I must admit that my primary attraction to the Tentacle is as a work of art. I've wanted it since it first popped up on a certain marine biology related blog that I frequent. I don't want to reveal any details of my real life in my reviews, but suffice it to say that a disembodied glow-in-the-dark cephalopod arm does not look even remotely out of place on my desk.

As for the intended function of the piece, it's a fantasy dildo of the highest quality, good for external and internal exploration, as well as light g-spotting, with an intriguing texture and quite pleasant flexibility. Anyone with alien sex fantasies, or specific tentacle fantasies, would find it quite up to the task.

The silicone strikes a realistic balance between soft flexibility and necessary firmness, and one side is covered with beautifully rendered suckers that create a very pleasant texture. For the few days it has lived on my desk, I have had a great deal of trouble keeping my hands off of it.

In use, it's firm enough to apply pressure in a pleasing way, but soft and flexible. The material feels soft and smooth on one side, and deliciously bumpy on the other. Plus it's silicone, so you can feel safe using it.

The shimmering shades of blue are gorgeous, and the lighter colors glow in the dark. Unlike the cereal box prizes of my youth, the glow remains for long after the lights are switched off. Technically, the Tentacle appears to have more in common with a cephalopod arm than a tentacle, but unless you're a marine biologist or a Babylon 5 fan, you'll probably be quite willing to let that little misnomer slide, and just enjoy the toy.

As for discretion, I happen to know that this toy has been snapped up by a large number of cephalopod enthusiasts who claim to have no intention of internal use, and a number of them are probably telling the truth. You could leave this out in the open without raising eyebrows. It is quite visually appealing, though, so if you choose to leave it out in a public area, it will get handled, and that's not necessarily something you want. Also, if you leave it out, you'll need to pay extra attention to cleaning. Silicone attracts lint and dust.

The Tentacle feels fantastic in play, and the more creative scenarios one can concoct, the more one will enjoy it. It's a toy for slow exploration, and the unique texture will fuel some pretty wild fantasies. Cephalopods are quite different from humans when it comes to body structure, and their reproductive organs are located in their arms. An intelligent squid-like alien, for example, would be quite fascinated as to the purpose of these strange openings in the human body. Certainly that fascination would only increase as it took note of such strange physiological responses to simple manipulation. Pondering that is an excellent way to set one's mind on the path to fully enjoying the Tentacle.

I highly recommend this toy to anyone who collects cephalopod art, unique sex toys, or odd conversation pieces. I recommend it equally highly to anyone who wants to actually use it, because it performs beautifully. The flexibility is exactly right, and the texture feels divine.

I'd rate this five stars just as an art object alone, but it exceeds expectations in performance as well.

Silicone toys require water based lubricants, and the Tentacle is no exception. Mild soap and water, or a toy cleaner, will do for regular maintenance, while sterilization is possible with three minutes of boiling. If you plan to display the Tentacle, be sure to wash it regularly, lest dust and lint build up on it. Take care to thoroughly rinse the textured side, which seems especially talented at capturing airborne cat hair. Otherwise, store it so that it does not come into contact with other silicone toys.

The packaging is refreshingly simple. The Tentacle arrived in a plastic bag, with a single slip of paper to provide instructions and care suggestions. I love not having to make an effort to smuggle sex toy packaging into the recycle bin. No fuss, no waste, just fun.