He was supposed to be the one who made it better. The one who broke through the wreckage and proved I hadn’t been wrong to hope.
Instead, Judge marked me—claimed me—and then betrayed me.
I don’t want to hear his reasons. I don’t want to see the guilt in his eyes or the way he says my name like it still belongs to him. None of it matters anymore.
The only thing that matters is getting to the Witch Doctor. She’s the one who can burn him out of me. Tear the mark from my skin, rip the bond clean until there’s nothing left of his scent or his hold. Maybe it’ll hurt him when she does it. Maybe that’s the only justice I’ll ever get.
The snow starts to fall heavier, wind clawing at our jeep. We can’t stop. Not now. If we stop to rest and let it pass, Judge will find me. He’ll take me back and make me forget what I’m fighting for.
He’s not worthy of my mercy.
...
He begs Who did this to you? Found Family Rejected mate Hurt/Comfort He’ll do anything for her More Hot Chocolate
Diana deserves to live in the light. Even if I have to burn to keep it lit.
Oh Judge, the man you are.
The much anticipated conclusion the the Blackstem Universe duet is here and to say that I devoured it in one sitting is putting it mildly. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this story. I needed that epic grovel! I love the heroine on the run trope and when the MMC gives chase? Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
The story takes off immediately where it left us in book one; with Diana on the run from Judge looking to sever their bond. But of course we knew that nothing is as it seems, and while Diana thinks he betrayed her, we quickly find out that it's not even close to the truth. And while I was really wanting an epic grovel of a betrayal, it wasn't quite that. More like a man who is desperate to protect his mate, even if it's from himself.
The romance element felt a touch rushed with all the things happening, but it was still very satisfying. I think I would have loved a bit more burn before the I love yous, but it was still very much believable and satisfying. I loved the way that Judge fights for Diana and the way he will protect her at any cost. I also really hope that we get a HEA for Rebecca because her story absolutely broke my heart.
If you're looking for a steamy omega verse with plenty of action, a man obsessed, and his woman who gives as good as she gets, you'll want to check this one out.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
I think I got a bit of a heart palpitation reaching the end of this book only for the confirmation there WILL be another book. I spent the second half crossing my fingers for exactly this.
I was really worried after the devious cliffhanger from book 1. I was sure there would be some kind of explanation for Judge's actions, but I was really sceptical. Writers often dream up ridiculous explanations for bad behaviour and, surprisingly, this wasn't the case. I think this shows off Scarlett Finch's biggest talent: characterization. She can make me feel like whatever people in her books do is plausible to the point I can't even be mad at them for being stupid.
I think Diana is really the shining star of this book. I never like "meek and soft" characters, and she made me reconsider. She is badass in a subtle way. She doesn't have to beat people up with her bare hands or have dumb word-wrestling moments to feel like a bad bitch survivor.
The setting? I just need more from this world. It seems so vivid, and this duet read like a movie playing inside my mind. The wasteland vibes are great (even though I would wish there would be more specifics on Echos in next books) and make for an amazing backdrop for all types of different stories. Personally, I really hope for Beast and Mira OR, hear me out, Rust and Selene?
Also the part taking place in Black Mirage? Masterfull descriptions. I was indeed there.
The only reason this isn't a full-chest 5 stars is the plot. The first 50% worked great. There was a clear goal and a set of situations bringing us to it in a pretty unexpected way. I took quite a long reading break at the halfway point because, honestly, I was worried. I didn't want the book to go downhill, but with the whole "Titan thing" setup being pretty vague and underdeveloped, I was seriously concerned. My struggle is that we're only vaguely aware that Titan bad and Judge needs to face him. It is mostly told to us, and that took away from feeling the impending doom alongside the characters in Dominion. I wanted more. Make me hate that guy.
That being said, I think it's pretty clear I thought this duet was great, and I think 4-4.5★ is a pretty accurate rating. I will definitely pick up the next book from this world.
ARC recieved from the author. I am posting this review willingly.
Book two in the Prison & Mercy duet picks up right where book one left off. Diana is on the run after being marked and betrayed by Judge. She wants out, and her only hope is the Witch Doctor, who may be able to remove the mate bond. But the tether between them pulls at Diana constantly. She can feel him coming. He’s after her. He will claim her… and no matter how hard she fights it, that might be exactly what she wants.
This was another action-packed ride through this gritty dystopian paradise. More of the world, more of what the magic and technology can do, and new intriguing characters along the way, Rust, Grimm… I’m looking at you!
Diana and Judge are at it again. The connection between them is primal and all-consuming. Even as Diana runs, their mate connection keeps their emotions linked, a tension always there under the surface, demanding their attention. Diana knows exactly who Judge is and what he’s done, but no matter how hard she fights it, the connection keeps drawing her back toward him with that same searing intensity. Still, she fears their bond is influencing his feelings, but as Judge begins to open up, she lets her guard down and finally sees the truth of his care, and the depth of what he feels for her.
Judge is still vicious and possessive, but his protective side really gave me everything I needed. As the Alpha leader of Dominion, his ruthlessness is necessary to keep his pack safe. Now that he has a mate, Diana is his greatest weakness, and his enemies will come for her, but he will stop at nothing to protect what’s his. I loved seeing Judge soften with Diana. He lets his guard down, becomes vulnerable, and gives himself something he truly deserves, happiness of his own.
Definitely an addictive read… and I’m not emotionally done with this world yet.
Thank you so much to Scarlett Finch for this gifted copy
I absolutely loved this story. This whole steam punk, apocalyptic, paranormal, dystopian omegaverse was just what I needed. I love any story that steps outside the norm and grabs your attention and this definitely delivered it. This took you on a journey of adventure and fated mates that make the choice of whether to be with who destiny picked for them. I would without a doubt recommend these books for anyone who loves a good romance mixed in with "other". This author will be an automatic buy from me as I loved the mind behind this and cannot wait for more in this series, especially Grimm. Need his book ASAP.
Ahhhhh! I’ve reread book 1 so many times than I can count at this point and I’ve been soooooo excited for this sequel!
It started right off where book 1 ended with Diana on the run and Judge not far behind her. He literally had to chase her across the wastes because Diana is determined to rip him off out of her and basically stop being an omega. I was almost scared she would succeed.
"𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦, 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘱𝘩𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.”
I was celebrating when Judge finally got to her! She's in bad shape but we all know that he will take care of her no matter what and I really, really love that about him. In fact, Judge never blamed her for running, he blamed himself. Saying that it's his failure as her alpha since he didn't manage to gain her trust.
However, some part of Diana does trust him, but all the betrayal in her life makes her so wary and distrustful. She definitely recognizes his efforts with the way he chased and begged her to come back to him. I'm so relieved when she finally ACTUALLY see him and how much he cares for her.
AND he even took her to the beach!!! He remembered her one wish and ahhhh *sob*
I love them both so much!!! Diana and Judge are two very broken people who absolutely deserve to find love and peace with each other.
I'm also so intrigued by the new side characters in this sequel, especially Rust and Grimm! I can't wait to read about their stories. I hope we see a glimpse of Judge and Diana in future books, because I really love them!!
Darling Diana: The Omega’s Mercy is the second book of the Blackstem Universe. This is a dark dystopian omegaverse romance and please check content warnings given some of the dark themes. Also, note that this omegaverse if m/f.
Tropes and themes include: ✨Biker gangs ✨Scent matches ✨Touch her and die ✨Age gap ✨Over the top red flag MMC ✨Hurt/comfort ✨Dual, first person POV
The Lovely: I absolutely love the unique and dark world the author created. While many omegaverse romances are dystopian to a degree, most take place in a “contemporary” and “functioning” world. The world this story is set in is more like a post-apocalyptic dystopian - more similar to Last of Us or Fallout. This added a different edge to the story that I loved.
Also Lovely: I loved the relationship development between the main characters. I definitely took more of a shine to the MMC and I loved how he changed in regards to his treatment of the FMC.
Recommendation: While I’m sad the story of Judge and Diana is over, I’m so thrilled there will be more books in this world. If you’re in the mood for a dark, dystopian/post-apocalyptic omegaverse romance with high stakes and a rather questionable MMC, I think you’d like this duology.
The second and final book in Diana & Judge’s story! I was so excited to get the chance to read Darling Diana 2 and am so thankful to Scarlett Finch for my EARC copy! I really enjoyed the ongoing plot in DD2, Judge’s pursuit of Diana introduced us to a new host of interesting and eccentric side characters - Rust being my personal favourite! We also got to see and understand the feelings of characters like Rebecca and even a closer look at Selene and her own personal trauma. Poor Diana had it rough in this book but she also gained a sense of community - there was a bit of a rush with the forgiveness aspect (I would have loved more grovelling from Judge) but it’s understandable that the high stakes of the plot didn’t really allow for extended grovelling. In other words Judge & Diana had bigger fish to fry. Overall, this book and the first are easily my favourite OV to come out in recent times! The way it’s written is so addictive and lore rich that it’s hard not to miss the world already!
Features; 🖤Post apocalyptic OV setting 🏍️Second chance 🦅Magic & Mystery 🪶Conclusion to the duology ❤️🩹Down-bad Alpha 💋Badass Omega FMC 🥀Major Prophecy vibes 🌹High Stakes 🖤Hurt/Comfort
I admittedly get nervous about reading any book that concludes the story for characters that I'm invested in, but this book was one I really didn't need to worry about. I was already invested in Diana's and Judge's relationship, and seeing them try to work through the consequences of the end of the previous book was rewarding. This isn't a quick resolution to that problem either, and I really appreciated that the cliffhanger didn't just get swiftly swept under the rug.
While there are still several spicy scenes in this book, they aren't as intense as the first book. Instead we get to see the emotional intimacy of their relationship. This greatly benefits the story and overall helps demonstrate how Judge is really trying to win back Diana legitimately.
I cried through a good portion of the last 20% of this book, and I'm so happy with where things ended up. I can't wait to see more from Scarlett Finch.
Thank you to the author for letting me be a part of her street team and gifting me an ARC copy of this book, the wait was worth it.
I loved that even though her omega instincts want her to give up and let Judge protect her, Diana doesn’t give up. She keeps running, propelled by feminine rage by Judge’s (as we learn…) so called betrayal. But Judge isn’t the leader of a bad ass motorcycle club for nothing…he’s gonna protect her, no matter what.
I went into this story fully expecting a ton of grovel…but that really didn’t happen. And I don’t feel dissatisfied about it. Once Judge comes clean about everything he’s been hiding from Diana, it’s like they both let down their guard and let the other in. And that’s when they truly connect.
This story just flew by, I read it so quickly. I do wish that there were a few more spicy scenes (I mean, is there really a limit on how many knots one book should have??) but overall, I really enjoyed this duet and I can’t wait for the next in the interconnected series.
This book drove me nuts. It must have been released too fast as it was riddled with errors. I usually give a fair bit of grace to errors like spelling mistakes but this was too many and would constantly take you out of the book. Spelling, correct pictures, an error in a character name, the wrong word used, missing words, all that made it difficult to understand what the author was trying to say. I found myself more annoyed while reading, simply because I had to reread so much to puzzle out what the author had intended. A lot happened off-page, so the most exciting part of the book was hidden too. A lot of build up for a fight that mainly happened off-page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was beyond excited for this book after reading the first one the week it came out. A book I loved! It was a new concept in an overcrowded space (omegaverse), and the characters were really interesting!
My excitement was quickly cut short by how awful this book was. A rushed plot, massive errors in not only text but in chapter images. I am beyond disappointed. Honestly the author should be embarrassed to put out something that read so badly. I would never guess that it was the same author from book 1 to book 2. Such a bummer. 🫠😭
I rated this 5 stars based on the plot and strength of the characters. Diana is a brilliantly written heroine with great depth of character and her complicated feelings about Judge reflect well. She says he has to earn her affection and boy does he.
There are a number of typos still present in the book as at the point I read it but while noticeable i did not find it as distracting as I think some reviews would have you believe. Please don’t be put off finishing a brilliant duet on this basis
Oh my gooddddnnnnessssss! What a perfect ending for these two! I'm so obsessed and I'm going to miss them so much! This was such a good story and it touched a part of my soulllll. Diana was the most relatable FMC and I loved her with my whole heart and Judge! SWWOOOONNN. I cant wait to read the next series because I miss this world already.
Thank you for letting me Beta for you Scarlett Finch!
Well…this is tough. Sadly this felt more like a rough draft rather than a novel..a whiteboard filled with ideas and bullet points. The execution felt messy and underdeveloped. The pacing jumped around and the dialogue pulled me out more than once. Between the constant cringing and eye rolling, I found myself skimming just to see how their story wrapped up which sucks cus I enjoyed book 1. But by the end, I wasn’t necessarily satisfied so much as relieved to finally close the book.
Look. I’ll be honest- I gobbled this duet up like the greedy big backed bookworm that I am 😭😩😂. I liked it so much that I bought it. I felt that it deserved a permanent spot in my library.
Oh how I squeeled with delight when I found this in my mailbox! I have been impatiently waiting for the conclusion of this duet, and I was so thrilled to dive back into this dystopian world.
I loved how Diana grew fiercer and stronger with each chapter. She takes no bullshit from anyone, even the one person she developed feelings for. Judge had some groveling to do, but not too much..because that just doesn’t suit him. He did grovel and apologized in his own way though, and it had me swooning!
This second book brought all the grit, just like the first book. It’s action-packed, spicy and crass, and I loved every second! Judge and Diana sure get the ending I was hoping for, and this was truly a great conclusion to their story.
Looking forward to meet the next couple (throuple? 😉) in this series.