Make Me by L.P. LovellMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Painfully brutal but singularly beautiful, the story of Una's training years is one that is difficult to stomach but at the same time captivating.
This was inevitably going to be a short but challenging read as we head back into Una's childhood which consisted of pain and abuse. From her time in the orphanage to when she is taken to be trained as an assassin, Una knows little of life outside of her tragic existence.
What this story does tell us though is more about the boy she has nightmares about and whom she killed: Alex. Brought together to train, Una and Alex share a bond which spans a few short years. Their connection is a tender one and it's formed by a deep emotional bond. Whilst neither act upon their feelings, in part due to their age, they do fall in love, as only young teenagers can when fighting to survive. Alex is tender with Una, he holds her, hugs her and sleeps next to her but this connection and palpable bond is their undoing once Nicholai Ivanov becomes aware of their mutual feelings. The outcome is painful but their journey is beautiful. I just wish there could have been a different outcome for poor Alex.
This series so far has been an absolute pleasure to read and to become lost in. Whilst it is dark, the story is meaningful and totally captivating. I'm not sure given the chance again whether I'd read Make Me before Kill Me but I am happy to have read this 0.5 novella after Kill Me, if only to fill in Una's back story. To read Make Me before or after Kill Me doesn't make a great deal of difference but I may have found Make Me a little shocking had I read it first, so personally I recommend reading Kill Me before Make Me.
This ebook was kindly provided by the author, publisher and Netgalley prior to release date in return for an honest and unbiased review.
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