I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC, and I am still recovering from the rollercoaster of emotions. If you know me, you KNOW I’m completely OBSESSED with this duet. "Black Syndrome" (the first book) was my Roman Empire this year, and that cliffhanger? It wrecked me. Luckily, book two picks up right where we left off, and the ride only gets wilder.
Like I mentioned in my first review, the author’s writing is dangerously addictive. You pick up the book, and before you know it, hours have flown by. Faith Raven’s ability to drag you into this dark, twisted, and passionate world is unmatched.
First off, I need to admit something: I CRIED. A LOT. Killian continues to be one of the most complex, layered, morally grey characters I’ve ever encountered. He’s so unpredictable that I spent half the book screaming at him, and the other half falling head over heels again. Just when I thought I could finally forgive him... BAM, he went and shattered my trust all over again. 😅 I wanted to hate him, but then, just like Ivy, I couldn’t resist him. And when I finally did forgive him? Let’s just say, I forgave him with my whole heart and soul.
Now, we need to talk about this “love triangle” situation. Yes, I’m putting that in air quotes because, deep down, we all know Killian is Ivy’s true love. But Ryker... oh, Ryker. There’s definitely some serious tension going on, and it involves both Killian and Ryker (but I’m not spilling the tea on that twist 😉).
Speaking of Ryker—OMG. Where do I even begin? He’s got that perfect “hot bodyguard with a secret soft side” vibe, and I’m here for it. He’s charming, dangerously attractive, and those green eyes? 🔥 Let’s just say I would not mind being in Ivy’s shoes for a day. Ryker is everything, and honestly, Faith Raven, can we PLEASE get a standalone for him? I’ll be the first in line, holding my Kindle and a cup of coffee, ready to devour his story.
Speaking of hot, the SPICE in this book? It’s next-level. 🌶🔥 If you thought book one was spicy, you’re not ready for this. The chemistry between Killian and Ivy is electric—there’s so much tension, passion, and raw intensity. One scene in particular is going to live rent-free in your mind forever. The steam between them is the perfect blend of desire and danger, keeping you hooked on every page.
Ivy’s character growth in this book is incredible. I love how she finally confronts her past and the darkness that’s been haunting her. She’s strong, fierce, and not afraid to speak her mind, but at the same time, she’s still human. She made some choices that had me ready to shake her, but I totally understood why. She’s just a girl navigating an impossible situation, and her journey is a beautiful mix of pain, pleasure, sacrifice, and, ultimately, self-discovery.
The plot twists in this book had me SCREAMING. Literally. There were moments where I almost woke up the entire house because I was so shocked. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Faith Raven threw in another twist that blew my mind. Nothing is as it seems, and I promise you, you will not see these twists coming.
And one final note: Please, please read the trigger warnings before diving in. This book is even darker than the first (if that’s possible), so make sure you’re ready for it. There’s a lot to unpack, but every moment is worth it.
Rating: 4.7 🌟/5
Spicy: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 /5
Writing: ✨✨✨✨✨ /5
And yes, I’m still single, and I’m still holding out hope for Ryker. Faith Raven, you know what to do. 🥺💖