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maxarcreads's reviews
237 reviews
Poisoned Empire by Elyse Thompson
5.0
Minor spoilers
OMG I loved this book!! It was originally going to be 4.5 stars for me because it was a great book but then the last couple chapters had my heart pounding!!
This book starts off with the Empress of the kingdom on the run with her youngest child as they are being hunted and her children are being un alive. 5 of her older children have already fallen victim to this fate and she is doing everything to save her youngest. However, She and her child are able to survive this horrible night.
We then skip forward in time to 2 of the FMC's Iliana and Selene who are powerful mages in their own right Iliana a metal mage and Selene a poison mage. However, in their kingdom the top of the Foodchain when it comes to mages are those with elemental magic and this is why Selene and Iliana were castaway not just because they were illegitimate but also because they were not elementals. But casting them out was not enough for their noble fathers they also tried to get rid of them permanently. That is until they send bounty hunters finally catch up with them and instead take them hostage to their fathers.
The reason being is that the prince now older and basically in charge of ruling the kingdom has decided to host the bride show which is essentially all the noble women brought before to meet the prince and other nobles in hopes of making a match. However, the reason has brought back this old tradition when he is trying to move the country forward is that he suspects some of his top nobles of being traitors to the crown and may have performed an illegal and corrupted ritual to steal magic most likely from their daughters hence why he wants to see who of the daughters may have had the ritual performed on them.
Which is why Selena and Iliana were captured and taken to their fathers. To impersonate their half-sisters who are "unable" to appear at court. However, it is under threat of their fathers of great harm to them or others if they do not present themselves at court and take attention off their other sisters who are "different". So, off these women go to court to try and survive the task their fathers have given them and also survive being at court.
This book was for me the perfect blend of fantasy, palace intrigue, magic systems and romance. I will say it is light on the spice, but I did not notice as there was so much chemistry between the main characters. This book is multiple POV which usually I don't like as it gets confusing, but I didn't notice and didn't feel confused about the switching of perspectives. Infact, I enjoyed seeing some of the side character's POVs. I loved Selena who is a trickster poison mage which was such a fun play on the grumpy/sunshine trope with her MMC being a very serious gentleman. This was a very enjoyable fantasy read that made me smile and had my heart pounding at times wondering what was going to happen next. TOTALLY RECCOMEND AND CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT ONE!
OMG I loved this book!! It was originally going to be 4.5 stars for me because it was a great book but then the last couple chapters had my heart pounding!!
This book starts off with the Empress of the kingdom on the run with her youngest child as they are being hunted and her children are being un alive. 5 of her older children have already fallen victim to this fate and she is doing everything to save her youngest. However, She and her child are able to survive this horrible night.
We then skip forward in time to 2 of the FMC's Iliana and Selene who are powerful mages in their own right Iliana a metal mage and Selene a poison mage. However, in their kingdom the top of the Foodchain when it comes to mages are those with elemental magic and this is why Selene and Iliana were castaway not just because they were illegitimate but also because they were not elementals. But casting them out was not enough for their noble fathers they also tried to get rid of them permanently. That is until they send bounty hunters finally catch up with them and instead take them hostage to their fathers.
The reason being is that the prince now older and basically in charge of ruling the kingdom has decided to host the bride show which is essentially all the noble women brought before to meet the prince and other nobles in hopes of making a match. However, the reason has brought back this old tradition when he is trying to move the country forward is that he suspects some of his top nobles of being traitors to the crown and may have performed an illegal and corrupted ritual to steal magic most likely from their daughters hence why he wants to see who of the daughters may have had the ritual performed on them.
Which is why Selena and Iliana were captured and taken to their fathers. To impersonate their half-sisters who are "unable" to appear at court. However, it is under threat of their fathers of great harm to them or others if they do not present themselves at court and take attention off their other sisters who are "different". So, off these women go to court to try and survive the task their fathers have given them and also survive being at court.
