The Master and The Marionette Review
Melissa’s Rating: 5 stars
On Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Publication Date: August 17th, 2022
Page Count: 367
HEA: Not yet. Ends on a cliffhanger.
Version: E-book and physical copy
“HIS NAME IS DESSIN! AND WHEN HE FINDS YOU, HE’LL DO UNIMAGINABLE THINGS TO MAKE YOU BLEED!”
Song pairing: 40 Cal by Hairitage & Rico Act:
When Dessin and DaiSzek come to save Skylenna
I’ve struggled to write this review simply because it was hard to find the words to articulate how much this series has captivated me.
Ugh. It's just so good! I adore these characters, the plot, the mystery, the dystopian world, the fantasy and horror elements... I could talk about it endlessly! And it only gets darker from here. I don't even recognize myself anymore with this newfound love for dystopian romance.
“The Master and The Marionette” picks up right where "The Pawn and The Puppet" leaves off, with its fantastical cliffhanger. Skylenna and Dessin flee the "torture" asylum and set out on their journey to evade Demechnef, the leader of their continent, who has subjected Dessin to horrific experiments since childhood. As tensions escalate between the continents, Demechnef is determined to reclaim their most powerful weapon.
“He’s a caged animal, walking the perimeter of our boundaries. But that glazed look in his stare is dangerous. It’s pure heat, an agonizing craving.”
This book introduces even more questions and mystery than the first as Skylenna and Dessin (and Kane and…my lips are sealed) navigate the land. They uncover a greater purpose and prophecy intertwined with them and the looming war as they cross paths with several different colonies and people along their travels.
A grave mistake leads Skylenna into a trap, steering her away from Dessin and into the most wretched hands. Her situation seemed dire and horrific, but one should not underestimate the monster inside Dessin. When I tell you I swooned HARD and did a happy dance when he came for Skylenna, whatever you imagined in your head, just know my excitement was ten fold. It was like an actioned packed hero movie scene. And this is why this series has me in a chokehold.
“I will always come back for you. Until hell freezes over.” “And even then.”
AND that’s not it! I thought we were done with the asylum. I was WRONG and I’m not mad about it. My anxiety kicked up a notch once again. This book was intense.
“Someone needs to inform this priest that he isn’t saving our souls before we get sentenced to hell. We’re already in it.”
But it doesn't end there. The plot twists, the savagery, and motherf*cking DESSIN! I LOVE all the alters I’ve met so far, but Dessin has stolen my heart. He's dangerous, grumpy, and a complete touch-her-and-die badass. Swoon. They endure so much in this book, and by the end, they've rescued a new found family trio from the asylum whom I completely adore as well. The spice starts simmering in this book, reaching a very hot smolder with a little boil over to ease the tension a bit. Trust me when I tell you that it will get steamier in the next book. The entire plot is just too damn good though.
“I won’t let you burn alone.”
The photos used in my edits are not owned by me. My edits are solely for personal use and are not intended for distribution or sales. All credit for the original images goes to their respective owners.
Tropes:
🪡 patient x nurse
🪡 fantasy
🪡 asylum
🪡 1 bed
🪡 found family
🪡 forbidden