Cruel Intentions (Rydeville High Elite #1)
by
Siobhan Davis *****REVIEW
They were born to rule. The Elite have ruled for generations. The Elite heirs Trent, Charlie, and Drew, rule the hallways of Rydeville High. Abigail is an Elite, Drew's twin, however, as a female, she is nothing more than a pawn on her father's chess board. She's been controlled her entire life; told how to dress, who she can be friendly with, and who she will be married to after graduation. She plays her role to perfection knowing that her life depends on it while secretly planning her escape. Then Cam, Sawyer, and Jackson, the New Elite show up challenging Elite rule. Battle lines are drawn. Sides are taken. Abigail is in trouble. Now both sides own her; the Elite by her very birth; the New Elite because of her one lost night of rebellion. She lost her virginity to a beautiful stranger. That stranger is Cam and if her secret gets out, her life is forfeit. Abigail's one precious memory is now tarnished. The boy who made her feel so special for one night hates her. Torture isn't enough for Cam; he wants to completely destroy Abigail and her world. This is the ultimate power struggle. The Elite aren't willing to hand over their control and Abigail isn't going down to either side without a fight.
Bully romances are all the rage at the moment. I have not been a fan of the genre. I am now. I have read every book Siobhan has written. This is my new favorite. Siobhan has made her mark writing angst, she can put you through the emotional wringer; now she has perfected bully romance. I was seduced by this book. There's no better way to describe it. I devoured each page. I fell in love with Abigail. I worried for her, suffered with her, cheered her few victories. Each time she was abused or debased, each strike she took verbally and emotionally I stood with her. Her father, Trent, and Cam tortured her, Drew and the others stood by and allowed it, but Abigail was never humbled. She is worth more than every man in this book. I will not speak of the men. I can't without my hatred shining through and spoilers coming out. They may look pretty but they are rotten. Each and every one of them with the exception of the wonderful Xavier and the loyal Chad unforgivably failed Abigail. Don't get me wrong there is an intensity to Cam and the sexual chemistry between Cam and Abigail is undeniably scorching but his moments of pure sweetness do NOT impress me enough to forget the damage he has done to her. Siobhan swears she will change my mind about Cam, make me love him; I know better than to doubt her but I don't see how. As for the rest of you girls, I know you will LOVE him.
Bully romances are all the rage at the moment. I have not been a fan of the genre. I am now. I have read every book Siobhan has written. This is my new favorite. Siobhan has made her mark writing angst, she can put you through the emotional wringer; now she has perfected bully romance. I was seduced by this book. There's no better way to describe it. I devoured each page. I fell in love with Abigail. I worried for her, suffered with her, cheered her few victories. Each time she was abused or debased, each strike she took verbally and emotionally I stood with her. Her father, Trent, and Cam tortured her, Drew and the others stood by and allowed it, but Abigail was never humbled. She is worth more than every man in this book. I will not speak of the men. I can't without my hatred shining through and spoilers coming out. They may look pretty but they are rotten. Each and every one of them with the exception of the wonderful Xavier and the loyal Chad unforgivably failed Abigail. Don't get me wrong there is an intensity to Cam and the sexual chemistry between Cam and Abigail is undeniably scorching but his moments of pure sweetness do NOT impress me enough to forget the damage he has done to her. Siobhan swears she will change my mind about Cam, make me love him; I know better than to doubt her but I don't see how. As for the rest of you girls, I know you will LOVE him.
This book reminds me of old-school Tijan. Think Broken and Screwed. It gives you that delicious feeling of unease during the peaceful times, it shocks and horrifies you during the worst. It is beyond gripping. It's an addictive read and will leave you gasping at the end because in true Siobhan fashion there is a hell of a cliffhanger. The moment I finished I did something I try never to do-I demanded to know when I got the second book. It's rude to harass an author about the follow-up book upon the release of the first. It's also rude of the author to invade my thoughts with these incredibly complex characters and their unbelievable storyline and leave me in such need. There may have been threats involved but I will not confirm anything. I must have more!
Broken Trust (Dark Legacy #2)
by
Tate James *****REVIEW
Riley crossed the line and now Delta controls her. But they will never own her. She will find a way out of this world. The real pain comes from the four boys she was starting to consider family. They manipulated her, one seduced her, and they all betrayed her. Now they want her to understand, to forgive and forget. It's just not that easy. But with a mole in Delta and constant threats, Riley needs to decide who the true enemy is. These boys may be messed up, they may have broken her, but they have the ability to put her back together as well.
This story is dark, twisted, and full of betrayal. Each Delta Elder is worse than the last and the Huntley's are no better. The Heirs aren't quite as bad, yet but they are borderline. Honestly, I can't decide if I love them or hate them from page to page. I have to admit though, that their "soft" moments steal my heart. Beck, Dylan, Jasper, and Evan are scary, sexy, and scary sexy! For the thousandth time, I wish this was RH!!!
I rated this a 5 star because of its addictive quality. It is one of those books that I couldn't put down; read through the wee hours and snuck chapters during meetings. However, there are some plot points that I took issue with. "Delta controls the world". Clearly not. One of their heirs suffers at the hands of lessers. More than once and in extreme ways. I understand that protection was withdrawn, however, I do not believe that they would allow one of their own to EVER be touched like this. It tarnishes their power. They are all about control yet the circumstances of this scene and the lack of real punishment was too much. I was able to reconcile this scene because the overall story is so over the top, so this was just extra.
I felt like we got to see different sides of the guys this time. It made them more relatable. Without this, there could have been no real connection to Riley. Riley is still floundering much of the time. It's a little frustrating but then when you think about the timeline, it makes sense. She's suffered so much trauma in a short time period; she wouldn't have a chance to gain any real strength in this world yet. She doesn't know the rules, she can't change the game. One day... one day Butterfly will become lethal.
That ending. I can't even. I can tell the next book will be an all-night read too!
Trigger Warning: Sexual and physical assault.
This story is dark, twisted, and full of betrayal. Each Delta Elder is worse than the last and the Huntley's are no better. The Heirs aren't quite as bad, yet but they are borderline. Honestly, I can't decide if I love them or hate them from page to page. I have to admit though, that their "soft" moments steal my heart. Beck, Dylan, Jasper, and Evan are scary, sexy, and scary sexy! For the thousandth time, I wish this was RH!!!
I rated this a 5 star because of its addictive quality. It is one of those books that I couldn't put down; read through the wee hours and snuck chapters during meetings. However, there are some plot points that I took issue with. "Delta controls the world". Clearly not. One of their heirs suffers at the hands of lessers. More than once and in extreme ways. I understand that protection was withdrawn, however, I do not believe that they would allow one of their own to EVER be touched like this. It tarnishes their power. They are all about control yet the circumstances of this scene and the lack of real punishment was too much. I was able to reconcile this scene because the overall story is so over the top, so this was just extra.
I felt like we got to see different sides of the guys this time. It made them more relatable. Without this, there could have been no real connection to Riley. Riley is still floundering much of the time. It's a little frustrating but then when you think about the timeline, it makes sense. She's suffered so much trauma in a short time period; she wouldn't have a chance to gain any real strength in this world yet. She doesn't know the rules, she can't change the game. One day... one day Butterfly will become lethal.
That ending. I can't even. I can tell the next book will be an all-night read too!
Trigger Warning: Sexual and physical assault.
Broken Wings (Dark Legacy #1)
by
Tate James *****REVIEW
Black ice, a deadly wreck, and Riley Jameson's life is changed. She's now the Deboise Successor. She's now owned by the most powerful people in the world. She didn't ask for this life, she didn't want it; they didn't want her in their all-boys club either. But rules are rules. And the rules call for each family to have a successor. The successors: Dylan, Evan, Jasper, and Beck. Gorgeous, cruel, deadly. They want to break her. They don't understand, she's already lost everything, everyone who matters. She's already broken.
Sublime savagery. Cruelty and coldness displayed to perfection. Delta, the parents, the successors all wielding unmatched power with such brutality, setting aside their humanity for control makes for a tension-filled read. The strain starts from the first sentence and builds with each page until the scream-worthy cliffhanger. This is a perfectly crafted book. Each scene is carefully executed, each character beautifully damaged. Riley's raw pain and naivety of her new world; Eddy's hopeless acceptance; Dante's belief that he has any ability to help Riley navigate her new life; Dylan's flashes of gentleness and pain; Jasper's unending sexcapades; Evan's blankness; and Beck's complexities depict victims all lost from the moment of their births. The masks they wear daily are more their survival techniques than their defense and weapons training. The glimpses we get into their true souls are everything. The moments they lose control, reveal their emotions, confusion, regret...priceless.
I am desperate for more. In a game of deadly chess, the successors are the pawns but I look forward to the rise of the next king and for the butterfly to take the board as queen.
Sublime savagery. Cruelty and coldness displayed to perfection. Delta, the parents, the successors all wielding unmatched power with such brutality, setting aside their humanity for control makes for a tension-filled read. The strain starts from the first sentence and builds with each page until the scream-worthy cliffhanger. This is a perfectly crafted book. Each scene is carefully executed, each character beautifully damaged. Riley's raw pain and naivety of her new world; Eddy's hopeless acceptance; Dante's belief that he has any ability to help Riley navigate her new life; Dylan's flashes of gentleness and pain; Jasper's unending sexcapades; Evan's blankness; and Beck's complexities depict victims all lost from the moment of their births. The masks they wear daily are more their survival techniques than their defense and weapons training. The glimpses we get into their true souls are everything. The moments they lose control, reveal their emotions, confusion, regret...priceless.
I am desperate for more. In a game of deadly chess, the successors are the pawns but I look forward to the rise of the next king and for the butterfly to take the board as queen.
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