Emily May's Reviews > A Hunger Like No Other

2.5 Stars simply for the inexplicable need the novel induced in me to keep on reading despite the many reasons not to. I actually find it quite surprising that I didn't abandon the book after the first few chapters featured numerous attempted rape scenes, a control freak of a man (or male, at least) whose violent tendencies are not only portrayed as acceptable, but highly desirable. But, though I was immediately horrified, the book also somehow managed to hold my attention and the writing style, a strange interest in the plot, and a morbid fascination in this destructive relationship forced me to read on.

I'm not at all in favour of this kind of unhealthy relationship where the guy relentlessly pursues a woman, scares her into submission, and attempts to rape her so many times that she eventually decides he's kinda hot. I do not find this an appealing romance story. If it was a cautionary tale of abusive relationships... well, then sure! But Kresley Cole seems to celebrate the controlling personality of Lachlain and I find it rather disturbing to see how highly rated this book is. Apparently, he's so "gorgeous" and "sexy" and "protective" and these traits all make up for the fact that he repeatedly sexually assaults Emma, refuses to let her return to her family, demands that she sleep in the same bed as him (to her obvious discomfort as her kind are known for preferring to sleep on the floor), and even picks out the clothes she wears. He picks out the clothes she wears. This is not a romance, it's the story of one person completely taking over the life of another, refusing to let them make any decisions for themselves and calling it love.

Can someone actually let me know why so many rate this book highly? It's not much of an urban fantasy because there's just a random array of creatures that hate each other and no great mythological story going on... and it certainly doesn't work as a romance. Or do I not understand the idea of romance and love? Yeah, I'm 19, perhaps it's me who doesn't get it... but I thought it was about caring, compassion and mutual respect. I honestly want to understand why I read this book and saw abuse when thousands have read this and seen love and sexiness.

And yes, there were some attempts to redeem Lachlain... he began to understand that he had treated Emma badly and felt very guilty that he had nearly strangled her to death... aww, poor Lachlain... *rolls eyes* Whatever happened later, I never supported their violent relationship; plus, even though Lachlain experienced some minor guilt for the attempted rapes/choking, it didn't affect him enough to let Emma make any decisions for herself... nope, she must stay with him and she must sleep with him, but this time she must like it too! Good god. It was painful to read.

Why not 1 star? There were good bits amongst the annoying. I quite liked the scenes where they just talked in the car and he began to learn about the 21st century after being locked up for a couple hundred years; his reaction to the plastic card that has unlimited possibilities was funny, so was his repetitive opening and closing of the sun roof. But there was more of what I don't want to read than what I do want to. I can't and won't wrap my head around the idea of a guy finding his one true mate and treating her in such a cruel, violent and often openly humiliating way. There were times when he obviously enjoyed her discomfort and it infuriated me. For me, love isn't about being selfish and controlling; and for that reason, I won't be reading any more of this series.