Pick Up A Pulp [SPACEWAYS #1]: OF ALIEN BONDAGE by John Cleve

Spaceways; the infamous 1980's series of over sexualised space exploration initially published by the highly collectable publisher, Playboy Paperbacks (Spaceways #1 through to #9), and later by Berkley (Spaceways #10 through to #19) mostly written by Andrew J. Offutt writing as John Cleve (there's a handful of coauthors sprinkled throughout), is known for it's great cover art and distinct 'adult' narrative. This sub series of Pick Up A Pulp will focus on the series of books published in chronological order.

OF ALIEN BONDAGE - the first foray into galactic sex trafficking introduces Captain Jonuta of the spaceship Coronet, as he, and his crew of sexpots suffering from Stockholm syndrome traverse the stars in search of new and exotic cattle to feed the many 'Procurer's' planet-side greed for wealth and near unquenchable lust for firm, pliable bodies. 

A routine stop on the 'protected' plant of Aglaya (protected planets are those which are considered 'non-tech', or are inhabited by beings of lower intelligent lifeform), pays dividends thanks to crew members Srith and Arel kidnapping the short of stature, but buxom Janja, a pale skinned and fair haired anomaly (at least to the planets frequented by Jonuta and crew) who would fetch a high sum on the open market. However, Arel's mistake in vaporising Janja's 'lifemate' planet-side would later prove costly...

You wouldn't think this rapey/porno inspired galactic romp would have much depth, however that's far from the case. Sure, John Cleve's sexualised space opera isn't exactly high end literature but it does have a decent 'woman scorned / revenge' theme complimented by a strong, independent character in Janja who, despite her wanton ways (this is something she steadily discovers throughout the book), is a character with a fair amount of depth and personality; not just a sexpot or plaything as advertised in the early phase of the story. 

Captain Jonuta, for his part, suffers from a bipolar disorder of sorts. It feels like the author wanted him to be a bad guy (he is a sex trafficker on a galactic scale after all) but then flips the script with attempts to make him more hero (like when he realises attempting to rape Janja isn't a nice thing to do - she should want him on her own terms (he's sure she will eventually), and then later realising that selling her to a couple of sadistic types wasn't in Janja's best interest (you think?), so he really should attempt to rescue her)), nevertheless the change in direction for Jonuta was fun to read, especially knowing that Janja was plotting his downfall should he actually end up 'rescuing her'. 

OF ALIEN BONDAGE gets the Spaceways series off to a good start. You can see that the books in the series will have returning characters and planets visited time and again. The first book in the series does a good job at world building both in characters and locales. I'm excited to see how the dynamic plays out between Janja and Captain Jonuta in later installments.

Space Log #1:

Characters of note: 

• Captain Jonuta and crew (Kenowa (aka Kenny), second in command and Jonuta's main 'love' interest, Sweetface - the Jarp hermaphrodite, Srith, Arel - now deceased) 
• Janja and acquaintances (Whitey - of planet Aglaya, (rescues Janja from unsavory characters on planet Resh))
• Talicuan (Procurer who purchased Janja from Jonuta and sold her to Sicuan)  
• Sicuan and Chulucan (sadistic socialites who bought Janja on Resh)
• Captain Corundum (space pirate and Jonuta's arch nemesis)

Planets of note:

• Aglaya - Janja's homeplanet where she was kidnapped by Jonuta's crew
• Resh - homeplanet to Sicuan and Chulucan. The planet where Jonuta sold Janja
• Franji - meeting place of Corundum and Janja

Characters on the Cover art: 

• Captain Jonuta
• Janja

Next book in the series:

• Spaceways 2: Corundum's Woman