This book... this book. Wow!
It feels so strange to say I loved it or enjoyed it because the subject matter it deals with is really extreme, dark, and sad. But I did, I was blown away by how good this book is!
Lilith Bresson is a very successful artist. The richest and most powerful people in the world covet her work. The thing is, Lilith Bresson doesn't do anything she doesn't want to do. She is a no-nonsense, blunt to a fault realist. I instantly loved her! Her past has been somewhat shady, with a POS father and a prostitute for a mother, but there is one person she would do anything for. When her father tells her that Blaine Albermarle wants her to paint a portrait, Lilith's initial response is, "`Well golly [ ] gosh how terribly delightful for her. Now get out." Until she is blackmailed with the well being of her younger brother.
With her fate decided for her, she makes her way to Albermarle Hall. A place where some of the most depraved, disturbing, and sick fantasies can be made a reality... with the right price of course. There are no electronics of any kind allowed on the island, all for the sake of the "experience." Being the extremely perceptive person that she is, it doesn't take long for Lilith to get that there is just something not right about Blaine and Albermarle Hall.
- 'With a shiver that I hoped was more to do with the chill of the morning, I realized it would also be one hell of a place to try to leave.'
Soon Lilith meets Finn, Blaine's "companion." He has lived at The Hall for three years and is all part of the experience that Blaine provides to her sick guests. He is basically there for them to do with as they please.Lilith and Finn strike up an unlikely friendship. They are extremely open and honest with one another and given the circumstances, everything progressed at a very realistic pace. Them spending time together or being friendly at all is a huge risk, it makes it something that can be used against them.
- `Pull back, Finn. For both your sakes.'
`I can take it.'
`You might be able to. But can Lilith?'
I was incredibly anxious while reading this book. Just genuinely nervous for Lilith & Finn's well being in general. There is nowhere Blaine won't go or let someone go for her. I have never read about characters like the sadists in this book. These aren't your sweet sadists (ha!) who have a conscience or only cause pain with consent. This is not BDSM. These are the ones who don't stop, who have no limits, who don't care what happens. That is what made this book so hard to read, it's not that the acts performed are particularly shocking, they are just downright appalling and sometimes just hard to stomach because they are so gruesome. It's degrading, demoralizing, and incredibly sad.
I cared so deeply for these characters (the good guys), that every moment of torture was hard to take. There were moments I thought that if I were in their situation, I don't know if I'd want to live. I would understand if there spirit was completely broken. All the while though, there is this small sliver of hope. It's not all dark and depressing and those small moments of happiness or relief were just as emotionally charged for me and those were the parts that made me cry. Then there is this cynical, dry, witty humor that just makes this even more of a win for me...
I am just in awe of how much Lilith and Finn's story got to me. It's a testament to how brilliant the writing is and how well developed these characters are. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to people who can handle a dark, emotional read with very detailed, disturbing subject matter. The disclaimer is legit. But if you can handle it, it's an AMAZING book. It's beautifully written with a storyline that not just anyone could have pulled off.
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