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Vows of Vengeance #2

City of Mirth and Malice. La biblioteca di Daphne. Edizione italiana

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Nicolai Attano is ruthless, relentless, deadly. And he’s mine.

In a city where criminals rule the streets, I fell for the most dangerous of them all. And our love made me a target…

Kidnapped by Nicolai’s enemies, I wake up in a prison of enchanted stone and steel—a place where only the strongest survive. Dark magic is burning in my blood. And my captors are desperate to take it from me.

To leave this place, I must fight in duels and endure deadly challenges. My captors want to push my limits, forcing me to release my power. The other prisoners despise me, and though I don’t want to hurt them, I’ll do whatever it takes to win.

I just have to stay alive until Nicolai gets here…

Because I know he is coming for me. That he is tearing Lynchaven apart just to find me. Even in my darkest moment, I can feel him drawing closer. And when we are together again… the city is going to burn.

If you love morally gray love interests, warring mafia houses, dark magic, and spicy rivals-to-lovers romance, prepare to discover your new romantasy obsession. This completed 2-book series is perfect for fans of Quicksilver, Metal Slinger and The Bridge Kingdom.

537 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2024

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About the author

Alexis L. Menard

8 books1,395 followers
Alexis is a registered nurse based out of Louisiana where she lives with her husband, toddler, and two oversized dogs. She enjoys long walks through the Renaissance Fair, reading smutty romance into the dark hours of the night, and wine nights with her "Finer Things Club." She hopes to enrich the lives of her readers with worlds they can both escape in and take with them long after the final chapter.

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5 stars
769 (19%)
4 stars
1,680 (41%)
3 stars
1,254 (31%)
2 stars
250 (6%)
1 star
52 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews
Profile Image for Poppy Sabrina.
344 reviews3,597 followers
November 27, 2025
3.75⭐️

A very exciting end to the duet with lots of twists and turns, betrayals, double crossing you name it, it was in this book!

Whilst I liked it, I preferred the first book much more! I enjoyed the pesky blinders/mafia vibes, the romance, the unique magical world this was set it, and I just found that book 2 was more plot and politics and less romance
I wanted Milla & Nico together more but they always ended up seperated in this book! So we don’t get much of them together, and the plot dare I say was maybe doing too much? I felt like it was a bit disjointed and overwhelming, once one thing had been sorted another thing was happening, so whilst it’s very fast paced I actually wished it would slow down at times and give us more Milla & Nico but that’s just personal preference it’s still a brilliant story/world and I really enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Emily-Rose At The Rose House.
142 reviews165 followers
July 12, 2025
“You never needed me, my love. You’re enough all on your own. It’s time they all realized the same.”

No? Wait a second .. it’s over ? I can’t believe it! I have so many questions and I’m not ready to leave these characters!

I wish the ending wasn’t so rushed 😭
Profile Image for ੈ♡‧₊˚ Thais.
90 reviews12 followers
March 11, 2026
🌙 Review: City of Mirth and Malice by Alexis L. Menard
𓍊𓋼𓍊 3 ☆

🗡 Update (02/25/25)

❝Nico,❞ I whispered. He smiled. Steel-grey eyes settled over me. ❝Hello, princess.❞


──── ☾ ✦ ────

When I started City of Mirth and Malice, my expectation was clear: depth. After a first book that presented a promising universe, industrial, magical, and politically tense, I wanted to see consequences. I wanted to see growth. I wanted to see choices that hurt.

And, in a way, the book delivers that.

The story continues following Camilla and Nicolai in a city that breathes conflict. Lynchaven is not just a setting: it is a living social structure. Descendants of magical saints occupy positions of privilege while natives without powers orbit this unequal system. Magic here is not ornament; it is heritage, it is political instrument, it is symbol of oppression and also of resistance.

Camilla carries this weight. Her rare ability places her at the center of disputes that go beyond romance, and that is one of the book's most interesting points. She is not just a love interest, she is a strategic piece within a larger gear. Meanwhile, Nicolai remains divided between protecting, negotiating, and surviving fragile alliances that sustain the balance between order and chaos.

The plot is fast. Very fast. Chapters alternate perspectives, creating constant urgency. There are infiltrations, confrontations, betrayals, and political revelations enough to keep any reader attentive. The narrative gives no rest, and that is both quality and problem.

Camilla evolves, but differently than I expected. The almost insolent boldness of the first book gives way to a more introspective stance. There is maturation, yes. There is trauma being processed. But I felt that part of her explosive strength was softened in favor of emotional weight. It is not necessarily a mistake, it is a choice, but it alters the character's dynamic.

