In volume 1, we learn that both Ally and Lisa have known about their sexual preferences for, respectively, domination and submission for many years. Self-love, even (in many senses of that term!). Some of us live with it, others shake it off … Me? I use that shit to fuel my orgasms!” -LisaIt’s also an exploration of self-identity and self-acceptance. “The way I see it, there is a burden of societally programmed guilt many of us feel about our sexuality.

That’s it precisely: Sunstone is a romance set against the backdrop of BDSM. That sounds like pretty solid relationship advice, period, no matter who you are or what kind of relationship you’re in. But in BDSM, that’s exactly what consenting partners need to do: talk about sex, talk about feelings, and talk about what they really, really want. We usually don’t talk about what we really want. We usually don’t talk about bodily functions-sexual or otherwise. Here’s the thing about humans: there’s so much more to us than is deemed socially acceptable. Awkwardly, humorously, embarrassingly, endearingly honest. When the spark between them refuses to dim, they must each wrestle with their hearts-are they ready for more? Do they want more? Is gaining love worth the possibility of losing a close friend and sexual partner?Īfter reading volumes 2 and 3 of Sunstone, I have another word to describe it: honest.

Neither anticipates that the relationship will be anything more than that, although they’re both lonely in their own ways. After getting to know one another online, they agree to meet in person to find out if they would be good sexual partners for one another.

To summarize briefly, Lisa and Ally are both searching for someone to scratch their BDSM itch. ( By the way, if you’re new to that acronym, click here for a text-only primer.) ” In her review, Wendy discusses the touchstones of Sejic’s very human series: trust and consent with a good dose of nerdy humor. (Pun intended you’ll get it if you read volume 3.)Īs for how to describe Stjepan Sejic’s BDSM series, I highly suggest you read my colleague Wendy Browne’s “ Put Down Grey and Read Sunstone Instead. Go get it, then join me in chomping at the bit as we wait for the next volume. Sunstone ? Here’s the short answer: I’ll definitely be picking up volume 4. Fly or flop, baby, we’re gonna find out right here, right now. This is where you find out just how interesting the plot and characters really are-or aren’t. My question when I hit the third volume of any graphic novel series is: will this be the last one I read? The first volume is an introduction and plot teaser the second volume deepens the plot and starts character development the third volume is where numerous titles have lost me.

Sunstone, Vol. 2 by Stjepan Šejić