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Dirty Broken Savages #1
Kings of Chaos
I was a good girl once, but now I dance with devils.
Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. I wear vengeance like a suit of armor.
I’ve got a list with six names on it. Six people who wronged me, who hurt me, who took everything from me. Six people who turned me into the monster I am now.
And I’ve crossed off every name but one.
One more name. One more death. Should be simple, right?
Yeah, you’d think so. But it turns out revenge is a messy business, and when I end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, I royally piss off four brutal, twisted, gorgeous men.
Gage, Priest, Ash, and Knox.
Lucky for me, the last name on my list is someone they’ve got their own grudge against, so instead of killing me, they offer me a deal. They’ll give me a chance to exact my vengeance, and in exchange, all they want is…
Me.
I’m not stupid. I’ve played this game before. Even though they've agreed to help me, I know they want to punish me too. They want to toy with me. To let their demons loose on me.
But maybe these Kings of Chaos have let my pretty face fool them.
Because I'm just as vicious as they are. And I’ve got demons of my own.
Kings of Chaos is a full length dark new adult romance with enemies-to-lovers/love-hate themes, featuring a slightly psycho heroine and four even more psychotic men. What happens between these pages will be dirty, dark, and delicious, so read at your own discretion.
Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. I wear vengeance like a suit of armor.
I’ve got a list with six names on it. Six people who wronged me, who hurt me, who took everything from me. Six people who turned me into the monster I am now.
And I’ve crossed off every name but one.
One more name. One more death. Should be simple, right?
Yeah, you’d think so. But it turns out revenge is a messy business, and when I end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, I royally piss off four brutal, twisted, gorgeous men.
Gage, Priest, Ash, and Knox.
Lucky for me, the last name on my list is someone they’ve got their own grudge against, so instead of killing me, they offer me a deal. They’ll give me a chance to exact my vengeance, and in exchange, all they want is…
Me.
I’m not stupid. I’ve played this game before. Even though they've agreed to help me, I know they want to punish me too. They want to toy with me. To let their demons loose on me.
But maybe these Kings of Chaos have let my pretty face fool them.
Because I'm just as vicious as they are. And I’ve got demons of my own.
Kings of Chaos is a full length dark new adult romance with enemies-to-lovers/love-hate themes, featuring a slightly psycho heroine and four even more psychotic men. What happens between these pages will be dirty, dark, and delicious, so read at your own discretion.
504 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2021
7591 people are currently reading
36314 people want to read
About the author
Eva Ashwood
49 books6,214 followersEva Ashwood has been a reader her whole life and a writer for several years. She loves telling stories of alpha males and the fierce women who bring them to their knees.
She's a sucker for reverse harem, bully romance, enemies to lovers, heroes who redeem themselves, and all the drama and passion of new adult love.
She's a sucker for reverse harem, bully romance, enemies to lovers, heroes who redeem themselves, and all the drama and passion of new adult love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,418 reviews
October 24, 2021
2? 2.5?
i don't know anymore.
what even is wrong with meeeeeeee?????
why can't i just LIKE stuff? it didn't used to be this hard to just... like stuff.
ugh. anyhoozle. lemme "review" this.
River (heroine) is a bitch.
granted, she's been through the fire and is still a hot steaming mess but, i've said it before and i'll say it again for the cheap seats in the back, having been through the shit storm does not give one carte blanche to treat others like something you stepped in. and while i'm at it, where is it written that female protagonists must hate other women just because reasons? it's petty and annoying to read catty comment after catty comment. all it did was intensified my hatred of her.
River has been on a vengeance vision quest to kill her sister's killers. to that end, she's found some random to give her info on her last mark but said random gives her bad intel so she offs him in an alley behind the club which these 4 "chaos kings" own.
you, like i, may be thinking you're just going to kill some dude and leave him in an alley? and how the hell did you get to #6 on your list without ending up in the clink?
lookit, all i'm saying is bad plan is bad. however, it does introduce her to the 4 guys: Gage, Priest, Ash and Knox. so... there's that.
quick rundown of these jokers:
Gage - anger ball
Priest - anger ball with baggage = ED
Ash - DL anger ball with glasses so it fools you into thinking he's something he's not and house Lothario
Knox - crazy train
did i like any of these dudes?
none are truly fleshed out. they just seem like caricatures of characters, characters that i've read before only less interesting.
to add insult to injury, they all have some form of sex with River sans condom (lovely) without ever having ANY sort of baby batter or hygiene convo (smart) and all of said sex was lame. what in the... how even? you know what? never mind. i know the seggs is subjective so undoubtedly it turned someone's crank. no judgment!
however, again, i'm supposed to believe these 4 jokers live together, work together, share the same woman and don't cross the streams?
anyway! the plot drags... well, it drags a lot in spots but the end was a doozy that i did NOT see coming, so now i'm torn.
should i stay or should i go????
hard decision is hard.
as always, my opinions are my own. YMMV.
i don't know anymore.
what even is wrong with meeeeeeee?????
why can't i just LIKE stuff? it didn't used to be this hard to just... like stuff.
ugh. anyhoozle. lemme "review" this.
River (heroine) is a bitch.
granted, she's been through the fire and is still a hot steaming mess but, i've said it before and i'll say it again for the cheap seats in the back, having been through the shit storm does not give one carte blanche to treat others like something you stepped in. and while i'm at it, where is it written that female protagonists must hate other women just because reasons? it's petty and annoying to read catty comment after catty comment. all it did was intensified my hatred of her.