The romance, in turn, takes a back seat. The chemistry between Camilla and Nicolai is still there, latent, intense when it appears. The problem is that they spend too much time apart. For a duo that built so much romantic tension in the first volume, the distance here can frustrate those who expected more scenes of closeness, dialogue, and direct conflict between the two.

Where the book really shines is in the setting. The mix of steam technology with ancestral magic creates a visually striking scenario. Manipulable shadows, black fire, rituals, and dangerous experiments build an almost gothic aesthetic, with strong identity of its own. There are no fairies or faerie courts, and that already differentiates the series within contemporary romantasy.

Thematically, the text works well with the idea of power as toxic heritage. What does it mean to be born privileged? What does it mean to inherit a force that can destroy you and others? The narrative suggests that magic and structural violence walk side by side, and this political layer is, for me, what sustains the book when the pace accelerates too much.

And here comes my main criticism: the scope of the plot seems too large for the space it has. Many important events are resolved quickly. Some emotional arcs, especially those linked to Camilla's training and trauma, deserved more time on scene, more psychological depth. At times, I felt the book wanted to breathe, but could not.

Still, the reading is engaging. It is the kind of story you finish quickly, even wishing certain parts had been more developed.

In the end, City of Mirth and Malice is a satisfactory conclusion, though not perfect. It delivers political tension, action, and maintains the unique identity of the universe created by Menard. For those seeking romantasy outside the traditional axis of faerie courts, with industrial aesthetic and more evident social conflict, it is a reading worth the experience.

I finished the book with that ambiguous feeling: satisfied with the outcome, but wanting a little more silence between the explosions, more space to feel the impact of the choices.
And perhaps that says a lot about the series' own theme: chaos does not always need to be noisy to be devastating.

──── ✦ ────

⋅˚₊‧ ୨ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 ୧ ‧₊˚ I’m starting this book feeling really curious to see how this sequel will explore the consequences of what happened in the first one. Kidnapping, dangerous bargains, powers spiraling out of control, and a city on the verge of collapse… the tension promises to be even higher. I’m hoping to connect with the story through the characters’ growth, the emotional intensity, and the darker atmosphere this conclusion suggests. I’ll be back once I finish. ♡
Profile Image for AmdynReads.
199 reviews14 followers
August 9, 2026
Book 2 of this duology was action packed, full of surprises and did not disappoint!

What to expect:
💚Prison Heists (two!)
💚FMC learning to control her powers
💚MMC willing to give up everything to save his wife
💚Fighting for control of a city
💚Peaky blinders / Six of Crows vibes
💚Not knowing who to trust
🌶️ 3/5 - a bit more spicy than book 1

This series is criminally underrated and deserves more hype. Do not sleep on this!

Profile Image for Keke’s Kindle.
217 reviews44 followers
August 7, 2025
This was a fantastic continuation of the House of Bane series, following Camilla Marchese and Nicolai Attano. I absolutely loved Camilla—she’s such a strong and compelling main character, and her struggle to control the dangerous, unpredictable power of Chaos was both intense and emotional. Her strength, heart, and inner conflict were beautifully portrayed.

Nico’s storyline added even more depth. With Camilla kidnapped, he’s pushed to the edge, willing to strike dangerous bargains and risk everything—including his life—to bring her back. His love and determination made his chapters so gripping to listen to, and I loved how their connection stayed central throughout the chaos around them.

The magic system remains unique and layered, and the world continues to unfold in fascinating ways. While the ending was satisfying and gave a well-earned happy conclusion, there are still a few unanswered questions—especially about Camilla’s mom and the opened portal. I’m really hoping we’ll get a novella or continuation, because there’s clearly more to explore!
Profile Image for madie dragoo.
735 reviews121 followers
July 3, 2025
2/5⭐️
1.5/5🌶️
📱

i honestly had a pretty decent time with book 1 of this series and was looking forward to how this duology was going to wrap up. unfortunately, book 2 did not do for me what i had hoped for. how is it possible that so much and ABSOLUTELY NOTHING happened at the same time?? the story felt so discombobulated and jumbled and i genuinely felt like there was something wrong with me while i was reading it because i was so confused and lost. the beginning was so slow to get back into the story and the rest of it felt so overly complicated for nothing to truly be happening. at the 75% mark, i started borderline skimming because i just wanted to be done.
i will give props to the author because i really enjoyed how the first chapter of this book was a wrap up of what had happened in book 1, so at least i started the book knowing what was going on.

