Mood: Totally freaked out
There are a lot of books out there meant to shock people and cause controversies. These types of books are worth reading to see what the big deal surrounding them is, and I think it makes the reader well rounded. Then there are books like “Gabriel’s Inferno” by Sylvain Reynard that just make me seriously question publisher’s quality and taste.
“An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, ‘Gabriel’s Inferno’ is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man’s escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible…forgiveness and love.”
The sentence above is featured on the back cover of the book. *Face palm* Since Stephenie Meyer couldn’t get forbidden and broody right, E.L. James thought she could. Then, when Christian Grey couldn’t grasp the concept either, here comes Reynard. Putting all my ethical issues with this book aside, let’s focus on how authors think it’s okay to run with the same idea over and over again and expect audiences to be enraptured with their stories. I’m the advocate for readers everywhere when I say We. Are. Over. Forbidden. Love. And. Masochistic. Characters.
Speaking of characters, it’s a little pathetic when I’d rather read books about talking horses than re-read a book with the shy, timid girl with a hard childhood who meets an imposing, dominate, sexual man. I can’t even describe them because if you’ve read any type of romantic book lately you probably have encountered these characters.
The plot to this book made me want to throw up a little. Student/teacher affairs are gross. No matter what. “Pretty Little Liars” was gross for doing it, it’s gross in real life and it’s gross in this book. I don’t care if there is an age gap of five years — it’s wrong, so don’t do it. There’s a bit of a twist in this book because the two main characters already knew each other before, which in my opinion makes their affair even more stupid. Don’t take his class if you have any kind of emotional attachment to him, idiot! I hated that the author tried to tie this book in with “Dante’s Inferno.” That book is a masterpiece, this book is crap. This book is not love, it’s a creepy obsession. There is no sensuality in it at all, and it’s definitely not sexy. There is no way this situation could be okay, so I really don’t know why Reynard thought she could romanticize it.
I wouldn’t recommend this book, but if you’re into unethical and craptastic stories, this book is right up your alley.
