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The Devils of Vitality
Devil May Lie
A Devil of Vitality always draws first blood.
Berga Obsidian is only good for one thing.
As the Butcher of the Brumal mafia, Berga spends his days between the university and his lab, constantly caught up in one experiment or another. Everyone knows his name, and everyone fears him, but very few get close enough to learn who he really is. Even fewer actually want to. He's spent his entire life trying to make up for a mistake made as a child and is haunted by literal ghosts of the past dressed in pink tulle. Locking himself away periodically to protect himself and those around him has become second nature, that is until one mix-up with a Royal changes everything.
Madden Odell can do no wrong.
He comes from a prestigious and powerful family and is best friends with the Imperial Prince. By day, he trains at the military academy, keeping up appearances, and by night he runs the illegal street races down at the Docks. He's never wanted for anything for longer than a minute before it's his, that is until Berga strolls in and shakes up his world. Technically, they've known each other for years, but they've never been close. One night of rough and twisted debauchery and suddenly Madden is desperate to change that. By any means necessary.
But Berga is far from what he seems, with an unexpected past trauma and a strong fear of abandonment. The two of them also come from different sides of the same coin. Berga is part of the Satellite, a group created to protect the head of the mafia, whereas Madden's position with the prince means he stands with the Imperial family. Even if they can somehow work through their differences and learn to rely on one another, will their leaders ever allow their relationship to strengthen?
Or will the two of them have to choose? The life they've always known, or each other?
Trigger Warning: This is a stand-alone dark romance which means there are many themes that some might find disturbing. Some of these include, but are not limited to, dub-con, violence, a mad scientist who doesn't cater to those squeamish, and explicit sexual content not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to read the Author's Note for a complete list of warnings! HEA guaranteed! Though this book takes place on the same planet as the previous in the series, each of these is a stand-alone.
Berga Obsidian is only good for one thing.
As the Butcher of the Brumal mafia, Berga spends his days between the university and his lab, constantly caught up in one experiment or another. Everyone knows his name, and everyone fears him, but very few get close enough to learn who he really is. Even fewer actually want to. He's spent his entire life trying to make up for a mistake made as a child and is haunted by literal ghosts of the past dressed in pink tulle. Locking himself away periodically to protect himself and those around him has become second nature, that is until one mix-up with a Royal changes everything.
Madden Odell can do no wrong.
He comes from a prestigious and powerful family and is best friends with the Imperial Prince. By day, he trains at the military academy, keeping up appearances, and by night he runs the illegal street races down at the Docks. He's never wanted for anything for longer than a minute before it's his, that is until Berga strolls in and shakes up his world. Technically, they've known each other for years, but they've never been close. One night of rough and twisted debauchery and suddenly Madden is desperate to change that. By any means necessary.
But Berga is far from what he seems, with an unexpected past trauma and a strong fear of abandonment. The two of them also come from different sides of the same coin. Berga is part of the Satellite, a group created to protect the head of the mafia, whereas Madden's position with the prince means he stands with the Imperial family. Even if they can somehow work through their differences and learn to rely on one another, will their leaders ever allow their relationship to strengthen?
Or will the two of them have to choose? The life they've always known, or each other?
Trigger Warning: This is a stand-alone dark romance which means there are many themes that some might find disturbing. Some of these include, but are not limited to, dub-con, violence, a mad scientist who doesn't cater to those squeamish, and explicit sexual content not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to read the Author's Note for a complete list of warnings! HEA guaranteed! Though this book takes place on the same planet as the previous in the series, each of these is a stand-alone.
455 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2024
157 people are currently reading
1771 people want to read
About the author
Chani Lynn Feener
67 books1,496 followersLibrarians, please don't add books. I stay up to date and add them myself and have ended up with many multiple copies because others add them later. Thank you!
Chani majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. She is the author of the Xenith trilogy, and the teen paranormal series, The Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut.
Have a question? Check her blog! https://chanilynnfeener.wixsite.com/a...
Find her on Instagram @TempestChani
Chani majored in Creative Writing at Johnson State College in Vermont. To pay her bills, she has worked many odd jobs, including, but not limited to, telemarketing, order picking in a warehouse, and filling ink cartridges. When she isn’t writing, she’s binging TV shows, drawing, or frequenting zoos/aquariums. She is the author of the Xenith trilogy, and the teen paranormal series, The Underworld Saga, originally written under the penname Tempest C. Avery. She currently resides in Connecticut.
Have a question? Check her blog! https://chanilynnfeener.wixsite.com/a...
Find her on Instagram @TempestChani
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
October 27, 2024
My head is either wrapped in cotton-wool or this book is written much more gently than the previous ones. Maybe it's a mixture of both, I can't quite trust myself right now.
I love how the vulnerabilities of Berga and Madden are teased out here and even though I think the book stays too much on the surface and could have been even better on an emotional level, I am still very satisfied. I hadn't really thought of Berga and Madden as a compatible couple in previous books, let alone great interesting characters. Even though Berga's craziness definitely fascinated me from the beginning.
And then this:
“Are you going to hurt me?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Then,” Berga set his gaze on Madden’s, his reflection practically gleaming back at him from within those shiny dark orbs, “do it properly.” 🤤🖤🤤
kink-wise this couldn't be any better, the story with pain-kink has to be invented first, which doesn't make me completely melt away.
“Madden.” The man was absolutely infuriating. “You do realize I could melt your insides, right? You wouldn’t even know it was happening until it was too late.”
“Yeah,” he grinned, “that’s kind of hot.”
“What is wrong with you?”
“Cute, coming from the guy who just threatened to turn me to goo.”
So they were both fucked up. Shocker. 🫠🖤🫠
I love how the vulnerabilities of Berga and Madden are teased out here and even though I think the book stays too much on the surface and could have been even better on an emotional level, I am still very satisfied. I hadn't really thought of Berga and Madden as a compatible couple in previous books, let alone great interesting characters. Even though Berga's craziness definitely fascinated me from the beginning.
And then this:
“Are you going to hurt me?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Then,” Berga set his gaze on Madden’s, his reflection practically gleaming back at him from within those shiny dark orbs, “do it properly.” 🤤🖤🤤
kink-wise this couldn't be any better, the story with pain-kink has to be invented first, which doesn't make me completely melt away.
“Madden.” The man was absolutely infuriating. “You do realize I could melt your insides, right? You wouldn’t even know it was happening until it was too late.”
“Yeah,” he grinned, “that’s kind of hot.”
“What is wrong with you?”
“Cute, coming from the guy who just threatened to turn me to goo.”
So they were both fucked up. Shocker. 🫠🖤🫠
November 5, 2024
4.5 stars.
I enjoyed the book, but I have to admit that I'm a bit disappointed. My expectations were so high that when the story didn’t meet them as I had hoped, it tarnished the fantasy I had about the couple.
Despite that disappointment, I still found the relationship between Berga and Madden to be cute and one of the healthier ones in the series. I loved that both characters were a bit manipulative and completely obsessed with each other. Madden’s support for Berga during his difficult moments was sweet and showed just how much he cared.
Berga's willingness to sacrifice his own life for Madden highlighted the depth of his love. It was clear that both were crazy about one another, especially Berga, who had a crush on Madden for a long time. The way he meticulously planned their first encounter genuinely made me laugh, I never expected him to be so resourceful.
Overall, this series is addictive, and I can’t wait for the next book!
I enjoyed the book, but I have to admit that I'm a bit disappointed. My expectations were so high that when the story didn’t meet them as I had hoped, it tarnished the fantasy I had about the couple.
Despite that disappointment, I still found the relationship between Berga and Madden to be cute and one of the healthier ones in the series. I loved that both characters were a bit manipulative and completely obsessed with each other. Madden’s support for Berga during his difficult moments was sweet and showed just how much he cared.
