5 Reasons You Should Not Overlook Mike Duke's "Ashley's Tale" Trilogy...
5 Mike Duke is brutal and his trilogy continues to get darker as the author tightens the twists. "The Initiation" follows the events of "Ashley's Tale" and "Making Jake" and proves that Duke is a master of escalating action and terror. Yes, this series is meant to be read in order so be sure to start with book one.
4 Mike Duke has set the bar for the ol' cat and mouse, hunter vs. hunted, or any other analogy that a reader may call this sub-genre. This series is a master-class in psychological-suspense with intense character growth under extreme situations to distract from the depravity. Or does it add to the depravity? At times it is hard to tell.
3 The series is addictive and will sink its hooks into readers. "Ashley's Tale" is impossible not to read in one sitting as Duke introduces Ashley's abduction. "Making Jake" effectively travels back and lets the skeleton's out of Ashley's abductor's closet."The Initiation" jumps ahead of "Ashley's Tale" by a couple years and completes the cycle of abuse as Ashley comes to terms with who she was and who she is now.2 "The Initiation", unlike some trilogies not to be named here, does not sell out the first two parts of the story in order to reveal an ending. Duke remains consistent and thought-provoking throughout and really nails the ending. Readers will want more, yet feel strangely satisfied at the end of this turbulent ride.
1 Mike Duke writes without gimmicks. He tells a fascinating story and this series is proof that he is capable of instilling terror with a simple display of character actions. There is no room for fluff and Duke is not capable of pulling his punches. He likes to make his readers sweat, so be sure to bring a towel.
Start the journey with Ashley's Tale, here.
Continue the story with Making Jake, here.
Finish the ride with The Initiation, here.
-Cory Cline
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