Message-ID: <13206eli$9807201700@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Archived-At: From: Lee Vine Subject: Rogue Reviews Digest No. 8 - July 20, 1998 Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.d,alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Path: qz!not-for-mail Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam Approved: X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded X-Story-Submission: X-Original-Message-ID: <35B38FB1.6CEB4A26@switchboardmail.com> X-Is-Review: yes Rogue Reviews Digest No. 8 - July 20, 1998 NOTICE If you are easily offended or under the age of eighteen then please do not read what follows. CONTENTS Mailing List Information Rogue Reviews Standards and Guidelines (Version 1.1) Basic Story Ratings What is an Outstanding Story? What is an Excellent Story? What is a Very Good Story? What is a Good Story? What is Grudgingly Good Story? What is a Not Good Story? What Separates Outstanding Stories From Excellent Stories? What Separates Excellent Stories from Very Good Stories? What separates Excellent and Outstanding Stories from Good and Very Good Stories ? What Separates Very Good Stories from Good Stories? Things I consider when reviewing a story Things I like to see in a story Things I do NOT like to see in a story Random Thoughts Reviews No. 101 [A Brother's Love by Stephen Peters] No. 102 [Novice or The Better To Offer My Warmth by Wollstonecraft] No. 103 [Suzette's Passion by BitBard] No. 104 [Jeremy's Summer Job by Kristen] No. 105 [Funeral by John K] No. 106 [The Housesitter by Steve] No. 107 [Lover's Desire by J. R. Parz] No. 108 [And the Lady Danced 'till Dawn by Sven the Elder] No. 109 [That Mardi Gras Spirit by DG] No. 110 [Teaching the Teacher (Parts 1 & 2) by Day Dreamer] No. 111 [He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Parts 1 & 2) by Micky] ***** MAILING LIST INFORMATION I send my reviews individually, when I finish them, to the Sex Stories Discussion List. If you are interested in joining there is a form for doing so on my home page. * Home Page - http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Cafe/3112/ * E-Mail - santiago@switchboardmail.com ***** ROGUE REVIEWS STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES (VERSION 1.1) - July 17, 1998 Basic Story Ratings * Outstanding * Excellent * Very Good * Good * Grudgingly Good * Not Good What is an Outstanding Story? An Outstanding is the best rating I give a story. The writing is technically close to perfect. The story works on several levels. There is more to the story than just sex. It is an upper echelon Excellent Story. What is an Excellent Story? An Excellent Story is close to an outstanding story, but it just does not have that oompf to put it over the top. What is a Very Good Story? A Very Good Story is well written, but has a minor flaw or two. There is a plot, but it may center around just sex. There is some characterization. What is a Good Story? A Good Story shows that the author knows how to write. There is either a major flaw or two, or several minor flaws. Plot and characterization are often sketchy. The story works, despite its flaws. What is Grudgingly Good Story? A Grudgingly Good Story is one that is well written. If the subject matter had not made me queasy it would have gotten a Good, Very Good, Excellent, or Outstanding. What is a Not Good Story? A Not Good Story is one that was not well written. On occasion there is an element in the story that I thought was well handled, but was not enough to save the story. What Separates Outstanding Stories From Excellent Stories? Outstanding Stories usually work on several levels. They are the top one to five percent of excellent stories, theoretically. What Separates Excellent Stories from Very Good Stories? There are no major or minor flaws. Technically, the writing should be close to perfect. One or two teensy errors can be overlooked. What separates Excellent and Outstanding Stories from Good and Very Good Stories ? Sex is not the be all end all, i.e. it is not a stroke story. The story has plot and characterization. It has no major or minor flaws. It can have a couple teensy errors. What Separates Very Good Stories from Good Stories? Elements such as plot and characterization are well handled. There are no major flaws. Things I consider when reviewing a story Plot - Does it have one? If yes, at what pace does it develop? Does it develop logically? Characters - Are they stereotypes or do they seem real? Are they dynamic? Are they complex? Dilemma - Is there one? How is it depicted? Is it believable? Arousal - Is the story arousing? Does the sex begin with the first sentence or does the author lead up to it? Things I like to see in a story sarcasm, wit, humor, build up before the sex begins, characters capable of both happiness and sadness, personal dilemmas, characters who have to make tough choices, creativity Things I do NOT like to see in a story sex without a plot or a dilemma, characters without a function in life other than sex, non-consensual sex or other non-consensual activities that are supposedly fun, pedophilia (under the age of 15-16)*, ...And They Lived Happily Ever After endings * Yes, I realize this is statutory rape in some places Random Thoughts + My reviews reflect how a story strikes me. + To each their own. + Feel free to disagree with me, you will not be the first or the last. + There are exceptions to every rule. + Authors should write to please themselves, as well as others. I reserve the right to modify this enumeration of standards. ***** REVIEWS No. 101 - July 13, 1998 A Brother's Love by Stephen Peters F/M, Teen, Inc Length: 6,400 words SUMMARY Jamie talks about her "special" relationship with her brother. COMMENTARY There was not much restraint shown in this story. From the beginning it is clear that Jamie has an incestuous relationship with her brother, David. The author seems to use it as a gimmick. It does not work because incest seems rather commonplace in sex stories. I wish this story had more of a plot. Despite giving the ending away on page one, the author does take the time to go back and show what led Jamie and David to share a bed. He does not use the bulk of the story to show them attempting the traditional "sex story frolics". If the author could have built up to the sex, or shown that either one of the characters had some real doubts about the relationship, then I might have liked it. This story is not without merit, but the narrative lacked any build up or tension. JUDGMENT This is not a good story, but the author does take the time to explain how the current relationship came to be. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12586.txt ----- No. 102 - July 13, 1998 Novice or The Better To Offer My Warmth by Wollstonecraft F/M, Cons? Length: 7,500 words SUMMARY A nun reaps benefits and punishment for offering shelter to a beggar. COMMENTARY This story was well written and well paced. The descriptions were rich, although at times they were practically gynecological. I found the twist at the end both unexpected and a little nauseating. The sex in this story is initially consensual, but by the end seems to be non-consensual. This story is not for all. JUDGMENT This story is grudgingly good. The last few pages made me a cringe. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12631.txt ----- No. 103 - July 14, 1998 Suzette's Passion by BitBard F/F, F/M Length: 12,500 words SUMMARY Suzette, a French maiden of noble birth, is about to be married off to an Italian count, when she is captured and held for ransom by Captain Jack, an English privateer. COMMENTARY This story was well paced. The author takes his time, and allows the relationship to grow, rather than forcing it. There is some reluctance on Suzette's part. I think this makes the story more realistic and enjoyable. Suzette and Jack seem to connect, first on both a personal level and then on a sexual one. Their mutual attraction is not based on the size of his cock or of her breasts. This story has both plot and characterization. It does not come on too strong or too fast, but slowly and gently pulls the reader in with its descriptions. There is a lot more to this story than just sex. JUDGMENT This is an excellent story. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12673.txt ----- No. 104 - July 15, 1998 Jeremy's Summer Job by Kristen M/F/F/F, Teen Length: 2,600 words SUMMARY Jeremy gets a job at a movie theater and gets laid. COMMENTARY This is a quick, little, stroke story. I found it arousing and I liked the twist at the end. Jeremy's lack of control, in more ways then one, helped make this story more realistic. I have to admit to a sexist bias. If this story had been about a young woman, instead of a young man, it would have seemed like rape. JUDGMENT This is a good story. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12676.txt ----- No. 105 - July 15, 1998 Funeral by John K M/F, Spank Length: 1,900 words SUMMARY While attending the funeral of friend the narrator gets some action from a beautiful redhead. COMMENTARY This story might squick some people. It mixes sex, religion, and death. It did not bother me. I like the way the woman keeps calling the narrator "Mr. Mysterious". I found this story very arousing. JUDGMENT This is an excellent story. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12776.txt ----- No. 106 - July 17, 1998 The Housesitter by Steve M/F, Teen Length: 7,800 words SUMMARY Brian's mother hires a 19-year-old woman to look after a 17-year-old boy. COMMENTARY I thought the author did a good job with describing things from Brian's point of view. There is a plot. He builds up to the sex and does not have too much of it. If I wanted to find fault with this story I would say that the dialogue left something to be desired. It lacked emotions. The characters did not seem to be feeling anything, emotionally, when they spoke. It was like actors who read their lines without communicating any feeling. I should not complain about the dialogue, it's stilted nature did make me laugh. JUDGMENT This is a very good story. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12696.txt [1/3] http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12697.txt [2/3] http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12698.txt [3/3] ----- No. 107 - July 18, 1998 Lover's Desire by J. R. Parz TG, Transform, F/F, Cons, F/F/F, MC Length: 5,900 words SUMMARY Jess buys a magic potion that transforms him into a woman. COMMENTARY This story was too straight forward. There was no real tension or build up, leading to the sex. The sex itself was a jumble of bodies with no real emotions. The characters were rather thin. There was not much to them. What I like to see in a transgender story is a man or woman getting transformed into a member of the opposite sex and then see how the transformation affects their sexual orientation. The main character in this story seemed to have no problem adjusting. He went from being a heterosexual man to a homosexual woman. His tastes did not change. I found this boring. JUDGMENT This is not a good story. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12714.txt ----- No. 108 - July 18, 1998 And the Lady Danced 'till Dawn by Sven the Elder M/F Length: 3,800 words SUMMARY Mike goes to a strip club, where he meets Carrie. COMMENTARY This is a very well written story. It is well paced and well plotted. The characters seem real, although they are not complex or dynamic. I could not find any awkward sentences or misspelled words. Maybe some of the paragraphs could have been broken into smaller ones. This is basically a stroke story, but the author obviously put quite a bit of effort into it. JUDGMENT This is an excellent story. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12742.txt ----- No. 109 - July 18, 1998 That Mardi Gras Spirit by DG M/F, F-solo, M-solo Length: 5,500 words SUMMARY DG and Cindy visit New Orleans with Bart and Rayeanne. COMMENTARY This story is a lot of fun. It takes it's time. There is plenty of humor. The sex is hot. The story had a very nice feel to it. I liked all the characters. They complemented each other quite well. JUDGMENT This is an excellent story. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12778.txt ----- No. 110 - July 18, 1998 Teaching the Teacher (Parts 1 & 2) by Day Dreamer F-solo, M-solo, M/F Length: 7,500 words SUMMARY Joey seduces his teacher, Birdie. COMMENTARY I had a few problems with this story. Number one, I would prefer a bit more dialogue, there is very little in this story. Number two, the sex takes up a large portion of this story. Number three, there did not seem to be a dilemma. These are only the first two parts of a longer work. I am not too sure where the author can take Joey and Birdie, from here, except to further libidinous heights in bed. This story is very well edited. JUDGMENT This is a good story, but the sex takes up a disproportionate part of the it and neither of the characters seemed to be challenged or face a personal dilemma. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12788.txt [1/2] http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12789.txt [2/2] ----- No. 111 - July 19, 1998 He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (Parts 1 & 2) by Micky M/F, Inc, D&S Length: 15,100 words SUMMARY Anna and Alex, siblings, share some sexual adventures. COMMENTARY This was not an easy read. It was a bit long and some of the details made me a bit queasy. The scene at the end with Alex, Anna, and a second woman is very arousing. There are parts that work, and parts that do not. I think the author did a pretty good job, considering the fact that English is not his first language. The reference to Lex Barker puzzled me. I believe he played Tarzan, in the movies, sometime after Johnny Weismuller did. JUDGMENT This is a good story, but some parts made me queasy and as a whole the story did not flow real well. LINK(S) http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/12795.txt ***** 7/20/98 -- Lee Vine * E-Mail - santiago@switchboardmail.com * Home Page - http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Cafe/3112/ -- +----------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `--------------+ | | | | Archive site +----------------------+--------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ | ----