Twenty-One

by D. Victoria BonAnno

Reeling from the recent loss of her mother, college student Chloe Leroux just wants to finish her final academic year in peace. But when she indulges in a night out to a mysterious club, she awakens naked and locked in a cage with a collar around her neck. Chloe is trapped in a manor populated by women who have been kidnapped, branded, and brainwashed into sex slaves to auction off to the highest bidder. Demetrius, her mercurial captor, promises to do the same to her. As the slave auction draws near, Chloe must fight to survive long enough to escape. But as her sanity begins to crumble under the hand of the man who calls himself her Master, she may no longer have the strength to leave. Terrifying, suspenseful, and darkly erotic, Twenty-One weaves a harrowing tale through a fractured mind, revealing a world that is equal parts deadly and tantalizing.

Genres: Dark, BDSM, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Erotica

494 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2017

Reviews

[Darkreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was definitely different. More of a psychological erotic thriller than a romance, but it certainly gripped me. Set in the world of human trafficking, Twenty One didn’t romanticize or sugar coat the situation while creating a very atmospheric story that's both compelling and harrowing. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about the story and the characters yet couldn't stop reading. Still not sure about that ending. If you don't go in expecting a romance, it's quite appropriate. However, my dark romance loving heart had a minuscule hope for something altogether different.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Dark

For a first time author, this book was outstanding. I love dark theme books and this is at the top of my list. There were elements to it I've not read about before and I thought I'd read all variations of this theme. 5+ stars and kudos to Ms. BonAnno

[Jiji · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh sh*****t! this was a well-written story. It was very dark but soooo gooood ykwim? I need more from Ms BonAnno, you are my new fav author🙌 . guys if you like an engaging dark read it is for you!

[Nicole Lobato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really not sure how I feel about this book. There were things about it that I loved and things about it that I wish were different. It is dark and I'm not a stranger to dark books so that didn't bother me. I liked most of the dark stuff through out this book. Demetrius is pretty hot but he is a monster as far as the things he does.The book jumps around going back and forth between different points in time so you read about parts of Demetrius past. But at the top of each chapter is the date of the time the chapter took place. I wish the author would of just put 11 years earlier or 11 years later instead of the date because you might read 3 chapters in a row that would be close in date then jump back several years later and it was kind of confusing sometimes. Also throughout the book you get several POV's and I wish the author would of put who's POV it was at the beginning of the chapter. It is a good story and it made me feel lots of different emotions but left me feeling like it could of told me more. It kept me interested and I didn't want to put it down. I'm also very unsure about the ending because some people might consider it a HEA and some people may not depending on how you feel about Demetrius. In my opinion it was not HEA and I prefer my books to have that. The end also kind of leaves you wondering too but at the same time can't really go much farther if that makes sense. 🤔

[Karen Denise Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations to the author for getting her debut book published again after 5 years on the -- well whatever list you want to call it when they won't let the readers choose to read your book.

This was a fabulous debut book. Very well written (a few minor grammar errors), well executed plot, characters that were mysterious yet realistic, fascinating and charismatic.

I loved Chloe from the very beginning. Her character went through so much, and the emotion, thoughts, fears and realizations she went through tugged my heart in all directions.

Demetrius was an enigma. I was drawn to him even though his actions were so extreme. I wanted to hate him, as what he does is so immoral, but I couldn't. He invoked empathy and was a very captivating character.

This is a dark read. Check your trigger warnings before reading. But if you like a dark erotic thriller that keeps you guessing and intrigued, this one is definitely for you.

5 stars. I don't give five stars often, but this book deserves all five.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really surprised to find out that this was the author's first book she's written! It was really good!! It was definitely dark, and it's not a romance, but it will pull you in and keep you turning the pages, wanting to see how it ends! I was a bit surprised at the ending honestly, but I feel like it was a good way to finish the book. Chloe may have developed Stockholm Syndrome, or lost herself during her captivity and thought she had feelings for her kidnapper, but she didn't completely lose herself... it was really written well!

