Asylum by Lily White

Words are funny things.

Their meaning, the pictures they paint in the minds of those that hear them: they’re not always the same and to me at least, that makes them meaningless.

Take for instance the phrase ‘black widow’. Those words conjure the image of a spider, an eight-legged creature with the red imprint of an hourglass on its abdomen.

However, instead of speaking of an arachnid, of the resident of a spindly and dew-laden web, the people who whisper those words are talking about something much different.

They’re talking about me.

From what I’m told, I’m called the Black Widow because no man I’ve ever loved has survived.

Yet, I have no memory of any of it.

My new home leads me to the definition of another vague and meaningless word.

It’s a place where I’m supposed to seek refuge.

A place of retreat and security.

It’s a place where I’m supposed to be kept safe because I’m sick.

But the definition for this place is wrong and the word becomes meaningless when you’re tucked away and made silent by drugs and pretty white jackets.

My name is Alexandra Sutton and this is the story of what happened when I was imprisoned inside an Asylum.

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Review by Brittany

Two weeks later, I am finally able to calm my thoughts about this book enough to write this review. Okay, here goes.

            Alexandra Sutton was placed in an institute for the criminally insane after being accused of killing two of her lovers. Labeled as the “black widow”, all the workers are afraid to come near her, for fear she’ll strike them down too. She becomes close to Terrie, an older woman that works there.

            Soon, a new doctor becomes the residing psychiatrist at the institute. He takes a special interest in Alex and tries some unconventional methods to help her bring back her memory. Oh yeah, she doesn’t remember killing those two men.

            These two start up a relationship, and with the help of her “crazy” friends, Alex starts to remember and starts to really blossom. As she starts to remember what happened in the past, things become a bit hairy, especially as one of the staff tries to really hurt her…

            I really liked this book. Lily White is an amazing writer and is very good at keeping the reader guessing. I thought I knew what was gonna happen, but I didn’t, I was wrong. You will not expect the ending!!!

            This book was also, pun intended, quite insane. I loved the supporting characters, they add so much to this book. Especially Julianne… and her baby. Lily wrote an outstanding book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

            There is a definite trigger warning in this book. Lots of sexual abuse. But other than that, Lily, wow! You wrote a five star book! One of my favorites from you! Great job!

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Video Review by Brittany

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