What do you think?
Rate this book
Impossible #5
Mentor
Coming April 2, 2014. Who is "The Mentor"?
Note: Mentor is NOT a romance. But when trapped in the dark, the blacker shades of lust can be confused with love.
I had a life, a plan, a future. Then He ripped everything away from me, for nothing more than his own amusement. He took me and told me that my life was his now.
He wants to break me. If I can just appease him, if I can pretend to be broken, he might drop his guard enough to allow me the chance to escape him. The problem is, sometimes I forget that I’m pretending, and this horrific new life becomes all too real.
Is it so horrific after all?
That thought alone should terrify me. What’s really frightening is that it doesn’t.
WARNING: This book contains violence, non-consensual sex, and disturbing situations. It is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
Mentor is part of the Impossible series, but it is standalone story. It is connected to Knight (Impossible #2), but it can be read before or after that without anything being spoiled.
Note: Mentor is NOT a romance. But when trapped in the dark, the blacker shades of lust can be confused with love.
I had a life, a plan, a future. Then He ripped everything away from me, for nothing more than his own amusement. He took me and told me that my life was his now.
He wants to break me. If I can just appease him, if I can pretend to be broken, he might drop his guard enough to allow me the chance to escape him. The problem is, sometimes I forget that I’m pretending, and this horrific new life becomes all too real.
Is it so horrific after all?
That thought alone should terrify me. What’s really frightening is that it doesn’t.
WARNING: This book contains violence, non-consensual sex, and disturbing situations. It is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
Mentor is part of the Impossible series, but it is standalone story. It is connected to Knight (Impossible #2), but it can be read before or after that without anything being spoiled.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2014
141 people are currently reading
752 people want to read
About the author
Julia Sykes
137 books2,014 followersJulia Sykes is a USA Today bestselling author of edgy, emotional romance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading.
Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), and fancy dresses.
An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.
Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), and fancy dresses.
An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 27, 2014
I read Mentor a week ago or so, then I had to take a step back and breathe. There’s something about Julia Sykes’ writing, I love every single word of it while at the same time the darker books (all of them in this series are dark, I am talking about Knight, my favorite book in this series, and Mentor) challenge my level of comfort and when I get done reading them I have to step back and let my brain work through what I just read. I think I come out of these books with Stockholm Syndrome myself. If you have read her other books, you will understand what I am saying here, I didn’t that things could get even more intense in the Impossible books. I thought Knight was incredibly intense. Wow. That was just the beginning. Julia steps up the game with each and every book in this series.
Just like her other books, I loved Mentor. In this book we are meeting the evil guy from Knight and we get to know him a bit before FBI agents start hunting him down in Master. I don’t know how one could possibly feel any thing but hatred and disgust for The Mentor after reading Knight and the beginning of Mentor, BUT once I (actually once Kathleen starts to get into his head), I started to feel a little tug of sympathy for him. Julia Sykes makes me blast straight past the point of being comfortable in what I am used to reading (even from her) and stretches me to this place where I am not quite sure if I can handle being but I have to, I must keep going. That is exactly what her books are like for me.
I loved this book.
Another absolutely amazing book from Julia.
I cannot wait to read Master and any other book that she releases in the future. Julia is one of those authors that I never ever miss a release from.
I received a copy of Mentor to review, but I would have bought it even if I hadn’t. I always buy the books as they are released for the Impossible series.
Just like her other books, I loved Mentor. In this book we are meeting the evil guy from Knight and we get to know him a bit before FBI agents start hunting him down in Master. I don’t know how one could possibly feel any thing but hatred and disgust for The Mentor after reading Knight and the beginning of Mentor, BUT once I (actually once Kathleen starts to get into his head), I started to feel a little tug of sympathy for him. Julia Sykes makes me blast straight past the point of being comfortable in what I am used to reading (even from her) and stretches me to this place where I am not quite sure if I can handle being but I have to, I must keep going. That is exactly what her books are like for me.
I loved this book.
Another absolutely amazing book from Julia.
