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Silent Ground #1
Silent Ground Part 1
Sasha’s crazy. He knows he’s crazy, his uncle and best friend both know he’s crazy, and for a long time, they’d accepted it and loved him anyway.
But now, now things are changing. Sasha’s migranes are getting worse, there’s a voice inside of his head that keeps demeaning him, and for some screwed up reason, the only thing that cures these migranes, is Sasha’s own damn blood––which he has to resort to masochism to extract.
This is not okay; this is quickly becoming not okay and Sasha doesn’t know what the hell he’s supposed to do. What’s happening to him? And how much longer can Sasha’s uncle and best friend deal with it before they just give up on their mentally-disturbed loved one for good?
And that’s not even the worst of it. Oh no, not in the least. There are people after Sasha, two men wearing black cloaks. They attacked him on a dark road, and now these two are telling Sasha that he’s a nightcrawler like them… and it’s time to come home.
The leader calls himself Kheva, but to Sasha, he’s Master.
The second is called Kel, but to Sasha, he’s brother.
And who is Sasha? He’s a nightcrawler like them… but until he earns his place… he’s merely their unwilling slave.
But now, now things are changing. Sasha’s migranes are getting worse, there’s a voice inside of his head that keeps demeaning him, and for some screwed up reason, the only thing that cures these migranes, is Sasha’s own damn blood––which he has to resort to masochism to extract.
This is not okay; this is quickly becoming not okay and Sasha doesn’t know what the hell he’s supposed to do. What’s happening to him? And how much longer can Sasha’s uncle and best friend deal with it before they just give up on their mentally-disturbed loved one for good?
And that’s not even the worst of it. Oh no, not in the least. There are people after Sasha, two men wearing black cloaks. They attacked him on a dark road, and now these two are telling Sasha that he’s a nightcrawler like them… and it’s time to come home.
The leader calls himself Kheva, but to Sasha, he’s Master.
The second is called Kel, but to Sasha, he’s brother.
And who is Sasha? He’s a nightcrawler like them… but until he earns his place… he’s merely their unwilling slave.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2017
61 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Quil Carter
23 books726 followersQuil Carter has been writing stories since he learned how to write. Now that people seem to like his stories, this is pretty much what he is planning on doing with his life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 30, 2017
I'm going to have to tread careful ground with this review.
Is it brilliant? Absolutely. Those of you who've followed Quil's work for a while will see a lot of the same elements that make him such a stunning author (Brutal violence, morally ambiguous characters, gay characters that are actual characters), but it's also a smaller book. Not in the sense that it's any less ambitious or even shorter, but it's more claustrophobic and restrained. There are hints that there's a lot going on behind the scenes, but the action (for the most part) is restrained to only a few locations, with only a handful of major characters.
It's also a scary book. Quil's great at horror, but most of the horror he's written has been more widespread and apocalyptic; that's not the case here. This is a story about seemingly ordinary people thrust into a world they know nothing about, and forced to learn quickly how to navigate dangerous new waters.
The characters were all great, and each stood on their own two feet. We get the very real sense that these are individuals, as opposed to characters. They all have their own agendas, and they're all so vividly written that your own loyalties shift from chapter to chapter.
Is it brilliant? Absolutely. Those of you who've followed Quil's work for a while will see a lot of the same elements that make him such a stunning author (Brutal violence, morally ambiguous characters, gay characters that are actual characters), but it's also a smaller book. Not in the sense that it's any less ambitious or even shorter, but it's more claustrophobic and restrained. There are hints that there's a lot going on behind the scenes, but the action (for the most part) is restrained to only a few locations, with only a handful of major characters.
It's also a scary book. Quil's great at horror, but most of the horror he's written has been more widespread and apocalyptic; that's not the case here. This is a story about seemingly ordinary people thrust into a world they know nothing about, and forced to learn quickly how to navigate dangerous new waters.
The characters were all great, and each stood on their own two feet. We get the very real sense that these are individuals, as opposed to characters. They all have their own agendas, and they're all so vividly written that your own loyalties shift from chapter to chapter.
July 11, 2017
**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
I'm very picky with the books/authors I like.......however I've been a fan of Quil ever since I read Fallocaust & fell in love with Reaver. That being said, me not liking this book DOESN'T mean it was bad. I take my characters very seriously and literally all it takes for me to dislike a character is 1 fuck up. So as soon as Kel hit Sasha and Kheva allowed him to rape Sasha, that was fucking it for me. I immediately despised them. I get the rape, I do......it's expected in a book by Quil. What I don't fucking like(& never will) is the way the victims always develop a soft spot for their rapists. I like anger, revenge, DEATH. I want to see the rapists pay in the most beautiful, fucked up ways possible!!!
I'm honestly not sure how I feel about Sasha. He went from hatred to Stockholm Syndrome to hatred again too fucking much for me. Pick a fucking emotion and stick with it please. Also pick one so I can know if I should continue reading or not. Kheva claims he wants them to be powerful, badass nightcrawlers. Yet still he breaks them and makes them completely submissive to him? Lol look at fucking Kel. He's a slave just a must as Sasha is. Yes he has certain privileges but he is still.a.fucking.slave. Kheva doesn't want them to have a mind of their own. He wants them to be his brainless bitches who're completely dependent on him. I rolled my eyes every time he said "I don't need you to like me......I need you to love me". Also when they both told Sasha they loved him. If that's love I don't ever wanna fucking experience it. What exactly are nightcrawlers btw? Like what's the full extent of their powers? Are they super fast, super strong? What? Too much information is missing. Anyways I'm not sure if I'll read part 2. If Sasha's still gonna be a submissive bitch who's on Kevha & Kel's side then I'll fucking pass.
I'm very picky with the books/authors I like.......however I've been a fan of Quil ever since I read Fallocaust & fell in love with Reaver. That being said, me not liking this book DOESN'T mean it was bad. I take my characters very seriously and literally all it takes for me to dislike a character is 1 fuck up. So as soon as Kel hit Sasha and Kheva allowed him to rape Sasha, that was fucking it for me. I immediately despised them. I get the rape, I do......it's expected in a book by Quil. What I don't fucking like(& never will) is the way the victims always develop a soft spot for their rapists. I like anger, revenge, DEATH. I want to see the rapists pay in the most beautiful, fucked up ways possible!!!
I'm honestly not sure how I feel about Sasha. He went from hatred to Stockholm Syndrome to hatred again too fucking much for me. Pick a fucking emotion and stick with it please. Also pick one so I can know if I should continue reading or not. Kheva claims he wants them to be powerful, badass nightcrawlers. Yet still he breaks them and makes them completely submissive to him? Lol look at fucking Kel. He's a slave just a must as Sasha is. Yes he has certain privileges but he is still.a.fucking.slave. Kheva doesn't want them to have a mind of their own. He wants them to be his brainless bitches who're completely dependent on him. I rolled my eyes every time he said "I don't need you to like me......I need you to love me". Also when they both told Sasha they loved him. If that's love I don't ever wanna fucking experience it. What exactly are nightcrawlers btw? Like what's the full extent of their powers? Are they super fast, super strong? What? Too much information is missing. Anyways I'm not sure if I'll read part 2. If Sasha's still gonna be a submissive bitch who's on Kevha & Kel's side then I'll fucking pass.
September 4, 2021
This was... Uhm... Do I have words to describe it? 🤔
Never before have I hated characters with such passion as in silent ground. I could really rip the pages out of my book and yell and throw it at someone's head.
SASHA! FIGHT BACK AND DON'T LET THEM MANIPULATE YOU!
My heart aches for the main character and although Kel can be so sweet and cute, I want him to pay for everything he's done to Sasha. Kheva even more! Because he has the common sense to make decisions... But basically everyone has lost their minds in this book.
I also became furious with Job and Lex who did not want to believe Sasha and only made the situation worse. It's coming fucking way too late now dumbasses! Not that it matters much...
The book is very intriguing and kept me in its grip for the wild ride that I couldn't wait to read on. I'm really curious how it will continue and how it ends, whether Job and Lex would find Sasha or not.
Never before have I hated characters with such passion as in silent ground. I could really rip the pages out of my book and yell and throw it at someone's head.
SASHA! FIGHT BACK AND DON'T LET THEM MANIPULATE YOU!
My heart aches for the main character and although Kel can be so sweet and cute, I want him to pay for everything he's done to Sasha. Kheva even more! Because he has the common sense to make decisions... But basically everyone has lost their minds in this book.
I also became furious with Job and Lex who did not want to believe Sasha and only made the situation worse. It's coming fucking way too late now dumbasses! Not that it matters much...
The book is very intriguing and kept me in its grip for the wild ride that I couldn't wait to read on. I'm really curious how it will continue and how it ends, whether Job and Lex would find Sasha or not.
ahh-how-about-no
May 8, 2018Menage coming up in the second book.
Not sure if the first one has menages though.
July 7, 2017
Pros: interesting concept, unique story and characters. Cons: The story just didn't set right with me. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters nor did I feel like I really knew who they were or their past...because of that everything that comes afterwards just feels gratuitous. Sasha's flip flopping between rage/gotta-get-away and Stockholm syndrome was getting frustrating too. Seemed like every scene winds up with everyone consuming copious amounts of body fluids of every sort which instead of seeming shocking or sexy just made me feel nauseous.
January 1, 2019
Amazing
I think I might be falling in love with this series. It depends on what Quil decided to do with the next book, which is the book I am starting next, the book which will bring me into the New Year.
I can’t think of a better way for it to begin. I really wish more naughty stuff would start happening, though. **sigh**
I think I might be falling in love with this series. It depends on what Quil decided to do with the next book, which is the book I am starting next, the book which will bring me into the New Year.
I can’t think of a better way for it to begin. I really wish more naughty stuff would start happening, though. **sigh**
July 2, 2017
Dark, dark ,dark
If you like your meat raw, bloody and still squirming, this is for you. Brilliantly deviant, you are sure it's headed one way then does a 180 degree turn. Can't wait for Book 2!
If you like your meat raw, bloody and still squirming, this is for you. Brilliantly deviant, you are sure it's headed one way then does a 180 degree turn. Can't wait for Book 2!
July 5, 2017
wow! after finishing i feel overwhelmed.
this story had a lot of things going on. It's scary, dark, creepy.
I need Part 2 now...please
complex characters so many things happening at once.
The creep factor is real man...
just wow!
this story had a lot of things going on. It's scary, dark, creepy.
I need Part 2 now...please
complex characters so many things happening at once.
The creep factor is real man...
just wow!
May 31, 2017
5 *s and i havent even read it yet #pre-order
November 5, 2017
I think there are no words in the English language to express what I feel about this book. But I will try to name a few; complex, captivating, dark and so much more.
There is nothing I can say about this book that would not give away what the story is about and I think anyone who decides to read it should go in with an open mind. I must say though that some of the elements in this book resembles his Fallocaust series....where your loyalties shift, you don't know who the bad guy is anymore and kind of end up even liking who supposedly portrays the bad guy. Anyway, you won't be getting anymore out of me.
Silent Ground Book 2....where are you?
There is nothing I can say about this book that would not give away what the story is about and I think anyone who decides to read it should go in with an open mind. I must say though that some of the elements in this book resembles his Fallocaust series....where your loyalties shift, you don't know who the bad guy is anymore and kind of end up even liking who supposedly portrays the bad guy. Anyway, you won't be getting anymore out of me.
Silent Ground Book 2....where are you?
February 20, 2018
I loved the Faulocost series so I decided to try this. I gave it an extra star for the creativity of the world but I get soooo tired of the fact that a 24year old guy acts like a six year old boy. It’s not sexy at all and it would never happen. Master this and master that, jumping up and down over food and running to meet someone like a dog. Calling someone, “sashy “
Barf
Roll eyes
Cringe!
I can’t see 19 to 24 year old men acting this way. It just really makes me cringe. Also, enough with all the rape. It’s a bit of an obsession for the author. I don’t think there was one sex screen where the main character wasn’t raped.
I’m not happy.
Barf
Roll eyes
Cringe!
I can’t see 19 to 24 year old men acting this way. It just really makes me cringe. Also, enough with all the rape. It’s a bit of an obsession for the author. I don’t think there was one sex screen where the main character wasn’t raped.
I’m not happy.
August 17, 2023
I really freakin loved this!! Like.. Whoa! Wtf!?
Following the Fallocaust reading order this was next in line for me and I thought "Noooo I need to skip this one. I miss Reaver and Killian and Elish too much already"... BUT...
Wow.. Sasha!!! 🥹 Jumping straight into part 2!
Following the Fallocaust reading order this was next in line for me and I thought "Noooo I need to skip this one. I miss Reaver and Killian and Elish too much already"... BUT...
Wow.. Sasha!!! 🥹 Jumping straight into part 2!
December 8, 2024
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars.
I'm still not sure where this will fit in the Fallocaust story line, but Silent Ground is a good diversion from it since it has a lot of differences, but the dark twisted romance is there (but way less twisted than Fallocaust) and we get a bit of D/S relationship as well.
This book is the epitome of the Stockholm syndrome, and as always Quil plays with us making we doubt the information given to us and not sure what to believe. Sasha development throughout the story leading to the syndrome is well written and you can't help but get mixed feelings towards him, and I do think he'll overcome all of this in the next book. The story of Silent Ground is addicting in it's own away, but the idea of seeing Sasha escape is what grabs your attention, and the hope of seeing him become way stronger than the frail boy we see at the beginning. I did get confused with the mechanics of the fantasy in this book, but as the story goes on, you understand it more easily.
Kheva and Kel are two characters I deeply love and hate at the same time, I feel like I'm living the Stockholm syndrome myself and Sasha is just a side character to the condition because how can I want to see them being good to Sasha when they were so horrible towards him multiple times? Twisted little game in the form of a story.
The nature of the nightcrawlers is fascinating and I hope we get more information of them in the next book, confusing yet powerful little creatures
I think I'll stuck with 3 stars, I really think something is missing and I can't pinpoint what. My mind right now is really elsewhere and I did enjoy the book and I'll fully blame needing to study for my tests.
I'm still not sure where this will fit in the Fallocaust story line, but Silent Ground is a good diversion from it since it has a lot of differences, but the dark twisted romance is there (but way less twisted than Fallocaust) and we get a bit of D/S relationship as well.
This book is the epitome of the Stockholm syndrome, and as always Quil plays with us making we doubt the information given to us and not sure what to believe. Sasha development throughout the story leading to the syndrome is well written and you can't help but get mixed feelings towards him, and I do think he'll overcome all of this in the next book. The story of Silent Ground is addicting in it's own away, but the idea of seeing Sasha escape is what grabs your attention, and the hope of seeing him become way stronger than the frail boy we see at the beginning. I did get confused with the mechanics of the fantasy in this book, but as the story goes on, you understand it more easily.
Kheva and Kel are two characters I deeply love and hate at the same time, I feel like I'm living the Stockholm syndrome myself and Sasha is just a side character to the condition because how can I want to see them being good to Sasha when they were so horrible towards him multiple times? Twisted little game in the form of a story.
The nature of the nightcrawlers is fascinating and I hope we get more information of them in the next book, confusing yet powerful little creatures
I think I'll stuck with 3 stars, I really think something is missing and I can't pinpoint what. My mind right now is really elsewhere and I did enjoy the book and I'll fully blame needing to study for my tests.
July 22, 2019
I've 5 starred all of the books I've read so far by Quil and this one was no different. I saw on his website that while it's not necessary to read the Silent Ground books as companion books to the Fallocaust series, you will get more out of the later books if you do, so I decided to give them a read prior to moving on to Garden of Spiders. He writes seriously hardcore MM - like nothing I've ever read before - you won't find rainbows and unicorns in his books but you will find someone who can weave a story like none other.
I thought the series couldn't get any darker - I was wrong. Yes, I like dark books, probably darker than most so if that's not your thing, then don't go there...because what happens between the pages of this book is not pretty - horrific and brutal actually with hardcore non-consent sprinkled throughout. Kheva and Kel are baaaaad - Kheva is the epitome of evil and Kel is barely this side of sane. It is so twisted - poor Sasha - wow. I seriously can't put into words what happens in this book. I even had to put it down and walk away a few times. There is very little light in this book - and by little I mean almost non-existent. I don't know who to trust - there are several side characters introduced - God only knows what's gonna happen to them when all is said and done. All I know is that whatever happens in book 2 isn't gonna be good...and I can't wait to see how this wraps up!
I thought the series couldn't get any darker - I was wrong. Yes, I like dark books, probably darker than most so if that's not your thing, then don't go there...because what happens between the pages of this book is not pretty - horrific and brutal actually with hardcore non-consent sprinkled throughout. Kheva and Kel are baaaaad - Kheva is the epitome of evil and Kel is barely this side of sane. It is so twisted - poor Sasha - wow. I seriously can't put into words what happens in this book. I even had to put it down and walk away a few times. There is very little light in this book - and by little I mean almost non-existent. I don't know who to trust - there are several side characters introduced - God only knows what's gonna happen to them when all is said and done. All I know is that whatever happens in book 2 isn't gonna be good...and I can't wait to see how this wraps up!
September 19, 2017
If you love the Fallocaust series, you'll love this too.
It has a lot of the same elements and the way that Kheva is strong, strict, demands obedience just by their presence is reminiscent of Silas and Elish and I really love them!
This is the second series I picked up by Quil, and I found quite a few things that is similar; the cats, the rubbing nose when nervous, the tongue poking out when concentrating. They're endearing.
The story builds up promising more to be uncovered is just what I love about Quil's worlds. But the world nightcrawler just ain't doing it for me, unless there will be a thorough explanation. And Sasha hasn't been the steadiest of character since he always changes his mind. I so dearly hope he'll grow into his own person soon, just like Killian did.
All in all, promising so far, and sign me up for the ride!
It has a lot of the same elements and the way that Kheva is strong, strict, demands obedience just by their presence is reminiscent of Silas and Elish and I really love them!
This is the second series I picked up by Quil, and I found quite a few things that is similar; the cats, the rubbing nose when nervous, the tongue poking out when concentrating. They're endearing.
The story builds up promising more to be uncovered is just what I love about Quil's worlds. But the world nightcrawler just ain't doing it for me, unless there will be a thorough explanation. And Sasha hasn't been the steadiest of character since he always changes his mind. I so dearly hope he'll grow into his own person soon, just like Killian did.
All in all, promising so far, and sign me up for the ride!
August 3, 2021
I may come back and read part 2 in the future since a skim made me interested in how the rest of the story will play out, but I'm not sure. I don't think Kheva is charming enough to be pulling the shit he does. I know it's necessary in order for Sasha to progress but I'm still eh about it. Kheva doesn't really balance out well for me, there just isn't enough I like about him to balance out/offset what I don't like. And as bad as I feel for Kel he isn't in my good books either.
August 21, 2021
Not for the Faint of Mind
Sasha's life is pretty bleak. The debilitating migraines and acute social anxiety leave him mostly housebound. His best friend, Jobe, and his uncle, Lex, remember when he was a normal, happy kid and they want that Sasha back.
Too bad. Not happening. But a heck of a lot of other interesting...sometimes terrifying... stuff does. Dark as the grave stuff. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Sasha's life is pretty bleak. The debilitating migraines and acute social anxiety leave him mostly housebound. His best friend, Jobe, and his uncle, Lex, remember when he was a normal, happy kid and they want that Sasha back.
Too bad. Not happening. But a heck of a lot of other interesting...sometimes terrifying... stuff does. Dark as the grave stuff. Looking forward to reading the next book.
August 7, 2017
This was dark, gritty and twisted! I haven’t read anything by this author before but I definitely plan to now.
I didn’t see any triggers on GR but this has torture and rape scenes. This isn’t for someone looking for a warm, fuzzy romance by any means.
You totally feel for Sasha and parts will piss you the hell off! You feel a sense of Stockholm Syndrome at its finest.
I didn’t see any triggers on GR but this has torture and rape scenes. This isn’t for someone looking for a warm, fuzzy romance by any means.
You totally feel for Sasha and parts will piss you the hell off! You feel a sense of Stockholm Syndrome at its finest.
December 30, 2024
Silent Ground was intense, dark, and disturbing. Another complex but well-written book by Quil. I was nervous about it and didn't think I'd like it. Lots of trauma in the story. I'm not sure about Kheva and Kel, but I feel for Sasha. My feelings always change for characters in the Fallocaust world, so I'm sure I'll change my mind in Silent Ground Part 2.
June 30, 2018
Brilliant
I love Quil’s work it’s dark disturbing and truly amazing. I have a feeling I know where this series is going but that would be spoilers. If you like your books dark , they don’t come much darker than these .
I love Quil’s work it’s dark disturbing and truly amazing. I have a feeling I know where this series is going but that would be spoilers. If you like your books dark , they don’t come much darker than these .
August 6, 2022
3,5
Pretty good but so predictable. There’s a trope here that’s getting tired.
I’m used to have a more developed world building by this author, unfortunately it wasn’t the case here and I’m not sure I’ve understand what’s really going on.
Pretty good but so predictable. There’s a trope here that’s getting tired.
I’m used to have a more developed world building by this author, unfortunately it wasn’t the case here and I’m not sure I’ve understand what’s really going on.
April 28, 2024
If you read this I hope you're reading for some serious MindFudge. Quil as always has consumed me with this story and the characters therein. Complex plot that holds the reader's attention, although there were times I wanted to throat punch some of the guys in this story. Great read, now for part 2.
July 2, 2017
Amazing, but I'm not surprised that it was haha
July 25, 2017
Idk how I feel.
July 20, 2021
I loved being able to get a glimpse into the world before it ended. I have fallen in love with Kel! Once again, Quil has captured me and kept me guessing!
April 21, 2023
Another Quill Carter book that blew me away and left me full of mixed emotions.
“Silent Ground,” Kheva replied. “When I first discovered it… it was a place I went to, to escape from my reality".
“Silent Ground,” Kheva replied. “When I first discovered it… it was a place I went to, to escape from my reality".
July 19, 2024
This is crack
August 7, 2025
I have no words, gonna read part 2 right away 🥲
August 26, 2017
OMG, what in the hell did I just read?
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor. Yeah, that's right. Every book I've read by this author floors me. I'm not going to go into what this book is about. I'll just recommend it. Highly. If you like mind blowing, then grab this book. Thanks Quil. You are the best
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor. Yeah, that's right. Every book I've read by this author floors me. I'm not going to go into what this book is about. I'll just recommend it. Highly. If you like mind blowing, then grab this book. Thanks Quil. You are the best
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews