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A review by chrissypops
Lies That Bind by Rae Knowles, April Yates
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