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Vampire. Incubus. Demigod. Weapon.

Matthew has many names, but none as distressing as pet. A slave to incubus High King Malarath, Matthew is tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of losing those he loves. Tired of the torture. And, in his despair, his body begins to decay around him.

The High King, angered that his pet is dying, brings in the one person who might be able to fix Matthew: High Lord General Tarrick.

While all trust Matthew had in the general is gone, maybe there is hope in the situation. All Matthew needs to do is start acting like an incubus and put on a show.

Author’s note: This book contains dark scenes. Reader discretion is advised.

160,000 words

485 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2017

416 people are currently reading
2750 people want to read

About the author

Jex Lane

9 books2,045 followers
Quick update: I don't buzz around Goodreads anymore, but I am really active on Facebook. So if you want to connect with me, you can find me there. Thanks, BeMos!

~~~

I enjoy writing about hidden worlds full of vampire hunters, epic battles, steamy sex, and, of course, beautiful monsters. Join me on Facebook and say hi! I don't bite…I let my vampires do that for me.

Get Pearl and the Dread King for FREE (a short m/f paranormal romance) by signing up for my newsletter at: http://smarturl.it/bemonewsletter

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5 stars
3,967 (66%)
4 stars
1,437 (24%)
3 stars
423 (7%)
2 stars
99 (1%)
1 star
51 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 800 reviews
Profile Image for Claudia Lomelí.
Author 11 books86.4k followers
March 20, 2017
!!!!!!!!


I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL 2018! I read these first three books back to back and it wasn't enough, I need more. I just finished it and I already miss Matthew. And Tarrick.

Profile Image for Nazanin.
1,284 reviews839 followers
March 21, 2018
5 Broken Stars

When I was reading this book, I was as broken as Matthew! I’m not a crier but I cried! This story pushed me so hard and took me out of my comfort zone. And you should take the author’s note seriously (in the blurb). I still hate the incubi king and Tarrick, even Liliy for not supporting his father. But I loved Samantha (she is funny) and Jet and Thank you, Jex Lane, for fulfilling my wish! Now I have another one! Could you please give me a reason to love Tarrick (or hate him less) in the next installment?! And please in his POV?! I really love to know what’s in his mind, maybe that way I could understand him better! He’s like a puzzle to me, the one that I can’t find out about! I want him to care about Matthew (more). I know he has feelings for Matthew but doesn’t want to let himself show it (or maybe I’m wrong) but I want to see them! I want to see his concern and his happiness for Matthew and I want to feel them! I still love Devak and want him to be with Matthew but… It’s rare to me to read a series in a row but this series was really addictive, intriguing and compelling that I couldn’t not read it! It was well-written, a bit slow and so exciting! And I should say this book was different with the two previous ones. Told in single POV (except the prologue and epilogue, they were the king’s POV), 3rd person. It’s the third installment in the "Beautiful Monsters" series and must be read in order. It ends with a mild cliffhanger but it’s satisfying. Overall, loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Profile Image for Shin Mon Thway.
663 reviews1,702 followers
January 21, 2018
WARNING: SPOILER ahead!!!

 
So …… I’m currently having a love/hate relationship with Jex Lane. 😂 As of the end of book 3, I can happily announce that we are very much in love. 😂 Lol 😁👏 Seriously, although I did really love book 2 and it was an epic read, the ending literally killed me. 😭 My besties Lorraine and Lyn know how much of a temper tantrum I threw after that book. 😭 I mean she killed off my favorite MC. 😒 But we are now on good terms again. 😉

 
Let me tell you, the angst .. the fu*king heartwrenching angst from the end of book 2 to two-third of book 3 was totally worth it. 😌 Devak is back. 😱 My beautiful, kind and loving guardian is alive. 😱 Yayyyyyyyyyy!!! 😱😇😍 My life is beautiful and filled with rainbows and butterflies again. 😁

 
So if you have read book 2, you must have known that Matthew was captured by the bastard Malarath at the end of it. 🤬 And two-third of the book 3 is about Matthew’s living hell. 💔 Fixated on breaking his pet, Malarath tortured and degraded and humiliated Matthew in any way you can possibly imagine. 😭 And to make the things worse, Matthew is starting to hallucinate of his dead lover, Devak. His scent, his images, his warmth is appearing from time to time. Although Mathew knows that this is just his imagination, the reminder of Devak is the only thing that barely kept his sanity. Devak was everything for him and now he’s gone. 💔😭 What is there left to live for? He’s barely alive just for the sake of his two daughters. He wants to die … but he knows that even after death, Devak is not waiting for him. He’s gone … forever. 💔 And he’s surrounded by enemies. Once his allies, vampires fear and hate him. Incubi downright loathe and fear him. The judge is coming soon to kill him because he was born of a goddess and is a demigod. Nobody trusts him and nobody wants him. Matthew is truly broken as the title suggested. 💔😭💔 Will he find some hope to live for? To not give up? Can he find happiness again after those years of nothing but shittiness? 😌
 

So be warned, if you are not ok with “RAPE”, you can’t read this book. This is not even the level of dub-con/non-con, this is pure “RAPE”. And Matthew suffered ass cringing, goosebump getting extreme tortures. 😭 So if you aren’t ok with this kind of theme, you can’t read this series. I’m so very glad that there’s finally hope for Matthew. I really want nothing more than to read him kill that bastard Malarath. 🤬 I have soooooooo many questions and I need the answers now. Tarrick is proving to be not so assh*le in this book but I still don’t like him. 😒 I don’t hate him anymore but I don’t like him. 😒 I can’t be happier that Devak isn’t really dead. 😇 Usually, I hate ménage and love trios but now that I’m so elated, I don’t care what happens as long as Matthew ends up with Devak in the end. He can keep Tarrick as a plus one if he wants as long as Devak is his primary lover. I fu*king savored the end of this book because I really really loved it soooo much. 😍👏 I bought the entire series after book 3 even though they are available on KU. That’s how much I love this book and this series. I swear I’m never going to read another book of Jex Lane again if she kills off Devak again in book4. 😭😒🙄 Don’t break us poor readers’ fragile hearts that often. 💔 We can’t handle that much angst. 😭 Please, whatever you do, just let Matthew and Devak be together. I’m really glad I just read this series a few days ago because if I have to wait one year between books like most other readers, I’d go nuts. 😁 Especially between book 2 and 3. *Shivers* 😱 Although, I’m impatient to get book 4, I can wait since I’m getting some happiness at the end of this book. Frankly, I’m even afraid to read book 4 because I’d really go nuts if she kills off Devak again. 😭💔😭 I’ll have faith in you Jex Lane. 🙏 I believe in true love and Matthew and Devak deserve nothing more than utter happiness and an epic HEA. 😍
 


Favorite excerpts from the novel:💗💜💗

In the long hours of silence, his thoughts turned to Devak and he fell to grief. He’d never again feel Devak’s warm touch, or soft lips. He’d never see his amber eyes or hear his serene voice wrap around him. They only had a few months together, yet it had seemed like so much more.

He pictured Devak’s kind, honey colored eyes and how he had felt tremendous serenity whenever he looked into them. And now he’d never see them again.

Matthew tried to shut everything out. Devak’s face kept crossing his mind. His handsome features, his bronze skin, his gentle eyes. Matthew could even smell sweet wine and fragrant oil in the air. What he wouldn’t give for just one more night with him.

Matthew ached for that. He wanted to be touched by someone who wanted him for more than just feeding or lust or control. He wanted a lover to talk with again and to listen to what someone had to say. God, he missed Devak.

“What does being in love feel like?” Matthew paused halfway through taking off his pants. “Uh, well. It’s like… you’re alive inside. Like everything is brighter… and more frightening. Love is caring for someone so much it hurts because it makes you vulnerable. Lasting love is hard work and compromise, but it’s worth it.”

Devak was alive? Here? There was no way that was possible. Life wasn’t that kind to him.

Devak was alive. Matthew pressed his hands into his eyes. Devak was alive. He felt as if his heart might explode in his chest. And a feeling of exaltation overtook him, as if the universe had finally decided to give him a break for once. Devak was alive.

“A low growl escaped Matthew, and he wanted to chase everyone else away. Devak was his and no one else’s.” *awwwww* 😍😍😍


 
5 I’m on fu*king cloud nine Team Devak Stars
*Matthew and Devak FOREVER*
💙💙💙
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Monique.
498 reviews239 followers
December 14, 2018
ALL THE STARS

description

I'm so happy and excited and mushy and I want to hug everybody and OMG I want the next book so much and I love this series so very much and I don't know what's going on with me, I'm just so in love with these characters.

RTC when I will manage to come up with something slightly more coherent
I'm not sure if my review will make any sense since I'm still very much in a fangirling mode but never mind, let's do this.

The first 35% or so were pure torture. My poor Matthew! Again. Seriously, why everybody wants to hurt my baby? I just wanted to hug the living shit outta him. And Malarath is now officially on my to-kill list. (yeah, I have that list) But I must admit I was wrong about Prescott. He's not such a prick as I thought he is. He is actually kind of funny and likable. Too bad he's BFF with Malarath. Let's hope he will come to his senses.

And then after 35% Tarrick finally came back. How I missed him! Is it possible that he is hotter everytime he shows up? *fanning myself* I totally understand Matthew who is always so mushy around him. I would be too. I've liked Tarrick from the start (even when I was mad at him) but in this book, I completely fall for him. He is gorgeous, he's irresistible, he's everything. I love him when he's all dominant and general-like. However, the best scene, in my opinion, is the one when he is the most vulnerable. There's a lot of strength in allowing yourself to show weakens. Really touching scene. And I think that Matthew truly appreciated this gesture. In a way that Tarrick trusts him enough to be like that with him. And now I'm mushy again. Can't help myself, that scene was so beautiful. Ok, moving on. Hiroto, of course, omg he's the best. I know he doesn't have badass wings but he's the most cuddleable character ever. And please Jax be merciful to him and finally let him get laid in the next book. Poor guy. Matthew and Tarrick probably fucked almost every single character in this series but Hiroto and Matthew still haven't got a chance to get better acquainted. So, I expect epic fuck session between these two LOL

And all the new characters... Holst is WOW, I really like him, like really really like him. Kyle is too cute. He's so sweet you could eat him, which is kind of true as incubi are feeding on sex. He probably feels he's in heaven, surrounded by gorgeous, horny incubi. Also, I'm so very happy because of the certain thing that happened at the end of the book. My heart is whole again <3

I have a feeling, I'm rambling now. Too many emotions. I can't wait for the next book but it's alright, I will be waiting patiently and re-reading this series again and again in the meantime. But damn, I'm curious what Mazarus and Malarath are planning.
Profile Image for Deborah.
3,841 reviews496 followers
February 27, 2018
Broken is right, that’s exactly how I felt while reading this (particularly the first half). In fact I was up reading until way past my bedtime because there was just no way I could even try to sleep while Matthew was suffering so much.
I hated parts of this book and the author at times as well.
Despite this book being addictive reading I just can’t bring myself to give it more than 4*. I read for pleasure and while I do dip my feet in darker reads this torture was brutal and like I said took up half the book.
Plus and I can’t believe I’m saying this but...
I felt there was too much sex at times.
There I said it.

I also have to give a special mention to Hiroto I love this little Kitsune so much and he provided most of the much needed humour.

My favourite scene was on the feeder floor.

Matthew came to see what had upset her.
He laughed when he saw Hiroto, sprawled out nearly naked on a cream lounger, wearing a big fat smile across his face.
Rosaline flicked a switch on the wall. “Commander Hiroto.”
Hiroto teleported to the other side of the glass to stand before Matthew and Rosaline. “Yes?”
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Offering myself, of course. And really—” he turned to Matthew, then waved his hands at himself “—how can you resist me?”
“Where is Liao?” she demanded.
“Oh. He, uh, accidentally locked himself in one of the rooms. It’s tragic, really, that Matthew won’t get to taste him, but with me around he won’t need to.”

Mini rant (you’ve been warned)

It’s my fault I just dived straight into this series without checking if all the books were out. They’re not and from what I can gather the author isn’t even working on the next one she’s concentrating on the spin-off series.
If I’d known I wouldn’t have started this at all because I know I just don’t have the patience to hang around and wait for the other books. Matthew could have between six to nine books.

So despite enjoying this series and it having huge potential I think I’m out and I’ve no one to blame but myself.
Profile Image for Dia.
534 reviews150 followers
May 21, 2018
All the stars for this one!

I loved it SO much even if it brought me SO much pain. But it was worth it. The ending was much better than I expected. I have some mixed feelings about Tarrick and I am dying to read the next book!!!!!!

I hate it when I write "Full review soon" and then life gets in the way and I completely forget to write my review. I was checking if there are any "review soon" and I was actually shocked I haven't written my full review for this one. It's been a couple of months since I've read it and I am sure I can't really explain NOW all the reasons why I loved it. What I do remember, is that this author's writing is ADDICTIVE. I've read all the books in this series in a few days. I remember I couldn't put them down and I ended going to work with only a couple hours of sleep. But it was SO worth it!

Matthew was so broken and so lost in this third book. It really broke my heart to witness his pain. Tarrick, well I ended up hating him. He seemed SO detached and ruthless. Even when he did try to sooth Matthew, it felt like it came a little too late.

What I loved most about this story, would be the surprises we got on the way, and the HUGE surprise at the end of the book made my heart grow full of hope. Now I just don't know what to expect next, because the author is currently writing the next book and she only mentioned she already knows how the story will end. But I sense a lot of angst until we will get a happy ending. I am all for angst in my books. I am all for unexpected turns. I just hope Matthew will make Tarrick work SUPER HARD for his trust. Right now I don't think he deserves to touch Matthew. Ugh how much I hated him! Well there was only one scene that made me hopeful, but then he returned to being the cold asshole I already knew he is. Will we ever get his POV? That would be SO interesting to see.

It's one of my favorite series and I can't wait to read more! I am not a fan of paranormal books, but this one is amazing!!!
Profile Image for Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘.
1,314 reviews3,110 followers
June 29, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Disappointed*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱

We're back with the Demigod Matthew Callahan (42?, though changed at 32), who is back in Incubi prison. Though this time around it's not the High Lord incubus General Tarrick (thousand-years-old) who is his 'master', that is the High King, who wants nothing more than to break Matthew. Months of torture isn't enough he suddenly face something he might not defeat: he is decomposing, and the only one who might save his is the one who broke his heart, Tarrick. Overall, I was immensely disappointed in this one. There was too much torture and it took over the damn story. The only thing on the bright side what that we got to see a more vulnerable Tarrick. Oh and the book was predictable. I also hope the author will - when the time comes - write a monogamy relationship. Because now I kinda ship Tarrick and Matthew.
READERS SHOULD KNOW:
“Whatcha thinking about?” Hiroto asked Matthew.
“I’m thinking about how much I hate you right now.”
Hiroto frowned and the team paused again, eyeing Matthew.
“It’s just…how does my cock fill with blood if I don’t have a pulse?”
Hiroto nearly fell off Nellis laughing. The Irishman had to reach up and steady the fox, holding his waist with his gauntlet. The others joined their laughter.
“I’m serious. I need to know.”
Prescott nodded to Baine as the team entered the structure that housed the stone.
“No one’s going to tell me, are they?” Matthew asked at the stone. The team laughed again and they teleported out.

CHARACTER LIST:
I've put these in a spoilers tag simply because it's a long list; contains spoilers
“You were right. The King isn’t good for my people, not anymore. He’s using us to carry out his revenge. Over the years, millions of us have died and I tire of a world full of ceaseless battles. I want to give my children a future that isn’t a war. And…you are my goddess’ son. I can’t ignore that.”
“Oh,” Matthew said. Those were good reasons, but a part of him had hoped the answer would be ‘because I believe in you’ or ‘because I love you’.
On reading his emotions, Tarrick crossed the room and put his hand on Matthew’s shoulder. “We don’t have the luxury of a romantic love story. You don’t belong to me and I refuse to fall for something that I cannot have. If we are going to do this, we can’t afford to be distracted by each other.”
Matthew scratched at the area above his heart. Once they killed Malarath, would Tarrick love him then? He couldn’t fathom the restraint the incubus had over his emotions. How could someone just choose not to love? It was such a foreign concept.

Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M of sorts).
Series: - Series, Book Three.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Devak and Tarrick.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Sure, I guess.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2 stars.
Profile Image for Optimist ♰King's Wench♰.
1,822 reviews3,973 followers
May 17, 2020
This came out March 2017???????

And the next one still isn't out yet????????????????




Jex Lane: Pity, party of one, your table's available.

Cupcake: oooooofff



This installment was pretty heart pounding for various and sundry reasons that I'll not go into but suffice to say the plot is strong. The pacing maybe could've been better but I'll come back to that later. However, what continues to get stronger is this BeMo world which keeps evolving and becoming more wondrous with each installment. But the cast of characters is what makes it special.

Some I love. Some I adore. Some I'm curious about. Some I'm on the fence about. Some I loathe. Some I want to die in a fire.

The sexy times, though scarce are still VERY bisexual but also...



One word: impressive.

I have a inchoate concept of how some things are going to resolve but I'm greedy AF and I wanna know! Though I have an inkling that I may live to regret my greediness as there's are to be much more pain and anguish before it's all said and done.

I'm sure you're asking yourselves, 'why not 5 stars then?'

Couple things: the torture seemed same same as Captive and went on and on. I totally understand why Lane is shying away from an editor but I think it could've been tightened up with the help of one.

Still, my quibbles are minor and I'm all in for the next installment. I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.



Triggers: (aside from what's already been mentioned) depression, rape
Profile Image for Donna.
288 reviews25 followers
March 6, 2017
My favorite book of this series so far! This one has hope for Matthew, for eventually having his love story with Tarrick. Both grew closer in this story. I was happy to see someone else that Matthew loves coming back into his life. Most of this book was extremely depressing for Matthew, but the ending made up for it. I'm very excited that there will be another book, but having to wait for a year will be sad.

This book did go back to mostly having m/f sex scenes in it. I skimmed through most of it, but almost missed something important to the story while doing that. I have nothing against m/f sex (it does mess with the m/m romantic in me, though), but if I want to read a book that features mostly that, I would read an m/f romance book instead. Despite having parts in this book that I disliked, the good parts of the book make up for it. I love Matthew and I enjoy reading about him and the world he's living in.
Profile Image for Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight).
973 reviews162 followers
March 9, 2017
4 Stars

Full Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the author. This has not influenced my review.*

*This review may contain mild spoilers for the previous books in the series, however it doesn’t reveal any more info than the blurb does.*

Wow. Ok. So, the beginning of this book actually pushed my limits, not because it was particularly gruesome or graphic but because I was putting myself in Matthew’s shoes, and what he was going through was so terrible. Disturbingly terrible. I mean, imagine what it would be like to not only be tortured but to also have every ounce of your control and dignity and consent taken away from you… Matthew went through some terrible stuff in Books 1 and 2, I don’t think I’ve ever felt worse for a character than I have for Matthew, but the beginning of this book takes the cake. I even had to take a break from reading around 15% before I could immerse myself back into Matthew’s life (which is not an insult to the book, just how I felt about the things happening). Not to mention any time a character’s skin literally just starts rotting (believe it or not, this isn’t the first book I’ve read in which that was a thing), that just disturbs me on a whole new level.

Buuuuut eventually the book started getting a little less intense (although I still felt completely awful for Matthew just because of his whole situation), there were quite a few surprising twists that I didn’t see coming, and Tarrick was brought back into the picture. I didn’t think it would be possible for anything to change my opinion of Tarrick—I thought I would hate him forever—but I was wrong. And he definitely made things a lot more interesting when he became part of the story again.

Also, speaking of the book getting less intense, I loved that Matthew actually did get to have a little bit of fun at one point. As much as I love dark books and love when characters have a lot to deal with, I also love when they get a temporary reprieve from all the horribleness to enjoy themselves, if only for a night. And there still managed to be some humor in the book, despite all the darkness.

Something I didn’t so much love was the BDSM sex scene (but I will note that it was at least safe and consensual), and I admittedly got a little tired of all the talk of when Matthew was and wasn’t allowed to come and all the sex scenes with characters he didn’t have feelings for (although I kind of wouldn’t mind a sex scene with Hiroto because the poor guy is trying so damn hard to get in Matthew’s pants lol), but those are personal preference kinda things.

A couple more things to note that other readers might want to know… Again, I will reiterate, that the book had lots of sex and violence, much like the previous ones, including *TRIGGER/POSSIBLE SPOILER* *END TRIGGER/SPOILER* There were also various different types of sex scenes, including M/F, M/M, M/M/F, and M/M/M.

Anyway, to wrap this up, this felt darker and more intense at times than the previous books, but it was yet another book in the series that I enjoyed! It also made me feel completely conflicted about how I want certain things to turn out in future books. Overall though, these books are just so compulsively readable, and I didn’t want to put this one down!

Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1 and 2 in Jex Lane's Beautiful Monsters series. Anyone who likes vampires, incubi, sex, and violence, plus some emotional conflict and touching moments.

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Profile Image for Al *the semi serial series skipper*.
1,659 reviews851 followers
January 27, 2018
I don't even understand my emotions and this series anymore. This was an absolutely terrific book but damn...I can't even.

After seeing what happened to Devark in book 2 and being devastated by what happened I thought that was all the pain and suffering I would have to go through, now I'm not so sure.

This book reminds me of my first season of GOT, my bright eyed naivete , I was bonding with everyone, I remember the last episode of season 1, I was sure it was not going to go in the direction it did, I mean really, how,Ned Stark! Don't even get me started on the red wedding.

Anyways, I digress, what i'm saying is that I don't know who to root for anymore. I like Matthew, I'm slowly warming up to Tarrick and Devark was my fav but after seeing that epilogue i'm beginning to think no one is safe. I loved Hitomi too, heck at this point i'm loving everyone. I don't want Matthew to have to choose one person, he's the demigod of sex, he should have a harem, amiright?

At this point my only regret is that I did not wait for the series to be completed before I started because I'm slightly going crazy with wanting to know what happens next.
Profile Image for Diana Gonher.
97 reviews26 followers
March 30, 2018
PERO QUE FINAL.... No pensé que pasara eso, realmente me sorprendió, ahora tengo mi corazón dividido :( me hubiese gustado que dejarán las cosas como estaban, pero al igual me agrado que hicieran eso (no puedo decir que porque es un gran spoiler)
En fin, este libro tiene acción, intriga, tortura, amor en todas las formas posibles, realmente disfrute leyéndolo y espero con ansias el siguiente.

Matthew en cada libro me agrada más y su sentido del humor, me gusta xD, y que decirles de Tarrick, tengo una debilidad por los chicos malos. Me gustaría saber que pasa por su mente, más ahora con este final. LO AMO... hizo cosas horribles pero es un personaje muy bien desarrollado, en definitiva es mi favorito.

Me hubiese gustado que apareciera más Lily, es la hija de Matthew y creo que deberían de darle un poco más de protagonismo... Y hablando de hijas SAM es... me encanta, ella adora a Matthew y se pueda ganar el cariño de casi todos... me agrada.

Profile Image for Kistal.
495 reviews23 followers
November 10, 2017
I just reread This book for the third time and omg I can't wait until Blood Prince!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was the best yet! It was lighter and darker all at once. I ship Tarrick and Matthew so hard! I don't know how they are going to workout in the next book.

It's civil war amongst the incubi and Tarrick started it! Omg, that's amazing!

I can't really give a coherent review. This was great!

5 stars!
Profile Image for Jo * Smut-Dickted *.
2,038 reviews517 followers
August 23, 2021
Edited: After several re-reads I just have to do a 5 for its ability to keep me enthralled through multiple retellings. I'm maybe more tolerant of faults. I don't know. I still skip all the MF sex though. Wish it wasn't there.

So I feel like I have to explain this rating. Because it is really a 3.5 but I rounded up on account of how awesome the last two were. First know I love the core of the story - and I was just as lost in this world as I was in the first two. So no shade on any of that - creative, with rich description and easy to imagine it really did enthrall me. So for the main story it was a 5 star read. All the way.

Also know I like dark. I mean real dark - the type that can give you nightmares. There is pretty much nothing that is too dark. Seriously. So yeah - that's not my problem. Nor it is an issue. Frankly I wanted more torture, more hate, more because that creates such a reaction in me and I feel so emotional. It feeds me - makes me invested and makes me feel. So the whole first part of this book was totally in sync with my likes in many ways when it came to the darkness. That was all good. Graphic is good for me. I want it.

Still, I have to state this one frustrated me. A lot. It disappointed me too. Here's why.

I feel like I know Matthew now, spending all this time in his head and life for the last couple of books. I like him a lot. I actually get why he loves Tarrick - the heart wants what it wants and they remain connected on a level that he and Devak just did not reach and I'm not convinced here that their relationship will never include love and partnership. I was not a fan of Devak at all - I think due to his past he seemed less likable to some degree. He seemed an intentional foil to Tarrick - and that made him feel a bit caricature at times. Whereas Tarrick feels like one of the characters (gone bad) from a Sherilynn Kenyon novel, Devak feels more like someone designed to be the counter to all that dark goodness that has done right and wrong. I guess I'm #teamtarrick all the way. Something about his past and why he might do the things he does calls to me. Not anti-hero exactly but his eventual shift could be so incredibly emotional. So Devak - I just he was kind of blah. At least in #2.

