While I was
reading this book, I tweeted asking if anyone else has read a book that is
painful to read. And I meant in a good
way. It’s a book that is so well written
that it’s as if you are there, a part of the story, like a silent
observer. Such is the case with this
book. It’s not an easy read in many ways
but oh so well worth reading
The first
part of the book takes place in a mid-east country in some kind of small city
and the main characters are Karys and Zakai, two young people who have lived in
this place since they were very young.
From the very beginning there was a very strong bond between them and as
they got older, this strong bond turned physical. Only this place wasn’t paradise, it was a place
people came from all over the world to watch deviant sexual acts and once the
owner was aware of what was going on between Karys and Zakai, they became part
of the “entertainment” as brother and sister having sex with each other. Thankfully, the book isn’t very descriptive
in this area.
Karys is
very naïve and doesn’t really understand what’s really going on and in order to
protect her, Zakai makes almost a game of it.
All the other ‘prisoners’ also try and shield her so she doesn’t see how
depraved it all is and sees everyone as almost family. Eventually Karys and Zakai are rescued and
Karys is sent to live with an uncle she has never met. Zakai was a beggar and an orphan and has
nowhere to go but he is also sent to New York.
Karys finds things very difficult as she has always had Kai with her and
now her uncle tries to discourage their special bond.
Then for
reasons Karys doesn’t understand, Zakai smashes the bond and they are
estranged. They are still in each
other’s orbit in a way. Zakai goes on to
become a very successful model and she sees him on billboards and print
adds. Karys has become a successful
author of YA fantasy books.
The story
opens and then ends with a confrontation between the two and the story in
between is their history.
This is
just a very brief synopsis of this heartbreaking romance and I know I don’t
have the words to adequately describe how very impactful it is. Karys and Zakai are beautiful together and
the love between them is intense and passionate. It’s the kind of book that haunts you and
stays with you even when you aren’t reading and long after you’ve finished My heart broke for both of them.
It is told
entirely from Karys’ point of view except for the final chapter which is from
Zakai. I know in the past the author
has written duets from each POV and I’m really hoping this is the plan for this
book too. We can infer quite a bit what
Zakai is going through but I’d love to see it directly through his eyes.
This is
such a beautiful, haunting, painful, amazing book and I’m at risk of overdosing
on superlatives.
Mia
Sheridan can write such powerful and emotional books and in this book she is at
her finest.
Grade: A+
One last thing just in case you aren't sure and wondering, this is a romance and the number one criteria for a romance is the HEA
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