning, shows her superb imagination.
The story itself holds you until the very end, where the overall tone turns a lot darker, shockingly so. Dorothy was a likeable character, whereas Stanley, her love interest, I couldn't stand. Something the author indeed likes to do is give a lot of insight into her characters, which is quite obvious throughout and extremely well done. You can connect with them, or find yourself disliking them.
A great start to the book.
Rainmaker
A small, prejudiced town is suffering from a severe drought; animals and crops falling victim to the lack of water. With the visit of a rainmaker, he’s met with the utmost suspicion and dislike. All Jacob wants to do is make it rain, even if his actions will eventually get him chased out. But something in particular garners his attention, something he risks his life to save.
I couldn't get attached to this story, even when I desperately tried. I found myself unable to like Jacob very much. Yes, he proved himself to be a hero and yes, he made it rain, all very good, but I just couldn't warm to him. Perhaps it was the fact he thought himself a gift to women? That he had sex with just about the entire female population of the town? Granted, he needed to give the earth ‘moisture’, but really, if the tables were turned and he was a woman, most readers wouldn't have liked her. Let's face it, there’s an entirely different set of rules for men.
The ending was another shocker and I admit, I didn't see it coming at all. It was unexpected and I had to re-read the last few paragraphs to make sure it actually did happen. If an author can turn a story around and make you blink in utter surprise, yet still be true to the flow of the writing, then they are indeed talented.
Echo
Gavin is a destructive property developer with a loathing for all things natural. He even refuses to wear natural materials, instead adorning himself in synthetic fibres. Overall he’s not a nice man, yet when something strange begins to happen to him, he seeks out the help of a botanist, whom happens to be an 'enemy' of sorts.
I didn't really see how this was an erotic story as it contained merely one sex scene and the overall story wasn't sexually centred. As far as I’m aware, Gavin was being punished, but by whom? Mother Nature, the Green Man or both? I’m not entirely sure. I found the story confusing to say the least, especially the ending. I even ventured online to read some information about the Green Man, and there’s tons of it. It however failed to give me answers and eventually I settled with the conclusion that Gavin merely became cursed for his sins against the natural world.
Did I take delight in Gavin becoming insane? I certainly did as I disliked him. I love hating characters though, it’s a whole lot better than not caring about them at all. The term ‘opposites attract’ explained the brief relation he had with Saturday, the botanist, and it was definitely a breath of fresh air having an erotic scene with a woman not sporting the typical thin and perfect body.
Virgin
Clarissa has lost her faith in God and is therefore sent to a retreat on a Greek island by her Mother Superior. There, upon touching a Holy Relic, she suddenly becomes pregnant. Stuck in solitude, with nobody to help her, she has to overcome this miraculous conception by herself.
I didn't know what to make of this story. It was… well, unbelievably odd. I’m not a particular fan of incest and even though this wasn't technically incest, it was far too close to it. She did give birth to him. She did breast feed him. She looked after him and experienced motherly feelings. I also failed to understand how this restored her faith in God. Indeed he was a miracle and supernatural, but sex gave back her faith? I’m fairly sure fornication is against the vow of celibacy that every Nun takes. One of the weaker stories for me and something I couldn't quite get my head around.
The Snore
Upon the death of her beloved husband, Miriam finds herself haunted by his excessively loud snore. Unable to sleep in her own bed or fully move on from her loss, she sets about finding the reason why her deceased partner can’t rest in peace.
This was another story I wouldn't have classed as erotic and it was unfortunately a dull read for me. Essentially it was the ‘unfinished business’ concept and would have been better suited in another collection. The only erotic thing about it was that Aaron died via heart attack whilst making love to Miriam. That’s it. It was definitely a struggle to finish this one.
Hair Shirt
Robert is cheating on his wife and unknown to his knowledge, his mistress has collected a bag-full of his hair. Turning to an old woman, young Madeline pays her to make a shirt of her lover’s dead strands, but with dire consequences.
This was a decent story, if not a little bizarre. I have to believe Madeline was surely mentally ill, because I can't say I see the appeal of collecting my loved ones head hair, then wearing it as a piece of clothing. However such obsession can obviously drive certain individuals to extreme measures at times. And it never ends well.
