planreadrepeat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is dark. Very dark. While there is sexual content, the first half of the book is around power-play, murders, violence, and obviously mentally ill characters. Always check content warnings!
I did like the book. It was odd feeling any sympathy for a sociopathic character but the way they were written does make you wonder why they are the way they are. I'm not sure I like the premise of finding a woman to "save" you and love will fix everything. But it does make for a very engaging story. The sex scenes were not what I'd consider enthusiastic consent, but the characters definitely want to be there other than the one kidnapping scene.
I did like the book. It was odd feeling any sympathy for a sociopathic character but the way they were written does make you wonder why they are the way they are. I'm not sure I like the premise of finding a woman to "save" you and love will fix everything. But it does make for a very engaging story. The sex scenes were not what I'd consider enthusiastic consent, but the characters definitely want to be there other than the one kidnapping scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Injury/injury detail
booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Stalking, and Body horror
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Alcoholism and Self harm
hunnykurls's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Murder, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Stalking and Self harm
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
getting_lit's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, Rape, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Self harm
jen1804's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
He’s a 10 but he’s a serial killer stalker.
⚠️Significant content warnings⚠️
⚠️Significant content warnings⚠️
Mixed feelings about this book but on the whole I really enjoyed it. This is a dual POV book where each chapter alternates between Mara Eldritch, a 26 year old junior artist trying desperately to make ends meet in San Francisco, and Cole Blackwell, a (maybe 30 year old), wealthy, famously renowned artist, who also happens to be a serial killer.
Cole has a rival artist named Alastor Shaw whom he competes with within the art world, for recognition, awards, praise etc. Oh and Shaw also just so happens to be a serial killer too!
The difference between Cole and Shaw is made obvious to the reader. Shaw is more impulsive, more gruesome, more aggressive with his victims and leaves remains behind. Cole is more meticulous, more refined, more secretive and gives nothing away.
It was really interesting, and also chilling, to read a book through the perspective of a sociopath, Cole’s thought processes, his coldness towards everything, his lack of empathy.
The book starts at an art show where both Cole and Shaw are showcasing work, jumping straight in with Cole thinking about Shaw’s most recent murder making the headlines.
Cole notices Mara for the first time when someone spills red wine on her white dress but she takes herself to the bathroom, tie dyes the rest of the garment with more wine and manages to turn the spillage into something beautiful. Shaw notices Cole looking at her and naturally decides to kidnap her and “gift” her to Cole, bound and bleeding, leaving her dying and vulnerable not far from the cave where Cole disposes of his victims. (Yeah I know, pretty fucked up.) After Cole is done with his kill of the night he comes across Mara in his path. He knows it’s Shaw messing with him, offering the girl from the art show for him to kill. Cole has never killed a woman before and disturbingly he just stares at Mara for a while before simply stepping over her and walking away, leaving her to bleed out. But Mara is stronger than either Cole or Shaw thought because she uses her survival instincts to get out of the situation, find her way to a road and she somehow survives, albeit with some deep scars.
Thus ensues Cole’s obsession with Mara. He stalks her, breaks into her property, man handles her things. Rents the place next door so he can watch through her window. He sets it up so that Mara is offered studio space at his studio, something she’s elated about because she’s in desperate need of art space. But when they meet she recognises his face as the man who stood over her watching her die in the woods and then walked away. But Mara’s probably a little bit fucked up as well. I mean case and point she very easily returned to normal after said kidnapping. Whereas if that had been me I think I’d be a broken woman for a very long time. She’s had a traumatic childhood and every instinct which tells her to run and be afraid of Cole Blackwell, she ignores, obviously. She’s stubborn and we are rewarded with a tense back and forth between Mara and Cole, each trying to get under the other’s skin.
Ultimately they find themselves attracted to each other and Cole is confused about what’s happening when he starts experiencing jealousy whenever Mara has ‘interactions’ shall we say with other guys. What begins to unfold is some rare tender moments between them as well as a deep lust and Cole’s overprotective need to keep her safe from Shaw. There’s no fully fledged love yet but this book is part of a duet and I suspect their ‘relationship’ will develop in the second book, likely with Mara ending up a little murderous herself, and tbh I’m here for it.
There’s honestly a lot to love about this book. It’s fascinating and sometimes incredibly hot (yeah I probably need a therapist, whatever). But there’s also some scenes I could do without because they’re so dyer and so graphic (but hey this is a book about serial killers so what did I expect) and I’m also not in love with some of the smut either, sorry not sorry.
But overall yes a good read.
Satisfactory ending? Yes, a cliffhanger, onto book 2.
The difference between Cole and Shaw is made obvious to the reader. Shaw is more impulsive, more gruesome, more aggressive with his victims and leaves remains behind. Cole is more meticulous, more refined, more secretive and gives nothing away.
It was really interesting, and also chilling, to read a book through the perspective of a sociopath, Cole’s thought processes, his coldness towards everything, his lack of empathy.
The book starts at an art show where both Cole and Shaw are showcasing work, jumping straight in with Cole thinking about Shaw’s most recent murder making the headlines.
Cole notices Mara for the first time when someone spills red wine on her white dress but she takes herself to the bathroom, tie dyes the rest of the garment with more wine and manages to turn the spillage into something beautiful. Shaw notices Cole looking at her and naturally decides to kidnap her and “gift” her to Cole, bound and bleeding, leaving her dying and vulnerable not far from the cave where Cole disposes of his victims. (Yeah I know, pretty fucked up.) After Cole is done with his kill of the night he comes across Mara in his path. He knows it’s Shaw messing with him, offering the girl from the art show for him to kill. Cole has never killed a woman before and disturbingly he just stares at Mara for a while before simply stepping over her and walking away, leaving her to bleed out. But Mara is stronger than either Cole or Shaw thought because she uses her survival instincts to get out of the situation, find her way to a road and she somehow survives, albeit with some deep scars.
Thus ensues Cole’s obsession with Mara. He stalks her, breaks into her property, man handles her things. Rents the place next door so he can watch through her window. He sets it up so that Mara is offered studio space at his studio, something she’s elated about because she’s in desperate need of art space. But when they meet she recognises his face as the man who stood over her watching her die in the woods and then walked away. But Mara’s probably a little bit fucked up as well. I mean case and point she very easily returned to normal after said kidnapping. Whereas if that had been me I think I’d be a broken woman for a very long time. She’s had a traumatic childhood and every instinct which tells her to run and be afraid of Cole Blackwell, she ignores, obviously. She’s stubborn and we are rewarded with a tense back and forth between Mara and Cole, each trying to get under the other’s skin.
Ultimately they find themselves attracted to each other and Cole is confused about what’s happening when he starts experiencing jealousy whenever Mara has ‘interactions’ shall we say with other guys. What begins to unfold is some rare tender moments between them as well as a deep lust and Cole’s overprotective need to keep her safe from Shaw. There’s no fully fledged love yet but this book is part of a duet and I suspect their ‘relationship’ will develop in the second book, likely with Mara ending up a little murderous herself, and tbh I’m here for it.
There’s honestly a lot to love about this book. It’s fascinating and sometimes incredibly hot (yeah I probably need a therapist, whatever). But there’s also some scenes I could do without because they’re so dyer and so graphic (but hey this is a book about serial killers so what did I expect) and I’m also not in love with some of the smut either, sorry not sorry.
But overall yes a good read.
Satisfactory ending? Yes, a cliffhanger, onto book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Torture
viennawaitsforwho's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My first Sophie Lark book!!!
I'm so glad I finally decided to take the plunge tbh. She's kind of a badass. No, I take that back. She is a total badass. Sophie, I bow at your feet, girl. You managed to make me, a true crime junkie who can't stand when people romanticize killers, to somehow love a full-on serial killer??? Granted, he's a lot better than his competitor. Listen to me, defending a murderer. Sophie, babe, what have you done to me?
Anyway, check your trigger warnings on this one, people. While it is a masterpiece, it is NOT for the faint of heart by any means.
AND there is a sequel or part two or whatever you want to call it. So if you liked this one, make sure to check out its companion There is No Devil. I haven't read her just yet, but I'm on my way and very ready for more.
I'm so glad I finally decided to take the plunge tbh. She's kind of a badass. No, I take that back. She is a total badass. Sophie, I bow at your feet, girl. You managed to make me, a true crime junkie who can't stand when people romanticize killers, to somehow love a full-on serial killer??? Granted, he's a lot better than his competitor. Listen to me, defending a murderer. Sophie, babe, what have you done to me?
Anyway, check your trigger warnings on this one, people. While it is a masterpiece, it is NOT for the faint of heart by any means.
AND there is a sequel or part two or whatever you want to call it. So if you liked this one, make sure to check out its companion There is No Devil. I haven't read her just yet, but I'm on my way and very ready for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Body horror, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual violence, Torture, Stalking, Violence, and Self harm
jeniwarren's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Suicide attempt
nikitanavalkar's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It’s been a while since I read proper dark romance and even longer since I read one about serial killers so I’m glad I picked this up on a whim. The concept of two very different yet equally terrifying rival murderers engaging in your general one upmanship against the backdrop of the San Francisco art scene is unique and makes for an edge of your seat thriller. And of course, the horribly unlikely love story brewing amidst it makes perfect romance material (I swear I’m okay).
Cole is a wealthy genius, obscenely talented artist, and stone cold psychopath. Cue my morals leaving this chat. Dude has complete control, zero conscience, absolute confidence in his godliness, and no qualms about a little stab and chop in his quest for great art and expelling minor inconveniences. Until along comes Mara to upend his life, ruin his plans for continued robothood, and to make him feel pesky little emotions. What a witch. She’s the only one who sees the man beneath the masks, and embraces him in all his evil glory, even as she’s terrified of him. Of course he’s obsessed, wanting to k!ll her and keep her in equal parts.
Mara is that unicorn of a dark romance heroine who has the requisite dark past and damaged soul, but who isn’t a simpering fool in the face of dangerous dick, even if her morals also do leave her body when faced with a dark haired, morally grey, lol no, black villain. She’s scared when appropriate but resilient through her misfortune and ever defiant of her demons, has just enough self preservation to be a fighter to the end but not enough to not make bad choices when necessary. And I thought her perspective of the world due to her sensory issues (with possible autism) is unique and so well done. When these two rub together, they ignite in all the ways, and it’s intense and passionate and bloody and more than a little deranged, and very very dirty.
Ms Lark’s writing is moody and dramatic, with a haunting strength that is so beautiful to me. The music linked throughout the book also makes for an enhanced experience and gives you a better look into Mara’s head especially. Cole’s head is a quiet and scarily efficient space, at least until it’s filled with Mara. I’m excited to see where their story goes in the next book and if they can outdo themselves in the fucked up stakes.
TW (you know there’s many): murder, violence, violence against and attempted murder of MC, against descriptions of past physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, stalking, dubious consent (ish?), and again, descriptions of mutilation and serial killing
Cole is a wealthy genius, obscenely talented artist, and stone cold psychopath. Cue my morals leaving this chat. Dude has complete control, zero conscience, absolute confidence in his godliness, and no qualms about a little stab and chop in his quest for great art and expelling minor inconveniences. Until along comes Mara to upend his life, ruin his plans for continued robothood, and to make him feel pesky little emotions. What a witch. She’s the only one who sees the man beneath the masks, and embraces him in all his evil glory, even as she’s terrified of him. Of course he’s obsessed, wanting to k!ll her and keep her in equal parts.
Mara is that unicorn of a dark romance heroine who has the requisite dark past and damaged soul, but who isn’t a simpering fool in the face of dangerous dick, even if her morals also do leave her body when faced with a dark haired, morally grey, lol no, black villain. She’s scared when appropriate but resilient through her misfortune and ever defiant of her demons, has just enough self preservation to be a fighter to the end but not enough to not make bad choices when necessary. And I thought her perspective of the world due to her sensory issues (with possible autism) is unique and so well done. When these two rub together, they ignite in all the ways, and it’s intense and passionate and bloody and more than a little deranged, and very very dirty.
Ms Lark’s writing is moody and dramatic, with a haunting strength that is so beautiful to me. The music linked throughout the book also makes for an enhanced experience and gives you a better look into Mara’s head especially. Cole’s head is a quiet and scarily efficient space, at least until it’s filled with Mara. I’m excited to see where their story goes in the next book and if they can outdo themselves in the fucked up stakes.
TW (you know there’s many): murder, violence, violence against and attempted murder of MC, against descriptions of past physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, stalking, dubious consent (ish?), and again, descriptions of mutilation and serial killing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
dkgreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked the serial killer angle; it’s definitely interesting being in Cole’s head. Mara is scrappy and resilient. I can’t wait to see how they handle Shaw in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Torture, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Self harm
glass_carousel's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual content, Stalking, and Death
Minor: Self harm and Sexual violence