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A review by sophiejo_
The Emperor by RuNyx
3.0
because i was enthralled with how Runyx handled a mafia romance in the first two books in this series, I was ready to move on to book 3 almost immediately in September of 2023. however, when I picked up the emperor I couldn't get into it, and I soft dnf'd. now over a year later I finally decided to continue the series, but unfortunately I was majorly disappointed.
while I think that Dante and Amara's romance was a wonderful story that deserved to be told, I think the execution was completely off. i don't dislike Runyx's prose or how she creates her characters; like I said before I think she handles the dark yet feminist balance of a perfect (imo) mafia romance well. that being said, however, I felt like this book developed unnecessary scenes, and skipped over the important ones. it's like while plotting this book, runyx wrote about all the things that should've been cut OUT of the longer draft. i wanted to feel forbidden romance longing, healing from trauma, and surprising reveals in this book, but instead, I got summaries of those things happening and then repetitive kidnapping/torture scenes or watching Dante sculpt. we could've developed so much more with his brother (and more mental health/disability rep !!), fleshed out Alpha's character (although I hate his name) so that the plot twist was more shocking, and given us SOMETHING with Nerea and vin. it was all very lackluster, and almost justified my original dnf.
i do want to reread books 1 and 2 because I stand by my high 4 ★ ratings for each, but this has dissuaded me from continuing the series. 3 ★.
while I think that Dante and Amara's romance was a wonderful story that deserved to be told, I think the execution was completely off. i don't dislike Runyx's prose or how she creates her characters; like I said before I think she handles the dark yet feminist balance of a perfect (imo) mafia romance well. that being said, however, I felt like this book developed unnecessary scenes, and skipped over the important ones. it's like while plotting this book, runyx wrote about all the things that should've been cut OUT of the longer draft. i wanted to feel forbidden romance longing, healing from trauma, and surprising reveals in this book, but instead, I got summaries of those things happening and then repetitive kidnapping/torture scenes or watching Dante sculpt. we could've developed so much more with his brother (and more mental health/disability rep !!), fleshed out Alpha's character (although I hate his name) so that the plot twist was more shocking, and given us SOMETHING with Nerea and vin. it was all very lackluster, and almost justified my original dnf.
i do want to reread books 1 and 2 because I stand by my high 4 ★ ratings for each, but this has dissuaded me from continuing the series. 3 ★.