Review: WOW ... amazing dark read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 18, 2013
What an amazingly dark but absolutely great book. This book will leave you speechless more than once. Yet, you will be unable to put in down having to know what happens next. Maddy plays the cello and lives a very private life. Aaron is completely bewitched by her music and goes to see her in concert. When his heartless SOB dad discovers Aaron feels something for Maddy, he has her kidnapped and gives her to Aaron as a birthday present to become  his slave. You see, Aaron's dad is the leader of The Estate, where there is theft, prostitution and slaves, drugs, trafficking and murder. Aaron is the Executioner for The Estate and his dad wants him to be as cruel as he is. However, Aaron has been trying to fight off the urge to be like his dad who disgusts him. Aaron's dad is one of the most vile characters I have seen. In order to save Maddy' s life, Aaron has no choice other than to make her his slave. With the help of his best friend, Xander, Aaron attempts to keep Maddy as safe as possible, but will it work? How long can he keep her safe in his part of the estate before his dad wants her? Will he be able to train Maddy to act as the slaves are expected to act while not breaking her in the process?Throughout the entire story I felt drawn to Aaron. He is a ruthless, brutal killer, but he is always so different around Maddy. He's gentle and caring and very protective. In basic terms, he is as much a slave as Maddy, and for the first time in her life, Maddy feels protected. Plus, by getting his POV we know he is only trying to protect her. I love when authors allow us into the minds of more than one character. It helps to get a more rounded view of the story and a stronger appreciation. Maddy is so strong. You will feel sorrow and heartache for her, as well as worry and fear. But her determination to not be broken will cause you to respect her. The slow forming bond that develops between she and Aaron is solid. She slowly begins to understand he really doesn't want to hurt her and is only trying to shield her from the dangers and harsh realities of the Estate and his father. While this was not a bubbly love story with smiles and dates and college friends hanging out, it is a love story in a more emotional dark versus light sense. You get an ending that completes and fits with the mood of the story. Not necessarily a HEA as written in a romance novel, but an ending that you will be happy with.This story gives you the POVs of Maddy, Aaron and Xander. The next book in this series will be Xander's story. I'm looking forward to reading his tale and seeing how Aaron and Maddy are.  Great book and different from a lot of others out there.