[Sara Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This was such an excellent book. Very well written and I feel like a lot of research actually went into creating this story. The main character was a very likeable villain so that was awesome and the intimate scenes were described really well without feeling like you’re reading porn. Idk how else to really say it but it was unlike reading the usual smut somehow. Highly recommend if you want a book that puts your emotions through the wringer.

[Tay DeLo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I’m impressed! This is my first book by the author, and I took a chance on this. It came up in a Facebook group I’m in and I was like “why not” and I’m so glad I did! This had me hooked and was such an interesting plot. The ending had me shook and I wish I got more of what happened in the end but I loved this. That’s all, go into it blind like I did.

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on an insane grip.

If you are looking for a book that will grip your soul and have you in an emotional distressing state..read this book! If you have triggers please be cautious! It's a great read and I couldn't put it down!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written, suspense-filled thriller with characters who feel real and a twist at the end that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Angela Windham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

If you looking for something dark it is a good read. Hopefully there is a part two. There is definitely something more to the story.

[Lady S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry but all I can say is….

Wow!!

[Natasha Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, I want to applaud the author on such detailed descriptions of characters, plot, and story telling. I was reading a novel but dipped into poetry at the same time. That being said, the story itself put me through an emotional roller coaster. I usually don't read this genre, but I heard great reviews and decided to give it a try. From the main character's, Chloe Leroux, point of view, you felt like you were with her in that darkening mind state and I cannot tell you how many times I was yelling at her to "snap out of it" and "he is not your master!" Then Demetrius's point of view gave me a little more inside to what was going on in his head (twisted little freak) and at times, I did sympathize with him, but that wasn't until close to the end then I was like, "oh yeah, he deserved that!" One minute I'm like, "you will die a peasant's death," to Demetrius, then other times I'm like, "he's so obsessed with her, it's too much!" Anyway, The literature was phenomenal, but the dark themes in this are not for everyone and expect everything when picking to read this! Overall, Bravo to the author!

[Clarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very well written in terms of plot/characters.
However, this being said it is very dark. Honestly I think this is the darkest book I have read all year.
Take an episode of Law and Order Special Victims Unit and up it by like 10000%.
That being said the author did do a good job of intertwining multiple POVs and constructing a story of horror and humanity. Major trigger warnings on this one. This is not a romance in my opinion.

[Beachbaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

The story was well paced. It was dark and descriptive.

I didn't care for the flashbacks into Demetrius' life as it pulled me out of the present sex trafficking / training plot. I cringed every time Chloe's attendant, Gabe called her sweetie. It was overused and didn't seem like a term that would be used by a sex trafficking trainer.

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for something dark and with a great story this is worth a read. I hope there will be a second part because I feel like there is definitely more to this story. i loved the ending although I would have seen Chloe forgive Demetrius, but I guess this is better. hope to see something about Dia, the ending left me hoping for at least a spin-off.

[HonestlySmutty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. It is one of the darkest books I have read. Unforgettable and sad but twisted and a little confusing thinking about Chloe and her rollercoaster of emotions.

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Humor: 😐
Ick’s: 🚫
Burn:🔥
Darkness:🖤🖤🖤

[Herolston · Rating 2 out of 5]

🍅

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved. Read years ago and still on my recommended list.

[Karen Denise Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations to the author for getting her debut book published again after 5 years on the -- well whatever list you want to call it when they won't let the readers choose to read your book.

This was a fabulous debut book. Very well written (a few minor grammar errors), well executed plot, characters that were mysterious yet realistic, fascinating and charismatic.

I loved Chloe from the very beginning. Her character went through so much, and the emotion, thoughts, fears and realizations she went through tugged my heart in all directions.

Demetrius was an enigma. I was drawn to him even though his actions were so extreme. I wanted to hate him, as what he does is so immoral, but I couldn't. He invoked empathy and was a very captivating character.

And there were so many side characters that I also loved....Mama Dede, Dia, Three, Seventeen, Gabe, Rafe....to be able to manage so many characters that stay in the readers mind is fantastic.

This is a dark read. Check your trigger warnings before reading. But if you like a dark erotic thriller that keeps you guessing and intrigued, this one is definitely for you.

5 stars. I don't give five stars often, but this book deserves all five.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dnf 50% in, it’s not a terrible book it’s just not for me