A review by dauntlessorchid
Den of Vipers by K.A. Knight

challenging dark emotional funny 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

5.0

*Review contains character development spoilers but not main story line spoilers* 
This whole book was a roller-coaster ride that I never wanted to get off. 
 I appreciate the length of the book especially, because it gave the author ample time to give each character their own back story and personality. Instead of the normal RH cliche where the most interesting thing about the men is that they are hot and they all want the girl, each man is so unique and love Roxy for their own reasons. 
Ryder, the leader, spends his time trying to control everything. Taking every step he can to protect his brothers. He's cold and distant. Scary. In reality, he's scared. He's just a little boy in a man's body still trying to protect his little brother from his fathers horrible wrath. He learns to lean on others and that he doesn't have to shoulder their world alone. 
Kenzo, the gambler, little brother to Ryder, is a smooth talking ladies man. He can charm the pants of anyone and always plays "the good cop". Insatiable addiction to gambling and playing games. In actuality, he really is a sweetheart. He loves doting on those he loves in any way he can, taking care of those around him that he cares about. Doesn't like gambling for the money, per se, but more so because he is top at reading people. 
Garrett, the enforcer, a giant of a man with scars and tattoos. He's scary and threatening and doesn't let anyone beyond his brothers close to him or touch him. (Barely even his brothers). He's strong, made of stone and ice. Permanent scowl on his face. Underneath all that is a man who is suffering from PTSD, nightmares and flashbacks. All from being brutally tortured and maimed by a woman he loved on their engaging night. 
And lastly, Diesel, the psycho. He is terrifying and unhinged. He lives to torture and kill and he gets off on it.
 ......
 And yeah that doesn't really change through the whole book haha. Hes unabashedly him and his madness. Still, he was raised by a junkie mother who he loved, despite the fact that she would beat him and sell him for her next hit. He still loved his mother. And he watched her be burned alive, not being able to get to her and save her. 
All in all, this book was a 5 star read for me. It was spicy and dirty, and it was also lovely and wonderful. The plot was well established and the characters were well rounded and likeable. 
I will say that the last few chapters of the book, including the epilogue, weren't strictly necessary. They were fun, sure, and maybe tied up a few loose ends, but really they were little fluff pieces after the main story came to its finale. I didn't hate them, by any means, but I wouldn't have missed them either. 
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