Exasperating

2.75

Hmm ... I guess I l i k e d it? Yeah. It was fine. If you are up for some MEGA INSTA you'll be fine.

I wanted some fluff and I got it but I think this story really lended itself to explore deeper themes which were barely touched upon or not even addressed. I did like spending time with Charlie and Wyatt, but mostly Charlie. I would've liked to actually hear from Shepard & Elijah but you can't get everything. The religious aspect at the end is not for me and Calder basically subsumed in Robbie is more like wishful thinking and not a wish I'd have. I wanted to know/see more about him as an artist and being a guide to Robbie rather than just his shield and yes man. Also this rang too familiar to the rake tamed by the virgin ... I prefer the rake debauching the virgin, but that's just me. The whole thing with Rebecca, the church etc. was too pat and simplistic for what those situations truly are and adding child trafficking like a dash of salt? Nope.
Lastly this suffered from that tired but true cliche of the villain explaining E V E R Y T H I N G. AT. LENGTH. It happens in the movies and it happens in books. Pretty sure it doesn't in RL. shrug