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A Knight's Revenge #2

Seize the Castle

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In Saint Gabriel City, there’s a war brewing. The Four Families have ruled the City for generations, but they made a huge fucking mistake when they murdered my parents and didn’t manage to kill me too. I’ve revealed my true identity, taking the City and Holywell Academy by storm, but the heads of Spencer, Hargraves, and Ferrero continue to underestimate me. They think I’m an annoying little gnat trying to play at being an Heir, and that will make it all the sweeter when I take everything from them. But their sons—the boys who were my best friends for eleven years—they have different ideas about me than their parents do. Zach wants me back—and maybe just plain wants me. Noah longs for our friendship but feels hurt by my lies. And Bennett—he’ll resist my attack on his legacy until the bitter end, but he’d still rather die than lose me again. And me? I’m starting to think I need my boys back with me after all. But they’ll have to choose—it’s me or the Families. Because I came to burn it all down, and nothing is going to stand in my way. This is a New Adult, college-aged dark academy romance. It is the second book in a trilogy and does end on a cliffhanger . It is also a “WhyChoose” romance, which means our heroine will have multiple love interests, and she will not have to choose between them in getting to her happy ending. As always, this series is for readers age 18+ and contains a ton of foul language, very steamy scenes, and violent themes. If you’ve read Storm the Gates (A Knight’s Revenge Book 1) and want to see how Jolie’s story continues, dive in!

328 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2022

948 people are currently reading
1279 people want to read

About the author

Elizabeth Dear

16 books718 followers

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5 stars
3,298 (43%)
4 stars
2,639 (35%)
3 stars
1,248 (16%)
2 stars
282 (3%)
1 star
51 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 535 reviews
Profile Image for Krystal- Celestialbookdragon.
306 reviews96 followers
December 9, 2022
Just like the first one, I couldn't have put this book down if I wanted to, not that I even tried, I just loved it so much! We got more of all of the things I adored from Storm the Gates; great sexual tension and banter, a fiercely protective found family that melted my heart on more than one occasion, and Jolie continuing to be an absolute boss queen at all times! Even better, we got a whole bunch of chapters from the guys' POVs and I somehow fell even harder for all of them!

Zach's determination to have Jolie back no matter the cost was so endearing and Noah's sweetheart in the streets but a dom in the sheets vibe had me self combusting! And the way Bennett finally gave in to his feelings for Jolie was nothing short of beautiful! I totally wanted it to happen as a result of him losing control and when it did, while my heart was breaking for both him and Jolie, it was everything I wanted and I couldn't have planned it more perfectly if I tried! 🤌🏻 And obviously, because I'm a depraved soul, I HAVE to mention that while I loved getting to see what it was like for Jolie to be with two of them at once I cannot wait to see the results of having all three of their *tastes* combine in the next book! 😏😈🥵

Some of my other favorite moments included Jolie's friendship with the iconic Mari, Dom stepping into the protective father figure role whenever the guys were around, and most of all, Max continuing to antagonize the guys at every available opportunity! Max is definitely my fave side character by a long shot because he just has the funniest attitude by far, I love everything he says and does and that plot twist of him with that other character?! I AM SO HERE FOR IT AND I NEED MORE ASAP!

But Miss Elizabeth, that ending was not very nice! Thankfully your author's note was able to calm me down a bit but I'll be honest, the emotional turmoil I'm currently experiencing was totally worth it cause this series is easily one of my favorite reads of the year! I mean, I binged both books in this series in two days, which is super fast for me! The only downside now is that the wait for February and the last book already feels so long! I just wanna fast forward time a bit so I can watch our fave gang work together to Kill the King and bring down the families once and for all! 😉

If you're a reader who enjoys contemporary RH in an academy setting or someone who has read and loved Pacific Prep or Hannaford I would highly recommend you give this series a try!
Profile Image for Sabrina.
4,284 reviews2,388 followers
December 9, 2022
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK

I loved loved loved that we got the guys POV's in this book. They brought so many emotions to the story and it was definitely fun getting to see their reactions to finding out who Jolie was. The suspense level in this book was a little lower than the first book but there was plenty of heat and smexiness added to make up for that.

It never got boring and kept my interest the entire time I was reading. Now I'm dying to find out how the story will end as well as hoping beyond all hope that a certain fun-loving side character will get his own story.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Daisy Delfin.
1,481 reviews179 followers
February 22, 2025
The second book is a wild ride. Noah, Zach and Bennett are over the moon because their best friend is alive. At the same time they are a little conflicted. And they want to win her back. Jolie isn't giving in easily because she doesn't know how they will react to her plan.

The book was so good but ended on a cliffhanger, a bad one.
Profile Image for G.
516 reviews203 followers
May 21, 2023
Loved it
Profile Image for Rachel.
164 reviews6 followers
December 2, 2022
Okay, wow. WTF. This is one of the best book series I have read all year! I devoured the first book and immediately went to ask for an arc of this one because I simply could not let go of these characters. Anyone who follows my reviews probably knows that I read pretty much primarily why choose romance, so when my friend came to me and told me that this one was like if Hannaford Prep and Pacific Prep were combined and set in college, I was SOLD. Elizabeth had me in a chokehold from the very first page of the first book, and as if it were even possible, this one was even better.

Jolie is one of my favorite female leads I have ever read. She's strong, intelligent, badass and as a reader, I rooted for her vengeance from the very beginning. I found the balance between her plans and her ever present feelings for her former best friends to be brilliantly done. I really empathized with her journey and how she got to the place that she's in currently. I love the guys and their development with not only Jolie, but with each other as well.

I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil anything, but I will just say that I am absolutely OBSESSED with this series and I cannot wait to see what happens in book three. I will also be taking this time to mentally breakdown over that ending until the next book comes out.
Profile Image for Rose.
687 reviews46 followers
January 2, 2024
It was okay. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I was hoping for more connection and intimacy in this one but the relationships are just not as developed as I like. At this point I would have expected to be endeared to these characters but I’m not. I’m going to finish the series because I’m curious in how some things will play out but I’m not actually invested in it, if that makes sense. It’s a lot of telling verses showing so there’s just not a lot of depth but it’s easy enough to breeze though. The guys are finally starting to handle their own shit instead of just letting the h do all the work, so yay for that! I loved the scenes of the evil OW getting what they deserved and in public too! I much preferred the single POV writing style in book one to the multi POV style that this one was.

Overall: 2.5 because the beginning was really tough to get through with the addition of the guys POVs. I rounded up because the flow in the last half was much better.
Profile Image for Kimberlylovesreadingbooks.
251 reviews58 followers
July 13, 2025
Zachary is my favourite heir closely followed by Noah 👏🏾😍✨.

Bennett....well he waited till the end to actually change his mind to join Jolie in her mission 😐 while the others were all in from the start so I don't like him yet🤣.

The way Zachary just started sneaking into her room at night to cuddle with her just so he could feel her in his arms again!!!!! SWOON 🤭✨. He got me there ngl🤷🏾‍♀️.

The way Jolie found out that someone had tried to kidnap Bennett and she went "who did this to you?" 🙈🤭. I LOVED THAT!!!! To me it's even better when the fmc says it especially when they're not even together 🙂💁🏾‍♀️.

That ending? 🥲 I'm not sleeping until I finish the 3rd and final book🚶🏾‍♀️.
Profile Image for cha.
312 reviews631 followers
August 12, 2024
“If things had turned out… differently… would you have done it for me?”

He held my gaze, suddenly wearing the pain of the last seven years on his handsome face. His eyes were tortured and his words angry when he replied, “I would have done anything for you.”


CRYINGGGGGGG Bennett is definitely my favorite Heir.

The revenge arc in this was just as phenomenal, but had to take off a star because I wasn't a fan of the smut. It was too.. smutty? Jolie didn't even sound like herself when she was in a sex craze, and it made me cringe a little.

I felt like there was an opportunity to make her relationship with the guys even angstier even after they sorta got together but the author chose the smutty route instead and it was like she *tried* to make it hot but it ended up sounding too much like a porn film.

I still enjoyed the plot very much tho, when Jolie wasn't horny she was still great as ever and still the badass bitch I knew from the first book. But gotta admit I am now more invested in the war arc than the romance.

The ending with Bennett, though. WHEWWWWWW. Emotional AND hot. Now THAT is what happens when you mix angst, slow burning tension, a drop of hatred, murder, deeply emotional history and sex together. I still think it could've been written better (less porny) BUT it was a long time coming and I was glad it finally happened.

BENNETT <3
Profile Image for Christy Bailey.
662 reviews25 followers
January 9, 2025
Ugh I can't get enough! I can't wait to see what happens next!!!! These guys have my heart for sure!!!!
Profile Image for Varied Books.
1,186 reviews55 followers
June 26, 2023
I never felt the romance between the FMC and the men. She deserved better.

“And if you think I’d ever voluntary dine with the three bitches who tried to have me sexually assaulted—or Chad—you’re delusional. The fact that you three continue to associate with the likes of them disgusts me.”

