Review: I give it a 3,5 to 4 stars.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 18, 2014
I've read many reviews about this book. It seems to be a "love or hate affair". I must confess 15% in the book I wanted to toss it down.Number Thirteen and twelve other girls have been taken and must serve Master William. As Number Thirteen does not remember her past it was difficult to understand her story and connect with her. I also had problems with William, taking the girls on his laps and stroking their hair. It seemed sick and perverted to me. Hence my dilemna "to read or not to read?".Soo, I took a sneak peak and read chapter eight. I know, I know, it's cheating and I'm a bad, bad girl and I'll go to the Reader's Hell if such thing exists... But I had to know if it was worth my time. My little mischief left me intrigued. So back to the story I went.From then on, it was quiet easy to keep reading.The bits and pieces I learned about Number Thirteen's past helped me relate to her. William morphed from a monster into a quite caring man, even if it's in a very twisted way.There are indeed flaws or at least disconcerting parts in this book but I don't share all the hard feeling is has gathered. Even if I can understand those reactions. We live in a a free world where everyone is entiteled to his opinion and it's impossible to please everyone.What I didn't like was the idea these girls have to be restored to health with punishments. I didn't like the game William played by electing four girls and testing them in the hope of finding a lover among them. That "competition" felt sick and degrading to me. Like these girls had to please the sultan and were mere objects to entertain their master doting upon them...But, on the bright side, I did like more than a few elements. I appreciated the building of friendship between the women, even if there is an underlying rivalry. How they come to take care of each other. They unite in their misery. I did like their Healing came with William's Healing too. It was a side effect he did not expect.He is also honest with himself and admits when he has failed and is ashamed of his wrongdoings. Not only does he try to redeem himslef but he also tries to give hope and bring these girls back to life.And I did love the fire of Number Thirteen. How she stood her ground even after what we guess must be a traumatic past. I loved her fights with William, how she went on and on to know the truth and crack his hard shell. She threw him out of his comfort zone.All in all, I fell deeper in the story and understood the twisted intent behind William's actions.