Shai (Twisted Web) Paperback – May 27, 2021

"You could have had me without all of this.""But where’s the fun in that."This one left me speechless. It's very dark, even by my standards, but it's amazing. Whatever Shai did to Elijah, the author did to me.Shai is depravity in its most alluring form, and there's no fighting him. His manipulation was downright grating at times, but at some point you just accept him for who he is and hope for the best. Elijah's story is so painful and conflicting, and I found myself going through all these stages with him, from the fear and revulsion, then to reluctant acceptance and in the end...basically addiction (in more ways than one). I'm still conflicted about some parts, but the way he is torn down and rebuilt to Shai's liking, and how he adjusts to it is hypnotising, and who he becomes in the end is strangely satisfying."I stroked his hair as I contemplated the events of day [...]The old Elijah would have been horrified by the blasé attitude. He was definitely dead. Long live the new one."Next, I hate snakes. They're creepy and they can kill you and they slither around with their cold scaly bodies and forked tongues and just no. This book clearly warns you that there's torture by snakes, but it seemed so dark and delicious I had to go for it, and besides how bad could it be? Well, let's just say I read some of this peeking through my fingers, but I couldn't stop, so don't let that turn you away. It was uncomfortable but so hot and captivating at the same time.Despite my phobia, there was something, or someone else who really made my stomach turn - Shai's mother. I didn't see an exact trigger warning for this, as it's probably included in noncon, but I think it warrants a separate TW - this book features (view spoiler). And even that is left to interpretation, which leads me to my next point - the writing.The prose is excellent, but what's even better is how well-thought-out this story is. Even the way the story is told messes with your mind. I don't usually do well with ambiguity in romance, and this has tons of it, but I loved how the writing reflects the characters, the premise, and how it all ties in with the mythology."I may as well have told him that I loved him, that I spent every minute of every day dissecting everything he said and did. I tried to turn my head away, but Shai’s grip held me still, his scrutiny seeming to burn into my soul. If he laughed at me, I would shrivel up and die."Every character's behaviour makes sense, even if it gives you absolutely no better understanding of them. Elijah's POV very accurately depicts his character's mindset, and I love how even though we get Shai's POV, we really don't. Shai is the god who controls fate and destiny in Egyptian mythology, hence he is always in control here. In control of Elijah, and of the reader. His POV tells the story, but next to nothing about his inner workings, and nothing to help you predict his future behaviour. It was frustrating, fascinating, and completely in character for the detached psychopath that he is, as well as the mythological inspiration."He was goading me. Interesting. Was that what happened when you told someone they were special? I guessed it must be. I didn’t mind. It would give me the opportunity to remind Elijah who was boss."I loved the twists and turns. This is intense right from the start, you never know where it's going, and even in the end, when you expect things might be winding down, there's always another surprise. Still, it never seemed contrived or just for shock value, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the ending, but the bonus scenes from the author's newsletter definitely take it up a notch or two, and I think either they should have been incorporated into the book somehow or we need a sequel. They give an even more spectacular view of the couple (Elijah in particular) and a promise of more.In conclusion, this is probably not for everyone, but if you're into it, you're going to have a great time.

Can’t say I enjoyed it exactly, it’s hard to like a tale with so much gruesome violence and depravity. Well written for what it is.

Warning: The author has specified some of the triggers – heed them! Can you read with your eyes closed? I just may have done that a few times during this book. There are some very disturbing scenes of abuse, rape, snake-play and more. Having said that, I truly enjoyed this book. It is well-written, well-edited and a real page-turner. While I was afraid what might be on the next page, I still couldn’t read fast enough.I tried to find some redeeming quality in Shai. Never could but that’s the point, I guess. He is a real-life psychopathic SOB and b@$t@rd. The things he does are unimaginable yet somehow, I continued to read hoping he would be something different for Elijah. Poor Elijah was an unassuming petty criminal just trying to make a score so he could go back to his real life. He gets caught up in something way more distressing. A quote from Elijah near the end of the book: “I’d come here as a prisoner, and as a plaything. I’d been pulled into Shai’s world at a dizzying speed, shaped into something completely different by a master manipulator.” There will be twists orchestrated by Shai, the master who has been playing chess while others weren’t playing at all!For those reviewers who insist on giving a book a bad score because it made them feel badly, keep in mind that only a skilled writer can write such a detestable and vivid character as Shai to elicit that vehemence. That’s the power of this author’s words. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Gay Romance Reviews and give it my honest 5+ star recommendation if you like extremely dark M/M “romance.”

This the first time I read something by this author, and what a wonderful first impression. I loved it. It was all the dark I expect and with such an intriguing story, that it was very hard to put it down.I loved Shai. He was a delightful character. He is what I liked the most about the book. He show so much power in so subtle ways, that it was a magnificent experience. He has a manipulative mind that makes it so interesting to think what’s behind it. Elijah was also an interesting character with a nice development, but he is so far from the beautiful darkness I saw in Shai.The plot was captivating. It mostly had a slow pace, which was fine most of the time, but in the middle it became a bit too much and I start losing interest. Happily, that lack of interest last very few moments and quickly enough I was again to a point I couldn’t stop reading.There is some romance in the book, without it being the whole point of the story, but it was satisfying for me. I also was fascinated by the snakes, particularly fond on the black mamba. There were a few moments of frustration, mostly related to some Elijah’s conduct, but there was nothing big enough to make me like him any less.Overall it was a great read, again a wonderful first experience with a new to me author, who I will be reading again. A nice addition to this series. Definitely a recommended book.

This is good. Really good. Nice and dark, it pushes some real boundaries. It promises and it delivers.Shai is something, both the book and the MC, but Shai's mother is... extra.Told through a dual POV, you get a clear look-see inside the thinking of Elijah and Shai. Are they the fuzziest, cuddliest MCs? Absolutely not, but they are intriguing for those who like a walk on the dark side of mm. I call it mm because while there is a romance, it is hella maladaptive.Be aware of triggers, including-Snakes. If they freak you out, you're in for some... heartburn.The theme stays very twisted throughout. A building relational intensity clearly exists.I love foot-to-the-floor writing. H.L. Night, take a bow, any halo you had is tilted now.

H L is a new author to me caught this book recommendation bon Facebook sounded good so got it. Best decision the book is way darker than some I have read but I enjoyed it though at times I was not sure how it was going to end. A book of twist and turns that you can't really get your head around till all is explained in the end.

H.L. is always worth reading.Is this the darkest MM story I've read... No... But it gets bonus points for taking someone morally grey and sending them black. That's quite a journey to read.

I had no idea what to expect and it was a good thing because this story was so far out of the realm of my experience. The themes are seriously dark and unflinching, the subject matter is intense and to be completely and utterly honest, I had no idea what a HEA would look like. Take heed of the warnings and clear your calendar because this one is a wild ride!

I really want to give this 10+ stars..I love this author..well her lighter books but i'm a glutton for dark reads and this one really fills the spot....Shai is an amazing dark man..with his snakes and his ways....I will definitely be re-reading this..If you like your books different then pick this one up x

This was way past my comfort zone, and I guess it reflects in the rating. I finished the book, although wasn't quite happy about all the disturbing stuff that was there (and believe you me there was a lot). If you don't switch on your brain and humanity the story would probably get 4 stars or even 4.5 because the writer managed to write a story that actually was interesting and I expect it wasn't that easy to find new "abnormalities" to throw in time and time again that would be "sick", but not to the point that I would stop reading. However three stars it is, because at some point I felt that those "abnormalities" are thrown there for the sake of adding more. It's not a bad read if you can detach yourself a bit from the story. It most certainly won't be a book I will re-read again. Basically you can read this at your own discretion, if you are not very sensitive.