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People are often hesitant to discuss the sort of taboo kinks that this book features heavily, particularly CNC and intense BDSM. I really appreciated Elli's POV in this, especially the parts where she reflected on her trauma and sexuality. Some parts were definitely difficult emotionally, but her perspective resonated with me in a way little else has.
Regarding the writing style, I found this book easy to read and hard to put down. It wasn't flowery or poetic, and didn't try to be something it wasn't. The simplicity of the writing suited the novel, and I feel that much else would have felt incongruous or out of place.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault (especially CSA) or domestic violence, proceed with caution. It's practically impossible to skip or gloss over the violent/sexual scenes without missing major plot points and important context.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Murder
The last third of the book made up for the first part of the book.
The Ritual had a nice balance of spicy smut and plot, yes it was a lot of spice, but still balanced in a way.
The Sinner was not. The beginning was mostly sex. And childhood trauma/abuse. And sexual assault. Rinse and repeat multiple times.
It was a lot. Excessive. Definitely too much. Almost seemed like the author went this dark purposely for shock factor. The first, The Ritual, was dark yes, but not so dramatically traumatizing. It was definitely a large shift of tone.
From what others mentioned in reviews, I expected more sex toys, a sex dungeon, etc. A lot more play than what we got in the Ritual. I was not expecting an overdose of rape, SA, and child abuse. Oh an an actual overdose because the fmc can never not be fucked up. Whether it's from drugs or a sex high. Or both.
It certainly didn't help that I found neither of the main characters to have any redeeming qualities. Ellie was a sex obsessed druggie who knows she has huge issues and doesnt absolutely nothing to help herself.
I think this book would have been more interesting if it was written as a Reverse Harem. Like she wanted it, there was one kinda group scene, mostly voyarism. Too bad Sin is too selfish to ever share, it could have been so good.
I hope Tyson's book is better because this one was such a huge let down.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Gaslighting
Minor: Pregnancy
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Murder
What made me pick it up: I read the first book in the LORDS series earlier this year and wanted to give the series one more chance. I should not have given the series one more chance.
Overall rating: 'The Sinner' and I do believe ultimately the LORDS series is just 100% not my vibe. I'm not one to yuck anyone's yum, but when the writing is terrible, the storyline doesn't make sense, and there is absolutely zero depth to the interaction between the characters, I just can't. I honestly should have DNFed 'The Sinner' after like 50 pages, I don't know what made me finish it other than the fact that it actually got comical.
Reader's Note: Trigger warnings from Tessier's website: "BDSM (no safe word given or used), murder, sexual asphyxiation (breath play), suicide, drugs, non con, dub con, CNC, forced body modification, masks, sex toys, praise kink, water bondage, anal, overdose, self-bondage, knife play, gun play, blood play, age play, role play, grooming, child abuse, fear play, degradation, humiliation, forced orgasms, rape, Somnophilia."
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Death of parent
Other woman drama drives me crazy. That was my only dislike of this story. But I knew going in that it was a possibility. Given those dang Lords and their traditions. Chosen versus Lady.
Sin was a major anti hero. Sometimes being terrible. Other times burning the world down for her. But every time he was thinking about her.
These two broke my heart, and I’m not totally sure it’s been put back together. But it’s healing.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent