A Deeply Dominating, Yet Pure Tale of Letting Love In...
"Deeper" by Jenika Snow is the third and final book in her "The Underground" trilogy. And while it is another delicious, bad boy alpha led tale, full of caveman-esque grit, emotionally traumatic challenges, and thought provoking situations. It is not nearly as violent as the first two installments. However, despite the tamer minute-to-minute setting of this one, it remains overall, another soul cracking and poignant tale of finding love after a lifetime of darkness.
As with the others in this series, "Deeper" is darker in theme and subject matter. The story of Tate, the well known, shady business mogul, owner of the infamous Rabbit Hole nightclub, and self-appointed king of the underground. A man far more sinister than Kash and Adrian before him; he is instead ruthless and domineering, a nature befitting his "kingpin" persona. A kingpin who takes full advantage of a situation he instigates with the father of 22 year old young woman, Stella. A woman struggling to keep herself and her alcoholic father safe, sound, and moving forward in life.
What follows is a story of how things, even truly despicable things, are not always as they appear. It is a story that will incite as much anger from you as it does heartbreak. A story in which Stella, despite the circumstances she finds herself in at the hands of Tate, sees past his cold, calculating, and manipulating exterior, and witnesses a man far more vulnerable.
It is another moving and truthful portrayal by Snow of how one's soul can be battered beyond recognition by the tolls taken by violence, abuse, and loss. And how, at times, it takes the strength of another, to look past one's own misery and begin to take steps forward toward a happier, more authentic existence. An existence that also includes love and happiness instead of just surviving.
And despite finding myself frustrated at the leap in pacing two-thirds of the way through. Where it went from methodically pacing the course of Tate and Stella's two weeks together. To jumping past eight days after a single conversation... A scene that not only perplexed me, but altered the remainder of the story in such a way that the rest felt rushed and haphazard compared to the slow burn of the first nineteen chapters. I still found myself absorbed in the swirling emotional madness lovingly displayed on each and every page.
As I have already said after the first two installments of this trilogy. I am truly in love with this darker, more sinister yet introspective version of Jenika Snow. I have always loved her storytelling, she is a master of the over-the-top, alpha, bad boy. But here there is a much deeper level. The characters are far more emotionally intelligent. The story landscape far grittier and truthfully portrayed. And while I will always adore her sexy as sin shifters, and novella insta-everythings. This series, these books have brought my love and respect for her literary craft up a hundredfold. Another must read book (and must read series), from a must read author in my opinion!