A review by nikitanavalkar
There Are No Saints, by Sophie Lark
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