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Royals of Forsyth University #8
Princes of Ash
"To create is to reign."
The phrase uttered by the Princes of Forsyth is no longer a motto, but a harsh truth: I’m carrying the East End heir.
My pregnancy announcement wasn’t the only bomb dropped at the Princes’ annual Valentine’s Day party. I’d revealed to the entire world that Rufus Ashby is an abusive man who rules his sons with a sadistic bent, terrorizing them into becoming the best soldiers a father can create.
Turns out, I’m not the only one fighting for survival in this house of horrors.
Whitaker - He’s beautiful and broken, and though my betrayal of him may be my biggest regret, he makes it difficult to feel guilty.
Pace - The same paranoia which makes him viciously cling to the things he loves also drives him to lock them away.
Lex - His brilliance is matched only by his loyalty, but there’s two sides to the man who wanders into my room at night.
It’s not just the Palace that’s haunted by evil men; it’s the very soil the structure is built on. I’ll soon come to find the traumatic bonds that link my Princes to one another are more than mere shackles.
If I want the Monarchs to succeed, if I want this baby to have a chance, if I want to survive…
I have no choice but to break the ties of the Ashby brothers the same way I destroy the Palace.
Brick by brick.
Princes of Ash is book 8 in the contemporary, dark, reverse harem, traumatic romance, Royals of Forsyth U series by best-selling authors, Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue. Please read the foreword for all content warnings and details.
The phrase uttered by the Princes of Forsyth is no longer a motto, but a harsh truth: I’m carrying the East End heir.
My pregnancy announcement wasn’t the only bomb dropped at the Princes’ annual Valentine’s Day party. I’d revealed to the entire world that Rufus Ashby is an abusive man who rules his sons with a sadistic bent, terrorizing them into becoming the best soldiers a father can create.
Turns out, I’m not the only one fighting for survival in this house of horrors.
Whitaker - He’s beautiful and broken, and though my betrayal of him may be my biggest regret, he makes it difficult to feel guilty.
Pace - The same paranoia which makes him viciously cling to the things he loves also drives him to lock them away.
Lex - His brilliance is matched only by his loyalty, but there’s two sides to the man who wanders into my room at night.
It’s not just the Palace that’s haunted by evil men; it’s the very soil the structure is built on. I’ll soon come to find the traumatic bonds that link my Princes to one another are more than mere shackles.
If I want the Monarchs to succeed, if I want this baby to have a chance, if I want to survive…
I have no choice but to break the ties of the Ashby brothers the same way I destroy the Palace.
Brick by brick.
Princes of Ash is book 8 in the contemporary, dark, reverse harem, traumatic romance, Royals of Forsyth U series by best-selling authors, Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue. Please read the foreword for all content warnings and details.
518 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2023
760 people are currently reading
7377 people want to read
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November 12, 2023
If you read my review for the first book, you know I hated the Princes.
Well, fuck me sideways and call me cute little fucker* because after this book, the Princes are officially my new favorites.
I can’t even pick a favorite among them (Killian in Lords and Sy in Dukes, in case you were wondering). I would just keep thinking “he’s my favorite” with each POV. Completely unhinged behavior.
VERITY IS EVERYTHING. She’s hands down the best FMC so far in this series, but also one of the best characters I’ve read this year. Her yearning for a real connection, her resilience and the way her nature is to nurture, but she knows how to disarm a grown ass man in thirty seconds flat are the perfect combination.
She grew so much in this book, and the whole storyline about the Monarchs, the other women in Forsyth, her friendship with Stella, Lavinia and Story… just fucking French kiss. I need these books to focus even more on exploring themes such as sorority and how women fight for their place in this world and what that place entrails.
Pace was the biggest surprise for me. I straight out hated him before and by the end, I was obsessed with how obsessed he is with Verity. The moment he grew protective of her and started to take care of her… phew 😮💨 I was a goner. Their sleeping arrangement left me feeling completely unhinged in the best way possible. All I’ll say is: new kink unlocked.
Lex was my favorite in the first book and he didn’t disappoint. When he started to wear his hair down for her, it’s so silly but I melted lol But oh that part at the very end… I can’t wait to see what they do with that in the last book. It just made so much sense to me.
Wicker is probably going to be everyone’s favorite. He gets the biggest character development of the three of them and his relationship with Verity was so well done. He said some incredibly romantic shit to her, too. I was literally swooning at some point.
The Princes are so much softer and romantic than the Lords and Dukes. I’m obsessed with the tenderness they displayed with Verity and her pregnancy. The third book is going to kill me so good.
About the real main character: The breeding kink 💦 Their fixation on her belly getting bigger, with the idea of their baby growing inside of her… I needed several moments to recover!!! They finally served us some high quality premium breeding kink. And not only about her being pregnant, but their obsession with filling her up and keeping her full… Jesus Christ, that was so hot.
I wasn’t sold on the sex scenes in the first book. I thought the Princes were not hot at all. But I take it all back. Lex’s dirty talk, Wicker’s intensity and Pace’s obsession… it all worked so fucking well.
There’s this really hot MMF scene that will melt your brain and leave you wondering what day of the week you’re in. Be ready for it. Verity almost died of how hot that was, our girl was living for it.
This series has the worst fathers and when you think no one can be worse, they surprise you with a new awful father. In this case, Rufus Ashby wins the title of Psycho Dad. He went even farther than I thought and death is not enough to pay for all the evil shit he’s ever done.
That being said, lots of secrets got revealed and I see where the third book is heading and it promises to be the best ending to a trilogy so far.
Get ready for a rollercoaster. We get several scenes with the Lords (Rath has one of the funniest moments) and the Dukes. The backstory of how Verity’s mom got pregnant will break you. There are some pretty dark moments. But overall, I thought this was the most vulnerable and tender book in the series. I’m completely obsessed and I need the third one!!
Some of my favorite quotes out of context:
“This must be why men have testicles. They need somewhere to store all the fucking audacity.”
“I’m sorry if my eating for two repulses you.”
I scoff. “Convenient excuse.”
She takes a big, deliberate bite. “I’m also hating for two.”
“Like her tits. They’re bigger. I know it. It’s like a disturbance in the Force or something. I sense their growth .”
“Goddamn, we have got to have Lex run a DNA test between you and Wicker. You’re both such bratty little bitches sometimes.”
“Guys, you’ve seen how much I jizz with her. I could fucking drown the baby.”
Princes of Ash comes out Nov 10th, don’t miss on this book please, I promise it’s worth it!!
(*) Leave a comment if you read the book and understood the reference please 😂
Original review: Please tell me the title “Princes of Ash” means the Purple Palace is going up in mothereffing FLAMES 🔥
Well, fuck me sideways and call me cute little fucker* because after this book, the Princes are officially my new favorites.
I can’t even pick a favorite among them (Killian in Lords and Sy in Dukes, in case you were wondering). I would just keep thinking “he’s my favorite” with each POV. Completely unhinged behavior.
VERITY IS EVERYTHING. She’s hands down the best FMC so far in this series, but also one of the best characters I’ve read this year. Her yearning for a real connection, her resilience and the way her nature is to nurture, but she knows how to disarm a grown ass man in thirty seconds flat are the perfect combination.
She grew so much in this book, and the whole storyline about the Monarchs, the other women in Forsyth, her friendship with Stella, Lavinia and Story… just fucking French kiss. I need these books to focus even more on exploring themes such as sorority and how women fight for their place in this world and what that place entrails.
Pace was the biggest surprise for me. I straight out hated him before and by the end, I was obsessed with how obsessed he is with Verity. The moment he grew protective of her and started to take care of her… phew 😮💨 I was a goner. Their sleeping arrangement left me feeling completely unhinged in the best way possible. All I’ll say is: new kink unlocked.
Lex was my favorite in the first book and he didn’t disappoint. When he started to wear his hair down for her, it’s so silly but I melted lol But oh that part at the very end… I can’t wait to see what they do with that in the last book. It just made so much sense to me.
Wicker is probably going to be everyone’s favorite. He gets the biggest character development of the three of them and his relationship with Verity was so well done. He said some incredibly romantic shit to her, too. I was literally swooning at some point.
The Princes are so much softer and romantic than the Lords and Dukes. I’m obsessed with the tenderness they displayed with Verity and her pregnancy. The third book is going to kill me so good.
About the real main character: The breeding kink 💦 Their fixation on her belly getting bigger, with the idea of their baby growing inside of her… I needed several moments to recover!!! They finally served us some high quality premium breeding kink. And not only about her being pregnant, but their obsession with filling her up and keeping her full… Jesus Christ, that was so hot.
I wasn’t sold on the sex scenes in the first book. I thought the Princes were not hot at all. But I take it all back. Lex’s dirty talk, Wicker’s intensity and Pace’s obsession… it all worked so fucking well.
There’s this really hot MMF scene that will melt your brain and leave you wondering what day of the week you’re in. Be ready for it. Verity almost died of how hot that was, our girl was living for it.
This series has the worst fathers and when you think no one can be worse, they surprise you with a new awful father. In this case, Rufus Ashby wins the title of Psycho Dad. He went even farther than I thought and death is not enough to pay for all the evil shit he’s ever done.
That being said, lots of secrets got revealed and I see where the third book is heading and it promises to be the best ending to a trilogy so far.
Get ready for a rollercoaster. We get several scenes with the Lords (Rath has one of the funniest moments) and the Dukes. The backstory of how Verity’s mom got pregnant will break you. There are some pretty dark moments. But overall, I thought this was the most vulnerable and tender book in the series. I’m completely obsessed and I need the third one!!
Some of my favorite quotes out of context:
“This must be why men have testicles. They need somewhere to store all the fucking audacity.”
“I’m sorry if my eating for two repulses you.”
I scoff. “Convenient excuse.”
She takes a big, deliberate bite. “I’m also hating for two.”
“Like her tits. They’re bigger. I know it. It’s like a disturbance in the Force or something. I sense their growth .”
“Goddamn, we have got to have Lex run a DNA test between you and Wicker. You’re both such bratty little bitches sometimes.”
“Guys, you’ve seen how much I jizz with her. I could fucking drown the baby.”
Princes of Ash comes out Nov 10th, don’t miss on this book please, I promise it’s worth it!!
(*) Leave a comment if you read the book and understood the reference please 😂
Original review: Please tell me the title “Princes of Ash” means the Purple Palace is going up in mothereffing FLAMES 🔥
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
will-not-read
November 10, 2023
Update note
to add that I know it's release day and definitely still plan to read this book! For better or worse however this has coincided with my holiday to Venice, so I won't get a chance to review this for a few days.
__
I did wonder whether to 'officially' add this book to my TBR now, as I usually would when finishing the previous instalment, or if I should wait and see how I feel in October. But ultimately - as I said - I won't allow any personal feelings to get in the way of me honestly reviewing the content. This book is definitely going to stand or fall on its own merits. No idea if I'm still on the ARC team - all things considered, I imagine not - but will be equally fine either way.
Some genuine advice to the authors: based on multiple comments on social media, and some FB messages I was sent, it really seems as though being on Goodreads isn't necessarily a productive experience for them. Describing a book as something you 'birthed', etc, is understandable. But it paves the way for an emotional backlash that comes across as unprofessional, even when the reviewer's criticism was a) intended to be constructive and b) for other readers, not for an author's eyes at all. Honestly, don't take a reviewer's word for it. There are PLENTY of posts out there from a huge range of authors, both trad and indie, big and small, saying exactly the same thing.
I will say also, I'm a little amused by how people have already started rating this book - probably not even written yet - 5 stars. I'm not disputing their right to do so if they wish, it's just that I can only imagine what some members of this fandom would say if I decided to one-star this book without reading it...
__
I did wonder whether to 'officially' add this book to my TBR now, as I usually would when finishing the previous instalment, or if I should wait and see how I feel in October. But ultimately - as I said - I won't allow any personal feelings to get in the way of me honestly reviewing the content. This book is definitely going to stand or fall on its own merits. No idea if I'm still on the ARC team - all things considered, I imagine not - but will be equally fine either way.
Some genuine advice to the authors: based on multiple comments on social media, and some FB messages I was sent, it really seems as though being on Goodreads isn't necessarily a productive experience for them. Describing a book as something you 'birthed', etc, is understandable. But it paves the way for an emotional backlash that comes across as unprofessional, even when the reviewer's criticism was a) intended to be constructive and b) for other readers, not for an author's eyes at all. Honestly, don't take a reviewer's word for it. There are PLENTY of posts out there from a huge range of authors, both trad and indie, big and small, saying exactly the same thing.
I will say also, I'm a little amused by how people have already started rating this book - probably not even written yet - 5 stars. I'm not disputing their right to do so if they wish, it's just that I can only imagine what some members of this fandom would say if I decided to one-star this book without reading it...
April 21, 2024
First time listen (audiobook🎧)/technically a re-read 21/04/24: I FELL IN LOVE ALL OVER AGAIN LORDDDDD🥹🥹🥹 We're so close to the release of Princes of Legacy!!!
Re-read 21/11/23 (technically, i listened to this book with alexa but whatever): Am I a...whore??? For these men??? DAMN STRAIGHT I AM🫠 I don't think I've ever read a book/series this many times lolz🫣
Re-read 10/11/23: Goddamn. I'm in love. The way the guys become so tender and soft with Verity (especially the last 20% or so)? I LOVE IT. The feels in this one were amazing and I know PoA is gonna live rent free in my head until May. Also, imma riot if anything happens to my baby Stella and if Ballsy doesn't get his own HEA😭🤚🏻
P.S. I went crazy with the highlights lmao (288 HIGHLIGHTS??? HOLY SHIT AJSJSJSJKS😆)
Re-read 08/11/23: I haven't been able to sleep, breathe or eat without thinking about this book. Not one second. Obsessed is an understatement. I haven't been able to read any other book either. Like, I just can't get into it and my thoughts keep straying to the Princes. Lord help me, because I have two ARCs that I have to get through😂 I don't think I've re-read a book this soon after finishing it the first time around (and the book's not even out yet officially lolz). Idk what it is that Samgel put in their books. Or maybe I do know. It's crack. Straight up crack. And I'm a whore for it. A crackwhore ig heheh😆 If my review hasn't convinced you to read this, idk what will. The Princes trilogy is hands down my fav in the entire series and I'm pretty goddamn sure that Princes of Legacy is gonna be bomb and is absolutely gonna blow my mind. Never has a book ever given me this much comfort. Can't wait to see my precious babies get their HEA🥹🫶🏾
I have no words to describe how in love and utterly obsessed I am with this book. If I thought Princes of Chaos was good, then Princes of Ash is a hundred times better than that. Samgel have completely blown my mind and wrecked any other books for me. How do you expect me to move on from this masterpiece? The feels, the intimacy and the transition from pain to a deeper connection? PERFECTION. Pure perfection. I've said this before and I'll say it again...the Princes trilogy is by far going to be my favorite. I mean, c'mon, y'all the character development? So, so, so good. I have never fallen this hard and fast for any of the guys in this series before. But Lex, Wick and Pace? I'm basically putty in their hands. And Ver, god...where do I even start with her? She was so strong and her growth as a character, as a Royal woman was PHENOMENAL. For the first 30-40 percent, I kept thinking about how she was in her Reputation era (swifties, where ya at?) and how the remaining book was just them understanding each other and being so soft. Gaaahhh I loved it sm!!! I don't think any other book will ever come close to how much I loved this one and I just know that I'll be thinking about this until PoL releases. I'm honestly so, so, so grateful to Samgel because the Princes trilogy has become something that grounds me. Something that's become a place of comfort me. Nothing beats that type of feeling y'all. I'm so in love it's actually unreal atp hehe. So pumped for Princes of Legacy so I can see these four finally get their much deserved HEA - 2024 better come faster lol.
*Thank you to Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue for providing me with an ARC!
Re-read 21/11/23 (technically, i listened to this book with alexa but whatever): Am I a...whore??? For these men??? DAMN STRAIGHT I AM🫠 I don't think I've ever read a book/series this many times lolz🫣
Re-read 10/11/23: Goddamn. I'm in love. The way the guys become so tender and soft with Verity (especially the last 20% or so)? I LOVE IT. The feels in this one were amazing and I know PoA is gonna live rent free in my head until May. Also, imma riot if anything happens to my baby Stella and if Ballsy doesn't get his own HEA😭🤚🏻
P.S. I went crazy with the highlights lmao (288 HIGHLIGHTS??? HOLY SHIT AJSJSJSJKS😆)
Re-read 08/11/23: I haven't been able to sleep, breathe or eat without thinking about this book. Not one second. Obsessed is an understatement. I haven't been able to read any other book either. Like, I just can't get into it and my thoughts keep straying to the Princes. Lord help me, because I have two ARCs that I have to get through😂 I don't think I've re-read a book this soon after finishing it the first time around (and the book's not even out yet officially lolz). Idk what it is that Samgel put in their books. Or maybe I do know. It's crack. Straight up crack. And I'm a whore for it. A crackwhore ig heheh😆 If my review hasn't convinced you to read this, idk what will. The Princes trilogy is hands down my fav in the entire series and I'm pretty goddamn sure that Princes of Legacy is gonna be bomb and is absolutely gonna blow my mind. Never has a book ever given me this much comfort. Can't wait to see my precious babies get their HEA🥹🫶🏾
I have no words to describe how in love and utterly obsessed I am with this book. If I thought Princes of Chaos was good, then Princes of Ash is a hundred times better than that. Samgel have completely blown my mind and wrecked any other books for me. How do you expect me to move on from this masterpiece? The feels, the intimacy and the transition from pain to a deeper connection? PERFECTION. Pure perfection. I've said this before and I'll say it again...the Princes trilogy is by far going to be my favorite. I mean, c'mon, y'all the character development? So, so, so good. I have never fallen this hard and fast for any of the guys in this series before. But Lex, Wick and Pace? I'm basically putty in their hands. And Ver, god...where do I even start with her? She was so strong and her growth as a character, as a Royal woman was PHENOMENAL. For the first 30-40 percent, I kept thinking about how she was in her Reputation era (swifties, where ya at?) and how the remaining book was just them understanding each other and being so soft. Gaaahhh I loved it sm!!! I don't think any other book will ever come close to how much I loved this one and I just know that I'll be thinking about this until PoL releases. I'm honestly so, so, so grateful to Samgel because the Princes trilogy has become something that grounds me. Something that's become a place of comfort me. Nothing beats that type of feeling y'all. I'm so in love it's actually unreal atp hehe. So pumped for Princes of Legacy so I can see these four finally get their much deserved HEA - 2024 better come faster lol.
*Thank you to Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue for providing me with an ARC!
November 12, 2023
3.2 stars. This is an improvement over Princes of Chaos, the first book in the Princes trilogy. I still am not loving it. Princes is definitely the worst trilogy in this series. But, it’s a step up.
The problems in Princes of Chaos were: a bad heroine, bad heroes (by “bad” I don’t mean the heroes were mean, since that’s expected in this series. I mean they were boring, weird in unsexy ways, and didn’t even WANT their heroine - which is the lowest bar for a spicy book). Creepy cold clinical bad sex (nobody was even enjoying it!). And, a plot that felt like it showed up drunk and late to the party (what was the plot of book 1? Verity wanders around aimlessly being the worst spy ever, and then there was a half-assed “Girls are going missing” plot).
This book did NOT fix all of these problems. The spice is better (the characters enjoyed it more - it met that low bar!). The heroes are better. The plot still showed up drunk and late to the party – a lot of this book is still “Verity wanders around aimlessly” but with added Pregnancy Stuff. The spy parts are still extremely half-assed. And, Verity is still a bad heroine.
I have a lot of rambling thoughts about Verity. If you want to skip them, just skip this section.
The biggest issue with this trilogy is that it feels like the authors needed to ask themselves: “What kind of story are we aiming to tell? What kind of heroine best suits that?” In the Lords and Dukes trilogies, Story and Lavinia had personalities that meshed well with their guys, AND their stories.
Verity’s personality is meshing with these guys better than it did in Princes book 1 – I don’t feel invested in their relationship, but I can better see how they suit each other. But her personality does NOT suit the plot. Princes is the first trilogy in this world where the heroine entered this situation willingly (Story felt like she had no other choice, and Lavinia was forced). It’s also the story where her situation is the most permanent, because she’ll have a kid forever! In order for Verity to make sense as a character, I need her to have personal motives to be voluntarily be putting herself through these horrors and LIFE CHANGING situation of being the Princess, other than just “for the vibes.”
Yes, she’s got a vague goal to “improve” life for women in Forsyth. But there’s nothing SPECIFIC making it feel like she’s got personal stakes. (Well, in this book, now there is, since is now missing. But that’s a recent development – she should have had a missing girl friend from the beginning. A heroine can’t suddenly get motives after the story is halfway over!)
Motives aside, her plan is unclear in a way that makes her seem foolish. Like how does she plan to "change the system" through...just being the Princess and aimlessly drifting around, not doing much besides going to school and banging the Princes? (She's like the Underpants Gnomes from South Park: Step 1: Become the Princess. Step 2: ???? Step 3: Profit!)
Even after book 2 in this trilogy, Verity feels flimsy as a character. And it doesn’t help that this book has fallen into the trap where a heroine is pregnant, and “being pregnant” becomes her personality.
In the Dukes trilogy, from the start, we had a strong understanding of what Lavinia’s childhood was like, her relationship with her family, her isolation, her fears (and why she had them, like her claustrophobia), her love of learning, her capacity for violence, her vulnerable side. Lavinia wasn’t just a stronger heroine than Verity in the literal sense. She was also 10x better written and more complex.
More than halfway through this trilogy, I don’t feel like I know these things about Verity. It’s like, the authors thought that since we knew Verity as a side character from Dukes, they didn’t need to bother filling in that stuff. But, in Dukes, we only saw glimpses of her relationship with Mama B and the cutsluts from the outside. Now that we’re in Verity's head, she makes references to her mom putting her through “etiquette classes” when she was growing up, and how the cutsluts were her “sisters” – okay, how did she feel doing those etiquette classes? Resentful about doing them? Happy to do them? If the cutsluts were her sisters, what were those friendships like and how did they shape her? She just feels BLANK as a character, in a way that Lavinia didn’t (and even Story didn’t).
There’s even 1 scene in this book where Verity briefly – but it’s from Pace’s POV. That would have been SO interesting if we were in HER POV during that moment! Any time this story has a chance to give her some complexity, it doesn’t take it.
End of the "rambling about Verity" part.
Her relationship with the guys is improved, at least. The guys don’t grovel for the horrible “Cleansing” at the end of the first book, or do anything as big as Nick did in Dukes of Madness to redeem himself. Their redemption is quieter, which suits the Princes. But, it also makes me care less. Dukes drew me in and made me feel big emotions. Princes just makes me go, “Oh, okay. I guess I no longer hate these guys. Sure, that’s nice.”
The heroes’ personalities improve - we get more of a sense that they do want her (a low bar, but book 1 didn't clear it!). Pace steps up his obsession – but I would probably appreciate him more if he wasn’t existing in the same series as Nick Bruin. Nick was such a god tier obsessive hero, Pace just feels like a lame pale imitation. It’s like if the authors had tried to follow up Tristan with another pyro hero, who made smaller fires.
This trilogy has also somewhat fallen into a trap that Lords and Dukes avoided. Which is: when a story gives a dark hero trauma, and that’s supposed to be enough of a reason for me to like him, and overlook his shitty behavior. “I feel bad for you” isn’t enough of a reason to like a character. The Lords and Dukes trilogies were above doing that. I LOVE that Nick had a normal childhood in a loving home, and was unhinged just because he’s wired that way! Same with Tristan in Lords. There was no deep explanation for them to be Like This, they just were! I'm not loving how Princes is trying to give a trauma explanation. And, the Princes aren’t even unhinged. They’re just kind of weirdos who were thrown into sad lives.
I will give this story a little credit: the Princes do experience some growth. These authors are good at doing that. So, the story isn’t ENTIRELY relying on making us feel bad for the guys, in order to like them. But, it’s still doing that much more than past trilogies did. And it’s leaving me cold. But, I can see how some readers would respond to it.
I love that we find out that Lavinia is decorating her future home with newspaper clippings of a serial killer. That's my girl!
Also: my theory that Stella will be the Baroness still lives.
The problems in Princes of Chaos were: a bad heroine, bad heroes (by “bad” I don’t mean the heroes were mean, since that’s expected in this series. I mean they were boring, weird in unsexy ways, and didn’t even WANT their heroine - which is the lowest bar for a spicy book). Creepy cold clinical bad sex (nobody was even enjoying it!). And, a plot that felt like it showed up drunk and late to the party (what was the plot of book 1? Verity wanders around aimlessly being the worst spy ever, and then there was a half-assed “Girls are going missing” plot).
This book did NOT fix all of these problems. The spice is better (the characters enjoyed it more - it met that low bar!). The heroes are better. The plot still showed up drunk and late to the party – a lot of this book is still “Verity wanders around aimlessly” but with added Pregnancy Stuff. The spy parts are still extremely half-assed. And, Verity is still a bad heroine.
I have a lot of rambling thoughts about Verity. If you want to skip them, just skip this section.
The biggest issue with this trilogy is that it feels like the authors needed to ask themselves: “What kind of story are we aiming to tell? What kind of heroine best suits that?” In the Lords and Dukes trilogies, Story and Lavinia had personalities that meshed well with their guys, AND their stories.
Verity’s personality is meshing with these guys better than it did in Princes book 1 – I don’t feel invested in their relationship, but I can better see how they suit each other. But her personality does NOT suit the plot. Princes is the first trilogy in this world where the heroine entered this situation willingly (Story felt like she had no other choice, and Lavinia was forced). It’s also the story where her situation is the most permanent, because she’ll have a kid forever! In order for Verity to make sense as a character, I need her to have personal motives to be voluntarily be putting herself through these horrors and LIFE CHANGING situation of being the Princess, other than just “for the vibes.”
Yes, she’s got a vague goal to “improve” life for women in Forsyth. But there’s nothing SPECIFIC making it feel like she’s got personal stakes. (Well, in this book, now there is, since is now missing. But that’s a recent development – she should have had a missing girl friend from the beginning. A heroine can’t suddenly get motives after the story is halfway over!)
Motives aside, her plan is unclear in a way that makes her seem foolish. Like how does she plan to "change the system" through...just being the Princess and aimlessly drifting around, not doing much besides going to school and banging the Princes? (She's like the Underpants Gnomes from South Park: Step 1: Become the Princess. Step 2: ???? Step 3: Profit!)
Even after book 2 in this trilogy, Verity feels flimsy as a character. And it doesn’t help that this book has fallen into the trap where a heroine is pregnant, and “being pregnant” becomes her personality.
In the Dukes trilogy, from the start, we had a strong understanding of what Lavinia’s childhood was like, her relationship with her family, her isolation, her fears (and why she had them, like her claustrophobia), her love of learning, her capacity for violence, her vulnerable side. Lavinia wasn’t just a stronger heroine than Verity in the literal sense. She was also 10x better written and more complex.
More than halfway through this trilogy, I don’t feel like I know these things about Verity. It’s like, the authors thought that since we knew Verity as a side character from Dukes, they didn’t need to bother filling in that stuff. But, in Dukes, we only saw glimpses of her relationship with Mama B and the cutsluts from the outside. Now that we’re in Verity's head, she makes references to her mom putting her through “etiquette classes” when she was growing up, and how the cutsluts were her “sisters” – okay, how did she feel doing those etiquette classes? Resentful about doing them? Happy to do them? If the cutsluts were her sisters, what were those friendships like and how did they shape her? She just feels BLANK as a character, in a way that Lavinia didn’t (and even Story didn’t).
There’s even 1 scene in this book where Verity briefly – but it’s from Pace’s POV. That would have been SO interesting if we were in HER POV during that moment! Any time this story has a chance to give her some complexity, it doesn’t take it.
End of the "rambling about Verity" part.
Her relationship with the guys is improved, at least. The guys don’t grovel for the horrible “Cleansing” at the end of the first book, or do anything as big as Nick did in Dukes of Madness to redeem himself. Their redemption is quieter, which suits the Princes. But, it also makes me care less. Dukes drew me in and made me feel big emotions. Princes just makes me go, “Oh, okay. I guess I no longer hate these guys. Sure, that’s nice.”
The heroes’ personalities improve - we get more of a sense that they do want her (a low bar, but book 1 didn't clear it!). Pace steps up his obsession – but I would probably appreciate him more if he wasn’t existing in the same series as Nick Bruin. Nick was such a god tier obsessive hero, Pace just feels like a lame pale imitation. It’s like if the authors had tried to follow up Tristan with another pyro hero, who made smaller fires.
This trilogy has also somewhat fallen into a trap that Lords and Dukes avoided. Which is: when a story gives a dark hero trauma, and that’s supposed to be enough of a reason for me to like him, and overlook his shitty behavior. “I feel bad for you” isn’t enough of a reason to like a character. The Lords and Dukes trilogies were above doing that. I LOVE that Nick had a normal childhood in a loving home, and was unhinged just because he’s wired that way! Same with Tristan in Lords. There was no deep explanation for them to be Like This, they just were! I'm not loving how Princes is trying to give a trauma explanation. And, the Princes aren’t even unhinged. They’re just kind of weirdos who were thrown into sad lives.
I will give this story a little credit: the Princes do experience some growth. These authors are good at doing that. So, the story isn’t ENTIRELY relying on making us feel bad for the guys, in order to like them. But, it’s still doing that much more than past trilogies did. And it’s leaving me cold. But, I can see how some readers would respond to it.
I love that we find out that Lavinia is decorating her future home with newspaper clippings of a serial killer. That's my girl!
Also: my theory that Stella will be the Baroness still lives.
November 9, 2023
Beginning with the coronation of Verity Sinclaire, the unlikely princess from West End, this installment is replete with heinous acts and turmoil. One surprise after another, lines are not just crossed, but obliterated. Unlikely alliances are formed. Plans are crystallized.
I’ve got to say, this house has taken me aback. From their reputation, I had expectations that they would be far more genteel. These princes are not afraid to get their hands dirty. Moreover, I enjoyed seeing their relationships with Verity change, both individually and collectively. I’m so ready to see what is in store for King Rufus and the wait is going to be brutal!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🤭😳🥵😱😳
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 🧍🏽♂️🧍🏼♂️👫🏻 {Multiple}
🗂 Genre: Gothic Romance
✨ Tropes: Alphahole, College, Coming of Age, Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Jealous/Possessive, Rival Families, Secret Society, Tracking/Spying, Why Choose
💋 Kinks: 🐓 Warming, Plugged, Snowballing, Somnophilia
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: DubCon, and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Princes of Ash is part of The Royals of Forsyth University series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
I’ve got to say, this house has taken me aback. From their reputation, I had expectations that they would be far more genteel. These princes are not afraid to get their hands dirty. Moreover, I enjoyed seeing their relationships with Verity change, both individually and collectively. I’m so ready to see what is in store for King Rufus and the wait is going to be brutal!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🤭😳🥵😱😳
Ending: 🧗🏻♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 🧍🏽♂️🧍🏼♂️👫🏻 {Multiple}
🗂 Genre: Gothic Romance
✨ Tropes: Alphahole, College, Coming of Age, Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Found Family, Jealous/Possessive, Rival Families, Secret Society, Tracking/Spying, Why Choose
💋 Kinks: 🐓 Warming, Plugged, Snowballing, Somnophilia
⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.
🚩 Safety Squad: DubCon, and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!
📣 Type: Princes of Ash is part of The Royals of Forsyth University series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
November 14, 2023
One thing I didn't expect for this book to be was boring. Guys, I'm about to dnf at 55%, this is nuts. Literally nothing is happening, other than the characters just existing around one another. I feel like the authors could have added in so many interesting twists. Like a plot twist that Michael is actually still alive or that Michael is actually Wicker or something, and Rufus was making it seem like he wasn't an Ashby to protect him from the other royals.
I feel like I've read 250 pages and all that happened is that we find out Verity is pregnant with a boy and the guys want to sort of forgive her for the Valentine's day betrayal, even though she almost got Wicker killed. Which Wicker brings up and is like seriously guys, we're supposed to forgive her for that?! One thing I actually liked about this book is Wicker actually saying my exact thoughts throughout the book. He's actually slightly saving this set of characters for me. So far 4 stars for Wicker 1 star for actual content.
Also does it seem like this book is being solely written by Angel Lawson? I'm only saying this, because I've read several of her solo works. This entire book reads similarly to her Cult of Serende books, which I actually liked better than this tbh. It seems like Sam lightly edited and maybe wrote a couple of chapters for these last two books of the Royals of Forsyth U series. The book does not come off as being truly co-authored an cohesive as the last 6 books did.
I also wanted to add the s@x and other intimate scenes are still not very sexy and extremely gross. If Pace spits in Verity's mouth one more time I'm going to literally puke.
Update 11/13/2023:
3 stars for it being slightly better than Princes of Chaos. Also for being the most "okay" book of 2023.
The first 60% of this book is just as bad as book 7, then from 60-80% it's boring, and then from 80-100% it's actually not bad and the authors led me to beileve they can actually turn this portion of the series around.
I won't get into too much, but the forgiveness between Verity and the guys felt forced and not very believable. There wasn't much romance among the guys and Ver either, but there was just more trauma bonding. Also there wasn't a single s@x scene in this book that felt romantic, and I kind of hated the one with Lex was fade to black, which was weird for this series where all of the s@x scenes are described in high def whether I wanted them to be or not.
I also don't know if anyone else felt this way, but the book didn't flow very well either. It felt very disjointed, like one chapter the characters would be in class in March and then the next chapter they were at the Purple Palace in April. Then by the end of the book it was June and Lex was graduating. To me it threw me out of the book.
I will be continuing with this series, but I'm hoping the Barons books will be better than the Princes. It doesn't look like we are getting another book until May, which is pretty long for this author duo, they usually crank out a book every 4 to 5 months. It will interesting to see if they use that time to write a longer and more satisfying end for the Princes and possibly a great beginning for the Barons. I'm also guessing the first Barons book will come out on or near Halloween, which will be fitting for them.
I feel like I've read 250 pages and all that happened is that we find out Verity is pregnant with a boy and the guys want to sort of forgive her for the Valentine's day betrayal, even though she almost got Wicker killed. Which Wicker brings up and is like seriously guys, we're supposed to forgive her for that?! One thing I actually liked about this book is Wicker actually saying my exact thoughts throughout the book. He's actually slightly saving this set of characters for me. So far 4 stars for Wicker 1 star for actual content.
Also does it seem like this book is being solely written by Angel Lawson? I'm only saying this, because I've read several of her solo works. This entire book reads similarly to her Cult of Serende books, which I actually liked better than this tbh. It seems like Sam lightly edited and maybe wrote a couple of chapters for these last two books of the Royals of Forsyth U series. The book does not come off as being truly co-authored an cohesive as the last 6 books did.
