This was a christmas present from the Girl. So before you start judging me for owning it, blame her.
The Monster Girl Encyclopedia fits into that category of speculative non-fiction, which contains books that set out a world different to ours, but in the form of a travel guide or biology textbook.
There aren't many filthy examples, but one I've had on my shelf for a fair few years is Curious Pleasures: A Gentleman's Collection of Beastliness, a rather elaborate trip through the world of kink by a Victorian Reverend, who definitely doesn't enjoy it. These often start out as a website/gallery (go google "monster girl encyclopedia" for further information) and when they acquire sufficient popularity, get released as a print book.
This book imagines a world in which the main force for evil is a succubus, after it defeated the previous Overlord, probably by dance fight or similar. Its evil influence has changed some of the women in the world into monsters, which must feed on "human essence" (yes, that is a euphemism) in order to survive, and get it mainly by hunting down men to take as husbands.
This definitely isn't an excuse for porn.
I can't decide whether this is misogynistic, or just a power fantasy. The monster girls of the title, once they've selected a "husband", either enslave/entrap them and turn them into sex slaves or become slaves themselves, treating their human as their lord and master, and following their every order. But in every case, they are perfectly loyal to their husband, even in cases where multiple girls claim the same man.
So, there's something for everyone.
And something for everyone is definitely the idea here. The first and second volume (yes, honestly, they managed a sequel, and there's quite possibly going to be more) each contain 100 monsters, and they tend to run the full gamut from sexy to weird, to weirdly sex and sexily weird. We've got slimes, shapeshifters, beastwomen, orcs and elves, angels and demons, and the occasional dragon.
There's even erotic weaponry.
Each creature has it's own double page spread entry, detailing its habits, diet, "proclivities" and hobbies. (The hobbies are mostly sex.)
It's a rather silly book after all that, but you do have to be impressed by just how much effort Cross has put into coming up with the traits of so many creatures. It's a decent run through most major types of creatures, and has at least some internal logic to how it's all set out.
Admittedly, it's not one you'll speed through, as there's not really a thread from one entry to the next, but it's fun to dip into occasionally. Definitely not a coffee table book, though. (Unless you have very liberal friends.)
One for the pervert in your life. Or you, if that's you.
Recommended.
Tagged: Book Erotica Monster girl Novel Print