Reading Maia was truly a captivating experience. The book consists of numerous chapters, some of which seem to pass by slowly, while others are as thrilling as a bestseller, making you eager to turn the page. At first, it was quite difficult to get into, especially since I had a copy without a dust jacket, leaving me completely clueless about what I was about to embark on.

This is the tale of a young girl, in her early teens, who is sold into slavery and ultimately purchased as a pleasure slave in a wealthy and prestigious household in the capital city. She is extremely innocent, in a simple and sweet manner, and has an amazing friend named Occula, also a pleasure slave, who assists her in adapting to the new way of life.

Then, she becomes embroiled in the politics of her world, gains enemies and allies, influences a great war, and is beloved by all the people in the country. She accomplishes all this without刻意 trying and certainly without any scheming. However, I found her rather dull. Most of the time, she seemed so empty-headed, and Mr. Adams constantly described her as being so gay and joyous, with troubles never lingering on her for more than a moment. Things just seemed to happen to her, with neither her nor the author really understanding why.

Since Watership Down was the only other book by Mr. Adams that I had read, I was greatly astonished by the sex scenes and their erotic nature. I probably shouldn't have been surprised considering Maia was a pleasure slave, but I just couldn't believe that the same author who wrote about bunnies seeking a new home could pen such scenes!

The writing style was perhaps the most challenging to follow, making the book seem even longer than its 1,000+ pages. It was overly flowery and had a slightly paternal tone. Often, it felt as if he was fabricating emotions for a young woman rather than depicting what she would truly feel.

Despite all that, the world Mr. Adams created was very interesting, and he has a great talent for writing stories within stories. In both Watership Down and Maia, he comes up with believable and engaging fables and mythology that his characters share in the books.

I would recommend giving Maia a try if you have a great deal of patience, truly enjoy Mr. Adams' writing, and don't mind some erotic sex scenes.

Review transcribed from my blog

(contains minor spoilers)

* * *

One of my all-time favorite books, which I might have mentioned a time or two before on this blog, is Maia by Richard Adams. Objectively speaking, it may not be the "best" book I've ever read, but it holds a truly special place in my heart. It's one of the rare stories that I could completely lose myself in. I longed for this book to continue indefinitely, and I've never felt as sad as when I closed the cover on Maia, bringing the story to an end.

So, what is it about? Like many great stories, it's the account of a character's life journey. On the surface, it's a novel in the vein of Game of Thrones, dealing with the political intrigues of a fantasy empire. However, Maia leans more towards historical fiction, with some veiled references to that effect. At its core, the story revolves around the titular character and her trials and tribulations as she matures from a teenage girl into a young woman. It incorporates elements of action, adventure, romance, and my personal favorite, erotica.

Now, there are aspects of Maia that one could criticize. The most notable being the rather flimsy romance subplot and the somewhat disappointing conclusion after the novel's climax, along with the unsatisfactory resolution to the main antagonist's story. Nevertheless, while these are significant issues when considering the novel as a whole, they are outweighed by the constantly engaging moment-to-moment storytelling and the endearing nature of the book's protagonist. Maia is one of those heroines that I would have been more than happy to follow for a thousand additional pages, simply for the pleasure of spending more time with her. Richard Adams is a master at creating diverse, nuanced, and deep characters, and this is more evident in this book than in any of his other works, in my opinion.

Maia also has the unique distinction of being one of the first books that piqued my interest in erotic storytelling. Although it's not a work of erotica in the modern sense, Maia frequently employs sex as a storytelling device, resulting in several disturbingly exciting sections of the book. It's quite a surprise, considering the author also gave us Watership Down. However, Adams' ability to infuse a story with so many erotic elements is a testament to his skill as a writer. Maia is a dark book in this regard, but it's not grim. This is a crucial distinction that I like to emphasize when discussing my issues with stories like Game of Thrones - dark subject matter doesn't have to be bleak and depressing if the author uses it effectively.

Maia spends a significant portion of the novel as a concubine, a pampered sexual servant to the wealthy and prosperous in the city of Bekla. This section allows the story to adopt a very traditional erotic narrative style, exploring a young woman's sexuality. We're also treated to several other sex scenes throughout the novel, one of which is the most revealing and explicit erotic exploration of a character that I've ever encountered in literature. Without giving away too much, the fantasy of an all-powerful authority figure submitting to the most degrading humiliation at the hands of her slave is by far the most memorable scene in the book for me.

Ultimately, Maia is a very traditional story about a girl rising from humble beginnings to a position of power and status in society, and the challenges she faces along the way. The simplicity of this formula is what makes it work, and this book demonstrates the richness that can be extracted from even the most basic premise by a talented author. What makes Maia so charming, however, is that Adams takes this premise one step further: the heroine realizes that all the money and status in the world don't bring true happiness on their own. It's a wonderful arc of a young girl evolving into a mature woman by understanding that the fairytale fantasy is neither what she wants nor what she needs from life. While the central romance is, as mentioned, relatively weak in itself, the thematic purpose it serves in allowing Maia to grow as a character is utilized perfectly.

I could rave about a dozen different characters and scenes all day, but ultimately, Maia is rich and engaging storytelling at its most fundamental level. It draws you in, takes you on a journey, and provokes you in all the right ways without ever losing its way. It may have a few rough edges, but if there's one goal I strive for as a writer, it's to one day pen a book that can compare to Richard Adams' Maia in scope and depth.

I think Richard Adams' Maia holds the record for the book that sat on my shelf the longest without being read. I'm certain I purchased this around 15 years ago, but it remained unread until this summer. So, why did it take such a long time to pick it up, especially when Adams' Watership Down is one of my all-time favorite books? Well, it's simply because Maia is long. It's a hefty brick of over 1200 pages! Additionally, my lukewarm feelings towards Shardik, another novel by Adams set in the same world, didn't help matters.

Maia is set in the fictional Beklan Empire. Although it's classified as fantasy, it's only in the sense that it takes place in an invented world. There's no magic or anything truly 'fantastic' in the story. Instead, the novel is more like historical fiction. However, I definitely wouldn't consider it erotica, as some reviewers have categorized it. While there is a fair amount of sex, it's described rather dispassionately. That being said, there is one particular scene that, although not described in explicit detail, is perhaps the most 'hardcore' (for lack of a better term) scene I've read in a mainstream novel. So, readers sensitive to such things should be cautious.

As I mentioned, Maia is a long novel and not exactly a page-turner. It took me quite a while (almost two months!) to get through. The plot meanders, never quite going in the direction I expected. Every time something significant would occur, I'd think 'ok, I know where this is headed now', but then the plot would take a different turn. I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing.

One of the issues I had with the plot is that significant events are often told in flashback. This is most noticeable when Occula takes her revenge on Fornis. This is what we've been waiting for throughout the prior 600 pages of the book. However, by being told to Maia by Occula in a flashback, it loses much of its impact. We already know Occula is okay, so there's no suspense, and what should have been an incredibly sensational scene is reduced to an afterthought at the end of the novel.

I'm also not a big fan of made-up slang. I have to admit that I was getting tired of hearing about 'Deldas' and 'Zards', and don't even get me started on 'Basting'. I'll never look at a turkey the same way again.

Despite all that, I still liked Maia. Adams is a great wordsmith, and the novel is filled with fully realized three-dimensional characters, not just Maia herself, who has both strengths and flaws, but also secondary characters like Occula. Additionally, the world-building is very well done, evoking early Middle-Eastern civilizations such as Babylon or Assyria.

I just re-read this book, and to my amazement, it was just as excellent as the first time I read it (when I was in high school).

Written by the same author as Watership Down, this book couldn't be more distinct, except that it is equally imaginative.

Maia, a slave girl, inhabits a fictional world that is fully detailed.

This book would attract anyone who treasures the occasional outstanding fantasy or historical novel, even though it is strictly neither.

It is sheer entertainment.

Once you are drawn into Maia's world, you are glad that the book is as thick as it is.

The story of Maia takes the reader on a captivating journey through a unique and vividly created world.

The author's ability to bring this world to life is truly remarkable.

Each character and setting is described with such precision and detail that it feels as if you are actually there.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy or historical fiction, or simply looking for a good read, this book is sure to delight.

It offers a break from reality and allows you to immerse yourself in a world of adventure and imagination.

So, if you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend giving it a try.

You won't be disappointed.

Sometimes when you pick up a book, it has an inexplicable allure that seems to speak directly to you. You just know, deep down, that it will be a book you'll cherish and that it will hold a special place in your heart. This was precisely the case with Maia.

I find it extremely challenging to write a review that truly does justice to this remarkable novel. Reading it has been an extraordinary journey, a thrilling adventure. I will never, ever forget this book. It has not only warmed my heart but has also found a permanent home within it.

