Intensely dark read...
935164
I received an ARC for an honest review.

When Beast & Meadow collide the sparks fly! These two damaged souls come together in the middle of a war with a rival MC, the Russians and The Army... dark, powerful and an intense read that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes their MC reads a little more on the darker side.
4876530
I don't know where to begin.  This was probably one of the most disturbing dark reads that I have read in a long time.  For me, this was sort of a cross between a cult (think....everybody drank the cool-aid) and the hunger games (which I didn't read but saw movie #1) with sex thrown in as currency.  Throughout this series I couldn't fathom how an author could come up with this stuff and at the same time found all the intricate pieces woven together brilliantly.  The people in this story were just sick.  In their own way, Sin and Stella were sick as well, but for the greater good.  It did bother me how Sin could stand by and watch Stella go through what she did even though it was her choice and that they were both fighting to save Teddy, however, it was still hard to digest even though I understood it.  Never have I rooted for murder and total destruction of human life, but I did in this series.  It really illustrated that when faced with your own elimination, you will do whatever you have to do in an effort to survive.  I was thrilled when Cal and Dylan were killed.  I only wished that Cal would have suffered more.  Very well done but I need some time to recover from this series.  This story really took an emotional toll on me.
89428
I have to say that I read part 1 of this series a while ago and it keep popping up in my mind that I had to get the rest of the series.  Unfortunately, some retailers have started to remove the books so if you are interested in reading this Dark, Twisted, Depraved story you better grab it while you can.  You have to take this author's warning seriously!  I am a huge dark fan and this will push every limit you have.

ENSLAVED  book 1
Annas parents were killed when she was a young girl and her guardian Jack took her in and he and Devin began to condition her for a life as a sex slave. She is now a fearful shell of a person. Her only desire is to please her masters in an attempt to avoid, or minimize, the sadistic punishments that are frequently inflicted upon her.  She was in effect brainwashed by the two men. This is a complex beginning to the series with paranormal elements and a complete powerful secret society ruled by powerful men.  Three of these men are Wilhelm and his sons, Alex and Kurt who see Anna as something special but she is under Devins control.  There are many secrets and confusing elements in the first book but the last ritual scene was powerful and keep me interested in reading more.

ENTWINED  Book 2
This book is complex.  A part of you is morbidly fascinated by the events and another part is horrified that someone could abuse a young girl in that manner.  I am hoping that Alex is able to protect Anna before its too late, but since there are 3 more books in the journey it is unlikely.  It seems like every guy she comes in contact with treats her badly.

EMBRACED - Book 3
This book is a bit lighter if that is possible.  Devin is becoming more powerful, but Alex is trying hard to be able to save Anna.  We are able to understand the Brotherhood and Annas background now.  There seem to be many men that Anna falls for, but in the end her training is strong and she still views herself as a slave.

ENSNARED  Book 4
We pick up two years after book 3 ended, Anna exists in a drug-induced haze now that Alex has disappeared. Devin controls the drugs which he uses to control Anna. When Devin needs her back he weans her from the drugs and uses other severe methods to keep her in line.  She is able to begin dancing again and finds some happiness, but things are not better for her yet.

EMERGED - Book 5
If you're made it this far you will be thrilled to finally get an HEA!  Finally, things take a turn and the good guys are able to take out the evil.  It was a perfect ending to a twisted series.  Dont get me wrong it wasn't easy and straight forward and at times I wasn't sure it was going to happen, but it was amazing.  I would have liked to see Devin suffer more, but after the years of abuse he lead nothing could have evened the scales so at least he finally is gone.

This is one of my all time favorite dark series and I hope the author continues to write in this genre!

Hero 5 | Heroine 5 | Plot 5 | Writing Style 5 | Steam 5 | Romance 4 | Angst-Suspense 4 | Darkness 5 | Humor 1 | Secondary Characters 5 | Drama-Conflict 5 | Mystery 5 | Twists 5 | Action 5 | Pacing Steady |
Dual POV | MF | Paranormal Elements | Twists and Turns | Full Series | Overall 5 Stars
#MSBB
1754891
This book is not what I anticipated. The description for the Kindle Book Of The Month selection lead me to believe I would be delving into an almost detective-style mystery thriller, when in reality, this is decidedly a deeply dark psychological mind-muddler with a strong element of horror. *** SPOILER ALERT BUT ALSO TRIGGER WARNING: This book is definitely for adults: it contains violence towards people and animals and scenes of abuse and rape as well as strong language.***

I won't go much into the plot or overall merit of the writer's work, as that is fairly well covered by other reviewers, but I will say the author did successfully achieve what it seems she set out to: the book was unsettling and left me feeling sort of crazy. I couldn't put it down because I felt I could not leave things off at the dark point I last left them. This meant reading through the night because honestly I was too disturbed to go to sleep without reaching a satisfying conclusion to this dark work. Again, that all should serve as accolade to author Eriksson's ability to create an alarming mind-scape for her reader.

