Dark, Gritty, Violent...
920793
I've been a huge fan of this author since I read Fight Club back in High School. This style is definitely a bit different to that, as it includes a main narrative of the events peppered with individual accounts from each character, but still a great read. Please be warned that some of the stories can be quite graphic or grotesque, so if you're not into gore, violence or sexual content, this may not be for you.
702830
Bleak. This book starts in a bleak world where all the characters are guilt ridden, angry, and/or depressed. No good things happen, several bad things happen, there is a short gratuitous sex scene (not romance, but you're better than a rock so let's have sex, sex scene), and then the books ends in a tragedy.  I don't normally write reviews, but I purchased this book because it was suggested as a great read for Ilona Andrews fans. I have to say- nope. Don't get me wrong. It is very well written, the world is well thought out, and the plot flows, but it is a very dark book, without a hint of lightheartedness or some hope it may work out in the end. I'm sure there is an audience for it, but fans of the HEA- this is probably not for you.
402306
So violent! I enjoy books that take me away from everyday life! !  While I know it was historically correct , I didn't care for all the torture .. And there was a lot of TORTURE! Therefore it was a struggle to complete. I did finish it, but don't feel I was any better off for reading it!
222939
I respect and admire this author for her excellent stories.  I believe I've read everything she has written and have enthusiastically shared them with others.  However, this book is quite different.  It is the most graphically violent book I have ever read (perhaps that speaks in part  to my preference).  It was disturbing and unforgettable.  Because of this, I feell strongly that there should be an advisory about that.  It's not your typical wartime violence.  It is torture and mayhem.  To be honest, I skimmed in a couple of spots.  This is because as one author said, I seem to "get books all over myself".  I don't just walk away.  I wear what I read.  This is why I am selective about what I read.  I still enjoyed the book, as I have each by this writer.  But I took a star off, because to me, the violence was overboard.  Too much.  Yes, these things happen.  A lot of horrible things happen.  Unspeakable things.  That doesn't mean we should focus on the details of the horror.  Of course, others will most likely disagree, which is fine.  This is strictly my opinion.  I was also a bit frustrated with the ending.  It just  didn't satisfy.  We went through, well, you know,  with this couple.  I wanted a lot more resolution!  I hope this is merely a departure and not a trend.  I do recommend the book, but with an advisory warning.
2665695
Too violent and content too disturbing for me.  But the author is genius at twists and turns - just not my cup of tea!
3755407
I read this because of a friend's recommendation, and while I'm not sorry I read it, I will not be reading more in the series or by the author.

This was just too dark for me. Relentlessly dark. The Nazis create "supermen" by torturing children. The Brits counter this by dealing with what are essentially Lovecraftian Dark Gods, and kill random people to keep them happy. Everyone is compromised past the point of sympathy.

It doesn't help that there are exactly 2 females that figure at all; one's the wife of one of the Brits and is more a plot device than a person, and the other is a "superman" seer who is a psychopath.

But- most of the characters are more plot devices than actual characters.

The plotting is adequate, but relies a lot on coincidence.

Not really recommended.
1854117
This was by far the MOST disturbing book (series) I have ever read and I have read many.  At times the level of violence was truly disgusting.  There was too much of everything -  a level of brutality that had me skipping multiple paragraphs at a times, descriptions of things done to babies, sex between fathers and sons, mutilations and that's just the beginning.  In addition,  There were too many "story lines"- paranormal, master/slave, m/m etc. A TRULY DISTURBING READ!
1195309
American Psycho is the most dark, violent, and graphic novel I have ever set upon to read.  The violence is told in a detailed, nauseating first person narrative, and many of the scenes are hard to read through.  Some reviewers have called said scenes psycho-porn, and refer to his descriptions of other peoples appearance as trite.  Others infer that this book is about the apathy of the public. Patrick Bateman, the protagonist(or at least the main character), makes a killing at his job, he's flattering, good-looking, and brutally kills people, Often in public and during lite hours.  The inference is that people simply don't care about a brazen serial killer in their misted. I disagree with many people on this book.

  This book is a perfect portrait of a serial killer.  It doesn't spare you any of the excruciating details: violence or lunch.  If you decide to undertake this book be ready to read pages and pages about what people are wearing.  Many complain "I understand when Ellis writes these descriptions we are supposed to see how judgmental and narcissistic Patrick is, but why do I have to keep reading these descriptions all the way through the book?" (paraphrased).  From a different approach, what would people think if the descriptions were taken out halfway through? Some might think Patrick is evolving.  This is written from Patrick's perspective, nothing is edited out.  On the positive side Patrick is the one who cares about what people are wearing, not me.  So very early on I began to skim over these parts.  Don't even get me started on the chapters about music.

  Another qualm is the seeming lack of motivation in the killings.  Motivation is a good link in your average murder.  Money, power, and anger are classic examples.  Even delusional killers have a twisted motivation, but Patrick is different.  Patrick Bateman is a compulsive killer, he needs no motivation.  He does it, because it turns him on.  Ted Bundy said "there are two things I think when I see a pretty woman. The first is I'd like to take her out and show her a good time.  The second is " I wonder what her head looks like on a pike"(The quote is pretty accurate, but I'm doing it from memory).  Patrick uses this quote in the book, and one can easily infer he feels the same way.

  My final problem is with one's who say the violence in this book is egregrious.  exactly What were you expecting when you picked up a book titled "American Psycho"?  This book is violent, because Patrick is violent, and sick.  If the violence was dulled down then the book would suffer.  Patrick would be a comical figure.  Your kids would read it for theme's, and motifs as a part of their Highschool curriculum.  Patrick was made to be hated.  I doubt Ellis wrote this book thinking people would sympathize with the sick freak.  The one accession I will make is that it is psycho-porn, pure and simple.  Just like the movie Patrick rents every other night where the hole is bored into the the girls skull with a drill.  He masturbates to it, just as I'm sure some have masturbated to this book.  I find that disturbing, but there's plenty of other stuff on the internet they could look at anyhow.

  I'm against the idea that this book is about American apathy.  While it may be a fleeting thought the focus stays on Bateman.  It's a fictional account that is suprisingly gritty, and real.  Reading books I have always had a certain out of body experience.  Books allow you to travel to the ends of the earth, and see the world from the perspective of another.  In this book you travel into the mind of Patrick, and see through his eyes.  His ambiguity and uncertainty, his humor, his self-loathing, his bleak outlook, his narcissism, and the inter-workings of an American Psycho.
1002242
Way too violent for me, atrocities committed while people sat back and watched?! Nope. No thank you, I'm actually sorry I read it.
611077
Eh. Really really violent. I finished it and then wasn't too pleased it was a cliffhanger.....not going to continue the series.
2575585
The violence was almost too much. Seemed forced sometimes, and unnecessary to the story. But ither than that, I liked it.
2358573
I finished this book last night and I don't know if I liked it. Still having mixed emotions about this one.
This book starts out very slow. I found myself saying, "get on with the story, please!!" As other reviewers have said, it gets better towards the end. It's definitely a very dark read. All the characters are f***ed up!!
Some of the story is just unbelievable. No one can live through all the verbal, physical, and sexual abuse Nina/Elisabeth has encountered. But, I will read the next book n this series. Hopefully, I will not have to wait  a year for it's release!!!!
2196213
Good writing style.  Quite violent; the first scene is so unpleasant that I quit reading for a month.  I came back later and finished the book.  Some interesting characters, partially drawn, but don't get attached to any of them.  Pretty grim view of magical creatures.  Threads and subplots change very abruptly, a bit like juggling.  They mostly get tied together by the end.
4104629
I found this movie to be dark and violent. I don't know if it was the acting or the writing, but it just didn't click with me. The martial arts were impressive, but I've seen more enjoyable movies with moves just as good.
The one thing I did like was the use of rain and water to accent the emotions of the two main characters.
2954737
Darker than I like, much violence. (Only reason I give it 4 stars).  It grabbed me at the first few sentences, and never let go.  Fas and furious action, and never lets up.
604168
A bit too violent, with characters I have not warmed up to yet.  This is the second book of the series I have read, and even living in Boston, it does not excite me.  I am not sure I will continue to read book 3 of the series.
A detective/action series I did warm up to on the first book (and completed the series) was the Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.
2051658
2.5 Stars

Dark romances seem to be all the rage right now.  I'll admit, they draw me in quite often.  There is something that intrigues me about damaged characters. Not just a little damaged...a lot damaged.  X is that. However, it wasn't enough.

Jay is a drug addicted, stripper/ some-what hooker, who has a failed memory of her past and a price on her head. X is the one who is to cash in that price, but doesn't.  He decides he has other plans. Depraved plans, cruel plans.  His motives go back years, tangled in a past that Jay only remembers glimpses of.  But X remembers it all.

Jay did absolutely nothing for me. I wanted to root for her, to get behind a girl placed in a horrible situation that she bravely steels herself to survive.  Unfortunately, I didn't find her voice strong enough. I never quite believed her point of view.  She played thoughts in her head over and over but never really came to any convincing conclusions on them.  She tried at times and I thought we were getting somewhere but then she would revert back to this mindless thing that I just couldn't care enough about.

X was a more convincing character but I found his motives shallow. That confused me immensely because he's a very strong willed and potent character.  So, to see him want to ruin someone over some immature logic felt strange and sad.  He had reason to be pissed but his anger was misdirected.  He's an interesting dude, for sure.  I would love to see more of him. The epilogue leaves much to the imagination so maybe this is something that will come to light in the future.

Here is what I did like...  It's gritty. It's dirty. And, yes, I am talking about the sex.  It's not nice. Not remotely.  It's angry sex. But, hey...I like that kind of thing on occasion.

The cover is amazing. One of my favorites this year.

Here is the thing with this kind of dark romance.... I think a lot of us, readers and writers alike, are chasing that "thing".  That something special that has happened with a couple of dark reads.  Some get pretty close, but there is a finesse to it.  With questionable consent and violent sex, you walk a fine, fine line.  One thing that I think Wild got right, was X's view on Jay's consent and I'm thankful for that.  There is still some depravity there on his end and strawberries will never taste quite as sweet to me because of it; but it was still a delicate balance that he weighed well.

That leaves me somewhere in the middle of loving and loathing this book.  I didn't dislike it but didn't really like it either.  I think there are a multitude of readers who will like it quite a lot. It just wasn't working for me as much as I hoped it would.  I don't regret reading it and am thankful for the opportunity, and as I said, hope to see more of X in the future.  Just hoping it will be with a little more of that "thing".

As always...don't just take my word for it! Check out the other reviews and scroll down for a giveaway.