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The Devils of Vitality
These Silent Stars
The Devils of Vitality always spot a liar.
Rin Varun’s got something to hide.
That’s a lie. He’s got several things. Traveling to a different galaxy was meant to make his life less complicated, but a year in on this new planet and he’s still fighting off his demons. There’s no better place to learn how to keep skeletons buried than the Academy, where they teach their cadets how to uncover them, and Rin is determined to graduate in order to ensure those demons stay hidden. He doesn’t want to stand out, doesn’t want accolades, or high marks. He just wants to coast by unnoticed, and he’s doing a decent job until he draws the attention of the Devil Prince.
Kelevra Diar doesn’t do disguises.
Who would bother with a mask when they have a face as tantalizing as his? As the Imperial Prince Third in line for the throne, Kel’s used to getting anything and everything he wants faster than he can raise his hand to snap his fingers. The drawback to this is even murder has lost its intrigue, and there’s nothing more dangerous than a bored Devil of Vitality. Then a cadet catches his eye and suddenly things are starting to look interesting again. Rin is unlike anyone Kelevra’s ever known, with monsters hiding under his bed that might rival Kel’s sociopathic nature.
When Kelevra decides to make it his mission to draw those monsters out to play, Rin unsurprisingly resists, but that only makes him more invested. Suddenly the impulsive prince realizes he’s in this for the long haul, even if that means forcing Rin’s hand through an arranged betrothal. Rin has no idea why Kel has taken such an intense interest in him, but no matter what he tries, he can’t shake free of him. The sex between them may be explosive, and Kelevra may be the most attractive person he’s ever seen, but is that enough for Rin to drop his guard and reveal all his secrets?
Rin Varun’s got something to hide.
That’s a lie. He’s got several things. Traveling to a different galaxy was meant to make his life less complicated, but a year in on this new planet and he’s still fighting off his demons. There’s no better place to learn how to keep skeletons buried than the Academy, where they teach their cadets how to uncover them, and Rin is determined to graduate in order to ensure those demons stay hidden. He doesn’t want to stand out, doesn’t want accolades, or high marks. He just wants to coast by unnoticed, and he’s doing a decent job until he draws the attention of the Devil Prince.
Kelevra Diar doesn’t do disguises.
Who would bother with a mask when they have a face as tantalizing as his? As the Imperial Prince Third in line for the throne, Kel’s used to getting anything and everything he wants faster than he can raise his hand to snap his fingers. The drawback to this is even murder has lost its intrigue, and there’s nothing more dangerous than a bored Devil of Vitality. Then a cadet catches his eye and suddenly things are starting to look interesting again. Rin is unlike anyone Kelevra’s ever known, with monsters hiding under his bed that might rival Kel’s sociopathic nature.
When Kelevra decides to make it his mission to draw those monsters out to play, Rin unsurprisingly resists, but that only makes him more invested. Suddenly the impulsive prince realizes he’s in this for the long haul, even if that means forcing Rin’s hand through an arranged betrothal. Rin has no idea why Kel has taken such an intense interest in him, but no matter what he tries, he can’t shake free of him. The sex between them may be explosive, and Kelevra may be the most attractive person he’s ever seen, but is that enough for Rin to drop his guard and reveal all his secrets?
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2023
282 people are currently reading
2671 people want to read
About the author
Chani Lynn Feener
67 books1,497 followersLibrarians, please don't add books. I stay up to date and add them myself and have ended up with many multiple copies because others add them later. Thank you!
Chani majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. She is the author of the Xenith trilogy, and the teen paranormal series, The Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut.
Have a question? Check her blog! https://chanilynnfeener.wixsite.com/a...
Find her on Instagram @TempestChani
Chani majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. She is the author of the Xenith trilogy, and the teen paranormal series, The Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut.
Have a question? Check her blog! https://chanilynnfeener.wixsite.com/a...
Find her on Instagram @TempestChani
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
September 9, 2023
Oh my goodness, my heart is still beating in a crazy excited rhythm an hour after I finished this book. I am completely blown away. I never expected this, well the plot kind of but not that it would sweep me away so much.
If you're reading this, you best make sure you can read the last 100 to 150 pages in one go, trust me, you don't want an interruption there.
I really didn't expect to fall for Rin and Kel like that. I was a bit skeptical at first that this book could be as good as Echo. After all, Chani had created two such extraordinary characters in Baikal and Rabbit, I didn't think she could top that.
But funny thing is, she doesn't have to top the first book either, because while she's set this one on the same planet, filled with characters we've already met, the book is completely and utterly different. A thousand thanks for that, because that's always the problem for me, that I have too high expectations and think that a second book must bring the same as the first. But these two are completely different. And so are the characters. Yes Rin and Kel have a rather toxic unusual relationship, yes the characters are a bit off like all the others by Chani, but at the same time they are completely different.
I really had trouble getting into Rin and Kel. They are both strange and also not open in their feelings or talk to each other enough at the beginning so that you understand their motives. The situation with Rin's brother is also not helpful but just adds to the confusion.
Then the book isn't exactly short and Chani is really good at dragging out inner monologues. But her writing style fits so well for me that oddly enough the length doesn't bother me at all and I just can't put the story down until I'm so immersed in this world that suddenly I'm at the end of the book … and now abruptly I'm supposed to find my way without it. Reality sucks, I want to crawl back under the covers with Chani and continue listening to her words and lose myself in this universe.
Kel = He was quick to react and didn’t bother considering the consequences. Volatile, sporadic, and impulsive. Basically, he was a ticking time bomb who didn’t even have the decency to come with tell-tale signs to warn when he was about to explode. 😲
Rin had said no. It was just Kel didn’t care. 🌹🤗🌹
Rin = The last thing he needed was for the Imperial Prince to realize just how much Rin actually was enjoying this. Being pinned down, tossed about a little. Used. 😳😳😳
The only times in his entire life he’d been able to breathe properly had been those moments when he’d been forced to give up complete and total control. They were few and far between, like snippets of joy that were there and gone in a flash, but he held onto them when he could. 🥀🥺🥀
The Sex = Kelevra undid the button on Rin’s pants and slid his palm beneath the waistband of his underwear, all the way down until he was grabbing onto Rin’s dick. He was hot and heavy, and wet, covered in precome already. “You’re leaking for me.” 🥵🥵🥵
The Love = Something inside of Kelevra’s chest cracked. He’d thought forcing his control over Rin in the bedroom had been the peak of pleasure, but he’d been wrong.
It was this.
It was being allowed to play with Rin’s hair and have him willingly lay in his lap. It was listening to his even breathing, and watching his full mouth curve upward at the ends ever so slightly, as though even Rin didn’t realize he was smiling. 🖤💞🖤
If you're reading this, you best make sure you can read the last 100 to 150 pages in one go, trust me, you don't want an interruption there.
I really didn't expect to fall for Rin and Kel like that. I was a bit skeptical at first that this book could be as good as Echo. After all, Chani had created two such extraordinary characters in Baikal and Rabbit, I didn't think she could top that.
But funny thing is, she doesn't have to top the first book either, because while she's set this one on the same planet, filled with characters we've already met, the book is completely and utterly different. A thousand thanks for that, because that's always the problem for me, that I have too high expectations and think that a second book must bring the same as the first. But these two are completely different. And so are the characters. Yes Rin and Kel have a rather toxic unusual relationship, yes the characters are a bit off like all the others by Chani, but at the same time they are completely different.
I really had trouble getting into Rin and Kel. They are both strange and also not open in their feelings or talk to each other enough at the beginning so that you understand their motives. The situation with Rin's brother is also not helpful but just adds to the confusion.
Then the book isn't exactly short and Chani is really good at dragging out inner monologues. But her writing style fits so well for me that oddly enough the length doesn't bother me at all and I just can't put the story down until I'm so immersed in this world that suddenly I'm at the end of the book … and now abruptly I'm supposed to find my way without it. Reality sucks, I want to crawl back under the covers with Chani and continue listening to her words and lose myself in this universe.
Kel = He was quick to react and didn’t bother considering the consequences. Volatile, sporadic, and impulsive. Basically, he was a ticking time bomb who didn’t even have the decency to come with tell-tale signs to warn when he was about to explode. 😲
Rin had said no. It was just Kel didn’t care. 🌹🤗🌹
Rin = The last thing he needed was for the Imperial Prince to realize just how much Rin actually was enjoying this. Being pinned down, tossed about a little. Used. 😳😳😳
The only times in his entire life he’d been able to breathe properly had been those moments when he’d been forced to give up complete and total control. They were few and far between, like snippets of joy that were there and gone in a flash, but he held onto them when he could. 🥀🥺🥀
The Sex = Kelevra undid the button on Rin’s pants and slid his palm beneath the waistband of his underwear, all the way down until he was grabbing onto Rin’s dick. He was hot and heavy, and wet, covered in precome already. “You’re leaking for me.” 🥵🥵🥵
The Love = Something inside of Kelevra’s chest cracked. He’d thought forcing his control over Rin in the bedroom had been the peak of pleasure, but he’d been wrong.
It was this.
It was being allowed to play with Rin’s hair and have him willingly lay in his lap. It was listening to his even breathing, and watching his full mouth curve upward at the ends ever so slightly, as though even Rin didn’t realize he was smiling. 🖤💞🖤
August 19, 2023
⚠️ You must heed the content warnings in the author’s note at the beginning of this book ⚠️
5 ⭐️ I loved this!
Can definitely be read as stand-alone but IMO more enjoyable if you have read ECHO before this. Many characters and the world are introduced in that book.
Loved the mystery and relationship of the Varun twins in this book.
Chani’s writing keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. It’s SO FAR from predictable. The characters are all unique.
Sila Rin’s twin brother and Rabbit’s friend in ECHO, has become more and more fascinating of a character. I can’t wait for his book!
Rin is one of my new most fave characters. So stoic and strong.
Kel is a sociopath, he is not a good person but you just can’t hate him? It’s complicated.
New addition to my faves shelf. Going to take me some time to get over Rin and Kelevra.
5 ⭐️ I loved this!
Can definitely be read as stand-alone but IMO more enjoyable if you have read ECHO before this. Many characters and the world are introduced in that book.
Loved the mystery and relationship of the Varun twins in this book.
Chani’s writing keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. It’s SO FAR from predictable. The characters are all unique.
Sila Rin’s twin brother and Rabbit’s friend in ECHO, has become more and more fascinating of a character. I can’t wait for his book!
Rin is one of my new most fave characters. So stoic and strong.
Kel is a sociopath, he is not a good person but you just can’t hate him? It’s complicated.
New addition to my faves shelf. Going to take me some time to get over Rin and Kelevra.
December 8, 2023
4.5***** stars
God this was so good! So dark and twisted and terrifying to read in a way. Honestly, Sociopaths and Psychopaths scare the everloving shit out of me —and there are quite a few of them in this author’s universe. I loved the author’s note addressing these dark and twisted parts and characters a lot!
from the author’s note: Kelevra is a sociopath and Sila is a psychopath. The other main character, Rin, suffers from an unnamed mood disorder.
⚠️ TW: In this very twisted and toxic relationship between Kelevra, the Imperial Prince and Rin, one of the cadets at the Academy, happens a lot of non-consensual sex despite the victim always enjoying it in the end. Please be aware that this truly is a DARK ROMANCE.
And while this story was pretty fast paced the mystery about the brothers Rin and Sila Varun enfolded super slowly.
Their big plan, the big secret they tried to hide. I had no fucking clue but wild theories and it drove me nuts. Really, this book had me on the edge of my seat this whole time.
This was my first book by this author and definitely not my last. Looking forward to diving into Sila’s book soon!
****************
The Devils of Vitality
Book 1 - Echo
Book 2 - These Silent Stars - 4.5 stars
Book 3 - Call of the Sea - tbr
Book 4 - Devil May Care - release 01/24
Book 5 - Devil May Fall
*These books can be read as standalones and in any order. You’ll meet the characters in the other books but there are no spoilers to their story.
“If you didn’t want my attention, you shouldn’t have been so damn interesting while I was watching.”
God this was so good! So dark and twisted and terrifying to read in a way. Honestly, Sociopaths and Psychopaths scare the everloving shit out of me —and there are quite a few of them in this author’s universe. I loved the author’s note addressing these dark and twisted parts and characters a lot!
from the author’s note: Kelevra is a sociopath and Sila is a psychopath. The other main character, Rin, suffers from an unnamed mood disorder.
⚠️ TW: In this very twisted and toxic relationship between Kelevra, the Imperial Prince and Rin, one of the cadets at the Academy, happens a lot of non-consensual sex despite the victim always enjoying it in the end. Please be aware that this truly is a DARK ROMANCE.
“I’m not trying to hurt you,” he corrected. “I’m trying to own you, and in order to do that, I first have to help you escape from whatever demons have sunk their claws into your mind.”
And while this story was pretty fast paced the mystery about the brothers Rin and Sila Varun enfolded super slowly.
“My mask means survival,” he answered, “and you want to take that away.” […]
“I might be uprooting you, but it’s only because you’ve outgrown your pot. It’s time to stop clinging to whatever old fears have been holding you back.” Kel kissed him, soft and sweet. “It’s time to flourish and be what you were meant to be all along. Unequivocally you.”
Their big plan, the big secret they tried to hide. I had no fucking clue but wild theories and it drove me nuts. Really, this book had me on the edge of my seat this whole time.
This was my first book by this author and definitely not my last. Looking forward to diving into Sila’s book soon!
The Imperial Prince wasn’t normal though.
Rin Varun wasn’t normal either.
And Sila [Rin’s brother]…Sila might be the worst of all three.
****************
The Devils of Vitality
Book 1 - Echo
Book 2 - These Silent Stars - 4.5 stars
Book 3 - Call of the Sea - tbr
Book 4 - Devil May Care - release 01/24
Book 5 - Devil May Fall
*These books can be read as standalones and in any order. You’ll meet the characters in the other books but there are no spoilers to their story.
September 19, 2025
4⭐️
спочатку думала, що більш одержимого та ревнивого чоловіка, ніж в першій книзі, не може бути. охохо але ж як я помилялась, коли тут є келевра 🥵🫠 розбещений, самовпевнений, зарозумілий, божевільний психопат з комплексом бога, зациклений на носінні корсетів та любові до троянд 😮💨🥀
і як ми так непомітно перейшли від примусу та відсутності вибору до закоханих очей, які дивляться на келевру. і це я не про ріна, якщо що, а про себе 😝
тому тихенько ставлю йому четвірку і тікаю 🏃♀️➡️
спочатку думала, що більш одержимого та ревнивого чоловіка, ніж в першій книзі, не може бути. охохо але ж як я помилялась, коли тут є келевра 🥵🫠 розбещений, самовпевнений, зарозумілий, божевільний психопат з комплексом бога, зациклений на носінні корсетів та любові до троянд 😮💨🥀
і як ми так непомітно перейшли від примусу та відсутності вибору до закоханих очей, які дивляться на келевру. і це я не про ріна, якщо що, а про себе 😝
тому тихенько ставлю йому четвірку і тікаю 🏃♀️➡️
March 20, 2024
Green Flag: Characters with a clinical psych diagnosis.
Ah, it feels so good to be back in ChaniLand and she did not disappoint.
We got glimpses of Rin, Sila, & Kel back in Echo but lemme tell ya - that wasn't even the tippy tip of the iceberg. I'm so glad that we're following the same story and timeline but with different characters! It was so much fun to find the little easter eggs of what was concurrently happening in Echo with Rabbit and Baikal as this story progressed.
And boy, did it progress. I'm fucking obsessed with Rin & Kel's dynamic and really, everything about them. Even their physical attributes! Kel's fucking corset vests!? Jesus christ on a cracker - that was hot. Rin & Sila's heterochromia, Kel's eye, even the tiny detail of Sila's earring - I said this in my last review but I liiiive for the little things. Some might say it's overkill but, for me, it paints a vivid picture of these characters in my mind's eye and I wouldn't change a thing.
Speaking of overkill - there was a lot less murder in this one and a lot more drama but with a character like Kelevra (who is drama incarnate), it's perfectly acceptable. Fuck it, we love the drama. Besides, I'm predicting that Sila's book will satisfy any homicidal cravings we may be left with.
But you know what there was plenty of? FUCKING HOTTER THAN HELL SEX. Where the FUCK do I order a G-Tester 450? Don't ask, just read it.
Ah, it feels so good to be back in ChaniLand and she did not disappoint.
We got glimpses of Rin, Sila, & Kel back in Echo but lemme tell ya - that wasn't even the tippy tip of the iceberg. I'm so glad that we're following the same story and timeline but with different characters! It was so much fun to find the little easter eggs of what was concurrently happening in Echo with Rabbit and Baikal as this story progressed.
And boy, did it progress. I'm fucking obsessed with Rin & Kel's dynamic and really, everything about them. Even their physical attributes! Kel's fucking corset vests!? Jesus christ on a cracker - that was hot. Rin & Sila's heterochromia, Kel's eye, even the tiny detail of Sila's earring - I said this in my last review but I liiiive for the little things. Some might say it's overkill but, for me, it paints a vivid picture of these characters in my mind's eye and I wouldn't change a thing.
Speaking of overkill - there was a lot less murder in this one and a lot more drama but with a character like Kelevra (who is drama incarnate), it's perfectly acceptable. Fuck it, we love the drama. Besides, I'm predicting that Sila's book will satisfy any homicidal cravings we may be left with.
But you know what there was plenty of? FUCKING HOTTER THAN HELL SEX. Where the FUCK do I order a G-Tester 450? Don't ask, just read it.
October 18, 2024
When the imperial prince , Kelevara, decides he wants Rin and he won’t take no for an answer . He’s a psychopath but he’s sexy, and he wears corsets 👁️👄👁️
What can I say ? I do love a toxic man.
This one has a lot of hot kinks
Inc sounding (hot), ice, knife & wax play
Interested in Silas’s book
November 2, 2024
I approached this book with some hesitation because I didn't enjoy the first one, but I’m glad I decided to give this series another chance, especially since I loved the author’s Demons of Foxglove Grove series. It was worth it.
Rin and Kel had phenomenal chemistry right from their first encounter through all their intimate scenes. The intensity between them was undeniable. This author excels at writing dark romance, perfectly navigating the fine line between romance and outright abuse, and that skill deserves recognition.
The plot was engaging and held my interest from start to finish. The author knows how to balance every aspect of her stories—intimate moments, plot development, and everything else in between.
While I experienced some frustration with Kel at times, he proved to be a caring love interest. He pushed Rin out of his comfort zone but also stayed attuned to his feelings, offering support when Rin hesitated. I found this dynamic refreshing.
Rin was a character I connected with immediately. His journey to discover who he wanted to be and his quest for someone who saw the real him were compelling. Kel played a crucial role in helping him become his authentic self and in encouraging him to let go of the need to control everything in his life.
The relationship between the twins was also noteworthy. Sila intrigued me, and I’m eager to read his story next. The deep bond between Sila and Rin, where they consistently prioritized each other, was heartwarming and compelling.
Rin and Kel had phenomenal chemistry right from their first encounter through all their intimate scenes. The intensity between them was undeniable. This author excels at writing dark romance, perfectly navigating the fine line between romance and outright abuse, and that skill deserves recognition.
The plot was engaging and held my interest from start to finish. The author knows how to balance every aspect of her stories—intimate moments, plot development, and everything else in between.
While I experienced some frustration with Kel at times, he proved to be a caring love interest. He pushed Rin out of his comfort zone but also stayed attuned to his feelings, offering support when Rin hesitated. I found this dynamic refreshing.
Rin was a character I connected with immediately. His journey to discover who he wanted to be and his quest for someone who saw the real him were compelling. Kel played a crucial role in helping him become his authentic self and in encouraging him to let go of the need to control everything in his life.
The relationship between the twins was also noteworthy. Sila intrigued me, and I’m eager to read his story next. The deep bond between Sila and Rin, where they consistently prioritized each other, was heartwarming and compelling.
October 4, 2023
i was OBSESSED with rin and kelevra from the jump!!!!!!! they are just so freaking sexy and each of their very differing personalities are so fucking interesting and well fleshed out. from that first time they fucked, i was a goner!!!!!! i was like okay these are my mf children and i’ll do anything for them🥺🥺 i literally want to SCREAM i love them so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
i love that rin is just as unhinged and uncontrollable as kelevra, just in different but complementary ways……like when rin put a knife to kel’s throat after beating the shit out of flix in the ring🤭🤭🤭 and kel’s like um threatening your prince’s life is grounds for execution but on the inside kel is like DAMN rin is sexy as FUCK rn!!!!!!! like rin loved letting loose and beating on flix and kelevra loved watching him beat on flix. aren’t they perfect!?😍😂 like the parts of rin that rin hates the most (aka his anger, threats, his wild, feral emotions) are the parts that kel loves the most🥺🥺🥺 like the small cut to kel’s throat from rin??? kel thought of it as a beautiful GIFT, a tiny prick of a thorn from his flower🥺 why is that so romantic😩😩
and kelevra’s jealously was a sight to see😍 dude really got jealous of rin’s BROTHER bc sila was able to get rin to shed his mask and kel is like wtf don’t shed ur mask for HIM, shed it for ME, because of ME, only ME😂😂😂 and that time when kel called rin and overheard brennon bringing back a coffee for rin saying “i got you something with cinnamon this time” and kel got all growly talking about “who the hell is that!?” and rin’s like bruh he’s literally just a friend who’s working this case with me, now chill bc u offered to give me time. and kel is like “time? so you can get something with cinnamon with another man?”💀💀💀💀💀 LMFAO the man is insane and i love him for it!!!
but most especially i love rin and the fact he feels too much and i love the way kel loves him, the him no one else bothers to notice or can even see….
“The only time Rin felt unique was when he was with Kelevra, and maybe that made him a bit off and a lot psychotic, but the truth was the truth.”
kel sees rin for rin and actively encourages him to lose his shit and be himself which rin has NEVER been able to do in his life, always having to be in control, but kel wants him out of control, exactly how he is…..
“‘I might be uprooting you, but it’s only because you’ve outgrown your pot….It’s time to flourish and be what you were meant to be all along. Unequivocally you.’”
like ugh they go together real bad😍
also sila was so fucking interesting in this book, like he is a real ass mf!!!!!! i love the bond between the brothers! plus i’m obsessed with the idea that rin’s stalker is gonna be sila’s love interest AND sila got his hands on one of those white pills ?????? like YESSS PLS😈 but yea i already love sila and now i need his book asap but it’s not out yet😭😭
i love that rin is just as unhinged and uncontrollable as kelevra, just in different but complementary ways……like when rin put a knife to kel’s throat after beating the shit out of flix in the ring🤭🤭🤭 and kel’s like um threatening your prince’s life is grounds for execution but on the inside kel is like DAMN rin is sexy as FUCK rn!!!!!!! like rin loved letting loose and beating on flix and kelevra loved watching him beat on flix. aren’t they perfect!?😍😂 like the parts of rin that rin hates the most (aka his anger, threats, his wild, feral emotions) are the parts that kel loves the most🥺🥺🥺 like the small cut to kel’s throat from rin??? kel thought of it as a beautiful GIFT, a tiny prick of a thorn from his flower🥺 why is that so romantic😩😩
and kelevra’s jealously was a sight to see😍 dude really got jealous of rin’s BROTHER bc sila was able to get rin to shed his mask and kel is like wtf don’t shed ur mask for HIM, shed it for ME, because of ME, only ME😂😂😂 and that time when kel called rin and overheard brennon bringing back a coffee for rin saying “i got you something with cinnamon this time” and kel got all growly talking about “who the hell is that!?” and rin’s like bruh he’s literally just a friend who’s working this case with me, now chill bc u offered to give me time. and kel is like “time? so you can get something with cinnamon with another man?”💀💀💀💀💀 LMFAO the man is insane and i love him for it!!!
but most especially i love rin and the fact he feels too much and i love the way kel loves him, the him no one else bothers to notice or can even see….
“The only time Rin felt unique was when he was with Kelevra, and maybe that made him a bit off and a lot psychotic, but the truth was the truth.”
kel sees rin for rin and actively encourages him to lose his shit and be himself which rin has NEVER been able to do in his life, always having to be in control, but kel wants him out of control, exactly how he is…..
“‘I might be uprooting you, but it’s only because you’ve outgrown your pot….It’s time to flourish and be what you were meant to be all along. Unequivocally you.’”
like ugh they go together real bad😍
also sila was so fucking interesting in this book, like he is a real ass mf!!!!!! i love the bond between the brothers! plus i’m obsessed with the idea that rin’s stalker is gonna be sila’s love interest AND sila got his hands on one of those white pills ?????? like YESSS PLS😈 but yea i already love sila and now i need his book asap but it’s not out yet😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2024
‘Kelevra Diar, the man who’d never been interested in even sleeping with the same person twice, was smitten. Rin Varun was his. Whether his flower agreed or not’
Okay SO this was giving like Space age Dune meets Red Rising with the different planets and hierarchies but make it gay and enemies to lovers? I was obsessed from the beginning with the twins Sila and Rin Varun and our Imperial Prince Kelevra!
‘Didn’t you mention before you hate wasting time?” “This doesn’t count,” Kelevra told him. “I’m here with you. Time with you is never wasted.”
I swooned so many times and I melted every time he called Rin his flower 🌺 🫠
The story was good the narration kinda sucked tho! Excited to read more in this world and the different casts of characters. I’m looking directly at you Sila!
Okay SO this was giving like Space age Dune meets Red Rising with the different planets and hierarchies but make it gay and enemies to lovers? I was obsessed from the beginning with the twins Sila and Rin Varun and our Imperial Prince Kelevra!
‘Didn’t you mention before you hate wasting time?” “This doesn’t count,” Kelevra told him. “I’m here with you. Time with you is never wasted.”
I swooned so many times and I melted every time he called Rin his flower 🌺 🫠
The story was good the narration kinda sucked tho! Excited to read more in this world and the different casts of characters. I’m looking directly at you Sila!
August 19, 2023
⊷⊶⊶⊷⊷⊶𝙱𝙴𝚃𝙰 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆⊷⊶⊶⊷⊷⊶
𝙰 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙼𝙼 𝚂𝚌𝚒-𝙵𝚒 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚎 𝙴𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝙴𝚌𝚑𝚘. 𝙴𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙴𝚌𝚑𝚘 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝. 𝙰𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚢𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙾𝚏 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚎𝚊.
ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟs ᴏғ ᴠɪᴛᴀʟɪᴛʏ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs sᴘᴏᴛ ᴀ ʟɪᴀʀ.
Rin Varun, an all round nice guy and junior at Vitality's elite Vail university. Charismatic, approachable in his friendliness, and one half of the Varun twins (Sila's Rabbit's friend from Echo comprises the second half) but Rin is hiding, under a mask, and a carefully crafted web of lies. Nobody gets close enough to see the true Rin. That is until a spoiled rotten, Imperial prince enters the room, third in line to Vitality throne and a senior at Vail. Kelevra is used to getting what he wants when he wants it! And he wants Rin, his flower. At first, Rin's beauty draws Kelevra in, but he soon learns there's more to his flower than meets the eye (even when you have an all-seeing eye). It all started off with a game, one that Kelevra would always come out of on top!
I absolutely loved all the mystery, Chani is a master at throwing her readers a loop! And the world building always has me awed of Chani's writing ability. I really liked Rin and Kel and their dynamic. They certainly kept me hooked. Rin is hilarious with his threats of drowning people, really anybody was threatened with death by submersion and honestly, it's a mood I too, can relate to!
I CANNOT wait for Silas book. Need it, been needing it!
𝙰 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙼𝙼 𝚂𝚌𝚒-𝙵𝚒 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚎 𝙴𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚎𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝙴𝚌𝚑𝚘. 𝙴𝚊𝚌𝚑 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙴𝚌𝚑𝚘 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝. 𝙰𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚢𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙾𝚏 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚎𝚊.
ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟs ᴏғ ᴠɪᴛᴀʟɪᴛʏ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs sᴘᴏᴛ ᴀ ʟɪᴀʀ.
Rin Varun, an all round nice guy and junior at Vitality's elite Vail university. Charismatic, approachable in his friendliness, and one half of the Varun twins (Sila's Rabbit's friend from Echo comprises the second half) but Rin is hiding, under a mask, and a carefully crafted web of lies. Nobody gets close enough to see the true Rin. That is until a spoiled rotten, Imperial prince enters the room, third in line to Vitality throne and a senior at Vail. Kelevra is used to getting what he wants when he wants it! And he wants Rin, his flower. At first, Rin's beauty draws Kelevra in, but he soon learns there's more to his flower than meets the eye (even when you have an all-seeing eye). It all started off with a game, one that Kelevra would always come out of on top!
I absolutely loved all the mystery, Chani is a master at throwing her readers a loop! And the world building always has me awed of Chani's writing ability. I really liked Rin and Kel and their dynamic. They certainly kept me hooked. Rin is hilarious with his threats of drowning people, really anybody was threatened with death by submersion and honestly, it's a mood I too, can relate to!
I CANNOT wait for Silas book. Need it, been needing it!
April 5, 2025
Did I end up reading this book twice in less than a month? Yes, yes I did. No regrets.
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Another great book by this author. I have been so excited to read Kel & Rin's story and I was no disappointed. It is dark as hell, as usual, but it worked for this couple. I like how different this couple was from Rabbit & Kal-- which I was a little concerned about, but nope different personalities all together and problems.
I'm not sure I'm sold on the problems the twins were going through though... I actually see myself going both ways, thinking about different possibilities and the factors going on which honestly is probably another sign of how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not ready to let it go.
I do think I might start understanding more once we get Sila's book because s e r i o u s l y all the hints. That book I'm already convinced is going to be A+ work.
-----------------------------------
Another great book by this author. I have been so excited to read Kel & Rin's story and I was no disappointed. It is dark as hell, as usual, but it worked for this couple. I like how different this couple was from Rabbit & Kal-- which I was a little concerned about, but nope different personalities all together and problems.
I'm not sure I'm sold on the problems the twins were going through though... I actually see myself going both ways, thinking about different possibilities and the factors going on which honestly is probably another sign of how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not ready to let it go.
I do think I might start understanding more once we get Sila's book because s e r i o u s l y all the hints. That book I'm already convinced is going to be A+ work.
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December 21, 2024
MM Romance
Devils of Vitality
3 Stars ⭐️
Most people seem to love this book but I don’t and it’s obviously an unpopular opinion so here are some reasons for it. I read this series out of order because Echo did not appeal to me at all and if I’m honest I wasn’t sure this author was for me either after reading Between The Devil and the Sea last year and hating it. So when I decided to give Chani a second chance this year, this series said they could be read as stand-alones and I picked Call of the Sea (COTS) because it’s sample hooked me and I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely LOVED COTS. Sila and Bay are one of my favorite couples of all time and because I was so curious about Rin after reading it, I picked up this book a few months later despite not liking the sample when I initially tried it. It was obvious from the start that I should have read this one before COTS but what’s done is done. Oh well 🤷🏻♀️ However, I still had a couple issues that prevented me from really loving this book.
1. Kelevra
2. I was BORED
I absolutely HATED Kelevra, the imperial Prince 3rd in line for the throne or wtfever his title was. Ugh he was so annoying to me with his uppity, snobby, and I’m better than you personality to his silk perfectly tailored clothes to him forcing Rin to be his betrothed even though Rin wanted nothing to do with him. I just couldn’t stand him. And I know this is dark romance and he’s a devil and meant to be the way he is blah blah blah but it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t stand him 😂😂😂 And what’s funny is, I actually liked him in COTS! I was intrigued only to read him here and just want him to go away. When I read dark romance, I like the main characters to match each other’s level of crazy and because that was done so immaculately in COTS I just expected it to be like that in this one too but it wasn’t even close.
But my main issue was how boring I found this book to be. It took me weeks to get to 70% only for me to take a 2 month break because I just couldn’t be fucked picking it back up but I eventually did for whatever reason. The last 20% was the best part for me and despite reading COTS, I had no idea about the thing that comes out in this book. It was definitely worth picking the book back up for and it gave me more insight into the twins especially Sila so when I reread COTS via audiobook, I felt even more connected to the story. It’s also the reason I’m giving this a generous 3 stars.
Some other things of note. I tried to listen to the audiobook of this and the narrator was awful! I only listened to a few chapters before returning it to Audible. It was that bad. But then because I was forced to read it, I was once again floored by how many typos this author has in her books and they aren’t even true typos like a comma missing or a letter off but there are whole words that don’t make any sense. Who is proofreading these books? Does she have an editor? The sheer number of homophones that are wrong in her books astounds me especially when her bio says she has a degree in creative writing. I looked into that degree so I know that most colleges offer an English degree with a focus on creative writing therefore having these types of issues in her books is truly ludicrous and it makes me wonder if she’s using some kind of AI editor because AI software struggles with homophones and knowing which one to use. I really hope this isn’t the case because I want to keep reading and supporting this author but can you please get a better editor?? If I bought these and didn’t just have KU, I’d be pissed. The covers are so pretty too, the kind I’d want paperback books of but who wants to buy a hard copy that has so many errors? Not me.
Devils of Vitality
3 Stars ⭐️
Most people seem to love this book but I don’t and it’s obviously an unpopular opinion so here are some reasons for it. I read this series out of order because Echo did not appeal to me at all and if I’m honest I wasn’t sure this author was for me either after reading Between The Devil and the Sea last year and hating it. So when I decided to give Chani a second chance this year, this series said they could be read as stand-alones and I picked Call of the Sea (COTS) because it’s sample hooked me and I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely LOVED COTS. Sila and Bay are one of my favorite couples of all time and because I was so curious about Rin after reading it, I picked up this book a few months later despite not liking the sample when I initially tried it. It was obvious from the start that I should have read this one before COTS but what’s done is done. Oh well 🤷🏻♀️ However, I still had a couple issues that prevented me from really loving this book.
