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The Malevolent Heir: MM Enemies to Lovers Mafia Fantasy Romance
Lucian and Victor were monsters of their predecessors' making.
All of Infernum cowered beneath the ruthless devotion the mafia men exuded. As far as they were concerned, emotions were a crutch and a liability...and yet, the raw magnetism snapping between them spanned beyond even an enforcer's iron control.
After a one-night stand turned budding blood bond, Victor swore to keep the saint out of his bed and sever the connection before it became permanent.
Because Lucian wasn't Victor's to claim-that right belonged to his elder brother while he'd been reduced to the role of bodyguard.
On top of it all, the syndicates were on the precipice of something dangerous and Victor was rushing against time. All he had to do was fight the blood bond pulling him to Lucian like an ever-tightening snare.
It should be easy... Right?
All of Infernum cowered beneath the ruthless devotion the mafia men exuded. As far as they were concerned, emotions were a crutch and a liability...and yet, the raw magnetism snapping between them spanned beyond even an enforcer's iron control.
After a one-night stand turned budding blood bond, Victor swore to keep the saint out of his bed and sever the connection before it became permanent.
Because Lucian wasn't Victor's to claim-that right belonged to his elder brother while he'd been reduced to the role of bodyguard.
On top of it all, the syndicates were on the precipice of something dangerous and Victor was rushing against time. All he had to do was fight the blood bond pulling him to Lucian like an ever-tightening snare.
It should be easy... Right?
420 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2023
178 people are currently reading
1258 people want to read
About the author
Avery Scarlett
2 books15 followersAvery Scarlett is a steamy MM romance author of many different genres...
Looking for signed copies, custom merch of the series, and more? Check out Avery Scarlett's Website!
www - averyscarlettauthor - com
If you enjoy her style, follow along via various platforms…
Tiktok: @averyscarlett_author
Instagram: @averyscarlett_author
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Facebook: @averyscarlettauthor
Wretched Kingdoms artist: Alexdearmanart
Knot Fit for Love artist: Amarinartist
Looking for signed copies, custom merch of the series, and more? Check out Avery Scarlett's Website!
www - averyscarlettauthor - com
If you enjoy her style, follow along via various platforms…
Tiktok: @averyscarlett_author
Instagram: @averyscarlett_author
YouTube: @averyscarlett_author
Facebook: @averyscarlettauthor
Wretched Kingdoms artist: Alexdearmanart
Knot Fit for Love artist: Amarinartist
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 19, 2023
So confused...
This book really confused me...the whole time. I thought, eventually, things would start to make sense and piece together, but no. It's like the author has this entire world in their head but only thought to give readers a small glimpse, which left a lot of questions unanswered. I'm not going to read pages of "about the world" AFTER reading a book that should have been more descriptive. It's just lazy writing. Not even a paragraph on the differences in anatomy even though the author comments on it via Luc's POV about Victor.
I'm shocked I finished this book. I think the writing has potential, but it's currently all over the place. And the odd use of third person kept me detached from the characters. I have never read a book where third-person dual POV uses a character's name but also a descriptor. "The saint" and "the vamp" are used right alongside Lucian and Victor in both POVs. It makes zero sense why the author did this. And it makes for a very stilted reading experience. If "the vamp" was only being used in Luc's POV and "the saint" only being used in Victor's POV, there could still be moments where the use could be confusing depending on context, but it would be fine for the most part. But they're used throughout both. Not to mention, the author uses the same dang words when talking about other saints and vamps. At one point, Luc is "the saint," while another saint Victor is interacting with is also "the saint"... see how that's confusing?? Why not just use their names? This is something I took issue with right from the beginning. I thought it'd get better, or I'd get used to it, but it turns out, just pissed me off the more I read.
And there's literally NO PLOT. This is going to be a two- or three-book series, fine, but there's got to be some kind of plot! I have no idea WHY anything is happening.
This book is just so frustrating. And honestly, I felt baited by the "trigger warnings." Mental health is not represented here, there are no kinks to speak of, and it's not dark at all. If you're going to have a long-@ss list of triggers, they should be IN THE BOOK, not just something you believe might pass as such. The only triggers in this book are the child abuse, alcohol/substance abuse, and violence (possibly memory loss).
Needless to say, I won't be continuing this series. Ugh...it's been a minute since I've written a review (I go through stages of writing one for everything I read or nothing at all, but then I catch up on them eventually). But this book has broken that dry spell. That's how passionately I feel about it. The high ratings are absurd. The cover is pretty epic though, so five stars to that artist.
This book really confused me...the whole time. I thought, eventually, things would start to make sense and piece together, but no. It's like the author has this entire world in their head but only thought to give readers a small glimpse, which left a lot of questions unanswered. I'm not going to read pages of "about the world" AFTER reading a book that should have been more descriptive. It's just lazy writing. Not even a paragraph on the differences in anatomy even though the author comments on it via Luc's POV about Victor.
I'm shocked I finished this book. I think the writing has potential, but it's currently all over the place. And the odd use of third person kept me detached from the characters. I have never read a book where third-person dual POV uses a character's name but also a descriptor. "The saint" and "the vamp" are used right alongside Lucian and Victor in both POVs. It makes zero sense why the author did this. And it makes for a very stilted reading experience. If "the vamp" was only being used in Luc's POV and "the saint" only being used in Victor's POV, there could still be moments where the use could be confusing depending on context, but it would be fine for the most part. But they're used throughout both. Not to mention, the author uses the same dang words when talking about other saints and vamps. At one point, Luc is "the saint," while another saint Victor is interacting with is also "the saint"... see how that's confusing?? Why not just use their names? This is something I took issue with right from the beginning. I thought it'd get better, or I'd get used to it, but it turns out, just pissed me off the more I read.
And there's literally NO PLOT. This is going to be a two- or three-book series, fine, but there's got to be some kind of plot! I have no idea WHY anything is happening.
This book is just so frustrating. And honestly, I felt baited by the "trigger warnings." Mental health is not represented here, there are no kinks to speak of, and it's not dark at all. If you're going to have a long-@ss list of triggers, they should be IN THE BOOK, not just something you believe might pass as such. The only triggers in this book are the child abuse, alcohol/substance abuse, and violence (possibly memory loss).
Needless to say, I won't be continuing this series. Ugh...it's been a minute since I've written a review (I go through stages of writing one for everything I read or nothing at all, but then I catch up on them eventually). But this book has broken that dry spell. That's how passionately I feel about it. The high ratings are absurd. The cover is pretty epic though, so five stars to that artist.
July 24, 2023
Ok, nothing I fell in love with. But I still really enjoyed reading this book. It definitely has an intriguing storyline that will keep you trapped in a fantasy world for a while.
October 7, 2024
"It was the perfect form of torture, this bond they shared. He would destroy himself again and again just to feel the barest brush of it through skin and pleasure."
Avery Scarlett is a new-to-me author, so when I had the opportunity to read The Malevolent Heir, which is a MM dark fantasy book, I jumped at the chance. There are soooo many MM contemporary romance books being churned out at the moment, which are all essentially the same, that just to read something different was such a novel relief! And then for it to actually be good was doubly fantastic!
This is book 1 in the Wretched Kingdoms series and the MCs are a quiet, broody, deadly vampire enforcer called Victor Nox and an arrogant, charismatic saint called Lucian Claritas. The saints and vamps are descended from the ancient Gods Lux and Nox, who fell from grace and they are now mortal enemies, and in particular the warring crime families of Nox and Claritas. So when Victor and Lucian appear to have bonded after a drunken (anonymous at the time) hook-up, following which Victor is assigned to Lucian as a temporary bodyguard, things couldn't get much worse. Except that Victor's twin brother Vincent is betrothed to be married to Lucian as a political power play.....
The Malevolent Heir is dark in parts, lots of violent behaviours and blood, so do check out the author's notes at the end of the book and on social media. It's also full of steamy times between the MCs that are totally hot, hot, hot. I loved every page!
