Scan barcode
readingvalkyrie's review against another edition
4.0
4,5/5
Warning: the review below might reveal important information about the book, therefore you could get spoiled.
This book was amazing, and as it turns out the Blood for Blood series is one of those whose beginning does not do justice to the thing as a whole. It had everything needed to make it a favorite, a book I'll re-read a thousand times and not get tired of it: witty, funny and smart dialogue; amazing, well-built characters and their respective development throughout the series; it's amazing how much Sophie grew on me in the end, and I really appreciated the relationship between her and Millie, a friendship that would normally get overshadowed by the impending romance; I love Luca more than words could ever say, he's definitely one of those characters that stick with you, and you end up carrying around in your mind everywhere; I liked that the characters got a nice dosage of reality and that maybe not everything could end up the way they wanted; also, I find Nic to be a wonderful sort of 'villain', a real one for once, with real layers and intentions, not merely a cardboard cut-out of one.
The ending was perfect and left me wanting ~more~, and I'll have to be honest and say that I cried probably for the whole 60% last part of the book.
“It is hardest to kill the man who has the most to live for.’ He took a pretend shot. ‘The empty, the soulless, the hate-filled enemies drop like flies. Those who love, and love hard, are the ones left standing.”
Warning: the review below might reveal important information about the book, therefore you could get spoiled.
This book was amazing, and as it turns out the Blood for Blood series is one of those whose beginning does not do justice to the thing as a whole. It had everything needed to make it a favorite, a book I'll re-read a thousand times and not get tired of it: witty, funny and smart dialogue; amazing, well-built characters and their respective development throughout the series; it's amazing how much Sophie grew on me in the end, and I really appreciated the relationship between her and Millie, a friendship that would normally get overshadowed by the impending romance; I love Luca more than words could ever say, he's definitely one of those characters that stick with you, and you end up carrying around in your mind everywhere; I liked that the characters got a nice dosage of reality and that maybe not everything could end up the way they wanted; also, I find Nic to be a wonderful sort of 'villain', a real one for once, with real layers and intentions, not merely a cardboard cut-out of one.
The ending was perfect and left me wanting ~more~, and I'll have to be honest and say that I cried probably for the whole 60% last part of the book.
ailinnr's review against another edition
5.0
Utterly amazing
This book is just... UGH. MY HEART
I should start by saying how amazing this was plot-wise. With the previous two books, my expectations were high, but I was still doubtful this book would deliver; and in several parts of the book, I literally feared it wouldn't. But how the plot developed completely entranced me in a can't-put-it-down kind of way. As I said, I had high expectations, and Mafiosa actually exceeded them.
Sophie is such a remarcable protagonist and I was rooting for her the whole way through. For a reader, who's just entering this world, it's just perfect to see it all through her eyes.
Her friendship with Millie is one of my favourite things about this series and I was so glad it was never cast aside for any other important aspect of the book. I absolutely love everything about it and this book holds one of the best quotes that defines their entire friendship: "[...] as I’ve always said, Soph, you’re my real true love.’ She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. ‘There’s no love as real as that of a girl and her best friend.’"
Now Luca Falcone... Luca, my sun and moon and stars. The light of my life. This character is one of the best one this series has to offer. He started out as the hateful one, the one Sophie hated and always tried to avoid but could never help to run into. I LOVE how their relationship developed (I'm in love with haters-to-lovers trope and this was so perfect) and how we got to know more and more about this boy trapped in a life he didn't want. The state of their relationship in this book was my favourite out of the whole trilogy.
His relationship with Valentino was one of the most interesting dynamics to me, which made me completely charmed and engrossed into every interaction between them. I also wish we could have known more about Valentino; he always talked about wearing masks and even though we got a little peak into his real personality, there was so much more to him that I was interested in finding out. But I'm okay with what I was given. He's just a great character, and his connection with Luca is something I loved deeply.
About the other characters, Dom and Elena really grew on me and I was so glad to see their dynamics with Sophie! And well, Nic might be one of the worst characters ever, and I'm so glad she realized soon enough.
The deathsstruck me so hard!!! I'm still so emotional. I'll never get over it. Just... everything about it was so well done.
Something I must say is that I loved the writing style and Catherine Doyle just doesn't disappoint. So honestly this is something to be praised and recognized.
Everything about this book was absolutely amazing!!! My favourite out of the three of them. And it's such a good series. I am so happy I can say I am satisfied with this ending. Well deserved 5 stars
This book is just... UGH. MY HEART
I should start by saying how amazing this was plot-wise. With the previous two books, my expectations were high, but I was still doubtful this book would deliver; and in several parts of the book, I literally feared it wouldn't. But how the plot developed completely entranced me in a can't-put-it-down kind of way. As I said, I had high expectations, and Mafiosa actually exceeded them.
Sophie is such a remarcable protagonist and I was rooting for her the whole way through. For a reader, who's just entering this world, it's just perfect to see it all through her eyes.
Her friendship with Millie is one of my favourite things about this series and I was so glad it was never cast aside for any other important aspect of the book. I absolutely love everything about it and this book holds one of the best quotes that defines their entire friendship: "[...] as I’ve always said, Soph, you’re my real true love.’ She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. ‘There’s no love as real as that of a girl and her best friend.’"
Now Luca Falcone... Luca, my sun and moon and stars. The light of my life. This character is one of the best one this series has to offer. He started out as the hateful one, the one Sophie hated and always tried to avoid but could never help to run into. I LOVE how their relationship developed (I'm in love with haters-to-lovers trope and this was so perfect) and how we got to know more and more about this boy trapped in a life he didn't want. The state of their relationship in this book was my favourite out of the whole trilogy.
His relationship with Valentino was one of the most interesting dynamics to me, which made me completely charmed and engrossed into every interaction between them. I also wish we could have known more about Valentino; he always talked about wearing masks and even though we got a little peak into his real personality, there was so much more to him that I was interested in finding out. But I'm okay with what I was given. He's just a great character, and his connection with Luca is something I loved deeply.
About the other characters, Dom and Elena really grew on me and I was so glad to see their dynamics with Sophie! And well, Nic might be one of the worst characters ever, and I'm so glad she realized soon enough.
The deaths
Spoiler
(both, Valentino's and Michael Gracewell's)Something I must say is that I loved the writing style and Catherine Doyle just doesn't disappoint. So honestly this is something to be praised and recognized.
Everything about this book was absolutely amazing!!! My favourite out of the three of them. And it's such a good series. I am so happy I can say I am satisfied with this ending. Well deserved 5 stars
amesbee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
3vi333's review against another edition
4.0
luca is the only man i trust but sophie and millie...they are the moment
teri_dost's review against another edition
5.0
♥
Určitě to není trilogie pro všechny, a ano, dá se to připodobnit ke spoustě jiných knih (jako třeba Romeo a Julie a Kmotr), ale i tak je to skvělé! Knihy se čtou skoro až samy, postavy jsou sice ohrané, ale najít nějakou originálnější postavu už je teď skoro až nadlidský úkon. Navíc Luca je ♥.
Akorát by se tedy autoři mohli naučit, že epilog nestačí - proč nemůže být pravidlo, že po šťastném konci musí následovat ještě takových 5 kapitol, ať si to čtenář pořádně užije?
Určitě to není trilogie pro všechny, a ano, dá se to připodobnit ke spoustě jiných knih (jako třeba Romeo a Julie a Kmotr), ale i tak je to skvělé! Knihy se čtou skoro až samy, postavy jsou sice ohrané, ale najít nějakou originálnější postavu už je teď skoro až nadlidský úkon. Navíc Luca je ♥.
Akorát by se tedy autoři mohli naučit, že epilog nestačí - proč nemůže být pravidlo, že po šťastném konci musí následovat ještě takových 5 kapitol, ať si to čtenář pořádně užije?
mariethelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Well hot dang! What an ending to an epic series! So much passion, drama and action!!! I love it. Millie is amazing, we all need a Millie in our lives. Such a suspenseful ending to a really great mafia Romeo and Juliet story!!
raviel's review against another edition
2.0
1.75/5
“I won’t let you fall.”