River has been on a vengeance vision quest to kill her sister's killers. to that end, she's found some random to give her info on her last mark but said random gives her bad intel so she offs him in an alley behind the club which these 4 "chaos kings" own.
you, like i, may be thinking you're just going to kill some dude and leave him in an alley? and how the hell did you get to #6 on your list without ending up in the clink?
lookit, all i'm saying is bad plan is bad. however, it does introduce her to the 4 guys: Gage, Priest, Ash and Knox. so... there's that.
quick rundown of these jokers:
Gage - anger ball
Priest - anger ball with baggage = ED
Ash - DL anger ball with glasses so it fools you into thinking he's something he's not and house Lothario
Knox - crazy train
did i like any of these dudes?
none are truly fleshed out. they just seem like caricatures of characters, characters that i've read before only less interesting.
to add insult to injury, they all have some form of sex with River sans condom (lovely) without ever having ANY sort of baby batter or hygiene convo (smart) and all of said sex was lame. what in the... how even? you know what? never mind. i know the seggs is subjective so undoubtedly it turned someone's crank. no judgment!
however, again, i'm supposed to believe these 4 jokers live together, work together, share the same woman and don't cross the streams?
anyway! the plot drags... well, it drags a lot in spots but the end was a doozy that i did NOT see coming, so now i'm torn.
should i stay or should i go????
hard decision is hard.
as always, my opinions are my own. YMMV.
September 15, 2021
If you've read Den of Vipers then you've sorta read this book too. The men are literally a copy and paste of each other
Gage = Ryder - The boss with anger and control issues
Priest = Garret - The standoffish one with issues/trauma from his ex
Ash = Kenzo - The pretty flirty one who wants more than just sex
Knox = Diesel - The crazy one. He enjoys torturing people and has a basement where he 'works'. He also enjoys cutting up people during sex and will put his trusty knife in your genitals during sex or as a form of foreplay
I did like River though. Her story had more substance and she's more badass than Roxy ever was.
Gage = Ryder - The boss with anger and control issues
Priest = Garret - The standoffish one with issues/trauma from his ex
Ash = Kenzo - The pretty flirty one who wants more than just sex
Knox = Diesel - The crazy one. He enjoys torturing people and has a basement where he 'works'. He also enjoys cutting up people during sex and will put his trusty knife in your genitals during sex or as a form of foreplay
I did like River though. Her story had more substance and she's more badass than Roxy ever was.
September 4, 2021
yeah well this was shit
den of vipers with a different flavor
my expectations were low and yet this book has failed them couldnt say im surprised to be honest
so no
♥️
den of vipers with a different flavor
my expectations were low and yet this book has failed them couldnt say im surprised to be honest
so no
♥️
July 11, 2021
OK let me start off by saying holy f****** s*** that was one h*** of an epic ride Eva took us on!!! And guess what I did NOT want to get off of it, from start to finish this book sucked me in!!! River with her bada** self was one chick that I loved reading about. No matter what she's been through she bows for no one and she's definitely been through h*** Let me tell you that. Then Eva brings the kings Gage, Knox, Priest and Ash into the story and they are in no way good men. Each of them are messed up and deprived in their own ways and it comes out for us all to read. To see how River affects each of these twisted men is something else and none of them are liking it very much! But as I got into the story I could feel the connection she had with them and how they completed each other. This book is full of action both crazy and steamy, also you think you know what's coming but you don't. It left me wanting so much more and questions I need answers to. I can't wait to see where Eva takes us with the rest of this series! I know for sure I'm here for it when she gives us book 2!!!
November 20, 2022
2.5 STARS
Meh
This felt like a lather, rinse, repeat sort of book. There was nothing unique or memorable about it. Maybe if I had not really read much in this genre, I wouldn't be as picky. But to be honest, it just felt like a combination and mishmash of characters, plot, and tropes that I've read in countless other RH books.
I did read it in its entirety, yes. But I also feel absolutely no pull or desire to finish the series. For the length this book was, nothing much really happens past the 50% mark. The most jarring for me is that I couldn't keep the MMCs straight. They felt entirely two dimension and non memorable outside of their physical descriptions and particular kinks. But even those kinks bled together. Pun intended.
Overall it was just a very underwhelming sort of read that didn't read like anything else I haven't read before. Nothing struck out at me. And by the time I finished, I had zero investment in the story or the MCs to want to continue.
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I’ve been to hell. I lived in the dark and the fear and the stink of it. And I survived.
Meh
This felt like a lather, rinse, repeat sort of book. There was nothing unique or memorable about it. Maybe if I had not really read much in this genre, I wouldn't be as picky. But to be honest, it just felt like a combination and mishmash of characters, plot, and tropes that I've read in countless other RH books.
I did read it in its entirety, yes. But I also feel absolutely no pull or desire to finish the series. For the length this book was, nothing much really happens past the 50% mark. The most jarring for me is that I couldn't keep the MMCs straight. They felt entirely two dimension and non memorable outside of their physical descriptions and particular kinks. But even those kinks bled together. Pun intended.
Overall it was just a very underwhelming sort of read that didn't read like anything else I haven't read before. Nothing struck out at me. And by the time I finished, I had zero investment in the story or the MCs to want to continue.
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May 24, 2022
3.5 stars. This is pretty generic dark RH – but, if you’re in the mood for that, it presses those buttons well. I feel that way about all of this author's books. They’re not usually the kind where I absolutely fall in LOVE with the characters (except for Ciro in The Dark Elite: Complete Series Box Set) but she reliably writes an entertaining, well written RH story with unexpected turns and a good balance of steam and plot.
River, the heroine, is probably like 21-25, though it’s not said. When she was a teenager, she and her sister were kidnapped and assaulted by a bunch of guys, and her sister was killed. Ever since then, she’s been on a revenge mission to kill them. She’s just got 1 more guy one her list, but on her quest to get to him, she kills someone outside of a nightclub that the heroes own. They’re not happy about that, but it turns out, they ALSO want to get rid of this guy that River is after, but they don’t want to be blamed for it (since he’s a big deal in the criminal underworld). So, they’re happy to have her do it and take the fall for it, if they can keep an eye on her.
The guys are fairly generic: the leader, the cold hostile one, the fun flirty one, the crazy one. But, they're distinctive from each other, and this author is good at getting STRAIGHT to the point, so we have a clear understanding of who each guy is right away. In a lot of RHs, I still struggle to parse out who’s who among the guys pretty far into the story. Not here! Everything happens fast here: the guy’s personalities are established, and the guy who was most hostile to River already starts coming around even in book 1 of a 4 book series – some RH series (like Forced Bonds) drag out the story with the guy who is "the mean one" for WAY too long, so that’s refreshing. Also, I assumed the plot line with the villain would be dragged out until the final book, but it gets dealt with here. So, I’m impressed by how fast this book burned through plot and didn’t delay or drag its feet, where I'm used to that happening in other RH series.
I saw some reviews compare this to Den of Vipers and I mean…sort of? But "tough girl heroine must live with a group of criminal guys" is SUCH a common RH plot, and Den of Vipers didn't invent it. Plus, this plot is more coherent than that one, the characters are less annoying, and Eva Ashwood is a better writer: smoother, no frills, fast paced, not too long or boring. I think she's underrated, and just better on a writing level than many of the more popular RH authors out there.
There are definitely some minor issues I had. Like, River has sex with 3 guys in 1 day without a condom, and not once does anyone have a conversation about that. But, that’s kind of par for the course with RH, so I just kind of shrug that off. Also, it's still not clear to me what River did all day before she met the heroes. She's not in school, and probably didn't have a steady job because her life was all about revenge...but how did she afford food and rent on her apartment? Did she have a job, did she steal? Revenge is good, but it doesn't pay the bills. So, her life is a bit vague.
But, if you want an addictive and absorbing dark RH, I wouldn't say this is the best one I've ever read, but it's solid. I'm glad I waited until this series was finished to binge the books back to back, because it's got a killer cliffhanger.
River, the heroine, is probably like 21-25, though it’s not said. When she was a teenager, she and her sister were kidnapped and assaulted by a bunch of guys, and her sister was killed. Ever since then, she’s been on a revenge mission to kill them. She’s just got 1 more guy one her list, but on her quest to get to him, she kills someone outside of a nightclub that the heroes own. They’re not happy about that, but it turns out, they ALSO want to get rid of this guy that River is after, but they don’t want to be blamed for it (since he’s a big deal in the criminal underworld). So, they’re happy to have her do it and take the fall for it, if they can keep an eye on her.
The guys are fairly generic: the leader, the cold hostile one, the fun flirty one, the crazy one. But, they're distinctive from each other, and this author is good at getting STRAIGHT to the point, so we have a clear understanding of who each guy is right away. In a lot of RHs, I still struggle to parse out who’s who among the guys pretty far into the story. Not here! Everything happens fast here: the guy’s personalities are established, and the guy who was most hostile to River already starts coming around even in book 1 of a 4 book series – some RH series (like Forced Bonds) drag out the story with the guy who is "the mean one" for WAY too long, so that’s refreshing. Also, I assumed the plot line with the villain would be dragged out until the final book, but it gets dealt with here. So, I’m impressed by how fast this book burned through plot and didn’t delay or drag its feet, where I'm used to that happening in other RH series.
I saw some reviews compare this to Den of Vipers and I mean…sort of? But "tough girl heroine must live with a group of criminal guys" is SUCH a common RH plot, and Den of Vipers didn't invent it. Plus, this plot is more coherent than that one, the characters are less annoying, and Eva Ashwood is a better writer: smoother, no frills, fast paced, not too long or boring. I think she's underrated, and just better on a writing level than many of the more popular RH authors out there.
There are definitely some minor issues I had. Like, River has sex with 3 guys in 1 day without a condom, and not once does anyone have a conversation about that. But, that’s kind of par for the course with RH, so I just kind of shrug that off. Also, it's still not clear to me what River did all day before she met the heroes. She's not in school, and probably didn't have a steady job because her life was all about revenge...but how did she afford food and rent on her apartment? Did she have a job, did she steal? Revenge is good, but it doesn't pay the bills. So, her life is a bit vague.
But, if you want an addictive and absorbing dark RH, I wouldn't say this is the best one I've ever read, but it's solid. I'm glad I waited until this series was finished to binge the books back to back, because it's got a killer cliffhanger.
February 1, 2024
It was twisted enough to keep me interested, but it never got to a point where I thought ‘wtf am I reading’. It honestly reminded me of the ‘mindf*ck’ series (I do not say this lightly), as the plots are slightly similar.
They both include :
1 Hunting men who have caused them harm.
2 Avenging someone else.
3 Carrying out a revenge plot.
It wasn’t exactly the same, but it had the same ‘vigilante’ energy. The idea that nothing is being done, so the FMC is doing it herself.
The FMC was very much a shapeshifter when it came to interacting with anyone, especially the men. She was very closed off, but sometimes she would share parts of herself to connect to others. Whether it be by showing her strength, pain or resilience.
I feel like in this book there was a thin line between pain and passion, or sometimes there was no line at all. Sometimes the characters have knives and there’s blood everywhere, but it’s all a kind of foreplay. Again, the lines were very floggy.
So I feel like the MMCs all had a unique way of dealing with anger and this differentiated them.
🥃Priest - Quiet, but is internally losing his sh1t.
🍾Gage - Pressure cooker energy. Ready to blow.
🍹Ash - Golden retriever energy. Looks pretty, to distract from anger he is trying to avoid.
🍻Knox - Expresses his pain through inflicting pain on others.
All psychos, but a nice mix. If they were drinks they would be the ones indicated. I like her relationships with all of them and appreciate that they all develop at various speeds.
I did have 1 peeve with this book and it’s the fact that none of the spice scenes happened in a bed. Not one of them. I’m not talking about the choreography, I’m talking about the fact that they live in a goddamn mansion and can’t be asked to walk up the stairs. It just seems like the space isn’t utilised and that affected me slightly 😅
Also, I could have done without some of the back-to-back scenes. It’s ok to take a breather.
Onto the dog …
The dog was honestly my favourite character. The fact that he had no name and yet had a new potential name every day, always kept me entertained. Simple pleasures. He was also used as a way to show how the FMC’s personality changed, as the story progressed.
I swear to god if that dog dies in the next book. I will be devastated. Devastated.
⚠️Triggers - There were lots of mentions of past childhood SA, but nothing in explicit detail. It was just heavily hinted.
It seems the guys all have dark backstories also, but again it’s sparingly mentioned.
I did really enjoy this book and that surprised me based on the overall rating that it has. I didn’t expect elements of the plot and was hooked throughout.
I don’t know how I feel about that cliffhanger … but we shall see in the next book.
They both include :
1 Hunting men who have caused them harm.
2 Avenging someone else.
3 Carrying out a revenge plot.
It wasn’t exactly the same, but it had the same ‘vigilante’ energy. The idea that nothing is being done, so the FMC is doing it herself.
The FMC was very much a shapeshifter when it came to interacting with anyone, especially the men. She was very closed off, but sometimes she would share parts of herself to connect to others. Whether it be by showing her strength, pain or resilience.
I feel like in this book there was a thin line between pain and passion, or sometimes there was no line at all. Sometimes the characters have knives and there’s blood everywhere, but it’s all a kind of foreplay. Again, the lines were very floggy.
So I feel like the MMCs all had a unique way of dealing with anger and this differentiated them.
🥃Priest - Quiet, but is internally losing his sh1t.
🍾Gage - Pressure cooker energy. Ready to blow.
🍹Ash - Golden retriever energy. Looks pretty, to distract from anger he is trying to avoid.
🍻Knox - Expresses his pain through inflicting pain on others.
All psychos, but a nice mix. If they were drinks they would be the ones indicated. I like her relationships with all of them and appreciate that they all develop at various speeds.
I did have 1 peeve with this book and it’s the fact that none of the spice scenes happened in a bed. Not one of them. I’m not talking about the choreography, I’m talking about the fact that they live in a goddamn mansion and can’t be asked to walk up the stairs. It just seems like the space isn’t utilised and that affected me slightly 😅
Also, I could have done without some of the back-to-back scenes. It’s ok to take a breather.
Onto the dog …
The dog was honestly my favourite character. The fact that he had no name and yet had a new potential name every day, always kept me entertained. Simple pleasures. He was also used as a way to show how the FMC’s personality changed, as the story progressed.
I swear to god if that dog dies in the next book. I will be devastated. Devastated.
⚠️Triggers - There were lots of mentions of past childhood SA, but nothing in explicit detail. It was just heavily hinted.
It seems the guys all have dark backstories also, but again it’s sparingly mentioned.
I did really enjoy this book and that surprised me based on the overall rating that it has. I didn’t expect elements of the plot and was hooked throughout.
I don’t know how I feel about that cliffhanger … but we shall see in the next book.
Want to read
June 17, 2023This book is free on Amazon (Canada) today (06/17/2023). 🙂
There are a lot of mixed reviews for this one, but it's free so I figured I might as well give it a try... 🤷♀️
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There are a lot of mixed reviews for this one, but it's free so I figured I might as well give it a try... 🤷♀️
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
October 21, 2021
100% a Den of Vipers knock off, down to the hair color of the heroin and the characteristics of the guys.
Gage is the equivalent to DOV’s Ryder. He has zero redeeming qualities outside of his adorable library that they bone in. I was uninterested in the sex between him and River after the first time because it wasn’t personal. It was just angry sex to be angry and that doesn’t change. They hardly even interact after their first two encounters except to have sex. There’s no intimacy build up. He was all business all the time, whereas I feel Ryder (DOV) eventually came around to connecting with Roxy on a personal level. Ryder was also allowed time to build up a character and show us a bit of his soft side. We never see that with Gage.
Then we have Ash, whom I believe is comparable to DOV’s Kenzo. He’s attractive and charming, but is in it for more than just a quick lay. I wish the author would have dove more into the intensity build up between him and River because it could have led to something more. I think if the author played it right, Ash and River could have eventually become the stand alone relationship. He genuinely cared for her and proved it to her every time he interacted with her. When they finally have sex he takes it slower and allows for the intimacy to build between them.
Next is Kenzo who is 100% Diesel with a different name. Literally. He even has a torture chamber in the basement where he hacks people up to get answers. Him and River have sex the first time while he’s in mid-torture, just like Diesel and Roxy. Also, River has the most sex with Knox, just like Roxy did with Diesel. Knox is also the guy that develops an obsession with River rather than loving her…just. Like. Diesel. I will say that he’s not as ridiculous as Diesel was. I felt like Diesel was overkill and borderline cheesy. Knox seemed a little more relatable.
Finally, there’s Priest, the DOV’s Garrett. Priest was a complex, deep character who had so much space to explore! Just like Garrett, he’s wounded by another woman, but for different reasons. Priest is the other character that I wish the author would have explored more. He was the only guy that River allowed into her personal experience and her own wounds. He was the one that picked her up from the shower and cared for her when she was in a depressive state. He didn’t force himself on her like the other guys did and never overly sexualized her. He was the only one that admittedly had been in love before. I truly think he could have softened River up and shown her what real love was.
