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The Sculptor #2
Hierarchy of Needs
When self-destruction is the only way out ...
World-famous sculptor Antoni Azarov, and his muse, Ona Price are ripped apart after a shocking act of violence sends them into their own personal hells.
Trapped in Manhattan, Ona faces her most treacherous enemy, her addiction to heroin, while a dangerous new man claims her desire.
Antoni, an artist defamed, is hellbent on saving Ona before she destroys herself. What he doesn’t know is if she wants to be rescued.
Meanwhile, death haunts them on every corner as a vengeful crime boss called Warlock devours the city, poisoning its addicted population with a flesh-eating drug.
Amid this chaos, Ona and Antoni must struggle against their darkest selves to find a way back to each other—or else give in to the darkness forever.
The propulsive sequel to Oblivion Black, Hierarchy of Needs is an intoxicating exploration of the paradox of love, the chokehold of desire, and the deadly thrills of the underworld. This second book in The Sculptor Series will leave readers fiending for more.
World-famous sculptor Antoni Azarov, and his muse, Ona Price are ripped apart after a shocking act of violence sends them into their own personal hells.
Trapped in Manhattan, Ona faces her most treacherous enemy, her addiction to heroin, while a dangerous new man claims her desire.
Antoni, an artist defamed, is hellbent on saving Ona before she destroys herself. What he doesn’t know is if she wants to be rescued.
Meanwhile, death haunts them on every corner as a vengeful crime boss called Warlock devours the city, poisoning its addicted population with a flesh-eating drug.
Amid this chaos, Ona and Antoni must struggle against their darkest selves to find a way back to each other—or else give in to the darkness forever.
The propulsive sequel to Oblivion Black, Hierarchy of Needs is an intoxicating exploration of the paradox of love, the chokehold of desire, and the deadly thrills of the underworld. This second book in The Sculptor Series will leave readers fiending for more.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2022
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Christa Wojciechowski
20 books101 followersChrista Wojciechowski is an American dark fiction writer who lives in Panama. She is the author of the SICK series and the founder of the Writers' Mastermind virtual writing community.
Christa's novella "Popsicle" was a semi-finalist in Coverfly's Cinematic Short Story Competition and will be published by Bloodshot Books in 2021. Her short story, "Observer Dependent Universe" will be featured in the upcoming "Chiral Mad 5" anthology, and “Blood Sisters” will be featured in “Shadow Atlas: Dark Landscapes of the Americas.”
Christa Wojciechowski is a member of the Horror Writers Association. She loves to play Chopin (badly) and sip Hendrick’s gin. When she is not reading or writing, she can be found rambling through the Panamanian wilderness with her two dogs or traveling with her dashing husband, Marco.
Christa's novella "Popsicle" was a semi-finalist in Coverfly's Cinematic Short Story Competition and will be published by Bloodshot Books in 2021. Her short story, "Observer Dependent Universe" will be featured in the upcoming "Chiral Mad 5" anthology, and “Blood Sisters” will be featured in “Shadow Atlas: Dark Landscapes of the Americas.”
Christa Wojciechowski is a member of the Horror Writers Association. She loves to play Chopin (badly) and sip Hendrick’s gin. When she is not reading or writing, she can be found rambling through the Panamanian wilderness with her two dogs or traveling with her dashing husband, Marco.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 3, 2024
This books takes place directly after the events of Oblivion Black & what happened at the Orlyk house. I appreciate that I didn’t miss a moment of the aftermath.
Dr. Carver is definitely a villain in his own rite. There were a lot of parts where I truly felt for Ona & Antoni. Antoni scouring the streets for Ona.. & Ona making decisions that really just had me screaming at the book.
I fully expected the end of this book to twist in other directions. Some parts were unexpected. But the plot was fully enjoyable.
I’m looking forward to starting Darklands.
I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through BookSirens.
Dr. Carver is definitely a villain in his own rite. There were a lot of parts where I truly felt for Ona & Antoni. Antoni scouring the streets for Ona.. & Ona making decisions that really just had me screaming at the book.
I fully expected the end of this book to twist in other directions. Some parts were unexpected. But the plot was fully enjoyable.
I’m looking forward to starting Darklands.
I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through BookSirens.
September 8, 2023
I need book 3!
