Scan barcode
amberisalwaysreading86's review
5.0
Let me begin by saying,no matter what Sophie Lark writes...I'm gonna read it. It doesn't matter if it's an observation on the collection of rainwater in her front yard's ditches. I'll think it's amazing.
Moving on.
Having been a huge fan of the superb Brutal Birthright series, (shout-out to Aida! I see you girl
Moving on.
Having been a huge fan of the superb Brutal Birthright series, (shout-out to Aida! I see you girl
p1amelie's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 ⭐️ - “sabrina … i want to be married to you because that’s what fits how i feel about you. calling you my girlfriend is fucking ludicrous. you’re the other half of me. i couldn’t leave you any more than i could cut myself in two.”
it feels bittersweet to part ways, but im glad of the memories and moments i’ve shared.
also the spice in this book
it feels bittersweet to part ways, but im glad of the memories and moments i’ve shared.
also the spice in this book
jenhurst's review
2.0
This was just a disappointing end and was way too long. I liked the school location and this did not have enough school drama. There also wasn’t enough romance between the two leads.
mnwakeford's review
4.0
Fast paced romantic adventure
After the "There are no saints" duet, I worried that perhaps Sophie Lark had gone off the boil in her writing, but in The Savage, she is back to what she does best: action-packed adventure that reads like a movie script, hot sex and a love story between two strong and intelligent characters, set in the Mafia world. Imagine a combination of James Bond, Pulp Fiction and Breaking Bad with Xena the warrior princess as the main heroine, and you might get a hint of what the story is like. Or maybe not and you'll just have to read it for yourself. I devoured it in one sitting.
Having said that, I found both Adrik and Sabrina the least likeable characters in the Kingmakers series. At nearly every turn, I rolled my eyes and despaired at some of the things they said and did. While the previous books had no shortage of strong alpha characters, there was always at some level a vulnerability that made them human and relatable. Not so in The Savage.
Also, I did feel a touch of irritation at the way Sabrina is portrayed as impossibly beautiful and intelligent (with a photographic memory no less), who somehow, with no scientific background, manages to synthesise unique recreational drugs in a lab. The subliminal message being that only impossibly gifted people get to experience that deep love and passion. We lesser mortals can only fantasize about it through the pages of a book. Yes I know we mostly read romances for escapism, but I'm a little tired of super beautiful and impossibly smart characters. It makes them a little too 2-dimensional. It was good to meet up again with Nero, one of my favourite Sophie Lark heroes, who is Sabrina's father. His story, Savage Lover, is what first got me into reading Sophie Lark books, and I still go back and re-read it on occasion.
After the "There are no saints" duet, I worried that perhaps Sophie Lark had gone off the boil in her writing, but in The Savage, she is back to what she does best: action-packed adventure that reads like a movie script, hot sex and a love story between two strong and intelligent characters, set in the Mafia world. Imagine a combination of James Bond, Pulp Fiction and Breaking Bad with Xena the warrior princess as the main heroine, and you might get a hint of what the story is like. Or maybe not and you'll just have to read it for yourself. I devoured it in one sitting.
Having said that, I found both Adrik and Sabrina the least likeable characters in the Kingmakers series. At nearly every turn, I rolled my eyes and despaired at some of the things they said and did. While the previous books had no shortage of strong alpha characters, there was always at some level a vulnerability that made them human and relatable. Not so in The Savage.
Also, I did feel a touch of irritation at the way Sabrina is portrayed as impossibly beautiful and intelligent (with a photographic memory no less), who somehow, with no scientific background, manages to synthesise unique recreational drugs in a lab. The subliminal message being that only impossibly gifted people get to experience that deep love and passion. We lesser mortals can only fantasize about it through the pages of a book. Yes I know we mostly read romances for escapism, but I'm a little tired of super beautiful and impossibly smart characters. It makes them a little too 2-dimensional. It was good to meet up again with Nero, one of my favourite Sophie Lark heroes, who is Sabrina's father. His story, Savage Lover, is what first got me into reading Sophie Lark books, and I still go back and re-read it on occasion.
mel_towns's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emcclark42's review against another edition
2.0
So much potential , but did not live up to other books.
reeyabeegale's review
2.0
2.50 stars
I'm in the minority for having Nero Gallo as my favorite. So, it was not surprising that I was looking forward to reading Sabrina's story, especially with all the build up of her character as an independent and strong woman. Yes, I got that but I was expecting something more.
I never expected to enjoy Mafia romance as much as I did with Sophie Lark's books. I've picked apart her series -- reading specific books whose synopsis appeal to me.
Sadly, I was expecting more drama and character developments for Adrik and Sabrina. I didn't feel satisfied, their character arcs felt forced. Their problems and conflicts were resolved so easily and quickly that it felt off.
Lastly, I agree that there was not much romance in this book. It's fitting, given the character builds of both Adrik and Sabrina since they're both stubborn and uncomfortable with being vulnerable, but still it could've been written better.
I'm sad I didn't enjoy the plot of this book. Character-wise, I loved the wolfpack and the return of past characters from time to time. I did love the spiciness in this book! It was definitely sexy. However, these things were just not enough to make me rate it higher.
I'm in the minority for having Nero Gallo as my favorite. So, it was not surprising that I was looking forward to reading Sabrina's story, especially with all the build up of her character as an independent and strong woman. Yes, I got that but I was expecting something more.
I never expected to enjoy Mafia romance as much as I did with Sophie Lark's books. I've picked apart her series -- reading specific books whose synopsis appeal to me.
Sadly, I was expecting more drama and character developments for Adrik and Sabrina. I didn't feel satisfied, their character arcs felt forced. Their problems and conflicts were resolved so easily and quickly that it felt off.
Lastly, I agree that there was not much romance in this book. It's fitting, given the character builds of both Adrik and Sabrina since they're both stubborn and uncomfortable with being vulnerable, but still it could've been written better.
I'm sad I didn't enjoy the plot of this book. Character-wise, I loved the wolfpack and the return of past characters from time to time. I did love the spiciness in this book! It was definitely sexy. However, these things were just not enough to make me rate it higher.
shikanis's review
5.0
The SPICE! The CHEMISTRY! I LOVE SABRINA AND ADRIK! It almost felt nostalgic reading through their craziness cause it felt like reading an alternate universe where a mini Sloane & Nero collide, but on steroidssss! Definitely another Sophie Lark masterpiece.
1bookobsessionconfessions's review
4.0
Oh! Unholy hotness, depravity and decadence! And I love it!
I love this author’s Kingmaker’s series-the main characters in this book, Adrik and Sabrina are secondary characters from that series. I was thrilled that they got their own story here.
Their’s is an extremely high octane and sinfully delicious story.
It’s an enemies to lovers, organized crime romance. Buckle up for this wild ride!
There’s plenty of drama, suspense and action.
Both of these characters are mafia offspring who’ve been taught and trained to further their respective families criminal empires.
So, obviously they are both strong and capable characters.
Impulsive and indulgent… also yes.
Flaws and faults, of course, they are human.
I love getting to know those parts of the characters, it gives them some depth and relatability.
I love that Adrik is trying to find his own way of running things.
Switching things up and doing it in a big way. Setting the criminal world on fire.
Sabrina is a worthy partner in this. She’s pretty fearless in so many ways.
It’s paced well, it’s very original and so entertaining.
It’s an incredibly erotic and steamy story.
The sexy factor is very high and I love that.
Be prepared for explosiveness and fireworks all around.
The “Wolfpack” adds a lot to the story and to the characters journey.
The bonds and emotions that come with them are a great layer to the story.
I love Sabrina and Adrik as an ultimate power couple.
This is technically a standalone, I am glad I read The Kingmakers series first,though.
I love this world, it’s different than the addictive intense, intriguing and isolated Kingmakers Academy.
I had to adjust my expectations with expecting similar to that. This is a bit different, just as entertaining.