Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Inferno #1

Inferno

Rate this book
I haven't fallen down in days.

That may not seem like much, but my God, it's such an accomplishment. Being made to stand and kneel repeatedly while he performs his rituals is exhausting and I'm pretty sure that the welts on the bottom of my feet are ready to pop.

My knees. They're bruised, covered in dry blood and cuts; but I won't fall down. I can't fall down; that means he wins again and I get put down in the oubliette.

Being in the dark never scared me, being alone was something I used to cherish until he took me.

I just want to find the light now. I want to find the warm place that he tells me so much about; the place where he says all of this pain will make sense.

I won't fall down again.

I can't.

Not before I find my peace in the light. I have to do it soon because I'm not sure how much more I can take.

Miserere mei sunt.

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2017

321 people are currently reading
2116 people want to read

About the author

Yolanda Olson

223 books1,889 followers
Yolanda Olson is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author. Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT where she currently resides, she usually spends her time watching her favorite channel, Investigation Discovery.

Occasionally, she takes a break to write books and test the limits of her mind. Also an avid horror movie fan, she likes to incorporate dark elements into the majority of her books.

You can keep in touch with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
382 (26%)
4 stars
375 (26%)
3 stars
324 (22%)
2 stars
184 (12%)
1 star
165 (11%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
Profile Image for D.L. Howe.
Author 25 books604 followers
June 26, 2021
Well I definitely didn’t see that coming for the boys. Interesting.

There’s the shock factor, not sure how I didn’t see it coming.

I suppose there’s always another line to cross ... Jesus.

This is the ultimate train wreck that you just can’t look away from.
Profile Image for Crystal.
129 reviews28 followers
December 20, 2017
I was good until about 80%
then I was so horrified i wanted to throw up, but I made it through
Good and disturbing story if you can stomach it
Profile Image for Elle G. Reads.
1,895 reviews1,020 followers
August 25, 2020
My Rating: 2 Stars
Tropes: Dark | Crime | Taboo | Horror

I think this is the first time a book made me utterly speechless. I have no words for this book (okay maybe a few). It’s dark , deeply upsetting, horrifying, disgusting, and all-around nauseating. There is no true meaning behind this novel and I can’t even begin to understand what it’s purpose in the book world is. Perhaps for its shock value? I don’t know. Read below for an explanation (as best I can come up with) about this book with major spoilers.

MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW
As I mentioned, this is a disturbing read. I have an open mind and I’ll read just about any kind of romance book, but this is NOT romance, and I was misled. This is a story about a father raping his daughter (repeatedly) and making her his “wife”. He’s abusive, horribly abusive, and as sick and twisted as they come. The “heroine” also has two brothers who she’s made to “mother” even though she’s only their sister. They too, are abused by their father. Is that the plot? Pretty much. There’re some shocking murder scenes, too much incest to count, and even bestiality (I wanted to vomit). The ending is just as horrible as the rest of the story as all the sudden she has a daughter with her father, and she’s made to live in a dungeon/well while the father/husband raises their daughter. That my friends, is how it ends.

There is NOTHING redeeming about this book. There are no plot twists that make everything seem okay. This is just a book about a girl who is horrifically abused by her father and then made to basically die in a well when she’s no longer needed.

Will I read taboo romances? Absolutely! Especially when the stories have actual PLOTS. But this was just a rambling of abuse. I don’t get it. I will definitely read the second book to see what (or if) anything happens, but I highly doubt it will. Good thing it’s only a novella! Stay turned for that review.