I also wanted to add the s@x and other intimate scenes are still not very sexy and extremely gross. If Pace spits in Verity's mouth one more time I'm going to literally puke.
Update 11/13/2023:
3 stars for it being slightly better than Princes of Chaos. Also for being the most "okay" book of 2023.
The first 60% of this book is just as bad as book 7, then from 60-80% it's boring, and then from 80-100% it's actually not bad and the authors led me to beileve they can actually turn this portion of the series around.
I won't get into too much, but the forgiveness between Verity and the guys felt forced and not very believable. There wasn't much romance among the guys and Ver either, but there was just more trauma bonding. Also there wasn't a single s@x scene in this book that felt romantic, and I kind of hated the one with Lex was fade to black, which was weird for this series where all of the s@x scenes are described in high def whether I wanted them to be or not.
I also don't know if anyone else felt this way, but the book didn't flow very well either. It felt very disjointed, like one chapter the characters would be in class in March and then the next chapter they were at the Purple Palace in April. Then by the end of the book it was June and Lex was graduating. To me it threw me out of the book.
I will be continuing with this series, but I'm hoping the Barons books will be better than the Princes. It doesn't look like we are getting another book until May, which is pretty long for this author duo, they usually crank out a book every 4 to 5 months. It will interesting to see if they use that time to write a longer and more satisfying end for the Princes and possibly a great beginning for the Barons. I'm also guessing the first Barons book will come out on or near Halloween, which will be fitting for them.
November 10, 2023
Verity and her Princes’ journey continues in book 2 of Princes/book 8 of Royals.
The best thing I’ve read since Princes of Chaos and the best thing I’ll read until Princes of Legacy. It was angsty, it was hot, it was traumatic. I was so sure Whittaker was my favorite in book 1 but I am feral for all three of these men so if he is the favorite it’s only by a skoch (Sp?).
I keep thinking that at a certain point this formula will get old for me but every time I open a Royals book it’s like coming home… If that home was founded on the beautiful mix of noncon and dark humor.
This is certified crack to me. I can’t believe I actually went to bed in the middle of reading this. I could have stayed up and finished it in one sitting but I didn’t want to throw off my sleep schedule. But shit did I want to.
Samgel, thank you for writing the best series in the history of romance.
With cockwarming, noncon, spit play, biting, voyeurism, and breeding kink.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Multiple 1st
The best thing I’ve read since Princes of Chaos and the best thing I’ll read until Princes of Legacy. It was angsty, it was hot, it was traumatic. I was so sure Whittaker was my favorite in book 1 but I am feral for all three of these men so if he is the favorite it’s only by a skoch (Sp?).
I keep thinking that at a certain point this formula will get old for me but every time I open a Royals book it’s like coming home… If that home was founded on the beautiful mix of noncon and dark humor.
This is certified crack to me. I can’t believe I actually went to bed in the middle of reading this. I could have stayed up and finished it in one sitting but I didn’t want to throw off my sleep schedule. But shit did I want to.
Samgel, thank you for writing the best series in the history of romance.
With cockwarming, noncon, spit play, biting, voyeurism, and breeding kink.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Multiple 1st
November 19, 2023
5 star review per usual but bummed because wick is my fave and I felt like there was a lack of wick/lex here. give me a lex and wicker scene PLEASE
November 5, 2023
Forsyth University is my Roman Empire. So thankful to be on the ARC team for this series, because I love these books with my whole 🐱. Give me 3 emotionally stunted, broken boys to fix.
I always love the second book in these series, because we’re getting over our issues and starting to fall for each other. In very dark and unhealthy ways. 🖤 I don’t even know if I have a favorite Prince. I love them all.
“Despite how hard your father tried, this isn’t a transaction for me. I showed up because I see what you don’t. You’re worth saving.”
I always love the second book in these series, because we’re getting over our issues and starting to fall for each other. In very dark and unhealthy ways. 🖤 I don’t even know if I have a favorite Prince. I love them all.
“Despite how hard your father tried, this isn’t a transaction for me. I showed up because I see what you don’t. You’re worth saving.”
November 26, 2023
4 STARS
Th absolute chokehold that this series has on me. GOD. Every single time I think to myself that it can't possibly get better, these two authors go and release the next one and I am putty. PUTTEH. I thought I loved book one in this trilogy, but this one simply blew me away.
How these authors can continue to create some of the most unhinged, dark, and borderline irredeemable characters and then turn around and make you fall head over ovaries for them is beyond me. But here we are again. Because while I thought I loved the Lords and the Dukes, the Princes are EVERYTHING. When I hated them with a passion in the first book, this one humanized them. It gave a much needed peek into their humanity and vulnerability. We get to see them come back from hating Verity for her betrayal and their unwilling and inevitable fall for her.
Verity, like all of the royal women, is a fighter. This woman goes through hell for her goals, and doesn't back down. I loved every single page of this book and devoured it in one binge read. Luckily, the authors took pity on us with a slightly more tolerable cliffhanger that doesn't make the wait for the next book as painful. But GAH. I'm so obsessed.
Find me on:
“This must be why men have testicles. They need somewhere to store all the fucking audacity.”
Th absolute chokehold that this series has on me. GOD. Every single time I think to myself that it can't possibly get better, these two authors go and release the next one and I am putty. PUTTEH. I thought I loved book one in this trilogy, but this one simply blew me away.
How these authors can continue to create some of the most unhinged, dark, and borderline irredeemable characters and then turn around and make you fall head over ovaries for them is beyond me. But here we are again. Because while I thought I loved the Lords and the Dukes, the Princes are EVERYTHING. When I hated them with a passion in the first book, this one humanized them. It gave a much needed peek into their humanity and vulnerability. We get to see them come back from hating Verity for her betrayal and their unwilling and inevitable fall for her.
Verity, like all of the royal women, is a fighter. This woman goes through hell for her goals, and doesn't back down. I loved every single page of this book and devoured it in one binge read. Luckily, the authors took pity on us with a slightly more tolerable cliffhanger that doesn't make the wait for the next book as painful. But GAH. I'm so obsessed.
Find me on:
November 13, 2023
Updated 13 November, 2023
Soooo... as with all.good things in life ... seems like Forsyth is is too doomed to end in disappointment!!!
This book IS a placeholder and it took me 3 days to get through when all.the previous ones were injected in one sitting come hale or high storm
As much as I hate predictability in fiction I hate it even more when it's just damn lazy.
Spoiler: I knew Wicker was gonna be the dad coz he was soooo obviously not into it and the other two were....
Also... while the sexy times are mostly horrifying and as unsexy as possible in these books... these were just boring ... (another thing I can tolerate but NOT IN THIS UNIVERSE)
ALSO....Spoiler: Stella... why? Why? Why? Why would she run for Stella?
Like Ver is a rational human being right? Then why would she put everything in jeopardy when CLEARLY there are other BETTER equipped people to look for the missing girls?
What was her 5 foot pregnant ass going to contribute aside from getting in the way?
In short I'm hard on this book because I'm dead inside and this series makes me feel stuff and this one didn't and I'm whining like a bitch lol
.........
Review before reading
I've said it before, I'll say it again....
What is this behaviour?
Please put us out of our misery (or cause us more misery depending on how you look at it)
Fall is here ... like schools have started and everything
Where's our fFix??????
Soooo... as with all.good things in life ... seems like Forsyth is is too doomed to end in disappointment!!!
This book IS a placeholder and it took me 3 days to get through when all.the previous ones were injected in one sitting come hale or high storm
As much as I hate predictability in fiction I hate it even more when it's just damn lazy.
Spoiler: I knew Wicker was gonna be the dad coz he was soooo obviously not into it and the other two were....
Also... while the sexy times are mostly horrifying and as unsexy as possible in these books... these were just boring ... (another thing I can tolerate but NOT IN THIS UNIVERSE)
ALSO....Spoiler: Stella... why? Why? Why? Why would she run for Stella?
Like Ver is a rational human being right? Then why would she put everything in jeopardy when CLEARLY there are other BETTER equipped people to look for the missing girls?
What was her 5 foot pregnant ass going to contribute aside from getting in the way?
In short I'm hard on this book because I'm dead inside and this series makes me feel stuff and this one didn't and I'm whining like a bitch lol
.........
Review before reading
I've said it before, I'll say it again....
What is this behaviour?
Please put us out of our misery (or cause us more misery depending on how you look at it)
Fall is here ... like schools have started and everything
Where's our fFix??????
November 13, 2023
It’s been almost three years since we stepped foot into the world of Forsyth. That’s a long time to be obsessed with a series, but I don’t think there’s a better description - I’M OBSESSED!
@lawsonwrites and @authorsamrue have created a dynamic world full of mystery and suspense and darkness and intrigue and irredeemable characters that somehow manage to redeem themselves, working their way into your heart.
Lords, Dukes, Princes … none of them are immune and yet, as a reader, I don’t want them to be. We love to hate them and hate to love them but the journey, it’s beautiful nonetheless.
So what I’m trying to say is … Princes of Ash is out Friday. Angel and Sam are pure magic, once again, and I BEG you to jump into this series!! For my dark girlies, my RH/Why Choose lovers, my NA/college junkies … this is the one. The one all others are measured against. So join the obsession already!
@lawsonwrites and @authorsamrue have created a dynamic world full of mystery and suspense and darkness and intrigue and irredeemable characters that somehow manage to redeem themselves, working their way into your heart.
Lords, Dukes, Princes … none of them are immune and yet, as a reader, I don’t want them to be. We love to hate them and hate to love them but the journey, it’s beautiful nonetheless.
So what I’m trying to say is … Princes of Ash is out Friday. Angel and Sam are pure magic, once again, and I BEG you to jump into this series!! For my dark girlies, my RH/Why Choose lovers, my NA/college junkies … this is the one. The one all others are measured against. So join the obsession already!
November 14, 2023
verity deserves so much better
“East End is fairly incestuous enough that everyone knows, or is related, to whoever is involved.”
Honestly, the taboo aspect of this story, the introduction to MM - they could’ve had a different background and I would’ve been all for it. I’m seriously reading this story in spite of this addition. I just want to see Verity’s story play out.
Quite literally the only good characters are the ones from The Lords and The Dukes section of this h*llscape.
I understand abuse and the way one reacts doesn’t always make sense. But these “Princes” are bigger than the King and the threat to the Princess and Heir is minute, why? Because the Dukes have already proven they would go to war to protect Verity. So why are we still playing with King Ashby? Rufus should be counting his days and yet his “sons” are still bending the knee to his abuse?! For what?!
WHY IS NO ONE TALKING TO EACH OTHER STILL?? They’ve made up! Time to lay their cards on the table!!
I really like Story and Lavinia but I don’t know how they thought sending Verity in to this desolate place was a good idea. These people are deranged. This continues to be the worst section of the series, as in the darkest and the meanest and I’m not seeing any redeeming qualities but I know that we have to have the guys with Verity at the end and I’ve accepted it for her, anyone else I would say to cut their losses and burn down the East End.
I would’ve suggested this series before, but I would also now say to stop at book 6, because this section ain’t it.
Because honestly King Ashby is not a good enough villain for the way he commands Lex, Pace, Wicker & Verity’s absolution. The other two “kingdoms” would’ve already handled this “king” for half of what he has done and yet they continue to let him do this. It’s so dumb. It’s physically painful.
The ending is the best part. It took forever to get there and I can only hope that the next book makes this whole section worthwhile.
“East End is fairly incestuous enough that everyone knows, or is related, to whoever is involved.”
Honestly, the taboo aspect of this story, the introduction to MM - they could’ve had a different background and I would’ve been all for it. I’m seriously reading this story in spite of this addition. I just want to see Verity’s story play out.
Quite literally the only good characters are the ones from The Lords and The Dukes section of this h*llscape.
I understand abuse and the way one reacts doesn’t always make sense. But these “Princes” are bigger than the King and the threat to the Princess and Heir is minute, why? Because the Dukes have already proven they would go to war to protect Verity. So why are we still playing with King Ashby? Rufus should be counting his days and yet his “sons” are still bending the knee to his abuse?! For what?!
WHY IS NO ONE TALKING TO EACH OTHER STILL?? They’ve made up! Time to lay their cards on the table!!
I really like Story and Lavinia but I don’t know how they thought sending Verity in to this desolate place was a good idea. These people are deranged. This continues to be the worst section of the series, as in the darkest and the meanest and I’m not seeing any redeeming qualities but I know that we have to have the guys with Verity at the end and I’ve accepted it for her, anyone else I would say to cut their losses and burn down the East End.
I would’ve suggested this series before, but I would also now say to stop at book 6, because this section ain’t it.
Because honestly King Ashby is not a good enough villain for the way he commands Lex, Pace, Wicker & Verity’s absolution. The other two “kingdoms” would’ve already handled this “king” for half of what he has done and yet they continue to let him do this. It’s so dumb. It’s physically painful.
The ending is the best part. It took forever to get there and I can only hope that the next book makes this whole section worthwhile.
November 25, 2023
Soooooo if you read the Lords and Dukes series you know that usually after the anti-hero’s abuse their girl we get some sort of epic grovel/punishment. In the same book Story gets cut up, we get all 3 Lords realizing they did her wrong. After Nick non-cons Vinny and takes her back to her dad, he gets thrown out of the house by his bros and then locked in a dog cage. Literally took the head of her enemy (and almost his own) to apologize deeply enough. So if you got through Princes book 1 thinking “here comes the grovel after alllllll that abuse!” then I’m so sorry because the only groveling apology we got… was from Verity!
2nd read thru and I’m still just gobsmacked. Wicker cruelly tore her devirginized bits apart after that throne and non-con DP’ed her bits (2 P’s, 1 hole) with Pace in front of the whole frat making her scream with pain. Pace, who started off this book with mouth non-con and almost drowning her, mocked her after the cleansing and promised to hold her down to watch his Bros r*p*d her again. And let’s not forget that bottle up her rear-end in the locker room. Lex made her want to unalive herself after saying that he sent her mom the video of her being gang r*p*d, plus sleep-walk non-con her after he tried to kill her! After alllllllll of that- it’s VERITY giving the page long apology!?!?!! Where is my dog cage of vengeance!!!!!!!?
My favorite part was Wicker getting punched in the face -repeatedly- after pushing Pregnant!! Verity!! and giving her a black eye! If only she had a frying pan…
Fingers crossed that book 3 brings the deep shameful self-reflection from these ex-princes.
2nd read thru and I’m still just gobsmacked. Wicker cruelly tore her devirginized bits apart after that throne and non-con DP’ed her bits (2 P’s, 1 hole) with Pace in front of the whole frat making her scream with pain. Pace, who started off this book with mouth non-con and almost drowning her, mocked her after the cleansing and promised to hold her down to watch his Bros r*p*d her again. And let’s not forget that bottle up her rear-end in the locker room. Lex made her want to unalive herself after saying that he sent her mom the video of her being gang r*p*d, plus sleep-walk non-con her after he tried to kill her! After alllllllll of that- it’s VERITY giving the page long apology!?!?!! Where is my dog cage of vengeance!!!!!!!?
My favorite part was Wicker getting punched in the face -repeatedly- after pushing Pregnant!! Verity!! and giving her a black eye! If only she had a frying pan…
Fingers crossed that book 3 brings the deep shameful self-reflection from these ex-princes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
Re-read 1,000?
I cannot explain it but this series brings me so much love and comfort.
I cannot explain it but this series brings me so much love and comfort.
November 10, 2023
• ARC Review •
**This is second book in the Princes trilogy. It cannot be read as a standalone. Check all TW’s before reading/starting this trilogy.**
The Princes are back and Samgel gave us everything we wanted and more with this one. 👏🏻🖤🙌🏻
Book two picks up where we left off (on that nail biting cliffhanger in the first book). And if there’s anything I’ve learned from reading the previous trilogies, it’s that I’m better off not even attempting to guess what comes next. Angel and Sam always keep me on my toes, but it’s always worth it.
Emotions were high in this one. Verity and her Princes didn’t end on the best note before (clearly). But I was eager to see how the Princes would act as we finally move into Verity’s pregnancy. Wicker didn’t surprise me. The guy holds a grudge like no other. But Verity gives as much as she gets in this book, and I loved seeing that side of her even more so than before. Wicker was also my favorite unintentional comedian throughout this book. I laughed more than I thought I would. Laughter aside, this book was also emotional. And if you thought you couldn’t despise King Ashby more… well, rest assured, you will.
There was so much character growth in this book. Lex and Pace are the epitome of protective soon-to-be fathers. It was precious. I especially adored the different sides of Pace that were shown. But that goes for the other two as well. These characters have so much depth to them. I love peeling back layers throughout each book. Even when these guys make me furious, I empathize with them more than I ever have with the other Royals. The pain and scars they carry is just so palpable. And I’m quickly beginning to understand why they do the things they do. But now, Verity is understanding this as well. And they’re all beginning to see just how similar they are. How their circumstances tie them together. And I just know that these four are going to be an unstoppable force in book three.
Like all the others prior to this one, I won’t go into detail about the plot. You just have to read it for yourself. But I will say, Angel and Sam continue to blow me away with their ability to write. I can only imagine the work that goes into plotting and writing these books. So many details and hurdles to account for. They do a beautiful job, each and every time. They simply never miss the mark. I loved this book as much as I knew I would. And while the cliffhanger makes me itch, I got quite the bit of satisfaction out of this one. I’m so excited to see what’s in store for book three. So many unanswered questions that my mind can’t even begin to create theories for. But I’ll just save it for the queens, they do it best. 👑🖤
**This is second book in the Princes trilogy. It cannot be read as a standalone. Check all TW’s before reading/starting this trilogy.**
The Princes are back and Samgel gave us everything we wanted and more with this one. 👏🏻🖤🙌🏻
Book two picks up where we left off (on that nail biting cliffhanger in the first book). And if there’s anything I’ve learned from reading the previous trilogies, it’s that I’m better off not even attempting to guess what comes next. Angel and Sam always keep me on my toes, but it’s always worth it.
Emotions were high in this one. Verity and her Princes didn’t end on the best note before (clearly). But I was eager to see how the Princes would act as we finally move into Verity’s pregnancy. Wicker didn’t surprise me. The guy holds a grudge like no other. But Verity gives as much as she gets in this book, and I loved seeing that side of her even more so than before. Wicker was also my favorite unintentional comedian throughout this book. I laughed more than I thought I would. Laughter aside, this book was also emotional. And if you thought you couldn’t despise King Ashby more… well, rest assured, you will.
There was so much character growth in this book. Lex and Pace are the epitome of protective soon-to-be fathers. It was precious. I especially adored the different sides of Pace that were shown. But that goes for the other two as well. These characters have so much depth to them. I love peeling back layers throughout each book. Even when these guys make me furious, I empathize with them more than I ever have with the other Royals. The pain and scars they carry is just so palpable. And I’m quickly beginning to understand why they do the things they do. But now, Verity is understanding this as well. And they’re all beginning to see just how similar they are. How their circumstances tie them together. And I just know that these four are going to be an unstoppable force in book three.
Like all the others prior to this one, I won’t go into detail about the plot. You just have to read it for yourself. But I will say, Angel and Sam continue to blow me away with their ability to write. I can only imagine the work that goes into plotting and writing these books. So many details and hurdles to account for. They do a beautiful job, each and every time. They simply never miss the mark. I loved this book as much as I knew I would. And while the cliffhanger makes me itch, I got quite the bit of satisfaction out of this one. I’m so excited to see what’s in store for book three. So many unanswered questions that my mind can’t even begin to create theories for. But I’ll just save it for the queens, they do it best. 👑🖤
July 7, 2024
EDIT: re-reading this, i bump it from 4.5 up to 5. i understand Verity & the boys in a different way than i did the first time through.
Man, just straight goosebumps throughout. is it the chilly season? no, it's Princes of Ash. this book made me feel sick, and then it made me fall in love, like the best bully romances do. Angel & Sam, they just...know how to make you hate and love a character(s) in the same damn novel.
i am HERE for the plot. being book 8 in this world, being it's the third RH storyline here, I was a bit worried that it would begin to feel redundant (like been there, done that). absolutely not the case. yes, it may be all in the same universe, but each part, each king, each tale...they're different. they're enthralling. they're separate puzzle pieces to an incredible whole. i'm hanging on to my seat..literally.
the spice is....what you'd expect out of these fuckers. there's not a miraculous transition from asshole to lover overnight. it's gradual, it's emotional, it's revealing. and it's not just the boys transforming; it's Verity too. they all feel it. it's 2 steps forward, 1 step back with them.
technically we're calling this a 4.5 stars for me, rounding up to 5, only ONLY because I wanted more revenge from V. more justice after the hell she went through in PoC. but that's our sweet VerBear. she's not like Story or Lavinia, and she wins with the mental games, not the physical ones.
also....it's a Lex/Lagan fan club over here. i was only 50% sure after PoC, but there's no denying it now.
(incredibly thankful to be part of the ARC team; this is my Roman Empire.)
Man, just straight goosebumps throughout. is it the chilly season? no, it's Princes of Ash. this book made me feel sick, and then it made me fall in love, like the best bully romances do. Angel & Sam, they just...know how to make you hate and love a character(s) in the same damn novel.
i am HERE for the plot. being book 8 in this world, being it's the third RH storyline here, I was a bit worried that it would begin to feel redundant (like been there, done that). absolutely not the case. yes, it may be all in the same universe, but each part, each king, each tale...they're different. they're enthralling. they're separate puzzle pieces to an incredible whole. i'm hanging on to my seat..literally.
the spice is....what you'd expect out of these fuckers. there's not a miraculous transition from asshole to lover overnight. it's gradual, it's emotional, it's revealing. and it's not just the boys transforming; it's Verity too. they all feel it. it's 2 steps forward, 1 step back with them.
technically we're calling this a 4.5 stars for me, rounding up to 5, only ONLY because I wanted more revenge from V. more justice after the hell she went through in PoC. but that's our sweet VerBear. she's not like Story or Lavinia, and she wins with the mental games, not the physical ones.
also....it's a Lex/Lagan fan club over here. i was only 50% sure after PoC, but there's no denying it now.
(incredibly thankful to be part of the ARC team; this is my Roman Empire.)
November 12, 2023
First thing, if you haven't read my review of the first book in this trilogy, Princes of Chaos, I would suggest checking that out before reading this one, as it is more comprehensive and touches on my thoughts about reading order and trigger warnings, etc.
Otherwise, I assume you are familiar with the Forsyth U world and these books in general and will carry on expounding about how much I love the Princes in all their tortured deliciousness! I continue to love whichever guy is on page the most, but I admit Wicker had some of the absolute BEST lines (thoughts and dialogue) throughout this second book, so he comes to mind most now that I am finished reading.
For my fellow k1nky readers, this book has the (recently) much-asked for c0ck-s0@king, (and not just once!) so...well...have fun. And never fear, there are plenty other k!nky, steamy times to be had if that isn't your jam.
I was pleased with the progression of things in the relationship and with the allies and antagonists, and I suspect a big reveal for book three that just has me tickled to get to. Seriously, I hope the authors never get bored because at this point I feel like I could read in this world forever; it remains one of the few, possibly the only, reverse harem books I read as they come out, because I love it just that much.
Otherwise, I assume you are familiar with the Forsyth U world and these books in general and will carry on expounding about how much I love the Princes in all their tortured deliciousness! I continue to love whichever guy is on page the most, but I admit Wicker had some of the absolute BEST lines (thoughts and dialogue) throughout this second book, so he comes to mind most now that I am finished reading.
For my fellow k1nky readers, this book has the (recently) much-asked for c0ck-s0@king, (and not just once!) so...well...have fun. And never fear, there are plenty other k!nky, steamy times to be had if that isn't your jam.
I was pleased with the progression of things in the relationship and with the allies and antagonists, and I suspect a big reveal for book three that just has me tickled to get to. Seriously, I hope the authors never get bored because at this point I feel like I could read in this world forever; it remains one of the few, possibly the only, reverse harem books I read as they come out, because I love it just that much.
November 13, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ This was a wild ride! Sam and Angel continue to do a phenomenal job with this series. There were so many things I loved about this book, but the only thing I didn’t like was some stuff at the end of the book, which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars.
The Characters
If there’s one thing Sam and Angel are good at, it’s writing complex characters that have clear voices, motives, and fears. I fell in love with all 4 characters in this book, even though I doubted it was possible after book 1. Let’s face it, the princes were absolutely mean and cruel in book 1. Like completely irredeemable. Yet somehow they have become not only characters that I like, but characters that I am rooting for. Verity also came into her own a lot in this book. She was showing her West End traits and getting absolutely mean and vicious. I loved how mean she was to Wicker because he was undoubtedly the meanest to her in the first book. Whether she was calling him a whore or telling him that he can’t compete with his brothers, I was cracking up. He got exactly what he deserved in this book.
The Romance
This is what we were waiting for ! Book 1 had ZERO romance, but we finally got to see the guys simping and putting in some effort.
The Crossovers
I loveeee seeing the Lords and Dukes pop up in this book. The opening chapters having all of them in a meeting was hilarious. Nick leaving as soon as he heard the Lords were coming had me dying. Remy and Dimitri interacting was everything. I also love how much we got to see of Sy as king!! He really was made to be king, he fits the role so well. I also love love love how much the Dukes were constantly showing up for Verity. They ride or die for their own, and she’s West End no matter what. These past two books have honestly made me even bigger fans of the Dukes than I was when I read their series.
Overall, I really enjoyed this a lot better than Princes of Chaos. The found family trope is so strong in this book, even more than in the Lords and Dukes. The Ashby brothers were already a found family, but now they’ve added Verity to the mix (and the baby). The way that they began to see her as part of their family that needed to be protected was so cute.
Now, here are some of my favorite quotes/ moments:
Nick Bruin made the smart decision to leave the minute the Lords arrived, announcing he would head back to West End to keep an eye on the Duchess. (Nick running with his tail between his legs lmaoo)
His lips pull back into a sneer. “You are such a bitch.” “Yeah, well, at least I’m not a whore.” (Verity hitting Wicker where it hurts :0)
Wicker Ashby is so many terrible things. He’s a liar. A womanizer. A bully. A spoiled brat with knives for words. For all I know, he’s an actual murderer. This is Forsyth, after all. But all that knowledge never prepared me for another horrible facet of him. He’s also a cuddler. (He’s Dimitri Rathbone coded)
“My sons aren’t good boys, Verity, but they’ll do as they’re told. You should take better advantage of them.”
“I didn’t have any other options then.” Shrugging, I explain, “Now, I do.” There’s some more of that eye-bugging, and then Wicker sputters, “So, what? You’re gonna make us compete for the honor?” If the words weren’t spoken with such dripping contempt, I might think to soften the blow. “Oh, Wicker…” Tilting my head, I look up into his blue eyes, reaching up to touch the bruise hidden on his neck. “There’s no competition.” (Verity refusing to sleep with Wicker after he rejected her LOL)
“Your body is a work of beauty, Wicker. If you had a heart to match it…” (It’a giving “Your mind is beautiful Dimitri. But your heart is ugly and twisted.”)
My goal has been to drive a wedge between them, but if what I just witnessed is the depth of their bond, there’s no way I can break it. But the way it felt between us opens up another possibility, one that's more and more inviting. Maybe I don’t need to break them apart, but instead, figure out a way to tie us all together. (Okay this scene with Wicker and Pace though 👀🔥I hope we explore this a little more in book 3…)
“Verity!” Sy’s annoyed voice rings out, the bang louder now. “We’re ten minutes late already. Somebody—not naming any names—wouldn’t let me leave the house until we went eight rounds over possession of my jacket. Again,” he adds, “not naming any names.” And then Nick’s wry, “It was the Archduke.” “Archduke?” Pace mouths, jamming his foot into a shoe. “Recruit?” I punch my arms through my robe. “Cat.” “Fuck.” He angrily pulls on his hoodie, brows crouched low. “Goddamn it. That’s a good name.” (The archduke is my favorite character in all of a Forsyth and yes he’s a cat)
The Characters
If there’s one thing Sam and Angel are good at, it’s writing complex characters that have clear voices, motives, and fears. I fell in love with all 4 characters in this book, even though I doubted it was possible after book 1. Let’s face it, the princes were absolutely mean and cruel in book 1. Like completely irredeemable. Yet somehow they have become not only characters that I like, but characters that I am rooting for. Verity also came into her own a lot in this book. She was showing her West End traits and getting absolutely mean and vicious. I loved how mean she was to Wicker because he was undoubtedly the meanest to her in the first book. Whether she was calling him a whore or telling him that he can’t compete with his brothers, I was cracking up. He got exactly what he deserved in this book.
The Romance
This is what we were waiting for ! Book 1 had ZERO romance, but we finally got to see the guys simping and putting in some effort.
The Crossovers
I loveeee seeing the Lords and Dukes pop up in this book. The opening chapters having all of them in a meeting was hilarious. Nick leaving as soon as he heard the Lords were coming had me dying. Remy and Dimitri interacting was everything. I also love how much we got to see of Sy as king!! He really was made to be king, he fits the role so well. I also love love love how much the Dukes were constantly showing up for Verity. They ride or die for their own, and she’s West End no matter what. These past two books have honestly made me even bigger fans of the Dukes than I was when I read their series.
Overall, I really enjoyed this a lot better than Princes of Chaos. The found family trope is so strong in this book, even more than in the Lords and Dukes. The Ashby brothers were already a found family, but now they’ve added Verity to the mix (and the baby). The way that they began to see her as part of their family that needed to be protected was so cute.
Now, here are some of my favorite quotes/ moments:
Nick Bruin made the smart decision to leave the minute the Lords arrived, announcing he would head back to West End to keep an eye on the Duchess. (Nick running with his tail between his legs lmaoo)
His lips pull back into a sneer. “You are such a bitch.” “Yeah, well, at least I’m not a whore.” (Verity hitting Wicker where it hurts :0)
Wicker Ashby is so many terrible things. He’s a liar. A womanizer. A bully. A spoiled brat with knives for words. For all I know, he’s an actual murderer. This is Forsyth, after all. But all that knowledge never prepared me for another horrible facet of him. He’s also a cuddler. (He’s Dimitri Rathbone coded)
“My sons aren’t good boys, Verity, but they’ll do as they’re told. You should take better advantage of them.”
“I didn’t have any other options then.” Shrugging, I explain, “Now, I do.” There’s some more of that eye-bugging, and then Wicker sputters, “So, what? You’re gonna make us compete for the honor?” If the words weren’t spoken with such dripping contempt, I might think to soften the blow. “Oh, Wicker…” Tilting my head, I look up into his blue eyes, reaching up to touch the bruise hidden on his neck. “There’s no competition.” (Verity refusing to sleep with Wicker after he rejected her LOL)
“Your body is a work of beauty, Wicker. If you had a heart to match it…” (It’a giving “Your mind is beautiful Dimitri. But your heart is ugly and twisted.”)
My goal has been to drive a wedge between them, but if what I just witnessed is the depth of their bond, there’s no way I can break it. But the way it felt between us opens up another possibility, one that's more and more inviting. Maybe I don’t need to break them apart, but instead, figure out a way to tie us all together. (Okay this scene with Wicker and Pace though 👀🔥I hope we explore this a little more in book 3…)
“Verity!” Sy’s annoyed voice rings out, the bang louder now. “We’re ten minutes late already. Somebody—not naming any names—wouldn’t let me leave the house until we went eight rounds over possession of my jacket. Again,” he adds, “not naming any names.” And then Nick’s wry, “It was the Archduke.” “Archduke?” Pace mouths, jamming his foot into a shoe. “Recruit?” I punch my arms through my robe. “Cat.” “Fuck.” He angrily pulls on his hoodie, brows crouched low. “Goddamn it. That’s a good name.” (The archduke is my favorite character in all of a Forsyth and yes he’s a cat)
July 4, 2024
Second read: July 3, 2024
Second rating: 5⭐️
I spent so so much of this book crying. I don’t know if it’s the planets or the moon or what but it hit so much deeper the second time around. So much of this book is pin drop after pin drop and the reveals just keep coming. Despite having read it not even a year ago, I was still on the edge of my seat.
I am so excited to have finished rereading this series in time for the ARC drop tomorrow! Now I have all the info ready to go, fresh in my mind.
The only thing I am going into the new book thinking is that Ashby is going to fucking pay if I have anything to say about it!!!!
First read: Nov 3-7, 2023
First rating: 5⭐️
O!!! M!!!! G!!!!
First of all, big thank you as always to Samgel for this ARC (and for giving me the gift of suffering in silence as I wait for this book to come out so I can finally talk about it with people because HOLY MOLY) Also thank you Angel for writing through everything you’ve been dealing with this year, it does not go unnoticed and you did such an amazing job.
I have to say, these authors NEVER fail to excel in character development. I absolutely love the second book in all these Royals trilogies because you always start in a rock bottom kind of place and by the end of it you’re clutching the book to your chest and sobbing your eyes out. The boys’ development was INSANE. I loved learning just what made them tick and seeing their relationships with Verity evolve. These authors have a true talent for keeping you on your toes with who’s your favorite the entire book… not to say I don’t fixate after I’ve finished it…. But for all intensive purposes and several times throughout I was like oh it’s definitely Lex and then Pace would do something and I was like oh yeah it’s him, and then Wick would bulldoze his way in and I’d be like okay him??? It’s just so fun to never know where your heart is gonna go.
My other favorite thing is that each of the royals trilogies manages to be different storylines and plot devices despite their similarities in both universe culture and characters. Between cameos and callbacks that had me SOBBING, this story is still able to pave its own way and I really like that though there is a slight formula, it’s not overpowering and predictable in a way that other series are.
Quick light hearted note that LEX IS SO FUNNY!
And my girl Verity!!!!! I think she came out of her shell so much more and I ate her personality up more this time around. I was a bit worried in the last book that she wouldn’t be a strong fmc that I could root for, but she found her voice and remembered her west end roots and for that I am grateful.
I also appreciate all the info we found out. Outside this world I’m usually not a huge second book fan bc so much of it was filler but I feel like SO MUCH information was revealed. And the page count was not wasted on useless fluff. Earth shattering smut on the other hand 👀
Though the ending wasn’t too cliffhangery, I still cried consistently from like 60% to the end, seriously. It almost feels a bit too perfect, but I don’t even care bc I’m still eager beaver as ever to see where this story goes. I love this world, I’m buckled in. Even if you’re not a pregnancy trope person, I’d say give it a go, bc I’m not and I ate this UP!!!!!
I’m so beyond ready for everyone to have this in their hands on Friday and I will be personally offended if no one reaches out to me while they’re reading to freak out.
Happy reading Monarchs!!!
Second rating: 5⭐️
I spent so so much of this book crying. I don’t know if it’s the planets or the moon or what but it hit so much deeper the second time around. So much of this book is pin drop after pin drop and the reveals just keep coming. Despite having read it not even a year ago, I was still on the edge of my seat.
I am so excited to have finished rereading this series in time for the ARC drop tomorrow! Now I have all the info ready to go, fresh in my mind.
The only thing I am going into the new book thinking is that Ashby is going to fucking pay if I have anything to say about it!!!!
First read: Nov 3-7, 2023
First rating: 5⭐️
O!!! M!!!! G!!!!
First of all, big thank you as always to Samgel for this ARC (and for giving me the gift of suffering in silence as I wait for this book to come out so I can finally talk about it with people because HOLY MOLY) Also thank you Angel for writing through everything you’ve been dealing with this year, it does not go unnoticed and you did such an amazing job.
I have to say, these authors NEVER fail to excel in character development. I absolutely love the second book in all these Royals trilogies because you always start in a rock bottom kind of place and by the end of it you’re clutching the book to your chest and sobbing your eyes out. The boys’ development was INSANE. I loved learning just what made them tick and seeing their relationships with Verity evolve. These authors have a true talent for keeping you on your toes with who’s your favorite the entire book… not to say I don’t fixate after I’ve finished it…. But for all intensive purposes and several times throughout I was like oh it’s definitely Lex and then Pace would do something and I was like oh yeah it’s him, and then Wick would bulldoze his way in and I’d be like okay him??? It’s just so fun to never know where your heart is gonna go.
My other favorite thing is that each of the royals trilogies manages to be different storylines and plot devices despite their similarities in both universe culture and characters. Between cameos and callbacks that had me SOBBING, this story is still able to pave its own way and I really like that though there is a slight formula, it’s not overpowering and predictable in a way that other series are.
Quick light hearted note that LEX IS SO FUNNY!
And my girl Verity!!!!! I think she came out of her shell so much more and I ate her personality up more this time around. I was a bit worried in the last book that she wouldn’t be a strong fmc that I could root for, but she found her voice and remembered her west end roots and for that I am grateful.
I also appreciate all the info we found out. Outside this world I’m usually not a huge second book fan bc so much of it was filler but I feel like SO MUCH information was revealed. And the page count was not wasted on useless fluff. Earth shattering smut on the other hand 👀
Though the ending wasn’t too cliffhangery, I still cried consistently from like 60% to the end, seriously. It almost feels a bit too perfect, but I don’t even care bc I’m still eager beaver as ever to see where this story goes. I love this world, I’m buckled in. Even if you’re not a pregnancy trope person, I’d say give it a go, bc I’m not and I ate this UP!!!!!
I’m so beyond ready for everyone to have this in their hands on Friday and I will be personally offended if no one reaches out to me while they’re reading to freak out.
Happy reading Monarchs!!!
April 13, 2024
It's better than the first? yeah, because I don't think that they could make it worse it they tried really hard, because that book was just not it.
But you know what is the problem of this book for me? It is what could had been, there's so much telling and not showing.
- Why we were not shown how Wicker reacted to Verity when he saw her on his jersey at the game?
- The scene of Verity and Wicker at the Mother's Day lunch was cut so abruptly, it could had shown so much more, and made them connect more.
- Why we don't have a scene of Verity hearing/seeing Wicker play at the solarium? It could had been such a powerful moment between them.
- Why Verity doesn't see Lex when he's going through his scratch withdraws?
Verity doesn't have a personality at all, and she's dumb alright, the last chapter just showed how dumb she is. We don't see Verity and Stella interact enough for Verity to be so "omg, I'm going to totally put my baby's life in risk for this girl". Couldn't she just run away with the boys and then contact Lavinia to rescue her, but no, she had to go on the dumbest road, because what would she do exactly, walk around the city to find the girl?
Pace is gross, there's no other thing going for him other than him being gross with Verity, like how he assaulted her on her last night on the palace before she went to West End, that's the moment that made me go "Yeah, I'll never like you", then he just goes and spits on her mouth out of nowhere just because he could. I think that at some point the authors realized how gross Pace was and tried to backtrack but they didn't want to rewrite the beginning of the book, because he made a 360 turn when Verity was on the dungeon but to me it was too late to like him. Also no one else kept thinking UTI, UTI, UTI when Pace would keep sleeping with his dick inside Verity and even putting a plug on her, she's pregnant, how could Lex let something like that happen?
Lex is so boring, his POV are so boring.
Wicker is the highlight of the book, his backstory is definitely the most interesting and heartbreaking, his relationship with Verity is the most developed and felt natural, I loved how he's the baby daddy, I'll only read the third book because of him.
But you know what is the problem of this book for me? It is what could had been, there's so much telling and not showing.
- Why we were not shown how Wicker reacted to Verity when he saw her on his jersey at the game?
- The scene of Verity and Wicker at the Mother's Day lunch was cut so abruptly, it could had shown so much more, and made them connect more.
- Why we don't have a scene of Verity hearing/seeing Wicker play at the solarium? It could had been such a powerful moment between them.
- Why Verity doesn't see Lex when he's going through his scratch withdraws?
Verity doesn't have a personality at all, and she's dumb alright, the last chapter just showed how dumb she is. We don't see Verity and Stella interact enough for Verity to be so "omg, I'm going to totally put my baby's life in risk for this girl". Couldn't she just run away with the boys and then contact Lavinia to rescue her, but no, she had to go on the dumbest road, because what would she do exactly, walk around the city to find the girl?
Pace is gross, there's no other thing going for him other than him being gross with Verity, like how he assaulted her on her last night on the palace before she went to West End, that's the moment that made me go "Yeah, I'll never like you", then he just goes and spits on her mouth out of nowhere just because he could. I think that at some point the authors realized how gross Pace was and tried to backtrack but they didn't want to rewrite the beginning of the book, because he made a 360 turn when Verity was on the dungeon but to me it was too late to like him. Also no one else kept thinking UTI, UTI, UTI when Pace would keep sleeping with his dick inside Verity and even putting a plug on her, she's pregnant, how could Lex let something like that happen?
Lex is so boring, his POV are so boring.
Wicker is the highlight of the book, his backstory is definitely the most interesting and heartbreaking, his relationship with Verity is the most developed and felt natural, I loved how he's the baby daddy, I'll only read the third book because of him.
November 6, 2023
Where to even start with this review?! 🤯😍
Princes of Ash is the second book of the Princes trilogy. If you haven't read Princes of Chaos, 🛑 stop and read that first. Alsooo, Princes is the third series in the Forsyth U world. I highly recommend reading the Lords series and Dukes series beforehand so that you have all of the background information and can fully appreciate the fantastic characters!
Angel and Sam are masters in writing characters you will love to hate... and hate to love! 😅 The world building is top tier, and the plot will keep you on your toes. Verity and her Princes go through even more emotionally charged situations, and we get an intimate look into 👑🫏 King Ashby and 💅 Mama B. I was wishing I could pull out a frying pan during multiple scenes (IYKYK).
I am not sure how to narrow down my favorite quotes. The amount of annotations I made is intimidating to go through 😵💫 but there was just so much gold throughout the story! Here is just a snippet of my...
💬 Favorite Quotes:
🤣“Leave the speculum alone, Wick.” He’s squeezing it like scissors, and then making a hole with his hand and shoving it through. “Chr*st,” he says, pulling a face. “Another check in the ‘glad I have a d*ck’ column.”
⌚️“Then maybe you should have bought a watch.”
💗Could anything so pure as love ever be created in the midst of something so wretched?
Thank you so much to Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue for the opportunity to read the Princes of Ash ARC! 🤗 I am very invested in the Forsyth U world and its characters, and can not wait to see what happens next!
Princes of Ash is the second book of the Princes trilogy. If you haven't read Princes of Chaos, 🛑 stop and read that first. Alsooo, Princes is the third series in the Forsyth U world. I highly recommend reading the Lords series and Dukes series beforehand so that you have all of the background information and can fully appreciate the fantastic characters!
Angel and Sam are masters in writing characters you will love to hate... and hate to love! 😅 The world building is top tier, and the plot will keep you on your toes. Verity and her Princes go through even more emotionally charged situations, and we get an intimate look into 👑🫏 King Ashby and 💅 Mama B. I was wishing I could pull out a frying pan during multiple scenes (IYKYK).
I am not sure how to narrow down my favorite quotes. The amount of annotations I made is intimidating to go through 😵💫 but there was just so much gold throughout the story! Here is just a snippet of my...
💬 Favorite Quotes:
🤣“Leave the speculum alone, Wick.” He’s squeezing it like scissors, and then making a hole with his hand and shoving it through. “Chr*st,” he says, pulling a face. “Another check in the ‘glad I have a d*ck’ column.”
⌚️“Then maybe you should have bought a watch.”
💗Could anything so pure as love ever be created in the midst of something so wretched?
Thank you so much to Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue for the opportunity to read the Princes of Ash ARC! 🤗 I am very invested in the Forsyth U world and its characters, and can not wait to see what happens next!
November 6, 2023
Where do I even start? If you’re here then you have probably read The Lords, The Dukes and book one for The Princes. You know book one dropped quite a few bombshells at the end that had you trying to flip the page to see where the rest of the book went. Book 2 picks up pretty much right where one left off and Verity is still stuck in a world where everyone is making decisions for her without bothering to figure out what she wants. King Ashby is still a d!€k and the one thing Verity and her guys (well mostly) can agree on is that none of them want King Ashby to get his hands on their child. Wicker fights his feelings so hard through most of the book because let’s face it, it’s Wicker. Lex is absorbed with making sure both verity and the baby have a healthy pregnancy while dealing with his feelings for her. Pace is… well Pace. Still completely obsessed and has even upped the ante on his stalking. We get to see lots of familiar faces including The Lords and their Lady and The Dukes and their Duchess. This is a wild ride. I honestly loved this book. While the series is not complete I feel like there wasn’t really a dramatic cliffhanger. However there are plenty of dark themes and TWs should be checked. Looking forward to the final book for Verity and The Princes.
November 5, 2023
Well I need the next book now because I am amped up to know how the Prince’s story ends. I was a little nervous as I am not a pregnancy trope fan but I love these books enough that I was willing to try it and it really hasn’t bothered me with this series. I think since I know going in what to expect and I can’t help but devour this series.
I, personally, didn’t find this as dark as the first book. Don’t get me wrong it had its moments, but they weren’t as dark as some of the other moments in the series . I also could have already blocked out anything traumatizing.
I really loved Verity in this one, she has been a great FMC for me. I’ve really loved her and her growth so far into the series. The guys have definitely grown on me too (they always do). I really enjoy seeing more of them and their trauma and learning about why they are who they are. I can already tell the next book is going to be wild and this group is going to take us for a ride.
Thank you to Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue for the eARC!
I, personally, didn’t find this as dark as the first book. Don’t get me wrong it had its moments, but they weren’t as dark as some of the other moments in the series . I also could have already blocked out anything traumatizing.
I really loved Verity in this one, she has been a great FMC for me. I’ve really loved her and her growth so far into the series. The guys have definitely grown on me too (they always do). I really enjoy seeing more of them and their trauma and learning about why they are who they are. I can already tell the next book is going to be wild and this group is going to take us for a ride.
Thank you to Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue for the eARC!
July 10, 2024
I had high hopes for the Princes trilogy since the Lords and Dukes are my favorite books EVER (literally read them each 3 times since February), and after being really disappointed with Princes of Chaos I’m so freaking relieved that Princes of Ash hit all the right spots for me. I don’t know how I went from absolutely hating all 3 princes to needing more of them but kudos to Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue
Now the wait for Princes of Legacy begins 😩😩
Now the wait for Princes of Legacy begins 😩😩
November 14, 2023
Update: 11/11/2023
I'm honestly at a loss for words. I'll come back to give more coherent thoughts after I've digested this a bit more.
(And maybe re-read it. I already feel the burning urge to start again from page 1.)
There's just so many things that Samgel did absolutely masterfully in this trilogy. Like how the actual hell do all of the pieces always fall into place with them? Like every little detail is important, and ties back in somehow.
Right now though, the biggest thing I can't stop thinking about is that: the reason I probably love the Princes books the most so far is that they are (under all the debauchery and unhinged-ness) so relatable?
It's almost like a dramatization/bastardization of the "coming of age" deal that happens in your early-mid twenties. You start to realize how much of your identity has been shaped by your family/parents, you start to see the shadow side of this and maybe feel anger and bitterness. You try to disengage from the familial hierarchy which keeps some people weak, dependent, or unable to change. You try to ensure that you never become what you have watched your parents become, and you try to escape so that you can ultimately heal.
I feel this most strongly with Lex as he's trying to balance all of his responsibilities. Trying to uncover what he wants from what he's always been told he should want. What he knows to be true about himself, versus what hes always been told is true about him.
Like honestly I don't care if they're explicit, if there isn't some literature professor 50 years down the line making people read these books and analyze them for a semester paper I'm going to hop out of my granny wheelchair and beat someone with my cane.
Pre Release Crying 11/9/2023
Bro this is ridiculous 😂😂
I’m so ashamed of my behavior, I was immediately jonesing for this book after Princes of Chaos, but I forced myself to forget about it so I could actually like go to work, pay my bills and eat and stuff.
But like as soon as November hit I’m re-reading Princes of chaos daily, I can’t sleep, my brain can think of *N O T H I N G * E L S E * but Princes of Ash.
This is not gonna be pretty, I can already tell. I have to teach on Friday. I’m educating our future, and yet I’m either gonna be a literal zombie from having stayed up all night finishing PoA, or just a brain dead antisocial rock from edging myself with this damn book.
Angel Lawson…Samantha Rue…what have you turned me into🤣🤣
I'm honestly at a loss for words. I'll come back to give more coherent thoughts after I've digested this a bit more.
(And maybe re-read it. I already feel the burning urge to start again from page 1.)
There's just so many things that Samgel did absolutely masterfully in this trilogy. Like how the actual hell do all of the pieces always fall into place with them? Like every little detail is important, and ties back in somehow.
Right now though, the biggest thing I can't stop thinking about is that: the reason I probably love the Princes books the most so far is that they are (under all the debauchery and unhinged-ness) so relatable?
It's almost like a dramatization/bastardization of the "coming of age" deal that happens in your early-mid twenties. You start to realize how much of your identity has been shaped by your family/parents, you start to see the shadow side of this and maybe feel anger and bitterness. You try to disengage from the familial hierarchy which keeps some people weak, dependent, or unable to change. You try to ensure that you never become what you have watched your parents become, and you try to escape so that you can ultimately heal.
I feel this most strongly with Lex as he's trying to balance all of his responsibilities. Trying to uncover what he wants from what he's always been told he should want. What he knows to be true about himself, versus what hes always been told is true about him.
Like honestly I don't care if they're explicit, if there isn't some literature professor 50 years down the line making people read these books and analyze them for a semester paper I'm going to hop out of my granny wheelchair and beat someone with my cane.
Pre Release Crying 11/9/2023
Bro this is ridiculous 😂😂
I’m so ashamed of my behavior, I was immediately jonesing for this book after Princes of Chaos, but I forced myself to forget about it so I could actually like go to work, pay my bills and eat and stuff.
But like as soon as November hit I’m re-reading Princes of chaos daily, I can’t sleep, my brain can think of *N O T H I N G * E L S E * but Princes of Ash.
This is not gonna be pretty, I can already tell. I have to teach on Friday. I’m educating our future, and yet I’m either gonna be a literal zombie from having stayed up all night finishing PoA, or just a brain dead antisocial rock from edging myself with this damn book.
Angel Lawson…Samantha Rue…what have you turned me into🤣🤣
November 11, 2023
It’s so hard for me to put into words how much I absolutely LOVED PoA. I know with how the last one ended, it seems almost impossible to imagine EVER forgiving the guys for what they did to Ver, but Samgel managed to make magic happen once again! I wasn’t even a few chapters in before I started folding for these boys, the character arcs they all go through is extraordinary, and that includes Ver too. By the end, you will be struggling to decide which guy is your favorite; these are facts already being proven by those who said they would NEVER forgive them.
This book was more of a journey of discovering their self worth and understanding that they are all really the same, that they all messed up and taking accountability for their actions. It’s really really hard to type a review without giving anything away because the best moments are ones you just have to discover for yourself. Just believe me when I say you’ll be feeling ALLLL the things! Anger, sadness, happiness, laughter, crying, internal screaming…Be ready for it all, cuz this book is the definition of an emotional rollercoaster!
The tone of this one isn’t as dark, and by that I mean the relationship between the mains isn’t as dark/abusive as the others may have been, but it absolutely fits the storyline. Trust me when I say that the most awful character we’ve read up to date is the true villain Rufus Ashby, and he’s so horrible that he needs no help carrying the darkness for the rest of this storyline. I screamed internally throughout the book “omg someone just take this him out!! Now!!!”
The ending is also extremely satisfying, and sets up Legacy perfectly. If you hate cliffhangers, I’m almost certain that even you will be happy with this ending and content to wait for book 3. I am so totally excited to see how this story wraps up, but I’m not going to be pulling my hair out during the waiting period between now and then either. This book is a 10/10, 100% would read again, 100% would recommend!!!
This book was more of a journey of discovering their self worth and understanding that they are all really the same, that they all messed up and taking accountability for their actions. It’s really really hard to type a review without giving anything away because the best moments are ones you just have to discover for yourself. Just believe me when I say you’ll be feeling ALLLL the things! Anger, sadness, happiness, laughter, crying, internal screaming…Be ready for it all, cuz this book is the definition of an emotional rollercoaster!
The tone of this one isn’t as dark, and by that I mean the relationship between the mains isn’t as dark/abusive as the others may have been, but it absolutely fits the storyline. Trust me when I say that the most awful character we’ve read up to date is the true villain Rufus Ashby, and he’s so horrible that he needs no help carrying the darkness for the rest of this storyline. I screamed internally throughout the book “omg someone just take this him out!! Now!!!”
The ending is also extremely satisfying, and sets up Legacy perfectly. If you hate cliffhangers, I’m almost certain that even you will be happy with this ending and content to wait for book 3. I am so totally excited to see how this story wraps up, but I’m not going to be pulling my hair out during the waiting period between now and then either. This book is a 10/10, 100% would read again, 100% would recommend!!!
November 10, 2023
Oh my gawwwd. This book was panty-melting hot.
First of all, I wasn’t sold on Verity at first but this book proved how WRONG I was. She’s my favorite of the monarch!! This bitch is sassy, smart af, and so quick witted.
Second of all, the character development!! I was really scared after where we left off in book 1. I was expecting more enemies than lovers again, but instead we got a gradual progression to lovers while learning why these men are the way they are. It was done so well!!!
I love where this story is going. The ending was a little too good to be true and I’m very scared. Book 3 is going to be wild!!!
Thank you Samgel for always keeping the pets safe. 🥰
“I ate your banana pudding”
“Show her some kindness and a window with some sunshine, and she’ll be a fast friend.” 🥹
“Guys this is not what I meant about keeping the Princess hydrated.”
“Archduke?”
“Cat.”
“Fuck. That’s a good name.”
“I’m a goddamn specimen. So why isn’t she on my dick yet?” 🤔🤦🏼♀️
“I do a double take, realizing this chick’s seriously down to whore herself out for a burrito.”
“Her tits. They’re bigger. I know it. It’s like a disturbance in the Force of something.”
“If I don’t get my dick in a hole soon, I may explode.”
“Do you need me to administer an orgasm?”
“Finally admitting you want my dick?”
“In a jar, on my mantle.”
“That Nick Bruin is a snack. Granted, straighter than dry spaghetti.”
First of all, I wasn’t sold on Verity at first but this book proved how WRONG I was. She’s my favorite of the monarch!! This bitch is sassy, smart af, and so quick witted.
Second of all, the character development!! I was really scared after where we left off in book 1. I was expecting more enemies than lovers again, but instead we got a gradual progression to lovers while learning why these men are the way they are. It was done so well!!!
I love where this story is going. The ending was a little too good to be true and I’m very scared. Book 3 is going to be wild!!!
Thank you Samgel for always keeping the pets safe. 🥰
“I ate your banana pudding”
“Show her some kindness and a window with some sunshine, and she’ll be a fast friend.” 🥹
“Guys this is not what I meant about keeping the Princess hydrated.”
“Archduke?”
“Cat.”
“Fuck. That’s a good name.”
“I’m a goddamn specimen. So why isn’t she on my dick yet?” 🤔🤦🏼♀️
“I do a double take, realizing this chick’s seriously down to whore herself out for a burrito.”
“Her tits. They’re bigger. I know it. It’s like a disturbance in the Force of something.”
“If I don’t get my dick in a hole soon, I may explode.”
“Do you need me to administer an orgasm?”
“Finally admitting you want my dick?”
“In a jar, on my mantle.”
“That Nick Bruin is a snack. Granted, straighter than dry spaghetti.”
July 14, 2024
Holy Wicker! I mean I love all the Princes but Wicker has my heart!
"But her words, just like the warmth of her touch, go off like a bomb in my chest, taking down the walls so carefully built around my heart. It's not so much what she says, but what the words mean."
"So why, Verity? Why do you do it, knowing d*** well I can't rescue you back?"
"So here's a secret. I give it to her right in her ear."I want to give you all of me," my lips brush the shell of her ear, "and I want all of you in return."
Saying that I have been eagerly waiting for Princes of Ash is a major understatement. The cliffhanger at the end of Princes of Chaos has had us all a little antsy to get our hands on POA. The wait was well worth it! As usual, I ate this book up! The 500+ pages flew by and in my best Veruca Salt voice "I want more". It's never enough with this series! I just can't get enough! I'm totally obsessed! The character development! The world! The strong heroine! The damaged men! It's just so dang good!
I'm excited to watch a certain king get what's coming to him and watch the revenge unfold! Princes of Legacy can't get here soon enough..
Reread before POL: I’m eager to finally see how Verity and her Princes’ story ends. I’m ready for the revenge and the HEA!
"But her words, just like the warmth of her touch, go off like a bomb in my chest, taking down the walls so carefully built around my heart. It's not so much what she says, but what the words mean."
"So why, Verity? Why do you do it, knowing d*** well I can't rescue you back?"
"So here's a secret. I give it to her right in her ear."I want to give you all of me," my lips brush the shell of her ear, "and I want all of you in return."
Saying that I have been eagerly waiting for Princes of Ash is a major understatement. The cliffhanger at the end of Princes of Chaos has had us all a little antsy to get our hands on POA. The wait was well worth it! As usual, I ate this book up! The 500+ pages flew by and in my best Veruca Salt voice "I want more". It's never enough with this series! I just can't get enough! I'm totally obsessed! The character development! The world! The strong heroine! The damaged men! It's just so dang good!
I'm excited to watch a certain king get what's coming to him and watch the revenge unfold! Princes of Legacy can't get here soon enough..
Reread before POL: I’m eager to finally see how Verity and her Princes’ story ends. I’m ready for the revenge and the HEA!
November 6, 2023
Princes of Ash by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue
⭐️7/5
🔥5/5
I love this series and can’t wait for the next book already. You must read Princes of Chaos first. It also ends in Cliff Hanger, although I don’t hate it. lol FMC is finally pregnant but that in no way makes her safe from everyone. Some see her as a threat and she has no choice but to try and take down the palace and ties that bind the Princes.
⭐️7/5
🔥5/5
I love this series and can’t wait for the next book already. You must read Princes of Chaos first. It also ends in Cliff Hanger, although I don’t hate it. lol FMC is finally pregnant but that in no way makes her safe from everyone. Some see her as a threat and she has no choice but to try and take down the palace and ties that bind the Princes.
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