Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Two years after he lost his soulmate to the war, Faldor still pines for Meldrick. His world is turned upside down when Meldrick appears on his doorstep late one night, seemingly back from the dead. Finally escaped from a prison camp, Meldrick protects a dark secret--one that could rip his rekindled love apart if Faldor ever learned the truth. But the longer they're together, the more things just don't add up. What really happened two years ago? How did Meldrick escape the prison camp after so long? Is Meldrick still the man Faldor 
fell in love with? Can Meldrick reconcile who he has become with who he was, and move beyond his treachery, or will betrayal win?

NOTE: This book was previously published by Breathless Press in January 2012.

Book Review

Everyone has a dark side, but normally we don't act upon it; however, under certain circumstances even the best of us break. Knight Meldrick DeBonn is captured by the enemy in 'Betrayed' by D.C. Juris, and is subjected to unspeakable violence, torture, and rape. Brainwashed into thinking that all is lost, Meldrick loses himself to the darkness and becomes someone even he doesn't recognize. After his escape, he's not expecting to ever be able to reconcile what he's done; but there's one constant in his life, his love for his soul mate Faldor who is the key to Meldrik recovering his dignity and a semblance of his former self.

Faldor broke my heart with his kindness and understanding. His nightly ritual dedicated to holding on to Meldrick's memory had me in tears. Although poignant, loving someone like that is a rare and precious gift. Faldor is a healer, therefore, he has more patience than most people, certainly more than I would have. He is there for Meldrick, never wavering in his belief that the essence of the man he loves is still very much with him.

Worrying Meldrick more than what he does in prison is the belief that he was capable of such things, that he enjoyed it, making him as bad as his enemies. He loses faith in himself. Meldrick thinks that he's become a monster, a horrible person who doesn't deserves happiness. However, when he sees Faldor, he can't resist wanting to be with him again. His love for Faldor is the only thing that can motivate him to try to forgive himself and move beyond the excruciating guilt he feels. But even after they reunite, Meldrick's demons follow him, threatening to destroy them both. It's only after he learns the truth about his capture and imprisonment that he's able to put things in perspective and place the responsibility on others rather than carrying it solely on his own shoulders. Doing this gives him an opportunity to set things right. Only then can he allow the healing process to begin.

'Betrayed' is not for everyone. It's overwhelming, dark, frightening, heavy, brutal, and incredibly sad; but it's also loving, passionate, heart breaking and heartwarming at the same time. It's written with an intensity that exudes the story's tone and theme. Although not a romantic love story, it is, indeed, a testament to the power of true love. I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a blunt, hard hitting, realistic story which will incur feelings that will linger with you long after you close the book. Thanks, Danny, for another awesome reading experience.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been prvided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 97 pages/28000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	03-February-2016
Price	$3.49 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=4592