This book was a bit more gritty than the last one, but I was enthralled from start to finish. It gave a candid, and often disturbing, glimpse into the world of drug runners and addicts. The author’s ability to transport you into the time and place of the characters is commendable, and the characters themselves are so layered and complex that they feel incredibly real. It was action-packed and one of the best page turners I’ve read in a long while. I am so anxious for the next book to be released. (Trigger warning for violence, language, and sexual content)
This book was a bit more gritty than the last one, but I was enthralled from start to finish. It gave a candid, and often disturbing, glimpse into the world of drug runners and addicts. The author’s ability to transport you into the time and place of the characters is commendable, and the characters themselves are so layered and complex that they feel incredibly real. It was action-packed and one of the best page turners I’ve read in a long while. I am so anxious for the next book to be released. (Trigger warning for violence, language, and sexual content)
November 23, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of Hierarchy of Needs for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hierarchy of Needs follows Oblivion Black directly. However, while it picks up where the former left off, the author has crafted an entirely different tale, albeit one that continues its exploration of its themes. The subject matter is, once again, heavy and unflinching.
The setting has changed to New York, bringing Ona back to where she started her story, in the city where she suffered her overdose. While Ona and Antoni’s story continues to form the backbone of the tale, rather than building towards a woman throwing a wrench into their budding romance, this sequel expands the scope to the drug trade in New York, a drug that causes gangrene, killing its users, and a shadowy crime figure known only as “Warlock.”
The novel is about fifty pages shorter than its predecessor, but despite this, the scope has increased, as has its world and its cast. While a number of characters from the original book don’t appear, or have drastically reduced roles which helps the book’s relative brevity, it still packs more into its pages.
The novel maintains a similar pace to its predecessor, slowly unveiling the story, weaving in the events that lead to the book’s climax. This doesn’t work quite as well as the first book—despite the gut wrenching moments that fill its first half, it lacks its predecessor’s sense of urgency. As the story picks up and the reader gets a greater sense of where it's going, it becomes easier to lose yourself in the world. However, the increased scope of the story shifts the focus externally, resulting in Ona and Antoni’s relationship playing a smaller part of the tale. What transpires is an entertaining crime story that lacks the personal edge of its predecessor.
Like the last book, this is predominantly told in the first person, narrated by Ona. Once again, Ona’s voice is an absolute delight. She is written beautifully, with her perspective providing colour to the world. Certain events are a sucker punch, ensuring the reader feels for her and everything she endures. Once again, the book shifts to a third person narrative as it features additional POV characters. The author has increased the number of point of view characters, changing them from something that felt like interstitials to a regular occurrence. With the regularity they appear in, it took me away from Ona’s journey, rather than coloured it.
The biggest casualty of shifting the point of view is Antoni. He’s a wonderful character and remains that way, but the book spends less time with him and his psyche, focusing more on events that surround him. The character is still clearly defined, but he doesn’t shine as brightly this time around. Once again, Ona is handled spectacularly, and the supporting cast is wonderful. Once again, the dialogue is a joy to follow, with all of the characters feeling distinct, and most importantly, real.
The book follows less of the romance tropes than its predecessor. It creates a different effect, and there’s less of a sense of dread about the budding relationship. It’s still a factor, but feels less important this time around. Instead, the plot feels more like a thriller, which it does incredibly well, if it’s not quite as resonant as the first volume.
Following Oblivion Black’s cliffhanger ending, Hierarchy of Needs doesn’t stand on its own. If you pick this up without having read its predecessor, you’ll be lost. However, that book is wonderful, so reading it first is a fulfilling experience. Although there's one more book to go, this reaches a satisfying conclusion. While the reader will need both these two books, they won’t need to read the third to feel satisfied. There is plenty more to come, and the book ends in a way that should entice readers to keep going, rather than force them to.
This feels less personal than its predecessor. While it’s a bigger tale set across a wider canvas that offers more action, I miss the focus on the relationship its predecessor offered. It remains a great book, and one well-worth reading for Ona’s continued adventures. And I’m looking forward to the release of The Sculptor’s conclusion, Darklands.
My full review will be available on my website from 2 December 2022. To read it, and a host of other reviews (including Oblivion Black), click here.
Hierarchy of Needs follows Oblivion Black directly. However, while it picks up where the former left off, the author has crafted an entirely different tale, albeit one that continues its exploration of its themes. The subject matter is, once again, heavy and unflinching.
The setting has changed to New York, bringing Ona back to where she started her story, in the city where she suffered her overdose. While Ona and Antoni’s story continues to form the backbone of the tale, rather than building towards a woman throwing a wrench into their budding romance, this sequel expands the scope to the drug trade in New York, a drug that causes gangrene, killing its users, and a shadowy crime figure known only as “Warlock.”
The novel is about fifty pages shorter than its predecessor, but despite this, the scope has increased, as has its world and its cast. While a number of characters from the original book don’t appear, or have drastically reduced roles which helps the book’s relative brevity, it still packs more into its pages.
The novel maintains a similar pace to its predecessor, slowly unveiling the story, weaving in the events that lead to the book’s climax. This doesn’t work quite as well as the first book—despite the gut wrenching moments that fill its first half, it lacks its predecessor’s sense of urgency. As the story picks up and the reader gets a greater sense of where it's going, it becomes easier to lose yourself in the world. However, the increased scope of the story shifts the focus externally, resulting in Ona and Antoni’s relationship playing a smaller part of the tale. What transpires is an entertaining crime story that lacks the personal edge of its predecessor.
Like the last book, this is predominantly told in the first person, narrated by Ona. Once again, Ona’s voice is an absolute delight. She is written beautifully, with her perspective providing colour to the world. Certain events are a sucker punch, ensuring the reader feels for her and everything she endures. Once again, the book shifts to a third person narrative as it features additional POV characters. The author has increased the number of point of view characters, changing them from something that felt like interstitials to a regular occurrence. With the regularity they appear in, it took me away from Ona’s journey, rather than coloured it.
The biggest casualty of shifting the point of view is Antoni. He’s a wonderful character and remains that way, but the book spends less time with him and his psyche, focusing more on events that surround him. The character is still clearly defined, but he doesn’t shine as brightly this time around. Once again, Ona is handled spectacularly, and the supporting cast is wonderful. Once again, the dialogue is a joy to follow, with all of the characters feeling distinct, and most importantly, real.
The book follows less of the romance tropes than its predecessor. It creates a different effect, and there’s less of a sense of dread about the budding relationship. It’s still a factor, but feels less important this time around. Instead, the plot feels more like a thriller, which it does incredibly well, if it’s not quite as resonant as the first volume.
Following Oblivion Black’s cliffhanger ending, Hierarchy of Needs doesn’t stand on its own. If you pick this up without having read its predecessor, you’ll be lost. However, that book is wonderful, so reading it first is a fulfilling experience. Although there's one more book to go, this reaches a satisfying conclusion. While the reader will need both these two books, they won’t need to read the third to feel satisfied. There is plenty more to come, and the book ends in a way that should entice readers to keep going, rather than force them to.
This feels less personal than its predecessor. While it’s a bigger tale set across a wider canvas that offers more action, I miss the focus on the relationship its predecessor offered. It remains a great book, and one well-worth reading for Ona’s continued adventures. And I’m looking forward to the release of The Sculptor’s conclusion, Darklands.
My full review will be available on my website from 2 December 2022. To read it, and a host of other reviews (including Oblivion Black), click here.
February 6, 2023
Pretty freaking great
Spoilerish!
This second book is so unlike the first, but I loved the story. A little more philosophy, a touch more existentialism. And a lot more death! This book does what sequels are supposed to do. Raises the stakes!
Ona ended up in a completely different place than where she began! Oddly, I think she's better off for it. She's conquering her demons and kicking ass.
Honestly, I missed Antoni at first, but when he reappeared, he and Ona just fell right back into step with each other. I love them together.
I can't wait for the next book! I hope we get to see the Sculptor conquer some of his own demons in the best one.
Spoilerish!
This second book is so unlike the first, but I loved the story. A little more philosophy, a touch more existentialism. And a lot more death! This book does what sequels are supposed to do. Raises the stakes!
Ona ended up in a completely different place than where she began! Oddly, I think she's better off for it. She's conquering her demons and kicking ass.
Honestly, I missed Antoni at first, but when he reappeared, he and Ona just fell right back into step with each other. I love them together.
I can't wait for the next book! I hope we get to see the Sculptor conquer some of his own demons in the best one.
November 24, 2022
The sequel of The Sculptor series is continuation of Ona and Anton's story were things get more complicated and more heated. Antoni is trying to save Ona before her demons get the better of it. Her addiction to heroin is clouding her judgement and they both are fighting against darkness that threatens to overpower them. This is a story of love, betrayal, addiction and struggle to keep your demons at bay. Will they survive trauma and will they stay together? We will have to wait for the third book.
September 1, 2024
“I stayed on the primal bottom level of Maslow’s hierarchy so that I didn’t have to climb any further toward the peak.”
Tropes & Themes:
Why Choose? Romance
“Who Hurt You?”
Forced Proximity
Addiction & Recovery
Life, Death, & Evolution
Self-Destructive FMC & MMC
Glitz to Grime
Found Family
Organized Crime
Romance & Revenge
Open Door ✨Spice✨
Genre:
Dark Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Dark Romance
Literary Fiction
The Sculptor Series is an absolutely addicting dark romance trilogy by Christa Wojciechowski that I just cant get enough of!
Hierarchy of Needs, book 2, seamlessly picks up where Oblivion Black left off. After the *big tragedy*, Ona and Antoni are thin clay shells of their former selves, vulnerable to the slightest crack. No longer safe in Manhattan with the threat of arrest, or worse, and without her daily methadone, Ona makes a desperate decision that leads her back to her old haunts, the lower east side, and into the loving arms of JoJo, a low-level H dealer addicted to Ona, money, and unfortunately, the needle.
Jojo is a Puerto Rican gangster, covered in tattoos and scars from his past, but with a soft heart for his “O—-bi-Wan-Kinooooooobi!” He immediately takes her in, supplying her with what her opiate-receptors need, and introduces her to his roommates, people who become her “found family”. I loved the bouts of normality, ( almost wholesome! ) amidst organized crime and chaos.
The transition from the opulence and glitz of the Sculptor’s Pendleton Estate to a public housing apartment listed to JoJo’s roommate’s elderly Mom, that doubles as a small-time drug organization between frightening-looking gangsters — ( people who become her “family”) — was such a stark contrast from everything she worked hard to achieve, but it had its enlightening, brighter moments too. Broader discussions between characters about the benefits of needle exchange programs, ending the stigma of addiction, and even government regulation of street drugs sold legally are extremely thought provoking topics that opened my mind to new concepts regarding benefits to regulation. I was impressed by Ona’s train of thought and stream of consciousness.
After relapsing, Ona catches the eyes and respect of another dangerous gangster, a leader, destroying JoJo, leading him down a path of no return. Meanwhile, Ona doesn’t follow, remaining with her new foster family until a surprise visit from Antoni. –Much to Ona’s surprise, he’s been walking the streets of NYC every night, searching for his muse.
What follows is a renewal of lost souls and double-vengeance; one in the name of love and the other in the name of pride.
Hierarchy of Needs is a thrilling, euphoric, spicy, and emotionally-devastating roller coaster ride of a read. I laughed, I cried, held my breath during tense scenes, and was literally unable to put it down until the last page, at 4 am.
I look forward to continuing the series and reuniting with Ona and Antoni in a new chapter!
“Then there was me, a collector of colorful characters—criminals and psychopaths.”
Full Review A Well Read Woman Blog dotCom
Tropes & Themes:
Why Choose? Romance
“Who Hurt You?”
Forced Proximity
Addiction & Recovery
Life, Death, & Evolution
Self-Destructive FMC & MMC
Glitz to Grime
Found Family
Organized Crime
Romance & Revenge
Open Door ✨Spice✨
Genre:
Dark Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Dark Romance
Literary Fiction
The Sculptor Series is an absolutely addicting dark romance trilogy by Christa Wojciechowski that I just cant get enough of!
Hierarchy of Needs, book 2, seamlessly picks up where Oblivion Black left off. After the *big tragedy*, Ona and Antoni are thin clay shells of their former selves, vulnerable to the slightest crack. No longer safe in Manhattan with the threat of arrest, or worse, and without her daily methadone, Ona makes a desperate decision that leads her back to her old haunts, the lower east side, and into the loving arms of JoJo, a low-level H dealer addicted to Ona, money, and unfortunately, the needle.
