Rogue Review No. 315 (1) - February 19, 1999

The Needle and the Dungeon by MichaelD38

Part 1 of 3

F/M, F/F, Teen, BDSM

Length: 20,600 words

Rating: Excellent

Arousal Factor: High
Story Factor: Ultra


  NOTICE

If you are easily offended, not of the requires legal age, or 
material of an erotic nature is illegal where you are, then do not
read what follows.


  SUMMARY

Ashley is curious about "deviant" sex.  David has built a virtual 
reality device.  The device is designed specifically for sexual 
experimentation.  It allows Ashley try quite a few things out that 
she would have been too afraid to try in real life.


  COMMENTARY

So far I really like this story.  Whether the last two thirds of the 
story are as good as the first one third is another matter.

I like both Ashley and David.  Both seem to be seeking something 
through experimenting with the virtual reality devices.  Their lives 
are incomplete.  They need something more, but are not quite sure 
where to find it.  Then again, I might just be seeing things.

The supporting cast is just as well drawn as the main characters.  
If I were to single out one of them, it would have to be Jasmine.  
She is the artificial intelligence that runs David's virtual reality 
machines.  She is only a computer, but she exhibits some behaviors 
that make her seem like more than just a machine.

Read the author's warning at the beginning of the story.  It should 
give you an idea if this is something that might squick you.  I 
highly recommend what I have read so far.  It is entertaining, 
arousing, and thought provoking.  I cannot think of a better 
combination.  On the other hand I can accept that some people might 
be revolted by some of the scenes in this story.


  LINKS

http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15382.txt [1/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15387.txt [2/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15386.txt [3/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15383.txt [4/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15384.txt [5/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15385.txt [6/6]

http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392351187&fmt=raw [1/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392354600&fmt=raw [2/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392354597&fmt=raw [3/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392354580&fmt=raw [4/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392354587&fmt=raw [5/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392354593&fmt=raw [6/6]


Rogue Review No. 315 (2) - February 20, 1999

The Needle and the Dungeon by MichaelD38

Part 2 of 3

F/M, Teen, Caution

Length: 17,200 words

Rating: Very Good

Arousal Factor: Average
Story Factor: High


  NOTICE

If you are easily offended, not of the requires legal age, or 
material of an erotic nature is illegal where you are, then do not
read what follows.


  SUMMARY

Ashley and David begin to develop a special relationship.  Ashley 
finally tells her parents about what she has been doing and where she
has been.  Their reactions are not very supportive.


  COMMENTARY

There is more plot development in this part of the story than there 
is anything else.  There aren't any significant characters 
introduced.  Everything pretty much grows out of what MichaelD38 set 
up in Part 1.

It does seem that in this segment the story shifts from one that is 
solely about personal exploration and sexual experimentation, to one 
that is also about two people growing together.  Ashley is still the 
focus of the story, but David seems to become an important part of 
her life.


  LINKS

http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15453.txt [1/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15448.txt [2/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15449.txt [3/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15452.txt [4/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15451.txt [5/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15450.txt [6/6]

http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392685232&fmt=raw [1/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392685208&fmt=raw [2/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392685212&fmt=raw [3/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392685225&fmt=raw [4/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392685221&fmt=raw [5/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=392685216&fmt=raw [6/6]


Rogue Review No. 315 (3) - February 21, 1999

The Needle and the Dungeon by MichaelD38

Part 3 of 3

F/M, F/F, Teen, Caution

Length: 17,900 words

Rating: Excellent

Arousal Factor: Average
Story Factor: High


  NOTICE

If you are easily offended, not of the requires legal age, or 
material of an erotic nature is illegal where you are, then do not
read what follows.


  SUMMARY

Despite being pregnant and against David's wishes, Ashley attempts to
complete the most difficult virtual reality program that he has 
built.


  COMMENTARY

This segment wraps up the loose ends that were left exposed at the 
end of the last segment.  While there are some arousing scenes, I 
found this third of the story to be more like the second one than the
first.  In other words it was not about sex, but about something 
else.  Part Two seemed to be about plot development.  Part Three 
seems to be about character development.


  LINKS

http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15520.txt [1/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15521.txt [2/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15524.txt [3/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15523.txt [4/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15522.txt [5/6]
http://www.qz.to/erotica/assm/Year98/15525.txt [6/6]

http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=393587656&fmt=raw [1/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=393587660&fmt=raw [2/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=393587676&fmt=raw [3/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=393587672&fmt=raw [4/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=393587666&fmt=raw [5/6]
http://search.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=393587681&fmt=raw [6/6]


Rogue Review No. 315 (C) - February 21, 1999

The Needle and the Dungeon by MichaelD38

Complete

F/M, F/F, Teen, Caution

Length: 55,800 words

Rating: Excellent

Arousal Factor: Average
Story Factor: Ultra


  NOTICE

If you are easily offended, not of the requires legal age, or 
material of an erotic nature is illegal where you are, then do not
read what follows.


  COMMENTARY

I enjoyed this story quite a bit.  To paraphrase what I said earlier 
it is arousing, riveting, and touching.  I was not aroused more than 
I was riveted and touched, so I would have to say that if you are 
looking for stroke material then you should look elsewhere.

One thing I really enjoyed about reading this story was visualizing 
the various VR scenarios that Ashley was experiencing.  Some had 
horrific elements in them and some did not.

In the end this story is a romance of sorts.  The more extreme 
activities might frighten off some who like romance.  If you are such
a person then I encourage you to attempt to read this story.  It 
about much more than just sex, and for that matter it is also about 
more than just romance.  At its heart I think this story is about 
"coming of age" or growing up.