I've read the more negative reviews for The Malevolent Heir which seem to focus on readers being confused about the storyline/the world/the characters/the names, and I have to say that those reactions confused the heck out of me. It could be those readers didn't read beyond the first few chapters, but to my mind Avery Scarlett made everything perfectly clear, the world-building was excellent, the character development was great and the back story provided additional clarity too.
The story moves between present day and a few days previously, plus we get some insight into the past. And if you still don't get it, the author provides a guide to the world at the end of the book, so maybe just flick to that first? That's the thing about fantasy books - there's always a lot to take in and learn about the world and the characters, but that's the joy of reading this type of story - there's a complexity to it, lots of different layers and plots to enjoy - which makes it stand out from the standard, contrived MM contemporary romance that is doing the rounds at the moment.
I can't wait for book 2, The Benevolent Heir: MM Enemies to Lovers Mafia Fantasy Romance and highly recommend this one for all you lovers of MM dark fantasy.
5 steamy, dark stars 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Avery Scarlett is a new-to-me author, so when I had the opportunity to read The Malevolent Heir, which is a MM dark fantasy book, I jumped at the chance. There are soooo many MM contemporary romance books being churned out at the moment, which are all essentially the same, that just to read something different was such a novel relief! And then for it to actually be good was doubly fantastic!
This is book 1 in the Wretched Kingdoms series and the MCs are a quiet, broody, deadly vampire enforcer called Victor Nox and an arrogant, charismatic saint called Lucian Claritas. The saints and vamps are descended from the ancient Gods Lux and Nox, who fell from grace and they are now mortal enemies, and in particular the warring crime families of Nox and Claritas. So when Victor and Lucian appear to have bonded after a drunken (anonymous at the time) hook-up, following which Victor is assigned to Lucian as a temporary bodyguard, things couldn't get much worse. Except that Victor's twin brother Vincent is betrothed to be married to Lucian as a political power play.....
The Malevolent Heir is dark in parts, lots of violent behaviours and blood, so do check out the author's notes at the end of the book and on social media. It's also full of steamy times between the MCs that are totally hot, hot, hot. I loved every page!
I've read the more negative reviews for The Malevolent Heir which seem to focus on readers being confused about the storyline/the world/the characters/the names, and I have to say that those reactions confused the heck out of me. It could be those readers didn't read beyond the first few chapters, but to my mind Avery Scarlett made everything perfectly clear, the world-building was excellent, the character development was great and the back story provided additional clarity too.
The story moves between present day and a few days previously, plus we get some insight into the past. And if you still don't get it, the author provides a guide to the world at the end of the book, so maybe just flick to that first? That's the thing about fantasy books - there's always a lot to take in and learn about the world and the characters, but that's the joy of reading this type of story - there's a complexity to it, lots of different layers and plots to enjoy - which makes it stand out from the standard, contrived MM contemporary romance that is doing the rounds at the moment.
I can't wait for book 2, The Benevolent Heir: MM Enemies to Lovers Mafia Fantasy Romance and highly recommend this one for all you lovers of MM dark fantasy.
5 steamy, dark stars 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
April 18, 2023
4,5⭐️
I received an ARC Copy of this book, this review is from my own thought 😍
That book was really good, it’s dark and the MMC are really something. Read carefully the trope warnings at the beginning because these MMC are definitely not sane but it’s what makes them who they are !!
After saving Saint Lucian Lux's life, Victor one of the vampire heirs is now the bodyguard of one of Lux’s biggest egos and powerful saints. Victor is known and feared in many circles for his bloodlust, his violence and his bad attitude. His powerful and has his own goals which do not include taking care of the Lux’s heir, he has other things to do - like protecting his secret operation ! Who knows what’s truly happening in his storehouses.
Meanwhile, be warned Lucian is not choirboy, he has his share of violence, he’s feared, he’s really powerful, has no regret for his actions, and doesn’t hesitate to kill when necessary or not. His first meeting with Victor is marked in his spirit and he can only feel to deep blood link he has with him and cannot think about anyone else !! But there is one thing that might be problematic, Lucian is engaged to Victor’s twin and things are going down with both their fathers.
Lots of pinning, lot of action, all kinds of actions 😉 lot of clashes between the MMC and such a good plot line !
I definitely want more of it, I’m so curious about what will happen and I want more of Darius, Mag and Vincent, yeah even Vincent, really curious about this one, I’m sure there is more to him than we can think !!
I received an ARC Copy of this book, this review is from my own thought 😍
That book was really good, it’s dark and the MMC are really something. Read carefully the trope warnings at the beginning because these MMC are definitely not sane but it’s what makes them who they are !!
After saving Saint Lucian Lux's life, Victor one of the vampire heirs is now the bodyguard of one of Lux’s biggest egos and powerful saints. Victor is known and feared in many circles for his bloodlust, his violence and his bad attitude. His powerful and has his own goals which do not include taking care of the Lux’s heir, he has other things to do - like protecting his secret operation ! Who knows what’s truly happening in his storehouses.
Meanwhile, be warned Lucian is not choirboy, he has his share of violence, he’s feared, he’s really powerful, has no regret for his actions, and doesn’t hesitate to kill when necessary or not. His first meeting with Victor is marked in his spirit and he can only feel to deep blood link he has with him and cannot think about anyone else !! But there is one thing that might be problematic, Lucian is engaged to Victor’s twin and things are going down with both their fathers.
Lots of pinning, lot of action, all kinds of actions 😉 lot of clashes between the MMC and such a good plot line !
I definitely want more of it, I’m so curious about what will happen and I want more of Darius, Mag and Vincent, yeah even Vincent, really curious about this one, I’m sure there is more to him than we can think !!
August 6, 2023
before i say what i have to say, i have to admit i couldn’t put this book down lmao. something about it was fun even though i was infuriated the whole damn time. i don’t usually write reviews so sorry if this is a mess
so apparently the author put information on the world all at the end of the book in like a guide format which makes no sense. it seems like maybe they left everything out on purpose maybe? but when i tell you there’s absolutely ZERO world building im not exaggerating. you pick up on context clues that they’re in a different named world, that there’s differences in anatomy and many other random tid bots but they’re never talked about or explained in any way.
one of the main characters is a “saint” but you never find out what a saint is other than vaguely divine connected to angels. this whole world is divided into saints and vamps (i think?) but you never learn anything about what that is or what it means.
secondly, so much of this just straight up makes no sense to visualize. it’s like the author didn’t think about any sort of real life application which made everything feel so stilted and goofy and confusing. for example someone looses balance while sitting down in a car. a character one second is one place, in the bathroom just for a made up example and the next second he’s in bed but they don’t tell you that or how he got there he’s just one second on the floor and the next he’s holding a pillow or something. one second a character is standing against a sink and the next they’re kissing someone like there’s just no accounting for movement and time and space and it was so damn confusing
my biggest actual gripe is how these two main characters HATE addicts and homeless people. one of them literally says he doesn’t want that “trash” touching his car before setting a bunch on fire just because he was told to by his dad. and it just comes so out of left field. side note ONE OF THE MCS WAS AN ADDICT. so to hear him judging other addicts made no sense. ALSO ONE OF THEM IS THE ONE PART OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT INTRODUCED AND STARTED SELLING THIS DRUG EVERYONES ON SO LIKE WHAT!!
there was just so much discrepancy in personality, they seem to do things so out of character but it’s not played as out of character, they just do things that don’t fit. victor is sold as this like aggressive moody dude and i understand him being putty with the love interest but all of a sudden he’s like giggling and flicking someone playfully (not the love interest) when before he’s like i never let my guard down i’m never vulnerable i’m mean and sad blah blah blah. the other MC also apparently suffers from anxiety and panic attacks but it’s never mentioned until like 20 chapters in so it seems so random and out of character?
idk man this was an absolute mess but still was addicting to read i love angst and it was angsty but idk it was a wild ride lol absolutely nothing was resolved but also somehow there was really no plot at all. this whole world is just a stage for these characters to fuck. they don’t actually share anything intimate ever they just have animal reactions to each other and fight the same fight over and over the whole book.
ok update i listened to the world info at the end and i’m like? bc they list the mental health issues both MCs have and the one who’s never talked about ever having anxiety attacks supposedly has GAD but the one who does have anxiety attacks doesn’t have anxiety? im just so confused
so apparently the author put information on the world all at the end of the book in like a guide format which makes no sense. it seems like maybe they left everything out on purpose maybe? but when i tell you there’s absolutely ZERO world building im not exaggerating. you pick up on context clues that they’re in a different named world, that there’s differences in anatomy and many other random tid bots but they’re never talked about or explained in any way.
one of the main characters is a “saint” but you never find out what a saint is other than vaguely divine connected to angels. this whole world is divided into saints and vamps (i think?) but you never learn anything about what that is or what it means.
secondly, so much of this just straight up makes no sense to visualize. it’s like the author didn’t think about any sort of real life application which made everything feel so stilted and goofy and confusing. for example someone looses balance while sitting down in a car. a character one second is one place, in the bathroom just for a made up example and the next second he’s in bed but they don’t tell you that or how he got there he’s just one second on the floor and the next he’s holding a pillow or something. one second a character is standing against a sink and the next they’re kissing someone like there’s just no accounting for movement and time and space and it was so damn confusing
my biggest actual gripe is how these two main characters HATE addicts and homeless people. one of them literally says he doesn’t want that “trash” touching his car before setting a bunch on fire just because he was told to by his dad. and it just comes so out of left field. side note ONE OF THE MCS WAS AN ADDICT. so to hear him judging other addicts made no sense. ALSO ONE OF THEM IS THE ONE PART OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT INTRODUCED AND STARTED SELLING THIS DRUG EVERYONES ON SO LIKE WHAT!!
there was just so much discrepancy in personality, they seem to do things so out of character but it’s not played as out of character, they just do things that don’t fit. victor is sold as this like aggressive moody dude and i understand him being putty with the love interest but all of a sudden he’s like giggling and flicking someone playfully (not the love interest) when before he’s like i never let my guard down i’m never vulnerable i’m mean and sad blah blah blah. the other MC also apparently suffers from anxiety and panic attacks but it’s never mentioned until like 20 chapters in so it seems so random and out of character?
idk man this was an absolute mess but still was addicting to read i love angst and it was angsty but idk it was a wild ride lol absolutely nothing was resolved but also somehow there was really no plot at all. this whole world is just a stage for these characters to fuck. they don’t actually share anything intimate ever they just have animal reactions to each other and fight the same fight over and over the whole book.
ok update i listened to the world info at the end and i’m like? bc they list the mental health issues both MCs have and the one who’s never talked about ever having anxiety attacks supposedly has GAD but the one who does have anxiety attacks doesn’t have anxiety? im just so confused
May 3, 2023
I almost stopped reading this one because of the too-similar-names (Vincent/Victor, Lucius/Lucian). I get why they were that way, but it made reading and keeping things straight super difficult for me for a while--to the point where I didn't realize I was reading the name Vincent at all. But maybe that's totally on me.
The story swept me up, though. I'm a sucker for fated mates and while that's never stated as a thing in the book, that's what they were. Victor was a delightful study in contradictions and I'm more than a little intrigued about his plans--which are never fully detailed. The book ends on something of a cliffhanger with an epilogue that both intrigues and worries me. Very interested to see what happens in the next book.
The story swept me up, though. I'm a sucker for fated mates and while that's never stated as a thing in the book, that's what they were. Victor was a delightful study in contradictions and I'm more than a little intrigued about his plans--which are never fully detailed. The book ends on something of a cliffhanger with an epilogue that both intrigues and worries me. Very interested to see what happens in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
DNF 15% zero world building which is so utterly confusing, the writing is all over the place
September 17, 2023
What did I just read? Nothing made sense, absolutely nothing. It was like reading a book in a language you don't speak.
October 21, 2023
“I’ll take everything you’re willing to give,” Lucian murmured, pressing their foreheads together. “I’m nothing more than a man starved for you.”
Dark, dirty, twisted? Yup, this book was all three. I loved the majority of this book, but then it ended very abruptly. I really needed an epilogue. Maybe there is a bonus chapter or epilogue that was released and I missed it? Fingers crossed that is the case.
Dark, dirty, twisted? Yup, this book was all three. I loved the majority of this book, but then it ended very abruptly. I really needed an epilogue. Maybe there is a bonus chapter or epilogue that was released and I missed it? Fingers crossed that is the case.
February 6, 2024
⭐️: 2.7 (ya deja poner 1/2 estrellas goodreads)
No puede ser me vendieron un omegaverse sin decirme que era omegaverse 🧍🏻♀️ El mundo está súper interesante pero por ratos estaba de “¿qué carajos?” Este libro es tóxico a niveles que digo “wey invéntese algo más”,, tal vez si hubiesen pasado menos tiempo en el mete saca y más tiempo construyendo el mundo sería un libro mucho más sólido
No puede ser me vendieron un omegaverse sin decirme que era omegaverse 🧍🏻♀️ El mundo está súper interesante pero por ratos estaba de “¿qué carajos?” Este libro es tóxico a niveles que digo “wey invéntese algo más”,, tal vez si hubiesen pasado menos tiempo en el mete saca y más tiempo construyendo el mundo sería un libro mucho más sólido
Read
July 23, 2024DNF @ 68% - i literally never DNF books, but this was awful. Seriously, there was no world building in the slightest. If i hadn’t read any reviews, i would have had no
idea about the “info” section in the back, and would have been 100% lost. I was confused since the very beginning, as the author jumps around in time without connecting moments back to e/o. i kept going because i thought it would get better, then it just…didn’t. Although i think that this plot did have potential, it just wasn’t well executed.
idea about the “info” section in the back, and would have been 100% lost. I was confused since the very beginning, as the author jumps around in time without connecting moments back to e/o. i kept going because i thought it would get better, then it just…didn’t. Although i think that this plot did have potential, it just wasn’t well executed.
January 2, 2024
was this confusing for anyone else or am i just too autistic
July 18, 2023
* I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only *
Intriguing and spicy
The light and the dark come together in this forbidden love trope. This books starts with a very fast pace, diving straight into the meat of the story. At first it was a little confusing making out what was real or not, and i wasn’t really sure about what was a dream or not until it was clearly stated later on. I did enjoy the tense and soft moments between Lucian and Victor. I would have liked to know a little bit more about them as individuals as I was rooting them on, but I still ended up devouring the story.
Intriguing and spicy
The light and the dark come together in this forbidden love trope. This books starts with a very fast pace, diving straight into the meat of the story. At first it was a little confusing making out what was real or not, and i wasn’t really sure about what was a dream or not until it was clearly stated later on. I did enjoy the tense and soft moments between Lucian and Victor. I would have liked to know a little bit more about them as individuals as I was rooting them on, but I still ended up devouring the story.
August 15, 2023
This book is oddly confusing. There is no rhythm nor rhyme to the layout of how to read this correctly. Its complete chaos that you find yourself fumbling through no matter how many times you go back and reread what was just read. The world building is nonexistent, which also contributes to your what is going on face. I couldn't make heads or tails of anything going on with none, to little explanation what's so ever throughout entire read. Generous two stars
August 15, 2023
DNF’d at 67% was honestly confused the whole time and could not finish.
May 1, 2023
I preordered this from a TikTok I saw and I started reading it today….but the writing is sort of all over the place and I have no idea what’s happening.
Names are thrown out with no real explanation as to who is who…maybe it’s just me at the moment so I’m going with three stars until I try it again at another time.
Names are thrown out with no real explanation as to who is who…maybe it’s just me at the moment so I’m going with three stars until I try it again at another time.
May 27, 2024
Needs focus and editing
I liked the concept but the story seemed to get lost in an avalanche of details. The dialogue was strange, repetitive, and the inner thoughts of the characters didn't shed much light. World building was minimal, and the use of light (good) and dark (evila) as words and as general descriptions too heavy handed for my taste. A more focused story telling, less repetition of words, themes, and content in general, and a maturing of similes and metaphors is needed here.
I liked the concept but the story seemed to get lost in an avalanche of details. The dialogue was strange, repetitive, and the inner thoughts of the characters didn't shed much light. World building was minimal, and the use of light (good) and dark (evila) as words and as general descriptions too heavy handed for my taste. A more focused story telling, less repetition of words, themes, and content in general, and a maturing of similes and metaphors is needed here.
May 3, 2023
dark and twisted love story
I really enjoyed this! I’d been waiting to read it for a while and boy, I wasn’t disappointed.
Lucian and Victor are from warring families, they’re enemies and on paper shouldn’t work together at all. But there is so much more to their story (not telling you what - you’ll have to read to find out!). Both characters had their own issues and the author handled them well adding depth and colour to some very morally grey characters. Yes, they both do bad things and they both do things that are questionable, but you can’t help liking them. There were moments that I laughed out loud, sighed deeply and yelled!
And dang, that ending?! I’ve already pre ordered book 2! I cannot wait for more! I’d recommend this to anyone who loves enemies to lovers, MM, angst, dark characters a bit of violence and some great smexy scenes.
I really enjoyed this! I’d been waiting to read it for a while and boy, I wasn’t disappointed.
Lucian and Victor are from warring families, they’re enemies and on paper shouldn’t work together at all. But there is so much more to their story (not telling you what - you’ll have to read to find out!). Both characters had their own issues and the author handled them well adding depth and colour to some very morally grey characters. Yes, they both do bad things and they both do things that are questionable, but you can’t help liking them. There were moments that I laughed out loud, sighed deeply and yelled!
And dang, that ending?! I’ve already pre ordered book 2! I cannot wait for more! I’d recommend this to anyone who loves enemies to lovers, MM, angst, dark characters a bit of violence and some great smexy scenes.
November 11, 2024
Me gusto mucho... debo ser honesta no me gustan los libros de fantasía pero esta si que se lucio, los giros de trama amazing, deja muchas dudas muchas preguntas, espero que la autora pueda sacar el 2 libro lo necesito yaaaa :)
July 16, 2023
2.5 maybe? There were elements that I quite liked but i was just as often left completely confused.
April 20, 2025
RTCI felt there was no world building in this book. I was not a fan of the story switching between past and present between chapters. This was just confusing…
July 24, 2024
Quality: 2.5
Enjoyment: 3.25
I recommend you read the brief guide in the back of the book first. This is the only world building you will get. It won’t make complete sense but it will help a lot.
Overall this author had some really cool and fun ideas for the story, characters, and world. But the execution was lacking. It was pretty awkward, confusing, and inconsistent. Most of the events just kind of happened to the characters with no lead up and little resolution. I wanted to LOVE this and actually anticipated it being a favorite book, but it turned out to have a lot more of promise and not much delivery. The book is better in the second half, likely because I started to get used to it. I think this author shows a lot of promise, and I love to read more of her stuff, but it definitely needs a ruthless editor.
I’m confused because the book has an Amazon link to the sequel, but it’s a broken link and I see no info on a sequel either.
Victor is a 25 year old cis white man. His sexuality is unknown. He’s described as tall and leanly muscled with dark hair, one dark eye and one light eye. He is of mixed saint/vampire parentage. He’s mostly vampire-presenting but does have some saint qualities (such as self-lubrication for sex purposes, but no ability to become pregnant). He’s a trained bodyguard and killer. He donates any excess of his salary toward his community. He’s the least favorite twin. His brother Vincent is his father’s favorite. He apparently has BPD, GAD, and dissociative amnesia. The writing reflects this badly or not at all.
Lucien is a 29 year old cis white man. His sexuality is unknown. He’s described as taller than Victor, more muscular than Victor, with white skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. He’s a saint, and apparently ALL of them have this exact coloring. Which seems creepy. He apparently has histrionic personality disorder, Shif I also didn’t notice. Honestly he seemed like he was the one with GAD. It was all very confusing.
Apparently the world is made of two kinds of people: saints and vampires. And ALL “full-blooded” saints are white with blonde hair and blue eyes. No black or brown people among them. It’s not a good look. I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt and assume she’s a newer writer who is white and thought “saints are white like you see in church” (don’t get me started with that either) without any deeper thought. But there should be some deeper thought in the future because this isn’t good even if it’s an accident.
Not great:
—Too many epithets. Names were barely used sometimes, it was all “the saint,” “the vamp,” “the person beside him,” “the enforcer,” “the heir,” “the other,” etc etc etc. This is incredibly awkward and confusing to read. I get the urge, but it’s better to just use names.
—Awkward writing, really needed a good read over or edit. For example: “With a quick check of his chamber, Victor knew he was out of bullets again. Saying fuck it, he holstered the empty gun and lunged, pinning the attacker.” The author doesn’t have Victor say the word, she tells us he is saying “fuck it.”
—Misspellings and wrong words used
—This had some of a writing device I dislike, which is a character fully entrenched in the world doesn’t know major and/or basic information about it. This happened with Victor a few times.
—The epilogue made no sense with the rest of the book.
—The main plot was very unclear. If there was one? I’m not sure.
Really fun:
—the concept for the story was very intriguing!
—the brother’s arranged fiancé idea was so fun! I wish we had seen a little more of it.
—there was potential for very intense emotional and sexual connections between MCs and we very nearly got there for both.
—I adored how badass they both were, especially Victor since he’s pretty tiny but also very deadly and cranky. That’s one of my favorite combos!
—I actually didn’t mind the angel/demon world, and normally I really dislike that setting.
Content warnings and tropes:
—Drug abuse (Victor)
—Possessiveness
—Jealousy
—Victor gets sexy-lifted by Lucien quite a lot, if that’s your thing
—Non-threatening or only mildly-threatening looking MC is a badass and could kill anyone with a thumb (one of my favorite tropes)
—Somewhat enemies to lovers
—MC refuses to acknowledge he has feelings
—Sibling’s fiancé
—Vampires need blood and food
—Some omegaverse elements (no mpreg or possibility of mpreg) such as scent glands and cis male self-lubrication
—Abusive father (mental and physical)
—On screen murder (Lucien snaps the neck of a man giving a consensual blow job to Victor)
—Dubious consent with bonding/marking between MCs
Other:
—First person dual POV
—Romantic rival: not really
—Cheating: sort of. Lucien is engaged to Victor’s brother, her pursues and sleeps with Victor. However, the betrothal is completely political and neither fiancé even speaks to each other most of the book, and the brother also sleeps with Lucien’s sister which no one minds either
—Kids: no
—Breakup: no, but they also aren’t strictly together either
— Sexual roles: strict. Victor prefers to bottom and Lucien prefers to top
—HEA: implied HFN
Enjoyment: 3.25
I recommend you read the brief guide in the back of the book first. This is the only world building you will get. It won’t make complete sense but it will help a lot.
Overall this author had some really cool and fun ideas for the story, characters, and world. But the execution was lacking. It was pretty awkward, confusing, and inconsistent. Most of the events just kind of happened to the characters with no lead up and little resolution. I wanted to LOVE this and actually anticipated it being a favorite book, but it turned out to have a lot more of promise and not much delivery. The book is better in the second half, likely because I started to get used to it. I think this author shows a lot of promise, and I love to read more of her stuff, but it definitely needs a ruthless editor.
I’m confused because the book has an Amazon link to the sequel, but it’s a broken link and I see no info on a sequel either.
Victor is a 25 year old cis white man. His sexuality is unknown. He’s described as tall and leanly muscled with dark hair, one dark eye and one light eye. He is of mixed saint/vampire parentage. He’s mostly vampire-presenting but does have some saint qualities (such as self-lubrication for sex purposes, but no ability to become pregnant). He’s a trained bodyguard and killer. He donates any excess of his salary toward his community. He’s the least favorite twin. His brother Vincent is his father’s favorite. He apparently has BPD, GAD, and dissociative amnesia. The writing reflects this badly or not at all.
Lucien is a 29 year old cis white man. His sexuality is unknown. He’s described as taller than Victor, more muscular than Victor, with white skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. He’s a saint, and apparently ALL of them have this exact coloring. Which seems creepy. He apparently has histrionic personality disorder, Shif I also didn’t notice. Honestly he seemed like he was the one with GAD. It was all very confusing.
Apparently the world is made of two kinds of people: saints and vampires. And ALL “full-blooded” saints are white with blonde hair and blue eyes. No black or brown people among them. It’s not a good look. I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt and assume she’s a newer writer who is white and thought “saints are white like you see in church” (don’t get me started with that either) without any deeper thought. But there should be some deeper thought in the future because this isn’t good even if it’s an accident.
Not great:
—Too many epithets. Names were barely used sometimes, it was all “the saint,” “the vamp,” “the person beside him,” “the enforcer,” “the heir,” “the other,” etc etc etc. This is incredibly awkward and confusing to read. I get the urge, but it’s better to just use names.
—Awkward writing, really needed a good read over or edit. For example: “With a quick check of his chamber, Victor knew he was out of bullets again. Saying fuck it, he holstered the empty gun and lunged, pinning the attacker.” The author doesn’t have Victor say the word, she tells us he is saying “fuck it.”
—Misspellings and wrong words used
—This had some of a writing device I dislike, which is a character fully entrenched in the world doesn’t know major and/or basic information about it. This happened with Victor a few times.
—The epilogue made no sense with the rest of the book.
—The main plot was very unclear. If there was one? I’m not sure.
Really fun:
—the concept for the story was very intriguing!
—the brother’s arranged fiancé idea was so fun! I wish we had seen a little more of it.
—there was potential for very intense emotional and sexual connections between MCs and we very nearly got there for both.
—I adored how badass they both were, especially Victor since he’s pretty tiny but also very deadly and cranky. That’s one of my favorite combos!
—I actually didn’t mind the angel/demon world, and normally I really dislike that setting.
Content warnings and tropes:
—Drug abuse (Victor)
—Possessiveness
—Jealousy
—Victor gets sexy-lifted by Lucien quite a lot, if that’s your thing
—Non-threatening or only mildly-threatening looking MC is a badass and could kill anyone with a thumb (one of my favorite tropes)
—Somewhat enemies to lovers
—MC refuses to acknowledge he has feelings
—Sibling’s fiancé
—Vampires need blood and food
—Some omegaverse elements (no mpreg or possibility of mpreg) such as scent glands and cis male self-lubrication
—Abusive father (mental and physical)
—On screen murder (Lucien snaps the neck of a man giving a consensual blow job to Victor)
—Dubious consent with bonding/marking between MCs
Other:
—First person dual POV
—Romantic rival: not really
—Cheating: sort of. Lucien is engaged to Victor’s brother, her pursues and sleeps with Victor. However, the betrothal is completely political and neither fiancé even speaks to each other most of the book, and the brother also sleeps with Lucien’s sister which no one minds either
—Kids: no
—Breakup: no, but they also aren’t strictly together either
— Sexual roles: strict. Victor prefers to bottom and Lucien prefers to top
—HEA: implied HFN
May 27, 2023
Very confusing book. Lots of details are missing and the book just jumps straight into dialogue with the two characters without any background information or world building help.
Just from chapter one alone, I wasn't sure what was going on and where the setting is supposed to be. Names are thrown around and I thought they were in Hell but with another name for it (Nox), but nope.
- Victor is getting coffee when someone tells him to move, so I thought they were at some coffee shop, but nope.
- Victor then moves to the side because he's supposed to be security for whatever is happening, and I think they're in a building lobby area where he can watch the doors and vet people, but nope.
- He gets cornered by a flirting Lucian and 4 people walk into the room, so I'm thinking he's in a conference room being set up for this meeting... maybe? We only find out it's a conference room after there's a shootout near the end of the meeting and Victor tells people to flip the conference room table.
There's no description of the setting or time until after things happen. Even in the chapter following where they meet at a club or bar (not sure which), you can only infer that when there is alcohol being ordered and a bartender mentioned.
Victor and Lucian also seemed to have switched personalities in chapter one and two.
Chapter 1: Victor is skittish and avoids confrontation while Lucian is forward and corners Victor.
Chapter 2: (2 days before) Lucian yells at Victor to get out of his booth/seat, but then backs away when he sees his face. Victor then walks right up to Lucian and is being super forward.
Their retreat in both instances somehow doesn't match what either of them is supposed to be like, which is apparently ruthless, merciless, and violent.
Victor calls Lucian "the saint" constantly so I thought he was an angel (and angel+vamp paranormal thing) but nope, he's an heir to a crime syndicate, just like Victor is part of another one. Other than Lucian's looks (golden hair and blue eyes), there's no indication why Victor calls him the saint; even after he finds out Lucian is the heir, he still calls him that.
Then apparently, some gang rains bullets into the conference room but Victor is the only one reacting and fighting back with skill while everyone acts like idiots. He's the only one to chase after the assailants in the hallway like he's the only capable security for this meeting they're supposed to have, which is so important people are shooting at them to keep it from happening. Since it's such an important meeting, why wasn't there more capable security? Why wasn't he coordinating with a team? Did Lux's side not have their own security in the room either?
It just seems like the type of book that makes everyone but the 2 main MCs out to be idiots. Even when the other characters are supposed to be as merciless and ruthless as the 2 MMCs, they become useless in the face of any event and Victor has to be the hero to rescue everyone. This is very at odds with the reputation they're supposed to have. We're being told everyone has scary reputations but no one is acting like it.
Just from chapter one alone, I wasn't sure what was going on and where the setting is supposed to be. Names are thrown around and I thought they were in Hell but with another name for it (Nox), but nope.
- Victor is getting coffee when someone tells him to move, so I thought they were at some coffee shop, but nope.
- Victor then moves to the side because he's supposed to be security for whatever is happening, and I think they're in a building lobby area where he can watch the doors and vet people, but nope.
- He gets cornered by a flirting Lucian and 4 people walk into the room, so I'm thinking he's in a conference room being set up for this meeting... maybe? We only find out it's a conference room after there's a shootout near the end of the meeting and Victor tells people to flip the conference room table.
There's no description of the setting or time until after things happen. Even in the chapter following where they meet at a club or bar (not sure which), you can only infer that when there is alcohol being ordered and a bartender mentioned.
Victor and Lucian also seemed to have switched personalities in chapter one and two.
Chapter 1: Victor is skittish and avoids confrontation while Lucian is forward and corners Victor.
Chapter 2: (2 days before) Lucian yells at Victor to get out of his booth/seat, but then backs away when he sees his face. Victor then walks right up to Lucian and is being super forward.
Their retreat in both instances somehow doesn't match what either of them is supposed to be like, which is apparently ruthless, merciless, and violent.
Victor calls Lucian "the saint" constantly so I thought he was an angel (and angel+vamp paranormal thing) but nope, he's an heir to a crime syndicate, just like Victor is part of another one. Other than Lucian's looks (golden hair and blue eyes), there's no indication why Victor calls him the saint; even after he finds out Lucian is the heir, he still calls him that.