1. Kelevra
2. I was BORED
I absolutely HATED Kelevra, the imperial Prince 3rd in line for the throne or wtfever his title was. Ugh he was so annoying to me with his uppity, snobby, and I’m better than you personality to his silk perfectly tailored clothes to him forcing Rin to be his betrothed even though Rin wanted nothing to do with him. I just couldn’t stand him. And I know this is dark romance and he’s a devil and meant to be the way he is blah blah blah but it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t stand him 😂😂😂 And what’s funny is, I actually liked him in COTS! I was intrigued only to read him here and just want him to go away. When I read dark romance, I like the main characters to match each other’s level of crazy and because that was done so immaculately in COTS I just expected it to be like that in this one too but it wasn’t even close.
But my main issue was how boring I found this book to be. It took me weeks to get to 70% only for me to take a 2 month break because I just couldn’t be fucked picking it back up but I eventually did for whatever reason. The last 20% was the best part for me and despite reading COTS, I had no idea about the thing that comes out in this book. It was definitely worth picking the book back up for and it gave me more insight into the twins especially Sila so when I reread COTS via audiobook, I felt even more connected to the story. It’s also the reason I’m giving this a generous 3 stars.
Some other things of note. I tried to listen to the audiobook of this and the narrator was awful! I only listened to a few chapters before returning it to Audible. It was that bad. But then because I was forced to read it, I was once again floored by how many typos this author has in her books and they aren’t even true typos like a comma missing or a letter off but there are whole words that don’t make any sense. Who is proofreading these books? Does she have an editor? The sheer number of homophones that are wrong in her books astounds me especially when her bio says she has a degree in creative writing. I looked into that degree so I know that most colleges offer an English degree with a focus on creative writing therefore having these types of issues in her books is truly ludicrous and it makes me wonder if she’s using some kind of AI editor because AI software struggles with homophones and knowing which one to use. I really hope this isn’t the case because I want to keep reading and supporting this author but can you please get a better editor?? If I bought these and didn’t just have KU, I’d be pissed. The covers are so pretty too, the kind I’d want paperback books of but who wants to buy a hard copy that has so many errors? Not me.
December 20, 2024
⭐3.75/5 🌶️3/5 2/5😱
Non-con but make it extra: when you don't just force yourself on the object of your obsession but also drug him first.
This book was a lot for me. I don't mind a little non-con, but if that is a big no for you, beware, or at least honestly just read the TW/CW's page(s), Chani is very honest about all that. My rating is based on the characters and how they were for me.
The world and writing style are still f*cking amazing, in fact you can probably read this book (or the entire series actually) for just the one thing you like. If it is the world building and the sci-fi element, you can probably skip around all the romantic and spicy scenes. If you want the romance, and less of the action you can still read around the spice and the world building. If you want the smut, skip all the other things and just read for that. Personally i love that about these books. They make me feel that even if i don't care about one thing i can still immensely enjoy all the rest, does that make sense?
This story about Kelevra Diar (we have met him in Echo) and Rin (Sila's twin, who we have also met in Echo). Kelevra is the Imperial Prince, a royal of Vitality, and a fucking psycho. I know he is supposed to be "only" a sociopath, but to me, he was too psycho. He was scary, and relentless. I was not impressed. Usually, i'm not one to want to feel safe with my MC's in dark romance books, but he had very few redeeming qualities aside from being hot as all hell and being a royal. Where Baikal and Rabbit's dynamic was very much primal "when i catch you i fuck you" and Rabbit was kind of into it from the get go, Kelevra here just decided: we're fucking, that's it. And Rin, even though he was a much more apt character to deal with this kind of thing, and liked relinquishing control, made me sort of cringe when he was taking it. Basically, to me (and again, this is a subjective thing we are doing here) this read like repeated rape with happy endings for Rin.
I feel like Kel's position was that of a omnipotent guy who also has absolute disregard for all people and feelings but his own. He owns people (his Retinue), not in a slave like way, but also exactly in that way. This quote pretty much sums up all there is to say about Kelevra NOT being a total psychopath:
[...] You're egotistical and possessive, and you drive me mad, but you backed off in the library when you realized I was legitimately uncomfortable. This was after Kelevra threatened Rin with another hit of the Omega Heat pill which would make him want to be humped raw by Kel. Rin's discomfort prompted Kel to just decide he was going to make Rin his forever consort, so that he didn't have to worry exposure or gossip anymore. Consideration king.
And you didn't hurt me out first night together even though you could have. Correction, he did drug him then, and fucked him 3 times. Yes, Rin enjoyed it. But... i mean... huh?
Maybe I'm crazy for being happy about the bare minimum, maybe not. I could see a future with you though... - yes, yes you are Rin..
You can tell i don't do very well with drugging and forcing sexual acts. Again, if this is your thing - enjoy, for sure! If you are also iffy about this kind of psycho behavior, just be aware that's what is happening here, and okay, moving on.
Rin also has a lot of things going on on the emotional front, but he could have come off stronger and more wilful than he was. Having said all that though, i did like this, and even though Kel scared the shit out of me, i am continuing with the series, no questions. I am excited to read about Sila the psycho and see how he is different from terrifying Kelevra (who, interestingly, did not feel the least bit attracted to Sila, even though he is identical to Kel's obsession Rin).
My reviews of the Devils of Vitality Series:
Echo - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These Silent Stars - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Call of the Sea - TBR
Devil May Care - TBR
Devil May Fall - TBR
Non-con but make it extra: when you don't just force yourself on the object of your obsession but also drug him first.
This book was a lot for me. I don't mind a little non-con, but if that is a big no for you, beware, or at least honestly just read the TW/CW's page(s), Chani is very honest about all that. My rating is based on the characters and how they were for me.
The world and writing style are still f*cking amazing, in fact you can probably read this book (or the entire series actually) for just the one thing you like. If it is the world building and the sci-fi element, you can probably skip around all the romantic and spicy scenes. If you want the romance, and less of the action you can still read around the spice and the world building. If you want the smut, skip all the other things and just read for that. Personally i love that about these books. They make me feel that even if i don't care about one thing i can still immensely enjoy all the rest, does that make sense?
This story about Kelevra Diar (we have met him in Echo) and Rin (Sila's twin, who we have also met in Echo). Kelevra is the Imperial Prince, a royal of Vitality, and a fucking psycho. I know he is supposed to be "only" a sociopath, but to me, he was too psycho. He was scary, and relentless. I was not impressed. Usually, i'm not one to want to feel safe with my MC's in dark romance books, but he had very few redeeming qualities aside from being hot as all hell and being a royal. Where Baikal and Rabbit's dynamic was very much primal "when i catch you i fuck you" and Rabbit was kind of into it from the get go, Kelevra here just decided: we're fucking, that's it. And Rin, even though he was a much more apt character to deal with this kind of thing, and liked relinquishing control, made me sort of cringe when he was taking it. Basically, to me (and again, this is a subjective thing we are doing here) this read like repeated rape with happy endings for Rin.
I feel like Kel's position was that of a omnipotent guy who also has absolute disregard for all people and feelings but his own. He owns people (his Retinue), not in a slave like way, but also exactly in that way. This quote pretty much sums up all there is to say about Kelevra NOT being a total psychopath:
[...] You're egotistical and possessive, and you drive me mad, but you backed off in the library when you realized I was legitimately uncomfortable. This was after Kelevra threatened Rin with another hit of the Omega Heat pill which would make him want to be humped raw by Kel. Rin's discomfort prompted Kel to just decide he was going to make Rin his forever consort, so that he didn't have to worry exposure or gossip anymore. Consideration king.
And you didn't hurt me out first night together even though you could have. Correction, he did drug him then, and fucked him 3 times. Yes, Rin enjoyed it. But... i mean... huh?
Maybe I'm crazy for being happy about the bare minimum, maybe not. I could see a future with you though... - yes, yes you are Rin..
You can tell i don't do very well with drugging and forcing sexual acts. Again, if this is your thing - enjoy, for sure! If you are also iffy about this kind of psycho behavior, just be aware that's what is happening here, and okay, moving on.
