Devil's Captive

Fallen Dynasty #1

by Isabella Starling, Kelli Callahan

Bestselling authors Kelli Callahan and Isabella Starling present a new, sinfully dark romance series following the glamorous, filthy lives of the elite.

There's a reason they call Devlin Windsor the Devil.
He swore he’d own me, and when my family falls on hard times, one of his signature black envelopes arrives on my doorstep.
The handsome, cruel, twisted Devil, who broke my heart years ago, is back.
If I want to save my family, I have to sign my name on the dotted line…
I don’t have a choice.
I'm his captive now.
His prisoner.
His property.
Devlin's going to do whatever he wants to me.
And even though I'll deny it until my last breath... I can't wait for him to claim me.

Devil's Captive is the first book following Devlin Windsor and Violet Cabot.
Their story continues in Devil's Toy.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Contemporary, Romance, Smut

ebook

First published February 6, 2020

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Isabella Starling describes her books with three words: dark, dirty and forbidden.

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Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Determined, even in the face of repeated rejection, Violet Cabot has been in love with Devlin Windsor since she was just 14, if not before.

Falling from grace at 18 after her father is charged with funding domestic terrorïsm, Violet is left alone, penniless.

When the Devil sends his signature invitation to his lair, she has little choice but to accept.

The back-and-forth of the timeline gave me a headache. However, I quite like Violet (even when she was making stupid plays) and Devlin’s depravity is … well, hot. 🫣

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗂 Genre: Dark Romance

✨ Tropes: Age Gap (8), Alphahole, Antihero, Blackmail/Debt Payment, Forced Proximity, Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers, Manipulation, Virgin h

💋 Kinks: Cage, Crawling, Discipline/Punishment, Domination

⚠️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.

🚩 Safety Squad: There are triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Devil's Captive is part of the Fallen Dynasty series and ends on a cliffhanger. This series must be read in order.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Regina · Rating 1 out of 5]

How?

How did this get so many rave reviews? No problem showing her off ,humiliation and she was a door mat. All through the book nothing is solved nothing happening but him being a douche bag to her . This tried to play off bdsm and fell way short .Her signing the contract may have been done but wasn't willing and the anti hero has to have SOME redeemable qualities. He has none. At 70% when he wanted her to perform in front of men she knew as her farthers society friends/ colleagues i was disgusted . Sorry I have no problem with scene with other people involved but he was treating her worse than any other girl and she had done nothing to deserve that treatment. I skimmed the rest of the book and found no redeeming qualities at all .

[Allyson Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Ugh, I hate doing this to authors I like, but in the end, I always give an honest opinion.

"Just hope that you never end up getting a letter in a blank envelope-- written in a crimson ink."

I am disappointed in Devil's Captive. The synopsis really drew me in and as I waited for the novel to drop on to the kindle, I waited with bated breath. As I read, the beginning was good, and kept me going, but as the floor drops out from under Violet... that's when my heart and mind become dull and not intrigued anymore.

I had a hard time with Violet's inner monologue regarding her "submission" around @58% as it counter acted her actual movements towards Devlin... "I'll play Devlin's game, even if I have to give him my innocence, but he will never get my full submission..." but then a mere second later she is rolling over and being commanded without a hitch. Sorry, I had a hard time with the h not having a single fight in her, not showing a little courage, a push towards the H (in my opinion). Leading up to certain scenes, all I kept thinking was "oh crap, she is going to recoil and let him have it, but then.... dead end."

'shrugs shoulders'... but moving onward to Devlin, now he is a total ass for sure. These authors do know how to write a male character who portrays himself like a monster. He's brash, dominant and doesn't give a flying-F.

Devil's Captive is the first in a series, so yes, be warned there is a cliffy...

*ARC provided by the authors in exchange for an honest and trustworthy review.

[Michelle Hillstrom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inconsistencies from one chapter to the next. Wrong pronouns. Wrong words. Seriously just needs an editor.
Neither H or h is likeable. Reads like fan fiction.
Do not recommend.

[Christine B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet Cabo & Devilin Windsor were friends, their fathers friends business associates when they were kids. Devilin was older than Violet and Violet worshipped the ground Devilin walked on. Always finding Devilin at the society events they had to attend. That was until their fathers were enemies. Forbidden to see each other Devilin & Violet always found a way. Violet had a school girl crush on Devilin but who didn’t, tall, dark, rich & handsome. Violet Cabo was too young and was forbidden so Devilin stayed clear but always checked in on Violet and always made sure he sabotaged “saved” her from doom, because secretly he wanted Violet for hisself.

Devilin always found a way to discourage Violet’s flirty advances until the day he completely pushed Violet away. However what Violet didn’t know was Devilin was waiting til the day he could have all of her. Violet was too young for Devilin’s taste and he wanted her just as bad.

