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REVIEW: 'Till Death' by Kol Anderson


Title: Till Death

Author: Kol Anderson

Published: August 13, 2017

Publisher: Self-Published Genre: Dark Erotic Romance

Length: 85 Pages

Tags: Gay; M/M; BDSM; Comfort/Hurt; Angst: Heavy; Disease: Cancer; Novelette; HFN; Kink: Bondage, Daddy Kink, Degradation, Flogging, Gang Bang; Sadism, Masochism, Humiliation, Orgasm Denial, Voyeurism, Whipping/Caning, Watersports; CW: Taboo, Addiction, Substance Abuse, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Dub-Con, Non-Con, Prostitution, Rape, Violence - Explicit, Murder; CW: (Off-Page) Child Abuse, Incest, Infidelity

About Till Death

Trent Arlington has a terminal illness and due to the recent downfall of his personal and professional life, he takes that as a sign that he shouldn't be alive. But when a chance encounter with a rent boy gives him something to live for, it also means that he will have to face his demons, both present and past.

4 HEART READ

REVIEW:

Completely down and giving up on life, the main character of Kol Anderson’s newest novel Till Death, has reached rock bottom. Destitute, left by his cheating lover, and facing a terminal diagnosis, Trent has nothing left to live for.

A chance meeting with a young, drug addicted prostitute changes his life completely and brings all his past demons to a head.

The opening scene is beautifully written and sets up the story so well. I like the way Trent meets Justin, and the first few interactions between the two men bring up a host of issues which the author circles back to later in the story. Anderson does a fantastic job introducing Trent’s character, explaining the dynamic between he and Justin, and creating a plausibility for everything that happens.

Now that he’s completely given up on life, the introduction of Justin into Trent’s life changes everything. Trent is forced to confront his demons and to come to grips with his diagnosis, his sexual desires, and all the unfinished business with the people in his life.

Both men are victims of past abuse and the desperation Justin shows in trying to figure out his life, and to find love is heartbreaking. Trent recognizes these similar traits in Justin and realizes, “We were both hoping to find the hidden treasure, even though we’d been hurt, hoping for there to be a purpose for the pain we’d been caused. I was starting to lose myself in him. I was starting to feel things again, and fear things again.”

Justin’s ghosts are ugly and he’s desperately begging for an escape. He tells Trent his darkest fantasies and he begs for pain, “‘You have to hurt me,’” he says, “‘Or I won’t feel anything. I won’t be free.’” As he explores Justin’s requests a new side of Trent is unleashed and he battles with himself.

Here’s the part Kol Anderson does so well…as the sex and violence escalate, Trent vacillates between feeling transcendent relief and complete self loathing.

The introspective dialogue of a character who starts out beyond desperation, and eventually accepts that life will go on, is completely engaging in Till Death.

Memories and dreams of his past start to haunt Trent and he realizes he needs to confront them head on and step the hell up. Ruminating on his relationship with his ex, Trent ponders the meaning of love and what he gave up when he chose his failed relationship over everything else. Anderson’s writing here about the core of love is beautifully expressed and so much of Trent’s character comes to light, it is exceptionally moving.

Things eventually come to a head with Justin and Trent has to face his future, to figure out how to live with a terminal diagnosis, and to see if he can accept love and find a life again.

In Till Death Kol Anderson explores core foundations of the human existence - love, betrayal, abuse, death. These concepts are beautifully expressed as Trent comes to grips with what it all means. Honestly, I highlighted so many passages of this story, looking back through them all while writing this review just gave me more to think about…Looks like it’s time for a re-read!

A copy of Till Death was provided to Kimmers’ Erotic Book Banter, by Kol Anderson, at no cost and with no expectations in return. We offer our fair and honest opinion on behalf of our readers.

Amazon/KU

Meet the Author

“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”

― Oscar Wilde

I'm a writer. I'm not the guy who writes books in your head. I'm the guy who writes books in MY head. If you're into the fluffier side of life, you have my blessing but will you please take the next exit. For the rest of you depraved pervs, enjoy your stay ;)

I love to dream. And sometimes enjoy the concept of nightmares turning into fantasies, hence the dark subject matter of my books and the constant HEA approach. I do love the idea of love, and I have a passion for reading and movies and music and anything that keeps me distracted from the fact that life is pointless.

For more from Kol be sure and visit his website.

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