Tempest

by Madilyn DeRose

Mark
Running away from my problems has never been my style. Burying them? That's something I'm intimately familiar with. Until Sibon, that is. She ripped open my head and pulled out all the disgusting things that dwell there. That's not even my biggest problem, though. That award goes to the relentless fucker who refuses to take a hint. It's not that I don't like him. I just can't like him. That's where the shit in my head comes in. He needs to give up on me and if he won't, I'll just have to force his hand. I ran away for a reason and I'm not coming back.

Alex
After the man of my dreams turned me down, I figured it would be best to move on. I was doing just fine until he came to my house looking all sad and smelling like booze. He ghosted me again, of course, then I decided to put myself out there and make a grand gesture by begging him not to move to Seattle. He barely even gave me the chance to open my mouth. I know how to take a hint. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm going to continue to poke that bear until I get what I want. There's also a chance he'll kill me, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. There's just one little problem that I never would have expected and it has to do with my crazy as hell best friend. None of my classes could have prepared me for what I'm getting into here.

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

About the author

I'm a self-published author who generally has a dozen projects going at one time. Check out one of my completed series or follow along with what's currently ongoing.

I was born in Portland, OR and I will unashamedly claim that the PNW is the best place to be. Catch me with an iced coffee in hand, even in the rain and snow.

My main genres are romance and fantasy. Some of my content is very dark, but it varies by book/series, so please check the content warnings in each book before diving in!

I hope you enjoy my books and leave me a review with your honest opinion!

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never want this series to end. The twists and turns keep you wanting to come back for more. I love this world and these characters so much. Mark and Alex are a couple you want to root for and want to see happy. I loved being able to see their realtionship through other people's eyes. I cant wait for the next book in this series.

[Ebook Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to start by saying READ THE TRIGGER! Also, you need to read this series in order.
The character development is so beautiful to watch unfold and the connection between everyone builds. So many emotions. Alex is just a green flag man that Mark is lucky to have in his life. This dark world of magic, vampires, love, and humor makes for a gravity pull to my soul making me want to become part of it. I am always craving the next book in this series and can’t wait to see what comes next as the battles happen and Hemlock’s unhinge methods are unleashed. Ser and Ruth I will see you in the next book and you better fix my heart Ser!! Vas I see you!


Favorite Quotes
“A bunch of broken pieces can still be arranged into something beautiful. I’d break myself so I could loan you the pieces that would make you whole again.”

“Maybe I’ll freak out, but every time that’s happened, you somehow bring me back to myself. I’ve never trusted anyone as much as I trust you.”

“I was once again flabbergasted that all of this was mine. The universe decreed it. No take-backsies.

“Show me how to love you without being afraid.”

My Rating System:
1 star: Probably DNF - Lacks structure - Grammatical Errors - Boring characters
2 stars: Not a fan - Struggled to finish - Won't reread - Lacked personality - Lacked storyline
3 stars: Neutral - Underwhelmed - Nothing special - Like the book but we're still troubled by a few components
4 stars: Enjoyed - Concept unique - Dialogue felt real - Invested in characters - Missing cherry on top
5 stars: Creme de la creme - It's addictive - Emotional Impact - Highly Recommend - Feels like you are part of the book

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I have been in a book slump for the past couple of months and this book came in and grabbed me by my hair and pulled me out of it. This book was raw and had some intense emotions throughout. I have been waiting to read tempest after reading the first two in the series. I was super excited to see if anything would blossom between Alex and Mark and let me tell you something… it was worth the wait. I love how both of them set up boundaries and respected them and that Alex never gave up on Mark. There were some povs in there that took me by surprise, that I gasped and was like "whattt?!!" I loved it! As always, Lock and Sam were unhinged and I loved it.The writing as always was superb and flowed smoothly. I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out! Actually I'm super stoked for any book that comes out by Madilyn. I also have some favorite quotes that made me laugh out loud. One of them is "stop rambling like a coked-out ADHD goblin (Mark.) To add some context for this next one Mark met another vampire named ness and he asked if it was short for something else. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt by not assuming it's that god-awful name from twilight." I immediately was like nooo not the renessemae slander 😂😂. Anyways I absolutely loved this book and will be gnawing on the bars of my enclosure until the next book in the series comes out.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🌶🌶🌶

[Kate Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Alex and Mark! This book has just dragged me out of the biggest reading slump I have been in and now I’m going to have to go back to the very beginning and reread the first 3 books as I need to stay in Lock and Sam’s world.
With this authors books you can never guess where it is going to go, the only things you can guarantee is there will be lots of unhinged violence, many things that I have to Google in private browser, and an amazing story that will keep you hooked till the very end. I love the multiple storylines that keep you guessing and wondering and can’t wait to see where the next book takes us. Major trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Read them. This is a predominantly M/M book so if that’s not your thing give this one a miss. As always I highly recommend!

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A bunch of broken pieces can still be arranged into something beautiful. I'd break myself so I could loan you the pieces that would make you whole again.

Tempest is book 4 in Madilyn DeRose's amazing Malefic Bloodlines series, and it continues on with the overarching story from the previous three books. These must be read in order!

This is Alex and Mark's story.

There are some dark themes so do check the author's notes.

What To Expect:

❥MM PNR
❥Vampires
❥All the angst
❥All the spice
❥Magic
❥Violence
❥Dark themes

Loved it!

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the series, but this time the focus is away from Sam and Lock and most of the apocalyptic style magic, death and mayhem, and looks at Mark and Alex's origins story.
Loved seeing their relationship develop and learning about Mark's tragic backstory and seeing his emotional healing. They are the perfect pair and although they had a bumpy start their connection was powerful.
This was a nice tangent to the series, it's certainly less violent than it's predecessors mainly as the focus isn't on the psychopath couple, but I loved the bonds it explored, and Alex adjusting to his new life.
The multiple POV tie in with the other books and shows the threads all coming together for the big shows downs still to come.
✨ M/M romance, vampires, trauma and healing, mate bonds, elemental powers.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG Madilyn has done it again. This book is AMAZING!!! Let me start with I'm slightly obsessed I even got a Belladonna and school tattoo because of these books. I love to see the progression of Mark and Alex relationship. I wanted something good for both of them and I think they're amazing together. Sam and Lock will always be my favorite. I wouldn't mind having my own Lock or Raf. I was surprised by Raf's mate. As much as I don't want the series to end I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempest is the fourth book in the Malefic Bloodlines series. I am absolutely in aww of this dark world that Madilyn DeRose has created. This is a series that puts a twist on vampires. There is magic, vampires, and mates. There are also unhinged vampires that have psychopathic tendencies! Everything that is needed. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. There is still so much that I need to know!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does it again! I love everything this author writes - the world building and the characters are so complex. I loved seeing Alex and Mark's relationship progress through different eyes as well as the overarching storyline. I gasped, I cheered and I got mad 😂 The ending had me SHOOK and I cannot wait for the next book!!

I was kindly provided with an early copy of this book and so I am giving my thoughts.

[Kelley wellmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madilyn has done it again! She left me hanging and craving more!!!! With the 4th installment in the maleficent bloodlines series we are diving deeper into the nexus bond! Alex and mark have had this push and pull relationship, but once Alex changes their whole relationship alters! We also dive deeper into Sibon, vas and Nia but not quite enough to answer all the questions your left with!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book was more mating and much less killing. While it wasn’t quite as dark as previous books it certainly left the door open for more upheaval so now I have to wait and see if there will be another book. We need to finish with Ser and Ruth. And who is Bren? Need more info on Vas too please.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Alexandra Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is MM it’s about Mark and oh lalalalalal is it good. The character development is there and there is some heartache in this one but there is so much emotion and unsaid words. Nexus will be they finally come together?

[Spellbound.Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is SO well written. As I'm sure I've said many times, this bitey series is my absolute favorite in existence and Tempest did not disappoint.

Plot: Tempest starts where Nexus leaves off. The way that this series transitions from one book to the next is absolutely amazing and leaves no questions about what happened in the missing months or years between books. Although we are following different characters in this book, we still know exactly what is going on with the other characters and the plot progresses seamlessly.

Characters: This time we are predominantly following Mark and Alex. Mark's backstory is absolutely tragic and the angst between these two as they work toward their ending had me feeling warm and fuzzy then wanting to throw my kindle because the battle between trauma and love is real.

Spice: The spice is spicing with this one and once again, Madilyn has introduced me to concepts that I never knew existed.

To the author:

How DARE you continue to make my heart feel warm and fuzzies then break it with the torment and angst that you put characters that I have become attached to through??

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

‘A bunch of broken pieces can still be arranged into something beautiful. I'd break myself so I could loan you the pieces that would make you whole again.’ - Alex.

This book 😭
I don’t have many words, I’m still reeling from it all.

Takes on from Nexus and the plot thickens even more.
The character growth was amazing but broke my heart. 🥲

An amazing read, but I need more of course. I need answers! That ending 🫠

It’s a must read in this series. 🖤