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Princess Shanyin #1-3
Princess Shanyin: The Complete Obsession Saga
Books 1-3 of the Erotic Tales of Princess Shanyin.
This is the complete saga as well as an additional bonus short story: "Wanderers at the House of Floating Happiness" (Princess Shanyin #3.5).
Though Princess Shanyin has a harem of male concubines to serve her every sexual fantasy, from the moment she sees the handsome Chu Yuan, she has to have him. At her request, the Emperor gives the aristocrat over to Shanyin for her pleasure, setting off a power play of sensual torment and dominance between them.
Reader advisory: This is an erotic novel and contains steamy and explicit menage scenes.
This is the complete saga as well as an additional bonus short story: "Wanderers at the House of Floating Happiness" (Princess Shanyin #3.5).
Though Princess Shanyin has a harem of male concubines to serve her every sexual fantasy, from the moment she sees the handsome Chu Yuan, she has to have him. At her request, the Emperor gives the aristocrat over to Shanyin for her pleasure, setting off a power play of sensual torment and dominance between them.
Reader advisory: This is an erotic novel and contains steamy and explicit menage scenes.
350 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2014
47 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 20, 2017
Surprisingly good. I liked the first installment the most and I didn't expect the ending.
July 18, 2015
I loved the first instalment and was about to one-click book 2 when I noticed the box set! $4.60 for all three books!
Book 1. The Obsession - My Review - 5 stars
Book 2. The Enslavement - 3.5-4 odd stars
Very different to the first story. A LOT of hot sex but not much plot or character development. Still an enjoyable read.
Book 3. - The Fulfillment - 3.5-4 stars
Each story seems to have more sex and less plot. This instalment had the unexpected (but not unwelcome) addition of F/F interaction when the heroine tutors the lady of the house on the art of love making. My Review
Book 1. The Obsession - My Review - 5 stars
Book 2. The Enslavement - 3.5-4 odd stars
Very different to the first story. A LOT of hot sex but not much plot or character development. Still an enjoyable read.
Book 3. - The Fulfillment - 3.5-4 stars
Each story seems to have more sex and less plot. This instalment had the unexpected (but not unwelcome) addition of F/F interaction when the heroine tutors the lady of the house on the art of love making. My Review
December 30, 2014
“It was all mixed up for him — sex and death and despair. It was all mixed up for me as well. It always had been.”
This is as perfect a quote to encapsulate Princess Shanyin: The Complete Obsession Saga by Liliana Lee (aka Jeannie Lin) as exists. This historical erotic romance (which is, actually, three separate novellas, though you can buy them as one set) is so many things all at once that trying to tease them out and make them plain for a review seems an almost insurmountable task. This is, in short, a breathtaking story written in gorgeous prose that demands attention and, when you give it, completely absorbs you.
Read rest of review at Bitter Empire: http://bitterempire.com/sex-death-despair-review-princess-shanyin/
This is as perfect a quote to encapsulate Princess Shanyin: The Complete Obsession Saga by Liliana Lee (aka Jeannie Lin) as exists. This historical erotic romance (which is, actually, three separate novellas, though you can buy them as one set) is so many things all at once that trying to tease them out and make them plain for a review seems an almost insurmountable task. This is, in short, a breathtaking story written in gorgeous prose that demands attention and, when you give it, completely absorbs you.
Read rest of review at Bitter Empire: http://bitterempire.com/sex-death-despair-review-princess-shanyin/
June 20, 2021
How did I not know that Jeannie Lin had written an erotic trilogy under a pen name before now?!?! This is super dark and I absolutely loved it. Shanyin is a princess with a whole harem of men at her beck and call but she sees a handsome stranger and has to have him, and then her fortunes change and the power shifts and they end up circling each other for the rest of their lives.
March 1, 2019
I don’t normally read erotic romance but this was exceptional. Also, I really must read more of Jeannie Lin.
January 26, 2023
I read a lot of romance novels I don't log on Goodreads, but I wanted to include this erotica trilogy because it's so different. When I read the synopsis I didn't think it would be my thing at all, but after awhile I read through all of Jeannie Lin's other work and there was nothing else left for me to devour, so. The beginning made me uncomfortable, because of the power differential; non-consensual sex is usually one of my hard limits, and if you swapped the genders (privileged man wants female employee to sleep with him, won't take no for an answer) I wouldn't have given it a second look. But the more I got into Princess Shanyin's world, I realized that in a brutal emperor's inner circle, there's only so much consent anyone can give, and it became interesting to see how sex, power, and pleasure played out in this environment.* I enjoyed Shanyin's evolution over the changes in circumstance she endures throughout the books. And, ngl, it did me some good to read three books about a woman just going after her own pleasure so, so thoroughly.
