Collateral Damage: Deadly Captive #2

So, so, so, so amazingly good! I thought I liked the first book, but this was even better - can't wait for the third You don't have to read the first book to understand this one, if gives some context to some of the players, but everything is explained here. I also love that nothing is in your face regarding the characters and you get to discover things along the way. Even things you think you know, they are further explained as the characters get to know each other We start with Nicole, a pre-school teacher, seemingly all light and hearts and rainbows, being kidnapped and assaulted. As we move through the story with her, we learn more and more about her darker side and the circumstances that have shaped her. At her base though, she still is that caring and sweet woman, so the contrast just makes her seem human. She is fallible, she has facets and sides, and adjusts to her circumstances to make the best of it. Vince is our hero, for lack of a better explanation. He jumps between overly caring, to mean and nasty, and then to victim, sometimes all in one scene. Regardless of all that, you can't help but root for him, you know he has something big planned, and you want to keep believing in him, as Nicole does, to see what he is up to. Finally we have the reason these two noble characters are brought together, Alrik. Alrik is the boy who is innocently living in an extremely dangerous situation; He is the bait, the punishment and the reason for manipulation of so many If you are uneasy of dark stories, and not dark characters, but dark actions, this isn't the book for you. If you are okay with them, and like a story with complex and intriguing characters, you will love this book!