DNF'ed about 40% in. You could tell its fic that got its serial numbers filed off it didnt work at all. Sadly also had too much fetishization that was entirely unsexy

I thought that this book had a good storyline and great, strong characters.
A young girl finds her way in a completely different setting
It is a romantic and sexy story and very enjoyable.
It is 4 stars from me for this one – highly recommended!

Nights of Silk and Sapphire tells the story of an alluring pleasure harem where romance slowly blooms between Dae, a newcomer saved from slavers, and the enigmatic Zafirah, the Scion to the harem. This book was unlike anything I've read before, and I enjoyed the discussion around sexual awakenings and the beauty of consent. Dae's journey from monogamous beliefs and heterosexuality to embracing this world's openness is endearing. I also really enjoyed reading Zafirah's viewpoint too, as she falls in love for the first time.

Although time in the harem is at the forefront to this novel, it also ventures into desert adversities and clashes with the Elite Desert Horsemen. However, this conflict involving Shakir feels somewhat shallow, lacking the depth that would have elevated the story further.

All in all, an intriguing erotic novel that I'd recommend if you are looking for something different.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Desert fantasy, erotic romance, a sapphic harem, and a gloriously sensual awakening – Nights of Silk and Sapphire was an absolute gem of a novel that I never wanted to end! The whole cast of characters is wonderful, but the slow-burn romance between Dae and Zafirah is so beautifully orchestrated, you feel every ounce of their longing.

Dae is a young woman from the city, full of innocence, and ignorant of the world outside her family’s privileged social sphere. When she’s abducted in a desert raid, her discomfort grows even deeper as she’s ‘rescued’ to a harem full of beautiful women, only to be find herself even more uncomfortable with her fate when she realizes they’re all concubines of the beautiful Scion, Zafirah.

There are so many ways this story could have gone wrong, could have become something sordid or exploitative, but Amber Jacobs makes it romantic and empowering. This is a story of women who, in bondage, are more free than any of the women Dae was surrounded by at home. Free of the patriarchy, the church, and all the ‘polite’ social morals that come with ‘civilized’ structure, they can love openly. The harem is very much like a polyamorous family, loved and respected by Zafirah, with everyone free to love one another, with some entering into marriage-like bonds with each other. They all belong to the Scion, but there is no pressure to perform or serve her desires, and there’s none of the infighting or social maneuvering within the harem that you often seen in the genre.

While there is some delicious eroticism to the story, it’s largely a story of the friendships that Dae forms within the harem, the romantic courtship by Zafirah, who finds herself in love rather than lust for the first time in her life, and the young woman’s empowered awakening. She struggles with the conflict between heart and soul, body and mind, but is given the space she needs to find herself. It’s a beautiful journey.

There is also a strong fantasy story behind Nights of Silk and Sapphire, with men of the desert looking to take down the Scion and replace her rule with their own, and that conflict gives the story added significance. Just a wonderful book that I am so glad I had the opportunity to discover.

This book was full of suprises. I didn´t recognize, if the book story is placed in early 20th century or some post-apocalyptic world.

The story about two young women from different cultures and different societies was really interessting to read. Both of them have strong character and build a good relationship. It made me think about values of life per se.

This was certainly unexpected and unique.

I wasn't sure what to expect as the description doesn't quite match the storyline. Sure, Dae was a prisoner rescued and then placed in a harem. But, the word harem isn't a match for what I feel she experiences. The women are able to express themselves as unique individuals and are allowed to do as they please, in an almost magical existence. There was romance, but nothing over the top, and a sweet ending between Dae and Zafirah.

An exciting and hot tale

When Dae is kidnapped by slavers from her land of wealth and privilege, she belives she is lost. That's until the Scion Zafirah rescues her and brings her to her land and her harem. A harem made entirely of women. Confused by this new world and the ways and desires it entails, Dae is determined to fight the Scion's advances and her own growing desires and needs that she doesn't understand. But how long will she be able to deny what she truly feels?

It was my first time reading a lesbian harem romance and I really enjoyed it. It was hot and intriguing and I liked how Dae learned to accept her desires in the land she ended up in. The romance was slow burn but rightly so and it didn't make it any less hot and exciting. The political plot was really secondary but still interesting and added some suspense and intensity to the story that was welcome. I enjoyed the spice and how it was written, but sometimes, the dynamic of the relationships felt a bit infantilizing of Dae and it disturbed me in some contexts. Otherwise, it was a very thrilling and hot book that was quite addictive, unique and well-written.

I recommend if you want a hot lesbian romance!

"Love is more than what the body shares. It is of the heart as well."

TW: violence, slavery, homophobia, sexually explicit scenes, war, blood, kinks

I first read the fanfiction version of this book (it was an Uber Xena story) and I loved it and I also love it as a published version. The erotic scenes are well written and plentiful but there is also a plot. I love the poetic way that all of the Jahari people speak. This is one of the few Sapphic books that I’ve read where I would love to see it as a film. There are two fanfiction sequels that the author wrote that you can find online that tell the further adventures of Zafirah. But be sure to support the published versions as well.

I’ve always wanted to read this book so I’m delighted it was offered on NG. A fascinating fictional novel of a harem in ancient times with a sapphic twist. There’s plenty of erotic interludes however, spoiler, the 2 main MCs waited far too long to finally be together. I appreciated the respect that was given to the reasons behind the wait.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

Nights of Silk and Sapphire definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. The story follows a young girl who is essentially bought out of slavery by a woman with a harem. The young girl is blonde and innocent and virginal and of course the main object of the slightly older woman’s affections. A lot of this book feels very male gaze-y. The way that this girl insists on not being interested in women or sex just to be broken down by people trying to “persuade” her is very predatory but also feels very familiar as something men tend to do to naive girls/women.

Overall the writing is lackluster which is highlighted by the fact that the sex in the book just doesn’t feel sexy. It’s not very exciting to read. The side plot dealing with the violent attack and impending war feels forced and unnecessary.

I went in with high hopes but unfortunately this just didn’t do it for me.

I enjoyed the depth of the characters and the world itself and experiencing a book through the eyes of a culture that isn't typically written about

I have to say this book was way more than I expected. I was expecting the traditional Harem story and it was more than that

I mean the characters had backstories and depth. I appreciate the patience and time that was given to the character who wasn't ready to be a part of the lifestyle meanwhile it was still really sexy

A great little read with more behind it than was expected

This is far from my normal genre of police procedural or psychological thrillers, but it’s good to read something totally different. I have read the odd erotica book in the past but not for some years.
The book is set in some ancient time in the desert. Dae has been captured to be sold as a slave and is being walked in chains across the desert, when in swoops Zafirah, the leader or Scion of the tribe who control the desert to punish these men who have dared to cross the desert without paying the tolls that are set by Zafirah and her people.

The book had a good, if slightly far fetched storyline, of a mostly female tribe, some of whom are Zafirah’s sex slaves and who live in a tranquil harem set in an oasis within the city walls. Their sole purpose is giving and receiving pleasure from one another and to Zafirah. Dae joins them, but she comes from a culture where same it is forbidden to take part in same sex coupling, therefore she’s initially shocked but as the story unfurls and the Scion and Dae get closer and their relationship develops, she opens her mind to the possibility that her culture might be wrong and slowly her romantic and ultimately sexual awakening occurs.

The erotica is well written and not remotely tacky and the whole thing put me in mind of Game of Thrones with the language usage and the inter tribal factions which are the back drop to the sexual side of the story.
All in all it was a good read and well written.
I received this book from NetGalley and the author but the review is entirely my own views and is voluntary.

This was an unexpected slow(er) burn story but in the best anticipatory way! Each character was unique and well developed, and the plot had plenty of spice but also depth and intrigue. The battle between the lands added to the excitement and strength of the plot. It was a great read!

Wow....great read and very hot! Always enjoy authors I have not come across yet and will look for more from this one.

Woah. Holy smokes. I am not normally a huge fan of this genre but that may now change! I was enchanted by this book and couldn’t put it down. The emotional development and growth and journey Little Dae went on, it was really captivating to read through. The spicy parts were amazingly written and very captivating. It kept my interest all the way through. I was worried it would be PWP due to the erotica designation but that definitely was not the case! The only parts that didn’t keep my interest/speak to me was the war conflict subplot. I would have been happier if it was all focused on life inside the harem! Will definitely read future works from this author. Really enjoyed this book! Thanks for sharing.

I have to be at work tomorrow, but I couldn't put this down before reaching the end. Truly stunning writing. Amazed it was this long considering the one overwhelming plot, but not a word is wasted. Lead me to the next one.

Nights of Silk and Sapphire
Amber Jacobs
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes. My review is always unbiased.
Dae grew up in a land where it was forbidden for two women or two men to lay together. On the night before she is supposed to marry an unknown male, she is kidnapped, held captive by a slave trader with plans to sell her into slavery. The caravan is attacked by Scion Zafirah Al’Intisar, the ruler of the dessert tribe. Dae is placed in the harem where sexual freedom is encouraged.
While this book was not my cup of tea, it is well written and the characters are well fleshed out.

If you are a wise reader then you have read the synopsis of this book and seeing the cover- you absolutely should know what you are in for. And damn- does this writer deliver.

It is a harem. It is consensual. They are adults. There are multiple lovers, some BDSM, a first-time, and a slew of other saucy bits that will make steam resonate from your skin. It is spicy. Mirage in the desert hot. The scenes where the women are teaching the newest pleasure servant the ropes, quite literally, you watch her sexual awakening and it is enchanting. It is a time where she can embrace her body, her needs, her desires, her sexuality, without facing persecution from the stifling, religious climate she was born into.

The ingenue falls in lust, she falls in love, she falls over herself as she learns to accept a new way of life, a new mindset, a rewiring of a faulty framework that had stifled her as a blossoming woman and I was 1000% supportive of the journey. We all have our stories to tell of womanhood, of firsts, of loves, and lovers and the care and tenderness put into her firsts was quite beautiful and gentle.

A delightful tale of an unlikely relationship and being open to changing your path. The character development of Dae was enjoyable to read as she learned to trust those around her, open to the unfamiliar place she was now living and a completely different experience. As she discovered who she was she started to trust and desire Zafirah. She also begins to love her and finds the love is returned.

The parts about the war were not appealing to me, I preferred the relationships and different characters. This story is also 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️