This book was for me the perfect blend of fantasy, palace intrigue, magic systems and romance. I will say it is light on the spice, but I did not notice as there was so much chemistry between the main characters. This book is multiple POV which usually I don't like as it gets confusing, but I didn't notice and didn't feel confused about the switching of perspectives. Infact, I enjoyed seeing some of the side character's POVs. I loved Selena who is a trickster poison mage which was such a fun play on the grumpy/sunshine trope with her MMC being a very serious gentleman. This was a very enjoyable fantasy read that made me smile and had my heart pounding at times wondering what was going to happen next. TOTALLY RECCOMEND AND CAN'T WAIT TO READ THE NEXT ONE!
The Three Ring Scavenger by S.A. Burd
4.5
Minor spoilers
I love this book! I really give it a 4.5 but the system wouldn't let me give the .5 rating. For me it was a solid 4 until I got to the ending where things got exciting. This book had a good mix of dark romance and Spice while still having good development of characters and their backstory.
This book starts off in the 1700s where a vampire/soothsayer named Owen is eating when who comes upon him but a demon names Balaam and Muse a deity with an interesting proposal for him. He agrees but lets them know that the last piece they need for this plan to work will not be around for another 100 years.
So, we skip 100 years to the 1800s Maude is a recent widow who is trying to work in a man's world by running the tavern/pleasure house that she ran with her now deceased husband. She seems to be making it work running her business and taking care of her girls that would be out on the street without this place. Options were very limited for women at this time, and this was the best situation for all.
One night when closing up she hears a scuffle outside and sees Owen and Balaam "eating". She tries to defend herself and the tavern with her girls when the guys approach her and instead, they ask to be invited in as they want to talk. Understanding that these men are not normal men and are instead the thing of stories she realizes that if they wanted to, they could do whatever they want so she invites them in and sits and hopes by having a conversation she can protect herself and girls that way.
It is during this conversation they tell her that her time is limited and that soon she will get in a fight protecting one of her girls and after she is gone the bank will take back the property and her girls will be out on the street. But if she agrees to come with them and signs a contract, they will have someone watching over her girls and make sure they and her business are protected with one of her older girls being put in charge. Seeing as she really has no choice especially if she wants to protect her girls she agrees and signs.
So, she runs off to the circus with this Demon and vampire to meet this deity that she never even spoke to. She really should have understood what they planned for her and the future before she agreed to anything....
this book does have a cliff hanger as there is a 2nd book coming out soon continuing the story. I loved the characters and how much development and backstory she was able to put in with only 190 pages and still have a really good plot and development there. It was a quick and enjoyable read and I can't wait to read the next one to see what happens because those last couple chapters were such a whirlwind.
I love this book! I really give it a 4.5 but the system wouldn't let me give the .5 rating. For me it was a solid 4 until I got to the ending where things got exciting. This book had a good mix of dark romance and Spice while still having good development of characters and their backstory.
This book starts off in the 1700s where a vampire/soothsayer named Owen is eating when who comes upon him but a demon names Balaam and Muse a deity with an interesting proposal for him. He agrees but lets them know that the last piece they need for this plan to work will not be around for another 100 years.
So, we skip 100 years to the 1800s Maude is a recent widow who is trying to work in a man's world by running the tavern/pleasure house that she ran with her now deceased husband. She seems to be making it work running her business and taking care of her girls that would be out on the street without this place. Options were very limited for women at this time, and this was the best situation for all.
One night when closing up she hears a scuffle outside and sees Owen and Balaam "eating". She tries to defend herself and the tavern with her girls when the guys approach her and instead, they ask to be invited in as they want to talk. Understanding that these men are not normal men and are instead the thing of stories she realizes that if they wanted to, they could do whatever they want so she invites them in and sits and hopes by having a conversation she can protect herself and girls that way.
It is during this conversation they tell her that her time is limited and that soon she will get in a fight protecting one of her girls and after she is gone the bank will take back the property and her girls will be out on the street. But if she agrees to come with them and signs a contract, they will have someone watching over her girls and make sure they and her business are protected with one of her older girls being put in charge. Seeing as she really has no choice especially if she wants to protect her girls she agrees and signs.
So, she runs off to the circus with this Demon and vampire to meet this deity that she never even spoke to. She really should have understood what they planned for her and the future before she agreed to anything....
this book does have a cliff hanger as there is a 2nd book coming out soon continuing the story. I loved the characters and how much development and backstory she was able to put in with only 190 pages and still have a really good plot and development there. It was a quick and enjoyable read and I can't wait to read the next one to see what happens because those last couple chapters were such a whirlwind.
Weathering the Storm by Jenny D, Jenny D
4.0
I really really enjoyed this book. It was a solid, good time read. Make sure to check out the author's triggers/content warnings.
Minor spoilers
This book starts off a week before the wedding where Storm is stressing over the big wedding her fiancé wants. She and her fiancé have known each other since they were kids and he was there for her as a teen when her father cheat on her mother, got the other woman pregnant and bounced on her family never to been seen again. But he stood by her and helped her through this emotionally rough period of her life. Then there is a jump to 3 days before the wedding where she, her mother, brother and his two best friends who are twins are helping to set up for the wedding. Her fiancé shows up and gets angry the twins are there and forcible drags her to the restroom demanding she never see them again and ends up getting physical with her.
After he leaves, she goes home to pack and call off the wedding, but he comes home apologizing saying it was the stress of the wedding and she forgives him.
Day of the wedding she forgot something at home and runs home to get it only to find the cars of her fiancé and best friend in the driveway. As she walks in the door her life going forward will never be the same. The book has betrayal, cheating, physical altercations and two men who help her see how much they love her and want to take care of her and help her heal.
I love this book and it was so sweet and endearing how the men were and how much they wanted to take care of and protect her. There is spice in the book, and it is good spice.
Minor spoilers
This book starts off a week before the wedding where Storm is stressing over the big wedding her fiancé wants. She and her fiancé have known each other since they were kids and he was there for her as a teen when her father cheat on her mother, got the other woman pregnant and bounced on her family never to been seen again. But he stood by her and helped her through this emotionally rough period of her life. Then there is a jump to 3 days before the wedding where she, her mother, brother and his two best friends who are twins are helping to set up for the wedding. Her fiancé shows up and gets angry the twins are there and forcible drags her to the restroom demanding she never see them again and ends up getting physical with her.
After he leaves, she goes home to pack and call off the wedding, but he comes home apologizing saying it was the stress of the wedding and she forgives him.
Day of the wedding she forgot something at home and runs home to get it only to find the cars of her fiancé and best friend in the driveway. As she walks in the door her life going forward will never be the same. The book has betrayal, cheating, physical altercations and two men who help her see how much they love her and want to take care of her and help her heal.
I love this book and it was so sweet and endearing how the men were and how much they wanted to take care of and protect her. There is spice in the book, and it is good spice.
His Vindictive Denial by Florence Ocelot
4.0
Minor Spoilers
This book is spicy!!!
It starts off in a Casino with the FMC playing blackjack when a very attractive man sits down next to her. They get to talking and eventually he invites her to an exclusive bar below. So exclusive when they get down to the bar no one else is there except the bar tender who looks nervous and some bodyguards. She then realizes the man who introduced himself as Vin is short for Vincenzo the owner of the casino and mob leader and she has been caught by him counting cards. In a fit of panic, she makes a bet with him that if she wins, she gets to leave unharmed and if he wins, she will never step foot onto one of his properties again unless she is willing to deal with the consequences... and all of this will be decided by the toss of a coin. However, she has a few tricks up her sleeve.
This book was all spice with little plot, but I still loved it and that is what I expect with this type of novella. There was actually enough of a plot that I actually wanted the story to go further because I loved the spice and tension and taunting/banter between these two characters. Totally recommend for anyone looking for a quick spicy read.
This book is spicy!!!
