What do you think?
Rate this book
Ember Glen #2
Blaze of Misery
Mercy endures brutal punishment for her so-called sins, and Arlo's warped worldview begins to fracture. While his affection for her grows, she comes to accept her fate. Knowing her death is inevitable, their passion ignites, setting a blaze across the boundary line between purity and pleasure.
Arlo
She's destined to die, yet she consumes my every waking thought.
I'm struggling against everything I've been taught to believe.
I'm falling for a sinner, and my passion for her is destroying my world.
As Mercy endures untold torment at the hands of my brothers, my soul splinters, breaking in ways I didn't know was possible. I want her so much it consumes me. I need her so much that I'd burn for eternity in exchange for a single moment with her...if only I could sell my soul to spare her life.
The fear of her looming death begs my mind to open, and all I want is a world where she lives.
Mercy
Absolution. They could etch the word into my skin, and still, it would never find me.
The trials for my soul begin, but they aren't truly meant to save me.
Nothing can save me from the way I've been broken by the men of Ember Glen.
The man who hurt me the most is also the man whose touch sets me on fire. Arlo Rainn hasn’t earned my thoughts, my attention, or my desire, yet he possesses me entirely. My feelings for him strengthen as we explore our forbidden passion, and as he comes to know me better, he begins to see the world through my eyes.
My warden's perspective is shifting, and I fall deeper into the madness of my need for him.
AUTHOR NOTE: This is a dark romance series that involves many triggering elements which may be upsetting for some readers. A complete list of tropes and triggers can be found on the author's website.
SERIES NOTE: Blaze of Misery is book 2 of 3 in the Ember Glen series and it ends on a cliffhanger. The trilogy follows Mercy and Arlo and must be read in order.
READING ORDER
Book 1: Spark of Madness
Book 2: Blaze of Misery
Book 3: Embers of Mercy
Arlo
She's destined to die, yet she consumes my every waking thought.
I'm struggling against everything I've been taught to believe.
I'm falling for a sinner, and my passion for her is destroying my world.
As Mercy endures untold torment at the hands of my brothers, my soul splinters, breaking in ways I didn't know was possible. I want her so much it consumes me. I need her so much that I'd burn for eternity in exchange for a single moment with her...if only I could sell my soul to spare her life.
The fear of her looming death begs my mind to open, and all I want is a world where she lives.
Mercy
Absolution. They could etch the word into my skin, and still, it would never find me.
The trials for my soul begin, but they aren't truly meant to save me.
Nothing can save me from the way I've been broken by the men of Ember Glen.
The man who hurt me the most is also the man whose touch sets me on fire. Arlo Rainn hasn’t earned my thoughts, my attention, or my desire, yet he possesses me entirely. My feelings for him strengthen as we explore our forbidden passion, and as he comes to know me better, he begins to see the world through my eyes.
My warden's perspective is shifting, and I fall deeper into the madness of my need for him.
AUTHOR NOTE: This is a dark romance series that involves many triggering elements which may be upsetting for some readers. A complete list of tropes and triggers can be found on the author's website.
SERIES NOTE: Blaze of Misery is book 2 of 3 in the Ember Glen series and it ends on a cliffhanger. The trilogy follows Mercy and Arlo and must be read in order.
READING ORDER
Book 1: Spark of Madness
Book 2: Blaze of Misery
Book 3: Embers of Mercy
ebook
Published October 20, 2022
97 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Brynn Ford
19 books662 followers🖤💀 Dark Romance for Daring Readers 💀🖤
Trigger Warnings: www.brynnford.com/triggers
Website: www.brynnford.com
Newsletter: brynnford.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Facebook Page: bit.ly/FBbrynnford
Facebook Group: bit.ly/brynnsdarlings
Instagram: bit.ly/instabrynnford
TikTok: tiktok.com/@brynnfordauthor
Amazon: bit.ly/AZbrynnford
BookBub: bit.ly/BBbrynnford
Brynn Ford is a USA Today Bestselling Author of dark romance for daring readers. She writes emotionally heavy love stories that will twist your soul and shatter your heart before pulling you back together with a hopeful happily-ever-after.
Brynn's books are dark, sometimes disturbing, and often overwhelming. But they're always brightened by an insistent, spicy romance that will live rent-free in your head long after you've turned the final page.
When Brynn isn't obsessively writing, you may find her binge-watching favorite shows while eating far too much junk food or fanatically reading, always seeking to lose herself in the emotional roller coaster of a damn good story. She's a firm believer that her characters continue to live outside the pages in the minds of her readers. Stories don't end just because there aren't any more pages to turn.
Trigger Warnings: www.brynnford.com/triggers
Website: www.brynnford.com
Newsletter: brynnford.myflodesk.com/newsletter
Facebook Page: bit.ly/FBbrynnford
Facebook Group: bit.ly/brynnsdarlings
Instagram: bit.ly/instabrynnford
TikTok: tiktok.com/@brynnfordauthor
Amazon: bit.ly/AZbrynnford
BookBub: bit.ly/BBbrynnford
Brynn Ford is a USA Today Bestselling Author of dark romance for daring readers. She writes emotionally heavy love stories that will twist your soul and shatter your heart before pulling you back together with a hopeful happily-ever-after.
Brynn's books are dark, sometimes disturbing, and often overwhelming. But they're always brightened by an insistent, spicy romance that will live rent-free in your head long after you've turned the final page.
When Brynn isn't obsessively writing, you may find her binge-watching favorite shows while eating far too much junk food or fanatically reading, always seeking to lose herself in the emotional roller coaster of a damn good story. She's a firm believer that her characters continue to live outside the pages in the minds of her readers. Stories don't end just because there aren't any more pages to turn.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 12, 2023
My poor baby, Mercy! She really goes through it in this one, y'all! The atrocities she suffers are literally painful to read about. I can't imagine anyone going through that and coming out as sane, strong, and selfless as Mercy Madness does. She's a truly remarkable heroine that always thinks about the other women in her community before herself to the point that she's willing to die for them. It makes her suffering all the more gut-wrenching to witness.
I don't know how Arlo stood by and watched as his brothers destroyed her time and time again. I just wanted him to throw her over his shoulder and run away. Mercy's wishes are for him to stay in their good graces and make real change in the community after she's gone, but I wanted him to just say, fuck it! I can't let you do this! I love you too much!
Mercy has slowly opened Arlo's eyes to the hypocrisy in Ember Glen and the lies being fed to it's people. He still doesn't have everything figured out 100 percent, but he's trying his best to understand and be a better man. You can see how much watching Mercy endure the torture being inflicted upon her is affecting him more and more each time, and he's trying to carry out her wishes despite what he thinks/wants. For all of those reasons, I feel like Arlo's becoming more worthy of Mercy as time goes on.
Blaze of Misery is a dark, depraved, dystopian tale of forbidden love blossoming and enduring under impossible circumstances. It's definitely not for the faint of heart, so please check the trigger warnings if you have any. You may want to get a protective case for your Kindle while you're at it, because you're definitely going to want to throw it by the end of this book!
Dark romance fans, this one's for you!
Immediate reaction after reading:
I knew they were going to pull some shit!! I can't wait for Mercy to burn the whole motherfucker to the ground.
I don't know how Arlo stood by and watched as his brothers destroyed her time and time again. I just wanted him to throw her over his shoulder and run away. Mercy's wishes are for him to stay in their good graces and make real change in the community after she's gone, but I wanted him to just say, fuck it! I can't let you do this! I love you too much!
Mercy has slowly opened Arlo's eyes to the hypocrisy in Ember Glen and the lies being fed to it's people. He still doesn't have everything figured out 100 percent, but he's trying his best to understand and be a better man. You can see how much watching Mercy endure the torture being inflicted upon her is affecting him more and more each time, and he's trying to carry out her wishes despite what he thinks/wants. For all of those reasons, I feel like Arlo's becoming more worthy of Mercy as time goes on.
Blaze of Misery is a dark, depraved, dystopian tale of forbidden love blossoming and enduring under impossible circumstances. It's definitely not for the faint of heart, so please check the trigger warnings if you have any. You may want to get a protective case for your Kindle while you're at it, because you're definitely going to want to throw it by the end of this book!
Dark romance fans, this one's for you!
Immediate reaction after reading:
I knew they were going to pull some shit!! I can't wait for Mercy to burn the whole motherfucker to the ground.
October 27, 2022
***4,5 "Wildflowers & Starlight!!!" stars***
"I wish I could erase the pain of yesterday."
Dear Lord!!!! This story had set my heart and soul on fire and not only in a good way!!!
The men of Ember Glen are accussing Mercy for being a sinner and full of madness, but their brainwashed minds are so brutal!!!
The atrocities that Mercy and Delle had to endure into their hands!!! Hands that are supposed to be free of sins and bad intentions, instead they are mean and hurtful!!!
Honestly, I am so furious with all this twisted situation in Ember Glen...
Honestly, I am wishing that this black abyss with no exit that Mercy got thrown in will have a ray of hope and that she will end up to burn this ugly community to the ground!!!
"Ember Glen isn't what I thought it was. It's not a perfect community of harmony and balance. It's terribly out of tune, and someone needs to fix it."
The second part picked up exactly where it left us hanging in the first book... Honestly, I was wishing for a miracle, but I never got it and I got sooo angry with Arlo...
What he allowed his supposed Brothers to do to his sweet Mercy was unbearable!!! But the good thing is that their atrocities became his wake up call...
His obsession with the sinner, not only made him a sinner too, but the fog that was clouding his mind had started to clean and he finally saw how wrong was this situation that they were living in....
"My world feels... wrong. And the only thing that feels right is Mercy Madness."
Mercy had suffered greatly all of her life, and honestly, after her first trial which in reality was a brutal punishment, I was wondering how she didn't break down... But when i thought of their 'reality', I realized that even though the numbers had changed, this ugly situation wasn't something that she hadn't endured countless times in her life...
I believe that she was soft with Arlo when he had to receive her wrath, but Mercy had seen something great inside Arlo... Arlo had potentials to be different than the rest of his kind!!!
"I have no hope that my future will change, but it's comforting to know there may be hope for Arlo. And if there's hope for Arlo Rainn, then perhaps there's hope for Ember Glenn, too."
This isn't an easy story to read... It is dark, depraved, ugly and with so many triggers, but I am drown to this madness like a moth to a flame...
Arlo had made me mad so many times, but I still loved him!!! He is more than he believes!!! There is kindness inside of him and his love for Mercy is outwordly...
I adore Mercy's madness!!!! This girl is aspiring... I love that she never backs down in anything even though she is terrified and even though her ending is so close, she never stops fighting and not only for her, but for all the women of Ember Glen...
"If God does exist, then He's a cruel maker to bring us together this way."
The author in here focused more on Arlo and Mercy...
The sparkle between them had grown into a full fire ready to destroy everything around them...
Yes, they are sinners, but what a lovely way to sin when your heart is singing in a beautiful and intense tune!!!
These two have many trials to get through together and individually and i hope to the universe and Brynn Ford to give them the ending that they deserve... An end that they can be free together, outside of these ugly boxes that the community of Ember Glen's have put them in...
I just can not wait for the final chapter of this unbelievable story...
"Alive or dead...
I won't let you go."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
"I wish I could erase the pain of yesterday."
Dear Lord!!!! This story had set my heart and soul on fire and not only in a good way!!!
The men of Ember Glen are accussing Mercy for being a sinner and full of madness, but their brainwashed minds are so brutal!!!
The atrocities that Mercy and Delle had to endure into their hands!!! Hands that are supposed to be free of sins and bad intentions, instead they are mean and hurtful!!!
Honestly, I am so furious with all this twisted situation in Ember Glen...
Honestly, I am wishing that this black abyss with no exit that Mercy got thrown in will have a ray of hope and that she will end up to burn this ugly community to the ground!!!
"Ember Glen isn't what I thought it was. It's not a perfect community of harmony and balance. It's terribly out of tune, and someone needs to fix it."
The second part picked up exactly where it left us hanging in the first book... Honestly, I was wishing for a miracle, but I never got it and I got sooo angry with Arlo...
What he allowed his supposed Brothers to do to his sweet Mercy was unbearable!!! But the good thing is that their atrocities became his wake up call...
His obsession with the sinner, not only made him a sinner too, but the fog that was clouding his mind had started to clean and he finally saw how wrong was this situation that they were living in....
"My world feels... wrong. And the only thing that feels right is Mercy Madness."
Mercy had suffered greatly all of her life, and honestly, after her first trial which in reality was a brutal punishment, I was wondering how she didn't break down... But when i thought of their 'reality', I realized that even though the numbers had changed, this ugly situation wasn't something that she hadn't endured countless times in her life...
I believe that she was soft with Arlo when he had to receive her wrath, but Mercy had seen something great inside Arlo... Arlo had potentials to be different than the rest of his kind!!!
"I have no hope that my future will change, but it's comforting to know there may be hope for Arlo. And if there's hope for Arlo Rainn, then perhaps there's hope for Ember Glenn, too."
This isn't an easy story to read... It is dark, depraved, ugly and with so many triggers, but I am drown to this madness like a moth to a flame...
Arlo had made me mad so many times, but I still loved him!!! He is more than he believes!!! There is kindness inside of him and his love for Mercy is outwordly...
I adore Mercy's madness!!!! This girl is aspiring... I love that she never backs down in anything even though she is terrified and even though her ending is so close, she never stops fighting and not only for her, but for all the women of Ember Glen...
"If God does exist, then He's a cruel maker to bring us together this way."
The author in here focused more on Arlo and Mercy...
The sparkle between them had grown into a full fire ready to destroy everything around them...
Yes, they are sinners, but what a lovely way to sin when your heart is singing in a beautiful and intense tune!!!
These two have many trials to get through together and individually and i hope to the universe and Brynn Ford to give them the ending that they deserve... An end that they can be free together, outside of these ugly boxes that the community of Ember Glen's have put them in...
I just can not wait for the final chapter of this unbelievable story...
"Alive or dead...
I won't let you go."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
June 17, 2023
I couldn’t sleep from reading and wanting to
continue reading
this book. I’m freaking hooked and can’t wait to see the next hurdle Mercy must pass. This woman is so strong, full of compassion, with a certain sweetness and softness I find so endearing. The warrior within her is blazing through and I can’t wait to continue to see her fight.
I still think Killian has to die. This dude is cruel and deserves punishment that meets his crimes and actions. Death is the only solution.
I’m not sure how I feel about the other members of The Control. Owen seems to be reasonable (if a lot delusional), Wesley seems to take pleasure in being cruel (and yet try to appear kind), Ryker seems to be a determined Killian follower (like that guy needs anyone to encourage his wickedness), and the other member I don’t even remember. I hope Theo is a help rather than a hindrance in the rebellion to come.
I wonder where the missing pages of Mercy’s mother’s journal are. Who made sure she found the journal in the first place? And what do those pages have to say?
I’m curious about what exists outside of Ember Glen. I’m sure it’s a futuristic version of our society and I hope I get a chance to see Mercy thrive in the freedom of it.
Find more here - Ember Glen Trilogy
I still think Killian has to die. This dude is cruel and deserves punishment that meets his crimes and actions. Death is the only solution.
I’m not sure how I feel about the other members of The Control. Owen seems to be reasonable (if a lot delusional), Wesley seems to take pleasure in being cruel (and yet try to appear kind), Ryker seems to be a determined Killian follower (like that guy needs anyone to encourage his wickedness), and the other member I don’t even remember. I hope Theo is a help rather than a hindrance in the rebellion to come.
I wonder where the missing pages of Mercy’s mother’s journal are. Who made sure she found the journal in the first place? And what do those pages have to say?
I’m curious about what exists outside of Ember Glen. I’m sure it’s a futuristic version of our society and I hope I get a chance to see Mercy thrive in the freedom of it.
Find more here - Ember Glen Trilogy
November 13, 2022
OMG! The second part of this amazing series is here. I have been waiting for this one for a long time. Ever since I encountered that cliffhanger for the first book , I knew the author had thing more amazing for us in the next book. And I was right!!
The story picks off right where it ended and I won't go into too much detail about the plot because of the spoilers but then also wanted to warn you all about the triggers. Brynn always writes books that grip you and since I am a hardcore dark romance lover , I never mind the triggers but if you not into that much dark then I say that you need to be careful with this book .
Hoping to see more of these amazing characters in the next ok! Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there.
The story picks off right where it ended and I won't go into too much detail about the plot because of the spoilers but then also wanted to warn you all about the triggers. Brynn always writes books that grip you and since I am a hardcore dark romance lover , I never mind the triggers but if you not into that much dark then I say that you need to be careful with this book .
Hoping to see more of these amazing characters in the next ok! Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there.
October 20, 2022
Oh good Lord!!! This series....this book!!! Blaze of Misery is second in the Ember Glen trilogy. It picks right where book 1 (Spark of Madness) ends and dives right into the nitty-gritty. This series is a dark, spicy, dystopian, forbidden, cult romance. It is a trilogy and Blaze of Misery does end on a cliffhanger...all books need to be read in order.
I almost don't even know how to review this book to truly do it justice. This book is brilliant. It is dark and sexy. It makes you love and hate it all at the same time. It makes you want to make sure your batteries are charged......
Arlo....oh Arlo. Hate to love, love to hate...but it's definitely growing more into love. He is certainly a contender for a Top Book Boyfriend spot. He's dark and alpha and dominating...and knows how to use some ropes. He's realizing the wrong-ness of the life he has known. He's realizing how vile the ideals this society has adopted are.
And Mercy...oh girl....she has my heart. She is strong and fierce and selfless. She has no issue sacrificing herself for the greater good and others. She stands up for what she believes....or finally is after years of servitude. She's certainly in a "take no shit" mindset and I frickin LOVE it.
Side characters -- some I LOVE...some have GOT to go. And I hope that Brynn brings a demise fitting for each and every one of them.
You learn a little bit more about the world that is Ember Glen, but there are still some mysteries, and I hope that they are revealed in the third book.
Again...this book....this series....is nothing short of amazing. It sucks you in, and then, yes, leaves you standing on a cliff wanting to push Brynn over the edge of it because she left you hanging there, lol. But it is brilliant! Even though this is a fictional world, it is fitting for the real world in which we live in. It's a story of dissension and standing true to your beliefs and values. And then you throw in a sexy as sin alpha male like Arlo...and it's all the better.
I absolutely recommend this series...if you are a dark romance lover, I can nearly guarantee you will NOT be disappointed!
I almost don't even know how to review this book to truly do it justice. This book is brilliant. It is dark and sexy. It makes you love and hate it all at the same time. It makes you want to make sure your batteries are charged......
Arlo....oh Arlo. Hate to love, love to hate...but it's definitely growing more into love. He is certainly a contender for a Top Book Boyfriend spot. He's dark and alpha and dominating...and knows how to use some ropes. He's realizing the wrong-ness of the life he has known. He's realizing how vile the ideals this society has adopted are.
And Mercy...oh girl....she has my heart. She is strong and fierce and selfless. She has no issue sacrificing herself for the greater good and others. She stands up for what she believes....or finally is after years of servitude. She's certainly in a "take no shit" mindset and I frickin LOVE it.
Side characters -- some I LOVE...some have GOT to go. And I hope that Brynn brings a demise fitting for each and every one of them.
