First Time [Hardcover]

These ten stories describe ten different firsts in one woman's sexual life. The first of these firsts was the woman's experience of losing her virginity. Her story takes a charming turn, however. She keeps her virgin status a secret from her partner, afraid (with good reason) that he might do something to break the mood that makes it special for her. She does tell him, though, after they've been together for a while and he's earned her trust.

Other firsts follow: buying a sex toy, entering a threesome, penetrating her male partner, taking a submissive role. Although one or two vignettes have harsh moments, this female author makes sure the female lead in each story has a consensual role - deliberately reaching out to a female readership. Although I'm male, I also enjoy the gentle sense I find in stories intended as female-friendly.

A different artist illustrates each story. Although they're all black and white, styles range all over, from the charming curves of "First Time," to the nervous lines of "1+1," to the layered surrealism of McKean's "X-Rated." These aren't as painterly as Parris Quinn's Shadow and Light series, but at least as expressive in their way. If you enjoyed Moore's Lost Girls, you might enjoy this one, too.

-- wiredweird

All of the stories are written by one woman (two?) though they run the gamut (man what a word) from Creepy to sweet, stressing that what is creepy to me is sweet to someone else. I really enjoyed the first half of the book.

1. Girl talks about her first encounter, revealing to partner that it was ... with him! He did not know!. OMG! It is like M. Night Shyamalan. The art is not sexy but the story is touching.

2. A very sexy girl purchases a toy and uses it. I enjoyed it. Using the POWER OF HER IMAGINATION the toy transforms into a man, which gives me an idea for a product which merges transformers and sex toys.

3. A very cute girl goes to a bar and exchanges sex for her bar tab. Then it is revealed that the bar owner is her boyfriend or husband and they are playing out a fantasy. The cover image is from this story and it's very hot. This one was also written by M. Night Shyamalan.

4. a girl is seduced by a female co-worker and is then dumped by her. Sad. The art is cute but reduces the erotic impact.

5. A young girl meets a married couple for a threesome. Well-drawn in a sort of sixties style and fairly hot.

6. A man buys a sex doll and the narrative is from her perspective. He will treat his real-life dates in the same brutal and uncaring manner. It has redeeming social value but is not erotic. It is creepy.

7. A swingers club thing. Odd visual style and not erotic.

8. A story of a girl who enjoys being dominated by an unpleasant man. Unpleasant visually and unsexy.

9. A man eagerly awaits the arrival of a strap-on and his wife uses it. Touching and well-drawn, perhaps erotic, but not my thing.

10. A man is watching a movie. His partner gets up and notices, but rather than admonishing him for watching such a thing, she has a sexual encounter with him. He goes to bed. now SHE watches the movie! You are surprised by this. This one is done by Dave McKean, who you may have heard about on the radio (A neil gaiman collaborator and second gunman on the grassy knoll).

Actually now that I read this, I dislike like most of the stories in here. I still suggest you purchase it for stories 2, 5, and especially 3. I would describe how good 3 is and what I and my partner did about it but that would probably result in my review not getting put up.