I would have liked to see a love triangle with her, Ash, and Priest. I think it would have kept my interest more peeked and would have made the intensity of the storyline much more interesting. That’s one of the reasons why people love books like Twilight and the Hunger Games. The mystery and frustration of who she’s going to pick is intense and helps drive the storyline a bit. Makes it a bit more relatable.
Now I say all of this knowing there’s a second book and that most people don’t open these books for the storyline. So if you’re in it for just the somewhat spicy sex, then dive right in. Also, I think I’m just not into the 4 guy one girl storyline. I like a good ol fashioned romance I supposed.
Gage is the equivalent to DOV’s Ryder. He has zero redeeming qualities outside of his adorable library that they bone in. I was uninterested in the sex between him and River after the first time because it wasn’t personal. It was just angry sex to be angry and that doesn’t change. They hardly even interact after their first two encounters except to have sex. There’s no intimacy build up. He was all business all the time, whereas I feel Ryder (DOV) eventually came around to connecting with Roxy on a personal level. Ryder was also allowed time to build up a character and show us a bit of his soft side. We never see that with Gage.
Then we have Ash, whom I believe is comparable to DOV’s Kenzo. He’s attractive and charming, but is in it for more than just a quick lay. I wish the author would have dove more into the intensity build up between him and River because it could have led to something more. I think if the author played it right, Ash and River could have eventually become the stand alone relationship. He genuinely cared for her and proved it to her every time he interacted with her. When they finally have sex he takes it slower and allows for the intimacy to build between them.
Next is Kenzo who is 100% Diesel with a different name. Literally. He even has a torture chamber in the basement where he hacks people up to get answers. Him and River have sex the first time while he’s in mid-torture, just like Diesel and Roxy. Also, River has the most sex with Knox, just like Roxy did with Diesel. Knox is also the guy that develops an obsession with River rather than loving her…just. Like. Diesel. I will say that he’s not as ridiculous as Diesel was. I felt like Diesel was overkill and borderline cheesy. Knox seemed a little more relatable.
Finally, there’s Priest, the DOV’s Garrett. Priest was a complex, deep character who had so much space to explore! Just like Garrett, he’s wounded by another woman, but for different reasons. Priest is the other character that I wish the author would have explored more. He was the only guy that River allowed into her personal experience and her own wounds. He was the one that picked her up from the shower and cared for her when she was in a depressive state. He didn’t force himself on her like the other guys did and never overly sexualized her. He was the only one that admittedly had been in love before. I truly think he could have softened River up and shown her what real love was.
I would have liked to see a love triangle with her, Ash, and Priest. I think it would have kept my interest more peeked and would have made the intensity of the storyline much more interesting. That’s one of the reasons why people love books like Twilight and the Hunger Games. The mystery and frustration of who she’s going to pick is intense and helps drive the storyline a bit. Makes it a bit more relatable.
Now I say all of this knowing there’s a second book and that most people don’t open these books for the storyline. So if you’re in it for just the somewhat spicy sex, then dive right in. Also, I think I’m just not into the 4 guy one girl storyline. I like a good ol fashioned romance I supposed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2022
"Some things are broken and aren’t meant to be fixed. But that doesn’t mean they’re fine the way they are. It just means they are the way they are. There’s no changing them or undoing the past. There’s no gluing the pieces back together and remaking the whole how it once was. There’s just sorting through the shards and making something new out of them. That’s all you can do.”
This was such a lengthy and wordy read.
I did not enjoy it like I thought it would, it got a little boring and it feels like nothing really happen just some predictability of the plot of revenge.
I feel like the book was a build-up and a set-up to the world and the character's chemistry for more to come to the next book.
This is not going to stop me from not finishing the series because I feel like book 1 was just like a filler before everything blows up and we have more action, adrenaline, character development and more depth to the story.
I feel like I still don't know the character's personality or story.
We just have a rough idea of who they are currently and their chemistry with River which was not much, just a whole lot of sex.
I hope the next book picks up and have more action to it.
“We’re paying for a man’s sins, used as tools, which is apparently a woman’s place in this world.”
This was such a lengthy and wordy read.
I did not enjoy it like I thought it would, it got a little boring and it feels like nothing really happen just some predictability of the plot of revenge.
I feel like the book was a build-up and a set-up to the world and the character's chemistry for more to come to the next book.
This is not going to stop me from not finishing the series because I feel like book 1 was just like a filler before everything blows up and we have more action, adrenaline, character development and more depth to the story.
I feel like I still don't know the character's personality or story.
We just have a rough idea of who they are currently and their chemistry with River which was not much, just a whole lot of sex.
I hope the next book picks up and have more action to it.
“We’re paying for a man’s sins, used as tools, which is apparently a woman’s place in this world.”
July 21, 2021
Great story, a bit slow to progress
3.5 stars
River seeks revenge against men who abused her and her sister, and in her endeavor comes across four guys owning a happening club -- but not on purpose. In their effort to not expose themselves to the crime lord she is after and due to her actions that brought them together, they make her stay with them until she finishes the job.
This is a romantic suspense with steam and great characters, my favorite being Priest and Knox. There are dark theme, e.g. violence, but I would not qualify as dark by my standards. The story showcases a confident, badass heroine who embraces both a personal drive toward her objective and her sexuality as well as heroes Gage, Priest, Knox, and Ash, all likable, from the easy-going to the most uptight. It took me a while to feel connectedness and authenticity to the characters' attraction even though the events were steamy. And while I definitely appreciated the steam, on a personal level I would have liked more reciprocity in the acts -- it was all about River.
Good writing quality. The pace is a slow burn but felt protracted as to hinder the advancement of the plot. As appealing as its premise, I found myself becoming distracted, added to the storyline being so very familiar.
Overall, a story for those wanting a fierce heroine, a range of personalities in heroes, mystery and retribution plot line at a leisurely pace.
