Depravity

The Brethren Lords #2

by Ellie Sanders, Cat Johnson, Maxim D. Shrayer

This is an extremely dark captive romance. Please take the TWs seriously. This book is not messing around. This is book two in the Brethren Lord Series which has gone viral on TikTok/ Booktok. Please note that you do need to read book one before you read this book. 

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Audiobook, Erotic Horror, Abuse, Secret Society, Smut

498 pages, Paperback

Published May 8, 2026

About the author

International bestselling author of Pitch Black Romance.


Ellie Sanders lives in rural Hampshire, in the U.K. with her partner and two troublesome dogs.

She has a BA Hons degree in English and American Literature with Creative Writing and enjoys spending her time, when not endlessly writing, exploring the countryside around her home.



Hit her up on her the following accounts.....

FB Group: The Hot Steamy Writer
Instagram: @hotsteamywriter
TikTok: @hotsteamywriter
Twitter: @hotsteamywriter

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh no, what did I do, made me want to cry so fuckin much. It was soul crushing. He got what he wanted (a female that is willing even if she is only so because she can't think properly).

Just a warning, He rapes her, takes away her ability to walk and her ability to think through a lobotomy.

There is no love, they don't have chemistry, they don't have anything in common, they share nothing. The characters are two dimensional, have no depth. It's just a book about rape after rape.

RUN BITCH RUN. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DONT READ THIS.

[alexleasins · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I was her I would hang myself

[Patti · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly don't know what the point of this book was. I think it was for shock value and nothing else.

At 28%, I skipped to the end/Brynn's bonus chapter. She's unable to walk, has no tongue, is pregnant, and is in love with Conrad. Oh, and they were screwing in front of Giselle after torturing her. 

The characters were all one dimensional and completely unlikable.

I really don't care for this authors writing style. There were so many grammatical errors, typos, misused words, and sentences that just didn't make sense. I don't think this book was proofread. 
- the word "livid" (livid blood bubbles, livid print)was used multiple times. I think the author meant vivid. 

[Serialbookstarter:Marla]

I did a skim read of this to see if it was dark ROMANCE— it’s not. I would classify it as erotic horror. It reminds me of a book I did a skim read of about a guy who kidnapped and held captive a woman and the surgically removed her limbs so he could take care of her. Not exactly the same plot but the same feels and most Definitely NOT ROMANCE!

[NOUR | نور ☘️]

Literally, the MMC performed a lobotomy on the FMC, leaving her unable to think properly, and paralyzed her after hitting her in the back with a hammer. And as if that wasn’t enough, after repeatedly raping her, he CUT HER TONGUE OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll just leave it at that so you can understand how awful this book is. I’m absolutely disgusted and repulsed by it.

This is definitely NOT dark romance. I seriously regret not reading the trigger warnings because this literally made me throw up, and I mean literally, not figuratively.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lobotomy should say enough

I forgot what book one was about and book two popped up in my “series to continue” recommendations. I wish I could block any and all Ellie Sanders books. I am not one to be triggered, but this book is triggering. This is not a romance, dark or otherwise. It is a book on torture. I really wanted the MMC to get his just due but as I skimmed and skipped thru the story it just got worst and worst for the FMC. I ended up giving up.

I’ve read many books that have disclaimers to protect your mental peace. This is the first time (or maybe the second) I wish I had heeded the warning. This book is beyond disturbing and I’m beyond shocked that there are so many ppl who gave it five stars.

[↬ Ⓛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best Mommy Issues Award goes to Connor. 🏆

[Bookie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This “author” doesn’t know how to write pitch black books. She tried everything in her power to trigger “no trigger” readers. Utter trash.

Also, this is erotic horror. NOT dark romance. Let’s cut the bull.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded down. I appreciated the beginning pages where it states it's not a romance and all the triggers and warns there slim not really an HEA. one of the darkest, sickest and depraved books I've read. went trough so many emotions and felt so much dread reading it, desperate for thongs to turn out better. one of those books where I had to take a moment after reading

[Darkreads]

Based on reviews, this just isn't for me.

