Twisted Kings

Empire of Carnage #2

by Ava Summers

Dario promised to protect me from the evil monsters that lurked in the dark.

Only it was all a pretty lie.

After he vanished, I never expected to see Dario again. But fate had other ideas.

The sweet, kind-hearted boy I once loved has grown into a dangerously sinful man with muscles, tattoos, and vengeance in his heart.

I have no clue what Dario’s problem is. Honestly? Dario can take his hurt feelings and do one.

Just like the other four.

The twisted kings of Abernethy broke down my walls brick by brick. Made me feel again.

Landon promised to cherish me forever.

Kyril vowed to burn the world down and destroy my enemies.

Milo watched over me while I slept and kept the nightmares at bay.

And Cassian… I believed his silken promises as he wiped away my tears.

But to love is to be vulnerable. I should have known better than to let them in.

Now my sister’s life is at stake, as well as my freedom.

My father and his henchman have kidnapped me. I’m destined to be the not-so-blushing bride of a mafia don, but I refuse to let any man drag me to the altar without putting up a fight.

Once I've escaped, Dario Peretti will pay for his sins.

And if those other broken princes don’t forgive me… well, it’s their loss.

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Twisted Kings is book 2 in the Empire of Carnage series. Our main female character won't have to choose between the men in her life, but she won't get her happy ending until the end of book 3. For triggers, check the content note at the beginning of the book.


Enemies to lovers
Why choose
He falls first
Who hurt you princess
Found family
Possessive/obsessive MMCs

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Why Choose

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2025

About the author

Ava 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.

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3🌶

Omg Milo 😍 no other words needed!

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Twisted Kings” is the second instalment in the “Empire of Carnage Series.” The story of Thea and her “boyfriend’s” - Landon, Kyril, Milo and Cassian continues with the addition of Dario to the mix. Dario was her first love, then he broke her heart. He hates her, but she does not know why? When the truth comes out, will he believe her? The boys trust in her is also put to the test when they are shown a heavily edited video of her agreeing to set Cassian up for drug possession. No drugs were found. Kyril was the only one who did not believe this and realises there was more to it. After the fire, Thea cannot be found anywhere. When they cannot find her, Milo finds footage showing her being kidnapped by Torrance Asaro, her father, Francesco di Luca’s, chief enforcer. Will the boys rescue her?

Thea’s father, head of an Italian Mafia family, has always held her younger sister Verity over Thea’s head. Threatening to kill her, sell her into the sex trade, marry her off to ones of his old cronies …. She cannot and will not, allow this to happen. She is the only reason that she does her father’s bidding, but now she knows that he needs to be destroyed. Thea also needs to protect the baby that she is carrying. With the help from Eden’s cousin Declan, they mount a rescue mission to Italy to get Thea back.

“Inflicting violence was second nature to Kyril. And if Thea was back with her father, we’d have to shed a lot of blood to rescue her.”

The story is very fast paced and full of twists and turns! You have danger, betrayal, love, tears, death, power, action and passion. There is many secrets that come out as well - some will not surprise you, others will not. Will Thea and Verity be rescued? Will they all learn to trust each other and ALL have a future together? How will they react, how will they feel about it, when they find out Thea is pregnant? Yes, the second books ends on a cliffhanger as well …..

A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: 4/5 • Smut: 4/5 ———-> Oh, Thea. Why did we have to get pregnant? this would have been 5⭐️s if not for the unplanned pregnancy. Her dynamics with Kyrill and Cas are my favorites. Followed by Landon and Milo. Darius can kick rocks.

[Toni]

Thea is the daughter of a Russian mobster. She has been groomed from a young age to do his bidding. The threat he holds over her is her baby sister. She was sent to get close to the sons of several other mobsters. Then her old boyfriend from childhood frames her and that causes the men she has found safety in have abandoned her. But one man,Kyril hasn't. Then Milo checks footage and discovers the video put online is a fake. He brings his evidence to the others. But when he looks for her he finds that she's been taken by a man who is soulless and doesn't care what evil he perpetuates. Now the men come together with her friend, Eden, to find her. They discover her father has sold her to another Russian mobster along with her sister. The guys have to rescue her before the marriage takes place.
The sons of the Russian mobs, the Irish mob, the politician who is corrupt join together to find her. Nothing will keep them from her. Bombs, gun fights and knife play is not unusual in their life. NOw they have a mission and the woman they love to look for. Will they be able to get to her before the marriage ceremony? And when her long ago boyfriend returns do they take him out or convince him what he was told about her years ago was lie?
A story that weaves in and out and has a few twists and turns. Exciting and heart stopping.

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Empires of Carnage series absolutely didn’t disappoint! The balance between action, suspense and spice is done perfectly (for me at least) and I loved how the story flowed. There is so much happening in this book and it still wasn’t enough. You can feel the outside characters slowly growing more annoyed and reckless, and you just know we are waiting for some real bad stuff to start happening. I am counting the days until book three comes out!

Second books in a series are always a little risky, but I truly loved what the author did here. There are so many amazing characters (both main and side), and I love how they call each other out and connect with each other. Book three can’t be here soon enough!

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a bit wild. Overall, I don't think we had much progress other than the harem's reunion. The guys all learn the truth about who Thea is and who her father is. It took some time for Landon and Cass, but I love how Kyril and Milo just understand her and are fighting for her from the very beginning and even getting Dar to accept the truth. I kind of wish she had that conversation with him, but I liked how this is all turning out for him. I'm ready to figure out how this one is going to wrap up, though, because even though we have a lot of big things happen here, I feel like it ultimately falls victim to middle book syndrome. We'll see how the next book goes to really decide if that's accurate or not.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book one blew me away, i could not wait to get my hands on this after the cliff hanger ending and my god was it worth it! The whole book left me on the edge of my seat, will they save her in time? who will get hurt and will the bad guys get what they deserve? There was so much suspense, steam and an actual plot that really had me engaged throughout. All the characters are amazing, and i loved seeing the more vulnerable and unsure part of Thea's character and how her men were there for her, each in their own way, especially when she really needed them.....i need more!! Will definitely be reading more from this author.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picks up from the first books and it is nonstop action! Thea's father has always had her in his grasp because of her sister and now she has men behind her that is until her ex set her up and they leave with the exception of one and when he takes evidence to them that she is innocent they come back into the fold only to find her handed over to another Russian monster along with her sister. They guys have their work cut out for them. Will they be able to get to Thea and her sister intime.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 starts up where Book 1 ends. Thea, Kyril, Milo, Landon, and Cassian need to resolve the "betrayal" We get a better look at all 5 main characters and what has made them the adults they are today. And these 5 had a horrific childhood. The book is full of action, drama, twists, turns, sizzle, steam, and so much more. Book 3 cannot come out soon enough!! 5 awesome stars from me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susana Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thea was going after her father to be free of him. Her lovers had their family problems. She wanted to protect her little sister. She believes that they will leave her in the end. She believes that they will leave her in the end. She just wanted to be loved and wanted. She found her first friend. She wasn't to destroy her father's mafia family.

[amys.readsx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't stop. Need more.

The second book in the Empire of Carnage book did not disappoint.

I am loving the continued balance of action and spice. So mich suspense, with twists and turns keeping me entertained. This series has had everything so far, keeping me completely immersed in the story. I can't wait to feel thay ending and I hope it's everything I want! On to book three!

[Amriel (Harli) Bang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep still obsessed

I love these guys(though I'm still iffy on Dar, he's growing on me.)
Verity is so sweet. I'm glad she's safe cause I was worried about her.

The plot has kept me locked in even though there's so much going on with so many different families.

Yay for my bb Milo finally get it. 👏👏

Also I still want a book for Eden.
And maybe for Declan. Haha

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooooh! Some spice is getting spicy! And Dario....he certainly messed up, didn't he?

I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 only because besides the very beginning, there wasn't quite as much action. Most of this book was the group trying to figure out where they all stood. Still good, still needed. Still love the story.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This was much better paced than the first book, and action packed, but gotta admit I wanted to throttle Thea with how she treated the guys and refused to see they were there to help.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed twisted kings. This was the second book in the Empires of Carnage series. I thought it was a suspenseful and entertaining read. Am looking forward to the conclusion in book three. I got a copy of the book and voluntarily leaving my review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues right where the other book left off. I love reading from all the different perspectives of the characters. More drama unfolds with this book with Thea. Cannot get enough of this book these characters. Cannot wait to read and see what happens next!

[°˖✧˚lindsay˚✧˖° · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s 98% inner monologues of the dullest, dumbest, most circuitous thinkers of our time. The most horrifying yet exasperating part is that they’ve spawned.

Whyy are we getting pregnant a month in? We haven’t even cemented the harem roster yet.
Couldn’t have picked a worse direction to go.

[Jessica Proulx · Rating 2 out of 5]

this one was a lot harder to get through compared to the first in this series but it also doesn’t help that i kept prioritizing physical books over it, but it was just so easy to do since everything after the first 150 pages or so felt so repetitive :/

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

ehh

Ok so this book was shorter than the first, and I wasn’t sucked in as much. The surprise was a little predictable and I honestly was hoping Thea would evolve a little more. At least we get to see her sisterly side more

[Lara Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice mafia romance book... It didn't had a plot.... I mean I was surprised by some things, but nothing relevant happened.
The ending is what made me a little sad, she now doesn't want to be found.

[J4Ywalker · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars