The Life of Anna, Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act Two

The Life of Anna

by Marissa Honeycutt

One man's quest for ultimate power. One woman's shattered existence. A love that refuses to die.

Anna's world has crumbled into ruins, with Devin standing triumphant atop the rubble. Everything she once cared about has been razed, demolished by her Master's relentless pursuit of power. As Devin's power grows, the last pillars of Anna's autonomy come crashing down. She is reduced to a mere extension of his will, a hollow vessel for his ambitions. Under Devin's absolute dominion, the Anna who once dreamed of love and freedom fades into oblivion.

But in the darkest corners of Anna's shattered existence, a flicker of love remains, though she believes Alex to be dead. Unbeknownst to her, Alex lives, held captive yet unwavering in his love for Anna. In the face of Devin's overwhelming evil, this hidden spark of devotion silently defies his tyranny.

Devin's ultimate goals stretch far beyond the ruins of Anna herself. His power, deeply entwined with what he extracts from her, propels him to new heights of manipulation and cruelty. As his influence expands, the stakes rise not just for what remains of Anna, but for all those caught in his growing empire of power.

In this harrowing conclusion, the full extent of Devin's terrifying ambition is revealed. As his endgame unfolds, the true cost of ultimate power hangs in the balance, challenging the very essence of free will and humanity in a final, desperate clash between love and unrelenting evil.

★★★★★

A NOTE ABOUT THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

For the past ten years, The Life of Anna has set the standard for Dark Fiction in many reader’s minds.
There are times when you will question your sanity, question reality, and question the value of continuing reading. You will love it, or you will hate it. There is no in between.
Originally published in five parts, this new Ten-Year Anniversary Edition has been revised, re-edited and restored to its original format of one (very long) story, although split into two Acts for publishing purposes. New scenes have been added as well.
Be warned, this is a hard book to read. While Anna’s story is not categorized as a romance, it does contain romantic elements. It is Anna’s story, told in all its bloody, violent, beautiful, twisted truth.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Paranormal

724 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2024

About the author

Hi Everyone!

I'm an indie author that likes to write books that will make you feel! Dark is my primary genre with touches of romance, paranormal, political conspiracy, suspense, and thriller. I love meeting new readers, so feel free to touch base with me and introduce yourself!

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MY BOOKS

The Life of Anna
Enslaved (The Life of Anna, #1)
Entwined (The Life of Anna, #2)
Embraced (The Life of Anna, #3)
Ensnared (The Life of Anna, #4)
Emerged (The Life of Anna #5)

You can also read the entire story in one book: The Life of Anna: The Complete Story

Side story to The Life of Anna
Abandoned Grace

Finding Sabrina
Master of My Body (Finding Sabrina #1)
Master of My Heart (Finding Sabrina #2)
Master of My Life (Finding Sabrina #3)

Stand-Alone
Distorted Hope
Gluttony
For the Love of Music

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anybody else think Anna should’ve kicked Alex to the curb and stayed with Wilhelm?

Nope… just me

Jk, I loved Alex.

But Wilhelm…

That’s just my age gap/forbidden love/taboo relationship kink talking 🤦‍♀️

Anywho, in all seriousness I loved this series. What Anna went through was horrific. But to see her find love and grow into herself was amazing! *excuse me for being cliche but it was like watching a flower bloom

She was finally able to get the hea she deserved!

