Trapdoor

as reviewed by Andy Harrod

(from the review at Decoding Static.)

Trapdoor begins in a bar in Melbourne – a bar that I felt was very real...it reminded me of my travels in Australia. It could be argued a bar is a bar, but I think each country infuses their drinking spaces with an atmosphere and Vixen conjures that atmosphere in the pages of Trapdoor. From the bar the reader is taken on a journey that resembles a dream like quality, there is something surreal about Raven and Pegasus’ time together. I think this in part comes from their love for each other, which both protects and destroys them. To me it is a young love, love that consumes, that never ends, which tears you from yourself as you try to become them. And as young love does it survives until smacks into reality, and often a reality not owned by the lovers or at least one of them, but by others. Their reality packs a few more punches than your average, as Vix deals with rape, prostitution, child abuse, self harm, suicide and relationships. Their love is beyond convincing and this is where the hope lies. Read more at Decoding Static, along with an interview with author Vixen Phillips.

as reviewed by Moxie Mezcal

(from a listing of great indie books.)

At times reading this tale of star-crossed lovers can feel like gorging yourself on dark chocolate truffles, it’s intensely sensual and undeniably indulgent, yet still made the bitter by the knowledge that it can’t lead anywhere pretty. If beautiful tormented boys are your thing, this book could become your next guilty pleasure.

as reviewed by lauand

(taken from this review)

...quite special. It's not an ordinary novel, it's a shifting POV of the main characters. The story is beautifully woven and borders poetry in some parts...a story of losers, human characters built and driven by their lives, on which they don't have control...love in its purest state and intensity of feelings.

as reviewed by Silk Kitty Reviews

(from a review at the former Silk Kitty recommendations site, by Cerise.)

The characters are flawed yet everything makes so much sense in their perspective. And what's so amazing is that if one steps back, you can see exactly why others treat them the way they do...it's so sad...

as reviewed by Garrett Cozart

(taken from a review sent in to the much-neglected lost violet press myspace page.)

The best thing about this phenomenal book is how it offers a realistic view into...a dark individual with a troubled past. The relationship of Raven and Pegasus is rocky to say the least...the author...didn't just wrap everything up with a pretty bow once they confessed to one another; they had to struggle and fight to stay together...because of deep psychological scars which both led themselves to think they couldn't make the other happy.

as reviewed by fabulousraye

(taken from the review at goodreads.com)

...It caused me to be all nostalgic for the 90s, and for the days when I loved Poppy Z. Brite books... The love between Raven and Pegasus was so achingly bittersweet. It just tortured me. All I wanted was for them to end up together and happy.

The sex scenes were the most erotic I've read in a long time. Even the sex practices that aren't my sort of thing were hot!

There is a drunken attempted rape scene, that I found to be quite traumatizing. I had to stop & take a mental break in the middle of it. There are a couple self-harming scenes that I winced through.

as reviewed by Mima

(taken from the review at goodreads.com)

Trapdoor is the story of the complicated and intense relationship between Raven and Pegasus; two lost souls that learn to have faith and trust in one another, when the rest of the world has let them down. Set in the 90s, this dark story is...intriguing and keeps you wanting more, making you care about the main characters...

All and all, a terrific and unique read! We need more books like this one!

as reviewed by Jess C Scott

(taken from the review at goodreads.com)

...I think Trapdoor’s strongest element is its navigation through and coverage of the soulful, spiritual dark aspect with regards to the turbulence of love and tough relationship situations. There’s no “insta-love” and any formulaic/cliched love triangles here.

This is a book where I will remember the story and characters. This is a book I’ll be happy to return to and re-read in future. I’m happy to have it on my shelf.

...One of my other favourite aspects ... was the self-harm scenes, and suicide theme. The scenes were more evocative than gory or gimmicky, with the emphasis being on expression over cheap sensationalism. I've read bestseller thrillers which glorify violence, mainstream fantasy books that feature scenes of "battle porn" -- the scenes in Trapdoor are a different thing altogether.