A clever sci-fi mystery with some of the most tantalizingly dark erotica I’ve read, Kyle Michel Sullivan’s The Beast in the Nothing Room is one wild ride! Between the exceptional opening scene, and the incredible twists and turns this story takes, I recommend you just hang on tight and enjoy.
Mr. Sullivan grabbed my attention straight off with his thoroughly appealing writing style. Flowing smoothly from phrase to phrase, it’s eloquent and engaging. The whole story is beautifully structured, and the momentum builds all the way through to a fantastic climax. The only thing that stopped me reading it cover to cover is how freakin’ scary it gets!
When Finn, a police detective in rural England, is first abducted and seduced, in what he calls the “nothing-room”, he thinks it must be a dream (or a nightmare). Discovering his experience is real, and that it’s happening to others, Finn vows to get to the bottom of what’s going on and put a stop to it.
The sci-fi components of this story are fascinating and I enjoyed watching Finn work through the specifics of what’s happening and why. Between the facts he uncovers, and the folks Finn meets along the way, the powers that drive the events in the nothing-room make an incredible impact on his life.
Each and every encounter in the nothing-room is different, and Kyle Michel Sullivan explores a wide range of responses throughout the story. For Finn, this is his first experience with sexual stimulation from a man and his initial encounter is sensual and erotic. As his subsequent trips to the nothing-room grow more violent and frightening, he finds out why some of the men are completely terrorized by the experience. Realizing how much he enjoys being the aggressor, and performing the darker elements of violent sex with dubious consent is a real eye-opener.
I didn’t expect to be so moved by some of the emotional moments in The Beast in the Nothing Room. The victims form powerful bonds as they come together and support each other. And following Finn’s tale is intense. Finally reaching the point where he can embrace his desires, Finn reaches a level of self-acceptance he never imagined for himself. It’s a powerful journey.
I can’t wait to pick up another book by Kyle Michel Sullivan. This talented author has a wide range of stories, and with writing as fine as in The Beast in the Nothing Room, I can see I’ve got a long list of enjoyable hours to come.
(reviewed 29 days after purchase)