♾️/5 ⭐️

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I didn't think The Life Of Anna could get any better, but Marissa Honeycutt has outdone herself.
I first read The Life Of Anna when the first book came out, over ten years ago. Although it's a dark and sometimes disturbing story, I fell in love with Anna and Alex. I fell in love with the other characters, and my hatred for Devin, Jack, and Kaveh grew with each page i read.
This 10th Anniversarry edition lets you into the world of the brotherhood so much more than before.
I loved the extra scenes. The scenes while Alex is in Russia and the final book gives you a better understanding of what is going on, and there is a lot going on. If I was a first time reader I think that would help me digest all the information written on every page.
You fall in love with Alex more than before.
You hate Devin and want him to get what he deserves with each attack on Anna.
Anna, she's brave, strong, and kind, and you're rooting for her from the beginning.
I have always loved this story, and i love what Marissa has done to it in this new edition. Yes, it's dark, and some scenes are very disturbing, but deep down it's a love story. The depth of love Anna and Alex share together is so beautiful that you are praying they have their HEA.
This book doesn't disappoint. It is not for the faint-hearted, so please read the warning but if you decide to take this journey, you won't be sorry.
To Marissa Honeycutt, I say thank you. Thank you for giving us Anna and Alex story and then releasing this 10th Anniversarry and showing us more.

[Yenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just, wow! My heart hurt so badly after I finished Act One but it was worth the heartache! I’m so happy Act Two started the way it did, otherwise I’d probably never recover, lol!

Act Two was an epic conclusion to Anna’s story. I can’t find any fault in Act Two or in the overall story at all. Life of Anna is easily one of my top reads of the year and is now one of my favorites of all time. Marissa did an exceptional job writing Anna’s story and it will live rent free in my head for a very, very long time.

If you haven’t read Abandoned Grace, I highly recommend that you do! You get more of Devin’s backstory and will get a better understanding of why he is the way that he is. I can’t wait to start the Finding Sabrina Trilogy next!

THE LIFE OF ANNA Acts One and Two is out now! 5⭐️

Thanks so much, Marissa, for providing me with a complementary copy of the book. All opinions are my own. 💕

[Crystal Overend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo

Standing ovation!! This book had me on my toes. The edge of the couch. I never knew what to expect. This series isn't for the weak of faint of heart. It's dark. Like deep bottom of the ocean dark. There is no going back once you start going.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how I feel.

I am unsure if I have ever read anything like this.
Book one ended on quite the cliffy, which had me immediately diving into book two. By this time we have gotten to know so much about Anna and what she has been through. I thought it couldn’t get much worse, but this is the type of book that always gets worse.
Anna grew so much between books one and two, though it will take time for her to stop overthinking and jumping to conclusions. With the way she has been treated, I don’t blame her. She is such a relatable character with real emotions that I could totally identify with.
There are so many love interests in both books but in the end, I was always rooting for Alex. There was just this undying devotion there I couldn’t get over, though Aaron was a close second.
The only thing I needed in this book was more to happen to Devin. With everything he put Anna through, I was disappointed the revenge wasn’t longer and more brutal.
This duet will forever live in my brain as one of the most intense stories I have ever read.



ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅs✦ᴘᴀɢᴇʙᴏᴜɴᴅ✦sᴛᴏʀʏɢʀᴀᴘʜ✦ғʙ✦ɪɴsᴛᴀ✦ᴛɪᴋᴛᴏᴋ✦ᴢᴏɴ

[Scarlett Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heat level: 4/5. I thought Anna had it terrible in Act 1, Act 2 is worse and not just for her. The agony of this storyline, close but so far away, Devin deserved worse. He's the most despicable and evil character I've ever read, so well done. My brain is still reeling from the rollercoaster, edge of your seat, waiting for the other shoe to drop, anxiety ride the last 3rd of the book delivered. Anna is the strongest FMC I've ever read. Just wow.

[Alma Cadigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna surprised me with the amount of growth she did. I was sucked right into the story. Some of the story was hard to grasp. But if it hadn't happened, Anna wouldn't have been able to channel what she needed to emerge into the person she is supposed to be. I loved it!

