Welcome to my TED Talk on Why Zeke St. James Will Ruin Your Life (and You’ll Love Every Second of It)
Alright folks, let’s gather ‘round. Today, we’re diving into By Blood to Avenge by Natasha Knight, aka the second book in the Sinners Duet, aka the reason I now have trust issues. First off, if you haven’t read By Sin to Atone yet, what are you even doing? Stop everything, read it, and then come back here because we need to talk about the emotional rollercoaster that is Zeke and Blue.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: "Can Natasha really top the madness of book one?" The answer is YES. Yes, she can. And she will. The woman has no chill. This book starts like someone dropped a bomb and just walks away while everything explodes behind them—casual chaos.
So, we pick up right after that cliffhanger of doom, and let me tell you, I was practically speed-reading because I HAD to know what happens next. Spoiler: a lot. A LOT happens. Zeke is still Zeke—dark, dangerous, and disturbingly good at making me question all my life choices. And Blue? She’s not running from this beast. No, she’s standing her ground, and honestly, I’m just here with popcorn, watching it all go down.
Zeke St. James, everyone. This man is like a walking red flag that you follow anyway because it’s Zeke and, well… what are boundaries? I love that this book gave us more of his backstory, showing us that behind all the broody, I-will-destroy-you vibes, there’s an actual heart. A dark heart, sure, but it’s there. And when Blue stumbles into his life, he doesn’t just fall—he crashes. It’s like watching a disaster in slow motion, but you can’t look away because it’s beautiful and terrifying all at once.
And can we talk about Blue? I’ve said it before, but this girl is a force of nature. She’s been through hell, and instead of crumbling, she’s out here blackmailing secret societies and throwing down with Zeke like it’s a normal Tuesday. She’s sharp, fierce, and not afraid to challenge Zeke, which is saying something because this man is, let’s be real, a walking, talking danger zone. I’m living for their back-and-forth power dynamic.
Oh, and Jericho—aka Zeke’s brother, aka my second-favorite St. James. The scenes with Zeke and Jericho together? GOLD. It’s like two alpha males with tragic pasts and zero patience try to out-brood each other, and I am HERE FOR IT. They could literally be discussing what to have for breakfast, and I’d still be riveted.
But let’s get to the real MVP of this book: the action. Natasha Knight didn’t just sprinkle in suspense—she dumped the whole jar. We’ve got revenge plots, secret societies, villains who are straight out of your nightmares, and moments that had me clutching my Kindle like it was a lifeline. There’s this ticking clock vibe that had me feeling like I was in the middle of a high-stakes heist movie. My heart? It was not ready.
And let’s not forget the steam. Oh yes, it’s here, and it’s hotter than ever. Zeke and Blue’s chemistry is like two magnets constantly drawn together, but with this deliciously dangerous edge. If you’re into that, you’re in for a treat. If not, well… good luck to you.
By the time I finished, I was left with one question: How do I get more of these St. James brothers in my life? Seriously, Natasha, WHERE DO I SIGN UP? I’m obsessed, I’m wrecked, and I’m begging for more. So, if you’re a fan of dark romance, revenge plots, or men who will absolutely wreck your life (and not even apologize for it), then you NEED to pick up this duet.
ARC courtesy of the author.