You learn a little bit more about the world that is Ember Glen, but there are still some mysteries, and I hope that they are revealed in the third book.
Again...this book....this series....is nothing short of amazing. It sucks you in, and then, yes, leaves you standing on a cliff wanting to push Brynn over the edge of it because she left you hanging there, lol. But it is brilliant! Even though this is a fictional world, it is fitting for the real world in which we live in. It's a story of dissension and standing true to your beliefs and values. And then you throw in a sexy as sin alpha male like Arlo...and it's all the better.
I absolutely recommend this series...if you are a dark romance lover, I can nearly guarantee you will NOT be disappointed!
October 22, 2022
Brynn Ford sure knows how to end a book leaving the reader with anticipation for the next. And I love her for it. She puts the dark in dark romance! Blaze of Misery is the sequel to Spark of Madness and I loved it even more than the first book. It was a fantastic read!
The start of the book had a rough beginning for Mercy. She endured her first trial, which was horrific and almost broke her. I feel like this shocked Arlo out of his years of indoctrination and started changing right then and there. He, as well as Mercy definitely changed and grew a lot throughout this book, espeically together, because Mercy let herself love him and he her. It was a beautiful character arc for the both of them.
The romance was swoon-worthy as well as fucking hot as hell. The author can write it all it seems and she did it all so well. Mercy and Arlo couldn't get enough of each other and I couldn't get enough of anticipating the next romance scene. As Arlo would say, "sweet sin."
I do have to say that this trilogy is more than a sexy dark romance because it's also an excellent assessment and commentary of what women face today, what they might face in the coming years and how we've all seen the world changing for worst in the last few years. These kind of stories are so important.
I can't wait to get my hands on the third and final book and see how Mercy and Arlo's story ends. I, for one, hope they burn Ember Glen to the ground.
The start of the book had a rough beginning for Mercy. She endured her first trial, which was horrific and almost broke her. I feel like this shocked Arlo out of his years of indoctrination and started changing right then and there. He, as well as Mercy definitely changed and grew a lot throughout this book, espeically together, because Mercy let herself love him and he her. It was a beautiful character arc for the both of them.
The romance was swoon-worthy as well as fucking hot as hell. The author can write it all it seems and she did it all so well. Mercy and Arlo couldn't get enough of each other and I couldn't get enough of anticipating the next romance scene. As Arlo would say, "sweet sin."
I do have to say that this trilogy is more than a sexy dark romance because it's also an excellent assessment and commentary of what women face today, what they might face in the coming years and how we've all seen the world changing for worst in the last few years. These kind of stories are so important.
I can't wait to get my hands on the third and final book and see how Mercy and Arlo's story ends. I, for one, hope they burn Ember Glen to the ground.
October 20, 2022
I AM UNWELL…
That ending was cruel and unusual punishment.
This book DELIVERED. I thought the 1st Ember Glen was a masterpiece, but this one topped it in ever way imaginable.
It’s twisted and dark but at the same time it’s something you can’t stop reading because you root for these characters. Mercy is the definition of a badass FMC, her fury and heart is what starts wars! And I honestly can’t wait for book 3 to see her really come into her own. Arlo is the kind of MMC every book needs. The way he questions himself and things he’s been brainwashed to believe makes him such a wonderfully written vital part to this story.
I’ve never read something with so much enteral character conflict. These characters are so well written that I honestly can’t compare it to anything that will give it enough justice.
Brynn Ford is an absolute genius and I will be singing her praises on this series for a long time to come.
That ending was cruel and unusual punishment.
This book DELIVERED. I thought the 1st Ember Glen was a masterpiece, but this one topped it in ever way imaginable.
It’s twisted and dark but at the same time it’s something you can’t stop reading because you root for these characters. Mercy is the definition of a badass FMC, her fury and heart is what starts wars! And I honestly can’t wait for book 3 to see her really come into her own. Arlo is the kind of MMC every book needs. The way he questions himself and things he’s been brainwashed to believe makes him such a wonderfully written vital part to this story.
I’ve never read something with so much enteral character conflict. These characters are so well written that I honestly can’t compare it to anything that will give it enough justice.
Brynn Ford is an absolute genius and I will be singing her praises on this series for a long time to come.
September 22, 2023
That ending 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
October 16, 2022
4. 5 Stars
I read the ARC book 14/10/22 And i finish 15/10/22
And she'll never know the anche of missing me.
There will be redemption for Ember Glen.
Will there be an opportunity to give?
Can they reason what they let go?
Blaze of misery
Has come as expected and is exactly how you imagine and hear it feel. Every word, saying and action feels like you're living it through words, Brynn Ford does an excellent job in that aspect, you manage to connect with the feelings of the protagonists and that's why I'm still here, needing something new.
But it does not end there, the misery for which Ember Glen lives is seeing its light before Arlo, as his starlight makes him open his eyes before what he is and makes him question what is right before his God and why he gives him the allowed to sin with his Dark Angel.
The intimate moments do not tire or annoy you, as a reader you can wish for it because you know that he is going to end Mercy's destiny and it is something else that I yearn for and love of this trilogy, that you do not know. I felt my skin tingle, I felt my heart race and knowing what is in store for Mercy has broken my heart for Arlo.
Arlo — He is in a state, you learn in this book things from his past, why he is the way he is. Of the decisions he made, of how his judgment by his brothers clouded him, of how the elders are to control a restricted society and that conforms them to the word of God. Arlo begins to open up, to feel and see beyond, what really should be and can change and how he doesn't see himself without a life without Mercy by his side.
Mercy— It is penance. Because he knows the meaning of true sacrifice. She knows what love is, and forgiveness, she is purer than the members and elders, she knows that her life depends on them, members who will not forgive her.
Until this moment I can't know how it will end, or what its ending will be, there are theories, yes, but with each chapter it makes you recapitulate your theory.
But as I always say, the second books are the neutral/balance part of a trilogy.
Why then do I give it 4.5 stars? I wish the scenes of Arlo and Mercy went further, there was a part of the book in which all their thoughts and doubts were encapsulated in the council room, it was long and I got desperate because I wanted it to happen to the next thing, to the future .
FOR NOW that's it
I read the ARC book 14/10/22 And i finish 15/10/22
And she'll never know the anche of missing me.
There will be redemption for Ember Glen.
Will there be an opportunity to give?
Can they reason what they let go?
Blaze of misery
Has come as expected and is exactly how you imagine and hear it feel. Every word, saying and action feels like you're living it through words, Brynn Ford does an excellent job in that aspect, you manage to connect with the feelings of the protagonists and that's why I'm still here, needing something new.
But it does not end there, the misery for which Ember Glen lives is seeing its light before Arlo, as his starlight makes him open his eyes before what he is and makes him question what is right before his God and why he gives him the allowed to sin with his Dark Angel.
The intimate moments do not tire or annoy you, as a reader you can wish for it because you know that he is going to end Mercy's destiny and it is something else that I yearn for and love of this trilogy, that you do not know. I felt my skin tingle, I felt my heart race and knowing what is in store for Mercy has broken my heart for Arlo.
Arlo — He is in a state, you learn in this book things from his past, why he is the way he is. Of the decisions he made, of how his judgment by his brothers clouded him, of how the elders are to control a restricted society and that conforms them to the word of God. Arlo begins to open up, to feel and see beyond, what really should be and can change and how he doesn't see himself without a life without Mercy by his side.
Mercy— It is penance. Because he knows the meaning of true sacrifice. She knows what love is, and forgiveness, she is purer than the members and elders, she knows that her life depends on them, members who will not forgive her.
Until this moment I can't know how it will end, or what its ending will be, there are theories, yes, but with each chapter it makes you recapitulate your theory.
But as I always say, the second books are the neutral/balance part of a trilogy.
Why then do I give it 4.5 stars? I wish the scenes of Arlo and Mercy went further, there was a part of the book in which all their thoughts and doubts were encapsulated in the council room, it was long and I got desperate because I wanted it to happen to the next thing, to the future .
FOR NOW that's it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2023
I liked this book more than the first, the story seems to be fleshed out more and we see a real relationship develop. I was still confused on some dynamics, why some women were allowed to have children and some were assigned children. I’m excited to see the 3rd task in the next book and learn more about the cult!
October 27, 2022
“I sacrifice myself in the name of all things deemed unholy. I sacrifice myself as a willing catalyst for war.”
A revolution only needs one single spark, and Mercy Madness is that glowing ember in a sea of darkness. Well…what to say about this book? While Spark of Madness was a shattering tale of rebellion, Blaze of Misery is a masterpiece of awakening. A pariah with the greatest conviction, a child with untold strength, a warden with a foretold future, but one he no longer seeks, and men blinded by the fanatical edicts set by those that came before, this book is dark romance at its finest, a downward spiral into doubt and an divine ascent to revelation.
Blaze of Misery immediately picks up where its predecessor left off, and readers witness the harrowing Service of the Flesh. Hours and hours of abuse meant to break only temper the steel that is Mercy’s resolve. What follows is a testament to the fortitude both she and Delle possess, defiant at every turn, remaining steadfast in their battle for the right to choose, for the right to live. Events are set into motion, building up to a crescendo of metamorphosis, one that will surely be staggering and exquisite.
“Perhaps it’s even beyond God himself. What we share is cosmic, toxic, fated, and forbidden. I can’t fight it, and I truly don’t want to anymore.”
One of the most enticing aspects of this series is the forbidden romance that has been brewing since Mercy stepped foot inside the Homestead. While Arlo is responsible for preparing Mercy for the trials that lie ahead, he’s been slowly giving into temptation along the way. Finally submitting to each other, what occurs between the two is explosive, carnal, the most opulent worship. The constant threat of being caught be damned. Their love is palpable; he’s willing to sacrifice anything for her, and she’s willing to sacrifice herself for his safety and future. There exists a dichotomy in their union – sinner and saint, heaven and hell – but lines begin to blur as everything comes into question.
