Renegades

Badlands #7

by Natalie Bennett

Of the devil’s flesh and bone, the prince is ready to claim his throne.

I want power.
Cam wants penance.

I've got a black cult religion backing my decisions.
He's got demons hungry for carnage.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until her.

She's the forbidden fruit we're supposed to beware of, but something carnal is growing between us.

Now, with tensions mounting between various factions, a bloodbath looms on the horizon. Chaos and destruction start to erupt across the Badlands, everything comes down to one thing.

Survival of the worst.

Forewarning, this isn't a cookie cutter romance. This isn't about love. This is a story of brutal possession in a world without morals. Enter at your own detriment. ;)

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Abuse, Dystopia, Survival, Horror, Crime

Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Lover of all things pǝʇsıʍʇ & unusual.

I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.

Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB

Reviews

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest badlands book was a really good addition to the series and I enjoyed it very much.
But for some reason, I was under the impression this was actually a menage, not sure why I thought that but was surprised to find it isn't.
This story centres on Luce and a new character Star, its set after the events of the previous books and the storyline concerning A. R. C. and the Stags is continued here so to fully appreciate this you really need to have read the past books of this series, (well the kid's books anyway) to fully follow along.
I myself did a quick recap by flicking through the previous two to refresh my brain.
Star is an escapee on the run from A. R. C. her time with them has been horrific and she has the physical and emotional scars to prove it.
Her escape lands her in the path of Luce and his savages and the rest is history.
This was as usual totally wicked with psychotic intent, the usual dicing and slicing and casual torture involved but that aside I didn't find this as dark as previous books in the series though it was still very far from a Sunday picnic.
The relationship between Luce and star is easy with a lack of angst and I really appreciated the straightforward nature of it all.
I also really liked how this built and the whole slow-burn quality of it all.
We also get to catch up with Cam here and see how he is dealing with the aftermath of his brother's actions.
So yeh, liked this a lot and the only thing missing for me was the rest of the gang, we do get to see Nyx, Maliki, Zane and Addie but it is only briefly and I would have liked more.
Other than that I was a happy bunny.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Renegades (Badlands: Next Generation #3).



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Mimiorphee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in the BADLANDS NEXT GENERATION, Renegades once again immersed me into the dark, violent and ruthless atmosphere of the Badlands. 

The beginning completely intrigued and capticated me, introducing a new character, Star. 

Prisoner of thr A.R.C faction, her strength and resilience equal her intelligence. I liked that she fought and knew which battle were worth fighting.


Back with the Savages, Cameron dances with his demons and Bella slowly gets back on track.

Luce embraces his destiny while readying for the next step of the battle. 

"When it came to his family his heart bled red and was encased in gold."


The blurb and the warnings led me to think the romance would push the boundaries a little further, though.  And  from the Luce I got to know in the previous books, I was expecting more raw scenes between him and Star.

"I didn’t fear Lucifuge, but I was downright terrified of the things he could do to me."


Don't get me wrong, it is really dark, gruesome at parts, and terrifying at others. It was just not the darkest book of the three about the new generation. The alliances, the mystery, the tension thrilled me to no end, while the revelations had me crossing my fingers that the next book releases soon! 


"The road to hell was paved with blood and sorrow. But at the end of that road was an empire, the devil, and my salvation."


I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ARC COPY OF THIS BOOK. THANK YOU!!!

[Jac K · Rating 3 out of 5]

**You must read Hellions first. This review will have spoilers from previous books. (Deviants/Hellions) **

Renegades picks up where Hellions left off, but we’re totally switching gears and following Luce’s day to day. Addy/Zane & Nyx/Maliki are off doing something, and only around for one scene. I was really looking forward to Luce’s book since he’s supposed to be the new Romero, but this ended up being my least favorite for a few reasons.

〰This is the first time that we have a completely new character as the love interest for a savage member. Typically, the partner is introduced in a previous book, so we already “know” them. Astraea came from a different faction, so much of the first part of the book is spent with her backstory that didn’t add much, and ate up page time.

〰The plot is too congested. There’re so many characters to keep track of… Addy/Zane, Nyx/Maliki, Luce, Cam, Greer, Creed, Samuel, Lilith, Demon, Bella, Ice and Darrian. Not to mention the villains, Stags, Lazarus, and ARC. She keeps adding more characters, more factions, more conflicts, but not addressing the already open items. This is a huge pet peeve of mine because in my experience when authors keep piling up plot points, they have a tendency to make errors, or let shit just drop. Like… What’s Addy’s secret?... What’s the deal with Greer & Darrian?... What’s going on with Demon? …Who was the brunette at the family meeting at the end of Hellions??... What was the point of pregnant Izzy & the Anubis tattoo people?? OR… How Gwen was killed by Maliki in Hellions, but here Nyx killed her. Plus, they were buried, so what did they do, pull them out of the hole and string them back up?? OR… How Nyx paralyzed Butcher, but now Cam’s drilling holes in his legs for torture. OR… How did Bella go from a zombie to a bubbly girl when there’s not a time gap between books? Plus, she’s 14 and I feel like we’re being setup for a romance with Ice who appears to be a grown-up. Hell, even their names get mixed up. Lucifuge was Lucien in Heathens. Addie/Addy flip flops like Telly/Tillie did.

〰 I wasn’t a fan of the weird Cam love triangle, and I thought that part was unneeded. The convo by the pit was pointless. It just took up page time when we have a ton of shit on our plate.

〰 I wasn’t a fan of Cam’s POV. We can get his POV when he has his own book. We don’t need it now. Again, it ate up page time.

〰 Luce was a letdown. We’ve heard for 2 books how dark and dangerous he is. How he’s even worse than his father with bigger demons than Maliki. BUT, we got a standard anti-H. He’s not even upset with Cam crushing on Star. Rome would have NEVER been so blasé. The original 3 were HARDCORE. So hardcore that Cobra can torture his own son, and Luce is supposed to be worse!!??

Bottom Line- Definitely not my fav, but I’ll stick with the series for now. I do hope Samuel’s book will put some of these side-plots to rest. If not, I’ll probably wait until the series is finished because it’s too many details to keep track of. I’m not a fan of just spinning my wheels collecting more mud. 😊

FAMILY TREE
Romero + Cali- Adelaide, Lucifuge, Belladonna
Grimm + Arlen- Nyx, Samael
Cobra + Blue- Braxton (AKA Butcher), Cameron, Lilith

[Marguerite · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what happened but I didn't feel all that strongly about Luce and Star. I'm excited to keep seeing where the plot is going.

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

I missed this series so much!!! This one was more plot and getting to the story then sex. It is darkish and has some triggers below.

Now i gotta say this one
I was alittle confused i thought it was a threesome (before guess it changed) but it wasnt this story was around Astraea and Lucifuge and had Cameron pov about his struggles with the betrayal.

Star was held captive and was going to be forced to marry.. but she escapes landing her into the badlands area were she is taken in and held captive for awhile until they knew who she was running from. She grew closer to cam as a friend and her brightness drew in the devil himself Lucifeuge. The spark between them is hawt he knew what he wanted when he first saw her. During this story we find out more about the other groups and who is running them also we find out more secerts from the past and few answers leading to more secerts. But now the new prince found his queen. Lets see what happens with the others in this series.

Ill be honest idk whats the timeline is since the second gene started if i remember bella was young idk her age now? Also the next book is about Samael and Lilith a enemies to lovers type.

Low angst, No ow/om drama, no cheating, Secondary chara, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore (but he has a past)

Recommend- yes
Cover-⭐⭐⭐

Slow-burn
No condom
Safe-ish (no rape or that)
Torture
Murder
HFN
Epilogue

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything I wanted and more when it comes to this author and the Badlands series. Each book I read I love even more than the previous. Make sure you read the previous books.

Luce crikey what a character. The author blew my mind with him. Him and Star are perfect for each other.

Sorry my review may be vague but this is a series you need to read and feel for yourself. I’m so looking forward to reading more from Natalie.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesomely effed up, crazy series! Luce has always intrigued me and I loved reading his story. I thought he and Star were a pretty good match, and I'm glad there wasn't a love triangle. Looking forward to Samael and Lilith's story next, but I really can't wait for Cam's story.

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love our Badland devious and deviant characters, and I was particularly excited to return to learn more about Lucifuge and Cam- and we get to spend time with both here. Lucifuge because, dear goodness, I wanted to see what a mini-Romero was like and get inside his head since we can CLEARLY see in other books, especially Addy’s, that he’s the subversive master planner just like his father- moving everyone around on a chess board without them knowing the game. And Cam because his story is just so sad and heartbreaking- betrayed, battered not just in body but in his spirit, and the twin who inherited more of his mother’s traits- he’s quiet, caring, stoic.

Our heroine is Star- one of the most intriguing ladies we’ve had in the badlands yet. We first meet her as part of a mysterious faction that our Savages know little about, and like so many of our badland characters, she’s trapped in her life and at the mercy of corrupted men. I loved Star- she’s the antithesis of what you’d expect as a Savage leading lady. She’s pint sized and innocent, empathetic and incredibly calm and mild tempered. Certainly her circumstances have left little to shock her, but she has an inner peaceful strength and a sharp mind that enable her to roll with the punches and survive. And, like all our leading ladies, mysteries surround her situation and an inner, untapped openness to darkness exists within her innocence.

Fair warning, the blurb of this book may lead you to think this book is going to be different than it is- this was not the romance I was expecting!!

So, given that, I won’t give too much away about our plot, but like all Badlands tales, this story twists and turns all with each passing page- we learn new information and get new questions, all while trying to figure the picture of the puzzle that Romero (and now Lucifuge who is more of the leader) has that clearly the rest of us don’t. We, like our other characters, are along for the ride, trying to piece together the puzzle when we don’t even know what the picture on the puzzle even looks like, but I know when we get there, like all Natalie tales, it will have been carefully masterminded. And, I love the Badlands series because even after our characters suffer incredible adversity and emotional and sometimes physical trauma, there is always satisfying retaliation. This book is no exception to that rule. You will leave satisfied, but with questions and still unsure about where the whole Badlands story is going to go next. Our dark queen is weaving a complicated tale of which we won’t see clearly until the very end. SO much new thrown at us in this book- some big surprises, too!

I’m loving our second generation- seeing how the characters we love are doing and also seeing how their personalities melded into their now adult children. I’ve found, so far, that the kids are a little softer than their parents when it comes to the relationships, and fair warning, that is especially true in this book. Sure, our characters have darkness in them and do depraved and bad things, but the inner romantic relationship feels more tender, sweet, and dare I say, romantic than the parents of our characters. The brutality and depravity of the world still exists all around us- so we get that good Natalie Bennett charm- and she has warns us that the NEXT book (after this book I have suspicions on which pair that book will center on) will be extremely dark- she shares a bit more about how this book ended up the way it did in the afterward- this is the romance the characters wanted. I can’t wait to get back to the darker romance aspect of the Badlands, but I did enjoy this surprisingly more tender interlude.

[Demetra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for this book for so long. I wanted more of the next generation and I finally got it! I forgot how twistedly good Natalie Bennett’s characters are. Welcome back to the Badlands!!!!!!

Lucifuge “Luce” Deville is exactly what you would anticipate and so much more. After all he’s the Devil’s son and the future King of the Badlands. Romero and Calista did an extremely good job raising him to be exactly as cruel and twisted as he can be. I have to say that I loved Luce more than Romero. He’s dark, insane and with a really creepy intuition. At time it felt like he was seeing into the other characters’ souls.

“You are exactly what I thought you were, and nothing I could of ever fucking expected.”

Astraea “Star” is a newly introduced character. She was taken by the A.R.C a long time ago and kept locked up since then. She’s been abused and tortured but never lost her desire to escape, and she finally succeeded. She escaped the A.R.C to end up in Luce’s hands.

“They are a paradox of everything dark and light. A combination of tainted purity and sin.”

These two couldn’t be more perfect for each other. They might seem like opposites, but Star is the only one who can match Luce step by step. Natalie Bennett couldn’t have given him a better Queen. Their relationship is possessive and obsessive, just like all the Badlands couples. Luce and Star are definitely my favorite duo!!

It was good to see the other characters as well. Star’s appearance has been good for Cam too. He’s been struggling after what happened with Butcher, but she managed to help him start healing. I loved this series from book 1 and the next generation is even better that the OG Savages. I’ll be eagerly waiting for the next book. I need more of these characters asap!!

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow ! Natalie Bennett never disappoints with a dark and twisted fucked up story and she DELIVERED with Renegades!

I’ve been dying for Lucifuge’s story him being Romero and Calista’s son and they are by far my FAVORITE couple that this author has created, so I was so excited to finally get to read Luce and Astraea’s story ! And this couple is definitely the new king and queen to reign over there dark and twisted empire that Luce’s parents had created !

I LOVED Astraea she was definitely perfect for a twisted psychopath like Luce . She was strong and sassy didn’t take no shit and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and I loved how she was immediately drawn to Cam and wanted nothing but the best for him she actually became quite protective of the Savages all in general I even chuckled at a few spots in this book .
Luce is so much like his dad it’s scary ! He’s smart as hell and lethal and hot AF ! And his thought process , just yeah the world building and character development in this story is just awesome!
Lilith and Samael’s story is next and I can’t wait for it ! I’ve been intrigued by these two since Degenerates ! Cam my sweet lethal cam will hopefully get his own happily ever after too !
I’m not going to give any spoilers away I’m just going to say if you are a fan of The Badlands series or if you like dark twisted dystopian romance that’s bloody and tests your limits than this book is for you !
So much to be excited for definite 5 twisted dark stars for this book and I definitely recommend!!

*** I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book ***

[Amanda Anderson (Beauty.and.the.bookies) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have NO words.
Like usual.
Like always.
I LOVED Luce. I LOVED Star. I LOVED Cam (oh yea, I was SOOO overjoyed to read in the acknowledgements that Cam is getting his HEA and it will be with one of the heroines that we have read...I am wondering...Is it Claire?!?!?! Is it Bella?!?! I know her and Ice have a bond but maybe it is more of a friendship...I am so happpy because I have grown to love him so much and my heart is overjoyed!!!!!!)
Ok, back to my man Lucifuge. Dude. Those sex scenes had my heart racing. He is almost as intense as his daddy. And Astrea is so sweet on the outside but she has some major backbone to her! There were so many twists to this story! I cannot, SERIOUSLY, CANNOT WAIT FOR MISCREANTS. I am on the edge of my seat for this bad to the bone, gritty, new story. I just know Samael and Lilith are going to take me for a ride. I AM READY!!!!!! This book and series was so much more than 5 stars. My heart is in my throat because it is over.

[books_n_ink217 Elizabeth Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THE BADLANDS! This was another exciting glimpse into the mystery surrounding the kidnapping of one of the Savage princesses. Two people find each other through tragedy and the sparks fly. Every detail Natalie puts into these stories is thrilling and I don’t ever want it to end. The characters are scary, sexy, and intriguing. I stayed up all night reading this one, I just couldn’t put it down! A+++

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark and twisted series keeps dishing up new characters for me to obsess over. I love how I'm constantly pulled right into the story and emotion. Even amidst all the darkness, Bennett finds a way to make me care about what happens to these Savages. Her talent at storytelling is unparalleled.
I have a burning need to read the next book in the series.

[Jo Garcia Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, there are books that i like and then, there are books like this one. Books that i have to consume in one sitting or else i will freak out. This is a book for a single sitting. It is very good and very dark. She has done it again.

[LaToya (Readingbythebayou) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucifuge is just as cunning as his father! I always love to come back to the Badlands and these depraved characters. Luce meets his match in Star. She fit right in with the Savages and will definitely be a great queen. A lot of questions were answered but now I'm wondering where the author will take us in the future. I really enjoyed this book another hit!

[Heather 'Confessions Of A Bibliophile' Creighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

💚☠ Cᴏɴꜰᴇssɪᴏɴs Oꜰ A Bɪʙʟɪᴏᴘʜɪʟᴇ Rᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ☠💚



⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Oᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ Rᴀᴛɪɴɢ: Renegades , book number three of the Badlands Next Generation by Natalie Bennett is perfect for those of us who like our romance a little more dark, twisted, and totally deviant. Savages, book one of the Badlands Series was the first book I ever read by Natalie Bennett and how I knew I had found one of my favorite authors! THIS is the series I always recommend when someone says they want something that blows every trigger out of the water! I fell for the OG Savages but these NG‘s are renewing my addiction to the series! I have been salivating waiting for Renegades and Bennett did NOT disappoint! If you are looking for a dark read that will push all your triggers, look no further!

This series has been the hardest series to review for me. It’s just soo much that goes on in this dystopian world and with all the diverse characters and fractions, but there is soo little that I can tell you without spoiling things. But I’m gonna try!

❝Oᴜʀ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ʟᴏᴠᴇ, ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ. Iᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴀ ᴛᴀʟᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴏssᴇssɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴀʀɴᴀʟ ᴘᴀssɪᴏɴ ᴡᴇᴀᴠᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜɪɴ ᴀ sᴄᴀʀʟᴇᴛ sᴛʀɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴀᴛᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʀᴇꜰᴜsᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ. Iᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴍɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ᴀ ʙᴏɴᴅ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ ꜰᴜᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴜᴘ sᴏᴜʟs. Aɴᴅ ɪꜰ I’ᴅ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ, I sᴛɪʟʟ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴛʜɪɴɢ. Tʜᴇ ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟʟ ᴡᴀs ᴘᴀᴠᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏʀʀᴏᴡ. Bᴜᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʀᴏᴀᴅ ᴡᴀs ᴀɴ ᴇᴍᴘɪʀᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏ sᴀʟᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ.❞

Although Renegades was originally supposed to be a threesome romance, Renegades is actually about Lucifuge and his leading lady Astraea although there are POV’s from Cameron as well, they center more around his struggles and the demons he is still fighting after the betrayal of Butcher, rather than romance. This new generation has a lot to live up to and so far so good.

❝Tʜᴇʏ’ʀᴇ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴀᴅᴏx ᴏꜰ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ʟɪɢʜᴛ. A ᴄᴏᴍʙɪɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴀɪɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴘᴜʀɪᴛʏ ᴀɴᴅ sɪɴ.❞

Astraea has been held captive by another fraction for years only to finally escape and run right into the clutches of the Devil himself.

❝I ꜰᴏᴏʟɪsʜʟʏ ᴄʀᴏssᴇᴅ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ Bᴀᴅʟᴀɴᴅs ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴀs ᴛʜᴇ Dᴇᴠɪʟ’s Pʟᴀʏɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ. ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴅɪᴅ I ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴀᴛ I’ᴅ ᴇsᴄᴀᴘᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴘʀɪsᴏɴ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀ ʜᴇʟʟ.❞

Lucifuge Deville, the future king of the Badlands, and she has caught the Devil’s eye.

❝Wʜɪsᴘᴇʀs sᴡɪʀʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ Lᴜᴄᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴄʀᴜᴇʟᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ʜɪs ᴅᴀᴅ ʜᴀᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴇᴇɴ, ʙᴜᴛ I ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʜɪᴍ ᴄʀᴜᴇʟ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ sʟɪɢʜᴛᴇsᴛ. Hᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴀ Sᴀᴠᴀɢᴇ. Lɪᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ. Tʜᴇ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ Bᴀᴅʟᴀɴᴅ’s ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴏᴡɴ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟ ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪs ᴅᴇᴠɪᴀɴᴛ ǫᴜᴇᴇɴ ʀᴀɴ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ʜɪs ᴠᴇɪɴs.❞

💙 (H) Hᴇʀᴏ: Lucifuge ‘Luce’ Deville , is coldhearted and cruel. He’s intense, possessive, and a mastermind just like his father. Always scheming and planning for every outcome and eventuality… but he never saw Star coming. I think I liked Luce more just because he was so much like Romero but I was completely happy with his character. This would have been a five-star read for me but knowing what I know about his father AND his crazy Mama, I expected more. A whole lot more darkness, and a whole lot more depravity.

❝Sʜᴇ ᴡᴀs ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ. Sʜᴇ ᴡᴀs Sᴀᴠᴀɢᴇ. Tʜᴇ ɢɪʀʟ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ɢᴏʟᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ᴘɪᴛᴄʜ-ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ sᴏᴜʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴀʟɪɢɴᴇᴅ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛʟʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍɪɴᴇ.❞

🔥🔥 Sᴛᴇᴀᴍ Fᴀᴄᴛᴏʀ: Although there is plenty of sexual depravity, it seems as if the second generation is a bit softer as far as their relationships then the OG’s were. That could change, but from what I’ve seen so far, the kid’s relationships are nowhere’s near as raw and explicit as their parents were, especially when it comes to the steam. Things aren’t so… freaky and twisted? As they were with the parents. Again, hoping to see a little more of the freak side come out in the books to come.

❝Iᴛ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴀʀɢᴜᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴀʀᴅʟʏ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ᴏɴᴇ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ʙᴜᴛ I sᴀᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʏ ʜᴇ ʟᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ ʜᴇʀ. Iᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴡᴀʏ Rᴏᴍᴇʀᴏ ʟᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ Cᴀʟɪsᴛᴀ. Hᴏᴡ Gʀɪᴍᴍ ᴡᴀs ᴡɪᴛʜ Aʀʟᴇɴ. Hᴇʟʟ, ᴍʏ ᴘᴀʀᴇɴᴛs ᴛᴏᴏ. Yᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇsᴛᴀᴍᴘ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴀᴛ sᴛʀᴏɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ I ꜰᴇʟᴛ sᴏʀʀʏ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀɴʏᴏɴᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇsᴛʀᴏʏ ɪᴛ.❞

🌪🌪🌪 Cʟɪꜰꜰʜᴀɴɢᴇʀ Wᴀʀɴɪɴɢ: Although there isn’t really a cliffhanger per se, as with the rest of the Badlands Series, this one is a happily for now. Miscreants is up next and although I am REALLY excited for Samael and Lilith’s story, after getting quite a bit from his POV and learning a lot more about him in Renegades, I NEED Cam’s story. I am really excited for him to finally find a psycho queen of his own.

❝Rᴇʟᴀx. I ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴍʏ ɢɪʀʟs sᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ ᴛᴏᴏ sᴏᴏɴ. Tʜᴀᴛ’s ᴍᴏʀᴇ Cᴀᴍ’s ᴘʀᴇꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴄᴇ. Hᴇ’s ɢᴏᴛ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴇᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʀʀᴏʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴀʀɴᴀɢᴇ. Mᴇ? I ʟɪᴋᴇ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ɪɴsɪᴅᴇ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʜᴇᴀᴅs. Wʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʟᴏᴡᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ɢᴜᴀʀᴅ ᴀɴᴅ sᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇʏ’ʀᴇ sᴀꜰᴇ, ᴛʜᴀᴛ’s ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ᴏᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ.❞

⚠️ Tʀɪɢɢᴇʀ Wᴀʀɴɪɴɢ: There are difficult subjects that could be considered triggers. E.g. torture, murder, gruesome explicit scenes. If you would like to know more about what those subjects are, feel free to DM me!

I still have sooo many questions! Who is Cam’s leading lady? Where in the world is Lillith?? What in the world is going on with Samael? Will Ice and Belladonna get together? (I’m hoping so!) I don’t think we will ever really get answers to all of them but I can’t wait to see what happens next in this twisted and crazy dystopian world of madness and mayhem.

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[Staphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Español

Este es un libro que tenía demasiadas ganas de leer desde Degenerates, Luce es la perfecta encarnación de Romero y el futuro líder de los Savages. La historia continúa la trama del libro anterior, consideren que la nueva generación tiene su propia línea temporal y cada libro está relacionado pero se enfoca en personajes diferentes.

En este caso el libro trata de Star, una joven que se encuentra escapando de sus captores; una facción religiosa que se empeña en obtenerla de nuevo por diferentes motivos. Personalmente, ame su personaje y su relación con Luce, me gustó ver el cambio que tuvo a lo largo del libro y como se integró en el grupo.

Por su parte, Luce es exactamente como pensé que sería y me encantó, es un buen líder y si bien es muy similar a Romero, el es su propia persona y tiene diferentes ideas para la facción.

No puedo decir más de los personajes secundarios, todos son importantes para la historia, pero en este caso me encantó el cambio de Cam, después de todo lo que ha sufrido espero con ansias su libro😭.

En conclusión, ame la historia, los personajes y la relación de Luce y Star, hasta el momento son mi pareja favorita de la nueva generación

TW: gore, satanismo, abuso, horror, abuso sexual y pedofilia.

English

This is a book I've been wanting to read since Degenerates, Luce is the perfect embodiment of Romero and the future leader of the Savages. The story continues the plot of the previous book, please consider that the new generation has its own timeline and each book is related but focuses on different characters.

In this case, the book is about Star, a young woman who is escaping from her captors; a religious faction that insists on obtaining her again for different reasons. Personally, I loved her character and her relationship with Luce, I liked seeing the change she had throughout the book and how she integrated into the group.

While Luce is exactly how I thought he would be and I loved it, he's a good leader and although he's very similar to Romero, he's his own person and has different ideas for the faction.

I can't say more about the side characters, they are all important to the story, but in this case I loved the change in Cam, after all he's been through, I look forward to his book😭.

In conclusion, I loved the story, the characters and the relationship of Luce and Star, so far they are my favorite couple of the new generation

TW: gore, satanism, abuse, horror, sexual abuse and pedophilia.

[EroticaAfterDark (Lilith)]

→ Just released! Grab your copy now! ←



→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←

Blurb:
Of the devil’s flesh and bone, the prince is ready to claim his throne.

I want power.
Cam wants penance.

I've got a black cult religion backing my decisions.
He's got demons hungry for carnage.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until her.

She's the forbidden fruit we're supposed to beware of, but something carnal is growing between us.

Now, with tensions mounting between various factions, a bloodbath looms on the horizon. Chaos and destruction start to erupt across the Badlands, everything comes down to one thing.

Survival of the worst.

Forewarning, this isn't a cookie cutter romance. This isn't about love. This is a story of brutal possession in a world without morals. Enter at your own detriment. ;)

Merged review:


→ Just released! Grab your copy now! ←



→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←

Blurb:
Of the devil’s flesh and bone, the prince is ready to claim his throne.

I want power.
Cam wants penance.

I've got a black cult religion backing my decisions.
He's got demons hungry for carnage.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until her.

She's the forbidden fruit we're supposed to beware of, but something carnal is growing between us.

Now, with tensions mounting between various factions, a bloodbath looms on the horizon. Chaos and destruction start to erupt across the Badlands, everything comes down to one thing.

Survival of the worst.

Forewarning, this isn't a cookie cutter romance. This isn't about love. This is a story of brutal possession in a world without morals. Enter at your own detriment. ;)

[Kandace Denys (bookish_kayy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew

I was worried at first, not even gonna lie, but I should have known to trust in Bennett to make sure that things were the way they needed to be.
Ave Satanas, and all that, right?

[doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series. Its bee a while since I read book 1, so it took me some time to catch back up. But I like this author and find her books a great read. they keep me interested and can't wait to read more.

[Brandalyn Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whose ready for the next Epic Twist in the Badlands Saga???? Natalie Bennett has a brilliant and stellar mind creating these beautiful twisted worlds filled with beautiful, deadly, sexy characters and stories that keep you guessing till the very end....and sometimes past that. Renegades was nothing short of nail biting and full of surprises and there are still more surprises left to be shown us in this continuing saga. When the new generation began and Luce was introduced I wasn’t really sure if he was a character I would ever truly get behind. But with any of Natalie’s stories just give it time and you will see the method of her madness where you’re hating a character in one book and then falling for him in the next. Luce truly is like Rome and that has to be weighing on anyone to not only be the devils son but then to know you’re going to have to take over and make the hard decisions.....especially when you’re loved ones are caught in the crosshairs. Star is the fallen angel that will do anything to survive but also doesn’t automatically believe what she’s been told all her life. When Star escapes her prison she doesn’t realize that she will save the very people who save her. Star catches the eye of Luce and Cam but for different reasons. Luce wants her in every way possible and Cam is drawn to her light. I believe Star is actually a new guiding light for all the Savages. Luce is doing his best to not only keep the Badlands safe and readying himself to eventually be King. He is also doing everything to find the answers that his family desperately need. Where is Lilith? Why did Samel betray everyone whose ever loved him? What happed to Bella when the Stags kidnapped her? And now who is Star, and why is he so drawn to her? Luce will stop at nothing to keep her safe and even offers her the deal of a lifetime with the Devil himself? Cam is broken although everyone is a little broken, but Cam survived betrayal and deceit from his own flesh and blood. Cam feels like everything is just tragic and dark in life now that he’s scarred and damaged, but all it takes is that “North” Star to be your guiding light back to where you belong. This story answered so many questions that have been lurking in my brain since I started the Badlands Saga but it’s also left me with a million new ones. If you enjoy dark, twisted tales full of alpha males and females and hot steamy scenes, but also love and family then please start at the beginning with book one Savages and work your way through this Saga. You won’t be disappointed!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding!