At the same time, I can't say this was a pleasant or particularly enjoyable read. I don't think all books have to be. The author wrote well and created a very emotionally tangible work, and this particular story does not contain much positive emotion. It really depends on the individual reader whether this piece will be a winner or something you can certainly appreciate but would rather not. In my case, if I had to choose again, it would not be my pick. That is my fault: I let myself expect something different. This novel does not request suspension of disbelief but rather creates an unreliable narrator who constantly blurs the line between reality and nightmare. The main character's psychosis wears at a sensitive reader.

While the end mercifully offers some comfort in clarity and resolution, and there are positive lessons to be learned from reading this story (I especially liked the very relatable love of the main character's mother for her broken child), I cannot say I would recommend it unless you are particularly comfortable with delving into the demented mind of an abuse victim who is also a pathological liar with a poor grasp of reality.

Please note my review in no way is meant to criticise Caroline Eriksson's writing, which was effective, ensnaring, and startlingly emotional. It is just not for all readers.
3205596
This is a dark, entangling, deeply unsettling sort of book. The type that digs gritty fingernails deep into your skin, your very bones, and doesnt let go, not even after you're finished reading.

The main thrust of the plot follows Kate whose mother is dying of cancer. Her stepfather is concurrently sleeping with Gillian, who happens to be a doppelg&auml;nger of Kate and further, there is a serial killer called the Doll Collector on the loose killing girls who have similar appearance to her as well. Gillians stepbrother Jonah increasingly matches the description of the killer, but it couldn't really be him, could it?

Kate begins delving into her past and her mothers past, bringing things to the surface that she would have preferred to keep hidden. Abuse, mental illness, loss, and pain begin narrating the pages and her emotions, especially negative ones like anger and rage, start boiling over in a way she can no longer control and the lines in her own mind begin to blur.

Perhaps the answers to now lie in the past, no matter how difficult it is to face them. Chilling and compelling, this is beautifully written debut novel.
2393202
This book. I have no words. Honestly I am rendered speechless. I have NEVER read anything like this before, and I'm honestly not sure how I feel. While this book is well written and the story is excellent this particular book was not for me. Now with that said, I enjoyed the book I read it in a matter of a few hours, but it was sad, dark, and disturbing. I try not to read content like this because reading is my happy time. There is so much bad in this world, that when I read its my way to free myself from all the terrible things that go on in real life.

I left a synopsis above, but I will give a brief summary as best as I can. Patrick's dad is a major drunk and he ends up killing a little boy, Patrick and his brother don't immediately call the police so the town kind of looks like them as bad guys as well, even though they are also losing their only living parent. Layla is a Freaky goth girl who really is commercially goth trying to rebel against her father who is a minister. She tries squeezing her way into Patrick's life because she knows her father would disapprove. In her little rebellion she meets this dude who calls himself justinian and he totally just flips her life around in the worse possible way. Unfortunately Layla tries bringing her sister Verna down with her and poor Verna gets caught in the middle of all this. In the mean time Patrick is also having to deal with his brother (Mike) and this secret lust he has after Caro (his brother's girlfriend) Yeah pretty crazy right?

***Minor Spoiler- I usually try not to give spoilers, but I also know people tend to have triggers what I mean is certain things can either make people really sad or just really emotional. This book does have what I took from it a cult and they do some pretty crazy things, so if that is not your thing I do not recommend this book.****

Kelly Braffet really blew my mind with this book. I closed the book, looked at my husband and said WTF that was some of the craziest shit I have ever read in my life and I'm not sure I ever want to again! But like I said it was well written, excellent story great plot, and awesomely wicked dark characters and moments. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a more dark YA/NA. If you read Gillian Flynn I heard this book could be comparable to some of her work, but since I have never read Gillian Flynn I can't tell you whether that's true or not.

