This was the book I figured would be the most hard to read for me. Surprisingly, it’s the one I think is my favorite. Talk about a redemption arc. Love conquers all in this one.
It's a twisted love story between Tanner Ayers, heir to the Texas Ku Klux Klan, and Adelita Quintana, the daughter of a ruthless cartel boss. Despite their initial hatred, they're inexplicably drawn to each other, and their hate transforms into an intense love. Tanner abandons his hateful past, joining the Hades Hangmen to be with Adelita. However, they find themselves caught in a war between their families, fighting to protect their forbidden love that puts everyone they love in danger. It's a dark and uncertain journey for the White Prince and the cartel princess.
CHARACTERS :
Adelita starts off as a refreshing, strong female lead, unlike the usual helpless cult women in the previous books. I immensely enjoyed her bold and snarky attitude in the flashbacks when she first meets Tanner. However, as the story progresses, she becomes more helpless and submissive, even allowing her father to force her into marriage. I understood her initial decision to go along with it, was because she thought Tanner wouldn't return for her. But later, when he does eventually come back, she chooses to leave him and fight her own battle THEN, despite craving to be with him for so long. It felt like her willpower arrived way too late in the story. So, while she's not a weak character, her moments of strength seemed poorly timed, and that bothered me.
Tanner is a tough guy who's ready to lay it all on the line for his loved ones. Despite being raised in a world of violence and bloodshed, he chooses loyalty, love, and justice. I really admired how he was willing to sacrifice everything for Adelita, even when he believed she had betrayed him. His bond with his brother and his friendship with tank was genuine and wholesome. Even his unwavering loyalty to the Hangmen, always lending a hand without expecting anything in return, was truly commendable.
ROMANCE :
I'm a huge fan of anything Romeo and Juliet, so naturally, I enjoyed the romance between Tanner and Adelita from their first meeting until the very end. However, what bothered me was that it seemed like Tanner was the only one making an effort for them to be together. Adelita didn't do much except get engaged to ANOTHER man without putting up a fight, and as if that wasn’t enough, she even undermined Tanner's efforts by running away ( iukwim ). So considering that, it's hard to believe that Adelita truly loved him, when we're not shown the depth of her feelings. On the other hand, we can clearly see the extent of Tanner's love as he literally gave up his THRONE for her.
Other than this their chemistry was off the charts, and the tension between them was absolutely electric. It made the steamy scenes incredibly intense, especially the ones in the flashbacks when they were supposed to be enemies.
Just when you think you are immune to Tillie's dark ways, she finds a way to pull at your last heartstring.
This installment follows Tanner, formerly known as the White Prince of the KKK, and Lita, the daughter of a drug lord in Mexico. We get flashbacks to Tanner's childhood where he was taught to hate people of a different skin color. So imagine his surprise when he falls for Lita when he is a teenager.
“But most of all . . .” He took a deep breath. “Most of all . . . I fucking hate that I want you so much"
It turns quickly turns into a Romeo and Juliet situation. They have to say good-bye to each other to ensure one another's safety, but Tanner promises that he will be back for Lita.
"I love you, princess…Never forget that, even when I’m gone from here…I’ll only ever protect you…I’m gonna find a way for us to be together…someday…no matter how long it takes…”
We know that Tanner left the KKK and joins the Hades Hangmen, but that isn't enough to save Lita just yet. They are at war with the Mexican cartel, Lita's father, and Lita has been promised to another man. He hasn't made contact with Lita for two years and he wonders if she still wants him, loves him.
"We hadn’t spoken for years; it had been too dangerous, too risky to her safety. But it didn’t mean she didn’t still own my dark heart. The bitch had it. would be the only one who ever did. Without her I was dead inside, had been for two years without her. Two long fucking years without having her in my arms. Two years without contact. Wondering if she was still mine. But knowing, with every new day that passed, that I was no good for her.She didn’t need me in her life.We were at war.She was beautiful, and she deserved someone who could give her more.But even knowing that, I couldn’t walk away from her."
This was such an emotional and unexpected ride. Like I mentioned earlier, one would think I would be immune to Tillie's tricks but, unfortunately, I will never be prepared when entering back into the Hangmen's world. There is so much to this book than Tanner and Lita's story. Some major bombs are dropped about some our favorite characters. Things that made my mouth drop open. Darkness Embraced is definitely one of my favorite books in this series.
The deepest love can be born from the fiercest hate.”
I am feeling all sorts of emotions at the moment! ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Tillie Cole does it EVERY TIME! She is absolute magic with her words and I fall hard for her story’s and characters, ALWAYS. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Tillie? PLEASE don’t EVER end The Hades Hangmen Series I would gladly read this series even when I’m old and grey! Haha! ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Live Free. Ride Free. Die Free!