I can't say I'm fond of cheating husbands and this story all boils down to being Robert's fault initially. Perhaps he didn't deserve a happy ending. From liking his wife, I felt he didn't deserve her, nor did she deserve what happened.
Custodian
Wanting nothing more than to prove his worth, Alistair accepts the chance to work with Lady Whistle and her collection of erotic art, but nothing prepares him for the journey of desire and flesh he's about to take.
I loved this story, I really did. Involving ancient Greek art and a ritual performed by the God Dionysus himself originally, it was interesting and exciting. Obviously, from the beginning, it was apparent how it would end, but that certainly didn't ruin it and I cherished every word, dreading the inevitable. I liked poor Alistair.
The orgy itself that the group re-enacted was written so sensually. I adored the details, the flowing of words as the bodies preformed multiple sexual acts. The innocence of Alistair, his inner turmoil, why, it was all fantastic.
It brought up the question, what would people do to stay young forever. Steal the youth from someone else? I believe many would.
Bat
Clive and Juan are soldiers in the Falklands war, both hiding the secret of their sexuality from their fellow comrades. Indeed enemies, after a strange bite from an albino bite, they join together in an erotic dream.
Very much another oddball story. I will admit I didn't understand it. Yes, both males were bitten by the very strange bat, but why? And why exactly did they then dream about each other? I really feel I missed something and I've pondered over it again and again. It may merely come down to the authors very wild imagination.
With a tasteful homosexual scene and an almost poetic ending, it shared good points through the mist of confusion.
Diver
Suffering from the divorce of his wife, whom then ran off with his best and only friend, Seamus finds contentment and solitude working on an oil rig. The engineer is a loner, preferring his company over others', but with such comes the risk of losing his mind.
This was another one of my favourites. Perfectly executed and entwined with a myth we all know and should love; the beautiful siren that leads sailors to their downfall through promise of passion. Seamus was a wonderful character and I really connected with him on some level. I share the same solitary preference, however not as extreme. He was believable and he finally was able to take control of his life, even if it ultimately led to his destruction.
As for his state of mind, I did wonder if the whole encounter was purely in his head. Was it possibly delirium? I think it's thrilling to keep the reader guessing.
A fairly mixed collection, but something to suit everyone. It was a pleasure reading!
© Red Lace 2013
October 9, 2013
I received this book free from the Librarything Early Reviewer giveaway. As will be immediately obvious, this did not effect my review.
Holy cats, this book is TERRIBLE. Crazy bad. I read half of 3 different stories and gave up That makes this exception that proves the rule that I always finish books. This is the single least erotic book I have ever read, and that includes both The Crucible and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I am dumbfounded that someone thought this was hot.
Holy cats, this book is TERRIBLE. Crazy bad. I read half of 3 different stories and gave up That makes this exception that proves the rule that I always finish books. This is the single least erotic book I have ever read, and that includes both The Crucible and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I am dumbfounded that someone thought this was hot.
July 2, 2023
This is a collection of short stories. Some were better than others.
I did like how some of the stories were connected.
I did like how some of the stories were connected.
September 6, 2013
I must admit... I'm really torn about this collection of short stories. There were a couple that really held my interest and were quite thought-provoking. Then there were a few I had to skim because either they didn't grab me (and at 400 pages, I decided to only read the ones that did) or they bothered me.
No, I'm not a prude. When I decide to review an erotica book, I'm not turning away in disgust at frank sexual depictions (although I do blush occasionally). However, some of these intense scenes were more about control than pleasure. I don't want to give away any specifics, but there was one "creature" that I found quite disturbing even though I wanted to know more about the poor woman it used as its pawn.
Okay, this review is vague, and for that I apologize. I think this book should have been split into two short story collections. That way the reader could have had time to digest a few of the stories before reading the second book. In a perfect world, I would have read each story and put this collection down for several days and then picked it up again.
And I did want to pick it up again, because the author has a captivating writing style and vivid imagination--in these stories she covered many interesting geographic locations, themes, and times. Rainmaker and Echo were my favorites, because I found the characters and themes the most intriguing. The author has a way of mixing erotica, the mystical, supernatural, and a commentary on society. Not what I was expecting, but not a bad thing.
If you like to read stories that challenge you and push you to think about things in a different light, then this book will be a thought-provoking addition to your library. The short story format is nice, because you can read it in snippets and then take time to really think about the deeper meanings. It's just hard to take that time on a reviewer's schedule.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.
No, I'm not a prude. When I decide to review an erotica book, I'm not turning away in disgust at frank sexual depictions (although I do blush occasionally). However, some of these intense scenes were more about control than pleasure. I don't want to give away any specifics, but there was one "creature" that I found quite disturbing even though I wanted to know more about the poor woman it used as its pawn.
Okay, this review is vague, and for that I apologize. I think this book should have been split into two short story collections. That way the reader could have had time to digest a few of the stories before reading the second book. In a perfect world, I would have read each story and put this collection down for several days and then picked it up again.
And I did want to pick it up again, because the author has a captivating writing style and vivid imagination--in these stories she covered many interesting geographic locations, themes, and times. Rainmaker and Echo were my favorites, because I found the characters and themes the most intriguing. The author has a way of mixing erotica, the mystical, supernatural, and a commentary on society. Not what I was expecting, but not a bad thing.
If you like to read stories that challenge you and push you to think about things in a different light, then this book will be a thought-provoking addition to your library. The short story format is nice, because you can read it in snippets and then take time to really think about the deeper meanings. It's just hard to take that time on a reviewer's schedule.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.
December 17, 2013
Where do I begin with this atrocity?
This is a compilation of modern erotic tales. Where was the erotic in this? I didn’t feel anything while reading them other than…What the fuck? A walking penis that you treat as a pet? A virgin nun giving birth to a son that grows at an exceptionally fast rate then sleeps with him (umm—did he not come out of your vagina? Is incest not looked down upon in nun land?)
I couldn’t get passed how extremely weird these stories were. I mean, yes they were written quite well for short stories but none of them held my interest. I mean I didn’t even finish reading a handful of the stories and those that I did it was only to see how the fuck they would end this?
I kept scrolling through the pages just to see if one story actually wowed me. (hint: none did)
All in all, don’t’ waste your time on this. Sorry. Not sorry.
for more go to my blog at:
http://justaddchampagne.blogspot.ca/
August 25, 2013
Tremble was a tour de force of 9 erotic paranormal/fantasy stories. Each one was good in it's own right. They are certainly well written and definitely put Tobsha Lerner's imagination on display. Did I like every story? No. but I felt they all had something to be praised, whether it be humor, whimsy, or just the passion evoked. Not for the faint of heart or those easily offended, but probably a good fit for readers who like their erotica tempered with a fairy tale, moral and all. I rated it 4 stars because of the writing skill and imagination displayed overall, despite not liking some of the stories.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2012
Sometimes you don't want a long drawn out story, you just want to be entertained for a short amount of time by a fair tale.
Some of the stories in this book are indeed better than others, and some will horrify.
Its hard to reccomend a book of stories as not everyone will indeed like every story but if you are into erotic tales or tales with a moral you will find something to your liking in this book. I did enjoy most of the stories.
Some of the stories in this book are indeed better than others, and some will horrify.
Its hard to reccomend a book of stories as not everyone will indeed like every story but if you are into erotic tales or tales with a moral you will find something to your liking in this book. I did enjoy most of the stories.
July 19, 2013
*ARC provided by NetGalley.com in exchange for a fair review**
After reading this quirky collection of Paranormal Erotica, all I can say is that this collection is well worth the time and the money.
The one story that I believe will stick with me for some time is the "Rainmaker." This story alone proves that Ms. Leaner has a seriously active imagination.
Giving this one 4 solid stars.
After reading this quirky collection of Paranormal Erotica, all I can say is that this collection is well worth the time and the money.
The one story that I believe will stick with me for some time is the "Rainmaker." This story alone proves that Ms. Leaner has a seriously active imagination.
Giving this one 4 solid stars.
