Review: Brilliantly Dark!  One of the best around!!! DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 14, 2014
DARK AND HAUNTING ….IT WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS!!!!This is one of the best brutal and emotionally punishing rides I have ever been on!The Decimation of Mae is exquisite, raw, intense, gritty, and most of all it’s a SPELLBINDING PAGE TURNER – everything that makes a book PHENOMENAL! It’s so emotional and gripping my heart was threatening to beat right out of my chest. Yes, it’s dark and edgy.  It WILL make you uncomfortable.  It IS difficult to read at times.  It WILL make you flinch, gasp, cringe, and close your eyes wishing it all to go away. But, it will also captivate you entirely – heart and soul.Mae’s had a difficult life, but one she’s accepted and simply lived until she meets the devil himself.  Mae is kidnapped and thrown into an unimaginably dark world of slave training.  She’s unaware of her ultimate destiny to be a slave.  She merely thinks she’s been kidnapped for the sole benefit of the devil himself.  Mae is determined to never stop fighting or willingly submit.  The events that ensue are nothing like you have ever read before.  Mae is now merchandise, a slave, property, a whore, and now…. stock. That word definitely had me siting up and taking notice.  I think this word is the most debasing of all, stripping a woman of all identity. I was gobsmacked at things that took place, and what Mae endured. It is beyond me how someone could still put up a fight after all of that.Mae is a strong and admirable heroine. I love seeing things through her eyes. How she views and interprets things is just so awe inspiring and wise beyond her years. She's almost philosophical without even realizing it. I cried for Mae. Not because of what she endured at the hands of “the devil” but for what her life had been up until the point she met him.I think what makes this book even more intense is that it’s only seen through the eyes of Mae.  We don’t get a glimpse into what’s going on in “the devil’s” head.  Even though he’s a monster of the utmost proportions, there’s just something about him that can make you bend to his will and empathize with him.  It’s sick and disturbing to feel that way, but it’s also human nature to want to please and be accepted; and, Mae is certainly not immune in that respect.  But I must say THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A SEX SLAVE STORY.  I can’t say much else because what I am not saying is the heart and soul of Mae’s story, and it’s too fabulous to spoil.  Just know this……..On more than one occasion I was thinking what is “the devil’s” deal??? I was dying to know. DH gave us next to nothing.  I was just as much in the dark about this guy as Mae was. Who is this guy and why did he target Mae????  Well, well, well....  that and a few other secrets are spilled and boy are they BIG…. MONSTROUS…  HUGE…. EARTH-SHATTERING.The storytelling is simply BRILLIANT.  DH paints a picture so vivid that it played out in my mind with such clarity it was just unbelievable.  There was certainly no shortage of twists and turns.  It certainly kept me on my toes with all the OMFG moments hitting me left and right, and I gave up trying to guess the storyline pretty early on.  The most brilliant part????  Not a single one of the twists, turns, or WTF moments felt contrived or purposely placed making it feel disjointed or awkward.  I honestly feel DH has created a story worthy of a solid 5 stars!I LOVED IT A THOUSAND TIMES OVER!!!!  The ending was absolutely perfect and not rushed at all – THANK YOU!  Rushing would have ruined the entire book. Too many times have I read a book only to feel like I was in a book store near closing time being pushed to make my final purchase then swiftly ushered out of the store, hearing the click of the lock behind me leaving me standing in the parking lot thinking WTF just happened?  DH basically left the doors unlocked and said take all the time you need, just let me know when you’re ready.  FABULOUS FABULOUS ENDING!!!!I think I’ve definitely found a new favorite dark read author to add to my list!  DH Sidebottom’s Fragile Truths definitely put me on notice, but The Decimation of Mae solidified her place on my list.  Bravo DH Sidebottom, Bravo!