Lord of the Underworld

RTC....this was sooo good and sad that this is the last entry of this series.
This has got to be one of my favorite books of this series.

Donna McEachran

1,782 reviews36 followers

Just when I think the characters in these books can't get any better...along comes Vadim!! Holy Hades!! I love the connection between him and Oksana and between Oksana and the female cousins. I love that the female characters in these books aren't weak and hopeless.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout for an honest review.

Kristi Lange

642 reviews11 followers

really liked this! Vadim was this big scary dude that even his family was a bit weary of but Oksana felt at ease with him the moment she met him and for good reason. from the very beginning, Vadim would’ve done anything to keep Oksana safe

-arranged marriage
-boy obsessed
-protective stalker
-found family
-forced proximity
-touch her and die
-virgin FMC
-pierced MMC

Off Reading Somewhere

425 reviews12 followers

4.75 obsessed ⭐️! Another sexy romantic deliciously dark mafia romance from Fraser, featuring a down bad sociopath who terrifies everyone but the one woman who sees the real him.

I loved Vadim and Oksana. I thought Andrey was the most romantic sociopath I’d read, but I think Vadim overtook him. Always straddling the line between obsession and devotion, Vadim’s way of showing love may not always be conventional, but who’s brave enough to call him out on it? 😏

Oksana (24), the only daughter of a nasty Bratva pakhan, is called home to Russia from her life in Chicago for an arranged marriage to Vadim (28), the enforcer for the Turgenev bratva and universally feared sociopath. Oksana suffers selective amnesia from a horrifically traumatic kidnapping when she was 10, and doesn’t realize she and Vadim actually have met before.

From the beginning, their chemistry leaped off the page, and you knew these two were going to be explosive. Vadim hates being touched, and is feared by all for his robotic expressionless nature and grotesquely unique torture methods. But Oksana feels safe around him. Spending years discerning safe from unsafe men in her life, she instinctively knows Vadim will never harm her.

Vadim has kept slight tabs on Oksana through the years, and when he learns she is his bride to be, his anticipation surprises him. For a man who feels very little, Oksana ignites strong emotions in him, slowly waking him up.

Their romance was honestly super sweet and full of good communication and honest expectations. I loved watching Vadim learn to feel things, but he never pushes her away in an attempt to protect himself. He’s all in from day one, and it’s so refreshing.

Oksana is the light to his dark, and she was such a good sunshine FMC. Quirky and funny but also incredibly intelligent and kind hearted, I loved her. She knew what to say to Vadim, and more importantly, when to say it (or not). She saw his darkness immediately and instead of fearing it or trying to change it, she simply embraced the man who keeps quietly saving her.

The spice was 🔥, so hot. The found family was once again top tier. Loved seeing the cousins from NY pop up and all the Morozov wives embrace Oksana.

The action near the end was intense and had me turning pages to get to the resolution. Loved seeing Oksana come into her own touch-him-and-perish era.

Vadim is the ultimate look-at-her-and-be-horrifically-taken-apart and I was here for it.

Might need to add this one to my trophy shelf along with Lord of Cruelty. Vadim and Oksana are up there with Alexey and Liria for fav couple in this world!!!!

Darlene Bridges

407 reviews2 followers

I love Ariana Fraser’s books, especially the Russian Bratva families. I was really looking forward to Vadim’s book as he was such a scary dark presence in previous books.

Friendly banter:
“Do they have this in black? I mean, you are marrying a vampire.”
FMC —“I’ve always thought he was more Hades than vampire,”I say. 🔥🖤

Him— “Burnt amber. Worn leather. The scent of something…how dark would smell if it was a scent.” 😍

Horses, there are horses 😊 MMC’s horse “Charon,” she says. “The gatekeeper who carries the souls of the dead across the River Styx.”

Vadim— “I love my wife. “When a woman is capable of shooting her own father in the face, it is best to take her seriously,”…

Arraigned marriage ✅
Kidnapping ✅
Strong, silent, deadly tall, dark, & handsome Russian Bratva man ✅
Beautiful Virgin bride✅

The Bou

391 reviews35 followers

I am putting this author in the same basket than Michelle Heard and Jagger Cole… they publish a book every 4 months by copy/pasting the story/feelings from their previous books
Nothing new, nothing original, the writing is fluid, there is spice and you can enjoy yourself but don’t expect more.

MCs met through kidnapping and torture when they were kids (heroine was 10/hero was 14)
Since then he f*** a lot of women and she stayed the perfect virgin. MMC doesn’t like being touched but still has a list of women on speed dial…
Authors really don’t understand the concept of this trope 😒
MMC knew who she was but never looked out for her

✅arranged marriage
✅virgin heroine/experienced hero
✅amnesia trope
✅strong heroine
✅ torturee and 🩸
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (voyeurism, piercing 🍆…)

It was advertised as a Hades & Persephone retelling, well it’s not. Unless I missed the signs.

Other than that I enjoyed it, mainly because the MFC was great.

PS: no French would say “sales batards diaboliques”

Heather

767 reviews

This was so good!! Mafia arranged marriage alliance.

The mafia plot was fantastic. I loved how the past of both the mmc and fmc combined with the present.

The action, revenge, torture, spice, and character development were good.

Fast and entertaining read. Looking forward to the next interconnected standalone.

Marg Campbell-McCauley

61 reviews

Dark and Delicious

Another excellent entry into the series - you will love these two characters who share a past that defined them as survivors. I was counting the days until this one dropped. I have read and enjoyed all of Arianna’s books.Can’t wait until the next one. 😁😁😁

Traci

14 reviews1 follower

Another banger!! This was by far the best book i have read by Miss Arianna!! Lived the Hades and Persephone vibe. The back story was tragic to say the least. The FMC was a fucking WARRIOR and the MMC was scary to say the least but was brought out of darkness. I’m not a very good book reviewer but i do love stars 🌟 and this is a 5+. If this is the first Arianna Frasier book you have read I HIGHLY recommend going back to the beginning!!
Onto the next November 20th!!

Jacqueline

568 reviews2 followers

Vadim, our Angel of Death jr and Oksana, the low key badass of a crap father make a great power couple. Honestly, compared to the other couples these two really are a POWER COUPLE. I love how they support each other even in the dark moments and neither are afraid to bear witness.

Jessica Lambrecht

3 reviews1 follower

best of the entire series!!

I LOVED this couple! Their background, their relationship and just re-read the book after finishing it the first time. I always love how we get the previous characters brought back in, but the focus was really on this couple and I loved every single moment. New fav book!

Boodle U.

110 reviews1 follower

Love this one!

As with all the other Fraser novels, this love story was sweet and surprising! Can’t wait for the next saga to see what Kirill said to Rose!

Roxanne

51 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

September 8, 2026

Oksana to her friend, Anka: "I was kidnapped when I was ten, but I have no memory of it. Just waking up in the hospital, my mother holding my hand." However, there was someone there who remembers exactly what happened 14 years ago...Vadim.
Background check: Vadim Turgenev is the son of Mariya Morozova and Konstantin Turgenev (Malice) and the grandson of Alexi Turgenev aka The Angel of Death and Lucya Dobrovina (Dark Angel). He is 28 years old, 6'6", with black hair, icy blues eyes, and covered in tattoes. What about an insight to his personality? Well, growing up in a powerful Russian Bratva, his grandfather's advice is always "Rule by fear," whereas his Pakhan father's position is, "Rule by Strength." Vadim adopted his own motto which is to "Rule by soul-blistering terror." This does not exactly make Vadim sunshine in a human form, but you do understand how he has also been awarded with the moniker "The Angel of Death 2!"
Working for the Turgenev Bratva, he has relocated to Chicago to personally oversee the construction and develpment of a "manufacturing center" that is creating new techology for their firearms line. The transportation and distribution of these illegal military grade weapons will increase the power and wealth of the Turgenev Bratva. All is progressing well until he receives a phone call from his father requesting he return to Moscow to discuss an alliance by way of marriage with another Moscow Six Family.
Now about Oksana Vasilieva: She is 24 years old, tall, with long blonde hair, silver-gray eyes, and is a "pure" Bratva princess. She's been suffering from nightmares for years, but doesn't understand the source of her trauma because of dissociative amnesia. She has been living an independent life in Chicago working on her masters degree and for the Family Trust Charity, a women and children's charity. What she keeps hidden is that her charity is also a front for an organization of brave Mafia and Bratva women and their "connections" who help domestic violence victims and their children escape from the brutal world of organized crime and start new lives, far, far away. She has been ordered, no questions asked, to return to Moscow by her horrible father, the Pakhan of the Vasiliev Bratva. Once she arrives, Oksana's brother, Maks, informs her that their father has arranged a marriage. The good news, according to her brother, is that she'll be able to return to Chicago. The bad news, of course, is that the groom is Vadim Turgenev! Oksana, well aware of Vadim's reputation, is confused about his acceptance of her hand in marriage. "Why would he agree? He's the kind of monster mothers use to make their children cry. I didn't think he tolerated other people." After their "introduction" at the Turgenev mansion, Oksana is wary of Vadim, but for some unknown reason, she doesn't fear him the way most people do.
Vadim is initially drawn to Oksana because of the shared trauma of their past which she doesn't remember...yet. As cold and unemotional as he believes himself to be, he can't help but sneak into her bedroom and comfort her when she is having nightmares. He is the only one who truly understands her suffering and provides immediate comfort. "It's me. You're safe. They can't hurt you now."
Vadim speeds up the timeline for the wedding to get Oksana out of her father's house, and they agree to wed in a week's time. However, no wedding can take place before the female Morozova cousins from New York City fly to Moscow and descend on the unsuspecting Oksana at the bridal salon. The fun girls arrive with the unstoppable hilarity and mayhem that follows in their wake. After multiple bottles of champagne are consumed and wedding dress advice is given "Uh, that one makes you look like you have a starring role in Little House on the Prairie," Oksana finally finds her dress.
As their marriage begins, Oksana is uncertain if Vadim is even capable of love, let alone loving her, but she does see that he is protective and she feels safe with him. When they return to his mansion outside of Chicago, they realize they share a passionate love of horses and really begin talking to one another. Vadim encourages her to decorate rooms in their house to make it feel more like a home. Oksana wants Vadim to understand that horses and work are not all there is to life. "It feels like the rest of your life is waiting for you to fill it up with something else." When Vadim responds, "What do you think I should fill it up with?" She replies,"I would like to be one of the things that fills your life."
Their physical chemistry with one another is explosive! Vadim (with his piercings) is a god in the bedroom, and that Oksana is one lucky lady! For a man who doesn't like being touched, Oksana's warmth and goodness has pierced through his armor, and he craves her caresses. Despite the constant stress and danger in the Bratva world, Vadim and Oksana develop a deep connection with one another.
What happens when Oksana's "side business" puts her and others in perilous situations when they're found out? How does she react when her represssed memories return? How does Vadim prove that she is the most important person in the world to him? Without a doubt, Vadim is absolutely brutal to those who betray the Bratva and especially to anyone who threatens and harms Oksana. Those with a weak stomach might want to skip those parts, but not me! There is so much more to this story and I really can't do it justice, so you'll just have to read if for yourself.
What I love about Oksana: She has strength of character, is a loyal friend, brave, takes accountability for her actions, and proves she is capable of taking matters into her own hands to protect those she loves.
Vadim was broken inside because of what he experienced as a 14 year old. He endured physical and mental pain, not only then, but throughout life in the Bratva. However, he believes that everything he experienced is a reminder that he survived it. He accepts his leadership role in the Bratva and works tirelessly alongside the men and women he feels responsible for. Vadim loves his family and is deeply loyal to them. He treasures Oksana and knows she has truly enriched his life and he's willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for her.
Arianna Fraser is a master of storytelling in the way she brings the characters who live inside in her head to life and envelops you into their world. I've read every one of her books (more than once) and they just keep getting better!

Debbie Lyon

1,066 reviews2 followers

Oh So Good!

This story was well written,dark,lots of secrets and not boring.Vadim is the strong sexy hunk,that doesn't like to be touch except maybe his mother.This probably has something that happen when he was fourteen.Oksanna has nightmares because of what happen when she was ten.So now they will be married has in arranged marriage. She remembers a man in her dreams but can't seem to remember who but he help her save her back then.So they are supposed to get married within a month but after Vadim catches her bodyguard in her room one night he sends word that the wedding is move up and he takes care of that dirty,disgusting Yett.Oksanna does try to speak to her husband to be at their meet and greet but he says very little.But the wedding happens and then the couple get ready to go to Chicago but have to stop and get a few things for Oksana,not realizing that Oksana's friend was attack and the attacker is waiting for the bride,Vadim rushes in and saves her again and takes care of her ex bodyguard for good.Odsana has her job to do and tries to hide it from her husband but she is double cross and her husband rushes in to save her,he tells her he will always be there to protect her her and he had placed a tracker in her ring.Now Oskana is put to a test,she is having a type of girl's day with her best friend but both are kipnapped,they throw her tracker/ring away and let her friend go.Vadim gets word on his wife and he says his life for hers and she says no but he wins.She goes to her father for help and learns a few things about what happen when she was ten,and he can't be bother about her husband and she is furious and her brother can't believe what he heard.She handles her father and gets the help from her brothers and her in-laws just in time,after a long recovery he happens to ask his mother-in-law a question and he realizes she is one to set up the arranged wedding to her daughter because she knew he was the one that saved her when she was ten and he would treat her right has her husband and she also knows the secret of one of Oksanna's charity 's .Their love grows and there is a change in Vadim especially around his wife,he shows more feeling,he laughs ,he smiles and he allows more touch! I wish this story could go and on it was so good!

Charlene Gaskins

1,118 reviews40 followers

I have loved the Morozov's entire sequence of books and love where the author began a new storyline with the Turgenev's, relatives to the Morozov's. The Turgenev's storyline had an original twist to an arranged marriage that most lack. Vadim and Oksana's connection which goes back to abducted children was well done. Their histories was buried in Oksana's mind until Vadim eventually helps her remember how they first met.

Ms. Fraser is an author who is capable of writing a main male character, who has a very dark evil side to their personality's into something that still has human elements. Often times these men are suffering from some kind of personality flaw that they keep in check, while doing some questionable acts throughout these books. Vadim was a truly evil character that was the Lord of the Underworld. He was feared in his own circles of those who actually knew what he was capable of doing. He is truly the Lord of the Underworld and yet the author is able to unveil a side of him when it comes Oksana. Ms. Frasier was able to bring out a side to him that even he wasn't aware before Oksana that makes him feel and respond in ways that are foreign to him.. Initially, he doesn't know how to understand his growing feelings for her, labeling it his desire to protect her when it is far more than that.

There relationship in this story is one of growth, trust, coupled with exploration, understanding and love which culminates over the entire story. Although subtle, the story had a Persephone vibe to it. Oksana is able to enter Vadim's world, of darkness without it completely engulfing her. She is the light to the darkness that surrounds Vadim. I loved Oksana's character and applauded her character finally finding someone who didn't treat her like a prized cow to be sold to the highest bidder. She initially started as a project for Vadim, but soon became his entire obsession as they both were faced with navigating numerous threats, assaults, near deaths and setbacks throughout their story. She was a mature main character that was thrown into an arranged marriage with little knowledge of Vadim. She knows of his reputation and adjusts to his to his ever changing life style as a state Supreme Court Justice to a man that was capable of killing those that deserved it without a second thought.

It was a very entertaining and gripping novel that had me reading much too late into the night, but was worth every second of lost sleep.

K T

637 reviews15 followers

September 19, 2026

This is Book 6 in The Bratva Lords series, as an interconnected standalone. I have really enjoyed the series and this book did not disappoint at all!! The book is fast paced...it grips you early & keeps you coming back for more the whole time!!

This is Oksana & Vakim's story... Vakim is known as the Lord of the Underworld and a man to be feared... but he is soft with Oksana and I love that... I also love that there is more to their story and LOVED the unexpected plot twist about when she was 10 (she was kidnapped & held for some time, but there's more to the story).

One of my favorite things about Arianna Fraser's books is her Title Descriptions - they always include a bit of foreshadowing & make me laugh!! Example: "In which things are scary and sad but at least there is a cute baby."

I really love the characters in these books... Oskana & Vadim have both had a pretty rough upbringing and haven't really had family that cared or loved them.. which makes it a bit hard for them to love, but I really love how their story plays out.

The book is told in a dual 1st person POV... which I really appreciate, as it's great to see things from both of their perspectives... I loved seeing a glimpse of the big, bag underworld Lord's mind!! And especially regarding their past.

Spice level: 3/8

*Dark Bratva romance
*Dark Mafia romance
*Interconnected standalone
*romantic suspense
*arranged marriage
*forced proximity
*found family
*trauma bonding
*obsessive/possessive, protective MMC
*touch her & die

Thank you to the author (Arianna Fraser) & Booksprout for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

booksprout

Hilda Schneider

193 reviews1 follower

I’m in love with Vadim

When we first met Vadim I thought he was cold, detached, fierce, and dedicated to his family and his job. When we first met Oksana, I thought she was too sweet for someone like Vadim. Yet in truth, they are wonderful together. He comes from a strong Bratva family, she comes from a Bratva family led by a monster who would let her die as child for wealth and benefit to his own cause!
When an alliance is agreed upon between these two families, and a marriage is the foundation of this alliance, I knew that Vadim and Oksana would be so good for each other….and I was right. Their love turned out to be stronger than any evil that surrounded them. And Vadim would do anything to protect his light.

I loved it. I can’t wait for the next adventure this family brings us!

Gill Charlton

253 reviews1 follower

Oh Arianna, this story was superb so well thought out.
I loved the protagonists they were so in tune with each other... Brilliant story, really well thought out kept the reader feeling the anguish and love of the characters.

One of the things I love about your books is the translation after each chapter it saves me so much time looking up the works words on the Russian dictionary...

I really liked the additional sections where the cousins came back into the story they stayed true to the other books in the series.

I've read the whole book in a day, because i really enjoy your work.

Thank you!

Janine Upchurch

2 reviews1 follower

I love Ariana Fraser's books!

I have read so many of Ariana Fraser's books it's hard to pick a favorite. This is probably one of them.
Oksana and Vadim were such a wonderful couple. Their shared trauma made their relationship even deeper.
If you like your mafia romances with lots of steam, violence and a dash of humor this book is for you.

gillian52

69 reviews1 follower

September 14, 2026

Absolutely loved this final book on this excellent series. I loved how their past moulded their present and future. The story line gripped me from the first page and l stayed up to the small hours to finish it. Could not put it down. Vadim was a really strong character, but Oksana more than held her own proving to everyone she was a force to be reckoned with. Arianna is now one of my favourite authors. Can’t wait for the next series to come out

Caitlin Nelson

98 reviews

wildly good!

Loved it. The softness between the two main characters feels precious given their shared traumatic childhood experience in which he saves her and she doesn’t remember until halfway through the book. The FMC is a bad b*tch too who isn’t afraid to unalive someone to get to her husband. And I’ve heard of riding off into the sunset but christening the horse before it goes back in the stable? Nice twist lol

Janice Timmins

26 reviews1 follower

great read

After reading this series out of order I’m going to go back and start again they are standalones but they are a great read the main characters are written well and are easy to like. Read it you won’t be disappointed

nichole arthur

6 reviews1 follower

Favorite One yet!

i’m going to be honest, This author popped in my “you may like” list on Kindle, 2 months ago, since then, i have read every book she has written and loved every one. This one felt a little more tame than others in certain aspects, but the story and feels were very much there! Can’t wait for the next book.

irina

2 reviews1 follower

This book was MY favorite 😍 out of the series...definitely a must read!

Suzi

1,139 reviews1 follower

great!

Very good , another fantastic story in the series. I was really excited for this one and definitely not disappointed.

238 reviews4 followers