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lifeinthebooklane's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book.
From the first line to the last, The Escape Artist held me captive, just as Claire and Ari were held captive by one another. Kitty Thomas has crafted yet another amazing masterpiece of a story, one where she takes all the elements of wrongness and twists them into something that is so very right. This story is by parts emotionally charged, depraved, incredibly hot, fantastically written and populated with great characters.
The relationship between Claire and Ari is consensual at the same time as it isn't, with the author somehow skating a fine line between the two. Just as I decided it was one thing, the tables turned and it became the other. Even more amazingly, Ms Thomas manages to take a relationship based on everything wrong and turn it into something perfect.
Ari was a good man until life gave him an opportunity to be otherwise, and yet that wrongness was the perfect thing to save Claire. Despite how morally dubious his actions were I adored him, and it was always clear that Claire's wellbeing was his top priority. Theirs may not have been the most conventional of relationships, erroneous in just about every way possible, but it was exactly the relationship both of them needed.
The author has taken the possibly overused "captive" trope and shaken it up, producing a story that feels fresh and new. This is one red hot NSFW read, pushing buttons and boundaries in the most delightful of manners. I totally loved every single thought, word and action in the book, I simply can't sing its praises loudly enough. In fact it's left me with a deep need to read more of her work.
From the first line to the last, The Escape Artist held me captive, just as Claire and Ari were held captive by one another. Kitty Thomas has crafted yet another amazing masterpiece of a story, one where she takes all the elements of wrongness and twists them into something that is so very right. This story is by parts emotionally charged, depraved, incredibly hot, fantastically written and populated with great characters.
This was wrong in every way a thing could be wrong. But he hadn't been able to leave her alone in a world she could no longer navigate, and he wasn't nobel enough to pass up this opportunity or just keep her as his indefinite platonic house guest.
The relationship between Claire and Ari is consensual at the same time as it isn't, with the author somehow skating a fine line between the two. Just as I decided it was one thing, the tables turned and it became the other. Even more amazingly, Ms Thomas manages to take a relationship based on everything wrong and turn it into something perfect.
Ari was a good man until life gave him an opportunity to be otherwise, and yet that wrongness was the perfect thing to save Claire. Despite how morally dubious his actions were I adored him, and it was always clear that Claire's wellbeing was his top priority. Theirs may not have been the most conventional of relationships, erroneous in just about every way possible, but it was exactly the relationship both of them needed.
The author has taken the possibly overused "captive" trope and shaken it up, producing a story that feels fresh and new. This is one red hot NSFW read, pushing buttons and boundaries in the most delightful of manners. I totally loved every single thought, word and action in the book, I simply can't sing its praises loudly enough. In fact it's left me with a deep need to read more of her work.
He'd felt how badly she needed someone to take control of her, her shattered life, everything. Someone who wouldn't truly hurt her. But she could never ask for such a thing. And she could never feel safe if it were offered. Because she didn't know who to trust.
pattyfgd's review against another edition
5.0
The Escape Artist
The Dark Arts #2
By Kitty Thomas
Narrated by Tor Thom and Charley Ongel
This is my first Kitty Thomas book and it certainly will not be my last. Dark, dangerous, exciting and romantic, this book captured my attention and didn’t let go. Claire was kidnapped three years ago. Still afraid to live her life, she is ready to seek her revenge so she will finally be free. But when she kidnaps the wrong man, her life takes a whole new turn. He turns the tables on her, and now again a captive, she is facing her reality. But it’s not the same. Ari is good to her and feelings are forming for both. Will this strange situation result in finding true love? Full of kink, passion, new found love and life, it’s a captivating story. There are some brutal scenes and it may not be for everyone, but Thomas spares no details in Claire’s devastation creating a feeling of realism. I loved this premise and the story is fantastic.
Tor Thom and Charley Ongel are our storytellers and they bring this dark romance to life. Thom is Ari, and he has a air of danger surrounding him with a warmth that pulls in that sense of protectiveness. Ongel is strong, stubborn and melds to all the changes Claire goes through. She lets us feel all her emotions as she goes through so much. This team is wonderful, keeping us engaged and excited to listen.
#ALC #comingsoon #darkromance #audioromance #bdsm #kittythomas #torthom #charleyongel
The Dark Arts #2
By Kitty Thomas
Narrated by Tor Thom and Charley Ongel
This is my first Kitty Thomas book and it certainly will not be my last. Dark, dangerous, exciting and romantic, this book captured my attention and didn’t let go. Claire was kidnapped three years ago. Still afraid to live her life, she is ready to seek her revenge so she will finally be free. But when she kidnaps the wrong man, her life takes a whole new turn. He turns the tables on her, and now again a captive, she is facing her reality. But it’s not the same. Ari is good to her and feelings are forming for both. Will this strange situation result in finding true love? Full of kink, passion, new found love and life, it’s a captivating story. There are some brutal scenes and it may not be for everyone, but Thomas spares no details in Claire’s devastation creating a feeling of realism. I loved this premise and the story is fantastic.