This book was vastly different from what I had anticipated based on the synopsis. I vividly remember coming across it on GoodReads and being instantly intrigued. Since it was out of print and incredibly inexpensive (about $6 if my memory serves me right), I purchased it from B&N Used online. However, I then promptly placed it on my desk and completely forgot about it for months on end. (It's quite hard to ignore a 1000+ page hardcover, but somehow I managed!)

When I finally sat down to read it, I was rather hesitant. But, as it turns out, it was exactly what I needed. With a captivating protagonist, a cast of colorful characters, and a wonderful setting, I was never once bored while reading this story. From Maia's humble beginnings as a slave girl to her glorious triumph as the Serrelinda, her character appealed to me on so many levels. The descriptiveness and the rich mythology inherent in Maia are truly phenomenal. From Occula to Anda-Nokomis, from Zenka to Elvair, to Meris and far beyond, I now feel as if I know and cherish each and every one of these characters. The culture, the world, and the society that Richard Adams has created within these pages are nothing short of fantastic. He has truly set a high bar for me in terms of writing style and detail.

I eagerly look forward to reading this book over and over again in the years to come and sharing my love for it with others. My boyfriend was kind enough to find me a copy of Shardik, to which Maia is a prequel. I'm not entirely sure if it will live up to Maia in my mind, but I certainly hope it at least captures some of the splendor and magic that I felt while reading this novel. I also look forward to eventually reading Watership Down, his most renowned masterpiece. Thank you, Richard Adams, for providing me with such a truly wonderful and exciting read. I will never forget it.

2018: This book is just as good on a second read (all ~1070 pages of it!). It kept me up at night, had me devouring 400 pages in a single day, and I carried this huge hardcover everywhere with me. It's well worth getting the Kindle version too, which is now available on Amazon! The descriptions (like the costumes, for example, the thing a shearna pulls her nipples through) continue to astound me. And yay for Occula being childfree, unlike Maia! As much as I enjoy his other works, to me, this is surely Richard Adams at his absolute best.

This is one of the few books that I almost reread every single year.

I firmly believe that it was Adam's absolute best work. However, it has never really received the amount of attention that it truly deserves.

My original hardback copy of this book is now tattered and completely beat-up. The pages are dog-eared, the cover is scratched, and it shows all the signs of being well-loved and well-read.

Despite its worn-out appearance, I have an unwavering love for this book. It holds a special place in my heart and continues to captivate me with its engaging story, well-developed characters, and profound themes.

Every time I pick it up, I am transported into a world of adventure, mystery, and emotion. It is a book that I will always cherish and continue to reread for years to come.

I hope that one day, more people will discover this hidden gem and give it the recognition and acclaim that it so richly merits.

I must admit that when I initially picked up this book, my expectations were not overly high. It was a spur-of-the-moment purchase at a used book store. I had only read "Watership Down" by Richard Adams prior to this, and that one is a beloved classic that has remained a favorite of mine for life. However, to my great surprise, I simply could not put this book down!

There has been quite a bit of talk about the sex scenes in this book. But the truth is, they dwindle and almost completely disappear within less than a third of the way into the story. And to be fair, most of those scenes were actually written quite well. But setting that aspect aside, this book is truly a masterpiece.

It has now inspired me to explore more of Richard Adams' novels. In fact, I have already gone ahead and purchased all of the other ones that are available, and I am eagerly looking forward to delving into them and uncovering the wonderful worlds and stories that he has to offer.

This is the dirtiest book I have ever read.

However, aside from its rather unappealing appearance, it contains an incredibly captivating fantasy story.

Even two years after I first picked it up, it continues to have a profound impact on my dreams.

The vivid and imaginative world created within its pages has seeped into my subconscious, influencing my slumber in the most unexpected ways.

It's as if the book has a life of its own, refusing to let go of my mind and constantly resurfacing in my dreams.

Despite its dirtiness, this book has managed to leave an indelible mark on me, and I find myself strangely drawn to it time and time again.

It's a testament to the power of a great story, even when presented in a less than perfect package.

I wonder if there are other hidden gems out there, waiting to be discovered beneath a layer of dirt and grime.

Maybe I'll have to venture into the unknown to find them.

Richard Adams' remarkable mastery of rhetoric truly sets this book apart and makes it one of my all-time favorites.

Just when I thought the story couldn't possibly reach greater heights, it did, and this trend continued throughout the entire novel.

It is an extremely rare find to come across strong character-driven stories that also possess a great command of language. After reading this book, when I attempted to pick up novels by other authors, I had the distinct feeling that my IQ was somehow diminishing!

Adams presents a challenge with his intricate fictitious cultures, civilizations, plot lines, and complex characters. As a female reader, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sexual scenes were so poetically crafted (and even funny) that they were not in the least bit offensive. In fact, I applauded Adams for his deft handling of these elements and couldn't resist sharing my favorite parts with friends.

I found myself completely falling in love with many of the characters. I have decided that for a long time to come, I will devote my reading almost exclusively to Richard Adams' books and no others.

His works have truly left an indelible mark on me and have become a source of great joy and inspiration in my literary journey.

Most books I finish in just a few days.

I soon got tired of making those constant trips to the bookstore in search of something new to read.

So, one fine day, I went with a single-minded goal. I wanted to pick up the largest novel I could find in the Science Fiction (S-F) section.

I didn't really care what the story was about or who the author was.

And that's how I landed on this particular book, which was a whopping 1,223 pages long.

And you know what? It turned out to be an absolute gem. It was one of the best novels I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

I loved it so much that I often find myself reading it again every now and then.

The sheer length of the book gives the author, Adams, the freedom to go into great detail. He can build a rich and immersive world and populate it with characters that you truly care about.

In fact, I was so invested in the story that I actually exclaimed aloud when [spoiler alert] something significant happened to one of the major characters near the end.

It was that kind of a powerful and engaging read.

I have just completed a reread of this book, thirty years after my initial encounter with it.

The story remains as captivating and engaging as it was back then.

The fantasy element in this book is relatively low-key. The Beklan Empire, a creation of Richard Adams, presents a world with its own unique place names and specific Beklan words, yet nothing overly challenging. The element of magic is minimal and mainly related to the gods and goddesses within the storyline. Many of the cultural customs, economic systems, and warfare are similar to those of medieval societies.

Maia, the main character, is highly likable. She is good-natured, adaptable, honest, brave, and has a kind heart. She overcomes numerous adversities while remaining true to herself. The supporting characters are equally strong. Occula, in particular, is the best friend any girl could hope for. Her mental strength and incredible fortitude are truly inspiring. There are other memorable characters as well, such as an elderly healer full of sage advice, a sweet courtesan, a canny peddler, a rebel nobleman with witty words and profound insights, an endearing bodyguard, and a charismatic aged virtuoso musician. The villains are delightfully villainous, with Queen Fornis standing out as the most formidable.

This book is substantial in size, but the story flows seamlessly. Adam's prose and storytelling abilities are truly impressive and a joy to read. The storyline is complex, with many events having far-reaching consequences. As the reader embarks on this epic journey with Maia, it becomes clear that everything in the book happens for a reason; there are no coincidences.

Highly recommended. However, it should be noted that there are plenty of triggers for sensitive individuals, who may want to avoid books like this. Additionally, there are certain themes in this book that seem familiar. For example, there is an aging, vicious, evil queen who stops at nothing to attain power, the daughter of a murdered man seeking revenge on those who betrayed and killed him, a large, ferocious nobleman with half his face covered in scars, the daughter of a dead and disgraced lord held captive in the capital and used as a political pawn, seven gods, and slave wars.

After reading this, I find myself pondering how different the Beklan Empire would have been with the introduction of one common mammal, the horse. For me, the absence of horses is the single most unwelcome aspect. A world without horses seems bleak and not the kind of place I would desire to inhabit. But I digress. Don't let the lack of horses deter you from reading this wonderful book.

Somehow, when I was a teenager, I came across this book. I chose it simply after reading its flap description, yet I didn't really understand what a concubine was and confused the word "erotic" with "exotic".

Needless to say, it was truly an eye-opener for me. It wasn't just because of the sex and all its various aspects, but also due to the violence and intrigues of politics, the clashes of cultures, religions, and castes. This book remained in my mind for years and had a profound influence on me. Thus, I must assert that I believe this book has far more to offer than just the sexuality. The mark it left behind is comparable to the way "The Mist of Avalon" was influential. However, it should be noted that I was also about 13 when I first read it. I would very much like to give it another try to see if I would still have the same level of liking for it.

I have now reread this book, and I was truly surprised to discover just how deeply engrossed I became in the story, just as I was the very first time around! It seems that the magic of this book still holds a powerful charm for me.