*However: I still think getting past the significant power imbalance between Shanyin and Yuan in the first book depends on swallowing the premise that they have an irresistible chemistry that he doesn't truly want to deny. Basically, in order to stomach her treatment of him, I had to accept that he really did want her as much as she wanted him, and that makes it... if not okay, at least not so abhorrent that I had to stop reading. Some people would say I'm overthinking this. And some people, I imagine, would still call it rape.
*However: I still think getting past the significant power imbalance between Shanyin and Yuan in the first book depends on swallowing the premise that they have an irresistible chemistry that he doesn't truly want to deny. Basically, in order to stomach her treatment of him, I had to accept that he really did want her as much as she wanted him, and that makes it... if not okay, at least not so abhorrent that I had to stop reading. Some people would say I'm overthinking this. And some people, I imagine, would still call it rape.
April 4, 2021
Fascinating Read
This story is insane and the fact that is based on real life people and events is incredible. The steam is .... beyond lol even though there are some scenes that are borderline uncomfortable.
I like Shanyin in a lot - there is something about strong women that own their sexuality. Her relationship with Yuan is confusing and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Book 1 is based on the original story but book 2 is where it starts to go off track a little. I don’t understand the sexual enslavement angle or why she decides to become a prostitute. Book 3 is then redefining her relationship with Yuan in its new parameters. I don’t know how real to that era it is but it is quite alien to me.
Overall very interesting read. Curious to know if she continues the series with Jiyi and Tai.
This story is insane and the fact that is based on real life people and events is incredible. The steam is .... beyond lol even though there are some scenes that are borderline uncomfortable.
I like Shanyin in a lot - there is something about strong women that own their sexuality. Her relationship with Yuan is confusing and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Book 1 is based on the original story but book 2 is where it starts to go off track a little. I don’t understand the sexual enslavement angle or why she decides to become a prostitute. Book 3 is then redefining her relationship with Yuan in its new parameters. I don’t know how real to that era it is but it is quite alien to me.
Overall very interesting read. Curious to know if she continues the series with Jiyi and Tai.
August 6, 2020
I really enjoyed this erotic novel. I have to say that there was so much angst and history between the two main characters that I had trouble with the much sweeter, lighter tone of the F/F/M interactions in the final few pages. I’m not against a poly happy ending, but I don’t feel that this one was earned. The wife character we add into the mix is relatively undeveloped and for some reason the whole ending bummed me out. I know this is erotica, not romance, so the main characters don’t have to overcome all their demons and get a perfect happy ending, but it just felt like the prose and the plot led my heart in that direction and then stomped on it a little.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2018
I think Princess Shanyin was a good erotic romance. I found the historical setting of the first novel quite interesting, and the erotic elements overall were very well done. I was not expecting the series to end the way it did, and, to be honest, I found the epilogue quite touching.
January 15, 2018
Very sexy with engaging characters and an intriguing little plot.
February 16, 2015
I received a review copy through Goodreads First Reads.
This is certainly a case of "don't judge a book by it's cover". At first, I thought it was going to be a fun erotic romp. I was quite wrong, but in a good way. Yes, it is erotica, but that is not the main point of this book. It is a fascinating look at a time in past China full of royal intrigue, unrequited love, and a dangerously dysfunctional family.
I don't want to say too much and give anything away. I will say that if you seek a good story with a erotic touch, then this book is a great choice. However, don't pick it up if you are just wanting the erotic scenes. There is such an engrossing story between these covers you may be disappointed. Or then again, maybe not! ;)
I look forward to seeing more by this author.
This is certainly a case of "don't judge a book by it's cover". At first, I thought it was going to be a fun erotic romp. I was quite wrong, but in a good way. Yes, it is erotica, but that is not the main point of this book. It is a fascinating look at a time in past China full of royal intrigue, unrequited love, and a dangerously dysfunctional family.
I don't want to say too much and give anything away. I will say that if you seek a good story with a erotic touch, then this book is a great choice. However, don't pick it up if you are just wanting the erotic scenes. There is such an engrossing story between these covers you may be disappointed. Or then again, maybe not! ;)
I look forward to seeing more by this author.
December 13, 2014
When turmoil meets up with Princess Shanyin's pleasure...would it surpass it and leave her without. That was my view as the book unfolded. Such excitement on every turned page. I was captivated! The author writes so eloquently and I only found one mistake, so rare for these steamy books. I loved every minute of reading it.
May 16, 2015
Excellent erotica from a woman's POV. I really enjoyed the strong female protagonist, willing to do anything to survive in ancient China. The non-Western setting made the story even better, allowing for intriguing situations and responses.
I'm going to be looking for more Liliana Lee erotica in the future.
I'm going to be looking for more Liliana Lee erotica in the future.
February 8, 2015
I got this book for free through Goodreads first reads. I didn't care for this book. The story didn't hold my attention. I am not very likely to read anything by this author in the future. To me, there is nothing memorable about this book.
December 14, 2014
Complex and a little sad, I really enjoyed reading this book.
August 23, 2015
Read the reviews on the individual stories. Some very creative sex going on here, driven by a sexy slutty princess.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews