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skuip8's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mayris88's review
5.0
Wtf! Is that the actual ending? Do we get a little novella to sort things out?
You can't finish the story like that!
Why?!?!?
You can't finish the story like that!
Why?!?!?
corcordium's review
4.75
this entire prequel trilogy is a masterpiece as a villain origin story for the worst fictional character i have ever read in my entire life, dornan ross. no form of death will be enough for what that character deserves, no amount of torture will be enough to make up for all the physical and emotional abuse he committed on so many characters. having said that, i can't stop thinking what was the point of this story, what was the message the author wanted to convey, what did i gain from this other than emotional pain? like what the hell was my reward for getting through three books filled with torture porn?? well who the fuck knows, i have no words for what this was. all i know is thank god i'm free from this bleak ass story and characters. maybe someday i'll read the sequel series to see if emilio and dornan get what they deserve but right now i wouldn't touch those books with a ten-foot pole, i need to regain some of my sanity back lol
ajreads10's review
5.0
"Why can't we ever turn back the fucking clock?"
I had to sit on this review for a bit to take it all in. When I read the first two books in this trilogy, Empire hadn't been released yet. Naturally I had to get my Dornan fix so I hopped on over and read the Gypsy Brothers series (which is set after this trilogy) while I waited for this. Imagine my surprise! In any event, I had assumed I had a pretty good idea what would happen in Empire based on that series, but I was so very wrong. I was on the edge of my seat this entire book while waiting for a very blatant oncoming train crash. ALL the lies and deceit that had been simmering will come to light while Dornan is overtaken by darkness. I simply cannot explain why I love Dornan Ross the way I do. While I truly believe he did love Marianna, it was very obvious that he was a sociopath. The Ross name is very much embedded into his soul and the paranoia of betrayal took him on a path of no return. What led to the premise of the Gypsy Brothers series is explained here in case you were wondering how that all came about and how Juliette played into this. It is a brilliant thing when an author can write a villian so blatantly spiraling out of control, but a reader will still love and hate them at the same time. The ending was what I was waiting for and it definitely was the perfect bitter end to this trilogy. This series is explosive and deserves all the stars.
I had to sit on this review for a bit to take it all in. When I read the first two books in this trilogy, Empire hadn't been released yet. Naturally I had to get my Dornan fix so I hopped on over and read the Gypsy Brothers series (which is set after this trilogy) while I waited for this. Imagine my surprise! In any event, I had assumed I had a pretty good idea what would happen in Empire based on that series, but I was so very wrong. I was on the edge of my seat this entire book while waiting for a very blatant oncoming train crash. ALL the lies and deceit that had been simmering will come to light while Dornan is overtaken by darkness. I simply cannot explain why I love Dornan Ross the way I do. While I truly believe he did love Marianna, it was very obvious that he was a sociopath. The Ross name is very much embedded into his soul and the paranoia of betrayal took him on a path of no return. What led to the premise of the Gypsy Brothers series is explained here in case you were wondering how that all came about and how Juliette played into this. It is a brilliant thing when an author can write a villian so blatantly spiraling out of control, but a reader will still love and hate them at the same time. The ending was what I was waiting for and it definitely was the perfect bitter end to this trilogy. This series is explosive and deserves all the stars.
kariluv20's review
4.0
Love the series!!! I started off the year by reading one of my top TRB.
Ugh! So many emotions. Just when i thought i knew where the story was heading i was thrown off & surprised all over again. I loved being at the edge of my seat and seeing what came next... will there be a next ??? I don't want to say goodbye yet
Ugh! So many emotions. Just when i thought i knew where the story was heading i was thrown off & surprised all over again. I loved being at the edge of my seat and seeing what came next... will there be a next ??? I don't want to say goodbye yet
shubba_the_emoreader's review
5.0
Empire is the final instalment in the Cartel Trilogy. Each book in this trilogy are outstanding and with each book the story line gets darker and darker. Empire is without the darkest of the three. It's dark, brutal and sexy as hell.
At nineteen Mariana's world was torn apart. Forced to pay back a debt of her fathers she is taken by the head of the Cartel, Emilio. With the prospect of being sold as a sex slave Mariana thought she was doomed. Until she meets Dornan Ross. The son of the evil cartel boss. Dornan saves Mariana's from one prison and puts her in another but they fall in love. However, after ten years of sex and violence Mariana's feelings for Dornan changes as Dornan gives into the darkness inside. And Mariana's falls in love with some one else. But can she make it out alive?
Feel free to pop over and check out my Empire review.
Shubba @ Wee Shubba's World
nicspears's review
5.0
What a perfect ending to what has been one hell of a gripping series.
Filled with even more blood shed, corruption and gasp worthy moments Lili completely blows any and all expectations out of the water with the harrowing conclusion to Mariana, John and Dornan's story. An ending that leaves you both sad and bittersweet.
I loved this book and loved that Lili decided to give us Dornan and Mariana story. It was far more than I ever bargained for but so bloody good.
Overall a must read book. A must read series and a must read author. You will not be disappointed at all.
Filled with even more blood shed, corruption and gasp worthy moments Lili completely blows any and all expectations out of the water with the harrowing conclusion to Mariana, John and Dornan's story. An ending that leaves you both sad and bittersweet.
I loved this book and loved that Lili decided to give us Dornan and Mariana story. It was far more than I ever bargained for but so bloody good.
Overall a must read book. A must read series and a must read author. You will not be disappointed at all.
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