[Haneen · Rating 1 out of 5]

He violently beats her, hates her, takes a mallet to her back to paralyze her, and when she still hates him gets her a lobotomy to make her think she loves him and is obedient to him. She is raped repeatedly, violated(sexually) by her dad and ends up pregnant as a result of another man raping her… really gross story. She is branded and then unbranded in an equally violent manner and then has her tongue cut out. So she can’t walk, or talk, or think coherently for herself, and is lobotomized into thinking she loves the sicko while somehow also being pregnant. A horror story but roughly put together for what seems like shock factor and very shabby writing with poor editing.

[Meedhavni Avasthi · Rating 1 out of 5]

THIS IS NOT A DARK ROMANCE
I’ve read plenty of dark romances with morally gray or even downright unredeemable men, and I usually find those stories compelling in their own twisted way. But this book? This went way beyond that. I honestly lost my mind reading it. Calling this a romance, let alone a dark one, feels completely off.

And I say that as someone who's read some seriously messed-up books. But this? This was straight-up torture. He paralyzes her just because she won’t say “I love you” after he raped her, forced her to kill her best friend, beat her repeatedly, and, as if that wasn’t horrific enough, he cuts out her tongue.

I’m sorry, but what? There’s no redemption arc, no emotional complexity, no love—just abuse dressed up as plot. This wasn’t a romance. This was erotic horror, and it needs to be labeled as such.

[Aisling Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure I can put into words what I feel about this book, so I’m just gonna go a sit in a corner and rock.

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

……I think I’m sufficiently traumatized

[thewordybear · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not sure where to begin with this review.

First of all, I don’t think the author put nearly as much effort into this book as she did with Deviant. There were a ton of spelling and grammatical errors and the whole thing felt rushed and thoughtless. Like she sat the computer, bashed out a first draft and hit publish.

In the beginning the plot was ridiculous. A 21 year old in school uniform having blowjob classes? A wedding ceremony that involves sex in front of the priest? I’m not gonna lie. I rolled my eyes and laughed.

Then I stopped laughing, because this book is UNHINGED.

Conrad wasn’t satisfied with kidnapping, raping and beating poor Brynn. Nope, he literally used psychological conditioning on her, and when that didn’t work he broke her spine and lobotomised her.

Magnus was unforgivable in Deviant but the very least you can say is that he didn’t inflict damage on Liliana that couldn’t be fixed. It’s a weak redemption but Conrad doesn’t even have that.

And then, as if the poor girl hadn’t suffered enough, she gets kidnapped AGAIN, raped AGAIN, violated by her own father and has her fucking tongue cut out.

But it’s okay, because she loves Conrad now and they’re having a baby.

I don’t even know what I read but it sure as shit ain’t romance. I’m not sure I have any strength left for the third book. If anyone needs me I’ll be watching the fucking Care Bears or something to try to recover from this shitfest…

[Books Over People · Rating 1 out of 5]

I need my brain scrubbed. Chapter after chapter of torture and abuse. If you liked this book, you must hate women.

[✮ ✧˖°.𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙩𖦹₊˚⊹☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like to yuck someone's yum, but this is not romance. It’s just straight up horror.
And I don’t wanna punish it for what it is, I gave it this low rating because I didn’t enjoy it overall even though some aspects of it were interesting.
I cried a lot for Brynn. Poor girl.
I didn't even hate Magnus like I hated Conrad.
I don't think I'll be able to read about pitch black MMCs for a while.

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Deviant, I knew this series would continue on being dark and this definitely was so much darker and VERY toxic. Conrad takes what he wants and that just happens to include Brynn - no matter how much she fights him. She is literally put through so much and my heart hurts for her. Check your TW before reading this one if you need to - it’s definitely pitch black.

Performed in duet by Lucy Rivers & James Joseph.  They brought this book to life and made it so easy to listen to! Would definitely recommend the audio if you’re considering reading this book! 

𝔚𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔢𝔵𝔭𝔢𝔠𝔱:
🖤Captor x captive
🖤Forced marriage
🖤Touch her & die
🖤Pitch black & manipulative MMC
🖤Age gap

Thank you to Ellie Sanders and Blue Nose Audio for letting me listen and review an ALC of this!

[Ayushi Agarwal · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.
Chipped away pieces of brain and broken legs and more gore things he did. Cannot read more.

[Jessica (Bestie Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not going to be for everyone. The things that Conrad does to the woman he “loves” is unforgivable. I would never be okay with this in real life. This reads like a horror story more than a dark romance. That being said, it brought emotions out in me that most books never do and I couldn’t put it down. It’s horrifying the lengths Conrad goes to in order to keep Brynn but I still enjoyed the story.

[your_rai_of_sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege to arc read and omg….Depravity is not just dark, it’s suffocating. Ellie doesn’t push boundaries; she erases them entirely. If you thought Deviant was brutal, Conrad will make Magnus look merciful.

From the first page, this book drags you into the depths of obsession, control, and twisted devotion. Conrad isn’t just unhinged—he’s chaos personified, a man whose idea of love is as destructive as it is relentless. He’s impulsive, unstable, and terrifyingly unpredictable. Brynne, on the other hand, refuses to surrender, refuses to believe his declarations of love when everything he does contradicts them. Their dynamic is a warzone, and no one leaves unscathed.

This is not a romance in any traditional sense - its a horror novel. There’s no safety net, no soft moments to balance the brutality. If you need a sliver of hope to cling to, you won’t find it here—not in the way you expect. Ellie delivers an "HEA", but it’s the kind that will leave your morals in shambles.

Trigger warnings are not optional. This book contains extreme themes—🍇, mutilation, psychological torment and it’s relentless. If you think you can handle anything, Depravity might just prove you wrong.

Ellie Sanders writes the kind of books that make you question everything. If you’re brave enough to step into this nightmare, prepare for a ride that will leave you breathless. And maybe, just maybe, a little broken.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[ashlee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I remained in a state of shock for about 80% of this book. Trying to figure out how I continued this without stopping, but I persevered.

Would I recommend this book? Hell no. Not even to the devil.

If you have triggers of severe abuse and rape, don’t read this. This book was 500 pages of rape. Was there a story line? - absolutely not.

This FMC was beaten black and blue to form her into the perfect sex slave, had her spine beat with a mallet to make her paralyzed so she couldn’t run away from the MMC’s “love” for her. Raped over and over and over. Kidnapped and raped more. She fisted herself and tried to rip out her uterus or cervix or some shit so she didn’t have to have his children. (News flash, it didn’t work and she got pregnant by her daddy) Had her tongue cut off. HAD A LOBOTOMY.

This is not a dark romance. There is no romance happening. This is pure horror.

When I tell you I didn’t think worse could happen. It did. Whatever you do, please God stay away from this horror of a book. This author needs a new career, please. Don’t publish any more shit like this.

[Diana Babayeva · Rating 1 out of 5]

just too dark

The writing just doesn't do anything. This is straight up torturing and mauling a young woman and abuse. Not worth the read and will not be reading any others of this author.

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus this poor girl went through the literal wars. Someone give this man a sex doll if he wants one that can't walk or talk. 💀

[Mandy Brocklehurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bloody loved it. This book is brillliant but brutal. Read your triggers as it is super dark and depraved. There is some hard subject matter in this book and it has no romance at all. It will not be everyone’s cup of tea and isn’t for the faint hearted. Conrad our MMC is next level insane and he pushes the boat way way out with his depravity. He’s so entitled and has no regard for anyone else. Our FMC gets put thru the wringer and your heart just breaks for her and you think how does one overcome what happens and I tell you I had to keep reading to see how this book was going to end. I was speechless pretty much the last 50% of this book the train was derailing before my eyes and I couldn’t get off. This book will stay with me and haunt me. I need book three now. It’s going to be epic.

[SAV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here I thought deviant was dark and then I read depravity and let’s just say that deviant doesn’t look so dark in comparison 🤣 I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook for this and I really enjoyed it and thought it was easy to follow but was extremely dark, I was so upset for the fmc

[Laura Hutson · Rating 1 out of 5]

gross…SPOILERS

I didn’t think to could be any worse then the first book and I’m the kind of person where if I start a series I want to finish it…and I can now say I will not be reading the other two books in this series. You can’t even call this romance and the things the MMC does are terrible…worse than the first book by far. Other than the shock factor of how terrible the FMC is treated you should not be able to label this as any form of romance.

[Eunice Ani · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is it me or I just don't like this book
It was 🤔 interesting at first but girllllllll!!!!
U kinda went to far with him breaking her spine to prevent her from ever working to her getting pregnant for another man
You just ruined everything
You could have shown her a little submission to stop getting hurt but nahhh
This novel is trash

[xXTomeRaiderXx]

I will be coming back to update the star rating once I get my shit together 😅

What in the unholy hęll did I just put myself through? The chant echoing in my head from page one to the gut-punch of an ending.

Let’s set the record straight: this isn’t a love story with a little darkness sprinkled in… it’s a horror-thriller (for those who don’t read pitch black) that occasionally toys with dark romance elements just to watch you squirm (the most pitch black thing I have read to date). Think The Handmaid’s Tale crashes into Misery, then someone spikes the punch with spice so depraved it makes your stomach churn.

This book is a maze of villains. For real FOR REAL. With the exception of our FMC, Brynn, who spends most of this ordeal drugged, battered, objectified and clawing for a shred of autonomy; every single character is monstrous in their own grotesque way. And the MMC Conrad is a perfectly sculpted psycho villain. You’ll hate him, but find yourself wondering what horrors he will inflict next, and you’ll hate yourself for craving it. That’s the sick brilliance here.

Underneath all the gore and grit, the author wove in razor-sharp commentary on female autonomy, objectification of women and the very real terror of having your choices stripped away. It’s uncomfortable. It’s maddening. IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE 👏 that’s the entire point (ICYMI). And the way the tension builds: panic bleeding from the page until you’re gasping alongside Brynn… was masterfully done.

Don’t come here expecting a happy ending. There’s no revenge arc, no cozy resolution. Just brutality, despair, and a bonus chapter that feels like a fleeting breath of grim satisfaction… if you can stomach it long enough to get there.

⚠️ Warnings are not optional here: if you have even one trigger, this book will absolutely find it. If you swear you don’t? Consider this your trial by fire. 😮‍💨

Bottom line: this isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the true pitch black readers who like their books laced with feminine rage, villains so twisted they stick to your skin (you will want to shower to get them off), and spice that unsettles instead of satisfies. Aptly named, Depravity is exactly what it promises— an unapologetically disturbing descent into the darkest corners of human cruelty.

[D.3.b.0.r.a.h]

Depravity was, all things considered, a good story, but damn… this is definitely not a light read. There are A LOT of dark and heavy themes throughout the book, and some parts were honestly pretty difficult to read.

I enjoyed the story overall, but the part involving her father was probably my least favourite.

The whole thing with the heir, bloodlines, and everything surrounding that went in a direction I really wasn't expecting.
I personally thought the story was going to take a completely different turn.

And then there's the ending… Is this a HEA?
Honestly, I think that's something you'll have to decide for yourself.

Yes, she survives, but the state she's in when she does is a whole different story.

After everything she goes through—the abuse, rape, mutilation, and eventually being lobotomized so she believes she loves him and becomes obedient—and then there's the pregnancy, resulting from being raped by another man after her father had her taken and forced her into it.

* Overall, I did enjoy the book. It's dark, disturbing, and definitely not something I'd recommend to just anyone. But if you're someone who goes looking for REALLY dark stories and can handle some seriously heavy content, this one will definitely leave an impression.