Why did I give a book 2 stars when it’s Clearly one I had major issues with? Because it was a quick read and I actually finished it despite my misgivings. I understand authors work hard for their books and I appreciate it, but this one just wasn’t for me. I don’t even know how to define it in a genre!
Profile Image for Nana .
1,201 reviews36 followers
July 28, 2019
I'm really confused😞
This book is defiantly a WTF did I just read book and not for the faint of heart.
Profile Image for Bridgett Brown.
830 reviews48 followers
May 27, 2017
WOW !!!
Inferno is about Pater. He has a wife Jocelyn and 2 sons Eloy and Vaughn. And with that I have to warn you, This is not a Happily Ever After Story of a sweet family. Pretty much think of the most horrific stuff you can think of and That's what your fixing to read. Pater oh boy I have never hated a character more then him. He makes my skin crawl. He is Devil, and he is here to do the Devil's work. sweet baby jesus this Author has me concerned about myself. No I didn't fall for Pater, more like I wanted to personally hurt him. But after reading that ending...... I couldn't see it ending any other way. From start to finish, THE MOST HORRIFIC BOOK I'VE EVER READ, and I loved it. Not for what happened but for taking me for a ride I could never imagine. It was a nonstop horror ride. But in a good way. But seriously if you have TRIGGERS, like rape, incest, and animal abuse this is NOT for you. Please if that will upset you skip reading this one. Be a adult and don't leave bad reviews because you have been warned.
Profile Image for warhawke.
1,557 reviews2,236 followers
June 29, 2021
Genre: Horror
Type: Book 1 of 3 from Inferno series
POV: First Person - Female
Rating:




All Jocelyn ever cared about was the safety of her family. But being under Pater’s reign, normal survival rules won’t apply. She must find a way to outplay him or risk losing the very thing that had been keeping her alive.



This book didn’t hold any punches. If you have triggers, look for spoilers because the story is full of potential triggers. It’s not the kind of story that would make your heart pitter-Pater. It’s straight-up horror.

I can’t help but wonder if this is what love is like. To have someone who would do anything to keep you, no matter the cost, with no care of what the outside world would think.


Pater was manipulative in every way possible. It’s fascinating to experience his exploits, but I wanted to learn more about his past and motivations. The things that he did were vile - though I’m not sure what that says about me because I was thinking of several other things I’d like to see him do lol!

Inferno is a story of survival and exploitation. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a dark, taboo psychological horror.


Books in the series:
Sparks (Inferno #0.5) by Yolanda Olson Inferno (Inferno, #1) by Yolanda Olson Cinere (Inferno #2) by Yolanda Olson Embers An Inferno Conclusion (Inferno #2.5) by Yolanda Olson



➕ 🖤 ➕. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ➕ 🖤 ➕



For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:



Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,039 reviews317 followers
June 30, 2020
I was going to start my review by saying that this is a 'marmite book' - you'll either love it or hate it, but actually I felt quite impassive about it. Whilst I knew there wasn't any romance, that there would be no HEA and that I was heading into the very depths of darkness and depravity, I did expect a cohesive story that lead me from A to B. Call me old fashioned but I also expect the blurb to have some relevance to the plot too.

I never felt as though this was ever really a story. It didn't really contain any of the things I'm looking for in a book - connections, purpose, entertainment, thrills. There was very limited character building, and the only character we 'hear' from (Joce) felt quite inconsistent. The story was also full of contradictions - at one point it was suggesting all the 3 had been picked and taken by Pater, then we discover they are all his natural children.

There wasn't really any flow or build to the tale either. It felt as though both the beginning and end had been removed, leaving behind a random section from the middle to read. As though the author had arbitrarily picked a number of really bad things to write about and then just loosely tied them together. As though the entire purpose was to shock and push boundaries just for the heck of it.

I'd heard great things about this book (and series). Indeed I read it as I know a few of my go-to authors are writing their own books in this world. I had also recently read Martyris, Yolanda Olson's offering in the Cavalieri Della Morte series. Despite being quite a strange read, I loved that one so had high expectations for this. However as well written, as twisted, dark, evil and malevolent as this was, it neither entertained nor evoked emotion in the way I needed it to.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Cash.
Author 25 books95 followers
July 6, 2017
First aid kit needed

Okay. Here's the thing. There comes a time in every readers life when they come across a book that knocks them flat on their butt with their mouth open, heart pounding, and dizzy from all the "but wait, there's more."

Inferno was it for me. This story is so hauntingly beautiful and horrific that it took me a little bit to find the right words to do it justice with my review. I still don't think this will do it justice. But I am gonna try.

No matter how hard this story got, no matter how much I wanted to stop reading it, and no matter how devastating it got, I just couldn't tear my eyes away from the words sprawled out before me. I just had to know what came next.

I. Just. Had. To!

Jocelyn, Vaughn, and Eloy gave me so much hope throughout this book. I held onto them like my life depended on it. Then there's Pater. This is one character I will dispise for the rest of my days. He was such a hope snatcher. And that's what he did to me.

Inferno is so raw, so surreal, and absolutely emotional. You will cringe. You will cry. You will feel like your heart is being torn from your chest. But you will love this story. I did. From the very first word to the last.

Yolanda, I told you to play nice and you didn't listen to me. But I love you for it because you created yet another masterpiece for people to read.
90 reviews
July 6, 2017
*Be warned- This is a dark psychological horror book and will mess with you.

The story is about Jocelyn and the boys and what they have to endure with Pater in their home.

My emotions were all over the place with this one that I was even yelling at the book like the characters can hear me. Pater is a character that you will hate and he does some unspeakable and horrific things, but OMG the author knew how to write this story to a T. You get so invested in the story and characters that you NEED to know how it ends and Yolanda places twist and turns just at the right point in the stories that you may actually have to take a moment to process on what just happened.

This is one hell of a read.

it's disturbing
it's horror
it's a total mind f*ck and will have you on the edge of your seat bitting your nails.

I give this 5 horror stars.
Profile Image for Harris Danielle.
878 reviews
May 27, 2017
This is definitely the most disturbing book I've read by this author! Not only is this one hell of a rollercoaster ride, it's vile and extremely twisted! Yolanda kicked ass with this book. This is hands down my most favorite from her. Screw the 5 stars, I give Yolanda the whole damn sky.

All I will say is, go into this blind if you dare. Pater is a sadistic prick! You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for CC.
1,257 reviews725 followers
June 29, 2021
4.5★



Jocelyn lives in a highly controlled world where one man’s depraved rules dictate her existence. Pater requires complete obedience and Jocelyn is willing to sacrifice for her family.

"He knows too much, sees more than I think he does, and he'll stop me when he feels I'm getting ready to strike."

Narrated from Jocelyn’s POV, the plot unfolds systematically to reveal the insidious dynamic in which she lives. Though Jocelyn tries to appease Pater, each interaction is perilous due to his mercurial nature.

Going into this story, I was expecting a descent into the abyss and the author certainly delivered with blurred boundaries and several squeamish scenes. Knowing the limitations placed upon Jocelyn’s knowledge, her choices, as well as those of Vaughn and Elroy are understandable.

As far as Pater, he is in a category of his own and I was morbidly curious to see what he was going to do next. Though I enjoyed being on edge, I would have liked a bit more about Pater’s background. That said, I have confidence the author will expose more as the series continues.

Inferno is a horror story about survival and absolute sacrifice. This book would appeal to those looking to delve into a dark chasm of aberration.


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*



For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

description
Profile Image for D. BookAngel.
525 reviews59 followers
August 7, 2021
WHAT. THE. FUCK!

First time reading this author and am absolutely speechless. I really thought I kinda knew what I was getting myself into with a few reviews I read but nope. This was sick, disturbing, dark, sad, just everything bad. There is no romance or hea. Pater was one fucked up mf. Epitome of evil. And the other characters were just plain dumb, they could have just killed him or escape and end their own suffering but I guess there wouldn't be a series if that was the case 😒🙄 I am only giving it a 2 star bc like I said, I kinda knew what I was getting myself into so I really shouldn't have been surprised at how deprived it was. And as sick as it sounds this just held my attention. I flew through the book in one sitting. It was an easy read too (writing wise) However, I won't continue with the series bc reviews say that it's just the same as this one and I think one Yolanda Olson book in my life is enough (maybe. Who knows 🤷‍♀️) I like my romance & happy endings too much 😂

TW- too many to even bother to list em all. Proceed at your own discretion
Profile Image for Joce.
152 reviews23 followers
July 7, 2017
I couldn't put it down

Let me just start by saying that I LOVE this book!!! If you are familiar with other books by Yolanda then you know what to expect although this book is far from predictable. It will keep you at the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next. This book is not for the faint of heart... but is so worth the emotional impact you will get with every word written.
Profile Image for Marcie.
1,123 reviews57 followers
February 8, 2021
Perfect for the true horror fans!!

I went into this book by Yolanda completely blind and I am still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor. If you have triggers, they are going to be set off. If you think you’re fearless and can handle anything - snatch this bad boy up.
Yolanda can spin a tale of pure horror like no other, showing us that the true monsters to fear are the ones you would least expect - this book is the perfect example. She pulled me in from the very start, making me wonder what in the actual h*ll was going on and as the story unraveled I was shown what the 8th layer of the place would look like. I am impressed beyond words how this author crafts such a dark atmospheric tale of horror where my hair stood on end almost constantly. Yolanda has once again proven her worth as an intelligent and hugely talented horror author with this dark read - I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Dusti Hanrahan.
298 reviews96 followers
September 2, 2017
This was surprisingly good.
The reviews had me prepared for super dark horror, but either our ideas of dark and Horror are different or I am super fucked in the head! I've read way worse.
Disturbing? Hell yes!
Twisted and fucked up?? Oh yeah..

The story was of the unthinkable, horrific and gruesome but it was not the "dark horror" that, I personally, would deem as twisted as some.

This should absolutely be labeled w trigger warnings- murder, child abuse, rape and incest among a few.
Profile Image for Stepherz.
32 reviews10 followers
June 26, 2018
3-4 stars...i know two things.. 1. This book was fucking sick. And 2. I’m reading book #2
Profile Image for Libropacat.
291 reviews24 followers
December 28, 2018
RESEÑA

Ah, ¿cómo explicar este libro?
Este es mi segundo libro de la autora, no hice reseña del primero por esa misma razón. No sé, no encuentro la forma de explicar sus libros sin revelar algo crucial en su resumen o, en tal caso, sentir que lo estoy explicando bien sin enredarme a mí misma (¿es eso posible?). Lo siento, habrá spoiler a partir de aquí.
description
En términos generales, la historia trata de Jocelyn, una joven próxima a cumplir sus veinte años (20) que vive con su padre y sus hermanos. Pero el asunto es que ellos están totalmente aislados de la sociedad por culpa de su padre, al que llaman "Pater" (padre en latín). ¿Por qué? Bueno, el tipo es un enfermo psicópata. Tiene cincuenta y tres años (53), ha tenido otras mujeres a las que ha matado por no considerarlas 'buenas madres', entonces conoció a la última que le dio como primogénita a Jocelyn y a los últimos dos, Vaughn (17) y Eloy (13). Esta mujer se va, les deja a los críos, y apenas Jocelyn tomó la edad adecuada... Pater la folla. Imagino yo que la viola, no sé, se da a entender algo así. El punto es que hay incesto entre padre e hija a partir de entonces, y cuando alguno de los tres chicos desobedece a Pater o hace algo que a él no le parece, los otros pagan la culpa; son torturados, a veces pagan encierro por una semana en un calabozo que el mismo hombre construyó en el patio de su casa, son obligados a hacer cosas que no quieren, pero entre nos, la única que recibe torturas sexuales es Jocelyn (en plan, Vaughn y Eloy no son tocados..., excepto con Vaughn al final).

La trama parte en las ganas de Jocelyn de conseguir que sus hermanos escapen de ese infierno, ya entendemos el título. Pero en lo que va de capítulos, la autora nos muestra una depravación por parte de Pater (que sí, SÍ, es el padre real de Jocelyn) hacia la chica y crueldad hacia sus hijos. El hombre está enteramente mal de la cabeza, y digamos que parte de su locura fue heredada por su hija ya que, si bien Jocelyn desea libertad para ella y sus hermanos, una parte de ella no quiere o dolerá si algo le sucede a Pater.
description
Que en parte puedo comprender, es decir, antes de que supiera el tipo de monstruo que era, Jocelyn fue criada como una niña normal por su padre. Según él, se enamoró de ella en el momento en que la tuvo en sus brazos, y supo que la haría su esposa años después. El deseo de Pater, o Luke como se presentó a mitad del libro, es formar una familia perfecta... ¿con su propia hija? ¿Por qué? No lo sé. Es algo que no me gustan mucho de los libros así cortos ya que los personajes tienden a ser planos, nunca se nos mostró el pasado de Pater.

Más allá de las escenas perversas y depravadas de Pater hacia Jocelyn, de los pensamientos de Jocelyn y eso, tabién se nos muestran escenas fuertes de asesinatos, Y LO PEOR DEL MUNDO, ALGO QUE ME DEJÓ HELADA CUANDO ME DI CUENTA DE QUE LA AUTORA REALMENTE LO HIZO: una escena insinuantemente sexual con un perro y su posterior desollamiento por ello. Me vale v****a lo ocurrido entre padre e hija o los asesinatos, ¡PERO POR QUÉ CON UN INOCENTE ANIMAL! Es que miren, sabiendo lo mal de la cabeza que la autora está (habiéndomelo demostrado en este libro y el anterior que leí de ella) ya sabía, YA VEÍA VENIR, el desenlace que tendría el perro apenas lo mencionó pero aun así tenía la esperanza de que no sucedería.

Y hablando de desenlaces, ¿hubo final feliz? Nah, señores, Pater cumplió su acometido y tuvo una hija con su propia hija. ¿Hará de esa hija que tuvo con su propia hija su esposa también? Pues..., se da la insinuación. Jocelyn no aparece en el último capítulo, lo relata padre pero ella sigue viva y viviendo bajo su yugo mientras él cría a la niña, no obstante, menciona que sigue enamorado de Jocelyn. Pero, si leemos la sinopsis del segundo libro (que sí, esta vaina tiene continuación) digamos que el tipo quiere, o le gustaría, repetir la historia. Es decir, lo de Jocelyn fue un experimento, ahora ya sabe sus errores para corregir su formula para "la perfecta familia feliz" que él desea.
description
¿Mi opinión respecto a esto? ¿Leeré la segunda parte? ¿Lo recomiendo? ¿Me gusta la nutella?
No, ya en serio.
Quedé en shock. Es decir, yo tengo unas locas ganas de leer The Wild, que trata el mismo tema tabú de incesto entre padre e hija. Pero, este libro..., NO romantizo nada de eso, ambos libros son nefastos en lo que se refiere al tema principal, sin embargo, a mi no me vengan con que son unas santas palomas porque nadie lo es. Honestamente, el libro fue interesante y sí satisfació mi lado oscuro y depravado en cierta parte, sobre todo del lado de Pater. Sí, voy a leer la segunda parte y MÁS AÚN si está narrada por Pater. Creo que, de todos, me encantó él. Venga, ya he dicho que me fascinan los psicópatas, y Pater o Luke no es la excepción.
No, no lo recomiendo a menos que te gusten este tipo de libros todo dark. Y no sé, no he probado la nutella y me parece súper sobrevalorada. Es decir, es pinche chocolate derretido. Agarras una tableta de chocolate, lo pones a derretir y ahí tienes nutella. ¿Por qué tanta locura?

En fin.
Fue una lectura bastante..., muy, demasiada, extenuante, perturbadora. Pero ya tocaba.
Si saben de otro libro con temas escabrosos, dejenlo en los comentarios ;)

description
Profile Image for Linda Cotter.
662 reviews20 followers
May 28, 2017
I'm still trying to wrap my mind around everything I read in this book. This is one of those stories where you keep thinking, "Ok, this is the worst that it'll get", but as you read the next chapter, you realize that it can always get worse.
Yolanda has brought us to the darkest depths of the...hell, I don't even want to say human psyche.
Pater is evil, in the darkest form. No fear, no worry, everything in his life is going exactly as he planned. His child-wife, Jocelyn, wants nothing more than to save her "children", and will sacrifice herself to make it happen.
But Pater doesn't want her life in sacrifice, he just wants to control her.
And the ending will leave you reeling.
Yolanda has created a male lead that I don't see anyone siding with.
Profile Image for Janneke Wolbers.
475 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2017
When they ask you are you sure you want to read this?
They are not asking for fun but because of how disturbing this book is.
Pater is the devil himself. He really creeped me out.
Jocelyn is his wife and they have 2 sons Eloy and Vaugh.
But this is not a story about white picket fences and sweet little family's
You looking for a happily ever after? Keep looking cause this is not it.
And oh my that epilogue! If after reading everything else you think thats the worst.
Keep thinking and read the epilogue....
Profile Image for Shabby  -BookBistroBlog.
1,945 reviews991 followers
October 11, 2018
Can you go to HELL for just reading a messed up book?
#NOTAskingForAFriend ! If yes then I just bough a first class, ticket to HELL. This woman has NO BOUNDRIES!

description

And there goes my usual smutty Daddy Fantasy. Cause she in the abyss of her dark mind, thought of creating--
Pater. That is not his name but rather a title that he requires we address him by. He’s earned it, he says, for putting up with us, for choosing to care for us in his own special way, and for all the years he spent studying his rituals.
Now he's a middle aged guy living in a mansion with his family. A wife-Joeclyn , two boys- Vaughan & Eloy. Fair enough! Looks like a normal family...right?
WRONG!! Cause Pater is twisted like a ball of wool. He uses the three members against each other for his own sadistic, inhuman, satanic games. He loves using his obuliette to "discipline them .

description

I can't even......😣 it's beyond dark, like how could she??
Read at YOUR OWN RISK !!
It's too messed up and never-ending story of grisly behaviour and comfortable homeground for Yolanda cause she is on a crusade to see how far she can go to mess up her readers.
Another feather in her crown of spikes and thorns !
Monstrous acts beget monsters, and we’ll both get what we deserve in the end, but not all of us.
By that measure, we readers are as screwed as her mind is .🤦‍♀️
I'm not going to rate this book, cause I had to sell my stars for therapy sessions !!!
#BookBistroBlogApproved
Follow us on :
FB - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookB...
Blog -https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.com
Blog -https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.com
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/BookBistro
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog
Profile Image for Karen - Kazza's Books Blog .
647 reviews38 followers
July 6, 2017
If your a lover of Yolanda's work then your in for a real treat with INFERNO. The storyline gripped me right from the beginning and it never let up.
Pater is like no other character I have read before. He is so deranged, for me there is no redemption for him. The mind games that he plays are through the roof and he always has another 'task' that needs to be completed.
The life that Pater put Jocelyn, Eloy and Vaughn through the is everyone's nightmare.

Words will leave a deeper cut that any blade. Words, the ones spoken to inflict harm will stay with you much longer than any scar that's worn on your skin.

At times my emotions were all over the place and my anxiety levels were through the roof wondering just what 'HORRORS' I was going to read next. In saying that I was fully invested with Pater and Jocelyn's story

I'll either break your mind or I'll break your spirit, but rest assured that I will fucking break you

I am a true fan of Yolanda's work. She never fails to shock me with each book and with each book she pushes mores boundaries, more taboo subjects and out does herself.
Oh and that ending. My dark and twisted mind LOVED IT. So disturbing on so many levels
Profile Image for Ana .
227 reviews34 followers
January 10, 2025
Holy shit, this was intense 😳

"That's been his plan this entire time. That's been his motive in every wife he's taken.
Isolate the body.
Break the soul.
Break the spirit."
Profile Image for Leanne ~ Tales From The Heart.
2,465 reviews26 followers
May 28, 2017
When I finished this book I was left mind numbingly stunned. I guess how's that different from any other book I read by this author? This story crossed most taboo boundaries, vile and disgusting some of them. So did I like the story? No it pushed all my buttons as a mother and pet owner...but, could I put it down? No, I was gripped from the beginning and had to know how it ended. You don't have to like a plot to still enjoy the book. An author's job is to wrench your heartstrings and rip those emotions to the surface. And Yolanda achieved that and more. She knows how I feel and that I have my own epilogue for this disgusting character who doesn't deserve to breathe the same air as me.
Do you want to be shocked too? Then I dare you to read this story too.
Profile Image for c a r í.
917 reviews176 followers
May 31, 2022
I have no words for this book 👀💣 My anxiousness level is super high every time I turned pages. This is not for everyone extremely if you can not handle dark and troublesome elements incorporated into the narrative! Yolanda Olson's writing style kept me on my toes!
Profile Image for Samantha.
1,921 reviews41 followers
May 28, 2017
Inferno was unlike anything I have ever read before. It began with so much dark imagery that I felt as if I too were down in the oubliette along with her. I was intrigued to know more about Pater and his mission of sorts. He obviously instilled a fear and respect, and yet there was clearly more disobedience to be purged.
For Vaughn to risk a worse punishment by releasing her early, it must have been for an important reason. I loved the blend of respect and fear that the boys seemed to have for her. She was forced to do awful things, and yet she strived to protect them as much as she could.
I was curious about Laura from the first meeting and what role she might play in all of this. When Laura stated the reason for her visit, I had to swallow my disgust at the vision it created. And then came the moment that she admitted where she was from and it had my blood turning cold out of fear for her.
I felt a level of respect for Jocelyn's maternal leanings when it came to the boys. I was very disturbed and afraid for what they could be made to endure. She couldn't seem to protect them both at the same time, so it seemed as if one was always at risk. Whenever Jocelyn pushed Pater, my anxiety level skyrocketed. I was sure he had already done something awful and her pushing him further frightened me for her. The List of Tasks Game had me feeling very worried. And what would she find in the woods? This book definitely raised my blood pressure throughout its duration. There were so many mind games and twists and turns. The repercussions for thoughts that shouldn't be had were chilling. I was always on edge about what would come next.
I did find it to be a genius move on Pater's part to find a way to destroy the alliance that there was between Jocelyn and the boys. This fantastic line really summed it up, "I'll either break your mind or I'll break your spirit, but rest assured that I will f#%king break you." Vaughn's transition to a cold demeanor towards Jocelyn showed that this promise was fulfilled. Pater was a master at the "divide and conquer" strategy of warfare. He was also quite the master of head games. His shifts from cruel to comforting even began to wear me down at times. He would provide a sliver of a silver lining to the situation, only to jerk it away in another act of evil. Pater had such a way about him though, that I was almost willing to give in and believe his words time and again. It messed with my head: the way that he was so good at the push and pull of receiving compliance.
Chapter 11 was such a game of Cat-and-Mouse and I wasn't sure which outcome I preferred. The knowledge that the truth shall set you free maybe didn't apply to this story. Pater and his plans were despicable and yet I was thoroughly entertained. I knew the story was building up to a very horrifying conclusion. All the signs were there and I had such a bad feeling about it, and yet I wanted it.
This book wrecked me in the best ways. Pater was truly a monster, but he drew me in and held me rapt. Is it possible to get Stockholm Syndrome from a book? If so, then Yolanda Olson has figured out a way with Inferno.
Profile Image for Ally Vance.
Author 71 books534 followers
June 30, 2017
I won an ARC and have no obligation to review. But damn it I'm going to!

*Spoiler FREE*

I don't quite know where to start with this review as I'm still in shock about what I just read, holy hell on a cracker this is dark, its twisted, its depraved, its pure what the fucking hell in a book. I was chatting with the author a little bit as I read the first half and I'm pretty certain she was laughing her arse off at my reactions. She drags you into this book and holds you in a vice until the end. I could not put this down at all, I was horrified at some parts because lets face it head on and bluntly Pater is EVIL and fucked up and there is no avoiding that.

I loved the pace of it, its a fight for survival, its gritty and raw and not at all pretty, if it had been slow and drawn out I dont think it would have had quite the same effect, youre in a horror and you're trying to outrun the bad guy so are you going to walk? Nope, not happening. Jocelyn is such a desperate and clever character and I admired what she did to protect those she loves.

This review is all over the place, I think I'm going to need some time to recover from this psychological headfuck of a masterpiece. I think Yolanda may have reawakened the horror lover in me and I will definitely be reading more of her work.

Wicked!
Profile Image for Mary S..
940 reviews10 followers
July 6, 2017
Oh man oh man when I just think I have already read Yolanda's books and I just can imagine what kind of plot is going to be but then she takes me for a ride and I just sit here for awhile and say to myself what did I just read.This book it's definitely the name that it it titles to be just a very big Inferno that you don't know from which way to get the hell out from. I definitely felt for Jocelyn and her brothers and to just think that this can happen in real life it just takes you to a whole new level I'm still processing this story just​ WOW didn't​ see this coming.wonderful work Yolanda twisted and so dark that I'm still in shock it would take awhile to get this story out of my head just wow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.