I read this book off and on for so many months that it became like an old friend. It took me so long to read because it moves at a leisurely pace, especially at the beginning, which doesn't lend itself to being devoured quickly. But the pacing and slow plot reveals are in line with gothic horror conventions, and I always found myself picking it back up. M. Caspian's voice is very readable, and though I found myself getting a little lost in some of the setting descriptions, the descriptions of Will's physical sensations were particularly vivid and unique. I am a fan of violence and dub con in fiction, and this book has a healthy dose of each, the dub con edging firmly into non con as the reader learns more about Cyrus. This book also isn't short on horrifically shocking reveals, which had me dropping my jaw in scared glee a few times. For me, the plot got a little murky around the climax. I was confused about (view spoiler)[the stones. (hide spoiler)] But I never lost my connection with the characters. Though (view spoiler)[Cyrus is the antagonist, (hide spoiler)] I found myself liking him quite a bit, mainly because of his dialogue. As he says at the end, (view spoiler)["Pretty words are irresistible to humans, like a glittering lure to a bass. And fishing is my favorite sport." I think I was more charmed than Will was. (hide spoiler)] The plot ties up nicely, with the particularly satisfying, at least to me, (view spoiler)[death of Parker. I love a good decapitated head. (hide spoiler)] I've already picked up Fallout (cowritten with Lisa Henry) so will obviously be reading more by M. I recommend this book to fans of Kari Gregg's story Mating Season, which is how I first learned about Kraken.