This is a spoiler-free review! You can read my review of Lured by Lies on my blog, here. That review covers about the first third of Taken by Lies. Trigger warnings include violence, torture, sexual assault, gun violence, and kidnapping.
Going from Lured by Lies into Taken by Lies somewhat feels as though you are reading a new book in a different series. The writing has improved drastically, and the characterization of Enzo and Kai has skyrocketed -- we learn so much more about the two in this book, and get a much closer look at what they have both been through. The jump in the books takes Enzo and Kai from being teenagers to adults, and the content certainly reflects that.
Kai really tries to heal and get better after being beaten for years on end, and Enzo is trying to help her become "unbroken" despite the fact that he is the one that put her in that situation. With a dual POV, we see how both characters are trying to move on from that moment on the yacht years ago, and move forward in a life where both of them must deal with each other.
Enzo and Zade from Haunting Adeline would be best friends, I just know it. Both of these characters are off their rockers but still have this deep feeling to protect the women that they quite literally put in the dangerous situations that they were in. Enzo knew exactly what he was doing when he literally SOLD HER to someone and then acts absolutely shocked that she does not want to be touched. Now personally, I would not stay with the man who sold me into years of torture just to find out why he did it.. girl, run!
They continue their game of truth or lies throughout the book in order to get answers from one another, but there is always an ulterior motive with what truths and lies they reveal. Kai or Enzo may set up their options in order to rig the game so that one or the other may intentionally win, in order to serve their own agenda. Also, Enzo says some of the most out of pocket things I have ever read in my life -- I know that he is trying to keep the distance between him and Kai, but boy, there are certainly other ways to go.
The little twist towards the end of the book... the way I SHOT up from laying down while reading that chapter. I certainly did not expect that to be a major plot point in the book, and it made the concept so much more intriguing. Enzo knows everything that goes on in Miami, and with Kai being on a yacht for years with no other interaction or contact besides literally being tortured, he has the upper hand when it comes to the facts. And of course we end on a cliffhanger, so I will eventually keep reading the rest of this series until I get all of the answers to my questions.
I have to say that I definitely enjoyed this book more than the prequel novella, and that may be because there was so much going on in the prequel that I could not get a good grasp on the set up for the series. With Enzo and Kai no longer being teenagers in this book, the maturity was upgraded and we saw actually conflict and development with the characters. For fans of the Cat and Mouse Duet by H.D. Carlton, this series will definitely push boundaries.
You can add Taken by Lies on Goodreads now, and follow the author to stay up to date on releases and publications.
No comments:
Post a Comment