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

 I have finally finished reading the second volume in the "Dark Layers" series, so here is my review. If you haven't read the first volume yet, I suggest you stop reading this post. Also, if you have read the first volume and haven't had a chance to read my review, I suggest you do over at this link.

Clicking the cover will take you to its Goodreads page.

Book 2 of Dark Layers

PLEASE NOTE 18+ ONLY - strong sexual content and possessive nature

Synopsis

Your obsession lives on.

Haunted by her desires and abandoned because of her innocence, Anile is forced to face the waking day solo. Elijah has left her infinitely and utterly alone. His absence grows painfully inside her.
Elijah is also struggling with his feelings. He's trying to balance his dark possessing desires and his emotional connection to Anile, but at what cost?
Anile may have hope of rekindling her obsession but how long does she have to wait? And what games will she be forced to endure to prove her trust to Elijah?
While suffering mental pain because of Elijah's tormented past, Anile fights on. She will struggle throughout the coming weeks but she has hope that she can save Elijah from his dark self.

Is he worth her humanity, her innocence, her personal identity?

~

"Dark Layers (Volume Two)" by A. L. Gray

5 out of 5

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

First of all, I have to apologize that it took me so long to finish the second volume of the “Dark Layers” series, but I had started it a while back and then things just got a whole lot busier for me and I had to neglect it for a while. Well, I’ll have you know that I finally finished it today and I cannot wait to begin the third one (okay, I lied, I already began reading the third one…I couldn’t wait).

Alright, time to get to the good part: what did I think?

I loved it. Just like the first volume, it was incredibly unpredictable. Picking up from where the last book finished, Anile and Elijah just constantly pull you in. You can’t help but fall in love with each character on their own, and when they’re together. There is just so much character development evident throughout the book, and yes, you do find out a little about Elijah’s dark past (which is a whole different story on it’s own). You also do find out about Anile’s family and her past as well. I really find that this helps us, as the readers, to build a better relationship with the characters and understand where they’re coming from and why they are the way they are. I still love how the book is written in first-person perspective and that it is Anile telling the story. Obviously, to get insight into Elijah’s extremely complex mind would be incredible as well and hopefully we do get to have that opportunity.

The relationship between Anile and Elijah in this volume is just…indescribable. I can’t really describe it using words, so you definitely need to experience it for yourself. The emotional tug-of-war that goes on in your mind as you read through some of the scenes are just brutal. One moment you’re like “YES!” and then the next you’re like “What the?!? Are you bloody serious?”, which to me is very important because it just creates a much better reading experience. I love it. One thing that I have to say is that I completely fell head over heels in love with Anile and Elijah’s relationship. He just tries so hard to be what Anile wants him to be and it’s just perfect. I don’t want to say much about it because I could go on and on and on, but also because I want you to witness it for yourself and not spoil it for you.

Now, on to the interesting parts. If you’ve read the first one already (which you should have because there really is no point in reading this one then), then you know that there are some interesting things going on with Elijah. Like me, most of you have already probably figured it out, or at least had some sort of ideas. Well, my theory was totally correct. BUT (a very big but), it was still very shocking to find out about it. There are a few parts that are actually quite creepy…but no less amazing.  Those creepy parts are what make this series what it is.  I can honestly say that had I known that this was going to happen before I read the series, it probably would not have interested me and deterred me away. BUT, having read half of the series, I can say now that it would have been a big mistake to not read them. I can’t get enough of Anile and Elijah. I am so glad that I was introduced to this series because it is very well-written and A.L. Gray has obviously spent a great amount of time on the series, and it definitely shows. As I said in the previous review, I commend A.L. Gray for taking such risks in her writing because not many authors would do that. They tend to stick with what sells.

In a nut shell, I absolutely adore this series and I cannot wait to finish it. An easy 5 out of 5 stars because it was just that awesome, even the creepy parts. I completely intend to finish the next two volumes over the next few days since I seem to have a little break in all the chaos going on. I’ve already recommended it to many of my friends and fellow book lovers and have had great comments from them as well.

~

If you have read my updated version of the "Dark Layers (Volume One)" review post, then you know that volume one and two have recently been merged into one book called "Part One" and volume three and four have been merged into "Part Two".  At this moment, I can only find links for both Amazon Canada and Amazon UK, not for Amazon US. Not sure why, but it shows that the books are not available. I've included the links for "Part One" (previously, volumes one and 2), "Part Two" (previously, volumes three and four) AND the whole box set, so all volumes. One note I'll make is that it is much cheaper to buy the box set.

Amazon Canada (Part One)

Amazon Canada (Part Two) 

Amazon Canada (Box Set)

Amazon UK (Part One

Amazon UK (Part Two) 

Amazon UK (Box Set)

~

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, comments, book suggestions, links, or absolutely anything, feel free to leave a comment or email me!

Lots of love, 

~BB♡

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