I cannot wait to read Master and any other book that she releases in the future. Julia is one of those authors that I never ever miss a release from.
I received a copy of Mentor to review, but I would have bought it even if I hadn’t. I always buy the books as they are released for the Impossible series.
September 29, 2018
Mentor is the fifth book in the Impossible series, and it’s a dark and twisted story that gives us insight into the bad guy. Unlike the other books in the series, this is not a romance. This is the story of The Mentor’s first victim, of how things played out. I’m sure, like myself, you’ll go in with plenty of expectations, yet this story is not at all like you will imagine.
Without a doubt, this story is much darker than the other books in the series. Knight was a dark tale, but Mentor throws us into the darkness in a way Knight did not. With Mentor, we’re watching as the bad stuff happens, we’re experiencing the evil we’ve been hearing so much about. Due to this, the story will not be for everyone. However, for those who enjoy a dark story, Mentor is sure to please them.
Although I did enjoy Mentor, I did not enjoy it quite as much as I enjoyed the other books in the series. This is why it is a three-star rating, when the rest of the books have managed to pull a four-star rating from me. It was fun, but this novella failed to pull me in quite as deep as the other stories did. I think there are two reasons for this – the first is that there were too many points where we had memories outside of the dark story, and the second is that the ending didn’t wow me in the way it could have. It was an enjoyable story, but I had hoped for a wee bit more.
Mentor may not be my favourite Impossible story, but I did enjoy the journey into the darkness. Without a doubt, it left me even more eager to dive into the sixth Impossible story.
Without a doubt, this story is much darker than the other books in the series. Knight was a dark tale, but Mentor throws us into the darkness in a way Knight did not. With Mentor, we’re watching as the bad stuff happens, we’re experiencing the evil we’ve been hearing so much about. Due to this, the story will not be for everyone. However, for those who enjoy a dark story, Mentor is sure to please them.
Although I did enjoy Mentor, I did not enjoy it quite as much as I enjoyed the other books in the series. This is why it is a three-star rating, when the rest of the books have managed to pull a four-star rating from me. It was fun, but this novella failed to pull me in quite as deep as the other stories did. I think there are two reasons for this – the first is that there were too many points where we had memories outside of the dark story, and the second is that the ending didn’t wow me in the way it could have. It was an enjoyable story, but I had hoped for a wee bit more.
Mentor may not be my favourite Impossible story, but I did enjoy the journey into the darkness. Without a doubt, it left me even more eager to dive into the sixth Impossible story.
July 14, 2021
Maria Antonietta - per RFS
.
Una storia vera, raccontata in modo crudo e diretto, tramite un diario che mette a nudo la psiche di un sadico psicopatico meglio detto Il mentore.
Jiulia Sykes è un’autrice molto brava in questo genere e questa storia ha aggiunto un tassello in più al suo stile di scrittura.
La prima vittima abusata da questo criminale, ancora oggi sconosciuto all’FBI, risale al 1978.
Non ci sarebbe stata alcuna soddisfazione nello spezzare una donna debole. Kathleen Marie White era esattamente ciò di cui avevo bisogno.
(Tratto dal libro)
Attraverso un doppio POV, veniamo avvolti nell’oscurità che pervade il mostro e trascina la sua povera vittima, il suo giocattolo, una ragazza comune che ha la sfortuna di incrociare la sua strada perché frequentano la stessa biblioteca.
Giocare con lei mi procura un piacere che non ho mai conosciuto, e i suoi momenti di sconfitta sono pura estasi.
(Tratto dal libro)
Rapita, bendata e rinchiusa per settimane, Kathleen è costretta a dipendere completamente dal suo carceriere, senza alcun senso del tempo.
Lui vuole spezzarla e, dopo averla privata della dignità, ambisce a rubarle la sua umanità.
“Chi sei?” Le mie parole erano appena udibili.
Il suo sorriso si allargò diventando quasi abbagliante nella sua perfezione.
Sicuramente un angelo caduto.
Mi resi conto della mia follia un momento troppo tardi. Avevo fatto una domanda.
