Rating: ★★★★★
Author: C.J. Roberts
Genre: Adult Fiction; Psychological Suspense; Dark Erotica
Publisher: C.J. Roberts
Publication Date: July 20, 2011
Pages: 263
Series: Dark Duet #1
Format: E-book; Self-Published Paperback
“The only way to truly be safer, was to accept the dark, to walk in it with eyes wide open, to be a part of it. To keep your enemies close.” ~ C.J. Roberts, Captive in the Dark
Overview
Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.
Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him. (Goodreads.com)
That being said, I concede that this book held me captive just as the title promises.
Author C.J. Roberts is both an extremely gifted storyteller and a diabolical mastermind. It is sheer talent to be able to write such a disturbing tale that has the reader appalled one second and then wanting things that are completely against what is socially acceptable and safe in the next second. I was constantly asking myself questions like: How could Caleb have won me over so easily? Is it possible to get Stockholm Syndrome from a book? How can things like this go on in our world?
It has been over ten months since I originally read Captive in the Dark and I am still trying to figure out the answers to these questions.
This book is commonly classified as dark erotica and if you go solely by the graphic sexual context and exploitation then that would be a fair classification. But for me, this novel should be classified as a psychological suspense with dark erotic elements. This is one of the few novels I have read in one sitting because I had to know what happened to Olivia (aka Livvie / Kitten). I had to know if there was any possible hope of redemption for someone so completely broken as Caleb. I had to know why on earth this story, with its abuse and despair, had me so transfixed.
Did I get answers? Well, in the worst sort of mind game and true to her diabolical nature, Roberts made me wait nearly ten months for the release of the sequel, Seduced in the Dark, to come close to deciphering any answers.
Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him. (Goodreads.com)
Review
Captive in the Dark comes highly recommended. A growing number of bestselling authors and popular book bloggers have been caught in its spell. It also appears on many "What to read after Fifty Shades of Grey" lists, but please be advised now, this book makes Fifty seem like child's play. It is beyond any plausible description of disturbing. I cannot stress enough that Captive in the Dark will leave you mentally and emotionally decimated.That being said, I concede that this book held me captive just as the title promises.
Author C.J. Roberts is both an extremely gifted storyteller and a diabolical mastermind. It is sheer talent to be able to write such a disturbing tale that has the reader appalled one second and then wanting things that are completely against what is socially acceptable and safe in the next second. I was constantly asking myself questions like: How could Caleb have won me over so easily? Is it possible to get Stockholm Syndrome from a book? How can things like this go on in our world?
It has been over ten months since I originally read Captive in the Dark and I am still trying to figure out the answers to these questions.
The warning label that accompanies this story reads like this:
WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language and graphic violence. This warning should NOT be taken lightly! Not only do you live through Olivia's kidnapping and her "training", you also flashback with Caleb to the terrible abuse he endured as a small child after he was kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery. Caleb's flashbacks were so disturbing at points that I had to skip over sections to quell the tears pouring down my face. It was necessary to play out these traumatic situations, however , because in the end the theme of Captive in the Dark is vengeance and in these moments Roberts sells it 110 percent.This book is commonly classified as dark erotica and if you go solely by the graphic sexual context and exploitation then that would be a fair classification. But for me, this novel should be classified as a psychological suspense with dark erotic elements. This is one of the few novels I have read in one sitting because I had to know what happened to Olivia (aka Livvie / Kitten). I had to know if there was any possible hope of redemption for someone so completely broken as Caleb. I had to know why on earth this story, with its abuse and despair, had me so transfixed.
Did I get answers? Well, in the worst sort of mind game and true to her diabolical nature, Roberts made me wait nearly ten months for the release of the sequel, Seduced in the Dark, to come close to deciphering any answers.
No comments:
Post a Comment