We see the cracks slowly spread throughout Ember Glen, a community the Elders and Control think so perfect. While lots in life determined by indoctrinated men are meant to establish order, we witness how it does nothing but snuff the souls of all. Men are forced to give into a supposed Impulse for violent wickedness they’re taught they all possess. Children follow the paths paved for them without question. Women, viewed as weak and objects to be utilized, silently suffer. But one single act of solidarity, one voice triggers the avalanche. I can’t wait to see the shift I feel is coming.
This is not a tale for the faint of heart. It’s one of torment, anguish, pain and sacrifice. It’s one of courage, tenacity, fellowship and compassion. It’s dark and beautiful, disturbing and hopeful, depraved and enlightening. Blaze of Misery is a stunning novel that I never wanted to end. As expected, we’re left with another devastating cliffhanger, but I know monumental things are ahead. War is coming.
––
Note: A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a complementary advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A revolution only needs one single spark, and Mercy Madness is that glowing ember in a sea of darkness. Well…what to say about this book? While Spark of Madness was a shattering tale of rebellion, Blaze of Misery is a masterpiece of awakening. A pariah with the greatest conviction, a child with untold strength, a warden with a foretold future, but one he no longer seeks, and men blinded by the fanatical edicts set by those that came before, this book is dark romance at its finest, a downward spiral into doubt and an divine ascent to revelation.
Blaze of Misery immediately picks up where its predecessor left off, and readers witness the harrowing Service of the Flesh. Hours and hours of abuse meant to break only temper the steel that is Mercy’s resolve. What follows is a testament to the fortitude both she and Delle possess, defiant at every turn, remaining steadfast in their battle for the right to choose, for the right to live. Events are set into motion, building up to a crescendo of metamorphosis, one that will surely be staggering and exquisite.
“Perhaps it’s even beyond God himself. What we share is cosmic, toxic, fated, and forbidden. I can’t fight it, and I truly don’t want to anymore.”
One of the most enticing aspects of this series is the forbidden romance that has been brewing since Mercy stepped foot inside the Homestead. While Arlo is responsible for preparing Mercy for the trials that lie ahead, he’s been slowly giving into temptation along the way. Finally submitting to each other, what occurs between the two is explosive, carnal, the most opulent worship. The constant threat of being caught be damned. Their love is palpable; he’s willing to sacrifice anything for her, and she’s willing to sacrifice herself for his safety and future. There exists a dichotomy in their union – sinner and saint, heaven and hell – but lines begin to blur as everything comes into question.
We see the cracks slowly spread throughout Ember Glen, a community the Elders and Control think so perfect. While lots in life determined by indoctrinated men are meant to establish order, we witness how it does nothing but snuff the souls of all. Men are forced to give into a supposed Impulse for violent wickedness they’re taught they all possess. Children follow the paths paved for them without question. Women, viewed as weak and objects to be utilized, silently suffer. But one single act of solidarity, one voice triggers the avalanche. I can’t wait to see the shift I feel is coming.
This is not a tale for the faint of heart. It’s one of torment, anguish, pain and sacrifice. It’s one of courage, tenacity, fellowship and compassion. It’s dark and beautiful, disturbing and hopeful, depraved and enlightening. Blaze of Misery is a stunning novel that I never wanted to end. As expected, we’re left with another devastating cliffhanger, but I know monumental things are ahead. War is coming.
––
Note: A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a complementary advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2022
BLAZE OF MISERY (EMBER GLEN BOOK TWO)
Release Date: 10/20/22
Kindle Unlimited: [ ]YES [X]NO
Stand-alone: [ ]YES [X]NO
Author: Brynn Ford
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶️🌶/5
POV: Dual, first person
Main Characters: Mercy & Arlo
Genre: Dystopian dark Romance
Tropes: enemies to lovers; forbidden relationship; misogynistic society; heroine in danger; warden/ward
Review:
“I fell for a man who was impossible to love…and now I have to leave him.”
Do you remember what happened by the end of Spark of Madness? Mercy was about to face the first of the horrid of the three punishments she had to go through to “atone her sins”. Well, look carefully at the title of this book. Brynn didn’t disappoint and brought all the misery she could think of. In the beginning of the book all I could feel was disgust and helplessness.
Everything was unnerving me. Those horrible villain, the things Mercy was going through, Arlo’s hypocrisy… every time he felt conflicted I wanted to punch him. I even thought there was no way for me to like his character. Well, I had changed my opinion completely by the end of the book.
Horrible things continued happening, but one of the most amazing things was to watch Arlo’s epiphany. It was gradual and not an easy process, but was superbly done by Brynn. Other thing I loved was to see their feelings growing and reaching completion. Understanding better the workings of this society was also incredible and made me see things clearer.
If I could ask only one thing for the last book it would be that the villains to get what they deserve, but I want to know the details. Since I learned the details of Mercy’s and (later) Arlo’s suffering, nothing will make me happier than to see the villains getting what they deserve. Well, one thing will make me happier, to see the MCs HEA.
Be prepared to feel a lot of conflicting emotions when reading this book. This is a proof that a dark book with a story of great misery can be incredible.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ***
Release Date: 10/20/22
Kindle Unlimited: [ ]YES [X]NO
Stand-alone: [ ]YES [X]NO
Author: Brynn Ford
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶️🌶/5
POV: Dual, first person
Main Characters: Mercy & Arlo
Genre: Dystopian dark Romance
Tropes: enemies to lovers; forbidden relationship; misogynistic society; heroine in danger; warden/ward
Review:
“I fell for a man who was impossible to love…and now I have to leave him.”
Do you remember what happened by the end of Spark of Madness? Mercy was about to face the first of the horrid of the three punishments she had to go through to “atone her sins”. Well, look carefully at the title of this book. Brynn didn’t disappoint and brought all the misery she could think of. In the beginning of the book all I could feel was disgust and helplessness.
Everything was unnerving me. Those horrible villain, the things Mercy was going through, Arlo’s hypocrisy… every time he felt conflicted I wanted to punch him. I even thought there was no way for me to like his character. Well, I had changed my opinion completely by the end of the book.
Horrible things continued happening, but one of the most amazing things was to watch Arlo’s epiphany. It was gradual and not an easy process, but was superbly done by Brynn. Other thing I loved was to see their feelings growing and reaching completion. Understanding better the workings of this society was also incredible and made me see things clearer.
If I could ask only one thing for the last book it would be that the villains to get what they deserve, but I want to know the details. Since I learned the details of Mercy’s and (later) Arlo’s suffering, nothing will make me happier than to see the villains getting what they deserve. Well, one thing will make me happier, to see the MCs HEA.
Be prepared to feel a lot of conflicting emotions when reading this book. This is a proof that a dark book with a story of great misery can be incredible.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ***
October 18, 2022
I was so longing for this book…Spark of Madness was the beginning of a dark and profound story that stuck with me long after finishing it...it is still deeply settled in my subconscious.
Mercy and Arlo’s story continues in Blaze of Misery and I find myself, yet again, completely amazed by the talent that is Brynn Ford.
What I loved from the start was Mercy’s bravery. She enters her first trial with impossible strength, fueled by her determination to be the voice of change. The first part of the book is rough, Mercy is pushed to the limit and beyond and I have to say that the whole time my heart was in overdrive mode.
But I must say that this time was Arlo in the spotlight. His chapters were stunning. I love how we see Mercy through his eyes, her struggle, her truth and her pain. And we get to know what makes him Arlo, his painful past, his aspirations and desires.
This book brimmed with emotion, Brynn put her whole heart into these pages. From pain to passion, from acceptance to desperation, from desire to despair, I lived this story through beautiful selected words, connecting with its characters on a deeply primal level.
It says that it only needs one person to start a change, and Arlo and the sacrifice of his Starlight might be just the catalyst that will lift the veil of manipulation from Embers Glen. At this point, I have no clue how the story will continue, but I do know that book 3 will be spectacular.
“Review also posted on my IG”
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
October 19, 2022
(arc review)
I think it’s safe to say this is becoming one of my favorite series.
Blaze of Misery begins at Mercy and Delle’s first trial, cruel and difficult to read. But that’s precisely what sets the tone for the whole book, because witnessing that cruelty is what makes Arlo finally takes his head out of his ass. He starts to question, to think and seeing things through Mercy’s eyes. All he can promise her is to try to be better, and he delivers. So their relationship truly begins. They are no longer 2 people attracted to each other, they are partners.
Their relationship is based in resistance, which can be a little sad sometimes, because most of the time they don’t have any hope for a hea.
I had my doubts on Arlo. I wanted him to burn at the end of the first book. But I’m glad to say he definitely convinced me. This man is repenting, he’s determined to fix the damage he already caused.
Delle’s character development is also beautiful to read. Mercy is amazing, mas but she has always been, so Delle and Arlo were the best parts of this book for me.
This kind of dystopian future in which women’s bodies are absolutely controlled is always sad and enraging to read. To any thinking being, it’s impossible not to see the similarities to real life. But Blaze of Misery also has a little something else: hope.
This is an ode to female strength and to the ability that people, united and questioning, has to threaten and destroy any order, no matter how strong it seems.
I think it’s safe to say this is becoming one of my favorite series.
Blaze of Misery begins at Mercy and Delle’s first trial, cruel and difficult to read. But that’s precisely what sets the tone for the whole book, because witnessing that cruelty is what makes Arlo finally takes his head out of his ass. He starts to question, to think and seeing things through Mercy’s eyes. All he can promise her is to try to be better, and he delivers. So their relationship truly begins. They are no longer 2 people attracted to each other, they are partners.
Their relationship is based in resistance, which can be a little sad sometimes, because most of the time they don’t have any hope for a hea.
