Natasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
Broken Queen was rough. Broken Queen was heartbreaking. Broken Queen was tough to read,but i survived. What i was afraid would happen,did. Ok,Vittoria,Amadeo and Bastian grew closer,but sometimes it felt like they took one step forward and then two steps back. The enemy interfering didn’t help,especially knowing it involved family…. Reuniting Vittoria with her little sister Emma helped. Only,when Vittoria was taken,and being forced into a bad situation,it stirred memories…. Memories of something bad,something véry bad,but all she saw were glimpses so far. Amadeo and Bastian know who’s responsible for the fact she can’t remember,but they won’t share what they’ve learned. What they dó tell her,can that be true? Are they still the enemy,even if she’s developing feelings for them? Even if they treat her like they care about her?
The more Amadeo and Bastian learn,the more they worry. Of how it all will affect Vittoria,if it will break her…. And that’s the last thing they wish for her,because they care. When she’s taken,they’re ready to start a war to get her back. Finding out who,and why,explains everything. The only question remaining is will they make it in time? Will they find her alive and well? And when everything is said and done,will she want to stay,or will she leave?
This second part of the duet took me through the wringer. It had me crying,shouting,cursing and nearly throwing my iPad at the wall. The hell Vittoria went through back then ánd now was devastating. How she survived that with her mind intact is a miracle. I’m not surprised she did feel that darkness inside,though…. And i was proud at how she fought back,how she made the persons responsible pay for what they did!
I was also very happy to see how her men did everything possible to make her happy,to keep her safe. How they stood by her,supported her,and showed her the many ways in which they were made for eachother. The way they showed her how strong she really was….
Broken Queen picks up right where Ruined Kingdom left off with the unthinkable about to take place, and it's a fast paced, violent, suspense filled ride from there on out! If you're looking for a bloody, satisfying end to the suffering of Amadeo, Bastian, and Vittoria, then you've come to the right place. Everything related to Amadeo and Bastian's revenge and Vittoria's quest for freedom is wrapped up beautifully in this action packed finale.
That being said, the romance seemed to take a backseat in this half of the story along with the spice. Don't get me wrong, it's all there, but not as much as I would have liked. It's the only thing keeping this from being a 5 star read for me. Everything else is handled perfectly, and it's definitely worth the read!
4.75 Can you see the huge grin on my face that refuse to leave?! It's because I got the end I really wanted for Amadeo, Bastian and Vittoria!! 😍😍😍
This second chapter of their story was as amazing as the first one!! It was more fast paced, tho. It kept me on edge from the start to the end. There wasn’t a quiet moment, there was too much at stake, too many secrets to unfold.... and I loved every minutes.
I loved how Amadeo and Bastian' feelings and priorities changed. I was over the moon for the softness they showed toward their mother, Emma and Vittoria, but they could be so brutal to defend their loved ones. Mostly I loved their bond.
It was painful reading about Vittoria, instead. Her's was a hard journey, but i'm happy she choose to trust the brothers, that she opened her heart to both of them. She is the strongest one here.
In Broken Queen there's more action. It shows us how dangerous and evil their world really is. And I enjoyed this aspect, but I missed a bit the romance. Don't get me wrong, the developement of their relationship is there for everyone to see it, but I would have liked more glimpses of intimancy between the three of them. Mostly because I really love what they have, as it's not a conventional relationship nor a easy one to create. So I would have liked to read more about the dynamic of it.
No matter what, in this book, in this duet Natasha Knight proves me once again her talent and why she is one of my favorite authors 😌
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, princess..."
I liked how things ended up for Amandeo, Bastian and their little dandelion... It wasn't an easy journey and the road was paved with ugly thorns that were making irreparable damage but if Vittoria and the brothers will start trusting each other, they can make it!!! The story picked up exactly where it left us hanging in the first book and it was fast paced, full of suspense and intense moments... The romance taked a back seat in here, but honestly, I was so engrossed by everything that was happening around them that I didn't care very much about that!!!
"Dandelions survive when everything else dies. They'll sprout up out of a fucking crack in the pavement."
Vittoria and the brothers were betrayed for once again and she was about to pay the price when the brothers got in the middle, but that was only the beginning of a journey full of betrayals, hidden secrets and bad intentions... In here, we saw that Amandeo and Bastian's priorities started to change as Vittoria had crawled under their skin and took residence in there... Yes, their revenge kept being what they were living for, but Vittoria stopped being their stepping stone... They just wanted her by their side and they were determined to protect her no matter what...
"I will ensure my brother and I both remember the endgame because I'm afraid she has the power to make us forget."
Vittoria from the other hand was the most tragic figure in here... The poor girl!!! She was living constantly under the thumbs of others and she was so sick of that!!! The nightmares had becoming more constant and more brutal and something bad was about to happen!!! And not only that but she had started to have feelings for her captors... She just needs to get away from everything ugly, but life is keep pushing her toward the things that she is running from...
"Behind the raw fury in her eyes, I se the bruised pieces of the girl she is beneath. The vulnerable, broken thing."
I liked how this story proceeded in here... I liked the affection between these three... and honestly, it didn't feel weird that they could be all together... I liked when they started to act upon their feelings and not because of their agenda... Yes, there weren't many sex scenes in here, but the ones that existed were freakin' hot... Plus, I was rooting for Vittoria's dark side!!! I liked that she was a fighter!!! And the brothers were so strong, protective and yummy!!! I just like reading Natasha Knight's stories... They are giving me such an adrenaline rush!!!
"This is her. This is Dandelion. A little weird. Damaged. But ours."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
Triggers Involved : kidnapping , past trauma , *to be updated after release
Plot Summary : Vittoria never knew that the same men whom she had been falling for , would be the reason for her demise. She should have known though, right? They neevr told her anything different , she was the one who had high hopes from them and they did exactly what they told her they would. They were her captors, why would they care for her?
Amadeo and Bastian feel like everything has gone out of hand. They have a rat in their family and not to mention their numerous enemies who have been attacking them from outside. And now their beautiful prisoner. The little girl of the man who single handedly ruined their whole family. And now it is upto them to destroy her and whatever is left of legacy to spit on the old man who was now dead but would always know the fire of their wrath. What they did not expect was to have feelings for Vittoria . Was it too late for them? Too late to change the dynamic from captors to lovers? Or had Vittoria already made up her mind to leave them both.
Overall Opinion : Vittoria and The brothers are here! I have been positively losing my mind ever since that cliffhanger of book 1 lmao. Thank God that Natasha is a fast writer or I would have lost my wits to know what happened 😂😂🤣🤣
Amadeo and Bastians are one pair of crazy heroes to have. I can say that having one of them at a single time as a hero will be very intense, so imagine how 2 of them will be handled in a book?! The steam that they give to the book. The plot twists , the cameos from characters of other books by this author and so much more. I hope we get to see more of them!
Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there.
She’s done it again. I just can’t remove the smile from my face, which is a sick thing to say given that the books written by Natasha Knight aren’t usually a ‘sweet romance’ setting but this black hearted lady just loves the worlds and characters that Natasha creates.
Broken Queen kicks right off from where we left with that OMG cliffhanger, Vittoria left in a situation that no woman wants to find themselves in, questioning if the brothers did really give her to the wolves. I have to say, I think Vittoria is probably one of my all-time favourite heroines that Natasha has written. She is a true survivor and fighter, especially as she starts to learn about her hidden past. Her strength to overcome her tragedy is something to aspire to and commend her for.
Amadeo and Bastian are some crazy brothers, ones hell bent on avenging their families death but can you do this when the woman they both love is the daughter of the man responsible for their families demise?
I couldn’t help but fall in love with both brothers, they each have this need to punish their enemies but once Vittoria's past comes to light they soon realise that she is just as much a victim to her fathers actions as they are to their past. Once they allow for hearts to open even more you see the trio’s relationship flourish, giving us another side to the brothers that you just can’t not love!