It starts off in a Casino with the FMC playing blackjack when a very attractive man sits down next to her. They get to talking and eventually he invites her to an exclusive bar below. So exclusive when they get down to the bar no one else is there except the bar tender who looks nervous and some bodyguards. She then realizes the man who introduced himself as Vin is short for Vincenzo the owner of the casino and mob leader and she has been caught by him counting cards. In a fit of panic, she makes a bet with him that if she wins, she gets to leave unharmed and if he wins, she will never step foot onto one of his properties again unless she is willing to deal with the consequences... and all of this will be decided by the toss of a coin. However, she has a few tricks up her sleeve.
This book was all spice with little plot, but I still loved it and that is what I expect with this type of novella. There was actually enough of a plot that I actually wanted the story to go further because I loved the spice and tension and taunting/banter between these two characters. Totally recommend for anyone looking for a quick spicy read.
Captured Desire by Raya Morris Edwards
4.0
Minor Spoilers
This book starts off with the MMC being sent to his brother's resort to close a deal. While hanging out on the balcony he sees into the room of another hotel guest. A woman who is he is immediately attracted to. He later sees her in the hotel bar and approaches her.
Iris the FMC is at the resort on a brand trip and also models on Instagram lingerie. This is her form of rebellion as she was raised by very strict, conservative, religious parents which is at odds with her father's job as he is an accountant for the mob.
She decides to go to the hotel bar for dinner and is approached by a very handsome older man and after chatting she decides to go to his room. However, she is very clear with him that she will not go all the way with him and only oral. The reason being which she doesn't tell him is that she has never been with a man. When in the hotel room he respects her boundaries, and they are intimate all night within her boundaries, and it is at this point his heart in my opinion starts to fall for her a little.
In the morning after this night of passion she wakes up alone and goes looking for him. She stumbles into his office looking for him and sees some papers and some work on the laptop that she shouldn't have seen. Thats because the man she just spent the night with is in the MOB and he catches her looking at his stuff. This makes him think that she might be a spy and he is not happy. So, he takes her off on a boat to an island to interrogate her.
I love this book and the characters. I loved how traditionally you would see men in this situation not respect her boundaries and constantly keep pushing but he never really did that. He was content to go at her pace and when he realized how much guilt/shame she feels from her religious trauma he does what he can to help her come to terms with it and heal from it or at least realize that nothing she does is shameful. I really like the two of them together and thought they were really cute, and their spicy scenes were really well done.
The only critique I had was this was listed as an enemies to lovers and personally I would say that they are not enemies at any point in the story. They aren't even rivals. I mean they take swipes at each other but that is mostly because of him fighting his feelings for her and for her lashing out bc she is dealing with her own issues when it comes to sex and her feelings about it and him. Still enjoyed the book but I just don't see it as a true enemies to lovers book.
This book starts off with the MMC being sent to his brother's resort to close a deal. While hanging out on the balcony he sees into the room of another hotel guest. A woman who is he is immediately attracted to. He later sees her in the hotel bar and approaches her.
Iris the FMC is at the resort on a brand trip and also models on Instagram lingerie. This is her form of rebellion as she was raised by very strict, conservative, religious parents which is at odds with her father's job as he is an accountant for the mob.
She decides to go to the hotel bar for dinner and is approached by a very handsome older man and after chatting she decides to go to his room. However, she is very clear with him that she will not go all the way with him and only oral. The reason being which she doesn't tell him is that she has never been with a man. When in the hotel room he respects her boundaries, and they are intimate all night within her boundaries, and it is at this point his heart in my opinion starts to fall for her a little.
In the morning after this night of passion she wakes up alone and goes looking for him. She stumbles into his office looking for him and sees some papers and some work on the laptop that she shouldn't have seen. Thats because the man she just spent the night with is in the MOB and he catches her looking at his stuff. This makes him think that she might be a spy and he is not happy. So, he takes her off on a boat to an island to interrogate her.
I love this book and the characters. I loved how traditionally you would see men in this situation not respect her boundaries and constantly keep pushing but he never really did that. He was content to go at her pace and when he realized how much guilt/shame she feels from her religious trauma he does what he can to help her come to terms with it and heal from it or at least realize that nothing she does is shameful. I really like the two of them together and thought they were really cute, and their spicy scenes were really well done.
The only critique I had was this was listed as an enemies to lovers and personally I would say that they are not enemies at any point in the story. They aren't even rivals. I mean they take swipes at each other but that is mostly because of him fighting his feelings for her and for her lashing out bc she is dealing with her own issues when it comes to sex and her feelings about it and him. Still enjoyed the book but I just don't see it as a true enemies to lovers book.
Princess of Dawn by Megan Gilbert
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It is a fantasy series that centers around a person's magical abilities. They can either a wielder of fire, water and air. There are also light lenders but those are typically priestesses, and that gift is bestowed by the gods when they dedicate themselves to the gods while the other abilities, they are just born with them and manifest when the time is right. A person's abilities can help determine a lot in their life and holds great significance. If a person is in a position of power is seen worthy by the gods, then their gifts would only intensify but if there was no increase in ability, they are deemed unworthy of the position and lose the job.
This is important as the story starts off with the princess of the kingdom tending to her father who is on the brink of death and dealing with her feelings about his possible death and what that means for her and her ascension to the throne. See she technically can't inherit the throne legally as her ability has not yet manifested so some would see her as unworthy of the throne. Shortly into the book her father passes and that sets off a chain of events where other contenders with abilities make themselves known to try and take the throne from her and in an effort to solidify her claim to the throne, she is courted by several men who can help lend power to her claim to the throne.
I really enjoyed the balance of magic and political intrigue as well as this young girl coming into herself while dealing with grief, self-worth and the pressure of not just the prospect of becoming queen but the pressure she feels to manifest her gift as soon as possible. While she is courted by 5 suitors in the story, I would say that the romance is not the main focus of this story but rather the princess and her place in the kingdom. I will say that if someone is looking for a spicy book this is not that book, but I don't think it took away from the story. I enjoyed reading about the princess's journey of coming into her abilities and discovering her worth.
This does leave on a cliffhanger of sorts, and I am excited to read more of the story.
This is important as the story starts off with the princess of the kingdom tending to her father who is on the brink of death and dealing with her feelings about his possible death and what that means for her and her ascension to the throne. See she technically can't inherit the throne legally as her ability has not yet manifested so some would see her as unworthy of the throne. Shortly into the book her father passes and that sets off a chain of events where other contenders with abilities make themselves known to try and take the throne from her and in an effort to solidify her claim to the throne, she is courted by several men who can help lend power to her claim to the throne.
I really enjoyed the balance of magic and political intrigue as well as this young girl coming into herself while dealing with grief, self-worth and the pressure of not just the prospect of becoming queen but the pressure she feels to manifest her gift as soon as possible. While she is courted by 5 suitors in the story, I would say that the romance is not the main focus of this story but rather the princess and her place in the kingdom. I will say that if someone is looking for a spicy book this is not that book, but I don't think it took away from the story. I enjoyed reading about the princess's journey of coming into her abilities and discovering her worth.
This does leave on a cliffhanger of sorts, and I am excited to read more of the story.
A Voice Without Reason by Irene Bahrd
4.0
This was such a cute Insta-love book where the MMC falls first, and falls heard and works to pursue the FMC.
Becca is a romance author who is under deadline for an audio book she is working on. While on a plane she meets an attractive stranger who turns out to be an audio book narrator. They get to talking and there is immediate chemistry.
Julian who has recently broke up with his cheating GF is completely enraptured by Becca and to make it so they meet again he has his agent get him the job as the male narrator on her project that he offers to do for free just so he can have a forced proximity with her and continue to pursue her. Now when she finds out she is a little pissed thinking he is making a joke of her career, but Julian quickly reassures her that all he wanted was to be close to her.
This book was so cute with all Julian's big attempts to win her over and protect her and to support her. He is very into the big gestures even though they sometimes come back to bite him in the butt. The banter between the two was so cute and endearing and as they are both book lovers there was some fun book banter mixed in like using tropes to compare to their life scenarios. The author did say this was a slow-med burn, but I did not see the slow burn at all. It was def a med to full burn for me and the spice was enjoyable to read. If you're looking for a sweet comedy he falls first this is your book.
Becca is a romance author who is under deadline for an audio book she is working on. While on a plane she meets an attractive stranger who turns out to be an audio book narrator. They get to talking and there is immediate chemistry.
Julian who has recently broke up with his cheating GF is completely enraptured by Becca and to make it so they meet again he has his agent get him the job as the male narrator on her project that he offers to do for free just so he can have a forced proximity with her and continue to pursue her. Now when she finds out she is a little pissed thinking he is making a joke of her career, but Julian quickly reassures her that all he wanted was to be close to her.
This book was so cute with all Julian's big attempts to win her over and protect her and to support her. He is very into the big gestures even though they sometimes come back to bite him in the butt. The banter between the two was so cute and endearing and as they are both book lovers there was some fun book banter mixed in like using tropes to compare to their life scenarios. The author did say this was a slow-med burn, but I did not see the slow burn at all. It was def a med to full burn for me and the spice was enjoyable to read. If you're looking for a sweet comedy he falls first this is your book.
Not Her Villain by Irene Bahrd, Irene Bahrd
4.0
Minor Spoilers
This was such a cute book and is a 2nd installment in a series and having read the first one I liked this one a little more. This book is about Layla who we met in the first book as a friend to that FMC. In this book she is doing research for an upcoming billionaire book but doesn't want to interview her friend's husband as he is too nice. Well, she finds through a dating app a billionaire and they proceed to get to know each other, and she asks him questions to get a better feel of him so she can develop a character around him. Well, a little time passes as they get to know each other more and more and they decide to meet when he is in town one night. But first she needs to meet up with her best friend and go on a double date or meetup to appease her friend. When she gets to dinner, she realizes that the man Benedict she was to meet was Ben who she has been chatting with online. The attraction they both feel for each other is immediate with him falling first and hard. So much so that when they leave the restaurant, he throws away her purse so that they can spend more time together.
Now Ben/Benedict is a billionaire who made his money first in prosthetics (We find out a little into the book that he has a prosthetic leg due to a motorcycle accident) and eventually he got into the world of publishing and has built a not so good reputation in the publishing world. He is known for being ruthless in breaking down these companies and at the start of this book he had just acquired a need company and basically wanted to get rid of the romance dept even though that is where they are making the most money and have some really big authors... including Layla.
It was a really cute book where you have this ruthless businessman start to soften the moment, he meets Layla and does what he can to be around her as he falls hard and first. I preferred Ben's character over Julians in the first because he was a little rougher around the edges. He is meant to portray a morally grey billionaire and I will say I don't see him as being morally grey, but I would characterize him as a ruthless businessman. But the lengths he goes to so that he can get to know Layla is just hilarious and so sweet. Something he does to ensure he doesn't get physical with her to fast and spends the time getting to know her is he gets a piercing in an interesting place which would take him out of commission for about a month. Like whom does that lol. Great book and would recommend.
This was such a cute book and is a 2nd installment in a series and having read the first one I liked this one a little more. This book is about Layla who we met in the first book as a friend to that FMC. In this book she is doing research for an upcoming billionaire book but doesn't want to interview her friend's husband as he is too nice. Well, she finds through a dating app a billionaire and they proceed to get to know each other, and she asks him questions to get a better feel of him so she can develop a character around him. Well, a little time passes as they get to know each other more and more and they decide to meet when he is in town one night. But first she needs to meet up with her best friend and go on a double date or meetup to appease her friend. When she gets to dinner, she realizes that the man Benedict she was to meet was Ben who she has been chatting with online. The attraction they both feel for each other is immediate with him falling first and hard. So much so that when they leave the restaurant, he throws away her purse so that they can spend more time together.
Now Ben/Benedict is a billionaire who made his money first in prosthetics (We find out a little into the book that he has a prosthetic leg due to a motorcycle accident) and eventually he got into the world of publishing and has built a not so good reputation in the publishing world. He is known for being ruthless in breaking down these companies and at the start of this book he had just acquired a need company and basically wanted to get rid of the romance dept even though that is where they are making the most money and have some really big authors... including Layla.
It was a really cute book where you have this ruthless businessman start to soften the moment, he meets Layla and does what he can to be around her as he falls hard and first. I preferred Ben's character over Julians in the first because he was a little rougher around the edges. He is meant to portray a morally grey billionaire and I will say I don't see him as being morally grey, but I would characterize him as a ruthless businessman. But the lengths he goes to so that he can get to know Layla is just hilarious and so sweet. Something he does to ensure he doesn't get physical with her to fast and spends the time getting to know her is he gets a piercing in an interesting place which would take him out of commission for about a month. Like whom does that lol. Great book and would recommend.
Bite of Sin by Kay Riley
4.5
Minor Spoilers
This book was amazing it really is a 4.5 for me and I loved it. I am usually not one for a slow burn unless it is done right, and this was done right. It was also a true enemy to lovers where especially the FMC hates the MMC. But the MMC who is supposed to hate the FMC is just drawn to her and god help anyone who gets between him and the girl. I also really enjoyed the author's twist on vampires as it does deviate from the standard norm and made for an interesting story.
This book starts off with Zan, Pax and Viggo as small children who are sneaking around their father's home as they want to know more about the war effort going on. Their father is a vampire and is basically at the fore front of the war against humans. After trying to spy on their father they are sneaking back to their room when they hear a woman crying. They go to her and find out she is to be put to death but wants them to save her baby and get her off the estate to someplace safe. The boys reluctantly do it because they know the baby is innocent.
24 years pass and the war is basically at a stalemate/cease fire. Kali the FMC who is an orphan is at a monthly ritual that is required by all citizens after their 25th birthday where they are cut to see if they bleed red or if they bleed black. Black blood means they are a vampire/human hybrid called shadows, but this trait lays dormant until their 25th bday. At this ritual she is watching a good friend of her be tested but she unfortunately fails the test. Now, what they have been told by officials that those who bleed black are to leave for treatment, but no one actually knows where or what the treatment is as no one who has ever left has ever return. After she and her other two friends say goodbye, they decide to sneak out of the city which is on heavy lockdown and almost a dictatorship to keep the human residence under control. They want to see if they can grab their friend and get her someplace safe. But in following her they uncover a secret that the government doesn't want its people to know... and that there is no treatment they administer. Instead, they take those infected and execute them. After witnessing their friend's execution, they draw the attention of the officials and have to run because if caught they will be executed as well. But while trying to evade the officials Kali runs into something else that prowls in the dark of night...vampires.
This book leaves on a cliff hanger, and I can't wait to read it!
This book was amazing it really is a 4.5 for me and I loved it. I am usually not one for a slow burn unless it is done right, and this was done right. It was also a true enemy to lovers where especially the FMC hates the MMC. But the MMC who is supposed to hate the FMC is just drawn to her and god help anyone who gets between him and the girl. I also really enjoyed the author's twist on vampires as it does deviate from the standard norm and made for an interesting story.
This book starts off with Zan, Pax and Viggo as small children who are sneaking around their father's home as they want to know more about the war effort going on. Their father is a vampire and is basically at the fore front of the war against humans. After trying to spy on their father they are sneaking back to their room when they hear a woman crying. They go to her and find out she is to be put to death but wants them to save her baby and get her off the estate to someplace safe. The boys reluctantly do it because they know the baby is innocent.
24 years pass and the war is basically at a stalemate/cease fire. Kali the FMC who is an orphan is at a monthly ritual that is required by all citizens after their 25th birthday where they are cut to see if they bleed red or if they bleed black. Black blood means they are a vampire/human hybrid called shadows, but this trait lays dormant until their 25th bday. At this ritual she is watching a good friend of her be tested but she unfortunately fails the test. Now, what they have been told by officials that those who bleed black are to leave for treatment, but no one actually knows where or what the treatment is as no one who has ever left has ever return. After she and her other two friends say goodbye, they decide to sneak out of the city which is on heavy lockdown and almost a dictatorship to keep the human residence under control. They want to see if they can grab their friend and get her someplace safe. But in following her they uncover a secret that the government doesn't want its people to know... and that there is no treatment they administer. Instead, they take those infected and execute them. After witnessing their friend's execution, they draw the attention of the officials and have to run because if caught they will be executed as well. But while trying to evade the officials Kali runs into something else that prowls in the dark of night...vampires.
This book leaves on a cliff hanger, and I can't wait to read it!
Ripped Souls by Sasha R.C.
3.0
Minor Spoilers
Welcome to the world of the born where a mafia like organization of vampires/guardians rule the underworld. All the vampires are male and are served by the chosen families. Some families their sons will be guards to the guardians while other families their first-born daughters will serve as mates for the guardian/guardians who hearts she starts by dancing for them giving them a soul.
I am going to be honest, and I will say the only reason I gave this a 3 and not lower is there were a few elements that I did enjoy. I liked mafia romances and vampire romances and the way the author did their take on vampires was interesting to read. So, I liked the premise of the book and the characters while damaged were very interesting individuals who made me want to read their stories. However, in actually reading the book there were a few big elements that kept me from fully enjoying the book. Something about this is that the characters acknowledge the mating bond snaps into place and they almost immediately get intimate. They see that as normal, and that emotions and love are to catch up. I am completely fine with insta lust stories but even in those situations there are some type of emotions either during or after that builds intimacy or the start of feeling with the characters. But in this book, there is no intimacy or expanding of emotions to even grow into love. I think what contributed to that is most of this book is done through internal dialogue and monologue and not the actual characters talking to one another and getting to know each other. Even the spicy scenes are described in the form of an inner monologue usually by another mate who is watching and not participating in the scene and not by those who are actually being intimate.
Something I also found a bit repetitive was there were a lot of flash back scenes by the FMC and her ex and almost every flashback was a repeat of the last flashback, and it was done from both POV each time. There was a lot of potential for this book and when the plot was actually in play like them tracking down her ex who hurt her I enjoyed the book but the book at times felt like a very detailed outline and just needs certain scenes or character interactions to be more in depth. I hope with the next book as this leaves off on a cliff hanger that the author goes more in-depth to show the characters growth as individuals as well as showing their relationships with each other.
Welcome to the world of the born where a mafia like organization of vampires/guardians rule the underworld. All the vampires are male and are served by the chosen families. Some families their sons will be guards to the guardians while other families their first-born daughters will serve as mates for the guardian/guardians who hearts she starts by dancing for them giving them a soul.
I am going to be honest, and I will say the only reason I gave this a 3 and not lower is there were a few elements that I did enjoy. I liked mafia romances and vampire romances and the way the author did their take on vampires was interesting to read. So, I liked the premise of the book and the characters while damaged were very interesting individuals who made me want to read their stories. However, in actually reading the book there were a few big elements that kept me from fully enjoying the book. Something about this is that the characters acknowledge the mating bond snaps into place and they almost immediately get intimate. They see that as normal, and that emotions and love are to catch up. I am completely fine with insta lust stories but even in those situations there are some type of emotions either during or after that builds intimacy or the start of feeling with the characters. But in this book, there is no intimacy or expanding of emotions to even grow into love. I think what contributed to that is most of this book is done through internal dialogue and monologue and not the actual characters talking to one another and getting to know each other. Even the spicy scenes are described in the form of an inner monologue usually by another mate who is watching and not participating in the scene and not by those who are actually being intimate.
Something I also found a bit repetitive was there were a lot of flash back scenes by the FMC and her ex and almost every flashback was a repeat of the last flashback, and it was done from both POV each time. There was a lot of potential for this book and when the plot was actually in play like them tracking down her ex who hurt her I enjoyed the book but the book at times felt like a very detailed outline and just needs certain scenes or character interactions to be more in depth. I hope with the next book as this leaves off on a cliff hanger that the author goes more in-depth to show the characters growth as individuals as well as showing their relationships with each other.