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The Society #1
Requiem of the Soul
A Brand New Dark Romance Series by A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight!
I was born with noble blood in my veins.
Heir to a powerful dynasty.
Wealth. Power. Aristocracy.
Temptations too dangerous to resist.
Until someone tried to steal it all.
Scarred and broken, I emerged from the flames.
Now I’ve returned to take what’s mine.
Revenge.
The first item on my agenda?
Make Ivy Moreno my wife.
Second?
Bend her until she breaks.
I was born with noble blood in my veins.
Heir to a powerful dynasty.
Wealth. Power. Aristocracy.
Temptations too dangerous to resist.
Until someone tried to steal it all.
Scarred and broken, I emerged from the flames.
Now I’ve returned to take what’s mine.
Revenge.
The first item on my agenda?
Make Ivy Moreno my wife.
Second?
Bend her until she breaks.
362 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2021
About the author
Natasha Knight
99 books4,849 followersNatasha Knight is the USA Today Bestselling author of Romantic Suspense and Dark Romance Novels. She has sold over a million books and is translated into six languages. She currently lives in The Netherlands with her husband and two daughters and when she’s not writing, she’s walking in the woods listening to a book, sitting in a corner reading or off exploring the world as often as she can get away.
Write Natasha here:
[email protected]
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Write Natasha here:
[email protected]
Check out her books here:
https://natasha-knight.com
Sign up for her newsletter here:
https://bit.ly/3heleGN
Connect with her here:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 837 reviews
June 29, 2021
4 Stars
I love mafia-style romance and A. Zavarelli, so this was a no brainer for me.
Does this book feel like something I've read before? Yes.
Do I care? Nope.
I love this shit. And I'm glad I waited until all three books were out so I can properly binge them all like the trash addict I am.
I love mafia-style romance and A. Zavarelli, so this was a no brainer for me.
Does this book feel like something I've read before? Yes.
Do I care? Nope.
I love this shit. And I'm glad I waited until all three books were out so I can properly binge them all like the trash addict I am.
April 9, 2021
I don't have much to say about the story except that nothing stands out. Like I haven't read about any of this 1001 times. 😑 A big bad guy (we have to take his word for that) marries a girl to execute his revenge and after some weird ass occultic ceremonies they embark on their sex fest mingled with spanking sessions.
Open any Natasha Knight's book and you'll find Ivy and Santiago there under different names and similar circumstances.
Stock characters bore me to death. A spark of personality would be a nice touch. 🙏
P. S. Another supposedly dangerous anti-hero who is a softie? :) I would have appreciated to get a glimple of his dark side at least once instead of being told about it every 3rd page.
Open any Natasha Knight's book and you'll find Ivy and Santiago there under different names and similar circumstances.
Stock characters bore me to death. A spark of personality would be a nice touch. 🙏
P. S. Another supposedly dangerous anti-hero who is a softie? :) I would have appreciated to get a glimple of his dark side at least once instead of being told about it every 3rd page.
March 25, 2021
A. Zavarelli is single handedly responsible for my love of mafia romance, so when I saw she was releasing something similar with Natasha Knight, I knew I had to get my hands on it immediately! I didn't even read the blurb. I just trusted that it would be fucking fantastic, and I wasn't wrong!
Santiago De La Rosa is hell-bent on revenge after someone kills his father and brother in an explosion that he himself barely makes it out of alive. Half his face is scarred beyond repair, and his soul is wounded just the same. When the mortality of his mentor and the man he believes is responsible for the attack on his family is in question, he decides his plan for vengeance needs to be adjusted and set it motion immediately.
Ivy Moreno has been living her life on borrowed time. Every daughter of the Society is brought up with the knowledge that one day they will be forced to become the wife of a member. Their life is not their own, and Ivy's college career is cut short when she receives word that she's been chosen.
Since Santiago can't make the man responsible for his family's demise pay, he settles for destroying his family instead, starting with his little girl. Ivy has no idea why Santiago chose her, especially when he's much higher up in the Society, a powerful and respected Sovereign Son. Santiago suspects that Ivy has full knowledge of her father's nefarious deeds, but even if she doesn't, he's going to make her suffer all the same.
Santiago is everything I want in my crime lord anti-heroes! He's dark, dangerous, domineering, and dripping with big dick energy! His tortured existence and tattooed face is just the cherry on the top!
Ivy is a loyal sister and daughter that is unfortunately caught up in other people's bullshit. I couldn't help feeling for her right from the start. Her brother is a disgusting piece of shit, and her mother is a horrid bitch. She certainly doesn't deserve Santiago's wrath either, but as fucked up as it makes me, I'm glad he decided to give it to her. I have a feeling it's going to be the best thing that's ever happened to either of them!
A gorgeous mansion full of darkened rooms with barely a mirror to be found, a staff that sees the good in their master when he appears to have none in him, a tormented monster that rarely leaves his castle, a library full of books, and a beautiful, innocent young woman trapped inside, Requiem of the Soul gave me all the Beauty and the Beast vibes! Only in this version, there is sex, murder, betrayal, violence, and revenge plots. In other words, it's even better!
I picked up this book thinking I would read a few chapters and go to bed, but I wound up finishing the whole damn thing. Feeling like a zombie the next day was totally worth it! The cliffhanger kills, but it's absolutely perfect! If I wasn't already dying to know where this story was going, that definitely sealed the fucking deal!
If you're not a fan of cliffhangers, no worries! Every installment in the trilogy will be out within a month of the previous one. You won't have to wait long, and absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that shit!
Fans of A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight or the arranged marriage and hate to love tropes, this is a must read!
Dark romance fans, this one's for you!
Santiago De La Rosa is hell-bent on revenge after someone kills his father and brother in an explosion that he himself barely makes it out of alive. Half his face is scarred beyond repair, and his soul is wounded just the same. When the mortality of his mentor and the man he believes is responsible for the attack on his family is in question, he decides his plan for vengeance needs to be adjusted and set it motion immediately.
Ivy Moreno has been living her life on borrowed time. Every daughter of the Society is brought up with the knowledge that one day they will be forced to become the wife of a member. Their life is not their own, and Ivy's college career is cut short when she receives word that she's been chosen.
Since Santiago can't make the man responsible for his family's demise pay, he settles for destroying his family instead, starting with his little girl. Ivy has no idea why Santiago chose her, especially when he's much higher up in the Society, a powerful and respected Sovereign Son. Santiago suspects that Ivy has full knowledge of her father's nefarious deeds, but even if she doesn't, he's going to make her suffer all the same.
Santiago is everything I want in my crime lord anti-heroes! He's dark, dangerous, domineering, and dripping with big dick energy! His tortured existence and tattooed face is just the cherry on the top!
Ivy is a loyal sister and daughter that is unfortunately caught up in other people's bullshit. I couldn't help feeling for her right from the start. Her brother is a disgusting piece of shit, and her mother is a horrid bitch. She certainly doesn't deserve Santiago's wrath either, but as fucked up as it makes me, I'm glad he decided to give it to her. I have a feeling it's going to be the best thing that's ever happened to either of them!
A gorgeous mansion full of darkened rooms with barely a mirror to be found, a staff that sees the good in their master when he appears to have none in him, a tormented monster that rarely leaves his castle, a library full of books, and a beautiful, innocent young woman trapped inside, Requiem of the Soul gave me all the Beauty and the Beast vibes! Only in this version, there is sex, murder, betrayal, violence, and revenge plots. In other words, it's even better!
I picked up this book thinking I would read a few chapters and go to bed, but I wound up finishing the whole damn thing. Feeling like a zombie the next day was totally worth it! The cliffhanger kills, but it's absolutely perfect! If I wasn't already dying to know where this story was going, that definitely sealed the fucking deal!