October 27, 2008
Fantastic erotic fiction short stories. Mythology based. Some stories are mention previous 'chapter'.
October 23, 2008
Probably the best collection of strange short stories I've read.
December 11, 2019
Tobsha Learner certainly knows how to write a cracking good tale. I'm not a short story fan by nature but this collection was something else entirely.
Genre bending fiction with an eye for the bizarre and a taste for locations as far and as wide as this planet allows.
Great stuff if you're looking for something a bit ... different.
Highly recommend (for the adventurous reader).
Genre bending fiction with an eye for the bizarre and a taste for locations as far and as wide as this planet allows.
Great stuff if you're looking for something a bit ... different.
Highly recommend (for the adventurous reader).
April 19, 2018
Absolute rubbish
I don’t know why I even finished the book
I don’t know why I even finished the book
October 11, 2022
I could not finish this book, seemed very promising, but after the first 2 stories I just could not get myself to read anymore.
March 1, 2025
Wow....not erotic. I liked one story quite a bit and the rest were not to my liking.
September 25, 2013
In her second collection of short erotic pieces that span eras—each set in unique, vividly fashioned times and locations—Learner displays her powerful ability to spin stories with strange, somber twists and a highly erotic flair.
This brand of erotica has no boundaries; Learner writes about the bizarre, the taboo, and just the plain WEIRD. But I don't mean that in a bad way at all. Some of the super strange stories are actually quite amusing, and I just love how even though each one is only about 30-40 pages, there are actual plots in them. This typically isn't easy to do with the page limitation but Learner builds her worlds and characters expertly.
In terms of style, her grip of the pen is firm; the stories are well-seasoned and each one is so different from the other, that it doesn't at all feel like you're just reading the same account with different scenarios. Every story is individual in its own kind, so you get nine opportunities to delight in these disturbing but carnal stories. Although some of the stories are set in contemporary times, everything Learner writes reads like a folktale. The voice is rather distant, but that makes each tale more clandestine, more mysterious, and more oddly charming.
Tremble covers a vast range of scenarios, whether it be a supernatural object that disrupts the lives of an individual, or a hex that plagues an entire village. In particular, I loved The Root, a darkly comical tale about a root that comes to—ahem—life, and the implications of a cursed bloodline, as well as Virgin, a lust-ridden story about a nun gone bad, and her path to sexually charged redemption. There are allusions to previous stories in succeeding ones, which I loved; it connected the anthology beautifully and the recurring topics brought a smile to my face.
One thing I noticed is that most of the protagonists are middle-aged; no new adult nonsense here. Normally I'd find this strange because it's harder to get excited by the thought of quadragenarians engaging in lustful activity (honestly, that's a visual I don't need sometimes) but the stories overall feel old-fashioned, so I didn't have that much of a problem with it.
Pros
Folktake-like stories // Well-formed plots and characters, so each story is a different experience entirely // Entertaining voice // Gets heavy at times, but overall very readable // Very untraditional form of erotica; you will be squirming in arousal, but you'll feel weird about it because the stories are so bizarre!
Cons
A few duds I found neither erotic nor enjoyable (specifically The Snore and Hair Shirt) // Sometimes gets a bit weird... but I guess that's the magic of this collection
Verdict
Tremble is an eccentric anthology that bends the rules of erotic fiction; as familiar as I am with the genre, I can't say I've read anything like this before. Each story is colorful and elaborate, and overall the collection feels very traditional—very earthy with an outlandish but indulgent sexuality coursing through it. If you're up for a new experience with short erotica, definitely check this one out.
Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.
Source
Complimentary copy provided by publisher, via tour publicist, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Penguin and TLC Book Tours!).
This brand of erotica has no boundaries; Learner writes about the bizarre, the taboo, and just the plain WEIRD. But I don't mean that in a bad way at all. Some of the super strange stories are actually quite amusing, and I just love how even though each one is only about 30-40 pages, there are actual plots in them. This typically isn't easy to do with the page limitation but Learner builds her worlds and characters expertly.
