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The Death of Us

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From birth, we're warned to beware of the wicked.

But in 1994, when I decided I wanted more out of life, I was never told how beautiful the wicked could be.

I didn't know what they would do once they sunk their claws into me, or how they'd break me just for fun.

No one told me they'd like the taste of my tears almost as much as they enjoyed spilling my blood.

I wasn't ready for the pain that came at the hands of the powerful.

I wasn't prepared to fall apart or to meet a boy who'd put me back together.

He was forced into my life just as I was thrust into his.

We were a perfect pair. A beautiful, broken match.

And their worst nightmare.

The world painted us in crimson, but I give it to you clear.

Here lies the story of Bunny and Cade.

And the truths that were never meant to be told.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 31, 2024

104 people are currently reading
1104 people want to read

About the author

C.A. Mariah

8 books125 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,624 reviews10.9k followers
June 10, 2024
pi-Zap-5
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

'T𝐇E D𝐄A𝐓H O𝐅 𝐔S' Is a full length dark romance book by C.A. Mariah, spoken in 'dual perspectives'. This is Bunny & Cade's harrowing love story.

I don’t even know how I stumbled across this book but on one of my endless searches for something to read I found this..This definitely won’t be for everyone, because this author stepped where many don’t go and if you think it’s something you might like to read please check the triggers..

Once you hear Bunny’s 🐰 story in her own words told to a journalist before her execution, a story which was never mean't to see the light of day, you'll realise that everything isn't so black and white, these two lived through a horrific nightmare, one which left scarring on their very beings all due to them only wanting a better life for themselves. Bunny wanted to become a model, and Cade wanted to be one of the greatest fighters, and people exploited those dreams and destroyed the very essence of them.

Emma had been been stuck writing mundane articles about weddings and finding true love so when Bunny reaches out and asks her to cover her story this is the chance in a lifetime she'd been waiting for. Bunny has been incarcerated for over two decades and not one person has covered her story. As a teenager Bunny was a head turner and now as a forty-five year old woman that beauty has just intensified.

Where people in power target those that are vulnerable..

Dark
Gritty
Emotional

This had my emotions all over the place, there I was naively hoping as I rooted for them with every fibre of my being wishing for a better outcome only for it all to come crashing down leaving a bittersweet taste in my mouth. On one hand she's with Cade, on the other the unjustness of it had my heart breaking into smithereens. 65451226-2019570151487824-6157464638251335680-n
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Profile Image for Dora Koutsoukou .
2,256 reviews721 followers
July 10, 2024
4,5 🖤🖤🖤💔🌟🌟🌟🌟s❗️❗️❗️❗️

🚨⚠️ The Death of Us is not a book for the fainthearted ⚠️🚨

It is a very dark read.
Raw
Tough
Poignant
Intense and
full of triggers*

Even I had to take a break from some scenes which were either heart wrenching or hideous.

But still, I loved it with all my (shattered) heart.

This was a tragic journey.
And traumatic.
Bunny’s.
From the beginning until the end… 💔💧

“I shared the unfathomable torture that only the devil himself could act out. I recounted the tales of how our innocence and belief in the world shattered in a pile of body parts, semen, and blood...” Bunny

Bunny’s journey was thus predestined.
I'm not going to start judging any of the main character(s)s’ actions or behaviours.
Each one proceeds with its own mind or logic, its own character and its own facts, regardless the disadvantages and negative circumstances that are sometimes beyond one's control in life.

The romance may not have been the major focus of the story, but it was powerful, emotional, wrenching and liberating.

“We’re not bad.
We’re just broken.”
Cade

I really have no words to describe how the author managed to make me feel EVERYTHING with her gripping and inspiring writing style.
Yes, I cried in a few scenes.

However, sometimes hope may make you blind, put everything aside and end up losing your ultimate goal, which was freedom in this case.

And then dreams become the most monstrous nightmares…

Well done C.A. Mariah 👏👏👏👏


Note: The story was mostly told by Bunny’s pov, while Cade’s was only in a few chapters.

*Triggers include, but are not limited to:
Kidnapping, Trafficking, Mental and Emotional Abuse, Manipulative Behavior, Emotional, Physical, Mental, Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Assault, Gruesome Depictions
Profile Image for Carla .
1,669 reviews531 followers
July 14, 2024
I’m crying like a baby.
This is the most beautiful and sad story I read in ages ( maybe 2 years).
This book breaks me. The characters… wow!
It’s worth reading.
Profile Image for Dani (Daniiireads).
1,970 reviews324 followers
March 18, 2025
“𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞.”
“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭?”
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞, 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫. “𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐲.”

Well, I am not even remotely ok.

What to expect:
🐇 Infamy + revenge
🐇 Tragic fated Love
🐇 Elite Clubs + trafficking
🐇 Past & Present POVs
Profile Image for Crystal (Crystalreads2).
970 reviews991 followers
July 28, 2024
Some people are not born monsters; they're made because of the environment around them and what has been done to them. They had to go through horrible acts with the hope that one day, they would get out and seek revenge, to inflict emotional and physical pain as was done to them. But are they monsters, or are the actual monsters the ones who did the unspeakable to them? In my opinion, the real monsters are the ones who do the unspeakable.

Is this the darkest book I have read? No, it's not; at one point, I had to pause and put my Kindle down as the author pushed my boundaries, and my heart poured out for Bunny and Cade. I can’t imagine how the author felt writing it. On my dark scale, it’s dark grey with some black.

The Death of Us is a heart-wrenching story Of story of two teenagers who fall in love with each other in the most horrific place and seek revenge. The whys of what they did were never told until decades later, when Bunny contacted Emma, a journalist, to tell their story. Be prepared. Be prepared to yell, swear, and want justice, and most importantly, be ready to have your heart broken. Let me tell you, I wouldn’t have it any other way than how this book is written.

The author warned you this isn’t your typical romance, and it isn’t. It’s a love story with darkness and some beauty in it. This book is a phenomenon. Top read this year so far. I’m obsessed. I love it when a book makes me feel everything. EVERYTHING. You say broken; I say I see the beauty within broken—two broken souls that found love. As Cade would say, “Until The End”. I didn't want this book to end for selfish reasons, and I wanted more.
Profile Image for warhawke.
1,551 reviews2,236 followers
June 7, 2024


Read my interview with C.A. Mariah: https://wp.me/p5bsdH-58W





Genre: Romantic Tragedy
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Female (Dual)
Rating:




Emma Brooks was stuck in a dead-end job when an opportunity came knocking to interview the notorious killer Bernice (Bunny) Walters. What she learned could change everything the world believed about Bunny and her partner, Cade.



This book put me in a chokehold right from the beginning, and especially towards the end. I felt sad and angry at the injustice, and I couldn’t help feeling protective of the character. Bunny and Cade were monsters, but they turned into one for a reason, and what a heartbreaking reason it was.

There was never any doubt as to what we had to do.


The Death of Us is a story of survival and regret. It would appeal to readers who enjoy dark and unconventional love stories.




🔸️💀🔸️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . . 🔸️💀🔸️




For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:



For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
Profile Image for shane..
304 reviews42 followers
May 31, 2024
I think this is my favorite one yet.

TDOU is a tragic, suspenseful romance about two teens who had their innocence taken and torn apart. A story that truly, truly is heart breaking. It’ll have you feeling all sorts of emotions.

Monsters aren’t born, they’re made.

What I do love most about this was they way Bunny and Cade’s story was told; through and interview days before Bunny’s execution. So we get to learn and unravel everything as we go back in time. The depravity, horrors, pain, and cruelty these two experienced is just… something I wouldn’t ever wish upon anyone.

Overall, I was highly anticipating this story and Mariah did not disappoint. I’ve loved her writing and storytelling since her debut, and this is no different. I very much recommend this tragic, bittersweet story, but please pay head to the trigger warnings.


*ARC for honest review.
Profile Image for Destiny.
339 reviews156 followers
February 26, 2025
5⭐️

Favorite Quote:
“Take this as a lesson, baby girl. Never chase a man. You’ll suffer for it every time.”

I don’t know if I finished the book or the book finished me. This book was INCREDIBLE. This is so criminally underrated and you need to add this to your TBR. The plot was so good. I knew at chapter 1 that it was going to be a 5⭐️ read.

The plot follows a wedding journalist who gets a call from bunny saying she’s ready to share her story. Bunny and her boyfriend at the time, Cade, went on a killing spree in the 90’s and they are reopening the death penalty for her crimes.

It made me cry 😭 The last 10% was so painful but so beautiful and bittersweet. I think about it daily. I knew it wasn’t it wasn’t going to end well and I still was hurt when it happened 😭
Profile Image for amanda.
116 reviews4 followers
October 20, 2024
traumatized… god I am not your strongest soldier. dollyrabbit in 2024
Profile Image for CC.
1,255 reviews724 followers
June 2, 2024
4.5★



After years of silence and a set execution date, Bunny Walker decides to tell her story and the tragedy unfolds.

“It’s so strange, how time can slow right before a life-changing moment. I think it could be a gift, but in this case, I think it’s my punishment.”

With this story being told through an interview with Bunny, the narrative shifts from past and present with the tension of building amidst abuse and the possibility of having what seemed impossible. It is a riveting read and I rooted for Bunny and Blade the entire time. The ending made the injustices sting even more, but it also reenforced the impact of the strength in these characters.

The Death of Us is about survival and sacrifice. This story would appeal to those seeking a dark story about abuse and the casualty of consequences.


*An ARC was received for a review.*


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey*


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

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Profile Image for Ashley.
210 reviews16 followers
June 4, 2024
“I love you. Until the end.”

If you’re hoping for a mushy-gushy love story… then this book isn’t for you. However, if you’re open to an ending that’ll break your heart and make you question everything, then The Death of Us is for you.

Bunny and Cade deserve the world and while they did get revenge, they didn’t get everything they deserved. That’s life, though, right?

These two have one of the most heart-wrenching stories that I’ve ever read. Did I cry? I shed a few tears. It’s hard not to when you read The Death of Us. It’s a very raw story.

C.A. Mariah wrote this book in an interesting way. It starts out with Emma, a journalist, who gets a phone call, asking her to tell Bunny and Cade’s story. Not going to lie, I didn’t really connect much with Emma. But that’s okay because it really wasn’t about her, anyways.

There’s a side character – Susie – who I absolutely loved. She was such an important person in their lives and she truly gave the book a little something extra. It was also nice to know that there always someone on their side, regardless of what they did.

I’ll always think Cade deserved better. Yes, what he did was wrong, but what was done to him was also wrong. He was snuffed out too soon. It’s important to note that this book only has one POV for Cade. Don’t worry, you still get his side of the story, you just don’t get to be in his head.

The Death of Us is one of my top books for 2024!

Please, please, please pay attention to trigger warnings! Don’t go into this book blindly if you have any!

If you enjoy Romeo & Juliet and Bonnie & Clyde types of stories, you’ll enjoy this one.

P.s. I’m mentioned at the end in the acknowledgements and that made my little dark heart oh so happy. :)
Profile Image for Marcy Sorenson.
1,190 reviews32 followers
October 24, 2024
wow, that was amazing

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘜𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘊.𝘈. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘩

♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️ 2/6
📖𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥
‼️𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦

I’m sitting here finding myself continually stopping and staring off. I am not okay after that. This book will forever live in my heart and soul. There are some extremely hard parts to read in this story, but I’m glad I read it.

Bunny and Cade will forever live in my mind rent free. I was immediately hooked by this story, and found myself reading every moment I could. I wanted to hear what lead Bunny and Cade to doing all that they did.

What’s sad is things like this exist in the world today. Many boy, girls, women, and men are stuck in this absolutely unfathomable situation. While hearing Bunny’s stories, I couldn’t help but think of all those kids who are living this nightmare. There were many moments that made me cry and filled me with rage at the same time. I wish everyone would read this story.

Profile Image for sheela.
379 reviews41 followers
August 8, 2024
”And whatever was left of my soul ceased to exist the moment Cade truly slipped away. Marone let me go when an officer came close, and I listened to them shout for me to freeze, but I crawled through the bloodied floor and cradled the boy I loved so deeply.” - Bunny

”I love you, Bun. I don’t know when I’ll find the nerve to say it, but I do. I love you, Bunny. Until the end.” - Cade


This was not easy to read and I am so unwell 🥹
Profile Image for Lindsey Perez .
281 reviews23 followers
March 10, 2025
I don’t think I’ll ever recover from this story

Bunny. This girl who just never got a fucking break. My heart is broken for her. This sort was so hard to read, I was not prepared.
Profile Image for Cara Kalili.
143 reviews
October 30, 2025
5 ⭐️ Nothing could have prepared me for the contents in this book. Ow. This is on my shelf of stories that will stay with me long after they are finished.
Profile Image for dani.
55 reviews
June 12, 2025
wish i could time travel to protect them both
Profile Image for Reeya.
57 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐️


Check the trigger warning for sure before you think about this one! Small-town-girl from the wrong side of tracks, Bunny, moves to the big city to leave her past life behind to become something big. However, she instead falls into a horrific life of trafficking and exploitation.

This wasn’t necessarily a love story in my opinion, or if it was, then I think I missed story part. I enjoyed reading the book to feel and see the main protagonist’s resilience and strength despite the awful cards dealt. I did not, however, feel grasped by the romantic connection that was meant to timeless. They met, fell in love, and found solace in each other all in 1-2 chapters. That was one part which I wish could be a little bit more fleshed out.

The ending made me want to punch every old, white, governing agent in our country.
Profile Image for Els †  ♡.
117 reviews18 followers
June 3, 2024
The moment this arc dropped I was so immersed in this story, the story of Bernice “Bunny” Walters and Cade Harris (Blade) was an emotional whirlwind and I really felt for these two.

Their story begins with Bunny waiting to be executed, her final days she decides to finally tell her and Cade’s story and what lead to the events that got Bunny the death penalty. Bunny tells her story to a reporter Emma and at first Emma is wary of why Bunny has asked her to come and interview her but as Bunny’s tale unravels and Emma learns the horrors, the depravity, the pure evilness that Bunny and Cade faced well you’ll have to read the book to find out the rest.

This book had me hooked from start to finish, I wanted to read and read to find out what happened to Bunny & Cade, where their story was going and how it would end. I felt heartbreak, anger, disgust and I cried. That ending. I cried for these two, Bunny and Cade are seen as monsters because of what they done but the true question was , who really were the monsters? These two kids who had their world and innocence ripped apart in the most brutal ways or the people who did so we glee and smugness? I rooted for Bunny and Cade , I wanted their abusers to get their comeuppance but the ending, we knew from the beginning and the authors note that it wasn’t going to a sweet ending but I’m my eyes , it was a bittersweet ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for M KM ミ☆.
82 reviews4 followers
July 31, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ 🥹 that ending 🤌🏼🤌🏼 if you like Sick Fux read this pne! I would reccomend going blind, the whole story I was in all my feels literally,I was switching from hurting w them to im gna kill them all 😠 it’s a hell of a rollercoaster of emotions but a good one, check TW it’s not an easy to digest story cos sadly the world we live in is worst than this, BUNNY she’s a 👑 a fighter with a fiery spirit but a good hear when she loves she does it w everything she has! & my CADE 🥹 he’s a storm of emotions, he literally lives for bunny he would burn the world for her, putting her before his own interests & pain 🫠🫠 im glad they met & they had each other 🖤
The VILLAIN is villaining you’ll loathe him 😤😡 like personally killed him but not before lots of TORTURE 💀

“Never again,” he promises. “I’ll never let you bleed again.”

“I feel his touch in the deepest part of me, as if I’ve felt him in another life.”

“Cade protects me like no one ever has, getting me what I want—who I want—by any means necessary”

“We will never go through this world alone, we solemnly swear, falling into each other's arms as swiftly as we fall deeper in love.”

“I got you.”
Until the end.”


Profile Image for Erin.
3,526 reviews78 followers
June 2, 2024
OMFG! This story was PHENOMENAL! Bunny and Cade are EVERYTHING!

After finishing their incredible story, I just sat and stared at the wall with tears dripping down my face, contemplating everything I just read. Bunny and Cade had me in a chokehold the whole way through and I never wanted to let them go in the end.

I have never read a story like this and I don’t think I ever will again. I am just totally blown away by it. It was palpable, heartbreaking, traumatic and had my stomach in knots. My heart was ripped open and left gushing all over the place. I cried so hard my face hurt, and I raged with such intense anger over the tragedy that befell both Bunny and Cade. But I also felt incredible love for them both and that they at least found each other and got to know what actual love felt like for once in their young lives.

This is a story of survival in a world filled with corruption, wickedness and pain. Bunny and Cade did what they had to do when their innocence was stolen from them and torn to shreds. They both needed some peace and freedom to fly. They needed to finally breathe.

It’s a tragic, bittersweet and unconventional love story. I am in awe of this phenomenal author’s ability to write a story like no other. It was brilliantly written with extremely graphic, bloody, violent and emotional moments that will shock you and keep you on the edge of your seat unwilling to put the book down until you fully grasp everything that happens right to the bitter and tragic end.

”Until The End”
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
84 reviews6 followers
March 9, 2025
“One day, we will go anywhere you want us to, but we’re going to kill these fuckers first”

Profile Image for Tinaj Johnson.
347 reviews14 followers
April 29, 2025
Makes you question everything……

Truly heinous crimes are done to children. They retaliate. I challenge you to read this book and not feel like justice was served by the “bad guys”.
Profile Image for Louise.
372 reviews20 followers
December 31, 2025
This story absolutely broke my heart.

Both the FMC & MMC were dealt such shitty hands in life, and just when they thought their lives had taken a turn in a positive direction, BAM, thrown straight back into the dark. Back into a new version of a Hell they’d already endured.

I felt so sad for them, and what they endured, really hurt my heart. The ending absolutely gutted me, I was secretly hoping it wouldnt end the way it did, but I sobbed like a little bitch. 😭

It’s pitch black AF, so be sure to check those triggers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Bibliophile.
815 reviews
September 30, 2024
My heart is heavy, i keep letting out a sigh and breath like the air is not enough. For the first time a book make me cry even after finish reading it, more so by the ending and i still feel so unjustified and heartbroken by the ending 💔 i even crying while writing this…

People no human no no they don’t deserve that, not even getting call as animal because animal are better than them. All the devil in this book, the real monsters are these monsters that do all of those to the victims and they deserve to die…they should not even exist, the anger i felt and sadness i feel surely be tenfold for the victims, for the monsters to live freely and “happily” without fear and care in the world for all the sins and crime they do… they don’t even deserve to live. I sometimes fear so deeply as all the stories in the book, is not just stories anymore because in reality these things do happen… It make me want to protect everyone from ever went through all the bad things in the book and hoping wishing for the monsters to be gone from the world and let us all live in peace.

My heart truly went to Cade and Bunny, i think even as i have finish reading this book… their presence will stick with me for a long time that is how raw the feeling i get from reading this book. I even need to take a break in some chapters because how heavy the chapter going to be 💔

I think whatever my review is, it did not even fully describe the feeling and the impact that the story will hit you and for that with all my heart i thank the author for creating this book yet my heart will forever be broken with the fate the characters face in the story.

Some words in the book that hit me deep ⬇️

“It never amazed me how blind people could be. I’ve seen it happen since I was a child, and it shouldn’t surprise me that the men and women who swore to protect me are the most eager to look away. But I guess if you don’t see the desperation in my eyes, it’s easier to sleep at night.”


“I find that the longer I sit here, hidden in a steel room, with a solo guard and violent murderess, that I’m less a journalist and more concerned with letting her feel heard.
Something tells me she hasn’t been before.
“Then what? What happened next?”


“as I drive out of the empty lot, that I think of an answer to her question.
“How could we be so fucking stupid? How could we put ourselves in those situations?” Because what else did they have? You were an orphan. You were abused. You could only dream of dreams. The question shouldn’t be, how could they be so stupid? How could they put themselves in such dangerous situations? The question should be, how could you blame yourself for wanting to get out? How could you call yourself stupid for wanting more? More than the suffering. More than the torture.
How did society see two teenagers slaughtering grown men and women and not think there was a good reason for it?
How did I?”


“The more the story unfolds, the less I see the monsters that graced the covers of the New York Times. The longer I sit here, gazing into the eyes of a killer, the more I see a child who went through hell.”


“Despite what they did?”
Her sudden laugh spooks me. I don’t believe it’s a common reaction to chuckle at the mention of two teen killers. Two who had the streets of New York in a chokehold, fearful to walk down the sidewalk. And yet, she laughs.
“Something funny?” I ask, genuinely curious as to what I’m missing.
“Yes,” she responds, still tittering, “it is funny. Those kids did nothing but survive. You want me to condemn them with the rest of the world? Punish them—Bunny—more than she already has been? I won’t do it, and if you’re looking for someone to, you can walk your ass right out of my motel.”


“We’re planning on killing people.”
“Rapists,” he snaps. “Murderers. Kidnappers…child molesters. They aren’t people, Bun. And we aren’t villains for slaughtering them. You know that. I know that, and Susie knows that.” ”


“If I didn’t know them, I’d think we were witnessing a romance, but people who help whore out children don’t deserve that kind of happiness.
“You sure she’s a part of it?” Cade asks, a pinch of concern between his brows.
I can understand his doubt. I mean, men, I know. They do vile and wicked shit to children every day, but women? We’re supposed to be the nurturers. The guides. The backbone of civilization. Women aren’t supposed to be cruel. Women aren’t supposed to cause pain.
Women aren’t supposed to be monsters.
But that one is.”


“Night has fallen by the time we’re ready to move. Horns honk as we cut through traffic, but no one looks our way. My favorite part of New York is the time. No one has any. So I don’t worry about all the people we pass through. I don’t think twice about whether they’ll remember our faces or what we’re wearing. Everyone is selfish, focused on their own lives. I used to hate it when I was being abused. I cursed everyone who saw my bruises and scars and did nothing.
That same behavior is what I count on now.
Don’t pay attention to us.
Don’t look me in the eye.
Ignore our wounds.
Make tonight easy and pretend we don’t exist.”


“I won’t deny there is horror in his voice, and maybe those are genuine tears of remorse in his once-captivating eyes. Still, the company he keeps rejects any guilt, refuses to take any responsibility. To them, this is all our fault. We asked for it.
How many times have we been told that? In the months—years—we’ve been held captive in glittering condos or in cold, barren, stone basements.
I heard it my entire life that I was a victim of my own choices, and maybe, sure, this started that way, but Colette knew what she was doing to me, just as Nathan knew who he was handing Cade off to.
They don’t get mercy for that.”


“ she kneeled before me and uttered advice I’ll never forget.
“Take this as a lesson, baby girl. Never chase a man. You’ll suffer for it every time.”
Her words hit me now as I survey Cade. So I stay in place, knowing when he’s calm and ready, he’ll come to me.”


“So it was regret. That’s what you wanted me to tell Susie… That you regretted it.”
Tongue in cheek, Bunny looks off to the side, falling back into her seat, exhaling broken sighs while the stream of tears never slows. “We should have gone,” she says so calmly. “I should have never been so selfish. I just⁠—”


“I just,” she snarls, aggressively wiping away the tears before whipping around to face me. “I just wanted them gone. I wanted them gone so we could be… so we could be…” Weakly, Bunny drops her head, letting the tears pool into her palms. “So we could be fine… I thought if they were gone,” she mutters, “that we would be fine—that we could be happy.”


“I need to help you. I can’t-I can’t… I can’t let you die in here. There has to be something that can slow this down.”
“For what?” she asks, hands in the air, gesturing to the space around. “For this? I’ve lived decades without a speck of life in me, without a beating heart in my chest—with the scars, aching bones, and memories to remind me of my mistakes. I’m done now. I can rest now. I just need you to be honest… Tell the truth. Tell the world we were monsters but that we were kids, too. Raped, beaten, and brutalized kids. Tell them what they did to us. Tell them how they got away with it. Tell them the truth about us, and don’t let them slander Cade’s name…not anymore.”


“ For weeks, she didn’t say a thing, no matter how many questions I asked. She only wanted to look at me. I think I allowed her to pretend."
“Pretend what?”
Shrugging, he tilts his head, sadness washing over him again. “I don’t know. What could have been? What their kid could have looked like if they had a chance."
I imagine it, too, and it almost sends me to my knees with anguish.
What could have been…”

Excerpt From
The Death of Us
C. A Mariah
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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208 reviews31 followers
November 10, 2025
The Death of Us promises an intense and emotionally charged plot, exploring themes of pain, power, redemption, and love. The synopsis suggests a narrative that doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of the human experience, offering a raw and realistic view of what it means to be broken and find the strength to rebuild.

Bunny is a girl searching for "something more in life," but quickly confronted with the world's cruelty. The cruelty of the "wicked" as beautiful and dangerous adds a layer of complexity, suggesting a fatal attraction that leads Bunny down a path of suffering and resilience. The duality between beauty and wickedness is intriguing, deeply explored in the story.

Cade, on the other hand, is a boy who has "had his dreams ripped away" and seeks redemption for Bunny. Their connection, described as "a perfect pair" and "a broken pair," indicates a relationship of mutual dependency and healing. Their story is a union that challenges those in power, transforming them into a force to be reckoned with.

Set in the 90s brings an interesting nostalgia, adding a specific cultural context to the book. The promise of a story where hidden truths are revealed offers an additional layer of mystery and intrigue.

In summary, the book is engaging for those who appreciate stories of personal overcoming, tragic romance, and battles against adversities imposed by external forces. The well-crafted story creates an expectation of a narrative rich in emotions and twists, keeping the reader eager to uncover the true story of Bunny and Cade.

Recommended for all who enjoy intense and emotionally charged dramas, with deep characters and a plot that mixes pain and redemption. If you appreciate stories where love arises in the darkest places and the fight against power is a constant, this book will likely be a rewarding read for you.
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106 reviews10 followers
July 16, 2024
✨️This is the best book I have ever read in my life!! I have never shed as many tears as I did with this one. It's been a few days since I finished it, but I keep thinking about it every day; I love it.

I can only say one thing: this is a book that is not just read but felt in the depths of the heart and soul.✨️
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