Ruthless Enemy

Ruthless Enemy #1

by Marion Blackwood

The mission is simple. Do not fall for the enemy.

All her life, Eve Sterling has hated dark mages. They are arrogant, domineering, and will do anything to get what they want. Due to their immense power, they have been able to carve out their own kingdoms on the south side of the city, where they fight each other for dominance. Ordinary people are expected to bow down or face the consequences. But Eve refuses to accept their rule.

Levi Arden is one of those dark mages. As a metal mage, he has used his powers and his cunning mind to take control of a large part of the lawless south side. And his ambition doesn’t stop there. He plans to rule it all someday. But he faces great resistance from both the other dark mages and from the democratic northern side who wants to reclaim their city.

When a new threat to Levi appears, there is only one person who can help him dismantle it. Eve. But working together will not be easy. Levi is used to complete obedience from his people, but Eve will instead do anything she can to mess with his plans. However, as they spend more time together, complicated feelings arise and previously held certainties are turned on their head. Can the two ruthless enemies stay true to their separate missions? Or will their changing hearts doom them both?

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Enemies To Lovers, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Dark Romance, High Fantasy

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2023

About the author

Marion Blackwood is the author of The Oncoming Storm series, the Court of Elves series, the Ruthless Villains series, the Ruthless Enemy trilogy, and the Flame and Thorns series. She has a Master's Degree in English and History Education, and she worked as a high school teacher before becoming a full-time author. When she's not busy writing fantasy books or traveling the world, she reads, binges shows, and loses at video games. Marion has previously lived in the US and China, but now she once again calls the beautiful country of Sweden home. To find out more, visit: www.marionblackwood.com

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Oh, spitfire, don’t you know that you’re supposed to bargain from a position of power?” ❤️‍🔥

Disclaimer: I received this ARC in exchange for a free honest review.

Oh my days!!! I don’t know if I am mentally in a position to write this review given the fact I just smashed half this book in an evening and my brain is mush on the floor! But my Gods… this book! That ending! I did not see that coming and I am on dire need of the next one.

I think to begin the review I must outline the following:

✅Badass female main character
✅Incredible slow burn tension
✅Peak enemies to lovers storyline
✅Swoon-worthy male main character
✅Fantastic magic system and world building

Honestly, where do I even begin? I loved Eve and Levi from the moment they were on the page and the tension between these two was palpable. This really was a slow burner and THE TENSION!!! Eurgh… I loved every minute of it.

This book is a really great quick read for those who are looking for a fantasy romance with enemies to lovers and a sprinkle of spice. The plot twists in this book are incredible and I just couldn’t put it down as I wanted to know more.

If you’ve read the Villains series by this author, you’ll love this book as it’s a prequel for that series. You don’t need to read that series to understand this book though, as I am yet to finish the series. There are cameos for certain characters but the reference isn’t lost on you if you haven’t read the books.

The only criticism for this book (and the Villains one) is that I need a map. I do feel like sometimes I can’t picture where the characters live, where they’re from and personally… what’s a fantasy book without a map! That’s all I have to say on the matter. It’s something that I struggled with but that’s just me. It doesn’t impact the book that greatly but it’s something that would make it a better experience in my opinion.

So, what are you waiting for… preorder this bad boy for June 26th! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[Natalia]

Dnf at 47%

The h gets a prize for one of the most annoying characters ever...

She is always angry, bitching about something... Has the self-preservation of a pea, made a lot of assumptions, hates the H to death but is always considering riding his disco stick!

[Kiandra 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well…. I finished it 💀

[charlene ✿]

A new Marion Blackwood has dropped! it's release day my dudes!!

I would trust Marion Blackwood with my life so I just assume this will be another banger of a series. I will not be reading any alternative opinions because I love being right and I don't like getting my feelings hurt.


**I was provided with an ARC from Marion Blackwood for an honest review**

Blog ✿ Goodreads ✿ Twitter ✿ Instagram ✿ Pinterest ✿ StoryGraph ✿ Discovery ✿ 

[Nainika Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love a romatasy

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never given 5 stars to a whole series. Some have come close in high 4's but this series and the characters. Oh it was so good. Slow claps for Marion Blackwood, that was a true delight from intro to finale.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marion Blackwood always knows how to captivate me with her romantasy books. I have been waiting so long to read Levi’s books and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to read them! Levi and Eve are the absolute best couple! Their banter and chemistry is top tier! The betrayals and twists were unmatched and just so well-written!

[Charline ♎️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all
How dare she do that to Levi 😡
Secondly Levi 🥰🫶🏻

[bookgirlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There wasn’t enough foreshadowing for the twist but I’m here for the romance & banter and the author DELIVERED.

[bids · Rating 1 out of 5]

damn didnt expect the ending. that probably made reading this whole book 5% worth it

[Pamela Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instantly knew I was going to be starting book 2 right after the first less than half way through the book. This series introduced me to Marion Blackwood and it quickly became one of my favourite series ever

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mafia Romantasy about a throbbing p*ssy that gets horny while carried around as a potato sack on the shoulder of the very morally grey MMC.

[bread baby !! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the books in my TBR, something in my gut drew me to this story in particular, and boy am I grateful for that because it had me hooked! This is my first introduction to the author, and it's got a 4.5 star rating from me. The way I binged this all in one night because I simply couldn't put it down is unreal. An easily digestible yet thrilling read with a plot twist at the end that had my jaw on the floor. I'm already itching to read the next book and see where the MC's romance takes off next.

Eve's character, for me, was refreshing and loveable. It's typical to go into an enemies-to-lovers and expect both characters to have a strong sense of pride, of course. But I really enjoyed how she went about things when wanting to screw him over, and how she stood her ground whenever she could. The way she would justify her efforts in helping Levi to make her actions seem more morally right to herself felt so genuine, a great reflection of representing how someone like Levi probably became himself. Eve is also someone who enjoys fighting, is unafraid to tap into her femininity, and is overall unashamed about her lifestyle and tastes, which I loved. It was great to see a female main character that wasn't a cliché of either being oh-so-innocent or a complete stereotypical tomboy that complains about dresses. We root for her based off of what we know about this society and what we've seen Levi do around town, which is great. The plot twist at the end/how it all wrapped up was really just a chef's kiss from me, and I can't wait to read more of her character and her moral dillhema.

And of course, Levi is here to suit all of our morally grey needs. A dark soul willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants- but of course, he still cares about the innocent and keeps them out of it when he can. I was so glad this wasn't a typical captive scenario where one person is simply helpless/in distress. Instead, their love story plays out like a pawn game of them both trying to get what they want and falling for eachother during the process. Levi is the type of antagonist you can't help but cheer for, especially when he's up against the other dark mages... and the hints at his backstory and moments of softness make him loveable and entertaining all together.

I'm not someone who cares too much for smut, but there are a few scenes in here that laced in rather nicely and show off their dynamic quite well! (The over the shoulder part was a bit forced in my opinion, but hey, I was still turning every page to see where it went.)

Is the worldbuilding in this book the most astounding thing in the world? No. Did the narrative voice sometimes feel dry or repetitive? Yes. But at the end of the day, I was still hooked and drawn into this story chapter by chapter, surprised with every turn it took, and enthralled with would happen next. It exceeded my expectations and was a scrumptious read, even with it's flaws. If the writing was just a bit juicier, I would have totally bumped this up to a 5.

Pick this book up if you're hungry for an enemies-to-lovers story that will draw you in with every page. It's filled with wit and lust and a delightful battle between two people constantly at eachother's throats, all while working their way to the top. Can't wait to read the next book in this series and see where they go next!

[Leslie || original book nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruthless Enemy – Ruthless Enemy #1 - Review
 
Couple: Levi & Eve
 
Author: Marian Blackwood
 
Tropes: enemy to lovers, dark fantasy, spicy romance, high fantasy, touch her and die vibes, dark mages, PNR, interconnected worlds
 
Review: Ahhh we finally get Levi’s story and learn about his wife that took Callan by surprise in the Ruthless Villains series. This book is a high stake, dark fantasy series that is written in dual POV and centers around the dark mage Levi and goody-two-shoes mage Eve.
 
This is another great book that I have come to expect from Marion and I enjoyed getting to read Levi’s story after being introduced to him briefly in her prior series. Levi is the King of Metal and keeps a rigid structure on his lawless side of the town. I found his character to be surprisingly different than what I expected after reading Ruthless Villains. I enjoyed learning about his different layers and what made him the way he was.
 
I especially loved how Marion included the backstory with him and Callan and how Levi felt after the blackmail and his “little brother’s” departure. I was not prepared to feel so bad for him but after reading about his past and how close we were to Callan, I found myself wishing we could get more of Levi’s POV in the last two books of the Ruthless Villains series.
 
Eve on the other hand was and FMC that took me by surprise. She was seemingly a goody two shoes and I found myself loving and hating her throughout the book. I also was shocked at her huge deception and betrayal at the end but in true Marion fashion I should have known that no FMC would be truly on the good side. I am curious though how book 2 will go after that huge shock at the end.
 
This book spends more time on the animosity turned “friendship” between Eve and Levi and less on the spice. I found myself enjoying the battle of will smore since Levi is a very alphahole MMC. I also really enjoyed how we see his human side a lot more in this book, at least towards Eve.
 
I am excited to get book 2 and hope that we see some major payback from Levi and groveling from Eve. I also hope that we get a future epilogue with Levi that takes place during the Ruthless Villains series and maybe with Aubrey and Eve meeting. Or just more scenes were Aubrey mouths of too Levi!
 
This is a great read for fantasy readers and once you finish this the Oncoming Strom series is also a great PNR read! (Still hoping for some chapters from Shade’s POV!!)
 
Rating: 8/10, LEVI!! I can’t wait for book 2!

[Jennifer Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book…this book, y’all, was everything I hoped it would be! Marion knows how to write a deliciously sexy villain. She makes them so morally grey and ruthlessness, but with just enough softness that you can’t help but fall in love with them! Levi is villainous to perfection! This man is more than just the King of Metal, he’s the King of the villains in my opinion. And Eve was honestly a perfect match for his hardness. She refuses to cower before him, or show him the respect that he thinks he deserves. She goes toe to toe with him and bucks against his authority through the whole story. But Eve begins to see the man behind the King of Metal persona, and she realizes that there’s a lot more to Levi than just a heartless villain. As they begin to soften towards each other things get really spicy! But things are not always as they seem. It wouldn’t be a Marion Blackwood story without schemes, blackmail and of course a touch of betrayal. Marion gives us an excellent beginning to what is going to be an exciting, villainous series! Definitely recommend reading this one!

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Rest, spitfire. We have blood to shed and a city to conquer tomorrow.”

Where do I even begin?! Levi.. The king of Metal… He is a total asshole, but a sexy asshole… All I have to say is Metal 👏🏻 Bed Frame 👏🏻 🥵. I think deep down Levi cares, he’s got such a hard exterior but I fully believe deep down, underneath his scars, he’s a softie… or as soft as the Metal King can be!

Eve is such a badass. She doesn’t cower to Levi. We love a FMC that takes zero shit! These two butt heads right away and it’s interesting to watch them let their guards down here and there! I won’t give any spoilers, but the ending… I was so caught off guard!! Definitely will be looking forward to book two! If you like grumpy MMC, badass FMC, and true enemies to lovers, Ruthless Enemy is definitely up your alley!

Release date: 06/26/2023

✨4/5✨

[Frommailenesbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Marion for the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book 😍

Some of the best enemies to lovers and plot twists I've read are from Marion. I was so excited to realize we're getting Levi's story here, since we see quite a bit of him in the Ruthless Villains series (you don't have to read it to understand this one, but I highly recommend reading it anyways because it' really good).

Who knew underneath all that cold, villainous persona Levi has going on, there's a soul? And don't get me started on Eve. Best female badass I've seen in a while.

Can't wait to dive in again to this world! And you know I' ordering a physical copy of this one too 😉💕

This book is out today! So make sure to grab it if you like:

📚 Enemies to Lovers
📚 Strong Willed FMC
📚 Morally Grey MMC
📚 Slowburn Romance but Spicy
📚 Plot Twists
📚 Set 5 years before Ruthless Villains Storyline

[Karina *kari_reads* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing villain story from Marion Blackwood. I absolutely loved being back in this villainess world. 😍
Brutal, dark, bloody and smutty! 😍 Hell, yes!
Ladies, clutch your pearls, because we get the spice! 🌶🌶 Hard, kinky spice.
Includes: bondage, breath play, domination, begging, rough s3x 😏 All of the good stuff. 😄

Because I have read her previous series "Ruthless Villains" first I must say that I love her character there, Callan and Audrey, better than Levi and Eve because they had this delicious hate to love story arc. But still Levi and Eve were very enjoyable characters. I loved how strong Eve is as a female character even if Levi was more powerful than her.

And Levi... 😈 He is a delicious villain and I loved him. Arrogant domineering asshole 🤣 If you have read the book, you know. 😏

And that damn plot twist at the end 😱 So good!

[Cat Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book and I am leaving a review voluntarily.

Ooo, boy! Now, that’s a hot bad-boy. Levi is such an awesome bad guy but has just enough good traits to not make you hate him. But make no mistake, this guy is going to get his hands dirty and not lose any sleep over it. You should hate him but you can’t help loving him.

Eve is appropriately named a Spitfire. That’s exactly what she is. Faced with overwhelming odds, a dark mage and essentially a magical mafia, but she stares it all down without blinking.

As always the world set up is so well fledged out with outside influences, inside influencers and a fun magic system whet fun political ramifications.

But Levi and Eve’s back and forth is where the spice lies.

[theromantasybookcorner._ · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

THANK YOU Marion so much for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Marion has done it again! I could NOT put this book down! Ruthless Enemy was an awesome read and is Book 1 in the new Ruthless Enemy series that focuses on Levi and Eve’s relationship 🖤 This series to set 5 years prior to the Ruthless Villains series!

I absolutely loved Levi and Eve. This is an enemies to lovers fantasy romance book, and it’s fast-paced, full of tension, and has excellent world building and magic. I thought it was well written and I just flew through it. The banter between Levi and Eve is amazing and I loved the way that Eve never backed down from Levi. She’s a badass FMC and I loved it every time she put Levi in his place!

Levi has my heart. The scenes where we got to see his more vulnerable side just made me love him so much and I want to know more of his story. I loved the way their relationship developed throughout the book!

THAT ENDING!! I need Book 2, Wicked Enemy, ASAP!

You’ll absolutely love this book if you love:
🔥 Incredible slow burn tension
🔥 TOUCH HER AND DIE!
🔥 Enemies to Lovers romance
🔥 Plot twists
🔥 Morally Grey characters
🔥 Badass FMC
🔥 Swoon worthy MMC

[Cailey Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malgrave was such a fun city to read about in the villains series... so I knew i was gonna slice through this one like butter. (Which I of course did in 72 hours 💁‍♀️) We only got sprinkles of the trauma Levi experience in his adolescence which both formed him as the powerful mage he is today, yet deeply tortured individual he remains. Eve's nickname of spitfire perfectly depicts her personality. I love a cunning FMC with a sharpe tongue and a no bullshit attitude. Can't wait to read more about these two, especially after that ending. 🤯

4.5 was gonna give it a 4 but got a .5 boost for that magnificent cliffhanger. My jaw was on the floor with those final chapters and a twist I did not see coming. 😲 *audibly gasped*

Alreading diving into the next one 😏

[Charlotte Andrea✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Actions have consequences, my little spitfire.”

Thank you so much to Marion Blackwood for the ARC and making me a part of your Street Team! This review is written voluntary.

⭐️True enemies to lovers
⭐️Scheming
⭐️Plot twists
⭐️Amazing world building
⭐️Bondage
⭐️Morally grey and domineering MMC
⭐️Badass FMC
⭐️Intricate magical system
⭐️Slow burn tension
⭐️Banter
⭐️Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Trigger warnings: «Violence, attempted murder, murder, death, blood, threats at knifepoint, blackmail, home invasion, swearing, alcohol consumption, drugs, graphic sexual content which includes acts such as bondage and dominate/submissive behavior.»

I could not put this down as I was instantly dragged into this amazing worldbuilding. It’s beautifully written and entertaining all the way through. Marion has a way to drag you in and make you beg for more. The plot twists was so good and was holding me on my toes, and that ending, I did not see that come at all! 🙌🏼❤️‍🔥

The main characters is so well done and before you know it you have already fallen in love with these morally gray, delicious and villainous characters. And oh my… the slow burn tension, banter and spice 🥵 I was not anticipating it to be so good and steaming hot! I’m so happy this is a series because I crave more… and I don’t mind begging for it either!

Ruthless Enemy, the first book in a new spicy romantasy trilogy, is a prequel series to the Ruthless Villains series. You don’t have to read one before the other as it’s separate stories in the same world. So now I can get back in this world with the other series while waiting for the next book in the ruthless enemy series and luckily we don’t have to wait long as the Wicked Enemy is set to release already September 25th.


Preorder Ruthless Enemy now: https://www.marionblackwood.com

[Noor! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Marion Blackwood for accepting me as a part of her street team!! I couldn’t post the ARC review earlier due to religious holiday. So here it is now.
Tropes: slow burn romance, hate to love, enemies to lovers, guy falls first, banter
Go ahead and read this book if you love fantasy novels!
The world-building was great, and I loved the mentions of previous characters from the same world (the other book series). I loved both MCs, and enjoyed reading this book immensely. Spice level is high, so beware 😙

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆. 𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘.”

Yes, Marion! This one was soooo good! I very much missed Levi from the Wicked Villains series and was more than happy to jump into his origin as the King Of Metal. I loved Eve and her take-no-BS attitude. The plot twist at the end had me REELING.

Notes:
- multiple POVs
- depictions of blood, murder, violence
- some kink (dom/sub, bdsm, praise)
- spicy (starts at 70%)
- enemies-to-lovers
- “Who did this to you?”
- city politics/turf war

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that all the morally questionable, bad boy loving girlies will drool over! Amazing plot, kickass fight scenes, and the romance *fans self* was off the charts. Levi and Eve are firm contenders for my fav book couple, I can’t wait to learn more about them in book 2! I almost wish I could forget this book just so I could read it all over again for that twist ending! Overall a fantastic “spin-off” of some amazing (and slightly demented) characters!

[Melanie Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marion Blackwood has done it again. These books are so entertaining, so spicy, and so fun. As we move on from the world of Callan Blackwell, and into the time period of Levi Arden and how he met his wife Eve, we learn that the King of Metal might not be such a harda$$ as we thought he was.

This author has a talent for writing immersive books that suck you right in. Dark mages, politics and simmering romance dominate these books. I love them immensely.

[Kate Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marion has such a way of writing delicious villains, who believe in their cause so much. Levi is such a brilliant example of morally grey, willing to do anything to make the world into what he believes it should be.
Eve was really interesting too. Tough and strong and hot.
The ending. You know I had guessed something like that would happen, but Eve in the last chapter got me good!
Looking forward to the rest of the trilogy!

Thankyou Marion for the Arc! I really do enjoy your villains!

[Nessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A SOLID 3.5 STARS!

So far, the MCs had superb chemistry, and while the plot thickens, I still feel there were parts of the story or the relationship between Eve and Levi to be a little disjointed, but not too much. It was enjoyable and I'm moving forward to the second book. It was indeed an enemies to lovers story with a surprising twist at the end, I absolutely didn't see that coming.

The next setup calls for much angst, and bitter regret.

FULL REVIEW OF THE TRILOGY TO COME!

[David Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holey crap

Marion Blackwood has done it again! 👏 Just when you think you know exactly what's going to happen, not only do the main characters get bamboozled, the reader does too! I think I was more confused/hurt than anyone! Haha! I absolutely love reading her books and can't wait to see what is in the next one! Man if she decided to switch from author to villain the world better look OUT!

[Fabee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marion Blackwood delivers again on the action packed Romantasy!
Enemies, deception, blood-lust, and some spicy spicy content!
Eve is unapologetically tough, and gets what she wants!
Levi is as soft as grease with a prickly exterior!
Turf wars, power struggles -
If you’ve read Marion’s previous series you know she knows how to get you hooked!
Can’t wait for book two!