If you're not a fan of cliffhangers, no worries! Every installment in the trilogy will be out within a month of the previous one. You won't have to wait long, and absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that shit!
Fans of A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight or the arranged marriage and hate to love tropes, this is a must read!
Dark romance fans, this one's for you!
March 14, 2021
5 STARS
Tell me a book completely owned you without telling me a book completely owned you.
When two of your favorite authors come together to write a trilogy, you just know you're in for something good. But when I tell you that nothing prepared me for this story, I mean NOTHING prepared me for this story. It. Was. EVERYTHING.
I devoured this book in one sitting and was left rocking myself in a corner while nursing the book hangover to beat all book hangovers. GAH. I still just can't, but I'll try to get my sh*t together long enough to write this review.
A secret society of secrets, duty and power. A revenge years in the making. An arranged marriage between a ruthless man and the beautiful woman stuck in the crosshairs of his deadly plans. Sound intriguing? IT WAS EVERYTHING!
Santiago and his sister are the last remaining in their family line. He's spent years waiting for his revenge, and now Ivy will become collateral damage in his plan. I don't even know how to describe the feelings this story brought out in me. There's just this aura of darkness with a doze of spine tingling danger that hooked me from the first page and kept me riveted until the last one.
Santiago is the ultimate tortured and brooding hero. Or an anti-hero, if you will. Because the man is the furthest thing from decent. He's set on his revenge at any cost, and his new bride is the ultimate collateral damage. Her family cost him everything and he will make them pay, starting with her.
Ivy was an incredible heroine. She's strong, fierce, but also with just the right amount of vulnerability that just makes you connect with her from the second she appears on her page.
This book had everything; incredible chemistry, a dark undercurrent of mystery, a dangerous revenge, and romance brewing in spite of everything being stacked against it. And then that cliffhanger? I honestly don't even know what to do with myself until the next book. But what I do know, is this is easily one of my favorite books from both of these authors and I DIED for it. DIED FOR IT I TELLS YA!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
I'm your worst fucking nightmare, wife of mine. It's about time you realized it."
Tell me a book completely owned you without telling me a book completely owned you.
When two of your favorite authors come together to write a trilogy, you just know you're in for something good. But when I tell you that nothing prepared me for this story, I mean NOTHING prepared me for this story. It. Was. EVERYTHING.
I devoured this book in one sitting and was left rocking myself in a corner while nursing the book hangover to beat all book hangovers. GAH. I still just can't, but I'll try to get my sh*t together long enough to write this review.
A secret society of secrets, duty and power. A revenge years in the making. An arranged marriage between a ruthless man and the beautiful woman stuck in the crosshairs of his deadly plans. Sound intriguing? IT WAS EVERYTHING!
Santiago and his sister are the last remaining in their family line. He's spent years waiting for his revenge, and now Ivy will become collateral damage in his plan. I don't even know how to describe the feelings this story brought out in me. There's just this aura of darkness with a doze of spine tingling danger that hooked me from the first page and kept me riveted until the last one.
Santiago is the ultimate tortured and brooding hero. Or an anti-hero, if you will. Because the man is the furthest thing from decent. He's set on his revenge at any cost, and his new bride is the ultimate collateral damage. Her family cost him everything and he will make them pay, starting with her.
Ivy was an incredible heroine. She's strong, fierce, but also with just the right amount of vulnerability that just makes you connect with her from the second she appears on her page.
This book had everything; incredible chemistry, a dark undercurrent of mystery, a dangerous revenge, and romance brewing in spite of everything being stacked against it. And then that cliffhanger? I honestly don't even know what to do with myself until the next book. But what I do know, is this is easily one of my favorite books from both of these authors and I DIED for it. DIED FOR IT I TELLS YA!
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
March 29, 2021
Santiago: I'm a monster because I have burn marks on me.
Ivy: I'm deformed because I have an eye that looks like a cat. I also have vestibular dysfunction. It's fancy for I get dizzy and fall down a lot.
Santiago: I'm going get revenge and marry Ivy just to break her.
Ivy: Gasp! No, you're a monster!
Santiago: Yes, I am. Now, listen to me or I will punish you.
Ivy: Never!
Santiago: That's it...spank, spank spank, tie you up, bad girl, I own you, some more religious punishment BDSM stuff, I'm a monster.....
Ivy: I hate you!
Some eating, sleeping and dressing. More eating, sleeping and dressing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.
Last 2 chapters something big happens annnnnnnd end cliffhanger.
Done!
I saved you $5. You're welcome.
Ivy: I'm deformed because I have an eye that looks like a cat. I also have vestibular dysfunction. It's fancy for I get dizzy and fall down a lot.
Santiago: I'm going get revenge and marry Ivy just to break her.
Ivy: Gasp! No, you're a monster!
Santiago: Yes, I am. Now, listen to me or I will punish you.
Ivy: Never!
Santiago: That's it...spank, spank spank, tie you up, bad girl, I own you, some more religious punishment BDSM stuff, I'm a monster.....
Ivy: I hate you!
Some eating, sleeping and dressing. More eating, sleeping and dressing. Nothing, nothing, nothing.
Last 2 chapters something big happens annnnnnnd end cliffhanger.
Done!
I saved you $5. You're welcome.
March 20, 2021
Aaaaaaand That's How You write a Mafia book!!
Zavarelli is in her full form, co-authored by equally twisted minded NK, and they've created an enthralling story which keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's conniving, it's twisted,it's almost heinous in its intentions, but It was train wreck I couldn't take my eyes of from. It forced me to read late into the night, till my eyes swam.
My singularly predominant expression throughout- from page 1 to The End was ⤵️⤵️
Santiago De La Rosa is One of the Sovereign Sons. . A Society that's exclusive, elusive and dangerous. he's on a warpath and the first casualty of war is - Ivy Morena
"Lorenzo De La Rosa was not a soft man. He was a direct heir to a founding father of Imperium Valens Invictum. A Sovereign Son. Our society is a well-established organization rooted in powerful dynasties around the world. Some call us thieves in the night. A criminal syndicate. Mafia."
Ivy seemed like a dove, captured and trapped in a gilded cage for no fault of her own, except for being born in the wrong family.
A convoluted story of vengeful love, merciless and tortuous. It involves two heavily scarred souls, two grotesquely deformed hearts at the mercy of ruthless people who are Forever plotting against them.
It's like a modern retelling of Beauty And The Beast except for me, The Beauty lies deep inside the heart of Beast, like a pearl in an oyster, it only needed a girl to come cut open a sliver of his heart and let the light seep in, driving away the darkness, but before everything could come to fruition,the Kiss Of death happens and I'm like, I DID NOT JUST READ THAT!!
The magnetic pull of this riveting story kept me glued to the pages. I read at breakneck speed and hated that it came to an explosive, heart-stopping end. I'm trusting my shaking, shivering reader heart in your hands Zavarelli and Natasha, y'all better heal me some in next two books or I'm gonna be deader than a roadkill!!
5 stars for Dominus Et Deuce
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
Zavarelli is in her full form, co-authored by equally twisted minded NK, and they've created an enthralling story which keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's conniving, it's twisted,it's almost heinous in its intentions, but It was train wreck I couldn't take my eyes of from. It forced me to read late into the night, till my eyes swam.
My singularly predominant expression throughout- from page 1 to The End was ⤵️⤵️
Santiago De La Rosa is One of the Sovereign Sons. . A Society that's exclusive, elusive and dangerous. he's on a warpath and the first casualty of war is - Ivy Morena
"Lorenzo De La Rosa was not a soft man. He was a direct heir to a founding father of Imperium Valens Invictum. A Sovereign Son. Our society is a well-established organization rooted in powerful dynasties around the world. Some call us thieves in the night. A criminal syndicate. Mafia."