This is a brilliant duet from Natasha, one that will keep your heart racing and your bottom on the edge of your seat. It's filled with chemistry, secrets and revenge. I have always loved Natasha writing but I have to say this trio may have just stolen the show as my favourite couple that Natasha has written to date.
Wow! Magnificent! This book was action packed with so many twists and turns. Vittoria is a fighter and survivor. Her strength to overcome utter tragedy is commendable. Amadeo and Bastian offer more than protection, they offer her love and life with them. I wish I could rate more than five stars.
Oh my! Those three words sum up the conclusion to this explosive duet. Was she a pawn for both of them? That thought and many others opened this book with a bang as it continued from the previous heart-stopping ending. I think my heart started again, how could it not as the hits kept coming and the emotional hits were never far behind…
This author writes and breathes mafia-esque stories, so the characters she creates feel right at home. I gave up long ago trying to anticipate the next step in the road, instead I simply wait for the unexpected to happen. And it does. Whether it is harsh or gentle, sweet or strong, there is a balance that allows actions to tip from one extreme to the other with complete believability.
This was love of all kinds with protectiveness and caring at the heart, even if you had to dig deep sometimes to find it.
Another fantastic story from a favourite author! ~Diane, 4.5 stars
What an unexpected finale to this deliciously dark and complicated throuple! From the ashes of past pain and built on the shattered ground of trauma, a Broken Queen does arise, with one but not TWO kings. Rife with tension, exploding with twisting surprises and damaging secrets, and driven by a suspenseful and engaging plot, this addictively finale explores just what happens when revenge crosses paths with an irresistible longing, a transformative love- and just what instinct will win. Questions are answered, truths unveiled, and three broken characters find a path forward to redemption, healing, and hope.
After the finale of Ruined Kingdom, I was desperate for more and more answers. The first book was a bit of a slow crescendo, and just when I felt the relationship dynamics picked up and the acton intensified, we were thrust into a cliffhanger that had me screaming. This book picks right back up, fortunately, as we discover just what led to the basement situation and how Amadeo and Bastian are connected to it.
The fast pace of this first act was quite delectable, and I had high hopes for a bit more of an emotional exploration in this story between these three. Not to mention, ultra spice- we have TWO men to play with, after all. And while I really enjoyed the story and read it in one sitting, I felt it didn’t quite have the same emotional intensity and character connection I’ve come to expect from a Natasha Knight finale. The characters just sort of fell into an understanding, the men in easy agreement and suddenly devoted, Vittoria resistant, and I felt they never truly worked through things on page in the way I craved. Not to mention, the spice was shockingly a bit lighter than normal- which really shocked me. This is the playground for edgier steam, new arrangements/sexy scenarios, and amplified steam- or at least MORE, since we have two heroes to explore. But NK didn’t quite deliver as much spice in this finale as I was craving, especially after the slow burn tension of book 1. But, I loved the characters overall, and I did really enjoy the story, even if it didn’t quite dig in quite how I craved.
I loved the mystery and mafia intrigue side of this finale, however, as we discover the secrets to Vittoria’s past, more about Bastian and Amadeo’s makings, and how their paths intersect. And, I found the revenge and finale to this plot quite satisfying. And, I love the whole concept- I respect and appreciate with an author writes a trope that might not always be their go-to, and seeing Natasha grapple with a MFM situation and balance two men with similar motivations but different dynamics with the heroine AND different personalities was captivating to read. And, as always, it’s fast paced and super addictive to read, even if not quite what I anticipated. So another delicious dark treat from my dark mafia queen.
" those cracks make us strong and they can be beautiful in their own way" Yeah ...
This is the conclusion of Amadeo, Bastian, and Vittoria's story Be prepared - tissue and a stuffie are recommended This was a wild ride emotionally - It picks up right where we left off With terror and heartbreak bleeding from the pages Me, white-knuckling my reader and mumbling "no,no, no" (which continued through most of the story)
The past is about to be brought into the light and there is nothing - and I do mean nothing that could have prepared me for the betrayal, and corruption that lay ahead Do not fear though Knight also flawlessly delivered Hope, forgiveness, and the most magical of HEA's
Might be my new favorite closing to a throuple's journey The way Bastian and Vittoria's relationship blossomed The way all three faced their demons - together The level of forgiveness I will warn you - if you have triggers be aware that this was a bit like a minefield in that arena -as one events revelations lead to the exposure of another and no one held their punches
4.5 STARS This second book in The Ruined Kingdom Duet is a dark and gritty conclusion to this entertaining, intense, high drama story. It’s full of action and the mysteries of past deceptions start to unfold with big reveals and consequences. There are some truly heinous things uncovered. There’s a lot of emotions in this dark mafia romance, many tender and vulnerable moments for all the characters. I love the development of feelings and trust between Vittoria and the brothers Amadeo & Bastian. It’s an emotional and sexy connection. I love the heat and heart. It brings unexpected beauty to this story that has a lot of emotional pain and violence. It’s a really satisfying story, it has much more happening than the first book (I loved it as well) it’s a very fast moving and high octane ride. I really enjoyed the balance of the gritty, emotional and sexy aspects. There’s some truly sweet moments as well. I love the characters and their journey through hell on earth, their love, sensitivity, understanding and devotion to each other is fantastic! The authors style is always enjoyable, smooth and beautiful.
~”She’s strong like a fucking dandelion. They will sprout up after the earth is razed to rubble.”
Explosively unexpected and perfect! Prepare for a jaw dropping and heart pounding conclusion as everything comes down to the end. I never imagined this duet would be so perfect and it absolutely knocked me off my feet and blew me away!
Two mafia brothers seeking revenge for damage done to their family fifteen years ago. They don't go after the surviving male heir. They prey upon a woman who was brutally assaulted, sexually abused and molested by two men when she was fourteen years old. Amadeo, the oldest, says they have the best Intel and have kept eyes on the Russo family over the years. Why aren't they aware of assault ? The brothers subsequently kidnap and molest the woman. They pass her back and forth like candy or popcorn at the movie. Since Vittoria was never treated for the trauma she suffered she gives in stating " my traitorous body chooses his side." She probably has a host of mental issues including PTSD. To me she is a victim, targeted for something she did not do. These two macho men are inept representatives of the mafia. They are never around to protect Vittoria or their employees. They run around like chickens with heads cut off looking for one man. The only things they indulge in are threesome sex and pursuing the downfall of the Russo financial Dynasty . Even with twists and turns the story lacks credibility or plausibility. Descriptions of houses, penthouses and different scenery was great filling material.
After the slow burn of book 1, I expected this book to take off with a blast -- and with a bit more spice than the nearly absent amount in book one. And it was just good, not the great I expected. For instance, the revenge / rival family theme was a great premise, but it waned, mostly due to feeling they all shared in book 1. There was a sort of pretense of push and pull. The attraction was strong, and there was genuine affection And with those, this book was ripe for an epic spice level and group scenes, but the frequency was low and any group events were lacking.
The mafia theme and the intrigue of Vittoria's dark past mixed relevance on Amadeo and Bastian and family held my attention -- I love a good revenge love story. Also, the unconventional and taboo brothers with one girl menage were alluring.
The pace, however, was unwarrantedly slow. Not to mention, Vittoria was frustrating. A heroine who didn't want to recognize danger out of being stubborn was not appealing while the heroes turned into alpha cinnamon rolls.
Overall, this story had some elements I liked, but its execution I didn't care for.
Broken Queen is the conclusion to the Ruined Kingdom Duet, and as such, YOU MUST READ Ruined Kingdom (Book 1) FIRST! Broken Queen came out of the gate with a bang, which wasn't surprising after that brutal cliffhanger ending, so I'm not coming off very much detail since I despise spoilers. I was patting myself on the back for sussing out something big, but let me tell you, it was only a tiny piece of the puzzle that's for sure. Natasha Knight is simply brilliant at telling stories with a ton of layers, so even if I get something right, there's always so much more to it that blows my mind. The twists were coming in hot per usual, while the heat was intense, but it was the emotional goodness that really did my heart in because it seeped out of my kindle to surround me, and my eyes tried to go rogue. If you're as dark & twisty as I am, then you can't go wrong with anything Natasha Knight writes, and I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Wow! Natasha has a way about her writing that sucks me in so fast and won’t release me until that last page has been read. This fantastic story is no exception. It picks up at the insane cliffhanger where the previous book, Broken King left off.
I absolutely loved the heartwarming end to this story after learning about Vittoria’s tragic teen years growing up. She suffered so much trauma and loss, more than one human should endure. Her father’s words “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” has always stuck with her and became her mantra. There were some twists and turns but le me tell you, I DID NOT see that one coming!!! You won’t want to miss this emotional roller coaster ride, it was action packed and truly had all the feels.
We pick up right where book 1 leaves off. Vittoria is anything but broken she is strong, she is fierce, and she is loyal. If anything she comes back with a vengeance. We get to see Vittoria spread her wings and fly in this book. The hell she has endured has made her stronger, and watch out to anyone who has wronged her. We watch as the relationship between these three flourish. We get to see more sides to the brothers and we see just what they will do for those they consider theirs. The twist, turns, and oh the secrets. My head began to spin at one point. The delicious twisted road you will travel is so worth it in the end.
Vittoria Russo, Amadeo Del Campo Caballero and his brother Bastian are back in the epic second part of this steamy mafia romance. This begins where the shocking cliffhanger left us and keeps you locked to the pages turn by turn. A great action packed mystery with just the right amount of yumminess! I love how these brothers find solace in their dandelion. Mafia done right! MFM; Told in Multiple POV
I have nothing more than Oh My God!!! The conclusion for the duet was just perfection, Natasha Knight gave us an epic MFM dark romance and I’m here for every single word.
This story not only gathers drama, smexy times and romance, this brings all the angst and all the emotions you can think of, so please please dive in, you’ll love this!!!
I loved how this wrapped up! The journey to get to our HEA was full of pain, suffering, doubt, and worry, but our characters are determined and don’t stop at anything to get what they want. There are moments that take your breath away, both in awe or shock. There were moments that had your eyes welling with tears, from sadness or happiness. There were times when you thought it was all doomed, only to have hope spring up so unexpectedly, like the dandelion the men call their woman. It all came together in the end as it should, full of love and family, sunshine and blue skies <3
Me gusto mucho esta historia como después de tanto dolor y sufrimiento los 3 pudieras ser felices, aunque me hubiera encantado que Lucien sufriera un poco más, pero bueno solo pensar que esta ardiendo en el infierno me tranquiliza jeje.
Gahhhhhhh part two of the the Ruined Kingdom Duet was so damn good!
Broken Queen was an absolutely spot on title for this book. Poor Vittoria, it just doesn’t stop for her.
Amadeo and Bastian are determined to find out what happened to Vittoria, however they really aren’t prepared for what they do find, and it changes everything.
Vittoria stroll can’t get a handle on her dreams, until a situation makes them come flooding back! However, she wishes they hadn’t.
More lies and deceit are uncovered, with plenty of twists and turns, death and destruction, revenge and retribution, this was a fantastic final to the duet.
Yet again another great series from Natasha, especially bringing in characters from previous books that absolutely gave me goosebumps…loved it.
So as with book one I really didn't get out of this book what I had been hoping for. Yes there were a lot of twists, but they were so predictable that it left me wanting more. The relationship between the brothers and Vittoria was just OK. There was never any real steam. I wanted the longing, the angst, the "can't go on without you" feelings, but they weren't there.
The story does go a little dark explaning what happened to Vittoria, but not enough to push it over the edge or give it that wow factor. I wanted to feel something, empathy, sorrow, something, but it just didn't push me there. Too matter of fact with very little emotion.
And finally, and I say this with utmost regret, the grammar errors I just couldn't get over. The word "up" when it should have been "us", "he" when it should have been "we". Grammar errors from a author with this many books under her belt is really unforgivable in my opinion. So for this one I give it a 2.5. Very disappointed with this duet in whole.
I enjoyed this and would have given it four stars but it reminded me too much of this author's Collateral series and to be honest, it annoyed me that Book 2, which followed on from the big cliffhanger readers were given in Book 1, was more expensive that the first installment. I get why - the reader has to buy it for closure and this happens all the time with duets and trilogies - but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.
Broken Queen picks straight up from where Ruined Kingdom finished. If you've read the first book, the same trigger warnings apply (sexual and physical abuse, kidnapping and past trauma). If you haven't, you need to before this one as it's not a standalone. The love triangle continues with the Vittoria and the brothers which I quite liked and was one thing that managed to make the book a little different from the other series by the same author that I mentioned above. The brothers get a bit more of a look in in this part of the series, having more chapters from both of their points of view. There's a lot of emphasis on how mentally broken Vittoria is and even though this ran the risk of being overdone (as it was almost to the point of ad nauseum that she was fragile and had a tragic back story), I still really liked her character. Her past is finally revealed, but if you'd been paying attention, there won't really be any surprises as there were enough hints dropped throughout both books in the series to join the dots. That being said, there was one twist I didn't see coming and to be honest, I wasn't really a fan of it as I found it was there more for shock value rather than adding anything to the story which made it seem a bit over the top and forced. I enjoyed finding out more about Vittoria's mother, though, and felt this added a lot to the story line.
The bad family members that betray their blood routine was repeated for both the brothers and Vittoria which made it feel like a really familiar read (again, the Collateral series). The included epilogues were a little cheesy, but I still liked them as they ended the book on a feel-good note with both of the brothers being solid characters throughout the duet.
Vittoria has an uneasy feeling, something is wrong. What happens next feels like déjà vu, but not quite. Panicked and at the mercy of those who are determined to destroy her, she begins to shut down. When she awakens, she is more determined than ever to take revenge, much to the dismay of Amadeo and Bastian. Amadeo notices the change in her and vows to find out what really happened, but first, they must attend the reading of her father's will. After the reading, chaos breaks out, and Amadeo has no choice but to call in reinforcements. While Vittoria and Bastian are together, Amadeo decides he needs to know what happened to the missing year. Shock and disgust at what she has lived through only reinforces that she now belongs to him and his brother. But he made her a promise. Can he renege on it or is it time to show her what she means to them? Book two starts right where book one ended, after the big cliff. What this poor woman endured was heartbreaking, but she rose up and showed her strength even though she seemed to be knocked down time and time again. The secrets of her life come to light and not everything is as it seems. Amadeo and Bastian have their own issues when it comes to loyalty within their organization. Can the three form a bond of love and trust, or are they doomed by the sins of their past?
I have to be honest and say the first part of this story I was really losing my interest. I think it was Bastian and the way he acted cause I pretty quickly started to like Amadeo. And I really wanted to slap Vitoria for most of the story. Why on earth would she ever even slightly consider trusting her brother. She spent the entire story saying how he was evil, how his eyes were dead and soulless, how he was awful to Emma, she watched on while he had Bastian fake arrested while he manhandled her and yet she still sat on that burner phone texting with him. She was so stupid and desperate to get away she was willing to trust the last person she knew she should and did it anyway. She was already in love with the guys by then. She already trusted them even if she didn’t want to admit it. And she still wanted to be a coward. It just really pissed me off. I’m so glad I kept reading when I felt o was losing interest because of one character though. It was so worth it. All of her books are amazing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"I think you can only be bound to those you love. To those who your heart swells and drops for." Broken Queen concludes with brio Natasha Knight's Ruined Kingdom Duet. Action packed, it kept me enthralled with every chapter, with every twist. I really enjoyed Amadeo, Bastian and Vittoria's dangerous mafia world. From Napoly to the USA, we discover their past and finally get the answers left in suspense at the end of the first opus. "My captors. My dragons. My lovers." Cringe-worthy scenes, scorching hot moments, and swoon-worthy parts, the author never left me unfeeling. I highly recommend this gripping series.