- Paperback: 296 pages
- Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (October 22, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1937053644
- ISBN-13: 978-1937053642
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
A
virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left
untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a
subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is
thrilled to have a chance at survival.
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die
To be honest, I have low expectations for this book except for the beautiful cover, simply because I’ve already read some negative reviews about it. But I continued to read it- not because I owe the author or the publisher but because I was intrigued to rate the book for myself- and I was surprised!
At first my thoughts are confirmed- the heroine is naive enough to not question where she is- I mean one is expected to be hysterical after finding out you’ve been abducted, away from your family and into a new world you knew nothing about, but Cheyenne? She simply follows whatever Teo ( her love interest as of now) says, which is unrealistic and probably what tick off those reviewers to write negative reviews.
But alas, things changed when Cheyenne realized Teo is not what he seems to be. She began to question things and the absurdity of being in the Elysian Fields and why she feel that way for Teo in the very first place.—this happened at over 100 pages—and I’m glad I’ve read on. I now see Cheyenne as a different person- sure, she’s still naive in a way, but she’s fighting. She suffers from internal battle between what she feels when Teo kissed her and what she thinks she should feel agaist a murderer. It’s nice to see her together with Marc (Teo’s brother) find a way to the vaccine and escape this dark world Teo created.
The plot is actually very unique and interesting. It’s one of a kind. it’s also cool that there are 7 pairs that should relive the original famous tragic lovestories and that they were renamed to better fit the characters. I especilly loved the names, Bee and Ramus (Thisbe and Pyramus), Izzy and Tristan (Isolde and Tristan), Gwen and Lance (Guineverre and Lancelot), Cleo and Marc (Cleopatra and Marc Anthony), Juliet and Romeo, Persephone and Hades and the others.
I must say that the author succeeded in making a horrible character- that anyone would read will feel disgust- I’m talking about Teo ( BTW, older man from the synopsis means he’s 24 and Cheyenne’s 18, not the old man you’re probably thinking). He’s a perfect example of a psychopath and sociopath who likes to manipulate things and put it in his own order. He does not have sympathy except for Cheyenne—he’s just evil. And it’s seldom I feel strongly against a character like this.
Yes, the book has ups and downs, you might not relate to the protagonists, the subcharacters may lack personalities and backstories, but I should admit that I was drawn into this intricate sinister world. I was compelled to turn the pages and see what happens next. I was expecting some twist and turns but when it finally did—it wasn’t what I expected.
Mary Gray has written a sinister world full of darkness and deceit, that would definitely hit the scale of creepiness to maximum. THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM is an engaging, intriguing, thought-provoking world set in madness that left me in awe and shock. I would read the next one in the series and would read future books from this author. I highly recommend!
*** I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
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