Abode of the Beast
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Abode of the Beast |
| Publisher: | Dapplewood Press |
| Editor: | Sharon Wells |
| Author(s): | Catherine Victoria Lee |
| Cover Artist(s): | |
| Illustrator(s): | |
| Date(s): | 1989-1991 |
| Series?: | 3 novels |
| Medium: | |
| Genre: | gen |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Abode of the Beast is a het series of three Beauty and the Beast novels that take place in a Tolkienesque fantasy world created by the author, Catherine Victoria Lee.
Each issue required an age statement to purchase.
Abode of the Beast 1
Abode of the Beast 1 was published in 1989 and has 162 pages.
Art by Marilyn Cole (front cover), Sharon Wells, Rita Terrell, Anna Deavers-Kelley, others.
This issue contains quotes from Kahill Gibran's "The Prophet."
Vincent, in turmoil within due to his inability to consummate his relationship with Catherine, is thrown into another world, a world of sorcery and war, a world where he must learn to live a different life. In this strange new world where he is separated from all those he has known and love, Vincent is enslaved and trained for the arena. Is it a dream or another reality? He must decide and live accordingly.[1]
A note from the editor, S. E. Seliger on the author's storytelling ability:
How could one transplant Vincent to such an extraordinary alternative situation, add an R-rating, and make if work? But she did, and the following pages are a testimony to the most vivid of imaginations, for the most enduring of characters. If you enjoyed "Tunnels of Love" but wanted more of the romance with more plot line, this is for you. Instead of a variety of stories, it is one solid plot .. and what a plot it is!
Chapter Titles:
- Partings (5)
- Meetings (11)
- Shattered Dreams (24)
- An Unexpected Encounter (31)
- Hopelessness (41)
- Kurdah (50)
- Life (68)
- Kityra (73)
- The Fateful day (82)
- Love and Hate (100)
- To the Misty Woods (108)
- Passion (117)
- Glorindel Moonstar (124)
- Pentahbrook (130)
- A Day of Peace (137)
- The Staff of Power (141)
- The Quest (147)
- Home (158)
List of the Art:
- Vincent in Chains of Gold, by Marilyn Cole (cover)
- Vincent, by Sharon Wells
- Hooded Vincent, by Sharon Wells
- Vincent Meets Fingoias, by Rita Terrell
- Meyzar Studies Vincent, by Sharon Wells
- Vincent Rages, by Sharon Wells
- Training, by Rita Terrell
- Rising to Stop Gundar, by Sharon Wells
- Fighting the Giant, by Sharon Wells
- Vincent on Arthur, by Anna Deavers
- Vincent and Kityra, by Sharon Wells
- To the Misty Woods, by Rita Terrell
- Vincent the Protector, by Anna Deavers
- In Pentahbrook, by Sharon Wells
- With the Staff of Power, by Sharon Wells
- Vincent the Archer, by Sharon Wells
- Vincent and Groth, by Kathy Costello
- Moving Towards the Light, by Kathy Costello
inside issue #1
inside issue #1
inside issue #1
inside issue #1
inside issue #1, "Fighting the Giant"
inside issue #1, "Rising to Stop Gundar"
inside issue #1, "Moyzar Studies Vincent"
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
In this fantasy novel, Vincent and Catherine fight over his unwillingness to express their love physically. In fleeing from Catherine, Vincent is transported into another time and place where he meets 'Kityra,' is sold into slavery and does battle with a dragon. Buyers should be aware that Vincent does fall in love and sleeps with Kityra - who feels like Catherine through a similar Bond.[2]
Excellent fantasy novel with a most memorable cover. Vincent falls (literally) into a strife-torn, Tolkienesque fantasy world, is captured, sold to an evil wizard, fights a giant in an arena, falls in love with Catherine's counterpart, consummates the relationship—more than once—and kills a dragon that threatens an Elven stronghold. Vincent spends a good part of the time in chains and/or brief clothing, but the characterizations are good, too. Suspenseful adventure, generally excellent art by Sharon Wells, Rita Terrell, Anna Deavers-Kelley, others. A “must,” says the reviewer.[3]
Thick see-through plastic sheet protects the cover. This author has found her element with this alternate universe novel of Vincent in a Tolkien world filled with elves, dwarfs and magical wonder.
- Print Quality - 3.7
- Proofreading - 3.3
- Sexual Content - 2.7
- Plot - 4.2
- Character Integrity - N/A
- Believability - N/A [4]
This action and adventure zine takes Vincent (and you) into a world of fantasy: elves, princesses, and dragons, and of course, a nasty villain, all dwell here. It's a bit different from the zines I'm used to reading. The story is original - it didn't leave me with the feeling of having "been there before.11 This universe contains some parallel characters from Vincent*s previous world. Some persons merely remind him of others, but one, Kityra, is a dead ringer for his Catherine. They meet, overcome obstacles, and fall in love, and this seems to be a problem for some readers. The fact that Vincent could love another, even though she seems to be the essence of Catherine, offends them. I didn*t mind. (This is a good time to remind you of the ADULT material contained in this zine.)
I'm told that this story parallels Tolkien's tales, and perhaps suffers by comparison, much as a movie will disappoint one if the story is read first. Not having read Tolkien, I had no such feelings, but this is something to keep in mind if you're a fan. Another aspect I've heard complaints about is the amount of time the story deals with Vincent apart from Catherine/Kityra. Again, I could find no fault with this. I feel Vincent is a strong enough character to hold my interest as he undergoes his own adventures sans Kityra.
After being captured and sold into slavery, Vincent finds that his new master expects him to fight to the death in the arena, and tries every means at his disposal to bring out the beast in this unique being. But ultimately Vincent triumphs, proving once again his overriding humanity. There is an escape, a chase, and a noble quest, before the ultimate conclusion.
I liked this book a lot. The only thing that really bothered me was the tendency to mention a piece of plot which sounded interesting . . . and then drop it. I felt dissatisfied when the book reached its end, leaving these elements unexpounded. Otherwise, I liked the originality, the romance, and everything else about the book, and I recommend it. [5]
Abode of the Beast 2
Abode of the Beast 2 has the subtitle: Journeys in Darkness. It was published in September 1991 and has 195 pages.
The artists are not credited in the zine. The Qfer lists them as: Pam Martin, Alice Baltes, Sharon Wells, Rita Terrell, Barbara Gipson, Catherine Victoria Lee, and Marilyn Cole (cover).
From a flyer:
Caught up in turmoil. Catherine and Vincent are thrust into a hostile world alive with magic and adventure. Not only has the hated Slave Master, Telleran put a hefty bounty on Vincent's head, but there are greater powers at work so vile, so terrifying, that it will take all the love and courage the two have if they are to survive. Something seems to be forcing their steps further and further from their goal, herding them into the realm of darkness they most wish to avoid as their dream turns into a horrifying nightmare filled with danger and death.
- Vincent's Tale (1)
- Catherine's Turn (15)
- Curiouser and Curiouser (27)
- A New World (42)
- You'll Like This (47)
- The Sandstorm (73)
- A New Ally—A Good Friend (90)
- A Night to Remember (103)
- The Hand of Fate (117)
- Danger in the Night (133)
- Decisions (149)
- His Servant and Her Holy Duty (162)
- Bespelled (181)
from issue #2, uncredited
from issue #2, uncredited
from issue #2, Alice Baltes
from issue #2, Sharon Wells
from issue #2, uncredited
from issue #2, Barbara Gipson
from issue #2, Sharon Wells, uses the same photo reference from Robin of Sherwood as this artist File:Hoodedmanwillis-8.jpg did
from issue #2, Sharon Wells
from issue #2, uncredited
from issue #2, uncredited
from issue #2, uncredited
from issue #2, uncredited
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
Both V & C are magically dumped into the fantasy world and have a few adventures, including a fight with slavers, healing among matriarchal quasi-Arabs, C's awakening of a bespelled Elf, attack by a werewolf, and V's capture by an evil vampiric demon.[6]
Hurt by Vincent's love for Kityra, Catherine leaves Vincent but is plagued by dreams that convince her she and Kityra are linked. She returns to Vincent and they are magically transported to another world. Together, they begin a quest to find Kityra, consummating their love along the way. The reader is taken on a wild ride encountering elves, wizards and a cliffhanger ending that will take your breath away.[7]
In this installment-which ends in a cliffhanger-Catherine is initially jealous over returned Vincent's lovemaking with her otherworld counterpart. Not to worry: both V & C are then magically dumped into the fantasy world and have a few adventures, including a fight with slavers, healing among matriarchal quasi-Arabs, C's awakening of a bespelled Elf, attack by a werewolf (or wolfwere; don't ask), and V's capture by an evil vampiric demon. Also occasional V/C sex. Good reading if you don't mind being left hanging at the end. Variable art by Pam Martin (always excellent), Alice Baltes, Sharon Wells, Rita Terrell, Barbara Gipson, Marilyn Cole (cover).[8]
Abode of the Beast 3
Abode of the Beast 3 has the subtitle: Escape to the Realm of the Snow Elves. It was published in January 1992 and contains 173 pages.
The art is by Pam Tuck and Sharon Wells.
from issue #3, a pronunciation guide
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
from issue #3
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3
This third (and, likely, last) installment of the saga of V/C in a Tolkienesque fantasy world doesn't bring the tale as a whole to a conclusion, but it's galloping-good storytelling, all the same. In it, High Elf Berengolas combines with C, a dwarf, and a half-elf to rescue V, kept as the helpless love-slave of Kaulderon (a sort of super vampire) and his acolyte, Jazra. Incidentally, if you're into highly detailed descriptions of manacled, unwelcome but irresistible sex the captive is powerless to prevent, this is probably the zine for you. There's also V/C sex, vampire/Elf sex, and a couple of other variations. Once V is freed, the company enters the realm of the Snow Elves. Pursued and occasionally attacked by Jazra, they fight an underground battle. Though the story's larger issues aren't settled, this is probably as much as we're going to get. The prose and mechanics are, at times, really awful. If that sort of thing doesn't bother you, you'll have quite a lot of fun with this. The art is variable and occasionally nude. Artists are Pam Martin Tuck (including the handsome cover) and Sharon Wells.[9]
References
- ^ from Datazine #57
- ^ from The Beauty & the Beast Buyer's Guide to Fanzines
- ^ from Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review -- 1997
- ^ from Beauty and the Beast Lifeline Review (October 1991)
- ^ from The Whispering Gallery #15 (1989)
- ^ from the Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review Online
- ^ from The Beauty & the Beast Buyer's Guide to Fanzines
- ^ from Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review -- 1997
- ^ from Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review -- 1997