I had my doubts on Arlo. I wanted him to burn at the end of the first book. But I’m glad to say he definitely convinced me. This man is repenting, he’s determined to fix the damage he already caused.
Delle’s character development is also beautiful to read. Mercy is amazing, mas but she has always been, so Delle and Arlo were the best parts of this book for me.
This kind of dystopian future in which women’s bodies are absolutely controlled is always sad and enraging to read. To any thinking being, it’s impossible not to see the similarities to real life. But Blaze of Misery also has a little something else: hope.
This is an ode to female strength and to the ability that people, united and questioning, has to threaten and destroy any order, no matter how strong it seems.
October 21, 2022
Circulus vitiosus!
Welcome the Theory SpiralVille, Population - anyone finished with Blaze 😅
We pick up exactly where we left off and it’s as hard as you’d expect. After surviving the first of 3 trials, Control has another surprise beyond the Dissension Trials. And it hurts.. but never fear. And NEVER underestimate what one woman would do for her sister. The Elders and Control are playing a long game of f around and find out with Mercy Madness. *shakes head .. men will never learn. What happens when the prayer is said properly? Malo mori quam foedari. The men of Ember Glen are about to learn.
In the midst of the insanity of the trials and existence in Ember Glen, Arlo and Mercy continue to bond and grow with one another. He continues to be inspired by her kindness and grace, her beauty and strength. And in true Arlo fashion.. we get sweet words in epic poems. *swoon And more glimpses at Arlo’s primitive side 🥵 Along with more details on the past of the community and what might be going on.
All of this pales in comparison to the fact that Brynn Ford has written a compelling commentary on what our future could hold. Her ability to carefully weave a story of love and learning with the events of what woman are currently facing is brilliant.
You can read Ember Glen and enjoy a well written dystopian romance or you can read Ember Glen and read the same story and have a thought provoking conversation about what women the world over face.
It is insightful and poignant. You will be stuck thinking on the story and characters and maybe even how it relates to current events. Either way, it’s a must read.
Welcome the Theory SpiralVille, Population - anyone finished with Blaze 😅
We pick up exactly where we left off and it’s as hard as you’d expect. After surviving the first of 3 trials, Control has another surprise beyond the Dissension Trials. And it hurts.. but never fear. And NEVER underestimate what one woman would do for her sister. The Elders and Control are playing a long game of f around and find out with Mercy Madness. *shakes head .. men will never learn. What happens when the prayer is said properly? Malo mori quam foedari. The men of Ember Glen are about to learn.
In the midst of the insanity of the trials and existence in Ember Glen, Arlo and Mercy continue to bond and grow with one another. He continues to be inspired by her kindness and grace, her beauty and strength. And in true Arlo fashion.. we get sweet words in epic poems. *swoon And more glimpses at Arlo’s primitive side 🥵 Along with more details on the past of the community and what might be going on.
All of this pales in comparison to the fact that Brynn Ford has written a compelling commentary on what our future could hold. Her ability to carefully weave a story of love and learning with the events of what woman are currently facing is brilliant.
You can read Ember Glen and enjoy a well written dystopian romance or you can read Ember Glen and read the same story and have a thought provoking conversation about what women the world over face.
It is insightful and poignant. You will be stuck thinking on the story and characters and maybe even how it relates to current events. Either way, it’s a must read.
May 19, 2023
5⭐️
Mercy and Arlo are hands down the best written characters I have ever read.
This dystopian love story is heartbreaking to read and impossible not to love. The detailed world Brynn has written is engrossing and terrifying at the same time. The character growth of both of them is exciting to read as the flames of rebellion are lit 🔥.
And the way that Arlo has grown to love Mercy … how his poetic soul loves her and the way it is written breaks your heart and mends it at the same time.
Perfection 😊
Mercy and Arlo are hands down the best written characters I have ever read.
This dystopian love story is heartbreaking to read and impossible not to love. The detailed world Brynn has written is engrossing and terrifying at the same time. The character growth of both of them is exciting to read as the flames of rebellion are lit 🔥.
And the way that Arlo has grown to love Mercy … how his poetic soul loves her and the way it is written breaks your heart and mends it at the same time.
Perfection 😊
April 5, 2023
Arlo 🥺 Such amazing character development ugh I loved this also Arlo’s poetic rizz
December 17, 2023
Very similar to how I felt about the first book, this is a fitting continuation of the series. While some parts felt slow between the ones of action, there is enough intrigue to keep me going and finish the series. I do think that this is some of the better dark romance I’ve read in that it is self-aware and acknowledges that the problematic parts are actually problematic.
TW: violence, death, sexual assault
TW: violence, death, sexual assault
January 20, 2024
Holy crap!!!! This series is so damn good and so addictive! I have never wished for the demise of a character as I have Killian!!! That man is a real asshole! Poor Mercy and Arlo, I have so much anxiety for them… on to the next book!
March 22, 2023
Rating: 4.25/5
I loved this story!! Omg, I couldn't stop shivering when I read this book. The connection between Arlo and Mercy was so deep here.
I liked how the author wrote their sufferings together. Also, there was a hint of a secret, which I hope would be unveiled in the last book.
I loved this story!! Omg, I couldn't stop shivering when I read this book. The connection between Arlo and Mercy was so deep here.
I liked how the author wrote their sufferings together. Also, there was a hint of a secret, which I hope would be unveiled in the last book.
October 21, 2022
This. I just. Omg. I…it’s so so good. They have to endure so much and still they find their love for each other. I cannot even imagine the struggle of reconciling their upbringing and beliefs with the realization that it just might all be wrong… This is a beautifully heartbreaking second book in the trilogy. I cannot wait for the final book. Literally, cannot wait…that cliffhanger is brutal.
May 1, 2023
Ummm
What in the holiest of titfires... I'm so disturbed. Yet, enthralled at the same time. It's rare to leave me speechless, and yet here we are. Heed the trigger warnings. This made me uncomfortable but still I couldn't force myself to stop reading. Maybe, it's because certain aspects, considering the world we live in, makes this so it doesn't seem so farfetched. That in itself is terrifying.
What in the holiest of titfires... I'm so disturbed. Yet, enthralled at the same time. It's rare to leave me speechless, and yet here we are. Heed the trigger warnings. This made me uncomfortable but still I couldn't force myself to stop reading. Maybe, it's because certain aspects, considering the world we live in, makes this so it doesn't seem so farfetched. That in itself is terrifying.
December 20, 2022
2 it’s not my cuppa stars….
Dnf @ 50% I really wanted to finish this series because the writing style is truly incredible, but the story just isn’t for me. Some parts were extremely hard to read and Arlo just continued to disappoint me. He came of as wimp and watched as Mercy was tortured and raped, but it’s ok because he’ll make her feel good when it’s his turn. Barf!! I know he’s in an impossible situation, but it didn’t make me sympathize with him at all. I still love Mercy and her selflessness in this one made me love her more, but unfortunately the plot for me isn’t worth finishing her story. This one wasn’t for me, but I wouldn’t mind reading other books from this author.
Dnf @ 50% I really wanted to finish this series because the writing style is truly incredible, but the story just isn’t for me. Some parts were extremely hard to read and Arlo just continued to disappoint me. He came of as wimp and watched as Mercy was tortured and raped, but it’s ok because he’ll make her feel good when it’s his turn. Barf!! I know he’s in an impossible situation, but it didn’t make me sympathize with him at all. I still love Mercy and her selflessness in this one made me love her more, but unfortunately the plot for me isn’t worth finishing her story. This one wasn’t for me, but I wouldn’t mind reading other books from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
The first part of this book had me in shock, and I was wondering how I could even continue through. It was like 60 PAGES of rape and abuse, and I sat there with Mercy for every second of it, feeling her despair like my own. I kept thinking “there is no story that could be worth reading through this. And there is no love that could heal these wounds that Arlo is helping create.” All of that is true. And… all of that is completely wrong. I didn’t know that this could happen, and I’m not really sure how to explain it.
What Mercy went through was wrong (STO, I know). She should never have had to endure that level of trauma, but she did. But in a way… that event exists independent of everything else she went through. It’s not like it didn’t leave scars on her, but it didn’t change fate’s plans for her. And fate had a lot of plans for her.
Arlo starts to see past the facade in this book. But at what cost? I think one of the most beautiful thing about this novel is that it’s like all versions of Arlo exist at the same time. Arlo that hurts her, Arlo that loves her, Arlo that feels the despair of his past sins, all exist. All that exists is Arlo.
“He fills me in every sense, taking up all the space in my mouth, but also in my mind. With Arlo, the world doesn't exist, the pain doesn't exist. With Arlo, I don't have to think about what comes next or what came before. All that exists are him and me and this time we have together to be completely unhinged and bare, sharing our debauchery with each other unashamedly in this Service of the Flesh.”
There is something to say about how he can be with her during such a hard time. It’s disgusting, but also beautiful, in a way. If he can’t change anything, then he might as well be there with her always.
“And how dare they try to take that light away?
I rise and charge, some reckless fury overtaking me. There's a piece of me that wants to protect that light at any cost, at all costs, because the parts of Mercy that are good and pure—uncorrupted by the demons and sin—reside within that light. And if they take that from her, then they'll surely ruin her.”
Though I know this trial changed her, I’m unsure of how Mercy is still so resilient. She’s crazy strong, and everyone sees that. Because the reader lives through the eyes of people who view this world as routine, it was so easy for me to normalize all the atrocities that occurred there, for some reason. But when their view starts to crack, so does ours. And what is left behind is horrible. Absolutely horrible.
“All I know is the thought of hurting her makes my chest ache, makes my spine tremor with rage— yet I'm meant to hurt her so much worse before the end of the trials.”
Mercy is so similar to me. “A twinge of pain pinches my chest for the wish that Arlo—that anyone in Ember Glen—would show me grace as much as I show them.” And at some point I asked myself “will she even know what love is? She gives people so much grace, and I worry that people will take that for granted.” But that’s why Arlo is so special, and that’s why Mercy is so smart. Mercy is compassionate but also fierce. She knows in her heart what right and wrong feels like, and I think it was really important for me to see what that looks like. And Arlo, though it took him a while, truly does love her. He worships her, he knows how lucky he is. I spent most of the book torn because if I were Arlo, I wouldn’t be able to know that Mercy was going to die. That’s why everything felt right after he finally came to this conclusion:
“But I am not going to live my life as an honorable member of the Control so I can become an Elder and maybe effect some minor change decades in the future.
No.
I'll live honorably long enough to find a way out of this, to figure out how to take her safely away from Ember Glen, or burn the whole damn village down myself, even if it means she and I are the only two people left in existence.
And if I fail, then I'll die along with her because I can no longer fathom the thought of living without her”
“Whatever she is, she’s mine, and I’m claiming her for eternity.”
Their love is so beautiful. Everything that has happened is ok because they love each other for just who they are. How do you explain something so breathtaking?
“The strength of my passion doesn't frighten her, even when I feel like it should—when I feel like I'm feral, barely holding on and teetering on the brink of losing control to the Impulse”
I’m not sure if that’s just fiction, but I’d like to think it’s not.
“I love you, Mercy Madness," I whisper. "I love everything you were, everything you are, and everything you will become when you survive this. And you will survive this. You and I have a rebellion to lead.”
Plot: ∞/5
Spice: 5/5 occurrence (though it didn’t feel this way because there was so much plot), ∞/5 value (infinity not for the sex— but the connection developed through this insanely jagged part of both of their lives)
What Mercy went through was wrong (STO, I know). She should never have had to endure that level of trauma, but she did. But in a way… that event exists independent of everything else she went through. It’s not like it didn’t leave scars on her, but it didn’t change fate’s plans for her. And fate had a lot of plans for her.
Arlo starts to see past the facade in this book. But at what cost? I think one of the most beautiful thing about this novel is that it’s like all versions of Arlo exist at the same time. Arlo that hurts her, Arlo that loves her, Arlo that feels the despair of his past sins, all exist. All that exists is Arlo.
“He fills me in every sense, taking up all the space in my mouth, but also in my mind. With Arlo, the world doesn't exist, the pain doesn't exist. With Arlo, I don't have to think about what comes next or what came before. All that exists are him and me and this time we have together to be completely unhinged and bare, sharing our debauchery with each other unashamedly in this Service of the Flesh.”
There is something to say about how he can be with her during such a hard time. It’s disgusting, but also beautiful, in a way. If he can’t change anything, then he might as well be there with her always.
“And how dare they try to take that light away?
I rise and charge, some reckless fury overtaking me. There's a piece of me that wants to protect that light at any cost, at all costs, because the parts of Mercy that are good and pure—uncorrupted by the demons and sin—reside within that light. And if they take that from her, then they'll surely ruin her.”
Though I know this trial changed her, I’m unsure of how Mercy is still so resilient. She’s crazy strong, and everyone sees that. Because the reader lives through the eyes of people who view this world as routine, it was so easy for me to normalize all the atrocities that occurred there, for some reason. But when their view starts to crack, so does ours. And what is left behind is horrible. Absolutely horrible.
“All I know is the thought of hurting her makes my chest ache, makes my spine tremor with rage— yet I'm meant to hurt her so much worse before the end of the trials.”
Mercy is so similar to me. “A twinge of pain pinches my chest for the wish that Arlo—that anyone in Ember Glen—would show me grace as much as I show them.” And at some point I asked myself “will she even know what love is? She gives people so much grace, and I worry that people will take that for granted.” But that’s why Arlo is so special, and that’s why Mercy is so smart. Mercy is compassionate but also fierce. She knows in her heart what right and wrong feels like, and I think it was really important for me to see what that looks like. And Arlo, though it took him a while, truly does love her. He worships her, he knows how lucky he is. I spent most of the book torn because if I were Arlo, I wouldn’t be able to know that Mercy was going to die. That’s why everything felt right after he finally came to this conclusion:
“But I am not going to live my life as an honorable member of the Control so I can become an Elder and maybe effect some minor change decades in the future.
No.
I'll live honorably long enough to find a way out of this, to figure out how to take her safely away from Ember Glen, or burn the whole damn village down myself, even if it means she and I are the only two people left in existence.
And if I fail, then I'll die along with her because I can no longer fathom the thought of living without her”
“Whatever she is, she’s mine, and I’m claiming her for eternity.”
Their love is so beautiful. Everything that has happened is ok because they love each other for just who they are. How do you explain something so breathtaking?
“The strength of my passion doesn't frighten her, even when I feel like it should—when I feel like I'm feral, barely holding on and teetering on the brink of losing control to the Impulse”
I’m not sure if that’s just fiction, but I’d like to think it’s not.
“I love you, Mercy Madness," I whisper. "I love everything you were, everything you are, and everything you will become when you survive this. And you will survive this. You and I have a rebellion to lead.”
Plot: ∞/5
Spice: 5/5 occurrence (though it didn’t feel this way because there was so much plot), ∞/5 value (infinity not for the sex— but the connection developed through this insanely jagged part of both of their lives)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2025
4.5 stars.
I'm obsessed with this series and I have so many questions. It's horrifying and emotional but such an engaging story.
But one thing has definitely been on my mind for a while, so I hope it gets adequately resolved.
Mercy is one of the most selfless FMCs I've come across, which is great, but why is she the only one who has to make all of the sacrifices? Can someone else make a sacrifice to protect her? She has been through so much, she deserves to be protected too.
During the first trial, Arlo saves Delle from the worst of the depravity at the expense of Mercy. Mercy is grateful because if she could have endured it twice so Delle wouldn't have to, she would have. But Arlo's intentions weren't completely pure. He thought it was okay that Mercy had it so hard because she had years of experience with the purge and she could handle it because she was strong, older, and braver. He hopes that Delle isn't as brutalized as Mercy and actively works to direct the rest of the control's excitement to Mercy. When he tells Theo his plan to direct his brothers' away from Delle to Mercy, he tells him that he's doing it to Mercy because she's a temptation to him. He believes she's a sinner and that she deserves to be punished. Delle reminds him of his own sister and because of that and her age, he doesn't think she deserves the punishment. But because he's attracted to (& obsessed with) Mercy, he wants to punish her. Just being a human being, let alone one he cares about isn't enough for him to try to protect her.
I get that he was trying to protect a 16-year-old and he thought Mercy could handle it, but I thought what he did was incredibly cruel. He knew Mercy's compassion couldn't take it if Delle had it as hard as her, but it doesn't change the fact that Arlo's intentions were to hurt her. As the trial is happening, it's painful to Arlo to witness and I think eventually he regrets letting the men do what they did at all, but he never tells Mercy why he did what he did. He admits to protecting Delle and Mercy is grateful, but he never tells her that he wanted to hurt her so badly that he orchestrated the first trial in such a brutal way to hurt her specifically. I think he didn't know the depths of his feelings either until the first trial was actually happening, but man it hurts to know that he would do that to someone he supposedly cares about, which he at least admitted to at that point.
I get that Mercy is older and stronger, but she's had four years of rape and violence, suffered miscarriage after miscarriage, and been treated like a second-class citizen. She deserves better than this. She constantly sacrifices for everyone else and in this book she's even ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for Arlo.
I'm definitely excited to read the next book to see a resolution for the romance and answers to all my burning questions, but I do hope that he apologizes to Mercy for everything he's done to her. I think I'm just particularly hung up on the first trial, so I hope it's at least mentioned. I understand his thought process when he did it, as bad as it was, I think I just wanted some acknowledgement of how cruel it had been to her and that yes Delle didn't deserve it, but neither did Mercy. And I think that's maybe the crutch of it, because, at the time, Arlo was operating under the belief that Mercy ultimately deserved her punishment, but if he sees that she never did, he'll understand what he did to her was incredibly cruel. I think he'll see that she should have never had to endure to it at all, but will he admit how awful it was that he made it worse for her?
Hopefully in the next book Arlo earns Mercy because at this point he doesn't really deserve her-between everything he's done to her and everything he's let happen to her at the hands of his brothers. I'm hoping he is redeemed in the last book and I also want someone else to make a sacrifice (preferably Arlo) for Mercy. She may be a compassionate and selfless person, but she deserves better. Someone needs to take care of her, like she takes care of others.
I'm obsessed with this series and I have so many questions. It's horrifying and emotional but such an engaging story.
But one thing has definitely been on my mind for a while, so I hope it gets adequately resolved.
Mercy is one of the most selfless FMCs I've come across, which is great, but why is she the only one who has to make all of the sacrifices? Can someone else make a sacrifice to protect her? She has been through so much, she deserves to be protected too.
During the first trial, Arlo saves Delle from the worst of the depravity at the expense of Mercy. Mercy is grateful because if she could have endured it twice so Delle wouldn't have to, she would have. But Arlo's intentions weren't completely pure. He thought it was okay that Mercy had it so hard because she had years of experience with the purge and she could handle it because she was strong, older, and braver. He hopes that Delle isn't as brutalized as Mercy and actively works to direct the rest of the control's excitement to Mercy. When he tells Theo his plan to direct his brothers' away from Delle to Mercy, he tells him that he's doing it to Mercy because she's a temptation to him. He believes she's a sinner and that she deserves to be punished. Delle reminds him of his own sister and because of that and her age, he doesn't think she deserves the punishment. But because he's attracted to (& obsessed with) Mercy, he wants to punish her. Just being a human being, let alone one he cares about isn't enough for him to try to protect her.
I get that he was trying to protect a 16-year-old and he thought Mercy could handle it, but I thought what he did was incredibly cruel. He knew Mercy's compassion couldn't take it if Delle had it as hard as her, but it doesn't change the fact that Arlo's intentions were to hurt her. As the trial is happening, it's painful to Arlo to witness and I think eventually he regrets letting the men do what they did at all, but he never tells Mercy why he did what he did. He admits to protecting Delle and Mercy is grateful, but he never tells her that he wanted to hurt her so badly that he orchestrated the first trial in such a brutal way to hurt her specifically. I think he didn't know the depths of his feelings either until the first trial was actually happening, but man it hurts to know that he would do that to someone he supposedly cares about, which he at least admitted to at that point.
I get that Mercy is older and stronger, but she's had four years of rape and violence, suffered miscarriage after miscarriage, and been treated like a second-class citizen. She deserves better than this. She constantly sacrifices for everyone else and in this book she's even ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for Arlo.
I'm definitely excited to read the next book to see a resolution for the romance and answers to all my burning questions, but I do hope that he apologizes to Mercy for everything he's done to her. I think I'm just particularly hung up on the first trial, so I hope it's at least mentioned. I understand his thought process when he did it, as bad as it was, I think I just wanted some acknowledgement of how cruel it had been to her and that yes Delle didn't deserve it, but neither did Mercy. And I think that's maybe the crutch of it, because, at the time, Arlo was operating under the belief that Mercy ultimately deserved her punishment, but if he sees that she never did, he'll understand what he did to her was incredibly cruel. I think he'll see that she should have never had to endure to it at all, but will he admit how awful it was that he made it worse for her?
Hopefully in the next book Arlo earns Mercy because at this point he doesn't really deserve her-between everything he's done to her and everything he's let happen to her at the hands of his brothers. I'm hoping he is redeemed in the last book and I also want someone else to make a sacrifice (preferably Arlo) for Mercy. She may be a compassionate and selfless person, but she deserves better. Someone needs to take care of her, like she takes care of others.
October 27, 2022
UGH!! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! I think I am going to be sick now! How? Why? NO!!!
As you can tell I am utterly speechless over the second part of this story. My stomach is rolling ready to hurl, my heart is completely broken, and I just want to punch a wall or something. The utter rage and anger I am feeling right now is unbearable. Why have you done this to me Brynn?
This is a dark, depraved and utterly twisted story from start to finish. Right from the start we dive right back into the story where book 1 left off and things kick up a whole hell of a lot from here. There is no end to the adrenaline and rage inducing moments that are packed into this part of the story. I was kept literally on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I screamed, shouted, punched my pillow and cried for everything that transpired before my eyes.
Mercy is a MF Queen. She is fierce, strong, uncontrollable and willing to do anything and go to any lengths necessary for the survival of those she loves. She is becoming a woman that all other’s in Ember Glen need to aspire to. She is an inspiration and will instigate the changes that need to be made. She is a phoenix rising from the ashes ready to burn Ember Glen down and all of the disgusting, corrupt and vile men with it!!
“I am only one wildflower, pulled from the earth, kept in a vase with only enough water to sustain me, though everyone knows I’m slowly wilting, slowly dying. I’ve been plucked, and I’m withering. But I will not die in vain.”
Arlo is fast becoming a redeemable man worthy of Mercy’s love and forgiveness. He finally gets what Mercy is trying to tell him. His eyes are finally opening up to the madness and corruption in Ember Glen. He is ready to start bringing justice where justice is due.
This story is utterly brilliant. The imagery and world building is outstanding. The characters are phenomenal. The words are poetic and poignantly written. And the storyline is filled with suspense, violence, uncontrollable lust and desire, hate and anger, and so many highly erotic moments that there was no way there was going to be any dry panties around. I mean HOLY HELL there was some very very sexy moments between Arlo and Mercy that had me reaching for B.O.B. to ease the ache in my lady parts.
“It’s God’s will…but perhaps His will is no longer meant for me. Perhaps it’s only meant for men who haven’t tasted the holy water that drips between your thighs when you come.”
I absolutely loved this story even though that ending nearly killed me. I can’t wait to see how it all ends with the final book in this amazing trilogy.
“The confusion only ends when you seek truth through the madness, when you seek truth above all else.”
As you can tell I am utterly speechless over the second part of this story. My stomach is rolling ready to hurl, my heart is completely broken, and I just want to punch a wall or something. The utter rage and anger I am feeling right now is unbearable. Why have you done this to me Brynn?
This is a dark, depraved and utterly twisted story from start to finish. Right from the start we dive right back into the story where book 1 left off and things kick up a whole hell of a lot from here. There is no end to the adrenaline and rage inducing moments that are packed into this part of the story. I was kept literally on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I screamed, shouted, punched my pillow and cried for everything that transpired before my eyes.
Mercy is a MF Queen. She is fierce, strong, uncontrollable and willing to do anything and go to any lengths necessary for the survival of those she loves. She is becoming a woman that all other’s in Ember Glen need to aspire to. She is an inspiration and will instigate the changes that need to be made. She is a phoenix rising from the ashes ready to burn Ember Glen down and all of the disgusting, corrupt and vile men with it!!
“I am only one wildflower, pulled from the earth, kept in a vase with only enough water to sustain me, though everyone knows I’m slowly wilting, slowly dying. I’ve been plucked, and I’m withering. But I will not die in vain.”
Arlo is fast becoming a redeemable man worthy of Mercy’s love and forgiveness. He finally gets what Mercy is trying to tell him. His eyes are finally opening up to the madness and corruption in Ember Glen. He is ready to start bringing justice where justice is due.
This story is utterly brilliant. The imagery and world building is outstanding. The characters are phenomenal. The words are poetic and poignantly written. And the storyline is filled with suspense, violence, uncontrollable lust and desire, hate and anger, and so many highly erotic moments that there was no way there was going to be any dry panties around. I mean HOLY HELL there was some very very sexy moments between Arlo and Mercy that had me reaching for B.O.B. to ease the ache in my lady parts.
“It’s God’s will…but perhaps His will is no longer meant for me. Perhaps it’s only meant for men who haven’t tasted the holy water that drips between your thighs when you come.”
I absolutely loved this story even though that ending nearly killed me. I can’t wait to see how it all ends with the final book in this amazing trilogy.
“The confusion only ends when you seek truth through the madness, when you seek truth above all else.”
October 26, 2022
4.5 Overall 3 for Spice
Holy freaking shit!!! I literally had a straight up anxiety attack with this one.
This is such an incredibly powerful storyline.
What we know: Mercy Madness former servant in the village of Ember Glenn, deemed a sinner and forced to participate in public trials to atone for displaying self-preservation vs dutifully allowing a man to set her on fire during the monthly purge. Mercy's warden Arlo Rainn is the one who turned her in because he's a rule following snitch. In book one he sinned with Mercy, but HIS sin will be forgiven because he's a man and it's HER fault because she has a vagina.
Now we have book two and my attention was super divided between the brutality that was the first trial, the anxiety of the second, and what could be a future female rebellion within the community..
Arlo meanwhile is totally obsessed with Mercy's sinful cooter and starts to seriously question his beliefs ad the laws that he has faithfully followed.
Now, I'm not finna tell you what goes down. But know that you're heart is going to jump out of your body. You will be shook and shocked by the events that go down. I'm talking Han's big reveal as a bad guy in Frozen level of devastation.
Now don't come for me. I can't even believe I'm admitting this but... Was the sex hot?? YES, it was spicy and plentiful. However, personally I was soooo focused on the trials that got annoyed by the sex. It felt like overkill for me. Like okay I get it, Mercy is experiencing sex for pleasure and not for pain for the first time in her life and as her friend I'm happy for her and after the first time or two I was like "Oh shit, get it girl" but then after the 923432423 time I was like. This shit again, can we move past this and get with the action. I am ashamed that as an avid smut reader I allowed my focus to waiver, but I feel like it's kind of a compliment to the rest of the storyline.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND Can't wait for book 3, already preordered it.
*I'm a hella cheap bitch so me dropping $$$ on these books says a lot.
- Check out my aesthetic video >>> https://www.tiktok.com/@plus.size.bib...
Holy freaking shit!!! I literally had a straight up anxiety attack with this one.
This is such an incredibly powerful storyline.
What we know: Mercy Madness former servant in the village of Ember Glenn, deemed a sinner and forced to participate in public trials to atone for displaying self-preservation vs dutifully allowing a man to set her on fire during the monthly purge. Mercy's warden Arlo Rainn is the one who turned her in because he's a rule following snitch. In book one he sinned with Mercy, but HIS sin will be forgiven because he's a man and it's HER fault because she has a vagina.
Now we have book two and my attention was super divided between the brutality that was the first trial, the anxiety of the second, and what could be a future female rebellion within the community..
Arlo meanwhile is totally obsessed with Mercy's sinful cooter and starts to seriously question his beliefs ad the laws that he has faithfully followed.
Now, I'm not finna tell you what goes down. But know that you're heart is going to jump out of your body. You will be shook and shocked by the events that go down. I'm talking Han's big reveal as a bad guy in Frozen level of devastation.
Now don't come for me. I can't even believe I'm admitting this but... Was the sex hot?? YES, it was spicy and plentiful. However, personally I was soooo focused on the trials that got annoyed by the sex. It felt like overkill for me. Like okay I get it, Mercy is experiencing sex for pleasure and not for pain for the first time in her life and as her friend I'm happy for her and after the first time or two I was like "Oh shit, get it girl" but then after the 923432423 time I was like. This shit again, can we move past this and get with the action. I am ashamed that as an avid smut reader I allowed my focus to waiver, but I feel like it's kind of a compliment to the rest of the storyline.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND Can't wait for book 3, already preordered it.
*I'm a hella cheap bitch so me dropping $$$ on these books says a lot.
- Check out my aesthetic video >>> https://www.tiktok.com/@plus.size.bib...
October 22, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
Mercy endures brutal punishment for her so-called sins, and Arlo's warped worldview begins to fracture. While his affection for her grows, she comes to accept her fate. Knowing her death is inevitable, their passions ignites, setting a blaze across the boundary line between purity and pleasure.
ARLO
She's destined to die, yet she consumes my every waking thought.
I could not wait to get this book in my hot little hands after finishing Spark of Madness. You have to read that book first or you will not have a clue what is happening in this book and how we got there. I should also say this is a dark book and you will want to heed the warnings in the beginning of the book. This is where the trials begin for Mercy after she ran and was caught. I don't really know what to say about this book and not give something away about this book. I loved though how the relationship between Marcy Madness and Arlo grew in this book. I don't think that one will ever be able to survive much without the other but the both know that Mercy's time is about up. We go through the first trial and the spotlight in mainly on Mercy. Then Arlo gets the news he has been working so hard for which only serves to cause more confusion in his heart. But Mercy wants his to do something very specific with that power that he might have one day. There is a lot that goes on in this book and the time comes for the second trial and I was left with my heart in my throat and needing the third book like yesterday!! I am so hooked on this series. I love that this is different from anything you have read lately. It hooks you from the beginning and you can't help but fall in love with the characters. Don't hesitate. Get these books and join in the Madness that is Mercy.
Mercy endures brutal punishment for her so-called sins, and Arlo's warped worldview begins to fracture. While his affection for her grows, she comes to accept her fate. Knowing her death is inevitable, their passions ignites, setting a blaze across the boundary line between purity and pleasure.
ARLO
She's destined to die, yet she consumes my every waking thought.
I could not wait to get this book in my hot little hands after finishing Spark of Madness. You have to read that book first or you will not have a clue what is happening in this book and how we got there. I should also say this is a dark book and you will want to heed the warnings in the beginning of the book. This is where the trials begin for Mercy after she ran and was caught. I don't really know what to say about this book and not give something away about this book. I loved though how the relationship between Marcy Madness and Arlo grew in this book. I don't think that one will ever be able to survive much without the other but the both know that Mercy's time is about up. We go through the first trial and the spotlight in mainly on Mercy. Then Arlo gets the news he has been working so hard for which only serves to cause more confusion in his heart. But Mercy wants his to do something very specific with that power that he might have one day. There is a lot that goes on in this book and the time comes for the second trial and I was left with my heart in my throat and needing the third book like yesterday!! I am so hooked on this series. I love that this is different from anything you have read lately. It hooks you from the beginning and you can't help but fall in love with the characters. Don't hesitate. Get these books and join in the Madness that is Mercy.
October 20, 2022
WARNING! If you have blood pressure issues I would take MANY MANY breaks while reading this second book because it is probably going to spike a time or 3,000.
WOW, that ending. I have never been so damn mad at an author before LOL You guys ever see that commercial with the old guy holding the dollar bill with a fishing pole saying "you almost had it, you gotta be quicker than that" ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItUEC...
Well Brynn Ford is that old man and that dollar bill is hope. Giving us hope every few chapters to just keep SNATCHING IT AWAY 😅
In this book you will see Mercy and Delle go through the rest of their first trial which is pretty brutal and you will see a glimpse into their second trial with some really good eye opening stuff in between.
But I will give credit where credit is due because once again, this book was freaking unique, extraordinary and unlike anything in it's genre. You cannot compare anything to this series. And that's one of the things I love MOST about it! I love that the world is so different, it is still OUR world but futuristic. Just a horrible way for us women to have to live in the future.
I love Mercy Madness. Her name says it all. "Her rage is a thing of beauty."Horrifying and beautiful."
She is truly a thing to worship in this book if that is what women did. Mercy is a fearless leader when that is exactly what they train them their entire lives NOT to be.
And Arlo Rainn, he is exactly what Mercy describes him to be. Blessed and broken. "His beauty is otherworldly, and in my euphoria, I see him as an ethereal savior." Which that is what he tries so hard to do the entire book. Save her while also trying to still keep that part of himself that is "not a sinner" having to hide his love for her from the counsel. Which is hard because Killian has a hard on for making Mercy suffer.
You think in the first book oh yay, Hyatt is gone so the big bad wolf wont be there to torture Mercy anymore but nope another one just comes to stand in his place. I really hope that something happens to some of these counsel members because some of the things they did to Mercy in the beginning of this book SHEWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEE.
Except Theo. He has become the only other one that is deserving of any good to come out of this. I really hope there is some kind of after for him and Delle but who knows with Brynn WHAT SHE MIGHT DO! OK, I have tried to be as vague as possible and not say too much while also saying a little bit. 5 stars and 5 more stars already for the next book because I KNOW it will be incredible. And I am going to leave you with a little bit of Warden Rainn:
"If wanting you to live makes me weak, then I am the weakest man who has ever walked this earth."
WOW, that ending. I have never been so damn mad at an author before LOL You guys ever see that commercial with the old guy holding the dollar bill with a fishing pole saying "you almost had it, you gotta be quicker than that" ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItUEC...
Well Brynn Ford is that old man and that dollar bill is hope. Giving us hope every few chapters to just keep SNATCHING IT AWAY 😅
In this book you will see Mercy and Delle go through the rest of their first trial which is pretty brutal and you will see a glimpse into their second trial with some really good eye opening stuff in between.
But I will give credit where credit is due because once again, this book was freaking unique, extraordinary and unlike anything in it's genre. You cannot compare anything to this series. And that's one of the things I love MOST about it! I love that the world is so different, it is still OUR world but futuristic. Just a horrible way for us women to have to live in the future.
I love Mercy Madness. Her name says it all. "Her rage is a thing of beauty."Horrifying and beautiful."
She is truly a thing to worship in this book if that is what women did. Mercy is a fearless leader when that is exactly what they train them their entire lives NOT to be.
And Arlo Rainn, he is exactly what Mercy describes him to be. Blessed and broken. "His beauty is otherworldly, and in my euphoria, I see him as an ethereal savior." Which that is what he tries so hard to do the entire book. Save her while also trying to still keep that part of himself that is "not a sinner" having to hide his love for her from the counsel. Which is hard because Killian has a hard on for making Mercy suffer.
You think in the first book oh yay, Hyatt is gone so the big bad wolf wont be there to torture Mercy anymore but nope another one just comes to stand in his place. I really hope that something happens to some of these counsel members because some of the things they did to Mercy in the beginning of this book SHEWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEE.
Except Theo. He has become the only other one that is deserving of any good to come out of this. I really hope there is some kind of after for him and Delle but who knows with Brynn WHAT SHE MIGHT DO! OK, I have tried to be as vague as possible and not say too much while also saying a little bit. 5 stars and 5 more stars already for the next book because I KNOW it will be incredible. And I am going to leave you with a little bit of Warden Rainn:
"If wanting you to live makes me weak, then I am the weakest man who has ever walked this earth."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2022
“What we share is cosmic, toxic, fated, and forbidden.
I can't fight it, and I truly don't want to anymore.”
*Arc received for an honest review*
I have spent the last few months imagining hundreds of scenarios. The book turned out better.
This is a story about a dystopian world where the women serve the men and women bow before their every need because *sigh* god told men and men told them.
This is the story about the Mercy Madness(what a name!)who refused to bend before the vile and disgusting patriarchy.
The story opens up where we left it in book 1 and it was gut wrenching. I cried while reading the first chapter. I cried while reading the last chapter.
What I loved-
Mercy Madness. I loved how the author remained true to her character. And I loved the way the second trial was gradually introduced.
Also, I loved how the this book showed us the ‘domestic’ side of the world. I really want to read more about that side in the next book (hopefully)
What I liked-
Arlo. I started with hating him and wishing him dead (book 1) to tolerating him and then liking him towards the end of book 2. In terms of character arc, this is probably the best I’ve read till date. It was handled wonderfully and in a way that was believable.
What I hated-
Nothing specifically. Though I would have liked to read more about the story development ( in the later half of the book) than our main couple doing the deed every third page, it was not a major issue for me.
Waiting for this book was hard. Waiting for the last one will be harder.
Story- 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice- 3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
H- 3.5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
h- 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(If you are easily triggered or even very difficultly triggered, read the trigger warnings before starting the series)
I can't fight it, and I truly don't want to anymore.”
*Arc received for an honest review*
I have spent the last few months imagining hundreds of scenarios. The book turned out better.
This is a story about a dystopian world where the women serve the men and women bow before their every need because *sigh* god told men and men told them.
This is the story about the Mercy Madness(what a name!)who refused to bend before the vile and disgusting patriarchy.
The story opens up where we left it in book 1 and it was gut wrenching. I cried while reading the first chapter. I cried while reading the last chapter.
What I loved-
Mercy Madness. I loved how the author remained true to her character. And I loved the way the second trial was gradually introduced.
Also, I loved how the this book showed us the ‘domestic’ side of the world. I really want to read more about that side in the next book (hopefully)
What I liked-
Arlo. I started with hating him and wishing him dead (book 1) to tolerating him and then liking him towards the end of book 2. In terms of character arc, this is probably the best I’ve read till date. It was handled wonderfully and in a way that was believable.
What I hated-
Nothing specifically. Though I would have liked to read more about the story development ( in the later half of the book) than our main couple doing the deed every third page, it was not a major issue for me.
Waiting for this book was hard. Waiting for the last one will be harder.
Story- 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice- 3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
H- 3.5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
h- 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(If you are easily triggered or even very difficultly triggered, read the trigger warnings before starting the series)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews