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Peculiar Tastes #6
The Fae Queen's Captive
Save some of your screams for the queen, there's a good girl...
Janneth Carter has given up on magic these days. She's done being curious, insatiable, dreamy; she just wants to finish her graduate degree and spend the rest of her life as a sensible archeologist. So the last thing she expects when she goes to her dig site on Halloween night is three mysterious strangers standing outside an ancient Scottish grave.
Okay, well the actual last thing she expects is for those strangers to kidnap her and drag her into fairyland.
Once in the vivid, carnal world of Faerie, Janneth is at the mercy of the coldly lovely and incredibly cruel Stag Queen. Desperate to get home to her own world, she offers the Queen a she'll be a willing captive, the queen's pet, so long as the Queen promises to keep her safe until Janneth leaves Faerie.
But fae promises are complicated things, and nothing in Faerie, even pleasure-even love-comes without a price...
Janneth Carter has given up on magic these days. She's done being curious, insatiable, dreamy; she just wants to finish her graduate degree and spend the rest of her life as a sensible archeologist. So the last thing she expects when she goes to her dig site on Halloween night is three mysterious strangers standing outside an ancient Scottish grave.
Okay, well the actual last thing she expects is for those strangers to kidnap her and drag her into fairyland.
Once in the vivid, carnal world of Faerie, Janneth is at the mercy of the coldly lovely and incredibly cruel Stag Queen. Desperate to get home to her own world, she offers the Queen a she'll be a willing captive, the queen's pet, so long as the Queen promises to keep her safe until Janneth leaves Faerie.
But fae promises are complicated things, and nothing in Faerie, even pleasure-even love-comes without a price...
182 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2022
256 people are currently reading
4703 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
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April 27, 2025The Fae Queen's Captive is a novella following a human woman captured by a fae queen. It's a sapphic erotic romance with a plus size human heroine, which sounds great. In practice, it was okay but I didn't care all that much about the characters, the world-building and plot felt like it needed more time and development, and it jumps right into a lot of sex without any buildup, which I don't prefer. And the sex scenes, which were on the kinkier side, lacked something. Maybe a sense of anticipation? I do appreciate the inclusion of content warnings given the setup.
October 1, 2023
4 Stars - excellent writing, lots of spice, a bit of kink, a dash of dark, a sprinkle of insta-love and a HEA
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November 18, 2022DNF @ 50%. Sierra Simone is objectively a good writer, in that whenever I read stuff by her I think “hmm interesting words, interesting plot, she has put the work in” but her books leave me totally cold. I think the issue is that her erotic fantasy is the erotic fantasy of middle America (no shade, just stating a fact) and since I grew up there I have spent years analyzing and unpacking all the issues with its ideologies (so a little shade lol). Or maybe it’s that I read her books and find myself mentally listing off which childhood friends, old acquaintances, etc. would *actually* appreciate them… and that’s just not the headspace I want to be in when I read erotica.
Basically I loved the premise of this book but just… can’t do it. But if you’re not *me*, I would recommend it?
ETA: breaking news, if you want f/f dark supernatural erotic romance drop this book, do not pass Go, and immediately read The Wicked and the Willing by Lianyu Tan instead.
Basically I loved the premise of this book but just… can’t do it. But if you’re not *me*, I would recommend it?
ETA: breaking news, if you want f/f dark supernatural erotic romance drop this book, do not pass Go, and immediately read The Wicked and the Willing by Lianyu Tan instead.
October 4, 2022
Brilliantly fantastical and imaginative! Sierra Simone takes us on an enchanting journey onto faerie with her latest release. The premise is sheer brilliance. All I needed to hear was “Samhain” and I was ALL IN.
Here’s what I loved:
EXcellent world building! The setting is vibrant and decadent. While I’d expect no less from Sierra Simone, this story is so much more whimsical than her previous romance series. It’s easy to visualize these characters., it’s like a sensory experience.
The writing is great. Well thought out and planned. Sierra’s writing and storylines are always top notch. So, once again not shocked there.
The main characters are intriguing. I actually wanted a bit more of their backstory or internal insight at moments while reading.
LGBTQ and body positivity rep.
Slowburn, but steamy.
A perfect read to kick off spooky season.
Overall, this vibrant and rich story will entertain the masses. I’d joyed it immensely. I only wished for a teensy bit more insight into the character’s motivation and decision making. Highly recommended for lovers of Fantasy / PNR looking for LGBTQ representation.
Here’s what I loved:
EXcellent world building! The setting is vibrant and decadent. While I’d expect no less from Sierra Simone, this story is so much more whimsical than her previous romance series. It’s easy to visualize these characters., it’s like a sensory experience.
The writing is great. Well thought out and planned. Sierra’s writing and storylines are always top notch. So, once again not shocked there.
The main characters are intriguing. I actually wanted a bit more of their backstory or internal insight at moments while reading.
LGBTQ and body positivity rep.
Slowburn, but steamy.
A perfect read to kick off spooky season.
Overall, this vibrant and rich story will entertain the masses. I’d joyed it immensely. I only wished for a teensy bit more insight into the character’s motivation and decision making. Highly recommended for lovers of Fantasy / PNR looking for LGBTQ representation.
January 24, 2023
“I will always want more,” I say, turning back to look at her. “That’s what I can offer. I will always, always want more.”
4.5 stars. Listen, Sierra Simone knows how to write to a theme and I'm a little enamoured with it. Especially since this novella digs its teeth into areas I'm obsessed with, and manages to get the job done (and then some), even though it's really short. This is a captor/captive romance between an archaeology student who is used to wanting too much, and the faerie queen who captures her. Hunger is the prominent motif in this one, and god, it's written so so well. I LOVED the recurring lines about Janneth being insatiable, that being a source of contention/shame/insecurity for her, and how it ends up fitting so well in the fae realm where lusts are abundant, and with a queen who is obsessive and masterful. That's just something that's easy for me to fall for: girls who want, who are greedy. And the pace ended up feeling perfectly romantic to me? Maybe I don't hate instalove as much as I once thought? But honestly it's more likely that I've just been reading a bunch of books that actually do it well, or do it in circumstances where I completely buy into it. And this was one of those. This is that mix of obsession and love that I adore.
“This is my consort, a mortal worthy of a stag’s heart and a stag’s kiss. So too shall she be worthy of a stag’s fate. Feast her well.”
Writing-wise, this was just lovely. I've liked all of Simone's prose before, but this took the cake and then some. Especially because she has the kind of flowery-but-not-too-flowery, decadent, illustrative prose that fits so super well in a fae world. Lots of gorgeous descriptions, both for the setting and for the emotions of the characters. I liked Janneth right away, and it didn't take me long to fall for the queen either. Together, they're just... gah. 🔥 This has a couple darker kinks, but it still feels so tender and wonderful. It also has one of those moments that I adore seeing in a single POV romance; a moment where you just know, without ever getting their perspective, that the love interest feels the same. The grand gestures really hit me. I also really liked this for some of the imagery and body horror, which was some of the coolest I've ever read. The plot was simple, but not as predictable as it could have been, and it side-stepped some tropes that I don't like. I was gonna round down to 4 stars, but I think writing this review has convinced me that this is more of a 5. I loved this so much, it made my heart flutter. Long live hungry girls.
Content warnings:
“For always,” she echoes, her lips nearly grazing my own. “Forever, for the girl who will always want more.”
August 28, 2022
lmao i will say, sierra took her time describing the ✨castle✨ and the ✨fae realm✨ which was beautiful and v atmospheric, but the whole time i was like "SIERRA WHEN WILL THESE HOTTIES BANG?!?! obvi she stuck the landing there and with flying colors🙌🏻 utterly delicious
August 8, 2024
Not my favorite from Sierra, but we always love a F/F romance. Even in a novella, Sierra usually still draws the reader in and you connect to the characters, but this one felt two dimensional.
October 11, 2022
3.7 made my gay ass even gayer 🌈
If you’re looking for Fae, polyamory, group sex, and sapphic rep this is likely for you.
Whilst there is one scene involving a guy, even that scene is mostly still WLW focussed.
It’s got sub/dom themes though the sex isn’t heavy BDSM in any way (fairly tame, more about ownership/sharing kinks than anything.)
However it was insanely hot, really solidly written and the storyline was pretty gripping the whole way through. Whilst it’s got a lot of sex woven in I appreciated the fact it didn’t rely on just that to keep it interesting.
Absolutely loved this, and would totally recommend the authors work.
This is dubcon in the fact she’s taken captive at one point, but the sex is not forced or expected. (I can’t say much more about this without spoilers but feel free to ask if you need more info on that element.)
(TW’s listed below, pls skip if you don’t want vague spoilers)
Tw// Sex, BDSM elements (group sex, ownership, a high they experience during due to magic, spanking.), Kidnapping, Captivity, Animal harm (deer hunting.)
If you’re looking for Fae, polyamory, group sex, and sapphic rep this is likely for you.
Whilst there is one scene involving a guy, even that scene is mostly still WLW focussed.
It’s got sub/dom themes though the sex isn’t heavy BDSM in any way (fairly tame, more about ownership/sharing kinks than anything.)
However it was insanely hot, really solidly written and the storyline was pretty gripping the whole way through. Whilst it’s got a lot of sex woven in I appreciated the fact it didn’t rely on just that to keep it interesting.
Absolutely loved this, and would totally recommend the authors work.
This is dubcon in the fact she’s taken captive at one point, but the sex is not forced or expected. (I can’t say much more about this without spoilers but feel free to ask if you need more info on that element.)
(TW’s listed below, pls skip if you don’t want vague spoilers)
Tw// Sex, BDSM elements (group sex, ownership, a high they experience during due to magic, spanking.), Kidnapping, Captivity, Animal harm (deer hunting.)
dnf
September 12, 2022DNFd at 36% - I was bored by the story progression (or lack thereof) and the writing felt weirdly elementary for Sierra Simone. After dipping into 2 books in this series, I get the impression that there might be a running theme of rushed story development & minimal editing. Won’t be running to read the remaining 4 any time soon.
September 27, 2022
I’m yet to read a book from this author I didn’t love!
This one is full of dark and delicious fae magic, beautiful world building and incredible slow burn chemistry. I was transported to this realm of carnal delights. Loved it!
I received an arc of this book.
This one is full of dark and delicious fae magic, beautiful world building and incredible slow burn chemistry. I was transported to this realm of carnal delights. Loved it!
I received an arc of this book.
September 28, 2023
2.5-3 ⭐️??
I genuinely do not know how i feel about this book
I genuinely do not know how i feel about this book
September 14, 2022
I was sold on Peculiar Tastes out of the gate. How could you say no to Samhain, creatures, and a creepy shadow market that double as a liminal space between worlds at the climax of spooky season? It's the best mix of magic and realism and bursting with possibilities. We finally get to see the world on the other side of the door, and meet the Stag Queen. It's beautiful and evocative and kinky in the right sort of fantastical way. Simone's prose shimmers deceptively, beckoning you into a world that that feels lush and dream like but ravenous at its heart, much like its ruler Queen Morgana.
On a personal level, fantasy works best for me when the magic is put within reach of mortals. Janneth's struggle with being too much really hit home and grounded the story is a very visceral way. We all really just want to be accepted for who we are, whether we're in the mortal realm or the fae.
On a personal level, fantasy works best for me when the magic is put within reach of mortals. Janneth's struggle with being too much really hit home and grounded the story is a very visceral way. We all really just want to be accepted for who we are, whether we're in the mortal realm or the fae.
October 7, 2022
2022 Fall Bingo (#FallInLoveBingo🍂): Mine
Way too much plot for a short erotic novella. Read via KU.
Way too much plot for a short erotic novella. Read via KU.
January 11, 2025
This was my first book by Sierra Simon, and I was immediately struck by the beauty of her writing. Her vivid descriptions transported me into the magical world effortlessly.
Unfortunately, while the story had promise, it felt hollow by the end. The romance felt like a contemporary insta-love story dressed up in a "magical" setting, without much depth or originality. I wanted more build-up and anticipation before the focus shifted to steamy scenes, which, while well-executed as erotica, ultimately cheapened the emotional impact of the story and made it hard to connect with on a deeper level.
That said, the book still delivers a heartfelt message about love and acceptance, reminding us that flaws don’t make anyone unworthy of love.
If steamy scenes and a light plot are your thing, this book delivers exactly that.
Unfortunately, while the story had promise, it felt hollow by the end. The romance felt like a contemporary insta-love story dressed up in a "magical" setting, without much depth or originality. I wanted more build-up and anticipation before the focus shifted to steamy scenes, which, while well-executed as erotica, ultimately cheapened the emotional impact of the story and made it hard to connect with on a deeper level.
That said, the book still delivers a heartfelt message about love and acceptance, reminding us that flaws don’t make anyone unworthy of love.
If steamy scenes and a light plot are your thing, this book delivers exactly that.
October 2, 2022
Hey babe, let’s take a walk on the wild side.
Insatiable horny girls. Fairy fruit. Green skin and green blood. Queens with glass skin who can conjure rose petals from their hands.
I’m not a lover of fantasy books because I prefer real life, but if Sierra wants to write about fairies then I’m all in. I even wore my fairy autumn dress tonight because of this book.
I want to walk in the mist and follow paths of leaves to find fairy orgies.
Every now and again we should all take a walk on the wild side.
Insatiable horny girls. Fairy fruit. Green skin and green blood. Queens with glass skin who can conjure rose petals from their hands.
I’m not a lover of fantasy books because I prefer real life, but if Sierra wants to write about fairies then I’m all in. I even wore my fairy autumn dress tonight because of this book.
I want to walk in the mist and follow paths of leaves to find fairy orgies.
Every now and again we should all take a walk on the wild side.
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June 9, 2023⛲️
October 16, 2023
2.5 ☆
even if it had so much wasted potential, i still enjoyed it
even if it had so much wasted potential, i still enjoyed it
November 18, 2023
the 2 stars comes from the 176 pages of pure confusion and also 23 years of deep rooted fear of the fae
December 28, 2025
2,5⭐️
The writing was fine, quite good actually. But the story? Snore
The writing was fine, quite good actually. But the story? Snore
June 29, 2023
i don’t think sierra simone is the author for me
January 3, 2025
Not me starting the new year with a super hot 5 star read 🔥
October 7, 2024
it really is life changing reading a lesbian fantasy smut book… thank you olivia for letting me borrow it. you are my stag queen and i am a mere mortal simply needing a taste of your faerie fruit… normal stuff!
August 14, 2023
This is a standalone sapphic erotica novella!!
It's part of an anthology series but reading the works by other authors is not necessary to *get* it.
The writing was so good!!! I will absolutely read more by this author.
Unfortunately the climax that is being prepared and foreshadowed since the very first chapter is super anti-climactic. I just wanted more DRAMA.
I am all about the drama!!
Or gore. Gimme some BLOOD! (There was one pretty bloody scene but it was short and without tension).
It's part of an anthology series but reading the works by other authors is not necessary to *get* it.
The writing was so good!!! I will absolutely read more by this author.
Unfortunately the climax that is being prepared and foreshadowed since the very first chapter is super anti-climactic. I just wanted more DRAMA.
I am all about the drama!!
Or gore. Gimme some BLOOD! (There was one pretty bloody scene but it was short and without tension).
April 9, 2023
DNF @ chapter 13; page 107
As much as I love anything about fae, I don't think this one is for me. One, the main characters lacked connection. Two, the plot is a little underwhelming for me. I feel like it needs more development or something. I was planning on skim reading by chapter 12 but just totally wasn't feeling it by the end of it. Will I continue this in the future? We'll see.
As much as I love anything about fae, I don't think this one is for me. One, the main characters lacked connection. Two, the plot is a little underwhelming for me. I feel like it needs more development or something. I was planning on skim reading by chapter 12 but just totally wasn't feeling it by the end of it. Will I continue this in the future? We'll see.
September 27, 2022
I don't read much paranormal. But this was a perfect read for Fall! A girl gets captured and brought basically to a parallel world, with fairies and other creatures. Things are different there- maybe more tricky but also just MORE. Pretty and interesting. The fae queen has decided to keep Janneth as a pet for a few days, and Janneth actually has always wanted that with someone! She can't stay forever, but for a few days? Sounds like a dream to her. There's something ominous going on, though, so...dream or nightmare?
This is definitely chock full of steam and imagination. It was an entertaining read that I finished in one day.
This is definitely chock full of steam and imagination. It was an entertaining read that I finished in one day.
October 2, 2022
A dark, smutty, fantasy novella from the always entertaining Sierra Simone! This little treat is a sapphic delight complete with a plus sized heroine (yay!), a Faerie queen, and lots of steam and drama. Part of the Peculiar Tastes collaboration, Sierra dives into yet another story that tintilates and pushes our boundaries. It's erotic but has a dark aurora, and despite the length we have quite a bit of faeire/Court of Stag world building to take us to another realm. With a lot of carnal delights, a bit of suspense and courtly drama, and a whole lot of spice, this quick read enchants completely.
July 15, 2023
Nothing ruins a good mood like unexpected heterosexual-sex. Like triggered 🥹🥹🥹 PS: I think baby girl was bi or pan. I liked her vibe. And Queen Morgana, you slay.
September 5, 2022
Yes, yes, yes! I am here for all of this!
January 22, 2025
I liked this novel a lot. It was short and simple, and straight to the point. There were some obvious problematic elements (I mean its kidnapping, so obviously we know what you’re going to get) however the novel did a great job of making them a lot less-problematic (through some unrealistically convenient circumstances, but honestly I’m not even upset lol). This was a common theme with this novel; they got reeeeally close to tropes/elements that I dislike but managed to avoid using them in a way I would dislike. For example, there was some instalove/lust (ugh) however it managed to be ok….. for reasons, lol.
The spicy was very spicy, and took the forefront of this novel. There was also some solid plot though, and the combination was appreciated.
The expected fae hijinks was present and accounted for, and there was a surprising amount of worldbuilding without anything feeling like an infodump (thankfully the protagonist needed the info as much as the reader did). I wish the novel had been longer, which I think would have been to its benefit, but it was long enough that I think it was able to include everything it wanted to. Rating this one was a toss-up, but I’m going with a low 5-stars because why not?
My Rating: “A-“
Converted Rating: 5-Stars
The spicy was very spicy, and took the forefront of this novel. There was also some solid plot though, and the combination was appreciated.
The expected fae hijinks was present and accounted for, and there was a surprising amount of worldbuilding without anything feeling like an infodump (thankfully the protagonist needed the info as much as the reader did). I wish the novel had been longer, which I think would have been to its benefit, but it was long enough that I think it was able to include everything it wanted to. Rating this one was a toss-up, but I’m going with a low 5-stars because why not?
My Rating: “A-“
Converted Rating: 5-Stars
November 14, 2022
Only Sierra Simone could get me all hot and bothered with a story about a fairyland and the insatiable archaeologist who inhabits it. Between all the fabulous descriptions of where Janneth Carter is suddenly whisked off to while checking her damp dig site one night in Scotland to the wildly carnal exploits she both watches and partakes in, I was needing a fan more times than I can count. But in true Simone fashion, the writing is flawless and it's never cheap or tawdry especially as our heroine cannot get enough of the Queen who has summoned her from Janneth's mortal world.
Fantasy is usually not my go-to when looking for something to read. But the richness of this story had me fully enthralled and desperately wanting more when those last words were in my grasp. The characters are wonderful, the atmosphere lush and delicious and the steam is exactly what I needed on a gloomy day. Sierra Simone does not disappoint no matter the length of her books and with The Fae Queen's Captive, she has firmly placed herself in my top 10 authors of all time.
5 huge stars!
Fantasy is usually not my go-to when looking for something to read. But the richness of this story had me fully enthralled and desperately wanting more when those last words were in my grasp. The characters are wonderful, the atmosphere lush and delicious and the steam is exactly what I needed on a gloomy day. Sierra Simone does not disappoint no matter the length of her books and with The Fae Queen's Captive, she has firmly placed herself in my top 10 authors of all time.
5 huge stars!
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