Peace comes at a price only one woman can pay.Jude Camden slaughtered thousands of her soldiers. He executed her brother in front of her. And he was only willing to accept an end to the war—harmony across the planet Syrus—on one condition… bloodlines. The Camdens are powerful, insatiable, and remorseless. They are as irresistible as they are infuriating, ruthlessly wringing pleasure from their captive night after night.
Yet Maari is far from helpless in their grasp. She has a gift that will let her deny the brothers what they need most from her—as long as she doesn’t let any of them into her heart…
Please note: This is NOT at ALL like my other series. This is a messy, angsty, dirty reverse harem sci-fi fairy tale arcing over the course of three books. The HEA won’t come until book three. If you have triggers, do not read this book. If you’re still with me…welcome to the Twisted Kingdom!
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Well-written; thought provoking!
Well done, though decidedly harsh (the author DOES say it’s dark). It makes you pause to consider what we believe is true, compared to the reality of the situation. I think Maari has far more influence over these men than she realizes. She’s certainly strong to endure the change in her status as well as she has. My favorite of the brothers at this moment is Malac. They’re all very possessive, though their intent appears to be to punish her for her family’s perceived misdeeds. I do have hope for their redemption, though. I really want to see where this goes!
I am in Maari corner!
I just finished the first book in the series and I know what I am going to say may not be what some people want to hear, but I hope that she does not give in. Maari has every right to hate these jerks and she may have to give her body and take their abuse, but she does not have to come to care for them. That said it was a good story and I will continue to read the series and enjoy what the author writes. You will like this one if you are into RH’s not that I really see this as an RH more like Maari is the spoils of war and if she does not do what she is told it could mean the death of millions. Yes, I want her to have a happy ending just not the jerks. I am giving this one a 5-star because I am already invested in the story. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
To describe this romance as dark is like saying hell’s just a part of heaven.
And yet… it’s beautiful. Hauntingly so. I devoured this book. I did. I forgot about everything and everyone while reading it. No more job, no more chores, the freaking dinner got burned… because how could one care about those when this book was waiting?
And it happens rarely nowadays… for a book to grip me so in its wonderful clutches. I’ve been a reader most of my life. Devoured books in all genres. And Just as the other ‘veterans’ like me, I’m picky. I’m hardly surprised, and difficult to please. But this… wow!
See? I can barely articulate my thoughts!
My temporary inability causes me to do this work a great injustice: comprise it in a single sentence. As such, in my opinion:
Dirty Lovely Broken is the perfect embodiment of a love-hate relationship.
Because I empathized with Maari, but hated her naivete, and her plain stupidity at times. I get Jude (in a way), even as I hate him with all the fiber of my being. Orlann… I didn’t fully understand, yet. And Malac… okay, Malac I mostly loved, and not because he hurt her the less, but because I saw him as the most complex (and I’m a sucker for tortured souls).
All in all: I LOVED it! If I could’ve given this book more than the meager five stars, I would’ve.
Delving into a deliciously Twisted Kingdom
—>>> The title, cover, and synopsis of this story drew me into the world of a tightly twisted kingdom, ruled by Jude, the eldest Camden prince. The very lives of all of Princess Maari’s people and what is left of her family will depend on her decision to give herself over to Jude as demanded to serve his purposes. As a spoil of war, Maari had to accept that she will become a concubine to all three brothers, fearing the middle brother the most with his depraved delivery of pain with pleasure. Ever so stealthily, however, emotions come into play, when these arrogant, demanding, and entitled males begin to crave more than just her physical being, because her pride and honor still manage to shine in the light of her goodness and strength of character. We begin to get a good idea of the workings in the castle at the hands of Jude, who is positively chomping at the bit to be with his new plaything, begotten with quick thinking at the time of peace negotiations. I definitely want to continue with the rest of this series!
Wow, wow, wow! What a book. Absolutely loved everything about it. Fair warning though, if you don’t love serials or really dark stories this one is not for you. This is a first read with this author for me and I am truly hooked. The characters are dynamic, the plot is intense, and the intimate moments are off the charts h-a-w-t! Can’t not wait to dive into the second one to see how everything unravels.
This book ends with a cliffhanger and is the first book in a series of 3 books, just wanted to put that out there as I personally hate cliffhangers if I’m not expecting them. This is a new author to me, and she has written an impressive story. She has done a great job with world and character building. Maari is a strong female who does what she has to so that her people can live. For the most part her captures are annoyingly likable to me as a reader! The story is full of adventure and drama, it’s dark but also has some humor now and then. It’s a book that shall easily keep you awake for some of the night as it’s quite impossible to stop reading until the last word. Due to the subject matter and the darkness of the story there are some events that could be triggers for some people.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really loathe all 3 brothers. I want to see them suffer mercilessly and then die. Whew I feel much better since I got that out lol. Don’t care what their issues are because the humiliation they have heaped upon Maari is unforgivable but we will see how this author can possibly redeem them. I can’t see how any redemption is possible. This book started off with a bang and never let up. The heroine has no choice since they use their gift on her so it will be interesting if she can actually come to care about any of them without them using it. Maari is a strong heroine who is doing the best she can with what little she has to fight them with. Jude wife is a character I can easily understand although I would be even more vicious. Maari or Geneva doesn’t deserves Jude as far as I can tell so I am sympathetic to both woman at this point. This author did an excellent job keeping me glued to my kindle with a very well written dark tale.
Dark, very dark. The story is mesmerizing in its message. A princess who is sent into a world so unimaginably cruel given her upbringing that it’s a wonder she didn’t just lose her mind after so many blows to her self worth. Does she plot revenge or does she collapse under the cruelty? I can’t see a HEA even happening – not ever – even though the author says to hang in there, it will come – eventually. It’s hard to imagine just how much she has to suffer before that might happen. At this point she is still clueless to at least one surprise awaiting her which the reader has become privy to and I can’t wait until that bombshell is dropped. So many great things in this book – the writing, the characters, the storyline. Yet its a dark read that is difficult to read at times. I like my female characters to be strong but how can she not break? I can’t wait for the next book. I want justice! Hmmm…three heads for the price of one anyone?
Maarten was used as the spoils to prevent war. A princess given to a king and his two brothers as their concubine to ensure heirs as a sign of peace. But she has a way to prevent that if she dares. King Jude, Orlaan and Malac find themselves all in love/lust with her even though outwardly they deny it. What will happen between this reverse harem? Will the queen finally get her revenge? I can’t wait to read the next book to find out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The start of this was difficult for me to ease into, there was no prologue or background information to get the reader into the mindset of this world. It rather jumped head first to a world on the brink of war with, again, no easement or reason. As the story goes on it does turn into an incredible read with wonderful depth.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Perfection! This book had all the things I like in one consuming story. It’s a different book from the ones I have read (love all her books) from Emmy Chandler but it was so refreshing and dark that I loved every word. Of course it was the first so you have an ending that leaves you waiting for the next one soooo bad. If you love dark with a little twist you are going to love it. 5-I want the next one ASAP-stars
I was skeptical when I first got this book. We were given so little details. Dang this book was definitely dark. I’m still thinking about it, although I just finished the book. I was expecting something cliche. I’m pleasantly surprised by it all. It was fantastic the intrigue, angst and deviousness of it. I must give it to the author she outdid herself. I LOVED it! It had me going and I could never calm down because another layer just kept getting added to what I was already feeling. I’m completely wrung out emotionally. I read this in one sitting. If you can’t handle dark don’t picked this up. I on the other hand LOVED IT! I am rooting for Maari to not give in. I want her to be the last one standing. I can’t wait for the story to continue. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!