Tor Thom and Charley Ongel are our storytellers and they bring this dark romance to life. Thom is Ari, and he has a air of danger surrounding him with a warmth that pulls in that sense of protectiveness. Ongel is strong, stubborn and melds to all the changes Claire goes through. She lets us feel all her emotions as she goes through so much. This team is wonderful, keeping us engaged and excited to listen.
#ALC #comingsoon #darkromance #audioromance #bdsm #kittythomas #torthom #charleyongel
kelly_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
Ari and Claire have the most unusual meeting. And the tables kept turning on this couple as they find each other.
I loved the story. It was so different from any other storyline and it kept me wanting to read more.
I also loved how the characters Quill and Saskia from The Con Artist were shown in this book as a continuation of their story.
I highly recommend this book!
I loved the story. It was so different from any other storyline and it kept me wanting to read more.
I also loved how the characters Quill and Saskia from The Con Artist were shown in this book as a continuation of their story.
I highly recommend this book!
booknerdqueen's review against another edition
5.0
Well if you’re looking for a kind of HEA (well the kind Kitty Thomas gives) this is the book for you.
This book is in the same world as the Con Artist but as a standalone (you don’t need to read Con Artist to enjoye this masterpiece).
This story was everything I wanted, a true submissive with a damaging past and a strong, powerful and in control Dom. I love that Kitty, for once, gave the whip to the sub. It was interesting and made their story more meaning even though he keeps her and she doesn’t have any rights.
My two favorite quotes from Ari
“My turn, kneel”-Ari
“We aren’t leaving here until that whip gets used. I can whip you. Or you can whip me. Choose.”-Ari
This book is in the same world as the Con Artist but as a standalone (you don’t need to read Con Artist to enjoye this masterpiece).
This story was everything I wanted, a true submissive with a damaging past and a strong, powerful and in control Dom. I love that Kitty, for once, gave the whip to the sub. It was interesting and made their story more meaning even though he keeps her and she doesn’t have any rights.
My two favorite quotes from Ari
“My turn, kneel”-Ari
“We aren’t leaving here until that whip gets used. I can whip you. Or you can whip me. Choose.”-Ari
truden's review
5.0
So, so good! This is my third time reading it and it just gets better each time. I love how sweet Ari is while still being demanding, and I like that Claire isn’t a spoiled brat. And I really love the ending! Ah, it made everything so good and gave them peace.
And the new bonus epilogue? Oh my god, so funny! One of the best bonus epilogues I think I’ve ever read. It was so different than what I thought it would be when I first heard about it, but as usual Kitty Thomas knocked it out of the park. It was just the fun relief this story needed.
This story is definitely one of my favourites. Both from Kitty and in general.
And the new bonus epilogue? Oh my god, so funny! One of the best bonus epilogues I think I’ve ever read. It was so different than what I thought it would be when I first heard about it, but as usual Kitty Thomas knocked it out of the park. It was just the fun relief this story needed.
This story is definitely one of my favourites. Both from Kitty and in general.
triciacoker's review against another edition
5.0
Kitty Thomas has an impressive skill at crafting these dark stories which draw you in and make you view the characters through a different eye. The shades of black and white fall away and people who might be villains are often not, and those who are good dip into the dark side of life all to often, making it feel so much more real. Ari and Claire are intriguing and I loved every minute of their story. Q and Saskia are a treat, and I was so drawn into the whole story I couldn't put it down.
Now for those faint of hart, this story has triggers and plenty of dark elements, but it also has beauty in it as well, and is wonderfully engaging. It's just another example of why Kitty is a queen of the dark erotic romance.
Now for those faint of hart, this story has triggers and plenty of dark elements, but it also has beauty in it as well, and is wonderfully engaging. It's just another example of why Kitty is a queen of the dark erotic romance.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
5.0
So this was a continuation of the first book the con artist and should be read in order for best pleasure. We get Claire and Ari the Viking god from book one and they are into a power exchange relationship. We get more of Saskia and more of an ending that I thought should have been part of book one. Still nice to see them get a version of a HEA.
sammy234's review against another edition
update: dnf @ 50%. Marking as read. I don't know if this is too light for me or if I'm just not in the mood for this type of story. I don't know. It's way too reminiscent of tender mercies, though.
I heard Kitty Thomas say this book is kind of a mix between Comfort Food and Tender Mercies and now I'm dying from my excitement. I'm truly done with her docile pleasure house novels and I'm so happy she's going back to writing dark books.
This cover, though?
Just awful.
I heard Kitty Thomas say this book is kind of a mix between Comfort Food and Tender Mercies and now I'm dying from my excitement. I'm truly done with her docile pleasure house novels and I'm so happy she's going back to writing dark books.
This cover, though?
Just awful.
t5678's review against another edition
5.0
I have yet to read a book by this author that I didn’t love. I appreciate her ability to write truly dark and messed up stories, yet they have a love story you want to root for. I loved the characters and the shift in their dynamics. It was interesting to see a power shift in the story and see each character in either position. Can’t wait to read the companion story to this one!