Phoenix Samael has lived an emotional and troubled past. Born and raised by a downtrodden mother and an abusive, alcoholic father was not a good start in life. The day he walked out and left them was one of the most joyous memories, which quickly turned to sadness. His mother being diagnosed with dementia at a young age shaped the person he was to become. It was no surprise after leaving … university that his empathetic nature guided him into the nursing profession.
A mental health unit and a fragile, broken young woman, in the guise of Justine Shaw, was a turning point in his life. Her history of horrific sexual and emotional abuse was a darker reflection of his own life. Two souls destined to meet. A spark that kindled a passion, slowly began to burn brightly. Could he distance himself and hide the inner feelings that were emerging? Remaining professional in something he so desperately sought was indeed to be a challenge.
Nightmares of a foreign land, in an age of so-called “Enlightenment”, haunted him every night. Images of depravity and debauchery involving a trio of libertine men, an alien world he was never exposed to. What did the dreams mean? Was he strong enough to deal with the thoughts and cravings they instilled in him?
A chance meeting with an old friend and a mysterious club. Rooms that catered for everything a person could need to fulfill their every wanton desire. Could they assist him in holding back the inner demon and unleashing it on an already tortured soul?
This was to be a battle of wills. Can love prevail over lust, decadence and immorality? In this story of hope and redemption, there can be only one winner.
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A past steeped in violence and pain, a soul ready to redefine it’s worth.
Sometimes there are books you read that leave you reeling, utterly torn, shocked, and yet challenged by the words written within the confines of its pages. DARKNESS REVEALED is one of those books. I don’t believe the words I leave here adequately express the enormity of all that this story manages to convey. ASTONISHING, SHOCKED, DIABOLICAL do come to mind!!
Highly emotive, deeply disturbing, it’s content will cause you to shudder yet it’s amidst absolutely touching moments that hold beginnings and wonder. Not a conventional love story but a story of caring connections and vulnerability that give way to a glimpse at hope. Your breath will be stolen by the words and imagery Zak has written for you. This author doesn’t just test you, he pushes the limits of conventional and throws them out the door… for this reason, no matter how hard this was to read, you are captured to the stories end.
Zak draws you instantly from page one… it’s a dark journey to the end. A blending of both past and present, light and dark, within its shadows of heartbreaking suspense and twisted turns. Delve deep and experience the journey of Phoenix and Justine. to reach the end. It’s going to make you feel a gamut of emotions… sadness, anger, rage at the level of horror one is able to inflict on another and utterly helpless when innocence is destroyed. Shattered and heartbroken at how they cope within a world where the very essence of darkness and depravity, where evil manipulates and derives such pleasure in the torture of the flesh, mind, and soul of the one they claim to love. Oh yes… you will walk away often, just to take a breath of fresh air, to feel clean.
Despite the cunning evil that systematically breaks the innocent – I believe throughout the story, that what has shaped our very existence, that what taunts us as we struggle to survive… there remains a hope, fragile as it is, that inherent, inner strength that when nurtured, you gain an understanding into the complexities of one’s humanity, one’s mind and their will to survive.
It’s DARKNESS REVEALED. While I may not always understand it, I love the psychology of the human mind and what drives our actions, thoughts and behaviours. While this is fictional, DARKNESS REVEALED, captured and intrigued my reading attention. It gave me much to think about. This is going to one of those books that on a second read through… you will draw new outcomes and understanding. For this reason, no matter how hard some of the content was to digest… it’s an incredibly, powerful and moving story. Zak Hardacre… such a gifted author, a DIABOLICAL GENUIS!
One minor criticism… why do authors rush their endings? There is so much that happens all at once. It felt rushed…
Warning: this book will not be for everyone.
This book is filled with dark and disturbing content, that challenges every convention, moral value and ideal, but for Phoenix and Justine, it’s their journey and story to tell. For many, it’s a warning to proceed with the utmost of caution – read with an open mind. Those that pull themselves through the darker content… will see beyond, to those moments of caring compassion and empathy. Hope is fleeting, fragile at best but gives all incentive to always fight, to embrace our power and redefine our worth.
ps: OMG what an education in British vernacular. 🙂
*WARNING* I don’t think this book is for the faint of heart. Contains many triggers.
There are some editing issues, a little confusion in the beginning. Honestly, the story was often nauseating to read. The things Phoenix had to endure were horrid and heartbreaking. I was not expecting it to end the way it did. Props to the other for making a fictional character bring out such strong emotions.
A very written story. I was very surprised by the ending. I was not sure when I stared this book and almost quite but it had me hooked to see how all this blended together. Will not tell you how it ends, but it is an HEA.
Holy fudgesticks!! Always expect the unexpected when reading a Zak Hardacre book, always!! This book had me guessing until the end, trying to figure out the twists and turns.
Zak weaves his words to the extent that you feel fully immersed in the story, if it was a film, it would be in full on HD!! From the first page I was fully invested and did not want to put it down, although there were times I was reading with one eye open, my hand covering the other!!
Another thought provoking, mind blowing book! Genius!!