Review: Reap by Tillie Cole (Scarred Souls #2)
Note: This ARC was provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
“You are … for me. No other male. Just me. And me … for you. This is my, ‘I love you.’ These are my words from my scarred soul. They are not borrowed words, but words from my full heart, and my heart only.”
Taken at the age of eight, 221 has spent more than two decades being tortured and tested on by his captor. Pumped with experimental drugs until he finally becomes what he is today: like a rabid dog who shows obedience to his master while ready to slaughter each and every person he's ordered to. When he's suddenly taken from his prison and placed in another cell, chained until he's completely weaned from the drugs still lingering in his veins, he finds himself confused. That confusion heightens when Talia Tolstoi comes, not to punish him, but to care for him, tending to his wounds and needs. He doesn't know who she is but there's something about her that makes him want to reach out and trust her. But when he starts to demand answers to his identity and history, 221 may be utterly at a loss as to who he can truly believe in.
Reap is the second novel in bestselling author Tillie Cole's dark and twisted series entitled Scarred Souls. This story is told from the points of view of 221, Talia Tolstoi, and her brother, Luka Tolstoi, whose own story can be found in the first novel, Raze. Just a brief backgrounder: Luka swore to 362, also known as Goliath, that he would attain the revenge that 362 was seeking when they escaped the gulag in Alaska, and Luka has been trying to find out the true identity of 362 in order to see if he can gather information on who took 362 all those years ago. Now, 362's back story ties in with that of 221, but I don't want to give too many details out because then what would be the point of me encouraging you to go and read the book on your own, right? I will suggest, though, that you read both books in order so you have the whole picture.
Goodness, Tillie Cole sure knows how to come up with these male characters who are physically strong but are emotionally scarred. She did it with Luka in Raze and she's done it again with 221, who does have a name--Zaal--but I won't give any other additional information on him about his past or true identity going forward--here in Reap. I kid you not when I say that 221 is tortured--physically, mentally, psychologically, and emotionally--and the man's scars run deep. The drug he's been given on a regular basis is far more powerful than anything Luka had to live with, plus he was experimented on and trained to kill for almost double the amount of time Luka was. Talia is the first person who looks at him with kindness and treats him like the human being that he still is and the whole experience is something completely foreign to him.
I initially wondered why Luka had his own POV in the story and I was wary in the beginning because he already got his story told. But I totally got why the author chose to do it this way. You see, Luka's story wasn't over and done with. Enduring a life like he did in the gulag carries with it ramifications and he continues to deal with those here. I did like how Luka and Kisa's relationship continues to evolve even though they're already married and as emotionally invested as I am with these two, I'm glad that they strive to overcome all the challenges. With that being said, Talia and Zaal had me teary-eyed a time or two (or more) and I hope they'll continue to be a presence in the next book, Ravage, because that tiny bit of a cliffhanger ending has me more than curious. Reap is a five-plus-starred read I am highly recommending. ♥
Release Date: 10 November 2015
Date Read: 05 November 2015
Learn more about Tillie Cole.
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