"Hell And Beyond (Broken, Book Two)" – The Clue's The Thing That Draws The Truth That Much Closer

“There are moments when even to the sober eye of reason, the world of our sad humanity may assume the semblance of Hell. ” ― Edgar Allan Poe

I really liked the first installment of this series, so I was very eager to read the next one.

This is a continuation where The Prisoner left off. It opens up with Sebastian and Eric trying to rekindle their relationship. We know Aaron is still on Sebastian’s mind and he’s really concerned about what happened to him. I like the way the author is incorporating Sebastian and Eric’s life into this story. We’re seeing that life is moving on despite the hell Aaron is going through.

I’m not sure I like these two as a couple. At this point we really don’t know them, but part of me is really wanting Sebastian to find Aaron and forget about Eric. Eric is hoping Sebastian forgets about Aaron, and concentrates on them.

As for Aaron, it’s been ten weeks now that he’s been held captive, and it doesn’t look like it’s ending for him any time soon. At this point we are introduced to Vince’s boss, Carson. He seems to be the mastermind behind this whole operation and he’s not happy with the progress of Aaron’s training. He wants Aaron to be ready now. Vince now steps it up a notch and some of these scenes are very hard to read.

I think the author wants us to see how Aaron is coping mentally. He’s not completely broken, but I see cracks starting to come to the surface. We’re still seeing Aaron as he was before the kidnapping and there’s still fight left in him, but slowly he’s becoming exactly what they want, a slave. I believe the author does a great job in showing the progress of human reconditioning. Even though it’s tough to read what is happening to Aaron, I found the whole process fascinating.

As this installment is winding down, Sebastian finally finds a clue as to what may have happened to Aaron. It’s a strong enough clue that Vince’s boss knows someone is getting close. As things go from bad to worse for Aaron, help from an unlikely source flips the story on its head. I really like this because the reader never knows what’s going to happen next. There is nothing predictable about this book. For such a short story, so much happens.

Will Sebastian’s evidence be enough to find Aaron and bring him to safety? Will the plot twist take us in an entirely other direction? Or will it all just be too late? I am so eager for the next installment of this story!!

Reviewed by: Lynn

You can buy Hell and Beyond (Broken, Book Two) here:


You can also find the paperback version, which includes Books One and Two in a single volume, by clicking on the cover image: