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Memento Mori #2
Emperor of Rage
I'm trapped by a beautiful psychopath.
A devil with a soul as black as his heart.
He knows what I did.
Now he won't stop, no matter how fast or how far I run.
They say fairytales are just pretend.
But monsters?
Those are real.
And they never, ever let go...
Emperor of Rage is a standalone dark mafia romance with a smart, untamable heroine, and an ultra possessive psycho hero with "look at her and I'll unalive you" energy. Readers are STRONGLY advised to read the TW inside. No cliffhanger; HEA included.
A devil with a soul as black as his heart.
He knows what I did.
Now he won't stop, no matter how fast or how far I run.
They say fairytales are just pretend.
But monsters?
Those are real.
And they never, ever let go...
Emperor of Rage is a standalone dark mafia romance with a smart, untamable heroine, and an ultra possessive psycho hero with "look at her and I'll unalive you" energy. Readers are STRONGLY advised to read the TW inside. No cliffhanger; HEA included.
552 pages, ebook
First published October 17, 2024
2811 people are currently reading
3502 people want to read
About the author
Jagger Cole
74 books5,363 followersA reader first and foremost, Jagger Cole cut his romance writing teeth penning various fan-fiction stories years ago. After deciding to hang up his writing boots, Jagger worked in advertising pretending to be Don Draper. It worked enough to convince a woman way out of his league to marry him, though, which is a total win.
Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.
When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside—rain or shine.
You can find all of his books at www.jaggercolewrites.com
Grab a FREE book for joining my fans-only newsletter! -> https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8rld1ik3sd
Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.
When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside—rain or shine.
You can find all of his books at www.jaggercolewrites.com
Grab a FREE book for joining my fans-only newsletter! -> https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8rld1ik3sd
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 610 reviews
December 20, 2025
I went into this book with mid level expectations. After the previous book, I was curious about Mal but unsure what to expect since he’d mostly stayed in the shadows. We didn’t really know his motivations or why he was so drawn to Freya, and that mystery had me intrigued from the start.
What I didn’t expect was an emotional rollercoaster. This book had me laughing, crying, stressing, and sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. It pulled me in completely and did not let go.
Freya? I loved her. A gothic, fiercely independent badass who knows her worth, stands up for herself, and knows what she wants. On top of that, she’s a talented hacker in the Bratva smart, capable, and unapologetically herself.
Mal is dark, intense, and fiercely protective, carrying a dangerous edge that’s impossible to ignore. Beneath his hardened exterior, he’s deeply scarred by childhood trauma, and witnessing how those experiences shaped him was absolutely heartbreaking.
The dynamic between Freya and Mal had me in a chokehold. Their chemistry was intense, the tension perfectly paced, and their darkness complemented each other in the best way. Every interaction felt charged and raw. Witnessing them find comfort in one another while slowly facing their own demons hit on a deeply emotional level.
The found family element was done so well it added so much heart to the story and made everything feel deeper and more meaningful.
What I didn’t expect was an emotional rollercoaster. This book had me laughing, crying, stressing, and sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. It pulled me in completely and did not let go.
Freya? I loved her. A gothic, fiercely independent badass who knows her worth, stands up for herself, and knows what she wants. On top of that, she’s a talented hacker in the Bratva smart, capable, and unapologetically herself.
Mal is dark, intense, and fiercely protective, carrying a dangerous edge that’s impossible to ignore. Beneath his hardened exterior, he’s deeply scarred by childhood trauma, and witnessing how those experiences shaped him was absolutely heartbreaking.
The dynamic between Freya and Mal had me in a chokehold. Their chemistry was intense, the tension perfectly paced, and their darkness complemented each other in the best way. Every interaction felt charged and raw. Witnessing them find comfort in one another while slowly facing their own demons hit on a deeply emotional level.
The found family element was done so well it added so much heart to the story and made everything feel deeper and more meaningful.
October 23, 2024
Emperor of Rage by Jagger Cole
5/5 stars
Jagger Cole just did it again. He stole my heart and utterly consumed it while I was reading this masterpiece of a book!
The book starts with Freya being on a job in an abandoned hotel. She is hacking into the system and suddenly hears voices. She sees how a man ruthlessly kills 4 men and she cannot help but be drawn to him. When he puts his fingers in her mouth and she sucks on them things change.
That man is Mal. And he knows that her family killed his. But he cannot help being drawn to his strong and brave woman. Their chemistry is hot, all consuming and incredibly rough. He claims her, but at the beginning she is feisty and doing her own thing.
♥♥♥
Without a word, Mall crosses the room, yanks me against his chest, lifts my chin, and brand my lips with his in the single most punishing, brutal, and all-consuming kiss of my life.
♥♥♥
And then he follows her as she is having this insane bachelorette party. And their chemistry explodes into something dark and incredibly rough. Pain and pleasure pushes the both of them over the edge and burn them tightly together.
♥♥♥
"You do belong to me," I growl.
♥♥♥
They both carry secrets. And when things start to spiral around them, events happen that sets off a series of motions. And that is what this book is about. It's about secrets that come to the surface and change things irrevocably.
♥♥♥
I need to let her go. It's all I've ever done. But with Freya, I can't. The roaring in my head only quiets when she's near. And that's a problem I don't know how to solve.
♥♥♥
I love that this book runs parallel to Kenzo and Annika's story. I loved that so much. But this story also feels so unique and a story in itself entirely. And that is the magic of this series. Of the way Jagger Cole writes. He knows how to capture my heart and consume it completely.