[Atrisha Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely stunning

I did not think I could love Life of Anna anymore that I already did. I was WRONG. This revised edition did things to me I can’t describe. I didn’t think it could get any better and again I was wrong. If you’ve read the original and loved it please read the revised edition you will fall deeper in love with Anna, Alex and their friends. You will hate Devin even more than you thought possible. It was absolutely amazing. Thank you Marissa Honeycutt, it was another amazing read

[Zoe|BlackSoulReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

So The Life of Anna definitely isn’t the book to pick up if you want a lighthearted fantasy read. It’s unequivocally not that. It’s dark, painful and twisted. It’ll make you feel things and question parts of yourself. But it is the kind of book you can’t put down, assuming you don’t have triggers of course! You’ll NEED to see it work out for Anna, you’ll be rooting for it. Desperate for her to have chink of light in her horrendous life. And you will get that, but damn will you ever be put through the wringer for it.

Marissa has reworked and remastered this tale, and if you read the first version, you’ll definitely see the slight changes to the story, but if this is the only copy you pick up, you will enjoy this more polished and refined version.

Thank you to Marissa for entrusting me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lady S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book started I wasn’t sure I’d love it like book 1. But honestly, I loved how Marissa exposed more of the going ons.

[Pirra Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

He terminado de leer esta historia porque necesitaba saber que Anna tenía un final feliz, que podía triunfar el bien sobre el mal… pero este ha sido un viaje aún peor que el de la primera parte.

Prácticamente la mitad del libro se centra en lo malísimo que es Devin y lo mal que se lo hace pasar a Anna. Torturas detalladas en las que se utilizan los órganos sexuales (porque eso no es sexo). Ha sido tan desagradable que en ocasiones me he encontrado mal físicamente. Es aún más detallado en la parte oscura que el primero.

Por suerte, hay una parte importante en la que Anna logra tener cierta rutina "normal" dentro de lo que puede ser una vida como la suya y se hace algo más tolerable. Me ha gustado cómo las personas alrededor de su vida se unen para sacarla de la situación y el bien trunfa, aunque el precio que he tenido que pagar para llegar a la conclusión ha sido muy alto.

La evolución de Anna es muy lenta y he leído comentarios que no entienden por qué ella no se empodera... teniendo en cuenta el trauma al que sobrevive, bastante me parece que sea capaz de socializar medianamente y que hacia casi el final ocurra lo que ocurre debido a su medio inmortalidad. Esa parte creo que está bien retratada, no podemos esperar que alguien se salve a sí mismo después de todo por lo que ha pasado.

Después de lo mucho que se detiene en las miles de torturas el final es un poco absurdo y precipitado. No le da importancia a lo que ocurre en ese gran momento de revelación, parece que solo era necesario una pequeña charla y poco más para sacar a Devin del poder (aunque me gusta el destino que tiene, bien merecido).

Le doy solo una estrella por lo mismo que le di dos a la parte anterior, pero baja la puntuación por ese final sacado un poco de la manga que rompe con toda la expectación que había ido construyendo a lo largo de la historia.

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

*MF - MFM
*Contemporary Base
*Supernatural Elements
*3rd person - multi PoV
*DARK DARK DARK
*Abused FMC
*Caught in the middle
*Rival Lovers
*Angsty Storyline
*Fast Burn
*2/2
Absolute Top Recommendation for Dark Read!
Wow I blitzed through this book just as quick as the first one and these aren’t exactly small books, but I just couldn’t put it down. This is so cleverly written in that you are honestly never sure as to whether Anna will get some semblance of an HE or not - it’s a constant rollercoaster. This one is very angsty in what Anna is put through and surprisingly not by Devins hands but by those who love her and were her support in the first half of the series - putting you right through the ringer with this one! 😢 You really see Anna come into her own though and find her inner strength and backbone, despite it creating even more problems for her, you can’t help but admire her for it, plus she truly begins to understand the depravity of what has happened to her. 😣 The supernatural element picks up slightly in this one but it really gives an interesting depth to the story. I love how Anna though is a part of the revenge plot overall and there are a few surprises actually in who comes through for her in the end! You do get a HEA in the end but yikes is it hard going to get there. A unique story that every truly dark romance lover needs to have in their collection.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

**CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS** Wow! This story is officially the longest I’ve ever read, especially if you combine both Acts together, it would be a monster sized book. Starting the first Act I was wondering how on earth there was gonna be enough content for how long this story was supposed to be, but by about halfway thru the second Act I was wondering if there was gonna be enough pages left to finish the story well lol. This was definitely a crazy journey, Anna’s life was filled with so much päin & tørtüre while still trying to find love along the way. I feel this second Act wasn’t as härsh/extreme as the first but still had some trigger worthy scenes. Being only half immortal she’s still super strong (& has some unique abilities) due to having grown up with the live of her parents so she was in touch with her humanity. Her räge ends up being a force to be reckoned with. The people who hürt her the most got a dose of karma, especially Devin. But in the end Anna is free to live a happy life with Alex.

[Jess Boschock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything. I loved how Marissa has recreated the series into 2 separate books. Act 1 and Act 2. These books are very long but totally worth it. I absolutely loved how dark these books are. It’s no picnic what Anna experiences throughout her life. The story line is so intriguing and keeps you engaged wondering what is going to happen next. If you’ve read the original series you’ll notice the little differences and have a whole new appreciation for this book. This is the original book that I discovered dark romance and haven’t looked back since. Thank you Marissa for this new special anniversary edition. Get ready everyone new and old readers you are definitely in for a treat.

[Tori B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so sad it’s over… again. I’ve read the original Life of Anna. This is like a whole new book! Marissa did the dang thing with this rewrite. I didn’t think it was possible to fall even deeper in love with these characters, yet here we are! Excuse me while I go cry in the corner again. Life of Anna will forever hold a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf!

[Hanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read the Life of Anna many years back.
The book left a lasting impression on me. One of the most unforgettable books I’ve ever read.
So I was thrilled when the author came out with a tenth anniversary edition.
Ms. Honeycutt delivers more in these new editions.
More insight and more details in the overall world building of the books.
After finishing Act 1 my heart and soul were devastated.
Couldn’t wait for the next book.
And it absolutely did not disappoint!
My love for Anna and Alex was reinforced. My hatred for others was also reinforced.
The action and suspense going on was thrilling and had me on the edge of my seat and my heart thumping wildly.
The story is intense and a roller coaster of a ride of emotions and feelings.
An absolutely unforgettable story, with remarkable characters.
It’s dark and utterly intense. Parts are absolutely crushing.
But it’s a love story of epic preportions. The love that is between Alex and Anna was truly remarkable.
No one or anything could destroy what was between these two.
Ms. Honeycutt delivered an even better and more perfected version with the tenth anniversary edition.
Which I didn’t think was possible because the original was outstanding.
Just loved the tenth anniversary editions!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, it’s been such a rollercoaster! I can’t believe it’s already over. Act Two felt a lot shorter, but wow, it packed just as much of a punch as the first act. I’ll forever be obsessed with Anna, Alex, and Wilhelm (seriously, Wilhelm deserves his own POV – I need more of him in my life!). The tension, the drama, it all had me hooked.

While I wish we got more Anna and Alex moments (I’m a sucker for a good HEA, and the more of it, the better), I still loved where the story went. The justice served to Anna and the other victims of Devin and Jack felt so satisfying, though I won’t lie – I was on edge the whole time.

Overall, even though this book was shorter, it didn’t skimp on the emotions or the action. I’m still processing everything that happened, and honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever be over it. This world just pulls you in and refuses to let go!

Thanks, Marissa, for letting me be part of your world. You’re amazing, and happy 10 years of The Life of Anna!

[Inthemindofasmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a finale. I've read LOA in every way. The individual books, the omnibus, and now the anniversary edition and let me tell you, it will not disappoint. This book is by far one of the darkest books I've ever read. The way Marissa's brain has to work to keep up with all the moving parts while she's writing is beyond phenomenal.

Alex, Anna & Devin are by far one of the most fascinating trios I've ever read.

The level of depravity in Devin as an MMC, cult leader, slave owner, and all-around asshole is mindblowing. And there are times even Alex let me down. You never quite can guess the missing parts as you progress with the book, but the wrap-up was amazing. The additions from the omnibus were absolute perfection. Watching Anna go from a meek, mousy FMC to an FMC willing to fight for what she deserves takes you full circle.

[Greta Sriviboon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Storytelling

This is a long read but never a boring moment. This book was a horrible, sad, and depraved love story. Many twists and turns. It is wildly entertaining. This was my first book by this author and let me say how she imagined the characters were truly awe inspiring! The characters have rich textured qualities. I instantly fell in love with all. This book is a must to experience. It grabs you by the heart and thrusts you deep in emotions you won't see coming. I laughed, cried, and I cringed at the sheer brutality of Anna's life. I love this book and am looking forward to reading others by this author!!!!

[Arriana Rangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg so still fck Devin but wow the emotional Rollercoaster ,like i wanba get off this ride emotions, you get in this second half!!!! Anna goes thru so much, like so much that I started to believe she would not get her hea especially after the people who "love" her put her thru so much too!!! Ugh, I am still unpacking everything here. This is such an amazing story and I love how Anna finally finds herself and realizes everything. I have to say this is one of if not the most dark romance I've read!

[Legacy Michener · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the triggers seriously. I don’t know how it’s possible but this one seems darker than the first. I hated Anna at the beginning, but I loved the ending. Anna and Alex deserve to be together and I’m so glad they finally got their happy ending. Very long read, but I loved everything. Anna is free, and is finally getting her happy ending. I’m so glad that Devin got the punishment he deserved after everything he put Anna and Alex through. I don’t want to spoil the book too much. I loved this book, and will be ordering the physical copy soon.

[Nikki76ReadsX · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going down in my top 5 of the year as well as my physical trophy shelf. I must point out that this book does mention several mental and physical subject matters that may be sensitive to others and very difficult to read. Both act 1 & 2 are very long books as the original 5 books have been compiled into these two anniversary books.
This follows Anna and her struggles and ability to somehow grow past the unforgettably difficult moments that come in and out of her life.
I am truly amazed at Marissa Honeycutt's ability to move readers with her words. Her writing is extraordinary and I will forever be on the lookout for more coming from this writer. I loved the story line as much as it pained me to read some moments and I loved the characters that came together in this storyline. I give this a 10 out of 10, however I can only give it 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on most platforms.

[Lynn Ingalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner

I seek out the darkest books possible. I kept putting this one off because of the length. It kept popping up on every suggested read for pitch black books, so I finally started it.
Woo Eee! Once I started, I could not put it down. I've barely slept in the last 3 days. I will suggest this book to all pitch black lovers out there.
That being said, this book is DARK. Please check the triggers first if you have any concerns. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

[Kierston Reno · Rating 5 out of 5]

gah! how do I move on after this!

Anna’s story was like the most gut wrenching and tragic story I have ever read. The emotions I felt during this second act were a run of the spectrum of human emotion. As a domestic violence survivor, I can attest that while there are no immortals around, one person can endure so much.

This is a story of survival and resilience. Well done!

[Booktok Girly · Rating 3 out of 5]

im so happy im done with this serie!

it was so frustrating to see that everyman in Anna's life, including Alex, kept using her..

Devin's ending was forst underwhelming, but i now think it was beautifully done

im glad im done reading tjis because it literally consumed me

ALSO............ was that Devin's son???? did someone work the timeline??

[Tawauna Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my

I love the Germans. I love the people that were in her life. I love her friends. They all stood up for her and fought for her. This book made me so emotional, and I stayed up reading it for four days straight, both parts.

[Kaitlyn]

1: You lost me at immortal beings.
2: You really lost me when it's 1200 pages of the same scenario playing over and over and over

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

omgggg

This might have been the best book series I’ve ever read. Definitely not for the faint of heart, difficult subject matter. But absolutely magnificent.

[Maria Spalding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy.....