Book Review: The Heart of the Dominatrix by Inanna Justice (femdom, memoir)

Title: The Heart of the Dominatrix: Portraits and Interviews of Exceptional Mistresses
Author: Inanna Justice
Publication Date: August 18, 2022
Genres: Memoir
Protagonist Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual

Female Domination can be a dream for some, a fantasy for others, and (yes) a lifestyle for the lucky few. Even then, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of the Female behind the Domme, to forget that they have lives outside the dungeon, needs and desires outside the power exchange dynamic. 

With The Heart of the Dominatrix, Inanna Justice collects those real-life stories from 21 women across the world, proving us with an intimate glimpse into who they are in and out of the scene, how they came to it, and why they embrace it. It's a gorgeous book in which the women share their stories in their own words, illustrating them with their own images.

I won't comment on every Domme because these are their stories, their experiences, and their passions, and the fact that we don't share the same fetishes, practices, or limits should not take away from their words. I would, however, like to highlight those that really spoke to me:

• MISTRESS CAROL offers perhaps the best explanation I've ever read about the power of hypnosis and how profound the power exchange can be when there's a trance involved - not as a mind control fantasy, but as a psychological experience.
• LADY VI provides what may have been my favorite entry in the book, not just talking about the erotic power of perverting religious institutions, but sharing an entire Satanic rite of passage she conducted for a Muslim transgender client that gave me chills.
• KAREN CHESSMAN is a legitimate French Countess who describes herself as a "fetish pansexual transgender, non-pro-Domme" (that made me fall in love with her right there) who, among other things, shares her experiences in the world of pony training.
• MISTRESS ELIS EURYALE contributes one of the most diverse stories in the book, talking about the power of the femme fatale, the potential for gynarchy in gender dynamics, and how a love of literature shaped her medical amputation fetishes.
• DOMINA GODDESS JAGUAR takes an interesting approach with her story, talking about how her background as a dancer gives her an appreciation for fluidity and form, for choreographing pleasure, before addressing the power exchange, pre/post-session rituals, and aftercare.
• LUNATIKA makes a wonderful connection with how pleasure guides her in administering pain, but it's how she describes the dynamic of her personal slaves that really spoke to me, with total ownership (body and soul) intertwined with respect and intimacy.
• MADAME MARGHERITE contributes one of the longest and most in-depth chapters of the book, talking a lot about the empowerment of animal play (from dogs to frogs), but what fascinated me most was how being gender-neutral creates so many interesting contrasts in her experience, including the fact that while she enjoys prostate play and loves toys, the strap-on illusion of having a penis feels silly and makes her uncomfortable.

While there are obviously some common themes that connect the Dommes, it was interesting (and sometimes surprising) to discover how divided they are on subjects such as gynarchy/matriarchy, the expression of sexuality, gender preferences in their submissives, and even if/how aftercare should be administered. Some are more passionate than others about those subjects, some more deeply invested in those aspects of the lifestyle, but they're all to be admired and respected.

Inanna Justice has put together a wonderful book that's as sumptuous as it is significant. She's given each of the Dommes the chance to speak, to bare their hearts and souls in a way that few of us get to appreciate from afar, and it's a safe bet that more than one admirer will come away from this a devoted submissive. There's no doubt that these are all Exceptional Mistresses and even more exceptional women - and, as a submissive, I am grateful for having had the experience of getting to know each of them through their words and photos. 

Rating: ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀ ♀

My sincere thanks to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.