Ivy seemed like a dove, captured and trapped in a gilded cage for no fault of her own, except for being born in the wrong family.
A convoluted story of vengeful love, merciless and tortuous. It involves two heavily scarred souls, two grotesquely deformed hearts at the mercy of ruthless people who are Forever plotting against them.
It's like a modern retelling of Beauty And The Beast except for me, The Beauty lies deep inside the heart of Beast, like a pearl in an oyster, it only needed a girl to come cut open a sliver of his heart and let the light seep in, driving away the darkness, but before everything could come to fruition,the Kiss Of death happens and I'm like, I DID NOT JUST READ THAT!!
The magnetic pull of this riveting story kept me glued to the pages. I read at breakneck speed and hated that it came to an explosive, heart-stopping end. I'm trusting my shaking, shivering reader heart in your hands Zavarelli and Natasha, y'all better heal me some in next two books or I'm gonna be deader than a roadkill!!
5 stars for Dominus Et Deuce
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻
April 25, 2021
★4.5★
Requiem of the Soul is a contemporary mafia romance full of passion, action, and suspense. Natasha Knight and A. Zavarelli have teamed up to create a world like no other! The first book in what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy, mafia romance readers need to download this bad boy right now. Ivy Moreno has been raised understanding her place in "the Society". She has been taught that she may be called on at anytime to marry off to a man she doesn't know. Although she loves her father fiercely, all she really wants to do is go to college and live a normal life. Unfortunately, the Society has other plans for Ivy. Santiago De La Rosa is a man on a mission. His mission is revenge. The key to getting his revenge is causing the Moreno family suffering and pain. What's the best way to inflict pain? Marry their sweet daughter and make her life a living hell.
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
"De La Rosas can't afford to be soft."
Requiem of the Soul is a contemporary mafia romance full of passion, action, and suspense. Natasha Knight and A. Zavarelli have teamed up to create a world like no other! The first book in what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy, mafia romance readers need to download this bad boy right now. Ivy Moreno has been raised understanding her place in "the Society". She has been taught that she may be called on at anytime to marry off to a man she doesn't know. Although she loves her father fiercely, all she really wants to do is go to college and live a normal life. Unfortunately, the Society has other plans for Ivy. Santiago De La Rosa is a man on a mission. His mission is revenge. The key to getting his revenge is causing the Moreno family suffering and pain. What's the best way to inflict pain? Marry their sweet daughter and make her life a living hell.
"He thinks I'm weak. I'll survive him."Told in dual POV, Requiem of the Soul is non-stop action and suspense from the first word on the first page to the last. Ivy is strong and although she doesn't understand why she has been put in this dangerous position, she refuses to bend. Santiago is ruthless and yet somewhere in the darkness of his soul there is a little light. The relationship between the two is complex and the way in which their relationship grows and transforms is sure to be the beginning of an epic romance. The passion between Ivy and Santiago is explosive and although they hate each other, their is no denying the way in which they are destined to be together.
"I almost got away."Overall, Requiem of the Soul is an absolute must read for Mafia Romance fans. Although I have read other books with a similar plight, Ivy and Santiago are unique and I am desperate to find out what happens next!!! Thankfully the next book will be here soon!!!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
January 4, 2022
5 Stars
Santiago is an alphahole who I hate to love but nonetheless, I loved him. He is the monster lurking in the shadows. His whole goal is to break Ivy and he wants it to take long until the last moment. But he doesn’t know Ivy the way he should…
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in The Society Trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. It’s an arranged marriage with a revenge plot. There is a 12 years age gap. It’s well-written (as always), well-paced with well-developed characters. It’s an emotional read with good chemistry between the MCs. All in all loved it and hope you enjoy it as well (but proceed with caution)!
Santiago is an alphahole who I hate to love but nonetheless, I loved him. He is the monster lurking in the shadows. His whole goal is to break Ivy and he wants it to take long until the last moment. But he doesn’t know Ivy the way he should…
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in The Society Trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. It’s an arranged marriage with a revenge plot. There is a 12 years age gap. It’s well-written (as always), well-paced with well-developed characters. It’s an emotional read with good chemistry between the MCs. All in all loved it and hope you enjoy it as well (but proceed with caution)!
April 8, 2021
3,5. I’m not kidding!!! Until 80% it was the same old story...
At the end, this story took a turn, and I liked!
At the end, this story took a turn, and I liked!
July 8, 2021
3.5 stars**
March 25, 2021
Will prob wait to read all books in the trilogy cause I’m conflicted about the ratings of this one.
March 24, 2021
***4,5 "Dominus et Deuce!!!" stars***
NOW AVAILABLE!!!
"I'm your worst fucking nightmare, wife of mine. It's about time you realized it."
Holy hotness!!! I love very much Natasha Knight's stories and I love very much A. Zavarelli's writing.
Mix these two together and you will have an incredible result!!!
OMG!!! I fell in love with this story and I fell in love with Santiago and Ivy.
Their story was complicated beyond imagination and the feelings that were giving me was mainly intrigued, hot and bothered!!!
This story was explosive and I can not wait to see what the authors have in store for us about the next parts...
"You belong to me now, Ivy Moreno, for better or for worse. Until death do us part."
Ivy didn't want anything to do with her family's legacy and she just wanted to earn a life away from the depraved and dark world that she was born into...
But things are about to change for her in the blink of an eye when her father is no longer able to protect her and her brother is saling her away to the powerful and scarred Santiago De La Rose, one of the Sovereign Sons.
"The time has come for you to fulfill your duty to the family."
Santiago managed to get out of death's shadow and now, he is scarred, bitter and he is determined to avenge the death of his father and brother.
And he is going to start his revenge by marrying Ivy Moreno... A girl that he is determined to use and break...
"The Moreno blood running through her veins has destroyed me, and it should destroy her too.
As you can understand, in here we had a forced arranged marriage who had only a purpose from Santiago's side... Revenge!!!
But things are getting complicated when his wife is proving him over and over again that she is different and even though, he doesn't want to accept it, he is drown to her... But nothing is enough if justice won't be served, even though he might putting out his wrath in the wrong person...
In the beginning, Ivy is confused with her husband's behavior, and when she is realizing how deeply runs his hatred for her, she just have to find a way to get away from him and this life...
What will happen after all???
"You're weak, Ivy. And you'd better toughen up because you're going to need all your strength to survive me."
"He thinks I'm weak. He thinks my tears are weak. I see it. But I'm stronger than he knows."
I loved Ivy very much. She was such a wonderful person with a very kind soul.
Even though she didn't want this union with Santiago, she had a faith on him that he will treat her right and not once she looked at him with disgust in her eyes because of his deformity. She just wanted to sooth his pain, if he was willing to let her...
"I don't think you are as cruel as you would like everyone to believe."
"Then you are delusional."
As for Santiago??? He became one of my most favorite antiheros. His flaws just made him more beautiful in my eyes. His scars were running deeper than they show and I just wanted him to realize that Ivy had the ability to calm the storm inside of him. Unfortunately, the devil in his shoulder, aka Mercendez, was doing things really hard for these two, along his insistence to serve a revenge to a person that didn't deserve it. Santiago is too blind to realize what he has in front of his.
"It's a shame that she should hope to find a protector in me when I can only ever be her tormentor."
And now, I can not wait for the second part... I'm dying to see what will happen after all because near to the end, things and feeling have changed between Ivy and Santiago. Too many nasty things had happened that made Ivy harden herself and stop trying to find a false hope on Santiago's cruel presence.
Of course, even with how things got progressed, these two together were having too many hot, raw and explosive scenes!! In bed or out of bed, there was brewing a storm between them and I can not wait to see what will happen on their next chapter.
"He's a monster. That's all I have to remember about my husband..."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
NOW AVAILABLE!!!
"I'm your worst fucking nightmare, wife of mine. It's about time you realized it."
Holy hotness!!! I love very much Natasha Knight's stories and I love very much A. Zavarelli's writing.
Mix these two together and you will have an incredible result!!!
OMG!!! I fell in love with this story and I fell in love with Santiago and Ivy.
Their story was complicated beyond imagination and the feelings that were giving me was mainly intrigued, hot and bothered!!!
This story was explosive and I can not wait to see what the authors have in store for us about the next parts...
"You belong to me now, Ivy Moreno, for better or for worse. Until death do us part."
Ivy didn't want anything to do with her family's legacy and she just wanted to earn a life away from the depraved and dark world that she was born into...
But things are about to change for her in the blink of an eye when her father is no longer able to protect her and her brother is saling her away to the powerful and scarred Santiago De La Rose, one of the Sovereign Sons.
"The time has come for you to fulfill your duty to the family."
Santiago managed to get out of death's shadow and now, he is scarred, bitter and he is determined to avenge the death of his father and brother.
And he is going to start his revenge by marrying Ivy Moreno... A girl that he is determined to use and break...
"The Moreno blood running through her veins has destroyed me, and it should destroy her too.
As you can understand, in here we had a forced arranged marriage who had only a purpose from Santiago's side... Revenge!!!
But things are getting complicated when his wife is proving him over and over again that she is different and even though, he doesn't want to accept it, he is drown to her... But nothing is enough if justice won't be served, even though he might putting out his wrath in the wrong person...
In the beginning, Ivy is confused with her husband's behavior, and when she is realizing how deeply runs his hatred for her, she just have to find a way to get away from him and this life...
What will happen after all???
"You're weak, Ivy. And you'd better toughen up because you're going to need all your strength to survive me."
"He thinks I'm weak. He thinks my tears are weak. I see it. But I'm stronger than he knows."
I loved Ivy very much. She was such a wonderful person with a very kind soul.
Even though she didn't want this union with Santiago, she had a faith on him that he will treat her right and not once she looked at him with disgust in her eyes because of his deformity. She just wanted to sooth his pain, if he was willing to let her...
"I don't think you are as cruel as you would like everyone to believe."
"Then you are delusional."
As for Santiago??? He became one of my most favorite antiheros. His flaws just made him more beautiful in my eyes. His scars were running deeper than they show and I just wanted him to realize that Ivy had the ability to calm the storm inside of him. Unfortunately, the devil in his shoulder, aka Mercendez, was doing things really hard for these two, along his insistence to serve a revenge to a person that didn't deserve it. Santiago is too blind to realize what he has in front of his.
"It's a shame that she should hope to find a protector in me when I can only ever be her tormentor."
And now, I can not wait for the second part... I'm dying to see what will happen after all because near to the end, things and feeling have changed between Ivy and Santiago. Too many nasty things had happened that made Ivy harden herself and stop trying to find a false hope on Santiago's cruel presence.
Of course, even with how things got progressed, these two together were having too many hot, raw and explosive scenes!! In bed or out of bed, there was brewing a storm between them and I can not wait to see what will happen on their next chapter.
"He's a monster. That's all I have to remember about my husband..."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
April 21, 2021
OMG THE ENDING !!!! This story has so many twist and turns. Santiago is a devil you will love to hate. I can't wait to get more of him. Seriously I better get more of him. Ivy is a good heroine and just what Santiago needs.. There are some dark parts and some sexy parts. I really hope one person gets what is coming to him and I'm pretty sure he will. This was a great story!! I loved it !!
April 26, 2021
Requiem of the Soul (The society Trilogy) by Natasha Knight & A Zavarelli
Santiago De La Rosa had become a monster. The tragedy of his life catapulted him into a realm of revenge. Forced to own his legacy as head of the family, he takes up the position within the IVI Society. He commands respect as dictated by his lineage and his authority was never questioned.
The explosion that killed his father and brother, also left him scarred. With the face of a monster, and a heart blackened with revenge, he carefully calculates his next move. Marrying Ivy Moreno, the daughter of his arch-enemy.
Forced into a marriage that she does not want. Ivy tolerates the humiliation and the wrath of her husband's abuse. His hatred all too evident towards her, and all at a price that chips away at her soul.
Holding her head high, she tried to play the game but at what cost to her own sanity? Santiago sends mixed signals and much to her own embarrassment her body responds. Can she survive?
Every time he allowed her to gain one step, it ultimately backfired and pushed her ten steps back. A calculated dance of death with more at play than she realized. Santiago focused his revenge on the woman who wore his ring. But by doing so, had he let his walls down? Keep your friends close, keep your enemies even closer, holds true. This story gripped me and left me with many questions. Secondary characters played a major role in setting the story. Was Mercedez playing her brother all to take over the family heritage? And the Judge? I need to know more about this dashing and mysterious man. And what about Angelo? Why did I get the feeling not all was at it seemed? So many plot twist. These two authors have done a superb job of setting up a plot that keeps you engaged right up till the very end. A double cliffhanger. Oh my hat, I need more, please.
Santiago De La Rosa had become a monster. The tragedy of his life catapulted him into a realm of revenge. Forced to own his legacy as head of the family, he takes up the position within the IVI Society. He commands respect as dictated by his lineage and his authority was never questioned.
The explosion that killed his father and brother, also left him scarred. With the face of a monster, and a heart blackened with revenge, he carefully calculates his next move. Marrying Ivy Moreno, the daughter of his arch-enemy.
Forced into a marriage that she does not want. Ivy tolerates the humiliation and the wrath of her husband's abuse. His hatred all too evident towards her, and all at a price that chips away at her soul.
Holding her head high, she tried to play the game but at what cost to her own sanity? Santiago sends mixed signals and much to her own embarrassment her body responds. Can she survive?
Every time he allowed her to gain one step, it ultimately backfired and pushed her ten steps back. A calculated dance of death with more at play than she realized. Santiago focused his revenge on the woman who wore his ring. But by doing so, had he let his walls down? Keep your friends close, keep your enemies even closer, holds true. This story gripped me and left me with many questions. Secondary characters played a major role in setting the story. Was Mercedez playing her brother all to take over the family heritage? And the Judge? I need to know more about this dashing and mysterious man. And what about Angelo? Why did I get the feeling not all was at it seemed? So many plot twist. These two authors have done a superb job of setting up a plot that keeps you engaged right up till the very end. A double cliffhanger. Oh my hat, I need more, please.
April 8, 2021
⭐5 dark soulful stars⭐
I must confess my fickle aesthetic mind was captured by this enticing cover, then I found out two top notch authors came together to deliver a sinful dark tale, and if I wasn’t already sold all my trusted reader friends confirmed this was, indeed, a must read. There was no choice but surrender. So now, here I am, to tell you, my fellow readers, if you haven’t sunk your teeth into this yet don’t wait any longer. A dark story, secret profoundly patriarchal society, mystery, swoon worthy anti-hero and enemies to lovers trope to die for.
Santiago is the sovereign son of IVI a secret society nobody acknowledges in the open but everyone worth knowing is in it, the society secretly moves all the threads that make the world move, ruling like a master puppet behind the curtain. Santiago is the villain of the story, the nightmare preying on innocent souls. He’s out to seek revenge and won’t be satisfied until every last drop of blood has been drained from the bodies of his enemies: The Moreno. His trust has been abused, the betrayal left him scarred and took away all his family except for his sister. He’s ready to put his plan into action by marring Ivy. The daughter of his enemy, he will take her and slowly destroy her, piece after piece until nothing is left. He, however, doesn’t factor any possible glitch in his iron clad plan.
I never imagined she might look at me the way she is right now. That she would want to study me. That she would find me so… intriguing
Ivy is born with the burden of a father who is more interested into climbing the power ladder than caring for this daughters. Her older sister has disappeared running away from the life the Society had planned, her mother is an uncaring evil nurturer, her step brother whose only means of communication are punches. She has been allowed a reprieve by going away from home to complete her studies, but her peaceful life is suddenly interrupted but her despicable step brother Abel. He brings her back home announcing she has been chosen and she has to marry. Ivy belongs into a world functioning on old rules, ancient beliefs and dominated by men. Women are just an ornamental addition. She would like to escape her destiny but in order to protect her younger sister she accepts her fate.
He thinks I’ll be easy to break. He thinks I’m weak. He thinks my tears are weak. I see it. But I’m stronger than he knows. And I’ll survive him
The relationship between Ivy and Santiago is complicated, both have their own agendas and refuse to back down, Santiago is merciless in his ways, he wants Ivy to suffer but his actions often betrays his intentions, he doesn’t understand his own feelings. Ivy tries to fight a society dead set on making her a meek shadow of her husband. Unlike everyone else, she doesn’t recoil in front of her scarred husband’s face, she believes she can break down the walls Santiago built around his own heart, only to find out how sill her notion of ever finding a human side to her husband is.
This duo delivers a masterpiece of decadent debauchery, this story will consume you, it will devour your soul, like a candle it will illuminate your path while you navigate the intricacy of a masterfully woven plot supported by an addictive writing, and just when the climax of the story reaches its peak, the flame will die and its smoke will blow you away sucking in any air you had left in your weak body. I know, I know the cliffhanger at the end is brutal but book two is closer than you think! As promised by this wicked duo a brand new candle will be given to us to lit our path into book two.
March 18, 2021
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Star Rating : 4.5/5 Stars
POV : Dual
Cliffhanger : Yes
Hero : Santiago
Heroine : Ivy
Pace of the story : Moderate
Angst Rating : 6/10
Heat Rating : 7/10
Triggers Involved : Dub Con , Kidnapping
Plot Summary :
Santiago is a man scarred by his past. He has been planning his revenge for years but now the soul focus of his revenge is on a deathbed. So he would make his daughter pay. Ivy is going to be broken by the time he would be done with her. No matter how innocent she seems she was going to pay in the worst way possible. But the first thing he would do is to control her in every way and that would be possible when she was his wife.
Ivy has not had an easy life. And now her brother has given her off to save himself. Santiago is a man with a scarred face and a cold personality. He was hell bent on hating her and the worst thing is that he won't tell her why he does that. His whole family hates her and there is no limit they won't cross to make her pay. She was now in their possession and by the time she would be free it would be too late.
Overall Opinion :
Holy shit, I mean I knew that when two of my top dark Romance authors wrote a tale, it would be absolutely amazing but I never expected this sort of Darkness in a book!! This series is definitely on its way of becoming my top read by these authors. It's addictive and absolutely amazing in all the dark aspects and I am totally hooked!
Ivy and Santiago have one hell of a dark tale that everyone needs to read. This was much more than an arranged marriage romance and it was dark till the very end. The hero showed no signs of redemption and that was the best part for me. I love unredeemable assholes more than anything 🤣🤣
I would definitely recommend this book for all the dark romance lovers out there however keep in mind that it has a few triggers like DubCon and Starvation in it. It ends on a huge cliffhanger and the ride is seriously worth it!
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April 23, 2021
4 stars.
{Book #1 and #2}
Since I disliked A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight first collaboration, I didn't expect to like this Series. I had like zero expectations and I'm currently cursing myself because I devoured book 1 and 2 in less than two days (I'm a 🐢 reader so I'm kinda impressed) and now I have to wait for the final installment.😭
Yea I know.. I'm an idiot and I never learn my lessons with unfinished Series and brutal Cliffy.
Anyway if you're familiar with Natasha Knight work this Series won't be anything really new or innovative. When you read a NK's book, you basically read them all because she ALWAYS use the same formula.
Patriarchal Society ✔️
Arranged marriage ✔️
Captive/captor ✔️
Revenge Driven ARC/family vendetta ✔️
Sheltered virgin heroine who needs to pay for his family sins✔️
Alpha-hole anti-hero out for blood ✔️
Dub-Con vs forced seduction ✔️
Miscommunications ✔️
Sometimes it works, sometimes not and I'm happy to say Sovereign Sons totally works for me. Unlike the previous collaboration I see A. Zavarelli touch here and what can I say.. I'm a sucker for scarred anti-heros, enemies to lovers, hate sex, creepy gothic mansion and Beauty and Beast dynamic. Santiago and Ivy have a great chemestry and their sex scenes are 💥
*cough* sex in church/sanctuaries alert *cough*
I loved both MC and their interactions.
🌹 Ivy isn't dumb or delusional. She chooses her battle wisely and don't act like a wanna be badass,who she clearly isn't.
💀 Santiago can be stubborn and really dumb but his backstory is truly heartbreaking so I understand his trust issues. He's J/P from the start and (in his own and really twisted way) always try to protect Ivy. Even from himself.
Why not 5? There's simply too much miscommunication for my taste. In spite of this it's still a page-turner Series and I'm (im)patiently waiting for Resurrection of the Heart #3.
PS: Don't hate me but I hope there will be a Mercedes/Judge Series. I know, I know Mercedes (Hero's evil sister) is defenitely a bitch in book #1 but I think she's just a misunderstood villain. Redemption arc are my favorite and we definitely need more anti-heroines and less Mary Sue.
Plus her dynamic with Judge?
F*cking delicious. I want their story.. Like yesterday.
{Book #1 and #2}
Since I disliked A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight first collaboration, I didn't expect to like this Series. I had like zero expectations and I'm currently cursing myself because I devoured book 1 and 2 in less than two days (I'm a 🐢 reader so I'm kinda impressed) and now I have to wait for the final installment.😭
Yea I know.. I'm an idiot and I never learn my lessons with unfinished Series and brutal Cliffy.
Anyway if you're familiar with Natasha Knight work this Series won't be anything really new or innovative. When you read a NK's book, you basically read them all because she ALWAYS use the same formula.
Patriarchal Society ✔️
Arranged marriage ✔️
Captive/captor ✔️
Revenge Driven ARC/family vendetta ✔️
Sheltered virgin heroine who needs to pay for his family sins✔️
Alpha-hole anti-hero out for blood ✔️
Dub-Con vs forced seduction ✔️
Miscommunications ✔️
Sometimes it works, sometimes not and I'm happy to say Sovereign Sons totally works for me. Unlike the previous collaboration I see A. Zavarelli touch here and what can I say.. I'm a sucker for scarred anti-heros, enemies to lovers, hate sex, creepy gothic mansion and Beauty and Beast dynamic. Santiago and Ivy have a great chemestry and their sex scenes are 💥
*cough* sex in church/sanctuaries alert *cough*
I loved both MC and their interactions.
🌹 Ivy isn't dumb or delusional. She chooses her battle wisely and don't act like a wanna be badass,who she clearly isn't.
💀 Santiago can be stubborn and really dumb but his backstory is truly heartbreaking so I understand his trust issues. He's J/P from the start and (in his own and really twisted way) always try to protect Ivy. Even from himself.
