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Ruthless Villains #2
Wicked Villains
After finishing their mission together, both Callan and Audrey find themselves in a position they did not expect. Their feelings towards each other have changed. And so has the power balance. While trapped in an entirely new situation, both of them will have to sort through their tangled emotions and figure out how to handle their complicated relationship.
At the same time, the other dark mages are on the warpath. Some might be open to negotiating a deal, but others are preparing for an outright fight. In order to avoid a direct confrontation, Audrey and Callan have to work together to broker a tenuous peace. At least until the two of them are ready to make their own moves.
Enemies are circling them like wolves, waiting for them to slip up. But the greatest danger they face is not the enraged heroes or the other dark mages. It is their feelings for each other.
At the same time, the other dark mages are on the warpath. Some might be open to negotiating a deal, but others are preparing for an outright fight. In order to avoid a direct confrontation, Audrey and Callan have to work together to broker a tenuous peace. At least until the two of them are ready to make their own moves.
Enemies are circling them like wolves, waiting for them to slip up. But the greatest danger they face is not the enraged heroes or the other dark mages. It is their feelings for each other.
313 pages, Paperback
Published November 24, 2022
287 people are currently reading
2540 people want to read
About the author
Marion Blackwood
32 books1,545 followersMarion Blackwood is the author of The Oncoming Storm series, the Court of Elves series, the Ruthless Villains series, the Ruthless Enemy trilogy, and the Flame and Thorns series. She has a Master's Degree in English and History Education, and she worked as a high school teacher before becoming a full-time author. When she's not busy writing fantasy books or traveling the world, she reads, binges shows, and loses at video games. Marion has previously lived in the US and China, but now she once again calls the beautiful country of Sweden home. To find out more, visit: www.marionblackwood.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 26, 2023
1.5 stars
I'm going to say, this story was weak. The plot almost doesn't exist; things fall into place very conveniently; the characters actions are all over the place; and nothing new was added to the story.
Audrey annoyed the shit out of me. I was so excited for this book, waiting for her to just snap out of it and finally put Callan in his place (because he constantly do it with her but she can never do it with him) alas it did not happen.
Once again, the author chose to fixate on the sex scenes instead of showing Audrey's powers and cleverness to us.
This book convinced me that she was dumb.
As for Callan it convinced me he was indeed more powerful, and the fact he didn't manage to kill her for five year must fall to luck.
At the same time, this doesn't make any sense. Audrey has a power to poison the skin, enough to make another person swear loyalty to them, yet Callan is the one that wins and has the upper hand all the time? Audrey is the one that half the of household betray her?
Honestly, this book was disappointing from the start. I just wanted Audrey to be feral, I mean this is a book about villains , but no, apparently getting Callan's dick was more important.
I'm going to say, this story was weak. The plot almost doesn't exist; things fall into place very conveniently; the characters actions are all over the place; and nothing new was added to the story.
Audrey annoyed the shit out of me. I was so excited for this book, waiting for her to just snap out of it and finally put Callan in his place (because he constantly do it with her but she can never do it with him) alas it did not happen.
Once again, the author chose to fixate on the sex scenes instead of showing Audrey's powers and cleverness to us.
This book convinced me that she was dumb.
As for Callan it convinced me he was indeed more powerful, and the fact he didn't manage to kill her for five year must fall to luck.
At the same time, this doesn't make any sense. Audrey has a power to poison the skin, enough to make another person swear loyalty to them, yet Callan is the one that wins and has the upper hand all the time? Audrey is the one that half the of household betray her?
Honestly, this book was disappointing from the start. I just wanted Audrey to be feral, I mean this is a book about villains , but no, apparently getting Callan's dick was more important.
November 28, 2022
(3.5 stars)
look I get it. you hate each other. but why don’t you chill and just f*ck under the stars.
I feel like this book was some weird limbo, some in between. and it’s like they hate each other but they don’t, but without tension idk, it felt like filler even though so much happened.
look I get it. you hate each other. but why don’t you chill and just f*ck under the stars.
I feel like this book was some weird limbo, some in between. and it’s like they hate each other but they don’t, but without tension idk, it felt like filler even though so much happened.
May 4, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. /🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
At least they didn't betray each other again...
Can't wait to read how the third book is gonna go, now that they both have fallen for the other 😈😈😈🤭
Also the end where Sam comes is HILARIOUS 🤣
Read if you liked:
THE FIRST BOOK
VILLAIN COUPLE
CAPTOR x PRISONER
SPICE
BADASS FMC
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. /🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
At least they didn't betray each other again...