Rin also has a lot of things going on on the emotional front, but he could have come off stronger and more wilful than he was. Having said all that though, i did like this, and even though Kel scared the shit out of me, i am continuing with the series, no questions. I am excited to read about Sila the psycho and see how he is different from terrifying Kelevra (who, interestingly, did not feel the least bit attracted to Sila, even though he is identical to Kel's obsession Rin).
My reviews of the Devils of Vitality Series:
Echo - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These Silent Stars - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Call of the Sea - TBR
Devil May Care - TBR
Devil May Fall - TBR
Read
October 16, 2024Audio: 2.5 stars for Westly Lynch... not a great narrator, his voices didn't stay consistant with the characters.
Book: DNF@22%...
I am just not feeling this book, whether that is due to the narrator, or the writing style, but I can't seem to care about anything going on in this story.
Oh well, maybe I will try again in the future, seeing as this got such high reviews from all my GR friends, so maybe its just my mood. But either way it's a no from me (at the moment)
Book: DNF@22%...
I am just not feeling this book, whether that is due to the narrator, or the writing style, but I can't seem to care about anything going on in this story.
Oh well, maybe I will try again in the future, seeing as this got such high reviews from all my GR friends, so maybe its just my mood. But either way it's a no from me (at the moment)
September 9, 2024
*4 stars*
This is my first book from Chani Lyn Feener, although it is the second in the Devils of Vitality series.
Tropes -
Strangers to enemies to lovers
Obsessive, possessive, immoral MC
Dub Con / CNC
Arranged Marriage
Out & Gay MCs
Sci-fi / fantasy
Law enforcement
College Romance
"Mafia"/ some political intrigue
Check TWs
CLF has a very unique and confident writing style that feels unnerving in a good way. This book is unapologetic in its themes of Dub Con/ CNC, with many irredeemable and/or morally grey characters.
Intriguing story; based on the planet of Vitality in a different Galaxy where the MCs (one of which is the Imperial Prince of Vitality) attend a university college training in law enforcement and sciences, and have associations with "Mafia" There are some very interesting plot twists.
I am definitely reading more from this author! Will go back to book one in the hope that it will help with the world building, which I may have missed as I felt like I landed on the planet Vitality with no "lonely planet" guide.
This is my first book from Chani Lyn Feener, although it is the second in the Devils of Vitality series.
Tropes -
Strangers to enemies to lovers
Obsessive, possessive, immoral MC
Dub Con / CNC
Arranged Marriage
Out & Gay MCs
Sci-fi / fantasy
Law enforcement
College Romance
"Mafia"/ some political intrigue
Check TWs
CLF has a very unique and confident writing style that feels unnerving in a good way. This book is unapologetic in its themes of Dub Con/ CNC, with many irredeemable and/or morally grey characters.
Intriguing story; based on the planet of Vitality in a different Galaxy where the MCs (one of which is the Imperial Prince of Vitality) attend a university college training in law enforcement and sciences, and have associations with "Mafia" There are some very interesting plot twists.
I am definitely reading more from this author! Will go back to book one in the hope that it will help with the world building, which I may have missed as I felt like I landed on the planet Vitality with no "lonely planet" guide.
August 20, 2023
Chani Lynn Feener never fails to keep me addicted to her books.
This newest release, Kelevra and Rin’s story was all kinds of f*cked up but I still couldn’t put it down. I wouldn’t want them any other way, they’re as magnetic as Rabbit & Baikal from Echo. So many triggers but I don’t mind, no need to over analyze, just enjoyed the darkness and twisted logic..I guess nothing could surprise me much. I hope there’s more books in this shared world soon, its hard leaving the Devils of Vitality behind.
This newest release, Kelevra and Rin’s story was all kinds of f*cked up but I still couldn’t put it down. I wouldn’t want them any other way, they’re as magnetic as Rabbit & Baikal from Echo. So many triggers but I don’t mind, no need to over analyze, just enjoyed the darkness and twisted logic..I guess nothing could surprise me much. I hope there’s more books in this shared world soon, its hard leaving the Devils of Vitality behind.
November 11, 2024
Honestly I worry for my sanity because I always love the brutal, morally bankrupt characters!
Kelevra and his possessiveness was so fun to read, and Rin's volatilty had me hooked. I couldn't put this down because I needed to know how the battle between them was going to play out! This is also the first time I've read an anti-gravity sex scene and I was fascinated by the logistics 😂 There was also sounding and every time I read this I automatically cross my legs and flinch because that does not sound pleasant in the slightest!!!
I saw the twist coming when the dad turned up, even in the last book when we met Sila. It was very obvious, yet still really enjoyable to see it all play out. I loved the trickery and the deviousness of the twins. I also liked all of the mind games that were played and the way Rin and Kelevra really were perfectly suited to each other.
Again, there were a lot of weird spelling mistakes and wrong words used - it feels like there was no editing or proofreading done - and there were also inconsistencies in the plot where they would discuss something and it would then come up again later as though it was *brand new information* (picture Phoebe from Friends 😂). It's a shame because without these errors I could have easily rated both books 5 stars, but they were too frequent to overlook - a few spelling errors I can deal with, but the regularity plus the use of completely wrong words does kind of spoil the flow.
Kelevra and his possessiveness was so fun to read, and Rin's volatilty had me hooked. I couldn't put this down because I needed to know how the battle between them was going to play out! This is also the first time I've read an anti-gravity sex scene and I was fascinated by the logistics 😂 There was also sounding and every time I read this I automatically cross my legs and flinch because that does not sound pleasant in the slightest!!!
I saw the twist coming when the dad turned up, even in the last book when we met Sila. It was very obvious, yet still really enjoyable to see it all play out. I loved the trickery and the deviousness of the twins. I also liked all of the mind games that were played and the way Rin and Kelevra really were perfectly suited to each other.
Again, there were a lot of weird spelling mistakes and wrong words used - it feels like there was no editing or proofreading done - and there were also inconsistencies in the plot where they would discuss something and it would then come up again later as though it was *brand new information* (picture Phoebe from Friends 😂). It's a shame because without these errors I could have easily rated both books 5 stars, but they were too frequent to overlook - a few spelling errors I can deal with, but the regularity plus the use of completely wrong words does kind of spoil the flow.
September 27, 2023
Tropes: enemies to lovers
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: bondage, mild bloodletting, sound play, drugging, noncon/dubcon
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: noncon, dubcon, forced betrothal, mood disorder, sociopath, psychopath, violence, murder, abuse of power
4.5 stars for the story. But I am dinging it to 4 for the typos.
This is a paranormal romance in that it's set in another galaxy.
Rin has an identical twin who is a psychopath. Rin himself has a mood disorder where he feels too much, he feels too much and gets out of control of his emotions. Whereas his brother has no emotions. They are both trying to hide their true natures. They are very much an us/we, it's them against the world.
Kel is a sociopath. He is Imperial Prince, third in line for the throne. He has a lot of power and influence. Kel is a senior and Rin is a sophomore. They meet because Kel is assigned as one of the advisors to the younger students. Kel sees Rin and is fascinated by him, because he is deliberately trying to place worse in the competition, he's manipulating what place he comes in so that he doesn't draw attention. Kel manipulates things so that he is assigned to work with Rin. Then Kel drugs Rin with a sex drug and forces sex on him. Decides that Rin is HIS and forces more sex in dubcon situations and forces a betrothal on him. Rape is horrible and I hate to not call it what it is, so there is rape here. But I have to say, I had conflicted feelings and couldn't completely hate it, because Rin doesn't regret it at all, Rin's kink is giving up control, so he actually loves the sex. It's a weird dynamic. It makes sense given the crazy combination of circumstances that is their lives.
Kel was so committed to Rin from the very beginning. He is a sociopath but Rin is his obsession. He's very possessive and protective. He's supportive and proud of the strong, capable person Rin is. He is giving and loving in his way. Rin isn't afraid of Kel even though Kel is a killer and has the power to snuff him out.
There's twisty mysteries and intrigue. The banter and hostility between them is very entertaining. The smut is hot. The best thing though was Kel knowing Rin so well and loving him so hard when he cared for no one else. Rin was so special to him.
What I didn't like about this book... This book had tons of typos. What the heck happened in editing? It was distracting. Taught instead of taut. Manors instead of manners. Fact instead of fat. Burry instead of bury. Metaled instead of melted. Supper instead of super. Also, yeah, it was dark. Would have felt more comfortable if consent wasn't an issue.
Some notable moments:
"“Shut. The. Blinds,” he insisted, then he caught Kel’s gaze, the determination and promise there almost enough to knock the Imperial Prince off his feet a second time. “And then fix this by fucking me.” From zero to one hundred. Seemed like Kel wasn’t the only one who acted on instinct. “I knew you were going to be a good time.” He reached for the remote and hit the button that would instantly fling the blinds closed, then without giving Rin a chance to change his mind, he shoved him down onto the bed. Right where he wanted him."
"“Plus,” he added, “I have to check out the crime scenes for the case, which involves me walking. I can’t afford not to be able to move.” Kelevra’s gaze zoned in on him like a laser. “How many times do you think I’ll have to dick you down to cripple you with my cock?” Rin recognized that expression. His brother got it sometimes. “Hell no. We are not about to find out. Get those thoughts out of your pervy head.” “I wouldn’t break you permanently,” Kel mused, but Rin let out a sound of warning."
"Something inside of Kelevra’s chest cracked. He’d thought forcing his control over Rin in the bedroom had been the peak of pleasure, but he’d been wrong. It was this. It was being allowed to play with Rin’s hair and have him willingly lay in his lap. It was listening to his even breathing, and watching his full mouth curve upward at the ends ever so slightly, as though even Rin didn’t realize he was smiling."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: bondage, mild bloodletting, sound play, drugging, noncon/dubcon
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content themes: noncon, dubcon, forced betrothal, mood disorder, sociopath, psychopath, violence, murder, abuse of power
4.5 stars for the story. But I am dinging it to 4 for the typos.
This is a paranormal romance in that it's set in another galaxy.
Rin has an identical twin who is a psychopath. Rin himself has a mood disorder where he feels too much, he feels too much and gets out of control of his emotions. Whereas his brother has no emotions. They are both trying to hide their true natures. They are very much an us/we, it's them against the world.
Kel is a sociopath. He is Imperial Prince, third in line for the throne. He has a lot of power and influence. Kel is a senior and Rin is a sophomore. They meet because Kel is assigned as one of the advisors to the younger students. Kel sees Rin and is fascinated by him, because he is deliberately trying to place worse in the competition, he's manipulating what place he comes in so that he doesn't draw attention. Kel manipulates things so that he is assigned to work with Rin. Then Kel drugs Rin with a sex drug and forces sex on him. Decides that Rin is HIS and forces more sex in dubcon situations and forces a betrothal on him. Rape is horrible and I hate to not call it what it is, so there is rape here. But I have to say, I had conflicted feelings and couldn't completely hate it, because Rin doesn't regret it at all, Rin's kink is giving up control, so he actually loves the sex. It's a weird dynamic. It makes sense given the crazy combination of circumstances that is their lives.
Kel was so committed to Rin from the very beginning. He is a sociopath but Rin is his obsession. He's very possessive and protective. He's supportive and proud of the strong, capable person Rin is. He is giving and loving in his way. Rin isn't afraid of Kel even though Kel is a killer and has the power to snuff him out.
There's twisty mysteries and intrigue. The banter and hostility between them is very entertaining. The smut is hot. The best thing though was Kel knowing Rin so well and loving him so hard when he cared for no one else. Rin was so special to him.
What I didn't like about this book... This book had tons of typos. What the heck happened in editing? It was distracting. Taught instead of taut. Manors instead of manners. Fact instead of fat. Burry instead of bury. Metaled instead of melted. Supper instead of super. Also, yeah, it was dark. Would have felt more comfortable if consent wasn't an issue.
Some notable moments:
"“Shut. The. Blinds,” he insisted, then he caught Kel’s gaze, the determination and promise there almost enough to knock the Imperial Prince off his feet a second time. “And then fix this by fucking me.” From zero to one hundred. Seemed like Kel wasn’t the only one who acted on instinct. “I knew you were going to be a good time.” He reached for the remote and hit the button that would instantly fling the blinds closed, then without giving Rin a chance to change his mind, he shoved him down onto the bed. Right where he wanted him."
"“Plus,” he added, “I have to check out the crime scenes for the case, which involves me walking. I can’t afford not to be able to move.” Kelevra’s gaze zoned in on him like a laser. “How many times do you think I’ll have to dick you down to cripple you with my cock?” Rin recognized that expression. His brother got it sometimes. “Hell no. We are not about to find out. Get those thoughts out of your pervy head.” “I wouldn’t break you permanently,” Kel mused, but Rin let out a sound of warning."
"Something inside of Kelevra’s chest cracked. He’d thought forcing his control over Rin in the bedroom had been the peak of pleasure, but he’d been wrong. It was this. It was being allowed to play with Rin’s hair and have him willingly lay in his lap. It was listening to his even breathing, and watching his full mouth curve upward at the ends ever so slightly, as though even Rin didn’t realize he was smiling."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
glad I read the trigger warnings <3
November 10, 2023
sometimes babygirl is an obsessive sociopathic prince with god complex and that’s okay.
March 12, 2024
ok but I'm not ever going to be convinced corsets look good on men.
great twist with the twins, I mean I knew obviously that they switched but it didn't really hit me until the end. like the whole thing was just hidden in plain sight.
great twist with the twins, I mean I knew obviously that they switched but it didn't really hit me until the end. like the whole thing was just hidden in plain sight.
July 6, 2024
1.5 ⭐️
This book needs some (A LOT OF) editing for sure
This book needs some (A LOT OF) editing for sure
dnf-2024
January 17, 2025DNF @ 42%
boring. next.
boring. next.
March 25, 2024
wow. wow. wow. i was sooo hyped for this book after echo and it DELIVERED. so captivating ans addicting i was obsessed from the start. i loved how different this was to echo it’s always cool to see the depth of characters you read about as side characters. this was just so SEXY i couldn’t put it down. their chemistry was out of this world.
first of all kel, in love with him. he’s a style icon, a legend and literally my babygirl. the way he was portrayed as a sociopath was perfect. the execution was five out of five. everything about that man was so sexy. the way he’s a FREAK. the way he talks, his petnames for rin, his style and how obsessed with himself he was like that was so real of him. i loved the way his whole focus was on learning more about rin, to understand him and just give him everything. i love how sure he was of how much he wanted rin in the long run like he was down bad with no shame whatsoever. i love kel but i loved him more when he was with rin. he was lowkey a softie for him. every time he called him sweetheart i died inside. so fuckin cute. the way he loves is so beautiful i’m so in love with him that’s my dream man.
“You were afraid of a scandal,” Kelevra said matter-of-factly, as though they weren’t speaking about a binding contract that would last for the rest of their lives. “As my fiancé, there’s no longer a need to be.”
“I’ll fill him up until he can no longer tell where he begins and ends. Until he’s so used to having me around, life without me will be an unbearable prospect.”
this man really reached the highest level of delusion i’ve ever seen like wow. love him for that tho.
rin varun is a bad bitch through and through. he is absolutely iconic i loved his character every step of the way. the way his mood disorder was written was amazing and how kel perfectly understood him like no one else could was incredible. his character was beautifully written, you could feel like he was a real person it was insane. his bond with sila was so interesting to read about and i genuinely never saw that plot twist coming at all it completely shocked me. i loved watching rin slowly become his own person, growing out of that idea he and sila created. i loved how much rin secretly wanted to be in another “us” with kel as well as sila :(
+ HIS OBSESSION W DROWNING THREATS !! my roman empire tbh. he’s the realest character ever.
kel and rin being the most toxic couple was literally iconic to me idk. kel was a manipulative bastard, yes, but did he serve cunt? hell yes. they served in the sexiest way possible.
“You’re not my flower.”
this scene is what got me so invested in their book i loved how the twins struggled with forming their own identities but kel instantly know who rin was and he never mistook one for the other after realised rin has a twin. kel genuinely saw rin for who he was, without sila, and i think that was so special to rin. kel helped him feel like his own person from how much he only wanted and actively obsessed over rin. something that i adored was how rin tried to understand kel by using some of sila’s characteristics and how he would act. it was just so realistic since he had some experience in dealing with people like that. i loved watching rin slowly grow attached to kel it was so sweet since kel isn’t used to that kind of closeness with someone, the way he never hesitated to want to be close to rin at all times was so adorable.
“I see my name written all over your skin. See it in the way you look at me. The way you arch into my touch even as you're cursing and spitting mad. You may not be a doll or a toy, but you're right about one thing. I do own you. You are mine.”
THIS WAS INSANE ?!?! nothing about my obsession with this man is normal. he is the dream. i need him so bad.
“Be Rin,” he urged, settling his other hand at his narrow back. He traced circles there with his thumb. “Be my Rin.”
oh this scene absolutely broke me. shattered my heart. kel loved rin so much i loved how clear it was that rin will forever be his number one. he will always choose rin every single time and that was just perfect. their love story was insane but so so special. i’ve never read anything like this book. five out of five. PERFECT COUPLE.
first of all kel, in love with him. he’s a style icon, a legend and literally my babygirl. the way he was portrayed as a sociopath was perfect. the execution was five out of five. everything about that man was so sexy. the way he’s a FREAK. the way he talks, his petnames for rin, his style and how obsessed with himself he was like that was so real of him. i loved the way his whole focus was on learning more about rin, to understand him and just give him everything. i love how sure he was of how much he wanted rin in the long run like he was down bad with no shame whatsoever. i love kel but i loved him more when he was with rin. he was lowkey a softie for him. every time he called him sweetheart i died inside. so fuckin cute. the way he loves is so beautiful i’m so in love with him that’s my dream man.
“You were afraid of a scandal,” Kelevra said matter-of-factly, as though they weren’t speaking about a binding contract that would last for the rest of their lives. “As my fiancé, there’s no longer a need to be.”
“I’ll fill him up until he can no longer tell where he begins and ends. Until he’s so used to having me around, life without me will be an unbearable prospect.”
this man really reached the highest level of delusion i’ve ever seen like wow. love him for that tho.
rin varun is a bad bitch through and through. he is absolutely iconic i loved his character every step of the way. the way his mood disorder was written was amazing and how kel perfectly understood him like no one else could was incredible. his character was beautifully written, you could feel like he was a real person it was insane. his bond with sila was so interesting to read about and i genuinely never saw that plot twist coming at all it completely shocked me. i loved watching rin slowly become his own person, growing out of that idea he and sila created. i loved how much rin secretly wanted to be in another “us” with kel as well as sila :(
+ HIS OBSESSION W DROWNING THREATS !! my roman empire tbh. he’s the realest character ever.
kel and rin being the most toxic couple was literally iconic to me idk. kel was a manipulative bastard, yes, but did he serve cunt? hell yes. they served in the sexiest way possible.
“You’re not my flower.”
this scene is what got me so invested in their book i loved how the twins struggled with forming their own identities but kel instantly know who rin was and he never mistook one for the other after realised rin has a twin. kel genuinely saw rin for who he was, without sila, and i think that was so special to rin. kel helped him feel like his own person from how much he only wanted and actively obsessed over rin. something that i adored was how rin tried to understand kel by using some of sila’s characteristics and how he would act. it was just so realistic since he had some experience in dealing with people like that. i loved watching rin slowly grow attached to kel it was so sweet since kel isn’t used to that kind of closeness with someone, the way he never hesitated to want to be close to rin at all times was so adorable.
“I see my name written all over your skin. See it in the way you look at me. The way you arch into my touch even as you're cursing and spitting mad. You may not be a doll or a toy, but you're right about one thing. I do own you. You are mine.”
THIS WAS INSANE ?!?! nothing about my obsession with this man is normal. he is the dream. i need him so bad.
“Be Rin,” he urged, settling his other hand at his narrow back. He traced circles there with his thumb. “Be my Rin.”
oh this scene absolutely broke me. shattered my heart. kel loved rin so much i loved how clear it was that rin will forever be his number one. he will always choose rin every single time and that was just perfect. their love story was insane but so so special. i’ve never read anything like this book. five out of five. PERFECT COUPLE.
October 20, 2023
For me, this was better than Echo. Rin and Kel’s relationship much more give and take. This book had more emotion in it. AND the I love yous were said on page! Unlike Echo 🙄🙄
⚠️Definitely mind the TWs. This book is dark.⚠️
This was very intense and unpredictable. I’m not even sure what to say. That ending was jarring.
Kel always gets what he wants and who he wants is Rin. Rin fights him almost every step of the way because he doesn’t want to be owned… until he does. This was a very interesting dynamic of when two people are impulsive and how their actions have consequences. They know how to push each other to the brink.
That sound scene was 🤯🤯
Sila(Rin’s twin) book is next. That definitely should be interesting! Now I have to wait for it to come out…
⚠️Definitely mind the TWs. This book is dark.⚠️
This was very intense and unpredictable. I’m not even sure what to say. That ending was jarring.
Kel always gets what he wants and who he wants is Rin. Rin fights him almost every step of the way because he doesn’t want to be owned… until he does. This was a very interesting dynamic of when two people are impulsive and how their actions have consequences. They know how to push each other to the brink.
That sound scene was 🤯🤯
Sila(Rin’s twin) book is next. That definitely should be interesting! Now I have to wait for it to come out…
September 4, 2023
Never read this author before, but have now downloaded several of her books!
Loved it! 🖤
Loved it! 🖤
December 13, 2024
(3.5/5) I was sceptical. Really sceptical. The first thirty percent of the book wasn't my thing. I found most of the interactions between Rin and Kelevra a bit tiring and frankly a bit boring, even with the massive load of non-con.
I was wrong though. This book was kind of brilliant. The fucked up heads of Rin and Kelevra (and Sila too) were pretty damn good. I loved the emotion in this book (or the complete lack of emotion in some cases).
Rin and Kel's dynamic was captivating. I also really enjoyed some of the kinkier scenes.
All the while, Rin simply lay there and let him do as he pleased. Something inside of Kelevra’s chest cracked. He’d thought forcing his control over Rin in the bedroom had been the peak of pleasure, but he’d been wrong. It was this.
I didn't notice it so much in the first book, but I find the change from rejecting the relationship to accepting it a bit quick and "out of nowhere" in these books. I understand that Rin liked Kel in some ways from the beginning, and as much as he kind of hated Kel's actions, he didn't really hate Kel himself. But simply agreeing with everything from one moment to the next is a bit much. Even if the other person is also a Devil...
But I understand it. I understand why this transition was made in this way. The books would just be too long if they were any more detailed and "realistic" than that.
I was wrong though. This book was kind of brilliant. The fucked up heads of Rin and Kelevra (and Sila too) were pretty damn good. I loved the emotion in this book (or the complete lack of emotion in some cases).
Rin and Kel's dynamic was captivating. I also really enjoyed some of the kinkier scenes.
All the while, Rin simply lay there and let him do as he pleased. Something inside of Kelevra’s chest cracked. He’d thought forcing his control over Rin in the bedroom had been the peak of pleasure, but he’d been wrong. It was this.
I didn't notice it so much in the first book, but I find the change from rejecting the relationship to accepting it a bit quick and "out of nowhere" in these books. I understand that Rin liked Kel in some ways from the beginning, and as much as he kind of hated Kel's actions, he didn't really hate Kel himself. But simply agreeing with everything from one moment to the next is a bit much. Even if the other person is also a Devil...
But I understand it. I understand why this transition was made in this way. The books would just be too long if they were any more detailed and "realistic" than that.
August 8, 2023
These Silent Stars by Chani Lynn Feener was just amazing!!! It was so amazing that I did a reread within just finishing it for the first time. This has never happened to me. I usually don’t like rereads so there are very few books that would tempt me to do that let alone doing a reread within seconds of just finishing it.
I absolutely love the characters that the author created. I love these flawed characters that have no shame, no remorse but yet they’re able to do that for only the one person they love. Kel must be my favorite antagonist. Or one of my favorites among Ms. Feener’s antagonists. I can’t really decide. As I can’t really decide which of her dark mm books are my favorite. I truly love them all.
I absolutely love the characters that the author created. I love these flawed characters that have no shame, no remorse but yet they’re able to do that for only the one person they love. Kel must be my favorite antagonist. Or one of my favorites among Ms. Feener’s antagonists. I can’t really decide. As I can’t really decide which of her dark mm books are my favorite. I truly love them all.
August 23, 2023
Holy fudge 5.5 stars!!!!
Thank goodness I followed several reviewers suggestions to read Echo first because I ended up loving that one too - Devil and Bunny forever! and I wasn’t lost reading this. Goes without saying I love love love Kel and his flower.
Can’t wait for Sila’s story. Please please dear author make it happen soon.
Thank goodness I followed several reviewers suggestions to read Echo first because I ended up loving that one too - Devil and Bunny forever! and I wasn’t lost reading this. Goes without saying I love love love Kel and his flower.
Can’t wait for Sila’s story. Please please dear author make it happen soon.
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April 1, 2025DNF 20%
I’m not invested enough.
Such a shame because I was really intrigued by Kelevra in book 1 —- now I’m just bored. 🥱
neeext!
I’m not invested enough.
Such a shame because I was really intrigued by Kelevra in book 1 —- now I’m just bored. 🥱
neeext!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews