Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The synopsis and prologue hooked me but unfortunately that was the only think I liked about this book. I had quite a few problems with the plot, characters and overall quality of this story. The whole premise and reasoning for why William enslaves 13 girls is ridiculous. His intentions are supposedly honorable but his methods are disgusting and make no sense. **SPOILERS** When William was thirteen he was disfigured by a bully that poured acid in his eye/face because the bully's girlfriend expressed her appreciation for William's beauty. Flash forward to present day: Thirteen girls are kidnapped, drugged, tattooed with numbers in lieu of names , and presented to William in groups. Each group has tasks they must accomplish daily, mainly chores that are rotated. But the group that Number Thirteen is in, is left with the task of spending time with Master William. Spending time with his consists of each girl being blindfolded and to sit on his lap like a puppy while he strokes their hair and whispers cryptic things to them in Romanian. (*Sidenote: I'm not sure if William is Romanian. When he interacts with his family there is no clarification of his nationality. Part of me thinks William speaks that language because it's part of his "monster" persona.) William takes a liking to Number Thirteen because she has a semblance of courage in her situation, as well as being the leader for her group of girls. Her group of girls are the most broken of the bunch. Not only are they drugged on a nightly basis, but their memories are "kept" from them because they are "too weak" to deal with their pasts. (Is there really a drug out there that causes loss of memory? Honest question.) ...... So not only are these girls terrified being in a situation with no recollection of how or why they are there but they are punished when they are disobedient, upset, or act out. William's team of goons smack them around, lock them in dungeons without food, water, or light, and basically treat them like dogs. Yes, this makes sense. Take a group of abused, scared, weak girls and further punish them.... His methods are really helpful considering Number Three kills herself after being punished for trying to escape. That whole situation was so glossed over as a "oh well, she was just too broken". Really? So I'm sure you are wondering why these girls are kidnapped, punished and chosen to serve William right? Basically because William suffered at the hands of a bully he has taken it upon himself to "rehabilitate" them if you will. Give them a better life, as well as "teach them lessons" about life. But William's intentions aren't completely pure. William is looking for a lover. He finds himself not only interested in Number 13 but Number 12 as well. "I...I've thought a lot about it, and I think he picked us so he could get to know us, and then eventually pick a lover." "What makes you think that?" "Well, the first night he put me on his lap, like he wanted to trust him, but he never took it further. He always just let me sit there, getting to know him. Sometimes he would speak to me. Then eventually, he started easing up, answering me when I asked, and touching me more." William is intimate with Number 12 and when Number 13 finds out she confronts him. "It bothers me that you're still calling me in here, trying to get close with me. If you've picked her, if you're doing that with her, then let me go and join the other girls. Don't keep calling me in here to spend time with you. It's pointless" ... "She asked me to deliver, I delivered. I wasn't sure what I wanted when that happened. I had three girls in my group, one really didn't want to give in to me. The other was smart-mouthing me every chance she got. Then there was Number Twelve, willing to be everything I wanted." ..."So you chose her because she is easy." ..."No I didn't choose her because you're right, she is too easy. She doesn't put up a fight; she doesn't challenge me. She just gives what she thinks I want. There have been no choices made." But what REALLY set me over the edge was when William and Number Thirteen were finally intimate with each other. He pushes a litter further, and then rasps, "Oh thank God." I look up at him, squirming to make myself feel a little less...full. "You're a virgin, sweetheart," he says in a hushed, quiet tone. I am? For some reason, this confuses me. .... This moment was DISGUSTING to me. Especially when there are flashbacks of Number Thirteen remembering sexual abuse as a child. WTF? William is a predator. He is vile. I'm sorry but never once did I find him romantic, sweet, swoony or sexy. I have read books with DARK characters. Men that take what they want from captive women, etc. But something about William and his interactions with these girls leaves me with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. So besides William and the plot, I was really disappointed with the quality of this story. There were a few points in the story with gaping error or plot holes that left me scratching my head. For example: There is no explanation for what happened to the original Number Six. When the girls were first acquired she was one of the ones screaming and trying to fight back against William's men. After being smacked around and lead away from the group of girls, there is a loud bang, and no one hears or sees from her again. Instead she is replaced by another girl. Was she killed? Sent to away? Moving on, there was a error about 70% when Number Thirteen is being bullied by girls One and Eleven. I spin around to see two of the girls, a quick glance tells me I'm dealing with Number One and Number Eleven. Fast forward a few pages and William is demanding Number Thirteen ( by refusing orgasm, no less) tell him who it was that bullied her. "N-n-number Twelve and One" See what I mean? This error had me reading and re-reading especially in the next chapter when William punishes the right girls, Number One and Number Eleven. So... Obviously this wasn't for me.