In the male-dominated world of Ranexx, Decima is the favorite of Governor Doleman Allus’ who maintains a stable of flaxen-haired submissive beauties for his pleasure. However Allus is sending Decima away on a journey to the imperial palace to serve Emperor Marcus Flavius. While offering sexual service, Allus expects Decima to keep her ears open and spy on the Emperor to obtain tidbits of information which may be helpful in Allus' plot to overthrow the Emperor.Allus expects Decima to quickly rise to become Marcus' consort, but upon arrival at the palace Decima's attention is almost immediately drawn to Gaius, the handsome commander of the imperial guard. Decima follows her heart rather than Allus' desires and she uses her beauty and her sexual skills to seduce Gaius who soon claims her as his. Yet Allus has one final card to play as he has control of Decima's forbidden female lover and he uses this to try to force her to leave Gaius for the Emperor. For Decima, it all comes to a climax one moons when she serves in the Emperor's suite and overhears a conversation about possible treachery by Allus. Now Decima realizes she has a card to play. Will she have the courage to betray Allus to the Emperor and risk her lover's life?
In Decima Rising, Jennifer Campbell lured me into a world of her own creation with the fluent ease of a seasoned writer. The comprehensive amount of details actualized the realm into more and more of a reality for me from its tolling bells and Ranexxian suns to the Kabora trees and hawthorn birds. It was ultimately refined with an age-old history and a belief in an after-life depicted in a painting through the eyes of a slave, providing her heroine with her inspired goals setting to up the plot.
Yet, within this world, it was Jennifer’s ability to build a character that connected me to this slave on a deep emotional level. As I bonded with Decima, hoping for the fulfillment of her fantasies even though they were impossible dreams, I found myself unable to read fast enough. The slave was personable, identifiable with lusts of her own, compassion for others and insatiable desires. Additionally, she was someone to strive to be like as she struggled to learn life’s lessons, took what pleasures she could, had a willingness to serve well and fought to be the best she could be in the lot she was given in life. But, be prepared, once Jennifer starts you on this impassioned journey, the twists and turns of the plot, as the world she created changes – rules broken, new agendas formed – will leave you breathless.
I have read erotic books about sex slaves before, but never have I been brought to such a level of fervent compassion and caring for a slave as I was for Decima. My heart broke and soared for her intermittently, and I found myself continuing to hope for her future even after I finished the final words of the surprise ending of this carnal read.