Book 2 in the Empire of Lies trilogy. The twists and turns in Michael & Meredith's story continue...
The woman I fell in love with is a walking contradiction... She's sexy as hell, yet infuriating. Hopelessly in love with me, but carefully plotting to get the hell away. She honestly thinks that I'm the 'king of lies'? Well, she f-cking fooled you... She's the queen.
She was a mere chapter in my book and this is our final page. No happily ever after included.
I'll keep this short and sweet. I devoured the first book. I was so sucked into this story, it's not even funny. It had the delicious vibes of the Whitney G books I fell in love with in Reasonable Doubt: Full Series.
I devoured this too, but it was also missing something. Ultimately, with the short length of these books, I was hoping that each installment would offer more depth. But that wasn't quite the case here. The story continues to move forward, but it's too quick paced. I struggled with buying into the connection between Michael and Meredith. There's simply not enough meat here for me to get fully invested. The bones are there. But it's missing quite a bit of backstory. I'm hoping the final installment will bring that, but I just couldn't help but feel this one merely grazed the surface of what it could have been
OMG I couldn't put this story down. And even though I've been warned by the hero that he is NO HERO I can't help but be hopeful for him to find happiness! With Queen of Lies Whitney G. pens another electrifying pieces of her Empire of Lies puzzle that hooked me and left me wanting more.
Queen of Lies picks up right where King of Lies ends. As with the first instalment of the series, Whitney G. writes an addicting and sexy plot, giving the reader morsels about two very intriguing characters while pushing their story forward with interesting turns that will make the reader gasp in surprise.
Is this review too vague? Yes. I know. But giving details away would diminish the enjoyment, but here’s my bullet list of what to love and expect.
➵ Hero: Michael again had me smiling during the prologue. He places himself squarely in the bad guy category. But we get to know more about his and his twin’s background and what led them to their current state. I would firmly place them in the anti-hero group and I hope Whitney writes Trevor’s story! ➵ Heroine: Meredith is resilient as ever, some of her own secrets are revealed, but she is in for some shocking eye openers. ➵ Sexiness: Even though the blurb says Meredith is plotting to get away from Michael, these two are hopelessly in love with each other and sparks inevitably ignite with scorching sexiness. ➵ Feels: I think intense suspense would be good descriptors. ➵ Plot: Excellent pace, giving the reader some answers and background but also laying the foundation for what will surely be an amazing ending.
Queen of Lies is serial #2 of the Empire of Lies series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Whitney G.. It is an incredible follow up to King of Lies. It’s told from both points of view with a cliffhanger ending. sub-genres: romantic thriller.
Safety warnings: - H 39 / h 25 - No cheating - No OW/OM drama - Mention of child abuse - Mention of child s*xual abuse - Mention of child p*rn - Violence - D*ath - Cliffhanger
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We pick up back with the couple and Meredith is still being held captive but unbeknownst she is being held from the world because Michael is trying to keep her safe from her father as it was him who put the hit out on her life and he truly believes he will never stop until she is dead so the best thing to do is to keep her hidden and let the world believe she has perished.
We also get a lot of backstory to Michael's life before we meet him in book 1. The reasons why he is currently killing these men on a personal list him, and his brother have created and the story is really sick.
One day at the age of 12 Michael and his twin brother Trevor were dropped off by their addict mother to their Uncle Avery house and never came back for them. Their uncle, who is known in the community and business world as someone renowned was sick and twisted. He would r*pe the boys and have his friends come over and do the same, sexually/physically abuse them for years. It's heartbreaking and it's so fucked up that these men were powerful and made sure they never saw the light of day. We also find out HOW they were kept in the basement. Every few hours one would roam the house freely while the other was chained and then switched places.
We also see the way that Michael got to take his first revenge against his abuser, he poisoned him and left him to die, this prompts Trevor and him to bury their uncle in a massive grave and go out into the world and attempt to live a normal life as the world believed they had graduated school and were thriving in the world when in reality it was all a lie. His uncle and his sick friends just had so much power that can make all these lies up to the world so nobody ever knew they were missing or being abused.
They made a pact to come back and kill everyone on the list if they cannot truly move on from the horrors which causes them to do so.
This whole backstory was a hard pill to swallow, and it was heartbreaking to read about everything they had gone through and how even two decades later they suffered from it.
But back to the reality that is Meredith and Michael, he finally decides to let her go and give her a new life away from everyone and everything as he knows deep down, she can never truly accept him if she knew the truth though I have a feeling she will one day when he admits it all.
You can see throughout this book how devoted he is to his wife and even goes as far as to basically let another woman know that he would never cheat (she was a police officer who was working around his wife’s kidnapping/disappearance).
In this book you know that her father was the one who wants her dead, but we still do not know why but seeing him ''sad'' over her missing was such bullshit when you can see the crocodile tears and how he is using this event to move up his political agenda.
Thankfully, Michael finally tells Meredith the truth about her father and she now is aware of the truth and he even has video proof of his request for her death.
I used to love Whitney's books, but lately they don't have the same flair anymore, or my taste in book has changed. Probably it's the latter.
So this review is going to be short. Overall this book wasn't bad, it's a super quick read and maybe that's the problem. It felt like I blinked and the book was over. There wasn't enough time to really connect with the characters. I liked Meredith a bit more in this one, cause she's actually trying to escape her prison and is pretty smart how she does it. Unfortunately Michael is always 100 steps ahead of her and predicts her moves.
Because of how short this book is, everything is so superficial. I still don't believe that Michael or Meredith are in love with each other. They really don't do anything to prove me wrong. They either ignore each other or fuck. I know this isn't suppose to be a romance and Michael even said himself that he's not going to turn into some hero and maybe I'm starting to believe him.
To end on a good note: to read what made Michael and his brother the way they are was an interesting backstory. I think it's the third book I read in a row that uses this plot to get revenge, but honestly I understand. I'm feeling bloodthirsty myself whenever I read about this particular topic so it's a good reason to start killing people :D
This picks up right where we were left on that nasty cliffhanger. It dips back and forth from present day to the past which fills in some more of the back story.
Meredith is frustrated with her situation and her hate for Michael has only intensified each day. Her persistence does pay off however as more truths are revealed and to say they are shocking would be an understatement.
The story ends with a completely different setting that not only surprised Meredith but me as well. Michael’s plan for her was carefully thought out and executed. As long as she follows the instructions he set out but something tells me she doesn’t…. (well there wouldn’t be a 3rd book right?)
The most sobering part of this book was the final chapter where we get an insight into Michael and Trevor’s upbringing which joins the dots a bit more about who they are now. It’s pretty harrowing :(
Looking forward to the conclusion of this addictive series.
Holy heck!!! This had so many twists and turns, surprises I never saw coming, and then...it definitely takes a darker turn!
This picks up where King of Lies ends. We learn a bit more about Michael as well as Meredith and the shocks just kept coming. While this gives a look at both of their pasts, it is also laying the groundwork for what is to come and I’ve gotta say, I don’t have a clue!
I do know that I am one hundred percent invested in both of these characters. Although Michael is certainly an anti-hero, I’m suspecting he may end up on my favorite list.
I was reading as fast as I could and then hated when I reached the end with a cliffhanger that had me gnashing my teeth to know more. I can’t even imagine where this author is going to take us next.
I don't know how I didn't review this after reading this amazing book in April!
Well now, here it is.
It goes without saying that I absolutely devoured this book. Another amazing specimen of Whitney G's genius, this book had it all. Suspense, Drama, smut and angst, all in spades.
The next book is going to be my favorite though, I just have a feeling about it.
First off I Trigger Warning! This book does contain sensitive topics
First of all let me emphasize that this series is a Fast paced series and if you are not okay with that then you will NOT like the series.
This book, I felt something was missing between Michael and Meredith. I didn’t connect to them that well. I was hoping we would get more details about their relationship, but like I said it’s a fast paced series, so you either deal with it or you stop reading I guess?
Meredith finally gets to know why she needs to thank Michael. We get to know about Michale and Trevors past and my heart broke for both of them. NO ONE should ever go through something that horrific.
This book definitely made me feel more sympathy for both Michael and Trevor by reading more about their backstory. I'm glad that Meredith knows part of the truth about her father and even though Michael still loves her I can't say I'm rooting for them as a couple.
Huh, this wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. 🤔
My review for book 1 still stands, though with the "past" finally behind us, things are finally moving in the present. Michael is the driving force of this story for me, thank God the focus of this second installment seemed to be more on him than on Meredith because here I thought the heroine couldn’t become more idiotic and she’s proving me wrong again .
I like this story. Better clarity on what’s happening and some interesting surprises. Missing some backstory and hope it will all come together in books 3. Super short. Kinda irritated that it’s so short.
A King must have a Queen. He is dubbed the King of Lies by his unhappiest of brides but it seems his Queen isn't quite as pristine as she wants us to believe.
These two make my heart race, my pulse spike, and my brain scream Yes and No almost simultaneously. I want to hate their relationship but its impossible. As messed up as they are, as Michael says I'm that "hopeless, starry-eyed reader". I wouldn't have it any other way.
I will say Whitney G. has made me paranoid and I am going to pay closer attention to one star reviews on Goodreads from now on though! Lol. Whitney G. has opened up a whole new can of worms with her twisted sense of humor and darker desires. Be careful, Whitney we might not lt you back into the light after this!
While I hold out hope, with starry-eyed devotion, I will be panting for Legacy of Lies because there are many more truths to be told.
This book picks up with Meredith still missing months later and Michael is making her work hard by swimming everyday. Of course Meredith is livid because she believes her husband kidnapped her for no apparent reason. Michael clearly fell in love with her because he's protecting from her father. Everyday she tries to escape but he has contingencies for all those. Even though she was mad that he kidnapped, Meredith loved Michael and was till attracted to him and when he was in pain, she went to him and comforted him. I was glad that he told her truth eventually, but the way he went about it was wrong. I felt really bad for her finding out who wanted her dead. But that final chapter was so freaking crazy! Poor Michael and Trevor they went through some stuff when they were younger and what they did now to cope with things was very noble. But wow, that was insane!
4.5 ⭐ Wow, definitivamente me gustó mucho más que la primera parte. Se revela un poco el pasado de Michael y de cómo Meredith tiene que enfrentarse a la verdad de quién la quiere muerta y a la oportunidad que se le da para comenzar una nueva vida. Intrigadisima de qué va a pasar con estos dos a partir de ahora 😬
Just no. I wish authors would stop using traumatic childhood to justify the vile behaviour of their male character. No all monsters are former victims and it never NEVER should be using as an excuse. Michael's past is still a mystery. When I read his last chapter I really though he and Trevor were children, but they were already in their 20 I think. Going after all the men who hurt them I can understand, but willing to kill an innocent woman just for money is where the author lost me... It doesn't make any sense. And them being these mysterious wealthy skilled killers is the cherry on the messy cake. This series lacks characters developments, they act like robots without any humanity behind the way they act, it's like the author didn't even bother to try and write real characters.
I'll still be reading the last instalment but it won't change my mind.