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Reign & Ruin #3
Vicious Dynasty
Happy never, ever.
Hate is said to be disturbingly similar to love.
When it comes to him, I’m cursed to harbor both.
The specious spark that brought us together with an all-consuming obsession quickly became the catalyst of my undoing.
Shadows and darkness have filled the bittersweet years that saw us take two very different paths.
Judas Barron has become an intimate stranger.
He’s older now. Unpredictable . Heartlessly cruel.
So much more beautiful.
He isn’t the only one who changed.
The girl he once knew is gone, rotting beneath the wreckage of what he destroyed.
His influence and power have spread like the plague. With his position solidified he’s decided to make good on a promise he made and like the strike of a match, a hellish blaze consumes us once again.
This time, it's up to me to decide how this will end.
I can reign beside him, or make sure his dynasty is scattered among the ashes of our ruin.
****
Vicious Dynasty is a dark enemies to lovers 'romance'. It is the third book in the Reign & Ruin Trilogy and cannot be read as a standalone. This story contains explicit content and some subjects readers may find objective.
Hate is said to be disturbingly similar to love.
When it comes to him, I’m cursed to harbor both.
The specious spark that brought us together with an all-consuming obsession quickly became the catalyst of my undoing.
Shadows and darkness have filled the bittersweet years that saw us take two very different paths.
Judas Barron has become an intimate stranger.
He’s older now. Unpredictable . Heartlessly cruel.
So much more beautiful.
He isn’t the only one who changed.
The girl he once knew is gone, rotting beneath the wreckage of what he destroyed.
His influence and power have spread like the plague. With his position solidified he’s decided to make good on a promise he made and like the strike of a match, a hellish blaze consumes us once again.
This time, it's up to me to decide how this will end.
I can reign beside him, or make sure his dynasty is scattered among the ashes of our ruin.
****
Vicious Dynasty is a dark enemies to lovers 'romance'. It is the third book in the Reign & Ruin Trilogy and cannot be read as a standalone. This story contains explicit content and some subjects readers may find objective.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2022
99 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Bennett
110 books2,669 followersLover of all things pǝʇsıʍʇ & unusual.
I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.
Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB
I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.
Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
June 21, 2022
Love and violence!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚🖤💜❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 🧐🤨🙄🤤
The heroine: Rhiannon Clermont Saldaña - Judas and her parents ruined her life and when she left him, he said that he would come for her someday. She told him not to, and has been hiding ever since. Though it is in a luxury apartment, which she and her best friend Audrey work hard for. She doesn’t want to see Judas ever again.
The Hero: Judas Barron - The famiglia means everything and though he let Rhiannon leave after her family was destroyed, he never planned for it to be forever. He stepped up into his position in the mafia, grew from a boy to a man and became the brutal kingpin that he is today. He also never made any bones about the fact that Rhiannon would be at his side again. He always knew where she was and he was just waiting for the right time to go after her.
The Story: Rhiannon is busy living her life and still trying to get over the events of the past, when Judas sweeps into her life again and gives her no choices. She only wants to be around honest people after finding out her entire life and family were a lie. Since Judas knew about it and waited to tell her, she considers what happened as much his fault as her parents.
I liked the fact that this book didn’t begin right where the last book ended. Since they were just high school kids when everything happened in the past. I like that Judas has grown into the man he was meant to be and has very specific ideas on how he wants his life to be. The chemistry between these two is hot from the start and I liked that Judas is a take charge kind of guy, even if his morals are wonky due to the life he leads.
I didn’t really like all the brutality and killing. I mean you expect a certain amount of killing from the mafia, but these guys were killing innocent people for no good reason and I think if you are a smart mafia boss you would keep that to a minimum. It is one thing to kill someone who wants to kill you or even in the mafia to kill the competition when things heat up, but I would think that killing people for no good reason is bad business and will get you in the end. Though I have to admit the violence played into the plot.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚🖤💜❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌎🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 🧐🤨🙄🤤
The heroine: Rhiannon Clermont Saldaña - Judas and her parents ruined her life and when she left him, he said that he would come for her someday. She told him not to, and has been hiding ever since. Though it is in a luxury apartment, which she and her best friend Audrey work hard for. She doesn’t want to see Judas ever again.
The Hero: Judas Barron - The famiglia means everything and though he let Rhiannon leave after her family was destroyed, he never planned for it to be forever. He stepped up into his position in the mafia, grew from a boy to a man and became the brutal kingpin that he is today. He also never made any bones about the fact that Rhiannon would be at his side again. He always knew where she was and he was just waiting for the right time to go after her.
The Story: Rhiannon is busy living her life and still trying to get over the events of the past, when Judas sweeps into her life again and gives her no choices. She only wants to be around honest people after finding out her entire life and family were a lie. Since Judas knew about it and waited to tell her, she considers what happened as much his fault as her parents.
I liked the fact that this book didn’t begin right where the last book ended. Since they were just high school kids when everything happened in the past. I like that Judas has grown into the man he was meant to be and has very specific ideas on how he wants his life to be. The chemistry between these two is hot from the start and I liked that Judas is a take charge kind of guy, even if his morals are wonky due to the life he leads.
I didn’t really like all the brutality and killing. I mean you expect a certain amount of killing from the mafia, but these guys were killing innocent people for no good reason and I think if you are a smart mafia boss you would keep that to a minimum. It is one thing to kill someone who wants to kill you or even in the mafia to kill the competition when things heat up, but I would think that killing people for no good reason is bad business and will get you in the end. Though I have to admit the violence played into the plot.
“The small beast inside her that enabled the disregard for lives like Joey’s needed to be cared for until it grew and became so vicious no one would dare test her.”
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
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June 28, 2022
***4 "Dolcezza!!!" stars***
"My principessa needed to see -to understand- this world is where she'd always belonged."
Judas and Rhiannon are back to give us the final act of their crazy, but very passionate story!!!
The author moved us four years forward and I liked seeing these characters grown up and more mature...
In the first two books, Rhiannon and Judas were still in highschool and in here, things were so much different than in the previous books... It was like reading a different story!!!!
Still I enjoyed were this story led us even though it was pretty tamed from our usual Natalie Bennett's style!!!
"A boy made me a promise once, that he'd wreck my world and make me love him as he did it. I hated that kid."
Judas allowed to Rhiannon to run away from him four years ago, but with the promise that one day they will be together again...
At the present, Rhiannon is leading a pretty boring life, but she believes that she is satisfied with this kind of life...
But her pretty bubble will bust when Judas is coming back into her life and he is starting to make demands of her...
You see, Judas had always known Rhiannon's whereabouts and the time has come to bring her back home, by his side and for her to become the queen that she's always suppossed to be...
"You look good, principessa."
"You know what you look like, Judas? A psychopath."
"I know. I'm exactly your type."
This story was for once again absurb, passionate and a little bit crazy, but as I told you above, it was pretty tamed...
I don't know if the author wanted it to be that way, in order for us to see Judas's change from back then...
If that was the case, she succeeded in her goal...
Judas was more mature and a different person, even though he never stopped making demands from Rhiannon... He just wanted her back and he was determined to do anything for that to become a reality... Poor Rhiannon didn't stand a chance against him, even though she tried to fight back!!
"You're mine, Rhiannon. It's as simple as that."
And now, I can not wait for more of this crazy and absurb world!!!
I adore these strange, intense and very intoxicating stories that Natalie Bennett is creating!!!
Her characters are always making me craving more and more...
If you like dark, raw and full of madness stories and you haven't read this author yet, you need to fix that ASAP!!!
"Whatever kind of heart I have, it's yours."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"My principessa needed to see -to understand- this world is where she'd always belonged."
Judas and Rhiannon are back to give us the final act of their crazy, but very passionate story!!!
The author moved us four years forward and I liked seeing these characters grown up and more mature...
In the first two books, Rhiannon and Judas were still in highschool and in here, things were so much different than in the previous books... It was like reading a different story!!!!
Still I enjoyed were this story led us even though it was pretty tamed from our usual Natalie Bennett's style!!!
"A boy made me a promise once, that he'd wreck my world and make me love him as he did it. I hated that kid."
Judas allowed to Rhiannon to run away from him four years ago, but with the promise that one day they will be together again...
At the present, Rhiannon is leading a pretty boring life, but she believes that she is satisfied with this kind of life...
But her pretty bubble will bust when Judas is coming back into her life and he is starting to make demands of her...
You see, Judas had always known Rhiannon's whereabouts and the time has come to bring her back home, by his side and for her to become the queen that she's always suppossed to be...
"You look good, principessa."
"You know what you look like, Judas? A psychopath."
"I know. I'm exactly your type."
This story was for once again absurb, passionate and a little bit crazy, but as I told you above, it was pretty tamed...
I don't know if the author wanted it to be that way, in order for us to see Judas's change from back then...
If that was the case, she succeeded in her goal...
Judas was more mature and a different person, even though he never stopped making demands from Rhiannon... He just wanted her back and he was determined to do anything for that to become a reality... Poor Rhiannon didn't stand a chance against him, even though she tried to fight back!!
"You're mine, Rhiannon. It's as simple as that."
And now, I can not wait for more of this crazy and absurb world!!!
I adore these strange, intense and very intoxicating stories that Natalie Bennett is creating!!!
Her characters are always making me craving more and more...
If you like dark, raw and full of madness stories and you haven't read this author yet, you need to fix that ASAP!!!
"Whatever kind of heart I have, it's yours."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
August 7, 2022
Vicious Dynasty was so so good!! This story was sexy, addicting and everything I love in these dociopathic kind of love stories (LOL). Judas know who he wanted and no one was going to tell him differently. He was unapologetically bad and made no qualms abkut taking back his Principessa. I loved this story but won't lie - I do wish we that we got to see Audrey and Rhiannon have their one on one talk to clear the air and were able to see a more emotional side from Judas especially during the four years Rhiannon was gone. Overall though, this was an enjoyable conclusion to the trilogy. 4 stars!
June 7, 2022
Four years after Judas Barron let Rhiannon go, he’s back to claim what’s his once and for all.
What was once supposed to be another kill in vengeance for his family, his sister - Judas and Rhia are now each others one and only. He never stood a chance once he saw her and claimed her.
“Your aren’t a pawn, Rhiannnon. You’re my Queen. Sooner than later, you’ll learn exactly what that means.”
It’s always nice to find a book that has a character not taking vengeance out on the spawn of the sinner.
In this book we catch up with Rhia’s “mom”- the woman that raised her as a daughter.
While Judas has always remained cryptic and full of confusing riddles, we as readers finally understand that he was making sure Rhia was capable of loosing one more person in her life, even if this mom was evil and trying to kill her as well.
“ I know you think I don’t deserve it. I know you have no fucking idea what’s really happening but give me a chance to prove my only plan is to give you the very best life has to offer and heal your heart. You won’t regret it.”
So. This book was cutesy for Natalie Bennett. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll get the darkness of murder and torture but Judas is so fucking in love with Rhiannon- he’s overwhelmingly romantic trying to give her the whole damn world. Literally anything she desires, is hers.
He wants to makeup for all the horror she’s gone through. And he does.
I absolutely loved this story. I do wish the peak of the vengeance dragged on more. Only because I’m sick and twisted. We got three books for a quick scene of “closure”.
However, we get an adorable HEA. And I hope side characters get their own books one day!
What was once supposed to be another kill in vengeance for his family, his sister - Judas and Rhia are now each others one and only. He never stood a chance once he saw her and claimed her.
“Your aren’t a pawn, Rhiannnon. You’re my Queen. Sooner than later, you’ll learn exactly what that means.”
It’s always nice to find a book that has a character not taking vengeance out on the spawn of the sinner.
In this book we catch up with Rhia’s “mom”- the woman that raised her as a daughter.
While Judas has always remained cryptic and full of confusing riddles, we as readers finally understand that he was making sure Rhia was capable of loosing one more person in her life, even if this mom was evil and trying to kill her as well.
“ I know you think I don’t deserve it. I know you have no fucking idea what’s really happening but give me a chance to prove my only plan is to give you the very best life has to offer and heal your heart. You won’t regret it.”
So. This book was cutesy for Natalie Bennett. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll get the darkness of murder and torture but Judas is so fucking in love with Rhiannon- he’s overwhelmingly romantic trying to give her the whole damn world. Literally anything she desires, is hers.
He wants to makeup for all the horror she’s gone through. And he does.
I absolutely loved this story. I do wish the peak of the vengeance dragged on more. Only because I’m sick and twisted. We got three books for a quick scene of “closure”.
However, we get an adorable HEA. And I hope side characters get their own books one day!
June 19, 2022
It's been such a long worthy wait for this one! I have been following this series from the start and am not new with this author so I totally expected this level of awesomeness and loved it.
Natalie never disappoints with her dark romances. I loved that this book had more mature characters and that Judas had grown into an amazing and hot man lmao. Rhiannon had always known he would come for her but when the moment actually came? nothing could have prepared her. This was the battle of a lifetime because he was not leaving without her and she had no choice but to give in to his demands or he would destroy her. Gone was the boy who first loved her in high school and then ruined her. In his place was a man obsessed with having her and he was not going for the word NO.
Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!!
Natalie never disappoints with her dark romances. I loved that this book had more mature characters and that Judas had grown into an amazing and hot man lmao. Rhiannon had always known he would come for her but when the moment actually came? nothing could have prepared her. This was the battle of a lifetime because he was not leaving without her and she had no choice but to give in to his demands or he would destroy her. Gone was the boy who first loved her in high school and then ruined her. In his place was a man obsessed with having her and he was not going for the word NO.
Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!!
March 1, 2023
I thought I read this and wrote a review since on my kindle it was marked read. Which is strange. So im give this review a shortish review since I guess goodreads deleted my oG review.
Rhian is trying to move on from her past the lies and secerts her parents and Judas kept from her she wants nothing to do with them. But Judas never got the memo since he let his queen be away from him for couple years now hes back and he's going to show Rhian what it means to be his.
Now it was rocky since we'll Rhian still doesn't trust him and I'll be honest I agree he still crazy but he kinda killed children which was kinda extreme for me.
Back to the couple this book was more uncovering the secerts meeting family and taking care of someone that's been a pain in there ass.
We also saw in my eyes alittle softer judas just like 4% lol cuz he still a bossy over the top man lol.
Off page om/ow, Drama, slight secondary character, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Push/pull from h
Seperation 4 years (both fucked other ppls off page it was only mentioned)
Pinning
Violence
Murder
No condom
Mentions of trafficking
Hea
Epilogue
Rhian is trying to move on from her past the lies and secerts her parents and Judas kept from her she wants nothing to do with them. But Judas never got the memo since he let his queen be away from him for couple years now hes back and he's going to show Rhian what it means to be his.
Now it was rocky since we'll Rhian still doesn't trust him and I'll be honest I agree he still crazy but he kinda killed children which was kinda extreme for me.
Back to the couple this book was more uncovering the secerts meeting family and taking care of someone that's been a pain in there ass.
We also saw in my eyes alittle softer judas just like 4% lol cuz he still a bossy over the top man lol.
Off page om/ow, Drama, slight secondary character, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶
Slowinsta
Push/pull from h
Seperation 4 years (both fucked other ppls off page it was only mentioned)
Pinning
Violence
Murder
No condom
Mentions of trafficking
Hea
Epilogue
June 4, 2022
Our deliciously alpha and unapologetically dark Judas is back to claim Rhia, at long last we have the finale for this couple. And even though he let her walk away, make no mistake, Judas is going to stop at nothing to reclaim his one true love. Once his game and prey, now his life. His queen. And he’s willing to maneuver every piece on the board to arrange the world to her liking.
I’m pretty sure this is the Natalie Bennett version of a swoony romance. Oh yes, it’s still dark and twisted and with all that Natalie Bennett murder, but the romance part of this isn’t quite as edgy. And I welcomed it- we have a dark and controlling man quite simply obsessively in love with his queen, and he’s more than professing his love (although he does that quite well), he’s trying to not just own her heart, he’s trying to heal it. To EARN it. Kind of endearing, and definitely more on the swoony side of Natalie’s darkness spectrum.
This entire series, and Judas in particular, has been steeped in secret, enigmas, half truths. And Natatlie gives us some answers in this finale- just what Judas has been doing and the impact on Rhia’s being. The ending felt a bit hurried, but ultimately these two have their place with one another, the world they’ve created for themselves, and a dash of revenge to go with all the happy love.
I’m pretty sure this is the Natalie Bennett version of a swoony romance. Oh yes, it’s still dark and twisted and with all that Natalie Bennett murder, but the romance part of this isn’t quite as edgy. And I welcomed it- we have a dark and controlling man quite simply obsessively in love with his queen, and he’s more than professing his love (although he does that quite well), he’s trying to not just own her heart, he’s trying to heal it. To EARN it. Kind of endearing, and definitely more on the swoony side of Natalie’s darkness spectrum.
This entire series, and Judas in particular, has been steeped in secret, enigmas, half truths. And Natatlie gives us some answers in this finale- just what Judas has been doing and the impact on Rhia’s being. The ending felt a bit hurried, but ultimately these two have their place with one another, the world they’ve created for themselves, and a dash of revenge to go with all the happy love.
July 11, 2022
another series ruined part. 248273483272
June 8, 2022
Finally we get the conclusion for Judas and Rhia that we’ve been waiting for ! It’s dark captivating and twisted with all the steam I devoured this story! We get a look at what these two were up to when they were away from each other but one thing is clear that Rhia is Judas and Judas is Rhia’s these two were made for each other! If you haven’t started their story yet you need too! Another phenomenal read by NB !!!
June 17, 2025
⭐️ 2.5
🌶️: 4
While this was way better than book 2, it still felt underwhelming. The epilogue was confusing and left you on a cliffhanger questioning if there would be another book but there isn’t. I’m assuming her mother is alive somewhere but I guess we will never know?
The chemistry / banter between these two definitely made the book however their characters did complete 360s.
I guess Rhia never met her siblings…
Umm where was Audrey ????
Again, book 1 was definitely my fav and had given me hope for this series but in the end it wasn’t really worth the read.
🌶️: 4
While this was way better than book 2, it still felt underwhelming. The epilogue was confusing and left you on a cliffhanger questioning if there would be another book but there isn’t. I’m assuming her mother is alive somewhere but I guess we will never know?
The chemistry / banter between these two definitely made the book however their characters did complete 360s.
I guess Rhia never met her siblings…
Umm where was Audrey ????
Again, book 1 was definitely my fav and had given me hope for this series but in the end it wasn’t really worth the read.
June 23, 2022
This book pleasantly surprised me.
While I enjoyed the others the wait between for answers was excruciating, so I didn't go into this with high hopes, and I expected to be completely lost.
I am so happy to have been proved wrong.
Once starting I couldn't put my tablet down, and literally had to force myself to go to sleep, this book was everything we were waiting for and more.
I loved the characters as teens, but I adored them all grown up, it made for a much darker book hence I couldn't get enough.
Were there some explanations missing? Yes, but I'm hoping they might be answered at a later date.
While I enjoyed the others the wait between for answers was excruciating, so I didn't go into this with high hopes, and I expected to be completely lost.
I am so happy to have been proved wrong.
Once starting I couldn't put my tablet down, and literally had to force myself to go to sleep, this book was everything we were waiting for and more.
I loved the characters as teens, but I adored them all grown up, it made for a much darker book hence I couldn't get enough.
Were there some explanations missing? Yes, but I'm hoping they might be answered at a later date.
June 10, 2025
★★★★☆
“Principessa, Sei la mia anima gemelli."
"Princess, you are my soulmate."
“Principessa, Sei la mia anima gemelli."
"Princess, you are my soulmate."
June 5, 2022
Oooo Hotttt
Amazing. This is a great book with heavy steam and beautiful prose. Into the fire we go with the older Rhia and Judas. Meeting the Barrons is incredible. This couple steamed my kindle screen. Hottt and nasty. Just the way it should be. Great story.
Amazing. This is a great book with heavy steam and beautiful prose. Into the fire we go with the older Rhia and Judas. Meeting the Barrons is incredible. This couple steamed my kindle screen. Hottt and nasty. Just the way it should be. Great story.
June 3, 2022
Wow what an ending.
What can i say Natalie has done it again, such a great and rollercoaster of an ending such a fantastic ending to an amazing series. If you have not stated this series give it a go you will not be dissapointed.
What can i say Natalie has done it again, such a great and rollercoaster of an ending such a fantastic ending to an amazing series. If you have not stated this series give it a go you will not be dissapointed.
May 30, 2022
“Reste sempre con me.”
I’ve been obsessed with Judas since the beginning. His alphahole darkness calls to my black heart. What I love the most about Judas? He’s unapologetically himself and gives zero fucks. He’s back with all his dark deliciousness ready to get his queen.
Judas and Rhiannon have an undeniable chemistry, which works out because Judas always gets what he wants. But our heroine isn’t the lie down and take it kind of girl. She’ll go toe-to-toe and gives Judas the fight he so craves. And together, they can run the world.
I love this ending and can’t wait to see what’s next in this world!
I’ve been obsessed with Judas since the beginning. His alphahole darkness calls to my black heart. What I love the most about Judas? He’s unapologetically himself and gives zero fucks. He’s back with all his dark deliciousness ready to get his queen.
Judas and Rhiannon have an undeniable chemistry, which works out because Judas always gets what he wants. But our heroine isn’t the lie down and take it kind of girl. She’ll go toe-to-toe and gives Judas the fight he so craves. And together, they can run the world.
I love this ending and can’t wait to see what’s next in this world!
June 2, 2022
Give it to NB to get you out of the book slump!!!!
Finally, we have the closure. I think this was the longest waiting for the sequel to come.
And honestly, if it was someone else I would have probably given up a long time ago, but when it comes to NB, there is no giving up.
Judas...oh Judas... he's the definition of a possessive alpha man. Full stop here.
He "kidnapped" her but they were sleeping together, he built a house for her with their future in mind, he knew she was the one from the beginning, whatever the game was and everything he did in life he did carefully and accurately keeping HER in mind. ..she shot her neighbor because of him.. they were made for each other.
"You've had me from the day we met. I knew you'd be mine ever since. YOu're going to be the mother of my children. My confidant. My queen. Whatever kind of a heart I have, it's yours" - Judas Barron
October 28, 2022
The trilogy is complete and I finally read this one! I had to go back and do a reread the first two because I forgot a lot. 🫣
When I first read Lawless Kingdom, I was immediately hooked. It was so dark and twisted - yes please! Savage Gods was really short, but added just enough. Vicious Dynasty brings us a few years forward. After Rhiannon walked away from Judas broken and devastated and now Judas is back to get his girl.
Ooohweee! This man has aged like fine wine (in my head)! He’s still, possessive, methodical and completely obsessed. Rhiannon struggles through most of the book with trying to accept that he’s back in her life. Her mind and heart (and nether regions 😎) are all a mess.
Honestly, I wish this one would’ve been just a tad shorter as I started to lose interest here and there with the same back and forth…but just a little!!🤏🏻
If you like dark romance, mafia ties, blood and hot scenes with an alpha obsessive MC then you will like this trilogy!! Rhiannon is a character all on her own though, don’t get me wrong. The girl is sassy!!! Love her.
When I first read Lawless Kingdom, I was immediately hooked. It was so dark and twisted - yes please! Savage Gods was really short, but added just enough. Vicious Dynasty brings us a few years forward. After Rhiannon walked away from Judas broken and devastated and now Judas is back to get his girl.
Ooohweee! This man has aged like fine wine (in my head)! He’s still, possessive, methodical and completely obsessed. Rhiannon struggles through most of the book with trying to accept that he’s back in her life. Her mind and heart (and nether regions 😎) are all a mess.
Honestly, I wish this one would’ve been just a tad shorter as I started to lose interest here and there with the same back and forth…but just a little!!🤏🏻
If you like dark romance, mafia ties, blood and hot scenes with an alpha obsessive MC then you will like this trilogy!! Rhiannon is a character all on her own though, don’t get me wrong. The girl is sassy!!! Love her.
June 15, 2022
My favorite wee Barron
“Oh, we're still chaotic, but I choose to love the hell out of him instead of murder him while he sleeps.”
Amazing how much a person can grow and mature in just a few years
So much has changed yet stayed the same with these two
Oh, they are still toxic together and I think they always will be
But it is a mutually beneficial type of toxicity
“There’s nothing more pitiful than a king that’s gained everything, just to lose his queen.”
Judas has decided it is time to claim his queen
Even if she is digging in her heels in refusal
He will sway her to his point of view
Eventually...
“Then I am very fortunate you love me for all the times I’m not.”
I loved the way this trilogy wrapped up
Just something about these two
How they met ;)
That constant push and pull between them - despite how much Rhia denied it they were alike in so many ways
How Judas pre-planned - everything - he was always ten steps ahead - Many of those steps are revealed in this episode
How, after years of torment and psychological abuse, Rhia allowed herself a moment to scream and cry about the injustice then donned her shhh it kickers 😎 and didn't bother asking for names
As you expect from a Bennett romance this is packed with splattered crimson, broken heads, an overprotective partner(s), lots of inappropriate behavior, and the most cuddle-appropriate hea for this couple
“Oh, we're still chaotic, but I choose to love the hell out of him instead of murder him while he sleeps.”
Amazing how much a person can grow and mature in just a few years
So much has changed yet stayed the same with these two
Oh, they are still toxic together and I think they always will be
But it is a mutually beneficial type of toxicity
“There’s nothing more pitiful than a king that’s gained everything, just to lose his queen.”
Judas has decided it is time to claim his queen
Even if she is digging in her heels in refusal
He will sway her to his point of view
Eventually...
“Then I am very fortunate you love me for all the times I’m not.”
I loved the way this trilogy wrapped up
Just something about these two
How they met ;)
That constant push and pull between them - despite how much Rhia denied it they were alike in so many ways
How Judas pre-planned - everything - he was always ten steps ahead - Many of those steps are revealed in this episode
How, after years of torment and psychological abuse, Rhia allowed herself a moment to scream and cry about the injustice then donned her shhh it kickers 😎 and didn't bother asking for names
As you expect from a Bennett romance this is packed with splattered crimson, broken heads, an overprotective partner(s), lots of inappropriate behavior, and the most cuddle-appropriate hea for this couple
Did not finish
November 22, 2022DNF @ 30%
I can't, I really tried but this series doesn't work for me. No progress is made, there's still no communication, only that "You're mine" statement. Are we only going somewhere? I don't have the patience to find out, sorry.
I can't, I really tried but this series doesn't work for me. No progress is made, there's still no communication, only that "You're mine" statement. Are we only going somewhere? I don't have the patience to find out, sorry.
Read
June 5, 2022RTC
June 13, 2022
Hi Friends, let me tell you about this book I just read. There is something wholly organic about a series, seeing where the story takes the characters and watching them grow into themselves. It’s been years since Rhiannon has seen Judas and she is ever so thankful for it. After this isht that he put her through at the end of Savage Gods, I’m glad that she was able to have this time away. But we all knew that wasn’t going to last long. It was inevitable that Judas had to step back in at some point, and damn does that man know how to make an entrance.
꧁♔꧂
𝓣ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐽𝑢𝑑𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒.
𝓓𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤-𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒.
𝓦ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑤𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
꧁♔꧂
This series has captivated me since it’s inception as a novella included in the Noble Savages anthology. What started out as a “little red riding hood big bad wolf kink” blossomed into a tale of secret twists and carnage wrapped in Natalie’s own brand of savage romance. Judas and Rhiannon are destined star crossed lovers and it’s decadent how obsessed with one another they still are. I’m incredibly sad to see them go, but they won’t be gone too long as Natalie has a few tricks up her sleeve. Keep watch for the standalones, I know I sure will ♥︎
꧁♔꧂
𝓣ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝐽𝑢𝑑𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒.
𝓓𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤-𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒.
𝓦ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑤𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
꧁♔꧂
This series has captivated me since it’s inception as a novella included in the Noble Savages anthology. What started out as a “little red riding hood big bad wolf kink” blossomed into a tale of secret twists and carnage wrapped in Natalie’s own brand of savage romance. Judas and Rhiannon are destined star crossed lovers and it’s decadent how obsessed with one another they still are. I’m incredibly sad to see them go, but they won’t be gone too long as Natalie has a few tricks up her sleeve. Keep watch for the standalones, I know I sure will ♥︎
June 16, 2022
I've been a HUGE fan of Natalie Bennett since I first read her as her books totally sing to my dark & twisty soul. I even loved the dystopian type of books which I don't read otherwise, and I say this because I needed everyone to know that what I'm about to say is 100% true. The Reign & Ruin trilogy/series is my very favorite of hers to this point as it was a tad different from her normal work. I'm not saying that there isn't all the torture & killing with twists coming in hot because there was, I'm just saying this hero, Judas (or anti-hero if you prefer) was my kind of guy & I LOVED him so hard (he's my book boyfriend of 2022 which isn't something I say lightly)! He could be brutal but when it came to Rhia, he loved her & would give her the world. Like the majority of Bennett books that I've read, I'm purposefully being vague because one of the best things is not knowing what you're going to get when you start the journey. I seriously hope she keeps writing in this world with some of the supporting cast because I'll just never get enough! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
June 18, 2022
I was given an advance readers copy of this book and have decided to write a voluntary honest review. Ya Judas is one crazy physco that I still can't get enough of. Everthing about him appeals to me, he's over the top but loyal, protective, he's everything in one package. I also love Rhia, how she doesn't deal with crap and not much can get a rise out of her except for Judas lol. This trilogy was amazing. And I want more of the other characters, Maisie, Owen, Gavin, Theo, all of them Audrey etc.
June 15, 2022
I enjoyed this but it wasn't my favourite, i'm leaning towards 3.5 stars. I've been eagerly awaiting more Judas and Rhia, the chemistry between them is fantastic. The series has been filled with secrets and revenge, it was nice to finally get some answers. Rhia seemed to almost lose some of her backbone in this one unfortunately, she did a very sudden flip from supposed hate to love that was too abrupt for me. The ending felt a little rushed and I would have liked it fleshed out more, but overall I really enjoyed it.
Vicious Dynasty is a hot and thrilling read that was actually pretty sweet.
Vicious Dynasty is a hot and thrilling read that was actually pretty sweet.
June 12, 2022
Rhia may have thought Judas had forgotten about her when he let her walk away but now four years later he has come back to claim her. I loved the Judas we see in this book I won't pretend he is vulnerable or that he has suddenly turned over a new leaf but he gets close to making me swoon. His determination to get her back and vanquish all their foes knows no bounds. This is still a dark and violent tale however I think this is the tenderest book of this authors that I've read. Judas is so obviously in love with Rhia I would forgive him anything. Over the three books we have been privy to some devastating secrets and mind blowing twists all for the love of one woman. The ending did feel slightly rushed but the epilogue made me very happy.
June 5, 2022
Vicious Dynasty by Natalie Bennett is book Three in the Reign & Ruin Series. This continues the story of Rhiannon Clermont and Judas Barron. This is a trilogy so their story started in 'Lawless Kingdom' then continued on to the second book 'Savage Gods' but this book brings their story to a close. This Trilogy has been so good. I highly recommend it if like me you enjoy a dark romance.
July 19, 2022
Glad it was a HEA but it seemed like Judas’s transformation from wicked and sexy to lovelorn and possessive was rather drastic - almost anticlimactic. I wish he had retained a bit of the wickedness and dark from the previous books.
June 17, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
Hate is said to be disturbingly similar to love. When it comes to him, I'm cursed to harbor both. The specious spark that brought us together with an all-consuming obsession quickly became the catalyst of my undoing. Shadows and darkness have filled the bittersweet years that saw us take two very different paths. He isn't the only on who changed. The girl he once knew is gone, rotting beneath the wreckage of what he destroyed. His influence and power have spread like the plague. With his position solidified he's decided to make good on a promise he made and like the strike of a match, a hellish blaze consumes us once again. This time it's up to me to decide how that will end. I can reign beside him, or make sure his dynasty is scattered among the ashes of our ruin.
This is the third book in the Reign and Ruin Series. You have to read Lawless Kingdom and Savage Gods fist or you will have no early idea what is happening. What started out as revenge soon turned into something all consuming and Judas Barron let Rhiannon go for years ago. Judas just wanted revenge for his sister and never saw what was going to happen coming. The time has come for Judas to reclaim the woman he never ever should have let go. She is after all his one true love. What was once a game to him with the prey is now his life and he needs his Queen back at his side. If he has to change the whole entire world to make her happy he is going to. He will stop at nothing to have her back. This is a book of secrets and half truths and it continues in this book.
Hate is said to be disturbingly similar to love. When it comes to him, I'm cursed to harbor both. The specious spark that brought us together with an all-consuming obsession quickly became the catalyst of my undoing. Shadows and darkness have filled the bittersweet years that saw us take two very different paths. He isn't the only on who changed. The girl he once knew is gone, rotting beneath the wreckage of what he destroyed. His influence and power have spread like the plague. With his position solidified he's decided to make good on a promise he made and like the strike of a match, a hellish blaze consumes us once again. This time it's up to me to decide how that will end. I can reign beside him, or make sure his dynasty is scattered among the ashes of our ruin.
This is the third book in the Reign and Ruin Series. You have to read Lawless Kingdom and Savage Gods fist or you will have no early idea what is happening. What started out as revenge soon turned into something all consuming and Judas Barron let Rhiannon go for years ago. Judas just wanted revenge for his sister and never saw what was going to happen coming. The time has come for Judas to reclaim the woman he never ever should have let go. She is after all his one true love. What was once a game to him with the prey is now his life and he needs his Queen back at his side. If he has to change the whole entire world to make her happy he is going to. He will stop at nothing to have her back. This is a book of secrets and half truths and it continues in this book.
June 19, 2022
We've waited a long time for this book and I could not wait to read this after finishing book two.
But for me this ended up being quite anticlimactic. The edginess and tension from the first two books was missing. After the way the first two books played out, book three set Rhiannon up to come out guns blazing and rising to become the queen she was meant to be. She didn't. Her character was insipid, flat, and just meh like the rest of the book. I kept waiting for the oomph to this conclusion, but it was just a lot of writing-in-circles and not much happened.
Like most of this author's book couples, it's a toxic relationship. Judas is a J/P alpha who controls, dictates and manipulates Rhiannon. She of course fronts like she's a strong woman with a mind of her own, but really she is just a fool for the H, eats up whatever he dishes out and falls into step for him. He holds all the cards although he makes her believe otherwise. Their lack of moral compass, cold-bloodedness and ego just made them sadistic, narcissistic, crappy people. I really liked this pairing in the earlier books but they ended up being the worst people in this. They also didn't need to be estranged for years to get to this ending.
P.S. There is a rather graphic sexually violent scene (not between the H and h) towards the end of the book which made me sick to my stomach. Please be aware of triggers.
2.5
I received an ARC and I am leaving a review voluntarily. Opinions are my own.
But for me this ended up being quite anticlimactic. The edginess and tension from the first two books was missing. After the way the first two books played out, book three set Rhiannon up to come out guns blazing and rising to become the queen she was meant to be. She didn't. Her character was insipid, flat, and just meh like the rest of the book. I kept waiting for the oomph to this conclusion, but it was just a lot of writing-in-circles and not much happened.
Like most of this author's book couples, it's a toxic relationship. Judas is a J/P alpha who controls, dictates and manipulates Rhiannon. She of course fronts like she's a strong woman with a mind of her own, but really she is just a fool for the H, eats up whatever he dishes out and falls into step for him. He holds all the cards although he makes her believe otherwise. Their lack of moral compass, cold-bloodedness and ego just made them sadistic, narcissistic, crappy people. I really liked this pairing in the earlier books but they ended up being the worst people in this. They also didn't need to be estranged for years to get to this ending.
P.S. There is a rather graphic sexually violent scene (not between the H and h) towards the end of the book which made me sick to my stomach. Please be aware of triggers.
2.5
I received an ARC and I am leaving a review voluntarily. Opinions are my own.
September 4, 2023
I was so eager for all of my lingering questions to be answered with this book.
The story had such an intense cat & mouse vibe throughout; I was so curious about what would happen next between these two volatile characters. I wasn't ready to count Rhiannon out just yet.
One criticism that I have of this book is that the editing did not seem as clean as in the previous books. There were many times I felt that punctuation was missing, which would have aided in the flow of the sentences, or incorrectly placed, which made things read in a choppy manner.
The ending of this one left me with a few more questions and a burning need to read more of this series. I really hope the next book(s) will be released soon.
The story had such an intense cat & mouse vibe throughout; I was so curious about what would happen next between these two volatile characters. I wasn't ready to count Rhiannon out just yet.
One criticism that I have of this book is that the editing did not seem as clean as in the previous books. There were many times I felt that punctuation was missing, which would have aided in the flow of the sentences, or incorrectly placed, which made things read in a choppy manner.
The ending of this one left me with a few more questions and a burning need to read more of this series. I really hope the next book(s) will be released soon.
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