House of Saints-by A.C. Mason

Note: this was written for http://www.tigriseden.com/index.htm, a new site I'm writing for.


A poor orphaned Victorian girl with two brothers to raise takes a chance on becoming a prostitute in a brothel to give her brothers schooling and a good life. Simone is trained in sex by a mysterious man named Eravas. She is given a new name, taught how to be with a man, shown creatures she never knew existed, and loses her heart.

This is a very short book, rather a novella. It's very easily a couple of hours of reading if you take your time. It is fast paced and it held my attention throughout. Simone is a very likeable character and I found myself hoping she would find a way out of her situation and somehow could find her happily ever after with Eravas. The Madame of the brothel, Saint Veronica, has a very interesting part in the book as well.

The story reminds me of "The Story of O" by Pauline Reage but with a paranormal bend. It is a very well done story and it ends up better than Reage's book. It also reminded me of an old fairy tale by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, the name of which would give the story away so, shhhh, no spoiler here, if you are curious about what I'm referring to, look it up AFTER you read this wonderful story and see if you agree with me.

This is not a book for the faint at heart, to be sure. It is hotter than a cup of coffee on the sun and you will need to keep a cold drink, a hand fan, and maybe even your preferred manner of relief nearby as you read it.