My introduction to Natalie Bennett as an author was Savages, and she has kept me on pins and needles since that book. I typically don’t like dark romances, but something about the stories really pulled me in and kept my attention. And I found that I liked the darkness and deviance that I read. And I can say that Renegades did not disappoint me.

Luce (Lucifuge) is very much like his father .. he is calculating and always thinking 10 steps ahead. He is almost obsessive with his quest to know all so that he can predict all of the outcomes. But, he was so not in control of Astraea coming into his life. But he also has some big shoes to fill as Romero is not someone that can be duplicated. I think his character did an amazing job, but he really didn’t have the same deviance that readers got with his father.

Astraea on the other hand, boy did she have a hard life to get over in this book. She resided in hell for years and saw so much death and torture that it would have broken most. But her background already prepared her for what was to come. She is definitely no Calista, but I don’t think that Luce’s character needed another Calista. I think that once the real crap hits the fan in the coming books, we will see a side of her that will surprise us.

My overall impression of the book was great! I loved the characters, but I think that we could have had more into them. I would have loved a longer book to explore more of both the main characters, but what I got was very intriguing and I really liked. I have to admit though, I really wanted more of the deviance and darkness from the previous books. I do think that it was lacking some in this one. But, overall, great addition to the whole storyline. And now my appetite for more has been increased because I really want to see what happens with the rest of the kids. Cam especially because of how the book played out.

So, two thumbs up and happy reading!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

Of the devil's flesh and bone, the prince is ready to claim his throne. I want power, Cam wants penance. I've got a black cult religion backing my decisions. He's got demons hungry for carnage. Everything was going smoothly. Until her. She's the forbidden fruit we're supposed to beware of, but something carnal is growing between us. Now, with tensions mounting between various factions, a bloodbath looms on the horizon. Chaos and destruction start to erupt across the Badlands, everything comes down to one thing. Survival of the worst.

If you like dark stories then you are going to love with one. If you have triggers you might want to heed the warning the author has in the front of the book. This one gets crazy and good and dark and delicious. The Badlands are not place for the weak of heart. Here we meet star who is being kept by the A.R.C. faction and she has seen things and experienced things no one ever should so when she and her friends find the opportunity to run they do and it doesn't go at all as planned which leads her to an abandoned farm that belongs to Luce and they find her as she is being attacked by a person who should have never been there. They save her and take her with them to yet another cage. However it is lust, love, or serious interest for Luce at first site. But Cam also is very tender and caring for Star. I however think that I have missed a book somewhere as I was a little lost to some things referred to in this book. But that didn't make me not like the book or feel like I was totally lost. I was so drawn into this crazy world that I couldn't put it down at all.

[Joyffree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small moment of peace before all he 'll breaks loose

I wondered how Bennett was going to approach Luce's story
How she was going to piece back together all the broken parts

When I last visited the Badlands there was so much pain
Betrayal heavily blanketed the Savages' family
But the OG's knew they had to step back
That some lessons could only be learned first hand
The only way to properly baptize the next generation was in a river of crimson -
Only the strongest would make it to the other side

Star was running for her life
She had played meek
She had played the devil's advocate for the sake of survival
It was time for freedom
And she was betting her life that anything was better beyond these walls
Star is ... She is hardened but naive. Not dumb naive far from that. She has lived most of her life listening to the same propaganda over and over. She has lived sequestered within the walls of "safety". Her only memory of the outside is a bit hazy and warped by what she has been told over the years. When she is given the chance to escape the horror that is her life she takes it. Only to find she has traded one cage for another.
Luce was bored
He needed a new toy
His prayers were answered
Some things are just meant to be and I think the draw between Luce and Star was predestined
OMG just wait until everything unfolds!
There are so many secrets and behind the scenes "sleight of hand" transactions occurring
The enemy is family or is family the enemy?
The truth as you knew it? All lies

The direction Bennett is taking this series is intense (for lack of a better word)

[Lita Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renegades (Badlands #7) by Natalie Bennett is a book I have been waiting for since I finished book 6 which came out in March 2019. So let me say please reread book 6 before you read this book. It just helps with remembering what all has previously been happening in the lives of our characters. This story focuses on Lucifuge. Cameron, Bella and Ice. While out on a patrol they come across a scared, mudcaked girl with a wet soaked nightgown on with part of a handcuff on one of her wrist. Star has just escaped a faction in the badlands. She has been there for years being abused in the name of religion. Once taken in by the gang Star finds out more about herself than she bargained for. Lucifuge has a strong attraction to her and has plans to make her his Queen. The gang is still trying to find Lilith as well get their hands on Samael. Discovers are made. More questions remained than have been answered. Once again I am so looking forward to the next book. I have loved this series since I was introduced to the parents before they first met. A post apocalyptic world that thrives off of mayhem, deceit and treachery with a whole lot a sick and twisted sex. I can't get enough. Not only do I need my questions answered but I want to see what becomes of Cameron. This is definitely the next generation Miscreants. 4.5 stars for me.

[Boo Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Natalie Bennett weaves a web. This story has so many twists, turn, and metaphorical head on collisions but very few answers. Again, as ways. She has a way of telling a story that doesn't make perfect sense until the very last book is written. Then, of course while every book is mind blowing, once all is revealed it's freaking Earth shattering.

I was expecting something different from this book. And Natalie states in the afterward that this was written and re written because the characters essentially said "Fuck this noise. Do what I say" and she did what needed to be done to stay true to them. I am so anxious to get to the end of this series and know all but at the same time, these books (including the OG) are so entrancing I never want them to end. I want Cam to be happy, I want Lillith back, I want Samael not to be a traitor, I want to see what becomes of Belladonna and Ice. I wanna know if that Roary is redeemable and if Amo's story ends in something other than... Well I would say bloodshed but that's inevitable.

These books are consuming, simply put. So many working parts that become one filthy beautiful tapestry. If you're considering reading the bad lands books you definitely should read them. You'll be a Savage forever.

[Little monster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow-wee!!!!!!!! I'm really really loving this series so much and everytime I read the most recent one I'm already waiting for the next in the series.

In this book we finally get to meet Luce fully ( who we've seen and read about in previous books ) and get to see the man/devil he is and what he's capable of!! When a bunch of girls escape a fraction called the A.R.C, having been through some hellish things Star is determined to get free after being held there for as long as she can remember she's been through hell and back seen most of her friends get murdered ect and been through some crap herself but is determined to get free. This is where she meets/gets kidnapped by Luce and we have insta chemistry here as usual from a Natalie book. The sex as always is off the scale hot, blood and guts a plenty and a few more secrets come out also ( you do kinda know they are coming ) but still doesn't take away from the story.

From the start you kinda get the feeling it's gonna be a ménage story with Cam involved but I am glad it didn't turn out that way as i so want Cam to get his own story which I think is coming!!! I can't wait for the next book!!!!

[Gin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The king-in-waiting finds his queen! This third installment in the new gen Savages, the degenerates, is full of mayhem, mystery, brutality and a dark romance. The warring factions and unlikely alliances in the Badlands come together to end one of the worse. The A.R.C. is undone when their redemption escapes to land with the Savages. Star is the ultimate prize and the chemistry between her and Luce is undeniable. She fast becomes his focus with her light to his dark. A couple of the degenerates are on the mend while others are still missing. And it looks like Bella still has a secret or two after her time with the Stags. The leader of the Stags is revealed and their association with a missing savage is uncovered. The fighting was bloody and the romance was sexy sweet especially for Luce. Didn't see much of the fabulous Zane and his group including Addy and Nyx. This is not for the faint of heart with the gruesome torture, death a every turn and deadly plays in this bad, bad Badlands world. The next installment looks to be a killer as the hunt for Samael and Lillith heats up and a new player joins the mix. Can't wait! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never hidden the fact that I'm a HUGE fan of Natalie Bennett with all of the darkness in her stories, especially since she actually started me on my journey of dark stories, however, Renegades, was a tad different than the norm. Now, that's not to say that it didn't provide all kinds of dark elements of torture & blood, just saying that there was something different in a great way. I absolutely LOVED how she changed it up a bit with the hero, Luce. He's psychotic, but on different levels, and yes, I know how confusing this sounds, however, I can't tell you the hows & whys of it. Star is the woman who catches his eye, who has some serious scars since she's been tortured for a cool minute by her last captors, but never gave up on escaping which she ultimately did. So yeah, this is another psychological dark read at it's very best, but with some differences which only adds to Ms. Bennett's brilliance! So if you're brave enough, hit those one click buttons as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Dangerously in love with books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more can I say that hasn’t been said before, Nat I don’t know how you do it but you write the most twisted depraved couples out there and I just fall and fall more and more deeply in love with them and with YOU!!!

Luce is a dark soon to be king of the Savages, he knows everything that goes around him, he is darkness cover in yummy, Star seems fragile but under that sweetness is something darker that is coming out, she has a rebels heart.

Luce and Star are going to be one awesome King and Queen of the Savages. Cam, Luce, Ice and Bella find Star after she escaped from her faction the A.R.C., and since the beginning you see sparks fly between Luce and Star. She has been kept apart from the real world, she didn’t know how the badlands were, but once she and Luce work together they find more answers about the A.R.C. and the Stags of who may be behind them and what do they want. Awesome stuff.

Great job with the whole series, can’t wait for more.

5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