Why not 5? There's simply too much miscommunication for my taste. In spite of this it's still a page-turner Series and I'm (im)patiently waiting for Resurrection of the Heart #3.
PS: Don't hate me but I hope there will be a Mercedes/Judge Series. I know, I know Mercedes (Hero's evil sister) is defenitely a bitch in book #1 but I think she's just a misunderstood villain. Redemption arc are my favorite and we definitely need more anti-heroines and less Mary Sue.
Plus her dynamic with Judge?
F*cking delicious. I want their story.. Like yesterday.
March 23, 2021
5 Stars!
Wow - what the hell did I just read?! It’s been so long since I read some GOOD dark romance that just swallowed me up and wouldn’t let me go until the last word. How the heck is this the first time I’m reading either one of these authors? I’m punching my own face over here.
The setting
The storyline
The steam
That ending?!?!?!
Absolutely excellent.
We have the De La Rosa family who is at the top of The Society, an order, a mafia all in one that is an elite ruling society. Ivy is part of the Moreno family; a much lower ranking family but still a part of the I.V.I society. Marriage is power in this society and a powerful alliance is everything. When the book begins, Ivy is told she'll be marrying Santiago De La Rosa, the surviving son and leader of his family.
To say that Santiago is a scarred anti hero is an understatement!
The writing here was so completely flawless and added to the overall intrigue of the story. Reading the entire backlist of BOTH these authors just became a top priority on my to-do list.
Dark romance used to be my absolute #1 jam and this book read like some vintage, classic dark romance with mystique, flawed characters, a compelling storyline, and some very delicious yet taboo sexy times. I COULD. NOT. GET. ENOUGH!! I really don't know what I am supposed to do with my life until Reparation of Sin comes out in April!
Yes, this book ends in a MAJOR cliff hanger, but you know what? It was so damn good that I regret nothing!!
Thank you to Candi Kane PR who provided me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"The time has come for you to fulfill your duty to the family."
Wow - what the hell did I just read?! It’s been so long since I read some GOOD dark romance that just swallowed me up and wouldn’t let me go until the last word. How the heck is this the first time I’m reading either one of these authors? I’m punching my own face over here.
The setting
The storyline
The steam
That ending?!?!?!
Absolutely excellent.
"Now, I am the chosen descendant doomed to haunt these halls where memories remain etched into every surface."
We have the De La Rosa family who is at the top of The Society, an order, a mafia all in one that is an elite ruling society. Ivy is part of the Moreno family; a much lower ranking family but still a part of the I.V.I society. Marriage is power in this society and a powerful alliance is everything. When the book begins, Ivy is told she'll be marrying Santiago De La Rosa, the surviving son and leader of his family.
To say that Santiago is a scarred anti hero is an understatement!
"...On the rare occasion someone glimpses me in the light, I am reminded who I am. The monster lurking in the shadows. The scarred remains of the only De La Rosa male to crawl from the ashes of our destruction."
The writing here was so completely flawless and added to the overall intrigue of the story. Reading the entire backlist of BOTH these authors just became a top priority on my to-do list.
Dark romance used to be my absolute #1 jam and this book read like some vintage, classic dark romance with mystique, flawed characters, a compelling storyline, and some very delicious yet taboo sexy times. I COULD. NOT. GET. ENOUGH!! I really don't know what I am supposed to do with my life until Reparation of Sin comes out in April!
Yes, this book ends in a MAJOR cliff hanger, but you know what? It was so damn good that I regret nothing!!
"I'm your worst fucking nightmare, wife of mine. It's about time you realized it."
Thank you to Candi Kane PR who provided me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2021
This story fucked up my mind!!
It took me three days to gather the courage to write this review and i can tell you it won't give justice to the perfection of Requiem of the Soul!!!
Because when two of the best authors work together to build up a new dark captiving world....
When the story they create it's utterly addictive and hocked you from the first page...
When reading that story become your only purpose, everything fade in the background and even eating lose its appeal ( and that's huge for me because i'm italian and i love eating 😂)...
When they keep you on the edge and make your heart beating so fast...
When they leave you desperate for more because the book ended too early and with a motherf**k cliffhanger ...
Then how do you express all those emotions in a simple review ?!
I loved everything about this book:
-the dark, "perverse" atmosphere given by the secret society' rituals, and rules;
-the need for vengeance;
-the scarred, imperfect main characters;
-the raw passion and the dark desire;
-the side characters who deserve their own stories;
-the twist and turns that drove me crazy;
-but mostly the whole enemies to lovers trope...
Because a love born from hate is more intense, more painful and it require so much work...
It somehow means more.
Ivy and Santiago gonna have to work a lot.
I can't wait to see what's in their future.
And if this are the premises, it's gonna be a hell of ride 🤩🤩🤩
As usual i'm not gonna tell you anything about the story per se (sorry not sorry), i just wanna let you feel what i felt thanks to my "review" and my edits (yep i finally made something decent 😂).
So READ REQUIEM OF THE SOUL!!!!!!!
PS. Sorry for my ravings but I have not yet recovered from that ending LOL
It took me three days to gather the courage to write this review and i can tell you it won't give justice to the perfection of Requiem of the Soul!!!
Because when two of the best authors work together to build up a new dark captiving world....
When the story they create it's utterly addictive and hocked you from the first page...
When reading that story become your only purpose, everything fade in the background and even eating lose its appeal ( and that's huge for me because i'm italian and i love eating 😂)...
When they keep you on the edge and make your heart beating so fast...
When they leave you desperate for more because the book ended too early and with a motherf**k cliffhanger ...
Then how do you express all those emotions in a simple review ?!
I loved everything about this book:
-the dark, "perverse" atmosphere given by the secret society' rituals, and rules;
-the need for vengeance;
-the scarred, imperfect main characters;
-the raw passion and the dark desire;
-the side characters who deserve their own stories;
-the twist and turns that drove me crazy;
-but mostly the whole enemies to lovers trope...
Because a love born from hate is more intense, more painful and it require so much work...
It somehow means more.
Ivy and Santiago gonna have to work a lot.
I can't wait to see what's in their future.
And if this are the premises, it's gonna be a hell of ride 🤩🤩🤩
As usual i'm not gonna tell you anything about the story per se (sorry not sorry), i just wanna let you feel what i felt thanks to my "review" and my edits (yep i finally made something decent 😂).
So READ REQUIEM OF THE SOUL!!!!!!!
PS. Sorry for my ravings but I have not yet recovered from that ending LOL
March 25, 2021
In the last 30 days, I have read five dark romances, each one with different levels of #whathefuckery and I gotta tell you guys something, don’t do that. If a dark romance is written well, which all five of these were, you will end up in a corner, in the dark, with a book hangover that might just be the end of your brain. If you read multiples back-to-back, my thoughts will be with you! I haven’t been able to read a single word in over a week and my brain is just mush. SO yeah, don’t do that LOL But I digress …
What in the name of all that is holy did I just read?! I’m not going to have the right word for you because this story is reeling with darkness and mystery and it is powerful! The power in the storyline is on every page, every word, every single moment. You know that sense of dread you get when you know the other shoe is about to drop in a situation; that feeling you get of anxious anticipation when you know something is coming but it is just outside your reach? The entire story has unfolded in this manner and I need Xanax! I have no words to describe this feeling I had while reading but I can tell you that I was sucked in from the very beginning and while I was reading, it was like nothing else existed except this story. This is only the beginning, and holy God I cannot wait for more!!
If all-consuming, well thought out, dangerous and mysterious dark romance journeys full of ridiculously sexy tension are your jam then #oneclick RIGHT NOW! #trust
What in the name of all that is holy did I just read?! I’m not going to have the right word for you because this story is reeling with darkness and mystery and it is powerful! The power in the storyline is on every page, every word, every single moment. You know that sense of dread you get when you know the other shoe is about to drop in a situation; that feeling you get of anxious anticipation when you know something is coming but it is just outside your reach? The entire story has unfolded in this manner and I need Xanax! I have no words to describe this feeling I had while reading but I can tell you that I was sucked in from the very beginning and while I was reading, it was like nothing else existed except this story. This is only the beginning, and holy God I cannot wait for more!!
If all-consuming, well thought out, dangerous and mysterious dark romance journeys full of ridiculously sexy tension are your jam then #oneclick RIGHT NOW! #trust
January 30, 2021
I need to catch my breath... This story was intricately woven with dark secrets, mysterious pasts, a sizzling alphahole, and a twisted plot that has you begging for the next part of the story. Santiago is the hero you love to hate. He’s not for the faint of heart but he’s darkly delicious in that pitch black soul.
Read
June 29, 2021Beauty and the Beast meets dark mafia erotica.
The writing flowed however it was predictable and I need more character depth than just “steamy” scenes. It read more like a dark erotica with a touch of mafia/ suspense for me.
If that’s what you are looking to read then give this book a try!
Contemporary dark. Erotica. Triggers. Cliffhanger.
The writing flowed however it was predictable and I need more character depth than just “steamy” scenes. It read more like a dark erotica with a touch of mafia/ suspense for me.
If that’s what you are looking to read then give this book a try!
Contemporary dark. Erotica. Triggers. Cliffhanger.
December 21, 2022
Tüm klasik beklentilerimi karşılayan, çıtır çerez bir kitaptı. Ve sonu meraklı bittiği için devam edeceğim. Yalnız asıl erkek karakterin kız kardeşi Mercedes'den nefret ettim. Yılaaannnn 🐍🐍
![Profile Image for Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1521418447i/78060090._UY200_CR25,0,200,200_.jpg)
July 11, 2021
I was expecting this to be a lot darker. Which isn't terrible for me because I don't enjoy super dark romances, but Santiago was pretty quick to cave on his revenge plans for Ivy. One of my favorite parts of a dark romance is when the H realizes he's gone to far and broken the h with his sadistic torments and feels guilt and affection for the first time and truly regrets what he's done. Santiago on the other hand never went too dark. He was regretting his plans from like the first second he saw her and constantly in conflict with his need for revenge before he even really got to know her or had the chance to develop any real attachment to her so his regrets didn't have the same impact. It was also pretty obvious things weren't as they seemed and that she's not deserving of his ire.
In general I'd say the world building for the mafia-like organization kinda weak. The structure of the organization isn't well explained and we haven't met many of the "upper echelon" important players. So that whole aspect of the plot left a lot to be desired imo.
The funniest part of this for me was when I realized it's at least in part a Beauty and the Beast retelling. At 65% Santiago says,
And it was like a lightbulb went off in my head 💡 and I was just like 🤯 duh. Once I saw it it felt super obvious, but I haven't seen it mentioned in the few reviews I've seen...tell me I'm not crazy.
Ivy's beauty is often remarked upon. Santiago was in an explosion 4 years ago that killed his brother and father and left him with facial disfiguration and scarring that he covered up the worst of with a half skull tattoo and he has more scarring on his body as well. He's also big and constantly hiding in the shadows so he's embodying the beast pretty well I'd say. Not only that but he wants to punish Ivy's dad, but takes his daughter instead and essentially locks her up in his castle-like mansion 🧐 she's also a fan of his library. And then there's Antonia, the house keeper/maternal figure, and she's giving me very Mrs. Potts.
I found this book to be intriguing in a soap-opera like way. There's a lot going on and I'm curious enough to keep going and see how it all plays out.
In general I'd say the world building for the mafia-like organization kinda weak. The structure of the organization isn't well explained and we haven't met many of the "upper echelon" important players. So that whole aspect of the plot left a lot to be desired imo.
The funniest part of this for me was when I realized it's at least in part a Beauty and the Beast retelling. At 65% Santiago says,
"I would like you to inform her that she is to have dinner with me this evening."
And it was like a lightbulb went off in my head 💡 and I was just like 🤯 duh. Once I saw it it felt super obvious, but I haven't seen it mentioned in the few reviews I've seen...tell me I'm not crazy.
Ivy's beauty is often remarked upon. Santiago was in an explosion 4 years ago that killed his brother and father and left him with facial disfiguration and scarring that he covered up the worst of with a half skull tattoo and he has more scarring on his body as well. He's also big and constantly hiding in the shadows so he's embodying the beast pretty well I'd say. Not only that but he wants to punish Ivy's dad, but takes his daughter instead and essentially locks her up in his castle-like mansion 🧐 she's also a fan of his library. And then there's Antonia, the house keeper/maternal figure, and she's giving me very Mrs. Potts.
I found this book to be intriguing in a soap-opera like way. There's a lot going on and I'm curious enough to keep going and see how it all plays out.
February 28, 2024
Ivy ever other chapter:
I originally DNF this but gave it another try. It has a lot of potential. I hope Ivy takes her agency back in later books because I cannot stand The Society and there secret society patriarchy bullshit
I originally DNF this but gave it another try. It has a lot of potential. I hope Ivy takes her agency back in later books because I cannot stand The Society and there secret society patriarchy bullshit
March 26, 2021
‘I should be used to the revulsion by now. Yet on the rare occasion, someone glimpses me in the light, I am reminded who I am. The monster lurking in the shadows. The scarred remains of the only De La Rosa male to crawl from the ashes of our destruction.’
Requiem of the Soul by A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight is book one in a trilogy with a bitch of a cliff-hanger. The neighbours probably heard us shout noooooooo when we realised there were no more pages left to read! We are in a dark romance kind of mood at the moment, and this is definitely everything we crave, though we will say the romance is a slow build, in the sense it’s more ‘hate-mance’ so far. Can we coin that phrase, or has it already been used?
‘Ivy may have readily attached herself to me, but she will come to understand the only wedded bliss she is to receive are the punishments I dole out.’
Elements of this dark almost gothic-like story is similar to books we’ve read before, however, it felt new and fresh, so we were hooked from the get-go! Think of a melting pot of a secret criminal society, a forced age gap marriage, ritualistic and fucked up blood thirsty ‘families’, murder and revenge with a ‘Beauty and the Beast’ type ‘hate-mance’ and a violent erotic underground Phantom of The Opera (without the singing Ha!)….aaaaand you’re there! However, we know we’ve only scratched the surface in book one; hopefully, we won’t have to wait to long for the next instalment because we are dying for it! If you love this trope as much as we do then you -without a doubt- need to add this trilogy to your reading list. We have a feeling this ride is going to get even more torturous and dark, but we are here for it!
‘The doors close behind us, that final divide between what was and what will be. My past and my present. The voice inside my head urging me to run grows louder, but I don’t run. It’s no use.’
Requiem of the Soul is flawlessly written, intensely exciting, passionately dark, and horrifyingly compelling. We know we shouldn’t have, but we’ve fallen down that deep dark spiral of love, with Santiago De La Rosa. Imperfectly perfect in the way we love our anti-heroes to be, he is the devil incarnate but has that faint spark of vulnerability and a deeply buried soul, we can just about see. The soul that only Ivy can unearth. That’s why we’ve fallen for him and why the fierce and brave Ivy Moreno feels justifiably conflicted. We do love a twisted and at times uncomfortable read that makes us question ourselves, and when it’s written as well as Requiem of the Soul is, with those sporadic moments of humanity, we just can’t look away! Ruthless and harrowing, poor Ivy is like a lamb to slaughter when she’s ‘given’ by her scheming brother to a man hellbent on avenging the deaths of his family. He is a ‘monster’ feared in the society of the Sovereign Sons and poor beautiful and at times fragile Ivy has no idea what she’s in for!