Can't wait to read how the third book is gonna go, now that they both have fallen for the other 😈😈😈🤭
Also the end where Sam comes is HILARIOUS 🤣
Read if you liked:
THE FIRST BOOK
VILLAIN COUPLE
CAPTOR x PRISONER
SPICE
BADASS FMC
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
3.5⭐️
March 13, 2023
Rating: 3.5/5
I feel like this book really didn’t stand up to the first book in the series. I get this is an enemies to lovers book but like we just finished the second book and they finally think to themselves hey I like this person but still haven’t said it out loud. There also wasn’t much that happens in the story. Like it should have been condensed and added to the next book. Not a bad read, just wasn’t what I was expecting.
I feel like this book really didn’t stand up to the first book in the series. I get this is an enemies to lovers book but like we just finished the second book and they finally think to themselves hey I like this person but still haven’t said it out loud. There also wasn’t much that happens in the story. Like it should have been condensed and added to the next book. Not a bad read, just wasn’t what I was expecting.
January 13, 2023
I feel like maybe the last 2 books could’ve been 1 book?
The two main villains still haven’t gotten together and it took 2 books for them to both admit to feelings but not out loud or to each other.
The plot is really smart but that relationship progression is driving me nuts.
The two main villains still haven’t gotten together and it took 2 books for them to both admit to feelings but not out loud or to each other.
The plot is really smart but that relationship progression is driving me nuts.
December 27, 2022
Gosh, this book leaves me so frustrated! Can't they just realise how they feel and be honest to each other? Well, hopefully that'll happen in the third book.
As always, the writing is impeccable. Except for the frequent use of the word "dark". In one and the same chapter we get to read "dark moans", "dark desire", "dark chuckle" and "dark whisper". Quite annoying.
There's a lot of powerplay and schemes. Love the spice. The plot drags a bit and it feels like it doesn't evolve. Therefore it took me a while to finish this.
Still, a great read!
As always, the writing is impeccable. Except for the frequent use of the word "dark". In one and the same chapter we get to read "dark moans", "dark desire", "dark chuckle" and "dark whisper". Quite annoying.
There's a lot of powerplay and schemes. Love the spice. The plot drags a bit and it feels like it doesn't evolve. Therefore it took me a while to finish this.
Still, a great read!
Read
January 15, 2023Again, I have no idea how to rate this. The writing is terrible but the smut is amazing. This author should stick to porn without plot. I skimmed a lot and was very disappointed in the heroine. She had zero backbone in this book and she's supposed to be badass. I finished this book simply because I skimmed so much of it.
February 5, 2023
Still enjoying. Going to read the next
March 21, 2024
Honestly not bad, I read the first one like a year ago and I definitely enjoyed this one better. Its just a fast paced enemies to lovers kind of situation and we know we always live for that.
December 30, 2022
The way this could’ve been one book. Lol. I just checked and there’s 4 of these things. Lort. Please. We appreciate the enemies to lovers but please they could’ve been villain for one book. Villains for the 2nd then bam roll credits.
December 31, 2022
this was horrible. i was going to stop reading it half way but i need to get to the third book so i can get to the scene i read about on tiktok. plus i need these books to finish my 2023 goal.
January 9, 2023
Same review as the first. There was a neat idea behind the magic and whatnot, but I could not handle the same problem, the same conversations, the same everything. Blah.
July 11, 2023
Dnf: 50 % I was hoping for some relationship development in this book because of the cliffhanger in the first one. But it just feels like they're turning in circles. Usually I enjoy the limbo between hate and love but here it misses all the tension. It just feels annoying.
Another problem is that it feels like Audrey can't do anything without her powers anymore. Although she has some very good schemes and she had more than her power going for her in the first book. I would have liked seeing more moments where she actually is in controll again. Like this she just feels like a mouse played with by a cat.
Another problem is that it feels like Audrey can't do anything without her powers anymore. Although she has some very good schemes and she had more than her power going for her in the first book. I would have liked seeing more moments where she actually is in controll again. Like this she just feels like a mouse played with by a cat.
July 21, 2023
I’m pretty curious to know what will happen now, since Callan binded Audrey’s magic what in my view was pretty low because… they had that really heartfelt talk about her family and she said how important her magic is to her so when he did that? That was low… I’m pretty excited to know how Audrey is going to deal about it and also how Callan is going to deal with his recently discovered feelings for her.
Hahaha Callan is a gone, the poor fucker tries so fucking hard to resist his feelings for Audrey that I almost feel bad for him hahaha but he deserves all this struggles for binding her magic and I love how Audrey still wants to kill him, even flirting and fucking hike in every opportunity, he just can’t deny her and he tries to make sure he is the one in command but in true? Audrey is the one that has all the power and I fucking love as she doesn’t feel sorry for herself in her situation, she still makes plans to free herself and her magic and get her revenge, while he is head over heels for her? Our girl is making plans to kill him, she’s lovely uh? But the best is that in this book, FINALLY the FL isn’t the one that can’t resist the cocky ML hahaha nope our girl is the cocky one.
Woah… I sure wanted to see Callan grovel before Audrey after everything he did but… actually seeing it? The powerful and proud Callan groveling? Full of despair ? That was sad and Audrey absolutely agrees with me. I loved how batshit crazy the other dark mages are, they working together? Damn all six of them could fight in the same side for the sake of their lives it was pretty funny see their bickering, it’s that kind of fighting each other like siblings, hate each other but doesn’t let anyone that isn’t family fucks with their bros hahaha.
This book was good, not near good like the first one, but okay enough for me to finish and have fun, finally we are having a little more of the secondary characters, because….just between us a book that has only the main couple is…weird, makes us feel like something is missing I don’t know.
My breath hitched and I suddenly forgot how my lungs were supposed to work. With her spine straight and her chin raised, she looked like an empress of old who had just stepped out of the pages of a history book. “Hi,” I heard myself saying. As soon as the word was out of my mouth, I wanted to kick myself. What the hell had that been? I could have said anything, anything at all, and it would still have been better than hi.
Hahaha Callan is a gone, the poor fucker tries so fucking hard to resist his feelings for Audrey that I almost feel bad for him hahaha but he deserves all this struggles for binding her magic and I love how Audrey still wants to kill him, even flirting and fucking hike in every opportunity, he just can’t deny her and he tries to make sure he is the one in command but in true? Audrey is the one that has all the power and I fucking love as she doesn’t feel sorry for herself in her situation, she still makes plans to free herself and her magic and get her revenge, while he is head over heels for her? Our girl is making plans to kill him, she’s lovely uh? But the best is that in this book, FINALLY the FL isn’t the one that can’t resist the cocky ML hahaha nope our girl is the cocky one.
Woah… I sure wanted to see Callan grovel before Audrey after everything he did but… actually seeing it? The powerful and proud Callan groveling? Full of despair ? That was sad and Audrey absolutely agrees with me. I loved how batshit crazy the other dark mages are, they working together? Damn all six of them could fight in the same side for the sake of their lives it was pretty funny see their bickering, it’s that kind of fighting each other like siblings, hate each other but doesn’t let anyone that isn’t family fucks with their bros hahaha.
This book was good, not near good like the first one, but okay enough for me to finish and have fun, finally we are having a little more of the secondary characters, because….just between us a book that has only the main couple is…weird, makes us feel like something is missing I don’t know.
March 10, 2023
🧪Wicked Villains -Ruthless Villains Book 2- Review🧪
Couple: Audrey and Callan
Author: Marion Blackwood
Tropes: enemy to lover, dare romance, guild romance, morally grey romance, mage romance, PNR
Review: Hate. Heat. Hunger. Lust. Love. Magic. Power. This book has it all and MORE! Book 2 picks up where we ended in book 1, which Callan holding Audrey captive and stripped of her magic. The twist is that instead of being happy he feels guilty since he has realized that he may actually not hate the dark mage poisoner.
Audrey, is bound and captive in Callan’s tower. She is distraught since her magic is what makes her … her. While Callan becomes complacent in his success, Audrey is planning retribution. Even though she has also realized she may have those pesky feelings for Callan, she pushes them so deep that she is able to work on her escape.
This book was heartbreaking on Audrey’s end since she gets betrayed by her staff and people she thought were friends. She also displays her brilliantly deviant mind in her escape attempts. Callan and Audrey are truly a dark mage couple that has shown the evolution of Maion’s writing. The push-pull between then and then the secondary cast of characters is a beauty to read.
Even when they fight, they have each others back in different ways. They protect one another from trouble and keep secrets that come to fruition at the end. The deviant minds they have and the plots they both orchestrate show how strong each one is in their fields of magic and treachery.
This book is great for anyone who loves a dark fantasy ream with steam and twists.
Rating:100/100, bring on the heat and hate…Audrey and Callan are the best couple
Couple: Audrey and Callan
Author: Marion Blackwood
Tropes: enemy to lover, dare romance, guild romance, morally grey romance, mage romance, PNR
Review: Hate. Heat. Hunger. Lust. Love. Magic. Power. This book has it all and MORE! Book 2 picks up where we ended in book 1, which Callan holding Audrey captive and stripped of her magic. The twist is that instead of being happy he feels guilty since he has realized that he may actually not hate the dark mage poisoner.
Audrey, is bound and captive in Callan’s tower. She is distraught since her magic is what makes her … her. While Callan becomes complacent in his success, Audrey is planning retribution. Even though she has also realized she may have those pesky feelings for Callan, she pushes them so deep that she is able to work on her escape.
This book was heartbreaking on Audrey’s end since she gets betrayed by her staff and people she thought were friends. She also displays her brilliantly deviant mind in her escape attempts. Callan and Audrey are truly a dark mage couple that has shown the evolution of Maion’s writing. The push-pull between then and then the secondary cast of characters is a beauty to read.
Even when they fight, they have each others back in different ways. They protect one another from trouble and keep secrets that come to fruition at the end. The deviant minds they have and the plots they both orchestrate show how strong each one is in their fields of magic and treachery.
This book is great for anyone who loves a dark fantasy ream with steam and twists.
Rating:100/100, bring on the heat and hate…Audrey and Callan are the best couple
November 24, 2022
"Yes, Sweetheart" ......"with Pleasure"
Book 2 has no book sag its firm, baby firm!
Callan and Audrey did find themselves in a position they did not expect.... loved the ending soooo cant wait for Book 3..... and I so love even more this author has a very giving bonus perspective at the end.
Marion writes for readers. It's still steamy and very dangerous- with overall playfulness of strategy that the author is known for - which why I read her books. Characters remain very alphahole,playful likeable.
The book portrays D/S vibes without weighing it down and adds topping from bottom from Audrey - so you understand that as you read the books digesting the power changes and villains catching feelings.
There is no rule book how you write a Villain they do what they want and how they want, I like the Author honoured that.
Hottest Tropes continues
Enemies to Lovers
😉Enemies to benefits ha ha love it
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Knife to throat
🖤One Bed
🖤Dual POV
🖤Morally Gray to villain interchange
🖤Touch her/or him I will end you vibes
This author is a instabuy.
Jasmin E Reads
Book 2 has no book sag its firm, baby firm!
Callan and Audrey did find themselves in a position they did not expect.... loved the ending soooo cant wait for Book 3..... and I so love even more this author has a very giving bonus perspective at the end.
Marion writes for readers. It's still steamy and very dangerous- with overall playfulness of strategy that the author is known for - which why I read her books. Characters remain very alphahole,playful likeable.
The book portrays D/S vibes without weighing it down and adds topping from bottom from Audrey - so you understand that as you read the books digesting the power changes and villains catching feelings.
There is no rule book how you write a Villain they do what they want and how they want, I like the Author honoured that.
Hottest Tropes continues
Enemies to Lovers
😉Enemies to benefits ha ha love it
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Knife to throat
🖤One Bed
🖤Dual POV
🖤Morally Gray to villain interchange
🖤Touch her/or him I will end you vibes
This author is a instabuy.
Jasmin E Reads
November 27, 2022
So after the ending of the 1st book, I couldn’t wait to see how Marion would progress this story now that one of our villains had taken the plunge and began feeling something other than hatred for our other villain; Marion did not disappoint! As usual we have action, betrayal, so much scheming, but what I loved the most was the development of our villains. I always feel like the villains are so much more complex in most stories, and often times we get just superficial looks into their psyche. But Marion really expounds on these villains in such a way that you find yourself pulling them to have their happy ever after no matter what that might look like. I absolutely love Callan! That precious man is so afraid of feelings, and sometimes it’s down right adorable while at the same time so frustrating! And Audrey…that poor woman is so emotionally stunted from her family that my heart breaks for her. She and Callan make such an amazing team (when they aren’t trying to kill each other)! I cannot wait to see where our villains end up in the 3rd installment!
March 21, 2023
After Callan had tricked Audrey and taken her powers, she became a prisoner and somebody’s possession which is the one thing she despised the most.
As a result, Callan had intentionally signed his death sentence although what he didn’t expect was for him to feel guilty or regretful over how he found himself in this position. More importantly, Audrey hadn’t anticipated having such strong and wicked feelings for Callan Blackwell. Time would tell how their struggled relationship fair, the only issue being they were on a tight deadline.
I absolutely loved the second book in this five part series, I was constantly laughing at the characters dry wit and humour though my favourite moments was when Audrey and Callan pretended to be husband and wife.
”Get your fucking hands off my wife,” Callan Blackwell growled in a voice pulsing with lethal power.”
In comparison to the first instalment this book gets so much praise and recognition for how well thought out and articulate the story was.
I’m intrigued to see where this book will take us 🤔🤔
As a result, Callan had intentionally signed his death sentence although what he didn’t expect was for him to feel guilty or regretful over how he found himself in this position. More importantly, Audrey hadn’t anticipated having such strong and wicked feelings for Callan Blackwell. Time would tell how their struggled relationship fair, the only issue being they were on a tight deadline.
I absolutely loved the second book in this five part series, I was constantly laughing at the characters dry wit and humour though my favourite moments was when Audrey and Callan pretended to be husband and wife.
”Get your fucking hands off my wife,” Callan Blackwell growled in a voice pulsing with lethal power.”
In comparison to the first instalment this book gets so much praise and recognition for how well thought out and articulate the story was.
I’m intrigued to see where this book will take us 🤔🤔
December 29, 2025
Wicked Villains felt like more of the same, except this time the internal conflict was stretched to the point of frustration. The male lead cycles endlessly through “I’m falling for her,” “I feel guilty for what I’ve done,” and yet “I still hate her and will destroy her in the long run.” Meanwhile, the female lead mirrors that loop with “I don’t know what I’m feeling,” “I’ll get revenge for what he did,” and “but I still want him and submit to him.”
This constant back-and-forth became repetitive and overextended, making the story feel stalled rather than tense. By the end, I was genuinely unsure whether I even want to continue with the third book.
What’s most disappointing is the missed potential. The world and the concept—telling the story from the villains’ perspective—could have allowed for something far deeper and more original than yet another enemies-to-lovers setup, a trope that’s already been heavily overused. Instead, the narrative remains shallow, barely scratching the surface of what could have been a compelling, morally complex story.
This constant back-and-forth became repetitive and overextended, making the story feel stalled rather than tense. By the end, I was genuinely unsure whether I even want to continue with the third book.
What’s most disappointing is the missed potential. The world and the concept—telling the story from the villains’ perspective—could have allowed for something far deeper and more original than yet another enemies-to-lovers setup, a trope that’s already been heavily overused. Instead, the narrative remains shallow, barely scratching the surface of what could have been a compelling, morally complex story.
December 6, 2022
Where is the next book ?!?
The journey of Callan and Audrey is such a whirlwind, I wanna keep reading!!
We picked up right where we left off in book one and the plot just keeps thickening and the tension between our MC's keeps growing, I am so IN LOVE with them!
If you liked book one just continue reading, this one is just as good as the first!! Thats all you need to know.
I am sorry if this is not going to be a thorough review because I am way to excited for the third book.
Because all I want to talk about is the ending because that is why I love this book so much and makes it a perfect sequel for me:
SPOILER!!
So what we have here is a perfect mirror to the first book, because we have in a way the same ending, and I screamed with excitement when I read it! We are still in the enemies-part of enemies to lovers, because Callan and Audrey dont trust one another but they are both in love now and it is so cute. I loved that Audrey did not fell for Callen in the first book but rather only he for her. And now she is completley in love too, and I so hope the third book establishes true trust between them. And then I want them to be THE power couple who takes over the world.
The journey of Callan and Audrey is such a whirlwind, I wanna keep reading!!
We picked up right where we left off in book one and the plot just keeps thickening and the tension between our MC's keeps growing, I am so IN LOVE with them!
If you liked book one just continue reading, this one is just as good as the first!! Thats all you need to know.
I am sorry if this is not going to be a thorough review because I am way to excited for the third book.
Because all I want to talk about is the ending because that is why I love this book so much and makes it a perfect sequel for me:
SPOILER!!
So what we have here is a perfect mirror to the first book, because we have in a way the same ending, and I screamed with excitement when I read it! We are still in the enemies-part of enemies to lovers, because Callan and Audrey dont trust one another but they are both in love now and it is so cute. I loved that Audrey did not fell for Callen in the first book but rather only he for her. And now she is completley in love too, and I so hope the third book establishes true trust between them. And then I want them to be THE power couple who takes over the world.
December 20, 2022
Another very engaging installment! This second book really had a lot of spice in the first half, almost a bit too much if I'm being honest and the second half was more balanced plot/spice.
I was curious to see how Marion would carry-on from the conclusion of the first book and truthfully, at some point I wanted to grab the main characters and shake some sense into them. How oblivious can they be? It was hilariously discouraging.
*spoiler ahead*
We are still deeply into enemy territory when it comes to the relationship between the main characters, and I was really hoping they would become a couple in this installment. I guess I'm gonna have to wait on see in the third book! At least now both came to the realization that they love each other. Now the question is, are we entering the miscommunication trope or will they be too prideful to act on their feelings? Can't wait to see!
I was curious to see how Marion would carry-on from the conclusion of the first book and truthfully, at some point I wanted to grab the main characters and shake some sense into them. How oblivious can they be? It was hilariously discouraging.
*spoiler ahead*
We are still deeply into enemy territory when it comes to the relationship between the main characters, and I was really hoping they would become a couple in this installment. I guess I'm gonna have to wait on see in the third book! At least now both came to the realization that they love each other. Now the question is, are we entering the miscommunication trope or will they be too prideful to act on their feelings? Can't wait to see!
December 22, 2022
Okay, this felt like a significant improvement from the first in the series!
Since the first book established Callan falling for Audrey, this book had a delicious tension of him both denying and indulging in his feelings. This kind of scenario is exactly when dual POV shines and I was eating it up!
The plot flowed nicely and I was having a lot of fun reading this. This sold me to hang on for the next book in the series. I also made peace with reading this for what it is: a romance set against a fantasy backdrop, not a romantic fantasy. It's a short, engaging ride when I changed my perspective.
However, one of my complaints from the first book still remains: the diction. At best, it's repetitive. At worst, it's unimaginative and dull. I hope to never read the words "smoothen down" or, even worse, "smoothened down" again. They glare at me from off the page.
Since the first book established Callan falling for Audrey, this book had a delicious tension of him both denying and indulging in his feelings. This kind of scenario is exactly when dual POV shines and I was eating it up!
The plot flowed nicely and I was having a lot of fun reading this. This sold me to hang on for the next book in the series. I also made peace with reading this for what it is: a romance set against a fantasy backdrop, not a romantic fantasy. It's a short, engaging ride when I changed my perspective.
However, one of my complaints from the first book still remains: the diction. At best, it's repetitive. At worst, it's unimaginative and dull. I hope to never read the words "smoothen down" or, even worse, "smoothened down" again. They glare at me from off the page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2023
My first thought after finishing this, is that this and the first book could have easily been combined into one. The “cliffhanger” wasn’t enough to justify the end of book one, and neither plot in each was strong enough to account for two books.
However, the writing has improved *slightly* since the beginning of book one which was just abysmal. The spice is slightly better too.
The overall plot still seems to be “I hate him/her more than anything else” but is getting messy with feelings from both sides and keeping it secret. I think if we had more time to explore each character’s personality and their backstories I’d feel closer to them and be more invested in their potential relationship.
Is this series groundbreaking and award winning? No, definitely not.
Am I going to continue reading it? Yeah probably…just to see if the plot gets stronger (although I doubt it!)
However, the writing has improved *slightly* since the beginning of book one which was just abysmal. The spice is slightly better too.
The overall plot still seems to be “I hate him/her more than anything else” but is getting messy with feelings from both sides and keeping it secret. I think if we had more time to explore each character’s personality and their backstories I’d feel closer to them and be more invested in their potential relationship.
Is this series groundbreaking and award winning? No, definitely not.
Am I going to continue reading it? Yeah probably…just to see if the plot gets stronger (although I doubt it!)
Read
April 22, 2025DNF at 36%
I’m stopping with this book and this series. I was getting tired of their constant fighting—the enemies routine was interesting at first, but it dragged on for too long. Enough was enough.
I liked the first book more because the characters felt equal in power and were somewhat like partners. But here, Callan was clearly in a position of power, and Audrey had no magic. Their interactions felt too unbalanced.
