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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
The Sacrifice is a complete standalone but is set in the same world as The Ritual and The Sinner. You do not need to read the other books before you read this one, but as someone who read both books, I do recommend reading them. You’ll miss out on reading Ryat and Sin’s books and learning their story about the Lords. You’ll also miss being introduced to Tyson Crawford.
Storyline/My Thoughts: I’ve wanted to read Tyson Crawford’s book since he was introduced in Ryat’s book (The Ritual). I needed to know his story and why he was not doing normal Lord things and was the owner of Blackout, a club that seemed to be where all Lords hung out to unwind, have fun, and cause trouble.
Shantel gave me all my answers about what happened to Tyson and his Chosen. She also gave me a revenge story worth every page of reading.
Tyson is the one that doesn’t abide by any rules and does his own thing. This man is not someone to mess with, especially when it comes to being double-crossed. He has every reason to avenge what happened to him. He did have a Chosen at one time, but something happened to her, and now he is given a choice to marry whoever he wants, and he chooses the one person that will help him avenge what was done to him. The issue is his future wife doesn’t want to marry him, but she has no choice. The society has deemed it to happen, and it will, even without her family’s blessing. Laikyn is the girl forced to marry Tyson, and he will make her life difficult.
Laikyn has been sheltered her whole life, and she was always treated poorly by her family. She’s never good enough and finds it strange why Tyson would want her as his wife. She’s never experienced anything, and Tyson doesn’t ease her into his world and what he wants from her. He wants her complete submission and will do anything to have it, even humiliate her. She’s his pawn to be used so that he can get his revenge finally. This is when readers should check their triggers because Tyson is a dominant a-hole to Laikyn.
If you expect a happy, sunny relationship between Tyson and Laikyn, don’t get your hopes up. Laikyn will find out quickly that if she doesn’t listen to Tyson, she’ll be punished. Their marriage is not typical, and I was taken aback by it, but not in the wrong way. Tyson does not do romantic gestures. He’s the one you expect to make you kneel and crawl to him, which is what he made Laikyn do several times.
What were my thoughts on Tyson? I loved his character, even if he was the antihero the whole time. If there is one thing I love about an antihero is when they flip a switch, and their love comes out for the FMC. In the case of Tyson, he did in ways where even the FMC was confused. No one touches what is his, and no one gets away with taking her from him. He will unalive everyone in his path to retrieve her. He lived up to what I expected of him and more. Don’t mess with Tyson Crawford!
What were my thoughts on Laikyn? I liked her character, but she won’t be my favorite. I gave her some leeway because finding out how her family treated her made me feel sorry for her, but she was dense at times, especially at the very end when everything came together. I did like that she had a feisty side of trying to fight back against Tyson at first. She was never going to win when it came to him. I did feel for her character after everything was revealed. Her family is one f**ked up family, is all I’m saying. She definitely deserved a HEA with Tyson.
This book has some dark elements, not as dark as Sin’s book, but that’s my opinion, and other readers may think this one is darker.
Shantel Tessier again gave me a twisted, f**ked up storyline that made me question my morals, but I had a hard time putting down the book. I needed to know the ending. This was a wild ride of a book, and I know it may not be everyone’s type of reading, but for me, I enjoyed it. Even though I need a good Romantic Comedy to help curve all the twisted things, I read in this book. I was questioning myself on some of the kinks that Tyson had in this book and if I actually liked them. Nope, I’m a bigger brat than Laikyn and don’t like being told what to do. (Just ask the husband.)
I give 4.5 stars and can’t wait to read Carnage. I love how Shantel gives us little snippets on what is next in this world. I need to know more about the Spade brothers. Those brothers are evil incarnate, but I know they have a good backstory on why they are the way they are, and I’m all for finding out.
Standalone/Part of Series: Standalone.
Steam/Spice: 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶
Genre/SubGenre(s)/Trope(s)/Element(s): Romance. Dark Romance. Revenge Romance. Secret Society. Forced Marriage. OTT J/P MMC. Virgin FMC. BDSM. Praise. Degradation. AntiHero. Touch Her and I’ll Unalive You.
Trigger(s)/Content Warning(s): Dub/Non Con. CNC. Shock Treatment. Breath Play/Choking. Rape. (Author has all possible triggers in the beginning of the book. I highly recommend reading it before diving into the book.)
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend this book if you enjoy the Dark Romance subgenre and have read other books from Shantel Tessier or similar authors. If Dark Romance is not your jam and you have many triggers, this book may not be for you.
P.S. Don’t be one of those readers who judge others for reading Dark Romance, either.
P.S. Don’t be one of those readers who judge others for reading Dark Romance, either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Rape, Trafficking
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Thank you to CandiKanePR and Shantel for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was so exciting when I found out that Tyson was getting his own book. When you meet him in the The Ritual, there are just so many questions about his past and I am glad that all of them are answered in this one. Shantel DELIVERED! This book is a standalone however, I suggest reading this book should be read after The Ritual and The Sinner, as the events in this one takes place directly after.
I think Tyson is the darkest and spicest Lord. He is vengeful and has been playing the waiting game for 3 years. He has been waiting to wreck havoc on those who ruined his name and boy does, he by disrupting the wedding of another Lord by marrying his Lady first. The Lady just so happens to be Lakiyn, who is the sister of Tyson's dead chosen. His plan has some twists and turns that he didn't see coming. The final twist was jaw dropping...
I absolutely loved Lake. I loved seeing her story unfold and turn into a bad b towards the end. Tyson and Lake together was fire! Their journey is a dark and dirty ride. Tyson has a lot of darkness in him and takes his revenge out on Lake. He wants her to crawl to him, obey him, and be his in every way. The spice in this book is off the charts. Also....I loved seeing Ryat...he is still the #1 Lord for me.
Please check your trigger warnings before diving into these. These are dark romances and not for the faint of heart.
Tropes:
Dark
Alphahole
Arranged Marriage
Forbidden
Jealous/Possessive Anti Hero
Revenge
Secret Society
Virgin FMC
Touch her and die
Overall: 5
Spice: 5
I was so exciting when I found out that Tyson was getting his own book. When you meet him in the The Ritual, there are just so many questions about his past and I am glad that all of them are answered in this one. Shantel DELIVERED! This book is a standalone however, I suggest reading this book should be read after The Ritual and The Sinner, as the events in this one takes place directly after.
I think Tyson is the darkest and spicest Lord. He is vengeful and has been playing the waiting game for 3 years. He has been waiting to wreck havoc on those who ruined his name and boy does, he by disrupting the wedding of another Lord by marrying his Lady first. The Lady just so happens to be Lakiyn, who is the sister of Tyson's dead chosen. His plan has some twists and turns that he didn't see coming. The final twist was jaw dropping...
I absolutely loved Lake. I loved seeing her story unfold and turn into a bad b towards the end. Tyson and Lake together was fire! Their journey is a dark and dirty ride. Tyson has a lot of darkness in him and takes his revenge out on Lake. He wants her to crawl to him, obey him, and be his in every way. The spice in this book is off the charts. Also....I loved seeing Ryat...he is still the #1 Lord for me.
Please check your trigger warnings before diving into these. These are dark romances and not for the faint of heart.
Tropes:
Dark
Alphahole
Arranged Marriage
Forbidden
Jealous/Possessive Anti Hero
Revenge
Secret Society
Virgin FMC
Touch her and die
Overall: 5
Spice: 5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tyson Crawford is a Lord who lost everything, and is out for revenge on the one responsible. And he will stop at nothing to get it. Laikyn was arranged to marry one Lord, until Tyson hijacked the wedding, and became her groom.
You do not have to read the other Lords books to read this one. This is a standalone, that ties in with the other books.
Secret societies, the dark & depraved underbelly of the city & characters who bring the heat. It will have you on the edge of your seat & gasping for breath.
Tyson Crawford is willing to go to any lengths to get what he wants and his eyes are set on Laikyn.
Just like the other Lords books, this is deliciously dark and sinfully hot. I love these books, this world and these characters. 4.5 ⭐ out of 5⭐.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder