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Empire of Carnage #1
Vengeful Princess
In my world, mafia princesses are weak, but I’m no victim.
Out of the blue, my father sends me to Abernethy, an exclusive college for the offspring of the rich and criminally inclined. He says I must get close to the campus’ golden boy.
Cassian is the infamous son of Lucian Forsyth, a powerful, connected man - and my father's enemy. Sure, Cassian is handsome and charismatic, but he’s a job, a pawn in my father’s game. Nothing more.
And he has three equally attractive friends who further complicate my life.
Kyril, the psychotic Russian Mafia heir with a dark soul that calls to me.
Landon, the charming playboy aristocrat with sordid secrets he’s desperate to hide.
And quirky Milo, my obsessed stalker, who loves to watch me from the shadows while I sleep.
Like the ex I can’t quite forget, the one who betrayed me, these men are dangerous. Distracting. And liable to get me killed.
I don’t know what Dad’s end game is, but he made a big mistake when he sent me here.
These beautiful, broken men are determined to make me theirs.
And when they do, it might be the death of us all.
-----------------------------
*** the series is now complete***
Vengeful Princess is a 1st person / dual POV why choose book 1 in a three book series. Our badass heroine will not have to choose between the men she falls for. This book is slow/medium-burn and will end on a cliff. For triggers, please see the content note at the beginning of the book.
Touch her and get unalived
He falls first
Alphahole
Who hurt you princess
Badass FMC
Dark college
Out of the blue, my father sends me to Abernethy, an exclusive college for the offspring of the rich and criminally inclined. He says I must get close to the campus’ golden boy.
Cassian is the infamous son of Lucian Forsyth, a powerful, connected man - and my father's enemy. Sure, Cassian is handsome and charismatic, but he’s a job, a pawn in my father’s game. Nothing more.
And he has three equally attractive friends who further complicate my life.
Kyril, the psychotic Russian Mafia heir with a dark soul that calls to me.
Landon, the charming playboy aristocrat with sordid secrets he’s desperate to hide.
And quirky Milo, my obsessed stalker, who loves to watch me from the shadows while I sleep.
Like the ex I can’t quite forget, the one who betrayed me, these men are dangerous. Distracting. And liable to get me killed.
I don’t know what Dad’s end game is, but he made a big mistake when he sent me here.
These beautiful, broken men are determined to make me theirs.
And when they do, it might be the death of us all.
-----------------------------
*** the series is now complete***
Vengeful Princess is a 1st person / dual POV why choose book 1 in a three book series. Our badass heroine will not have to choose between the men she falls for. This book is slow/medium-burn and will end on a cliff. For triggers, please see the content note at the beginning of the book.
Touch her and get unalived
He falls first
Alphahole
Who hurt you princess
Badass FMC
Dark college
587 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2025
About the author
Ava Summers
18 books96 followersAva Summers is a dark romance author who loves reading about feisty females and morally gray alpha males. She prefers books with a healthy dose of spice. If the heroine doesn't have to choose between her guys, even better! When Ava's not reading and writing, she likes to paint and occasionally run 10ks. She also spends way too much time keeping her rescue cat entertained.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 1, 2025
Sometimes I read things and afterwards I have to sit with myself and really question what brought me here.
February 2, 2025
“Vengeful Princess” is the first book in the dark romance series “Empire of Carnage.” Thea is enrolled in Abernethy College in Scotland by her father for a mission. He wants her to get close Cassian Forsyth, as his father, Lucian, is causing him issues. “Lucian Forsyth is one of the British Prime Minister's closest advisers. Cassian is his son." He wants you get Cassian to trust her and infiltrate Lucian’s social circle to make it easier to get close to the man.
Easier said than done …. Cassian is very distrustful of people and does not let anyone get close to him. Cassian best friends and roommate’s are Landon, Kyril and Milo. Landon and Cassian’s family background’s are pretty much the same. Kyril is the future Pakhan of the Russian family Bratva and Milo’s family are tech billionaires. None of them, including Thea, have parents that really care about them as people, it’s more what use they can be to advance what their fathers want.
As Thea gets to know Cassian, Landon, Kyril and Milo, the lines become blurred. She is attracted to them all but is worried that how she feels could get them killed. Each of them affect her in different ways, both mentally and physically. Thea has been deprived on love and affection for most of her life. Landon is damaged by a father that uses him in whatever way is required. Kyril is quite possessive and in many ways like herself, due to similar backgrounds. Milo is the quiet shy type that likes to stalk her. He is harmless. Cassian is broken in so many ways and heir to empire that he does not want. As their feelings deepen towards Thea, they realise that they all want her and happy to share. Hence, a reverse harem relationship is developing.
The story is full of passion, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner - most of all love ♥️ There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! The book goes through moments of the thoughts or possibilities that it could happen to, to extreme violence to the most beautiful tender moments! The heat between Theo and the boys is off the page. There is never a dull moment! This book is everything you expect from a dark mafia romance! I did not want it to end! From page to page, chapter to chapter, I could not put it down - you will metaphorically be on the edge of your chair! Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊
Easier said than done …. Cassian is very distrustful of people and does not let anyone get close to him. Cassian best friends and roommate’s are Landon, Kyril and Milo. Landon and Cassian’s family background’s are pretty much the same. Kyril is the future Pakhan of the Russian family Bratva and Milo’s family are tech billionaires. None of them, including Thea, have parents that really care about them as people, it’s more what use they can be to advance what their fathers want.
As Thea gets to know Cassian, Landon, Kyril and Milo, the lines become blurred. She is attracted to them all but is worried that how she feels could get them killed. Each of them affect her in different ways, both mentally and physically. Thea has been deprived on love and affection for most of her life. Landon is damaged by a father that uses him in whatever way is required. Kyril is quite possessive and in many ways like herself, due to similar backgrounds. Milo is the quiet shy type that likes to stalk her. He is harmless. Cassian is broken in so many ways and heir to empire that he does not want. As their feelings deepen towards Thea, they realise that they all want her and happy to share. Hence, a reverse harem relationship is developing.
The story is full of passion, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner - most of all love ♥️ There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! The book goes through moments of the thoughts or possibilities that it could happen to, to extreme violence to the most beautiful tender moments! The heat between Theo and the boys is off the page. There is never a dull moment! This book is everything you expect from a dark mafia romance! I did not want it to end! From page to page, chapter to chapter, I could not put it down - you will metaphorically be on the edge of your chair! Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊
February 7, 2025
Empire book 1
Excellent Story about mafia like children developing a reverse harem at University. This is well written and edited. Our heroine has been abusively trained by her Mafioso father to be a ghost assassin from a very young age. Her threatens her young sister to keep her in line. She's sent to college with a vague mission involving the son of a crooked politician, but finally finds the seeds of a true potential family with his friends.
Excellent Story about mafia like children developing a reverse harem at University. This is well written and edited. Our heroine has been abusively trained by her Mafioso father to be a ghost assassin from a very young age. Her threatens her young sister to keep her in line. She's sent to college with a vague mission involving the son of a crooked politician, but finally finds the seeds of a true potential family with his friends.
July 11, 2025
3🌶
wow! I absolutely devoured this! what a great start to a trilogy.
I loved the characters... Thea is a bad@ss!
Can't wait to see where this goes!
wow! I absolutely devoured this! what a great start to a trilogy.
I loved the characters... Thea is a bad@ss!
Can't wait to see where this goes!
August 15, 2025
3.5 🌟 rounded up bc this is the kind of drama & scandal & violence i’ve been needing since my soft lil romance kick
April 5, 2026
3.7. It’s a fairly typical “dark” academia reverse harem and for me suffers from a common problem: our scary, badass FMC hardly has a chance to thrill us again with her cunning and bravery once the guys become hers. The first book held my attention, the third book did not.
June 4, 2026
Found this very calming for some reason 🤣. 1000% a vibes read that doesn’t always make sense but I had a good time
September 18, 2025
I'm still drooling over this book, Thea is a badass and I can't wait to see what happens in book two! Epic cliffhanger!
August 14, 2026
Idk man but the Ai thing wasn’t cool. Starting to suspect this was written with AI. You could have just said Milo used his big boy brain and saw the resemblance between the baby picture and Thea instead of saying he used AI to detect if it’s her.
Besides that not the worst book I’ve read. It’s got a good plot and they aren’t doing it every page I flip. And when there is smut it’s pretty good.
Besides that not the worst book I’ve read. It’s got a good plot and they aren’t doing it every page I flip. And when there is smut it’s pretty good.
August 11, 2025
If anyone is curious what is wrong with me I’ll direct them to this.
April 9, 2026
Vengeful Princess was such a fun, engaging read and I had a really good time with it 🤭 It gave me major Zodiac Academy vibes but without the magic, like if all the Heirs and Lance were into one version of Tory/Darcy…
We have Thea as the FMC and she’s an absolute powerhouse (murder is her middle name lol). Not one, not two, but five MMCs… and the mix?? Insane. There’s her first love, a golden retriever type, a hot obsessed Russian, a literal stalker, and a compassionate rich heir. The dynamics were messy, chaotic, and honestly so entertaining.
Thea herself is strong enough to take down four grown men in a fight, which is her sister. Everything she does is for her, and that really adds depth to her character. She’s basically a hitwoman for her father and comes to Abernethy to carry out a job, but of course things don’t go as planned once she gets tangled up with all of them.
And Eden?? Omg I loved her so much 😭 she was such a standout. I loved the found family trope in this book so much ❤️
Also I’m not even mad about the cliffhanger because I can just jump straight into the next book since the series is complete 🤭✨
We have Thea as the FMC and she’s an absolute powerhouse (murder is her middle name lol). Not one, not two, but five MMCs… and the mix?? Insane. There’s her first love, a golden retriever type, a hot obsessed Russian, a literal stalker, and a compassionate rich heir. The dynamics were messy, chaotic, and honestly so entertaining.
Thea herself is strong enough to take down four grown men in a fight, which is her sister. Everything she does is for her, and that really adds depth to her character. She’s basically a hitwoman for her father and comes to Abernethy to carry out a job, but of course things don’t go as planned once she gets tangled up with all of them.
And Eden?? Omg I loved her so much 😭 she was such a standout. I loved the found family trope in this book so much ❤️
Also I’m not even mad about the cliffhanger because I can just jump straight into the next book since the series is complete 🤭✨
January 31, 2025
This is my kind of book! Secrets, intrigue, danger, people you wish would meet the sharp end of a knife, … None of the main characters won in the parent department, but together they could become a force to take them all down. But becoming a unit when secrets keep pulling you apart isn’t easy of course.
For me, this was a perfectly balanced story. There is darkness present, but so much of the dialogue between these characters adds light and fun to the story it never feels hopeless. I adore Thea as our fmc; she’s a true badass but with such a big heart she’s the one suffering to help all those around her. The men she falls head over heels for are all very different and I like how their personalities shine through. The multiple POV definitely helps to get to know them better!
This book ends on a real cliffhanger, but luckily it’s possible to dive into the second book right away.
For me, this was a perfectly balanced story. There is darkness present, but so much of the dialogue between these characters adds light and fun to the story it never feels hopeless. I adore Thea as our fmc; she’s a true badass but with such a big heart she’s the one suffering to help all those around her. The men she falls head over heels for are all very different and I like how their personalities shine through. The multiple POV definitely helps to get to know them better!
This book ends on a real cliffhanger, but luckily it’s possible to dive into the second book right away.
July 27, 2025
LOOOOVE this!
One of my favorite things about this book is that the FMC is a badass. I mean...the first scene tells you as much! So when Thea is sent to the academy by her a** of a father to get close to Cassian (yet doesn't tell her why) she ends up with multiple guys' attention. And when they find out just how deadly she is...they're even MORE excited about her.
I absolutely FLEW through this book and quickly downloaded book 2!! It's actually kind of a slow-burn since Thea is a virgin when she meets the guys, which means there's a lot of plot and pining!
Ava does a great job of showing how these characters have grown up in a crazy world - yet still are young. They have their immature moments yet because of their upbringing are clearly not the same as a normal 19/20 year old would be.
I am an immediate Ava fan!
One of my favorite things about this book is that the FMC is a badass. I mean...the first scene tells you as much! So when Thea is sent to the academy by her a** of a father to get close to Cassian (yet doesn't tell her why) she ends up with multiple guys' attention. And when they find out just how deadly she is...they're even MORE excited about her.
I absolutely FLEW through this book and quickly downloaded book 2!! It's actually kind of a slow-burn since Thea is a virgin when she meets the guys, which means there's a lot of plot and pining!
Ava does a great job of showing how these characters have grown up in a crazy world - yet still are young. They have their immature moments yet because of their upbringing are clearly not the same as a normal 19/20 year old would be.
I am an immediate Ava fan!
March 5, 2025
So good!
Holy moly, did I devour this book!
This was such a great start to a why choose mafia romance. I loved every single character, especially the FMC Thea. She's strong, a fighter, and after what she's been through and what she goes through, she has to be.
This story was so well written. Fully balanced with all the stuff I love in a Mafia romance. Lots of suspense, action, twists and turns, secrets waiting to be revealed, and some seriously delicious spice!
This is not dark dark but definitely has dark themes. All of the banter between the characters made for some highly enjoyable reading. They all just fit so well together. I was completely in this world, and I've already started book 2! Definitely will be checking out more from Ava Summers!
Holy moly, did I devour this book!
This was such a great start to a why choose mafia romance. I loved every single character, especially the FMC Thea. She's strong, a fighter, and after what she's been through and what she goes through, she has to be.
