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christikb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am officially down the rabbit hole of dark, forbidden romance and I am perfectly fine with that fact. I have read almost every book that Sophie Lark has written and I am also fine with that fact.
Let me begin by saying that There Are No Saints is DARK. Cole Blackwell is a gorgeous, renowned artist who has a...dark passenger, shall we say (props for those who get the Dexter reference, I'll be here all week), and a severe rivalry with Alastor Shaw, a fellow artist and the Beast of the Bay, a brutal Ted Bundy-esque killer. One night, in an effort to shatter Cole's careful control, Shaw kidnaps a woman who caught Cole's eye and leaves her just dead enough to tempt Cole; he leaves her for dead in the barren minefield, but, through sheer determination, she manages to escape and find help, leading to a dark story of obsession, sex, and murder.
Unlike many other readers, I didn't find this story slow to start at all, but I think that's largely because I went in expecting the beginning to set the stage for rival serial killers, which would ultimately lead to spice. Sophie set this one up beautifully, ensuring that the relationship (whatever it might actually be) between Mara and Cole feels earned, particularly given Cole's own lack of emotion. It actually may be my favourite book of hers because it doesn't move as quickly as the Brutal Birthrights or Underworlds so there's time to flesh out and develop the transition from uncaring to obsessed, while maintaining the coldness that is completely paramount to the MMC.
When I say this is dark, I am NOT kidding, but it's more emotionally dark (except for Mara's graphic kidnapping and leaving for dead) than anything else. All of the characters are deeply broken and, while they are absolutely not lovable, they are UNBELIEVABLY COMPELLING. So compelling, in fact, that I read this book in one sitting in just under two hours.
Let me begin by saying that There Are No Saints is DARK. Cole Blackwell is a gorgeous, renowned artist who has a...dark passenger, shall we say (props for those who get the Dexter reference, I'll be here all week), and a severe rivalry with Alastor Shaw, a fellow artist and the Beast of the Bay, a brutal Ted Bundy-esque killer. One night, in an effort to shatter Cole's careful control, Shaw kidnaps a woman who caught Cole's eye and leaves her just dead enough to tempt Cole; he leaves her for dead in the barren minefield, but, through sheer determination, she manages to escape and find help, leading to a dark story of obsession, sex, and murder.
Unlike many other readers, I didn't find this story slow to start at all, but I think that's largely because I went in expecting the beginning to set the stage for rival serial killers, which would ultimately lead to spice. Sophie set this one up beautifully, ensuring that the relationship (whatever it might actually be) between Mara and Cole feels earned, particularly given Cole's own lack of emotion. It actually may be my favourite book of hers because it doesn't move as quickly as the Brutal Birthrights or Underworlds so there's time to flesh out and develop the transition from uncaring to obsessed, while maintaining the coldness that is completely paramount to the MMC.
When I say this is dark, I am NOT kidding, but it's more emotionally dark (except for Mara's graphic kidnapping and leaving for dead) than anything else. All of the characters are deeply broken and, while they are absolutely not lovable, they are UNBELIEVABLY COMPELLING. So compelling, in fact, that I read this book in one sitting in just under two hours.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Child abuse
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