I picked up the audiobook because Orcus Auditory could read a 1200-page treatise on the art of watching paint dry and I’d happily listen to it. (He’s just got one of those voices). But I ended up actually enjoying the book itself, and both Orcus and Ada did a fabulous job bringing the characters to life. That said, this isn’t a book I’d recommend without a list of disclaimers.
Is it dark and twisted? Yes.
Does it depict psychological manipulation and graphic scenes of sexual coercion and torture? Also yes.
Does it end “right” and everything gets tied up neatly with a bow? No.
But…to borrow a phrase from the book, there are lessons hidden in the filth. That may be one of the reasons why I enjoyed this story as much as I disliked…other popular works in the genre. It’s openly and unapologetically twisted and makes no excuses for it. And read in a certain light, the darkness is just the vehicle for a deeper message.