Review: "Dark Layers (Volume One)" by A. L. Gray

I know it's been a while, but life has been way too damn hectic to spend time for myself and read. I've actually been asked to review volume one of the "Dark Layers" series by A.L. Gray and here is my review (I literally just copy-and-pasted it, so it's a little different than how I would normally write it):

Clicking on the cover will take you to its Goodreads page.

Prepare to be obsessed and possessed by the most unprecedented love.

Synopsis - 18 + Only

Knowledge is Power to everyone who seeks it
The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.
Frank Herbert (1920 - 1986)

Law graduate Anile has recently finished university. She's now ready to venture into the working world. Anile has suffered two discriminating and scrutinizing interviews but still remains sanguine with her attitude. She refuses to let anyone bring her down.
She reaches Darks Lawyers for her third interview - she's optimistic, but nervous.
While waiting for her interview, she meets a man who's dangerously beautiful. He's enigmatic, prepossessing and smart beyond any of her expectations - she has no idea who he really is, and she runs out of time before she can find out his name.
Anile inevitably finds him - Elijah Darks. He wants to possess her and lure her into darkness - he wants to indulge in his desires, as well as show Anile her own.
Are his intentions good or bad - is he good or bad? He has secrets, he has an agenda, but is there more to his obsession with Anile than meets the eye?
She cannot seem to find any information about him, he's reticent - and so is the internet - but she cannot help her desire for him, regardless of the unknown.
The danger, love, and trust issues ahead of her life are going to be challenging - will exploring a deviant man be the making or breaking of her?
Funny and smart beyond your expectations.
Read it for yourself.

~

4.75 out of 5 stars

*this book contains mature subject material (i.e., politics, symbolism, religion, sexually suggestive comments, BDSM, explicit scenes, etc.) and is intended for an older audience with an open-mind.

Wow.

Just wow.

There isn’t really much to say about the first book in A.L. Gray’s “Dark Layers” series except that it isn’t at all what I expected.  At first, I was a little skeptical because it seemed to start off similar to “Fifty Shades” but it quickly took a turn and pulled you along.

Anile Gooden and Elijah Darks are two amazingly developed characters that instantly have you dying to learn more about them from the moment you begin reading.  Anile is your typical sweet, innocent, gorgeous blonde trying to make her way through the world. She’s strong, witty, and definitely hiding something.  Elijah is the handsome, mysterious, temperamental billionaire every woman wishes she had. He has a captivating mind that works in cryptic ways and is most definitely haunted by something. Together, they are just this incredibly energized pair, full of constant ups and downs and in-betweens.

Gray writes the story in a way that really makes you wonder what kind of person Elijah is through his interesting choice in quotes, his preference in decor, and his constant mood-swings. You also can’t help but wonder just what it is about Anile that has Elijah so enthralled (and why it isn’t you that he is completely taken by…come on, just for once let it be me?). As much as I hate his mood-swings because I just want him to be the perfect, caring, loving man that he is, Elijah’s multiple personalities seem to dig deep into his past and his haunting secrets, making him that much more desirable.  The moments where his loving mood comes out, it is normal to be completely jealous of Anile because you’ll want to be on the receiving end of those swoon-worthy comments and sexual suggestions. Trust me. Which brings me back to my question: Why Anile and not me?

The setting takes place in London, England, and the writing style reflects that through the vocabulary. If you’re familiar with common English terms, you should be fine. However, if you’re not used to the way that the English speak or some of the words they use, like ‘lift’ and ‘underground’, then you may need a dictionary near by. Also, this means Elijah has an accent. An English accent. A very sexy and mouth-wateringly mesmerizing English accent. There are quite a few mythological references throughout the book, specifically the Greek gods and goddesses, and some background knowledge of them would be recommended. I must admit, I had to search a few of the names myself.  If you don’t search the names, some things might not make sense to you at all, and because I gave up constantly searching for the significance of the gods and goddesses after a while, I feel that it may have compromised the overall significance of having them there in the first place. This is also the reason why I did not rate it a full five stars. Had A.L. Gray included some background about the mythological beings instead of having the reader research them, it would have been an easy five stars.

Overall, I loved “Dark Layers (Volume One)” as I could not put it down…not even for a minute or two. I literally began it this morning on the way to class and finished it on the way home. I’m actually about to begin “Dark Layers (Volume Two)" because I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow to see what Anile and Elijah have in store. It was literally a page-turner and kept me intrigued with every single page because it isn’t at all what you would expect. There are just so many themes and concepts that A.L. Gray took risks with and I believe they did her and “Dark Layers” great justice, giving the story those twists and turns that make it what it is.

~

After that review, you know you want to find out more about Elijah...don't you. ;) Get it here:

Amazon Canada

Amazon US

A.L. Gray is also offering a free PDF version on this site for anyone that is willing to write a honest review of "Dark Layers (Volume One)".

OH...I feel like I should also mention that there's a sneak peek of the book on her site as well, so feel free to have a look at chapter one. ;)

 ~

If you buy ALL four volumes of "Dark Layers" by A.L. Gray on Amazon now, you can get it for FREE! I'm not sure how long the sale lasts, but it's well worth it, so HURRY and grab it now from here:

Amazon Canada

Amazon US

Don't forget to share with your friends and fellow book lovers!

~BB♡

UPDATED: November 19th, 2014

SO, I was talking to a friend about this series and went to give her the link from here. I just realized that these old links no longer work. Seems that the four volumes have now been combined into two books and both books are bought together as a box set.

Also, apparently only Amazon Canada has the new format available for Kindle. UK and US have only paper backs available, and only the second book. Sorry! If you find any other links, feel free to post them in the comments please!

Here is the new link:

Amazon Canada