‘Every last Moreno will pay in blood and misery so acute, they will know suffering more intimately than I ever could.’
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May 13, 2022
4.5 stars
Romance and revenge collide
A story of the head of the de la Rosa power family, Santiago, and his vengeance against a non-sovereign family who brought fatal harm to the de la Rosa line; Ivy, the oldest daughter is to pay the price.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It reminded me old revenge-themed romances but with a modern edge. As much as Santiago claims he will exact justice on Ivy is as much as you see his struggle -- and hers -- not to succumb to any loving feelings. In love's struggle mixed with retribution, we see Santiago's alpha male in all its glory -- possessive, dominating, and a hidden tenderness and equally Ivy's bursts of conviction and submission. Chemistry abounds. The story depicts passion, undeniable attraction, underpinned with elements of darkness, that are simply smoldering. The heat level is this story was high, mature, fitting, and exactly what I was looking for. If you're looking for male dominance and female submission, you will find it in this book. Simply fire.
Great characters as well as excellent character development, besides the main characters, there were others to enjoy, and not necessarily for benevolent reasons. In fact, supporting characters contributed to a conspiratorial foreshadowing and secrecy not readily apparent but destined to subvert the plot in explosive ways.
The pace of this story was just right, never a dull moment. The setting was gothic, ritualistic adding vividness to events and happenings; even the scenery carried secrets, hidden doorways and passages.
Not simply a tale of revenge, but also a love story, an underlying, undeniable attraction between a couple and hints at a love that will be a force for reckoning. I wouldn’t characterize Santiago as an antihero (too soft); maybe, a determined hero. I also wouldn't qualify the book as very dark, more like dark themes. And while I may have read stories similar to this one in the past, I found this one very entertaining and intriguing, particularly with the secret society and church-influence elements, not to mention the foreboding feelings of conspiracy and betrayal. Overall, a great story. That cliffhanger is one of the best I've read -- poetic, romantic, lethal.
Romance and revenge collide
A story of the head of the de la Rosa power family, Santiago, and his vengeance against a non-sovereign family who brought fatal harm to the de la Rosa line; Ivy, the oldest daughter is to pay the price.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It reminded me old revenge-themed romances but with a modern edge. As much as Santiago claims he will exact justice on Ivy is as much as you see his struggle -- and hers -- not to succumb to any loving feelings. In love's struggle mixed with retribution, we see Santiago's alpha male in all its glory -- possessive, dominating, and a hidden tenderness and equally Ivy's bursts of conviction and submission. Chemistry abounds. The story depicts passion, undeniable attraction, underpinned with elements of darkness, that are simply smoldering. The heat level is this story was high, mature, fitting, and exactly what I was looking for. If you're looking for male dominance and female submission, you will find it in this book. Simply fire.
Great characters as well as excellent character development, besides the main characters, there were others to enjoy, and not necessarily for benevolent reasons. In fact, supporting characters contributed to a conspiratorial foreshadowing and secrecy not readily apparent but destined to subvert the plot in explosive ways.
The pace of this story was just right, never a dull moment. The setting was gothic, ritualistic adding vividness to events and happenings; even the scenery carried secrets, hidden doorways and passages.
Not simply a tale of revenge, but also a love story, an underlying, undeniable attraction between a couple and hints at a love that will be a force for reckoning. I wouldn’t characterize Santiago as an antihero (too soft); maybe, a determined hero. I also wouldn't qualify the book as very dark, more like dark themes. And while I may have read stories similar to this one in the past, I found this one very entertaining and intriguing, particularly with the secret society and church-influence elements, not to mention the foreboding feelings of conspiracy and betrayal. Overall, a great story. That cliffhanger is one of the best I've read -- poetic, romantic, lethal.
March 24, 2021
Silence and darkness. They are my two constant requirements in life.
The devilsh and talented duo of authors A. Zavarelli and Natasha Knight offer with Requiem of the Soul a heart-pounding arranged marriage/revenge story.
How far would you go to get revenge against the family who destroyed yours? Santiago De La Rosa has certainly the determination and the ruthlessness to go through his plan. Taking the young Ivy as his bride, he has one thing in mind: to make her suffer.
Ivy, twelve years his younger is not one to submit easily to the whims and rules of her new husband, though.
“I like you scared, actually. You’re very pretty when you’re scared.”
I felt hypnotised by Santiago's personality and physique. Scarred, tattoed, he incarnated the Hero I love to hate. Seemingly unbreakable and cruel, his role within the Sovereign Son Society gives him the wealth and the power to succeed in his mission.
"I'm your worst fucking nightmare, wife of mine. It's about time you realized it."
The place of the women in their world had me cringing at every turn, I got so angry as their condition is slowly revealed. Ivy knows the rules though, and how to play with them. I loved her resilience and her strength, in spite of her physical issues.
"My wife wants to believe she’s a fighter. Determined to handle any punishment I throw her way."
Set in an eerie atmosphere where darkness plays with misery, this first opus of the trilogy is a true page-turner. In the confines of the old gothic Louisiana manor, the story unfolds at a fast pace, keeping me on edge all along. I can't wait to dive into the next opus!
"I wanted her tears but not her complete destruction. Or didn��t I?"
March 26, 2021
Natasha Knight is one of those authors that is seriously bad for my health!
Really! Because she gets your heart rate through the roof with everything that happens in her stories.
Keeping you glued to the pages,forgetting the world around you,not coming up for air until the last page.
Breaking your heart with everything that happens to the heroine of the story,and even making you ache for the “evil” hero.
This is another one that did all those things,and to top it all,it left me with a cliffhanger i’m not sure i will survive!
My heart aches for poor Ivy,who does her very best to survive in the worst possible scenario.
And i dó feel for Santiago,in spite of what he has already done,and all that he still has planned for her.
The person i loathe,is one that i hope will meet a most horrible fate!
I don’t say that very easily,but this person.....deserves it,and then some!
Now i’m off...trying to find a survival guide......
Really! Because she gets your heart rate through the roof with everything that happens in her stories.
Keeping you glued to the pages,forgetting the world around you,not coming up for air until the last page.
Breaking your heart with everything that happens to the heroine of the story,and even making you ache for the “evil” hero.
This is another one that did all those things,and to top it all,it left me with a cliffhanger i’m not sure i will survive!
My heart aches for poor Ivy,who does her very best to survive in the worst possible scenario.
And i dó feel for Santiago,in spite of what he has already done,and all that he still has planned for her.
The person i loathe,is one that i hope will meet a most horrible fate!
I don’t say that very easily,but this person.....deserves it,and then some!
Now i’m off...trying to find a survival guide......
April 21, 2021
A. Zavarelli was one of the first dark mafia romance authors I read, her book Crow is one of my all time favs in the genre. So when I saw this, I had to get it.
I liked it overall, but I wasn't super impressed. I did like both the H and the h, they had good chemistry and I liked their scenes together. Other than, nothing really surprised me or stood out in any way - it's a forced mafia marriage, with a secret revenge plot where the H plans to hurt the h because he hates her family. Except, surprise surprise, he keeps putting it off because he starts falling for her and then... cliffhanger ending.
I liked it overall, but I wasn't super impressed. I did like both the H and the h, they had good chemistry and I liked their scenes together. Other than, nothing really surprised me or stood out in any way - it's a forced mafia marriage, with a secret revenge plot where the H plans to hurt the h because he hates her family. Except, surprise surprise, he keeps putting it off because he starts falling for her and then... cliffhanger ending.
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