"all change starts with one person pissed off enough to get their hands dirty"
Profile Image for Kamila.
278 reviews120 followers
January 7, 2026
Nico and Camilla are EVERYTHING!!

This man is a top tier YEARNER!! He would genuinely burn down the world for her, and I am completely obsessed with him! The way their relationship develops in this instalment is so incredibly well done, and their chemistry is absolutely off the charts!

This book was relentlessly action packed from start to finish, I could not put it down!
Camilla continues to shine as a strong, badass FMC who isn't afraid to fight her own battles. I love her so much!!!

This was a fantastic sequel, and an excellent conclusion to Nico and Camilla's story. Mafia fantasy romance has undoubtedly become one of my new favourite subgenres, and I desperately need more of it!!! Although the ending felt slightly rushed, I still had the absolute best time! I cannot recommend this duet enough, and I'm so excited to see what else the author writes in this world.
Profile Image for peppers.library.
211 reviews33 followers
July 24, 2025
i would give luther the world on a silver platter if i could 🙂‍↕️ if you’re into dark fantasy mafia romance books, i HIGHLY recommend this series. i admire milla for never questioning herself, or hesitating to fight her own battles. nico is a man obsessed, and i love that for any fmc 🤭

overall i had a really fun time with these first two books! i will definitely read on if this series expands to other characters! i love this world, and this found fam sm 🖤🖤

💭 “grief, fear, regret, those memories that resurface every day, they are not something you’ll ever be able to control. but that wall you keep putting up to protect yourself from experiencing them isn’t keeping anything out, camilla. it’s just holding all those painful feelings inside.”
Profile Image for Marija Unkind.
165 reviews30 followers
August 9, 2025
You are thrown into action since the first pages and it doesn’t let you breath until the very end!
Twists and turns kept me hooked. I was on pins and needles during the whole book! The plot was bending all the way around and slapped me from behind.
Such a good read with intense story. I was sad, happy, laughing, stressed and surprised over and over again 🖤

“The things we whisper to the shadows have a tendency to come true.”

"There isn't a hell in the void that could keep me from you, Milla. I'd suffer for a lifetime to have another moment on your lips."
Profile Image for Francesca  Harrison .
12 reviews
August 17, 2026
Jam packed with drama , I liked the 1st book it felt unfinished and this is a two parter for sure. So many twists and turns and I genuinely think it’s worth the read
Profile Image for Kayla.
46 reviews
September 3, 2025
Such a great book and a fantastic wrap-up to this incredible duology! This installment was full of twists and turns and so perfectly crafted. The depth and detail in the story were incredible. Definitely not lacking in plot in fact, it was very plot-heavy with just the right amount of spice.

I liked how the rich worldbuilding and fantasy elements truly carried the series, rather than leaning too heavily on romance or spice. This could also totally be turned into a trilogy since there’s still so much to be learned about the FMC, but it still wrapped up nicely as a duology.

If you’re in the mood for a dark fantasy romance with a strong plot, rich world building, a touch of spice, and Peaky Blinders vibes with a unique magic system, definitely check this one out!

Tropes you’ll find:
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨ Morally grey MMC
✨ Peaky Blinders vibes
✨ Touch her and die
✨ Strong FMC
✨ Found family
✨ Dark, gritty industrial atmosphere
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Anna ₊˚⊹♡.
70 reviews5 followers
August 7, 2025
A good book but at what cost?
I almost feel like the book was way longer than it needed to be and like the author got bored and finished the book way too fast. I still loved it and ate it up, but the middle was so long and the ending was so rushed.

I’m just glad Camilla and Nico ended up happy but wowow what a rollercoaster, definitely sad it’s over 🥲
Profile Image for Tasha Penney.
282 reviews142 followers
April 27, 2026
3.5⭐️ I found this SO confusing icl the plot actually lost me so many times, I had no idea what I was rooting for. There was also a lot less romance in this compared to the first one BUT I still had a fun time
Profile Image for Gyula.
215 reviews6 followers
December 7, 2025
3.75⭐️
2/5🌶️
Dual/first person POV
Book 2 in a duology
Format: audiobook

A decent follow up ending but not all the way there for me

My biggest mistake was changing mediums from book 1 (that I read on KU) to audio because the narrators were not it (even though I love Jacci!) They both sound way too mature for such young characters which took me way out of the story.

I realized as I was reading this that this is finally a romantasy where both MC’s have some sort of extended family as opposed to being sad complete martyr/orphans. The villains were definitely a let down but I did enjoy everyone else.

The story continues to be original but kinda boring overall. The “betrayals” weren’t giving much either, which is understandable but still boring. The romance is simple so in other words boring. The plot started to get convoluted & all over the place but also you guessed it, boring.

But everything wrapped up nicely.

Basically, a simple conclusion to a unique but boring story.
Profile Image for manon | books.bymanon.
117 reviews21 followers
July 20, 2025
Le premier tome était vraiment incroyable, j’ai tout aimé.
Seul bémol : tout n’était pas très clair à la fin et j’avais hâte de lire le tome 2 pour avoir toutes les réponses à mes questions.
Mais je dois avouer que le tome 2 n’a malheureusement pas répondu à mes attentes à ce niveau là.

En fait, c’était TROP. trop d’actions, trop d’informations et trop d’interrogations : j’étais perdue.

J’ai quand même aimé le found family, certaines révélations et mécanismes que l’autrice a mis en place, mais je n’ai pas retrouvé cette magie au niveau de la romance et de l’intrigue que j’avais ressenti sur le premier livre. J’suis tellement triste 😞

Je conseille quand même cette duologie rien que pour le 1er tome et pour l’ensemble, mais mais mais mais… dommage pour la conclusion. 😭
Profile Image for Nash Reads.
321 reviews290 followers
February 6, 2026
3.5⭐️ THANK YOU FOR THE RECAP!! I think all authors should add recaps. It can take so long for the sequel to come out, and a recap is super helpful. I missed my boy Nico he has such a dirty mouth and vibrating hand 😏. Camilla really went through it in this book and had some overcoming to do. I do wish we got more answers about her powers. We didnt get enough information or development with that part. I also did feel like the ending was left very open so it felt less like a conclusion.
Profile Image for Cait Ireen | caitireenreads.
1,017 reviews179 followers
March 18, 2026
4/5⭐️
2/5🌶️

A fun conclusion to this duet. I was dying at the end of the first book, needing to know about Milla and how she was faring. And my man Nico! I knew he’d be in distress! So much development in this story, bringing more mystical elements into the mix and creating a richer world for the series. Also… so much BETRAYAL! DECEIT! GOING BEHIND BACKS! I hope this isn’t the end of this world and characters for Menard, because I love Nico and Milla something fierce.
Profile Image for Kyli.
358 reviews40 followers
June 10, 2026
“𝓢𝓱𝓮’𝓼 𝓼𝓽𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓼𝓱𝓮’𝓼 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓬𝓲𝓭𝓪𝓵, 𝓲𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓼𝓱𝓮, 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓼?”

Nico is a manand I love him and his murdery tendencies! He was def the shining star of this duology.

Again I feel like there was so much potential here, but it still didn’t fully cross the finish line for me. Still, the setting and the lore is cool, and Nico is perfect, but I just needed something 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.
Profile Image for 𖤓𝔐𝔦𝔰𝔞☽.
123 reviews9 followers
July 29, 2025
4.5⭐️ I’m so sad Camilla and Nico’s story is over 😭 but man this book was great! Loved it a little more than the first. Felt like so much was happening and kept me on my toes but wrapped it all up so well. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series
Profile Image for Aisha.
108 reviews4 followers
June 21, 2025
OHH MY SHAYLAAA. Absolutely phenomenal 🫶🏼
Profile Image for Cannnnn.
243 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2025
This book didn’t stop. Idk how they kept going, because there wasn’t a moment to breathe. Happy they got their HEA. Perfect way to wrap up Camilla and Nico 🫶🏼
Profile Image for Allie Karma.
83 reviews
March 15, 2026
dnf @ 60% - im going to try and circle back because the potential is THERE its just not capturing my attention right now
Profile Image for Only_aury.
140 reviews3 followers
August 31, 2026
Il finale perfetto per una dilogia MERAVIGLIOSA.
NICO SONO DEBOLE PER TE, sei passato dall'essere smash all'essere DADDY. Il tuo debole per Milla è paragonabile all'amore che provo io per voi e la storia.
Profile Image for Rani.
229 reviews10 followers
August 21, 2026
I’m a bit disappointed, book 1 was good even though I found the magic system lacking logic. In this book, things are explained about the magic but I still felt like the story was a bit messy?
I wasn’t compelled to binge read it, I just didn’t believe for one second that bad stuff was going to happen to the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 553 reviews