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zapndoubletap's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Stalking, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Grief, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Physical abuse
m_winkler's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
amanda_reads13's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Leo, Anna, and Dean are headed to the exclusive Kingmakers, the most brutal college in the world, where mafia heirs are trained. Rivalries are created and bonds are broken.
This book is bringing Hogwarts for Mafia vibes. This series needs to be read after the Brutal Birthright series. This book features Leo (Sebastian and Yelena's son), Anna (Miko and Nessa's daughter), and Dean (Leo's cousin).
At first I really felt bad for Dean. He seemed really misunderstood and like the underdog. He is understandably angry at Leo's family for killing his grandfather. My empathy for his situation only lasted for a few chapters. He was out for revenge and would do anything to get it, including persuing Anna. He treated her like a pawn in his revenge plot, like she was an object to be had and manipulated.
I really loved Leo and Anna's relationship. They grow and mature considerably throughout the book, both individually and as a couple. I hated how, eventhough they had such a strong connection, miscommunication drove them apart in a day. I guess that does show how young and immature they are.
I wish that instead of the love triangle, we had more of Leo and Anna growing as a couple.
Tropes: childhood best friends-to-lovers, family rivalries, love triangle, mafia
This book is bringing Hogwarts for Mafia vibes. This series needs to be read after the Brutal Birthright series. This book features Leo (Sebastian and Yelena's son), Anna (Miko and Nessa's daughter), and Dean (Leo's cousin).
At first I really felt bad for Dean. He seemed really misunderstood and like the underdog. He is understandably angry at Leo's family for killing his grandfather. My empathy for his situation only lasted for a few chapters. He was out for revenge and would do anything to get it, including persuing Anna. He treated her like a pawn in his revenge plot, like she was an object to be had and manipulated.
I really loved Leo and Anna's relationship. They grow and mature considerably throughout the book, both individually and as a couple. I hated how, eventhough they had such a strong connection, miscommunication drove them apart in a day. I guess that does show how young and immature they are.
I wish that instead of the love triangle, we had more of Leo and Anna growing as a couple.
Tropes: childhood best friends-to-lovers, family rivalries, love triangle, mafia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexual content, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship
kiabejero's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Violence
andeng's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Drug use, Violence, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Bullying
psyched_np's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Bullying, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
folkofthebook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I just found a mafia book I like?!?! I'm shook.
I picked this book up to get to the third book of the series, The Bully (because I'm a sucker for bully romance), but all the reviews kept insisting on readers starting from the first so I begrudgingly abided.
I found myself impressed by Sophie Lark's ability to pull me into this world she's built; granted, the setting is at an academy, and I love academy so that probably explains it, but I tip my hat to her.
Secret isolated academy? Check.
Beautiful Mediterranean setting? Check.
Tournament-esque plotline? Check.
Admittedly, I do not love that they're cousins - "by marriage, not blood." Why can't y'all just have their parents be besties like they already are and leave it at that lol but I guess that's adding the forbidden romance factor?
You can bet that I'm diving right into book two after I post this.
Check TWs
I picked this book up to get to the third book of the series, The Bully (because I'm a sucker for bully romance), but all the reviews kept insisting on readers starting from the first so I begrudgingly abided.
I found myself impressed by Sophie Lark's ability to pull me into this world she's built; granted, the setting is at an academy, and I love academy so that probably explains it, but I tip my hat to her.
Secret isolated academy? Check.
Beautiful Mediterranean setting? Check.
Tournament-esque plotline? Check.
Admittedly, I do not love that they're cousins - "by marriage, not blood." Why can't y'all just have their parents be besties like they already are and leave it at that lol but I guess that's adding the forbidden romance factor?
You can bet that I'm diving right into book two after I post this.
Check TWs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
weelasswithabook's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
CW: sexual assault, violence, date rape (kinda), seriously claustrophobic scene
I've had this on my list for ages and FINALLY got around to it, and I'm grateful I did. Mafia romance isn't really my thing so when I come across one that does it for me, I'm all over it!
I thought the 3rd person POV wasn't going to work for me, as a love triangle can be super hit and miss (usually a miss tbh 😂), but this vengeful hate and spite driven love triangle was *chefs kiss* done perfectly.
Now I'm not going to lie, a large portion of the book was used to build up the vibe, setup and atmosphere for the Kingmakers college/university, but I really enjoyed it because without all of that, we couldn't have the story we did. Think the Triwizard Tournament, but make it mafia instead of wizards 😍 I was 100% into it. I felt it was a pretty unique concept, having never stumbled across a mafia based educational setting before (which sounds weird but it works).
Moving on to the relationships and characters. Anna and Leo's friendship was super cute. Childhood best friends to lovers, without the "I'm only friends with this person to get in their pants" element is always a winner for me and they had a super solid friendship to build their relationship on top of.
Dean... Well... What a POS 😂 I have no idea how this mf is going to redeem himself when we get to his book.
Side character-wise, I've got such a soft spot for Ares 😭 I haven't looked at what relationships are coming in the rest of the series, but if he doesn't get his own book, I'm suing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. Suspenseful, sweet, spicy, perfect. Like I said, there were parts that felt quite drawn out, but I genuinely feel it was necessary for the whole setting to be fully realised. The only drawback was the huge delay in the couple getting together. But again, I love a slow burn so I can't complain.
I've had this on my list for ages and FINALLY got around to it, and I'm grateful I did. Mafia romance isn't really my thing so when I come across one that does it for me, I'm all over it!
I thought the 3rd person POV wasn't going to work for me, as a love triangle can be super hit and miss (usually a miss tbh 😂), but this vengeful hate and spite driven love triangle was *chefs kiss* done perfectly.
Now I'm not going to lie, a large portion of the book was used to build up the vibe, setup and atmosphere for the Kingmakers college/university, but I really enjoyed it because without all of that, we couldn't have the story we did. Think the Triwizard Tournament, but make it mafia instead of wizards 😍 I was 100% into it. I felt it was a pretty unique concept, having never stumbled across a mafia based educational setting before (which sounds weird but it works).
Moving on to the relationships and characters. Anna and Leo's friendship was super cute. Childhood best friends to lovers, without the "I'm only friends with this person to get in their pants" element is always a winner for me and they had a super solid friendship to build their relationship on top of.
Dean... Well... What a POS 😂 I have no idea how this mf is going to redeem himself when we get to his book.
Side character-wise, I've got such a soft spot for Ares 😭 I haven't looked at what relationships are coming in the rest of the series, but if he doesn't get his own book, I'm suing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. Suspenseful, sweet, spicy, perfect. Like I said, there were parts that felt quite drawn out, but I genuinely feel it was necessary for the whole setting to be fully realised. The only drawback was the huge delay in the couple getting together. But again, I love a slow burn so I can't complain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Confinement
juliphamm's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Things are looking better...
After finishing the brutal birthright series on a terrible note, I tried not to get my hopes too high. Every story was pretty lack luster, and the only plot I can really remeber is Dante's and Simone's.
I can't decide if I like Leo and Anna. There was supposed to by charcter "development," but all I saw was a suddent change in character...no buildup. That is a reoccuring theme. The characters always never have buildup towards the final romance, but since this is a friends to lovers trope, I don't think it is as big of a deal as some other books. At least Anna has some grit in her unlike her mom, but I found that whole alternative asthetic clique and sterotypical.
I really do love the concept of a mafia college and the whole school year game thing. I love the world and the enviroment, but I can't decide if I like the characters.
The most intersting character was Dean Yenin. At the beginning, I felt a lot of pity for him...sadness too. Towards the middle he was starting to really take on the enemy roll. There should be a TW for sexual assault, because that first scene with Anna and Dean was really hard for me to read. TW also for unclear consent, because I was starting to hate Dean for the sole reason. He jumps around in terms of character development, and it's hard to see where his final goals lies. He contantly kept me guessing, unpreditable, and that made the story much more interesting.
I don't think he really loved Anna and that was very obvious. He has never really felt affection and care for anyone but Anna and that so easily was wrapped into an unhealthy obession and infatuation with her. I don't like how Mrs. Lark made it clear that Anna and Leo were going to be endgame. It seemed a little emotionally tortuous on her part to drag Dean when it was clear that he was going to end up alone in this book.
Overall, not bad. Didn't completely kill me hopes. I am looking foward to Miles' book.
After finishing the brutal birthright series on a terrible note, I tried not to get my hopes too high. Every story was pretty lack luster, and the only plot I can really remeber is Dante's and Simone's.
I can't decide if I like Leo and Anna. There was supposed to by charcter "development," but all I saw was a suddent change in character...no buildup. That is a reoccuring theme. The characters always never have buildup towards the final romance, but since this is a friends to lovers trope, I don't think it is as big of a deal as some other books. At least Anna has some grit in her unlike her mom, but I found that whole alternative asthetic clique and sterotypical.
I really do love the concept of a mafia college and the whole school year game thing. I love the world and the enviroment, but I can't decide if I like the characters.
The most intersting character was Dean Yenin. At the beginning, I felt a lot of pity for him...sadness too. Towards the middle he was starting to really take on the enemy roll.
Overall, not bad. Didn't completely kill me hopes. I am looking foward to Miles' book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
shaipanda's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Okkk so I read this cause Kendra_reads recommended it on booktok (well recommended Bully and I figured I should start with the first one) and I’m not mad ? But also I had issuessss
1. This was so longggg - not that it wasn’t without reason but like damn I was not expecting that at all and tbh I don’t know if it was entirely necessary
2. The fact that they’re cousins?? Fucking weirddd
3. I really disliked everyone but Anna tbh and *maybe* some of the other girls like Zoe and Chey
4. Absolutely no discussion of condom use or birth control or safe words when doing more kinky stuff or anythinggg
There were definitly other things too but those were the most significant for me besides the spoiler which im gonna add in a second and in the TW’s
ok so why was there like essentially no discussion or even realization really about the fact that Dean sexually assaulted and manipulated Anna on multiple occasions and also that even if she didn’t fully realize that he was drugged, Sophia Gallo also sexually assaulted Leo like wtf <spoiler/>
1. This was so longggg - not that it wasn’t without reason but like damn I was not expecting that at all and tbh I don’t know if it was entirely necessary
2. The fact that they’re cousins?? Fucking weirddd
3. I really disliked everyone but Anna tbh and *maybe* some of the other girls like Zoe and Chey
4. Absolutely no discussion of condom use or birth control or safe words when doing more kinky stuff or anythinggg
There were definitly other things too but those were the most significant for me besides the spoiler which im gonna add in a second and in the TW’s
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Torture
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