Richard Godwin (1)

When I first started reading Android Love, Human Skin, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The premise sounded interesting enough for me to want to delve into this new society that was created when the old society was gone after being ravaged by war. I never expected that within the pages there would be an underlying message that if you are not paying close enough attention to, you will miss it. I know I did because at the forefront of this story, there is a lot of sex, pages and pages of sex in every which way possible. I am pretty open minded to erotica, but even this surpassed any erotic novel that I have ever read. But, if you pay close enough attention, Richard Godwin throws out these tiny pieces of tidbits that are paramount to the story.

The government was being run by the Union, skinless politicians who were affected by the same chemical weapon they used to destroy the world. The union built a citadel, a pleasure palace for the few humans that were not affected and were able to maintain their own skin. In order to distract the humans they used pleasure as a controlling factor, introducing them to androids that could satisfy any sexual fetish that the humans desired. Desire and pleasure was used as a tool to keep the humans in line for the benefit of the politicians. Gender and roles become something different and we are introduced to four genders meant to satisfy any sexual craving and need. In essence, the Union controlled pleasure which in turn controlled the humans with skins.

I find the notion of four genders pretty fascinating given that our society is changing and has been changing for quite some time now as far as gender roles and how people identify themselves. I am not sure if this was intentional on the author’s part or just my perception of it, but it really opened up to how much gender plays a role in our society. Gender is not the only thing I took away from this story. Government plays a huge role and factor in our lives. Big Brother is always watching us and we may not want to admit it to ourselves, but the government controls all of us and gives us our own “pleasure” points as a distraction to what is really happening in our world. In a way, the government placates us so we don’t ask questions, so we don’t take a look at the hidden agenda of the government. Politicians, much like in this story, are the voyeurs of the world and when you really think about it, it is pretty frightening.

Android Love, Human Skin is not so much a character driven story. Take what you know about plot points and characterization and throw it out the window. The main story looks a lot like fluff, but underneath all the layers of sex is a brilliantly crafted message to all of us, one that needs to be said and heard.… (meer)

Paris Tongue, the bastard son of a murderer, is like a male version of Sherlock Holmes’s Irene Adler. He is “the man” for every woman he seduces. He is dodgy, clever and as sensually seductive as he is dangerous. Tongue ventures from London to Spain seeking and fulfilling beautiful bodies, but never truly finding fulfillment himself. He leaves heavenly sighs in his wake along with the consequences of deception: death of bodies and souls. His exploits mount to a fierce intensity where Paris finds his darkest night and the only woman who can fill his empty heart.

Godwin creates a poetic, chaotic and edgy kaleidoscope effect merging seduction, mystery and danger into the bleakest of noir. Highly recommended for those who enjoy erotica with a thrill.
… (meer)

Apostle Rising is akin to King’s Children of the Corn. Only with noir. Whiskey. Knives. Politicians. And a hell of gore. It is a maze through a psychopath’s mind, only you get to solve the puzzle with Detectives Castle and Stone as they try to hold their own personal lives together while the killer(s?) tease and taunt through horrific killings and rituals. My favorite character in the book is poetic, mentally disturbed and has an obsession with King Henry VIII and the first wife whose head he chopped. The ending is a fast paced rollercoaster ride. It sews together all the clues Godwin builds up through the book and will have you banging your fist on the table saying why didn’t I guess who was behind it all! I dare you to give the labyrinth of Apostle Rising a shot. I’m a fan of Godwin’s and I want more.… (meer)