Thank The FatherThe Father giveth and the Father taketh away.Thank The MasterThe Lord giveth and the Master taketh away. Thank The Faith The Faith giveth and the fire taketh away.In a society where men are superior and women belong at their feet, Master Zander and his slave, Phoenix, must find a way to navigate through the horrors they were born into.Three menacing tasks are all that separate … into.
Three menacing tasks are all that separate Zander from his inheritance. Three gruesome tasks and Phoenix might finally be free. The question is can Phoenix complete them and keep her sanity in check? Can Zander play the part without unleashing the monster behind the mask?
Will they rise from the ashes of their present and soar into the future, or will they both be engulfed by the flames of their past?
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It’s dark, I mean it’s really dark. And soo good!!
It’s so strange – their way of living and yet…
Phoenix and Zander didn’t find each other right from the start. But, it was good enough. After a while they both felt love, but it took them some time let the other know, as well to embrace it themselves.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
This was hard to read at times. I was incensed and infuriated for every female in the story. After the “ball” when Zander is alone and he’s thinking about the event and says”I protect what is mine”. We get to see another small crack in the armour around his heart. I love these small moments of humanity in him. It made him more endearing! I loved the push and pull between the main characters- such chemistry! I loved Zanders guilt and his nerves/anxiety. It showed he he had a good heart hidden beneath. Each time I came to a “task” in the reading my gut clenched and I felt the bile rising in my throat and read with trepidation. It is beyond twisted, depraved. and abhorrent what the “Faith” perpetuates in this story! The memorial service had me in silent tears! The epilogue brings complete satisfaction. Read if you dare. Darkness within.
I’m not even sure where to begin with this book. First and foremost, I am fairly confident I have never read a book like this one and I have read numerous titles in the BDSM/Romance/Erotica genre. Nothing has compared to this one.
Just WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW.
I am not going to go into any specifics regarding the details of the storyline, including the three tasks, because I think that would ruin the story for the reader. I didn’t read anything about this book before I read it, aside from the summary, and I am glad I didn’t. It made it all that much better when I read it all for the first time to understand the context of what exactly was going on.
Overall, I think this book was a very well written and beautiful example of what a D/s relationship can be for a couple. Even one of the main characters, Master Zander, speaks to the beauty of this type of relationship when speaking of his sister and brother in law. I also really liked how Zander, as a Dominant, mentions how he hopes to “earn Phoenix’s submission and not just take it.” Anytime I see a line like that when referencing a D/s relationship, it makes me swoon. When you take out the INCREDIBLY insane actions of one of the characters, this book, in reality, is quite the love story. To me it is anyway.
Master Zander is an amazing character. While he may have come across cold or harsh at times with his sub, Phoenix, he really is an incredible man who wants much more out of life than what is currently being given to him within The Faith. He wants to change things within the community and bring it back to being more focused on the beauty and strength that can be found in a D/s relationship.
Phoenix is a young woman who has absolutely NO idea about The Faith and is quickly thrown into this horrific situation that she has no prior knowledge about until it is actually happening. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Phoenix! In spite of everything she goes through, this woman comes out even stronger and stronger in the end. One of my favorite parts was seeing her find strength in wanting to please and be a strong reflection of Zander. Many people won’t “get” that part of it, but I did. She came across to me as an alpha sub with zero brattyness but also respected her Dominant as just that; her Dominant.
By the time I finished this book, I wanted to cry, needed a hug, and also needed a good sex therapy session!! I’ll admit there were points where I almost wanted to stop reading but I just couldn’t. I HAD to know what happened to Master Zander and especially Phoenix. I was NOT disappointed.
Major applause to the author for writing this book. This is a no holds bar, no holding back, let it all rip type of book and for that I loved it even more. Even through all of the rougher scenes, you still had a truly beautiful and strong love story.
Now, you’ll have to excuse me while I go and read everything written by Shannon!
This was a brutal story to read, one of the darkest I’ve ever read. My heart for all of the injustice and trauma the women had to endure. I found myself fascinated by every word in this book and had to read it in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. If you like dark and dirty and seriously messed up, you will love this book.
Y’all.
This book had me shook.
The world that Shannon created within this story felt so real that I’m actually afraid of that woman’s wicked mind! It’s so mind-blowing how she made such a story so entertaining and left me wanting more! I don’t know if she has anymore stories planned in this world, but I pray that she does!
As soon as I started reading this book, I got sucked in. I couldn’t put it down. Yes the story was twisted but very entertaining. The main characters fit so well together. Although their destiny or lifestyles weren’t by choice, they did find something in each other and overcame a lot. I recommend this book. well done
What an amazing book!!! Raw,gritty, and oh so deliciously dark!! Twisted and captivating!! Absolutely amazing!!
UNMASKED by Shannon Youngblood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The first word I can come up with is mind f**k. My head was swiveling and I loved every Dark minute of it! The second word is Dark if you love the darker reads you’ll gobble this up. The third word would be Erotic it had some pretty intense Erotic moments throughout the book. Would I recommend it ? Hell yeah I couldn’t put it down myself mature adults only if course. I absolutely loved Unmasked and would be one of those books I’ll never forget. Look out Authors you have some serious competition with Shannon Youngblood 5 star rating
Man do I love being introduced to new authors. But man, I don’t think I could get through my TBR by the end of this life… LOL. I couldn’t put this down; and yet, I had to put it down. I had to have time to take a few deep breaths, to recompose myself. When that happens… the writer has done his or her job, and Ms. Youngblood has done her job superbly! You hate to fall in love with men like Zander, so flawed, and yet, that’s why I think some do! What can I say right now after reading the last word, but WOW!
If you like dark reads, this is for you! I have read a few Shannon Youngblood books and have loved them, this one is just as good if not better! I can’t wait to finish reading Chub Rub with the hubby so we can start this one and I can revisit Phoenix and Zander!!
Utterly ravishing and beyond words!
Phoenix is strong, courageous against Zander and The Faith community. Her struggles become your struggles as you are one within her through her fight, her becoming and her vision of love. Zander, himself battles within against the beast, his heart and the members of hierarchy. But together, they are the flame and The Faith is their ash.
“Either you will learn to fly in your submission, or you will crumble to ash at my feet. The choice is yours.”
Downright not what I was expecting, but the writing, the storyline with the details are beyond enticing. The writing is so superb that the pages fly fast and furious, then before you know it you reach the end wishing you had read slower.
I have to say, one of the passages towards the end really stuck out to me “It doesn’t matter how much that love hurts us or mentally mutilates us, we keep coming back to it, hoping it will love us in return.”
A must read! What do you do when you find out your entire life, all 21 years of it was a lie? Phoenix finds out that because she was born a female, she will now be sold as a slave/wife to the highest bidder. Her life is no longer hers, it now belongs to the man that bought and paid for her to do what he wants, when he wants and how he wants to her. Zander, the son of the High Master must buy a slave/wife in order to get his birthright. Can Phoenix and Zander survive each other, the Faith and the community or will it all go up in flames? This book has it all; its dark, twisted, full of triggers, with evil around every corner, it is also amazing, gripping, thought provoking, all consuming that will make you laugh, cry, yell, cheer and want to commit acts of murder all at the same time. Again this book is a must read!
Dark and Truly Amazing!
This story has definitely left me speechless. It is dark, twisted, intense, steamy and utterly fantastic. Definitely not for the faint of heart. The whole concept and storyline was so fascinating and well written. It did infuriate me at times and then left me in awe on how the story developed. I was literally on the edge of my seat biting my nails. It was just so intense! There were a few situations that definitely made me squirm with disgust. But I absolutely loved everything about it.
Phoenix and Zander are both damaged and flawed. The way they are brought together was deeply disturbing and very dark. Even though they are put through some very intense and emotional situations they rise above it and become so much stronger.
The imagery that this author gives us with her words is so fantastic. It’s like a dark and twisted movie playing in my head!
If you are looking to read something dark and twisted (and your not afraid of taboo situations) this is definitely the book for you.
Highly recommend for all the dark readers out there.
(Original review from other sites in 2019)
HELLO!!
5 FREAKING HUGE STARS.
I loved this book from start to finish. Before I was even done, I went into a ton of social media sites and groups and recommended it to everyone I could think of. Holy hell I am still thinking of this book a week later. I want more! I need more! There were a few super bad cringy parts involving the dad and I almost threw my phone across the room after each one but once I got through it, the book just got better and better. Zander was panty melting. The type of alpha I just obsess over. And Phoenix was the perfect amount of sassy & badassy. I loved how she didnt crumble under everything that was happening to her but she embraced it and became stronger because of it. GOD THAT SECOND TASK PHYSICALLY HURT ME. I had to put down my phone, looked at my ceiling and said “What in the actual hell are you reading Amanda?”….AND THAT THIRD TASK KILLED ME. I WAS DONE. I was so pissed at that point I was rooting and jumping up and down when Phoenix took charge.. The ending was perfect. The book was perfect. My absolute favorite dark read this year. 5 stars but only because there arent more to give 🙂
I really loved this book. Some people may think the taboo of incest and rape is a terrible thing to read. But in reality it puts you in a different mind frame. Made me feel for the girl and the author delivered on that aspect. With all the death and murder it was so worth the read. I love the how this book had a master slave relationship that made you realize its not what you may think it is. It shows that there can be different types of consensual relationships.
WTF?!?!?! *insert gasping emoji* This was is insane! Insanely good!!! I have so many questions for Shannon Youngblood. But they all come down to how? How? How? How?
Bravo to you!!!
This book can be rough for some. But it is so well written, and worth being read.
Oh, I have so much I want to say, but words are failing me.
Praise!
Praise to Shannon Youngblood!
Praise to Unmasked!
Standing ovation!!!
This book though intense was a great read!! It written very and is a page turner!! The storyline keeps your interest and your left wanting to know what’s going to happen next!! Phoenix a happy go lucky 21 yr old had her life turned upside down in one night. Zander being forced to participate in The Faith due to his father’s death is now having to make some hard decisions! With all the turn of events both stay strong for each other!! The author did an amazing job!
Dark, twisted, yet captivating. Couldn’t put it down. Not a story for the faint of heart, or those who have triggers, but for the rest of us who can deal with a bit of seriously messed up it’s a great read! The story line is fascinating, how Shannon came up with something so demented I don’t know, but the end result is a read you will not be able to put down. Must read.
Thank The Father, Thank The Master, Thank The Faith
Upon reading these words – Is this about a religion? Is this about a strict upbringing for the children? Is this a Cult?
Having read all the books written by this author I think to myself – she cannot shock me with her words. Boy was I wrong – When I read this book I was in shock. Shocked in a very good way – the development of the story and the characters is amazing. The Characters live in a world that we may not understand or may not accept. But as you sit here reading this there are still towns practicing as the Faith or possibly worse. The story is set in a town that Men are superior, and woman are only there to serve and be used however the men wish. The bases of this story and all the task that are covered in this story are shocking and all would consider despicable but the way this author addresses these are nothing short of amazing. Taboo, how do you handle it well? I must tell you this author has it figured out to a tee. Even though you may want to stop reading it, yell at the story or possibly walk away you never do. It keeps you reading and turning the pages as quickly as you can. I call this author amazing. I call this author brilliant. She has figured out how to take a world that we the norm cannot understand or may never be a part of and has brought it to the forefront and has laid it all out there – giving you a look inside The Faith. Shocking as it maybe the main characters in her story Phoenix and Zander are thrown into this world and must come to terms with what is to be expected from them. After all that the author has written and we have gone through with Phoenix and Zander they do get there Happily Ever After. Agree or disagree this book is a MUST READ!!! Do not and I can not say it enough Do NOT let this book pass you by.
I have read many of Shannon Youngblood’s books and she never ever disappoints me. After I read the last word, of her new released book, I wonder, to myself, how Shannon Youngblood can top herself next time. I knew before “Unmasked” came out, by reading the blurb, that this book was going to be the bomb! This book is not for the faint of heart-it is a dark read-so reader beware but oh so good! The concept for “Unmasked”, of women being beneath men, did happen for a time in our country. Thank heavens that women’s rights evolved to much better circumstances. Phoenix is a 21 year old women, because she was born a female must get married to a Master and perform three tasks. Her tasks are brutal in nature that also test her emotional and physical strength. Zander needs to take a wife as one of the conditions to retrieve his inheritance and possibly become the High Master which became vacant due to his father’s death. Is Phoenix able to complete the three tasks and keep herself from going crazy in the process? Is Zander able to keep his mask in place so the blackness inside himself doesn’t come out? Well done, Shannon Youngblood on a well written, thought provoking(what could be), and a society that is a$$ backwards.