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Fallen Cities: Elisium #3
Rise of the Damned
When there are enemies on all sides, knowing who to trust is paramount to survival.
We know who’s responsible for the deaths of Kincaid’s brothers now. Lucifer. The devil himself. My father. But he isn’t the only enemy. The angels are up to something, and tensions between the mortal and immortal cities are at an all-time high.
Kincaid wants to shield me from it all, but someone needs to be protecting him. With Lords of Hell still dropping like flies, I know I could lose him at any second. I can’t lose him. It’ll take both of us, and all the help we can find to put an end to the anarchy.
Ready or not, it’s time to become the monster I was always meant to be.
We know who’s responsible for the deaths of Kincaid’s brothers now. Lucifer. The devil himself. My father. But he isn’t the only enemy. The angels are up to something, and tensions between the mortal and immortal cities are at an all-time high.
Kincaid wants to shield me from it all, but someone needs to be protecting him. With Lords of Hell still dropping like flies, I know I could lose him at any second. I can’t lose him. It’ll take both of us, and all the help we can find to put an end to the anarchy.
Ready or not, it’s time to become the monster I was always meant to be.
Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2022
46 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Elena Lawson
43 books1,590 followersElena lives in Canada with her husband, daughter, and their Siberian cat overlords. She writes dark, why-choose romances full of feisty heroines, unforgettable heroes, and their kindle-melting chemistry.
When she comes out of her writing cave, she can be found binge-watching true-crime shows, obsessively rearranging her bookshelves, or chasing the sun around the globe.
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlealately
When she comes out of her writing cave, she can be found binge-watching true-crime shows, obsessively rearranging her bookshelves, or chasing the sun around the globe.
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlealately
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 12, 2022
Free from the Carver, and with her heritage basically confirmed, Paige now faces even more threats.
The Lords of Hell are being killed off one by one, all manner of beings are after her, and chaos is breaking loose in the Fallen Cities.
Can she save Kincaid from ultimate death? And can they bring back order to Elisium?
I had been so looking forward to this book as I really enjoyed the first two. Unfortunately, I’m struggling to find anything good to say about it so prepare for a rant!
There were a few small nonsensical things that I would probably have overlooked if the rest of the book was good but…well here we are. The main one that stuck with me is when she’s standing one of Madagascar’s shores and states that the island seems huge. That is pure idiocy. She hasn’t explored the island, hasn’t seen it from above, she’s literally just standing on a beach exclaiming that the island seems big. I’ve never been on any island where I can stand on one beach and see the whole fucking island to know how big it is!
It also doesn’t really seem like the book was edited. Some small grammatical errors, yes, but the most noticeable things are the inconsistencies. For example, they’re confronted by some beings that Paige identifies as angels. And at least one is probably an archangel. But after that point she keeps calling them Nephilim, and it is my understanding that Nephilim are half Angel half humans.
Paige was really doing my head in. She’s so bullheaded that she won’t listen to reason, doesn’t learn from her mistakes, and inadvertently puts herself and her loved ones in danger. On top of that she’s naive as shit. Believing anything she’s told by those she 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 she can’t trust. Why??
And then the icing on the cake? She’s judgemental! This girl, who has discovered she’s Lucifer’s daughter, is in love with a Lord of Hell, and is besties with a gargoyle…STILL THINKS ALL DIABLIM AND DEMONS ARE THE BAD GUYS! Really?
She’s so cocky. Thinks she’s so indestructible to go up against the beasts in the ring…but she was almost bested by a single demon, even when she had Tori’s help. Even Kincaid was almost defeated by the two diablim that could teleport…and she couldn’t defeat them herself either! How the hell does she suddenly think she’s so damn invincible? Ugh.
Then there are the questions. How did they figure out she was Lucifer’s daughter? They were so focused on the date she was born, but why? Lucifer apparently walked the Earth 23 years ago, but she’s only 19. And yet they didn’t ever care about which year she was born, just the specific date.
We learn basically Jack shit about her mum but I feel like this should have been a more important part of the story. She was an Angel after all.
What was Ford trying to achieve with her torture all those years? That’s never satisfactorily explained. And why did he give her anything she wanted on her birthday every year?
In all honesty, it feels like the author couldn’t be arsed with this book. She knew she had to write it because it was the last book in the series, but she really didn’t give a fuck about the story. It was so wishy-washy in places - the three apparent “traps” set by Lucifer? They were kind of pathetic, seemingly defeated very easily, and also just had no real substance. I genuinely did not care what was happening and found myself skimming huge passages for the second half of the book. I mean Lawson herself hasn’t even really advertised the release of this book at all, and that lack of regard really comes through in the haphazard plot and execution of this book.
The Lords of Hell are being killed off one by one, all manner of beings are after her, and chaos is breaking loose in the Fallen Cities.
Can she save Kincaid from ultimate death? And can they bring back order to Elisium?
I had been so looking forward to this book as I really enjoyed the first two. Unfortunately, I’m struggling to find anything good to say about it so prepare for a rant!
There were a few small nonsensical things that I would probably have overlooked if the rest of the book was good but…well here we are. The main one that stuck with me is when she’s standing one of Madagascar’s shores and states that the island seems huge. That is pure idiocy. She hasn’t explored the island, hasn’t seen it from above, she’s literally just standing on a beach exclaiming that the island seems big. I’ve never been on any island where I can stand on one beach and see the whole fucking island to know how big it is!
It also doesn’t really seem like the book was edited. Some small grammatical errors, yes, but the most noticeable things are the inconsistencies. For example, they’re confronted by some beings that Paige identifies as angels. And at least one is probably an archangel. But after that point she keeps calling them Nephilim, and it is my understanding that Nephilim are half Angel half humans.
Paige was really doing my head in. She’s so bullheaded that she won’t listen to reason, doesn’t learn from her mistakes, and inadvertently puts herself and her loved ones in danger. On top of that she’s naive as shit. Believing anything she’s told by those she 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 she can’t trust. Why??
And then the icing on the cake? She’s judgemental! This girl, who has discovered she’s Lucifer’s daughter, is in love with a Lord of Hell, and is besties with a gargoyle…STILL THINKS ALL DIABLIM AND DEMONS ARE THE BAD GUYS! Really?
She’s so cocky. Thinks she’s so indestructible to go up against the beasts in the ring…but she was almost bested by a single demon, even when she had Tori’s help. Even Kincaid was almost defeated by the two diablim that could teleport…and she couldn’t defeat them herself either! How the hell does she suddenly think she’s so damn invincible? Ugh.
Then there are the questions. How did they figure out she was Lucifer’s daughter? They were so focused on the date she was born, but why? Lucifer apparently walked the Earth 23 years ago, but she’s only 19. And yet they didn’t ever care about which year she was born, just the specific date.
We learn basically Jack shit about her mum but I feel like this should have been a more important part of the story. She was an Angel after all.
What was Ford trying to achieve with her torture all those years? That’s never satisfactorily explained. And why did he give her anything she wanted on her birthday every year?
In all honesty, it feels like the author couldn’t be arsed with this book. She knew she had to write it because it was the last book in the series, but she really didn’t give a fuck about the story. It was so wishy-washy in places - the three apparent “traps” set by Lucifer? They were kind of pathetic, seemingly defeated very easily, and also just had no real substance. I genuinely did not care what was happening and found myself skimming huge passages for the second half of the book. I mean Lawson herself hasn’t even really advertised the release of this book at all, and that lack of regard really comes through in the haphazard plot and execution of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2023
This was an amazing end to the series. I loved this one. And all I want is more.
August 28, 2023
DNF at 7%. The FMC Paige thought she was all bad-ass after killing a few people with her abilities (that she really had no idea how to properly use after less then a month?) and wanted to run off to do things on her own without proper backup, and the romance banter was rather cringy to me. Not interested in finishing the book or series, especially after seeing Sian Rice's review. Will probably avoid this author in the future as well.
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Ratings - abandoned series:
#1 Kiss of the Damned: ★★★★☆
#2 Sins of the Damned: ★★★☆☆
#3 Rise of the Damned (this book): ★☆☆☆☆ / DNF
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Ratings - abandoned series:
#1 Kiss of the Damned: ★★★★☆
#2 Sins of the Damned: ★★★☆☆
#3 Rise of the Damned (this book): ★☆☆☆☆ / DNF
December 15, 2022
aww
Such a perfect ending with the most needed Happily Ever After. Sad to see this series end but am grateful to have come across it.
Such a perfect ending with the most needed Happily Ever After. Sad to see this series end but am grateful to have come across it.
December 24, 2025
For the author’s benefit, I’ll assume the real book got deleted by an intern, who decided to frantically and poorly transcribe what they recalled of it from their obviously failing memory as a result of excessive vaping.
It’s the only explanation for the drastic degradation in writing style, quality, and content.
This is circuitous, repetitive, fluff.
In depth reminders of what happened in the past books, to the point where it hinders the plot progression of this one.
Unnecessary conversations and long, drawn out, internal turmoil; surmounting to the confirmation that she’s both traumatized and handling it with annoying inaccuracy.
‘Round and around we go.
We get it. I’m bored.
Her lord of hell is all nice now?
Booooring.
The fight scene trash talk is just… I’d be so embarrassed if I was killed by some girl who spoke that way:
Ex: “You should leave, gargoyle. This doesn’t concern you.” “Anything that concerns her concerns me.” “If you wish to die alongside her, then so be it.” I bare my teeth. “If anyone is going to die, it’s going to be you.”
Ex: “You aren’t even worth the effort, little girl.” “I’m no girl,” I assure him, holding out my hands. “And I am not little.” “Oh, did I hurt your feelings, little girl?” he mocks.
Goodness gracious it’s so circular, childish, and contrived.
So are their arguments.