And my absolute favorite quote? That is this one:
♥♥♥
"So when I say be ready to use your safe word.. Be ready to f****** use it. And you'd better pray I feel like listening"
♥♥♥
5 humongous stars for this brilliantly written book!!
5/5 stars
Jagger Cole just did it again. He stole my heart and utterly consumed it while I was reading this masterpiece of a book!
The book starts with Freya being on a job in an abandoned hotel. She is hacking into the system and suddenly hears voices. She sees how a man ruthlessly kills 4 men and she cannot help but be drawn to him. When he puts his fingers in her mouth and she sucks on them things change.
That man is Mal. And he knows that her family killed his. But he cannot help being drawn to his strong and brave woman. Their chemistry is hot, all consuming and incredibly rough. He claims her, but at the beginning she is feisty and doing her own thing.
♥♥♥
Without a word, Mall crosses the room, yanks me against his chest, lifts my chin, and brand my lips with his in the single most punishing, brutal, and all-consuming kiss of my life.
♥♥♥
And then he follows her as she is having this insane bachelorette party. And their chemistry explodes into something dark and incredibly rough. Pain and pleasure pushes the both of them over the edge and burn them tightly together.
♥♥♥
"You do belong to me," I growl.
♥♥♥
They both carry secrets. And when things start to spiral around them, events happen that sets off a series of motions. And that is what this book is about. It's about secrets that come to the surface and change things irrevocably.
♥♥♥
I need to let her go. It's all I've ever done. But with Freya, I can't. The roaring in my head only quiets when she's near. And that's a problem I don't know how to solve.
♥♥♥
I love that this book runs parallel to Kenzo and Annika's story. I loved that so much. But this story also feels so unique and a story in itself entirely. And that is the magic of this series. Of the way Jagger Cole writes. He knows how to capture my heart and consume it completely.
And my absolute favorite quote? That is this one:
♥♥♥
"So when I say be ready to use your safe word.. Be ready to f****** use it. And you'd better pray I feel like listening"
♥♥♥
5 humongous stars for this brilliantly written book!!
January 19, 2025
»I don't like your psycho fucking boyfriend, there-I've said it.«
»Mal's not a psycho boyfriend.«
»Highly disagree.«
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒚𝒂 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
She was interesting as a character and I liked the fact that she‘s a hacker. Her pov was relatable and I could feel with her.
❥ 𝑴𝒂𝒍 ࣪⋆✮
He has a lot of secrets and a tragic past. Loved how he opens up to Freya and shows her his true self.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This book was even better than the first in this series. Full of emotions, from happiness to sadness and anger. I had a lot of fun reading this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat on some parts. There is a lot of action and stuff going on which I liked. Everything is well thought out and there are some mind blowing plot twists.
Freya and Mal have great tension and their banter is top tier. Both have secrets form their past and have a hard time opening up to each other. They fight for their relationship and I loved to read how both of them really wanted this. They are super cute together and I adore possessive Mal.
Overall this book was enjoyable and a great yakuza romance set in Kyoto.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes, yes, yes!!
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 5/5
spice: 4/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ᡣ𐭩ྀི₊ ⊹
possessive and protective hero, instant attraction, mafia romance, morally dark man, touch her and die, connected past, enemies to lovers, secrets and lies, hacker x jakuza boss, few weeks separation
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Freya (26) and Mal (early thirties)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: full control over her
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Emperor of Wrath ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Emperor of Rage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Emperor of Lust ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 Emperor of Havoc ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
»Mal's not a psycho boyfriend.«
»Highly disagree.«
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒚𝒂 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
She was interesting as a character and I liked the fact that she‘s a hacker. Her pov was relatable and I could feel with her.
❥ 𝑴𝒂𝒍 ࣪⋆✮
He has a lot of secrets and a tragic past. Loved how he opens up to Freya and shows her his true self.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This book was even better than the first in this series. Full of emotions, from happiness to sadness and anger. I had a lot of fun reading this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat on some parts. There is a lot of action and stuff going on which I liked. Everything is well thought out and there are some mind blowing plot twists.
Freya and Mal have great tension and their banter is top tier. Both have secrets form their past and have a hard time opening up to each other. They fight for their relationship and I loved to read how both of them really wanted this. They are super cute together and I adore possessive Mal.
Overall this book was enjoyable and a great yakuza romance set in Kyoto.
𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes, yes, yes!!
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 5/5
spice: 4/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ᡣ𐭩ྀི₊ ⊹
possessive and protective hero, instant attraction, mafia romance, morally dark man, touch her and die, connected past, enemies to lovers, secrets and lies, hacker x jakuza boss, few weeks separation
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Freya (26) and Mal (early thirties)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: full control over her
𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Emperor of Wrath ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Emperor of Rage ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Emperor of Lust ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 Emperor of Havoc ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 17, 2024
ANOTHER SLAY BY MR. JAGGER COLE!! Once again breaking the mould by being a fantastic male romance author. If there’s only one man I trust in the romance genre, it’s Jagger! Mal and Freya were electric and dirty and deviant and oh so so delicious to read. Not only is the smut good but the plot sucks you in and makes it hard to put the book down. All in all, another banger from Mr. Cole.
.
.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the arc opportunity!
.
.
Thank you to Valentine PR for the arc opportunity!
October 21, 2024
Jagger Cole knows how to write amazing stories with such psychopaths as this MMC, which is what I love most about his books.
December 8, 2024
Insta-lust, both MCs hate each other but still sleep together. Very strange. The H says he won’t do “relationships” but won’t let the h go. So he won’t commit but she can’t move on or expect anything from him.
Sad, I was looking forward to this.
Sad, I was looking forward to this.