Jojo is a Puerto Rican gangster, covered in tattoos and scars from his past, but with a soft heart for his “O—-bi-Wan-Kinooooooobi!” He immediately takes her in, supplying her with what her opiate-receptors need, and introduces her to his roommates, people who become her “found family”. I loved the bouts of normality, ( almost wholesome! ) amidst organized crime and chaos.
The transition from the opulence and glitz of the Sculptor’s Pendleton Estate to a public housing apartment listed to JoJo’s roommate’s elderly Mom, that doubles as a small-time drug organization between frightening-looking gangsters — ( people who become her “family”) — was such a stark contrast from everything she worked hard to achieve, but it had its enlightening, brighter moments too. Broader discussions between characters about the benefits of needle exchange programs, ending the stigma of addiction, and even government regulation of street drugs sold legally are extremely thought provoking topics that opened my mind to new concepts regarding benefits to regulation. I was impressed by Ona’s train of thought and stream of consciousness.
After relapsing, Ona catches the eyes and respect of another dangerous gangster, a leader, destroying JoJo, leading him down a path of no return. Meanwhile, Ona doesn’t follow, remaining with her new foster family until a surprise visit from Antoni. –Much to Ona’s surprise, he’s been walking the streets of NYC every night, searching for his muse.
What follows is a renewal of lost souls and double-vengeance; one in the name of love and the other in the name of pride.
Hierarchy of Needs is a thrilling, euphoric, spicy, and emotionally-devastating roller coaster ride of a read. I laughed, I cried, held my breath during tense scenes, and was literally unable to put it down until the last page, at 4 am.
I look forward to continuing the series and reuniting with Ona and Antoni in a new chapter!
“Then there was me, a collector of colorful characters—criminals and psychopaths.”
Full Review A Well Read Woman Blog dotCom
December 15, 2022
In this next book in the Sculptor series, we dive much further into Ona’s world this time around as opposed her living in Antoni’s in the first volume. The events that occurred in the first book echo far more loudly and often almost brashly here. A crime lord who goes by Warlock is distributing laced heroin throughout the city, with Ona inserting herself into the middle of it for reasons of vengeance and guilt… and of course Antoni decides to come along for the ride.
The story now sees it set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City and this does change the tone of series quite a bit, although not necessarily in a bad way and helps keep things fresh. We gain more insight into Ona’s old lifestyle as she falls back into it, a life that was something I was hoping to learn about after completing Oblivion Black. There are times where the story seems a tad too OTT compared to the first, complete with extra evil Russians and nefarious plots that seem taken straight out of a Hollywood gangster film (although the characters in the book even acknowledge that themselves, lol).
I’m glad to see Antoni a lot more humanised this time around, with it instead focusing more on Ona’s strengths and weaknesses of character a lot more than his. Kinda liked seeing him knocked down a few pegs if I’m to be honest. Ona’s naive nature irritated me a bit though, and how she assumed she was untouchable. Who in their right mind would think that they’re capable of taking on international crime syndicates, various drug dealers AND the FBI by themselves? I suppose you could excuse her for not being in her right mind, but she was clearly thinking fairly straight much of the time.
I blew threw this book as fast as the first one but I’d be lying if I said that I enjoyed it just as much, hence my 4* rating as opposed to a 5*, I felt like I’d be taking a bit away from just how great Oblivion Black is otherwise. I’d absolutely recommend it for fans of this series, the author and dark romances.
Sincerely hope that the third book will be released because I’m pretty heavily invested in these characters and their toxic as all hell relationships with each other.
Also, Decoy. Phew, I need more Decoy. 🥵
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
The story now sees it set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City and this does change the tone of series quite a bit, although not necessarily in a bad way and helps keep things fresh. We gain more insight into Ona’s old lifestyle as she falls back into it, a life that was something I was hoping to learn about after completing Oblivion Black. There are times where the story seems a tad too OTT compared to the first, complete with extra evil Russians and nefarious plots that seem taken straight out of a Hollywood gangster film (although the characters in the book even acknowledge that themselves, lol).
I’m glad to see Antoni a lot more humanised this time around, with it instead focusing more on Ona’s strengths and weaknesses of character a lot more than his. Kinda liked seeing him knocked down a few pegs if I’m to be honest. Ona’s naive nature irritated me a bit though, and how she assumed she was untouchable. Who in their right mind would think that they’re capable of taking on international crime syndicates, various drug dealers AND the FBI by themselves? I suppose you could excuse her for not being in her right mind, but she was clearly thinking fairly straight much of the time.
I blew threw this book as fast as the first one but I’d be lying if I said that I enjoyed it just as much, hence my 4* rating as opposed to a 5*, I felt like I’d be taking a bit away from just how great Oblivion Black is otherwise. I’d absolutely recommend it for fans of this series, the author and dark romances.
Sincerely hope that the third book will be released because I’m pretty heavily invested in these characters and their toxic as all hell relationships with each other.
Also, Decoy. Phew, I need more Decoy. 🥵
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
January 3, 2025
No matter how many times I've read this series, the second book always ends up my favorite. It's darker, twistier, and fully loaded with suspense that is both psychological and action packed.
You get taken out of the safety and comfort of Oana's aunt's cozy bed and breakfast and thrusted into a squalorly, run down apartment with a group of drug dealing, hardened gangsters. Meanwhile, Antony grows more and more on the verge of cracking up as he searches for Oana and where she'd disappeared to.
Along the way, you get to know the gangsters, which I'm sorry to admit are actually very likable. You would end up admitting it to yourself too, and be guiltily rooting for the drug dealers while wanting to boo the FBI out of the book. You'll meet other sketchy characters too, who slithered to life from the darkest realms of Christa Wojciechowski's mind. No matter how many times I read this book, Happy Dimitri never fails to make my skin crawl and my stomach feel pangs of yuck.
I learned a lot about the drug business from this book, and an even more uncomfortably clearer understanding of why living the lifestyle of a junkie may seem appealing to those battling addiction.
All dark details aside, this second installment really brings out Oana and Antony's strength and courage, and how brave and selfless they could be, taking on life-endangering risks they'd never imagined themselves having to face in order to fight for those who matter the most to them. As they go up against some of the worst, most seemingly impossible odds, they make some least expected allies along the way. This is more of a crime thriller than a love story, but their time spent apart and all the other life challenges they endure make their love for one another grow stronger.
Then there's the ending...
Oh my God oh my God oh my God. If you thought the ending to the first book was enough to almost make you need a defibrillator, the way the second book ends kicks that first ending's ass. It's like comparing a jar of ground cayenne pepper Two a 5 gallon bucket of fresh Carolina reapers. This trilogy seriously needs to be made into a NetFlicks series!
You get taken out of the safety and comfort of Oana's aunt's cozy bed and breakfast and thrusted into a squalorly, run down apartment with a group of drug dealing, hardened gangsters. Meanwhile, Antony grows more and more on the verge of cracking up as he searches for Oana and where she'd disappeared to.
Along the way, you get to know the gangsters, which I'm sorry to admit are actually very likable. You would end up admitting it to yourself too, and be guiltily rooting for the drug dealers while wanting to boo the FBI out of the book. You'll meet other sketchy characters too, who slithered to life from the darkest realms of Christa Wojciechowski's mind. No matter how many times I read this book, Happy Dimitri never fails to make my skin crawl and my stomach feel pangs of yuck.
I learned a lot about the drug business from this book, and an even more uncomfortably clearer understanding of why living the lifestyle of a junkie may seem appealing to those battling addiction.
All dark details aside, this second installment really brings out Oana and Antony's strength and courage, and how brave and selfless they could be, taking on life-endangering risks they'd never imagined themselves having to face in order to fight for those who matter the most to them. As they go up against some of the worst, most seemingly impossible odds, they make some least expected allies along the way. This is more of a crime thriller than a love story, but their time spent apart and all the other life challenges they endure make their love for one another grow stronger.
Then there's the ending...
Oh my God oh my God oh my God. If you thought the ending to the first book was enough to almost make you need a defibrillator, the way the second book ends kicks that first ending's ass. It's like comparing a jar of ground cayenne pepper Two a 5 gallon bucket of fresh Carolina reapers. This trilogy seriously needs to be made into a NetFlicks series!
December 15, 2022
This story picks up right where the first book left off. Ona and Antoni find themselves in quite the pickle at the end of Oblivian Black. So this story continues.
In Book 1, Ona was putting her life back together after a near fatal overdose by working for Antoni, the most talented sculptor in the city. Ona is supporting Anotni in his creative endeavors and becomes his muse. In Book 2, Ona has relapsed and is back on the streets. Antoni is too shattered to sculpt and it’s now his turn to play the supportive role as Ona finds her way.
Not gonna lie, I LOVED Book 1. I gave it an easy 5 stars. Book 2 was much more of a slow angsty burn. I'm giving this one 4 stars simply because I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again. But I will say, although this author writes of sculptors and artists, she's a true artist herself in the way she paints a picture for her readers. She's a true artist with her words.
Thank you so much to Book Sirens for my advanced reader copy of this book! This is my honest review of Heirarchy of Needs by Christa Wojciechowski, Book 2 of the Sculptor Series. AND at the end of the book you'll hear the best news! If you have the Kindle app you can read Book 3 on Kindle Vella! Kindle Vella is where authors will release a few chapters at a time as episodes for you to subscribe to. Excellent way to give the readers a constant dose of what you crave.
In Book 1, Ona was putting her life back together after a near fatal overdose by working for Antoni, the most talented sculptor in the city. Ona is supporting Anotni in his creative endeavors and becomes his muse. In Book 2, Ona has relapsed and is back on the streets. Antoni is too shattered to sculpt and it’s now his turn to play the supportive role as Ona finds her way.
Not gonna lie, I LOVED Book 1. I gave it an easy 5 stars. Book 2 was much more of a slow angsty burn. I'm giving this one 4 stars simply because I felt like I was reading the same thing over and over again. But I will say, although this author writes of sculptors and artists, she's a true artist herself in the way she paints a picture for her readers. She's a true artist with her words.
Thank you so much to Book Sirens for my advanced reader copy of this book! This is my honest review of Heirarchy of Needs by Christa Wojciechowski, Book 2 of the Sculptor Series. AND at the end of the book you'll hear the best news! If you have the Kindle app you can read Book 3 on Kindle Vella! Kindle Vella is where authors will release a few chapters at a time as episodes for you to subscribe to. Excellent way to give the readers a constant dose of what you crave.
October 9, 2024
Hierarchy of Needs is the second book in The Sculptor series by Christa Wojciechowski. It is not a standalone, but rather, a trilogy about the same characters, and you must read Oblivion Black prior to reading this book in order for the story to make sense.
With that out of the way, my review will be short and sweet. I liked this story! I occasionally felt a little disinterested in the plot because the romance seemed to take a backseat to the plot with the drug trade. Regardless, I still enjoyed the book and read it in a day.
Onto the final book in the trilogy, Darklands!
Spicy spoiler:
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P.S. There is spice in this book, but it's not between the main characters. The MMC has significant trauma that he suffers due to childhood SA. It is something he still struggles within this book.
With that out of the way, my review will be short and sweet. I liked this story! I occasionally felt a little disinterested in the plot because the romance seemed to take a backseat to the plot with the drug trade. Regardless, I still enjoyed the book and read it in a day.
Onto the final book in the trilogy, Darklands!
Spicy spoiler:
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P.S. There is spice in this book, but it's not between the main characters. The MMC has significant trauma that he suffers due to childhood SA. It is something he still struggles within this book.
January 12, 2023
Very pleased to receive an advance review copy of 'Hierarchy of Needs', having read and very much enjoyed the first book 'Oblivion Black'.
'Hierarchy of Needs' picks up seamlessly from the end of the previous book, which does need to be read first for the characters and plots to be understood. It has the fast pace and beautiful wordplay of that novel, although is less romantic - but more sexual - and without the theme of art. The plot is cleverly constructed and the end a surprise. It's easy to imagine this working well as a film or Netflix series.
The protagonist Ona continues to be a fantastic character - a strong and feisty lead, never overplayed. JoJo is another interesting and well-rounded character, and their relationship is subtle and poignant. The artist Antoni seems more multi-faceted in this book, making Ona appear stronger and more charismatic.
Wojciechowski's language is often lyrical and never overdone. Her greatest strengths are pacing and place - she captures the grit of the Lower East Side of New York, as well as its colourfulness, fantastically. I look forward to her sequel!
'Hierarchy of Needs' picks up seamlessly from the end of the previous book, which does need to be read first for the characters and plots to be understood. It has the fast pace and beautiful wordplay of that novel, although is less romantic - but more sexual - and without the theme of art. The plot is cleverly constructed and the end a surprise. It's easy to imagine this working well as a film or Netflix series.
The protagonist Ona continues to be a fantastic character - a strong and feisty lead, never overplayed. JoJo is another interesting and well-rounded character, and their relationship is subtle and poignant. The artist Antoni seems more multi-faceted in this book, making Ona appear stronger and more charismatic.
Wojciechowski's language is often lyrical and never overdone. Her greatest strengths are pacing and place - she captures the grit of the Lower East Side of New York, as well as its colourfulness, fantastically. I look forward to her sequel!
November 13, 2022
another great entry in the The Sculptor series, it was a strong sequel in this series. The characters were what I was hoping for and really enjoyed getting to go back to this world. The story was really well done and I'm glad I read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 15, 2023
This is the second book of the sculptor series. The story continues with the journey of Antoni and Ona. A suspenseful romance about addiction and desire. A provocative story and characters that takes the readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. I am enjoying this series, so far.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 21, 2022
Wonderful Story
This book was written for me. It has all the questions that I have tried to find answers for all my life. Thank you Christa!!!
This book was written for me. It has all the questions that I have tried to find answers for all my life. Thank you Christa!!!
December 21, 2022
Wow what a finish! Not at all expecting that but this story sucks you in and holds on.
March 13, 2024
This week’s headline? What is a savior really?
Why this book? I loved the first book in the series!
Which book format? Ebook
Primary reading environment? Parent’s condo
Any preconceived notions? I know it’s going to be amazing
Identify most with? Ona (again)
Three little words? “all a process”
Goes well with? Tagging, fifths of whiskey, toxic relationships
Recommend this to? People who love complex characters
Other cultural accompaniments: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/arti...
I leave you with this: “Better to be an outlaw than one of the faceless demographics living in a perpetual state of yearning, a place just outside fulfillment.”
“Antoni thought if he was called the Hands of God, then Jeff Buckley was His voice.”
📚📚📚
Well, I knew I was going to love this book because I loved the first one, but I didn’t realize how much.
The title of this book comes from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: physiological, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and up at the top of the pyramid - self-actualization.
Hierarchy of Needs immediately picks up where Oblivion Black left off but while plot points and themes carry over, the overall feel is different. It reads more like a thriller whereas the first book was more like a dark romance. There’s a change of scenery - we’re in New York, back to where it all began for Ona. She is now on the run and shooting up heroin again after the Big Bad Thing that happened at the end of the first book (don’t want to give spoilers). Antoni is even more tortured. Is he anything but? 😂
We get more than an insight into Ona’s past as a junkie and how she’s coping with it all now as opposed to before when she was sober. She has a tiny smidgen of hope that she can kick her addiction even though she still is a slave to it in some ways.
I can’t recommend this series enough and am eagerly anticipating the third book in the series - The Darklands!
Why this book? I loved the first book in the series!
Which book format? Ebook
Primary reading environment? Parent’s condo
Any preconceived notions? I know it’s going to be amazing
Identify most with? Ona (again)
Three little words? “all a process”
Goes well with? Tagging, fifths of whiskey, toxic relationships
Recommend this to? People who love complex characters
Other cultural accompaniments: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/arti...
I leave you with this: “Better to be an outlaw than one of the faceless demographics living in a perpetual state of yearning, a place just outside fulfillment.”
“Antoni thought if he was called the Hands of God, then Jeff Buckley was His voice.”
📚📚📚
Well, I knew I was going to love this book because I loved the first one, but I didn’t realize how much.
The title of this book comes from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: physiological, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem, and up at the top of the pyramid - self-actualization.
Hierarchy of Needs immediately picks up where Oblivion Black left off but while plot points and themes carry over, the overall feel is different. It reads more like a thriller whereas the first book was more like a dark romance. There’s a change of scenery - we’re in New York, back to where it all began for Ona. She is now on the run and shooting up heroin again after the Big Bad Thing that happened at the end of the first book (don’t want to give spoilers). Antoni is even more tortured. Is he anything but? 😂
We get more than an insight into Ona’s past as a junkie and how she’s coping with it all now as opposed to before when she was sober. She has a tiny smidgen of hope that she can kick her addiction even though she still is a slave to it in some ways.
I can’t recommend this series enough and am eagerly anticipating the third book in the series - The Darklands!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews