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Badlands #3
Outcasts
Grimm.
My reputation has always preceded me.
And those whispered rumors that I’m a silent killer, a true harvester of souls?
They’re true.
I don’t discriminate, I show no mercy, and I feel no remorse.
My only loyalty is to my family so when someone important to them goes missing, I vow to do whatever is necessary to track her down and bring her back.
But the person I find is not the same woman who was stolen away.
Something’s different about her.
Something I find myself drawn to.
Miss Reckless .
My reputation has never preceded me.
I spent most of my life in a pretty cage I refused to be trapped in.
I fought my way out and found a new family.
Even though sh*t got tough sometimes it all worked out in the end.
And then I got kidnapped.
I thought it was over for me.
I should have known he would never let that happen.
It’s only fair I warn you that this is not a story about a rescued damsel in distress. This is a story about what happens when a man who collects souls finally meets his match.
My reputation has always preceded me.
And those whispered rumors that I’m a silent killer, a true harvester of souls?
They’re true.
I don’t discriminate, I show no mercy, and I feel no remorse.
My only loyalty is to my family so when someone important to them goes missing, I vow to do whatever is necessary to track her down and bring her back.
But the person I find is not the same woman who was stolen away.
Something’s different about her.
Something I find myself drawn to.
Miss Reckless .
My reputation has never preceded me.
I spent most of my life in a pretty cage I refused to be trapped in.
I fought my way out and found a new family.
Even though sh*t got tough sometimes it all worked out in the end.
And then I got kidnapped.
I thought it was over for me.
I should have known he would never let that happen.
It’s only fair I warn you that this is not a story about a rescued damsel in distress. This is a story about what happens when a man who collects souls finally meets his match.
372 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2018
177 people are currently reading
781 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Bennett
111 books2,666 followersLover of all things pǝʇsıʍʇ & unusual.
I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.
Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB
I write unconventional 'romance' with strong elements of horror.
Find all my links here!
linktr.ee/AuthornatB
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
May 9, 2018
~WRITING - PLOT - PACE~I feel like I just keep repeating myself whenever I try to write a review for this author's books. I am a huge fan, and I pretty much love everything she has written to date. This was another fantastic read, and I am loving this series. It was well written. It was well paced. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. There was torture. There was rape. There were sweet moments. There were sick moments, and there was blood. A LOT of blood and gore. How none of these people have Hep C is beyond me (lol). Last, it was all wrapped up in a happy for now cliffhanger.
~HERO~
GRIMM...I loved Grimm. He was deeply disturbed. He was sweet. He was hot. He was (eventually) all about Arlen. I wish he would have made his move a little sooner thus saving Arlen from being gang raped over and over again, but I also understood that was a turning point for both characters, so I went with it.
~HEROINE~
ARLEN...I loved Arlen in the previous book and I loved her even more in this one. She was feisty. She was strong. She rose from the ashes of being raped and became the perfect foil for Grimm.
~SECONDARY CHARACTERS~
As with the first couple of books, this one had some really great secondary characters. We see a little of Cali and Romero. We get A LOT of Cobra, who I adore, and I can't wait to read his book. Although, I have NO idea who his heroine is going to be? Blue? Kat? Beth? Blue and Kat being two new additions to the series. Both of them intrigued me a lot. Not really sure how I feel about the whole Guess I'll just have to wait and see how it plays out.
~HEAT LEVEL~
Medium. There are some pretty twisted sex scenes in this one. Most of them featuring pain and blood in one form or the other. There is also exhibitionism and voyeurism.
~ANGST LEVEL - SEXUAL HISTORIES~
Low...relationship wise. Medium...plot wise. This couple is pretty tight from the minute Grimm saves Arlen. I will say I wasn't overly fond that Grimm was sticking his dick down OW throats while Arlen was missing and getting repeatedly gang raped. There isn't an OW scene or anything, Grimm just mentions it while having a chat with Arlen. They weren't technically a couple yet, so I wasn't overly bothered by it. That said, it would have been nice had he kept it in his pants while he was actively looking for her. There was no OW drama. There was some OM drama in the form of multiple men raping Arlen. These scenes were semi graphic in nature.
~IN THE END~
I loved it. Another fantastic book by Natalie Bennett. Well written and paced. Engaging and completely twisted as f-ck plot. Deranged (but at the same time lovable) characters. Great cast of equally f-cked up secondary characters. What more can you ask for? Therefore yours truly is going to give this one two very solid thumbs up. Bring on book four!
September 15, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
ARC BOOK REVIEW
Release Date-12/5/18
You know I don't think it really matters the dark depraved satanic stuff that comes from the depths of Natalie Bennet's soul.
I just can't help but absorb the craziness and depravity portrayed here so decadently.
Really just flowing with the tide and giggling manically as we get to delve deeper amidst the fucked up pages that is ultimately Outcasts and this author's amazingly demented psyche.
And man this stuff; is as always major fucked up; like totally.
Sorry; I just can't bring myself to care though as its just such compelling reading.
So in "outcasts" we get to continue the story we started in previous books and this begins initially with Arlen still MIA waiting for Grimm to come rescue her arse from her kidnapper Noah.
And In direct opposition to most romances (if you could call this that) the feelings between Grimm and Arlen are already established and on a firm ground, just not yet acted upon by either party involved.
And from the onset, we are thrown right back centre-stage into the action with blood, gore and torture aplenty.
"Outcasts" really doesn't pull its punches in that particular department.
There were even occasions when I found my self going no that's just sick man, no way.
So here we get to be up close and personal with what makes the Reaper that is Grim himself actually tick.
And we also get a front row seat to his brand of psychotic savagery and his way of giving his brat all of his attention and true self.
"I'd give her a crown forged of blood and bone from every motherfucker who'd laid a hand on what was mine. I hoped she was ready to paint some shit red. We weren't going home until their bodies were at our feet."
"Grimm was filthy, wicked down to his core, but he was the kind of filthy you wanted coating every fibre of your being, straight down to your bare bones".
Then we have Arlen; Grimm's brat, already damaged, but since her capture and life's cruel lessons she now on the wrong side of cray-cray.
And what she wants most of all; besides grim, is to bathe in the blood of her enemies.
she is no longer so hung up on right verses wrong and is now fully embracing her malfuctioning moral compass.
So this is told from duel POV with a bonus chapter at the end courtesy of Romero.
We don't get to see that much of Rom and Cali here though they do make the occasional cameo.
"Outcasts" mainly features Grimm, Arlen and Cobra heavily with some extra newcomers also thrown into the mix.
This was extremely ramped throughout; which as you can expect from this series was of a very graphic nature.
"Outcasts" was also super steaming hot setting the pages alight with its chemistry.
Grim and his brat certainly had a connection here and I could really feel it literally projecting off the page, heading right for me.
sometimes it's the little things. like a shared interest.
"I wondered what it said about my relationship when I knew it was my man who killed someone simply by the way they were executed; clearly, we were very compatible."
So I know this says it can be read as a standalone but in my opinion, I wouldn't advise it.
You would lose so much and I do think have issues following along with the present timeline.
My advice, start at the beginning with savages you really won't regret it.
Its a fantastically imaginative journey; that would be a shame to miss.
But before I go, a warning "Outcasts" is an extremely dark read dealing with some very graphic scenes.
If this is at all a trigger for you please do avoid, you have been warned.
If like me you like to take a stroll on the dark side occasionally then, by all means, please do join me on this effed up post-apocalyptic ride.
I want to leave you with this quote; which I think sums Grimm and Brats relationship up perfectly.
"She was mercy. I was death. She'd always be Sally. I'd be her Jack. A goddess like Persophone, to a dark lord like Hades. Queen of death. Queen of me. For always."
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "Outcasts (Badlands #3)" of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
December 25, 2020
I'll rip off the band-aid and say that this book is a complete mess.
Don't get me wrong... I loved Savages and I will continue, at some point, with Cobra's book... But this one? I'm still trying to understand where all that insta Love/ insta bloodlust/ insta horny after coletive rape/ came from!!
Everything is misplaced and confusing in this book. I was buddy reading it with two friends, and while my girls were okay with his sex skills, I was still trying to understand how a girl that was repeatedly raped for 2 months, then she was hardcore abused by 4 men at the same time, just to be extremely horny and sexually free in the next day? I mean... How so? Her trauma should have been more elaborated, but instead there was no trauma at all. No soreness or discomfort. Other than the need for revenge, it was like it never happened!
The plot twist didn't worked for me either. It was lame and confusing, and all the sweet act + hard fuck feel off to me in the most part of their story.
Other than that, the book have a loooot of errors, missing words, missing letters... Usually I ignore them, cause I'm used to ARC review, and it's never the final version. But again... that's not the case here, it IS the final version, and it's too much to not mention.
I had high expectations for Grimm and Arlem, and I really wanted more of them as a family, not only their road trip full of sex and blood.
I'm giving it 2.5 stars... Even with Grimm's personality transplant and lack of hygiene, and Arlem's totally nonsense or self preservation, I did enjoyed a few things like the creativity in portrait their killing methods and Rome, Cali cameos.
I wish I could be one of the many 5 stars reviews... But I barely could finish it, and I love a good Dark romance!
July 13, 2018
Damn...
As depraved, as twisted, as deviant, as fucked up one's sinful soul can exist, this story still tops it all...
Natalie Bennett pushes the limits of the last frontiers of sanity...lol
Damn, it s a journey you have to wear a warning sign to embark on, and if you do find yourself crazy bold enough to do so, the best of fucking luck to ya, haha, cause you wont forget any little detail from this journey any time soon...
The main characters, Arlen and Grimm are no less fucked up in their savaged depravity than Calista and Romero were, and yet they all function inside this fucked up commune of unthinkable twisted sick existence finding their own sense in need and affection, no matter how vile and depraved that notion is.
In fact, Ms. Bennett is a master plotter of this gruesome, shocking yet captivatingly stunning fucked up world....
And the fates of the mentioned characters are promised to be delivered in the installments yet to come...
So brace yourselves...
As depraved, as twisted, as deviant, as fucked up one's sinful soul can exist, this story still tops it all...
Natalie Bennett pushes the limits of the last frontiers of sanity...lol
Damn, it s a journey you have to wear a warning sign to embark on, and if you do find yourself crazy bold enough to do so, the best of fucking luck to ya, haha, cause you wont forget any little detail from this journey any time soon...
The main characters, Arlen and Grimm are no less fucked up in their savaged depravity than Calista and Romero were, and yet they all function inside this fucked up commune of unthinkable twisted sick existence finding their own sense in need and affection, no matter how vile and depraved that notion is.
In fact, Ms. Bennett is a master plotter of this gruesome, shocking yet captivatingly stunning fucked up world....
And the fates of the mentioned characters are promised to be delivered in the installments yet to come...
So brace yourselves...
November 20, 2021
3.5 Stars.
Not as good as the first two books but I still enjoyed it.
Not as good as the first two books but I still enjoyed it.
May 14, 2018
I seriously don’t know how to put into words how much I loved this book, this series. This is book three. Go back and read the first two books if you haven’t already. If you love dark reads you’ll inhale this series.
We now have Grimm and Arlens story and what a story it is. We meet these two in the previous books and I was so happy to see that they were getting their own book. I wasn’t disappointed. This story is epic. We also get to read more of the other characters which is awesome.
As a blogger I read lots. I crave unique storylines. I crave those stories that gets a different kind of reaction out of me. This book had my head in a spin. I didn’t know what was gonna happen next and I loved that.
I’m sorry that my review is vague but I don’t wanna spoil it for anyone. I don’t think I have the words to give this book the justice it deserves anyway. If you enjoy dark reads then I highly recommend this read.
Can’t wait to read more of this series. This is definitely gonna be one of my favourite series EVER!!!
We now have Grimm and Arlens story and what a story it is. We meet these two in the previous books and I was so happy to see that they were getting their own book. I wasn’t disappointed. This story is epic. We also get to read more of the other characters which is awesome.
As a blogger I read lots. I crave unique storylines. I crave those stories that gets a different kind of reaction out of me. This book had my head in a spin. I didn’t know what was gonna happen next and I loved that.
I’m sorry that my review is vague but I don’t wanna spoil it for anyone. I don’t think I have the words to give this book the justice it deserves anyway. If you enjoy dark reads then I highly recommend this read.
Can’t wait to read more of this series. This is definitely gonna be one of my favourite series EVER!!!
October 23, 2021
3.5 stars
Outcast is book 3 in the Badlands series and it's Grimm and Arlen's story. Although I find this series messy at times and certain things overlooked I'm addicted to it. Grimm and Arlen made a great couple although at times I found them too similar to Romero and Callie. Also I'm not sure if the author overlooked the terrible rape Arlen experienced because of the World they live in but I though it was odd how quickly she was with Grimm once he found her again. Overall I'm really enjoying this series and will continue.
Outcast is book 3 in the Badlands series and it's Grimm and Arlen's story. Although I find this series messy at times and certain things overlooked I'm addicted to it. Grimm and Arlen made a great couple although at times I found them too similar to Romero and Callie. Also I'm not sure if the author overlooked the terrible rape Arlen experienced because of the World they live in but I though it was odd how quickly she was with Grimm once he found her again. Overall I'm really enjoying this series and will continue.
April 3, 2019
After the first two books i was hyped for this one since Arlen was kidnapped in book 2.. lets start off with Grimm i love him he was just as twisted and psychotic and possessive as Romero but not to extreme he showed alittle more emotion and he knew what he wanted his goal was to find his woman.. and once he finds her well blood shall be shed. As for Arlen she has been through some hell being raped being tortured i did enjoy her getting revenge once Grimm found her and stuck to her side like glue.. more mystery more blood and twisted plans come out.. plus we have some new characters.. idk how i feel about Cobra and this wired prego thing.. and poor Blue..the one thing i dislike was how Grimm took his time really find Arlen.. wish he found her sooner so that abuse wouldn't happen..
Angst, mentions om who raped her & Grimm mentioned he had woman give him bjs (before their relationship), drama, secondary charas, twisted dirty sexy times
Reccomend- YES
COVER-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Torture
Anal play/sex
Satanic
Blood play
Rape
Public sex
Epilogue 2 of them
Angst, mentions om who raped her & Grimm mentioned he had woman give him bjs (before their relationship), drama, secondary charas, twisted dirty sexy times
Reccomend- YES
COVER-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Torture
Anal play/sex
Satanic
Blood play
Rape
Public sex
Epilogue 2 of them
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2020
Final rating: 3.5 ish stars
Gosh, I forgot how graphic this was. Right after reading about lobsters, teas and woman in 1800s; getting into this book was like a huge shock. Right upfront, there was a big graphic rape scene which was always a difficult read, and especially today.
It was a really bumpy and bloody ride. Some scenes were almost like a scene from the Saw movies. These people ain't normal and qouting from the book, "it's about the survival of the worst people". It's true and it's not pretty.
That doesn't mean I don't enjoy the depravity in this one. Just get yourself in a proper headspace, then you'll probably enjoy it as much as l did. Though, I still kinda like the previous couple more. This one was just okay.
Gosh, I forgot how graphic this was. Right after reading about lobsters, teas and woman in 1800s; getting into this book was like a huge shock. Right upfront, there was a big graphic rape scene which was always a difficult read, and especially today.
It was a really bumpy and bloody ride. Some scenes were almost like a scene from the Saw movies. These people ain't normal and qouting from the book, "it's about the survival of the worst people". It's true and it's not pretty.
That doesn't mean I don't enjoy the depravity in this one. Just get yourself in a proper headspace, then you'll probably enjoy it as much as l did. Though, I still kinda like the previous couple more. This one was just okay.
July 25, 2025
Damn. This series is just all over the place!!! While we still don’t have ANY answers to most of our questions, the book was still good enough for 3 stars. I might even say 3.5 stars?
Arlen Prosner (19, daughter of the Mayor of Centriole aka The Kingdom) escaped her “perfect” life, along with her uncle, before joining up with our Savage gang back in Book 1 where she and Cali escaped from the cannibals. She played swoony eyes with Grimm (29, Savage), but neither acted on the attraction, and then it was too late because she was kidnapped at the end of Book 2. Our poor Arlen spends a long time with her captor being abused while Grimm takes his sweet ass time going to rescue her. Cobra joins them and they pick up some strays, Blue and Katya. Now they’re making their way back to the compound where Cali and Romero are waiting and they spend a little time killing bad guys along the way.
So…. What can I tell you???
ARLEN: I’m here for her and Grimm. I like her and their sweet little love story. I don’t think she gets any of the revenge she deserves, at least not for my standards. Much like Cali, our girl seems to recover from her abuse pretty quickly. If only we were that lucky in real life.
GRIMM: He’s much sweeter than Romero, for sure. He’s not very violent in this book at all, almost a totally different person from B1 & B2. We also don’t get any of his history. I wanted to know exactly how he came about, what part The Order played in his life, how he became WHO he is now. We get absolutely zero of that info. It’s very frustrating. I think the author is relying way too much on us to use our own imaginations. We got more of Arlen’s backstory than we did of Grimms.
SEX: First time with Grimm is at 44%. They have sex a few times in the book, but most of it fades out before the completion. I was disappointed in that. I needed more. Grimm does admit that while she was kidnapped, he did stick his dick down some throats before killing them. I mean, I don’t think anyone should be surprised by this announcement and I was naturally pissed about it. I can confidently say it will NEVER happen again.
REVENGE: Personally – I felt no satisfaction with any of it. I was like you have got to be kidding me! That’s all that happens to the people who hurt her?!?! For me to be satisfied….
COBRA: He doesn’t rape anyone’s ass in this book.
GOALS: I’m no longer sure what our goals are anymore. In B1 & B2, we were after The Order (the religious cult of pedophiles). While Noah (Romero’s brother/David’s son/raped Cali during B1) is still in the story, I think The Order is destroyed? Now we’ve got some sort of thing going on with a new group called Venom, and I guess they’re fighting with The Centriole/Kingdom. If there is a vision, I’m not sure what it is at this point.
ERRORS: JFC I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this many issues. There are misspellings, grammatical issues, and then times where the entire wrong word was used. What’s funny is that there are some words that are already highlighted to point out some issues, but the author didn’t bother to actually fix them. Just left it all in. I guess to make it easier for us to recognize mistakes?? Anyway – I can’t imagine spending all my time to write a book and then not go back and re-read it just once. If that had been done, I think 90% of these mistakes would have been caught.
Even though it’s not as perfect as Book 1 was for me, it’s considerably better than Book 2. I still recommend the series so far.
Her halo was broken, but there was brimstone burning in her eyes. Her hatred was beautiful. I’d give her a crown forged of blood and bone from every motherfucker who’d laid a hand on what was mine. I hoped she was ready to paint some shit red. We weren’t going home until their bodies were at our feet.
Arlen Prosner (19, daughter of the Mayor of Centriole aka The Kingdom) escaped her “perfect” life, along with her uncle, before joining up with our Savage gang back in Book 1 where she and Cali escaped from the cannibals. She played swoony eyes with Grimm (29, Savage), but neither acted on the attraction, and then it was too late because she was kidnapped at the end of Book 2. Our poor Arlen spends a long time with her captor being abused while Grimm takes his sweet ass time going to rescue her. Cobra joins them and they pick up some strays, Blue and Katya. Now they’re making their way back to the compound where Cali and Romero are waiting and they spend a little time killing bad guys along the way.
Every time she gave me her eyes, I fell for her hellion soul a little deeper. The most broken, jagged parts of her still burned brighter than anything I’d ever known, casting a light strong enough to give me a peace I never thought I’d deserve….. I’d worship her there for the rest of my days…. make no mistakes, she was still queen of the damned. Queen of death. Queen of me. Forever.
So…. What can I tell you???
ARLEN: I’m here for her and Grimm. I like her and their sweet little love story. I don’t think she gets any of the revenge she deserves, at least not for my standards. Much like Cali, our girl seems to recover from her abuse pretty quickly. If only we were that lucky in real life.
GRIMM: He’s much sweeter than Romero, for sure. He’s not very violent in this book at all, almost a totally different person from B1 & B2. We also don’t get any of his history. I wanted to know exactly how he came about, what part The Order played in his life, how he became WHO he is now. We get absolutely zero of that info. It’s very frustrating. I think the author is relying way too much on us to use our own imaginations. We got more of Arlen’s backstory than we did of Grimms.
SEX: First time with Grimm is at 44%. They have sex a few times in the book, but most of it fades out before the completion. I was disappointed in that. I needed more. Grimm does admit that while she was kidnapped, he did stick his dick down some throats before killing them. I mean, I don’t think anyone should be surprised by this announcement and I was naturally pissed about it. I can confidently say it will NEVER happen again.
REVENGE: Personally – I felt no satisfaction with any of it. I was like you have got to be kidding me! That’s all that happens to the people who hurt her?!?! For me to be satisfied….
COBRA: He doesn’t rape anyone’s ass in this book.
GOALS: I’m no longer sure what our goals are anymore. In B1 & B2, we were after The Order (the religious cult of pedophiles). While Noah (Romero’s brother/David’s son/raped Cali during B1) is still in the story, I think The Order is destroyed? Now we’ve got some sort of thing going on with a new group called Venom, and I guess they’re fighting with The Centriole/Kingdom. If there is a vision, I’m not sure what it is at this point.
ERRORS: JFC I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with this many issues. There are misspellings, grammatical issues, and then times where the entire wrong word was used. What’s funny is that there are some words that are already highlighted to point out some issues, but the author didn’t bother to actually fix them. Just left it all in. I guess to make it easier for us to recognize mistakes?? Anyway – I can’t imagine spending all my time to write a book and then not go back and re-read it just once. If that had been done, I think 90% of these mistakes would have been caught.
Even though it’s not as perfect as Book 1 was for me, it’s considerably better than Book 2. I still recommend the series so far.
“I want you whatever way I can have you. Any version of you is better than none at all, and this one is perfect for me.”
May 9, 2018
Natalie Bennett has me hooked on this Badlands series she blows me away with how dark her books are. Her books feed my dark mind. I cannot get enough of them.
This is the third book in the Badlands series and is about Arlen and Grimm. It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading books one and two first as you get to meet characters and a little insight about them. In addition, they are brilliant reads, so what are you waiting for.
These characters are Brilliant, amazing Natalie Writing just pulls you in, and you feel like you are right there with them your heart will be thumping. With so much action. This book is brutal, dark, and bloody. I loved every minute of it.
Grim is the brother of the queen of the badlands, what a character he is, he shows no mercy he only shows loyalty to his family. I really liked him. He is brutal, unforgiving. However, does have a side that will shock you.
Arlen, I really like her character she is so stubborn and she is supposed to be the spoiled brat a rich kid. However, she was so much more. I really liked her character.
This book is sick and twisted if you love dark and twisted book grab this series today and grab book 3 when it is released.
I cannot wait to see what this author brings us next.
September 2, 2020
“I advise you leave your morals at the door. You will find we outcasts have none.”
Another shit storm... seriously, would you actually expect anything less from Natalie Bennett??? Go hard or go home💪🏼😂 Natalie certainly delivered with this 3rd instalment. Please don’t read this as a stand alone!!!!! Just don’t!! You NEED to read the previous books in the series 👌🏼
Ahh Grimm & Arlen ❤️ I’m so glad they were given their own twisted story. I super hated the whole kidnap scene 😭 that was mega hard to read, Although I felt it was necessary for the characters & for the story to progress & I don’t think the bond would’ve been the same otherwise. Grimm is dark & deadly, a not so shiny knight in armour, more of a deviant knight in blooded armour yet a saviour in so many ways.
“Her halo was broken, but there was brimstone burning in her eyes. Her hatred was beautiful. I’d give her a crown forged of blood and bone from every motherfucker who’d laid a hand on what was mine. I hoped she was ready to paint some shit red. We weren’t going home until their bodies were at our feet.”
I loved Arlen, she was so strong & fiesty. Another well written & utterly engaging, dark & delicious book from Natalie Bennett.
Another shit storm... seriously, would you actually expect anything less from Natalie Bennett??? Go hard or go home💪🏼😂 Natalie certainly delivered with this 3rd instalment. Please don’t read this as a stand alone!!!!! Just don’t!! You NEED to read the previous books in the series 👌🏼
Ahh Grimm & Arlen ❤️ I’m so glad they were given their own twisted story. I super hated the whole kidnap scene 😭 that was mega hard to read, Although I felt it was necessary for the characters & for the story to progress & I don’t think the bond would’ve been the same otherwise. Grimm is dark & deadly, a not so shiny knight in armour, more of a deviant knight in blooded armour yet a saviour in so many ways.
“Her halo was broken, but there was brimstone burning in her eyes. Her hatred was beautiful. I’d give her a crown forged of blood and bone from every motherfucker who’d laid a hand on what was mine. I hoped she was ready to paint some shit red. We weren’t going home until their bodies were at our feet.”
I loved Arlen, she was so strong & fiesty. Another well written & utterly engaging, dark & delicious book from Natalie Bennett.
January 17, 2021
TW at end of review
Outcasts by Natalie Bennett is the third book in the Badlands series, but supposedly can be read as a standalone. This features Grimm and Arlen, who are in the previous books. I was excited for their story even though I didn't know they were going to be a couple until Deviants, which ends with Arlen being kidnapped by Noah, one of David's sons and Romero's brother (I think). Arlen is kidnapped and Grimm rescues her and they go on a mission to hunt down some members of the Venom, another group/cult in the Badlands. Some members of the Venom r*ped Arlen while she was held hostage, but Romero has a weird alliance with their leader.
I still get confused with all of the characters and what is happening. There were grammatical mistakes throughout the entirety of the book. There have been grammatical errors throughout the entirety of the series, though, so I wasn't surprised. Additionally, Arlen speaks with a southern accent, I believe, but it was extremely inconsistent throughout Outcasts. Arlen and Grimm have a slightly different relationship compared to Calista and Romero, but their internal monologues were quite similar. Arlen changing from the old Arlen to the new Arlen, and Grimm being this unloving and monster of a guy who has found his one exception. In terms of Outcasts being a standalone, I really don't think it's a good standalone. The short recap the author gives at the beginning of the book is not that great because Outcasts is largely a continuation of what is going on in the first two books and it doesn't do an adequate job of summarizing everything that's gone down so far. I will say that this book read a bit better than the previous ones because the author put more effort into explaining certain characters and situations to make it a standalone. This helped me because I still get confused about everything, even after having read the previous books. Additionally, Outcasts is focused on Grimm and Arlen and they have their own journey that doesn't take place where the Savages live and doesn't include as much of Romero, Cobra and the others. That being said, Arlen and Grimm's book starts off in the middle of their relationship because they both realize how much they like each other and Grimm goes to save Arlen and they like to talk about their feelings for each other. There's no buildup or development of their relationship because you see the "before Arlen is kidnapped" part in Savages and Deviants, but not in Outcasts. You're only briefly told about it. This book ends off on a cliffhanger for the Savages as a whole, but Arlen and Grimm sort of have a happily-for-now kind of ending. Again, I still have the same problems with the actual pacing and descriptions of events that I did with the first two books. The pacing is weird, there isn't much of a climax, and the descriptions of events are very confusing to the reader. There are many characters that I had no idea who they were or what they were doing, I couldn't easily paint a picture of what was going on at any one point in my head, and there was still a lack of clarity with the bigger conflicts. Even now, I have a hard time pinpointing exact events that occurred and specific characters because of how much everything blends together. Despite all this, I did end up reading Heathens, the fourth book, because for some reason this series is still interesting enough to keep me somewhat hooked.
TW: kidnapping, r*pe, assault, sexual assault, torture, gore, murder, death, abuse, rough s*x, kinkier s*x, exhibitionism, voyeurism
Outcasts by Natalie Bennett is the third book in the Badlands series, but supposedly can be read as a standalone. This features Grimm and Arlen, who are in the previous books. I was excited for their story even though I didn't know they were going to be a couple until Deviants, which ends with Arlen being kidnapped by Noah, one of David's sons and Romero's brother (I think). Arlen is kidnapped and Grimm rescues her and they go on a mission to hunt down some members of the Venom, another group/cult in the Badlands. Some members of the Venom r*ped Arlen while she was held hostage, but Romero has a weird alliance with their leader.
I still get confused with all of the characters and what is happening. There were grammatical mistakes throughout the entirety of the book. There have been grammatical errors throughout the entirety of the series, though, so I wasn't surprised. Additionally, Arlen speaks with a southern accent, I believe, but it was extremely inconsistent throughout Outcasts. Arlen and Grimm have a slightly different relationship compared to Calista and Romero, but their internal monologues were quite similar. Arlen changing from the old Arlen to the new Arlen, and Grimm being this unloving and monster of a guy who has found his one exception. In terms of Outcasts being a standalone, I really don't think it's a good standalone. The short recap the author gives at the beginning of the book is not that great because Outcasts is largely a continuation of what is going on in the first two books and it doesn't do an adequate job of summarizing everything that's gone down so far. I will say that this book read a bit better than the previous ones because the author put more effort into explaining certain characters and situations to make it a standalone. This helped me because I still get confused about everything, even after having read the previous books. Additionally, Outcasts is focused on Grimm and Arlen and they have their own journey that doesn't take place where the Savages live and doesn't include as much of Romero, Cobra and the others. That being said, Arlen and Grimm's book starts off in the middle of their relationship because they both realize how much they like each other and Grimm goes to save Arlen and they like to talk about their feelings for each other. There's no buildup or development of their relationship because you see the "before Arlen is kidnapped" part in Savages and Deviants, but not in Outcasts. You're only briefly told about it. This book ends off on a cliffhanger for the Savages as a whole, but Arlen and Grimm sort of have a happily-for-now kind of ending. Again, I still have the same problems with the actual pacing and descriptions of events that I did with the first two books. The pacing is weird, there isn't much of a climax, and the descriptions of events are very confusing to the reader. There are many characters that I had no idea who they were or what they were doing, I couldn't easily paint a picture of what was going on at any one point in my head, and there was still a lack of clarity with the bigger conflicts. Even now, I have a hard time pinpointing exact events that occurred and specific characters because of how much everything blends together. Despite all this, I did end up reading Heathens, the fourth book, because for some reason this series is still interesting enough to keep me somewhat hooked.
TW: kidnapping, r*pe, assault, sexual assault, torture, gore, murder, death, abuse, rough s*x, kinkier s*x, exhibitionism, voyeurism
March 28, 2019
Soooooo good! 😈 On to the next...
July 29, 2025
3⭐️
I could have never foreseen all the ways I was goin to suffer on a precipice of insanity, before death finally gave me peace.
Outcasts is book 3 in the Badlands series. Finally we get Arlen and Grimm’s fucked up fairytale romance - one that’s forged in blood and bone.
HOWEVER…(pause for dramatic effect.)
Jesus fucking Christ on a cracker (YES, that is my explanation), the first half of this story had me deep in my feels - not the happy kind, but the morose, my-heart-bleeds-for-you, will-I-ever-know-joy-again kind of way. Like it was seven levels of absolute, soul crushing desolation.
And then, five minutes later? We’re back on our bullshit, and by bullshit, I mean endless death as far as the eye can see. Grimm was right - there’s no ”fucking fairies and bullshit utopia’s” here.
Arlen - fmc - Our dark-haired country bumpkin decided that life in a gilded Centriole cage wasn't life at all. In books one and two, she survived a charming lineup: cannibals, emotional chaos, being adopted by our resident Harley Quinn knockoff Cali and being kidnapped. Her quick wit and chronic brattiness made her a natural fit for the Savages - because obviously, they needed one more emotionally unstable member.
I wouldn’t have any regrets. I’m sorry Father, for I no longer give a shit.
Honestly, trauma is the unofficial currency in this story. Arlen’s ability to just shrug off being fucking captured, raped, and tormented like they were just yesterday’s inconveniences? I’m not sure if it’s impressive, or alarming. Possibly both.
I was a plague none were prepared for.
No, darling - you were basically Bambi on ice. And you knew your way around a gun about as well as I do: not at all.
Grimm - mmc - Our resident reaper of Souls, King of the shadows. He kills without hesitation, without remorse but somehow even manages to make brutal death seem like poetry in motion. Very broody, very bloody, very on brand for our Reaper. Then Arlen is kidnapped right from under his watch, and suddenly this walking execution order discovers he's not immune to feelings. A shocking plot twist for everyone, himself included. Turns out the mouthy, chaos addicted girl he barely tolerated in the beginning is actually his Queen.
screaming on the inside
Naturally, he responds in the healthiest way possible to get his little hellion back: obsession, territorial rage, and enough testosterone to power a small war.
Her halo was broken, but there was brimstone burning in her eyes. Her hatred was beautiful. I’d give her a crown forged of blood and bone from every motherfucker who’d laid a hand on what was mine.
He'll hand her the damn gun while helping her pile up the bodies. Not because it's noble - but because he’s bad at coping and excellent at ✨murder.✨
Issues/Final Thoughts:
There’s so much gore and unnecessary death that there’s actually no plot - or there is, and it stopped mattering a while ago. But I’ve obviously been brainwashed into continuing this series, because…
why am I still here? Weirdly enough, I’m into it. Savage, possessive men and the unhinged women who match their energy? That’s top tier spice and I don’t turn down heat.
I could have never foreseen all the ways I was goin to suffer on a precipice of insanity, before death finally gave me peace.
Outcasts is book 3 in the Badlands series. Finally we get Arlen and Grimm’s fucked up fairytale romance - one that’s forged in blood and bone.
HOWEVER…(pause for dramatic effect.)
Jesus fucking Christ on a cracker (YES, that is my explanation), the first half of this story had me deep in my feels - not the happy kind, but the morose, my-heart-bleeds-for-you, will-I-ever-know-joy-again kind of way. Like it was seven levels of absolute, soul crushing desolation.
And then, five minutes later? We’re back on our bullshit, and by bullshit, I mean endless death as far as the eye can see. Grimm was right - there’s no ”fucking fairies and bullshit utopia’s” here.
Arlen - fmc - Our dark-haired country bumpkin decided that life in a gilded Centriole cage wasn't life at all. In books one and two, she survived a charming lineup: cannibals, emotional chaos, being adopted by our resident Harley Quinn knockoff Cali and being kidnapped. Her quick wit and chronic brattiness made her a natural fit for the Savages - because obviously, they needed one more emotionally unstable member.
I wouldn’t have any regrets. I’m sorry Father, for I no longer give a shit.
Honestly, trauma is the unofficial currency in this story. Arlen’s ability to just shrug off being fucking captured, raped, and tormented like they were just yesterday’s inconveniences? I’m not sure if it’s impressive, or alarming. Possibly both.
I was a plague none were prepared for.
No, darling - you were basically Bambi on ice. And you knew your way around a gun about as well as I do: not at all.
Grimm - mmc - Our resident reaper of Souls, King of the shadows. He kills without hesitation, without remorse but somehow even manages to make brutal death seem like poetry in motion. Very broody, very bloody, very on brand for our Reaper. Then Arlen is kidnapped right from under his watch, and suddenly this walking execution order discovers he's not immune to feelings. A shocking plot twist for everyone, himself included. Turns out the mouthy, chaos addicted girl he barely tolerated in the beginning is actually his Queen.
screaming on the inside
Naturally, he responds in the healthiest way possible to get his little hellion back: obsession, territorial rage, and enough testosterone to power a small war.
Her halo was broken, but there was brimstone burning in her eyes. Her hatred was beautiful. I’d give her a crown forged of blood and bone from every motherfucker who’d laid a hand on what was mine.
He'll hand her the damn gun while helping her pile up the bodies. Not because it's noble - but because he’s bad at coping and excellent at ✨murder.✨
Issues/Final Thoughts:
There’s so much gore and unnecessary death that there’s actually no plot - or there is, and it stopped mattering a while ago. But I’ve obviously been brainwashed into continuing this series, because…
why am I still here? Weirdly enough, I’m into it. Savage, possessive men and the unhinged women who match their energy? That’s top tier spice and I don’t turn down heat.
April 2, 2021
Outcasts is the 3rd book in the Badlands series. It focuses on Arlen and Grimm and you finally get her back story after some alluding to who she was in the previous books.
Grimm, fucking Grimm. I'm sorry, but Grimm dethroned Romero in my bank. Grimm was such a fucking BEAST, whether it was fucking (holy shit the dicking he gave Arlen) or killing, he was so fucking alive in this book. I mean yes, Romero is technically alive, but so is a fucking potato.
Arlen went through some fucked up shit in the book. Cali did too, in hers, but the majority of her shit was insinuated, we didn't see it, we just heard it happened. In this book, however, you get knee deep in the fucking bullshit that happens to Arlen, you fucking live through it with her. Fucking brutal.
We get to hang with a poorly packaged sack of horseshit that is Noah. If you recall his appearance in book one, then you won't be surprised that this neutered shart clown continues to hide behind someone more powerful and gets his dick wet through rape.
This book had a fuckton of details, great fight scenes, afuckingmazing dirty ass sex and yet, still, felt like something was missing. I don't fucking know what it is, but I still loved the book and will continue on the series.
