The Dark Duet, Book 1
Synopsis: Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.
Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him.
WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence.
Review: I do not usually read this kind of books that deals with very sensitive topics such as mistreatment of women, sexual slavery etc. That is really not my cup of tea so I was feeling apprehensive before starting this novel. But I confess that my curiosity was still stronger than the rest and after reading so many positive reviews about this book, I thought, “Why not? Let’s try, we’ll see!”
It is sure that Captive in the Dark remains to me a pretty intense reading as it is the first “dark romance” novel I read so I was a little bit surprised because I was not used to this kind of books. Indeed the atmosphere is very dark and oppressive. In this is a novel we have two point of view. For Livvie (the captive) the author uses the first person point of view and for Caleb (the abductor) the third person. The passages to Livvie’s perspective are quite disturbing and almost unbearable. Livvie will indeed be a victim of particularly abject violence and this starting from the beginning of the book.
This book is a suffocating story behind closed doors. The balance of power is created between the persecutor and his victim. Despite all she endures, Livvie is a young woman very strong mentally. She even manages sometimes to rebel and to stand up to Caleb. Then, little by little, her feelings become quite confused, everything becomes blurred in her head. Therefore, a special and disturbing relationship starts between these two characters. It was quite strange but at the same time, the author describes here very well the Stockholm syndrome.
As for Caleb, he is a very complex character, tortured and obsessed with revenge. He is also very unpredictable: sometimes he is cruel and ruthless, sometimes he is affectionate and concerned about the well-being of his captive. At first we hate him because of the evil things he does to Livvie and despite everything, C.J. Roberts manages to make us change our minds about this character. The reader even ends up to feel sympathy for this man certainly attractive but very dangerous. Although they were predictable, the revelations about him are atrocious. We finally understand his actions, his ultimate goal and his thirst for revenge.
In the end, even if the hardness of some scenes disturbed me a little, I must say that I devoured this novel. Once again, I will say it was an intense reading, something that may leave traces. But it was a good read. I was curious to know what would happen to Livvie: if she would avoid the terrible fate that Caleb had reserved for her. What I liked the most in this book is that it is well written. Even the harshest scenes are well written. There are many descriptions and details but without falling into vulgarity. The author’s writing is fluid and addictive throughout the book. Captive in the Dark ends on a cliffhanger that left me a bit dissatisfied but the excerpt taken from book 2 in the last pages announces a very interesting sequel plenty of twists that I will read with pleasure.
Joy // Joyousreads
This was a tough read, I heard. I don’t know if I have the guts to read it myself, but you’re brave!
Inessa
Thank you! It was tough indeed, especially the first half of the book. I don’t know if it was because I got used with the book or not but I found the second half was bearable. And I think there are much darker books than this one.
Lily
This one is a tough read and i assure you the second book is the same but i still consider this series one of the best serious to tackle sensitive issues like this. it’s such a twisted novel and messed up characters but I think it was written very carefully and in a proper manner. The “Epilogue” novel is also amazing. I hope you enjoy the next two!
Inessa
Oh really? I was hoping it would be less dark, at least a little… Yes, you’re right, I was amazed by the way the author managed to deal with such sensitive issues. She really did a good job. It’s really well written, like you said in a proper manner. Yes, I will read book 2 and the episode too. I’m curious now. 😀
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I’ve heard about this novel several times and while I admire the bravery it took to write it, I know for a fact I couldn’t stomach reading it. I’m glad you enjoyed it though.
Inessa
Thank you! Yes some scenes were really hard but when I finished reading it, in the end I found that this book was bearable. I think there are much darker books than Captive in the Dark.
Lola (Hit or Miss Books)
Woah! I’m surprised you liked it so much! Not sure I’m gonna try it though. Looks too dark and disturbing XD
Inessa
Yes, it is dark. But actually not as much as I thought it would be. The characters evolve throughout the book and I’m curious about the epilogue of this story now.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m with you… I would have passed on this one as well for the same reasons, but you have me so curious about it. I went on Amazon and saw it was free so I got it despite the cliffie (I hate those so much).
Inessa
Hope you will enjoy it. It’s a good book despite its darkness. The author’s writing is very fluid and addictive.
LilyElement
Oh wow, I’d have the same reservations going in. I’m impressed the author was able to change your mind on Caleb. Color me intrigued 🙂
Inessa
Yes, I think that’s the magic of this book. At first we hate him. Then we end up confused like the heroine and we start to feel empathy and sympathy for him.
blodeuedd
Dunno if this one is for me
Inessa
It has a strange atmosphere but finally it’s a good book. 🙂
Mary Kirkland
This is the first that I’ve heard of this book but by the description I can tell it’s not for me. Another thing is I really hate cliffhangers. I really don’t understand why authors seem to be doing this more and more.
Inessa
Yeah, me too. Cliffhangers are really annoying but despite this I enjoyed this book.
Braine
It’s great that you ventured outside your comfort zone. Plus this series is pretty great from the reviews so fantastic choice on your part.
Inessa
Thank you! 😀 Yes, thanks to the good reviews I decided to give it a try. I was really intrigued by this book. 🙂
Carole Rae
Sometimes you need to read a good intense book. I try to avoid similar genres, but then there are some books you HAVE To read.
Inessa
Sooo true! I think Captive in the Dark is one of them. 🙂
Silvia
Glad you gave it a go and enjoyed it! I read it a few years ago and found it dark and quite intriguing and yes, I had a very good time with it 🙂
Inessa
It’s true, this one was really good despite its darkness. I hope I will like the sequel too. 🙂
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
I’m not sure this is the book for me, but I’m so glad you stepped outside your comfort zone and wound up devouring this one! Maybe I could give it a try if I had a bag full of chocolate to help me through it 😉
Inessa
Yes, I’m glad too. I don’t know if I will read other books like this one but I need at least to finish this series! A bag full of chocolate? That’s a good idea! 😀
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Sounds like it was very well written to feel the darkness and hardness come through. Great review.
Inessa
Thank you! 😀
Lekeisha
I’ve had this book forever, but have yet to read it. I think the darkness is what’s really keeping me away. I just read a dark BDSM/Erotica and didn’t really like it much. Maybe I’ll pick it up one day.
Inessa
Iam not a huge fan of BDSM/Erotica either. So I was afraid to dislike it. But finally it was nice. Not my favorite book though but I’m curious to see how the characters will evolve.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yay!!! I am so happy you liked this one. It is very intense and dark but so worth the read. The characters are so perfectly messed up.
Inessa
Soo true! I wonder what will happen to them now… 😀