Title: Survival Games
Author: J.E. Taylor
Published in July 2010 by eXcessica Publishing
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-4499-589-2-3 paperback
Related Books: Mind Games, End Games
Other Books by J. E. Taylor: Dark Reckoning
In the business district of Albany, New York stands the Aris Technologies building, where its concrete sub-basement houses a series of unique though unusual rooms. Live video feed is expertly hardwired into each, recording within every sound and act that takes place. These quarters are then linked to the central video recording room where expert editing and film manipulation takes place; creating a high-end product for a very distinct clientele under a viable label, Dark Dreams.
Inhabiting these rooms are people, randomly selected, who perform every imagined carnal act. As a family owned business, the Aris brothers’ choreographs every scene, as well as possessing the starring role when the urge strikes. They know well what their customers crave…demand…will buy, because it’s what they too crave…demand…and live by. However, to keep the products fresh and varied the owners must rotate performers frequently, or regrettably incidents of severe injured do occur during the course of filming. Disposing of these bodies is easy; dismemberment, trash bags, and the company paid dumpster service. Trouble-free clean up. Over time the unscrupulous portion of Aris Technologies has gone undetected. Until their current acquisition…
Married mother of two small children, Jessica Connor is kidnapped right off the street. However, her husband, Daniel believes the badly burned body is that of his wife. While he makes funeral arrangements, miles up the road Jessica awakens naked in a chair. Before her a video plays out a fiery auto accident - HER death. As fear mounts Jessica is confronted by her captor; a big man with a hideous scar along the side of his face, who promises fun before her “real” death. This does not dim her need to escape, and ”…not in a million years.” will she beg, not even for death. Her captor then presses the button, releasing the electrical current to the chair, which now flows through her body. Like he said…he always wins.
Ty Aris endured a childhood filled with disappointments that were either battered into him physically or emotionally; then on the really, really days, both. He survived, but barely. A hardened heart, unemotional eyes, and lacking any compassion for others prove his fortitude. As the master editor for Dark Dreams, maker of black market porn and sniff films, he loves his job. Lording over those he helped kidnap, then witnessing their raw fear when performing every sexual depravity required, feeds his fanatical need for control. Then there is the euphoric sex with someone so desperate to live to heighten his sexual fervor. Yes, he and his family reign as dominate rulers of supreme decadence – and are paid handsomely for it too.
J E Taylor indubitably pushes this reader’s boundaries of tolerance, openness and freedom of expression. Nonetheless stepping out of my comfort zone has always been my life’s journey. And WOW! What an experience! This story is neither for the over-the-top romantic who longs for that own long-haired Adonis to save the day, nor for the soft hearted who veers their car to avoid running over fuzzy caterpillars and baby frogs. This story is real life horror but in fictionalized format. However, determining where real begins and ends is problematic.
From eXcessica Publishing, Games Series 01: Survival Games is a dark but immensely captivating story. That is, it’s the embodiment of abject fictional horror, and as usual, emulating life. But…it’s definitely not a light, happy-ever-after reading experience. It addresses plausible incidences that most hope to never experience, but know full well exists. It also touches on the unique relationship between captor and captive; how that definitive line blurs between right and wrong when dependence upon a stranger, even an abusive one, is a matter of life or death. Stockholm syndrome has never been so powerfully shaped in any of my prior readings. However, what is the scientific label when the captor falls for its hostage – reverse Stockholm syndrome?
Ty couldn’t help feel this captive was different. He’s drawn to her from the start, not something that usually happens between him and the prisoners. Another point, Ty veers from his normal practice of disposing lovers or spouses also, because of Jessica’s children. A highly held decree of his is never to harm children. This act, or inaction, proves how special she is to him, even bearing evil glares and heated arguments from his siblings over his actions too.
Jessica will be his forever. She won’t snivel, plead for release or beg to die – not his Jessica. She taunts him, challenges him…infuriates him. Why her nickname, Wildcat, is so fitting. Driving him mad with her inner strength, confident defiance - this arouses him! Although in time she will subdue, succumbing to his baser needs.
However watching her carnal exploits with his brothers fuels his wanting, though ignites a heart-wrenching jealousy. He demands they never touch Jessica again, claiming “she’s special…different”. His brother Frank agrees to abstain, but Ty know it’s only for a short time before he insists Jessica perform as required. For the first time since helping build this lucrative, though seemly depraved, empire, Ty considers escape for one of its inmates. He now wonders when his heart softened, or when did compassion for someone other than himself develop?
As this highly emotive, though disturbing, plot unfolds, J E Taylor’s well-built, earthy characters ignite every sensation within the reader: fear, love, pain, anguish, frustration, forgiveness, desperation, compassion, empathy, sympathy, anger – the list is unending! The authenticity of each character, whether primary or secondary, is physical. Like the reader developing sympathy and empathy towards the villain. Or is he the hero? Even Jessica finds this confusing…
Jessica’s first thought – To Live! Her children need her…she must survive. Years as a stock trader toughens her resolved, and moments like this are the truest test of how resilient she is. She’s never been one to take orders or lower her dignity to ease another’s insecurity. But the tortures they inflict on her are intense; an electric chair for disobedience or brutal beatings for rebelling, but overall the continuous threat of rape gives way to compliance. Yet, Jessica fends off Ty’s relentless attacks and demands, which empowers her, but she remains immensely frightened.
But keeping Ty from taking what he wants most has never been in her control, though his ill-treatment never weakens that indomitable will to stay strong. Because Jessica believes…no, knows for certain…she will walk out of this hell hole. But its Frank’s late night visits that cause doubt rise; his taking is the most brutal as utter cruelty is the main objective – not pleasurable satisfaction. But then, pleasure and cruelty go hand-in-hand for Frank.
As the days turn into months, Jessica’s measured acquiescence towards Ty brings forth an unfathomable knowledge. Instead of fear, defiance, and loathing, she senses a level of caring, or worse, a sense of ‘love’ for the man. His telling of an abusive, neglectful childhood encourages those affections. No surprise she finds herself justifying, excusing his actions, but that truth of fact still remains. He’s a monster.
Yet it’s the mental link with her young son Eric that really keeps Jessica hopeful of escape. Seeing his innocent face, hearing his soft boyish voice keeps her with the living – fighting and enduring until her freedom. His presence is so real that she even feels him snuggling down with her, drifting together into a deep refreshing sleep. But it’s his healing of her bruises, sore muscles and deep bloody gashes that Jessica begins to wonder about their ‘mental’ connection.
Taylor creates an overwhelming thrilling reading experience. From the beginning the pace is quick leaving readers’ emotions swirling from the onslaught of high emotional and physical activity. It’s sprinkled with paranormal, mystery, and a very low laying love story. As edgy characters galvanizing the plot, its robust secondary characters are often overshadowed by Ty and Jessica. However a few clearly stand out.
Frank, step-brother to Ty and owner of Aris Technologies and Dark Dreams is the epitome of degeneracy. It’s very clear that a hostile takeover or subversive merger does nothing to quench his carnal needs. Hearing the screams of supreme terror or the helpless guttural begging of his victims rocks this man’s world. This of course is mixed with tons of blood, ensued with copious amounts of human tissue amid dismemberment. Yea…that will make him cum.
Jessica’s co-worker, Mike was kidnapped months prior; she having attended his funeral as well as his wife’s. It’s clear his torture has gone on since arriving; witnessing the atrocious murder of a fellow prisoner leaves him in a severe catatonic state. Maybe knowing Jessica is here will bring him out of it…at least Ty hopes.
Because of Jessica’s acerbic reference to Smallville does Tom Whitman, the show’s leading man joins this den of iniquity. His chivalrous, boy-scout behavior is at times comical, other times refreshing and even irritating. He comes off sounding like a wimp, but then the voice of reason. Especially notable since readers endure all the gruesome blood shed, cruelty and other monstrous acts over the last months with Jessica. But his role is pivotal if not stereotypical - hero saves the heroine. Or does he?
Then there is Eric Connor, adorable seven year-old son of Jessica. Readers will feel the frustration of this little boy’s dilemma – believing his mother will return home when no one else does. His infrequent appearances provide relief from the horrors Jessica suffers, but also a deserving reprieve for the reader as well. Its clear Eric symbolizes the ‘hope’ of Jessica’s survival.
J E Taylor continues this series with Games Series 02: Mind Games, due out Nov 2010 and Games Series 03: End Games due out February 2011; both from eXcessica Publishing. Also from eXcessica Publishing is Dark Reckoning, which was a thoroughly enjoyable read as well.
Although ruthlessly dark and sinister, Survival Games is an impacting, powerful read, lingering long after it’s finished. There is no forgetting this author, or this work of fiction. So into my ebook re-read shelf it goes. I wonder…will Mind Games and End Games be just as thrilling, intriguing, dark and heartlessly horror-ish?
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein!
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