October 24, 2024
FREYA AND MAL!! I’m obsessed with them! These two were broken and into some different shminks, but I was here for it all! 🔥🖤
I need Damian’s book NOW!!! 😍😈
I need Damian’s book NOW!!! 😍😈
October 17, 2024
And this is why I am obsessed with Jagger Cole. The depth and turmoil these characters endure and then overcome AND THE SPICE?!!
I have been anxiously awaiting Mal and Freyas sorry since we got a little peak in book one. I couldn’t wait to find out how their paths had crossed and let me tell you it did not disappoint.
There’s really only one way to describe Mal and that is BROKEN. His horrific childhood shaped him into the person & skilled unaliver that he is. He is still plagued by his families death and he has been dedicating his life to finding answers and seeking revenge. While on his search for vengeance he comes across a tiny, goth hacker that he can’t stop thinking about.
Freya is fiery, genius hacker with a love for the color black. And she’s got a skin condition that makes her allergic to the sun so she keeps vampire hours. She works for her adoptive father who is the head of the Bratva. Growing up on the streets after being orphaned she has survived against all odds. She has found a family that loves her and accepts her & her weird quirks. While on a job she witnesses something that puts her on Mals radar. And it’s obviously a very dangerous place be. He makes his obsession known very early on. He stakes his claim and does not plan on EVER letting her go.
Also the typhoon scene?? I am here for it.
“The storm doesn’t let up. Neither do we. We just keep going.”
On another note, Mal claims he doesn’t know how to be in a relationship but he changes his sleep schedule to sync up with her. TALK ABOUT SWOON
Jagger writes the best possessive and obsessed mmcs and I won’t ever get enough! This story had me hooked from the very beginning. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!
Thank you Jagger Cole and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.
5⭐️ | 3.5🌶️
•enemies to lovers
•grumpy x sunshine
•somno
•praise k*nk
•primal CNC
I have been anxiously awaiting Mal and Freyas sorry since we got a little peak in book one. I couldn’t wait to find out how their paths had crossed and let me tell you it did not disappoint.
There’s really only one way to describe Mal and that is BROKEN. His horrific childhood shaped him into the person & skilled unaliver that he is. He is still plagued by his families death and he has been dedicating his life to finding answers and seeking revenge. While on his search for vengeance he comes across a tiny, goth hacker that he can’t stop thinking about.
Freya is fiery, genius hacker with a love for the color black. And she’s got a skin condition that makes her allergic to the sun so she keeps vampire hours. She works for her adoptive father who is the head of the Bratva. Growing up on the streets after being orphaned she has survived against all odds. She has found a family that loves her and accepts her & her weird quirks. While on a job she witnesses something that puts her on Mals radar. And it’s obviously a very dangerous place be. He makes his obsession known very early on. He stakes his claim and does not plan on EVER letting her go.
Also the typhoon scene?? I am here for it.
“The storm doesn’t let up. Neither do we. We just keep going.”
On another note, Mal claims he doesn’t know how to be in a relationship but he changes his sleep schedule to sync up with her. TALK ABOUT SWOON
Jagger writes the best possessive and obsessed mmcs and I won’t ever get enough! This story had me hooked from the very beginning. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!
Thank you Jagger Cole and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.
5⭐️ | 3.5🌶️
•enemies to lovers
•grumpy x sunshine
•somno
•praise k*nk
•primal CNC
February 18, 2025
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4 / 5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : None
Hero : Mal
Heroine : Freya
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 5/10
Heat Rating : 5/10
Overall Opinion :
Mal and Freya are here! I got a glimpse of these two In the first book of the series and even though the author did not highlight that they would be together in the future, it was great meeting them as separate characters too.
This one was a standalone with a mafia romance theme with some great character chemistry that kept me hooked till the very end. The plotline was good and I liked the way it was all connected. Jagger Cole is capable of giving us some great storylines but like I said in my other reviews , he is not able to do that with these standalones , I would prefer to read a series from him again sometime in the future like he used to release in the past.
Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there.
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October 17, 2024
There is just something about a Jagger read that hits differently and this was no different. I was already super intrigued by Mal + Freya from the breadcrumbs that were left previously so I was excited to read this one! It’s a fast paced, action packed read that’s captivating and suspenseful with a side of emotion and a whole lot of dark, dirty spice.
This instalment follows the same timeline as the previous book, so it felt a little slow at first but gives us their POV during these events which I enjoyed. It picked up in the second half, grabbing hold and not letting go until I read the end.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, boy obsessed, found family, touch her + d!e
I absolutely loved Freya in the previous book so I was excited she was next in the series and I loved her even more here. Both her and Mal have tragic pasts, they’re both a little broken but I love how they were able to find comfort within the other to be vulnerable and understand one another in a way they hadn’t ever been able to before. I enjoyed the way they were linked and how this was revealed as they discovered the truths of their pasts and worked to accept and heal from these to move forward together.
Annika + Freya’s friendship was a highlight for me, I just love these two characters, their dynamic and banter and the way they support one another. I loved getting more of their sisterhood here. The found family aspect in this book was strong and another highlight for me, both with Freya and Mal’s found families, then both families as they all came together.
This book was very plot driven and I felt like it overshadowed the romance a little. I found myself craving more of those softer moments between them, wishing we got to see them connect more on that deeper level. But in usual Jagger style, there are twists and turns to keep you on edge and I was completely consumed and could not put it down.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment to this series and what Jagger has in store for Damian!
