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witchy_book_babe's review
5.0
I had actually picked up this book last year; only a few chapters in and I didn't think I was going to vibe with AK. I began missing this series though. So, I picked this book up again and am blown away with how many emotions I experienced with this book. AK is the most complex character for me so far, because I was in a constant battle of not liking his mannerisms to loving him and my heart aching for him. I also thoroughly enjoyed his inner psycho, once he let that devil out of it's cage.
This book was full of poetic heartache. There were so many lines that utterly gutted me:
"I had always thought Meister was handsome. Yet it amazed me how a person's polluted soul could seep from their heart and corrupt even the most beautiful features."
"You? I said on a happy sigh. The devil with angel eyes nodded his head and rested his arms on his bent knees. Me," he said..."
"I do not know how to live with all my demons."
"Safe," he managed to push from his throat. "Safe..."
"I think we were meant to find each other, to leave hell together."
Along with the heartbreak that Book 5 brought in spades, I was shocked at how much humor was included. Which, I thoroughly appreciated. Because, I felt that this book may have been the darkest in the series for me personally. I thought that Flame's book (Souls Unfractured), which is my favorite and #3 in this series, was going to hold that title unmatched....but something about AK & Phebe's story just hit me in really tough places. The themes in here deal with Substance & Alcohol addiction, something forced upon character's, and the way that Tillie painted those scenes just obliterated me.
The villains that take place in this story were also another subject that affected me deeply, as I am of mixed origins. Any type of racism written in storylines always affect me on a personal level and in ways that may not affect others who may be able to stomach those types of themes.
This book was not perfect, it did have a surprising amount of grammatical errors which didn't disrupt my reading too much, but it was noted. Again, AK didn't make me fall for him right away. He had to work to gain my loyalty and love for a bit. His entire story is devastating. As a whole, AK made it to my second favorite Hangmen as it stands right now. Phebe, my god Phebe...her story shattered me. I didn't think I would have connected with her at all. But, Tillie surprised me. Her story was extremely difficult, but I did not stop cheering for her. Ultimately, this book at it's core is showcasing the battle that one has to fight when they've abandoned hope. When all seems lost and you've fallen so deep down a hole....that there is always a path back to the light. It will be hard and painful, but you can make it out and survive.
Some honorable mentions need to go to Viking, who was hilarious by the way. Cowboy, who completely caught my eye with his sexy Cajun accent and dripping in Southern Gentleman-ness. And of course, my loves Flame and Maddie, I was so excited to get any bits of them.
This book was full of poetic heartache. There were so many lines that utterly gutted me:
"I had always thought Meister was handsome. Yet it amazed me how a person's polluted soul could seep from their heart and corrupt even the most beautiful features."
"You? I said on a happy sigh. The devil with angel eyes nodded his head and rested his arms on his bent knees. Me," he said..."
"I do not know how to live with all my demons."
"Safe," he managed to push from his throat. "Safe..."
"I think we were meant to find each other, to leave hell together."
Along with the heartbreak that Book 5 brought in spades, I was shocked at how much humor was included. Which, I thoroughly appreciated. Because, I felt that this book may have been the darkest in the series for me personally. I thought that Flame's book (Souls Unfractured), which is my favorite and #3 in this series, was going to hold that title unmatched....but something about AK & Phebe's story just hit me in really tough places. The themes in here deal with Substance & Alcohol addiction, something forced upon character's, and the way that Tillie painted those scenes just obliterated me.
The villains that take place in this story were also another subject that affected me deeply, as I am of mixed origins. Any type of racism written in storylines always affect me on a personal level and in ways that may not affect others who may be able to stomach those types of themes.
This book was not perfect, it did have a surprising amount of grammatical errors which didn't disrupt my reading too much, but it was noted. Again, AK didn't make me fall for him right away. He had to work to gain my loyalty and love for a bit. His entire story is devastating. As a whole, AK made it to my second favorite Hangmen as it stands right now. Phebe, my god Phebe...her story shattered me. I didn't think I would have connected with her at all. But, Tillie surprised me. Her story was extremely difficult, but I did not stop cheering for her. Ultimately, this book at it's core is showcasing the battle that one has to fight when they've abandoned hope. When all seems lost and you've fallen so deep down a hole....that there is always a path back to the light. It will be hard and painful, but you can make it out and survive.
Some honorable mentions need to go to Viking, who was hilarious by the way. Cowboy, who completely caught my eye with his sexy Cajun accent and dripping in Southern Gentleman-ness. And of course, my loves Flame and Maddie, I was so excited to get any bits of them.
angelareads87's review
5.0
Freaking Loved This Book!!
Love this Author! This book is really good. I recommend this book to anyone. So go and get it. You won't regret it.
Love this Author! This book is really good. I recommend this book to anyone. So go and get it. You won't regret it.
stuck123's review
5.0
Wow, this is easily my fav of the series now. I loved AK the MMC in this and getting to see how much he not only loves on Phebes but also his best friends and Ash. He is such a lover boy and held onto so much pain for so long.