I started skimming them because it was difficult to both roll my eyes and read at the same time.
And then she repeatedly explains the implications in statements as if we’re too stupid to realize things like his anger at her placing herself in danger is really his concern and care for her.
And that we need a couple paragraphs to fully comprehend such an esoteric concept.
She does this with literally everything.
Like, every development is delivered through an eerily patient host of a kids show.
She casually drives a car all the way home without a single lesson in doing so nor any knowledge of traffic laws.
The spice sucks.
The events are a nonsensical deux ex machina mess.
It’s insane.
She’s introduced to people she’s already met and reiterates statements that she learned but names the wrong person who told them to her.
Just a whole bunch of nothing.
Genuinely.
I was laughing at the ending, it’s so so bad.
A huge waste of time.
It’s an insult to my teachers who taught me how to read. I’d ask for a letter of apology to send them on the authors behalf if I thought it would be legible.
It’s the only explanation for the drastic degradation in writing style, quality, and content.
This is circuitous, repetitive, fluff.
In depth reminders of what happened in the past books, to the point where it hinders the plot progression of this one.
Unnecessary conversations and long, drawn out, internal turmoil; surmounting to the confirmation that she’s both traumatized and handling it with annoying inaccuracy.
‘Round and around we go.
We get it. I’m bored.
Her lord of hell is all nice now?
Booooring.
The fight scene trash talk is just… I’d be so embarrassed if I was killed by some girl who spoke that way:
Ex: “You should leave, gargoyle. This doesn’t concern you.” “Anything that concerns her concerns me.” “If you wish to die alongside her, then so be it.” I bare my teeth. “If anyone is going to die, it’s going to be you.”
Ex: “You aren’t even worth the effort, little girl.” “I’m no girl,” I assure him, holding out my hands. “And I am not little.” “Oh, did I hurt your feelings, little girl?” he mocks.
Goodness gracious it’s so circular, childish, and contrived.
So are their arguments.
I started skimming them because it was difficult to both roll my eyes and read at the same time.
And then she repeatedly explains the implications in statements as if we’re too stupid to realize things like his anger at her placing herself in danger is really his concern and care for her.
And that we need a couple paragraphs to fully comprehend such an esoteric concept.
She does this with literally everything.
Like, every development is delivered through an eerily patient host of a kids show.
She casually drives a car all the way home without a single lesson in doing so nor any knowledge of traffic laws.
The spice sucks.
The events are a nonsensical deux ex machina mess.
It’s insane.
She’s introduced to people she’s already met and reiterates statements that she learned but names the wrong person who told them to her.
Just a whole bunch of nothing.
Genuinely.
I was laughing at the ending, it’s so so bad.
A huge waste of time.
It’s an insult to my teachers who taught me how to read. I’d ask for a letter of apology to send them on the authors behalf if I thought it would be legible.
November 6, 2022
I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review.
Such a great series! I love that nothing was drawn out or taking up space, but instead every word was needed to keep the story going.
Paige has grown so much since book 1 and I am so happy she's finally learning to live her own life. She still had many reasons to feel fear, but those moments will hopefully go away soon.
I think the whole interaction with Lucifer felt a bit rushed and how Paige came to the realization that she did is a bit fuzzy, but overall I really enjoyed this story and I'm glad I got the chance to read it!
Such a great series! I love that nothing was drawn out or taking up space, but instead every word was needed to keep the story going.
Paige has grown so much since book 1 and I am so happy she's finally learning to live her own life. She still had many reasons to feel fear, but those moments will hopefully go away soon.
I think the whole interaction with Lucifer felt a bit rushed and how Paige came to the realization that she did is a bit fuzzy, but overall I really enjoyed this story and I'm glad I got the chance to read it!
September 18, 2022
This was such a great ending to the series! I have absolutely loved every book in the Elisium series, I’m happy that their was finally a happy ever after for Paige and Kincaid 🖤 It was great to watch Paige learn and come into her powers and for her and Kincaid to work together. Paige is such a strong and kickass person, I also loved Artemis and Tori’s commentary throughout the books lol. I’m sad to see it end but love how it ended.
September 26, 2022
3.5 stars
January 17, 2023
So, so good
I didn't know what to expect in this book and it ended the series beautifully. Seriously, I am so pleased with Paige and Kincaid and how their ends
I didn't know what to expect in this book and it ended the series beautifully. Seriously, I am so pleased with Paige and Kincaid and how their ends
September 26, 2022
I’m so happy Elena Lawson took the time to finish this story. What a ride it was! All lines became blurred and new bonds were formed. Such a fitting end. Loved it
September 9, 2022
End. Stayed up late to finish. Was a good end to the series.
September 9, 2022
OMG 😱
Well worth the wait! Would eventually love to see a spin off but who knows if that will happen ❤️❤️😭🥰 so sad it’s the end but so happy!
Well worth the wait! Would eventually love to see a spin off but who knows if that will happen ❤️❤️😭🥰 so sad it’s the end but so happy!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews