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Violence Begets... #2
The Cycle
Almost 15 years ago a brutal attack by a violent psychopath changed everything.
In Violence Begets... despite horrific child abuse, Rick St. James and Kevin Vincent were able to find love in each other. They discovered that violence only begat violence when they allowed it to.
They had a choice.
They chose love.
Now Rick's little brother is faced with the same painful reality that Rick once had to endure. Returning home to help his brother causes the nightmares of the past to crash and merge with the demons of the present.
Love is put to the test and it may not be strong enough to survive The Cycle!
In Violence Begets... despite horrific child abuse, Rick St. James and Kevin Vincent were able to find love in each other. They discovered that violence only begat violence when they allowed it to.
They had a choice.
They chose love.
Now Rick's little brother is faced with the same painful reality that Rick once had to endure. Returning home to help his brother causes the nightmares of the past to crash and merge with the demons of the present.
Love is put to the test and it may not be strong enough to survive The Cycle!
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2017
22 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
P.T. Denys
2 books131 followersPT never imagined publishing a book. But, the story of Violence Begets… and the lives of Kevin and Rick had to be shared.
In addition to writing, PT spends times balancing family, work, attending theater, and reading.
Above all else PT loves being a parent to 2 amazing daughters (a teenager and a toddler).
PT believes that no one deserves to be intentionally hurt (physically or emotionally) by another and that behind nearly every bully is a story.
In addition to writing, PT spends times balancing family, work, attending theater, and reading.
Above all else PT loves being a parent to 2 amazing daughters (a teenager and a toddler).
PT believes that no one deserves to be intentionally hurt (physically or emotionally) by another and that behind nearly every bully is a story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 14, 2017
4 Stars.
This is going to be a short and extremely vague review.I would say if you've read book one and are considering reading this.....be careful which reviews you read prior to reading this.....some have spoilers and,trust me,you won't want to know in advance the beginning of this one......
I loved the first half so much but I found the abuse in this one a lot more harrowing and difficult to read.I've got my reasons but I'm not even putting them in a spoiler.
This Author certainly knows how to have you on the edge of your seat.....I was convinced the story was going in a certain direction once I hit half way,only to find out I was wrong and right up to the last page I had no idea of how things would play out.
Conclusion: These two books have had me captivated over the last few days.They are probably some of the darkest I've read but I'm glad I did......
This is going to be a short and extremely vague review.I would say if you've read book one and are considering reading this.....be careful which reviews you read prior to reading this.....some have spoilers and,trust me,you won't want to know in advance the beginning of this one......
I loved the first half so much but I found the abuse in this one a lot more harrowing and difficult to read.I've got my reasons but I'm not even putting them in a spoiler.
This Author certainly knows how to have you on the edge of your seat.....I was convinced the story was going in a certain direction once I hit half way,only to find out I was wrong and right up to the last page I had no idea of how things would play out.
Conclusion: These two books have had me captivated over the last few days.They are probably some of the darkest I've read but I'm glad I did......
July 15, 2017
**** 4 Stars ****
First of all, bring on the straightjacket ! This book put me through hell and back and yet I dont regret reading it.
Violence Begets...(book #1) was pretty dark, full of detailed descriptive violence. This one, although lighter in terms of physical violence, turned out even darker. This time around, I didn't feel only the pain from all beatings and whippings from the MC childhood. This time, the author put me inside his head. Darkness was consuming him. Skills, people. This poor tormented character was masterfully developed. A disturbed, edgy, high-strung, unstable and dangerous character. He was constantly surrounded by heavy tormenting thoughts and I was right there with him, inside his haunted black world.
I've struggled to deal with my feelings, torn by reason and emotion.
Reason was whispering: Get out of Rick's life, you dick! You are no good to him!
My emotion was whispering: How can I blame him!!! He's the result of a horrific and cruel upbringing! And he wanted so much be a better person.
So, give him a chance!
I need the dark shit I read to look REAL, I mean, it needs to be something believable. A shocking factor just for the sake of it won’t work for me. I caught myself questioning the plausibility of certain situations here, but I could blame my lack of knowledge in this matter, totally. Could this really happen? Yes. No. Maybe.
However, in the last 10% we had an unexpected turnaround and I found myself stunned by this new perspective.
What the actual fuck! How far can our mind take us? It’s quite scary.
This is a heartbreaking story.
How can we break free from this cycle of abuse and violence?
Please, tell me there is a way out.
Tell me that it can be different.
Tell me someone can have a fresh start.
Tell me that there is hope.
But the more I read, the more I can’t see the light.
Available on KU
First of all, bring on the straightjacket ! This book put me through hell and back and yet I dont regret reading it.
Violence Begets...(book #1) was pretty dark, full of detailed descriptive violence. This one, although lighter in terms of physical violence, turned out even darker. This time around, I didn't feel only the pain from all beatings and whippings from the MC childhood. This time, the author put me inside his head. Darkness was consuming him. Skills, people. This poor tormented character was masterfully developed. A disturbed, edgy, high-strung, unstable and dangerous character. He was constantly surrounded by heavy tormenting thoughts and I was right there with him, inside his haunted black world.
I've struggled to deal with my feelings, torn by reason and emotion.
Reason was whispering: Get out of Rick's life, you dick! You are no good to him!
My emotion was whispering: How can I blame him!!! He's the result of a horrific and cruel upbringing! And he wanted so much be a better person.
So, give him a chance!
I need the dark shit I read to look REAL, I mean, it needs to be something believable. A shocking factor just for the sake of it won’t work for me. I caught myself questioning the plausibility of certain situations here, but I could blame my lack of knowledge in this matter, totally. Could this really happen? Yes. No. Maybe.
However, in the last 10% we had an unexpected turnaround and I found myself stunned by this new perspective.
What the actual fuck! How far can our mind take us? It’s quite scary.
This is a heartbreaking story.
How can we break free from this cycle of abuse and violence?
Please, tell me there is a way out.
Tell me that it can be different.
Tell me someone can have a fresh start.
Tell me that there is hope.
But the more I read, the more I can’t see the light.
Available on KU
Read
July 25, 2021Put on hold @ 64%
After reading 64% of the book, putting it on hold until book 3 comes out, IF there will be another book!
After reading 64% of the book, putting it on hold until book 3 comes out, IF there will be another book!
July 9, 2017
The Cycle (Violence Begets #2) by PT Denys
5 stars!!!
I’m not sure I am going to be able to convey just what this book did to me, what this author did to me. I should have learned my lesson from the first book in this series, Violence Begets, but hope had me thinking the author wouldn’t put me through that again. Surely there had been enough suffering? And after the end of Violence Begets I was thinking just what could and would happen? PT Denys is nowhere near finished, this author has the knack of literally destroying me emotionally, ripping out every single emotion she can until I am wrung dry. I cried a river, I was sobbing my heart out to the point I couldn’t read because the tears made everything blurry, to the hiccupping, wracking sobs. These characters made their mark in the first book, they were truly indelible by the end of this one.
I am not going to say anything about this book, I’m not even going to mention characters because everything is a spoiler. You definitely need to have read Violence Begets before reading this one as this story continues many years on from the end. This book is a rollercoaster of epic proportions, as I said above, my emotions were all over the place from love, to anger, to sheer agonising pain, empathy, happiness, disbelief, to total and utter devastation. Like I said one EMOTIONAL roller coaster. But this is kudos to PT Denys, because she delivered, she didn’t just draw you in, from the very first word you were sucked into one heck of an emotional vortex, like a whirlpool that spun you round and round and spat you out at the end, battered, bruised and crushed.
PT Denys stuck to her guns in this book and like I said in my review of Violence Begets “This book is emotional and will have triggers for many people but I have a huge amount of respect for the author…this book screams I am brave, I will write what I want and how I want, it is my story and I will tell it how I want to, I will write from the heart, I will bleed onto the page, it won’t be pretty but it will be real and it is mine, my story. It isn’t generic, it is definitely not cookie cutter, it is unique and I loved every single word.” That statement still holds true. M/M books can be a much of a much, but I have never read an M/M book that has destroyed me like these two books have, destroyed me in the best way. I live for books that make me live and breathe a story and this author has had me living this nightmare from the first word of Violence Begets. I have seen these characters grow from kids to men, but the horrors are still ever present, the scars still visible, both physically and emotionally, the repercussions still a threat. This was raw, but it was honest and it was real.
This book tackles many difficult subjects but as with the first book I would not have expected anything less. This author has balls and she is not afraid to use them and she exerts them to the best of her ability in this book. To be honest, I am literally broken. This was one of those books that had me looking around thinking, what the hell have I just read? One where it takes hours to digest, one where it took a night’s sleep to be able to form any coherent thoughts, one where I thought, now that was a bloody amazing book, one that made my sleep fitful, one that consumed my dreams and one where I needed to get my thoughts and opinions down as soon as I woke. I’m truly at a loss. There is so much I want to say but I can’t because you need to read this as the author intended, you need to experience the highs and lows for yourself for you to truly appreciate their emotional impact.
This book is eye opening, this book goes some ways to make you understand that even decades on, abuse never leaves you. The implications are just as far reaching as they are devastating. However, it also goes some ways to showing that even the most broken of hearts can still beat for the right person. This book showed inner strength, the power of love and trust and the ramifications when they are broken. The mind is a fickle beast, it is one we take for granted and yet it has the power to heal and to decimate. While I’m sitting here rocking in a corner, contemplating how I am going to put my fractured heart back together, I will be patiently waiting for the next one. While this one was years in the making, I am hoping that I don’t have to wait that long this time. PT Denys needs to put me out of my misery, smartish. Seriously though, if you have not read this series, this is a must read. It is not just an M/M book, it is so, so, so much more. Yes, it can be painful, but it is seriously so well written that you cannot help but be amazed by their content and their characters. ADORED this book even though it killed me.
www.theromancecover.com
5 stars!!!
“I’ve heard that violence begets violence, but in my world, violence begat love. There’d been no one since Kevin . . . because there hasn’t been anyone but Kevin.”
I’m not sure I am going to be able to convey just what this book did to me, what this author did to me. I should have learned my lesson from the first book in this series, Violence Begets, but hope had me thinking the author wouldn’t put me through that again. Surely there had been enough suffering? And after the end of Violence Begets I was thinking just what could and would happen? PT Denys is nowhere near finished, this author has the knack of literally destroying me emotionally, ripping out every single emotion she can until I am wrung dry. I cried a river, I was sobbing my heart out to the point I couldn’t read because the tears made everything blurry, to the hiccupping, wracking sobs. These characters made their mark in the first book, they were truly indelible by the end of this one.
“you’re walking into a goddamn mine field. The memories alone are going to tear you apart. I can see you already turning in on yourself. I see it because I’ve fucking done it. I’ve run hard and fast from memories that have the power to destroy me. But you, with this fucked up plan . . . you’re running headfirst into a fire that will obliterate you…”
I am not going to say anything about this book, I’m not even going to mention characters because everything is a spoiler. You definitely need to have read Violence Begets before reading this one as this story continues many years on from the end. This book is a rollercoaster of epic proportions, as I said above, my emotions were all over the place from love, to anger, to sheer agonising pain, empathy, happiness, disbelief, to total and utter devastation. Like I said one EMOTIONAL roller coaster. But this is kudos to PT Denys, because she delivered, she didn’t just draw you in, from the very first word you were sucked into one heck of an emotional vortex, like a whirlpool that spun you round and round and spat you out at the end, battered, bruised and crushed.
“He was hunting me again; the past and the present were the same.”
PT Denys stuck to her guns in this book and like I said in my review of Violence Begets “This book is emotional and will have triggers for many people but I have a huge amount of respect for the author…this book screams I am brave, I will write what I want and how I want, it is my story and I will tell it how I want to, I will write from the heart, I will bleed onto the page, it won’t be pretty but it will be real and it is mine, my story. It isn’t generic, it is definitely not cookie cutter, it is unique and I loved every single word.” That statement still holds true. M/M books can be a much of a much, but I have never read an M/M book that has destroyed me like these two books have, destroyed me in the best way. I live for books that make me live and breathe a story and this author has had me living this nightmare from the first word of Violence Begets. I have seen these characters grow from kids to men, but the horrors are still ever present, the scars still visible, both physically and emotionally, the repercussions still a threat. This was raw, but it was honest and it was real.
“I don't know what to do. It's like you're there, holding both our hearts over an open flame and it's obvious that both of us are screaming out in pain, but you're the one with your hands in the fire and I don't understand. I'm here, ready with a fire extinguisher, but you won't let me use it. You won't let me help, and you're killing us.”
This book tackles many difficult subjects but as with the first book I would not have expected anything less. This author has balls and she is not afraid to use them and she exerts them to the best of her ability in this book. To be honest, I am literally broken. This was one of those books that had me looking around thinking, what the hell have I just read? One where it takes hours to digest, one where it took a night’s sleep to be able to form any coherent thoughts, one where I thought, now that was a bloody amazing book, one that made my sleep fitful, one that consumed my dreams and one where I needed to get my thoughts and opinions down as soon as I woke. I’m truly at a loss. There is so much I want to say but I can’t because you need to read this as the author intended, you need to experience the highs and lows for yourself for you to truly appreciate their emotional impact.
“Your hand was used to ground me. And my touch was used to bury us.”
This book is eye opening, this book goes some ways to make you understand that even decades on, abuse never leaves you. The implications are just as far reaching as they are devastating. However, it also goes some ways to showing that even the most broken of hearts can still beat for the right person. This book showed inner strength, the power of love and trust and the ramifications when they are broken. The mind is a fickle beast, it is one we take for granted and yet it has the power to heal and to decimate. While I’m sitting here rocking in a corner, contemplating how I am going to put my fractured heart back together, I will be patiently waiting for the next one. While this one was years in the making, I am hoping that I don’t have to wait that long this time. PT Denys needs to put me out of my misery, smartish. Seriously though, if you have not read this series, this is a must read. It is not just an M/M book, it is so, so, so much more. Yes, it can be painful, but it is seriously so well written that you cannot help but be amazed by their content and their characters. ADORED this book even though it killed me.
“I had to break the cycle of violence. I had to love myself, to love my brother, to love . . . I had to choose love.”
www.theromancecover.com
September 20, 2017
OH MY GAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWD!!!
A complimentary copy was provided by the author via the GR DBML program in exchange for an honest review.
I just don't have words. When I read Violence Begets..., I couldn't believe how much these boys went through, and then to have it end the way it did , I was such a wreck. I would read Violence Begets a few times after that, but I always stopped before the book ended because I couldn't handle it and I wanted to believe they were happy and together and that they got away.
When I learned there would be a sequel I could hardly stand it. I was so (probably too much) invested in learning what Rick would be put through, because I didn't have any idea where PT was leading me with his continued story. I learned through hints what The Cycle would be about and I was soooo happy to hear how it would start.
Now, knowing PT I knew this sequel wouldn't be easy, but I HAD NO IDEA!!! This book PISSED ME OFF! I was so furious with Rick for being blind to how things were progressing once they returned to Utah. We as the reader knew more about what Kevin was holding back and I wanted to scream at him (I did in my head - a lot) to TALK to Rick, to talk to Jonathan, to talk to Tristan, to talk to someone, but his PTSD and absolute fear over his dad and what he is capable of, and his love for Rick (and wanting to protect him at all costs) prevented him from reaching out. I was heartsick over what Kevin was going through, and I was also MAD. I will probably say that a lot.
I HAD to skim to the end because I needed to know how it ended. I don't know if I should be happy or mad that PT wrote "this isn't the end," at the end. The "end" is dark and depressing and just so mind-bogglingly bad that I can't...I just can't.
I don't know what is real and what isn't - there are things that happened in this story but I don't know what to believe. I have a lot of questions, but mostly I am left feeling upset. I didn't want this to be their story, I don't want them to be broken. I hope PT doesn't make us wait another 4 years to the continuation of their story (and please let this be the end, I need them to make it).
You HAVE to read Violence Begets first, or this book won't make any sense. These are meant to be read in order. And if you read Violence Begets, you need to know that The Cycle is not any better as far as the violence in it. In fact, I would consider it even more heartbreaking and so much harder to handle. My heart bleeds for these guys.
I totally recommend, but this isn't for the faint of heart. You've got to be tough to read this series.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author via the GR DBML program in exchange for an honest review.
I just don't have words. When I read Violence Begets..., I couldn't believe how much these boys went through, and then to have it end the way it did , I was such a wreck. I would read Violence Begets a few times after that, but I always stopped before the book ended because I couldn't handle it and I wanted to believe they were happy and together and that they got away.
When I learned there would be a sequel I could hardly stand it. I was so (probably too much) invested in learning what Rick would be put through, because I didn't have any idea where PT was leading me with his continued story. I learned through hints what The Cycle would be about and I was soooo happy to hear how it would start.
Now, knowing PT I knew this sequel wouldn't be easy, but I HAD NO IDEA!!! This book PISSED ME OFF! I was so furious with Rick for being blind to how things were progressing once they returned to Utah. We as the reader knew more about what Kevin was holding back and I wanted to scream at him (I did in my head - a lot) to TALK to Rick, to talk to Jonathan, to talk to Tristan, to talk to someone, but his PTSD and absolute fear over his dad and what he is capable of, and his love for Rick (and wanting to protect him at all costs) prevented him from reaching out. I was heartsick over what Kevin was going through, and I was also MAD. I will probably say that a lot.
I HAD to skim to the end because I needed to know how it ended. I don't know if I should be happy or mad that PT wrote "this isn't the end," at the end. The "end" is dark and depressing and just so mind-bogglingly bad that I can't...I just can't.
I don't know what is real and what isn't - there are things that happened in this story but I don't know what to believe. I have a lot of questions, but mostly I am left feeling upset. I didn't want this to be their story, I don't want them to be broken. I hope PT doesn't make us wait another 4 years to the continuation of their story (and please let this be the end, I need them to make it).
You HAVE to read Violence Begets first, or this book won't make any sense. These are meant to be read in order. And if you read Violence Begets, you need to know that The Cycle is not any better as far as the violence in it. In fact, I would consider it even more heartbreaking and so much harder to handle. My heart bleeds for these guys.
I totally recommend, but this isn't for the faint of heart. You've got to be tough to read this series.
September 29, 2017
*A copy of this book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
I hated this. I'm sorry. I feel bad about it, but it was just depressing AF. Just 400 pages of trauma and mental illness. Apparently if you have an abusive dad you're destined to become him because reasons. Oh but only one of you. The other one is Mr. Never Wrong. This book is 12 years after the first one, and covers over 2 years of time. I weirdly have more compassion for Kevin than anyone. He struggles so deeply and Rick just kind of shrugs at him and doesn't fight for him. Rick's preoccupied, rightfully, to a degree with saving his little brother from reliving his childhood. I was disappointed that Rick was so willing to throw away someone who is supposed to mean so much to him, and 12 years. Kevin isn't an angel, I don't want to make it seem like he is. He's secretive & he's abusive. There's reason but I don't want to spoil it for those who will enjoy this. I am much more bothered by Rick's emotional and later physical affair. He pulls away and starts leaning on another man, some can justify it...I don't like the way it played out. Jonathan felt skeevy from the start, he knew Rick was happily(for a time) married and he still flirted and insinuated himself in Rick's life. I hated him. And authors, don't try and hold up a character who has no qualms at moving in on a married man as being RABIDLY anti-cheating. It doesn't compute. I mostly feel bad for Isaac. He's just screwed either way. Abusive dad, abusive brother-in-law, verbally abusive brother (who tries but also a product of his life). Ugh. I just hated this. There's ZERO light. It's all dark. It's all depressing. There is no happy ending. It's hinted that there will be another book. I'm morbidly curious but I'm not sure I'll read it.
I hated this. I'm sorry. I feel bad about it, but it was just depressing AF. Just 400 pages of trauma and mental illness. Apparently if you have an abusive dad you're destined to become him because reasons. Oh but only one of you. The other one is Mr. Never Wrong. This book is 12 years after the first one, and covers over 2 years of time. I weirdly have more compassion for Kevin than anyone. He struggles so deeply and Rick just kind of shrugs at him and doesn't fight for him. Rick's preoccupied, rightfully, to a degree with saving his little brother from reliving his childhood. I was disappointed that Rick was so willing to throw away someone who is supposed to mean so much to him, and 12 years. Kevin isn't an angel, I don't want to make it seem like he is. He's secretive & he's abusive. There's reason but I don't want to spoil it for those who will enjoy this. I am much more bothered by Rick's emotional and later physical affair. He pulls away and starts leaning on another man, some can justify it...I don't like the way it played out. Jonathan felt skeevy from the start, he knew Rick was happily(for a time) married and he still flirted and insinuated himself in Rick's life. I hated him. And authors, don't try and hold up a character who has no qualms at moving in on a married man as being RABIDLY anti-cheating. It doesn't compute. I mostly feel bad for Isaac. He's just screwed either way. Abusive dad, abusive brother-in-law, verbally abusive brother (who tries but also a product of his life). Ugh. I just hated this. There's ZERO light. It's all dark. It's all depressing. There is no happy ending. It's hinted that there will be another book. I'm morbidly curious but I'm not sure I'll read it.
March 22, 2018
There be spoilers below. Advance with caution.
*sigh*
Somewhere 3/4 into the book, this dialogue occurs:
"Wait, did Shakespeare just kill everyone off?" I asked, flabbergasted at the end of the production [of Hamlet].
"He's kinda known for his tragic endings. [...]"
"That was so depressing. I mean, who does that? Who kills off the main character of the story without a second thought?"
"Some would call it real life."
"I call it cruel."
This self referential passage is rather... ludicrous, coming from an author who starts the second book in her series by retconning the epilogue of the first book, and not in a particularly clever way. She simply changes facts to bring her (regretfully?) dead main character back to life. I kind of wish she'd stuck to her guns on that one, even tho after getting thru all the over the top abuse and struggle of Violence Begets... I thought that not only Kevin and Rick deserved to get a happy-ish ending, but I deserved it too - even tho I'm not a person who shies from tragic endings, generally speaking. But agreed, that ending seemed rather cruel at the time.
That being said, I'm not certain the Cycle was worth resurrecting Kevin. We skip to 13 years later. Everything is hunky dory in New York. Kev and Ricky are, like, NYC's hottest couple. Lots of therapy has helped them become successful and relatively well adjusted individuals. But then -bang! - Rick's got an unexpected 12 year old half brother who is being beaten by his dad. The boys return to Utah.Let the downward spiral begin.
The main problem I had with the story that followed (which ends on a relationship cliffhanger) is that the bulk of the book is very repetitive. Yes, abuse is repetitive. It builds over time. But there's only so many times you can read the same sequence of scenes before you're waiting for the plot to move further. And when it finally did move on, it still didn't engage me. Kevin in Violence Begets is an engaging character, you begin with a strong dislike and slowly come to care and root for him as the plot unfolds. That was the strength of the book. But that Kevin is nowhere to be found here. Somehow his voice was lost in the message PT Denys is trying to convey. And as a reader, you're hit with this message over and over again (too soon?...) Violence is bad. Violence is a cycle. Codependency is bad. Abusing others is a choice. But sometimes you can't help it? It's the voices in yr head? In parts I felt like I was reading a really fucked up self help book.
As there seems to be a 3rd part in the works, I'm questioning why it was this story that was told. Why the little brother? Why not start where the alternate ending of the first book left off? How did Kevin and Rick fare in their first years in New York? How did they manage to create this well rounded life for themselves before it all went to shit 13 years later? I would've liked to find out about that, rather than about their bartender friend, who was a bit of a pointless character. Like the caretaker of the hotel in the Shining (the film version). You know, the one who rides to the rescue and is instantly killed? That kind of pointless. Tho Tristan, the sexy not so straight bartender, doesn't die.
The Cycle has the same level of repeated excessive abuse, real and/or imagined, as the first in the series, without the compelling characters and without the increasingly devastating plot. It's just a slog and the climax is dubious in its realism. The revelation was at once expected and unlikely.
In conclusion, necromancy is perhaps not the strongest literary device.
*sigh*
Somewhere 3/4 into the book, this dialogue occurs:
"Wait, did Shakespeare just kill everyone off?" I asked, flabbergasted at the end of the production [of Hamlet].
"He's kinda known for his tragic endings. [...]"
"That was so depressing. I mean, who does that? Who kills off the main character of the story without a second thought?"
"Some would call it real life."
"I call it cruel."
This self referential passage is rather... ludicrous, coming from an author who starts the second book in her series by retconning the epilogue of the first book, and not in a particularly clever way. She simply changes facts to bring her (regretfully?) dead main character back to life. I kind of wish she'd stuck to her guns on that one, even tho after getting thru all the over the top abuse and struggle of Violence Begets... I thought that not only Kevin and Rick deserved to get a happy-ish ending, but I deserved it too - even tho I'm not a person who shies from tragic endings, generally speaking. But agreed, that ending seemed rather cruel at the time.
That being said, I'm not certain the Cycle was worth resurrecting Kevin. We skip to 13 years later. Everything is hunky dory in New York. Kev and Ricky are, like, NYC's hottest couple. Lots of therapy has helped them become successful and relatively well adjusted individuals. But then -bang! - Rick's got an unexpected 12 year old half brother who is being beaten by his dad. The boys return to Utah.Let the downward spiral begin.
The main problem I had with the story that followed (which ends on a relationship cliffhanger) is that the bulk of the book is very repetitive. Yes, abuse is repetitive. It builds over time. But there's only so many times you can read the same sequence of scenes before you're waiting for the plot to move further. And when it finally did move on, it still didn't engage me. Kevin in Violence Begets is an engaging character, you begin with a strong dislike and slowly come to care and root for him as the plot unfolds. That was the strength of the book. But that Kevin is nowhere to be found here. Somehow his voice was lost in the message PT Denys is trying to convey. And as a reader, you're hit with this message over and over again (too soon?...) Violence is bad. Violence is a cycle. Codependency is bad. Abusing others is a choice. But sometimes you can't help it? It's the voices in yr head? In parts I felt like I was reading a really fucked up self help book.
As there seems to be a 3rd part in the works, I'm questioning why it was this story that was told. Why the little brother? Why not start where the alternate ending of the first book left off? How did Kevin and Rick fare in their first years in New York? How did they manage to create this well rounded life for themselves before it all went to shit 13 years later? I would've liked to find out about that, rather than about their bartender friend, who was a bit of a pointless character. Like the caretaker of the hotel in the Shining (the film version). You know, the one who rides to the rescue and is instantly killed? That kind of pointless. Tho Tristan, the sexy not so straight bartender, doesn't die.
The Cycle has the same level of repeated excessive abuse, real and/or imagined, as the first in the series, without the compelling characters and without the increasingly devastating plot. It's just a slog and the climax is dubious in its realism. The revelation was at once expected and unlikely.
In conclusion, necromancy is perhaps not the strongest literary device.
June 17, 2017
**ARC REVIEW FOR ONE CLICK AHOLICS BOOK GROUP**
After reading Violence Begets, book one of this series, I was left in a state of shock, nausea, and pain for both Rick an Kevin and desperately needed to hear more from them no matter how disturbing their story was.
This one starts where that finished and is just as heart wrenching and emotionally disturbing .
The author doesn't go into too much detail as to what the guys have been up to since we last read them but we do get to hear how they've more or less healed from their pasts.
We're introduced to Rick's brother as well as some new characters who i feel are crucial to the story.
I'm not going to say too much in regards to Rick's brother as if I do it'll spoil the story and what follows.
What I will say is this; When I was reading this I found myself on a number of occasions having to close my kindle and walking away to take a breather from all the emotions I felt towards Rick & Kevin. At times I got SO angry at Kevin yet in the same breath understood the reasons behind his actions no matter how wrong they were. I really do feel this author has an amazing knack when it comes to writing a story such as this as even though the abuse, both mental and physical, isn't easy to read, the way they write it draws you in, makes you feel for the characters and see the reason behind their actions.
I want to say that this story was "beautifully" written, but again, considering the content, that's not a word I can use. What I can say is that the story writing was excellent and the way the topic was handled was with great care and understanding.
I don't know what more to say about this book, it was amazingly written and is a story that, just like the first book, will truly test your emotions.
Absolutely AMAZING! Five stars are nowhere NEAR enough for this book!
After reading Violence Begets, book one of this series, I was left in a state of shock, nausea, and pain for both Rick an Kevin and desperately needed to hear more from them no matter how disturbing their story was.
This one starts where that finished and is just as heart wrenching and emotionally disturbing .
The author doesn't go into too much detail as to what the guys have been up to since we last read them but we do get to hear how they've more or less healed from their pasts.
We're introduced to Rick's brother as well as some new characters who i feel are crucial to the story.
I'm not going to say too much in regards to Rick's brother as if I do it'll spoil the story and what follows.
What I will say is this; When I was reading this I found myself on a number of occasions having to close my kindle and walking away to take a breather from all the emotions I felt towards Rick & Kevin. At times I got SO angry at Kevin yet in the same breath understood the reasons behind his actions no matter how wrong they were. I really do feel this author has an amazing knack when it comes to writing a story such as this as even though the abuse, both mental and physical, isn't easy to read, the way they write it draws you in, makes you feel for the characters and see the reason behind their actions.
I want to say that this story was "beautifully" written, but again, considering the content, that's not a word I can use. What I can say is that the story writing was excellent and the way the topic was handled was with great care and understanding.
I don't know what more to say about this book, it was amazingly written and is a story that, just like the first book, will truly test your emotions.
Absolutely AMAZING! Five stars are nowhere NEAR enough for this book!
June 25, 2017
I really have no clue how to review this book and not give anything away......I finished this two days ago and just can't get it out of my head....I received this for an honest review for HOOKED ON BOOKS GROUP....Pt took this to heights I never imagined....After the last one finished which devastated me I never thought this one would devastate me more and in a totally different way.....Rick was a totally different person in this one in that he stood up to his father.....Finally after years of being scared of him he stood up to him for his younger brother Isaac's sake...Moving back to Utah was the dumbest move but to keep Isaac safe from his father it had to be done.....And everything spirals out of control from that moment on.....Kevin..oh sweet Kevin is the one who spirals out of control the most....His past I feel is more haunting that Ricks in the way that his father wanted to hurt him...loved hurting him and is still hurting even if not physically.
The secondary characters we meet are a great addition.....Jonathan and his friend Gabe are just perfect and Tristan especially..I love Tristan and I know there is something there that we need to find out about him.....He is Kevin and Ricks best friend.....I read some very dark books in the past and there is only one other author who has really destroyed me whilst reading..A book I find very hard to re-read (not that I have to because I remember every sordid detail...Antidote by Jack L Pyke).....
So...Pt Denys has just climbed into my *Authors who break me and don't necessarily put me back together quick* box....It's a small box and am sure Jack won't mind the company along with Kol Anderson....Needless to say I will re-read this....probably with a strong bottle of alcohol and a lot of tissues because as hard as it is to read it is still the most beautiful, profound, deep, destroying and magnificent book I've read to date....This review might not make a lot of sense but to be honest when a book can destroy you and leave you open and raw it no doubt needs to be up there with the best x
The secondary characters we meet are a great addition.....Jonathan and his friend Gabe are just perfect and Tristan especially..I love Tristan and I know there is something there that we need to find out about him.....He is Kevin and Ricks best friend.....I read some very dark books in the past and there is only one other author who has really destroyed me whilst reading..A book I find very hard to re-read (not that I have to because I remember every sordid detail...Antidote by Jack L Pyke).....
So...Pt Denys has just climbed into my *Authors who break me and don't necessarily put me back together quick* box....It's a small box and am sure Jack won't mind the company along with Kol Anderson....Needless to say I will re-read this....probably with a strong bottle of alcohol and a lot of tissues because as hard as it is to read it is still the most beautiful, profound, deep, destroying and magnificent book I've read to date....This review might not make a lot of sense but to be honest when a book can destroy you and leave you open and raw it no doubt needs to be up there with the best x
June 17, 2017
The Cycle starts years after Violence Begets ends. Rick and Kevin are finally living the life they deserved. They have friends and a love that you can feel deep in your soul. Rick still has communication with his sister Emma and that's when we get introduced to his brother Isaac. I'm not going to get into Isaacs situation and spoil the story line but that's when the roller coaster of emotions started for me. I have never been so strongly pulled so many different ways in one book before. I felt Rick and Kevin's pain so strongly it made my chest actually ache. By the end of the book I was a crying mess that I literally had to put my Kindle down. I strongly recommend you read this book. It's a book that even though I finished reading it will be with me forever. I was given this book as an ARC and asked to give an honest review and honestly it deserves more than five stars!
June 22, 2017
I won a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
First of all, let me start off by saying that both this book and the first book Violence Begets should be read by absolutely everyone regardless of gender or sexuality. These books in my opinion are vital reading. This book had my heart in my throat from the beginning. I felt sick at what both Rick and Kevin endured during the first book but this book was worse for me as I honestly didn’t expect what happened to happen. My heart physically hurt by the end and I’m not sure I will ever get over this book. I found myself berating Kevin in my head at his actions but also sympathising with him as I understood why he was doing it. I felt sorry for Rick many times and also angry at a certain point but again I understood why he was acting like that. I felt incredibly sorry for Isaac and honestly wanted to reach into my kindle and hug him. This book is by far not an easy read but is one that focuses on important issues, both physically and mentally. PT has done a fantastic job bringing light to these issues and has handled the topic extremely well and in a way that even the simplest person could understand. PT has truly opened my eyes and this series by far one of the best I have read in years if not forever. 5 stars is truly not enough.
First of all, let me start off by saying that both this book and the first book Violence Begets should be read by absolutely everyone regardless of gender or sexuality. These books in my opinion are vital reading. This book had my heart in my throat from the beginning. I felt sick at what both Rick and Kevin endured during the first book but this book was worse for me as I honestly didn’t expect what happened to happen. My heart physically hurt by the end and I’m not sure I will ever get over this book. I found myself berating Kevin in my head at his actions but also sympathising with him as I understood why he was doing it. I felt sorry for Rick many times and also angry at a certain point but again I understood why he was acting like that. I felt incredibly sorry for Isaac and honestly wanted to reach into my kindle and hug him. This book is by far not an easy read but is one that focuses on important issues, both physically and mentally. PT has done a fantastic job bringing light to these issues and has handled the topic extremely well and in a way that even the simplest person could understand. PT has truly opened my eyes and this series by far one of the best I have read in years if not forever. 5 stars is truly not enough.
April 9, 2018
Painful...
Painful, raw, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and powerful story. The sequel was a more difficult read than the first. I'm in too much pain to even cry. Wow.
Painful, raw, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and powerful story. The sequel was a more difficult read than the first. I'm in too much pain to even cry. Wow.
January 26, 2022
Intense!
I didn’t think I could get sucked in more than I already was with the first book. I was wrong!
The Cycle is a crazy intense scary follow up to where we left off with Violence Begets. It is not for someone who wants a happy light story.
I am so invested in the lives of Kevin and Rick and the others. Maybe because I read them back to back, but I really need to know more.
I didn’t think I could get sucked in more than I already was with the first book. I was wrong!
The Cycle is a crazy intense scary follow up to where we left off with Violence Begets. It is not for someone who wants a happy light story.
I am so invested in the lives of Kevin and Rick and the others. Maybe because I read them back to back, but I really need to know more.
July 7, 2017
Prepare your tissues, people!
( I entered a contest and won an early ARC)
First of all I would like to say I LOVE the cycle, although it rips my heart out it is incredibly well written and thought out. It took me a couple day to absorb what happened, Pt Literally ripped my soul out, karate chopped it and then buried it with a rooting corpse LOL. All in all this was a sob fest, I spent a couple hours loudly sobbing from my room ( literally sobbing) . The trauma Kevin experiences translates to the reader in an incredibly realistic way, and it makes your heart ache even more for the child Kevin was. The rhythm of the writing keeps you interested and locked into the story. I did not want to look away, in fact I stayed up until the AM’s of the morning to finish it. Ricks brother Isaac, also portrays accurately the behavior corresponding with a childhood that twists a healthy Father son relationship, and makes it one where “love” and beating’s coincide. It is interesting as you read the book to observe the dynamics between Isaac and Rick, and Kevin and Isaac. You see maybe who Kevin could have been without Rick’s love. The end leaves you hoping, but also preparing for the worst. I loved this book because it explored Rick and Kevin’s adult relationship, the dynamics between them are fully realized in this book and you come to see where they stand in relation to the other. The repercussions of childhood traumas are fully uncovered and explored; you come to realize that the effects follow people for the rest of their lives on a visceral level and that the damage is not fully realized until later on in life. This book was amazing and I cannot wait till it is released, so everyone can appreciate it! I am now anxiously awaiting the third book! Curse you PT for writing such a dang good book!
( I entered a contest and won an early ARC)
First of all I would like to say I LOVE the cycle, although it rips my heart out it is incredibly well written and thought out. It took me a couple day to absorb what happened, Pt Literally ripped my soul out, karate chopped it and then buried it with a rooting corpse LOL. All in all this was a sob fest, I spent a couple hours loudly sobbing from my room ( literally sobbing) . The trauma Kevin experiences translates to the reader in an incredibly realistic way, and it makes your heart ache even more for the child Kevin was. The rhythm of the writing keeps you interested and locked into the story. I did not want to look away, in fact I stayed up until the AM’s of the morning to finish it. Ricks brother Isaac, also portrays accurately the behavior corresponding with a childhood that twists a healthy Father son relationship, and makes it one where “love” and beating’s coincide. It is interesting as you read the book to observe the dynamics between Isaac and Rick, and Kevin and Isaac. You see maybe who Kevin could have been without Rick’s love. The end leaves you hoping, but also preparing for the worst. I loved this book because it explored Rick and Kevin’s adult relationship, the dynamics between them are fully realized in this book and you come to see where they stand in relation to the other. The repercussions of childhood traumas are fully uncovered and explored; you come to realize that the effects follow people for the rest of their lives on a visceral level and that the damage is not fully realized until later on in life. This book was amazing and I cannot wait till it is released, so everyone can appreciate it! I am now anxiously awaiting the third book! Curse you PT for writing such a dang good book!
Read
November 27, 2017(NOT READ THIS) Just read a ton of reviews and decided I'm not gonna read this. These characters have been through too much to drag this trauma out. Imo a (different) epilogue should have ended their arc in book one, there's only so much suffering I can take before It seems pointless and just a plot device.
In my head, this book doesn't exist and kevin and rick have their happily ever after. Let me live in peace pls
In my head, this book doesn't exist and kevin and rick have their happily ever after. Let me live in peace pls
March 1, 2018
Goddammit. How am I supposed to wait for the third part now? 😫 I don't even know if I'll be able to read this. So much violence in this series... I can't count how many times my heart was breaking. 😭 Can we finally have a happy ending? Please? 😢
July 9, 2017
P.T Denys did it again! Argh!
I can't say I wasn't warned by the author. Really. I knew this would be heartbreaking and tear me apart.
I'm going to try and do this without spoilers.
If you haven't read Violence Begets... go do that first, then come back. Oh and read the warnings......
Trigger warnings for this book: Domestic Violence, abuse, suicidal ideations
After the torment of book one, and the horrible outcome for Rick and Kevin, I was somewhat emotionally prepared for this book. Insofar as I knew I would be getting something that would rip out my heart. This author is well adept at writing about darkness and sorrow in a non-gratuitous way, to completely spellbind and draw important parallels between childhood abuse and adult domestic abuse.
This story is set 14 years after book #1 and Rick is happily married and living in New York when he gets a call from his sister, Emma, telling him that their youngest brother is now the target of their father's rage.
Rick and his husband immediately set up plans to go back to Utah but with their history as child abuse survivors, and severe PTSD, Rick slowly finds himself back in the clutches of violence, even as he tries to help his brother feel safe and heal.
I binge read this story. I downloaded it and had an idea that I would read a little, just to satisfy my curiousity until I could give it my full attention. That didn't go well. I was immediately sucked into this story by powerful emotions. This is P.T. Denys' skill as a writer. I was completely in thrall from beginning to end. I looked up at midnight, after I'd finished, with my heart in my throat and the realisation that I got nothing else done. It commanded all of my attention.
All the helplessness, pain, and frustration from the first book is found in this one. There are similarities but also major differences. This is 14 years later after all, and Rick is no longer a child to be victimised by his father.
Unfortunately, loving someone with your whole heart, and believing that something can be fixed, changed, or loved away, cannot fix the insidiousness that is domestic violence and the way it worms its way into Rick's happy home.
Mental illness is a big part of this story. I'm not sure how much research went into this but it was pretty convincing. It felt like a train wreck was happening, and Rick was stuck across the tracks. From a perfectly happy life in New York, to the slow victimisation in Utah, the signs were there but it was hard to pinpoint the exact trigger.
Readers will need an anchor for this story. It is hard. There is a lot to unpack. It will make you feel rage, despair, heartache, and hope. Rick is always hopeful, and he has the biggest heart. I love him so much. His love for his people is all encompassing, and it is what keeps him going, but also holds him back. He is a memorable character full of depth and strength. He is someone I will remember for a long time to come.
This story ends on a cliffhanger....... And I almost threw my Kindle, but didn't, because I can't break it before I get my hands on the third book, whenever that comes out.
If you can deal with trauma, darkness, and heartbreak, with the sliver of strength and light shining through, then you will be well equipped to deal with this second installment of Violence Begets...
I can't say I wasn't warned by the author. Really. I knew this would be heartbreaking and tear me apart.
I'm going to try and do this without spoilers.
If you haven't read Violence Begets... go do that first, then come back. Oh and read the warnings......
Trigger warnings for this book: Domestic Violence, abuse, suicidal ideations
After the torment of book one, and the horrible outcome for Rick and Kevin, I was somewhat emotionally prepared for this book. Insofar as I knew I would be getting something that would rip out my heart. This author is well adept at writing about darkness and sorrow in a non-gratuitous way, to completely spellbind and draw important parallels between childhood abuse and adult domestic abuse.
This story is set 14 years after book #1 and Rick is happily married and living in New York when he gets a call from his sister, Emma, telling him that their youngest brother is now the target of their father's rage.
Rick and his husband immediately set up plans to go back to Utah but with their history as child abuse survivors, and severe PTSD, Rick slowly finds himself back in the clutches of violence, even as he tries to help his brother feel safe and heal.
I binge read this story. I downloaded it and had an idea that I would read a little, just to satisfy my curiousity until I could give it my full attention. That didn't go well. I was immediately sucked into this story by powerful emotions. This is P.T. Denys' skill as a writer. I was completely in thrall from beginning to end. I looked up at midnight, after I'd finished, with my heart in my throat and the realisation that I got nothing else done. It commanded all of my attention.
All the helplessness, pain, and frustration from the first book is found in this one. There are similarities but also major differences. This is 14 years later after all, and Rick is no longer a child to be victimised by his father.
Unfortunately, loving someone with your whole heart, and believing that something can be fixed, changed, or loved away, cannot fix the insidiousness that is domestic violence and the way it worms its way into Rick's happy home.
Mental illness is a big part of this story. I'm not sure how much research went into this but it was pretty convincing. It felt like a train wreck was happening, and Rick was stuck across the tracks. From a perfectly happy life in New York, to the slow victimisation in Utah, the signs were there but it was hard to pinpoint the exact trigger.
Readers will need an anchor for this story. It is hard. There is a lot to unpack. It will make you feel rage, despair, heartache, and hope. Rick is always hopeful, and he has the biggest heart. I love him so much. His love for his people is all encompassing, and it is what keeps him going, but also holds him back. He is a memorable character full of depth and strength. He is someone I will remember for a long time to come.
This story ends on a cliffhanger....... And I almost threw my Kindle, but didn't, because I can't break it before I get my hands on the third book, whenever that comes out.
If you can deal with trauma, darkness, and heartbreak, with the sliver of strength and light shining through, then you will be well equipped to deal with this second installment of Violence Begets...
September 16, 2021
Loved this book with all my heart but truly want to know the rest of the story. PT Denys I hope you don’t leave this tail unfinished. Please give us more!
August 2, 2017
Wow! That was...that was quite a ride...
Review to come when my thoughts aren't all over the place...
*REVIEW
The Cycle, by author P.T. Denys, is the long awaited sequel to Violence Begets and cannot be read as a standalone. It takes the reader through Rick’s journey to put together the pieces of his life after the events in Violence Begets.
This book begins with the epilogue from Violence Begets and includes a shocking twist that I didn’t see coming!
A little warning up front - if reading about child abuse/domestic violence is a trigger please do not read this book. Seriously!
I vividly remember finishing Violence Begets and being crushed. At times Violence Begets was so very hard to read, yet I couldn’t help but hope that the two of these boys would make it and get their happily ever after. After all of the abuse that Rick and Kevin endured at the hands of their father’s, and the love they found with each other, I was simply devastated at the ending. It was a story that stayed with me for many months!
When I heard rumblings of a sequel to Violence Begets I couldn’t have been more happy. P.T. kept tantalizing readers with teasers and I have to admit I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Rick move on, the romantic in me wanted Rick and Kevin together forever. But with the ending of book one - in my eyes I knew that couldn’t be possible.
This is a tough review to write as I don’t want to spoil anything for the readers. P.T. Denys is such a talented writer drawing out so much heartache in this book. The same level of pain and anguish found in book one are very present in this installment.
Ms. Denys made me feel sorrow, shock, hope, love...so much so my head is still spinning
The Cycle picks up 13 years later and Rick has picked up the pieces of his life and is now settled in New York. He’s gone to college and now works as a consultant. His life is quiet and comfortable. He fulfills his dream of playing guitar in a local bar and he has a good friend in Tristan, an older bartender who works at the bar Rick plays in. Tristan definitely has a past and I am eager to learn more about who he is.
The author introduces us to new characters. Namely Rick’s younger brother, Isaac, who is the primary focus of this story. Denys puts you inside Rick’s head, and the devastation he suffered at his father’s hands, when he gets a simple phone call that forces him to return to the one place where he thought he’d never have to go. Home.
You can’t escape your past.
All too soon Rick returns to Utah and confronts his father about the abuse that Isaac has been suffering. I could feel the fear Rick felt and in my mind’s eye I could see his face. The past horror he suffered is now being inflicted on his 12 year old brother. To find out the abuse has been going on since Isaac was a baby is horrifying.
This is where I knew the story was only going to get harder and harder to read. The scenes between Rick and his father are so emotionally charged. Rick is confused at the love he sees in his father’s eyes and I could literally feel the hurt, confusion, and anger in Rick.
The author does a tremendous job in showing how the years of abuse have affected Isaac. He’s very troubled and angry and Rick has his hands full attempting to heal the damage his father has inflicted. Isaac and Rick struggle to get along and Rick finds himself doubting himself at every turn.
In the beginning of the story Rick has clear ideas and plans on how to help Isaac. Only he didn’t realize that being back in Utah would open old wounds and affect him as deeply as it does and those plans and ideas quickly unravel. It’s no shock that he sometimes stumbles when trying to care for Isaac but he finds a good friend, Jonathan, who becomes a beacon of light and safety for him.
The Violence Begets series is not easy to read but I think P.T. Denys does a tremendous job in showing what abuse can do. It can destroy you and bring you to the lowest depths yet with unconditional love it has the power to build you up.
As Rick says, “‘I knew what I had to do. I had to break the cycle of violence. I had to love myself, to love my brother, to love… I had to choose love.’”
Even with all the pain, The Cycle ends on hopeful note and I eagerly await for more of Rick’s story.
Review to come when my thoughts aren't all over the place...
*REVIEW
The Cycle, by author P.T. Denys, is the long awaited sequel to Violence Begets and cannot be read as a standalone. It takes the reader through Rick’s journey to put together the pieces of his life after the events in Violence Begets.
This book begins with the epilogue from Violence Begets and includes a shocking twist that I didn’t see coming!
A little warning up front - if reading about child abuse/domestic violence is a trigger please do not read this book. Seriously!
I vividly remember finishing Violence Begets and being crushed. At times Violence Begets was so very hard to read, yet I couldn’t help but hope that the two of these boys would make it and get their happily ever after. After all of the abuse that Rick and Kevin endured at the hands of their father’s, and the love they found with each other, I was simply devastated at the ending. It was a story that stayed with me for many months!
When I heard rumblings of a sequel to Violence Begets I couldn’t have been more happy. P.T. kept tantalizing readers with teasers and I have to admit I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Rick move on, the romantic in me wanted Rick and Kevin together forever. But with the ending of book one - in my eyes I knew that couldn’t be possible.
This is a tough review to write as I don’t want to spoil anything for the readers. P.T. Denys is such a talented writer drawing out so much heartache in this book. The same level of pain and anguish found in book one are very present in this installment.
Ms. Denys made me feel sorrow, shock, hope, love...so much so my head is still spinning
The Cycle picks up 13 years later and Rick has picked up the pieces of his life and is now settled in New York. He’s gone to college and now works as a consultant. His life is quiet and comfortable. He fulfills his dream of playing guitar in a local bar and he has a good friend in Tristan, an older bartender who works at the bar Rick plays in. Tristan definitely has a past and I am eager to learn more about who he is.
The author introduces us to new characters. Namely Rick’s younger brother, Isaac, who is the primary focus of this story. Denys puts you inside Rick’s head, and the devastation he suffered at his father’s hands, when he gets a simple phone call that forces him to return to the one place where he thought he’d never have to go. Home.
You can’t escape your past.
All too soon Rick returns to Utah and confronts his father about the abuse that Isaac has been suffering. I could feel the fear Rick felt and in my mind’s eye I could see his face. The past horror he suffered is now being inflicted on his 12 year old brother. To find out the abuse has been going on since Isaac was a baby is horrifying.
This is where I knew the story was only going to get harder and harder to read. The scenes between Rick and his father are so emotionally charged. Rick is confused at the love he sees in his father’s eyes and I could literally feel the hurt, confusion, and anger in Rick.
The author does a tremendous job in showing how the years of abuse have affected Isaac. He’s very troubled and angry and Rick has his hands full attempting to heal the damage his father has inflicted. Isaac and Rick struggle to get along and Rick finds himself doubting himself at every turn.
In the beginning of the story Rick has clear ideas and plans on how to help Isaac. Only he didn’t realize that being back in Utah would open old wounds and affect him as deeply as it does and those plans and ideas quickly unravel. It’s no shock that he sometimes stumbles when trying to care for Isaac but he finds a good friend, Jonathan, who becomes a beacon of light and safety for him.
The Violence Begets series is not easy to read but I think P.T. Denys does a tremendous job in showing what abuse can do. It can destroy you and bring you to the lowest depths yet with unconditional love it has the power to build you up.
As Rick says, “‘I knew what I had to do. I had to break the cycle of violence. I had to love myself, to love my brother, to love… I had to choose love.’”
Even with all the pain, The Cycle ends on hopeful note and I eagerly await for more of Rick’s story.
September 21, 2018
Extremely Emotional
I have started this review many times. This is the continuing story of Kevin and Rick, who both suffered physical abuse at the hands of their fathers. Kevin suffered longer and far more than Rick, but they found love and happiness with each other. Fearing Kevin’s father, although he was sentenced to life in prison, they changed their names and fled to New York where they lived without violence and worked through their trauma with therapy.
After getting a call that Rick’s father was now abusing Rick’s younger brother, the two head back to Utah to help. While they talked through a lot of scenarios and did their best to prepare for placing themselves back on the “battlegrounds” that could trigger them and cause damage to their own mental health and put them on the radar of Kevin’s dad, they couldn’t foresee how damaging going home would become.
This story is frustrating throughout most of the first half and and gut wrenching throughout the second half. It’s frustrating to watch as both Rick and Kevin acknowledge things that are, then ignore them in favor of some noble idea of protection by Kevin and in favor of supposedly putting his younger brother first for Rick. I say supposedly for Rick, because by ignoring Kevin’s decline and slow spiraling descent, he actually put his brother in a worse situation than he saved him from. Rick had so many chances to help Kevin, but kept telling himself that if things were hard, Kevin would tell him. At the same time he claimed to know Kevin so well.
If this reads as if I’m bitter towards Rick, it’s because I am. Even with his character having less knowledge of what was going on in Kevin’s mind than the reader, Rick had the knowledge that Kevin’s mental health wasn’t stable and did nothing. I reached a point where the only character I fully cared about was Kevin because he was the most in danger and he was ignored.
This is the only book I have ever read that triggered anxiety in me. I developed a very real fear for Kevin as things escalated. It’s because of the emotions this story invoked and the great writing that it earned 4 stars from me.
I have started this review many times. This is the continuing story of Kevin and Rick, who both suffered physical abuse at the hands of their fathers. Kevin suffered longer and far more than Rick, but they found love and happiness with each other. Fearing Kevin’s father, although he was sentenced to life in prison, they changed their names and fled to New York where they lived without violence and worked through their trauma with therapy.
After getting a call that Rick’s father was now abusing Rick’s younger brother, the two head back to Utah to help. While they talked through a lot of scenarios and did their best to prepare for placing themselves back on the “battlegrounds” that could trigger them and cause damage to their own mental health and put them on the radar of Kevin’s dad, they couldn’t foresee how damaging going home would become.
This story is frustrating throughout most of the first half and and gut wrenching throughout the second half. It’s frustrating to watch as both Rick and Kevin acknowledge things that are, then ignore them in favor of some noble idea of protection by Kevin and in favor of supposedly putting his younger brother first for Rick. I say supposedly for Rick, because by ignoring Kevin’s decline and slow spiraling descent, he actually put his brother in a worse situation than he saved him from. Rick had so many chances to help Kevin, but kept telling himself that if things were hard, Kevin would tell him. At the same time he claimed to know Kevin so well.
If this reads as if I’m bitter towards Rick, it’s because I am. Even with his character having less knowledge of what was going on in Kevin’s mind than the reader, Rick had the knowledge that Kevin’s mental health wasn’t stable and did nothing. I reached a point where the only character I fully cared about was Kevin because he was the most in danger and he was ignored.
This is the only book I have ever read that triggered anxiety in me. I developed a very real fear for Kevin as things escalated. It’s because of the emotions this story invoked and the great writing that it earned 4 stars from me.
May 28, 2018
Powerful, Painful and Unforgettable
This book broke me. It is a MUST read!! That's for sure. It is hard to share a review of this incredible story and not give away spoilers..but I won't do that. You have to experience this unthinkable story for yourself. I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since page one. You must read the first book in the series, Violence Begets, to fully experience Kevin and Ricks' abusive childhood and beautiful love story. The Cycle is another unforgettable masterpiece and such a well written novel. This gifted author takes the readers on yet another raw, emotional and yes unforgettable journey into the lives of Kevin and Rick. This author does not hold back. Please read both amazing books in this series.
24 hrs later...This book was so emotionally draining and taxing that I slept for 13 hrs straight. I read Violence Begets and The Cycle back to back with maybe 2 hrs sleep inbetween books. Both books took so much emotionally from me. I have tried to pour what's left of me into another book. A lighter not so deep story..but I'm having problems concentrating. I can't stop thinking about Rick and Kevin and ALL the HELL they went through. I'm so eager for book 3 to be released and not knowing when is killing me. Both books were so powerful..and while I realize they're fiction..I know this has/is happening to someone. These two books mirror someone's tragic life. Fuuuckkk!!! I can't shake this story. This author is outstanding in her ability to write and convey a story so intense to this magnitude. The only book that's ever left me feeling this way is "The Struggle Within" which is based on true facts shared by some awesome beautiful strong men. I had to come back and add to my review. Maybe that'll help me..move on. These two books broke me.
This book broke me. It is a MUST read!! That's for sure. It is hard to share a review of this incredible story and not give away spoilers..but I won't do that. You have to experience this unthinkable story for yourself. I have been on an emotional rollercoaster since page one. You must read the first book in the series, Violence Begets, to fully experience Kevin and Ricks' abusive childhood and beautiful love story. The Cycle is another unforgettable masterpiece and such a well written novel. This gifted author takes the readers on yet another raw, emotional and yes unforgettable journey into the lives of Kevin and Rick. This author does not hold back. Please read both amazing books in this series.
24 hrs later...This book was so emotionally draining and taxing that I slept for 13 hrs straight. I read Violence Begets and The Cycle back to back with maybe 2 hrs sleep inbetween books. Both books took so much emotionally from me. I have tried to pour what's left of me into another book. A lighter not so deep story..but I'm having problems concentrating. I can't stop thinking about Rick and Kevin and ALL the HELL they went through. I'm so eager for book 3 to be released and not knowing when is killing me. Both books were so powerful..and while I realize they're fiction..I know this has/is happening to someone. These two books mirror someone's tragic life. Fuuuckkk!!! I can't shake this story. This author is outstanding in her ability to write and convey a story so intense to this magnitude. The only book that's ever left me feeling this way is "The Struggle Within" which is based on true facts shared by some awesome beautiful strong men. I had to come back and add to my review. Maybe that'll help me..move on. These two books broke me.
July 18, 2017
*3.75*
Ok people, I was a little disappointed when I started reading this book. I explain: I really loved beyond normal "I loved this book" mention. I mean.. the final of the first book was so real and crude that it left me raw in emotions.
I took this book with a lot of expectations because I wanted to know more of Rick story, to see if he had a happy ending and if so, how he got there.
I was shocked the first chapters, because what I read in the first book was a lie and I felt cheated. What I felt reading this book was not true?? NO!!!!
Starting with this, I don't know whether I took the second book in a wrong way...
I can't explain in detail (I would ruin the story for future readers) but I honestly don't know what to expect from the third book, because it will be another.
Just say, that I still liked the crude and violence, despite being against it in real life, it was just necessary to understand the MC and also their actions.
Said that, I will definitely will read the third of this series and hopefully the two MC will have the happy ending they deserved!
Ok people, I was a little disappointed when I started reading this book. I explain: I really loved beyond normal "I loved this book" mention. I mean.. the final of the first book was so real and crude that it left me raw in emotions.
I took this book with a lot of expectations because I wanted to know more of Rick story, to see if he had a happy ending and if so, how he got there.
I was shocked the first chapters, because what I read in the first book was a lie and I felt cheated. What I felt reading this book was not true?? NO!!!!
Starting with this, I don't know whether I took the second book in a wrong way...
I can't explain in detail (I would ruin the story for future readers) but I honestly don't know what to expect from the third book, because it will be another.
Just say, that I still liked the crude and violence, despite being against it in real life, it was just necessary to understand the MC and also their actions.
Said that, I will definitely will read the third of this series and hopefully the two MC will have the happy ending they deserved!
September 25, 2019
For the majority of the book I was wondering why Kevin was so weak. I was like why this and why that and that's because he's one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. When I finished reading Violence Begets... I needed a few days to gather my thoughts, and I realized that(at the time) I have never read about a character as strong as Kevin. You can't help but love him forever.
And you see, as much as I wanted to, I was terrified to read the sequel. I couldn't help but judge him at times, but by the end of the book, I took everything back.
I understood his behavior, and I get it.
Guess it goes without question that I loved this book, I'll adore the characters forever.
This story made me think about a lot of things....
More people should read this series
And you see, as much as I wanted to, I was terrified to read the sequel. I couldn't help but judge him at times, but by the end of the book, I took everything back.
I understood his behavior, and I get it.
Guess it goes without question that I loved this book, I'll adore the characters forever.
This story made me think about a lot of things....
More people should read this series
July 7, 2017
A Part 2 that needed & begged to be told.
I read Violence Begets twice. I couldn't leave the boys alone. I had to let them know is that I too was with them and heard them. I knew the truth. In The Cycle I get to continue showing my solidarity for these wonderfully scarred (mentally & physically) men. How they both took their shit hand in life and grew it into a grown up loving partnership is stunning and miraculous. But.........Just because their surface water has become calm does not mean that the depth of these two marked men have forgotten or can forget their past. In this second part of their lives we witness them attempting to live normal lives when their old lives come to revisit them. So have a tissue and a hand nearby to hold. Because PT Denys again reminds we readers that we do indeed have a heart that can be broken and still keep on beating.
I read Violence Begets twice. I couldn't leave the boys alone. I had to let them know is that I too was with them and heard them. I knew the truth. In The Cycle I get to continue showing my solidarity for these wonderfully scarred (mentally & physically) men. How they both took their shit hand in life and grew it into a grown up loving partnership is stunning and miraculous. But.........Just because their surface water has become calm does not mean that the depth of these two marked men have forgotten or can forget their past. In this second part of their lives we witness them attempting to live normal lives when their old lives come to revisit them. So have a tissue and a hand nearby to hold. Because PT Denys again reminds we readers that we do indeed have a heart that can be broken and still keep on beating.
July 23, 2017
I was a beta reader for this story and read it months ago. PT has a way of breaking me into little pieces and destroying my heart. The woman does emotional gay fiction well. When I finished reading this story I told my editor, "I want to hate her for making me feel like this." My editor's response? "That's the sign of a great writer." When you know your characters, you can do anything. You can take your readers down the rabbit hole. PT knows her characters inside and out. She knows that life unfortunately isn't sunshine and roses. I thought Violence Begets was rough, but The Cycle only prolonged my angst. Damn this was a mindfuck of a story. If you can't handle emotional turmoil, this isn't for you. If you're ready for a bumpy ride, saddle up but read Violence Begets first. I give The Cycle 4.5 stars.
January 12, 2018
My Review:
This is going to be a short review because I don't want to spoil the story for anyone.
This book...just wow. I'll admit the author made a risky choice with writing this book after the ending of the first book, but I kind of loved it that way.
Like the first book this is not an easy story. It goes to very dark places...very, very dark places that absolutely broke my heart.
And like the first book, I really hope that the story isn't over. Because I love Kevin and Rick and want to believe in their love despite the cycle they were thrust into way too young. Like the first book, this is about what a cycle of violence does to a person, how it destroys a person mentally. It's heartbreaking...all of it.
But hope remains. For me, I hope the author continues this series. I NEED MORE!!
This is going to be a short review because I don't want to spoil the story for anyone.
This book...just wow. I'll admit the author made a risky choice with writing this book after the ending of the first book, but I kind of loved it that way.
Like the first book this is not an easy story. It goes to very dark places...very, very dark places that absolutely broke my heart.
And like the first book, I really hope that the story isn't over. Because I love Kevin and Rick and want to believe in their love despite the cycle they were thrust into way too young. Like the first book, this is about what a cycle of violence does to a person, how it destroys a person mentally. It's heartbreaking...all of it.
But hope remains. For me, I hope the author continues this series. I NEED MORE!!
January 19, 2021
This is my first time giving a review... i HAD to. I'm so heartbroken...
I've finished reading this book yesterday and i'm still sad and mad. I was so looking forward to another chance for Rick and Kevin to love one another and then.....
Don't misunderstand, the book is awesome, i liked it very much. But, as i was reading, and understanding the "twist" and where it will lead to, i got very angry and sad.
I don't wanna spoil, so i'm not gonna talk much about the actual plot but it's not a romance.
Yes, in the beginning it's sweet and sexy, but then the whole atmospher of the book changes.
Trigger warning: a lot of abuse. I'm gonna say it again for those in the back that didn't hear, there is a lot of ABUSE in this book, past and present.
But i loved it anyway, so well written, and Rick is one of my favorite caracter ever!
Please, somebody tells me there is a n°3, please!!!
I've finished reading this book yesterday and i'm still sad and mad. I was so looking forward to another chance for Rick and Kevin to love one another and then.....
Don't misunderstand, the book is awesome, i liked it very much. But, as i was reading, and understanding the "twist" and where it will lead to, i got very angry and sad.
I don't wanna spoil, so i'm not gonna talk much about the actual plot but it's not a romance.
Yes, in the beginning it's sweet and sexy, but then the whole atmospher of the book changes.
Trigger warning: a lot of abuse. I'm gonna say it again for those in the back that didn't hear, there is a lot of ABUSE in this book, past and present.
But i loved it anyway, so well written, and Rick is one of my favorite caracter ever!
Please, somebody tells me there is a n°3, please!!!
July 16, 2017
Oh my, what do I say? I literally could not put this book down. I almost pulled an all-nighter trying to finish cause I needed to know what was gonna happen next, but I forced myself to go to sleep, only to wake up and do it all over again. 😝
Like others have said, I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did. I also can't say anything without spoiling the whole book, which was a genius move on the authors part, IMO.
It's a spoiler right from the get-go, which I was proud I avoided, since I tend to accidentally read them on occasion. I literally had to re-read the first page cause I thought I was mistaken, lol.
If you read the first book, this book isn't any easier. In fact, I felt it was darker, and I felt the emotions in each character. Great story-telling!
Like others have said, I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did. I also can't say anything without spoiling the whole book, which was a genius move on the authors part, IMO.
It's a spoiler right from the get-go, which I was proud I avoided, since I tend to accidentally read them on occasion. I literally had to re-read the first page cause I thought I was mistaken, lol.
If you read the first book, this book isn't any easier. In fact, I felt it was darker, and I felt the emotions in each character. Great story-telling!
October 17, 2017
I just don't know how I feel about this book. There were parts where I almost DNF'd because it became so repetitive and Rick seemed whiney. But I powered through and was so baffled by the ending, I just don't know what to think!!!
This installment feels like such a departure from the first in the series where the love of Kevin and Rick shined through. It was so easy to see the love build and grow. I was devastated by the ending.
This installment starts with a re-telling of that ending which gave the book tremendous promise. But then to slog through the disentanglement of that beautiful relationship leaves me so sad. No other word for it but sad...
This installment feels like such a departure from the first in the series where the love of Kevin and Rick shined through. It was so easy to see the love build and grow. I was devastated by the ending.
This installment starts with a re-telling of that ending which gave the book tremendous promise. But then to slog through the disentanglement of that beautiful relationship leaves me so sad. No other word for it but sad...
December 30, 2020
I don’t quite know what to say. This book took me 2.5 months to finish. Covid19 has made me easily distracted so I can’t blame the book for a lot to that, but...... I didn’t expect that ending. I had a feeling I knew where things were going with Kevin, and my suspicions were confirmed. I suppose it was more real than most ‘sappy’ romance, even LGBTQ romance usually is. For that I gave it an extra star. What downgraded it was the ending to Violence Begets... and the beginning of The Cycle. WTF? I almost DNF’d it right at the beginning. I won’t say more without spoilers, but it made me kind of angry. Had I known before hand, I dont’ think I would have purchased The Cycle. But I did, and so here I am.
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