ARA Review by Froggy475$ of The Savage Surrogate

[Froggy475$]

[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, The Savage Surrogate.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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I rate The Savage Surrogate 4 out of 5 for its tight pacing and compelling prose. The first lines of the book immerse the reader in a situation filled with so much tension and unease, establishing the tone of an unpredictable and suspenseful ride. The author writes dialogue and describes emotion in such a way that the characters feel real, that you can feel the fear and desperation of their struggles.

A great feature of this book is the balance between action and introspection. The jarring-but-compelling transition from Fran’s normal life, where she is on her daily commute to work, to the dark reality of captivity is jarring, yet compelling. The juxtaposition of past and present adds richness to the narrative, leaving readers wondering how she came to find herself in such a precarious position. Fran is not just a passive victim; her cry for help, her efforts to fight back and her ability to read Max’s emotions reveal a powerful will, even in the face of danger.

Max is another interesting character. A reluctant enforcer of the Syndicate’s rules, he represents the moral conflict of someone who has been forced into a role they loathe. His silent suffering and cursory moments of compassion keep him from being just an antagonist. The interactions between him and Fran are tense not merely because of a wonky power dynamic, but because of the complicated emotional nuances at play in their exchange.

It is a detailed writing that helps one visualize each scene very vividly. The descriptions of Fran’s earlier life provide a stark contrast against the dark frame of mind surrounding where she is now, and her circumstances feel all the more tragic. But sometimes the story is quick to move between past and present, such that it has to work harder to keep the reader paying attention.

The Savage Surrogate is one of your best in suspense yet strong strong characters, strong strong characters and strong strong characters, to be combined with your all-time best suspense at an emotional level. It is one story of captivity and control, but even more so one of resilience and a need for freedom.” If you like fast-paced stories with high stakes and fleshed-out characters, pick up this one.

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