Ok.... this book sorta really let me down. I feel betrayed and mislead, but that's probably my own fault for thinking this book would develop Luca and Sophie as morally grey characters. Luca's appeal (which Nic lacks) is that he is not a mindless killing machine, but he is still a killer. And I expected it to stay that way, but you could tell from the start that that wasn't the direction this book was going in.
I wished on every shooting star, and all my wishes were for him.
It's a book about organised crime so obviously I expected morally grey characters, instead I got characters trying to escape the darkness and come into the light. That's cool and all but what bothered me was the moral lessons of right and wrong. That didn't really make much sense when you're in the middle of a blood war.
What I'm trying to say is that, I wanted morally grey characters who accept the world they live in, not fight their way out of it by abandoning everyone they care about to this world. I didn't get that, and it's... whatever, I guess.
“There are some things you deem worthy enough to kill for, Gianluca.”
Luca’s reply came in one steady breath. “Only one.”
Also... um, why did Valentino have to die? He's the only other character (other than Luca) I really liked? Especially in this book. And it just seemed very convenient, that he had to die, so Luca could /finally/ accept the crime world he's always been a part of, become a cold, and ruthless boss, but only to just suddenly leave everything (and everyone........) behind.
“I go where my family go. Where you go. This is our revenge. This is our destiny.”
This review doesn't even make sense, and I'm just frustrated but I should've guessed this wasn't going to be about Sophie accepting the life she was supposed to have been born into.
If I wanted lessons on morality, I would've picked up a philosophy book though. I understand why everyone liked this book, but I'm disappointed, because it just wasn't for me.
Spoiler
“What if I fall?” I said, horrified.“I won’t let you fall.”
Ok.... this book sorta really let me down. I feel betrayed and mislead, but that's probably my own fault for thinking this book would develop Luca and Sophie as morally grey characters. Luca's appeal (which Nic lacks) is that he is not a mindless killing machine, but he is still a killer. And I expected it to stay that way, but you could tell from the start that that wasn't the direction this book was going in.
I wished on every shooting star, and all my wishes were for him.
It's a book about organised crime so obviously I expected morally grey characters, instead I got characters trying to escape the darkness and come into the light. That's cool and all but what bothered me was the moral lessons of right and wrong. That didn't really make much sense when you're in the middle of a blood war.
What I'm trying to say is that, I wanted morally grey characters who accept the world they live in, not fight their way out of it by abandoning everyone they care about to this world. I didn't get that, and it's... whatever, I guess.
“There are some things you deem worthy enough to kill for, Gianluca.”
Luca’s reply came in one steady breath. “Only one.”
Also... um, why did Valentino have to die? He's the only other character (other than Luca) I really liked? Especially in this book. And it just seemed very convenient, that he had to die, so Luca could /finally/ accept the crime world he's always been a part of, become a cold, and ruthless boss, but only to just suddenly leave everything (and everyone........) behind.
“I go where my family go. Where you go. This is our revenge. This is our destiny.”
This review doesn't even make sense, and I'm just frustrated but I should've guessed this wasn't going to be about Sophie accepting the life she was supposed to have been born into.
If I wanted lessons on morality, I would've picked up a philosophy book though. I understand why everyone liked this book, but I'm disappointed, because it just wasn't for me.
thaictaff's review against another edition
4.5
Let me just start this by saying my heart cannot take this much pain and enjoyment in such short periods of time. When I finished Inferno I was dying to read more of this series and with everything going on my expectations were ridiculously high.
Now, reading this book was a mix of excitement and dreadness. I was so anxious that Mafiosa wouldn't come to a satisfying ending that I'm so incredibly happy to inform that not only my feelings of dread and anxiety were appeased but also replaced by overwhelming joy.
Sophie was already a great protagonist in my eyes. But her development and how she handled everything was honestly astonishing, it made me love her even more. Her relationship with the Falcones is very interesting, I'm not sure what I was expecting it, but that wasn't it. I could actually see them as a family and not only as mafiosos, it's surprisingly enjoyable to see.
"I’m just a Disney princess stuck in a Mafia world."
I have said it before but I'll say it again, I absolutely adore Sophie and Millie's friendship, it's so important and honestly quite rare to see in books. Usually authors use friendships as either plot device of betrayal or as a side note only showing any signs of friendship once or twice. And that never happens here, Millie is always there for Sophie no matter what, even when she doesn't know the whole story, she's there regardless.
"I’ve always said, Soph, you’re my real true love." She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "There’s no love as real as that of a girl and her best friend."
Plot-wise this book just kept getting better, everything developed so perfectly, it happens a lot in the last book of a series that an author would keep pushing the important parts to the end and when we finally get to it the ending it's rushed and unsatisfactory. That's not what happens here, I feel like everything happened with a purpose and Doyle handled everything really well. Some deaths were so shocking to me and it hit me harder than I expected.
Luca Falcone, my sweet child, he's one of the best characters in this trilogy and I'm so glad we got to see a lot more of him in this book. His dynamic with the rest of the Falcones is interesting to say the least. I loved his interactions with Valentino and I wish we could've seen more of them together to be honest.
Something I wasn't expecting was to Elena to grow on me like she did, I honestly loved her so much in this book, I want to know more about her and see more of her relationship with her sons, and with Sophie as well.
The ending was something I feel bittersweet about, I loved how everything was handled, but at the same time a little I'm disappointed that some of my favorite characters died. Also, even though I understand why it had to end like that, I found myself a bit sad for Luca and Sophie, and the fact that they will most likely end up running for the rest of their lives.
"We're stuck here in this world where we don't belong, trying to be something we can't mold ourselves into."
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
Now, reading this book was a mix of excitement and dreadness. I was so anxious that Mafiosa wouldn't come to a satisfying ending that I'm so incredibly happy to inform that not only my feelings of dread and anxiety were appeased but also replaced by overwhelming joy.
Sophie was already a great protagonist in my eyes. But her development and how she handled everything was honestly astonishing, it made me love her even more. Her relationship with the Falcones is very interesting, I'm not sure what I was expecting it, but that wasn't it. I could actually see them as a family and not only as mafiosos, it's surprisingly enjoyable to see.
"I’m just a Disney princess stuck in a Mafia world."
I have said it before but I'll say it again, I absolutely adore Sophie and Millie's friendship, it's so important and honestly quite rare to see in books. Usually authors use friendships as either plot device of betrayal or as a side note only showing any signs of friendship once or twice. And that never happens here, Millie is always there for Sophie no matter what, even when she doesn't know the whole story, she's there regardless.
"I’ve always said, Soph, you’re my real true love." She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. "There’s no love as real as that of a girl and her best friend."
Plot-wise this book just kept getting better, everything developed so perfectly, it happens a lot in the last book of a series that an author would keep pushing the important parts to the end and when we finally get to it the ending it's rushed and unsatisfactory. That's not what happens here, I feel like everything happened with a purpose and Doyle handled everything really well. Some deaths were so shocking to me and it hit me harder than I expected.
Luca Falcone, my sweet child, he's one of the best characters in this trilogy and I'm so glad we got to see a lot more of him in this book. His dynamic with the rest of the Falcones is interesting to say the least. I loved his interactions with Valentino and I wish we could've seen more of them together to be honest.
Something I wasn't expecting was to Elena to grow on me like she did, I honestly loved her so much in this book, I want to know more about her and see more of her relationship with her sons, and with Sophie as well.
The ending was something I feel bittersweet about, I loved how everything was handled, but at the same time a little I'm disappointed that some of my favorite characters died. Also, even though I understand why it had to end like that, I found myself a bit sad for Luca and Sophie, and the fact that they will most likely end up running for the rest of their lives.
"We're stuck here in this world where we don't belong, trying to be something we can't mold ourselves into."
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
monicaokta's review against another edition
5.0
AAHH WHAT A WONDERFUL ENDING! Love this trilogy, it should totally get more hype.
ju96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5