So, where do I start . . . . .
- I had to read this with a pal (thanks to Jenni Lea for holding my hand and making it not so scary :)
- I had to create a whole new shelf to hold this one
- I pretty much hate everybody
- I'm hooked and have to read the next one and I don't want to, but I want to, but I don't want to, etc., etc.
Explaining my points above:
Definitely read this one with a friend. Just like you would do with anything scary or squinchy, having a pal along makes the scary better. If you are squeamish, run away like you are on fire.
This definitely belongs on my new fubar shelf. Fubar doesn't mean bad here, it just means exactly what the acronym stands for.
I do pretty much hate everyone in this book. Aaron is the only main character with redeeming qualities at this point and that's because he's the victim. We really don't know him beyond his rentboy and victim status, but nobody deserves what he is being put through. Except maybe for Vincent. Vincent is one seriously fucked up individual, but he's also the reason I need to read the next installment. Kudos to Kol for writing a character I hate but want to know more about. Eric and Sebastian? Don't get me started. Although at this point Sebastian is the only championing for Aaron, even so, he's no good guy either.
I have to read the next one. I will have to have a ritual Mary Calmes, Anne Tenino happy cleansing fest of fluffy love first, but I will be reading the next one. I'm pretty sure it's going to get worse before it gets better. That seems to be the theme here and I'm already planning for an anti HEA regardless of what happens.
Couple of minor quibbles that squinched me out more than some of the things that should have. Stinky man crotches - blech! Complete lack of lube - I get it's torture, but that can't really be optimal for the giver either. Getting Aaron hooked on the drugs while training him to be a slave - this is going to sound totally weird, but that kind of seemed like cheating. Vincent kept referring to breaking him mentally, but using the drugs seemed like a bit of a cop out even if it makes complete sense. I have no idea why that of all things bothered me. But, if I overanalyze any of this I'm going to spend the rest of my Sunday drunk.
So, definitely a good read. This is one where you can hate the subject but still appreciate the work. I didn't get to have the crutch of saying "This writing is awful, the subject matter is distasteful and I'm out." The writing is good so if I tap out it's because it's too distasteful. And, it is. But, it speaks to the dark, dank loamy part of my brain where the dark things grow that won't let me walk away without knowing what happens. Good or bad.
Dammit Kol. (I think I ended another review of his the same way :) - should probably get used to that.