Noah plays nice with the girl for a large portion of the book. Very Disappointing-Noah near the end of the book sends out a video of one the girls sucking off her professor. Jolene would have destroyed anyone who hurt her men. I wanted the girl to bleed.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
69 reviews
January 26, 2024
It was ok

I really liked the first book, but this second book wasn't as good. Firstly because the spicy scenes were insanely awkward. Somehow the author made the scenes sound kind of formal and almost clinical, they were uncomfortable to read. Secondly, the way Noah and particularly Bennet view Jolies need for revenge is so insanely annoying. They refuse to actually see it from her perspective and continuously prove why she didn't go to them for help, and they never recognise that they were selfish idiots who were wrong. Otherwise, the book was OK.
Profile Image for aisbeareads ❄️.
144 reviews17 followers
April 9, 2024
4.5 🌟

As expected, the second book surpassed its predecessor. Jolie's boys captured my interest more, though I'm still warming up to Bennett. While second book syndrome plagues many series, RH and dark romance novels seem to excel in their second installments. Can't wait to dive into the final book! :D
Profile Image for Kaity.
1,980 reviews24 followers
March 15, 2025
Audio:
4.5 stars for Stefanie Kay
4.5-5 stars for Gregory Salinas, Gideon Frost, and Michael Gallagher.

Book: 3 stars

Alight, the declaration of love by one of the guys and when it happened didn’t make sense, but so far it’s not bad, but not great.

Max and Frankie are still my favorites. So looking forward to finishing book 3 to get to Max and Frankie’s book!
Profile Image for Maddie Vaters.
568 reviews437 followers
March 4, 2025
4⭐️

I’m Backkkkk😈 If you thought that you’d seen the last of me today, guess again. My mid series update is that I’m still loving it and am prepared for my girl Jojo to look hot while she finishes these bitches off.
Profile Image for Zen.
2,980 reviews
February 2, 2023
4 stars.

I enjoyed this one more than the first one now that Tue story is moving. With everyone on board, it will be interesting to see how things resolve themselves.
Profile Image for Murphy.
725 reviews
December 3, 2022
This series is AMAZING! Just like book one, once you start, you can't put it down!!! I am so invested into this story; I can't wait to see what happens next!

Seize the Castle picks up right where Storm the Gates left off and while Jolie has revealed her true identity, it is just the beginning for her and her fight for the truth. Little by little she is buying or blackmailing the other families' companies out from under them! What's more? - Now that Noah and Zach know who she really is - they are head over heels in love with their oldest best friend and cannot be happier to help. Bennett is still engaged to the awful Harper...but the ending changes everything!

I love all of these characters so much! Jolie is such a little bada$$ and I have such high hopes for book three. The spice definitely picked up in this book and it was hot! This is an amazing series, and I loved everything about it! Can't wait for more.

*Overall 5/5
*Heat? 3/4
*Med/Slow Burn
*Multiple first person POV
*MFMM Relationship
*Check for triggers
*Ends on cliffhanger
Profile Image for Bex (Beckie Bookworm).
2,517 reviews1,592 followers
April 29, 2024



This second instalment begins in the aftermath of the events that unfolded in the first book. with Jo's identity finally revealed meaning the danger for her is going to escalate with the truth of just who she is. All three boys have very different reactions and outlook to the truth of it all. Some take longer than others to get over Jolie's perceived betrayal. Zach is the first to get on board he's actually very quick to realise what he wants. Followed by Noah and then with stubborn Bennet fighting it till the bitter end. In fact, there were times here, I wanted to give him a swift kick hopefully knock some sense into his thick skull.

This one cranked up the heat and the chemistry and spice were scorching and gave me all of the feels. The danger also intensifies as Jolie has enemies everywhere. I did guess the twist though, not that it detracted from my enjoyment one bit. I also liked that we got some multiple POVs here as well. I felt this gave us an insight into Noah Bennet and Zach.

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Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
Profile Image for BookTrovert.
201 reviews60 followers
October 25, 2023
The 2nd book was really good, but it wasn't as good as the first one. I still love all the characters, though.
Profile Image for Melanie Jakusz.
322 reviews11 followers
June 29, 2025
The kind of book where you love the harem so much you can’t pick a fav 🫣
Profile Image for Lilly &#x1f5a4;.
52 reviews9 followers
December 24, 2024
2.3 ⭐️

It’s like a really bad CW show. Not sure if I’ll be continuing with the series or not 😬
Profile Image for Jennifer.
569 reviews43 followers
July 26, 2023
3.5 Stars. Didn’t love this installment. Hopefully the last book is better.
Profile Image for Vintage.
2,714 reviews718 followers
June 27, 2025
The Too Cool for School gang with their undoubtedly pouty Calvin Klein perfume lips are back as cool as ever. Heroine is taking the H's down one by one, and when I mean taking down I mean we are heading into reverse harem territory. Ho hum.