In terms of style, her grip of the pen is firm; the stories are well-seasoned and each one is so different from the other, that it doesn't at all feel like you're just reading the same account with different scenarios. Every story is individual in its own kind, so you get nine opportunities to delight in these disturbing but carnal stories. Although some of the stories are set in contemporary times, everything Learner writes reads like a folktale. The voice is rather distant, but that makes each tale more clandestine, more mysterious, and more oddly charming.
Tremble covers a vast range of scenarios, whether it be a supernatural object that disrupts the lives of an individual, or a hex that plagues an entire village. In particular, I loved The Root, a darkly comical tale about a root that comes to—ahem—life, and the implications of a cursed bloodline, as well as Virgin, a lust-ridden story about a nun gone bad, and her path to sexually charged redemption. There are allusions to previous stories in succeeding ones, which I loved; it connected the anthology beautifully and the recurring topics brought a smile to my face.
One thing I noticed is that most of the protagonists are middle-aged; no new adult nonsense here. Normally I'd find this strange because it's harder to get excited by the thought of quadragenarians engaging in lustful activity (honestly, that's a visual I don't need sometimes) but the stories overall feel old-fashioned, so I didn't have that much of a problem with it.
Pros
Folktake-like stories // Well-formed plots and characters, so each story is a different experience entirely // Entertaining voice // Gets heavy at times, but overall very readable // Very untraditional form of erotica; you will be squirming in arousal, but you'll feel weird about it because the stories are so bizarre!
Cons
A few duds I found neither erotic nor enjoyable (specifically The Snore and Hair Shirt) // Sometimes gets a bit weird... but I guess that's the magic of this collection
Verdict
Tremble is an eccentric anthology that bends the rules of erotic fiction; as familiar as I am with the genre, I can't say I've read anything like this before. Each story is colorful and elaborate, and overall the collection feels very traditional—very earthy with an outlandish but indulgent sexuality coursing through it. If you're up for a new experience with short erotica, definitely check this one out.
Rating: 7 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): Not perfect, but overall enjoyable.
Source
Complimentary copy provided by publisher, via tour publicist, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Penguin and TLC Book Tours!).
February 26, 2014
3.5 stars
Tremble: Erotic Tales of the Mythical and Sinister by Tobsha Learner is described as erotica for the modern woman. Tremble offers up stories that are sure to stimulate the senses and imagination with some pretty steamy erotic scenes to set your heart to pounding. Tremble takes us into worlds where fantasy and reality are often impossible to separate … where magic and the supernatural blur the lines of what is real and what isn’t.
I enjoyed this short story collection. As usual I had a few favorites and some I didn’t take to as much but what I appreciated was how tastefully done the stories are as they are erotic in nature. Of course the stories contain a supernatural element that captured my attention immediately and in some of the stories you will even find yourself laughing. I’ll tell you about a few of the stories I liked…
The Root was my favorite of all the stories in the collection and I can’t say why so I don’t ruin it for others who may read the book. I will say though that there is a woman who comes from a long line of witches and when her great-aunt passes she leaves her an inheritance that has been passed down for generations. This is ‘the root’ but what the root actually is and how it behaves had me laughing more than a few times.
Another story I enjoyed was called Rainmaker. Jacob has always had the ability to be a rainmaker as did his forefathers. However to make rain for a drought ridden town he tells them that he must make love to a woman from the town. Needless to say the men of the town are horrified by the idea. However Jacob is a good looking man and it isn’t long before the sexually frustrated women in town begin to make their way to his trailer and this sets off a more sinister chain of events. There is another, more supernatural element to the story as well that was intriguing.
A couple more stories I liked were Virgin and The Snore. In Virgin a young nun has lost her faith. She is sent away to a secluded land to live in a cave and hopefully reconnect with her God. What happens there changes her in ways she never could have imagined. The Snore involves a man coming back to haunt his wife and mother as an audible and irritatingly loud snore. While the story has a serious side it was also kind of funny.
These stories are all very well written and the descriptions so vivid the stories really come alive in your mind. What I was really impressed with was the author’s ability to so fully develop her characters in such a short time. This collection will appeal to those who enjoy erotic stories. The sex scenes, other than a couple, are tastefully done so it may even appeal to those who don’t like the more hard core stuff out there. I definitely intend to check out more of Tobsha Learner’s work!
Tremble: Erotic Tales of the Mythical and Sinister by Tobsha Learner is described as erotica for the modern woman. Tremble offers up stories that are sure to stimulate the senses and imagination with some pretty steamy erotic scenes to set your heart to pounding. Tremble takes us into worlds where fantasy and reality are often impossible to separate … where magic and the supernatural blur the lines of what is real and what isn’t.
I enjoyed this short story collection. As usual I had a few favorites and some I didn’t take to as much but what I appreciated was how tastefully done the stories are as they are erotic in nature. Of course the stories contain a supernatural element that captured my attention immediately and in some of the stories you will even find yourself laughing. I’ll tell you about a few of the stories I liked…
The Root was my favorite of all the stories in the collection and I can’t say why so I don’t ruin it for others who may read the book. I will say though that there is a woman who comes from a long line of witches and when her great-aunt passes she leaves her an inheritance that has been passed down for generations. This is ‘the root’ but what the root actually is and how it behaves had me laughing more than a few times.
Another story I enjoyed was called Rainmaker. Jacob has always had the ability to be a rainmaker as did his forefathers. However to make rain for a drought ridden town he tells them that he must make love to a woman from the town. Needless to say the men of the town are horrified by the idea. However Jacob is a good looking man and it isn’t long before the sexually frustrated women in town begin to make their way to his trailer and this sets off a more sinister chain of events. There is another, more supernatural element to the story as well that was intriguing.
A couple more stories I liked were Virgin and The Snore. In Virgin a young nun has lost her faith. She is sent away to a secluded land to live in a cave and hopefully reconnect with her God. What happens there changes her in ways she never could have imagined. The Snore involves a man coming back to haunt his wife and mother as an audible and irritatingly loud snore. While the story has a serious side it was also kind of funny.
These stories are all very well written and the descriptions so vivid the stories really come alive in your mind. What I was really impressed with was the author’s ability to so fully develop her characters in such a short time. This collection will appeal to those who enjoy erotic stories. The sex scenes, other than a couple, are tastefully done so it may even appeal to those who don’t like the more hard core stuff out there. I definitely intend to check out more of Tobsha Learner’s work!
November 6, 2013
I'm being generous and rounding up the score to 2 stars from 1 1/2.
I did not find these stories to be either particularly well written or to have half-way decent story lines. Essentially, I felt that I was reading erotic versions of Goosebumps books.
The plot twists were ridiculously obvious from only a short way in to each story. It got to the point that I needed to only the first couple of pages of each in order to figure out the ending.
The character names were often just stupid. They may have been intentionally silly but I felt they seriously disrupted any potential flow in the story. They sounded like stupid insults you come up with after a night on the beer, of the douchnozzle and twatburger variety.
I found many of the female characters to be simply too manipulative and too subordinate. In some cases there was an explanation for this, such as religion, but I felt like there was no possibility allowed for a female to really take charge or not be a neurotic whiner (Madeleine in Hair Shirt particularly made me want to break things).
The only reason it got a half star was that The Custodian centered around Classical scholarship, at least initially, concerning one of my own areas of past study. Even then the story was incredibly predictable and I found myself thinking I should just skip to the end and that I wouldn't even be too upset about not reading the racier parts.
Sod it, I'm taking away the half star.
I did not find these stories to be either particularly well written or to have half-way decent story lines. Essentially, I felt that I was reading erotic versions of Goosebumps books.
The plot twists were ridiculously obvious from only a short way in to each story. It got to the point that I needed to only the first couple of pages of each in order to figure out the ending.
The character names were often just stupid. They may have been intentionally silly but I felt they seriously disrupted any potential flow in the story. They sounded like stupid insults you come up with after a night on the beer, of the douchnozzle and twatburger variety.
I found many of the female characters to be simply too manipulative and too subordinate. In some cases there was an explanation for this, such as religion, but I felt like there was no possibility allowed for a female to really take charge or not be a neurotic whiner (Madeleine in Hair Shirt particularly made me want to break things).
