Appetite for Innocence
"Appetite for Innocence" is a dark psychological thriller by Lucinda Berry, a former clinical psychologist and USA Today bestselling author known for her gripping narratives rooted in trauma and human psychology. Published on April 11, 2017, by Rise Press, this novel delves into the harrowing experiences of two teenage girls, Ella and Sarah, who become victims of a serial rapist named John. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives and timelines—shifting between "Then" (their captivity) and "Now" (the aftermath)—offering a chilling exploration of survival, trauma, and the lingering effects of evil.
The plot centers on John, a predator with a specific appetite: he targets virgins, stalking them through their social media updates and check-ins. Once captured, the girls are confined in a soundproof basement, where they are groomed until John deems them "ready." After he’s done with them, he discards them like trash—none escape alive. That is, until Ella arrives. Unlike the others, Ella refuses to surrender to despair. After four months of captivity, she orchestrates a daring escape, freeing herself and the other girls. However, only Sarah, who has been held the longest—four years—and suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, survives the breakout with her. The two end up hospitalized, surrounded by FBI agents desperate to catch John. But Sarah harbors secrets, and Ella soon realizes her nightmare is far from over.
Berry’s background in childhood trauma shines through in the nuanced portrayal of her characters. Sarah, hardened by years of captivity, becomes John’s reluctant accomplice, torn between self-preservation and a twisted loyalty to her captor. Ella, a newer victim, embodies resilience but struggles to empathize with Sarah’s choices, creating tension between them. The shifting timelines amplify the suspense, revealing the girls’ captivity in visceral flashbacks while unraveling the psychological fallout in the present. Supporting characters, like Ella’s compassionate mother, Jocelyn, add emotional depth, though some readers wished for more perspectives, such as that of Paige, another captive briefly mentioned.
The book’s pacing has drawn mixed reactions. Some find the early chapters slow, bogged down by the back-and-forth structure and a writing style that can feel choppy or overly chronological. However, the final 40% accelerates into a gripping crescendo, with twists that keep readers hooked. Berry doesn’t shy away from dark themes—sexual violence, forced miscarriage, and psychological manipulation—earning the novel its reputation as her "darkest work," a claim she’s acknowledged herself. A trigger warning accompanies the story, and for good reason: the content is unflinching and not for the faint-hearted.
"Appetite for Innocence" has been praised for its haunting prose and emotional intensity, often compared to "The Butterfly Garden" by Dot Hutchison and "The Girl Before" by Rena Olsen. Fans of psychological thrillers laud its ability to evoke visceral reactions—Berry can, as one reader put it, “turn your stomach upside down with just one sentence.” Yet, it’s not without flaws. Some criticize its YA-like tone despite being marketed as an adult novel, and others find the ending divisive—satisfyingly ambiguous for some, anticlimactic for others. Still, its 4.08 average rating on Goodreads, based on over 62,000 reviews, reflects its broad appeal.
For those who crave a fast-paced, disturbing dive into the human psyche, "Appetite for Innocence" delivers. It’s a testament to Berry’s skill at blending entertainment with psychological insight, leaving readers both rattled and eager for more of her twisted worlds. Whether it’s your first or fifth Lucinda Berry read, this book lingers long after the final page.
You can buy Appetite for Innocence by Lucinda Berry with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/41ZNgzK
The plot centers on John, a predator with a specific appetite: he targets virgins, stalking them through their social media updates and check-ins. Once captured, the girls are confined in a soundproof basement, where they are groomed until John deems them "ready." After he’s done with them, he discards them like trash—none escape alive. That is, until Ella arrives. Unlike the others, Ella refuses to surrender to despair. After four months of captivity, she orchestrates a daring escape, freeing herself and the other girls. However, only Sarah, who has been held the longest—four years—and suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, survives the breakout with her. The two end up hospitalized, surrounded by FBI agents desperate to catch John. But Sarah harbors secrets, and Ella soon realizes her nightmare is far from over.
Berry’s background in childhood trauma shines through in the nuanced portrayal of her characters. Sarah, hardened by years of captivity, becomes John’s reluctant accomplice, torn between self-preservation and a twisted loyalty to her captor. Ella, a newer victim, embodies resilience but struggles to empathize with Sarah’s choices, creating tension between them. The shifting timelines amplify the suspense, revealing the girls’ captivity in visceral flashbacks while unraveling the psychological fallout in the present. Supporting characters, like Ella’s compassionate mother, Jocelyn, add emotional depth, though some readers wished for more perspectives, such as that of Paige, another captive briefly mentioned.
The book’s pacing has drawn mixed reactions. Some find the early chapters slow, bogged down by the back-and-forth structure and a writing style that can feel choppy or overly chronological. However, the final 40% accelerates into a gripping crescendo, with twists that keep readers hooked. Berry doesn’t shy away from dark themes—sexual violence, forced miscarriage, and psychological manipulation—earning the novel its reputation as her "darkest work," a claim she’s acknowledged herself. A trigger warning accompanies the story, and for good reason: the content is unflinching and not for the faint-hearted.
"Appetite for Innocence" has been praised for its haunting prose and emotional intensity, often compared to "The Butterfly Garden" by Dot Hutchison and "The Girl Before" by Rena Olsen. Fans of psychological thrillers laud its ability to evoke visceral reactions—Berry can, as one reader put it, “turn your stomach upside down with just one sentence.” Yet, it’s not without flaws. Some criticize its YA-like tone despite being marketed as an adult novel, and others find the ending divisive—satisfyingly ambiguous for some, anticlimactic for others. Still, its 4.08 average rating on Goodreads, based on over 62,000 reviews, reflects its broad appeal.
For those who crave a fast-paced, disturbing dive into the human psyche, "Appetite for Innocence" delivers. It’s a testament to Berry’s skill at blending entertainment with psychological insight, leaving readers both rattled and eager for more of her twisted worlds. Whether it’s your first or fifth Lucinda Berry read, this book lingers long after the final page.
You can buy Appetite for Innocence by Lucinda Berry with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/41ZNgzK
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