I felt like Phebes behaviors after leaving the Meister were very relatable and I felt for her. I’m glad that she had AK to get her through it and that her daughter ended up living in the end. Also the tiny pieces about Ash falling for Saff were so cute.
AK and Flame are easily my fav male characters in the series. I like Ky but the way he acted about club rules in book four kind of turned me off of him. This series is honestly so well written!
I felt like Phebes behaviors after leaving the Meister were very relatable and I felt for her. I’m glad that she had AK to get her through it and that her daughter ended up living in the end. Also the tiny pieces about Ash falling for Saff were so cute.
AK and Flame are easily my fav male characters in the series. I like Ky but the way he acted about club rules in book four kind of turned me off of him. This series is honestly so well written!
this_bookshelf_is_filthy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
kimiichanga's review against another edition
3.5
3.5
heinous shit as always but i always count on tillie cole to give the pedos and rapists what they deserve in the end
ive been interested in AK's book for a while now and it's fine. um as fine as the subject matter is, which is traumatic
heinous shit as always but i always count on tillie cole to give the pedos and rapists what they deserve in the end
ive been interested in AK's book for a while now and it's fine. um as fine as the subject matter is, which is traumatic
missrandomess's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.75
I just love this series. These characters have such depth, history, their trauma. I love it all.
pattyfgd's review
5.0
Waiting a year for this book to come out on audio, and it is so worth the wait! Tillie Cole continues her Hades Hangmen series with AK's story as he goes in search of Lilah's sister, Phebe. When Phebe is taken at the end of Deep Redemption, it is clear the Hangmen are going to go after her, but they first must find out where she is. With their vast reach and multitudes of skills, these men retrieve the very messed up woman. AK has a definite draw to her, and takes her in to help her adjust to civilization. With insights to each other and disastrous histories to overcome, these two broken souls are able to piece each other back together. Cole has a way of writing a very complex story, investing your heart into each character, so much so when a cameo of one like Flame comes up, a feeling of familiarity immediately comes through. The story is very visual, with the book coming to life as you listen. This captivating listen including substance abuse, rape, human trafficking and PTSD as well as the continuing back story of New Zion is nothing short of amazing, and I can't wait(even if it is another year) for the next book!
The four narrators of this book do an amazing job. I am so happy Douglas Berger comes in with the chapters from Flame's POV, keeping him as we have gotten to know him. Patrick Garrett as AK does a wonderful job, this character has many layers and Garrett is able to give each one the inflection necessary for each one. Phebe is a broken woman with a devastating past, and Emily Cauldwell brings out her feelings to the surface. Aaron Sinn gives a short narration of Asher, hoping to hear more of him, as this character is sure to have an amazing story to go with him.
The four narrators of this book do an amazing job. I am so happy Douglas Berger comes in with the chapters from Flame's POV, keeping him as we have gotten to know him. Patrick Garrett as AK does a wonderful job, this character has many layers and Garrett is able to give each one the inflection necessary for each one. Phebe is a broken woman with a devastating past, and Emily Cauldwell brings out her feelings to the surface. Aaron Sinn gives a short narration of Asher, hoping to hear more of him, as this character is sure to have an amazing story to go with him.
optimisticbooknerd's review
4.0
4 ⭐️
I love how this one touches on addiction and how it shed light on how it's dealt with in the story. Tillie Cole really did her research
I love how this one touches on addiction and how it shed light on how it's dealt with in the story. Tillie Cole really did her research
hilary89's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’ve always been fond of AK so I was l looking forward to this one. It was absolutely heartbreaking the way both AK and Phebe coped with PTSD and survivors’ guilt. The plotline of the women getting kidnapped and the guys having to come save them is getting a little repetitive… but tbh, I love that trope so it doesn’t bother me much. I do wish there had been a way for them to rescue all of the women who were trafficked, but maybe that comes up again in later books. Overall, I loved this installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Violence, Mental illness, Confinement, Grief, Addiction, Rape, Suicide, Torture, and Racism
frenchpressbookworm's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I have no words to explain the thoughts going on in my head after this books so I'm just gonna list some of the crazy...
1. This was so much harder to read than the others in the series...it was beyond dark...even though you don't go into this series expecting rainbows and butterflies...I didn't expect to be so bothered by some of it
2. No one can create these dark men like Tillie can... she makes you love the things you would normally hate
3. AK left me speechless. I fell hard for Flame and even though he still owns my heart( until Asher's story) AK in all his brokenness is a close second to flame.
After this....I really need some rainbows in my life but it was well worth the trip through the storm
I have no words to explain the thoughts going on in my head after this books so I'm just gonna list some of the crazy...
1. This was so much harder to read than the others in the series...it was beyond dark...even though you don't go into this series expecting rainbows and butterflies...I didn't expect to be so bothered by some of it
2. No one can create these dark men like Tillie can... she makes you love the things you would normally hate
3. AK left me speechless. I fell hard for Flame and even though he still owns my heart( until Asher's story) AK in all his brokenness is a close second to flame.
After this....I really need some rainbows in my life but it was well worth the trip through the storm