Thank you Jagger Cole + Valentine PR for this arc 🫶
This instalment follows the same timeline as the previous book, so it felt a little slow at first but gives us their POV during these events which I enjoyed. It picked up in the second half, grabbing hold and not letting go until I read the end.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, boy obsessed, found family, touch her + d!e
I absolutely loved Freya in the previous book so I was excited she was next in the series and I loved her even more here. Both her and Mal have tragic pasts, they’re both a little broken but I love how they were able to find comfort within the other to be vulnerable and understand one another in a way they hadn’t ever been able to before. I enjoyed the way they were linked and how this was revealed as they discovered the truths of their pasts and worked to accept and heal from these to move forward together.
Annika + Freya’s friendship was a highlight for me, I just love these two characters, their dynamic and banter and the way they support one another. I loved getting more of their sisterhood here. The found family aspect in this book was strong and another highlight for me, both with Freya and Mal’s found families, then both families as they all came together.
This book was very plot driven and I felt like it overshadowed the romance a little. I found myself craving more of those softer moments between them, wishing we got to see them connect more on that deeper level. But in usual Jagger style, there are twists and turns to keep you on edge and I was completely consumed and could not put it down.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment to this series and what Jagger has in store for Damian!
Thank you Jagger Cole + Valentine PR for this arc 🫶
December 31, 2024
A lot more angst than usual and wow, this pushed the limits on some of the darker kinks but it was so well done. Loved it.
October 18, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Emperor of Rage may be one of my new favorite Jagger Cole books. I loved everything about this! Jagger's writing always hooks me, and I couldn't put this book down. I love the way he writes mafia romance, and I am loving the Kyoto setting for the Yakuza in this series.
Freya is a hacker, and she works for her adopted father, who also happens to be the head of the Bratva. She witnesses a masked man brutally kill a few men while she is sneaking into a building to hack a server. They have a pretty hot interaction, and her lets her go. Things get intense when she finds out the identity of the masked man when he confronts her at her best friends engagement party. Mal is the cousin of Kenzo, the future head of the Mori-Kai Yakuza, and he is known for his lethal and psychotic behavior. He knows who Freya's family really was and holds her secret over her head. He basically blackmails her into an arrangement where he owns her, and they quickly discover they are into the same kinks.
Mal quickly becomes obsessed with Freya, does some slight stalking, and is super possessive of her. He doesn't think he can do a relationship and has so many walls built up from his tragic past. He tries to stay away from Freya, but their chemistry and connection are undeniable. Once they decide to be together, he shows his vulnerable side, and they have so many sweet moments together. I loved how he changed his whole sleeping schedule to match up with Freya's since she had a skin condition where she was allergic to the sun. Some of my favorite moments were him teaching her how to surf, the typhoon, and the matching tattoos. They were adorable.
This book took me back to what made me fall in love with Jagger Cole's writing. I felt like his recent books were too focused on sex and not enough emotional connection, but this one delivered more intimacy, and I could truly believe they fell in love.
Of course, Jagger always slays with his action-packed 3rd act. He always writes intense and exciting mafia plots. I am so excited to get to Damian's book next because he has intrigued me in the last two books.
Thank you to Valentine PR for providing the ARC.
Kinks: Somnophilia, CNC, primal play, rough sex, degradation, snowballing
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Emperor of Rage may be one of my new favorite Jagger Cole books. I loved everything about this! Jagger's writing always hooks me, and I couldn't put this book down. I love the way he writes mafia romance, and I am loving the Kyoto setting for the Yakuza in this series.
Freya is a hacker, and she works for her adopted father, who also happens to be the head of the Bratva. She witnesses a masked man brutally kill a few men while she is sneaking into a building to hack a server. They have a pretty hot interaction, and her lets her go. Things get intense when she finds out the identity of the masked man when he confronts her at her best friends engagement party. Mal is the cousin of Kenzo, the future head of the Mori-Kai Yakuza, and he is known for his lethal and psychotic behavior. He knows who Freya's family really was and holds her secret over her head. He basically blackmails her into an arrangement where he owns her, and they quickly discover they are into the same kinks.
Mal quickly becomes obsessed with Freya, does some slight stalking, and is super possessive of her. He doesn't think he can do a relationship and has so many walls built up from his tragic past. He tries to stay away from Freya, but their chemistry and connection are undeniable. Once they decide to be together, he shows his vulnerable side, and they have so many sweet moments together. I loved how he changed his whole sleeping schedule to match up with Freya's since she had a skin condition where she was allergic to the sun. Some of my favorite moments were him teaching her how to surf, the typhoon, and the matching tattoos. They were adorable.
This book took me back to what made me fall in love with Jagger Cole's writing. I felt like his recent books were too focused on sex and not enough emotional connection, but this one delivered more intimacy, and I could truly believe they fell in love.
Of course, Jagger always slays with his action-packed 3rd act. He always writes intense and exciting mafia plots. I am so excited to get to Damian's book next because he has intrigued me in the last two books.
Thank you to Valentine PR for providing the ARC.
Kinks: Somnophilia, CNC, primal play, rough sex, degradation, snowballing
January 21, 2025
♾️5 Secrets stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.5🌶
Sincer, nu ma mai surprinde nimic când vine vorba de Jagger Cole.
Atâtea trăiri intr-o poveste..nivelul 🌶 te face sa rosesti sigur (mai ales dacă nu ești obișnuit/a cu stilul autorului)..construcția personajelor e atat de bine detaliata..plotul în sine e la un alt nivel..am și lăcrimat spre final, când zici ca mai sunt câteva capitole și sigur asta va fi happy-end-ul pe care îl aștepți, se întâmplă ceva ce-ti da toate presupunerile peste cap..dar e garantat happy-end pana la urma!
Am fost atat de absorbita de poveste, de la primul pana la ultimul capitol, ca nu cred ca as avea doar un citat pe care sa-l las aici (cum fac în mod normal).
Enjoy the book..another one of the best from Jagger Cole!
4.5🌶
Sincer, nu ma mai surprinde nimic când vine vorba de Jagger Cole.
Atâtea trăiri intr-o poveste..nivelul 🌶 te face sa rosesti sigur (mai ales dacă nu ești obișnuit/a cu stilul autorului)..construcția personajelor e atat de bine detaliata..plotul în sine e la un alt nivel..am și lăcrimat spre final, când zici ca mai sunt câteva capitole și sigur asta va fi happy-end-ul pe care îl aștepți, se întâmplă ceva ce-ti da toate presupunerile peste cap..dar e garantat happy-end pana la urma!
Am fost atat de absorbita de poveste, de la primul pana la ultimul capitol, ca nu cred ca as avea doar un citat pe care sa-l las aici (cum fac în mod normal).
Enjoy the book..another one of the best from Jagger Cole!
August 18, 2025
Mal & Freya
March 8, 2025
Aradığım Jagger bu işte yaaa..
olmuş olmuş
olmuş olmuş
October 26, 2024
eARC review 🩵
Emperor of Rage by Jagger Cole
5 ⭐️ 3.5 🌶️
I say it every time, Jagger does NOT miss!! As soon as we met Freya, I knew I needed to know more about her. The girl hacker with major Wednesday Addams vibes (who is literally allergic to the sun)?? GIMME.
She needed a MAN to be able to fully accept who she is, and boy did she get one. 😌 Mal is the perfect match for her. They’re both so intense and have a hard exterior, but they love really hard once they finally open up.
As usual, this is packed with action, suspense, plot twists and spice! I always think I know how it’s gonna play out, and then the jagger twist comes. 😈
Tropes: dark romance • Bratva x Yakuza • morally grey x 2 • forced proximity-ish • grumpy/sunshine • antihero • romantic suspense • check TW’s ⚠️
Emperor of Rage by Jagger Cole
5 ⭐️ 3.5 🌶️
I say it every time, Jagger does NOT miss!! As soon as we met Freya, I knew I needed to know more about her. The girl hacker with major Wednesday Addams vibes (who is literally allergic to the sun)?? GIMME.
She needed a MAN to be able to fully accept who she is, and boy did she get one. 😌 Mal is the perfect match for her. They’re both so intense and have a hard exterior, but they love really hard once they finally open up.
As usual, this is packed with action, suspense, plot twists and spice! I always think I know how it’s gonna play out, and then the jagger twist comes. 😈
Tropes: dark romance • Bratva x Yakuza • morally grey x 2 • forced proximity-ish • grumpy/sunshine • antihero • romantic suspense • check TW’s ⚠️
October 18, 2024
Is there a better meet cute than her trying to hack into some mafia server and him ending a couple Bratva guys with a Japanese sword?
Awww… I thought so, too.
I was really excited about their story, after meeting those two in the previous book and while Jagger Cole delivered as always, this book felt different than the others, more… subdued.
For starters, the first 60% of the book follows along the plot of the first book in the series (the “Emperor of Wrath”). It doesn’t spoil it significantly, but at the same time, it feels like Mal and Freya just follow Annika and Kenzo’s adventures, instead of having their own plot. Nothing much happens in regard to them, besides the expected chemistry and insane banging.
Only after the events from the previous book are concluded, the drama for the main characters unfolds. It is a bit predictable, since Jagger Cole reuses some of his old tricks (i.e. a sudden perfect, seemingly innocent friend), but it still manages to bring a great deal of angst and tension.
One thing that didn’t make sense for me, when it came to the character arc, was Freya’s conviction concerning her health. Nobody just randomly believes they have a serious disease without running the most basic tests, let alone a super smart hacker, whose whole life is about making sure they have a correct data by, you know, running tests. It completely threw me off and made me feel like the author sacrificed the integrity of his characters for the sake of an easy drama.
HOWEVER! I do feel like this is the closest Jagger Cole has ever gotten to building an emotional connection between his main characters. You could actually see them somewhat falling in love and not just in lust. Color me impressed!
Even though it definitely wasn’t my favorite book by Jagger Cole, mostly due to the plot pacing I mentioned above and some questionable choices when it comes to dirty talk, I still read it in one afternoon, unable to put it down.
If you liked other books by the author, you’re probably gonna like this one, too.
Awww… I thought so, too.
I was really excited about their story, after meeting those two in the previous book and while Jagger Cole delivered as always, this book felt different than the others, more… subdued.
For starters, the first 60% of the book follows along the plot of the first book in the series (the “Emperor of Wrath”). It doesn’t spoil it significantly, but at the same time, it feels like Mal and Freya just follow Annika and Kenzo’s adventures, instead of having their own plot. Nothing much happens in regard to them, besides the expected chemistry and insane banging.
Only after the events from the previous book are concluded, the drama for the main characters unfolds. It is a bit predictable, since Jagger Cole reuses some of his old tricks (i.e. a sudden perfect, seemingly innocent friend), but it still manages to bring a great deal of angst and tension.
One thing that didn’t make sense for me, when it came to the character arc, was Freya’s conviction concerning her health. Nobody just randomly believes they have a serious disease without running the most basic tests, let alone a super smart hacker, whose whole life is about making sure they have a correct data by, you know, running tests. It completely threw me off and made me feel like the author sacrificed the integrity of his characters for the sake of an easy drama.
HOWEVER! I do feel like this is the closest Jagger Cole has ever gotten to building an emotional connection between his main characters. You could actually see them somewhat falling in love and not just in lust. Color me impressed!