Still fun, still thriller baby. Lots of rotten relatives.
Profile Image for Mariana.
223 reviews9 followers
December 10, 2022
Rating: 5 Stars(mine)
Goodreads: 4.79
Yesterday was officially released one of the books that I was most waiting for
Seize the Castle by the amazing Elizabeth Dear
Having met this author and these wonderful works and having had the honor of having access to them before the release was an experience that I can't even describe
Seize the Castle is the second book in the A Knight's Revenge series
I spent two months super anxious for the ARC to send this book I was nervous and anxious to read it
Jojo has become a character that I can't live without just like the boys and I have a favorite that won my heart right away which was Zach
It's a book that is super worth reading, the author's writing is addictive as soon as I started reading I couldn't stop until I finished the book
It's going to be hard to wait until February for the third book but I know I'll do my best to try to get the ARC for this one too and I'm glad I can accompany Elizabeth through this adventure and many more to come.
I am happy to have been with you in another launch of a book that many more will come
And I hope that when you read these two that have already been released, you like them as much as I liked them.
Profile Image for Mandyloves2read.
1,763 reviews173 followers
December 14, 2022
This book was sooo good! Omg the lies the betrayals the suspense the angst and the steam!!! This one was even better than the first book Jolie is such a bad ass female character I’m loving watching her get her vengeance and that shocking ending left me reeling I can’t wait for the third book in this series! Definitely a must read !
Profile Image for BeDazzling.
270 reviews5 followers
February 21, 2023
Eh i sort of lost interest midway. Some of the major plot twists were pretty obvious; Anders being a traitor & the key being in Jolie’s necklace, to name two. So I didn’t really feel the excitement, the edge of the seat suspense in this one.

This book had the plot that I’ve dreamed of for ages. A heroine who comes back from the dead with a powerful organization behind her to take revenge on everyone who wronged her. Also a heroine who doesn’t think with her pussy. On that note I really liked how Jolie was steadfast in her plan to bring the Families to their knees despite the boys trying to deter her.

But then I guess the dislikes somehow overrode the likes?? I really don’t know what went wrong. Even now I don’t have the energy or interest to pick up the last book. I really couldn’t care less what happens at the end.





Edit: I’ve thought about it a bit. And I think I know where it went wrong. It went wrong when she didn’t bring them down from the shadows. It went wrong when she didn’t kill Donovan(?) or anyone really other than enforcers. I don’t think anyone that actually did the bad shit, the top dogs, died. But their lackeys did. ??? Um. What. I don’t understand why she didn’t even attempt to kill or fuck directly with Andrea Peter and James. Why not kidnap them and torture them or something. She didn’t seem to mind torture when Zach was doing it. So why not?

And then the boys. They’re just so ugh. Where is the backbone? I don’t think I ever saw them stand up to their parents or even think anything about their ‘shenanigans’. The boys have no depth to them other than the fact that they love Jolie. That’s their whole personality. Jolie their bff ‘died’ so they stopped living and when Jolie came back from the dead they came back to life. They’re so one dimensional, I cannot name one thing Zach, Noah or Bennett liked other than Jolie. I really can’t. They’re like dogs honestly. Panting after Jolie. Jolie the only thing on their mind.

All in all I think the boys are what messed this book up irrevocably. None of them were likable. None of them were substantial. I bet I won’t even remember their names or ‘personalities’ in three days. They just aren’t worth thinking about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,089 reviews119 followers
December 10, 2022
Yes!!!!!!!!

I loved it!!!! This was just as good as the first one. So our bada$$ H is climbing to the top and retaking her throne, while squashing everyone who gets in her way. I loved her men who really show our girl who's side they'd always been on. And it's definitely hot hot! Stuff has really hit the fan, and its really about to be a war. Definitely no longer to be taken lightly, our H will have to fight to get her revenge and protect her ppl at all cost.
Profile Image for ⊹ Gabriela | Asternyx ⊹.
638 reviews505 followers
July 20, 2023
This series is so good! The characters have my heart and are not willing to let it go.
I'll jump right into the third and final book.

When I first picked up this series, I didn't expect to become so invested in the story, despite reading a few reviews that warned me this series can easily become addictive.

I was looking for a Reverse-Harem with a childhood best friends turned enemies turned lovers trope and a badass FMC. While they aren't actually enemies, the vibes are there sometimes, and it's just so delicious to watch everything unfold.

Definitely one of my favorite RH series! 🥹
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