3.5 stars
River seeks revenge against men who abused her and her sister, and in her endeavor comes across four guys owning a happening club -- but not on purpose. In their effort to not expose themselves to the crime lord she is after and due to her actions that brought them together, they make her stay with them until she finishes the job.
This is a romantic suspense with steam and great characters, my favorite being Priest and Knox. There are dark theme, e.g. violence, but I would not qualify as dark by my standards. The story showcases a confident, badass heroine who embraces both a personal drive toward her objective and her sexuality as well as heroes Gage, Priest, Knox, and Ash, all likable, from the easy-going to the most uptight. It took me a while to feel connectedness and authenticity to the characters' attraction even though the events were steamy. And while I definitely appreciated the steam, on a personal level I would have liked more reciprocity in the acts -- it was all about River.
Good writing quality. The pace is a slow burn but felt protracted as to hinder the advancement of the plot. As appealing as its premise, I found myself becoming distracted, added to the storyline being so very familiar.
Overall, a story for those wanting a fierce heroine, a range of personalities in heroes, mystery and retribution plot line at a leisurely pace.
August 5, 2023
I know I’ve said it before, but this one was definitely the worst book I’ve ever read in my life. I was legitimately concerned about this woman’s vaginal health since she didn’t bother to clean any of the 4645 loads of cum that went into her. That yeast infection must’ve been wild.
I hate every single one of the characters, except for the dog. Can somebody please save this dog???? LUISA MELLLL
And the sex was gross, not sexy at all, I just hate everything about this book, specially the fact that it’s THE SAME FUCKING STORY AS VICIOUS KINGS. THIS WOMAN IS NOT EVEN TRYING.
I hate every single one of the characters, except for the dog. Can somebody please save this dog???? LUISA MELLLL
And the sex was gross, not sexy at all, I just hate everything about this book, specially the fact that it’s THE SAME FUCKING STORY AS VICIOUS KINGS. THIS WOMAN IS NOT EVEN TRYING.
December 9, 2021
5% generic plot 95% smut
Read
December 24, 2021Discount den of vipers if that were even possible
March 23, 2022
Love it, on to book 2. Non-supernatural reverse harem.
April 20, 2022
DNF
i got like 40% of the way thru and had to quit. It is so cringe and repetitive I got sick of it. River just comes off as such a pick me girl that I was rolling my eyes. Everything is all danger and violence and intensity with the setting they’re in- money laundering and mafia leaders and gang wars. But then River is just this one girl fighting all of them and able to hold her own? And gets off on violence and harming others? I’m sorry but no.
Also I don’t like how this book presents self harm in a positive light. I think that could be dangerous to young people vulnerable people reading this.
Definitely do not recommend this book.
i got like 40% of the way thru and had to quit. It is so cringe and repetitive I got sick of it. River just comes off as such a pick me girl that I was rolling my eyes. Everything is all danger and violence and intensity with the setting they’re in- money laundering and mafia leaders and gang wars. But then River is just this one girl fighting all of them and able to hold her own? And gets off on violence and harming others? I’m sorry but no.
Also I don’t like how this book presents self harm in a positive light. I think that could be dangerous to young people vulnerable people reading this.
Definitely do not recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2021
I’m absolutely loving River’s story and the four hot Af men Gage, Knox, Ash and Priest.
River is a badass who has been through so much before she met the guys that she’s had to learn to fight and look after herself and boy, she sure as heck can look after herself. When she is caught by Gage dealing with her vengeance, he can’t have that and has her taken to the guys place where they need to keep an eye on her. When they find out she is after the same guy she is, they have her satay there until she finishes what she set out to do but the guys will have no part in helping her. Or will they?
“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨’ 𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙭𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙜𝙤 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨.”
The guys all have their own personality and I love them all in their own little ways. Gage is the boss of the group and is a broody Alpha. Knox is the level headed one who loves chaos, so when this feisty female comes along and she is just as crazy as he is, he’s in his element. Ash is the cocky, funny playboy who isn’t shy and loves to have his hands busy. Then you have Priest who doesn’t show his emanations EVER! He is stone cold and will not speak unless he thinks it’s worth his while, he’s the observer of them all. What happens when River gets under their skin?
𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨, 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.
I’m loving their story so much and I can’t wait to read more after that ending Eva left us with.
River is a badass who has been through so much before she met the guys that she’s had to learn to fight and look after herself and boy, she sure as heck can look after herself. When she is caught by Gage dealing with her vengeance, he can’t have that and has her taken to the guys place where they need to keep an eye on her. When they find out she is after the same guy she is, they have her satay there until she finishes what she set out to do but the guys will have no part in helping her. Or will they?
“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨’ 𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙭𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙜𝙤 𝙪𝙥 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨.”
The guys all have their own personality and I love them all in their own little ways. Gage is the boss of the group and is a broody Alpha. Knox is the level headed one who loves chaos, so when this feisty female comes along and she is just as crazy as he is, he’s in his element. Ash is the cocky, funny playboy who isn’t shy and loves to have his hands busy. Then you have Priest who doesn’t show his emanations EVER! He is stone cold and will not speak unless he thinks it’s worth his while, he’s the observer of them all. What happens when River gets under their skin?
𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨, 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.
I’m loving their story so much and I can’t wait to read more after that ending Eva left us with.
April 22, 2022
Well you can consider me hooked on this series now and I’m eager for the next one. This was a great series start and while there was a lot of OW drama, for me, the way the author developed the characters and the nonchalant attitudes made it easier to adapt to. The heroine is basically taken prisoner after she’s found committing a crime behind the guys’ club. They may be criminals in their own right but they don’t want any trouble coming to their doors and they demand answers. Only River is no meek wilting flower and gives as good as she gets. She has a list she’s working on and nothing will stand in her way especially not four gorgeous gangster men.
I enjoyed the way this book went out on its own and for me didn’t feel to follow too many RH stereotypes. It did help that the characters are all a bit loony and psychotic, I feel I can connect to crazier characters better and damn if they’re not more fun. The end does have a cliffhanger but I was so pleased it was something I was not expecting. In fact everyone thinks their story and time together is over only they are all DEAD WRONG. Looking forward to the next one!
I enjoyed the way this book went out on its own and for me didn’t feel to follow too many RH stereotypes. It did help that the characters are all a bit loony and psychotic, I feel I can connect to crazier characters better and damn if they’re not more fun. The end does have a cliffhanger but I was so pleased it was something I was not expecting. In fact everyone thinks their story and time together is over only they are all DEAD WRONG. Looking forward to the next one!
July 4, 2023
Series Rating: if you’re looking for dark mafia RH with a strong FMC, pick it up
Rating: 3.5-4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (depending on the book)
Spice: 4-5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (this was spicy AF, but got repetitive)
Tropes: RH, mafia, spicy AF, dark, killer/strong FMC, protective MC, a bit of bully
The series was good overall, but I think the plot suffered with the amount of spicy scenes in the later books. Now, hear me out. I love spice, but it wasn’t evenly dispersed. The plot was good, but the later books were more smut than plot or romance so just know that.
I also don’t have a lot of triggers, but I don’t think the book had trigger warnings and that’s a big red flag for me (not on website, not in front of book, and not in summary). So if you do have triggers, I listed them below!
Honestly, I’m on a contemporary mafia RH kick right now, so this hit the spot for me. Not the best, not the worst. Pretty smutty.
Triggers:
Rating: 3.5-4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (depending on the book)
Spice: 4-5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (this was spicy AF, but got repetitive)
Tropes: RH, mafia, spicy AF, dark, killer/strong FMC, protective MC, a bit of bully
The series was good overall, but I think the plot suffered with the amount of spicy scenes in the later books. Now, hear me out. I love spice, but it wasn’t evenly dispersed. The plot was good, but the later books were more smut than plot or romance so just know that.
I also don’t have a lot of triggers, but I don’t think the book had trigger warnings and that’s a big red flag for me (not on website, not in front of book, and not in summary). So if you do have triggers, I listed them below!
Honestly, I’m on a contemporary mafia RH kick right now, so this hit the spot for me. Not the best, not the worst. Pretty smutty.
Triggers:
July 16, 2021
Honestly, the fact that she’s “throbbing” for Ash after she saw him getting his dick sucked is annoying. He still had the OW’s DNA on him and she tried to have sex with him… and he turned her down. If that isn’t pathetic, I don’t know what is.
July 27, 2021
DNF 50%
September 28, 2021
This kind of reminded me of "Vipers of Den". It wasn't quite as good but it was nice.
Now, just how long do I have to wait to get over this cliffhanger?
Now, just how long do I have to wait to get over this cliffhanger?
April 23, 2025
A quick read but didn’t really do anything new. Fmc is looking to take revenge after what happened to her and her sister as a young teen. She is outside a club ending someone who gave her bad info when the owners of the club come across her. She ends up striking a deal with them since they are all after the same man. She moves in and the story goes from there. I enjoyed the fmcs quirks of changing her nail polish with her mood and the stray that becomes part of the family. The guys are all different and bring something to the table. I enjoyed it enough to finish within 24 hrs but I felt the revenge plot was too easy and too easily wrapped up. Even with the cliffhanger I’m not sure if I want to continue with the series.
June 14, 2021
Kings of Chaos by Eva Ashwood
I Give this Book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as a High 4.
No Spoilers.
This is gonna be one of my rare reviews where I don’t Rate this book based on my Rating List.
Cliffhanger(?): That cliffhanger?!!! O.M.G outstanding! And completely unexpected!
Relationship Type: RH> Reverse Harem: MFMMM (🤞Hopefully!!!🤞)
*Please keep in mind this is not an ‘Insta’, I’m am so happy that this is a slooooow burn, and leaves you craving more by the second. So the relationship is ‘under construction’ at this moment 😆, and nothing is ‘in-your-face’ immediate.
This is by far (to me) the best she’s written, cause it flows so well and you’re pulled right in and you’re dying to know more, and especially everyone’s secrets.
And I don’t know how to really describe it in writing but when you’re reading there’s so much breathing space in the sense that everything important gets it’s own spotlight perfectly and nothing is forced or compacted.
Being the first book you’re getting a ‘Book 1’ book, the intro to this world, you’re getting to know everyone, and getting the basics, your not having to process too much at the same time.
You don’t mind NOT knowing what’s going on, you know that there’s more information coming and more books to come, you’re willing to wait for it.
You’re not in a rushed complete this series, cause you want to savor it.
Really looking forward to the Next Book in this Series!
Heat: 3-3.5/5
M/M(?): No.
Romance: Not really, not at this time 😆
Pacing: Very Good, Not too slow and not to fast.
Dark(?): I am a Huge Dark & Dark Romance reader, so this book may be darker for others. At this point in time, (to me) it’s 2.5-3/5.
Drama: 4.5/5
Suspense: 4-4.5/5
I Give this Book a 4.5/5 Star Rating, Listing as a High 4.
No Spoilers.
This is gonna be one of my rare reviews where I don’t Rate this book based on my Rating List.
Cliffhanger(?): That cliffhanger?!!! O.M.G outstanding! And completely unexpected!
Relationship Type: RH> Reverse Harem: MFMMM (🤞Hopefully!!!🤞)
*Please keep in mind this is not an ‘Insta’, I’m am so happy that this is a slooooow burn, and leaves you craving more by the second. So the relationship is ‘under construction’ at this moment 😆, and nothing is ‘in-your-face’ immediate.
This is by far (to me) the best she’s written, cause it flows so well and you’re pulled right in and you’re dying to know more, and especially everyone’s secrets.
And I don’t know how to really describe it in writing but when you’re reading there’s so much breathing space in the sense that everything important gets it’s own spotlight perfectly and nothing is forced or compacted.
Being the first book you’re getting a ‘Book 1’ book, the intro to this world, you’re getting to know everyone, and getting the basics, your not having to process too much at the same time.
You don’t mind NOT knowing what’s going on, you know that there’s more information coming and more books to come, you’re willing to wait for it.
You’re not in a rushed complete this series, cause you want to savor it.
Really looking forward to the Next Book in this Series!
Heat: 3-3.5/5
M/M(?): No.
Romance: Not really, not at this time 😆
Pacing: Very Good, Not too slow and not to fast.
Dark(?): I am a Huge Dark & Dark Romance reader, so this book may be darker for others. At this point in time, (to me) it’s 2.5-3/5.
Drama: 4.5/5
Suspense: 4-4.5/5
April 22, 2022
So I thought this book had good spice, but everything that sat around it was just okay. It all felt kind of predictable and cliche - like, of course, that was the ending?
I found all the characters interesting. There are four guys that fit the standard RH mould; the loveable flirt, the sweet but psycho, the alpha leader, and the silent damaged one - so nothing new here, but as I said, the spice was the best part!
River, the fmc, was okay too - she was strong despite everything she’d been through but what I couldn't take was her being mean to the dog?! I guess there’s a journey to go on here, but for the life of me, I can't understand why an author would willingly write their main character being mean and dismissive towards an animal that seemed nothing but sweet. Also, why was she naked all the time? She took her clothes off to sit on a window sill, smoke a cigarette and paint her nails? Who does that? That’s some male gaze bs.
Anyway, I picked this up because I was in the mood for something fast-burn and spicy, and I guess I got that, but I probably won’t pick up the rest of the series.
I found all the characters interesting. There are four guys that fit the standard RH mould; the loveable flirt, the sweet but psycho, the alpha leader, and the silent damaged one - so nothing new here, but as I said, the spice was the best part!
River, the fmc, was okay too - she was strong despite everything she’d been through but what I couldn't take was her being mean to the dog?! I guess there’s a journey to go on here, but for the life of me, I can't understand why an author would willingly write their main character being mean and dismissive towards an animal that seemed nothing but sweet. Also, why was she naked all the time? She took her clothes off to sit on a window sill, smoke a cigarette and paint her nails? Who does that? That’s some male gaze bs.
Anyway, I picked this up because I was in the mood for something fast-burn and spicy, and I guess I got that, but I probably won’t pick up the rest of the series.
September 7, 2021
just don’t ask... i was bored
July 26, 2023
Four Eyes, Blue Eyes, Green Eyes, and Wild Eyes were the best things about this book :)
April 29, 2023
4.5⭐️
- dark romance
- why choose
- bad ass FMC
- mafia / gang
- enemies / dislike to lovers
This was SO GOOD, if you want something dark and SPICY that also has a great plot this is definitely the go. This book gave me Madison Kate vibes by Tate James so if you enjoyed that series I would highly recommend giving this book a go!! Running to start the next book bye
- dark romance
- why choose
- bad ass FMC
- mafia / gang
- enemies / dislike to lovers
This was SO GOOD, if you want something dark and SPICY that also has a great plot this is definitely the go. This book gave me Madison Kate vibes by Tate James so if you enjoyed that series I would highly recommend giving this book a go!! Running to start the next book bye
June 28, 2021
River is out for revenge and that itself puts her in the path of the Kings. The guys don't quite know what to do with her or understand her. But they share one goal and that's getting rid of .... 🤐
Gage, Priest, Ash and Knox are not the good guys in this story but learning bits and pieces of their past is interesting. River crashed into their lives like a whirlwind and bit by bit they started to change. You could feel it even if the guys and River were in denial.
River's past is painful but she's fierce and determined to get revenge. The action was non stop and the steam was just as good. The group of hard-core yet broken misfits were meant for each other.
I was full of angst trying to figure out what would happen next. Just when I thought it was over, bam! Another surprise I definitely didn't see coming. I looked down at my kindle and realized I was near the end and wanted to cry. I was so into this story, I wasn't ready for it to end. Not after that shocker! Ughhh. I'm excited for book 2, can't wait.
Gage, Priest, Ash and Knox are not the good guys in this story but learning bits and pieces of their past is interesting. River crashed into their lives like a whirlwind and bit by bit they started to change. You could feel it even if the guys and River were in denial.
River's past is painful but she's fierce and determined to get revenge. The action was non stop and the steam was just as good. The group of hard-core yet broken misfits were meant for each other.
I was full of angst trying to figure out what would happen next. Just when I thought it was over, bam! Another surprise I definitely didn't see coming. I looked down at my kindle and realized I was near the end and wanted to cry. I was so into this story, I wasn't ready for it to end. Not after that shocker! Ughhh. I'm excited for book 2, can't wait.
September 22, 2021
You know that whenever you pick up a book written by Ms Ashwood that your going to get strong female leads, complicated men and a dark story. All of which are in Kings of Chaos. River (FMC) has a hit list of men that shes getting revenge on and at the start of this book shes gunning for the last name on it. Only to put her in the way of The Kings - Gage, Knox, Ash & Priest who have their own reasons for getting rid of the same enemy. Killing two birds with one stone they join forces (not being a choice in River's case). Lots of Plot twists especially a brilliant one right at the end of the book and some very hot steamy scenarios too. River is a cracking character. Chock full of grit and determination which you'd expect with everything she goes through in this book. I loved the dynamic between her and the guys. She certainly knows how to rile up all of them and some of it i actually laughed at. I just loved it. Bring on book 2 now
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