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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
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
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
psydneigh's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. They felt like young adults. I kinda wish they were in their 20s but its college. I get it. Now I really could've done without the tearing in the sex scene Jesus. Not needed. I also wish Sophie Lark would discuss contraception more in here books because I can't tell if they are risking it for the biscuit or if she's on the pill and there are no worries.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
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