“Io sono il tuo Master.”
Lo stomaco mi si rivoltò.
(Tratto dal libro)
Il tormento sessuale è un mezzo per raggiungere un fine e dal suo Pet (il nomignolo affettuoso con cui la chiama) lui vuole obbedienza.
Kathleen è una vergine, nonostante abbia un fidanzato, un uomo innamorato perso di lei che conosciamo attraverso i ricordi che l’accompagnano in questa lunga agonia.
L’evolversi della lettura è stato un crescendo di emozioni per capire le intenzioni di lui, fino a che punto vuole spingersi con la sua vittima e decifrare il disturbo psicologico che lo pervade.
Non è un romance e quindi se cercate il lieto fine, come me che sono una eterna romantica, la storia vi risulterà asettica. Il personaggio principale è disturbato sicuramente ma non fa poi così tanta paura, quindi può essere letto anche da chi non gradisce il genere.
Lei è più disturbata di lui e alla fine è evidente che la scelta di rapirla è stata ben ponderata e studiata a tavolino.
L’ambientazione è angusta e lugubre. Hanno prevalenza dialoghi e introspezioni personali, con una componente erotica predominante e attinente al tema trattato.
Era un caldo bagliore che fluttuava nel mio nulla, un costante conforto.
(Tratto dal libro)
Non so chi mi ha infastidito di più, se il sequestrato o il sequestratore! Anche se apprezzo i dark, ho fatto fatica a finire questa lettura, forse perché non è un romance ma un fatto vero. Probabilmente! Fra i due, paradossalmente, ho capito più lui, che nella sua confusione mentale ha un passato che lo ha condotto a questa situazione. Lei non mi ha trasmesso empatia, né comprensione, anzi mi ha irritato parecchio. Nell’insieme è una lettura che è difficile collocare in un genere proprio, quindi con dark si racchiude un po’ di tanti generi: giallo, thriller, erotico.
Consigliato alle amanti del genere.
.
Una storia vera, raccontata in modo crudo e diretto, tramite un diario che mette a nudo la psiche di un sadico psicopatico meglio detto Il mentore.
Jiulia Sykes è un’autrice molto brava in questo genere e questa storia ha aggiunto un tassello in più al suo stile di scrittura.
La prima vittima abusata da questo criminale, ancora oggi sconosciuto all’FBI, risale al 1978.
Non ci sarebbe stata alcuna soddisfazione nello spezzare una donna debole. Kathleen Marie White era esattamente ciò di cui avevo bisogno.
(Tratto dal libro)
Attraverso un doppio POV, veniamo avvolti nell’oscurità che pervade il mostro e trascina la sua povera vittima, il suo giocattolo, una ragazza comune che ha la sfortuna di incrociare la sua strada perché frequentano la stessa biblioteca.
Giocare con lei mi procura un piacere che non ho mai conosciuto, e i suoi momenti di sconfitta sono pura estasi.
(Tratto dal libro)
Rapita, bendata e rinchiusa per settimane, Kathleen è costretta a dipendere completamente dal suo carceriere, senza alcun senso del tempo.
Lui vuole spezzarla e, dopo averla privata della dignità, ambisce a rubarle la sua umanità.
“Chi sei?” Le mie parole erano appena udibili.
Il suo sorriso si allargò diventando quasi abbagliante nella sua perfezione.
Sicuramente un angelo caduto.
Mi resi conto della mia follia un momento troppo tardi. Avevo fatto una domanda.
“Io sono il tuo Master.”
Lo stomaco mi si rivoltò.
(Tratto dal libro)
Il tormento sessuale è un mezzo per raggiungere un fine e dal suo Pet (il nomignolo affettuoso con cui la chiama) lui vuole obbedienza.
Kathleen è una vergine, nonostante abbia un fidanzato, un uomo innamorato perso di lei che conosciamo attraverso i ricordi che l’accompagnano in questa lunga agonia.
L’evolversi della lettura è stato un crescendo di emozioni per capire le intenzioni di lui, fino a che punto vuole spingersi con la sua vittima e decifrare il disturbo psicologico che lo pervade.
Non è un romance e quindi se cercate il lieto fine, come me che sono una eterna romantica, la storia vi risulterà asettica. Il personaggio principale è disturbato sicuramente ma non fa poi così tanta paura, quindi può essere letto anche da chi non gradisce il genere.
Lei è più disturbata di lui e alla fine è evidente che la scelta di rapirla è stata ben ponderata e studiata a tavolino.
L’ambientazione è angusta e lugubre. Hanno prevalenza dialoghi e introspezioni personali, con una componente erotica predominante e attinente al tema trattato.
Era un caldo bagliore che fluttuava nel mio nulla, un costante conforto.
(Tratto dal libro)
Non so chi mi ha infastidito di più, se il sequestrato o il sequestratore! Anche se apprezzo i dark, ho fatto fatica a finire questa lettura, forse perché non è un romance ma un fatto vero. Probabilmente! Fra i due, paradossalmente, ho capito più lui, che nella sua confusione mentale ha un passato che lo ha condotto a questa situazione. Lei non mi ha trasmesso empatia, né comprensione, anzi mi ha irritato parecchio. Nell’insieme è una lettura che è difficile collocare in un genere proprio, quindi con dark si racchiude un po’ di tanti generi: giallo, thriller, erotico.
Consigliato alle amanti del genere.
July 6, 2021
Non so proprio come descrivere questa novella. Prima di tutto penso che questa storia avrebbe dovuto avere molta più rilevanza, doveva essere un libro, non una novella.
L'autrice all'inizio della storia spiega che nn c'è un eroe in questa storia e nemmeno un antagonista. Io sinceramente non la vedo così Master è un anti-hero unico nel suo genere. Certo siamo portati a disprezzarlo per quello che fa a Kathleen e per cosa farà successivamente a tutte le altre sue vittime. Questa storia racconta di un rapimento, che inizia nel peggiore dei modi e finisce in catastrofe, però non come si può pensare possa finire la vittima di un serial killer, ancora peggio con due cuori spezzati. Master in pochi mesi ha plasmato a sua somiglianza Kathleen, attraverso il dolore e il piacere ha trovato la sua ancora di salvezza, ma bastano 3 piccole parole per spezzare l'incantesimo. Questa è la storia della prima vittima di Master, l'unica che è sopravvissuta, non per fortuna, non per amore, ma per punizione (chi leggerà la novella capirà). Questa storia parla di Sindrome di Stoccolma, di come una ragazza per sopravvivere si sia innamorata del suo aguzzino e di come dopo 35 anni, un matrimonio e due figli, la sua anima sia ancora irrimediabilmente legata a quella del suo Master. 5⭐ e chapeau a Julia Sykes che ha scritto una storia diversa dai classici dark romance
L'autrice all'inizio della storia spiega che nn c'è un eroe in questa storia e nemmeno un antagonista. Io sinceramente non la vedo così Master è un anti-hero unico nel suo genere. Certo siamo portati a disprezzarlo per quello che fa a Kathleen e per cosa farà successivamente a tutte le altre sue vittime. Questa storia racconta di un rapimento, che inizia nel peggiore dei modi e finisce in catastrofe, però non come si può pensare possa finire la vittima di un serial killer, ancora peggio con due cuori spezzati. Master in pochi mesi ha plasmato a sua somiglianza Kathleen, attraverso il dolore e il piacere ha trovato la sua ancora di salvezza, ma bastano 3 piccole parole per spezzare l'incantesimo. Questa è la storia della prima vittima di Master, l'unica che è sopravvissuta, non per fortuna, non per amore, ma per punizione (chi leggerà la novella capirà). Questa storia parla di Sindrome di Stoccolma, di come una ragazza per sopravvivere si sia innamorata del suo aguzzino e di come dopo 35 anni, un matrimonio e due figli, la sua anima sia ancora irrimediabilmente legata a quella del suo Master. 5⭐ e chapeau a Julia Sykes che ha scritto una storia diversa dai classici dark romance
December 16, 2020
Wow that was disturbing and intense.
April 2, 2014
Mentor by Julia Sykes
5 Stars
A novella in the Impossible series, Mentor is a very dark story told mainly from Kathleen’s POV after she is kidnapped. The story has some very disturbing scenes of torture and abuse, both mental and physical, and is only suitable for readers over 18 years of age.
It’s difficult to imagine that when someone steals your freedom and keeps you in a room naked and blindfolded, that you can actually begin to need that person, but that is what happened here and by being inside Kathleen’s head it’s easy to understand why. Initially she was determined not to give him what he wanted, she didn’t want him to have the control over her that he clearly desired. As the time went on, I don’t know if it was days, weeks or even months, she slowly started to need more from him than just food and water. It went both ways, he needed things from her too and in an odd way I felt sorry for him and his inability to have normal emotions and connections with people. He is obviously damaged as a result of a difficult childhood and I couldn’t help but pity him.
I have enjoyed, that sounds wrong because of their content but I don’t know how else to word it, the whole of this series so far. Julia Sykes does a fantastic job at reeling the reader in and giving them an emotional ride. I’ve been left with something to think about at the end of each book long after I’ve finished reading, and this instalment is no different.
Copy supplied for review
5 Stars
A novella in the Impossible series, Mentor is a very dark story told mainly from Kathleen’s POV after she is kidnapped. The story has some very disturbing scenes of torture and abuse, both mental and physical, and is only suitable for readers over 18 years of age.
It’s difficult to imagine that when someone steals your freedom and keeps you in a room naked and blindfolded, that you can actually begin to need that person, but that is what happened here and by being inside Kathleen’s head it’s easy to understand why. Initially she was determined not to give him what he wanted, she didn’t want him to have the control over her that he clearly desired. As the time went on, I don’t know if it was days, weeks or even months, she slowly started to need more from him than just food and water. It went both ways, he needed things from her too and in an odd way I felt sorry for him and his inability to have normal emotions and connections with people. He is obviously damaged as a result of a difficult childhood and I couldn’t help but pity him.
I have enjoyed, that sounds wrong because of their content but I don’t know how else to word it, the whole of this series so far. Julia Sykes does a fantastic job at reeling the reader in and giving them an emotional ride. I’ve been left with something to think about at the end of each book long after I’ve finished reading, and this instalment is no different.
Copy supplied for review
May 1, 2014
Much darker than previous...
Much darker than previous...
Much darker than her previous books in the series and not as much sex but I enjoyed this book, short as it was. I can't wait to find out the identity of the Mentor and I'm fervently hoping it's not Smith's mentor that got him into the bureau... This was definitely more of a mind f$@# than anything and the Mentor is a twisted, tortured H that you'll learn to love to hate.
Much darker than previous...
Much darker than her previous books in the series and not as much sex but I enjoyed this book, short as it was. I can't wait to find out the identity of the Mentor and I'm fervently hoping it's not Smith's mentor that got him into the bureau... This was definitely more of a mind f$@# than anything and the Mentor is a twisted, tortured H that you'll learn to love to hate.
September 10, 2014
I read "Knight" awhile back and just started "Master", but I decided to stop and read this one first since it falls in between. My mistake, this was too twisted for me. I felt like I was reading torture porn. And the end was just really disturbing, did she not get any therapy at all in the last 35 years? Yuck.
I really hope that "Master" ends with him being tortured to death or at the very least eating a bullet.
I really hope that "Master" ends with him being tortured to death or at the very least eating a bullet.
August 22, 2021
Libro molto corto, leggibile tranquillamente in una giornata. Devo dire che io, in generale, prima di incominciare una qualsiasi lettura quasi sempre leggo le recensioni su internet, e soprattutto di quest’ultima uscita di Julia Skyes non erano molto positive. Dopo averlo letto posso capirlo perché; è un libro abbastanza forte che parla di rapimento e soggiogamento mentale che forse è la cosa più pericolosa. E quindi arrivi a chiederti dove sia l’amore in tutto questo.. ma io l’ho trovato da entrambi le parti, e devo dire che la mia non è per niente una recensione negativa, anzi quest’ultimo libro mi ha piacevolmente colpito. Ovviamente parlando di temi come il rapimento e diciamo che la storia è piena di momenti forti, non lo consiglierei a tutti, più che altro agli amanti del dark romance, ecco questo la adorerete. A me è piaciuto tanto.
Ancora adesso che l’ho appena finito ci sto ancora pensando.
Devo dire che in generale i libri della Skyes sono un po’ forti e soprattutto la saga Impossibile, cioè questa qui è veramente forte. Alcune volte tra un libro e l’altro ho dovuto fare delle pause per digerire il tutto, ma alla fine volevo continuare a leggerlo.
Ecco possiamo paragonare i libri della skyes un po’ alle pelliccine delle unghie, che incominci a toglierle così per passare il tempo, poi però incominciano a farti male e allora smetti per un po’, ma mai per sempre, e alcune volte torni su quel dolore perché non ne puoi proprio fare a meno. Ecco secondo me i libri della Skyes sono un po’ così, bellissimi, talmente tanto intensi che in certi momenti ti manca un po’ il respiro, ma che poi non vedi l’ora di ricominciare perché danno dipendenza.
Ancora adesso che l’ho appena finito ci sto ancora pensando.
Devo dire che in generale i libri della Skyes sono un po’ forti e soprattutto la saga Impossibile, cioè questa qui è veramente forte. Alcune volte tra un libro e l’altro ho dovuto fare delle pause per digerire il tutto, ma alla fine volevo continuare a leggerlo.
Ecco possiamo paragonare i libri della skyes un po’ alle pelliccine delle unghie, che incominci a toglierle così per passare il tempo, poi però incominciano a farti male e allora smetti per un po’, ma mai per sempre, e alcune volte torni su quel dolore perché non ne puoi proprio fare a meno. Ecco secondo me i libri della Skyes sono un po’ così, bellissimi, talmente tanto intensi che in certi momenti ti manca un po’ il respiro, ma che poi non vedi l’ora di ricominciare perché danno dipendenza.
June 1, 2024
Not a fan of stockholm syndrome in my dark romances as it's an all too frequent narrative device... but I enjoyed this read: relatively short, the sick chemistry between the young mentor and his first victim is really interesting. What makes it so is the fact that Kathleen is a girl who has been psychologically damaged since well before the kidnapping and subsequent torture, and her executioner is also mentally damaged due to the abuse he suffered as a child, and in both cases at the root of the problem is their respective fathers: this meeting point that unites their past, the pre-existing crush of our prisoner for her tormentor, combined with her great intelligence means that the clash between the two wills leads both to discover hidden parts of their soul: Kathleen discovers in a sick way the pleasure of sex, something she had given up due to her trauma; her tormentor discovers that deep down he is capable of feeling a twisted approximation of human emotions, including a deeply sick form of affection; essentially both emerge from this sick interaction shaken, and this is what makes everything interesting: it is not only the victim who emerges profoundly different (and in her case even more damaged than once, but in a different way). In short, the story is disturbing but every page is highly entertaining, and in my opinion the novel is essential to fully enjoy the next book.
April 13, 2024
allora a differenza degli altri questa novella (è troppo corto per essere chiamato libro) parla di una storia vera possiamo dire, una storia più cruenta senza una fase romantica. sinceramente posso anche capire il perchè lo abbia inserito nella serie, ma direi anche no. se tu mi dici che è una serie "romance" non mi puoi mettere una novella del genere che è un dark punto. poi magari mi sbaglio io e parlo cosi solo perchè non mi è piaciuta, ma secondo me si poteva evitare o comunque introdurla in modo diverso. detto ciò a differenza dei libri precedenti do 2.5/ 3 stelle
spero si riprenda con il prossimo libro visto che i precedenti chi più chi meno mi sono piaciuti molto di più
spero si riprenda con il prossimo libro visto che i precedenti chi più chi meno mi sono piaciuti molto di più
June 14, 2017
Mentor is the 5th book in the Impossibe series. All the books in this series do contain some dark elements, saying that, be warned this book, in my opinion, is very dark. I couldn't stop reading it! Without giving anything away this book does not have a happy ending. At least that is my take on it. After you read this book you may totally disagree with me. You will just have to read this 5th installment in the series!
November 14, 2017
Mentor is kind of sick. He kidnaps her to abuse her. Sykes is such a skilled author; somehow, against all odds, she pulls it off. I don't know what is says about me-- in fact, it kind of scares me. This book is amazing. She somehow creates this compelling character out of sadistic kidnapper. I don't know how she does it. Seriously, brilliant!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
Fascinating narrative. As Sykes notes at the start, this book is not a romance, though it ended much differently than I expected. The presentation of Kathleen's point of view contrasting with the Mentor's was powerful.
June 9, 2020
If you enjoy reading extremely dark narratives, themes and characters then you will like this story. If you like something more from your novels then you may want to pass on this one. Several reviews loved this novel so you may want to give it a try. It just didn't do it for me.
April 22, 2023
This book is such a good read you never want to put it down and want to keep reading the next in the series because you need to know what's happening and who did it. I highly recommend your reading them all as they are well written. Onto the next in the series.
August 10, 2017
end was disappointment...
May 7, 2018
This novella is the story of the first woman the Mentor ever took. It switches between her and his points of view.
I found this a compelling read. Despite the content warning and warning there is no hero in this book (both much needed) I found myself rooting for one character then the other. In the absence of a hero, I found myself strangely sympathetic to the other characters.
This was very well written and I felt for the characters throughout their trials.
I found this a compelling read. Despite the content warning and warning there is no hero in this book (both much needed) I found myself rooting for one character then the other. In the absence of a hero, I found myself strangely sympathetic to the other characters.
This was very well written and I felt for the characters throughout their trials.
books-boxed-sets
May 30, 2020In boxed set - "Impossible Series (1-7): Impossible Series Boxed Set #1"
June 17, 2023
As best as I can I will say this is a well eritten horrible book.
September 17, 2023
4/5
I have a love/hate relationship with the ending
I have a love/hate relationship with the ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2024
No HEA. Be warned this is a good book but it has no chance of an HEA.
M/F, Slavery , kidnapping, libby - Los Angelas, BDSM, Abuse, Adult, NO HEA
M/F, Slavery , kidnapping, libby - Los Angelas, BDSM, Abuse, Adult, NO HEA
February 21, 2025
Nope nope nope not again, can’t finish it, not enjoying it. The first few I liked but now I am getting worried about this series. 😳
August 15, 2019
Wow. Though this one was much shorter than the rest, it really packed a punch! My emotions toward this anti-hero were so conflicted! The ending was pretty bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter. Perfect for those who enjoy a good dark yet sexy read. Very curious to see if the next in the series will have anything to do with the characters in this one!
January 8, 2015
3.5 stars
ARC gratefully accepted through Twisted Sisters' Book Reviews
Short good book if you’re interested in trying something a little on the darker side. This is a standalone which I know is a big deal to a lot of people as well.
Captive books are a dime a dozen these days. Being a lover of dark themed books, the more the merrier. Having said that, when pursuing to write such a book all I ask is PUSH THE ENVELOPE. Chances are that if you’ve gained interest by a reader to this particular genre, they should be well aware that these types of books aren’t going to be a comfortable read and that HEA’s may or may not happen. I want ALL the gritty detail! Mentor had the structure of a great book, however, the plot lacked development and excitement. I felt like Julia was holding back a bit on this one.
If you’re going to present me with characters that are so f’d up and twisted due to whatever experiences scarred them during their childhood, please give me more examples. The few situations Julia did touch a bit on were more like teasers and left me wanting more! Which is awesome…if it was intended to be a teaser. I didn’t feel like I had enough to go on to connect emotionally with the characters. I never grasped what “He” was really trying to do when he took and kept Kathleen. And Kathleen seemed to give in way too easily. I probably wouldn’t be so critical if this was my first experience with this concept but it is what it is. I’m not an editor, that’s obvious, but I can tell Julia is a very smart writer. I’m looking forward to reading a full length book from her in the future. Maybe I’m just not a novella kind of a gal. Like I said, intriguing concept but just needed more impact.
ARC gratefully accepted through Twisted Sisters' Book Reviews
Short good book if you’re interested in trying something a little on the darker side. This is a standalone which I know is a big deal to a lot of people as well.
Captive books are a dime a dozen these days. Being a lover of dark themed books, the more the merrier. Having said that, when pursuing to write such a book all I ask is PUSH THE ENVELOPE. Chances are that if you’ve gained interest by a reader to this particular genre, they should be well aware that these types of books aren’t going to be a comfortable read and that HEA’s may or may not happen. I want ALL the gritty detail! Mentor had the structure of a great book, however, the plot lacked development and excitement. I felt like Julia was holding back a bit on this one.
If you’re going to present me with characters that are so f’d up and twisted due to whatever experiences scarred them during their childhood, please give me more examples. The few situations Julia did touch a bit on were more like teasers and left me wanting more! Which is awesome…if it was intended to be a teaser. I didn’t feel like I had enough to go on to connect emotionally with the characters. I never grasped what “He” was really trying to do when he took and kept Kathleen. And Kathleen seemed to give in way too easily. I probably wouldn’t be so critical if this was my first experience with this concept but it is what it is. I’m not an editor, that’s obvious, but I can tell Julia is a very smart writer. I’m looking forward to reading a full length book from her in the future. Maybe I’m just not a novella kind of a gal. Like I said, intriguing concept but just needed more impact.
November 2, 2014
This is a seriously dark novel. I wasn't expecting it to be so dark. At first I didn't know if I wanted to keep reading. I stuck it through because the author's other books were excellent. I'm happy I finished it. You need a strong stomach and an open mind.
Kathleen is abducted. She's confined to the basement, strapped to a bed and made to become codependent on her capture. However her dark secret changes everything.
Looking for more Dark reads? Check out my blog, http://readingkeepmesane.blogspot.com...
Kathleen is abducted. She's confined to the basement, strapped to a bed and made to become codependent on her capture. However her dark secret changes everything.
Looking for more Dark reads? Check out my blog, http://readingkeepmesane.blogspot.com...
September 1, 2016
Ok....I think something is majorly wrong with me. I actually started to feel for the Mentor. I LIKED HIM...what the heck!!! I think I have my own Stockholm syndrome thingy going on here. I was so sad at the end of the book for him and for Kathleen. I shouldn't be feeling this way, he is a sick sick man in all the other books. Ugh...I don't know how to feel about this...hahaha but now, I really enjoyed this book and I cant wait for the others to come out :-)
September 9, 2016
This is a book that will set you back a bit. I had to step away, take a breath and come at it again. She does such an amazing job of being inside this criminal mind, the emotion from both sides, the pain and need they have. After I finished I had days and days of things popping in to my head, things I couldn't forget. It is a great look in to this man, this monster that may not be for everyone. I am very glad that I read it but things will definitely stick with you.
July 26, 2016
Even though this book is part of the Impossible Series it can be read as a standalone. This book talked about the Mentor and what he was and in the next book we will learn his identity and I can't wait for that. The Mentor is damaged and a sociopath. He kidnaps Kathleen and the story is told from her POV. This is a very dark story and there is rape and abuse. I am addicted to this series and can't wait to start Master the next book in the Impossible Series.
October 12, 2015
OMG How can you feel sorry for a mass murderer? A total bad guy. If you have read the previous books in the series (and you definitely should, they are great) you will know who the Mentor is. And totally hate him. Then you get this book, going back to the beginning of his start into darkness and you somehow just can't hate him. And that epilogue! My heart just broke. That's all I can say without spoiling things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews