Thursday, March 22, 2012

Review of Enslaved, Book Three in The Fire and Ice Series by Kim Faulks

WARNING: Does contain a spoiler from Seductive Sands (Only a slight one, but I feel I should include this warning as a precaution)

For months I have waited to dive in to this story. Reclaimed captured my interest, Seductive Sands tempted my appetite and now I finally get another sumptuous taste of this delectable tale. Will Natalie end up with her vampiric husband from her previous life? Or maybe the Djinn lover? Or will Ms Faulks throw a curve ball in that keeps me guessing? The anticipation is almost too much to bear!
Seductive Sands ended with Natalie waiting for Malik, her former lover, only to be kidnapped by a mysterious vampire. Now, in Enslaved, she is in a prison, tortured physically and emotionally. I’m desperate to know why and who, as is Natalie herself. Kim Faulks knows how to weave intrigue and have me wanting more. She knows the right combination of questions to leave unanswered and just how much information to give up right away. Such skill can take years to refine, and Ms Faulks has it well established.
The emotions pummelling and punishing Natalie were almost palpable, and heartbreaking in their intensity. I found myself weeping for her as her desperate mind played tricks on her. I found myself leaning forward in anticipation of what was to come. The fact that Natalie can only remember portions from her past life is quite tantalising, as she is as clueless as I am as to what exactly is going on, and just how many people are interested in claiming her as their own. Is this vampire who kidnapped her jealous of her hold over Alexander’s heart, determined to ruin her for Alexander? Or is this new player, Kaige, a scorned temporary lover of Natalie herself, like Makkah? One who wants Natalie for herself?
Ms Faulks brings in many creatures, not just the usual triangle of human, vampire and other. It’s refreshing and adds more dimension, especially when Natalie is claimed first by a particularly large Minotaur, though he, and the other creatures themselves are far from delightful of nature.  Ms Faulks warned me that this one was not for the faint of heart, and it is indeed gritty and dark, but this is what makes it all the more enjoyable for me.  Kaige’s cruelty is delightfully evil, and the description of Natalie’s suffering at the hands of her torturous captor are incredibly realistic.
Enslaved takes the Fire and Ice series down a whole new dark road, which I loved. I spent the whole time reading it wanting to know the “why”, teased with possible answers, none quite fitting in to place. It ends with the mother of all cliff hangers, a delicious torment that had me literally cry out “She’s about to what?!” My eagerness for more after Seductive Sands pales in comparison to my need for more now that I have read Enslaved. I am grateful and thrilled to say that there are two more books planned.
Fantastic job, Kim, I’m left speechless, utterly delighted and with an aching need for more that only the best manage to provoke! 

3 comments:

  1. Norma (one of your biggest fans)March 23, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    I Agree with all you have said, Phoenix. I had also been waiting for the third installment of The Fire and Ice series. I have followed Natalie in the first two books of the series with the ending of the second book leaving me wanting more. 'Enslaved' was everything and more that I hoped it would be... I am now left waiting and hoping again, after another cliffhanger ending, that this is not the end of Natalie...Thank you Kim, for once again keeping me turning the pages of your book to see what happens next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Norma, I am thrilled you agree with me. I have been waiting for quite some time for this one and how I managed to not pester Kim about it is beyond me! I will definitely be keeping up with aall of her writing. Look out Anne Bishop, we have a new contestant battling for top spot in my "favourites" list!

      Delete
    2. Norma, I am thrilled you agree with me. I have been waiting for quite some time for this one and how I managed to not pester Kim about it is beyond me! I will definitely be keeping up with aall of her writing. Look out Anne Bishop, we have a new contestant battling for top spot in my "favourites" list!

      Delete