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Mafia University #1
A Murder of Crows
Welcome to Mafia University. Here, the heirs of the mafia are educated in darkness and violence. Alliances are forged. Enemies are made. Marriages are bought. And all are bound in blood. As the sole female heir to my father’s mafia empire, I can’t let my walls down, even for a moment. The only people I can truly rely on are my enforcer and my best friend. Every ally could be an enemy. Every friend could be a traitor. And the other four heirs are circling, ready to slide a knife into my back. Luciano Morelli. Giovanni Fusco. Dante V’Arezzo. Stefano Asante. But I'll never let that happen. Because I'm Caterina Corvo. I am a Crow. And you know what they call a gang of Crows? A murder.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2024
1107 people are currently reading
3112 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Flood
24 books875 followersEvelyn Flood is an Amazon bestselling author of more than fifteen romance books.
She writes in various sub-genres including contemporary romance, fantasy romance and why choose, but you'll always find a main course of angst and a side dish of uncontrollable sobbing in every book she writes.
She's based in South Wales, where she spends most of her time hopping between coffee shops with her laptop in hand and buying a ridiculous amount of notebooks to write all of her ideas down.
Find her on Facebook in her reader group, The Evelyn Flood Collective.
She writes in various sub-genres including contemporary romance, fantasy romance and why choose, but you'll always find a main course of angst and a side dish of uncontrollable sobbing in every book she writes.
She's based in South Wales, where she spends most of her time hopping between coffee shops with her laptop in hand and buying a ridiculous amount of notebooks to write all of her ideas down.
Find her on Facebook in her reader group, The Evelyn Flood Collective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
November 17, 2024
The twists, the turns, the betrayals, the unexpected alliances, the continuous murder attempts !! I have slept (SO HARD) on this book despite being told numerous times to read it…Needless to say, I am now VERY invested.
I don’t know what it is about Mafia nepo babies, but I love reading about them. I think it might be the fact that they have to grow up so quickly and have so many expectations to live up to. It’s also the power they hold, they are basically dictators in training and this book was no exception.
Cat, our FMC was the epitome of an ice queen. I mean the woman (justifiably) murdered people to maintain order, all while keeping this perfectly crafted mask in place. She was the only woman surrounded by 4 male heirs from rival mafia houses, so it always seemed like she had more to prove.
This was a Why Choose with Forbidden romance, but I wouldn’t say any of the relationships were fast-burns. Most of them haven’t developed to something of substance yet, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot of drama, sexual tension and spice. There definitely was !!
I did like that despite being from rival houses they all struck to old mafia traditions like having to break bread with each other every dinner time. Basically, they all act fake as f**k to keep the peace between the houses.
This was until events unfolded, alliances were tested, battle lines were drawn and fights between fathers were now passed to their children.
FYI - I’m posting this review a little late and have already devoured Book 2, after that cliffhanger I had to!!! I’m taking a break before Book 3 because I know sh*t is going down and I need to mentally prepare.
Just in case you want similar reads: Ruthless Princess (obsessed),Hidden Empire ( solid read) & My Bloodline (wasn’t my favourite, but has a similar vibe)
(Jordina you were SO RIGHT !! It only took me 9 months to read it 😅, but after ‘Kept’ I think you’ll understand my hesitation 😂)
I don’t know what it is about Mafia nepo babies, but I love reading about them. I think it might be the fact that they have to grow up so quickly and have so many expectations to live up to. It’s also the power they hold, they are basically dictators in training and this book was no exception.
Cat, our FMC was the epitome of an ice queen. I mean the woman (justifiably) murdered people to maintain order, all while keeping this perfectly crafted mask in place. She was the only woman surrounded by 4 male heirs from rival mafia houses, so it always seemed like she had more to prove.
This was a Why Choose with Forbidden romance, but I wouldn’t say any of the relationships were fast-burns. Most of them haven’t developed to something of substance yet, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot of drama, sexual tension and spice. There definitely was !!
I did like that despite being from rival houses they all struck to old mafia traditions like having to break bread with each other every dinner time. Basically, they all act fake as f**k to keep the peace between the houses.
This was until events unfolded, alliances were tested, battle lines were drawn and fights between fathers were now passed to their children.
FYI - I’m posting this review a little late and have already devoured Book 2, after that cliffhanger I had to!!! I’m taking a break before Book 3 because I know sh*t is going down and I need to mentally prepare.
Just in case you want similar reads: Ruthless Princess (obsessed),Hidden Empire ( solid read) & My Bloodline (wasn’t my favourite, but has a similar vibe)
(Jordina you were SO RIGHT !! It only took me 9 months to read it 😅, but after ‘Kept’ I think you’ll understand my hesitation 😂)
December 3, 2024
I was only one hundred pages in and I already felt like I was three books in with how invested I was. You get dropped right in the middle of their lives so it took a bit for me to get calibrated but once I was, I couldn't put it down. The complexities and depth of these characters and the very tangled web of relations was really well done. Not just with the FMC and the MMCs but with their families, and everyone else around them too.
Cat and some of the guys already have quite a bit on history going into this book since they grew up around each other. Typically, I would feel like I'm missing a crucial part of their relationship development but there is so much more growth that is needed for all of them that it works here. All of the guys have their own dynamic with Cat that keeps them from blurring together. It is a bonus that this is a why choose because all of the best romance duos are here. True enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, star crossed lovers, reverse grumpy sunshine, you want it, this has it.
Lana Myers needs to make room because Cat is right up there with her as my favourite strong FMCs. She did what needed to be done, she refused to give in, and never once complained. And our girl went through it! I really enjoyed her as a character and I'm excited to learn more about her as the series goes on because there is still so much left to figure out. There is so much that is to come, I can't wait to read more.
Vee's review convinced me to read this. I don't know if I should thank you, or be mad at you because I have no self restraint so this will be all I'm doing until I finish the entires series!
Cat and some of the guys already have quite a bit on history going into this book since they grew up around each other. Typically, I would feel like I'm missing a crucial part of their relationship development but there is so much more growth that is needed for all of them that it works here. All of the guys have their own dynamic with Cat that keeps them from blurring together. It is a bonus that this is a why choose because all of the best romance duos are here. True enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, star crossed lovers, reverse grumpy sunshine, you want it, this has it.
Lana Myers needs to make room because Cat is right up there with her as my favourite strong FMCs. She did what needed to be done, she refused to give in, and never once complained. And our girl went through it! I really enjoyed her as a character and I'm excited to learn more about her as the series goes on because there is still so much left to figure out. There is so much that is to come, I can't wait to read more.
Vee's review convinced me to read this. I don't know if I should thank you, or be mad at you because I have no self restraint so this will be all I'm doing until I finish the entires series!
February 1, 2024
That Escalated Quickly
Quote:📖
A gang of crows is called a murder.
Thoughts: 💡
This dove right into the mafia tropes with snitches and retaliation. The spice starts immediately after and the story doesn’t let up.
It felt like someone mashed up the MacManus brothers, put them in the body of the queen of high school, and then gave them unilateral control of a university where they could learn to be their most blood-thirsty selves. If you’re looking for a dark why choose romance with a fierce FMC that takes the lead to force the competing alpha male personalities of her assembling hareem to get along then this one is for you. The writing is well edited, it's just dark AF.
Important Note:✨
Book 1, ends on a cliffhanger.
Full Content Warning:⚠️
Gang war, violence, knife crime, gun crime, sexual assault (non-penetrative), suicide, murder, drugs, trafficking and rape (off page).
Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters 💙💙💙💙
Mafia Romance (Why Choose): Heiress To It All, Mixed Bag of Relationship Tropes
First Person, Present Tense, Multi POV
First Person, Present Tense, Multi POV
Quote:📖
A gang of crows is called a murder.
Thoughts: 💡
This dove right into the mafia tropes with snitches and retaliation. The spice starts immediately after and the story doesn’t let up.
It felt like someone mashed up the MacManus brothers, put them in the body of the queen of high school, and then gave them unilateral control of a university where they could learn to be their most blood-thirsty selves. If you’re looking for a dark why choose romance with a fierce FMC that takes the lead to force the competing alpha male personalities of her assembling hareem to get along then this one is for you. The writing is well edited, it's just dark AF.
Important Note:✨
Book 1, ends on a cliffhanger.
Full Content Warning:⚠️
Gang war, violence, knife crime, gun crime, sexual assault (non-penetrative), suicide, murder, drugs, trafficking and rape (off page).
Stats:📊
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters 💙💙💙💙
Mafia Romance (Why Choose): Heiress To It All, Mixed Bag of Relationship Tropes
First Person, Present Tense, Multi POV
First Person, Present Tense, Multi POV
February 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
“There are more ways to submit than on your knees, Caterina Corvo.”
Holy shit! This book had me hooked hard and fast! I don’t recommend starting it right before bed, or you may find yourself, like me, staying up well past the witching hour to finish. I thought I knew what was coming but was unprepared for that ending.
There is a healthy bit of violence – the MCs are mafia heirs attending an academy solely designed to teach them to be ruthless killers, so that’s to be expected.
The story is heavy on the enemies/rivals to lovers trope and pining with star-crossed lovers vibes galore.
I would classify this as a mixed-burn and steamy-to-spicy romance. There are several potential love interests for the FMC, and she has different levels of connection with each. What interactions are portrayed are all MF only (no group stuff in this book).
That cliffhanger hurt! I will be waiting impatiently for book two.
Genre: Contemporary Mafia Romance
Tropes/Features: Dark themes, mafia academy, mafia heirs, enemies/rivals to lovers, friends to lovers, rivals in harem, morally grey,
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose, mixed-burn, steamy-to-spicy
Book Type/Ending: Book One, cliffhanger ending
TW/CW: Available in book
🌶️🌶️
“There are more ways to submit than on your knees, Caterina Corvo.”
Holy shit! This book had me hooked hard and fast! I don’t recommend starting it right before bed, or you may find yourself, like me, staying up well past the witching hour to finish. I thought I knew what was coming but was unprepared for that ending.
There is a healthy bit of violence – the MCs are mafia heirs attending an academy solely designed to teach them to be ruthless killers, so that’s to be expected.
The story is heavy on the enemies/rivals to lovers trope and pining with star-crossed lovers vibes galore.
I would classify this as a mixed-burn and steamy-to-spicy romance. There are several potential love interests for the FMC, and she has different levels of connection with each. What interactions are portrayed are all MF only (no group stuff in this book).
That cliffhanger hurt! I will be waiting impatiently for book two.
Genre: Contemporary Mafia Romance
Tropes/Features: Dark themes, mafia academy, mafia heirs, enemies/rivals to lovers, friends to lovers, rivals in harem, morally grey,
Narrator: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose, mixed-burn, steamy-to-spicy
Book Type/Ending: Book One, cliffhanger ending
TW/CW: Available in book
February 12, 2024
(okay, ignoring the fact that the place is LITERALLY called "Mafia University" which is legitimately, insanely cringe and sounds like a placeholder name that never got changed)
Evelyn Flood does it again! I'm obsessed. And incredibly impatient for the next part. I have so many thoughts I'll have to circle back to but I'm LOSING it.
Evelyn Flood does it again! I'm obsessed. And incredibly impatient for the next part. I have so many thoughts I'll have to circle back to but I'm LOSING it.
January 6, 2025
Absolutely devoured this!!! Straight onto book 2. RTC
March 11, 2024
a murder of crows by evelyn flood
4/5 ⭐️
what I liked:
this is the second book I’ve read where the fmc has such a strong morally grey role in the story. it wasn’t like most stories where the fmc has strong ties but is constantly shadow, Cat genuinely leads and leaves ashes in her wake.
I’m really loving the men and their thought process. they’re stronger than they look but they also know their place is *her* world and the way they let that dictate things is so yummy.
I have an inkling on what’s going on and what will happen in the next book and I am looking forward to seeing not only what happens, but if I’m picking up what’s being put down.
what I didn’t like:
i hope to really get into her trauma next book, I wasn’t too fond of dancing around it.
special notes:
I thought this was a standalone but it’s not lol. Not necessarily a dislike but that’s something to note.
tropes:
touch her and die
enemies to lovers
friends to lovers
mafia
strong fmc
triggers:
murder/attempted murder
blood/gore
torture
violence
sexual assault
spice:
1/5, there is spice but the story is kind of a slow burn.
link to the book:
this book is on ku.
A Murder of Crows: Mafia University #1 https://a.co/d/8c10J6c
4/5 ⭐️
what I liked:
this is the second book I’ve read where the fmc has such a strong morally grey role in the story. it wasn’t like most stories where the fmc has strong ties but is constantly shadow, Cat genuinely leads and leaves ashes in her wake.
I’m really loving the men and their thought process. they’re stronger than they look but they also know their place is *her* world and the way they let that dictate things is so yummy.
I have an inkling on what’s going on and what will happen in the next book and I am looking forward to seeing not only what happens, but if I’m picking up what’s being put down.
what I didn’t like:
i hope to really get into her trauma next book, I wasn’t too fond of dancing around it.
special notes:
I thought this was a standalone but it’s not lol. Not necessarily a dislike but that’s something to note.
tropes:
touch her and die
enemies to lovers
friends to lovers
mafia
strong fmc
triggers:
murder/attempted murder
blood/gore
torture
violence
sexual assault
spice:
1/5, there is spice but the story is kind of a slow burn.
link to the book:
this book is on ku.
A Murder of Crows: Mafia University #1 https://a.co/d/8c10J6c
July 8, 2024
Sorry for judging malia this is fucking gas
February 10, 2024
Please tell me...
Rosa is alive...
Gio and Cat are just taking a little trip to visit Rosa, okay...
Then they'll all return and be happy, okay...
Okay, that's what I'm going to cry myself to sleep thinking because I need answers like now.
Also, wouldn't it be such a delightful plottwist if Cat and Gio teamed up to take down Joseph n Matteo? That would be nice. My enemies to lovers' heart is desperate, can you tell.
Rosa is alive...
Gio and Cat are just taking a little trip to visit Rosa, okay...
Then they'll all return and be happy, okay...
Okay, that's what I'm going to cry myself to sleep thinking because I need answers like now.
Also, wouldn't it be such a delightful plottwist if Cat and Gio teamed up to take down Joseph n Matteo? That would be nice. My enemies to lovers' heart is desperate, can you tell.
October 19, 2024
This book was so good.
Catarina draws you in from the start, she's so strong and independant and really good with her knifes ;P
I love how protective Dom is, without dimming her shine. Dante is a tad possessive and overprotective, but i'm hoping that with all the trials she's going to go thorough he'll ease up a bit.
After that ending i can't wait to read the next book.
Catarina draws you in from the start, she's so strong and independant and really good with her knifes ;P
I love how protective Dom is, without dimming her shine. Dante is a tad possessive and overprotective, but i'm hoping that with all the trials she's going to go thorough he'll ease up a bit.
After that ending i can't wait to read the next book.
August 6, 2024
caterina owns me
December 28, 2024
Pleasantly surprised by this. Loved it. Twists and turns. I love Caterina and her fiestiness. I love the world and I actually surprisingly enjoyed the university setting. I mean i love anything mafiaesk anyways but this was nice as it was also different. Loved the pacing and the writing style, actual use of Italian. Just an all round fun read but with a bloody cliffhanger *rolls eyes and adds next book to her tbr*
February 1, 2024
Evelyn Flood kicks us off with a new series!
I love a good storyline with a female heir to a mafia empire and Evelyn didn't disappoint! I loved Cat! She is strong & fierce. And the guys!? Don't ask me to pick a fav because why choose ;)
Lots of angst and emotion and slow burn - which comes with family/mafia politics. Ugh all the twists and turns and tension - especially that ending!!
I cannot wait for book 2! Looking forward to it!
I love a good storyline with a female heir to a mafia empire and Evelyn didn't disappoint! I loved Cat! She is strong & fierce. And the guys!? Don't ask me to pick a fav because why choose ;)
Lots of angst and emotion and slow burn - which comes with family/mafia politics. Ugh all the twists and turns and tension - especially that ending!!
I cannot wait for book 2! Looking forward to it!
January 30, 2025
Adrenaline rush after adrenaline rush Evelyn Flood grabs your attention and holds on tight. Cat is firece and determined to show she has what it takes. Once I started reading I didn't put it down til I finished!
February 4, 2024
This was a ride.. I will pretty much read anything this author writes. For sure dark.
March 5, 2024
well wasn't this an intense one. rtc
July 16, 2024
Obsessed. So good.
September 24, 2024
On to book 2…
November 5, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️,5
🌶️🌶️
🌶️🌶️
December 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
🌶🌶
January 3, 2025
Wow. All the twists and turns and excitement.
Straight into book 2!
Straight into book 2!
February 3, 2024
A super solid spicy 5/5 ⭐️
I have no idea what Evelyn put in this book but it had me addicted in the best possible way! I really wanted to take my time reading it but after about 40% I just had to sacrifice my sleep schedule to finish the rest.
SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW
Overall, this was a definite 5 star read for me as it checked all of the boxes: gripping story, likeable main character and murderous boyfriends! Would definitely recommend if you like a darker why choose or something centred around the mafia.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review
I have no idea what Evelyn put in this book but it had me addicted in the best possible way! I really wanted to take my time reading it but after about 40% I just had to sacrifice my sleep schedule to finish the rest.
SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW
Overall, this was a definite 5 star read for me as it checked all of the boxes: gripping story, likeable main character and murderous boyfriends! Would definitely recommend if you like a darker why choose or something centred around the mafia.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review
January 5, 2025
READ
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 3/5⭐
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗆𝗉𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 / 𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: 𝖲𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌
𝗔𝗚𝗘: 𝖭𝖾𝗐 𝖠𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: 🔴
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
𝖢𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺: 4/𝟻 🤔
𝖯𝗅𝗈𝗍: 2/𝟻 📖
𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 📝
𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 ⏱
𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: 3/𝟻 👥
𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾: 1/𝟻 ❤️
𝖲𝗉𝗂𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 🔥
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 / 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘:
🕵🚬 𝖬𝖺𝖿𝗂𝖺
🎓 𝖠𝖼𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗆𝗂𝖼 𝗌𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀
💕 𝖯𝗈𝗅𝗒𝖺𝗆𝗈𝗋𝗒
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
I actually liked the story, but not a lot happened, and it felt drawn out. But I really liked Cat's character. She was really strong but still showed vulnerability, even if not all of her decisions made sense. Also, the romance aspect was lacking. I hope I enjoy the next book more.
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬:
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦:
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝖶𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖨 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗎𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽? ✔️
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗪 / 𝗖𝗪:
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
Mafia University Series
𝟏. A Murder of Crows: 3⭐
𝟐. A Mayhem of Crows: DNF
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 3/5⭐
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝖢𝗈𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗆𝗉𝗈𝗋𝖺𝗋𝗒 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 / 𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: 𝖲𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌
𝗔𝗚𝗘: 𝖭𝖾𝗐 𝖠𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: 🔴
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
𝖢𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺: 4/𝟻 🤔
𝖯𝗅𝗈𝗍: 2/𝟻 📖
𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 📝
𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 ⏱
𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: 3/𝟻 👥
𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾: 1/𝟻 ❤️
𝖲𝗉𝗂𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 🔥
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 / 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘:
🕵🚬 𝖬𝖺𝖿𝗂𝖺
🎓 𝖠𝖼𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗆𝗂𝖼 𝗌𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀
💕 𝖯𝗈𝗅𝗒𝖺𝗆𝗈𝗋𝗒
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
I actually liked the story, but not a lot happened, and it felt drawn out. But I really liked Cat's character. She was really strong but still showed vulnerability, even if not all of her decisions made sense. Also, the romance aspect was lacking. I hope I enjoy the next book more.
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𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬:
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦:
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝖶𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖨 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗎𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽? ✔️
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𝗧𝗪 / 𝗖𝗪:
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Mafia University Series
𝟏. A Murder of Crows: 3⭐
𝟐. A Mayhem of Crows: DNF
January 17, 2025
As far as mafia stories go, this one has been one of my favourites.
Caterina Corvo is a Crow, through and through. She is the heir apparent to the head of the American mafia.
Returning to university now after an absence that she does not wish to explain to the other heirs who make up the sub-sects of the family, she can show no weakness.
Especially as the only woman.
The mantle weighs heavily on her, but from looking at her, you would never know it.
However, her father is keeping information from her.
Vital information.
Something is not right.
There are whispers. Rumours of deeds that go against the code of honour of the Cosa Nostra. Acts so heinous that Cat cannot believe her father would stoop so low. However the whispers become louder. The other families start to look to her at the university, and when she has no answers, she realizes that this is her punishment.
Her father is not returning her calls.
She is on her own.
And she is fair game for all.
⭐️ Plot: 4,5/5
🌶️ Spice: 4/5
📖 Genre: Dark Mafia Reverse Harem (Dark Academia)
🏞️ Setting: College
🗣️ POV: Multiple
🛏️ Tropes:
- Mafia heirs
- Sins of the father
- Trust No one
- Found Family
- Dark Academia
- Reverse Harem
- Sharks Circling
- Strong Kickass FMC
- Slowburn with guys (not Instalove with all)
- Secrets
Caterina Corvo is a Crow, through and through. She is the heir apparent to the head of the American mafia.
Returning to university now after an absence that she does not wish to explain to the other heirs who make up the sub-sects of the family, she can show no weakness.
Especially as the only woman.
The mantle weighs heavily on her, but from looking at her, you would never know it.
However, her father is keeping information from her.
Vital information.
Something is not right.
There are whispers. Rumours of deeds that go against the code of honour of the Cosa Nostra. Acts so heinous that Cat cannot believe her father would stoop so low. However the whispers become louder. The other families start to look to her at the university, and when she has no answers, she realizes that this is her punishment.
Her father is not returning her calls.
She is on her own.
And she is fair game for all.
⭐️ Plot: 4,5/5
🌶️ Spice: 4/5
📖 Genre: Dark Mafia Reverse Harem (Dark Academia)
🏞️ Setting: College
🗣️ POV: Multiple
🛏️ Tropes:
- Mafia heirs
- Sins of the father
- Trust No one
- Found Family
- Dark Academia
- Reverse Harem
- Sharks Circling
- Strong Kickass FMC
- Slowburn with guys (not Instalove with all)
- Secrets
September 20, 2024
Edited 09-19-2024
I still have some of the same issues with Caterina not being as watchful as she could be. I had to get back to this series after that devastating cliffhanger. I waited until all the books are out. I still love Caterina, even with her obliviousness. She's strong and holds herself and her men to a high standard. What her dad and Matteo have done and have forced just angers me. I hope that Caterina destroys her father and Matteo. They don't deserve to breathe the same air as her. And I hope the 5 men will stand by her side.
The only issue I had with the story was that Caterina could have been stronger and more watchful. I feel that she continued to keep her blinders on even with the proof of what was going on around her. She didn't trust her "second" and chose to ignore signs. I do hope she gets smarter in book 2 and quickly. Matteo and her father are going after her inheritance. Obviously, her dad no longer needs to hold the position he does. Caterina is a queen, and she needs to take her rightful place.
I still have some of the same issues with Caterina not being as watchful as she could be. I had to get back to this series after that devastating cliffhanger. I waited until all the books are out. I still love Caterina, even with her obliviousness. She's strong and holds herself and her men to a high standard. What her dad and Matteo have done and have forced just angers me. I hope that Caterina destroys her father and Matteo. They don't deserve to breathe the same air as her. And I hope the 5 men will stand by her side.
The only issue I had with the story was that Caterina could have been stronger and more watchful. I feel that she continued to keep her blinders on even with the proof of what was going on around her. She didn't trust her "second" and chose to ignore signs. I do hope she gets smarter in book 2 and quickly. Matteo and her father are going after her inheritance. Obviously, her dad no longer needs to hold the position he does. Caterina is a queen, and she needs to take her rightful place.
September 4, 2024
A cruel, complex world
WOW. This book just throws you in the deep end. Mafia University is a crazy, complicated place run by the five families - headed by the Corvos.
This is a tale of a young woman caught between her peers and her family. Catarina is the first female heir and faces all sorts of challenges with that role. She is struggling to lead while her family is undermining her. There is clearly a lot of history that influences current events - and a lot of chemistry between herself and the other heirs. There’s plenty of danger and mystery to unpack in the rest of the series. Loved it, can’t wait to read more.
WOW. This book just throws you in the deep end. Mafia University is a crazy, complicated place run by the five families - headed by the Corvos.
This is a tale of a young woman caught between her peers and her family. Catarina is the first female heir and faces all sorts of challenges with that role. She is struggling to lead while her family is undermining her. There is clearly a lot of history that influences current events - and a lot of chemistry between herself and the other heirs. There’s plenty of danger and mystery to unpack in the rest of the series. Loved it, can’t wait to read more.
March 23, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
The first book in any why choose is usually pretty slow burn. But holy moly this was painful like no spice and no romance really either. It was just Cat being a heartless bad ass and making some terrible decisions. Am I interested enough in these men to continue? Why yes, yes I am. 😆
I will say the whole mafia university setting was giving Sophie larks kingmaker series
The first book in any why choose is usually pretty slow burn. But holy moly this was painful like no spice and no romance really either. It was just Cat being a heartless bad ass and making some terrible decisions. Am I interested enough in these men to continue? Why yes, yes I am. 😆
I will say the whole mafia university setting was giving Sophie larks kingmaker series
April 20, 2024
Honestly … I’m a bit confused.
This book feels like a short story/ snippet of a larger series? If that makes sense? I feel like I was thrust into the mafia setting with no explanation of who the characters were, how they were connected or had any structure to the mafia theme.
Overall very confused
This book feels like a short story/ snippet of a larger series? If that makes sense? I feel like I was thrust into the mafia setting with no explanation of who the characters were, how they were connected or had any structure to the mafia theme.
Overall very confused
May 11, 2024
You can find this review and all my others over at Read Book. Repeat
Catarina Corvo. The heir of the Corvo empire. The sole female heir. Life in her world is hard enough but try being a female in a male dominated arena, it gets exponentially harder. Mafia University is where those come to learn all the ways of the underground world they've been raised in. It's where alliances are formed, and marriages are bought. All contracts signed in blood. Things are never as they appear in the criminal underworld, and even though Catarina knows that better than most, there's still so much that she doesn't know. With the four other heirs circling her like sharks the only people she can truly trust is her enforcer and best friend. They may try to clip her wings and crush her into the dirt, but she is a Corvo, a crow. And a gang of crows is called a murder...
I was keen as to read this one as I've read some of Flood's other works and thoroughly enjoyed them. This one was no different, it just took a little bit for me to completely fall in, and that is in no way the story's fault. I've been on a huge horror kick for like two years now. Horror is my favourite genre of all time, across all platforms of entertainment, so it was hard to switch off my craving for horror and really immerse myself into a dark, academy, why choose, mafia romance. I did though, and once I did, I honestly couldn't put this book down.
This story is told mostly from Catarina's perspective, but there are a few chapters from the guy's perspectives as well. I do enjoy a multi POV story, especially if it's done well, and that's something that Flood has proven herself to be fantastic at. I've always felt that the multiple perspectives can make a story more well-rounded and fleshed out, but it can also become confusing at times too. What I love about the way that Flood does this is that there's not constant character jumping. We read things from a different perspective when it's imperative to the story, and it works brilliantly. The story is a set up for the world of the mafia, and it introduces us to all of the key players in the game. There's mystery, angst, tension and high stakes and it all flowed together brilliantly to create a captivating and dark world. I loved that we were learning things along with Catarina, as she's kept in the dark, but she has to pretend that she knows everything that is going on.
I enjoyed the characters in this one and also the complex relationships they have with each other. I loved Catarina's character a lot. She has such a tough exterior, because she has to, but she struggles with a lot of different things due to her morals. Knowing what is expected of her, and being able to do those things without losing her humanity was something that was very present throughout the entire story, and I loved seeing that. Those small moments where we get to see her as a normal person, as someone who could be you or I, some of those were my favourite. It really showed how multifaceted she is and has to be to keep her sanity. I enjoyed the characters of the other heirs and the complex issues they also face. This wasn't just a fan service, hot, mafia romance. This to me felt like it had more depth than some of the others I've come across. It's not just about the spice here, there is also genuine substance and majority of that comes from the characters. Getting to see how they're moulded to fill the seat they will one day inherit, battling with their humanity, yet trying not to lose it completely. Trying not to show vulnerability to anyone who might exploit it yet feeling so lost, broken and out of control. I was rooting for all of them to be honest. And I can't wait to see what happens next.
All in all, I found this to be a great opener to a dark series. It sets the tone for what is to come and I'm looking forward to it. To me, none of this felt farfetched or unrealistic, as can sometimes be the case in something that is closer to new adult books. I felt that the world and the characters that populate it was done tastefully and realistically (to a point, it doesn't have to be completely believable and realistic to be enjoyable to me, and let's face it, there's definitely parts of the human population that do probably live something close to this). The characters are well written and have a lot of depth to be explored, and the story has left me hanging to find out what happens next. I'd say this is definitely a character driven story, but the plot does have driving force as well. This one does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I believe book two is either out in the wild, or not far from being released. If you like mafia romance, give this one a crack. I thought it was a good one.
Catarina Corvo. The heir of the Corvo empire. The sole female heir. Life in her world is hard enough but try being a female in a male dominated arena, it gets exponentially harder. Mafia University is where those come to learn all the ways of the underground world they've been raised in. It's where alliances are formed, and marriages are bought. All contracts signed in blood. Things are never as they appear in the criminal underworld, and even though Catarina knows that better than most, there's still so much that she doesn't know. With the four other heirs circling her like sharks the only people she can truly trust is her enforcer and best friend. They may try to clip her wings and crush her into the dirt, but she is a Corvo, a crow. And a gang of crows is called a murder...
I was keen as to read this one as I've read some of Flood's other works and thoroughly enjoyed them. This one was no different, it just took a little bit for me to completely fall in, and that is in no way the story's fault. I've been on a huge horror kick for like two years now. Horror is my favourite genre of all time, across all platforms of entertainment, so it was hard to switch off my craving for horror and really immerse myself into a dark, academy, why choose, mafia romance. I did though, and once I did, I honestly couldn't put this book down.
This story is told mostly from Catarina's perspective, but there are a few chapters from the guy's perspectives as well. I do enjoy a multi POV story, especially if it's done well, and that's something that Flood has proven herself to be fantastic at. I've always felt that the multiple perspectives can make a story more well-rounded and fleshed out, but it can also become confusing at times too. What I love about the way that Flood does this is that there's not constant character jumping. We read things from a different perspective when it's imperative to the story, and it works brilliantly. The story is a set up for the world of the mafia, and it introduces us to all of the key players in the game. There's mystery, angst, tension and high stakes and it all flowed together brilliantly to create a captivating and dark world. I loved that we were learning things along with Catarina, as she's kept in the dark, but she has to pretend that she knows everything that is going on.
I enjoyed the characters in this one and also the complex relationships they have with each other. I loved Catarina's character a lot. She has such a tough exterior, because she has to, but she struggles with a lot of different things due to her morals. Knowing what is expected of her, and being able to do those things without losing her humanity was something that was very present throughout the entire story, and I loved seeing that. Those small moments where we get to see her as a normal person, as someone who could be you or I, some of those were my favourite. It really showed how multifaceted she is and has to be to keep her sanity. I enjoyed the characters of the other heirs and the complex issues they also face. This wasn't just a fan service, hot, mafia romance. This to me felt like it had more depth than some of the others I've come across. It's not just about the spice here, there is also genuine substance and majority of that comes from the characters. Getting to see how they're moulded to fill the seat they will one day inherit, battling with their humanity, yet trying not to lose it completely. Trying not to show vulnerability to anyone who might exploit it yet feeling so lost, broken and out of control. I was rooting for all of them to be honest. And I can't wait to see what happens next.
All in all, I found this to be a great opener to a dark series. It sets the tone for what is to come and I'm looking forward to it. To me, none of this felt farfetched or unrealistic, as can sometimes be the case in something that is closer to new adult books. I felt that the world and the characters that populate it was done tastefully and realistically (to a point, it doesn't have to be completely believable and realistic to be enjoyable to me, and let's face it, there's definitely parts of the human population that do probably live something close to this). The characters are well written and have a lot of depth to be explored, and the story has left me hanging to find out what happens next. I'd say this is definitely a character driven story, but the plot does have driving force as well. This one does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I believe book two is either out in the wild, or not far from being released. If you like mafia romance, give this one a crack. I thought it was a good one.
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