Difficult Story - Excellent Narration

I had a hard time with this book. There are some very serious issues in this book that aren't my normal type of listen. The author avoided some of the dubious consent issues, but there are still some very, very tough scenes involving pain and punishment I had serious misgivings about. The writing is done very well, just probably isn't for me.

The narrator, Phillip Alces, is new to me and did an excellent job with his performance and I will seek out other books narrated by him.

6 people found this helpful

Love and Revenage

Adams sister was kidnapped by human traffickers when he was a teenager. Some how she managed to escape, but she could never escape the memories. Adam never forgot the pain he saw on his eyes and vowed to get revenge on the people responsible for her kidnapping. Adam sets his sites on Ella to take out his revenge on. Ella is the daughter of one of people responsible and Adam will make her suffer just like his sister did. But after getting to know her, is he still able to crush her like he planed? Thinking of revenge and doing it are two different things.

This book is a dark, violent, romantic book that will twist and turn and make you want to scream. But in the end it will be worth it.

4 people found this helpful

Another female character who succumbs to stupidity

I was disappointed with this audiobook . I dislike the female character who forgives constantly to the guy who hurts them both physically and emotionally. Especially after the stuff he does to her and she still FORGIVES HIM!! ugh!

1 person found this helpful

WOW!!! WHAT AN INTENSE JOURNEY!!!

Where does Retribution rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was good...kind of a rough love story...but well written and narrated....I liked it!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

It did... this was shocking and heartbreaking in many ways!

Which character – as performed by Philip Alces – was your favorite?

Elle...because she was pure of heart, she definitely is a unique soul...and very forgiving...I don't think I could of been that forgiving in her shoes..

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh yes...and made me crazy mad too! lol

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

This was just...WOW! I listened all night long...was shocked and a bit horrified at times...The story takes you on a unique journey with these characters...Adam is very damaged, and Elle is very sheltered...Adam is looking for revenge, and Elle just wants to help people...she is a kind soul. Adam doesn't plan on falling for Elle, and even though he tortures her and violates her in awful ways, taking her dignity from her and her freedom, she still wants to save him, she is so understanding...Adam believes this whole time that Elle's father was involved in slave trading of young women and is responsible for his sisters death...and Elle refuses to believe her dad would do this...turns out she was right...she had faith in her dad...and she had faith in Adam even though neither of them really deserved it...This is a twisted tale with a HEA....and I liked it more than I thought I would!

WORTH YOUR TIME AND A CREDIT, BUT HAVE YOUR TISSUES READY!!!!

5 people found this helpful

Natasha Knight's best book to date!

Where does Retribution rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Retribution is one of my favorite audiobooks in my library. I love that Natasha Knight never backs down from the controversial aspects of her stories and characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Retribution?

Retribution is a story about the high cost of revenge and the sheer power of forgiveness. Natasha Knight boldly and skillfully presented this theme in an unforgettable way. The crisis point of this story is absolutely riveting. I found myself literally holding my breath as Adam finally came face to face with himself at the turning point.

Have you listened to any of Philip Alces’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I have listened to other performances by Philip Alces in Natasha Knight's other audiobooks. Philip's performance in his narration of Retribution was excellent and is my favorite so far.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Absolutely. When Adam faced the reality of his plan at the very last moment, at the thin edge of no going back. That was one of the most intense scenes I've ever read in any book. Powerful.

Any additional comments?

This book delivered even more than I expected, and in a huge way. I am a fan of Natasha's and knew before reading that Retribution would be a good Dark Romance, but did not expect to be knocked off my feet by how excellent this boldly told story was. I have great respect for and am awed by Natasha Knight's storytelling and the courage she displays by never backing down from or sugar-coating the more controversial or darker aspects of her stories and characters.

If you do not know what Dark Romance is, stop right now and go look it up so you will know what you are getting into before you purchase. If you do enjoy Dark Romance, you must give Retribution a read, or listen. It is among the best in this genre.

Yes, Retribution offers smoking hot scenes between Adam and Elle, no surprise there, considering the author. Yes, the story is solid and the characters are done exceedingly well, as I've come to expect from Natasha. In other words, I already expected quite a lot from Natasha's work based on the quality of her past books.

What blew me away was the theme and the masterful way she executed it. Natasha outdid herself with this one. This is a story about the high personal cost of revenge and the sheer power of forgiveness. Frankly, Natasha handled this in Retribution better I've ever seen it done in any other book.

In addition to all that, Natasha delivered the most intense scene I've ever read, bar none. You'll know the scene when you get to it, I'm sure. I had quite literally stopped breathing as I read. I know because I had to pause my reading to take a few deep breaths when my vision clouded from lack of oxygen, and I am not exaggerating. No easy feat of writing, that.

Buy this book for an experience you will not soon forget. I swear you will find yourself still thinking about it long after you finish reading it.

Philip Alces gave a fantastic performance. I've read Retribution twice in ebook format and listened to it three times so far as an audiobook. Yes, it's that good and I get something new that I didn't notice before each time I read or listen to it.

2 people found this helpful

I cant

I cant , this woman is so passive I can't. she makes me angry

Book Was Okay - Narration Was An Issue

The book was ok. Different than othe NK books. I didn't enjoy it as much. The narrator sounds pretentious and much older than the character he was reading. I would greatly prefer a woman reading both parts than a man. I haven't cared for other books with this narrator either. He would do well in other genres but not romance. Wen Ross would have been much better.

Completely bizarre; disturbing-totally unrealistic

I’m new to this dark romance genre. I’ve listened to other Natasha Knight titles. I did not like this one at all! I didn’t even finish.

Four star storyline... but what the heck?

I was ready to give this four stars for the story because it's hard to hear at times and it wasn't at all what I expected but that was a good thing. It wasn't all sexiness and made you so mad at the main characters at times that I literally felt anger coursing through my veins at a few points. This book didn't cater to the whims of the women reading it, I thought. Until it did, at the end. A little bit of a spoiler ahead: the book was raw and gritty until the end where it turn into a fairy tale princess story and I wanted to gag at the "I love you so much" "no I love YOU so much" dialogue. We all suspected an HEA since the fans would likely riot otherwise but this.. it was a letdown of epic proportions. After all this couple went through together you would think they would have something a little deeper to say, a little bit more meaningful feelings to share between themselves, but nah. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want a horrible ending or even an ending different to what I got but I was just hoping that the writing would not look like such a rushed and thoughtless mess, as it were. I've read Natasha's writing before and while the rest of the book did the story justice, the epilogues were cripplingly annoying. Even so, worth it.

What the hell?

I don't know anyone who would fall in love with someone who tortures them.
The narrator was a bad fit. He didn't have the right voice.