Dear readers, this review is a reflection not of the author's enviable talent but of my feelings for the direction the narration takes - The connotation of 'Naughty' in this situation, is not, I feel, a strong enough word for the stories serious nature - Neither frivolous nor teasing, nor flirtatious, this story is a work that is soul-deep - so be warned!
If you crave the bitter aftertaste of reality; raw,
seductive domination and submission then Angelique has certainly captured that
tenor in her book 'Rapture'. Pulling no punches, she lays it
out for you in this soul-destroying tale of two men, drawn together by fate, addiction, dark desire, lust and selfishness.
Like a shallow flying low over a pond, the time line dipped
in and out of the narration, giving thoughts and glimpses – microcosms of
events – that bounced me forward, and yet did not gift me with the sense of real time
passing.
This was a brave attempt to deal with something unappealing, to bring human darkness to light and offer it understanding. Domination, sexual slavery, gangs, drug addiction; I wanted so much to like it, but I just couldn’t.
A monstrous man, even by his own assessment, Kade Michaels looks upon a young man heading for destruction, slavery, drug addiction, and
saves him from the brutal hands of his Master, only to then enslave him
himself, not by degradation, dehumanisation, brutality; but by manipulation. At first glance I thought, Chase you are so
lucky – no more cage, no more beating, no more raping, so your situation must
be better. But Kade was right in his
assessment, his form of captivity was much worse because it forced the young
man to accept his slavery, almost love it, need it, fail to see he needed his
freedom and that if someone loved you – really loved you - they wouldn’t keep that
freedom from you by creating a false sense of dependence. The only admirable thing Kade managed was helping
Chase through withdrawal. However, he was far from philanthropic. Possessive, selfish, Kade did it with nothing but his own self-serving desires in mind.
There was little redeemable about Kade Michaels,
and everything too appalling about Chase.
I know Chase's situation was unconscionable and his reaction predictable, it
is how the human mind protects itself, how it survives and in all honesty the
story probably played out as it would in real life, but for me it was just too unjust,
hopeless and ultimately sad.
You might protest that in the end Kade changed, love for Chase giving him back his humanity. I can't agree. If the circumstances had not deteriorated to the point they did, and Kade not been so desperate, would he have had the power and decency to actually do what was right?
An excellent premise with so much potential, Angelique hit
the nail of futility directly on the head, she is a talented author, but for me
it was in the end neither uplifting nor edifying. There was no true redemption of either of the
characters - not really - and for my personal enjoyment that is something that
I must have. Life is sad enough as it
is.
««
Sydney Whyte
Rating Chart
«……………….A no goer
««……………Alright, but not a re-read
«««………..Liked it
««««…….Loved it
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