Berga's willingness to sacrifice his own life for Madden highlighted the depth of his love. It was clear that both were crazy about one another, especially Berga, who had a crush on Madden for a long time. The way he meticulously planned their first encounter genuinely made me laugh, I never expected him to be so resourceful.
Overall, this series is addictive, and I can’t wait for the next book!
September 10, 2024
ok first of all, lemme just say I FEEL ROBBED!!!! bc the story starts with aphrodisiac drug induced flip fucking between two tops bottoming for the first time!!!!! like BRUH, HOLY FUCK, i thought i hit the mf jackpot🤩🤩😩😩 but they immediately settle on a t/b dynamic right after and don’t sway from it😔😔 like excuse me for getting greedy since i’ve been begging for a devil bottom in my reviews so i should just sit back and be satisfied, but u can’t just dangle devil switches in front of me and expect me not to yearn!!!!🤧🤧🤧 RIP to what could’ve been🫡
they might just be the cutest (and most clueless, ahem looking at u, berga) devil couple yet tho, which i meannnnn….”cutest” really shouldn’t be said about ANY couple in this series💀💀💀 idk how to explain tho but it’s trueeeee😩😩 blame it on me reading too many chani books, i’m starting to get red is actually green color blindness🤣🤣
highlight rundown bc i’m feeling lazy:
🌟 dislocating ur shoulder in order to have an excuse to talk to ur crush (irl men….pay attention👏)
🌟 when u hate blood on you but you sacrifice getting splattered while u empty a whole clip into some dumb fuck bc he’s threatening ur crush and then ur crush tells u you’re the sexiest thing ever when ur covered in blood (like is that too much to ask for??😩)
🌟 getting so jealous of other people crowding ur man that you slip into psychosis (relatable🤝)
🌟 dick magically making said psychosis better💀 (how could it not?? #newtreatmentplan✍️)
🌟 publicly claiming each other seven ways til sunday (situationship WHO✋)
🌟 buying a pair of earrings that look exactly like the eyes of the man you’ve been obsessed with ur whole life before he even looks at u twice bc u wanna know what his eyes feel like in the palm of ur hand and then gifting the earrings to him months later when you’ve bagged him (clinically deranged or not, he’s making an effort!!!!😍)
🌟 when ur man finds out about ur obsession with his eyes and offers to pluck them out and give them to u to play with (relationship goals, am i right??🥺)
🌟 making a bet with ur bf about telling everyone in the brumal how y’all are together, to be won or lost on ur first date, and then not even waiting the couple of days for ur first date, basically immediately turning around and telling ur brumal boss man that y’all are romantically seeing each other (jumping the gun has never been hotter🤭)
🌟 ordering a hoverbike (that everyone knows is ur most prized possession) in the exact shade of ur bf’s hair color….like down bad alerttttt🚨
🌟 that moment when u have to confess u “accidentally” drugged urself on purpose and then obviously drugged ur crush on purpose as well (see: the aphrodisiac drug induced sex fest) and, in fact, that was the whole reason u were at ur crush’s in the first place, and it was all bc u wanted to “touch his hair” aka FUCK🤫 (ok fine, touch his hair AND fuck #twoisbetterthanone)
🌟 ur besties knowing it was just a matter of time before y’all got together bc you’ve been creepy and intense about him since y’all were kids (lesson learned: staring CAN be sexy)
🌟 sila being messy as fuck🤣🤣 (you dropped this king👑….you can wear that while you go sit in the timeout chair)
🌟 “Ah, It’s banishment after all.”😭😭😭
🌟 “You’ve never, not once, meant nothing to me.”🥺🥺
lowlight rundown bc i’m feeling sick to my stomach:
🍅 changing both their last names to JEKYLL!?!?!!!!?!?!?🤢🤢🤢 hello 911??? ARREST THEM!!!!!!!!
only thing is, i didn’t like madden being petty and pretending not to remember berga so that he could wait for berga to come crawling to him when he knows his man has abandonment issues😭 ik he did it bc he was hurt and scared that berga might have been planning on leaving him this whole time, but come on now, you’re a DEVIL…you should’ve just locked him up and been crazy and told him he’s never allowed to leave u and then force him to spill the tea on his convo with sila. bada bing, bada boom, was that so hard🙄🤣🤣 like normal people are petty; devils are batshit insane and if they thought for a second their man was planning on leaving them, they’d let ‘em know that wasn’t an option!!! like 🫴 more toxicity pls💀💀🤣🤣🤣
the way berga reacted, i can excuse, bc the man’s insecurities are very strong. plus, excuse me, berga begged you to kill him bc he doesn’t want to live if y’all aren’t together….like u better stay matching that fucking energy madden or we’re gonna have to have a fucking talk lmaooo🤣🤣🤣 but at the end of the day, madden was never swayed from getting what he fucking wanted, his methods at the end just left something to be desired for me.
so anyway, i love them, i had fun with them, but i think they’re also missing that little sum sum to make it 5 stars, but i’d be giving it 4.5 anyway, and i always have such a fun time reading chani books, so i’m rounding up to 5. sue me!!!!
they might just be the cutest (and most clueless, ahem looking at u, berga) devil couple yet tho, which i meannnnn….”cutest” really shouldn’t be said about ANY couple in this series💀💀💀 idk how to explain tho but it’s trueeeee😩😩 blame it on me reading too many chani books, i’m starting to get red is actually green color blindness🤣🤣
highlight rundown bc i’m feeling lazy:
🌟 dislocating ur shoulder in order to have an excuse to talk to ur crush (irl men….pay attention👏)
🌟 when u hate blood on you but you sacrifice getting splattered while u empty a whole clip into some dumb fuck bc he’s threatening ur crush and then ur crush tells u you’re the sexiest thing ever when ur covered in blood (like is that too much to ask for??😩)
🌟 getting so jealous of other people crowding ur man that you slip into psychosis (relatable🤝)
🌟 dick magically making said psychosis better💀 (how could it not?? #newtreatmentplan✍️)
🌟 publicly claiming each other seven ways til sunday (situationship WHO✋)
🌟 buying a pair of earrings that look exactly like the eyes of the man you’ve been obsessed with ur whole life before he even looks at u twice bc u wanna know what his eyes feel like in the palm of ur hand and then gifting the earrings to him months later when you’ve bagged him (clinically deranged or not, he’s making an effort!!!!😍)
🌟 when ur man finds out about ur obsession with his eyes and offers to pluck them out and give them to u to play with (relationship goals, am i right??🥺)
🌟 making a bet with ur bf about telling everyone in the brumal how y’all are together, to be won or lost on ur first date, and then not even waiting the couple of days for ur first date, basically immediately turning around and telling ur brumal boss man that y’all are romantically seeing each other (jumping the gun has never been hotter🤭)
🌟 ordering a hoverbike (that everyone knows is ur most prized possession) in the exact shade of ur bf’s hair color….like down bad alerttttt🚨
🌟 that moment when u have to confess u “accidentally” drugged urself on purpose and then obviously drugged ur crush on purpose as well (see: the aphrodisiac drug induced sex fest) and, in fact, that was the whole reason u were at ur crush’s in the first place, and it was all bc u wanted to “touch his hair” aka FUCK🤫 (ok fine, touch his hair AND fuck #twoisbetterthanone)
🌟 ur besties knowing it was just a matter of time before y’all got together bc you’ve been creepy and intense about him since y’all were kids (lesson learned: staring CAN be sexy)
🌟 sila being messy as fuck🤣🤣 (you dropped this king👑….you can wear that while you go sit in the timeout chair)
🌟 “Ah, It’s banishment after all.”😭😭😭
🌟 “You’ve never, not once, meant nothing to me.”🥺🥺
lowlight rundown bc i’m feeling sick to my stomach:
🍅 changing both their last names to JEKYLL!?!?!!!!?!?!?🤢🤢🤢 hello 911??? ARREST THEM!!!!!!!!
only thing is, i didn’t like madden being petty and pretending not to remember berga so that he could wait for berga to come crawling to him when he knows his man has abandonment issues😭 ik he did it bc he was hurt and scared that berga might have been planning on leaving him this whole time, but come on now, you’re a DEVIL…you should’ve just locked him up and been crazy and told him he’s never allowed to leave u and then force him to spill the tea on his convo with sila. bada bing, bada boom, was that so hard🙄🤣🤣 like normal people are petty; devils are batshit insane and if they thought for a second their man was planning on leaving them, they’d let ‘em know that wasn’t an option!!! like 🫴 more toxicity pls💀💀🤣🤣🤣
the way berga reacted, i can excuse, bc the man’s insecurities are very strong. plus, excuse me, berga begged you to kill him bc he doesn’t want to live if y’all aren’t together….like u better stay matching that fucking energy madden or we’re gonna have to have a fucking talk lmaooo🤣🤣🤣 but at the end of the day, madden was never swayed from getting what he fucking wanted, his methods at the end just left something to be desired for me.
so anyway, i love them, i had fun with them, but i think they’re also missing that little sum sum to make it 5 stars, but i’d be giving it 4.5 anyway, and i always have such a fun time reading chani books, so i’m rounding up to 5. sue me!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2024
I actually wish this book had been a little bit longer! The ending felt a little rushed compared to the build up, but it made me cry my eyes out! So I kind of wish there'd been a little more, but also the story did feel like nothing was really missing in terms of their relationship itself - I just want more of this story universe!!
Madden and Berga were definitely interesting, especially because the only reason Berga ever initiated anything is because Madden's hair reminded him of blood! I loved how Madden was so set on being with Berga pretty much as soon as he opened his eyes to who Berga really was. The possessiveness was so good!
The plot with Ives also felt a little rushed and swept aside? It felt a little strange that he went to those lengths because of a childhood pet? I would have liked more explanation I guess, or for the actual character to appear and not just be talked about.
Also Flix was really annoying me in this book! Considering he's been one of my favourite character's in this series, this book really made me dislike him because he was getting involved where he wasn't needed or wanted, and he was treating Berga like a child which I hated. He was also a huge hypocrite! Sila was also an absolute twat, but in reality his behaviour and the reasoning for it was not at all surprising after reading his book and getting to know who he is!
Now I'm going to read everything else by this author while I wait for Zane's book to be published, but I never want to leave the Devil's of Vitality!
Madden and Berga were definitely interesting, especially because the only reason Berga ever initiated anything is because Madden's hair reminded him of blood! I loved how Madden was so set on being with Berga pretty much as soon as he opened his eyes to who Berga really was. The possessiveness was so good!
The plot with Ives also felt a little rushed and swept aside? It felt a little strange that he went to those lengths because of a childhood pet? I would have liked more explanation I guess, or for the actual character to appear and not just be talked about.
Also Flix was really annoying me in this book! Considering he's been one of my favourite character's in this series, this book really made me dislike him because he was getting involved where he wasn't needed or wanted, and he was treating Berga like a child which I hated. He was also a huge hypocrite! Sila was also an absolute twat, but in reality his behaviour and the reasoning for it was not at all surprising after reading his book and getting to know who he is!
Now I'm going to read everything else by this author while I wait for Zane's book to be published, but I never want to leave the Devil's of Vitality!
August 29, 2024
Another absolutely amazing dark romance set in the world of the Devils of Vitality! It’s no secret that I am absolutely obsessed with this series and Madden Odell and Berga Obsidian’s book was no different… although I have to say, in comparison to some of the other Devils, these boys were absolute sweethearts! Obsessive, possessive, and slightly unhinged, absolutely. But absolutely smitten with each other from childhood and determined to help each other overcome trauma? Also yes, and I am here for it 🥹
Berga is known as The Butcher. He’s the Brumal Mafia’s Mad Scientist, an expert in drugs and torture. Despite having most of the planet of Vitality terrified of him, Berga is living with a secret that is destroying his mental health and his ability to connect with others. His dissociative states are ruining his life and he’s certain he’ll never find anyone to call his own…
Royal Madden Odell is Prince Kelevra’s best friend and an expert hoverbike racer. When he is accosted by Berga at the track, he’s not sure what to make of it, but he quickly realises that there is more to the infamous Butcher than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what set the man on such a dark path…
Okay, out of all the Devils of vitality, Madden is by far the sweetest of the bunch! That’s not to say he isn’t ruthless and petty in his own way, but once he sets his mind to helping Berga, literally nothing will stand in his way! Berga is a twisted soul, but once the reader (and Madden) learn more about him, it’s clear why he is the way he is… as always, the characters’ HEA is perfect and I also always appreciate cameos from past books! In this one we had plenty of Flix, Bay and Baikal content, with a little of Sila being a shitbag thrown in as well 💕
Read Devil May Lie for:
✨ Mafia butcher x Royal retinue member
✨ Touch him and die
✨ Obsessive, possessive
✨ Non-con, dub-con
✨ Helping your murder boyfriend heal from trauma
✨ Hoverbike racing as foreplay
✨ Drug-induced arousal
✨ Pain kink
✨ Gore, blood, murder; everyone is morally grey 😈
Thank you as always to the wonderful author for providing me with an early copy of this book so I could do some proofreading 💕
Berga is known as The Butcher. He’s the Brumal Mafia’s Mad Scientist, an expert in drugs and torture. Despite having most of the planet of Vitality terrified of him, Berga is living with a secret that is destroying his mental health and his ability to connect with others. His dissociative states are ruining his life and he’s certain he’ll never find anyone to call his own…
Royal Madden Odell is Prince Kelevra’s best friend and an expert hoverbike racer. When he is accosted by Berga at the track, he’s not sure what to make of it, but he quickly realises that there is more to the infamous Butcher than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what set the man on such a dark path…
Okay, out of all the Devils of vitality, Madden is by far the sweetest of the bunch! That’s not to say he isn’t ruthless and petty in his own way, but once he sets his mind to helping Berga, literally nothing will stand in his way! Berga is a twisted soul, but once the reader (and Madden) learn more about him, it’s clear why he is the way he is… as always, the characters’ HEA is perfect and I also always appreciate cameos from past books! In this one we had plenty of Flix, Bay and Baikal content, with a little of Sila being a shitbag thrown in as well 💕
Read Devil May Lie for:
✨ Mafia butcher x Royal retinue member
✨ Touch him and die
✨ Obsessive, possessive
✨ Non-con, dub-con
✨ Helping your murder boyfriend heal from trauma
✨ Hoverbike racing as foreplay
✨ Drug-induced arousal
✨ Pain kink
✨ Gore, blood, murder; everyone is morally grey 😈
Thank you as always to the wonderful author for providing me with an early copy of this book so I could do some proofreading 💕
September 4, 2024
i’m weak in the knees for berga obisidian…i’d volunteer to become his test subject in my right mind. let him liquify my insides whatever baby wants baby gets!!! his story was so heartbreaking, he deserves the whole world. i love you my baby butcher <3 i’m never getting over the fact that he was ready to die for madden because he couldn’t live without him :( baby i would die for YOU.
get yourself a man who would pluck his eyes out just because you said you want to held them in your hands…madden odell owns me. that’s a real man!! he served boy obsessed sooo good. the way he cared about nothing but berga 🥹🥹🥹 the mad king and his mad scientist!!! they are PERFECTION. their buzz was so insane no one compares to them. there was crack cocaine in this book i’m sure of it.
"He wanted to consume him, bask in his madness. And if he happened to burn in those chaotic flames? It'd be worth it just to have touched the Butcher's fire."
get yourself a man who would pluck his eyes out just because you said you want to held them in your hands…madden odell owns me. that’s a real man!! he served boy obsessed sooo good. the way he cared about nothing but berga 🥹🥹🥹 the mad king and his mad scientist!!! they are PERFECTION. their buzz was so insane no one compares to them. there was crack cocaine in this book i’m sure of it.
"He wanted to consume him, bask in his madness. And if he happened to burn in those chaotic flames? It'd be worth it just to have touched the Butcher's fire."
September 6, 2024
Tropes: forbidden relationship, paranormal romance, hurt/comfort
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: noncon, dubcon, toys, pain kink, bondage, use of objects as sex toys
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: rape (between MCs), aphrodisiac drugs used against MC, torture, murder, deceased sibling, grief, hallucinations, psychosis, manic episodes, dismissive parents, attempted self-harm via use of a gun, phobia about having fluids on oneself/being dirty, non-consensual unsafe sex, third act break up
4.5 stars
This is a dark paranormal romance in the Devils of Vitality series. Berga and Madden are 22 years old and in college. Berga is the Butcher of the brumal Mafia. Madden is part of the royal Imperial family. While there is peace between their two groups, they have very separate loyalties and a relationship between them is discouraged because of that. They've known each other in the periphery for 10 years, since they were kids. Berga has always had a morbid fascination with Madden because Berga is a bit of a psychopath but with some feelings, and a dark trauma filled childhood that gave him a fascination for blood. Madden has hair the color of blood which reminds him of his dead sister's blood.
Berga is a bit of a mad scientist and concox drugs that do scary things and some that do positive things. He messes up and doses himself with an aphrodisiac and hits on nearby Madden, so that he can f*** away the effects of the drug with him. Madden turns him down, so Berga does the incredibly morally black thing and doses him against his will with the aphrodisiac and rapes him. While on the drug they have a lengthy f******* were they both violate each other and end up having the best sex of their lives. They are extremely kinky the both of them and compatible. Madden is instantly obsessed and wants more of him. Berga initially tries to dodge him but he caves to the sexual pressure Madden exerts and against their better judgment both of them end up falling deeper than they should for each other.
Madden ends up having a positive influence on Berga's mental health, slipping in under his defenses and being a centering anchor during his psychosis. Their relationship is tested when their loyalties to the Brumal Mafia and Imperial family our question and when some of the omissions that Berga left out come to light. And someone is after one or both of them so there's a little danger around them.
Mind your triggers with this book, cuz it sure is full of them. But if you can get past the very dark triggers, this is a very passionate and emotional story with lots of deep plots. They have a very possessive and obsessive love and a bit of a meant to be dynamic. And I liked their hurt/comfort angle, how Berga needed Madden. I only saw two or three typos which is a lot less than this author usually writes so that was positive. The third act break up and all the s*** that went down at that time (it's twisty, I won't spoil) really tugged at my heartstrings and had me crying. So emotional! I was so afraid Berga was going to kill himself.
Sila was atrociously out of line with his interference in Madden and Berga's relationship btw, why did he even care enough to interfere? That was a little out of character.
Some notable moments:
"This wasn’t going to do. For some reason, Madden didn’t like the way Berga was going about regular business, as though his presence in his personal space wasn’t worth the effort of noticing."
"“I told him my boyfriend was ill and needed something healthy,” Madden stated. “He knows I’m a shit cook so—” “You did not tell him I’m your boyfriend.” “Not by name, but otherwise? Yes.” “I am not—” “You’re mine,” Madden cut him off. “I’ll call you what I like.” “Listen carefully, Mad King,” Berga set the spoon down, “I do not belong to you.” “Too bad. You’ve already publicly claimed me, Butcher, or have you forgotten that part of the story?”"
Psychopath pettiness is fun. "“Revenge? Please. We aren’t children, Flix.” “You once turned a man’s bones to stone for calling your horns stupid. What would you say that is?” He considered. “Pettiness?”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 4/5
Steam*: 4/5
Kinks: noncon, dubcon, toys, pain kink, bondage, use of objects as sex toys
Angst: medium
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: rape (between MCs), aphrodisiac drugs used against MC, torture, murder, deceased sibling, grief, hallucinations, psychosis, manic episodes, dismissive parents, attempted self-harm via use of a gun, phobia about having fluids on oneself/being dirty, non-consensual unsafe sex, third act break up
4.5 stars
This is a dark paranormal romance in the Devils of Vitality series. Berga and Madden are 22 years old and in college. Berga is the Butcher of the brumal Mafia. Madden is part of the royal Imperial family. While there is peace between their two groups, they have very separate loyalties and a relationship between them is discouraged because of that. They've known each other in the periphery for 10 years, since they were kids. Berga has always had a morbid fascination with Madden because Berga is a bit of a psychopath but with some feelings, and a dark trauma filled childhood that gave him a fascination for blood. Madden has hair the color of blood which reminds him of his dead sister's blood.
Berga is a bit of a mad scientist and concox drugs that do scary things and some that do positive things. He messes up and doses himself with an aphrodisiac and hits on nearby Madden, so that he can f*** away the effects of the drug with him. Madden turns him down, so Berga does the incredibly morally black thing and doses him against his will with the aphrodisiac and rapes him. While on the drug they have a lengthy f******* were they both violate each other and end up having the best sex of their lives. They are extremely kinky the both of them and compatible. Madden is instantly obsessed and wants more of him. Berga initially tries to dodge him but he caves to the sexual pressure Madden exerts and against their better judgment both of them end up falling deeper than they should for each other.
Madden ends up having a positive influence on Berga's mental health, slipping in under his defenses and being a centering anchor during his psychosis. Their relationship is tested when their loyalties to the Brumal Mafia and Imperial family our question and when some of the omissions that Berga left out come to light. And someone is after one or both of them so there's a little danger around them.
Mind your triggers with this book, cuz it sure is full of them. But if you can get past the very dark triggers, this is a very passionate and emotional story with lots of deep plots. They have a very possessive and obsessive love and a bit of a meant to be dynamic. And I liked their hurt/comfort angle, how Berga needed Madden. I only saw two or three typos which is a lot less than this author usually writes so that was positive. The third act break up and all the s*** that went down at that time (it's twisty, I won't spoil) really tugged at my heartstrings and had me crying. So emotional! I was so afraid Berga was going to kill himself.
Sila was atrociously out of line with his interference in Madden and Berga's relationship btw, why did he even care enough to interfere? That was a little out of character.
Some notable moments:
"This wasn’t going to do. For some reason, Madden didn’t like the way Berga was going about regular business, as though his presence in his personal space wasn’t worth the effort of noticing."
"“I told him my boyfriend was ill and needed something healthy,” Madden stated. “He knows I’m a shit cook so—” “You did not tell him I’m your boyfriend.” “Not by name, but otherwise? Yes.” “I am not—” “You’re mine,” Madden cut him off. “I’ll call you what I like.” “Listen carefully, Mad King,” Berga set the spoon down, “I do not belong to you.” “Too bad. You’ve already publicly claimed me, Butcher, or have you forgotten that part of the story?”"
Psychopath pettiness is fun. "“Revenge? Please. We aren’t children, Flix.” “You once turned a man’s bones to stone for calling your horns stupid. What would you say that is?” He considered. “Pettiness?”"
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2024
not a single similar story in this entire series. im in love.
September 4, 2024
I can't freaking wait for this book !!!! I just know this book will be my faovirte one in this series. Maybe second to Kaznate but still 🤪 know almost nothing about Berga and Madden but already obsessed with them lol
+ finished this already and yep second to Kaznate lol 😂
+ finished this already and yep second to Kaznate lol 😂
March 16, 2025
Finally Berga’s book!!! This was cruising to a 5 star ⭐️ rating until 85% in and the book flew off the rails and went into the shitter. Soap opera theatrics. Epic eye roll 🙄 plot pivot. Ugh. I was embarrassed for this author who I love obviously having binged all their books but this end was 🙄🙄🙄🙄 The Butcher deserved better.
Madden and Berga had such hot chemistry 🧪 too and that first sex scene had me hooked on this book until 85% in. I only read until the end out of sheer annoyance.
This book was loooong too. Lots of super hot sex and them figuring out themselves. Their traumas. It was a very satisfying read. The end though ugh 😣 ugh can’t get over it 🙄🙄🙄💥💥💥💥💣🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠😵💫😵💫🥱🥱😣😣😣😑😑😑😑
Madden and Berga had such hot chemistry 🧪 too and that first sex scene had me hooked on this book until 85% in. I only read until the end out of sheer annoyance.
This book was loooong too. Lots of super hot sex and them figuring out themselves. Their traumas. It was a very satisfying read. The end though ugh 😣 ugh can’t get over it 🙄🙄🙄💥💥💥💥💣🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠😵💫😵💫🥱🥱😣😣😣😑😑😑😑
April 6, 2025
Absolutely amazing.
We haven't seen a Devil pairing and I was so excited to see how this would work. Of course it was so, so messed up, but I expected nothing less. I'm honestly having a hard time writing this review because everything I want to say or reference is a spoiler haha. They way they act and react, the way I got swept up in Berga's POV-- forgetting the warning in the Author's Note-- so some of the revelations made me gasp. Out. Loud. I will say I think this book is one of the cutest??? We get to see more calm and caring moments of them. Madden is an absolute sweetie and Berga is friggin' adorable. I mean... compared to the rest of the Devils. We have to remember Berga is still the Butcher who tests new poisons and torture methods on his enemies and Madden is Kelevra's best friend who doesn't bat an eye at killing others or death threats. Yet, I can't forget the moment in Devil May Take were he says "he is courting someone" just !!! Seriously?! So cute.
We also get more interactions from past characters which was awesome. I honestly wasn't expecting so much Bay and Sila-- although I have no idea why not haha. But seeing how both groups work both separately and together to get shit done is awesome.
The weakest part is probably the antagonist. Their reasoning or what we are told is their reasoning just doesn't seem realistic especially considering how many people on the planet are terrified of the Devils (Brumal and Imperial).
We haven't seen a Devil pairing and I was so excited to see how this would work. Of course it was so, so messed up, but I expected nothing less. I'm honestly having a hard time writing this review because everything I want to say or reference is a spoiler haha. They way they act and react, the way I got swept up in Berga's POV-- forgetting the warning in the Author's Note-- so some of the revelations made me gasp. Out. Loud. I will say I think this book is one of the cutest??? We get to see more calm and caring moments of them. Madden is an absolute sweetie and Berga is friggin' adorable. I mean... compared to the rest of the Devils. We have to remember Berga is still the Butcher who tests new poisons and torture methods on his enemies and Madden is Kelevra's best friend who doesn't bat an eye at killing others or death threats. Yet, I can't forget the moment in Devil May Take were he says "he is courting someone" just !!! Seriously?! So cute.
We also get more interactions from past characters which was awesome. I honestly wasn't expecting so much Bay and Sila-- although I have no idea why not haha. But seeing how both groups work both separately and together to get shit done is awesome.
The weakest part is probably the antagonist. Their reasoning or what we are told is their reasoning just doesn't seem realistic especially considering how many people on the planet are terrified of the Devils (Brumal and Imperial).
July 23, 2025
El mejor libro sin duda, los amo 😭😭
September 1, 2024
4.5/5 i fink… let me write a review tomorrow
Edit: 3.5. n im being generous. Rtc
Edit: 3.5. n im being generous. Rtc
September 22, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ but gladly rounding up.
Alright, let’s talk about Devil May Lie. First off, if you're here for deep, soul-searching character arcs, you might want to turn your hover bike around. But if you came for some dark power play chaos with a side of sexy tension, welcome aboard. Chani Lynn Feener does what she does best—throws two damaged characters together, adds some spice, and lets them combust. And combust, they do.
Let’s start with Berga—he’s the Brumal Mafia’s resident Mad Scientist, also known as The Butcher because, well, the man isn’t exactly known for his people skills. Torture, drugs, psychological warfare—he’s got it all down to a science. But beneath all that cold-blooded brutality is a man slowly unravelling thanks to some serious mental health struggles. Berga is dissociating, trapped in his own head, and drowning in the darkness he’s created. It's no wonder he’s not expecting anyone to come along and pull him out. Enter Madden, and things get fascinating.
Madden. Sweet, stubborn Mad King Madden, who’s not just your average hover bike racer—he’s also determined to untangle whatever dark and twisted mess made Berga the way he is. He’s not just intrigued by this twisted mafia scientist—no, as soon as Madden catches a whiff of the layers hiding under Berga’s monstrous reputation, he’s utterly infatuated. And honestly, it’s difficult to decide who’s more unhinged at times—Berga, with his mental spiral, or Madden, with his reckless determination to fix him.
Their relationship isn’t exactly built on healthy foundations—think less "let’s go to therapy" and more "let’s trauma-bond through obsession." Madden is like a dog with a bone, refusing to let Berga slip away, no matter how much destruction comes with it. He’s relentless, but in that strangely endearing way that has you rooting for him even when you know he should probably be running in the opposite direction.
Now, I’d love to tell you this all leads to deep emotional revelations and complex character growth. But let’s be real—Devil May Lie is more about steamy tension, power plays, and some seriously intense moments than it is about self-reflection. The plot? It’s there, somewhere in between all the lust and emotional mess. Berga’s mental health and Madden’s obsessive need to save him create just enough drama to keep things moving, but there’s definitely more steam and hot-and-cold behaviour than emotional depth when it comes to these two.
That’s not to say it’s a bad thing. If you’re here for scorching chemistry and a romance that feels like it's teetering on the edge of disaster, you’ll be in your element. Madden’s stronger focus on Berga gives the story a dangerous edge, but I kept wanting a bit more from both characters outside their intense fixation on each other.
In the end, Devil May Lie delivers exactly what it promises—obsession, heat, madness, and a whole lot of clandestine shenanigans. If you're looking for a story where love is anything but simple and your leads are a little unhinged, buckle up. Perfect for those who like their MM romance dark, dirty, and dripping in angst.
Alright, let’s talk about Devil May Lie. First off, if you're here for deep, soul-searching character arcs, you might want to turn your hover bike around. But if you came for some dark power play chaos with a side of sexy tension, welcome aboard. Chani Lynn Feener does what she does best—throws two damaged characters together, adds some spice, and lets them combust. And combust, they do.
Let’s start with Berga—he’s the Brumal Mafia’s resident Mad Scientist, also known as The Butcher because, well, the man isn’t exactly known for his people skills. Torture, drugs, psychological warfare—he’s got it all down to a science. But beneath all that cold-blooded brutality is a man slowly unravelling thanks to some serious mental health struggles. Berga is dissociating, trapped in his own head, and drowning in the darkness he’s created. It's no wonder he’s not expecting anyone to come along and pull him out. Enter Madden, and things get fascinating.
Madden. Sweet, stubborn Mad King Madden, who’s not just your average hover bike racer—he’s also determined to untangle whatever dark and twisted mess made Berga the way he is. He’s not just intrigued by this twisted mafia scientist—no, as soon as Madden catches a whiff of the layers hiding under Berga’s monstrous reputation, he’s utterly infatuated. And honestly, it’s difficult to decide who’s more unhinged at times—Berga, with his mental spiral, or Madden, with his reckless determination to fix him.
Their relationship isn’t exactly built on healthy foundations—think less "let’s go to therapy" and more "let’s trauma-bond through obsession." Madden is like a dog with a bone, refusing to let Berga slip away, no matter how much destruction comes with it. He’s relentless, but in that strangely endearing way that has you rooting for him even when you know he should probably be running in the opposite direction.
Now, I’d love to tell you this all leads to deep emotional revelations and complex character growth. But let’s be real—Devil May Lie is more about steamy tension, power plays, and some seriously intense moments than it is about self-reflection. The plot? It’s there, somewhere in between all the lust and emotional mess. Berga’s mental health and Madden’s obsessive need to save him create just enough drama to keep things moving, but there’s definitely more steam and hot-and-cold behaviour than emotional depth when it comes to these two.
That’s not to say it’s a bad thing. If you’re here for scorching chemistry and a romance that feels like it's teetering on the edge of disaster, you’ll be in your element. Madden’s stronger focus on Berga gives the story a dangerous edge, but I kept wanting a bit more from both characters outside their intense fixation on each other.
In the end, Devil May Lie delivers exactly what it promises—obsession, heat, madness, and a whole lot of clandestine shenanigans. If you're looking for a story where love is anything but simple and your leads are a little unhinged, buckle up. Perfect for those who like their MM romance dark, dirty, and dripping in angst.
September 5, 2024
Deeper than I thought
Madden and Berga are now one of my fave couples. Getting to know both of these characters was absolutely enjoyable.
Madden and Berga are now one of my fave couples. Getting to know both of these characters was absolutely enjoyable.
September 4, 2025
It's been a while since I read this kind of unhinged smut and I'm not mad about it.
I got cover baited btw but can you blame me? The artist did Berga right.
Now, let's talk business. Of course I ended up reading the 6th book in a series. I do have to give it to this author, it was actually not that complicated to understand.
I was confused at times because again, I didn't know the characters but it's fine, I got it. And now I want to read the rest of the series as well, oops?
The description is pretty self explanatory, so I won't dwell on it and go straight to what I liked and what I didn't like.
What I liked:
• the fact that people can have natural burgundy hair?? mint? purple???? please, I spend a lot of money in real life for such colours. well, it's not only limited to hair
• Berga - yes, he deserves his own category. I've always been fond of the mad scientist character so no surprise here
• the world itself was interesting, I wanted more of it (and I'll get more of it when I read the rest)
• I loved that they were unapologetically unhinged and I feel like this is how you write a dark romance, especially on heavy topics like dub-con
What I didn't like:
• honestly I can't think of something that particularly irked me, knowing what I was getting into. I got exactly what I expected so I can't be mad... maybe the Jekyll and Hyde talk? a bit cringe in my opinion
it's probably a 4.25 for me
I got cover baited btw but can you blame me? The artist did Berga right.
Now, let's talk business. Of course I ended up reading the 6th book in a series. I do have to give it to this author, it was actually not that complicated to understand.
I was confused at times because again, I didn't know the characters but it's fine, I got it. And now I want to read the rest of the series as well, oops?
The description is pretty self explanatory, so I won't dwell on it and go straight to what I liked and what I didn't like.
What I liked:
• the fact that people can have natural burgundy hair?? mint? purple???? please, I spend a lot of money in real life for such colours. well, it's not only limited to hair
• Berga - yes, he deserves his own category. I've always been fond of the mad scientist character so no surprise here
• the world itself was interesting, I wanted more of it (and I'll get more of it when I read the rest)
• I loved that they were unapologetically unhinged and I feel like this is how you write a dark romance, especially on heavy topics like dub-con
What I didn't like:
• honestly I can't think of something that particularly irked me, knowing what I was getting into. I got exactly what I expected so I can't be mad... maybe the Jekyll and Hyde talk? a bit cringe in my opinion
it's probably a 4.25 for me
December 16, 2025
Ame este libro, el mejor hasta ahora de la serie 💕
Leer a Berga y Madden ha sido lo más bonito, como ambos estaban locos y rotos a su manera pero juntos eran lo mejor. Me gustó que la autora en este libro metió más trama externa y que te deja esperando que pasara después.
El último plot twists del final fue lo mejor, no saber que pasaba e iba a pase con la relación entre ellos dos pero saber que todo fue una mentira me tuvo igual impactada.
El mejor libro, va para mis favoritos del año ⭐️
Leer a Berga y Madden ha sido lo más bonito, como ambos estaban locos y rotos a su manera pero juntos eran lo mejor. Me gustó que la autora en este libro metió más trama externa y que te deja esperando que pasara después.
El último plot twists del final fue lo mejor, no saber que pasaba e iba a pase con la relación entre ellos dos pero saber que todo fue una mentira me tuvo igual impactada.
El mejor libro, va para mis favoritos del año ⭐️
February 7, 2025
I’m crazy for both of these boys, Madden was a character I took a liking to quite a bit in previous book. Berga wasn’t really setup to be someone I liked in previous books but this book made me love and want to protect him.
The amnesia trope at the end broke my heart completely, the resolution to it really lives up to the mad king title. Surprisingly this was probably the least dark romancy book of Chanis but I loved it the most.
I think it would’ve been amazing to make this book a little bit longer, though that could’ve come at the cost of the plot going down hill. The Iver wanting to kill Berga and that whole thing was very abrupt, so little of the book it wasn’t really able to impact my view of it.
It’s been such an experience reading this series
The amnesia trope at the end broke my heart completely, the resolution to it really lives up to the mad king title. Surprisingly this was probably the least dark romancy book of Chanis but I loved it the most.
I think it would’ve been amazing to make this book a little bit longer, though that could’ve come at the cost of the plot going down hill. The Iver wanting to kill Berga and that whole thing was very abrupt, so little of the book it wasn’t really able to impact my view of it.
It’s been such an experience reading this series
September 11, 2024
4.5🌟
I love how berga turned putty in Madden hands plus the twist, I blushed a lot and was so invested In their relationship. Never liked Silas in his book, and him appearing and creating problems in this book got on my nerves.
I love how berga turned putty in Madden hands plus the twist, I blushed a lot and was so invested In their relationship. Never liked Silas in his book, and him appearing and creating problems in this book got on my nerves.
March 14, 2025
4⭐️
“I couldn’t live without you,” Berga said, his words causing Madden to fumble and still.
“What?”
“I’d rather die,” he turned his head on the floor so he could meet his gaze over his shoulder, face covered in tear tracks, “than live in a world where you were disgusted by me.”
“Baby.” He shook his head, heart cracking and splintering in his chest. Just like that, all of the revenge he had wanted vanished in a puff of smoke. Madden slipped out of him and picked him up off the ground, turning Berga in his arms. He settled with his back against the end of the bed and lowered the Butcher onto his lap. Madden kept his hands on Berga’s hips, holding him down, keeping him stuck, skin to skin. “I have never once been disgusted by you,” he promised, holding Berga’s watery gaze. “Never.”
I loved how protective, tender, soft and caring Madden was with him
“Like my eyes, baby? Want me to pluck them out and give them to you?” He shook his head. “You sure? I’d do it. New med tech is pretty phenomenal. I could have replacements like Kelevra’s implant made before you even got bored playing with my original ones.”
Berga couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but it didn’t matter. “Just keep them on me,” he said. “Always on me. Always look at me just like this, like I’m the most important thing in your whole universe.”
“You got it, Butcher.” Madden kissed him, soft and tender. “That’ll be easy. Because you are.”
“I couldn’t live without you,” Berga said, his words causing Madden to fumble and still.
“What?”
“I’d rather die,” he turned his head on the floor so he could meet his gaze over his shoulder, face covered in tear tracks, “than live in a world where you were disgusted by me.”
“Baby.” He shook his head, heart cracking and splintering in his chest. Just like that, all of the revenge he had wanted vanished in a puff of smoke. Madden slipped out of him and picked him up off the ground, turning Berga in his arms. He settled with his back against the end of the bed and lowered the Butcher onto his lap. Madden kept his hands on Berga’s hips, holding him down, keeping him stuck, skin to skin. “I have never once been disgusted by you,” he promised, holding Berga’s watery gaze. “Never.”
I loved how protective, tender, soft and caring Madden was with him
“Like my eyes, baby? Want me to pluck them out and give them to you?” He shook his head. “You sure? I’d do it. New med tech is pretty phenomenal. I could have replacements like Kelevra’s implant made before you even got bored playing with my original ones.”
Berga couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but it didn’t matter. “Just keep them on me,” he said. “Always on me. Always look at me just like this, like I’m the most important thing in your whole universe.”
“You got it, Butcher.” Madden kissed him, soft and tender. “That’ll be easy. Because you are.”
May 25, 2025
okkkk oh my god. i absolutely adored this book, holy shit. devil may lie and devil may fall are likely up there for my top books of this series i won't lie. i will say that the books of these series have gotten a little softer (?) in a good way! or at least in my personal opinion! in comparison to baikal and rabbit or kelevra and rin, they definitely are a lot more sweet? i don't really know how to explain it!! but i really enjoy these books and honestly the past two have definitely felt a bit less forceful and a lot more loving on both ends...consensually lol. i guess it's mainly because of books like 1-3? well.. no because bay and sila were both fucking crazy lol, but like kel and rin or void and rabbit were both… like one of the mmcs was definitely more forced into it than anything. and yes it ended up being the best choice, but they didn't actively want it.
okay so let's begin. madden and berga, my god they own my heart. berga… lord. the way his backstory and past trauma broke my heart. like yes he was fucking deranged and insane and a bit of a masochist and sadist, but like… he was also just a little boy when he had to go through the trauma of losing his sister. and the way his parents were absolute shitheads too? god he deserves the world. i'm glad both madden and berga had a similar background when it came to their relationships with their parents. it felt important to the plot for some reason. berga was insane, yes, but it’s very clear his episodes and psychosis took control of him and he needed help getting out of it.
madden madden madden, the man that you are. madden was honestly so fucking crazy but also so fucking loving. the way that he clearly laid a claim on berga was so omfg. like the way he fell for berga so quickly and the way he was able to help berga overcome trauma that had haunted him for so long agh :.). madden was insane but so loyal and loving and caring. he just cared for berga so much, it’s clear that he became infatuated but eventually came to love him and want the best for him. it was difficult due to being in different groups, but madden would have laid it all on the line for him.
ok so honestly, was this book still super freaky ?? yes, but! i will say i feel like there was also a bit more of a plot? like i know all of the mmcs of this series have had their demons (lol) and things they’re trying to get past, and they’ve all been bad! but i don't know why bergas felt so much more devastating to me? i think bay’s was probably close as well and i felt very emotional with his suicidal ideation, but berga’s was also just so devastating to me. very trauma based and despite being the butcher, he really did have emotions just like anyone else, he had simply faced trauma that made it nearly impossible for him to categorize and understand the emotions he felt.
also… i need to admit sila pissed me off lmao. i liked him as a character, but i have to admit that he always conflicted me, even in his book. he did love bay… but also he couldn't even really feel love? like he cared and felt jealousy with bay, but i also feel like his love was definitely different than most, due to his diagnosis of psychopathy. of course, i still enjoyed their book because bay was also crazy, but the role he played in this book confused me. like yes and no, i really liked seeing the connections from the past books, and i feel it is important to read the rest of the books just to feel a bit more involved and understanding of the friendships and links in the rest of the books. of course i don't really remember everything from books 1-3 in extreme detail, but it was nice to see that berga had bay to help him through his emotions. that said! i find it extremely messed up that, okay, obviously bay is gonna tell sila everything, but confidential info? and the fact that sila used it to cause a problem? i’m really confused?? like okay i just remembered they mentioned it was because berga called bay be’tessi, but like? hello? i just honestly found myself pretty irked with sila, but i guess he kinda made up for it by showing a tinge of guilt, but still idk. he pissed me off lol.
onto the fucking plot twist??? madden never losing his memory hello lmao? that was so funny and confusing? i'm still a bit confused as to why he did that, like i guess it was to kinda test berga and see how loyal (??) or how much groveling he would commit to get madden back? but they had also broken up before the explosion? sooo?? i don't know! it was confusing, but it hit the spot for angst. i will not lie. it had my stomach turning and a knot forming in my throat lmfao. the way berga was fucking it all up and was even willing to leave his place in the brumal because he couldnt get over madden? lord that made my heart break oh my god, he was breaking. but i will say the plot twist caught me off guard lol i won’t lie. i did not see it coming, and the way madden really did push him to the edge, but stopped as soon as he realized berga was breaking omfg. it was sooooo. god. and the fact that berga had calculated the dose of impression from the beginning??? like what? i did not see that coming. honestly i kinda like the way the narrator is kinda unreliable lmfao. for example, we did get maddens pov after the explosion, but there was no proof of him remembering, matter of fact it was made a point that he didn’t remember. it's so crazy lmao. but yeah the fact that the beginning was also fabricated by berga, but only due to his infatuation (though unknown at the time), like wtf!
another thing i was glad about was the fact that it was acknowledged that the brumal was closer than they let on. i forget exactly where, but i remember there was a part of the book where they literally say the brumal is closer than they seem, which was a concern i mentioned in the last review lmao. is it nitpicky? yes, but i do enjoy knowing there is a genuine bond between these characters. also! baikal was honestly starting to become an enemy in my head. lol, in the past two books and his reaction to everything, but i do get him, and i have to admit he made up for it in the end by helping berga get madden back. but yeah the way he’s always an issue in the aspect of, “what’s the dominus going to say/think?” kinda villainizes him.
also! i know i mentioned this earlier, but i really like seeing the connections and the way they all come back some way or the other. again, bay and berga. or the jealousy madden felt with flix and berga lord that was chefs kiss! it was so good everytime lmao. i ate it up. it kinda reminded me of kaz and nate with zane. which!!! by the way, i'm about to read devil may breathe and i'm honestly quite nervous. first of all, i believe it’s the last book 3. i really don't wanna leave this universe, i’ve fallen in love with it so deeply ugh. also! i don’t know how i feel about it being zane's story! i know i got over it, but i still found it weird what he planned with kaz and nate. i still don't really get why he did what he did, i suppose revenge? but idk. it didn’t sit right with me, but also reading his book's description made me feel bad for him. i will admit i think it’s a random pairing, we haven't really heard of pavel hart until the book before this one… but regardless. i know i'm gonna love it and i'm devastated that it will end after this agh.
okay so let's begin. madden and berga, my god they own my heart. berga… lord. the way his backstory and past trauma broke my heart. like yes he was fucking deranged and insane and a bit of a masochist and sadist, but like… he was also just a little boy when he had to go through the trauma of losing his sister. and the way his parents were absolute shitheads too? god he deserves the world. i'm glad both madden and berga had a similar background when it came to their relationships with their parents. it felt important to the plot for some reason. berga was insane, yes, but it’s very clear his episodes and psychosis took control of him and he needed help getting out of it.
madden madden madden, the man that you are. madden was honestly so fucking crazy but also so fucking loving. the way that he clearly laid a claim on berga was so omfg. like the way he fell for berga so quickly and the way he was able to help berga overcome trauma that had haunted him for so long agh :.). madden was insane but so loyal and loving and caring. he just cared for berga so much, it’s clear that he became infatuated but eventually came to love him and want the best for him. it was difficult due to being in different groups, but madden would have laid it all on the line for him.
ok so honestly, was this book still super freaky ?? yes, but! i will say i feel like there was also a bit more of a plot? like i know all of the mmcs of this series have had their demons (lol) and things they’re trying to get past, and they’ve all been bad! but i don't know why bergas felt so much more devastating to me? i think bay’s was probably close as well and i felt very emotional with his suicidal ideation, but berga’s was also just so devastating to me. very trauma based and despite being the butcher, he really did have emotions just like anyone else, he had simply faced trauma that made it nearly impossible for him to categorize and understand the emotions he felt.
also… i need to admit sila pissed me off lmao. i liked him as a character, but i have to admit that he always conflicted me, even in his book. he did love bay… but also he couldn't even really feel love? like he cared and felt jealousy with bay, but i also feel like his love was definitely different than most, due to his diagnosis of psychopathy. of course, i still enjoyed their book because bay was also crazy, but the role he played in this book confused me. like yes and no, i really liked seeing the connections from the past books, and i feel it is important to read the rest of the books just to feel a bit more involved and understanding of the friendships and links in the rest of the books. of course i don't really remember everything from books 1-3 in extreme detail, but it was nice to see that berga had bay to help him through his emotions. that said! i find it extremely messed up that, okay, obviously bay is gonna tell sila everything, but confidential info? and the fact that sila used it to cause a problem? i’m really confused?? like okay i just remembered they mentioned it was because berga called bay be’tessi, but like? hello? i just honestly found myself pretty irked with sila, but i guess he kinda made up for it by showing a tinge of guilt, but still idk. he pissed me off lol.
onto the fucking plot twist??? madden never losing his memory hello lmao? that was so funny and confusing? i'm still a bit confused as to why he did that, like i guess it was to kinda test berga and see how loyal (??) or how much groveling he would commit to get madden back? but they had also broken up before the explosion? sooo?? i don't know! it was confusing, but it hit the spot for angst. i will not lie. it had my stomach turning and a knot forming in my throat lmfao. the way berga was fucking it all up and was even willing to leave his place in the brumal because he couldnt get over madden? lord that made my heart break oh my god, he was breaking. but i will say the plot twist caught me off guard lol i won’t lie. i did not see it coming, and the way madden really did push him to the edge, but stopped as soon as he realized berga was breaking omfg. it was sooooo. god. and the fact that berga had calculated the dose of impression from the beginning??? like what? i did not see that coming. honestly i kinda like the way the narrator is kinda unreliable lmfao. for example, we did get maddens pov after the explosion, but there was no proof of him remembering, matter of fact it was made a point that he didn’t remember. it's so crazy lmao. but yeah the fact that the beginning was also fabricated by berga, but only due to his infatuation (though unknown at the time), like wtf!
another thing i was glad about was the fact that it was acknowledged that the brumal was closer than they let on. i forget exactly where, but i remember there was a part of the book where they literally say the brumal is closer than they seem, which was a concern i mentioned in the last review lmao. is it nitpicky? yes, but i do enjoy knowing there is a genuine bond between these characters. also! baikal was honestly starting to become an enemy in my head. lol, in the past two books and his reaction to everything, but i do get him, and i have to admit he made up for it in the end by helping berga get madden back. but yeah the way he’s always an issue in the aspect of, “what’s the dominus going to say/think?” kinda villainizes him.
also! i know i mentioned this earlier, but i really like seeing the connections and the way they all come back some way or the other. again, bay and berga. or the jealousy madden felt with flix and berga lord that was chefs kiss! it was so good everytime lmao. i ate it up. it kinda reminded me of kaz and nate with zane. which!!! by the way, i'm about to read devil may breathe and i'm honestly quite nervous. first of all, i believe it’s the last book 3. i really don't wanna leave this universe, i’ve fallen in love with it so deeply ugh. also! i don’t know how i feel about it being zane's story! i know i got over it, but i still found it weird what he planned with kaz and nate. i still don't really get why he did what he did, i suppose revenge? but idk. it didn’t sit right with me, but also reading his book's description made me feel bad for him. i will admit i think it’s a random pairing, we haven't really heard of pavel hart until the book before this one… but regardless. i know i'm gonna love it and i'm devastated that it will end after this agh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2024
I usually give only stars but this time it deserves a little review because wow. Every book that comes out in this series gets better, however this one in particular had a much more sentimental tone than the other ones (while still being a dark romance) and frankly it was perfect. Berga and Madden were perfect. I wish I could give more than 5 stars.
December 19, 2024
Досі ненавиджу троп втрати памʼяті tho всім серцем полюбила Мадена і Бергу. Найздоровіші стосунки з поміж усієї серії (я не кажу що вони грін-прапорці, це ж дарк роман, але в цій частині навіть тригер-ворнінгів було найменше).
За майже 20 днів проведених на Віталіті, я зрозуміла, що насправді Сіла - pure evil. Серйозно, він в трьох книгах з шести робив якусь хуйню, і хоча я починала ознайомлення саме книгою про нього - він і Бей певно найслабша пара з усіх.
А вабщє, я усім бажаю знайти собі людину, яка буде памʼятати і цінувати вас так, як памʼятав і цінував Ives свою йобану рибку 🥰🥰(ну хоча б він це тепер буде робить в тюряжці)
За майже 20 днів проведених на Віталіті, я зрозуміла, що насправді Сіла - pure evil. Серйозно, він в трьох книгах з шести робив якусь хуйню, і хоча я починала ознайомлення саме книгою про нього - він і Бей певно найслабша пара з усіх.
А вабщє, я усім бажаю знайти собі людину, яка буде памʼятати і цінувати вас так, як памʼятав і цінував Ives свою йобану рибку 🥰🥰(ну хоча б він це тепер буде робить в тюряжці)
February 5, 2025
Rating 5/5⭐️
Spice 4/5🌶
I'm obsessed! Wat a masterpiece! There was a really good balance between plot & spice.
The MCs are crazy as always but perfect for each other. I love Berga and Madden. They had so much chemistry and their passion together just blew my mind. And especially that both were equally invested and possessive.
I laughed I cried, and I cussed while reading this book. It was so hard to put this book down and get any work done. I just wanted to devour it all in one go. Thank you, Channi for the masterpiece 🩷
Spice 4/5🌶
I'm obsessed! Wat a masterpiece! There was a really good balance between plot & spice.
The MCs are crazy as always but perfect for each other. I love Berga and Madden. They had so much chemistry and their passion together just blew my mind. And especially that both were equally invested and possessive.
I laughed I cried, and I cussed while reading this book. It was so hard to put this book down and get any work done. I just wanted to devour it all in one go. Thank you, Channi for the masterpiece 🩷
November 29, 2025
este sin duda ha sido mi libro favorito de la serie, amo tanto tanto tanto a Madden y a Berga. En libros anteriores he podido tener esbozos de ambos, y definitivamente no son ni por asomo lo que pensé que serían, me hicieron sentir bonito de muchas maneras, amé y sufrí con ellos
por un momento me creí un poco lo de la amnesia y estaba sufriendo demasiado, me sentí muy mal por Berga.
por un momento me creí un poco lo de la amnesia y estaba sufriendo demasiado, me sentí muy mal por Berga.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2024
if I could give it more than 5⭐️ I would, bergamadden were EVERYTHING and MORE!!! this was one of my most anticipated books of the year and as predicted it is one of my favourite of the year too! I thought I couldn’t love them more than I already did but they were so sweet, funny and sexy,, BERGAMADDEN OWN MY HEART🤍
September 16, 2024
5 stars
So this. This is the book I've been waiting for since the beginning and it was worth the wait. Herbs and Madden was not a combo I saw coming, but I loved them together. Another fantastic read from this author.
So this. This is the book I've been waiting for since the beginning and it was worth the wait. Herbs and Madden was not a combo I saw coming, but I loved them together. Another fantastic read from this author.
November 4, 2025
el mejor fk libro de la saga
October 5, 2025
AHHHHHH I LOVED THIS SO MUCH 😭
BERGA MY BABY … i’d die for him. madden and berga are definitely my favorite couple from the series. i want MORE of them
BERGA MY BABY … i’d die for him. madden and berga are definitely my favorite couple from the series. i want MORE of them
November 20, 2024
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Booksirens, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity!
I enjoyed some of the dynamics and buildup between Berga and Madden, but I think I had high expectations for these two with their appearances in the other books of the series that I didn't get to enjoy them as much as I wanted to. I wish that we got some more between their past as well. HOWEVER, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE THIRD ACT SURPRISE. That was super fun!!!
I enjoyed some of the dynamics and buildup between Berga and Madden, but I think I had high expectations for these two with their appearances in the other books of the series that I didn't get to enjoy them as much as I wanted to. I wish that we got some more between their past as well. HOWEVER, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE THIRD ACT SURPRISE. That was super fun!!!
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