ממלכה קפואה

Sick Boys #2

by Lucy Smoke, לוסי סמוק, טל לוי אסקרי (Translator)

חוק מספר שתיים: אל תראי פחד.
הם נתעבים ומעוותים.

הדבר היחיד שדפוק יותר מהבחורים האפלים הוא אני, ואני מוכנה להתמודד מולם.
הבחורים האפלים מסתירים ממני משהו. הם רוצים להעמיד פנים שלא הרגתי את האנס שלי ושהם לא עזרו לי בזה. אבל אנחנו לא סטודנטים רגילים בקולג', זה כבר ברור לי, ומתחיל להימאס לי מכל השקרים והסודות.
המסכות שלהם נסדקות, וסוף־סוף אני מתחילה לראות את המציאות הגרוטסקית שמתחת. היא הרבה יותר אפלה מכפי שאי פעם דמיינתי, וזה לא מספיק. הם יודעים הכול עליי, אז עכשיו הגיע תורי. שום דבר לא מפחיד אותי. לא הם. לא הגבר שהרגתי, ולא האנשים שטמנו לי מלכודת.
פחד זה לחלשים. ואני, אבלון מאנינג, רחוקה מלהיות חלשה.

ממלכה קפואה הוא הספר השני בסדרת הבחורים האפלים, והוא המשך ישיר לספר הקודם בסדרה. אל תפספסו את המשך סיפורם של אבלון מאנינג והבחורים הכי אפלים שתכירו.

אזהרת טריגר:
סדרת הבחורים האפלים מתויגת כסדרה אפלה מאחר שהיא מכילה נושאים קשים כמו התמכרות לסמים, אלימות ורצח וכן סיטואציות מיניות שעלולות להיות בלתי הולמות.
אנא קראו באחריות.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, College, Audiobook, New Adult

398 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Lucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark for her fantasy works, has a master’s degree in English and is a self-proclaimed creative chihuahua. She enjoys feeding her wanderlust, cover addiction, as well as her face, and truly hopes people will stop giving her bath bombs as gifts. Bath’s get cold too fast and it’s just not as wonderful as the commercials make it out to be when the tub isn’t a jacuzzi.

When she’s not on a never-ending quest to find the perfect milkshake, she lives and works in the southern United States with her beloved fur-baby, Hiro, and her family and friends.


Reviews

[↬ Ⓛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ava is trying too hard, doing the most, and tryna act bad. i couldnt connect with her and and i dislike the nickname d-man for dean. is it just me, anyone else?

i like how this time around i feel and saw some development in their relationship progress, bedside heroine being annoying, i like how she stood her ground and made dean work for her trust like she aint no easy bitch to get with. also i like how dean was vulnerable with his feelings towards ava, like yasss. now dats a d-man.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so painfully frustrating to me!! It was 70% relationship angst/teen drama and 30% actual plot progression. This feels like a filler book, a placeholder that doesn’t answer ANY questions from the previous cliffhanger but drops a few more hints on what’s to come for the next book.

Literally the first 22 CHAPTERS are nothing but relationship drama between the main characters, Ave and Dean. Now, if you love this kinda thing then your gonna be super happy. Normally I do too but in smaller doses mixed into with actual real plot threads. It didn’t help that I didn’t really understand why Ave was filled with so much rage at Dean. At first I thought it was because of the previous attack from book 1 but she clearly states that’s not why. So I was left frustrated and confused trying to figure out why Ave was constantly enraged with Dean. It seemed blown way the hell out of proportion. It felt contrived by the author to try and stir up some drama to fluff out the page count to disguise the fact that this book doesn’t really make any real plot progression from the first book. I mean....22 FREAKING CHAPTERS of nothing but pointless drama. I could continue to rant in detail but I’ll move on...

Once you get to about chapter 30, stuff finally starts to happen. Kinda. Slowly. Let me start by saying that I LOVED Ave’s badass, in control (almost sociopathic) personality from book 1. She was always 1 step ahead of everyone, suspicious of everything and everyone and was in control of her situation. But in this book....this amazing personality is replaced by an over emotional, angry teenage girl that kept getting blindsided by people and situations that would of never happened in book 1. She spends most of the book angry and horny which apparently makes her oblivious to all the clues dangling right in front of her.

