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chrissypops's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you Netgalley, Rae Knowles, April Yates and Brigids Gate Press for the eArc of Lies that Bind.
First of all, I wanted to bring attention to this cover art by Daniella Batsheva. Even though we shouldn't judge a book by its cover ( I haven't ) Daniella has a beautiful talent and it was one of the reasons why I read Merciless Waters by Rae Knowles and feel that she also need to be acknowledged !
Having read Merciless Waters by Rae Knowles, I was very intrigued by Lies That Bind. Please read the trigger warnings before reading. They are very valid! Having no triggers at all, firstly I was surprised in how in depth this book really is and can be read on several levels. For me, it tackles the very real, messy and miscommunication that goes on intimate relationships. The dynamics between Loreli and Adele is a prime example of this, it's almost painfully relatable how opposites attract, work well in some respects until asking for what they want/need. I loved them both because they are just so human in their faults and flaws.
Voila, who steps in between this couple, sets off to play on against the other. Yes, I hated her as only you can with a true villain. She weedles her way into their lives, takes what they need and uses it. The level of manipulation, unconsented sex, BDSM and knife play was very indepth ( Hence the trigger warnings ) but I felt that Rae wrote about these with extreme. respect, shocking as they may be to some readers.
I read Lies that Bind over 2 seatings as the pacing of the book is medium, slowly unravelling. the last quarter of the book is graphic and becomes faster paced as the direction of the book become very clear. I would love to see Rae develop her books into audio versions as with the right narrator would wonderful
5 stars
First of all, I wanted to bring attention to this cover art by Daniella Batsheva. Even though we shouldn't judge a book by its cover ( I haven't ) Daniella has a beautiful talent and it was one of the reasons why I read Merciless Waters by Rae Knowles and feel that she also need to be acknowledged !
Having read Merciless Waters by Rae Knowles, I was very intrigued by Lies That Bind. Please read the trigger warnings before reading. They are very valid! Having no triggers at all, firstly I was surprised in how in depth this book really is and can be read on several levels. For me, it tackles the very real, messy and miscommunication that goes on intimate relationships. The dynamics between Loreli and Adele is a prime example of this, it's almost painfully relatable how opposites attract, work well in some respects until asking for what they want/need. I loved them both because they are just so human in their faults and flaws.
Voila, who steps in between this couple, sets off to play on against the other. Yes, I hated her as only you can with a true villain. She weedles her way into their lives, takes what they need and uses it. The level of manipulation, unconsented sex, BDSM and knife play was very indepth ( Hence the trigger warnings ) but I felt that Rae wrote about these with extreme. respect, shocking as they may be to some readers.
I read Lies that Bind over 2 seatings as the pacing of the book is medium, slowly unravelling. the last quarter of the book is graphic and becomes faster paced as the direction of the book become very clear. I would love to see Rae develop her books into audio versions as with the right narrator would wonderful
5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest
ladyramakin's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When going into Lies That Bind I knew some of what to expect and was thrilled to see two very talented authors collaborating. From Rae Knowles I had already read Merciless Waters and deeply enjoyed it Queer Female Rage meets Pirates story, and from April Yates I had picked up City of Snares a Sapphic horror meets old Hollywood that dug into what fame is. Knowing I had enjoyed both of those I knew I would most likely enjoy Lies that Bind, what I was not expecting though was to read a novel that was both an amazing exploration of complex love between women, and the horror of being trapped by your own nature in such a graphically disturbing, and yet deeply pleasurable manner.
Lies that Bind is the story of Adele Hughes and Lorelei Keyes, a couple running a sham seance business, both with deep secrets of their own. Their quiet life of four years is completely upended by the arrival of Viola. who seems to know exactly how to tempt and hurt both women in deeply personal ways. To say really anything more about the plot would be to spoil it.
What I will state is that both Adele and Lorelei are deeply relatable and interesting leads, often with dual POV one POV is clearly more intriguing and draws you in more, that was not the case here with me both dreading the POV jump as it meant moving away from one section of the story and being desperate for it to get back to the other half of it. On the flip side Viola very quickly establishes herself as someone you hate while she drivings the plot forward with her endless machinations.
With this novel I would pick it up if you enjoy any of the below:
- Sapphic Stories
- Horror
- Body Horror
- Fantasy Horror
- Slow Burn
- Deeply moving Prose
- Dark Romance
- Gothic settings
- Horror and Romance mix
My final note is to read the trigger warnings, this is not a novel to jump into without checking them as it is quite dark and many scenes go to places you may not wish to read. Check the warnings and know that it really means them.
I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.
Lies that Bind is the story of Adele Hughes and Lorelei Keyes, a couple running a sham seance business, both with deep secrets of their own. Their quiet life of four years is completely upended by the arrival of Viola. who seems to know exactly how to tempt and hurt both women in deeply personal ways. To say really anything more about the plot would be to spoil it.
What I will state is that both Adele and Lorelei are deeply relatable and interesting leads, often with dual POV one POV is clearly more intriguing and draws you in more, that was not the case here with me both dreading the POV jump as it meant moving away from one section of the story and being desperate for it to get back to the other half of it. On the flip side Viola very quickly establishes herself as someone you hate while she drivings the plot forward with her endless machinations.
With this novel I would pick it up if you enjoy any of the below:
- Sapphic Stories
- Horror
- Body Horror
- Fantasy Horror
- Slow Burn
- Deeply moving Prose
- Dark Romance
- Gothic settings
- Horror and Romance mix
My final note is to read the trigger warnings, this is not a novel to jump into without checking them as it is quite dark and many scenes go to places you may not wish to read. Check the warnings and know that it really means them.
I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Incest
kemorgan4's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Lies that Bind” is THE book that braids together lust, power, love, and control all together. This was a phenomenal read. The “main” character, Adele is plagued by a dark secret that she cannot even tell to her partner, Lorelei. When a stranger comes to visit Adele, the stranger dips into Adele’s darkish secrets and lures Adele with secret promises and riches. Adele and Lorelei must contend with this newcomer, and dive into every dark corner of their mirrored pasts.
CONTENT WARNINGS: severe intimate partner violence, drugging, sexual assault, connotations to incest
CONTENT WARNINGS: severe intimate partner violence, drugging, sexual assault, connotations to incest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Incest
bookboxbabe's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*thank you netgalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
erotic horror is not a genre i thought even existed but here we are
firstly, the prose was so lovely in this. it’s so beautiful and i found myself rereading passages just because they flowed so nicely. these writers are definitely talented.
secondly, this was dark and hard to read at moments (in a good way) because it deals with some heavy topics. i’m not sure why the climax of the book was just “tell me what you want in bed” but no mind. it was delightfully creepy and had a bite to it…literally.
erotic horror is not a genre i thought even existed but here we are
firstly, the prose was so lovely in this. it’s so beautiful and i found myself rereading passages just because they flowed so nicely. these writers are definitely talented.
secondly, this was dark and hard to read at moments (in a good way) because it deals with some heavy topics. i’m not sure why the climax of the book was just “tell me what you want in bed” but no mind. it was delightfully creepy and had a bite to it…literally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Incest
lavendaisy's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
This story was truly a wild ride and not for the faint of heart! I recommend this only if you're already really into dark fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Blood
Minor: Incest
theforestglenn's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
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