Arc Review

Love and other cages by Emilia Ares

My Ratings- ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

326 pages

Will release on 15th October 2024

Love and other sins series book 2

My review

My god this book blew my mind and I took days to literally process through everything that Mina and Oliver was going through and I felt I was with them through the entire journey. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I received the Arc for the book 2 but if I didn't get it, it would have been a total loss.

The book picks up how our book 1 ended and after that it was a total shit show from there that I finished it within one sitting. My heart couldn't take it, how our Mina was going through all of the horrible things that she was forcibly put through and she kept going thinking about her mom, Oliver and her bestfriend and i could totally understand Mina in this book and how her character development through this book was exceptional and she is a total badass and needless to say selfless! I don't have words to describe her ❤️.

Our Oliver will literally move the heavens and the earth to find his Mina😭 and the last two chapters, aahhh my god my heart exploded, I don't want to spoil too much because this is an arc but please if anyone is reading my review, please go and pick both the books and i suggest you read them in order for better understanding and depth of the characters and their background. I'm telling you that you will not be disappointed.

Thank you @emilia ares and @netgalley for this ARC and I'm so honoured that I got to review this beautiful book. Can't wait for book 3😘. Please release it soon ❤️.

Much Love
Suzaan ✍🏻

"Love and Other Cages" by Emilia Ares is a poignant and gripping young adult fiction book; sprinkled with the dark and often hidden world of human trafficking. The book masterfully intertwines themes of captivity and manipulation to demonstrate how easy it is to unwillingly become trapped in this world. I would like to think that the enduring bonds of love between Mina and Oliver save the day, but I cannot exactly say that without spoiling the end.

“Love and Other Cages” is the second book in the series by Emilia Ares. The first book is “Love and Other Sins”, I have not read but plan to. The book read fine as a stand-alone. I never felt lost or like I did not know what was going on.

In "Love and Other Cages," Emilia Ares skillfully weaves together the friendship of Mina, Oliver, and Nyah.

Mina is the resilient protagonist, whose strength and determination drive much of the plot; her journey from literal captivity is the novel's emotional core. Her sad new reality is a compelling exploration of survival against overwhelming odds, as she, through no fault of her own, becomes entwined in the disturbing world of human trafficking.

Despite the oppressive circumstances she faces, Mina's worst fear has come true, she must keep her mother alive. She is led to believe great harm will come to her if she does not comply. Thus, we have the beginning of all human trafficking at its finest, a way to bribe and exploit young people.

Oliver's character in "Love and Other Cages" is a testament to the complexity of human emotion and the transformative power of love. Initially, Oliver appears as a reserved and contemplative figure, grappling with his own past traumas and insecurities. This vulnerability makes him relatable and endearing character, allowing readers to empathize with his struggles. Maybe, even too empathetic for his own good, in fact leaving himself vulnerable to nefarious activities and
operatives that are way out of his league including law enforcement authorities.

I worry about Oliver's emotional and financial well-being, because he seems to tell everyone exactly what he has and wears his emotions on his sleeve, thus opening himself for another kind of trafficking, money laundering and owing favors. But hopefully this will never happen.

Through Nyah, however young and innocent she might be, serves as the central coordinator. She may not realize it yet, but she may sometime in the future serve as a rescuer or be in service helping innocent people. She really has a talent for bringing people together.

Who Should or Should Not Read the Book?

Who Should Read It:
• Young adults looking for a riveting and emotionally engaging story.
• Readers interested in social issues, particularly human trafficking.
• Those who appreciate character-driven narratives with strong emotions.

Who Should Not Read It:
• Readers who may find the themes of human trafficking too distressing. Serious trigger warning to those sensitive to physical and emotional violence.
• Those looking for a light-hearted or purely romantic read. This is not a book about Mina and Oliver living happily ever after. Maybe in the next book?

My Opinion

"Love and Other Cages" is a powerful and eye-opening novel that reveals the harsh realities of human trafficking. A subject that I have studied throughout the years. Emilia Ares does an exceptional job of blending the brutality of captivity with the human elements of love and resilience. I now understand how easy it is, to be abducted by human traffickers in plain sight, a sobering realization that underscores the importance of awareness and vigilance. The young love element adds a layer of emotional depth, making the characters' experiences even more poignant.

In conclusion, "Love and Other Cages" is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and impactful story. Its portrayal of the unbreakable bonds of love amidst adversity will stay with you long after you turn the last page. The story leaves you hanging on the cliff, so I expect more books in the series. I am eagerly awaiting each book.

Thank you to Netgalley and SERA Press for providing me with a free e-reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own because as a United States citizen I have freedom of speech. I suspect the human traffickers would not appreciate these rights.