THE Malarath thing didn't surprise me but I didn't understand how that was the triggering moment honestly. Most especially because of the world the author has built. Even Matthew's daughters treat it as "oh well it happened". I'm not saying it cannot be IRL but this is not real life and the fictional world created does not lend it self to the type of impact that we see after THE thing happens. I mean months, years of torture and this is what breaks you? And he's a demigod...THE thing has been used as an instrument of war ever since there were humans on the earth. It felt a little convenient. That's all I'm saying.

I am also not a fan of what happened at the end . I don't understand it - and there is no attempt to make it make sense. That felt strange. Deliberately done and without a clear reason and it left me a bit cold frankly. I'm not opposed to it in general but it felt off here.

The loci of my main issue is that I went into this series as a MM series but truly this feels like it is a MF book in the series that just has some love and a few scattered sex scenes between men. The women are always showing up to be the "saviours" of Matthew, he has sex with most of them, and the sex scenes that are MF tend to be more intense and descriptive (with a very few exceptions) and I just don't want to read about MF sex. I do not generally freak out when it appears - I'm not like obsessive - but this IMHO is truly a MF book. There isn't really a romantic relationship in here to speak of (consistent anyway) in spite of Matthews unrequited love for Tarrick -- so there is zero balance to all the het sex. Nothing but some sexual tension between Matthew and Tarrick and Hiroto and his constant need to be F^%$#@ by Matthew (which was awesome and I still don't understand why Matthew won't do him --- that was like a last straw). I actually considered dropping this two full stars to a 3 star read but I didn't. Still, I don't really agree that the fact there is an incubus as a MC means it's fine to have predominantly MF sex in a MM book - it's not fine. And there are times there is a choice - and Matthew chooses females. So, ok, keep the idea but there is no need to make all those scenes longer, more descriptive, etc over the MM sex in a MM book.

What's happening maybe more apparent if you look at the spin off book which is MF. That looks like a series. I feel like the author really wanted to write a MF book - but for whatever reason it doesn't work if Matthew is the one being tortured and abused as it's hard to write female leads who do this (but there are a few of these books around and they are awesome and you can see Under By Treaty as the best of these examples). It's just conjecture and I don't want to downgrade the authors MM Romance skills as the romance stuff between Matthew and Devak and Matthew and Tarrick (however one sided) is pretty good most of the time. It's just it always has to be interrupted by pussy. No thanks. That kept drawing me out of the story - and when I get as immersed as this series has had me that spells n-o-t-g-o-o-d-t-h-i-n-g-s.

Also - another key point is this series started with a very Captive Prince feel but as the books go on I'm finding that I'm less emotionally invested because there is no development of relationships really happening - they are kind of stalled all around in general. Just when you think one is getting deeper though the lends of Matthew, something happens and Matthew is by himself being tortured for months and everything just stops. But that means it is like this emotional void for the reader. Matthews internal feelings are one sided and once you fill up on him there is nothing more. My connection to the characters is less because their connection to Matthew is worse. Malarath - the big bad the first 50% basically goes into hibernation the last 50%. What???? That didn't even make sense from a plot POV. If he's so omniscient then how the heck is he not able to "see" what is happening. His threads should be unraveling.

I guess you can tell I was frustrated. Although I remain immersed in this world, I really need to not consider this a MM romance or MM at all - because it would not surprise me now if Matthew ended up with some Queen or Goddess or something vs. a guy. That, that would be a shame.
Profile Image for Diverse.
1,179 reviews53 followers
March 4, 2017
I will start off by saying this book is the darkest of the three to date. Where it goes from here I do not know. If you read both Captive and Sire you are well aware of the affect Matthew has on your heart. It's so hard to review this book and not give spoilers. I know so many want to know what happened after book two ended. The cliffhanger was UNREAL! Well, I won't give spoilers but I will say more answers, more discoveries, and amazing surprises await you in Broken.

Jex Lane has an amazing ability to pull the reader into the story. I wept with, and for, Matthew countless times. The rage I felt for those who hurt him... repeatedly, was fierce. The joy in the brief moments of happiness was like getting a lungful of fresh air after being submerged underwater. Each moment, emotion, situation, and character is so well thought out and created that I couldn't find a single flaw. The ones you're supposed to hate you really and truly hate. There's no maybe.

There are a lot of surprises in this book and not all of them are unpleasant.... I know that's shocking. The torture for Matthew was hard to take and it was far more brutal in this book than in the previous ones. But hang in there. If you thought Matthew was amazing before wait'll you see him now!

Again, no spoilers but I will say I was awesomely surprised at the turnaround of some characters, the revelation of plans, and what the future will hold now. You will not get out of this book without swollen eyes. I will say when it ended, though shaky, I was smiling. Yes, there's a lingering fear and in pure Jex Lane fashion you are left with that, "Oh hell what is she going to do know," feeling.

This is such a marvelous series and I said it last time I will say it again; it's by far one of the darkest, most creative, fantastically written series' out there. I am a full-fledged fan without a doubt and will devour this series if it kills me!
Profile Image for Eugenia.
1,903 reviews319 followers
March 5, 2017
Damn!

Now I have to wait until 2018 for the next book in the series?! This is simply not fair!

This is by far one of my favorite fantasy/paranormal series ever. The world building Jex Lane has created is amazing and just keeps getting better and better.

I absolutely adore the MC, Matthew, who in this third installment goes through hellacious torture and deprivation at the hands of the High King and Prescott. I don't want to give any spoilers, but for those who just screamed in despair at the cliffhanger in the second book, there is cause for jubilation of sorts in this one.

Of course, leave it to Jex Lane to end Broken in a total cliffhanger...again. But I'm a total glutton for having an author make me work for that HEA. And Lane sure does work it!

Trigger warnings: torture and rape.
FYI: there are a couple MF scenes, but they are brief.
Profile Image for Jahi.
433 reviews71 followers
January 12, 2019
Wow, wow, wow. OH. POR. DIOS.

¿4.5/5?

Ahorita mismo tengo muchos sentimientos encontrados, Jex Lane tiene un don para hacerme sufrir y tenerme feliz en un mismo libro; Broken liderando el puesto.

Cuando empecé a leerlo creí que me iba a costar acabarlo, pero mi sorpresa fue que  lo terminé en tiempo record y es que, a pesar de lo fuerte que es (y que me tenía llorando 24/7), era inevitable no querer leer más.

Estaba y sigo estando muy indecisa si darle cinco estrellas o no, porque creo que puede ser la mejor parte de las tres, pero por todo lo que pasa Matthew es demasiado horrible que me parece injusto; se encargan de destrozarlo mucho más, de quebrarlo física y emocionalmente, rompiendo más su corazón ya herido, y todo el dolor y la tristeza que sentía por él no podía calmarla con nada. Peor en una escena especifica que me hizo creer llegar al límite.

Sin embargo, volvemos a tener a Tarrick, aquí me dan más enfoques acerca de él, de sus acciones, sus pensamientos y es algo que aprecio mucho.

"Cada vez que estoy a tu alrededor, tú me afectas y me sorprendes de maneras inesperadas."

También está Samantha quien se vuelve un personaje importante y querido... con ella están muchos otros que se vuelven geniales... cofHirotocof.

Luego, damos paso a ese espléndido desarrollo y ese final que te deja sin aliento, con una agradable sorpresa... aunque seguía llorando está vez no era de dolor.

Por último tenemos a Malarth a quien odioodioodio, estúpido y asqueroso ser repugnante.

Estaré esperando con ansias y nerviosismo Blood Prince.
Profile Image for Alhena Rouge.
73 reviews7 followers
July 16, 2017
Oh my God ! He's out ! I will bury myself in it right now. Eat it like there's no tomorrow !

After reading :

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Oh my God, I don't even know what to say. I cried and smiled and laughed and cried some more. Everything was awesome. The characters, the world, the story.

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I'm in love.

Matthew is such an intense character, he goes through shit in his life but he's so alive and awesome. This book is all about him and his decision to live and fight.

I'm in awe. I'm happy. And a little scared too. I really don't know what will happen in the next book so yeah, I'm a bit scared.
And, I don't want to spoil anything but I have to say : Holy shit ! Sweet Jesus !

How am I going to survive until 2018 ?
Profile Image for Andrea.
Author 15 books337 followers
May 13, 2017
Será que soy morbosa pero éste me gustó más que los anteriores.
Lo bueno:
Lloré la mitad del libro.
Si despierta sentimientos es que logró su objetivo. Por ejemplo, realmente odié al alto rey.
Comprendí más a los personajes.
Noté una evolución en la narrativa.
Lo malo:
Adolece de exceso de descripciones y repeticiones que interrumpen el ritmo.
Tenemos un final que se salva por los pelos de ser un deux ex machina.
De pronto parece que Mathew se queda parado a medio combate sin hacer nada. Da esa sensación debido a que nos cuenta todo lo que sucede a su alrededor durante la batalla, pero no dice mientras qué está haciendo él.
El final se me hizo abrupto y la última escena como que la acción decae.

Pese a todo la historia es adictiva y estaré atenta cuando salga el siguiente. quizá solo por la maldita curiosidad y morbo.
Profile Image for S.R. Harris.
Author 5 books69 followers
September 12, 2018
I can't even describe the emotional roller coaster I just went through reading this book..

I freaking love Matthew so much!! I ached and hurt with him all through this book. I wanted to rip everyone's head off for him, I mean he went through so much, and just when I couldn't take another thing, oh Devak!!

I feel conflicted about Tarrick. I don't really know what to do with him.

I need the next book right now!
Profile Image for ⚣Michaelle⚣.
3,662 reviews233 followers
June 2, 2018
4.0 Stars

Uhn.

After that last installment I expected this one to blow me away...and yeah, that didn't happen. Don't get me wrong: That first half started off good & I liked the ending (YAY!!!!) - plus I'm excited to see how the whole ordeal plays out now that we have more of the truth about what started and continues to fuel this Incubi/Vampire War...but.

But, the first half was exhausting and went on entirely too long; it took Matthew an eternity to shake off the (literally deadly case of) depression and make a plan to end the war & get revenge.

But, again, there were more numerous, more graphic, more intimate and more detailed MF scenes in this story (like there were in the first book) and after suffering through Matthew's torture (not to mention THAT scene with Malarath) I wanted more romance, more comfort...and not from Rosaline or any of the other females feeders.

But, I still don't like Tarrick, even if he helped Matthew heal. I'm glad I don't have to either since it appears the tale is not intending to pair them up (thankfully). The resistance will need his leadership skills though, so I'm grudgingly glad he sided with Matthew.

Given that surprise at the end of the book I am crossing my fingers that the next one will be better. Hey, if so I think this would be the first time I've come across the Even Number Installments Are Better Conjecture in a book series!
Profile Image for Bookreader87(Amanda).
1,168 reviews44 followers
August 9, 2018
So...

That was nearly 500 pages of rinse and repeat.
This book was not as entertaining as the previous
Matthew gets caught again
Matthew is tortured over and over
Matthew is a slave
Matthew is used as a fighter in the war
Matthew is still stuck on Tarrick's d**k for reasons unknown to me
The war with vampires is still raging on
Same o Same
The ending was the only bright light in this one
(Bringing back my favorite ;))
So please don't screw up book 4!
3 reviews
March 7, 2017
I need this to be a tv series, like yesterday...

I read tons of books. At least one a day. (No, I am not exaggerating!) I suffer from anxiety and depression and find relief in books. Focusing on other worlds, romances and intricate plots help reduce those overwhelming feelings in my own life. With that being said, I NEVER leave reviews. (Re: anxiety and judgement). Okay, with all that out of the way I just want to say WOW.

I love this series. The word building, plot, characters, intrigue are all spectacular. I feel immersed in this story. I hate that I have to wait until 2018 for the next book. I was equal parts happy and sad at the 75% mark. Sad that I wasn't going to get a conclusion (Who is Matthew going to end up with as a mate? What will happen to his daughters? What of IleRtha? Will the king die? How?) But I am going to get another book! :-)

All I can say is I love this series. When an author can make you hate yet love a character at the same time, just wow. Especially with some of the dark content of the novel.

I can only hope that this series picks up readers and popularity because I would love to see this on screen. Holy hotness!
Profile Image for Santy.
1,258 reviews76 followers
February 26, 2019
You know what, I’ve decided not to finish this book quite yet...Knowing Jex Lane this would probably leave me wanting more at the end and with no release date for book 4 in sight,I just can not do this to myself ... for now(@71%) it’s a solid 5 star book!

Edit: 24-Feb-2019

Couldn’t resist and finished!!! Prescott and The Incubi King need to die painful excruciating deaths.

Also, I still cannot forgive Tarrick for his actions. I know he’s on a new path but nope. Just can’t. As for Matthew’s daughter Lily, the least said the better. How she could be with someone knowing fully well he tortures her father is beyond me. I hope she also dies.

I know it’s a lot of death wishes but with all the horrors that Matthew went through, its the absolute least they deserve. I’m glad he at least got a reprieve in the end and what an awesome one it was!

NOW I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 4!
Profile Image for Deanna.
191 reviews9 followers
August 7, 2023
Oh wow I stayed up very late finishing this book thinking it was a trilogy its not, and now I can't wait for 2018. This has turned into a way more emotional heartbreaking series than I had expected. I know I kinda made fun of it at first and called him Naurto, but now I kind of want a whole series on Hiroto. This series turned into an unexpected gem for me.
Profile Image for Laurel.
141 reviews37 followers
July 29, 2018
~4.5~

What an ending. Utter chaos ensued and though I knew about the surprise at the very end when starting this book, I still wasn’t prepared. I’m so happy and full of tears.

I rounded down because it was hard for me to read Matthew being tortured, broken down, in despair to the point of ghouling (decaying), and .

The best parts of this books are the kindness from Rosaline (there is sex between them for Matthew to feed, but I easily skipped it) and Matthew rebuilding his relationship with Tarrick and further building his relationship with Samantha. Tarrick is a bit more vulnerable, open and affectionate in this one, which I ate up greedily. I don’t know why I like Tarrick, as incorrigible as he is, but I do. Well...incorrigible is a strong word. We understand Tarrick’s motivations a bit better in this story because 1. Matthew was his enemy just by being a vampire in the beginning and he had to learn to look past his prejudice and 2. Tarrick is a “the end justifies the means” kind of guy, who puts duty over emotions.

While reading this book, I could almost forget Matthew was a slave and see them as potential lovers/equals until Matthew displayed lingering fear or Tarrick became authoritative in a non sexy way. However, as unhealthy as this relationship is, I’m hopeful it will keep growing as their trust and emotions build. I loved that Matthew and Tarrick built trust and were on the same team in this novel. They make such a good team!!

This book was slower than the previous two in certain parts. It surprised me when characters I abhored in the previous books (Prescott and Malarath) evoked a tiny bit of empathy or laughter from me in parts. I still really hate Malarath, though. He was a monster till the very end of this book, and his past with his lover evoked a bit of empathy but there was no reedeming qualtities. Not one.

I can’t wait for the fourth book to see what Matthew’s new abilities are and just where this rebellion and new alliance takes us. I’m so thankful it’s 2018. These books are meant to be read back to back. Highly recommended.
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