Lost in a Good Book

Published: 14th December 2023
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 341
Format: Ebook
Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance
★   ★   ★   ★ – 4 Stars

Plunged into darkness after an eerie ritual, Corbin finds herself torn between the reality of her life with her mother and the nights she spends with Six. Even though she wakes alone every morning, the nights they spend together are worth it. Suspicion and unease surround her, drawing Jordan closer and closer while Six disappears deeper into the shadows.Obsessed, Corbin sketches only him. As his monstrous image becomes clearer, etched in ink and gold, the pair and Jordan are enticed into a sensual world meant to feed him.Six is reluctantly forthcoming with information about his origins and the mystical connection between the three of them. He has no control and little concern for the human world he affects with his mere presence—even when no one can stop the consequences.Some cycles repeat for a reason, but is this one worth fulfilling?

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Slither is exactly the kind of book I’ve come to expect from Nikki Rae; it’s dark, full of lust, passionate romance, a touch of fear, and explores the dark corners of the paranormal world. I’ve loved so many of Rae’s books, each different but uniquely hers. Her writing focuses on passion and the bonds between people, often unexplained, often reluctant but also willing. The temptations of danger, the unknown, and the mysterious are handled brilliantly in her hands and she has done it once again with this book.

Rae highlights how much power there can be in the mundane, the rituals of the everyday and many expressions and experiences of attraction. Up against the dark allure of forced unknown it creates a powerful story.

This is book two in The Shadow and Ink series and I loved revisiting this world again. Rae’s creativity shines through again, this time jumping right into the events of the first book and taking us into the story head on. There’s a brief recap of the events in the previous book but it’s included seamlessly into the storyline it hardly feels like it’s a recap. Information on past behaviour, past events, and the beginning of Six and Corbin’s relationship are explained in ways that feel natural and also in a way that doesn’t take focus from the current events. Even with the book opening after the events of the first novel there’s enough intrigue and questions to keep you reading and enough to keep you going without missing crucial details.

In this sequel we learn more about the connection between Six and Corbin and how their relationship is shaped and the forces that bring them together. Rae reveals more information around the mysterious box, the powers of Six and the relationship and hold he had over Corbin. We also see more of Jordan’s relationship with Corbin and the three mix together in a creative, powerful, and passionate ways. I’m always fascinated by Rae’s imagination because she manages to create beautifully complex and creative storylines from a seemingly simple idea and executes it beautifully.

Corbin is a fascinating and complex character and I loved seeing this explored further in all aspects of her life, not just around Six. Her relationship with her mother, her acceptance of herself and new knowledge around Six, as well as trying enjoy university are blended together well. When it comes to her relationship with Six, seeing Corbin fight instinct and desire against such a tantalising force was great. I liked she was wary, that she was torn between her body and her mind, her desire to run and the aches of lust playing off each other beautifully.

Once again I have to mention the words. I love Rae’s use of language. The story is filled with vivid and evocative words, perfect to capture the mood Rae is trying to portray. With a few words you are in the moment, feeling each caught breath, each touch and each moment whether fear, lust, satisfaction, or uncertainty. You can feel the mysterious nature of Six, the lust and passion between the characters, the sharp contrast when dealing with her mother. It’s fantastic and a powerful tool in conveying this story’s intensity.

This is a story full of magic, sex, family drama, and love crossing through eternities. There is a content warning at the beginning of the book that gives a list of key concepts the book deals with. They are dealt with in story quite well and to various levels but there are certain subjects that may be upsetting to people. Rae has packed a lot into the story but it never feels overloaded, and with so many overlapping aspects it does nothing to take away the realness of characters and the mysteries of the paranormal aspects.

This is far from my usual type of novel, but I’ve been captivated by Rae’s books for years so I’m always willing to delve deep into the new world and cast of characters she’s created with an open mind. I am hoping now that books one and two have been revised there’s hope for book three soon because given that ending I need another book right away and I know Rae won’t disappoint.

You can purchase Slither via the following

Amazon | Amazon Aust