Although this book wasn't for me I still gave it:

4Stars

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
2095996
I literally could not put this book down until the end (which for me was around 4:30 am). This was a very hard book to read at times because of some of the darker themes. People with high sensitivities to rape and torture should be cautious reading this book. However, despite the very dark themes, it never felt like I was dragged into a dark place that sucked the will to live from me. You admire Sage's will to keep fighting and can see her strength despite her scars (literal and figurative). I thought that Sage's reactions to everything that happened to her were so realistic and heartwrenching. You couldn't help but feel what she was feeling. It was also interesting to see how the relationships progress despite the physical distance of characters.

I would knock down 1/2 star as some of the relationships between Tehl and those around him (Sage's parents) changed so suddenly and without enough build up that it didn't seem realistic and almost too corny. However, that might just seem so exaggerated because the other relationships in this book are so well written.  However, this is an amazing series and is quickly becoming one of my favorite. Read it...you won't regret it!
2226691
The Quiet Ones is one seriously messed up and disturbing read!

To start with I really didn't know what to expect from this story, I wouldn't say I was altogether gripped to begin with, but it certainly had me intrigued. As I got further into the story though I started to jump to a lot of conclusions which were well and truly wrong and by the time I was half way through I could not put it down until I had finished it.

Josie is quite a strange character. She has a lot of issues to deal with, though to be fair it is pretty obvious that she isn't dealing with them to well. To a certain extent I did feel sorry for her as life seems to certainly deal her a rubbish hand. To be honest I didn't think her life could get any worse, but boy was I wrong!

It's hard to say to much about the story with out giving to much away. What I will say though is that the author takes the reader on an extremely dark and twisted read. Some of the twists left me reeling but it certainly got the adrenalin flowing.
1062733
This is a compelling look into a sociopath from his mother's point of view.  This book is riveting on so many levels, but also very disturbing and sometimes hard to read. The writer uses such descriptive terms in EACH sentence, this is really one of the best writers I have ever read.  This story is so riveting but at the same time disturbing, but I could not put this down! I don't think I could read it again, but I have thought about incessantly since I finished it.  The book is very dark, as it is a character view into a sociopath's personality starting from birth. I do believe that some people are truly born this way without a conscience and can have everything from nice parents, money, nice house, private schooling, and still do something utterly horrific.  I loved this book.  It is not for the faint of heart, but if you love a good writer with a compelling story, this is it!!
4336617
This was an extremely dark read. I'm ok with that as I read a lot of dark work. This one, surpassed so many I've read before. The premise is a woman is kidnapped by a serial killer. it's interesting because, the characters are minimal but they are so incredibly well written that they suck you in. I don't want to give anything away but the only reason I didn't give it five stars was some of her irrational behavior and reactions to him and events seem to minimal. Especially for some of the things she witnessed. Don't read this if descriptive, graphic killing bothers you but if you like dark, then go for it. I also wish there was more. It ended kind of abruptly and I just hope the author gives us more on these two.
2491149
Pretty Stolen Dolls by Ker Dukey and K. Webster is a new, dark romance novel.

"Tell her you're sorry...cry for the broken dolly."

Pretty Stolen Dolls was psychologically twisted and tainted. A story of lives taken and robbed. The authors wove a story that made it impossible to walk away from. When I finished reading, I was in a total book coma. Words ceased to form in my brain, and a numbness took over. Coming around, some of my initial thoughts consisted of "what the hecks" and "no ways". Then, I wondered where in the ever-loving world these authors concocted such a disturbing, yet addictive, story. Finally, I was able to wrap my head around it and grasp the magnitude of what had happened between page one and the end. This story wasn't a ride, it was a seat in the electric chair in a room filled with on-lookers. I mean, on a scale from one to ten, Benjamin's crazy far exceeded a million. He was vile and disturbing. My heart was shattered for Jade. She had the luck of a porta potty. No pleasant things occurred around her, except maybe one that breathed life into her.

I had an intense and enthralling fascination with this book from cover to cover, as its claws captured me and held me hostage to every word. I highly recommend this dark romance novel.

"Miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick. So she phoned for the doctor to be quick, quick, quick."
4700249
It's really dark but addictive.  I swore I wouldn't read anymore of her books because they're so disturbing - but I've already pre-ordered her next book.  I couldn't help myself.
4178618
If you are looking for a typical BDSM novel, then stop right here, because this is not it.  It is a very dark and very graphic read.

The book Snare (and if you have not gotten the prequel, which is free, it is included at the beginning of this book) opens up a world that is quite disturbing and chilling.  It made me want more.  The narration of the book switches back and forth between the two main characters, Llilith and Sebastian, so you will definitely need to pay attention.  However I don't mind that at all in a lot of books, it is always helps better glimpse as to what the bigger picture of the story is.  Clarissa weaves a tale that is quite delicious as much as it is quite disturbing.  The book at times created such vivid pictures of depravity that I had to put it down for a bit.  But I always came back, because it was just that good.  This book is definitly not for the faint of heart.  The plot, the characters were all well developed.  The writing from the get go will "snare" you in its grip and won't let go until done.
3021157
This was hands down, one of the darkest books I have read to date. I have read some dark romantic books, but there were no romantic elements here.
Continuous sexual assaults by a man who was "paid" by others to break this woman over a weekend in her home. The assaults were quite graphic and extremely hard for me to read. What disturbed me the most was the fact that instead of reading something else, I was compelled to find out how this craziness would end.
I enjoy dark, erotic books from time to time, however, this "professional" rapist was way over the top. His cruelty was astounding because he actually enjoyed rape above all else he was paid to do. So many unanswered questions as to who "they" were, and why this woman needed to be broken.
The woman was pretty strong, and you might say impressed this depraved monster throughout the book. She even impressed me, and so that is why I had to know the outcome. Don't underestimate the power of any Woman who has been to Hell and back, would be the message I got from this book.
Caution: Read at your own risk!
2815601
I love dark reads and was hoping for more in this third installment of the Acquisition series..
This book was too violent for me.  I had a hard time thinking that this was a  dark erotic novel.
While I didn't love it the author kept up the intensity of the book and I found it hard to put down.  I was anxious to see how Sin and Stella would end up.
3294458
This was the first book by Nicole Snow that I have read. I am overwhelmed by it. This is a dark, gritty romance, and it delivers everything you could want from a dark read. I felt so torn up by what the poor Cassie had to experience. I love this kind of book because I love ones that push boundaries, ones that go to dark places, ones that make you think you have it easy. This is an intense read, and it sticks with you. Oh yeah, book hangover!
Cassie is a twenty year old beauty who has been dealt a very bad hand. Her father dragged her and her sister into a religious cult that does not interact with outsiders. They live in the woods, and the prophet who leads them is a pig. Just like the rest of the men. Her father is a drunk who likes to beat the crap out of her. The latest, nearly fatal beating occurs outside of their car, in the rain. She is being beaten for hugging a guy during the service too long. As she is being whipped bloody, a dark angel attacks her dad, beating him to death. She thinks she is being saved, but she is just headed to another hell.
Cole is sure he is dead inside. Working for the cartel as an assassin has destroyed his life. After a mistake, his wife and son were taken from him. Not moving fast enough for the leader resulted in his wife being killed. He still has Cole's son. The only way to get Ty back is to find a new slave for the leader to destroy and maim. Cole is sure he is doomed, but he will do anything to get his boy back. When he saves Cassie, he thinks his problem is almost over. But it's not. This innocent, beautiful, spirited goddess is going to flip his world on its head. What in the world is he to do? Trade one innocent for another? Maybe with Izzy's help, he can get Cassie trained and out of their lives.
The world is rarely black and white. Most of us live in a grey zone. Is a hired killer all bad? Could he still be a little good? Will Cassie end up being broken by Cole to be turned over to a sicker bastard? How is it that Cassie has such goodness in her after what she has been through? Will Cole's sister in law Izzy be cold hearted enough? Can Izzy stay sober long enough? Why do horrible things happen to some people? Can a person really change? Is love enough? This book is so intense I could not set it down. If you love dark reads, you'll love this one. Grab it and dive in, there are enough sharks for everyone.
3879809
The Education of Nicholas by Shannon West and Susan E Scott is a very dark read. The darker aspects of domination and love are explored in this book, and it is not for the faint of heart. I personally love my M/M gritty and dark, so this book was perfect for me. The connection and love Connor and Nick have really is powerful, and I felt it all the way through this book.  The one complaint I guess I would have is the ending. There is a scene in the hospital that jumps abruptly to a scene of BDSM that cannot possibly go on in a hospital, so I am assuming it is at the guy's home, but it doesn't say that. It's just a new paragraph with nothing to indicate we are jumping time and place and starts this wonderful new scene.  The ending is like that too.  You are in the middle of a scene and voila, your done.

Those two hiccups were not enough for me to not enjoy this book.  I think because the authors did such an amazing job at sucking me in and making me want more, I was disappointed more by the glitches at the end.  I truly love these characters and am so glad I got to read them.  I would like to see a series made out of this world. I think there are tons of possibilities.  Ms West and Ms Scott make an amazing writing team, and I would like to see more of them in the future.