Grimm, fucking Grimm. I'm sorry, but Grimm dethroned Romero in my bank. Grimm was such a fucking BEAST, whether it was fucking (holy shit the dicking he gave Arlen) or killing, he was so fucking alive in this book. I mean yes, Romero is technically alive, but so is a fucking potato.
Arlen went through some fucked up shit in the book. Cali did too, in hers, but the majority of her shit was insinuated, we didn't see it, we just heard it happened. In this book, however, you get knee deep in the fucking bullshit that happens to Arlen, you fucking live through it with her. Fucking brutal.
We get to hang with a poorly packaged sack of horseshit that is Noah. If you recall his appearance in book one, then you won't be surprised that this neutered shart clown continues to hide behind someone more powerful and gets his dick wet through rape.
This book had a fuckton of details, great fight scenes, afuckingmazing dirty ass sex and yet, still, felt like something was missing. I don't fucking know what it is, but I still loved the book and will continue on the series.
May 13, 2018
4.5 Bloody Stars
Brutal and tears right through morality to the heart of savagery.
Outcasts was a twistedly wonderful story that satiates the hunger for blood, death and revenge.
Grimm and Arlen are a wicked match forged in the flames and bathed in blood. They had a crazy dynamic and an intense relationship that had an unusual rhythm that worked for them. I loved how they were often on the same wavelength and the strength of the characters as a couple, and how they built up together as the story panned out.
There were some interesting new characters and a little peek into the still somewhat mysterious Cobra.
Bloodthirsty and brilliant!
The only reason I didnt give a full five stars is because in Arlen's chapters I struggled with the fact that out-of-dialogue some of the wording was shortened but not all of them, eg. "Somethin". It just niggled on me a little bit, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story. I understood the author's intent with doing so though and how it related to the character.
Brutal and tears right through morality to the heart of savagery.
Outcasts was a twistedly wonderful story that satiates the hunger for blood, death and revenge.
Grimm and Arlen are a wicked match forged in the flames and bathed in blood. They had a crazy dynamic and an intense relationship that had an unusual rhythm that worked for them. I loved how they were often on the same wavelength and the strength of the characters as a couple, and how they built up together as the story panned out.
There were some interesting new characters and a little peek into the still somewhat mysterious Cobra.
Bloodthirsty and brilliant!
The only reason I didnt give a full five stars is because in Arlen's chapters I struggled with the fact that out-of-dialogue some of the wording was shortened but not all of them, eg. "Somethin". It just niggled on me a little bit, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the story. I understood the author's intent with doing so though and how it related to the character.
April 18, 2022
3.5 Stars
*I would strongly suggest reading the first two books prior to this. The author states it can be read as a standalone, but you’d miss so much content since the storyline continues throughout.
Outcasts starts just after Deviants, Arlen has been kidnapped and delivered to Noah. (Rome’s ½ brother) All these books are violent, but this has an on-page rape, so FYI. It’s graphic, but true to the formula, Arlen gets over it almost immediately, and under Grimm.
The Order has been dealt with and Noah brings a new group of baddies onto the scene. Venom are a much smaller gang that want Rome’s kingdom. It’s much the same as the others. She definitely has a formula she follows. My only grump is that I feel it’s getting SUPER wordy with the repetitive “I’m a King, you’re my Queen…I’m dark with my crown of blood and guts...Our broken souls pulled together…prose over and over again. I get it, you’re broken badasses.
These are VERY formulaic, so if you dislike one... you'll probably dislike them all. I find them entertaining enough, but wish the author dug a little deeper to develop romance. As is, I'm not sure you could call this a romance... even a dark one because there's hardly any relationship building. They just decide now they're it with no discussions about anything (like her hearing him screw all kinds of girls) or what suddenly changed his mind.
Bottom Line- Grimm and Arlen have been a long time coming, and it was great to see him pull his head out his ass and claim his girl. They’re sorted out, but Blue’s future is left in the air.
*I would strongly suggest reading the first two books prior to this. The author states it can be read as a standalone, but you’d miss so much content since the storyline continues throughout.
Outcasts starts just after Deviants, Arlen has been kidnapped and delivered to Noah. (Rome’s ½ brother) All these books are violent, but this has an on-page rape, so FYI. It’s graphic, but true to the formula, Arlen gets over it almost immediately, and under Grimm.
The Order has been dealt with and Noah brings a new group of baddies onto the scene. Venom are a much smaller gang that want Rome’s kingdom. It’s much the same as the others. She definitely has a formula she follows. My only grump is that I feel it’s getting SUPER wordy with the repetitive “I’m a King, you’re my Queen…I’m dark with my crown of blood and guts...Our broken souls pulled together…prose over and over again. I get it, you’re broken badasses.
These are VERY formulaic, so if you dislike one... you'll probably dislike them all. I find them entertaining enough, but wish the author dug a little deeper to develop romance. As is, I'm not sure you could call this a romance... even a dark one because there's hardly any relationship building. They just decide now they're it with no discussions about anything (like her hearing him screw all kinds of girls) or what suddenly changed his mind.
Bottom Line- Grimm and Arlen have been a long time coming, and it was great to see him pull his head out his ass and claim his girl. They’re sorted out, but Blue’s future is left in the air.
February 19, 2019
This is the third book in the Badlands series and is about Arlen and Grimm. It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading books one and two first as you get to meet characters and a little insight about them.
But first a warning "Outcasts" is an extremely dark read dealing with some very graphic scenes.
If this is at all a trigger for you please do avoid, you have been warned.
This book is brutal, dark, and bloody. I loved every minute of it.
Grim is the brother of the queen of the badlands, what a character he is, he shows no mercy he only shows loyalty to his family. From the moment I met from the reaper I was in love. He is brutal, unforgiving. However, he does have a side that will shock you and if you miss with him and his family you better watch out. You’ve been warned.
Arlen, I really liked her character, she is so stubborn, feisty and can hold her own. That’s one thing I look for in my heroine.
This book Embarks on the journey of grim recapturing his woman from the hands of Rome’s brother Noah. There will bloodshed and twisted and gritty deaths and most of all revenge to the pain that has been caused to her. Boy do they get their revenge, it’s brutal, gritty and bloody. Get ready for the ride!
We are introduced to some new characters who I have come to love. Could one of these new characters be a love interest to our funny and deadly cobra? Who knows...
But first a warning "Outcasts" is an extremely dark read dealing with some very graphic scenes.
If this is at all a trigger for you please do avoid, you have been warned.
This book is brutal, dark, and bloody. I loved every minute of it.
Grim is the brother of the queen of the badlands, what a character he is, he shows no mercy he only shows loyalty to his family. From the moment I met from the reaper I was in love. He is brutal, unforgiving. However, he does have a side that will shock you and if you miss with him and his family you better watch out. You’ve been warned.
Arlen, I really liked her character, she is so stubborn, feisty and can hold her own. That’s one thing I look for in my heroine.
This book Embarks on the journey of grim recapturing his woman from the hands of Rome’s brother Noah. There will bloodshed and twisted and gritty deaths and most of all revenge to the pain that has been caused to her. Boy do they get their revenge, it’s brutal, gritty and bloody. Get ready for the ride!
We are introduced to some new characters who I have come to love. Could one of these new characters be a love interest to our funny and deadly cobra? Who knows...
August 21, 2020
Arlen and Grimm
Decent book. Not my favorite but it does propel the series forward. Hopefully the next is better. I think I would rather ot be about Cali and Rome.
Decent book. Not my favorite but it does propel the series forward. Hopefully the next is better. I think I would rather ot be about Cali and Rome.
May 12, 2018
4.5 Stars
Review by Amy W.
Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books Blog
It was survival of the worst. A human eat human world. There was no place for morals here. There was no law.
Natalie Bennett's Outcasts was a book that I was anxious to get my hands on. I loved Rome and Cali's story that was told in the first two books of the series, and I wanted to get to know more about the other characters. Be careful what you wish for.
It was crazy to trust death with life, but I'd never trusted anyone more than I did him in that very moment.
I can't give away much plot, what I can say is that you should definitely read the first two books before picking up Arlen and Grimm's. Be prepared for bloody, violent and twisted. This book, this series, is not for the faint of heart. You might think you like it dark, but this goes beyond. Natalie gives you more of Grimm and Arlen while simultaneously pulling in other characters and leaving you with more questions than answers. Arlen goes through hell, I'm not sure how she survived before Grimm. And Grimm, well we all know he's named after the reaper, but there's more to him than meets the eye.
I'd give her a crown forged in blood and bone from every motherfucker who'd laid a hand on what was mine.
I think I might have enjoyed reading about Grimm and Arlen more than I did Rome and Cali... and I greatly enjoyed their books. That being said, I can't wait to get Cobra's book. I think he is my favorite Savage and as each book gets better than the last I know I won't be disappointed. I have so many questions about what the hell is going on, I need the answers that Rome isn't giving. I mean come on, how can you do that?
This book like the others ends on a semi cliffhanger. That's to say there's more to the story but these two find their HEA in as much as the Devil's Savages can.
**ARC provided by author for honest review**
Review by Amy W.
Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books Blog
It was survival of the worst. A human eat human world. There was no place for morals here. There was no law.
Natalie Bennett's Outcasts was a book that I was anxious to get my hands on. I loved Rome and Cali's story that was told in the first two books of the series, and I wanted to get to know more about the other characters. Be careful what you wish for.
It was crazy to trust death with life, but I'd never trusted anyone more than I did him in that very moment.
I can't give away much plot, what I can say is that you should definitely read the first two books before picking up Arlen and Grimm's. Be prepared for bloody, violent and twisted. This book, this series, is not for the faint of heart. You might think you like it dark, but this goes beyond. Natalie gives you more of Grimm and Arlen while simultaneously pulling in other characters and leaving you with more questions than answers. Arlen goes through hell, I'm not sure how she survived before Grimm. And Grimm, well we all know he's named after the reaper, but there's more to him than meets the eye.
I'd give her a crown forged in blood and bone from every motherfucker who'd laid a hand on what was mine.
I think I might have enjoyed reading about Grimm and Arlen more than I did Rome and Cali... and I greatly enjoyed their books. That being said, I can't wait to get Cobra's book. I think he is my favorite Savage and as each book gets better than the last I know I won't be disappointed. I have so many questions about what the hell is going on, I need the answers that Rome isn't giving. I mean come on, how can you do that?
This book like the others ends on a semi cliffhanger. That's to say there's more to the story but these two find their HEA in as much as the Devil's Savages can.
**ARC provided by author for honest review**
September 20, 2018
The more I read this series the crazier it gets...okay maybe that's not quite true but this one still had the ability to make my jaw drop and suck me further into this rabbit hole.
This book was Grimm's. Even though it is about different characters it really is important to have read the two prior books. Grimm's book starts at the end of the last one where Noah has Arlen and blood is going to be flowing. Grimm is death. He takes lives meticulously and without remorse. He is efficient and takes pride in his handy work. He has never really felt the pull to a person like Romero until Arlen shows up.
Arlen is dealt a pretty crappy hand. She is used by Noah and then others. She comes from a place that is revered but maybe the worst of them all. She is stubborn but easily adapts to her surroundings. She is drawn to her big and quiet observer and when he is the one who fixes (sort of) the Noah mess he clings to him to find that piece of something she has been missing.
Just when you think you have seen all of the nooks and crannies of the Badlands, new and more messed up places are visited. Grimm's book is just a bloody, just as raw, and messed up. We meet some new characters. Learn some interesting pieces of information that I am sure we will need for later and end with yet another person traded and another war brewing.
Can't wait to move onto Heathens, because Cobra just makes me smile...in the most evilest of ways.
May 10, 2018
A Romance Like no Other
After reading the first two books in this series, I wasn't too surprised with what goes on in this third addition, Grimm's story. Heed the warnings, it's a dark and despicable story that somehow winds itself into a romance.
"He would be a bad habit I'd never break free of."
When it comes to the female characters in the Badland series, they are at the top of the list of bad ass chicks. First it was Cali and now Arlen gets to show us exactly what she's made of. Sure she was raised on the other side of the wall, where everything is the exact opposite of the Badlands, deep down Arlen knows she doesn't belong there. Held against her will, she is counting the days for him to show up and help her out of her personal hell.
Grimm is the typical tough on the outside, but a giant teddy bear where his woman is concerned. She slipped through his hands and now all he can think about is getting her back. Sure she's a pain in the ass, but she's HIS pain in the ass.
"Her halo was broken, but there was brimstone burning in her eyes. Her hatred was beautiful."
They are a match made in hell, the perfect dark fit for each other. While the story is gory and told in graphic detail, it was still an interesting read. The blurb says it can be read as a standalone, however I recommend reading the first two as to not be totally lost. There is a LOT going on with this group of people and one is as interesting as the next. Speaking of interesting, looks like Cobra's book is up next, that should be fun.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
After reading the first two books in this series, I wasn't too surprised with what goes on in this third addition, Grimm's story. Heed the warnings, it's a dark and despicable story that somehow winds itself into a romance.
"He would be a bad habit I'd never break free of."
When it comes to the female characters in the Badland series, they are at the top of the list of bad ass chicks. First it was Cali and now Arlen gets to show us exactly what she's made of. Sure she was raised on the other side of the wall, where everything is the exact opposite of the Badlands, deep down Arlen knows she doesn't belong there. Held against her will, she is counting the days for him to show up and help her out of her personal hell.
Grimm is the typical tough on the outside, but a giant teddy bear where his woman is concerned. She slipped through his hands and now all he can think about is getting her back. Sure she's a pain in the ass, but she's HIS pain in the ass.
"Her halo was broken, but there was brimstone burning in her eyes. Her hatred was beautiful."
They are a match made in hell, the perfect dark fit for each other. While the story is gory and told in graphic detail, it was still an interesting read. The blurb says it can be read as a standalone, however I recommend reading the first two as to not be totally lost. There is a LOT going on with this group of people and one is as interesting as the next. Speaking of interesting, looks like Cobra's book is up next, that should be fun.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.
May 8, 2018
Outcasts delivered the sinister, perverse, and corrupt read I needed! As a huge fan of Savages and Deviants I knew Outcasts would be just as good. It was better! I was excited to see Grimm and Arlen fall into their sinister path. I was worried Arlen wouldn't get there as she wasn't as fecked up as Cali. It's the Badlands though. You may enter with a pure heart, the savages and outcasts will make sure you leave with a stained and tainted heart.
Arlen is forced to have a tainted heart, instead of bemoaning about it she takes it and owns it. Owns the new person she's becoming after the sick bastards had her. She fully erupts from her cocoon and is a beautiful and deadly queen to Death himself. Grimm surprised me. He is Death embodied in Earth. He's merciless, ruthless, and cunning. He gives zero shits about that. He knows who he is. He also has a side that had me shocked. Read it to find out for yourself.
Natalie Bennett has me hooked on dark reads, her writing wows me. The characters are mind blowingly amazing. I'm so excited to see more of the Badlands!!!! I love that everything is coming full circle, I literally can't wait! I would recommend reading Savages and Deviants before Outcasts. That way you get the full spectrum of what's going on!
Arlen is forced to have a tainted heart, instead of bemoaning about it she takes it and owns it. Owns the new person she's becoming after the sick bastards had her. She fully erupts from her cocoon and is a beautiful and deadly queen to Death himself. Grimm surprised me. He is Death embodied in Earth. He's merciless, ruthless, and cunning. He gives zero shits about that. He knows who he is. He also has a side that had me shocked. Read it to find out for yourself.
Natalie Bennett has me hooked on dark reads, her writing wows me. The characters are mind blowingly amazing. I'm so excited to see more of the Badlands!!!! I love that everything is coming full circle, I literally can't wait! I would recommend reading Savages and Deviants before Outcasts. That way you get the full spectrum of what's going on!
May 20, 2018
🗡️🗡️Five Bloody Daggers 🗡️ for Outcasts🗡️🗡️
Not even sure where to start - How can something so depraved and so bloody licentious be so damn good?
We get it all -again- with Grimm and Brat's tale -
There was such beauty in the way they bathed themselves in the blood of their enemies * sigh* They have been the apt 🖤 couple since they first "stumbled" upon one another
I honestly think I may have fallen a bit more for Grimm in this one.. He is just so dark and deadly and ohhh so scrumpdillicious 🤤
There are some great new twists in book three - Brat's eyes are awakened in a way that leaves her soul just a bit tainted and a whole lot jaded - Some of the other characters we love so much are jolted into painful realities they never saw coming and others are gifted with small blessings -
There is the introduction of some new characters that will definitely have you scratching your head - I questioned if they were going to make it to the final scenes .. I am not telling how that plays out 😉
The men and the women of the Badlands just keep getting more debauched and perverted as time rolls on- but then again only the strong survive the Badlands and we all know how much they love their depravity 😈
We were left with some serious clues and questions as to what the future holds for our band of sinners - I am eagerly awaiting book four
My understanding is you can read this as a standalone -
I personally suggest starting with book one Savages - it just makes the whole journey that much more ....
Not even sure where to start - How can something so depraved and so bloody licentious be so damn good?
We get it all -again- with Grimm and Brat's tale -
There was such beauty in the way they bathed themselves in the blood of their enemies * sigh* They have been the apt 🖤 couple since they first "stumbled" upon one another
I honestly think I may have fallen a bit more for Grimm in this one.. He is just so dark and deadly and ohhh so scrumpdillicious 🤤
There are some great new twists in book three - Brat's eyes are awakened in a way that leaves her soul just a bit tainted and a whole lot jaded - Some of the other characters we love so much are jolted into painful realities they never saw coming and others are gifted with small blessings -
There is the introduction of some new characters that will definitely have you scratching your head - I questioned if they were going to make it to the final scenes .. I am not telling how that plays out 😉
The men and the women of the Badlands just keep getting more debauched and perverted as time rolls on- but then again only the strong survive the Badlands and we all know how much they love their depravity 😈
We were left with some serious clues and questions as to what the future holds for our band of sinners - I am eagerly awaiting book four
My understanding is you can read this as a standalone -
I personally suggest starting with book one Savages - it just makes the whole journey that much more ....
May 20, 2018
Corr blimey! This is a belter of a dark read.
It is jammed pack full of dark, deadly, bloody, violent, corrupt, devious, sexy...unbelivably hot off the scales sexy... shenanigans. It is everything i was expecting and so much more.
I knew I would love Grimm's story from the moment i met him. His depravity knows no bounds yet his level of devotion and passion exceed that darkness. He is just the most beautiful deviant known to man.
Then there's Cobra. I cannot wait for his story! I adore that touch of lightness he brings to this world.
The only thing i found a little unsatisfactory were the editing issues. I came across quite a places where a word was missing, or there was a typo.
Speaking of which, i know the author purposely left the g off of the end of Arlen's words but in all honesty, it annoyed the ever loving crap out of me. And if you're going to do that kind of thing, at least make ot consistent!
It is jammed pack full of dark, deadly, bloody, violent, corrupt, devious, sexy...unbelivably hot off the scales sexy... shenanigans. It is everything i was expecting and so much more.
I knew I would love Grimm's story from the moment i met him. His depravity knows no bounds yet his level of devotion and passion exceed that darkness. He is just the most beautiful deviant known to man.
Then there's Cobra. I cannot wait for his story! I adore that touch of lightness he brings to this world.
The only thing i found a little unsatisfactory were the editing issues. I came across quite a places where a word was missing, or there was a typo.
Speaking of which, i know the author purposely left the g off of the end of Arlen's words but in all honesty, it annoyed the ever loving crap out of me. And if you're going to do that kind of thing, at least make ot consistent!
October 9, 2019
I AM SPEECHLESS!
I don't know where to start if I didn't like the first two books, it really depends on the characters
I have nothing against dark books but I don't like horror books.
You just have to get used to Natalie's books and you'll enjoy the sick world she describes
Arlen has lived her entire life in the kingdom where there is no violence, it is also safe to go outside at night
She knows that on the other side of the wall who's going will never come back
The previous book ended with Arlen being kidnapped by Romero's half-brother and Grimm has a plan to go rescue her
The whole book was a thrill of bloodthirsty horror and pain,
I just didn't want to finish this book it was interesting to read
Although there are nasty scenes here, I just skipped it when I couldn't read them
The book is in two parts it is also from both point of views
Warning don't read it at night !!!
Thank you!
I don't know where to start if I didn't like the first two books, it really depends on the characters
I have nothing against dark books but I don't like horror books.
You just have to get used to Natalie's books and you'll enjoy the sick world she describes
Arlen has lived her entire life in the kingdom where there is no violence, it is also safe to go outside at night
She knows that on the other side of the wall who's going will never come back
The previous book ended with Arlen being kidnapped by Romero's half-brother and Grimm has a plan to go rescue her
The whole book was a thrill of bloodthirsty horror and pain,
I just didn't want to finish this book it was interesting to read
Although there are nasty scenes here, I just skipped it when I couldn't read them
The book is in two parts it is also from both point of views
Warning don't read it at night !!!
Thank you!
May 9, 2018
GAH!! This is an epic twisted HEA, Natalie Bennett has done what she does best. Plunge you into darkness, watch you struggle for the light and make you happy to live in the shade.
From the get go you know Arlen and Grimms story was going to be a hard one to swallow and Natalie Bennett had you tearing at yourself on the inside because you are helpless to help. Then she has your heart fluttering for the darkness that saves her. Intrigue plagues you, as it does in the other Bandlands books, and just like before you are hooked so hard you would have to go cold turkey from books to not want your next fix. She has me throughly addicted and immersed in this twisted family.
Brilliantly written and enthralling, Outcast can be read as a stand-alone but I guarantee you’ll want Cali and Rome’s story by the end it. I can not wait for HEATHEN!
From the get go you know Arlen and Grimms story was going to be a hard one to swallow and Natalie Bennett had you tearing at yourself on the inside because you are helpless to help. Then she has your heart fluttering for the darkness that saves her. Intrigue plagues you, as it does in the other Bandlands books, and just like before you are hooked so hard you would have to go cold turkey from books to not want your next fix. She has me throughly addicted and immersed in this twisted family.
Brilliantly written and enthralling, Outcast can be read as a stand-alone but I guarantee you’ll want Cali and Rome’s story by the end it. I can not wait for HEATHEN!
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