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Rielle's Reviews > These Monstrous Deeds
These Monstrous Deeds
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Read this author’s trigger warnings! This book is profoundly dark and deals with some of the most disturbing material I’ve read. The author does a good job disclosing this and the book shouldn’t be judged based on someone not being prepared.
This is a book about sex slavery. Everything is nonconsensual even when it’s “consensual.” There’s some Stockholm syndrome going on here and the level of mindfuckery is intense. You can’t possibly hate the person you should hate because this author makes you feel like he has no other option. He’s actually a hero and he’s absolutely torn by his actions. I felt bad for a rapist. That’s some good storytelling. I also felt uncomfortable for a lot of this book and hated how much I liked it. And I really liked it at times.
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for pretty much one reason: the “consensual” sex bothered me. It was incredibly tame in comparison to everything else going on, but it just felt wrong for the situation. We’ve got two emotionally fragile MCs and that’s the kind of sex the author chooses to have them connect? I didn’t like it. I actually enjoyed the sex between Carter and Sir better, which really fucked with my head. I felt like Carter needed something else, especially after his evening with Henley. And Nathan felt like an abusive monster but does that to Carter? Nah. Not feeling it. Honestly, it was more the language used beforehand than the actual act and it gave me anxiety anticipating what would happen. Couldn’t actually imagine Carter being okay with it. If it was just that one scene I probably could have let it go and given 4 stars, but it happened...kind of...near the end and reminded me how much that dynamic bothered me.
That being said, I could really see how this could be a 4 star book for a lot of people. It was fascinating. I had trouble putting it down and I really wanted to know where it was going. How is this going to be a trilogy? I’m so stressed thinking about that. How can our MCs possibly have a happy ending?! I will 100% be reading the next book.
This is a book about sex slavery. Everything is nonconsensual even when it’s “consensual.” There’s some Stockholm syndrome going on here and the level of mindfuckery is intense. You can’t possibly hate the person you should hate because this author makes you feel like he has no other option. He’s actually a hero and he’s absolutely torn by his actions. I felt bad for a rapist. That’s some good storytelling. I also felt uncomfortable for a lot of this book and hated how much I liked it. And I really liked it at times.
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for pretty much one reason: the “consensual” sex bothered me. It was incredibly tame in comparison to everything else going on, but it just felt wrong for the situation. We’ve got two emotionally fragile MCs and that’s the kind of sex the author chooses to have them connect? I didn’t like it. I actually enjoyed the sex between Carter and Sir better, which really fucked with my head. I felt like Carter needed something else, especially after his evening with Henley. And Nathan felt like an abusive monster but does that to Carter? Nah. Not feeling it. Honestly, it was more the language used beforehand than the actual act and it gave me anxiety anticipating what would happen. Couldn’t actually imagine Carter being okay with it. If it was just that one scene I probably could have let it go and given 4 stars, but it happened...kind of...near the end and reminded me how much that dynamic bothered me.
That being said, I could really see how this could be a 4 star book for a lot of people. It was fascinating. I had trouble putting it down and I really wanted to know where it was going. How is this going to be a trilogy? I’m so stressed thinking about that. How can our MCs possibly have a happy ending?! I will 100% be reading the next book.
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Reading Progress
June 20, 2021
–
Started Reading
June 20, 2021
– Shelved
June 20, 2021
–
4.0%
"I really appreciate an author providing good trigger warnings. Kudos on that.
Also, this is fucking bleak already. But I need to know more."
Also, this is fucking bleak already. But I need to know more."
June 22, 2021
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73.0%
"They had me until this scene. Just doesn’t make sense. Hope it doesn’t ruin the rest of the story."
June 22, 2021
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76.0%
"“It makes him feel like a show dog.
What’s worse is that he likes it.
Not the show dog part, obviously, but the part where sir pets him and praises him.”
Jesus. This is fucked up and hot. I’m definitely going to hell."
What’s worse is that he likes it.
Not the show dog part, obviously, but the part where sir pets him and praises him.”
Jesus. This is fucked up and hot. I’m definitely going to hell."
June 22, 2021
–
85.0%
"“Maybe men like Benny and Nathan take special classes. Contradiction 101 or Intro to Mindfucking.”
I think these sentences describe this book perfectly."
I think these sentences describe this book perfectly."
June 22, 2021
–
Finished Reading
July 13, 2023
– Shelved as:
3-star-mm-reads
July 13, 2023
– Shelved as:
twisted
Comments Showing 1-9 of 9 (9 new)
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cal (playing ghost of tsushima atm)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Jun 22, 2021 08:32PM
'I felt bad for the rapist.' That caught me off guard too. As for the consensual sex I think its more of the characters couldn't connect in any other way. Other than the fucked up things, Nathan has to make sure Carter doesn't lose himself so the con sex. But yeah what happened after the Henley scene was something else. Love your review! ❤❤
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@Cal- yeah I completely see that perspective. Obviously, they’re both fucked up so connecting in a fucked up way...makes sense. It probably would have felt wrong if it was too sweet. Thanks!
Great review! Thanks for the warnings. I will definitely check the author's as well. 👀
Fantastic review, Rielle, your problem with the consensual sex between these two is genuine yet I feel although Nathan justifies being Sir as a persona, he is closer to being Nathan than Travis. This is most visible in the scenes of consensual sex scenes where he could have acted differently but he is not capable of it.
@Marian- if you can handle dark, then it’s a really good read!
@preeti- wow that’s a really good point. I actually didn’t even consider that. I took him at face value when he said Travis always had those desires. I didn’t even consider that he couldn’t pull himself away from his Nathan persona. I should have though, he only used Nathan with Carter.
I am definitely reading this, as soon as #2 is published. I feel like the cliffhanger would destroy me after all the torture😅
@Starla- I do not blame you! It can be hard to read for sure. I was surprised by how much I liked it though.
Whoa, just noticed you updated with your review! What an insightful take. And I for once think it's all about how the topics are addressed, rather than the content of the story itself. The fact that the author managed to make you empathize and care for such a "monster" really showcases their success! Despite that one scene you describe feeling jarring near the end, I'm even more intrigued after your review, Rielle. Fantastic job!