Even though it definitely wasn’t my favorite book by Jagger Cole, mostly due to the plot pacing I mentioned above and some questionable choices when it comes to dirty talk, I still read it in one afternoon, unable to put it down.
If you liked other books by the author, you’re probably gonna like this one, too.
November 6, 2024
4.5/5⭐️
3.5/5🌶️
I truly don’t know how Jagger manages to top himself with every new book but he does. His MMC’s are the most UNHINGED, obsessed, possessive, broody men & I eat that ishhhh up every single dang time. Mal was no different I loved him so much.
The ✨shminks✨ in this book were also chefs kiss 👏🏼
- Dark Romance
- Bratva x Yakuza
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Enemies to Lovers
- Heroine in Danger
- Praise
- Primal
- Somno
3.5/5🌶️
I truly don’t know how Jagger manages to top himself with every new book but he does. His MMC’s are the most UNHINGED, obsessed, possessive, broody men & I eat that ishhhh up every single dang time. Mal was no different I loved him so much.
The ✨shminks✨ in this book were also chefs kiss 👏🏼
- Dark Romance
- Bratva x Yakuza
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Enemies to Lovers
- Heroine in Danger
- Praise
- Primal
- Somno
October 22, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ but not quite enough to round up
EoR undoubtedly delivers the same adrenaline-fueled, mafia-esque romance that fans of Jagger Cole anticipate, although it takes a while to establish momentum. For a good portion of the book, Mal and Freya’s story feels a bit like a rerun of Kenzo and Annika's journey in Emperor of Wrath–the first book in this series. Jagger Cole's Emperor of Rage serves up a sizzling, brooding cocktail of passion and power struggles, with enough steam to keep the pages turning and enough intrigue to make you question your sanity. Once the story finally shifts its focus to them, the drama ramps up—and I mean that in a good way.
First, let’s talk about Mal. This man is your quintessential tortured, brooding anti-hero, draped in danger and exuding dominance. He’s got a bone to pick with the world, and let’s face it—most of the time, we’re just here to watch him set everything on fire (metaphorically, of course). His relentless thirst for revenge and answers is as magnetic as it is destructive. This man loves and lusts with all of this destructive power. Mal may have had the filthiest mouth in a MMC that I have encountered in a book in recent times, and that is quite an omen😅.
Then there’s Freya. Ah, Freya. She’s a force of her own, far from a damsel in distress, and her fiery spirit is a definite highlight in the book. She doesn’t just fall into Mal’s orbit—she pushes back, challenges him, and shows she’s no one’s puppet even though Mal has quite the leverage. Her inner strength and resilience make her easy to root for, even when the plot threatens to swallow her whole..
Now, when it comes to the chemistry between these two? Explosive. There’s no denying that when Mal and Freya are together, sparks fly—both in and out of the bedroom. Cole does a fantastic job of building up the tension, making you want these two to collide, even as you know it’ll end in chaos.
While passion is still front and centre (as you’d expect in a Jagger Cole book), you can actually see a relationship forming between Mal and Freya that’s more than skin-deep. It’s refreshing to see the romance evolve into something that feels closer to love, not just pure heat.
Here’s where the book gets tricky: the plot. The storyline itself can sometimes feel a bit too packed, while other parts felt immensely slow and dragging. Moreover, another dramatic third-act breakup and a few twists packed into the final 10% of the story is generally thrilling, yes, but it also borders on overwhelming, leaving less room for the plot to truly take shape.
So, what’s the bottom line? Emperor of Rage is a book that knows its audience. If you’re a fan of dark romance and are looking for a story filled with high tension, powerful characters, and steamy smut, this will hit the mark. But it’s also a book that doesn’t quite rise to its full potential.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Please note that receiving this ARC did not influence my thoughts, opinions, or overall review of the book. I am voluntarily sharing my genuine thoughts, and all views expressed are my own.
EoR undoubtedly delivers the same adrenaline-fueled, mafia-esque romance that fans of Jagger Cole anticipate, although it takes a while to establish momentum. For a good portion of the book, Mal and Freya’s story feels a bit like a rerun of Kenzo and Annika's journey in Emperor of Wrath–the first book in this series. Jagger Cole's Emperor of Rage serves up a sizzling, brooding cocktail of passion and power struggles, with enough steam to keep the pages turning and enough intrigue to make you question your sanity. Once the story finally shifts its focus to them, the drama ramps up—and I mean that in a good way.
First, let’s talk about Mal. This man is your quintessential tortured, brooding anti-hero, draped in danger and exuding dominance. He’s got a bone to pick with the world, and let’s face it—most of the time, we’re just here to watch him set everything on fire (metaphorically, of course). His relentless thirst for revenge and answers is as magnetic as it is destructive. This man loves and lusts with all of this destructive power. Mal may have had the filthiest mouth in a MMC that I have encountered in a book in recent times, and that is quite an omen😅.
Then there’s Freya. Ah, Freya. She’s a force of her own, far from a damsel in distress, and her fiery spirit is a definite highlight in the book. She doesn’t just fall into Mal’s orbit—she pushes back, challenges him, and shows she’s no one’s puppet even though Mal has quite the leverage. Her inner strength and resilience make her easy to root for, even when the plot threatens to swallow her whole..
Now, when it comes to the chemistry between these two? Explosive. There’s no denying that when Mal and Freya are together, sparks fly—both in and out of the bedroom. Cole does a fantastic job of building up the tension, making you want these two to collide, even as you know it’ll end in chaos.
While passion is still front and centre (as you’d expect in a Jagger Cole book), you can actually see a relationship forming between Mal and Freya that’s more than skin-deep. It’s refreshing to see the romance evolve into something that feels closer to love, not just pure heat.
Here’s where the book gets tricky: the plot. The storyline itself can sometimes feel a bit too packed, while other parts felt immensely slow and dragging. Moreover, another dramatic third-act breakup and a few twists packed into the final 10% of the story is generally thrilling, yes, but it also borders on overwhelming, leaving less room for the plot to truly take shape.
So, what’s the bottom line? Emperor of Rage is a book that knows its audience. If you’re a fan of dark romance and are looking for a story filled with high tension, powerful characters, and steamy smut, this will hit the mark. But it’s also a book that doesn’t quite rise to its full potential.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Please note that receiving this ARC did not influence my thoughts, opinions, or overall review of the book. I am voluntarily sharing my genuine thoughts, and all views expressed are my own.
October 27, 2024
Thank you VPR & Jagger for this ARC. I’m continuing to fall in love with this series!
Emperor of Rage by Jagger Cole
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series: Momento Mori book 2
“𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙,” 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙨. “𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚.”
I really enjoy a good revenge romance. And Jagger knows how to write them. I always say this every time I read a Jagger Cole book, but if he writes it…I’m going to read it. I’m obsessed
Mal lost his family at a very adolescent age by the hands of the Lindqvist family, and he’s destined to make them pay. So why not use their daughter to destroy them. Mal is an interesting character, a morally black MMC, who calls himself as someone who doesn’t have the “boyfriend” gene, and unwilling to allow others to emotionally connect.
Freya has a neurodegenerative disease and has a few secrets of her own, grew up with her own found family and has tried to steer clear of her family’s shaky past. Then she meets Mal
And her life somehow declines yet flourishes because of him.
The typhoon scene 😱🤯 if you haven’t read this book. Do it!!!
Tropes:
Found family
Non con/dubcon
Virgin FMC
Gets a tattoo for her
Neurodivergent disease
BDSM
Typhoon scene
Enemies to lovers
Primal play
Mask kink
Emperor of Rage by Jagger Cole
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Series: Momento Mori book 2
“𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙,” 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙨. “𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚.”
I really enjoy a good revenge romance. And Jagger knows how to write them. I always say this every time I read a Jagger Cole book, but if he writes it…I’m going to read it. I’m obsessed
Mal lost his family at a very adolescent age by the hands of the Lindqvist family, and he’s destined to make them pay. So why not use their daughter to destroy them. Mal is an interesting character, a morally black MMC, who calls himself as someone who doesn’t have the “boyfriend” gene, and unwilling to allow others to emotionally connect.
Freya has a neurodegenerative disease and has a few secrets of her own, grew up with her own found family and has tried to steer clear of her family’s shaky past. Then she meets Mal
And her life somehow declines yet flourishes because of him.
The typhoon scene 😱🤯 if you haven’t read this book. Do it!!!
Tropes:
Found family
Non con/dubcon
Virgin FMC
Gets a tattoo for her
Neurodivergent disease
BDSM
Typhoon scene
Enemies to lovers
Primal play
Mask kink
December 26, 2024
1.75⭐ / 3🌶️
— vibezz
🌊 enemies to lovers
💻 hackers
🌊 yakuza x bratva
💻 family secrets
🌊 revenge plot
mini blurb — ✍🏻
Mal found out that Freya's family was involved in the attack that killed his.
And now that he learned all of Freya's secrets is dead set in acting in finally overdue revenge.
//
Big surprise I know, I did not liked this 😔
I felt the book was all over the place, and lately, the the last books it feels like reading the same one over and over again if we look at the main characters and their interactions and dynamics.. The story is mildly entertaining, only for the plot twists thrown there, maybe a bit over dramatic and focused in hidden or secret over-complicated family ties that not even the worst telenovelas have them 😔
Let's not talk about the spicy scene bc at one point I got the ick and found them cringy af and totally unnecessary hardcore for no reason at all.
The whole book was just Mal & Freya hate-banging their brains off, him as sort of a revenge towards her family and her idk? as a big fucking YOLO to life?
go you both give us nothing 🤙
A bit spoilery here so:
And I'm sorry but the villain's name was Kasper 👻 I couldn't take him seriously, and he was actually dead so I guess it's fitting in a weird sense 🤷🏻♀️
Like istg this book left me with more questions that I had when I first started it
-various plot-holes/how they did that sort of thing, I guess we just go with the vibe~
-who is Oren?
-who is Adrian Cross? He was actually interesting and seemed like he had smth to add on the plate
-what about Freya's mom? could have had her story with Freya's father??? WAS IT TOO MUCH FFS
— vibezz
🌊 enemies to lovers
💻 hackers
🌊 yakuza x bratva
💻 family secrets
🌊 revenge plot
mini blurb — ✍🏻
Mal found out that Freya's family was involved in the attack that killed his.
And now that he learned all of Freya's secrets is dead set in acting in finally overdue revenge.
//
Big surprise I know, I did not liked this 😔
I felt the book was all over the place, and lately, the the last books it feels like reading the same one over and over again if we look at the main characters and their interactions and dynamics.. The story is mildly entertaining, only for the plot twists thrown there, maybe a bit over dramatic and focused in hidden or secret over-complicated family ties that not even the worst telenovelas have them 😔
Let's not talk about the spicy scene bc at one point I got the ick and found them cringy af and totally unnecessary hardcore for no reason at all.
The whole book was just Mal & Freya hate-banging their brains off, him as sort of a revenge towards her family and her idk? as a big fucking YOLO to life?
go you both give us nothing 🤙
A bit spoilery here so:
And I'm sorry but the villain's name was Kasper 👻 I couldn't take him seriously, and he was actually dead so I guess it's fitting in a weird sense 🤷🏻♀️
Like istg this book left me with more questions that I had when I first started it
-various plot-holes/how they did that sort of thing, I guess we just go with the vibe~
-who is Oren?
-who is Adrian Cross? He was actually interesting and seemed like he had smth to add on the plate
-what about Freya's mom? could have had her story with Freya's father??? WAS IT TOO MUCH FFS
February 2, 2025
4🌟
The first part of the book was mostly a recap of *Emperor of Wrath*. In some moments, the relationship between Freya and Mal felt rushed, as if some chapters were deleted.
I loved the second part of the book; we got to see an evolved relationship, not just the beginning of one.
*Very happy to report that the FAT 🍆 is not that present in this one
The first part of the book was mostly a recap of *Emperor of Wrath*. In some moments, the relationship between Freya and Mal felt rushed, as if some chapters were deleted.
I loved the second part of the book; we got to see an evolved relationship, not just the beginning of one.
*Very happy to report that the FAT 🍆 is not that present in this one
October 25, 2024
Another fun read. We going back to Kenzo and Annika's book a lot because of the time-line.
There's plot twist, characters from older books, drama.
It was a great story. Now onto Damien's book next.
I really hope Kir gets a story too.
There's plot twist, characters from older books, drama.
It was a great story. Now onto Damien's book next.
I really hope Kir gets a story too.
Read
October 21, 2024For the baddies who see an absolute psychopath and think … I can fix him. 🚩🥵
October 25, 2024
Chefs kiss, as always!
March 5, 2025
This was ass. A romance book written by a straight man? Red flag number 1, but I wanted to give him a chance. My bad.
October 22, 2024
CANNOT WAIT FOR DAMIEN'S BOOK
October 29, 2024
I received an arc for an honest review
Thank you valentine pr and jagger cole for this opportunity
★ MILD SPOILERS ★
ratings : 3.75/5
spice : 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I knew I would love Freya and Mal the moment they were introduced in book 1. But idk I did expect a lil more from what was delivered hence 3.75 rating
Freya my girl is such a bad ass, I genuinely adored her. And with her conditions and everything putting up such a strong face 🤞🏼😭 ahh she's truly so strong. The plot twist had me go insane tbh I did not expect that at all - (I did guess it 😅 though before it was told but still).
Mal AS EXPECTED is so fking hot like NOT EVEN KIDDING sirrr have me pls hot. I loved him from the moment he was mentioned in kenzo's book so it was given I'll just fall deeper for him. His past made me ache for him so bad because he deserved sm more 😭 than what he had to go through, tbh just wanna hug the younger Mal. NOW WHAT SURPRISED ME MORE WAS the guy is A SURFER. A. SURFER. Y'ALL. I was not expecting that to be my fav new turn on 🤭.
Mal and Freya are literally perfect for each other in all true senses. The way they matched each other's darkness 🤞🏼🤞🏼.
ALSO LOVED MY MAN ADRIAN CROSS CAMEO. HE'S TRULY EVERYONE'S FAV ATP.
I just expected a little bit more plot development and storyline because idk somewhere it lacked something.
gonna miss this found family sm.
So so so excited for damien's book now 🤭
Thank you valentine pr and jagger cole for this opportunity
★ MILD SPOILERS ★
ratings : 3.75/5
spice : 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I knew I would love Freya and Mal the moment they were introduced in book 1. But idk I did expect a lil more from what was delivered hence 3.75 rating
Freya my girl is such a bad ass, I genuinely adored her. And with her conditions and everything putting up such a strong face 🤞🏼😭 ahh she's truly so strong. The plot twist had me go insane tbh I did not expect that at all - (I did guess it 😅 though before it was told but still).
Mal AS EXPECTED is so fking hot like NOT EVEN KIDDING sirrr have me pls hot. I loved him from the moment he was mentioned in kenzo's book so it was given I'll just fall deeper for him. His past made me ache for him so bad because he deserved sm more 😭 than what he had to go through, tbh just wanna hug the younger Mal. NOW WHAT SURPRISED ME MORE WAS the guy is A SURFER. A. SURFER. Y'ALL. I was not expecting that to be my fav new turn on 🤭.
Mal and Freya are literally perfect for each other in all true senses. The way they matched each other's darkness 🤞🏼🤞🏼.
ALSO LOVED MY MAN ADRIAN CROSS CAMEO. HE'S TRULY EVERYONE'S FAV ATP.
I just expected a little bit more plot development and storyline because idk somewhere it lacked something.
gonna miss this found family sm.
So so so excited for damien's book now 🤭
November 22, 2024
Yeah a big tatted mafia man who would burn down the world for her I fucking ate that shit upppp. This book had me blushing like a little school girl especially the tattoo scene 🤭🥵🫠
September 20, 2025
What is this Jagger Cole mafia rabbit hole I have found myself falling down? It is delicious and I am here for it! Freya is doing a hack job and sees something she really shouldn't have. Confronted by the masked man, it turns steamy. She doesn't discover his true identity until later. Mal is damaged and doesn't do relationships so he does some stalking but he just can't stay away. Their story is packed with mafia action and does not disappoint.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Kyo Sija & Will Thorne are phenomenal in bringing the complex emotions and the undeniable chemistry to life. Highly recommend!
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. Kyo Sija & Will Thorne are phenomenal in bringing the complex emotions and the undeniable chemistry to life. Highly recommend!
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