I mean COME ON....how did she seriously not suspect Corina?!?!? Am I the only reader who saw that betrayal coming all the way from book 1?!? It was so freaking OBVIOUS!!! Yet Ave acts completely dumbfounded when this is revealed at the end. All the respect I had for Ave from book 1 has officially gone down the toilet. For all the posturing that the boys do (which is constantly) and Ave’s assertions that she’s a Queen...they’re really just a bunch of idiots in this book. I mean...Nancy Drew could of solved this mystery faster than these idiots.

Short rant...
Why does Ave act all shocked that her mom was allegedly the one to set her up to be raped at the end of book 1? Ave says that this was actually a constant thing that happened as she was growing up which is why she always escaped through her bedroom window to avoid it. So why is Ave acting all shocked that her mom set her up this time? It doesn’t jive.

Braxton’s family owns the rehab place they sent her mom to....why can’t he just call the place and ask them who they released her too? Why all “I’ll get the PI’s to investigate this!” Umm...you own the place...just call them and ask! 🙄

Overall this book was tedious and frustrating. I dunno how many books the author has planned but hopefully she doesn’t continue to drag everything out without answering any plot threads. I sincerely hope that book 3 gets Ave back on track to being a badass that stays ahead of her enemies...instead of just telling us what a badass she is. I want you to SHOW me instead of just telling me. Ok rant over...

[Erika Braga · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Curiosity kill the cat and I am as catty as they come “



With the exception of all the exaggeration about what an 19 years old girl is capable of and 3 guys that are 20 something years old can do, I am actually enjoying this series. There is so much mystery and secrets surrounding everyone that I can’t help it but be glued to it. It’s a little irritating sometimes because I want to just know everything already, but I guess it wouldn’t be a series if I was supposed to know everything in the first book😂
Here I go to book 3 !

[~ jj. (the literary overdose)✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

The devil isn't a little red man, I realize. The devil is in me. He's a vicious, wicked creature. Cruel and oh, I like him. So fucking much.

This is not your typical bully romance, enemies to lovers, or even college drama…. we passed cool, calm and collected ages ago and now we’re about to watch the Sick Boys and their Queen raze the fucking world to the ground, it’s about to be a blood bath.

Will Luc set aside his feud with Dean for the greater good?

Will Avalon get her pound of flesh from everyone hellbent on having her 6 feet under and pushing daisies?

Will we find out what’s going on with the fathers of Eastpoint?

Why is Nicholas so adamant Dean and the other guys protect and watch out for Avalon?

WHO really is Avalon Manning?

And better yet, what does Avalon have planned for Corina - now that the curtain has been pulled back showing us all that her Oscar worthy performance as the blonde ditzy rich bitch college student, was masking her true persona; a two faced calculated snake with an axe to grind… that plot twist was fucking biblical.

Honestly the level of drama in this second book hit the fan soooo fast, and for once I’m not even mad about all the questions I have after finishing it 🤣

I can’t wait to see what amount of badassery our psychotic group get up too next.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of secrets and violence. The female character suffers a lot! It’s sad!

[Abstract ♥ Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS



"Stone Cold Queen" is the second book of the "Sick Boys" series by the author Lucy Smoke. Told in dual perspectives , get ready to swoon over the sick boys again!!!

After reading the first book , I was absolutely gobsmacked. My reaction after reading this book was even more shocking. You think the first book was full of twists and so hot , just let me warn you about this one!! This author has totally blown my mind and I can't even tell you guys how obsessed I am with this series!! That ending of the first book threw me off a cliff and I dived straight into this one after that.

The dynamic between Avalon and Sick Boys definitely developed in this book!! Dean Carter was a man who was used to people Bowing down to him. So when he meets Avalon who was the opposite of those said people, he is intrigued.

The push pull between these two was hot and hilarious and hell. Their relationship did progress in this book but there was still a lot of hate between them. I won't say much about the storyline , but let me just warn you that this one is just as crazy as the first book if not more!!

A definite recommendation to all the dark Romance lovers out there who would love themes like High School Bully Romance and suspense plus lots of hotness!!


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[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALRIGHT- THis is what I’m talking about, Lucy!

Our story picks up after the jaw dropping conclusion of the last book- one that ripped out my insides. And our amazing, feisty, tough as nails heroine has to process all that has happened, as she both figures out who to trust and who deserves her revenge. We get to watch our little savage take control, come into her own darkness, and step up as a might and formidable queen- a queen who never stops fighting, refuses to be controlled, and survives some pretty horrific things. We have more secrets, more twists, and we dive even more into the darkness surrounding these characters. Don't expect answers right away- or even many answers. But the ones we do get, oh my, they HURT.

Avalon is such an interesting creature. She’s hardened- vicious, stubborn, and fearless. At times, I want to just beg her to be more open, more pliable- but that is not who she is. And, she’s earned the right to be the cold queen she is- she’s lived through so much pain and betrayal that she’s had to protect herself and her heart. At times, she does feel a little one note- but that note is so beautifully rendered, and we do start to see her open her heart a bit more, show a bit more emotion - especially in this story as we explore the aftermath of her experiences in the last book AND the devastating revelations of this one. The more she trusts, the more range we see in her- and the person she resists trusting the most, of course, is Dean- because she knows in her heart that he can get to her, could hurt her in ways she can’t fathom,because she cares. Oh, and DEAN- I love that he loves her just as he is. He relishes her depravity- cause it matches his. They are intense, obsessive, and meant to be. I also loved getting more time with the other sick boys- and I loved their dynamics with each other and Ava.

To be honest, while I liked the first book and loved these characters, I was a bit frustrated by the pacing- both the relationships and the underlying suspense/mystery moved a bit more slowly than I personally prefer, just so much exposition... and the steam was slower burn than I expected from that HAWT cover. Lucy more than made up for the relational piece in the second book- so much angst, a toxic and intense push pull that evolves into an unbreakable connection, and WOAH the steamy times- HOOOOOOOOOOOT. The other action, though, still felt a bit slow to me- we didn’t really get any answers, or even really any cluses, until the last 20% of the book- and oh man, that last 20%, I was furiously turning the page- it was jaw dropping suspense and intense action. The pacing here is more of a crescendo, similar to the last book, but because the relationship moves at a more intense pace and because we have more time to swim around in the big finale, I felt like it worked more for me this time. I’m so glad I picked up the sequel - definitely enjoyed it more than book 1. The intensity, the dark grittiness, the twists, and the insane chemistry between Ava and Dean- okay, I’m on this train now, and I’m ready to see how things end up in what I’m expecting to be a fast paced, revenge packed, and shocking finale!


4.5 stars ⭐️

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as dark & twisted as the first one, and it is glorious! It will make you laugh, curse, hold your breath, gasp out loud, and fan your face. The push & pull between Dean and Avalon isn't over, and it's deliciously torturous. The romantic tension, secrets, suspense, and snark make this a definite page-turner that will leave you guessing and on the edge of your seat in the best way. Buckle up bitches, cuz Avalon is about to go on a wild ride, and you get a front row seat to the show!

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐
I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first half.

Not feeling Avalon 😕

RTC

[Elif Arslan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sert kızlara bayılıyorum dedikten sonra benim ‘fazla sert’ kızla imtihanımdı bu kitap 🙄 fazla erken konuştum sanırım.

Avalon birinci kitap sonunda başına gelen iğrenç olaydan sonra toparlanmak için öfkesine tutunuyor. Bunu anlıyorum ve açıkçası baş etme çabasının sert oluşundan da memnunum. Çünkü karanlık ve umutsuzluk yansıtsaydı cidden tetikleyici bir durum olurdu. Okumak fena derece rahatsızlık verdi. Ama bir noktada hissettiği tek duygu öfkeydi, bu da beni çok yordu. Bazı şeyleri paylaşarak kalbini açmasını çok istedim. Güven, sevgi, şefkat ya da aidiyet ona göre duygular değil ama bu okuyucuda büyük bir kopukluğa neden oluyor.

Yani kız bir noktada sadece öfke öfke öfke diye çığlık atar oldu. Karşısındaki adam mükemmel demiyorum ama belirli kriterleri yerine getirdiğine göre Avalonun da ona güvenmeye başlamasını istedim. Beklediğim sonunda oldu ama 400 sayfalık kitabın son 100 sayfasında. Çok uzatılmış bir durumdu.

Ayrıca Avalon sert ve güçlü bir kadın. Ama bence egosu gözünü kör ediyor, fevri davranıyor ve bu da beni rahatsız ediyor. Daha akıllı ve kontrollü davranmasını istiyorum. Umarım üçüncü kitapta karakter gelişimi yaşar.

Dean bu konuda bence daha iyiydi. Avalon’un onun için farkı bir kadın olduğunu çabuk kabullendi ve buna göre kendine çeki düzen verdi. Özellikle Avalon’a bağlılığını bence çok iyi gösterdi ama sürekli bir itiş kakış ile karşılaştığını okumak bana cidden sabır dedirtti.

Kitabın son 100 sayfası boyunca bir şeylerin ucundan tuttuğumuzu hissettim ama hala büyük bir gizem var. Avalon kesinlikle sadece bir striptizcinin kızı değil, artık eminim. Bilinmeyen babasıyla ilgili bir durumdan şüpheleniyorum ama üçüncü kitap ancak bize kim olduğunu açıklayacak.

Brax ve Abel beni bu kitapta en çok eğlendiren iki karakter oldu. Avalon’u kız kardeş olarak gördüklerini hissedebildim ve bu çok tatlıydı. Onların kitapları da var ve okumayı düşünüyorum çünkü birlikte olacakları kadınlar konusunda yazar en ufak bir spoiler vermedi. Bu da merak hissini canlı tutuyor.

[Fre06 Begum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really am enjoying this series. I liked Dean a lot better in this book than the first as I felt in the first on Avalon’s personality overshadowed his. In this one he was a lot more stronger not just vocally but in his actions too. The twists in this book was very well done and I can’t wait for next one. On a side note for those like myself who don’t like RH but maybe thought it was because of the blurb well be assured it’s not as even I was a bit wary when I requested ARC but so glad to stay it’s an m/f series so far.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kacie Cicotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the second in the series. So I really didn’t like Ava. She has actually won over my heart in this book. It’s a pretty simple plot and a few twists which I can like! I will probably read the next book and I am sort of excited to see what happens in book 3!

[CJ]

Dnf 57%

I’m over half way through and there’s been no plot.

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than the first book. Bit much at times considering we are talking about an 18 year old girl here.. but hey, I am reading to escape reality so...

Jumping right into the next book because I am addicted now.

[MPT · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️



Ok so Stone Cold Queen wasn’t as good as Pretty Little Savage In my opinion. This book was a little more far fetched and I truly can’t believe I’m going to say this, because when I say I love a strong FMC.. I mean it! I even look for that when picking a book to read…so to say this out loud is painful, but Avalon’s character is a little overboard with being a bad ass! It’s just over the top too much. There’s nothing feminine about her, no softness to her, no personality and she’s actually starting to annoy me. Just Not liking her much in this book..



Dean hasn’t gotten any better either. Still a pansy ass when it comes to Avalon. I’m actually starting to like Abel the most. Braxton, I’m very curious about and Luc well I want more of him too…

Dean is just not holding up in my eyes. Yes I love his dirty talking and oh boy his Alphaness in the bedroom is so hot, but still there’s just something missing… I’m not feeling him.




Overall I’m still enjoying this series and I will continue listening/reading because I seriously need to know who is behind all this choas!

Audiobook Review: I have Listened to J.F. Harding in the past and I’m starting to really enjoy his narrating. Elizabeth Russell I’ve only listen to one other time And I find her voice very enjoyable to listen to. Therefore I give them both 4 stars.

[Laura G/ _page.turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy. Crap. HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!

Y’all, this book. These characters. I’m in so deep with them and I am seriously loving every second.

Avalon Manning? Queen. QUEEN!!!! She’s this beautiful, vicious, strong, crazy woman and I will support her until my very last breath. Dean Carter? Ohhhhh, my man is legit. These two are so made for each other. I love this man, love the way he loves Ava. They’re both intense and dark, their demons as much soulmates as they are. They are everything on their own, but together, they are an absolute force.

This book has so many twists, so many turns... I’m pretty sure I caught whiplash at one point. It’s insane! Some of our questions got answered, but so many new ones were raised and I am dying to find out what happens next. Once Ava and the Sick Boys find out what happens next though... people will legit start dying. And it will be ohhhhhhhh so delicious.

Whereas I liked PLS, I am ravenous over SCQ. Obsessed. Natural Born Killers is going to be dark and depraved and I for one, am here for it.

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit ! What a addicting dark bloody roller coaster ride of twists and turns this book was ! I’m obsessed with these characters and this world that this author has created OBSESSED I tell you! Avalon Manning and Dean Carter were made for each other ! I’ve never read a book where I was more sure of a couple belonging together but these two were definitely made for each other. I love Avalon Manning she is by far my favorite lead female character I’ve read about to date ! She’s strong beautiful smart she has a backbone made of steel I’m in awe of her yes I think I have a girl crush on her lol I loved how she opened up more in this book hell all of them opened up more I love how protective all the Sick Boys are of her especially Dean oh boy is he ever protective of his queen and when shit hits the fan he’ll stop at nothing to protect her ! There is so many twists and turns in this story new players revealed or we see their true colors in this one I don’t want to give anything away so I’m just going to leave it at you need to read this story! It’s full of action steam and a suspenseful plot that will have you turning the pages trying to figure out what is going on or who did what . I hope the other boys Abel and Braxton get books they both own my heart but one character that surprised me and I’m kind of feeling for is Luc ! I would absolutely love to read his story! This author is definitely one of my my favorite new authors I read from 2020 and I’m so glad I picked up PLS when I did this was an epic read to close the year with ! Can’t wait for Natural Born Killers this series just keeps getting better and better and I’m so ready for this crew to get their revenge !

** I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book **

[Jacki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet again another FMC who is such a strong bADAsS that she can hold her own against grown men….SHES A TEENAGER FOR F*CKS SAKE.

And could she be any more rude and snotty? And does she constantly have to hit people? She gets more unlikable as the series goes on..

She can HaNdLe HeRsELF cause she’s a big girl, but gets into big trouble cause she’s a dumb dumb and can’t let her man or friends protect her.
She’s a hypocrite, she’s CONSTANTLY challenging Dean, and I mean CONSTANTLY but then pulls stupid crap that she would be pissed if he did. (I’m trying not to spoil the books, but if you’ve read it, you know exactly what I mean).
Other than sexual chemistry and the fact that he likes that she didn’t bend over backwards for him upon their meeting, I don’t understand why he likes her..seriously.

Her attitude is ruining the books..which is disappointing, cause they could be SO GOOD.

The smut is yummy and Deans dirty talk is *drool* and the storyline and “mystery” of what is going on has me intrigued. I also enjoy the authors writing otherwise this would be a DNF. Now onto the third book…

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Lucy Joyeux (Gazikova) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This freaking book is a killer of mine! I mean, I loved every freaking twisted dark second of it! This is exactly MY TYPE of book and I crave more of Lucy's writing!!

As I said in my previous review this book just fulfills everything inside of me. In a book I need rage, violence, hurt, love, anger, danger, hate and so much more and the author has delivered this and much more!

I love when the story has a strong H and even stronger h, it makes the story more interesting and entertaining to read.

I also love Abel, Braxton and Rylie and I kind of hope she ends up with one of the boys, haha.

Now I might be a little more drastic, so if you don't like that please skip, but I need to say this here. Usually when our heroine gets in trouble she's waiting for her H to save her, but in this story our previous and violent h saves herself and even enjoys it. I know it's messed up, but it's my cup of coffee and I can't tell you how effing happy I was reading that part!

I know I'm supposed to say so much more, but I can't. I need you to read this book because this one gets even better than Pretty Little Savage and that's a lot to say! If you won't fine by me, I have a secret to myself. Shh...

There is still so much left that I haven't got my answers or Avalon haven't gotten her answers to, but I bet anything that in the next one we will get them NO MATTER WHAT COST!

So for now, I hope if you'll read this book you'll enjoy The Sick Boys and our Queen.

[TJ *Book Twins Reviews* · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s official! I’m completely hooked. I’ll definitely binge the rest of the series now that I’m hooked on the characters.

This book is a bit grittier, however Dean’s obsession with Avalon just sealed my fate. Boy obsessed is my new favorite thing in the world! Lol

Definitely check triggers before grabbing this series, but if you’re a dark romance reader give it a go!

[Kristen Porter · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.... Good Lord, I like strong willed lead females, but this one is intolerable.

[Ashley Estep The Art of Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone Cold Queen is book 2 in the Sick Boys series from Lucy smokes and once again an addicting ride.

I love a savage heroine and Avalon Manning is just that. She's everything I would normally use to describe a hero, vicious, cold, strong, a little bit crazy. There are heroines and then there are heroines. Then there is Dean Carter, and I just love them as well. He's used to everyone falling at his feet and let's face it Avalon is not that person.

The twist and turns are back with Stone Cold Queen. Everytime I thought I knew something Smoke said, nope. Some of the questions I had from book one were answered, while some were not. For every question she answered she left me another. The Sick Boys series is full of mystery. The dark, twistedness that is Stone Cold Queen had me hooked from start to finish. I could not stop reading.

Sick Boys is my first series from Lucy Smoke and I can tell you I need more! I love the dual POV, the savage that is Avalon! The chemistry between Dean and Avalon, the twist and turn, everything just makes this book what it is. If I could have the next book now that would be amazing! I NEED book 3!

[Luca · Rating 3 out of 5]

El crecimiento de personaje más notable es el mío porque de "Es para disfrutar" evolucioné a "Es para criticar".

Siendo esta la segunda parte de una trilogía (mátenme, que queda uno) siento que la historia se ha quedado en un punto blanco en el que no avanza ni retrocede... SOLO NO PASA NADA. La relación de Avalon y Dean es una basura, yo lo sé, mi hermana lo sabe, todo el mundo lo sabe (menos ellos, claramente). Literalmente su relación se basa en soportarse y tenerse ganas al otro (de amor ni te hablo), resumiendo la relación:

Dean dice algo = Avalon gruñe
Dean hace algo = Avalon gruñe
Dean respira = Avalon y yo gruñimos (que tampoco me cae muy bien él)

A. Cosas que me parecieron ridículas (enumeradas, por su puesto):

1. Los protagonistas se tiran aires de grandeza, llamándose a ellos mismos reyes y nada que ver, solo son jóvenes con mucho dinero del bolsillo de sus padres y sin enterarse de nada en absoluto.

2. Avalon tenía mis respetos hasta que se sintió con el derecho de darle una lección a alguien que por más que no fuera bueno, tampoco se lo merecía, ella usó su fuerza contra alguien que ni siquiera se podía defender y solo para conseguir ese "poder" del que todos se jactan de tener, para mí solo perdió mi respeto y se ganó el apodo de RIDÍCULA.

3. El hecho de que Avalon y los Sick boys llamen cabezas huecas a las chicas que tienen dinero, quieren novios, son femeninas y... ¿bueno, ya me entendiste?

4. Avalon y sus problemas de temperamento.

5. Dean y el hecho que parece que piensa o con el culo o con el pene.

6. También me parece ridículo que sean tres libros de esta pareja, en el primer libro me gustaron, en este me parecieron demasiado sosos. Me da pereza leerlos.


B. Cosas que me gustan (y no tienen nada que ver con Avalon y Dean porque nadie los quiere):

1. Mi poderisísima Riley, sigo torturándome con estos libros por ella, solo quiero leer cómo le patea el culo a Abel.

2. Braxton es lindo hasta cierto punto, el menos imbécil a mi parecer, aunque todavía no logra despertarme el interés.

3. Luc Kincaid y el hecho de que me guste más con una sola aparición (y ni siquiera le hizo justicia), solo me molesta que llame tonta a Kate, le baja puntos; pero le sigo teniendo esperanzas.

4. Corina le dio un patada en el cerebro a Avalon y era lo que se necesitaba porque la única cabeza hueca es ella.

5. Ace me gusta porque sí y si lo matan me voy a enojar.

En fin, la vida sigue.

[Ren || Reading What I Want · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone Cold Queen by mother freaking Lucy Smoke kicked my ass, ground my heart into a pulp, and spit it out in a bloody heap.

Holy shit.

Avalon is a BEAST. This dark, gritty, VIOLENT, sexy AF book is a rollercoaster of emotions. Dean. DEAN, y'all. That man has jumped up on my list of book boyfriends because he is alpha, possessive, and a little deranged. And I LOVE it. Avalon and Dean are destined and I'm so damn glad they are finally getting to that point. Their push/pull was hot as hell and I lived for their angry, sexually charged moments.

And the plot? Twists and turns, lies and betrayals, sex and blood. You think you know what's coming, but I promise you don't. I devoured this book. I cracked up at parts (manties & mantrums). My heart ached for Avalon and everything she goes through but with the Sick Boys by her side, Hell is about to rain down on those pulling all the strings. Revelations were revealed but we still have a way to go in this amazing story. And I can't freaking wait.

[Mia S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book and looooving! I love how strong Avalon is, and at points think too much- but really with all the drama around her it’s about right! So more to the story but of course it doesn’t finish, but not a cliffhanger that is too horrible, but it’s there!

[Vanessa97 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stelle

[Stacey Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone Cold Queen is just as captivating as the first in the series. I really love how this plot is set up. This would make for a good movie. Ava doesn't take bs even from the sick boys. Ava is as snarky as she is beautiful. She has the confidence I only dream of. The series is a literary masterpiece. Lucy is talented and knows how to pack a punch.

[Brianna - Mindfulnessreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexier and A More Twisted Read
I’m not afraid of him, I crave him

A 5 star read for sure

That goes without saying that I absolutely CRAVED this book. I couldn’t wait to finally read the sequel of Pretty Little Savage, and now that I have, oh my god. I don’t know what I expected to happen in STQ, all I knew for sure was that it was most likely going to rock my world. And rock did it do.

I wasn’t sure if Avalon was gonna break from her trauma or if it was only gonna make her stronger. Now looking back after reading this, I don't know why I thought that, cause I mean, this is Avalon freaking Manning. Nothing can break her. She’s literally one of the strongest female leads I’ve ever read, and I love how nothing stops her. She's a determined force and once she has her mind set on something, she knows how to go for it.

Now Dean. Oh my god my precious alpha Dean Carter. He’s so crazy about Ava. I literally could not stop swooning over him every time he talked about how Ava made him feel. Ava and Dean certainly belong together. There's no two pairing that knows exactly how the other one is feeling besides these two. Dean is so protective and possessive over her that it still isn't at all surprising that Ava is still against it. He literally can’t help it and *swoon.*

I loved seeing the struggle Ava had with her feelings towards Dean. That was the one thing she couldn’t control, and Ava likes her control. And I loved seeing how Dean, against his better self, tried in certain circumstances to give her that, but you know, it's Dean, so that only lasted for a short minute.

There were so many twists with this one. Not just about “who done it” but about it being a more twisted read. A darker read. Gosh did it get darker and sexier with it becoming twister. That's what makes Dean and Avalon so magnetic, they understand that darker side they have. I honestly never knew where this one was going, Lucy had me overthinking and analyzing everyone. I love when books make you figure it out and it doesn’t tell you right away. Like this book was such a perfect sequel. I can’t wait to find out what's gonna happen next in the third book. Not only is Dean and Ava out for blood, but so is Brax and Able. You mess with their Queen, you mess with them all. Goddamn I recommend everyone who loves darker reads to read this right here!

*arc exchanged for an honest review*

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book ends on a cliffhanger. Supposedly, the third book ("Natural Born Killers") is coming out in April 2021.

I like the series enough to look forward to the next book. I will say, however, Avalon's character development has been stagnant. In the 1st book, I enjoyed how independent and badass she was. In this 2nd book, she was annoying (and to be honest, MORE PSYCHO than badass). Dean's character development has been great! He's exposing more of his vulnerability to Avalon and proving just how much she means to him. I only wish she'd reciprocate this to the same degree, or at least show SOME vulnerability/softening up to Dean.

We've seen the hard-shell woman Avalon is, now let's see more of her inner layers! Instead, I lost count of the number of times she has punched people or stolen a car to run away. Her method of deflection just makes her look immature. I think I would have liked her more had I seen her becoming increasingly accepting to the Sick Boys, since it's obvious how much they care for her. She grew up with a hard life, alone, but now with the Sick Boys by her side, it'd be nice to see her show some appreciation for how much they've done for her.

Also, I wish we saw more of Avalon's thought processing and coping from the number of unfortunate events that unfolded in this book. Instead, these incidents felt kind of like they were brushed under the rug by Avalon?

All the characters but Avalon grew on me. For the next book, please make her more likable by showing a different perspective, a more softer or accepting side of her rather than this constant hard exterior-front she puts on. I think this would help me relate to her more. Also, I'd love for more Dean POV chapters!