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After discovering the reality behind my current situation, I’m spinning. My friends are keeping their distance and I have no one except the Cardinals.

Did they plan it that way? Isolate me so they have me all to themselves?

But when their ultimate goal to pull me into their web is revealed, I realise that I have more power than I thought and that these four men might just be my salvation instead of my damnation.

This is a dark academia reverse harem with plenty of TWs. This takes place in an entirely fictional world set in the UK. This is the second and final book in the first duet of the Royals of KnightsGate with Ever and her guys.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2024

354 people are currently reading
325 people want to read

About the author

S.E. Traynor

13 books39 followers
Pen name for author Eve Newton

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5 stars
231 (32%)
4 stars
194 (27%)
3 stars
183 (25%)
2 stars
76 (10%)
1 star
20 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
19 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2024
You know how a FMC gets their VCards snatched away through repeated ritualistic cult gang NC? But then by 30% of the book, they’re totally over their brain melting trauma? Which included being forced to unalive people? Because her abu$ers sorta said sorry? And then how the abu$ers lie to her (again) but this time she volunteers to brand herself for no reason and no follow up? And then right after, she has first time consensual group sexxy times? And those super apologetic guys force 2 P’s in her recently deVCarded kitty with no prep? But what the FMC is REALLLLY worried about is giving a speech cause speaking in public is hard?

If you’re screaming:
WTF!!! THIAT MAKES NO SENSE!!!!!!!

Don’t read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Trish.
346 reviews4 followers
April 7, 2025
Burn Me

A dark rh read definitely. But delightful if this is your jam. I love how much emotion and poetic words to describe what each character is feeling. My only issue is I didn't really understand the reason or goals of the sect(s). What were they aiming or fighting for? But the story is definitely a re-read series for me.
Profile Image for Catherine Leigh.
1,518 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2024
fantastic ending for this duet

I loved this duet, the suspense and Mystery was phenomenally written with such emotion and detail.
The RH steamy scenes were honestly smoking hot AF 🔥🔥🔥🥵🥵
Loved the danger, blood, death and rituals.
Overall a phenomenal book - loved the ending!
Profile Image for Janus Alexander.
Author 3 books2 followers
May 29, 2024
Frustrated

So, I liked the first book enough to give it 5 stars. I’m into non con/dub con and glossed over the attempt by the author to make one into the other when it wasn’t believable about the female MC. But I was like hey, still a hot scene and I’m sure there will be great consequences for the male MCs next book. But here is the problem, I crack open the next book, and in a short number of pages, she’s all falling over them for comfort then worrying about how she needs to get strong not to be “the weakest link” in their group. Whaaa??? Nowhere is this response supported by the building of her character in the first book. And I’d be ok if she responded in character to her initiation for longer then the male MCs convince her to come around - but nope. We’re cuddling and worrying about how to be a team. Ugh. I like this author, and like I said, gave the first book a five star rating. But dang.
45 reviews2 followers
February 27, 2024
Oh goodness me. What. A. Rush. This second instalment of the Royals of KnightsGate is pacy, punchy and oh so deliciously dark. Ever is left reeling when she realises the reality of her situation, isolated from her friends with no one but the Four Cardinals, Ever’s doubts plague her mind. Are the Four Cardinals what they seem or is she about to plunge deeper into a situation that could prove difficult? Will circumstances show that Ever has the power to overcome odds? Will the Four Cardinals prove to be her strength or the reason for her downfall?

What a ride! This book was incredibly intense and deliciously dark. It was such a wonderful addition to the first instalment, carrying us forward seamlessly into this beautifully brooding, dark and twisted world. The storyline packed a punch and left you on the edge of your seat, thinking you knew what to expect then realising that the unexpected was the way forward. It weaved its way around my little black heart and kept me second guessing, desperate to read on but also, not wanting to go too fast so I could savour every word. Again, trigger warnings need to be read. There’s some seriously dark and twisted stuff in these pages and you’re prewarned to give peace of mind and so you can be informed. This is not a book for the lighthearted. That’s what makes it so epic.

I actually adore Ever. I love her tenacity. I love her strength. I adore her resolve. She is a kickass female lead and her story was so immersive that I felt like I was right beside her, cheering her success and experiencing the trials and tribulations she faced. I love SE’s ability to write such strong woman that are also vulnerable and human. I love her ability to give so many scope to someone written on a page. The men, beautifully dark as ever, continued to surprise with their brooding, dangerous ways whilst still being able to reveal glimpses of vulnerability. I adore them all.

This was an amazing second instalment and I genuinely miss the reading experience! This really fitted my niche and I can’t wait to read more of the same from SE, if it’s anything like this…we’re in for a treat.
474 reviews5 followers
March 7, 2024
What do you do when you find out your the long lost duchess. Well you become Queen

I loved this duet. Honestly. I loved how she came around . Took that crown and made it hers. I wish we would of gotten more of it tho. Of them actually ruling and making a change. I felt this book was to short. I tried to look up the next duet which is Alex's and I'm assuming the guys next to him if it's a RH or him by himself idk cause it wouldn't cone up and I couple find it. I wanted to order it. I'm not that bummed tho. I dont typically read the next duet or next series one that gives the side characters a series. I've read them yes but they have to be really really good side characters. Even tho Alex was in there in the beginning he really wasn't involved much even as a side character. I would check it out if I knew when it was out or will be out. I highly recommend this book cause I thought it was so good and I think you'll enjoy this read. Alistair and Damian where my favs even if I loved all 4 of the guys. I really wish we had more of them. I going to miss them. The story isbgood smutt even better but I wish we got more after she got the crown. Not to mention her parents what they just didn't come to ger graduation and I wish we would of another but extended convo with her parents to hear the explanation.
Profile Image for Kristine.
126 reviews
April 6, 2024
I thought I’d get answers in this book, but not really. It was rushed and pretty anti-climatic. The FMC went from being literally a weepy, afraid-of-everyone’s words cry baby to being able to stand up to a person trying to kill her? Yeah okay. And I literally laughed out loud when she didn’t listen after the ball and thought she could help the guys in the fight in the mansion. I mean girl. You have no training. They have been training their whole lives for this stuff. What can you do besides get in the way? Then at the end she was all the sudden a leader in their little group-giving orders, making decisions, etc? What?

Also, the way her friends treated her after the fire was so over the top it was unbelievable. They had been living together and bff for 3 years and they said those things to her without talking to her?

It says the next book takes place during Alex’ year 3. But is that the following year, or two years later? Because when we are first introduced to Alex the guys are “impressed” with him because he is “only a freshman”, but then every other mention is says he is a second year….
673 reviews12 followers
April 14, 2024
Rushed, unbelievable

Spoilers in review:
This duet includes reverse harem, secret society, found Heritage and royalty. There is little world building and even after reading both novels I really have no idea what the society was all about. There is almost no back story other than unbelievable family connections. I read most of it with one eyebrow cocked skeptically. Book one starts off with describing the heroine as a poor daughter with a disgraced family line. She is taken in by the four Cardinals who apparently have always known about her and her "destiny"? This destiny is really never revealed other than they all want her to be their queen, and queen of this secret society. None of the characters have a clear back story. Book one ends with them taking her without consent during a bizarre ritual involving sex, blood and murder. The enemy factions are never explained, they just are. Book two begins and continues with her buying wholeheartedly into the society? After they violated her?? Crazy story. The only reason I kept reading was to find out more about the world, but no answers here.
Profile Image for Leopardwolf.
593 reviews7 followers
February 22, 2024
I'd give this 10 stars If I could - it's right up my dark alley!
What an amazing second part of Ever's story. Wow. This duet is just amazing and I loved that I didn't have to wait after the amazing cliff hanger in Mark Me, genius by the author and I wish more did it this way.
The darkness gets darker and the bad people circle, baying for Bl00d but Ever and her Cardinals are strong enough to weather the storm.....right?
Love Ever's growth and determination to reclaim what was lost, what's rightfully hers and woe betide anyone who gets between her and her destiny. With once friends now enemies, how can they find their way to the truth?
Absolutely loved this duet and it'll remain on my eReader and be a favourite reread I'm sure.

Bring on the night, embrace the darkness and love the crayzeee. Set your soul free and be the queen and Duchess you were born to be!
146 reviews
April 13, 2024
just no

*spoilers*
I was hoping this would be a little better than the first but it was just bad. The spicy scenes were good but it was always as a group and they kept doing dp, which imo just doesn’t land for my tastes personally. The main reason for the rating is the story itself. They defeat the threat about halfway through and the rest is just fluff. Are we serious? You could have just made it into 1 book with everything I read. The author tried to make the characters have some depth but it was just rushed, sloppy, story telling. Unless someone can help this author in the future, I don’t know if I could read anything from them again. Just pretty disappointing overall.
Profile Image for ❤️JEN.
27 reviews
July 25, 2024
So so much potential! Storyline has cults, sects, Knights Templar, shadows and secrets but she missed the mark ROYALLY! After spending 2 books talking nonstop about the secret sect and who was involved, we get NO explanation of what it truly is. I know she hints around at it but more in depth would have made the story much better. And as for the FMC, what is her deal, and why is she made Queen? And Queen if what? Just the 4 guys, who? And why was she in particular so special other than the Knight name?

I wanted so much to live this series from reading the storyline. But I was very disappointed after finishing Book 2 with more questions than answers. I know sometimes smut downy have much of a storyline but if you’re going to start with it, take it to the end and explain things
2,606 reviews15 followers
February 26, 2024
Well this is a 5 star plus read for me. I really loved the ever loving fluff out of this one. I love that the duet released on the same day so no waiting time on it. I dived right into reading it after finishing Mark me. This isn't for the faint of heart though as it is a darker romance for sure. Ever and her guys, the cardinals, are fighting for the right to reclaim what was theirs all along. This does lead to getting to know who your friends are and who your enemy. I love the twists here and I really wish I could pick at the authors brain. She does worldbuilding so well and yes I am a fan for sure but rightfully so. I'm blown away!
Profile Image for Michaella Armstrong.
65 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2024
Okay if your here for the review let me save you time by saying. YES, you need this duet.
The author holds you captive in book one and book two brings it all together.
The amount of times I thought for sure there was no way the FMC could handle anything else, she surely proved me wrong. Fights are had, blood is shed and enemy’s are made known. But you can bet the FMC and her band of Men are not gonna give up easily.
They fight for themselves every step of the way.
The spice is beyond words of perfection as SE Traynor does it yet again. It’s like she reaches in our minds and pulls out the darkest secrets from the depths of our souls.

389 reviews
February 26, 2025
Read at your own peril.

I'm not sure if this author if this was a new book and she's trying something new. Normally this author is really, really good with storyline, but on this one I don't know if she got a new editor or she did use an editor but it was full of mostly junk. I bypassed most of this book just so that I could get to the interesting part and with Eva north, she's usually very, very good. I don't know if how much of this book she did, but Essie, taller and all? I'm not sure if she did this. And this is her set of books, it's just, it was not very good. The series was not good, cut it all.
Profile Image for Chris06.
607 reviews6 followers
February 22, 2024
Another 5 star book. So many times I thought Ever was going to walk away and break under pressure but she is a Queen among men.

Questions are answered … truths come out … and five become one.

Enemies come out of the shadows and battles are fought … a victor reclaims her destiny.

Innocence lost … desires rise … paths are followed and a new Queen is crowned.

This is fast paced …
Super freaking 🥵….

They need another story several years down the road cause man they are 🔥 together.

I can’t wait for the next duet in this series to come out.
Profile Image for Katie.
1,989 reviews16 followers
February 25, 2024
Wow what a story!! This is book 2 in this dark duet and we are right back with Ever and the guys. Picks right up from first book Mark me left off. Finally got some answers to those questions I had burning in my head. From start to finish I devoured this story. This book was mind blowing. I literally felt like I got sucked into the story with how engrossed I was. Storyline is out of this world and let’s not forget the steam. I absolutely loved this duet. Highly Highly recommend reading. So cannot wait to read what comes next.
929 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2024
Ms SE gives us a brilliant finish to this amazing duet! Ever's story with the four cardinals continues from the kicka$$ cliffhanger in book one. We see Ever grow and come into her own as she learns about her guys and what is needed for them to all survive. Well written with complex characters and plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat and turning pages throughout. Don't forget to read the trigger warnings as this is a very DARK READ! I loved reading this story and highly recommend the duet. Don't miss out on this book!!
598 reviews
May 11, 2024
Duet review. I read the duet and I am not sure what I read. I still don’t understand the storyline. No relationship building. The FMC is strong, then weak, then strong .. continue loop. Then the “ritual” where she lost her V was just horrible. Then afterwards she was mad about it then not then mad. She says she consented then didn’t then did. The whole plot line of the “sect” did not make sense to me. The reader gets the outline version and not further details. Then all of a sudden they love each other and doing it like rabbits.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
300 reviews
February 25, 2024
This was such an incredible duet and this book brought a few plot twists that I was not expecting! I loved the steam level in this book as well as watching Ever grow into who she is, especially after book one's ending!

You are in for a bumpy ride with this duet but it is so worth it! The men are hot, the story will suck you and and you will be flipping through until the last page! I highly recommend you grabbing this dark and delicious duet!
29 reviews
February 27, 2024
SE Traynor’s first foray into dark contemporary romance started off like an explosion. In the conclusion to this duet, the steam was definitely on the rise, the psychotic suspense abounds along with twists that may have you in tangles. As a duet this is a strong 4.5 stars for me, I feel like the second half was a little too fast for my liking. I think more crazy before the HEA would’ve been more mouthwatering.
Profile Image for Ellie .
735 reviews21 followers
February 27, 2024
I loved this duet! It was a fast paced duet that you won't want to put down. The FMC grows beautifully from book 1 to book 2 and you want her to succeed and grow! There is so much that goes on, fighting,enemies, and so much other fun things happen. winkwink.

This duet has everything you could ever want, world & character building, a little bit of darkness, a bit of mystery and so much more. As always check TW!
Profile Image for Rem.
38 reviews
February 28, 2024
okay so like they literally gang raped her and covered her in blood of a man they killed but let’s still fall in love or somethin i guess. i still am really confused on the entire plot of this book. the spicy was decent but there is no way on vajayjay can fit that without literally splitting
“Come for us, and when your climax hits and you soak Damien’s cock, cut him.”- this line gave me the ick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
218 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2024
Enjoyed every minute!

I read this duet in 3 days, cramming every available opportunity into turning pages. Ever and her 4 Knights came together as she willingly assumed her role as their Queen. I liked that it was two books and the story moved quickly versus being stretched out over 3 or 4 books. It is a dark read and the author is clear on that. Sometimes I think people forget this is fiction. I’m hoping for more.
Profile Image for Sammy.
48 reviews
June 30, 2024
Purely awful couldn’t even get past the first 10 chapters. Not because of how “dark” because I have no triggers and read dark romance. It was just stupid the FMC is brutalized and raped and forgives and forgets almost immediately. The whole things was so far fetched and honestly borderline rage bait tbh. For reference 1 of 2 books I DNF’d I usually always finish it no matter how much I dislike because I need to know endings but for this I genuinely couldn’t even get through it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dawn Milligan.
2,659 reviews16 followers
February 23, 2024
OH my lanta my heart needed that this is a completed duet with a quick release and thank goodness i needed to know what was going to happen for our girl this was so wicked good i devoreded it and love love their happy ever after! a smash for me and i think im a go do a reread cause im not quite ready to let these guys go just yet!
6,481 reviews22 followers
February 24, 2024
We are dropped right back into Ever's story, where it left off in Mark Me. It continues it incredible edge of your seat intensity, while continuing to get darker. I am so glad that I didn't have to wait for this conclusion to get answers and the revelations. I loved this fast paced read and reading Ever's development. I am very excited that there is another duet coming to this series.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
3,975 reviews63 followers
February 25, 2024
Just wow!! This duet had me swinging back & forth with all the flaming great plot twists and underhand people. I couldn't keep up with it all but my word were they good though. Ever (FMC) comes out of herself more in this book (or I thought so) and embraced all of what she needs to do for her and the guys. Dark and deliciously sinfully brilliant. Loved It.
51 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2024
This is part 2 and it picks up mid sentence where part 1 left off..
Ever and her A B C D guys are in a battle to the finish and does it get intense.
People you think are your friends are turning against you left and right. New challenges come out of the woodwork.
Ever needs secrets answered. The guys try to keep her in the dark as long as possible. Her parents need to come clean.
This is part 2 and conclude Ever and her guys. More to come in other sects
Profile Image for Kayla.
53 reviews10 followers
February 27, 2024
This was a great end of a duet, this book definitely paces a punch. I loved how we didn't have to wait months after the cliffhanger but damn. The way Ever reclaimed what she lost was amazing and how her men helped her with the friends turned enemies was wow. Another book series that I absolutely love, thank you so much SE Traynor
Profile Image for Nicole J Brookings.
12 reviews
February 29, 2024
SE Traynor is amazing. How she gets better and better with each book is nothing less than mind blowing. This second book in this duet kept me on my toes. She's able to bring the characters to life, I cry with them, hold me breath with them and crave some of the darkest things I never thought of wanting. Bravo, truly breath taking books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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