On Violet’s 18th birthday she found out just how far from Grace she really was, no longer the Cabo princess, her wings officially clipped.

How far will Devilin go to have the one thing he always secretly wanted.

[Kjc24 · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was good until.....

He humiliated her in front of his friends. I am all for a good book about power exchange but this was too much even for me and that is saying a lot.

[Crazy About Love 💕 · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️ one star -

I read this a while ago, and I still remember how much I hated it. It’s pure smut, but the humiliation factor is way beyond what I can tolerate.

Don’t understand how anyone can give this high reviews. It’s not a romance or even a dark romance, it’s just an awful Hero treating a weak heroine like pure garbage. Who wants to read that? Not enjoyable in any way, shape, or form.

Disclaimer: I did end up reading the second book, as I was hoping the heroine would either - 1. kill the Hero 2. escape the awful situation she was in 3. maim the Hero and burn his entire house to the ground - spoiler: none of this happened lol. Book two also gets one star.

One star. Do not recommend. Absolute rubbish.

[The Written · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trash

I did not complete this book because it utter trash. Isabella Starling and Kelli Callahan need therapy! For those of you who liked this book ... EW. You people are gross and disgusting. How do you even write a book like this. It’s about a 26 year old man abusing an 18 year old girl. I am no prude but this is just WRONG!!!!!

[Alexandra St'Siege · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh, autoras, a coerência...
A h é francamente apaixonada pelo H, mas ele se afasta pq o pai dele exige.
então, de repente, ela fica pobre, sozinha, e ele exige que ela assine um "contrato de propriedade"
1. por que? isso não vale nada, legalmente ou não
2. por que de novo? seria muito mais fácil tê-la sem drama
ela é jovem, influenciável e apaixonada, quão difícil seria ter tudo de outra forma?
pela característica do H, a atitude de dominador sem coração não é condizente e só serve para criar cenas quentes de sexo não-con
como ela mesma diz, ela se masturbou antes de assinar o contrato e antes de saber "as regras". a punição foi cruel e sem sentido, além de desproporcional, o desespero dela com o escuro e a insensibilidade dele com os sentimentos dela estão completamente em desacordo com o que se mostra na primeira parte do livro.

[TheSassyNerdBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a long time fan of Isabella Starlings but with her collaborating with Kelli Callahan and my first book by Kelli to of reading. So going into this I knew I would love it and I wasn't proven wrong. It was a quick read but lacked for nothing. It took me on a hell of a ride and had me hooked at the very beginning.


I adored young Violet. She is only 18 and has spent her life pretty sheltered, although she had lost her mother at a young age, her father worshipped the ground she walked on. She honestly got everything her heart desired. At a young age, she started hanging around Devlin. Both Devlin and Violet's parents did business together. The thing is Devlin is a little older than Violet but he knew one day he would make her his. When Violet is stuck with nowhere to go she ends up in his hands... And Devlin is known as the Devil for a reason...

What transpires throughout the book had my mind on overdrive, my heart pounding and quite frankly I was very much squirming in my seat from the heat.

These authors take us down a dark, hot and all-consuming love story that had many twists and turns throughout the book that I did not see coming. Part of me thought I knew where they were taking this story and these two but then I was so thrown off and taken through a tunnel of twists. Like I said this wasn't a massive long read but the authors didn't miss a beat.

As the characters came together, and the chemistry continues to grow, I could see that Violet had a submissive side in and Devil (Devlin) a dominant side. So these two together...? Woah... That's all I have to say. But there was so much more to this than just that element. It was full of suspense, mystery, and the unknown and of course a killer cliffhanger that has me screaming and wanting to beg the authors for more!

This was packed with a punch, I was completely addicted from the first page and I couldn't put it down until the very end. Highly addictive, all-consuming, hot as hell and a book I will go back and re-read, and of course I need the next book... LIKE NOW!!


6 Stars!!!!!

[Shrutika _anand · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book a little while ago but was so disgusted that I simply decided to wipe it from my mind. That scene with the associates watching has literally haunted me for months. I wanted to cry for her but the stupid bitch had no dignity. No fight in her. No self respect whatsoever.

That is NOT sexual liberation. That is not BDSM. It's not one of those situations where a person experiments and then discovers a liking for sexual humiliation or kink. I hate it when authors set up these extremely traumatizing and humiliating situations and then just keep reiterating that the h is wet as if it's some life changing sexual epiphany and not RAPE.

Humiliating her like that in front of people she knows in an official setting gaurantees that she will never be respected because the truth of the matter is MEN DO NOT RESPECT WOMEN THEY HAVE SEEN HAVING SEX. That incident should've put her in danger far beyond just slut shaming considering the "dark" nature of the book but the author conveniently forgot that aspect of "dark".

Knowing what I now know about the Hero from having read the whole series like a dumbass (because I kept forgetting that I have already read this book and didn't like it). There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON as to why he did the things he did. No way he could justify his asshole-ish behaviour. He apparently loved her and wanted to be with her and her father won't let him.

Like you know that tiny, stupid vendetta that most of these Heros have against some distant relative of the Heroine that they blame for torturing her? {looking at you Pepper Winters} He didn't even have that.

And he still treats her like crap and she is still annoying and backbone and dignity-less.

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isa's back and Jesus what a way to come back. I know she has released a couple of books but this one is hotter than hell! Yes, Devil's Captive ends on a cliffy, but you have been warned. This book is one of six and if the rest are anything like the ones coming I am ready for them!

Devil's Captive brings two people that have known each other for years. Dominic Windsor and Violet Cabot. Violet is a sweet and spoiled just turned eighteen-year-old girl that has had a crush on Dominic for years. Then you have an older man-Dominic that is finally ready to put his plan to action when Violet needs a friend the most. But Dominic is not going to be her friend. He is going to be her captor.

There is so much chemistry and pain in this first book that you are upset when it ends. But you can't put it down. I loved this story! I can't wait for the next one.

[TTN · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 20%.
The inner dialog was nauseating, "Annie got me a Louis Vuitton purse that was one-of-a-kind, and there were so many pairs of red-soled Christian Louboutin shoes that I would probably need a new closet—I guess word of my shoe addiction had spread after I made a big deal over the ones I got at my birthday party the previous year. The gift that I was most excited about was the brand-new red BMW Zagato Coupe that my father bought for me." *gagging sounds*
Predictable with a very annoying heroine.

[Honey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh

I wanted to like this book but the characters are all wrong! She is literally a child and he is a pig. He goes out of his way to torment her knowing she has a crush. He sets her up and purposely hurts her and is smug about it. Not a man just a pig. Couldn't even finish because of how he treats her.

[Heather Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 'Dark' romance. There is some BDSM. 

Violet Cabot has been raised in a very privileged life. At the young age of 18, she's received everything she's ever wanted. She's never had to want for anything in her young life. 

Now that has all been taken away. Her Daddy has been thrown in jail. Violet has been told there is nothing she can do for him, nothing she can take from the house, all the money is frozen and she now has nothing. 

Devlin Windsor is the devil himself he always says. He has broken away from his father and his rules, and made his own. The same rich people his father was with now Devlin is with. Will crushing a young innocent girl such as Violet be what makes him happy? 

Devlin knows what he is doing when he asks Violet to come live with him in his house. He knows she's been raised in a privileged manor, he was around her growing up for most of her upbringing. 
Devlin has wanted Violet ever since she was 14, but has never acted upon any of those wants and desires. Devlin has made Violet sit naked in a cage and wait for him. She was demanded to walk naked in his 'playroom' in front of all her dad's friends and her friends. She knows they are now all lusting after her. Devlin is trying to break her.
 
I didn't like that he wants to 'use' her to get back at her father/his father. He wants her, so, why not marry her, why make a 'contract' with her? A lot of the holes could have been avoided in this story. 

ARC provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devlin Windsor has always had a thing for sweet innocent Violet Cabot but she's been too young for him. Now Violet is eighteen and no one is going to stop Devlin from getting what he wants. Violet is in disgrace because her father is in jail and no one seems to care for her or so she thinks. What will Devlin offer Violet? Find out in Devil's Captive.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet fell for Devlin when they were kids but a lot has changed since then. Now she is 18 and to save her family she will marry him and submit to his desires and be nothing more than his property. Will sparks fly both ways or will Violet get her heart broken? Fast-paced, intense dark read with loads of drama, suspense and steam. Looking forward to more in the series. I loved it!

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Fallen Dynasty series, the Devil's Captive is a captive-master romance story packed with suspense, blackmail. sizzling chemistry, humiliation, cruelty, unexpected twists and turns, mystery, and drama. Devil's Captive does end on a cliffhanger.

I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devil's Captive by Isabella Starling is the First book in the Fallen Dynasty Series. This starts the story of Devlin Windsor and Violet Cabot. Violet always had a crush on Devlin but he pushed her away when she was younger but Devlin always pushed her away. But now she just turned 18 and things are changing for her and Devlin. This book does end with a cliffhanger.

[E. Leta Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of a twisted story

Revlon has wanted Violet since she was a teenager. He waits till her eighteenth birthday after her father had been arrested and all his assets seized to claim her. But he doesn't just want her he wants to break her.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet has forever had a crush on Devlin and wasn’t to subtle about it but he just started to pull away a bit until she has no where to go except to Devlins and she’s excited and angry equally at the situation she’s in but Devlins about to show her a side she’s never even imagined

[Kathleen R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holly crackers!!!

Nobody was more excited than I was when I heard that Isabella Starling was coming back with her actual pen name (for the purpose of this review, I’m ignoring if it’s her real name or a pen name). The stories that come out from the Isabella Starling account is amazing!!

There’s something about this book that draws you in. Not only is the spoiled little girl Violet such a princess, but gosh, I never expected to like her. At the same time, Devlin just makes my hackles rise up, but I wouldn’t even be able to begin to tell you why. Because of how he treated Violet before her 18th birthday? Because of how he treats her after her 18th birthday? I don’t know, but wow. I couldn’t get enough of this book. I wanted more. I need ore. Which is probably why I’m really really looking forward to more.

It’s really a good thing that the next instalment is coming soon, because it’s well know that patience isn’t my best virtue. I swear.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delvin and Violet were friends when they were younger. However after her father was led away in cuffs for money laundering with terrorists her family lost everything. Violet responds to a letter that Delvin sends her and thinks maybe he wants to help her family. She is completely wrong. Delvin wants to won and humiliate her and once she is where he wants her nothing good comes of it. Will she break free of Delvin? Will being around Violet change him from the cold hard man he is?

This is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter on. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

This is the first book in a series and ends in a cliff hanger.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bo0kSLoth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what you get when take two dynamic authors that each excel at what they do and ask them to write a book together. You get a story that gives you subtle hints of each author blended seamlessly together into one filthy, dark, beautifully twisted book. I really didn't know if I should stop reading because at times I felt like a naughty voyeur and other times somewhat ashamed that I liked what I was reading (it filled that dark place inside my mind where I keep filthy thoughts to myself but need outlets like this to life vicariously through; you know the place). I really couldn't get enough. I was really saddened when there was that horrible Cliffie. Naughty girls!! Why would you do that. I will tell you these should pair up more often (hmmm, or maybe they shouldn't cause I would never get out of bed with all the read and daydreaming I would be doing).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nikita Parikh · Rating 3 out of 5]

* This book isn't a standalone*
       The story starts slow and with the introduction of Devlin by Violet. This book is a dark romance and it isn't everyone's cup of tea. There were times when I felt that the scenes were a little too dark for me and made me a bit uncomfortable but other than that the story is brilliantly written.
    During the start of the story Devlin was somebody who I felt was just another protective alphahole but as the story progresses you realize that it definitely isn't true. The book definitely has a bit of D*/l* theme to it.  The story leaves you intrigued in the end and there is mystery, drama and someone who wants Violet just as much as Devlin.


Overall, it was a good read!


*Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review* 

[Ola Adamska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly hotness! Ms. Starling always knows how to pull proper ropes in my mind. Ms. Callahan is a new author to me. Those two authors mix and create something that will keep you on the edge while the whole read.
Violet is a just turned eighteen girl that was sheltered her entire life. So now she will have to deal with her new not so upper life when she meets the Devil.
Devlin is a man that gets what he wants, and he wants Violet since she was just a teen. Now when some events happened he has his chance, but will he use it?
Those two will pull the reader into full of push and pull captive-master relationship that will be dark and twisted and for sure, not for all readers.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story and was very entertaining. Once I started I could not put it down. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is sizzling hot. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a great love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in the Fallen Dynasty series and it was so much more than I expected.

So, Devlin and Violet have known each other for years and we get flashbacks of their interactions throughout the years. Their chemistry is off the charts, but unfortunately Devlin has to manipulate Violet into his world as a last resort to save her father. Although I’m not sure who is really pulling the strings since there is definitely more than one bad guy in this story. There is a cliffhanger and many unanswered questions that will hopefully be explained when Devil’s Toy is released.
#MSBB

[Adriana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don’t think this story is realistic and honestly it left a sour taste in my mouth. Devlin has been in love with violet since she was 14? Why would he treat her like that??? Also she knew he was a player and he humiliated her and locked her in a cage but she still craved his touch? Like really? I’m sorry but I would have been out of there the second he pulled out the contract and gone to ask my sister for money to get on my feet and find a job. Also I think her father would have never wanted his daughter to stoop so low.

[Julia Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning of yet another phenomenal series from Isabella Starling.
Devlin had wanted Violet for years.
The problem was she was too young at the time.
On Violet's 18th birthday her world is turned upside down.
Guess who comes to her rescue....
The Devil himself.
Will Viloet make it out with her heart in tact or will Devlin leave her broken?
This is definitely a must read.