This story was so well written. Fully balanced with all the stuff I love in a Mafia romance. Lots of suspense, action, twists and turns, secrets waiting to be revealed, and some seriously delicious spice!
This is not dark dark but definitely has dark themes. All of the banter between the characters made for some highly enjoyable reading. They all just fit so well together. I was completely in this world, and I've already started book 2! Definitely will be checking out more from Ava Summers!
September 21, 2026
3,5
This book was somewhere between ‘What the hell am I reading?’ and ‘Hmm… it’s delightfully trashy’.
The book isn’t particularly dark, which I don’t mind – I’m not keen on protagonists who are too twisted and violent. Let’s just say that the dark element is the setting in which these lads live.
I really hope they start working together in the next book , it’ll be fun.
****
Questo libro è stata una via di mezzo tra un " Ma che cazzo sto leggendo " e " mmm... è deliziosamente trash ".
Il libro non è molto dark, il che non mi dispiace, non amo i protagonisti troppo contorti e violenti, diciamo che la parte oscura è il contesto in cui vivono questi ragazzi.
Spero proprio che dal prossimo libro comincino a collaborare , sarà divertente.
This book was somewhere between ‘What the hell am I reading?’ and ‘Hmm… it’s delightfully trashy’.
The book isn’t particularly dark, which I don’t mind – I’m not keen on protagonists who are too twisted and violent. Let’s just say that the dark element is the setting in which these lads live.
I really hope they start working together in the next book , it’ll be fun.
****
Questo libro è stata una via di mezzo tra un " Ma che cazzo sto leggendo " e " mmm... è deliziosamente trash ".
Il libro non è molto dark, il che non mi dispiace, non amo i protagonisti troppo contorti e violenti, diciamo che la parte oscura è il contesto in cui vivono questi ragazzi.
Spero proprio che dal prossimo libro comincino a collaborare , sarà divertente.
January 17, 2025
Cassian, Kyril, Landon, Milo and Thea. Shes a mafia princess whom her father sends her to the school for criminals children and is told to spy for her father and she says yes to protect her sister. The man shes suppose to spy on has friends. Theres also an ex boyfriend in the mix. This is a dark, emotional, chaotic, multy event, dangerous, and emotional read. A very good read. But the ending things heat up and start to unravel and then..oh heck have to wait till next read. Cant wait. Well written. Great charecter and world building.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2025
Thea is a tool used by her manipulative father and now is being used to get close to Cassian Forsyth and by association, his best friends Landon, Kyril, and Milo. But determining her father's motives and now protecting people she is getting emotionally attached to, makes Thea's life difficult. These characters are very well-written and super compelling. The storyline had a decent flow, even though this ended in a cliffhanger. There is sizzle, steam, action, drama, twists, and shocking turns. I can't wait to read Book 2,.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 11, 2025
Wow.....i was not expecting to get hooked on this story the way i did!! i absolutely loved the MFC Thea - she's strong, but vulnerable and i loved how real she was balancing her trauma, desires and emotions. The plot was full of suspense, with plenty of steam and some amazing side characters that could have their own books. I also love that it is RH and the guys tick all my boxes and are all so very different, i just loved them and their chemistry with Thea. The cliffhanger ending has left me questioning what is going to happen in the next book and i cant wait!!
May 7, 2025
I liked it. It started off promising. Thea was cool and strong. The guys are all interesting and the chemistry is great but it was annoying that when she would finally be spending time with one of them or more it was for a short min then over. It got really annoying. I understand the build up but I feel like she really didn’t spend much time with them and the steamy parts were rushed too. I think it was part because of so many POVs, I wish I got more inside Thea’s head. And the short chapters. Like I said I enjoyed it but wanted more. Started reading the second one and it was the same too.
December 11, 2025
I often hate read dark/bully RH romance because it enrages me and I can never understand WHY they accept and fall for their tormentor and why all these alpha-holes are happy to share a mediocre doormat. But Vengeful Princess is NOTHING like that.
Are these characters f*cked up. Absolutely. But they are fun to read about and Thea is a genuine, stabby take no prisoners bad-ass. All of the guys are different, oh so different, and they each have a separate and individual relationship with Thea. Milo & Kyril are definitely my favourites.
Are these characters f*cked up. Absolutely. But they are fun to read about and Thea is a genuine, stabby take no prisoners bad-ass. All of the guys are different, oh so different, and they each have a separate and individual relationship with Thea. Milo & Kyril are definitely my favourites.
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March 14, 2026🔪Empire of Carnage 🔫
If you’re into reverse harem / why choose / unhinged mafia college romance this is for you 🖤❤️🔥👹
Set in a remote moody college in Scot’s we got:
• head strong, fierce, independent FMC
• multiple obsessed MMC’s including a crazy Russian, pining Italian, slow falling Brit and a witty Scot’s lad. As well as a cute but nerdy wallflower MMC. - spoiler: they’re all hung AF🥵
• plenty of sexy time
• secrets
• risky adventures
• suspense and drama
I devoured both books within 3 days. Need to get the third one so I can finish the trilogy!
If you’re into reverse harem / why choose / unhinged mafia college romance this is for you 🖤❤️🔥👹
Set in a remote moody college in Scot’s we got:
• head strong, fierce, independent FMC
• multiple obsessed MMC’s including a crazy Russian, pining Italian, slow falling Brit and a witty Scot’s lad. As well as a cute but nerdy wallflower MMC. - spoiler: they’re all hung AF🥵
• plenty of sexy time
• secrets
• risky adventures
• suspense and drama
I devoured both books within 3 days. Need to get the third one so I can finish the trilogy!
November 8, 2025
Omg! I need to know what happens to Thea ASAP! But what are the guys going to do? Are they going to want to get her back or be done with her since she apparently was behind everything? Yet they don't know that she backed out and didn't complete missions due to her feelings!?! It's insane! It'll be interesting to see how she gets out of this and what Dario's angle is. Is he gonna stay a bad guy or realize they were both played? It is a little bit on the predictable side of things.
January 7, 2025
Theas father sends her to Abernathy and is tasked with getting close to his enemies son Cassien but he's not alone with Landon, Milo and Kyril by his side things soon heat up and well nothing goes to plan, well written engaging RH why choose mafia desires, enemies ajd more. Ends on a cliffy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2025
Vengeful princess was a slow/medium-burn and ends on a cliffy. Out of the blue, Thea’s father sends her to Abernethy, an exclusive college for the offspring of the rich and criminally inclined. He tells her she must get close to the campus’ golden boy. It was an intriguing and intense read. I got a copy of the book and voluntarily leaving my review.
February 1, 2025
Great read and exciting plot
This read has a great storyline and plot. The character development is perfect. Thea is a strong female character who is damaged but still believes in love. Landon is the damaged playboy. Kyril is the possessive caveman. Milo is the quiet stalker and Cassius is the broken heir. Together they can heal each other but is it enough?
This read has a great storyline and plot. The character development is perfect. Thea is a strong female character who is damaged but still believes in love. Landon is the damaged playboy. Kyril is the possessive caveman. Milo is the quiet stalker and Cassius is the broken heir. Together they can heal each other but is it enough?
February 11, 2025
She was sent by her father to college to get information from his enemy son. She does not know why her father wants it as soon as possible. She has never had a girlfriend but meets a girl who becomes her friend and has ties with the Irish mafia. She meets Cassian friends and starts having a relationship with them.
February 18, 2025
Plot: 3/5 • Smut: 4/5 ————> The beginning was good. The middle was boring. and the end is where we’re finally gettin somewhere. Our FMC is shipped off to a school in Scotland to infiltrate someone on her father’s radar. Winding up getting close to his three friends first. The smut is good. Ends ona cliffy. 💉
March 23, 2025
Obsessed
I usually don't download books from Amazon's recs, but I did this one, and I'm so glad. I'm obsessed.
I'm locked in to the plot and the characters.
I can't even choose a favorite out of the guys because I love them all, and they all fill a different desire, lol.
Eden is my favorite, though. I hope she gets a book or series because she's delightful.
I usually don't download books from Amazon's recs, but I did this one, and I'm so glad. I'm obsessed.
I'm locked in to the plot and the characters.
I can't even choose a favorite out of the guys because I love them all, and they all fill a different desire, lol.
Eden is my favorite, though. I hope she gets a book or series because she's delightful.
August 18, 2025
Thea and the guys
This is the first time I've read an Ave Summers book and I'm very intrigued. I hate Torrance and Thea's psycho father. Well the guys dads are no better either. I really hope Cassian, Kyril, Landon or even Milo gets to Thea in time. I can't believe Dario and I wish nothing but ill will on him. On to book two.💖💖
This is the first time I've read an Ave Summers book and I'm very intrigued. I hate Torrance and Thea's psycho father. Well the guys dads are no better either. I really hope Cassian, Kyril, Landon or even Milo gets to Thea in time. I can't believe Dario and I wish nothing but ill will on him. On to book two.💖💖
October 12, 2025
I don't have words to describe this book. You can clearly see how all the characters were different and how they all fit well into the group, even though they were all different. The story is incredible, why she went to college, and how she tried not to get emotionally involved with anyone so as not to lose focus on why she was there, but it still happens.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews