Ares favors steely protagonists who, in spite of past trauma, make hard choices, and what her heroes go through here is wrenching but exciting, especially in the propulsive first half. After a consultation with a mysterious lawyer, Mina is forced to make two unthinkable choices: first, to allow herself to be kidnapped by this RBOC (Russia-Based Organized Crime Group.) Second: to push Oliver away, for his protection. Of course, after some lushly romantic stolen moments, Oliver is on the case despite her protestations, even as Mina is captured and jetted off to parts unknown, where she endures torture, attempted sexual assault, and the pain of not knowing how her mother’s doing. Ares brings real power and fear to these scenes.
Mina’s resilience and savvy gamesmanship in her captivity scenes offer thriller thrills, and Ares keeps the pages turning with brisk dialogue, frequent twists, and a smart dual-perspective structure, switching from Mina to Oliver. The novel is long, though, and in its second half it feels that way, especially as the story edges into a different thriller subgenre with an expanded cast, milieu, and spy tech, all introduced late in the game. The urgency returns, though, in a strong climax.
Takeaway: Sprawling romantic thriller of a young couple, hard choices, and Russian gangsters.
Comparable Titles: Mia Sheridan; Karin Slaughter’s Pieces of Her.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Author Emilia Ares utilizes a natural talent for creating authentic characters to craft this emotionally charged journey through the complexities of love and fate. The plot delivers suspense and romance in equal measure with no dull moments in between, drawing readers into Mina and Oliver's tumultuous journey as they navigate the challenges of their newfound circumstances. The palpable chemistry between the characters and the tension of their precarious situation kept me engaged from beginning to end. I enjoyed the dialogue as a means to push the plot forward naturally, but also show the characters’ personal attitudes, flaws, and vulnerabilities. Ares' prose is both lyrical and evocative, immersing readers in the emotional depths of the story with a real sense of pathos and empathy. Overall, Love and Other Cages is a compelling and poignant exploration of relationships under strain, and I would certainly recommend it to fans of suspenseful romantic thrillers everywhere.
