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The Inflictor
Seventeen-year-old Eryna never wanted to hurt anyone.
But behind the walls of her gilded cage, she hides a chilling she is an Inflictor. The ability to cause pain is woven into her very being. And when the Directorate conscripts her, they will use her for their dark purposes; they will force her to comply.
Eryna knows escaping her fate is impossible.
Until she meets him.
Only he can tell her how to evade capture. If she can get him to set aside his hatred for her.
With the odds stacked against her, Eryna must find a way to gain his allegiance before it’s too late—or risk becoming the monster she vowed never to become.
——— ——— ——— ———
The Inflictor transports readers to a near-future dystopia—a world ravaged by relentless natural disasters and ruled with an iron grip by the Directorate.
It is a gripping tale of resilience and survival, where impossible choices have the power to shape destinies and shatter lives.
Will humanity be the price of survival? And can love truly exist amidst distressing circumstances? Dive into the riveting world of The Inflictor!
CLEAN ROMANCE no swearing, no spice. As the novel is set in a dystopian world, some themes may be upsetting for very young readers.
The perfect next read for fans of Shatter Me.
But behind the walls of her gilded cage, she hides a chilling she is an Inflictor. The ability to cause pain is woven into her very being. And when the Directorate conscripts her, they will use her for their dark purposes; they will force her to comply.
Eryna knows escaping her fate is impossible.
Until she meets him.
Only he can tell her how to evade capture. If she can get him to set aside his hatred for her.
With the odds stacked against her, Eryna must find a way to gain his allegiance before it’s too late—or risk becoming the monster she vowed never to become.
——— ——— ——— ———
The Inflictor transports readers to a near-future dystopia—a world ravaged by relentless natural disasters and ruled with an iron grip by the Directorate.
It is a gripping tale of resilience and survival, where impossible choices have the power to shape destinies and shatter lives.
Will humanity be the price of survival? And can love truly exist amidst distressing circumstances? Dive into the riveting world of The Inflictor!
CLEAN ROMANCE no swearing, no spice. As the novel is set in a dystopian world, some themes may be upsetting for very young readers.
The perfect next read for fans of Shatter Me.
- GenresDystopia
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2024
About the author
M.J. Bavis
3 books26 followersM.J. Bavis coined her first book as a teenager and it was about horses, mean girls and a misunderstood heroine—and a worrying amount of violence. It took a move from her Finnish childhood home to the UK, a degree in Criminology and a bit of living to realise horses and mean girls weren't her thing. Still, she loves writing young adult novels with fantasy, mystery, big emotions and headstrong characters. When she’s not writing she’s chasing after her ridiculously fast toddler, dodging footballs, binging on Netlifx, or browsing for her next book to read on her e-reader.
Her YA low fantasy, Shadow Soul—a story of a broken girl learning to slay her demons—is available in e-book and paperback formats on Amazon.
Her newest book, The Inflictor - a dystopian romance - is available now on Amazon!
Her YA low fantasy, Shadow Soul—a story of a broken girl learning to slay her demons—is available in e-book and paperback formats on Amazon.
Her newest book, The Inflictor - a dystopian romance - is available now on Amazon!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 2, 2025
Fantastic read! Bavis has created a rich, dystopian world full of clashing, morally gray characters. On the one hand, you have the government faction—the Directorate. Are they protecting the citizens? Or controlling them for their own means? Then there are those born with the ability to inflict pain with the mere touch of their hand—the Inflictors, who are forced to work for the Directorate when they turn 18, becoming puppets used for torture. There are the Kraits—a radical group willing to do anything to stop the Inflictors. Including attacking innocents who have yet to come of age. And then there are those of the Inflictors themselves who desperately want to change their fate and gain the freedom of choosing their own paths. Tossed among them all is Eyrn, a coming of age Inflicter who will do anything to prevent causing pain. An inflictor whose ability works just a little differently than the rest.
Oh and also a super serious, growly LI who brings all the swoon to this action-packed, alliance-swapping adventure. Aka my favorite character. 😆❤️
Highly recommend this one for all the dystopian fans out there!
Oh and also a super serious, growly LI who brings all the swoon to this action-packed, alliance-swapping adventure. Aka my favorite character. 😆❤️
Highly recommend this one for all the dystopian fans out there!
January 18, 2025
The darkness within
What do you do when your choice is taken away from you?
This was definitely an interesting read. Mutilayered and thought provoking for an adult reader if you want or just an excellent story if you don't.
I will read more from this author
Solid 4.5 🌟
March 25, 2025
Captivating dystopian action packed romance
Eryna lives in the dystopian city of Velona. She is a part of the population that was born with certain abilities. They were known as the Sensed. Hers? By a single touch she could inflict pain throughout your body or even kill you. Her group of Sensed were known as The Inflictors. The government known as the Directorate, took custody of all known Inflictors, Tracers and Incus as soon as their abilities were known. The Inflictors were raised by wealthy guardians and wanted for nothing. However, upon turning 18, they began working for the Directorate at The Grail, where they never left. Eryna decides she should escape before her fate is set. Will she get help from Rayden, a fellow Inflictor, or from Mattias, the hired help on their sprawling estate?
This YA dystopian romance is simply spellbinding. She knows she will be used by the Directorate for their own evil agenda. One she is desperate to avoid. She feels weighted down by her inability to choose her own future. To never have friends, a family or a life of her own. Could her and Rayden find a way out? Does he want to? She finds herself drawn to Mattias who only seems to glare at her and scowl. Yet he also protects her. As he shares the fate of his parents, perhaps he can help her escape before it’s too late. I wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go! I love the way this tale is woven! Fantastic romance, constant action and moral dilemmas set in a near future world. It doesn’t get much better than this! This is a stand alone novel that I’m hoping will eventually have a second book! Thank you for having this on #KindleUnlimited
Eryna lives in the dystopian city of Velona. She is a part of the population that was born with certain abilities. They were known as the Sensed. Hers? By a single touch she could inflict pain throughout your body or even kill you. Her group of Sensed were known as The Inflictors. The government known as the Directorate, took custody of all known Inflictors, Tracers and Incus as soon as their abilities were known. The Inflictors were raised by wealthy guardians and wanted for nothing. However, upon turning 18, they began working for the Directorate at The Grail, where they never left. Eryna decides she should escape before her fate is set. Will she get help from Rayden, a fellow Inflictor, or from Mattias, the hired help on their sprawling estate?
This YA dystopian romance is simply spellbinding. She knows she will be used by the Directorate for their own evil agenda. One she is desperate to avoid. She feels weighted down by her inability to choose her own future. To never have friends, a family or a life of her own. Could her and Rayden find a way out? Does he want to? She finds herself drawn to Mattias who only seems to glare at her and scowl. Yet he also protects her. As he shares the fate of his parents, perhaps he can help her escape before it’s too late. I wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go! I love the way this tale is woven! Fantastic romance, constant action and moral dilemmas set in a near future world. It doesn’t get much better than this! This is a stand alone novel that I’m hoping will eventually have a second book! Thank you for having this on #KindleUnlimited
May 20, 2025
I really hate to rate this so low, but this just had so many issues in my opinion.
⚠️Possible spoilers ahead.
The FMC, Eryna, was a fairly likable character for the most part, however, she had some really ill-timed humor that made some scenes feel cringey instead of intense or interesting like they were intended. She also made some really frustrating decisions that I really didn’t understand how they added to the plot.
There were several times where time skipped over things I would have loved the author to actually include. For example, for the next 7 days “so and so happened” - I would have wanted to read about those 7 days! Or when Eryna was kidnapped, a few paragraphs later she was free and we didn’t get to read what happened or how she escaped. This type of thing happened at least 4-5 times!
I also felt like I had to really stretch my imagination to believe some of the wildly convenient things that just so happened to help the main characters. Some things were just way too easy during this attempt at a full government take-down.
Finally, so much of this book felt incomplete. The “romance” was so scarce that I would be hesitant to call this a dystopian romance at all. I’m assuming this is to lead into a second book in the future, but it was honestly hard to tell if that was the intent.
The premise of this book truly was intriguing, and there were some moments of really good writing. Unfortunately, that couldn’t quite redeem this one for me.
⚠️Possible spoilers ahead.
The FMC, Eryna, was a fairly likable character for the most part, however, she had some really ill-timed humor that made some scenes feel cringey instead of intense or interesting like they were intended. She also made some really frustrating decisions that I really didn’t understand how they added to the plot.
There were several times where time skipped over things I would have loved the author to actually include. For example, for the next 7 days “so and so happened” - I would have wanted to read about those 7 days! Or when Eryna was kidnapped, a few paragraphs later she was free and we didn’t get to read what happened or how she escaped. This type of thing happened at least 4-5 times!
I also felt like I had to really stretch my imagination to believe some of the wildly convenient things that just so happened to help the main characters. Some things were just way too easy during this attempt at a full government take-down.
Finally, so much of this book felt incomplete. The “romance” was so scarce that I would be hesitant to call this a dystopian romance at all. I’m assuming this is to lead into a second book in the future, but it was honestly hard to tell if that was the intent.
The premise of this book truly was intriguing, and there were some moments of really good writing. Unfortunately, that couldn’t quite redeem this one for me.
May 8, 2025
I’ve always loved dystopian fiction, so The Inflictor was a gripping read from beginning to end. Set in a bleak world where individuals known as Inflictors can channel pain into others, the novel explores the cost of power in a deeply corrupt political system. Once Inflictors turn eighteen, they’re forced into government service, stripped of personal agency and used as weapons of the state. In this world, no one is truly free. The story follows Eryna, a young woman wrestling with the morality of her abilities and the harsh demands placed upon her. Her internal conflict touches on themes like autonomy, state violence, and ethical responsibility. The romance woven through the story adds depth and warmth.
On another note, the pacing is consistent. I was completely engrossed, eager to see what Eryna would face next. If you enjoy series like The Hunger Games, this book delivers that same addictive blend of action, emotional conflict, and rebellion.
On another note, the pacing is consistent. I was completely engrossed, eager to see what Eryna would face next. If you enjoy series like The Hunger Games, this book delivers that same addictive blend of action, emotional conflict, and rebellion.
May 19, 2026
A dystopian story with heart!
The world was almost destroyed by natural disasters, the population dwindled. And among them came people with a power. A power to cause pain.
Eryna is one such person. Raised by guardians, she is free to do as she will until she turns 18, when she is drafted by the Directorate and trained as an interogator. But what no one has told her is that almost no inflictors make it out.
In comes Matthias, a stable hand who cant stay away. And Rayden, another inflictor that keeps showing up. After saving her life, Matthias admits he told the Kraits who she was. He offers to help her run, but the Directorate takes her two months early.
Nine months in the Grail change her. She does things she can never forgive herself for. Rayden appears and offers to help her. For a price. Can she survive the Grail? And keep being herself?
A coming of age story that really pulls at you! A must read for dystopian fans.
The world was almost destroyed by natural disasters, the population dwindled. And among them came people with a power. A power to cause pain.
Eryna is one such person. Raised by guardians, she is free to do as she will until she turns 18, when she is drafted by the Directorate and trained as an interogator. But what no one has told her is that almost no inflictors make it out.
In comes Matthias, a stable hand who cant stay away. And Rayden, another inflictor that keeps showing up. After saving her life, Matthias admits he told the Kraits who she was. He offers to help her run, but the Directorate takes her two months early.
Nine months in the Grail change her. She does things she can never forgive herself for. Rayden appears and offers to help her. For a price. Can she survive the Grail? And keep being herself?
A coming of age story that really pulls at you! A must read for dystopian fans.
February 11, 2025
THE INFLICTOR sucked me in from page one and I couldn't stop reading this thrilling YA dystopian! Having grown up in a dystopian world where those born with gifts are identified early and forced to work for the state at 18, Eryna has always known she has the terrible power to deliver pain through touch and has never wanted it. The world building is well done here, with two sides fighting for control, the government and a resistance "krait" movement, and the inflictors are not safe with either one. I really liked the examination of all the gray areas this produced within relationships and families and friendships. It was hard to know who you could really trust and that made for a great read! 5/5 stars.
May 25, 2025
M.J. Bavis delivers a gripping and emotionally charged YA dystopian tale in The Inflictor. Seventeen-year-old Eryna is a hauntingly complex heroine—burdened with the ability to inflict pain, yet desperate to resist becoming a tool for tyranny. The world-building is rich and immersive, painting a bleak future controlled by the Directorate, where natural disasters and fear reign supreme. The clean romance between Eryna and a reluctant ally brings hope and depth to the tension-filled plot, reminding readers that love can bloom even in desolation. With twists, moral dilemmas, and a powerful message about choice and identity, The Inflictor will resonate with fans of Shatter Me and The Hunger Games. An absorbing, fast-paced read with heart and grit.
March 31, 2025
This was a really intriguing read and work of great imagination. Until Eryn first found herself in the Grail I found it very gripping. I found it less so in the Grail, even though I see the story was important. Once the whole breakout and break-ins were happening I found it difficult to encompass the whole world and everything that was going on. I'm sure this was my fault and not the story. Then Eryn and Mattias characters' became more to the forefront and the story became engaging again for me. The end of the novel felt like like it was waiting for a sequel. I don't know what the plan is for this but I can really see this and any subsequent novels becoming a good science fiction film.
July 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! I especially appreciated the complex dynamics between the main characters. Mattias and Rayden both have my heart in different ways, and it was wonderful to read the story through Eryna's perspective.
My only complaint is that the narrative got a little jumpy at times. There were some moments that the author skipped and then either filled us in with a few sentences or later flashback scenes. This decision took me out of the story and left me wanting more.
Overall, if you want a book with a slow burn romance, high stakes action, and a humourous main character, this is the book for you!
My only complaint is that the narrative got a little jumpy at times. There were some moments that the author skipped and then either filled us in with a few sentences or later flashback scenes. This decision took me out of the story and left me wanting more.
Overall, if you want a book with a slow burn romance, high stakes action, and a humourous main character, this is the book for you!
July 25, 2025
Overall, this was an enjoyable YA read, and the second half of the book definitely picked up—but there were some parts that just didn’t work for me, the biggest being the skips in time where we missed what could have been some really cool scenes (Eryna’s escapes, her training with Rayden, etc.).
I was also really hung up on Eryna’s wigs. They pulled me right out of the narrative every time they were mentioned, enough so that I *almost* DNF’d because of them. Fortunately they disappeared once she was in the Grail.
I was also really hung up on Eryna’s wigs. They pulled me right out of the narrative every time they were mentioned, enough so that I *almost* DNF’d because of them. Fortunately they disappeared once she was in the Grail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
The dystopian world pulls you in from the very first page. At first, it is just about escaping an uncertain future. At the one-third mark, it becomes about survival. By the end, the objective shifts yet again to hope and revolution. And the story flows seamlessly on the back of logic and sound characterization.
One highly praise-worthy aspect of the book is its realism. Actions come back to haunt the characters. Factions don't forgo rivalry just because they share an objective. Truce crumbles at the the slightest push. People's feelings change, but their actions don't.
If I had to point out a fault, it would be that the constant whining in the internal monologues. At times, I wanted to shake Eryna by her shoulders and tell her to get over herself.
Overall, an epic read.
One highly praise-worthy aspect of the book is its realism. Actions come back to haunt the characters. Factions don't forgo rivalry just because they share an objective. Truce crumbles at the the slightest push. People's feelings change, but their actions don't.
If I had to point out a fault, it would be that the constant whining in the internal monologues. At times, I wanted to shake Eryna by her shoulders and tell her to get over herself.
Overall, an epic read.
December 27, 2024
I really liked the plot for this story it gets better and better throughout the story and I really appreciate the fact that it has clean language and content. Thanks to the author for creating such good read.
March 8, 2025
Such an incredible book. I need the sequel. Like now. Please let there be one. I need to know what happens next.
This book was amazing. The prose, dialogue, world building, everything, was just *chef's kiss*. Mind blown.
This book was amazing. The prose, dialogue, world building, everything, was just *chef's kiss*. Mind blown.
December 13, 2025
Love this book!! Definitely recommend!
April 30, 2025
Dystopian world with special powers ✅️
Swoony, no spice romance✅️
Grumpy, protective MMC✅️
Snarky banter✅️
This is my first book from this author and all I have to say is 🔥👏🔥👏🔥👏🔥
This book is like Shatter Me meets Us Dark Few with an intriguing fast -paced plot and no spice romance.
The sparky banter had me laughing out loud and I highly enjoyed it as I use snarky, dark humor to cope with life.
It didn't end on a cliffhanger but defintely hoping there is a sequel coming because I can't wait to read more about these characters.
Here are some spoiler free quotes I enjoyed:
“Why?”
“Because…you’re a little overbearing?”
“Try a lot. Now answer the question.”
----------------------------------
the tent was big enough for us to stand at full height and claim a little personal space.
“WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!”
I bet an owl got knocked off a tree branch.
“Good thing you closed that zip. Wouldn’t want anyone to overhear ya.”
--------------------------------------
"Was there a purpose for a washed-up seashell with no life inside it?"
Swoony, no spice romance✅️
Grumpy, protective MMC✅️
Snarky banter✅️
This is my first book from this author and all I have to say is 🔥👏🔥👏🔥👏🔥
This book is like Shatter Me meets Us Dark Few with an intriguing fast -paced plot and no spice romance.
The sparky banter had me laughing out loud and I highly enjoyed it as I use snarky, dark humor to cope with life.
It didn't end on a cliffhanger but defintely hoping there is a sequel coming because I can't wait to read more about these characters.
Here are some spoiler free quotes I enjoyed:
“Why?”
“Because…you’re a little overbearing?”
“Try a lot. Now answer the question.”
----------------------------------
the tent was big enough for us to stand at full height and claim a little personal space.
“WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!”
I bet an owl got knocked off a tree branch.
“Good thing you closed that zip. Wouldn’t want anyone to overhear ya.”
--------------------------------------
"Was there a purpose for a washed-up seashell with no life inside it?"
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews