The Dark Duet by C.J. Roberts - Review

Book One

Book Two

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.

~~~~

I'm reviewing the two books as one because I didn't have to wait for the second one to come out, so to me it was like reading one book.

HOLY $#!^  This story was traumatizing, disturbing, seductive and amazing all at the same time.  I apologize in advance for my foul language.  If you're offended by my language, you definitely should not read this book.

There are books that I know are safe to recommend to pretty much anyone.  They aren't offensive, nothing is disturbing about them and they have a happily ever after.  Love is easy in those books.

“Some stories aren't black and white.” 

This is not one of those books.  Things are not black and white in this book.  Even though you feel like they should be.  Olivia is eighteen years old, on her way to school.  She's getting ready to graduate and has hopes to study creative writing.  Little does she know what fate has in store for her.  Caleb needs to find a young girl.  One who will capture the attention of a powerful man.  He hopes that this girl will get him close enough to this man so he can get his revenge.

“The time had come to prove his worth to a man he owed everything to as much as himself.  There was only one obstacle remaining between him and vengeance.  The last true test of his soullessness - willfully stripping someone of their freedom.” 

Caleb was a sex slave as a child and Rafiq, a powerful Pakistani military officer rescues him from that terrible life.  He is in great debt to Rafiq and will do anything for the man who is his only friend and family.  He is willing to do anything to help Rafiq and Rafiq needed revenge.  Caleb was going to help him.  In order to help him, he needed to be a monster.  

Caleb kidnaps Olivia to train her to be the perfect sex slave.  Slaves from America would bring out the highest bidder...and hopefully the elusive man that he has sought after for so many years.  He keeps her locked in a dark room, teaching her what she needs to know, and what to do to survive.

Olivia is obviously terrified.  She has been taken from what she knows to suffer a fate worse than death.  She is naive and inexperienced but not weak. She has an inner strength that has been awoken because this is its first test.  Like they say, you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.  She does what she needs to do to make her master happy.  She does what she needs to do to stay alive.

“Dealing with Caleb was all about perspective. You couldn’t appreciate his kindness until you’d felt his cruelty.” 

Olivia is drawn to Caleb, and as the reader, you will be as well.  She wants to hate him for humiliating her, beating her and violating her.  But then he turns around and comforts her, holds her and protects her.  Like I said, nothing in this story is black and white.  The easy thing to do is hate Caleb and hope Karma gets the best of him, but you can't...and you won't.

"He was my tormentor and my solace: the creator of the dark and the light within. "

The relationship Caleb and Olivia is a very unique one to say the least.  At first, it's the relationship development that turns the pages.  Then the possibility of redemption or not begins to turn the pages for you.  The story is captivating and provocative and I couldn't stop until I got to the very last sentence.  

When I say this book is graphic...I mean it.  I remember reading Fifty Shades thinking that was graphic.  Oh how naive I was.  This makes Fifty Shades look like a fucking Berenstain Bears book.  It's dark, it's twisted but oh so good at the same time.

Source:  Self-purchased

About the Author:

CJ Roberts sucks at referring to herself in the third person, but she will try.

She was born and raised in Southern California.  Following high school, she joined the U.S. Air Force in 1998, served ten years and traveled the world.  Her favorite part of traveling is seeking out the seedy underbelly of the city.

She is married to an amazing and talented man who never stops impressing her; they have one beautiful daughter.

She also writes under the name Jennifer Roberts.

Website - Facebook - Twitter