Then apparently, some gang rains bullets into the conference room but Victor is the only one reacting and fighting back with skill while everyone acts like idiots. He's the only one to chase after the assailants in the hallway like he's the only capable security for this meeting they're supposed to have, which is so important people are shooting at them to keep it from happening. Since it's such an important meeting, why wasn't there more capable security? Why wasn't he coordinating with a team? Did Lux's side not have their own security in the room either?
It just seems like the type of book that makes everyone but the 2 main MCs out to be idiots. Even when the other characters are supposed to be as merciless and ruthless as the 2 MMCs, they become useless in the face of any event and Victor has to be the hero to rescue everyone. This is very at odds with the reputation they're supposed to have. We're being told everyone has scary reputations but no one is acting like it.
July 15, 2023
I was incredibly confused for the first few chapters of the book for multiple reasons. For one, you are just dropped into this story with no explanation. None. You have no idea who these people are or how this world works or what the hell is going on. For another, the timeline is all over the place. You start in the present and then go back and then the present and the past. It's confusing and overly complicated and there's no real reason for it. Once I made it past those few chapters I went back and read them in timeline order and they made SO. MUCH. MORE. SENSE. And on top of that, the story is relatively vague when it comes to settings and and character descriptions and some of the names are very similar and it's just very confusing. I fully admit I started and stopped this book at least a dozen times and deleted it from my KU downloads at least twice. Those first few chapters were a massive hurdle.
I will say that the world building behind this book is actually pretty neat, but you have to read the explanations at the back of the book for it to make sense. I found this section by accident. I have a tendency to occasionally read the last page of a book early on and I stumbled across the guide. I had already tried reading the book a couple times at this point and given up because it was incredibly confusing, but once I had the explanations, I was finally able to make it past the first few pages. Most of that information is crucial to understanding how the world works, but you get barely any of it in the actual story, which doesn't make sense. Why bother creating this complex lore and world but not explain it in the story? And even if for some reason you want the guide to exist beyond the story itself, why not put it at the beginning of the book so people know what's going on?
Once you figure out the world and get past those initial chapters, the book isn't bad. If you came for a spicy, supernatural mafia romance with ABO type dynamics, you will not be disappointed. I liked the moral grayness of the characters and the way they worked together. Some parts of the story felt a little weak and under-explained and the characters' personalities were all over the place and a bit inconsistent, but I liked it well enough. Some bits felt cobbled together and the story didn't really flow well in places, but I enjoyed the parts that worked. There was a bit of mystery and intrigue mixed in between the spicy scenes, and I can see the potential for this series.
Now the big question: Will I continue reading this series or will I just call it a day? Honestly, at this point, it's 50/50. I did enjoy it and I kind of want to stick around and see what happens next. However, if I do pick up the next book and find it as cluttered and confusing as this one was at the start, I'll probably pass.
Either way, if you're thinking about reading this book and don't mind a bit of violence and other triggers, go for it, just make sure you read the guide at the back first.
I will say that the world building behind this book is actually pretty neat, but you have to read the explanations at the back of the book for it to make sense. I found this section by accident. I have a tendency to occasionally read the last page of a book early on and I stumbled across the guide. I had already tried reading the book a couple times at this point and given up because it was incredibly confusing, but once I had the explanations, I was finally able to make it past the first few pages. Most of that information is crucial to understanding how the world works, but you get barely any of it in the actual story, which doesn't make sense. Why bother creating this complex lore and world but not explain it in the story? And even if for some reason you want the guide to exist beyond the story itself, why not put it at the beginning of the book so people know what's going on?
Once you figure out the world and get past those initial chapters, the book isn't bad. If you came for a spicy, supernatural mafia romance with ABO type dynamics, you will not be disappointed. I liked the moral grayness of the characters and the way they worked together. Some parts of the story felt a little weak and under-explained and the characters' personalities were all over the place and a bit inconsistent, but I liked it well enough. Some bits felt cobbled together and the story didn't really flow well in places, but I enjoyed the parts that worked. There was a bit of mystery and intrigue mixed in between the spicy scenes, and I can see the potential for this series.
Now the big question: Will I continue reading this series or will I just call it a day? Honestly, at this point, it's 50/50. I did enjoy it and I kind of want to stick around and see what happens next. However, if I do pick up the next book and find it as cluttered and confusing as this one was at the start, I'll probably pass.
Either way, if you're thinking about reading this book and don't mind a bit of violence and other triggers, go for it, just make sure you read the guide at the back first.
September 10, 2024
god this book was a 10 hour long MESS. it was so unfortunate, it was spicy in a way that was actually hot but it was so boring. absolutely nothing happened, no real plot or main antagonists. just a one or teo clichee villains shitton of side characters that were minor antagonist. basically everyone in the book, since noone wanted to see the MCs happy alone (snd especially not together).
the writing itself was so unfortunate we were constantly told things about the main character but we never saw them. i say that with love, author PLEASE rework this. the writing was confusing and unclear, there was almost zero world building and we were expexted to just… get it. my biggest issue was desperately trying to like the setting which was hard due to lack of world building, struggling for ten hours straight and then after a dubious epilogue that had nothing with the MCs nor story to do we get a 10 minute long detailed infodump of the previously missing the lore and worldbuilding. why???? im not going to listen to it when the book is already over and the experience was seriously underwhelming 💀😭 if you have to infodump at all maybe put it… at the beginning?
there were also weird time jumps, i literally was about to restart the book in the beginning because i thought i had missed some vital information from a sex scene that was referred to in the past tense. then there was suddenly a very weird time jump that was not announced and we got to see said sex scenes but??? i thought i lost the ability to comprehend.
i have so many questions, but the major ones are:
-why the long listing of trigger warnings in the beginning when most of said topics (a.e mental health) were written subtly and in a very shifty way
-will this be a series?
-is this a/b/o? the vampire was written like an omega and usually assholes dont slick up by themselves even tho ur horny
-why did MC decimate an entire group of homeless people snd addicts and why does he distain them so much when his mate is an addict? double standards much
-why was the infodump about the world building not evenly distributed tru the book in a natural, non overbearing way?
-why constantly refer to the MCs by their status and species? using names is cool. like what is a saint? what is a knox? this would have to be explained in the beginning and in full detail
-why did the MC suddenly develop visions? it was never mentioned and then BOOM
-why did MC suddenly loose all memory of their first time fucking? was it booze? was it dissociation? amnesia? for the love of god what was it
the writing itself was so unfortunate we were constantly told things about the main character but we never saw them. i say that with love, author PLEASE rework this. the writing was confusing and unclear, there was almost zero world building and we were expexted to just… get it. my biggest issue was desperately trying to like the setting which was hard due to lack of world building, struggling for ten hours straight and then after a dubious epilogue that had nothing with the MCs nor story to do we get a 10 minute long detailed infodump of the previously missing the lore and worldbuilding. why???? im not going to listen to it when the book is already over and the experience was seriously underwhelming 💀😭 if you have to infodump at all maybe put it… at the beginning?
there were also weird time jumps, i literally was about to restart the book in the beginning because i thought i had missed some vital information from a sex scene that was referred to in the past tense. then there was suddenly a very weird time jump that was not announced and we got to see said sex scenes but??? i thought i lost the ability to comprehend.
i have so many questions, but the major ones are:
-why the long listing of trigger warnings in the beginning when most of said topics (a.e mental health) were written subtly and in a very shifty way
-will this be a series?
-is this a/b/o? the vampire was written like an omega and usually assholes dont slick up by themselves even tho ur horny
-why did MC decimate an entire group of homeless people snd addicts and why does he distain them so much when his mate is an addict? double standards much
-why was the infodump about the world building not evenly distributed tru the book in a natural, non overbearing way?
-why constantly refer to the MCs by their status and species? using names is cool. like what is a saint? what is a knox? this would have to be explained in the beginning and in full detail
-why did the MC suddenly develop visions? it was never mentioned and then BOOM
-why did MC suddenly loose all memory of their first time fucking? was it booze? was it dissociation? amnesia? for the love of god what was it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2024
This is very much ✨vibes✨. Not like there is no plot, but it moves in the background until maybe the last third of the book and focuses on character work. It's a Romeo-Juliet type scenario with feuding mafia factions, one vampires aligned with the night and the other angel-like entities aligned with light. Except they both have mafias, murder people on the regular and are gunning for an alliance via a union between their heirs, so good and bad are...loosely used terms :D (It's mafia gays, I have no excuse, I had to pick it up). The twist of the premise lies in who is fated to fall for whom and I didn't hate it. The latin based terminology was a bit flat, the "all angels are blond & blue-eyed" was as flat as a flounder, but not everything about this book was shit :D There was a glossary at the end that maybe would've helped in the beginning, but I didn't mind not quite getting when omegaverse elements such as slick and scent glands were strewn in there, I rolled with the punches just fine. The setting was dark though, even though the main couple and their moments aren't, really. I think I'll read the next one, if it comes my way.
CNs!!! The author themself puts content notes in the beginning. I'd reiterate the following at least: alcohol as a coping mechanism, alcoholism, mentioned former drug addiction, selling drugs, disordered eating, on-page vomiting, suicidal ideation&thoughts, physical violence and assault, murder, blackmail, mention of childhood/teenage torture, parental abuse. I would like to also put down here, that the author has ascribed explicit mental health diagnosis to their characters: one they diagnosed with bipolar, the other with histrionic personality. They said some of it is written from experience, some from research. There was also an extensive list of US mental health services included.
CNs!!! The author themself puts content notes in the beginning. I'd reiterate the following at least: alcohol as a coping mechanism, alcoholism, mentioned former drug addiction, selling drugs, disordered eating, on-page vomiting, suicidal ideation&thoughts, physical violence and assault, murder, blackmail, mention of childhood/teenage torture, parental abuse. I would like to also put down here, that the author has ascribed explicit mental health diagnosis to their characters: one they diagnosed with bipolar, the other with histrionic personality. They said some of it is written from experience, some from research. There was also an extensive list of US mental health services included.
June 22, 2023
First want I want to say thank you to the author for the audiobook for this ARC review. I really appreciate it.
The narrator did an incredible job defining his voice for certain characters, he really fitted Victors speaking parts really well. I could not picture victor with another voice and I would be sad if he did not do the second novel. Kudos to him and his great voice work.
For the author, I love the small attention to details, while a bit too much in certain aspects of the story as I wanted to get to the crucial parts, like the plot Point reveals and those steamy scenes. But the wait gives the reader much reward as it builds you up. A double-edged sword but it gives me a lot to think about and devour as I listen.
I felt a bit frustrated with the world building, as I have more questions than answers and wish it was woven into the story or main plot a bit better. I also do question about Victor and his twins' birth, while it stated they are incredibly special, and it may have gone over my head but I don’t know why they are apart from being half vampire, half Lux. While I appreciate a small piece at the end of the novel explaining certain parts of the world, it could have been woven in. That said, I do find scent glands weird, not my cup of tea when it comes to reading about this kind of thing.
That being said, I love the slow burn between the two male leads and the funny jabs Victor gives. Love a smart ass and his best friend Denarius, we can all need a best friend like him. While I don’t want to spoil too much, I can say one of the reveals is a cliché that I love. Some may groan, some may squeal. I am the one the who goes aww and feel a bit emotional, cause I am a hopeless sap like that. Lol.
In the end, I am still curious about the world and what will happen as the author has evilly left it on a cliffhanger, drawing you in begging for more and scream “What! No! where’s the rest!?” well done. 😉
If you love slow burn, sassy men, violence and a whole world with its own lore and species that isn’t human, I recommend giving this a read. I enjoyed the novel and I am keen to see where this goes.
The narrator did an incredible job defining his voice for certain characters, he really fitted Victors speaking parts really well. I could not picture victor with another voice and I would be sad if he did not do the second novel. Kudos to him and his great voice work.
For the author, I love the small attention to details, while a bit too much in certain aspects of the story as I wanted to get to the crucial parts, like the plot Point reveals and those steamy scenes. But the wait gives the reader much reward as it builds you up. A double-edged sword but it gives me a lot to think about and devour as I listen.
I felt a bit frustrated with the world building, as I have more questions than answers and wish it was woven into the story or main plot a bit better. I also do question about Victor and his twins' birth, while it stated they are incredibly special, and it may have gone over my head but I don’t know why they are apart from being half vampire, half Lux. While I appreciate a small piece at the end of the novel explaining certain parts of the world, it could have been woven in. That said, I do find scent glands weird, not my cup of tea when it comes to reading about this kind of thing.
That being said, I love the slow burn between the two male leads and the funny jabs Victor gives. Love a smart ass and his best friend Denarius, we can all need a best friend like him. While I don’t want to spoil too much, I can say one of the reveals is a cliché that I love. Some may groan, some may squeal. I am the one the who goes aww and feel a bit emotional, cause I am a hopeless sap like that. Lol.
In the end, I am still curious about the world and what will happen as the author has evilly left it on a cliffhanger, drawing you in begging for more and scream “What! No! where’s the rest!?” well done. 😉
If you love slow burn, sassy men, violence and a whole world with its own lore and species that isn’t human, I recommend giving this a read. I enjoyed the novel and I am keen to see where this goes.
October 23, 2023
If you want a book that would confuse the living daylights out of you and make you question if you just heard that or if that was your mind, this is the book for you.
it’s all started with two men in a room feeling some attraction to each other for no reason than blah blah blah there is a gun fight ( we were never told from whom ? or why ? who they were trying to kill? We just don’t know.) all of a sudden the vampire killer is now the bodyguard of a guy who is more taller and have magical powers and can kill people with fire, like what????
For then on it was just sex, stupid crazy twin brother, sex, obsessive father, for no reason , sex , abusive father, crazy horny, Sister, sex, weird friends, sex sex sex.
If you asked me what happened in the book that’s all I will tell you, nothing was explained,
the only way I could understand this book was by changing it in my head into Alpha and omega verse
There was no chemistry or real affection between them. It was just animalistic urges for a 10 hour book it was boring, the names were pretty confusing as well.
OK now this is just my view of victors character: we were told that victor was this bad ass killer, who was trained from a very young age by his abusive and manipulative father, his mother was locked away, and his father use her as a beat to manipulate him ( why ? We don’t know 🤷🏾♀️) and in my eyes, he’s pretty much an omega ( if you know anything about omega verse, you will understand what I mean).
So my expectations for his character was pretty high. I expected a manipulative malevolent killer with no remorse or fear 😧. Not the shivering. No sense making cock slave MC I got, and that is disappointing.
We were told that the reason why he is like that it’s because his father uses his mother, to manipulate him, a real killer will have just killed his mother, and then gun his father down as much as possible, making him weak as fuck, and then just cutting off his head so he will be the king of the empire and free from his father’s clutches. His brother can go fuck himself.
I don’t see a reason why they should have more series at all
it’s all started with two men in a room feeling some attraction to each other for no reason than blah blah blah there is a gun fight ( we were never told from whom ? or why ? who they were trying to kill? We just don’t know.) all of a sudden the vampire killer is now the bodyguard of a guy who is more taller and have magical powers and can kill people with fire, like what????
For then on it was just sex, stupid crazy twin brother, sex, obsessive father, for no reason , sex , abusive father, crazy horny, Sister, sex, weird friends, sex sex sex.
If you asked me what happened in the book that’s all I will tell you, nothing was explained,
the only way I could understand this book was by changing it in my head into Alpha and omega verse
There was no chemistry or real affection between them. It was just animalistic urges for a 10 hour book it was boring, the names were pretty confusing as well.
OK now this is just my view of victors character: we were told that victor was this bad ass killer, who was trained from a very young age by his abusive and manipulative father, his mother was locked away, and his father use her as a beat to manipulate him ( why ? We don’t know 🤷🏾♀️) and in my eyes, he’s pretty much an omega ( if you know anything about omega verse, you will understand what I mean).
So my expectations for his character was pretty high. I expected a manipulative malevolent killer with no remorse or fear 😧. Not the shivering. No sense making cock slave MC I got, and that is disappointing.
We were told that the reason why he is like that it’s because his father uses his mother, to manipulate him, a real killer will have just killed his mother, and then gun his father down as much as possible, making him weak as fuck, and then just cutting off his head so he will be the king of the empire and free from his father’s clutches. His brother can go fuck himself.
I don’t see a reason why they should have more series at all
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2024
Hai presente quando trovi un libro che ha un potenziale allucinante, con un impostazione di mondo fantasy perfetta, l'enemies to lovers della mafia che hai sempre sognato in versione MM, una comprensione del concetto di Dom/Sub accennato, ma nel migliore dei modi?
Perfetto.
E hai presente quanto ti faccia incazzare quando tutto questo potenziale viene buttato nel water perché, di base, non c'è una trama sostenere nulla di quanto detto finora?
OTTIMO.
Hai ottenuto quello che è "The Malevolent Heir", tra l'altro, il primo di due libri che io mi chiedo, ma cosa mai avrà da raccontare l'autrice nel secondo libro visto che il primo è un patchwork raffazzonato di scene inutili e senza senso? Tesoro, solo perché usi la carta del "non sapevo chi altro chiamare" questo non rende il tuo libro un BUON libro!
Ci sono rimasta malissimo, onesta, perché avevo alte aspettative appena iniziato il libro, ma oggettivamente, come già notato in più di una delle mie recensioni, non bastano due buone scene di sesso per sostenere un intero romanzo. La caduta di stile più grande, poi, è che le cose vengono spiegate al fondo in una sorta di glossario... IO BHO. Questa è pura e semplice pigrizia.
L'intero libro è una rappresentazione del meme dell'uomo del sale, dove le info sono droppate così a caso con l'emoji ✨✨ per rendere tutto più MAGGICO.
Infine, comunque c'era troppa carne al fuoco: santi, vampiri, mafia, passato condiviso e traumatico, tortura, elementi omegaverse, soulmate, divinità. Troppa, troppa roba che inevitabilmente si è persa per strada come un bambino che si è riempito le braccia di paperelle di gomma e le semina per tutto il giardino (per l'analogia si ringrazia Lucifer di Hazbin Hotel che ormai è il mio spirito guida).
Sicché è AGGRATIS, leggerò il secondo volume quando uscirà giusto per capire cosa diamine stiamo facendo, ma sarà una lettura veloce, senza alcuna aspettativa.
Qui Morgana, passo e chiudo!
Perfetto.
E hai presente quanto ti faccia incazzare quando tutto questo potenziale viene buttato nel water perché, di base, non c'è una trama sostenere nulla di quanto detto finora?
OTTIMO.
Hai ottenuto quello che è "The Malevolent Heir", tra l'altro, il primo di due libri che io mi chiedo, ma cosa mai avrà da raccontare l'autrice nel secondo libro visto che il primo è un patchwork raffazzonato di scene inutili e senza senso? Tesoro, solo perché usi la carta del "non sapevo chi altro chiamare" questo non rende il tuo libro un BUON libro!
Ci sono rimasta malissimo, onesta, perché avevo alte aspettative appena iniziato il libro, ma oggettivamente, come già notato in più di una delle mie recensioni, non bastano due buone scene di sesso per sostenere un intero romanzo. La caduta di stile più grande, poi, è che le cose vengono spiegate al fondo in una sorta di glossario... IO BHO. Questa è pura e semplice pigrizia.
L'intero libro è una rappresentazione del meme dell'uomo del sale, dove le info sono droppate così a caso con l'emoji ✨✨ per rendere tutto più MAGGICO.
Infine, comunque c'era troppa carne al fuoco: santi, vampiri, mafia, passato condiviso e traumatico, tortura, elementi omegaverse, soulmate, divinità. Troppa, troppa roba che inevitabilmente si è persa per strada come un bambino che si è riempito le braccia di paperelle di gomma e le semina per tutto il giardino (per l'analogia si ringrazia Lucifer di Hazbin Hotel che ormai è il mio spirito guida).
Sicché è AGGRATIS, leggerò il secondo volume quando uscirà giusto per capire cosa diamine stiamo facendo, ma sarà una lettura veloce, senza alcuna aspettativa.
Qui Morgana, passo e chiudo!
February 16, 2024
Uff me había gustado lo suficiente, no diría que es un libro la raja, porque en construcción de mundo deja BASTANTE que desear, pero bueno no creo que nadie lo leyera por la fantasía. El romance es definitivamente lo más fuerte del libro y es bien bonito, pero me gustaría más desarrollo de los personajes individualmente, siento que siempre los vemos juntos y su dinámica, más no conocemos quienes son en lo privado.
Ahora lo que odie:
La parte donde la autora habla sobre los TRASTONOS de salud mental de los personajes. Vamos a ver, que tus personajes tengan problemas de salud mental es total y absolutamente válido y necesario, porque lo hace más realista y sirve para visibilizar.
Ahora, creo que hay que ser super responsable con esto, además de ver mucho más allá del estereotipo del trastorno que quieres representar, y a esto voy también, la palabra trastorno es una gran palabra cuando hablamos de salud mental. Tener rasgos o sintomatioogia de algo no significa tener el trastorno en sí, por ejemplo dice que Lucien tiene trastorno histrionico)? Bitch are you for real? No lo vi, no me pareció una persona así, rasgos puede ser, pero ahí no más también. En ningún momento sentí que Lucien tuviera una necesidad de atención o siquiera un deseo por ella, claramente es arrogante pero es por la posición en la que se encuentra, aunque esto tampoco es excesivo.
Quizás es un poco complicado aterrizar síntomas en una historia de fantasía, porque objetivamente estos personajes tendrían mucho de donde sacar, pero los rasgos más preocupantes )? Son explicados por magia entonces jajajja ( y ni siquiera son los que describe la autora al final).
Aparte que describe ataques de pánico en Lucien y esos ni siquiera los nombra al final.
No se, siento que me molesto mucho que se patologice a los personajes pero no se demuestre o se explique bien la palogia en si y quede como un trabajo mal hecho.
Y si, soy psicóloga así que puedo opinar con fundamentos sobre esto.
Ahora lo que odie:
La parte donde la autora habla sobre los TRASTONOS de salud mental de los personajes. Vamos a ver, que tus personajes tengan problemas de salud mental es total y absolutamente válido y necesario, porque lo hace más realista y sirve para visibilizar.
Ahora, creo que hay que ser super responsable con esto, además de ver mucho más allá del estereotipo del trastorno que quieres representar, y a esto voy también, la palabra trastorno es una gran palabra cuando hablamos de salud mental. Tener rasgos o sintomatioogia de algo no significa tener el trastorno en sí, por ejemplo dice que Lucien tiene trastorno histrionico)? Bitch are you for real? No lo vi, no me pareció una persona así, rasgos puede ser, pero ahí no más también. En ningún momento sentí que Lucien tuviera una necesidad de atención o siquiera un deseo por ella, claramente es arrogante pero es por la posición en la que se encuentra, aunque esto tampoco es excesivo.
Quizás es un poco complicado aterrizar síntomas en una historia de fantasía, porque objetivamente estos personajes tendrían mucho de donde sacar, pero los rasgos más preocupantes )? Son explicados por magia entonces jajajja ( y ni siquiera son los que describe la autora al final).
Aparte que describe ataques de pánico en Lucien y esos ni siquiera los nombra al final.
No se, siento que me molesto mucho que se patologice a los personajes pero no se demuestre o se explique bien la palogia en si y quede como un trabajo mal hecho.
Y si, soy psicóloga así que puedo opinar con fundamentos sobre esto.
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