'Hurt me then, make me scream' Violetta hissed at the surrounding men. Stag's voice was angry and inflexible. 'That's no way to ask your masters for pleasure. You must be punished for your insolence.' When Violetta receives an invitation to stay at a dream French chateau she finds herself drawn into a community whose members take their pleasures disguised beneath animal masks. Behind the licentiousness of her holiday destination, however, she finds a dark tradition of Gallic libertinage and Medieval torture she had not imagined, as the Sadean trappings of the Chateau are revealed and used upon her in turn.

'In the middle ages, women like you were gagged to stop them from arguing. The implement in question was called a Scold's Bridle. It was a piece of metal that fitted over the tongue, preventing it from moving, and it was held in place by straps around the neck and head.' His smile chilled her, 'I've actually own a replica of the Scold's Bridle you know. I've been told it's extremely uncomfortable to wear.'
She stared up at him, aghast. 'You wouldn't dare.'
'Keep arguing and you'll findout.'
'This isn't the Middle Ages!'
'No,' he said harshly. 'But this is my house and my rules apply here. Now come downstairs with me and let me see you in this outfit.'

Extract(s) from book

Lost in a sort of daze, Violetta pushed a stray lock of red hair from her forehead and glanced up at him through her lashes. Those antlers were oddly mesmerising, his dark eyes watching her with an unreadable expression. Her stomach turned over as she realised she found the Frenchman more than attractive. The effect he was already having on her could not be denied, even after spending a few short hours in his chateau. In this tight corset and high heels she did not merely feel sexy - that was too shallow a description for it. Instead she felt like a sexual object, something to be put on public display, to be used and admired. She had seen pictures of women in corsets and similar clothes before and always pitied them. Yet now that she herself was encased in rubber, her buttocks exposed to the cool air and her breasts high as a young girl's she experienced a real frisson of excitement as his eyes moved slowly over her body.

Story Overview

I like this book very much being thoughtful and delving deep into the psyche of the characters it is also challenging and unusual. The later scenes in the book where masked men chase women dressed as animals. The sense of fear and yet excitement is palpable. There is a surreal and 'forbidden' edge to the book because of the use of animal masks by the main characters.

The plot was quite simple. The heroine's mother is a an erotic film star who ends up being a willing slave to these men at the chateau long before they ever meet Violetta her daughter as I understand it, and the 'hero' of The Animal House is obsessed with her called Stag, who has a magnetic quality even though he is very cruel. So he invites her daughter to his chateau and tortures the unfortunate girl until she admits to being as submissive as her mother. This torture is very real; believe me, involving whips, clamps, and even a medieval Scold's Bridle!
I am not sure that such things would be arousing in reality - too painful for the woman, surely? Even though the plot is very racy and stimulating, I find myself flinching and saying ouch for Violetta.

Summary

The Animal House is a racy and impressive read. It constantly pushes the limits of consent, the heroine being forced into punishments and erotic situations she does not agree to.
Worth buying if you like your action raw and your heroines on the feisty and reluctant to cooperate side. The book certainly made me have to pause for a breather occasionally! I have read both The Player and The Animal House by this talented author, and I will look forward to finding more to read.