The Flesh Cartel, Season 1: Damnation

The Flesh Cartel #1-2

by Rachel Haimowitz, Heidi Belleau

Sublime service, made to order.


The Flesh an international, multi-billion-dollar black market that trades in lost souls. Or more specifically, their bodies.


Highly organized and frighteningly efficient, the Flesh Cartel could teach even the KGB a thing or two about breaking a human mind. Fortunately for their ultra-rich clients, they’re just as skilled at putting people back together again—as perfect pets, well-trained and eager to please.


No matter what your secret tastes or dark desires, the Flesh Cartel—for the right price, of course—will hand-design the plaything of your dreams.

Genres: Dark, M M Romance, BDSM, Abuse, Erotica, Horror, Suspense

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2013

About the author

M/M erotic romance author, freelance writer and editor, sadist with a pesky conscience, shamelessly silly, proudly pervish. I'm a twitter addict (@rachelhaimowitz), and I blog every M/W/F at Fantasy Unbound. To learn all about my current and upcoming projects, please stop by my website. I love to hear from folks, so feel free to drop me a line anytime at metarachel (at) gmail (dot) com.

Reviews

[Shurrn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The First Season of the Flesh Cartel is one of the darkest, most twisted and terrifying openings for any series I've read. That's not hyperbole. That's fact.


This is a collection of the first two episodes of this series:
The Flesh Cartel #1: Capture & The Flesh Cartel #2: Auction

Sublime service, made to order.
The Flesh Cartel: an international, multi-billion-dollar black market that trades in lost souls. Or more specifically, their bodies.

Some books require a stern warning for the unsuspecting reader:
This book goes beyond graphic...
kidnapping and abuse...
gang rape...
forced incest...
emotional torture...
Proceed with extreme caution.

Highly Organized and frighteningly efficient, the Flesh Cartel could teach even the KGB a thing or two about breaking a human mind. Fortunately for their ultra-rich clients, they're just as skilled at putting people back together again - as perfect pets, well-trained and eager to please.

As JaHy told me, this series isn't just dark, it's pitch black...

If you find the stomach to take on this series, then you'll be rewarded with a tale full of intrigue which hooks you immediately. You can feel the darkness settle around you even after you've put the book down...

No matter what your secret tastes or dark desires, the Flesh Cartel - for the right price, of course - will hand-design the plaything of your dreams.

Brothers.
Mat is a MMA fighter.
Dougie is a PHD student.
They were struggling to keep their heads above water, and now they're fighting for their lives. Ripped from their home by a group of strangers and forced to endure a series of unspeakable acts... Forced to watch each other suffer...

But Why?

I do not know what this series holds for Dougie & Mat, but let me be clear:
This is not BDSM Romance,
This is not MM Romance,
This is not Stockholm Syndrome disguised as Romance.

He almost whimpered Don't hurt me again, but managed to bite it back. Like it'd mattered worth a damn anyway. Hadn't yet. They actually seemed to like it when he begged.

Brothers Mat & Dougie survived a week in the brutal hands of their captors. Can they possibly survive what comes next? What lengths will they go to in order to survive?

The purpose behind the kidnapping and incarceration of the brothers finally becomes clear - they are to auctioned off as pets to the highest bidder.

Worn down by days of unrelenting fear and abuse, Mat and Dougie are packaged with the same ruthless efficiency as any consumer product: Dougie the pretty boy twink, Mat the rabid pit bull. They are led to the auction block as the showpiece of the house's collection.

Trapped in adjacent cells awaiting their fate, the brothers are achingly close - close enough to hear the other's tortured moans - yet unable to see or comfort one another.

While Mat clings to the strength and endurance earned in this MMA training, Dougie is despairing only a few feet away.
Helpless...
Broken...

Will the brothers ever be able to escape this hell?
And will the ever be the same if they do?

Mat would rather be beaten to death than play the role of obedient slave for sale, but Dougie, desperate not to be separated from his brother, strikes a deal with the pitiless Madame who runs the auction house and controls both their fates. It might just be enough to keep them together - slaves, but together - assuming Mat even wants to be after Dougie fulfills his end of his with the devil.

Each time I finish one of the Flesh Cartel episodes I find myself at a precipice...

Do I continue down this dark and twisted path to satisfy my curiosity? Can I possibly handle the increasing brutality which Mat and Dougie have been forced to endure? Because one thing is for sure - there is no light at the end of the tunnel for these brothers.

This is a thrilling, terrifying tale packed into an unassumingly small package...
And I can't wait to go back for more...

***This book was provided to me by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review***

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I...don't know what to say.



I knew these were dark, but that isn't my problem, exactly. I don't understand why these people are being treated this way when they are supposedly worth a lot of money. Granted, the MCs (and all the others) aren't people to the assholes in charge, so they don't see them as worthy of being taken care of. But Dougie is a virgin - shouldn't they keep that intact so he would fetch a higher price? The treatment they endure, I am surprised they don't die or get sick, or suffer irreparable damage of some kind. If the auction house starts to get a reputation for delivering faulty merchandise, they wouldn't be in business for long. So I don't get it.

They are bruised, beaten, raped, tortured (night stick, OMG!), left naked in a freezing cold room, suffering. How can that allow them to fetch top dollar? Isn't there "training" left up to the buyer? I get the assholes in charge "have" to get their rape on, but again, killing the people isn't going to net the house anything, and if they die later and buyers will be pissed!

The writing itself was excellent, and I read between my fingers only a little bit. But yeesh, this is the intro and I know things get a lot worse before things get better. I will continue with the next book, but I am not committing to reading all of them. We'll see how things go, because Mat and Dougie have been bought by a trainer who is expecting to get millions for Mat once he is groomed and brainwashed.

Stars, stars, stars. How many stars? I liked it in a horror movie kind of way. I guess 3 stars because I liked it, but I didn't love it (obviously) and I certainly won't be raving about it (yet).

[Eugenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was disturbingly dark. Horrible in fact, but I couldn't stop reading it. Non-con, kidknapping, torture. Not typically my cup of tea, but it was well written and abhorently intriguing.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um...I don't even know what to say. This was probably one of the hardest books I've ever read. I feel horrible saying that because usually I'm all for the "dark" books. Something about having these horrible things happening to men just twisted my stomach in ways it doesn't when I read about the same situations women are in. (Gosh, I cannot believe I just admitted that).

So, here is my review, plain and simple: I'm now hooked. I'm hooked because my morbid curiosity has gotten the best of me and I truly want to know what happens to Mat & Dougie. I'm hoping that I have experienced the worst of what happens to them (because that has very well scarred me for life)and that it can only get better from here...what ever better may be.

What I liked about the book: I like that I could see it from both brothers POV. I liked the beginning and end where you heard from "the buyer". I also liked the relationship between the brothers...that I think is what broke me too.

What I didn't like about the book: I did not like that there was not a clear switch between the POV's. I found that a little confusing...I had to go back and re-read to see who was talking. I had a really hard time with the content and how horribly graphic is was. (Now, that is also what kept me reading--see very morbid fascination).

All in all--I gave this 4 Stars. I'm afraid to keep reading and will probably wait a minute before continuing the series...but I will come back. I have to know if everything works out.

[ML · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa brutal!

This series has been on my TBR for years. I think I’m in the right head space to read it finally.
It’s brutal. What humans can put other humans through! This is not for the faint of heart. Brothers that I hope make it to the end. Mat and Dougie are taken and put through many harsh and truly hideous trials. Like I said, I hope they make it.
Off to read the next installment

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, twisted, non-romantic introduction to this series. I found myself cringing and being utterly disgusted by what our poor brothers go through in these two stories. However, it is written so well - so believable, each aspect builds on previous content. I am inexplicably drawn into the storyline, needing to know what these two will be put through, how they will endure, and wondering will they survive? I am also curious as hell about our buyer and trainer and can't help but want to see what happens when trainer & brothers interact.

On to season 2 - please don't read these books if you cannot handle reading about noncon/degradation, kidnapping, sex trafficking and more....

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very dark and terrifyingly real. It’s been reviewed so thoroughly that I’ll just say if you’re into torture porn this books for you. I’ve already purchased season two so I know I’ll read it. I’ll decide then if I want to get the other seasons.

[Mamacita aka MawMaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure what to Rate this one..
Just made touch screen smaller & put finger between 4 & 5 & push.

Darkness factor, I'd say
10 Black Hole Asshole Dark.
Darkest I've read w/
Deranged characters, Evil, Cunning & Depraved. Not sure how much darker I can take. But sure it will push limits like no other.

Hotness Factor
1 - Not Hot @ All

Shockwave factor
4 Only 1 Scene truly showed me
(must read too much depraved shit)

Characters Development
5 Interesting, Intense, & Very Developed

Hook factor
5, Yes Def got to know more

Hero which one?? I'm thinking Nickoli & Dougie will turn into ones.

So to sum it up,
Depraved, depraved, depraved.
Onto book #2

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so damn good, and I am hooked. It has sunk its merciless teeth into me and is not letting go. Yes, it's brutal, but it's fascinating to see how these brothers with polar opposite personalities react to the circumstances they've found themselves in.

I personally am more intrigued by Mat. I admire his strength of will, his fierce protectiveness of Dougie, his stubborn refusal to back down...it makes me want so badly for him to get them both out of this without losing his sense of self.

I cannot wait to see where this is going.

Side note: I'm technically reading the individual ebook episodes but am reviewing by season because it's easier and makes more sense.

[Beach Mama · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want to give this book a higher rating because the story is well written, but the subject matter made me want to throw up. Unfortunately this story of the sex slave trade is the reality and horror of so many people in this world. Countless people are de-humanized and subjected to rape and brutalized and sold to the highest bidder. Hopefully this book will be an eye-opener for us all to learn more about sex slavery and try to do our part to help end it. Even the smallest effort towards ending this nightmare can be multiplied by God.

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review from the publisher via Netgalley *(less)

[JC · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this because it was 50% off and it had good reviews. I'm not a stranger to dark fiction. Hell, I figured, I read Poppy Z. Brite's Equisite Corpse where two serial killers — one a necrophiliac and the other a cannibal — fell in love and had sex in the blood and remains of their victims, but this? This was way more sick and depraved because every single person in this story, except for Mat and Dougie, is either a freaking sociopath and/or psychopath. And you aren't given an explanation of why they exist, why the brothers were taken, and what the point of all this is, why I should care about these brothers enough to slog through endless brutal rape scenes and torture. This is not erotica. This is a whole other level of whatever the hell messed up thing this is.

It's even more disturbing that this came from the minds of two women. Imagine if a man had written this, and the characters were women. How would you perceive the men who read it, I wonder. I expected this to be dark, disturbing, but the frequency of the rape, and the detail given to it just felt wrong on so many levels. I'd read Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty series a long time ago, and this series has similar elements to that, but the difference is that there is no single moment of reprieve in The Flesh Cartel. Even in Claiming Sleeping Beauty, there were moments of tenderness. It wasn't a 24/7 rapefest.

This is just so completely repugnant with no redeeming factor. You will learn nothing from this other than maybe what erotica would be like if it was written by a complete sociopath who happens to be major sadist. Or a psychopathic serial rapist.

This also doesn't have an ending, so you have to purchase the rest of this relatively long series. Since there wasn't enough backstory to make me care about either brother, and I'm not in the mood for more gratuitous rape and violence, I'm stopping here.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and the most important thing about this book is the reader MUST read the warnings, take them very seriously. That being said, this was amazing, absolutely dark and really great.

The plot was so good, so intriguing, it was thrilling to know what would come next, and it was very hard to guess it. The characters were nice, I liked Dougie a lot more than Mat, but they were both really great. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most was the relationship between them and how much they were willing to risk for the other’s safety.

The bad guy were brutal, there wasn’t a specific villain or at least not one that was developed enough to actually being known as the main one. I would prefer it to be different, even if only to know to who direct my anger.

Is the first season of five, which is a good thing, because I don’t get a good feeling of end when I finished reading it. Just the contraire, it looked like the beginning of something, hopefully something as dark and twisted as this story was. I already have the other books of the series and I can’t wait to keep reading it.

This, surely, is not a book for everybody, is very dark and violent, so I recommend to read very carefully the warnings, but if any reader is looking for dark theme stories, this one is a very good one.

[lynn❤️lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say...wow, I love this series. This is so well written, I just couldn't put this down!!!
I'm not a mm reader, but if this is anything to go by, please bring me more.
I so want Matt to kick somes arse, I really hope in the end he gets his vengeance. I felt so strongly for Dougie, and Matt, what did they do to anyone?.
Two brothers fighting to survive in a very cruel world, and then to be taken, used for others pleasure, and to hear each other's suffering. This book is horrific but compelling all at the same time. I love a book that can create emotion within me. I wanted to slap Dougie for being so bloody soft, and I loved that Matt would do anything to help Dougie, but I also love that Matt will fight no matter what. I never want him to give up, I never want him to give them what they want, even if they think they've got it.
This is brilliant and I can't wait to read he rest. I'm so glad they've been released as a box set.
I'm so glad I've started this series knowing that it's complete. I won't have to wait for publication of the next!!!

[Leanne Crabtree · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book and the other instalments in this series through Netgalley*

WTF have I just read?! Yeah, that was a little too f*cked up for my liking. I'm a reader of romance and though I like my tortured souls as much as the next person I think this was a little too graphic in the torturing department for me.

It was an interesting concept but NO! I didn't feel comfortable reading about it at all.

Thank you for the opportunity Riptide Publishing but I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the rest of the series.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This m/m book was raw and unyielding. My heart actually hurt for the two brothers that were kidnapped, brutalized, and sold into slavery. This is erotica without the romance. However, it's well written, engrossing, and fast paced. Not for those easily offended or under 18 years old.

[♣️ Lynda ♣️]

DNF at 60%. This is just too dark and harsh for me. Nothing good could come from this.....I knew going in this was going to be rough so I am not rating this. The writing was good and so realistic. I think that's why it was so difficult for me.

[Deli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm writing this right after I finished with the last book of this series, so please excuse me, if my writing is still a bit messy. I don't really remember how I stumbled over it or why I even picked it up as its not really my usual turf. I started with the first part (Capture) of this series quite a while back, not realizing that it's so long, I usually wouldn't even consider spending that much money for ONE series that at first glance even appears like what I call myself "money-grabber-series" I couldn't have been more wrong with this one. It took me a while to pick up the second book, but I really couldn't shake it off.
I'm not quite sure in what genre to put this, except, its dark. Dark, twisted and so wrong on so many levels but at the same time, the knowledge that this is a reality to some (most probably not few) people over the world, a reality most "normal" people don't even think of, but others live every day. I cried a lot while reading this, spend nearly 3 days with a minimum of 3 hours of sleep a day to finish it. what made me continue on, was hope I guess. Hope for the brothers to somehow find there "after", and maybe some fascination with the mind web the authors created. the urge to "understand".
I can't really tell u why to pick up that book. It's not romance, nothing erotic... but I got so much back from this series in so many ways, and I'm sure ill think about it for a long time. The authors really created something special here, and I admire the courage it must have cost them to even consider writing/releasing this, considering the content and possible reader reactions. Thank you.

[xxkitsunexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sat and had to think a while before this review as i said aghast don't really cover this story i have a very open mind and the more gruesome the better so i was going from 3* and 4* for a while i stuck with 4* as in all honesty the story was well written and set at a steady pace to keep me turning to the next page and as i expected gruesome and shock worthy stomach churning at times it's not that i haven't read these thing before one of my favorite authors is Nicholas Bella so i wouldn't put it down to the agaste because of this so i dropped a star because they were brothers i think that's the only fault i could find that turns my stomach i will be reading the next book and hope to god there not forced to do more than what they did in this book because i just can not bring my to read a book that has rape between siblings :-)

[Steph ☀️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addicted!

***4.5 stars (rounded-up)***

Warnings: Please DO NOT read this book if you do not want to read about a very dark subject matter. For example, multiple rape scenes that include any orifice with objects or body parts, beatings, verbal and emotional abuse, cutting, caging, drugging victims and etc. Oh, and obviously there is a cliffhanger :)

So, for some reason I didn't leave a review the first time I read this. Therefore, after reading it again here I go! Even the with it being my second time around, it is still a great read; keeping my attention and sucking me further down the rabbit hole. So much so, I am off to read the next volume in the series!

Love the dynamic between the brothers and how we are given multiple points of view (Dougie, Mat and a bit of Nikolai's). I cannot wait to read more about Nikolai, and his role in the brothers new lives. Not to mention, where the authors are taking the story and how far they will push the characters. Time will tell...

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to digest this one first before writing a review.
This book is DARK and should be read with care.
This book had me very tense and anxious throughout. Like sitting on the edge of your seat anxious.
Mat and Dougie, brothers who take care of each other, are caught up in an unbelievable situation and there is no escape.
Very intense story!

[Blondie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frighteningly DARK! I keep asking myself why do I want to read more? The writing pulled me in and would not let go now I need more I want to see where these characters are going and how this series turns out. I hope these two get a break but the author hasn't held anything back so far.

Dougie is a PHD student, young and attractive in a shy boyish sort of way. Mat is a MMA fighter large, strong, and Dougie's older brother. Both orphaned but finally out of the system these two take care of each other. When the Cartel come for Dougie and Mat shows up they decide to take them both which is a blessing and a curse.

This book is part one and two of this series and there are many more to follow.

[Jane Harper]

I've read a lot of slave fic and non-con. I've written it. I enjoy it. I can deal with dark fics, no problem. But this seemed to be nothing but torture and rape porn. It's not like I was expecting a romantic HEA, after all; but there was just nothing redemptive to be found here. I suppose if I were to read the entire series, we might get to that eventually, but I'm not sure I want to waste the time or emotional energy.

Not exactly sure what to do with this one, therefore no rating.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now THIS is taboo. Exceedingly well written but horrific. It's frightening in the simple yet elegant way it was written. The writer captured the desire to survive such unimaginable conditions for the two brothers and you find yourself rooting for Mat and Dougie. Though I knew this before I read it, I am still taken aback by the expense for all of the seasons. Good heavens!

[Puss'N'Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by PussnBooks.net



Review by Puss’n’Books. Reviewing the darkest, most erotic and taboo books we can find. Click HERE for your next disturbingly sexy read.


When you are looking for a new series of books to get lost in for a good period of time then this is the series you go to, okay?

BUT!!! Only if you can handle the darkest most depraved and violent thoughts and deeds from the blackest corners of the human mind.

This is the kind of series that makes you question your own morals because you enjoy reading it so much and can’t put it down.

This was not a story.
This was a journey.

I can guarantee you are not prepared for the huge range of feelings you are going to experience while you read the horrific journey of Dougie and Mat.

It took me a while to let this one settle enough in order to be able to write the review.
Shout out to ma girl Jill (you know who you are, lol) for recommending it to me *fist bump* I love and hate you in equal parts right now, lol.

DOUGIE
Dougie is Mat’s wee brother and although he’s in his early 20s I still found him fairy immature and, to a point, innocent.
He’s always looked up to Mat. Worshipped him in a way.

Ever since their parents died Mat has been looking out for him and taking the hard hits so that Dougie doesn’t have to. Sacrificing a lot.
He’s been sheltered and a little spoiled but he is still a sweet boy.
And he is about to undergo a dramatic change and experience things his wee mind could never have imagined.

You’d think that because he’s studying to become a psychologist he’d be more resilient to mind games and know what was going on but there are some things that are just too extreme for the human mind to take and stay intact.

He was just not cut out for the tough stuff.

MAT
I love Mat. Ever since their parents died he’s been working his ass off, missing out on things in order to make sure Dougie has everything he needs in order to make a good life for himself.
A nice home, college, food, emotional support.
Pretty much everything he does is 100% for Dougie.

This is the love of an older sibling who has had to step up and become two parents as well.

He’s an MMA/Cage fighter. Who just will not bow down and quit. He never stays down for long and he is gonna need that spirit for the future hell he goes through.

He and Dougie are pretty much opposites.

Guys...this is heartbreaking.
This whole story had me feeling every emotion.
Anger, hatred, pain, love, hope, desperation, joy...I could go on.

It is likely one of the most sickening stories I’ve read due to the rape and torture and degradation.
It manages to become more than just words on a page or someone else’s story.

Also, I gagged. A lot

NIKOLAI
This man is a master manipulator and has been tasked by one of his clients to find and train a very specific kind of man for a slave.

His client wants someone who will fight him a little but then give in in the end.

“He desires the appearance of danger, but not danger itself. He wishes you to fight, but he must also be assured that he can win those fights if he so chooses. A good slave learns to love service.

Nikolai is one of the best at what he does and what he does to these brothers...well you’ll see.
At times it was almost too hard to read.

SICK/SEX SCENES
I’m going to give you a wee look into the kind of stuff you can expect to read. I suspect that it’ll be too much for some, so be warned: TRIGGERS (although to be honest, this scene is one of the tamest ones in the book).

All he could see of Dougie was his legs, spread wide and pointing to the sky, ankles swallowed up by huge, grasping hands. Blocking him off was a man in all black, grunting and thrusting. Another stood farther away from Mat, and though Mat couldn’t see him, there was only one explanation for that angle: he was standing by Dougie’s turned head, fucking his face with deep, punishing strokes. The guard was still walking Mat forward, slowly, leash pulled taut. Mat was still playing along, at least for now. But as they got closer to the scene at the center of the stage, Mat realized that although Dougie was horizontal, he wasn’t lying on the couch. He was lying on top of a third man, Dougie’s back to the man’s chest. The man’s hands were wandering up and down Dougie’s chest, pinching his nipples, rubbing and tugging his balls and cock. Two cocks inside his ass. No wonder he was crying. “Tell the nice people how it feels, hole,” one of the men growled. The reply was a muffled howl. Sucking sounds. Mat stared, horrified and frozen, as the cock popped out of Dougie’s mouth. “Say it.” “It hurts, sir!” Dougie wailed. The man laughed—laughed—and squeezed Dougie’s balls until he screamed.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE FLESH CARTEL by Rachel Haimowitz
This one was pitch black. It very much reminded me of a M/M version of Life of Anna. And although it got to be a little repetitive by season 3 the introduction of new characters solved that from season 4 onwards.


GET IT FROM AMAZON UK HERE

GET IT FROM AMAZON USA HERE

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

So much darker than I expected, which took me by surprise, so I guess I'm not doing the book justice. It's certainly well-written and I can't wait to see what happens next, but I hope some of their chores become easier to bear as time goes by.

[Aman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say about this. Such a hard read. Not for everyone. Just brutal but I couldn't put it down!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very graphic story about two brothers who have been abducted, tortured, and sold off.

The writing was good however even though I am a huge fan of the dark, even this one had me clenching my fists.

[Elithanathile]

Unpopular opinion here ... this is my opinion and I will NOT discuss it; it’s simply an opinion I want to state! I repeat I will NOT discuss this!!

This is how rape culture is born!! To have a whole series essentially dedicated to either the fetishizing or romanticizing of rape and rape torture is pretty horrifying and disgusting to be honest!! I clearly haven’t read this but I don’t need to in order to be aware of the details and while I can acknowledge that A LOT of readers thought this series was written exceptionally well - which I cannot and will not dispute, since talent has nothing to do with content - to think this series is really just about rape, rape torture, sexual abuse in general, forced incestual rape, etc. is just absurd! Furthermore, to think that reading this is somehow a 5-star experience because the continued brutal rape and torture was WRITTEN WELL is incredibly mind boggling to me!! This desensitizes a whole slew of people and it fetishizes something disgustingly horrific!! Because let’s be honest ... this series IS about the brutality of RAPE; it’s just packaged in eloquent writing with a borderline fetishized twist, and there you go, voila, you’re reading about RAPE RAPE RAPE and more RAPE and are somehow 5-starring it!! I see something like this as fetishizing, romanticizing, and desensitizing the response to rape in ALL its forms [but if you write it well then it’s okay? NO NO NO!!], and that’s simply horrifying and appalling to me!! I want absolutely nothing to do with this! It’s MY opinion and I respectfully have a right to it :-)!!
I cannot and will not read this!! Frankly I’m stunned there’s a whole series dedicated to this and am equally appalled that SO many have enjoyed it!! HARD PASS!! There are some things I want absolutely nothing to do with even if they ARE just fiction, and this is one of them!!!

I have NEVER *G-d forbid* been a victim of ANY kind of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or harassment *knocks on wood* - Thank you G-d and G-d bless - and I cannot possibly imagine the absolute and total horrors connected to such terrifying and horrific tragedy, but I can tell you that I’m aware that unfortunately too much of this sort of thing happens in real life, and as horrified as I am to hear about it in real life, I cannot imagine EVER wanting to read about this sort of thing for my “reading pleasure”!!! In fact, I know I would absolutely hate to!! NO NO NO!!!

This is NOT a judgement toward ANYONE who has enjoyed this series, NOT AT ALL!! I am not judging anyone and to each their own! This is just MY opinion and it’s an understandable and legitimate one!!
I DO NOT want to discuss or debate or chat or comment about this in any way, shape, or form whatsoever!! I am stating my opinion and I am not wanting to enter into a discussion on this topic AT ALL whatsoever!! Thank you 😊!!

Note: And again, this is in no way a criticism to anyone who wants to read this series OR the authors themselves!! To each their own; I am not talking about anyone else SPECIFICALLY! This is simply MY rightful opinion and I stick by it 100%, so I am talking about MY opinion and where I vehemently stand!! With this I am entirely and completely done on this matter 🙂!! This is MY safe space to talk about or vent about MY personal opinion!!!

[Lorrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am coming back to write my review after completing the entire series because I feel that is needed to maybe encourage someone who is on the fence about starting this series. I had seen this book suggested many times, but I kept passing it over. I am not sure of all my reasons, but the main one I remember is that I am not a huge fan of organized crime stories. While I have read books with mobsters and such, I tend to not enjoy them especially when one of the main characters is part of the organized crime syndicate. I think when I read some of the summaries about this series, it seemed to put a lot of emphasis on the cartel itself, but that is really not the case. The cartel is just the mechanism that put the 2 MCs in the situation they find themselves. The story is definitely driven by the characters' experiences and how they mentally deal with their situation.

I do have to say that the series is DARK. I love dark stories. Kidnappings, NC, abuse, and all such topics are a guilty pleasure of mine. However, when I first started the series, I remember thinking to myself that maybe this book is a little too dark. I found myself cringing at some parts and wondering where the story could possibly go to keep from being too much. I am so glad I stuck with it because IMO this series is a true masterpiece. I did not want to put it down despite the fact that some parts where really hard to read. I swear I was reading through squinted eyes at times.

The series really takes you on a psychological journey. The authors made you really feel what the characters felt at that moment in time. I don't want to give too much away, so I won't go into too much detail, but that authors were skilled at getting you into a character's mind and seeing things from their perspective, which directly affects the way you feel about other characters in the book.

I cannot expressed how much I loved this series and am both happy and sad that I completed it just because I wish it could have gone on forever. I don't always take time to write reviews, but I felt this one is deserving of my time. So if you are debating whether you should pick up a series that is as dark and long as this one is, I highly recommend going for it. I am definitely hoping I can find another one like it.

[Geoffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dark erotica story about two brothers who are kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery by a powerful cartel that specializes in human trafficking. Content warning for rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, forced incest, violence, and torture. While this is an erotica story, it also functions as a horror/thriller. I liked this story as the only erotica I’m satisfied with reading are erotica stories that have a plot and storyline that can stand on its own outside of the sex scenes. While this story features sex, sexual situations, and sexual violence, nothing in this story was arousing or stimulating. This book was brutal and dark and did justice to the dark subject matter. The author did a great job at introducing the characters while setting the tone and pace of the story. I liked Mat and Dougie as brothers and as characters. Their love and loyalty for each other instantly drew me in and had me invested in this story. I do not know what this series holds for Dougie and Mat, but let me be clear: This is not dark romance. This is not BDSM romance. This is not Stockholm Syndrome disguised as romance. This is a horror/thriller story with erotica moments. Readers looking for a dark romance at the heart of the story will be disappointed as this story functions as a horror/thriller first, and as an erotica story second. If this story evolves into a dark romance later is yet to be seen. I recommend this story for fans of dark gay fiction.