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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I don't know what to say. No, really, I just don't.
I don't know if I like Livvie or not. I felt bad for her, but then she. I don't know if I like Caleb either. I felt bad for him too, he had a horrible past... But he's dragging women to the same thing he went through and hated the most, that terrible destiny that broke him when he was a child and made this new version of him born. Why should I think he's redeemable? But, in the other hand, he cares about her. Somehow. In his own ways. Which is a bit weird, though weird isn't the best word to pick.
So... I didn't expect a romance. I was actually afraid of this book but it was good. It's a dark story and there's no moment the author tries to make it sound fluffy, because it's not. It's not a romanticized story and Caleb and Livvie make the facts clear. Quoting Caleb:
"Whatever your little school-girl brain told you about men is absurdly wrong. This isn't a romance. You're not a damsel in distress and I'm not the handsome prince come to rescue you."
The writing was quite good or so I can guess because the translation I read was bad, bad, bad at times. The story... It was disturbing and mind-f*cking. That's it, it's all I can say. I just don't know what to think anymore. I hated Caleb, I hated what Livvie was put through but at times I liked the story, which seems to have no sense.
Some things I didn't like
-Sexism
-Rape/rapey time.
-Caleb's ways of getting revenge. Man, it's disgusting. I don't care 'bout your damn past, that's no excuse for what you're actually doing. Besides, you seem to enjoy your "job" (he got a semi-erection while he was about to torture till death some guys!).
I don't really suggest reading this book. I felt some kind of guiltiness while doing so. If you're okay with reading about the things I mentioned above, go ahead. If not, you should slowly back off from this book. For the best.
Anyway... Will I be reading the sequel? I guess I will.
I don't know if I like Livvie or not. I felt bad for her, but then she
Spoiler
starts feeling things for the one who abducted her with no valid reasonsSo... I didn't expect a romance. I was actually afraid of this book but it was good. It's a dark story and there's no moment the author tries to make it sound fluffy, because it's not. It's not a romanticized story and Caleb and Livvie make the facts clear. Quoting Caleb:
"Whatever your little school-girl brain told you about men is absurdly wrong. This isn't a romance. You're not a damsel in distress and I'm not the handsome prince come to rescue you."
The writing was quite good or so I can guess because the translation I read was bad, bad, bad at times. The story... It was disturbing and mind-f*cking. That's it, it's all I can say. I just don't know what to think anymore. I hated Caleb, I hated what Livvie was put through but at times I liked the story, which seems to have no sense.
Some things I didn't like
-Sexism
-Rape/rapey time.
-Caleb's ways of getting revenge. Man, it's disgusting. I don't care 'bout your damn past, that's no excuse for what you're actually doing. Besides, you seem to enjoy your "job" (he got a semi-erection while he was about to torture till death some guys!).
I don't really suggest reading this book. I felt some kind of guiltiness while doing so. If you're okay with reading about the things I mentioned above, go ahead. If not, you should slowly back off from this book. For the best.
Anyway... Will I be reading the sequel? I guess I will.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4 stars
Once again, no idea what to rate this book.
On one hand I hated the romance, usually kidnapping stories aren't my cup of tea cause I could never relate to the heroines in the slightest. I could never understand how they fall in love with their captors despite being treated like dogs. Nevertheless in this book, the heroine didn't swoon over her kidnapper, which I appreciated.
On another hand I like the actual story. It was very dark, well written, the plot interesting enough not to DNF.
However I probably wouldn't read the second book.
Once again, no idea what to rate this book.
On one hand I hated the romance, usually kidnapping stories aren't my cup of tea cause I could never relate to the heroines in the slightest. I could never understand how they fall in love with their captors despite being treated like dogs. Nevertheless in this book, the heroine didn't swoon over her kidnapper, which I appreciated.
On another hand I like the actual story. It was very dark, well written, the plot interesting enough not to DNF.
However I probably wouldn't read the second book.
Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster of a ride this story is!!
This book confuses me.
So, reading the description, I would get pissed off at anyone who said this book is confusing, especially at someone like me, who identifies herself as a feminist, BUT hear me out.
I was not aroused by this book. Not for a moment. This book is sexy in the same way that Silent Hill or yes, Lolita is sexy; i.e. There is definitely sex in it, but it's not going to give you a boner (or ladyboner, respectively--or nonbinary boner-- YOU GET ME), and will in fact cause you to recoil with discomfort and horror numerous times. (Often with strained cries of distress, if you're anything like me). The reason this book confuses me is because I'm not sure if my reaction to the book is the one I'm "supposed" to have?
Is the author trying to arouse me by depicting violent acts of nonconsensual (no, not "dubious" consent--there are "no's"-- both verbal and nonverbal-- exchanged all over the damn place) humiliation, degradation and sexual abuse? If so, WHAT. THE. FUCK.
But that's not the sense I got. I think the author seems to have dealt with the complex feelings victims have towards their captors in a bold (holy shit, bold) and raw way. As the author comments below, I think that this kind of literature could be cathartic and even therapeutic for those who have escaped sex trafficking because it brings to light and validates the effects of Stockholm syndrome and psychological duress on victims in a place where they aren't told they "shouldn't feel that way" or that they're sick in some way.
It's very clear that Caleb is a monster (people who like him really really really REALLY freak me out). I also think it's fairly clear from the beginning that Olivia has done nothing in particular to "get Caleb's attention" other than seeming meek and vulnerable, which is what REAL predators look for in their victims. It had nothing to do with her behavior or the way she dressed--Caleb is just really awful.
I will concede that I've only read up to the part where she gets beaten up by the bikers (which still, is a lil iffy, I'll admit, because like... Idk. I don't like the idea of Caleb whiteknighting this shit). I'll finish this once I've finished the book.
***
OKAY SO I'M CHECKING IN TO TELL EVERYONE I'M REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE WEIRD "TEENAGE DREAM" VIBE I'M GETTING OFF THIS SEX SCENE, DESPITE OLIVIA'S MOTIVATION.
***
I REALLY DON'T LIKE THIS.
***
Alright so I can see how the last couple lines kinda frame him as some sort of romantic hero stuck between a rock and a hard place and NO HE IS A PREDATOR. But like. I also think that him being an awful piece of shit is in the sex scene itself as well? I don't know. Most of what I said before still stands but like.
I'm still so confused.
Three stars because I've been thinking a lot about this and the book has good prose, but it's categorized with the wank material and not only is that problematic, I could not wank to this if my life depended on it--thereby failing at its proposed mission.
EDIT: Changing to two starts because, while I'm still on the fence about this book, the potential negatives that are nagging at me are too strong for me to fall on the more positive side of neutral.
So, reading the description, I would get pissed off at anyone who said this book is confusing, especially at someone like me, who identifies herself as a feminist, BUT hear me out.
I was not aroused by this book. Not for a moment. This book is sexy in the same way that Silent Hill or yes, Lolita is sexy; i.e. There is definitely sex in it, but it's not going to give you a boner (or ladyboner, respectively--or nonbinary boner-- YOU GET ME), and will in fact cause you to recoil with discomfort and horror numerous times. (Often with strained cries of distress, if you're anything like me). The reason this book confuses me is because I'm not sure if my reaction to the book is the one I'm "supposed" to have?
Is the author trying to arouse me by depicting violent acts of nonconsensual (no, not "dubious" consent--there are "no's"-- both verbal and nonverbal-- exchanged all over the damn place) humiliation, degradation and sexual abuse? If so, WHAT. THE. FUCK.
But that's not the sense I got. I think the author seems to have dealt with the complex feelings victims have towards their captors in a bold (holy shit, bold) and raw way. As the author comments below, I think that this kind of literature could be cathartic and even therapeutic for those who have escaped sex trafficking because it brings to light and validates the effects of Stockholm syndrome and psychological duress on victims in a place where they aren't told they "shouldn't feel that way" or that they're sick in some way.
It's very clear that Caleb is a monster (people who like him really really really REALLY freak me out). I also think it's fairly clear from the beginning that Olivia has done nothing in particular to "get Caleb's attention" other than seeming meek and vulnerable, which is what REAL predators look for in their victims. It had nothing to do with her behavior or the way she dressed--Caleb is just really awful.
I will concede that I've only read up to the part where she gets beaten up by the bikers (which still, is a lil iffy, I'll admit, because like... Idk. I don't like the idea of Caleb whiteknighting this shit). I'll finish this once I've finished the book.
***
OKAY SO I'M CHECKING IN TO TELL EVERYONE I'M REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE WEIRD "TEENAGE DREAM" VIBE I'M GETTING OFF THIS SEX SCENE, DESPITE OLIVIA'S MOTIVATION.
***
I REALLY DON'T LIKE THIS.
***
Alright so I can see how the last couple lines kinda frame him as some sort of romantic hero stuck between a rock and a hard place and NO HE IS A PREDATOR. But like. I also think that him being an awful piece of shit is in the sex scene itself as well? I don't know. Most of what I said before still stands but like.
I'm still so confused.
Three stars because I've been thinking a lot about this and the book has good prose, but it's categorized with the wank material and not only is that problematic, I could not wank to this if my life depended on it--thereby failing at its proposed mission.
EDIT: Changing to two starts because, while I'm still on the fence about this book, the potential negatives that are nagging at me are too strong for me to fall on the more positive side of neutral.
I'm honestly still unsure how to rate this book! It deals with a kidnapping and Stockholm syndrome! It is very dark content wise and would not recommend to younger readers at all! It kept me intrigued and yet I was disturbed that despite how very problematic it was I was fascinated to see what would happen with these characters and how it will end. It ended on a cliffhanger. I will be picking up the next book out of curiosity!
I’m not sure what to say about this book… I enjoyed it and feel like I shouldn’t have.
Livvie is kidnapped by Caleb who has the intention of breaking and rebuilding her into a sex slave. My reaction should be pretty cut and dry, right? Love and empathize with the heroine, despise the villain. Only it’s not that cut and dry, it’s not that black and white. Talk about fifty shades of grey… which, incidentally, led me to this book in the first place. While I did empathize with Livvie, at times I felt even more for Caleb. There was no excuse for what he did but I could see, through the retelling of his childhood and life up to this point, how he got to where he did. And I wanted him to be a good person…. I wanted him to just up and change and be the perfect prince, saving the heroine. But saving her from whom? It was his fists, his belt, his violence… he was her hell. And something else…
This book is disturbing, thought-provoking and made me feel uncomfortable. That’s why I enjoyed it. It’s not easily defined. I can’t put it into a proper review. I still don’t know, a week after finishing it, how I really felt about it. There was a lot of violence in this book but laced throughout was a sort of hope, for the characters and the reader.
It’s the first of a trilogy and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next one, due to be published in September.
Livvie is kidnapped by Caleb who has the intention of breaking and rebuilding her into a sex slave. My reaction should be pretty cut and dry, right? Love and empathize with the heroine, despise the villain. Only it’s not that cut and dry, it’s not that black and white. Talk about fifty shades of grey… which, incidentally, led me to this book in the first place. While I did empathize with Livvie, at times I felt even more for Caleb. There was no excuse for what he did but I could see, through the retelling of his childhood and life up to this point, how he got to where he did. And I wanted him to be a good person…. I wanted him to just up and change and be the perfect prince, saving the heroine. But saving her from whom? It was his fists, his belt, his violence… he was her hell. And something else…
This book is disturbing, thought-provoking and made me feel uncomfortable. That’s why I enjoyed it. It’s not easily defined. I can’t put it into a proper review. I still don’t know, a week after finishing it, how I really felt about it. There was a lot of violence in this book but laced throughout was a sort of hope, for the characters and the reader.
It’s the first of a trilogy and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next one, due to be published in September.
This book is EXTREMELY dark. By far the darkest, most disturbing book I have ever read, yet it intrigued and captivated me into reader's oblivion. Despite his evil and hard, rough facade, Caleb is really just the grown up version of a child who was abused and misused in ways unimaginable. When he meets Livvie, she ignites something in him that he never felt before. This is a good book alone, but even better when you add the sequel, "Seduced in the Dark". I would have never thought I would like any type of story like this, but the author makes it so intriguing that I couldn't put it down and ended up finishing both books in two days. The redeeming quality in the end of the second book makes it all seem worth it. These books are disturbing and at times made me want to simultaneously throw up and kick the asses of those involved, but it is well worth the read, particularly for the end of the entire story.
Definitely not what I consider romance but so well built. The character development was fantastic and nothing felt forced. The actions made sense when it came to the characters and their decisions. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the first instalment.