The only reason it got a half star was that The Custodian centered around Classical scholarship, at least initially, concerning one of my own areas of past study. Even then the story was incredibly predictable and I found myself thinking I should just skip to the end and that I wouldn't even be too upset about not reading the racier parts.
Sod it, I'm taking away the half star.
September 14, 2013
Naja...eine Frau, die aus einem alten Hexen-Clan stimmt und sich mit einer Alraune vergnügt und ein Regenmacher, der sich als Gegenleistung die Frauen des Dorfes/der Stadt wünscht, sich dann doch in ein stummes, vom Vater misshandeltes Mädchen verliebt.... beides Geschichten, die nett sind, ich aber schon kannte und irgendwie nicht sooo der Brüller sind.
Und dann noch die junge Nonne, die ihren Glauben verloren hat und durch ein Kind der unbefleckten Erkenntnis, welches in ca. 3 Tagen (wenn ich richtig gezählt habe) altert und stirbt, ihren Glauben wiederfindet...
Alles in allem ein wenig lahm. Hab schon besseres gelesen.
Und dann noch die junge Nonne, die ihren Glauben verloren hat und durch ein Kind der unbefleckten Erkenntnis, welches in ca. 3 Tagen (wenn ich richtig gezählt habe) altert und stirbt, ihren Glauben wiederfindet...
Alles in allem ein wenig lahm. Hab schon besseres gelesen.
July 24, 2016
Whomp. Downgraded to three stars. I can't remember when it was that I actually read this but I'm guessing it was seven or so years ago, it must have struck me then and I can certainly see why. There are definitely some fabulously eyrie stories in here though the lack of un-depressing endings probably took it's toll on my mood.
Anyway. Great selection of short stories from different eras/perspectives/locations etc, some that tie in together... most don't. Definitely a great read if you're a fan of erotic horror.
Anyway. Great selection of short stories from different eras/perspectives/locations etc, some that tie in together... most don't. Definitely a great read if you're a fan of erotic horror.
September 10, 2013
I won this book (free) through Goodreads and I'm glad I did. These 9 stories took me through everything from disgust to actually laughing out loud! There is definitely a story for everyone in this book and I liked how they all came together in some form or another. Can't wait to read more from Tobsha Learner in the future!
November 18, 2013
I got through page 176 and about five of the short stories. As a PR reader, I thought I might like this book, but it wasn't my cup of tea. The first story was so ridiculous that I nearly couldn't continue. The last story I read had this weird incestuous overtone I couldn't get over. So, to each their own, I guess.
I received a review copy from NetGalley.
I received a review copy from NetGalley.
February 10, 2014
If you're looking for non-stop sex (a la Fifty Shades of Grey) this is not for you. The stories within are erotic, but the focus is on language, plot and the philosophical nature of life. They just happen to have some sex in them. I found several of them quite disturbing, in fact, but all of them made me think.
July 30, 2013
What a book, full of short erotic stories - very entertaining .
My fave is the first, the enchanted penis and balls, was so amusing and sexy too.
They were all a fun sometimes, dark and strange but sexy.
My fave is the first, the enchanted penis and balls, was so amusing and sexy too.
They were all a fun sometimes, dark and strange but sexy.
September 26, 2013
**Received via GoodReads Giveaway**
Not a bad collection of stories, a bit too literary for my tastes. But there were a few that I really enjoyed.
It's always difficult to rate a selection of stories. But this one averaged out to about 3 stars.
Not a bad collection of stories, a bit too literary for my tastes. But there were a few that I really enjoyed.
It's always difficult to rate a selection of stories. But this one averaged out to about 3 stars.
October 21, 2012
Review to follow
September 12, 2013
3 Stars
Its not bad, but when labeled as erotica I thought the stories should have been more (just more). They were quite tame compared to other similar offerings.
Its not bad, but when labeled as erotica I thought the stories should have been more (just more). They were quite tame compared to other similar offerings.
November 19, 2013
READ FOR REVIEW ON FRESHFICTION.COM
July 31, 2014
A collection of short stories that will be pleasing to all who like to read.
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