I thought marrying into the most powerful mafia family would be my family's salvation, but I never expected to uncover my husband's dark, terrifying secret that could lead to my damnation.
I've just married a man who exudes power, a man whose very presence demands the attention of the entire room. Lorenzo Valdici. The name alone sends shivers down the spines of men who think themselves untouchable. They say he brings muscle and money to the table, but they don't know that he brings something far more dangerous. Something I'm not ready to face.
As the new queen of the Valdici mafia, I should feel safe, protected. But instead, I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a precipice, staring into the abyss of something ancient, something hungry. My family's power is waning, and this marriage was supposed to be our salvation. But now, I wonder if it is the start of something far more sinister.
When someone tries to kill Renzo, I think I've lost him forever. But then I find out the truth—he's still alive, and the man I thought I knew is hiding secrets that make the darkness of our world seem like mere shadows. Renzo isn't just a mafia king; he's something far more terrifying. And now, as the whispers of revenge swirl around us, I'm about to discover what lurks in the depths of hunger.
DNF. While I love vampire romances with huge age gaps, I couldn't get into this one. The hero isn't cruel or anything... I just didn't feel the connection. It's a forced marriage mafia romance but it just didn't... idk, work for me.
I should have known with a dedication that said: if I could do it, you can do it.
-The personalities were inconsistent. Nico doesn’t want to marry a human, and once he gets what he wants will dispose of said human and speaks openly about the unaliving. Next page it’s getting hot and heavy with human wife she’s a virgin at 25 (how embarrassing 🙄) she’s nervous. Nico’s internal thoughts; I’d never hurt a woman why is she scared. Excuse me sir don’t you want to to kill her? But also he’s obsessed with her bc he saw her in her dormitory when she was underage and was 300 years old and her breasts were calling to him - I’m not even joking.
- She’s a smart tough cookie with abusive mommy issues. And was forced to marry Nico for her family. He threatens her on the wedding day about not getting wasted and being obedient. she’s already planning her escape plan but she’s also suffering from insta lust and all of a sudden wants to run the mafia business by his side bc she’s smart and her 12 hour stint of playing the tough gal made her realize they could do this together so maybe she doesn’t want to run anymore? But she’s a woman and will need him.
I had to quit this because this was all in the first few chapters. I can’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Okay, in a short period of time, where neither one of them had a conversation. There was no communication of any sort besides Renzo giving Mia orders. I loathe when MMCs refer to the MFCs as sl#ts, wh@res, etc. When Renzo did it as well as calling her baby doll, it was cringe.
There is barely a storyline and plot.
It is constantly revolving around Mia whining about everything and trying to get away from Renzo.
There was no dialogue that would have me believe these two had any chemistry outside of the bedroom or even in the bedroom.
I hated both main characters. Neither of them had good qualities.
I mostly skimmed this, the plot was great but there was so much spice. I like spicy and if you want page after page of it then this is your book but it just wasn’t for me.
I typically do not read the Mafia trope, as it’s inherently not well executed. This is a VERY different case. The Vampire seethe hierarchy fits seamlessly into the Mafia world making it a very unique read more so than the overly “mafia cliched” alternatives currently on offer. I really enjoy the FMC who seemingly starts off soft, then immediately claims her space without making the reader roll their eyes with her lack of ability or intelligence. THIS IS RARE. Too often we are forced to read along waiting for the FMC to grow a spine/brain/personality. Not so in this case. This FMC is very much someone you can respect. I really like this storyline and look forward to the next book. I’m hoping the MMC learns to temper his choice of language during spicy time, as I personally found that a bit much, but only from MY perspective, as anyone using those “terms of endearment” would find themselves short of a few teeth, Vampire or no. If you loved the Havoc series by CM Stunich, [as I do] the MMC’s spicy time language won’t raise raise your hackles, as it did mine. I have a strong feeling, based on the author’s ability to demonstrate character development, the FMC is going to turn the tables on her dangerously attractive Vampire in short order. She’s nobody’s fool and quite capable of not only managing her family’s business interests but also her Vampire’s much needed attitude adjustment. She’s educated, competent, and takes no sh!t (outside the bedroom conversations.) We love that for her. The next installment really can’t come soon enough for me. Final thought: I really wanted to read and review this book after finding it on Booktok, then reading a particularly RUDE ARC reader’s review, which immediately lead me to believe that it would be NOTHING like the snotty reviewer’s description. I was right. It’s good! READ IT.
So they figure out the people behind the attacks and everything but really they don't want to go in more detail about the fact that Mia was healed with all three of them?? We don't want to explore the extend of that happened there?? They just move on like its something normal which it is explained that its not normal and boom then the end of the book happens? I would have must rather read more about what the effects were for miss Mia since she already was offered the vampire thing and then that happened. Other than that I mean it was good for smut but very confusing on the other parts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It was all over the place. Vampire but they can get in the sun and eat food…. mafia, pretend dark romance, billionaire, witches and fae. It’s too much. I got whiplash. I hate read it. I wanted to stop after the wedding but I couldn’t cuz I gots to see it through.
It took me a long while to read it. The ending was insane. But some of the topics in this book was not my cup of tea but I came back to it. I received this book as an ARC read. What made it 3 stars in my opinion was the topics. If you like vampire mafia romance this is for you. This was my first ever mafia vampire romance. I thought the two characters were actually going to fall in love and stay together. But I saw a lot of enemies to lovers. The MFC attempted to run away because she didn't like what the MMC was doing. Their relationship was iffy. But overall a good book.
was this even a romance book? Because i didn’t really see mmc and mfc together, they were doing their own stuff separately the whole book. The plot twist? Idek what was the plot twist.
This books is an intriguing twist on the mafia genre by introducing a paranormal element with vampires and magic. This definitely adds a unique flavor to the usual power struggles, betrayals, and violence you'd expect from mafia stories. The book's strongest suit is the mix of mafia and paranormal worlds, offering an exciting setting with potential for high-stakes drama and dark romance.
I enjoyed the twist on the vampire myth, which brought a fresh take to the genre. The mafia scenes had tension, and the magical undertones kept the stakes high, making the story more engaging. The premise of a mafia queen navigating this dark, supernatural underworld had so much potential. I liked how Mia's character was written as someone capable of handling power, even if it wasn't explored as deeply as I would have liked.
However, several things took away from the experience. Renzo's treatment of Mia was one of the main issues for me. His constant orders and derogatory remarks like calling her a "sl#t" and "wh*re" felt cringeworthy and undermined any sense of romance or connection between them. They seem to be added just because this is labeled as 'dark romantasy' and not because of any kink or desire on Mia's half to be degraded. His lack of empathy, especially when Mia was vulnerable—such as when she was attacked—made it hard to understand how they fell in love since there was very little emotional depth or communication outside of the bedroom.
Speaking of the bedroom, the spicy scenes were a letdown. Renzo, a mafia vampire with a brooding, dangerous persona, should have been exciting, but the scenes fell flat. There was a distinct lack of creativity, and it often felt rushed. For a book with so much potential for intense chemistry, the execution was disappointingly underwhelming, especially with Renzo's focus solely on his pleasure and mostly butt stuff - which is fine in moderation - and lack of attention to Mia's needs.
I also found the plot pacing inconsistent, particularly with Mia’s constant belief that Renzo would kill her. This threat felt unsubstantiated, especially since Renzo never gave off those vibes and even offered to turn her into a vampire. Mia’s obsession with escaping a danger that didn’t exist became frustrating and took focus away from the more interesting mafia/magic dynamics that could have been developed further. Her desire to run came across as an attention-seeking temper tantrum because once Renzo returned, he shut her out of the business side of things. Her irritation is valid, but her actions that of a petulant child.
Additionally, the prose could be repetitive and over-explained at times, and it wasn't always clear whose POV I was reading from at the start of each chapter, which made the flow choppy.
The book has an exciting premise with the mafia-vampire mix, the execution missed the mark. If you’re into dark romances with paranormal elements and can overlook the problematic dynamics, you might enjoy this book. But for me, it left much to be desired in both character connection and plot depth. Three stars for the world-building and potential, but not much more.
Thanks Hidden Gems for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Depths of Hunger kicks off the Emerald Dagger Mafia series with an explosive start. AX Ballentyne seamlessly blends romance, dominance, mystery, and the supernatural. The story has it all, with Mafia vampires, witches, and plenty of smutty and steamy encounters, keeping me captivated from the start. Mia is our strong and resilient human heroine, who refuses to be relegated to the role of a mere trophy wife and a pawn to gain power. She is intelligent and resourceful and she faces each challenge head-on, asserting her strength in a world that seeks to undermine her. Throughout her journey, she discovers Renzo's true Vampire nature but realises that despite everything, he is not just a powerful partner, but exactly what she needs and loves. Renzo is our magnetic and dominant mafia vampire prince, who embodies the brooding dominant and sexy alpha role. Yet, as their relationship deepens, he begins to recognise Mia’s true worth. His love for her blossoms, shifting from not only possessiveness but to partnership as well, revealing her as his equal in every respect. This story is packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked until the very last page. What particularly excites me are the numerous threads left to explore: Mia's friends, Pippa and Luna, Renzo's brothers, Nico and Luca, and the tantalising mystery of the prophecy and the magical realm beyond the Veil, all interwoven with the intricate dynamics of the mafia world. The sneak peek of book two, Depths of Obsession has me eagerly counting down the days until I can dive back into this thrilling world and where it will lead next.
I'm on the fence with this book. I love the mafia paranormal world mix. Comes with the usual power plays, betrayals, and violence that you would expect from mafia stories mixed in with the vampires and magic. I did have a problem with connecting with the MCs. I really didn't understand Mia's issues. Especially for someone who grew up as a mafia princess. She felt like Renzo was trying to take her power away, when I never got that feeling at all throughout the story. He asked her opinions and even used her ideas. And she was always going on about how he will eventually kill her after a few years, even after he offered to turn her, which she turned down. I was never under the impression she was in any danger with her husband. I just felt a lot of the story was wasted on her constantly plotting to get away from a danger that didn't exist. The spicy scenes were a bit lack luster. Is Renzo a 5 pumps and done type of guy? You have the smoking hot mafia vampire, with some fangs. So I was expecting a bit more in that area. I feel the story would have been better if it was more focused on the war between the mafia leaders and the magic realm than Mia's escape plan. Also, when going into a new chapter, it would take a sentence or two to figure out who's POV you were reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Mia is a Mafia Princess and does what she’s told. When she is forced to marry Renzo she finds a lot more than she bargained for.
This story is full of fear, violence and domination, but also full of love and passion (with a little more domination thrown in).
Mia is intelligent and ambitious, but she falls in love with her husband which she does ‘t expect. Renzo is cold, hard and ruthlessly determined in everything he does and gets a shock when he falls for his wife too.
There is a lot going on in the story, with plenty of twists and turns.
The passion between Mia and Renzo is scorching hot and pretty intense. Personally I wasn’t a fan of his “terms of endearment” during sex.
I liked the mix between the Mafia and Vampire in the story and I am looking forward to learning more about the Vampire side in the other books of the series.
This is not my normal type of romance, but really enjoyed this delve into romantasy.
This is book one in the series of the Emerald Dagger Mafia series. This book features Renzo the first son and heir apparent. Renzo and his father have made an agreement with Mia’s family for her hand in marriage and to lead their part of the mafia. Renzo and his father have plans to lead a takeover but there is a lot of work involved to get to that place and two deals that need sealing. Mia is a college graduate who wants to do her own thing but she is denied that choice because she has to save her family. Her dad is weak but her mother Eleanor has been running the business now to try and save it from the bad decisions . Mia and her family has no idea of a new world of magick or vampires and such. Soon Mia will find out the her husband’s family are all vampires. The book ends in a happy for now and the next book will feature Luca. Read On!
Mia thought she was marrying into the most powerful mafia family what she didn’t know was they were vampires but not just any vampires. This follows the journey of Mia a human and Renzo a vampire and how they work through the human, vampire and mafia worlds.
This has me griped from the start. I loved that there were two strong characters, Mia has a strong female lead from the start along with Renzo.
I thought it had just the right mix of vampire and mafia making it easy to follow and enabled the story to flow and keep pace without losing you in either and without one over powering the other and well it’s got a whole lot of smut, if your listening to this on audio do not forget your headphones- you can thank me later.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m Excited to read the rest of the series.
I think this is an excellent vampire mafia romance! I really liked the mix between the two, it’s unique and definitely stood out to me when I heard about it. I felt the beginning was extremely catching, so much so that I couldn’t put the book down!
I do think the author did a wonderful job of explaining the lore of the Vampires, as well as the backstories for the mafia’s. I loved how Renzo was pretty obsessed and the shock of him coming back to life was laid perfectly in the story!
Overall I think it’s written very well and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Highly recommend for my mafia girlies and who doesn’t love a good vampire romance on top of it!?
Depths of Hunger (The Emerald Dagger Mafia book 1) by A.X Ballantyne is a 3 ⭐️ read. This is another Vampire Vixen novel (A group of writers writing in the same world) I can honestly say I really struggled with this book I had to keep putting it down and coming back to it, the MFC was supposed to be a bad a$$ Mafia princess but fell a little flat for me, the MMC was a vampire who wanted to rule both the human and vampire mafia (his dad was in charge of the vampires with him next to take over) but there was nothing likeable of him at all, I usually like to find some redeeming qualities there was just none with him. I doubt I will read the next book I’m this series. Sorry!! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I hate doing a DNF on a book and those are usually the 1 stars I give, this was almost there. I am all for a dark romance, but I need some character depth and development. The writing felt incomplete. The fmc is shown as weak, strong, and then weak again, it is like a tennis match. The mmc spends his time wanting fmc, planning on using and then killing her someday, then mmc is in love with fmc(although we don’t really see any insight to that progression) then at the end when the bad guys are quickly dispatched to wrap up the story, mmc tells fmc he can’t live without her, but may still kill her someday! WTH! By the end I was hoping someone would take both of them out. There are two more books in this series, but I will not be reading them.
I really liked the beginning of this book, I loved the system that was set up, the whole structure of this vampire world that is being written. I felt like there was a so much potential here but it wasn’t drawn out as much. There was the magical realm that could have been extended on. The smut felt very wattpad (not that there’s anything wrong with that but I felt there could have been more given then just all the angsty sex) I wanted to know more about Renzo’s family, and other parts of the story that was mentioned. I will say it’s an alright one time read and I enjoyed some parts. I probably won’t be reading the next two books but encourage those who wish to see more with the brothers and Mia’s friends.
This is an intense story. Mafia and Vampires are definitely at the forefront. It wasn't glossed over. It's sharp, dark, and a focused frenzy. Mia is Mafia Royalty in all its infamous glory. Renzo is Heir to the Valdici Vampire throne. Both are ambitious and stubborn but smart and cunning. When everything they know is thrown into chaos, fear or weakness can not be shown. With an invisible chasm keeping these love bird's love from blossoming they must remain resolute. The story will twist giving revelations as you scramble to figure out what's next. Don't even try... Lol I was completely off! The ending will shock you and prepare you for book two. I can't wait!
I am not normally drawn to “romantasy” or paranormal books even though I have read some. Since I have read many of this author’s books under another name, I wanted to give it a try. I love the storyline. It is a fast read. I absolutely love Mia. She is tough and her own person. She is a real standout in this story. What I did not like were two things: (1) Renzo saying he was going to off Mia all of the time to the very end and (2) his endearments during the sex scenes (I thought they were degrading). As a whole, I really like the story and look forward to the brothers’ stories.
Mia Giordano is married to ruthless head of the Valdici family, Lorenzo Valdici, his brothers are Nico, and Luca. Their father also. And Mia father, and mother. This is a great story because Mia a human woman is unbeknownst her husband is a Vampire mafia boss. It ends on a cliffhanger but this novel is definitely excellent, exciting incredible intriguing game on, I can't wait to the next book Depths of obsession: A vampire mafia Roman fast Novel (The Emerald Dagger Mafia Series book 2) By A.X. Ballantyne.