At least the MMC was self-aware:
Their whole plan with Lance seemed stupid. Why couldn’t they just kill him and be done with it? Then the “heroes” wouldn’t have had any advantage over the dark mages, and everything would’ve remained the same.
I’m stopping with this book and this series. I was getting tired of their constant fighting—the enemies routine was interesting at first, but it dragged on for too long. Enough was enough.
I liked the first book more because the characters felt equal in power and were somewhat like partners. But here, Callan was clearly in a position of power, and Audrey had no magic. Their interactions felt too unbalanced.
At least the MMC was self-aware:
“I stripped her of her magic, made her my prisoner, and told her that I was going to take her lands and her mansion from her. She’s never going to forgive something like that.”
Their whole plan with Lance seemed stupid. Why couldn’t they just kill him and be done with it? Then the “heroes” wouldn’t have had any advantage over the dark mages, and everything would’ve remained the same.
December 6, 2022
The whole book I just kept wishing that Audrey could win for once!! Like, I get that she was less powerful given the circumstances, but she had some good schemes! She could have come out on top!! I am begging for someone to teach her to fight without magic in the next book.
While I definitely still enjoyed this book, it definitely had more of a filler vibe. I kept hoping for Audrey and Callan to have more sweet emotional intimacy moments but it was more of their individual, internal journeys.
With how this book left off, I'm thinking there will definitely be more development of their relationship in the next book. Maybe they'll finally just be nice to each other :') But it'll also be interesting to see how the dark mages navigate the new threat. Looking forward to the next one!
While I definitely still enjoyed this book, it definitely had more of a filler vibe. I kept hoping for Audrey and Callan to have more sweet emotional intimacy moments but it was more of their individual, internal journeys.
With how this book left off, I'm thinking there will definitely be more development of their relationship in the next book. Maybe they'll finally just be nice to each other :') But it'll also be interesting to see how the dark mages navigate the new threat. Looking forward to the next one!
February 17, 2023
The best way to describe this book is disappointing. The personalities of the main characters, especially Audrey (fmc) has changed in a bad way. She has gone from a smart woman with a strong personality to a weakling who only thinks with what is between her legs.
She made only bad decisions and it was only in the last chapters that you started to see her old personality again.
I also found the book too drawn out and it would have been better if there were fewer chapters. Most chapters were just fillers anyway where the two were talking to themselves about the feelings they had for each other but not doing anything about it to let the other know.
She made only bad decisions and it was only in the last chapters that you started to see her old personality again.
I also found the book too drawn out and it would have been better if there were fewer chapters. Most chapters were just fillers anyway where the two were talking to themselves about the feelings they had for each other but not doing anything about it to let the other know.
April 13, 2023
Book circle read and not a series I would have chosen by myself. This is a hard one because I love the idea of villains taking a 'hero's journey' and the interactions between Audrey and Callan are interesting and sometimes even make me chuckle but there is so much spice that it often feels with this series that it's spice with a loose plot woven around it. Which is fine, if that's what you're looking for.
The series itself raises some really interesting questions around trust, control, perfectionism, and personality types. It's an easy read and if you're looking for spice with a side of fantasy, this is a decent series.
The series itself raises some really interesting questions around trust, control, perfectionism, and personality types. It's an easy read and if you're looking for spice with a side of fantasy, this is a decent series.
April 15, 2023
Loved this one again, pasting the full review I wrote on books 1-3 below ☺️
Explosively wicked spice, enemies to lovers, character development and love story that flows like a dream … and before I knew it I devoured the whole printed series🙈
The universe is seemingly basic at first - dark mages and “heroes” - but the adventures and pace are so captivating. Refreshingly written from the villains point of view. The battle scenes, suspence and plot are perfectly balanced for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Future readers beware - the spice IS ruthlessly explosive and the characters ARE villains as the author forewarns. Or are they? 🤔 the last book left me impatient for their next story.
Explosively wicked spice, enemies to lovers, character development and love story that flows like a dream … and before I knew it I devoured the whole printed series🙈
The universe is seemingly basic at first - dark mages and “heroes” - but the adventures and pace are so captivating. Refreshingly written from the villains point of view. The battle scenes, suspence and plot are perfectly balanced for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Future readers beware - the spice IS ruthlessly explosive and the characters ARE villains as the author forewarns. Or are they? 🤔 the last book left me impatient for their next story.
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