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The Truth Enslaved
I’m drowning in nightmares.
The secrets buried, the secrets revealed.
The truth enslaved.
How do I claw my way out?
I need to be set free.
The nightmares that haunt my mind are the same ones that keep me sane.
The tyrant king needs to be toppled.
This board game we play must be won.
Will he reach me in time?
Will he be able to save me from myself?
Courtesy warning: This book may contain triggers for some. Triggers include but are not limited to non-con, unrequited family love, family love, dub-con, depression, violence, torture, abuse of power, neglect, monster cannibalism, choking, biting, blood play, themes of war, liquid restraint and physical restraint, themes that may be disturbing to some readers.
The secrets buried, the secrets revealed.
The truth enslaved.
How do I claw my way out?
I need to be set free.
The nightmares that haunt my mind are the same ones that keep me sane.
The tyrant king needs to be toppled.
This board game we play must be won.
Will he reach me in time?
Will he be able to save me from myself?
Courtesy warning: This book may contain triggers for some. Triggers include but are not limited to non-con, unrequited family love, family love, dub-con, depression, violence, torture, abuse of power, neglect, monster cannibalism, choking, biting, blood play, themes of war, liquid restraint and physical restraint, themes that may be disturbing to some readers.
ebook
Published June 21, 2021
47 people are currently reading
292 people want to read
About the author
Y.D. La Mar
96 books679 followersI'm a reader, first and foremost. Just like everyone else.
I love books that are just out there. From fluffy to pitch-black darkness. Monsters and aliens to the men who haunt your dreams painting the walls in red.
My love for reading and writing reviews has led me down the road of becoming a writer myself, thanks to the encouragement of others!
I'm not sure where this journey will lead me, but I hope I can breathe life into words the way so many others have done for me when I needed an escape.
Stalk me! https://ydlamar.carrd.co
www.ydlamar.com
I love books that are just out there. From fluffy to pitch-black darkness. Monsters and aliens to the men who haunt your dreams painting the walls in red.
My love for reading and writing reviews has led me down the road of becoming a writer myself, thanks to the encouragement of others!
I'm not sure where this journey will lead me, but I hope I can breathe life into words the way so many others have done for me when I needed an escape.
Stalk me! https://ydlamar.carrd.co
www.ydlamar.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 15, 2021
4.5 stars
The couple: Kinsey and... (once again, this author will leave you guessing, so I'm gonna do the same!)
Romance genre: psychological thriller (glad the author used that term - I would have spent a long time figuring out exactly what to call it!)
Length: 202 pages
Plot: Kinsey awakes (kinda) to find herself in a strange wasteland filled with horrific creatures:
Me too sweetie, me too!
So Kinsey hits the ground running, literally, and encounters Erice, a grotesque creature who takes her with him (iow, kidnaps). He is relentless, and believes that she is the one for him!
But before long, she meets a couple of other guys, more centaur-like: Isra and Ruspin. They are very different from Erice in personality and mission but have fallen in love with Kinsey all the same, just like Erice. Isra's initial mission was to bring her to the King of the Underworld (the one responsible for creating this wasteland of a nightmare), but he "failed," and then Ruspin was sent out to do the same, but he"failed" as well. We will meet this King, though, and he has a particular significance to Kinsey.
And then there's a twist at the end. And believe it or not, I haven't given any of the best parts away!
Character development: Kinsey is our main character, and I almost feel like the guys are secondary. Erice is a laugh and a half:
Isra is the more sensitive one, and Ruspin has the authority, like he's the grown-up in the room. There are a couple of other guys that you'll meet in flashback, men from Kinsey's previous life. And a villain who is woven throughout the book. All of the characters were very distinct, even the ones who seemed to represent others. That might not make sense right now, but if you read the book, it will. Kinsey is a broken soul, but there is someone special who is willing to save her, and the truth is that she is trying to save herself as well, just not in a conventional way.
I'll add: I dislike horror and gore, but I like this author, so I pre-ordered and read fairly quickly. The gore was still scary to me (look, it all goes back to a too-early showing of The Exorcist and then a forced walk down the Exorcist stairs when I was older - long story, but I'm a scaredy-cat). But I still loved this book. I'm pretty good at guessing plot twists, but I only half guessed this one, and I'm not sure that there wasn't more to it that wasn't obvious (like I found it interesting that she was on a cocktail of three drugs, all fairly different, and there were three guys...). If you're at all on the fence about this one, I would recommend you go ahead and read - the payoff is definitely there, and I've been thinking about it since I finished the book!
Also, heed the trigger warnings - they are no joke!! (don't say you weren't warned!)
The couple: Kinsey and... (once again, this author will leave you guessing, so I'm gonna do the same!)
Romance genre: psychological thriller (glad the author used that term - I would have spent a long time figuring out exactly what to call it!)
Length: 202 pages
Plot: Kinsey awakes (kinda) to find herself in a strange wasteland filled with horrific creatures:
The screech it lets out chills me to the bone as it opens its maws, its gums a dark crimson against the white of its teeth, while it runs after me. It’s bipedal, the chest resembling a human but the arms that extend behind it are attached to wings. No, not attached. The arms are the wings. It doesn’t have fucking hands. Just grey wings attached to its torso and ribcage like its damn skin was pulled taut.
............
“Now why would I do that? It’s been a while since I’ve caught something so...precious.” He smiles even bigger and I almost pee on myself.
Me too sweetie, me too!
So Kinsey hits the ground running, literally, and encounters Erice, a grotesque creature who takes her with him (iow, kidnaps). He is relentless, and believes that she is the one for him!
She kicks, scratches and bites and I’m seduced. She must miss me too.
But before long, she meets a couple of other guys, more centaur-like: Isra and Ruspin. They are very different from Erice in personality and mission but have fallen in love with Kinsey all the same, just like Erice. Isra's initial mission was to bring her to the King of the Underworld (the one responsible for creating this wasteland of a nightmare), but he "failed," and then Ruspin was sent out to do the same, but he"failed" as well. We will meet this King, though, and he has a particular significance to Kinsey.
And then there's a twist at the end. And believe it or not, I haven't given any of the best parts away!
Character development: Kinsey is our main character, and I almost feel like the guys are secondary. Erice is a laugh and a half:
“Ugh! Erice! Get off me!” What’s this? Surely she means ‘get her off’, something I’m more than glad to do. She does taste delicious.
Isra is the more sensitive one, and Ruspin has the authority, like he's the grown-up in the room. There are a couple of other guys that you'll meet in flashback, men from Kinsey's previous life. And a villain who is woven throughout the book. All of the characters were very distinct, even the ones who seemed to represent others. That might not make sense right now, but if you read the book, it will. Kinsey is a broken soul, but there is someone special who is willing to save her, and the truth is that she is trying to save herself as well, just not in a conventional way.
I'll add: I dislike horror and gore, but I like this author, so I pre-ordered and read fairly quickly. The gore was still scary to me (look, it all goes back to a too-early showing of The Exorcist and then a forced walk down the Exorcist stairs when I was older - long story, but I'm a scaredy-cat). But I still loved this book. I'm pretty good at guessing plot twists, but I only half guessed this one, and I'm not sure that there wasn't more to it that wasn't obvious (like I found it interesting that she was on a cocktail of three drugs, all fairly different, and there were three guys...). If you're at all on the fence about this one, I would recommend you go ahead and read - the payoff is definitely there, and I've been thinking about it since I finished the book!
Also, heed the trigger warnings - they are no joke!! (don't say you weren't warned!)
May 7, 2023
Chapter 1
KINSEY
Reflections.
Is it a mirror? It’s wavering.
What I thought was me stretches and the skin starts to string and break apart like melted cheese. The muscles underneath are ripping a strand at a time, the tendons a stark white against the red.
Fangs. Rows of them. Elongate before my very eyes.
One of the eyeballs pops out of the socket and dangles in the air. I’m caught off guard staring at it, swinging like a damn pendulum when the creature before me lunges right at me.
I scream, shielding my face as I land on my ass. The ground is hard as a rock and the pain shoots up my spine but the pounding of my heart is distracting me.
The tinkling sound of glass shattering pierces my ears as I let out another scream. My body moves in automatic movements, hands against the ground beneath me as it tries to crab walk backward to get away, inadvertently leaving my eyes open and unshielded.
I look up to find empty space. The mirror is gone. I take another look around, only to see my reflection in shards scattered on the ground all around me, but the creature is nowhere to be seen. Eyes everywhere, eyes on me.
Thud thud. I’m going fucking crazy. I’m not staying here.
Turning quickly, I start running, moving myself as far away from the position as I can.
Maybe it turns invisible? Maybe it’s still after me. Thud thud thud thud.
Fuck, is that the creature’s footsteps or is it my heart?
This place looks like a damn barren wasteland. The ground is uneven, looking like an earthquake came through and tore through the ground.
The sky has a weird orange tan cast, enveloping everything under its glow. Smoke billows out of the ground through some of the cracks, making me fear what’s beneath me.
I’m barefoot. I realize this when I step on something sharp, making me hiss and limp.
But I can’t stop. I need to keep running. I can’t let it find me.
I didn’t see whatever was on the ground, since my eyes were distracted by something skittering in my periphery. What was that? It feels like my foot hooked under something, maybe a tree root, as I land on my forearms. Fuck. This shit hurts more than landing on my ass, because I think something sharp just pierced my skin.
The warmth of my blood dripping out of the superficial wound brings me back to the present. I turn onto my back, darting my gaze anywhere and everywhere, in case that thing is still chasing me. There’s nothing. Nothing but the smoke that continues to rise in sporadic locations in this weird place.
The cry of something screeching comes from above me and I bring one of my arms up to shield the orange glow that encapsulates this place like we’re stuck in a snow globe of doom.
What the hell is that?
I don’t have time to wonder, since it looks like it’s diving right for me. The blood from my forearm chooses that exact moment to drip into one of my eyes, causing a sting as I try to get back on my feet. There’s a pain in my right ankle but I have to keep moving! Rubbing my eyes, I move quickly. It’s coming for me!
I feel the wind shift behind me just as I jump over a fallen log. Taking a quick peek behind me, my heart is about to jump out of my damn throat. It’s almost on me!
Two strange horns adorn the side of its head, jutting out like it’s a lobster claw, broken into two pieces, and one ridge horn juts out right in the middle of its head, reminding me of a rhinoceros. My mind tells me it’s just odd that in this barren orange wasteland, this creature stands out like a black and white movie with the clammy grey cast skin.
The screech it lets out chills me to the bone as it opens its maws, its gums a dark crimson against the white of its teeth, while it runs after me. It’s bipedal, the chest resembling a human but the arms that extend behind it are attached to wings. No, not attached. The arms are the wings. It doesn’t have fucking hands. Just grey wings attached to its torso and ribcage like its damn skin was pulled taut.
I don’t have time to survey its legs because the thigh muscles on this creature are flexing like a beast on a mission: a mission to fucking eat me alive.
I’m preparing myself to jump over the fallen log before me like I’m in a race for the Olympic hurdles when the creature behind me lets out a different kind of scream. A scream of pain. I skid to a halt, right before the log. Seeing as I’m a damn glutton for punishment, I take a quick look back once more, only to see an even uglier and scarier creature fucking devour the grey one. The new guy is red like the fires of hell with a strong brow bone that makes it look like his skin was boiling before it decided to solidify. The rest of his body looks like his skin has been torn, the wings that extend behind him looking pretty much the same. His mouth gapes open like a damn serpent with multiple jaw hinges, opening just wide enough to swallow half of the grey guy’s body down to his pelvic bone before bringing his head back for another crunch.
If I was curious about the grey guy’s legs, I’m not anymore. It’s still standing there, without a torso, inky black blood spurting out from the wound. The bottom portion of his legs, bending backward with a lethal-looking spike that isn’t lethal anymore since it doesn’t have a brain to control it any longer.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me as I continue to just stand there, staring with morbid fascination as the legs fall to the ground. The crunching noises come again as the red guy continues to chew on his prize.
Something clamps over my eyes and mouth and drags me back forcefully, making me scream, but the sound doesn’t carry over the sound of crunching.
KINSEY
Reflections.
Is it a mirror? It’s wavering.
What I thought was me stretches and the skin starts to string and break apart like melted cheese. The muscles underneath are ripping a strand at a time, the tendons a stark white against the red.
Fangs. Rows of them. Elongate before my very eyes.
One of the eyeballs pops out of the socket and dangles in the air. I’m caught off guard staring at it, swinging like a damn pendulum when the creature before me lunges right at me.
I scream, shielding my face as I land on my ass. The ground is hard as a rock and the pain shoots up my spine but the pounding of my heart is distracting me.
The tinkling sound of glass shattering pierces my ears as I let out another scream. My body moves in automatic movements, hands against the ground beneath me as it tries to crab walk backward to get away, inadvertently leaving my eyes open and unshielded.
I look up to find empty space. The mirror is gone. I take another look around, only to see my reflection in shards scattered on the ground all around me, but the creature is nowhere to be seen. Eyes everywhere, eyes on me.
Thud thud. I’m going fucking crazy. I’m not staying here.
Turning quickly, I start running, moving myself as far away from the position as I can.
Maybe it turns invisible? Maybe it’s still after me. Thud thud thud thud.
Fuck, is that the creature’s footsteps or is it my heart?
This place looks like a damn barren wasteland. The ground is uneven, looking like an earthquake came through and tore through the ground.
The sky has a weird orange tan cast, enveloping everything under its glow. Smoke billows out of the ground through some of the cracks, making me fear what’s beneath me.
I’m barefoot. I realize this when I step on something sharp, making me hiss and limp.
But I can’t stop. I need to keep running. I can’t let it find me.
I didn’t see whatever was on the ground, since my eyes were distracted by something skittering in my periphery. What was that? It feels like my foot hooked under something, maybe a tree root, as I land on my forearms. Fuck. This shit hurts more than landing on my ass, because I think something sharp just pierced my skin.
The warmth of my blood dripping out of the superficial wound brings me back to the present. I turn onto my back, darting my gaze anywhere and everywhere, in case that thing is still chasing me. There’s nothing. Nothing but the smoke that continues to rise in sporadic locations in this weird place.
The cry of something screeching comes from above me and I bring one of my arms up to shield the orange glow that encapsulates this place like we’re stuck in a snow globe of doom.
What the hell is that?
I don’t have time to wonder, since it looks like it’s diving right for me. The blood from my forearm chooses that exact moment to drip into one of my eyes, causing a sting as I try to get back on my feet. There’s a pain in my right ankle but I have to keep moving! Rubbing my eyes, I move quickly. It’s coming for me!
I feel the wind shift behind me just as I jump over a fallen log. Taking a quick peek behind me, my heart is about to jump out of my damn throat. It’s almost on me!
Two strange horns adorn the side of its head, jutting out like it’s a lobster claw, broken into two pieces, and one ridge horn juts out right in the middle of its head, reminding me of a rhinoceros. My mind tells me it’s just odd that in this barren orange wasteland, this creature stands out like a black and white movie with the clammy grey cast skin.
The screech it lets out chills me to the bone as it opens its maws, its gums a dark crimson against the white of its teeth, while it runs after me. It’s bipedal, the chest resembling a human but the arms that extend behind it are attached to wings. No, not attached. The arms are the wings. It doesn’t have fucking hands. Just grey wings attached to its torso and ribcage like its damn skin was pulled taut.
I don’t have time to survey its legs because the thigh muscles on this creature are flexing like a beast on a mission: a mission to fucking eat me alive.
I’m preparing myself to jump over the fallen log before me like I’m in a race for the Olympic hurdles when the creature behind me lets out a different kind of scream. A scream of pain. I skid to a halt, right before the log. Seeing as I’m a damn glutton for punishment, I take a quick look back once more, only to see an even uglier and scarier creature fucking devour the grey one. The new guy is red like the fires of hell with a strong brow bone that makes it look like his skin was boiling before it decided to solidify. The rest of his body looks like his skin has been torn, the wings that extend behind him looking pretty much the same. His mouth gapes open like a damn serpent with multiple jaw hinges, opening just wide enough to swallow half of the grey guy’s body down to his pelvic bone before bringing his head back for another crunch.
If I was curious about the grey guy’s legs, I’m not anymore. It’s still standing there, without a torso, inky black blood spurting out from the wound. The bottom portion of his legs, bending backward with a lethal-looking spike that isn’t lethal anymore since it doesn’t have a brain to control it any longer.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me as I continue to just stand there, staring with morbid fascination as the legs fall to the ground. The crunching noises come again as the red guy continues to chew on his prize.
Something clamps over my eyes and mouth and drags me back forcefully, making me scream, but the sound doesn’t carry over the sound of crunching.
June 26, 2021
The stories just keep you guessing, what's up next and what is real
July 30, 2021
The Truth Enslaved was a bizarre and crazy read and I loved it.
Kinsey is the main female character of this story who kept having flashbacks to another time. The male characters in this story were so unique and made me cringe at times with the gore and darker scenes.
But that ending, I did not see that coming at all!
Great story!
This book was dark and twisted so heed the warnings ⚠️
Kinsey is the main female character of this story who kept having flashbacks to another time. The male characters in this story were so unique and made me cringe at times with the gore and darker scenes.
But that ending, I did not see that coming at all!
Great story!
This book was dark and twisted so heed the warnings ⚠️
October 23, 2024
I ATE this book up! Soooo good. Go into it blindly and you will be hooked right away! I was drawn in by the authors writing immediately. This book has a little bit of everything from mystery to spice to thriller to psychological- it will have your mind spinning. Absolutely loved this book!
June 22, 2021
Whyyyyy
Lmao why did you do David like that! Now down to the darkness Queen cuz I live what you just did to me! Ima go cry now!
Lmao why did you do David like that! Now down to the darkness Queen cuz I live what you just did to me! Ima go cry now!
November 12, 2021
Quit at 40% - weird, not for me. I think I am pretty sure what was going on, and just not into it.
June 28, 2021
You know at this point I have no idea why I Y.D. still continues to surprise me anymore. I should definitely be use to all of the twists and turns that I never even see coming but alas I’m not lol.
If you somehow get all the way to my review please stop reading and just grab the BOOK! Y.D. is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She just has this was of capturing and knowing exactly what you want in a story and even at times knowing exactly what you wanted when you didn’t yourself. Honestly, if you would have asked me what a psychological thriller was I wouldn’t have known what to tell you but after reading this I can 1000% say this is the embodiment of one.
If you’re still left wondering whether you should read the book or not I don’t know what else I can tell you to convince you. I wholeheartedly agree that you should definitely go in blind with this read and simply enjoy what it is.
If you somehow get all the way to my review please stop reading and just grab the BOOK! Y.D. is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She just has this was of capturing and knowing exactly what you want in a story and even at times knowing exactly what you wanted when you didn’t yourself. Honestly, if you would have asked me what a psychological thriller was I wouldn’t have known what to tell you but after reading this I can 1000% say this is the embodiment of one.
If you’re still left wondering whether you should read the book or not I don’t know what else I can tell you to convince you. I wholeheartedly agree that you should definitely go in blind with this read and simply enjoy what it is.
June 22, 2021
*GO INTO THIS BLIND*
I'm not a big fan of survivalists stories, but this one was a huge exception for me. The moment I started reading, I could not put it down. Y.D. La Mar's writing is disturbingly brilliant. Her attention to detail allows you to read the book as a movie in your head. But what I truly love is her many array of characters.
Kinsey is a strong smart heroine who does her best to survive. No matter what she faces in the wastelands, she never backs down without a fight. You never stop rooting for her.
But I have to say my favorite character is Erice, he is truly one of a kind 😏.
Overall this story is one of the most original love stories I have read in a long time. Yes it is horribly dark and disturbing, but you will never expect the ending, and you will NOT be disappointed.
I'm not a big fan of survivalists stories, but this one was a huge exception for me. The moment I started reading, I could not put it down. Y.D. La Mar's writing is disturbingly brilliant. Her attention to detail allows you to read the book as a movie in your head. But what I truly love is her many array of characters.
Kinsey is a strong smart heroine who does her best to survive. No matter what she faces in the wastelands, she never backs down without a fight. You never stop rooting for her.
But I have to say my favorite character is Erice, he is truly one of a kind 😏.
Overall this story is one of the most original love stories I have read in a long time. Yes it is horribly dark and disturbing, but you will never expect the ending, and you will NOT be disappointed.
July 2, 2021
Wondering Wasteland
YD La Mar’s latest psychological thriller romance is the best thriller I’ve ever read to date. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but her books are going on my to be read list. Kinsey, the main character, wakes up in a strange place and doesn’t know where she is or if she’s even still on Earth. The creatures and characters that Kinsey meets along her journey are so vividly described by the author that you feel like you’re standing in front of them. This author also takes you on a roller coaster of emotions with these characters, it makes you feel emotional wrung out by the end. This was such a riveting book that I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
YD La Mar’s latest psychological thriller romance is the best thriller I’ve ever read to date. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but her books are going on my to be read list. Kinsey, the main character, wakes up in a strange place and doesn’t know where she is or if she’s even still on Earth. The creatures and characters that Kinsey meets along her journey are so vividly described by the author that you feel like you’re standing in front of them. This author also takes you on a roller coaster of emotions with these characters, it makes you feel emotional wrung out by the end. This was such a riveting book that I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
August 14, 2021
What a mind f*ck? Like what actually just happened? I have no clue what's real and what's not but my goodness me i actually loved every second of this book.
Erice will forever be one of my favourite H such a legend... Loved the other guys too they all balanced out kinsey (h) she's such a badass and super funny too.
At lot is happening in this book so much gore and mutation so much of wtf? Lots of sex 🥵🥵🥵 a lot of spice 🔥🔥🔥
Would definitely recommend reading this book as you need to discuss it with someone who's read it because it's such a mind blown type of book... Like again what just happened? 🤔😂😂😂😂
I l
Erice will forever be one of my favourite H such a legend... Loved the other guys too they all balanced out kinsey (h) she's such a badass and super funny too.
At lot is happening in this book so much gore and mutation so much of wtf? Lots of sex 🥵🥵🥵 a lot of spice 🔥🔥🔥
Would definitely recommend reading this book as you need to discuss it with someone who's read it because it's such a mind blown type of book... Like again what just happened? 🤔😂😂😂😂
I l
November 28, 2021
Oh the darkness
A story within a story.
This is a nightmare of a dystopian world that puts Hellraiser to shame with its creativity. Filled with creatures that both fascinate and disgust at the same time. I really don't know if it takes a depraved mind or a truly creative one to come up with half 💩 in here 🤔, but either way, I'm impressed.
First off, ⚠️ WARNINGS, MUST Read those warnings. They really are there for a reason. In this case, the warning about consuming flesh is justified and warranted. Though I must say, this is the only author that has given that warning in a book, which I find oddly refreshing and sad. Are books really all lately the same?!? Anyways
This book is dark. I have read a couple of books by this author now, and I appreciate the true twisted broken of her characters. How the way the world beats the down early, effects the development of the characters they will become later. I'm saying this is how all people in "real life" are, but for most violence begets violence; abuse begets abuse. Females of abuse tend to be abused again, statistically. So, those stories are out there. Whether they are like this, I don't know, but it's still believable.
It's a crazy story that will have you saying either WTF or I knew it! by last come chapters. And the last the last chapter -- Man . . . Totally didn't see that coming. Talk about a surprise twist.
A story within a story.
This is a nightmare of a dystopian world that puts Hellraiser to shame with its creativity. Filled with creatures that both fascinate and disgust at the same time. I really don't know if it takes a depraved mind or a truly creative one to come up with half 💩 in here 🤔, but either way, I'm impressed.
First off, ⚠️ WARNINGS, MUST Read those warnings. They really are there for a reason. In this case, the warning about consuming flesh is justified and warranted. Though I must say, this is the only author that has given that warning in a book, which I find oddly refreshing and sad. Are books really all lately the same?!? Anyways
This book is dark. I have read a couple of books by this author now, and I appreciate the true twisted broken of her characters. How the way the world beats the down early, effects the development of the characters they will become later. I'm saying this is how all people in "real life" are, but for most violence begets violence; abuse begets abuse. Females of abuse tend to be abused again, statistically. So, those stories are out there. Whether they are like this, I don't know, but it's still believable.
It's a crazy story that will have you saying either WTF or I knew it! by last come chapters. And the last the last chapter -- Man . . . Totally didn't see that coming. Talk about a surprise twist.
April 6, 2022
What in the messed up, nightmarish acid trip did I just read?! This author took me on a trip that the nightmares of Dorothy and Alice wouldn't ever touch. Was I intrigued? Hell to the yes. Was I repulsed and thinking of my level of sanity when I got slightly turned on at some parts? A huge yes, lol. Is this riddled with a minefield full of triggers? Ohhhhh yeah. Do I regret reading this? Not at all.
Did I love it? Most definitely.
YD has created a story that had me questioning EVERYTHING and I couldn't stop turning the pages as the insanity of the plot unfolded. The way this talented woman wove in memories with the war that was raging within Kinsey is just mindblowingly flawless. Kinsey - this young woman is strong and brave with just a hint of crazy and I loved her. The journey and trials she goes thru are something that no one should have to survive. I actually had to sit back and let what I just read sink in, after finishing this, because the ending was the finally piece to this puzzle of a story and I was left on the floor.
This isn't just a story, it's an experience. One with characters that will make you question yourself as you find yourself liking them within a world so vivid and macabre that you can easily picture it in your mind's eye. This is taboo, dark and a pure jaw dropper of a read that has made me add all of this author's works to my TBR and I can't wait to see what other nightmares she brings to life.
Did I love it? Most definitely.
YD has created a story that had me questioning EVERYTHING and I couldn't stop turning the pages as the insanity of the plot unfolded. The way this talented woman wove in memories with the war that was raging within Kinsey is just mindblowingly flawless. Kinsey - this young woman is strong and brave with just a hint of crazy and I loved her. The journey and trials she goes thru are something that no one should have to survive. I actually had to sit back and let what I just read sink in, after finishing this, because the ending was the finally piece to this puzzle of a story and I was left on the floor.
This isn't just a story, it's an experience. One with characters that will make you question yourself as you find yourself liking them within a world so vivid and macabre that you can easily picture it in your mind's eye. This is taboo, dark and a pure jaw dropper of a read that has made me add all of this author's works to my TBR and I can't wait to see what other nightmares she brings to life.
June 20, 2021
YD La Mar's twisted brilliance takes you on another journey to the depths of the Wastelands.
Kinsey finds herself on the Amber Roads and in the presence of monsters beyond her wildest nightmares, she soon discovers the Underlord is after her, but why? It is in this Wasteland where she meets Erice, a Rewsk, banished along with the rest of his dwindling kind, Isra a banished Knight who failed to bring Kinsey to the Underlord but saved her from his keep and Ruspin the first commander of the Underlord, who have all taken an immediate liking to Kinsey.
As Kinsey travels around the Wasteland, trying to figure out how she got there and trying to make sense of her reoccuring flashback dreams, rebellion builds within the Wasteland against the tyrant Underlord. Will Kinsey be able to survive the war brewing? And what of her desires for the men in her life here? Will she ever make it back home, does she even want to leave?
A mixture of Alice in wonderland meets Labyrinth in this devilishly dark twisting read, with dub-con, abuse, violence, desires, action, laugh out loud moments and more!
Well written with an indepth storyline and well presented characters that keep you glued to the pages!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kinsey finds herself on the Amber Roads and in the presence of monsters beyond her wildest nightmares, she soon discovers the Underlord is after her, but why? It is in this Wasteland where she meets Erice, a Rewsk, banished along with the rest of his dwindling kind, Isra a banished Knight who failed to bring Kinsey to the Underlord but saved her from his keep and Ruspin the first commander of the Underlord, who have all taken an immediate liking to Kinsey.
As Kinsey travels around the Wasteland, trying to figure out how she got there and trying to make sense of her reoccuring flashback dreams, rebellion builds within the Wasteland against the tyrant Underlord. Will Kinsey be able to survive the war brewing? And what of her desires for the men in her life here? Will she ever make it back home, does she even want to leave?
A mixture of Alice in wonderland meets Labyrinth in this devilishly dark twisting read, with dub-con, abuse, violence, desires, action, laugh out loud moments and more!
Well written with an indepth storyline and well presented characters that keep you glued to the pages!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 23, 2021
This book was exactly what I needed right now. It was gruesome, it was hilarious, and definitely thought-provoking. I loved the story, I loved kind of figuring out what was happening and then the ending just had me thinking. This
wasn’t what I was expecting and I really enjoyed it.
The author is so detailed in their description of the characters and surroundings, I could envision what everything looked like and it was definitely interesting. What I really liked is that all of the descriptions were so detailed and yet so memorable. I could remember every detail about the characters, which I tend to find hard to do with some books.
I really enjoyed this book, it’s one you’ll be thinking about after it’s completed. I feel like I want to re-read it knowing what I know now and just see if I can find out or figure out things I didn’t see it before.
wasn’t what I was expecting and I really enjoyed it.
The author is so detailed in their description of the characters and surroundings, I could envision what everything looked like and it was definitely interesting. What I really liked is that all of the descriptions were so detailed and yet so memorable. I could remember every detail about the characters, which I tend to find hard to do with some books.
I really enjoyed this book, it’s one you’ll be thinking about after it’s completed. I feel like I want to re-read it knowing what I know now and just see if I can find out or figure out things I didn’t see it before.
January 25, 2023
wow what a mind bend
I was so invested in this story. I mean, the creatures in this story were NOT like your normal ones you see in some monster books. Where they are grotesque but still bangable. No, these were slimy with pus-filled bubbles popping off the skin and a whole foreskin looking dude. But now Erice, Isra and Ruspin were okay. I could kick it with those guys. Kinsley, I liked her a lot. And I loved the incest we had going on in the mix of all this paranormal stuff. And then the end???? WOW I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT! GENIUS!!! I loved the way the book ended and it only made me decide I am 1000% picking up another YD LA MAR book ASAP. Probably right now. That Reaper series is looking pretty good from over here.
I was so invested in this story. I mean, the creatures in this story were NOT like your normal ones you see in some monster books. Where they are grotesque but still bangable. No, these were slimy with pus-filled bubbles popping off the skin and a whole foreskin looking dude. But now Erice, Isra and Ruspin were okay. I could kick it with those guys. Kinsley, I liked her a lot. And I loved the incest we had going on in the mix of all this paranormal stuff. And then the end???? WOW I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT! GENIUS!!! I loved the way the book ended and it only made me decide I am 1000% picking up another YD LA MAR book ASAP. Probably right now. That Reaper series is looking pretty good from over here.
April 7, 2023
This one is for you!! Not usually my thang, but my girl always does her thang making it my thang!
YD La Mar will always be one of my favorite reviewers first. And then she went and did what any book and story lover would do, she began writing the books she wanted to read. Her reviews were always lyrical, her books are no less.
Stuck on audiobooks right now, of course I snatched this up as soon as I seen it was available. And I made it an immersive read/listen.
Narrator, Raven Darby did a great job here y'all, she put emotion into what she was reading, which wasn't always easy as this is a dark, psychological thriller with triggers (for some).
And for those Reaper lovers (Soul Taker series), there's a nice lil surprise at the end.
YD La Mar will always be one of my favorite reviewers first. And then she went and did what any book and story lover would do, she began writing the books she wanted to read. Her reviews were always lyrical, her books are no less.
Stuck on audiobooks right now, of course I snatched this up as soon as I seen it was available. And I made it an immersive read/listen.
Narrator, Raven Darby did a great job here y'all, she put emotion into what she was reading, which wasn't always easy as this is a dark, psychological thriller with triggers (for some).
And for those Reaper lovers (Soul Taker series), there's a nice lil surprise at the end.
April 16, 2024
Wow. I loved this. I had to pause it a couple of times because *life* but otherwise, I would have listened to this continuously beginning to end. The narrator did a great job, and I would listen to them again.
The book itself is amazing. It is gripping and raw and had me theorizing from the very first flashback. If you're looking for sweet and cozy monsters, this isn't it. These monsters are grotesque and everything monstrous. These are not gentlemen in handsome monster bodies. Check the content advisory and take it seriously.
While I did expect the twist, it was a very welcome one where I audibly hollered, "Yes, I was right!" I, however, did not expect all of the twist or the ending, and I'm still a bit in awe over it.
It was so good.
The book itself is amazing. It is gripping and raw and had me theorizing from the very first flashback. If you're looking for sweet and cozy monsters, this isn't it. These monsters are grotesque and everything monstrous. These are not gentlemen in handsome monster bodies. Check the content advisory and take it seriously.
While I did expect the twist, it was a very welcome one where I audibly hollered, "Yes, I was right!" I, however, did not expect all of the twist or the ending, and I'm still a bit in awe over it.
It was so good.
July 4, 2021
Heed the author’s warnings!!!!
First of all, how in the hell do you create a world and characters the worst nightmares are made of all while giving them traits that makes them endearing?!? So often I cringed, dry heaved, laughed, and even swooned once or twice.
Next, let’s get to what gutted me!! Htf did I not see that twist coming?!? By the end of the book I didn’t know whether to feel disappointed or relieved by the outcome?
I am no fan of flashbacks but I must agree that they were important for this story line to progress and end the way it did.
Let me stop ranting as to not give away spoilers but whew this one was really good!!!! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
First of all, how in the hell do you create a world and characters the worst nightmares are made of all while giving them traits that makes them endearing?!? So often I cringed, dry heaved, laughed, and even swooned once or twice.
Next, let’s get to what gutted me!! Htf did I not see that twist coming?!? By the end of the book I didn’t know whether to feel disappointed or relieved by the outcome?
I am no fan of flashbacks but I must agree that they were important for this story line to progress and end the way it did.
Let me stop ranting as to not give away spoilers but whew this one was really good!!!! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
June 12, 2023
Major trigger warnings here! Make sure to check those out before picking up the book.
With that said, as someone with very few triggers I enjoyed this! I love the peaks of back story popping up throughout the narrative in a way that isn’t too distracting. I personally loathe going back and forth in the timeline and this perfectly captured just enough backstory to flesh out the characters without being tedious for me.
The extreme gory details in both the combat and spice were very well written. A few of the characters gave me the ick but in a good way? Can’t wait to pick up more books by the author!
With that said, as someone with very few triggers I enjoyed this! I love the peaks of back story popping up throughout the narrative in a way that isn’t too distracting. I personally loathe going back and forth in the timeline and this perfectly captured just enough backstory to flesh out the characters without being tedious for me.
The extreme gory details in both the combat and spice were very well written. A few of the characters gave me the ick but in a good way? Can’t wait to pick up more books by the author!
March 27, 2025
I don't know if I loved or hated this book. This book was pitched to me as a silent Hill vibe. I didn't get that. It's a reverse harem monster romance and honestly all but one of the monsters didn't need to be there. They fell so flat as characters. However I loved Errik (I can't remember his name) I had to put the book down at the twin scene. And then again at the end. The ending was not what I was expecting. Very taboo for sure.
The plot didn't pick up really until the end when you figured everything out and like I said the other male creatures were pointless.
So this was a meh book for me
The plot didn't pick up really until the end when you figured everything out and like I said the other male creatures were pointless.
So this was a meh book for me
December 6, 2022
Honestly, I kind of figured out what the deal with Kinsey would be by 20% in, or by the tenth flashback. This is basically Sucker Punch but with Guillermo del Toro horror characters thrown in. Also, I really didn’t know this was an incest story. I’m really confused. I read “family love” and thought it was about step siblings; upon reaching the ending, I skimmed a bit because NOPE. Pretty sure Waylon is this girl’s legit brother. Anyway, would’ve appreciated if “family love” had been tagged as “incest” instead. Writing was okay, plot was very predictable.
May 11, 2025
Another book my husband made me read and idk if I hate him or love him for it lol. This was weird. Really, really, weird. I'm seriously questioning my life partner at this point. If you want a book to pick up and question your own sanity then by all means read this book. It's so weird!! But at the same time I kind of loved it. It's why choose but only one male in this really matters. The rest of the guys just felt tossed in which is why I gave this a four star. They didn't need to be there. They were so flat. But the twist at the end. 🤣 Like seriously WTF DID I JUST READ??
September 10, 2023
I pretty much went in blind. When one of your favorite authors name is on the front, do you even need more? This book is dark and mesmerizing. I was hooked from start to finish, never knowing which way I was going. And I loved it! You are completely immersed in a world of darken deadly creatures. And a FMC who is stuck navigating it. But not everything is as it seems. Amazing read. And can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!
May 24, 2024
i got this book as a blind date with a book and it was just not at all for me. the concept of the book was vaguely interesting which is what got me to read it through till the end but the ending was boring and didn't make it worth the read to me. also the fact that she ended up with her brother was disgusting to me and made the ending even worse. if you're looking for a book with lots of sex i would recommend this one but if you want anything else out of it i would not read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2024
Lions, Tigers and Bears Oh My!!!
First off is this wasn’t some type of wizard of oz retelling imma be real sad haha!
This was the perfect combination of taboo, horror and spice!
I read a review to go into reading this blind and I would have to agree with that statement completely!
This was such a wild and entertaining ride and I would recommend reading this to anyone and everyone!
Glad my friend bought this and made me read it haha
First off is this wasn’t some type of wizard of oz retelling imma be real sad haha!
This was the perfect combination of taboo, horror and spice!
I read a review to go into reading this blind and I would have to agree with that statement completely!
This was such a wild and entertaining ride and I would recommend reading this to anyone and everyone!
Glad my friend bought this and made me read it haha
June 21, 2021
For a few weeks before reading this book I was struggling to get into books, even those I was street teaming for, but... I was engrossed from start to finish, Erice is a being that you don't want to trust, but you kinda have to as there's not many others that you can trust. Y. D.'s descriptions of these beings are just perfect, I didn't see that ending coming at all!
June 21, 2021
This story had me on the edge of my seat.
Please do read the content warnings before reading for any triggers.
I loved the characters and how they grew and changed, the dark, and romance was brilliant. Also love some of the side characters not many love.
I laughed and cried with this book.
Truly well written.
Love it!!!
Please do read the content warnings before reading for any triggers.
I loved the characters and how they grew and changed, the dark, and romance was brilliant. Also love some of the side characters not many love.
I laughed and cried with this book.
Truly well written.
Love it!!!
August 11, 2022
Not what I expected that’s for sure! This one was a surprise to me at the end even though looking back the smallest of hints were there, they were just so subtle that I kept on thinking “no, that CAN’T be what’s happening, right?” Bravo for throwing me off the trail, it’s hard to do that to me, I can usually see the ending coming a mile away.
June 26, 2021
Weirdest read ever!
I really don't know what to say about this. I didn't find it a horror read, just weird and full of peculiar beings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really don't know what to say about this. I didn't find it a horror read, just weird and full of peculiar beings.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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