Will they save or betray her?Laya is called the Princess, but in fact, she’s nothing but a slave to her husband and cult leader Andros. Abused and suppressed, she has no hope of escape until three new recruits enter her life.They quickly take to living in the compound, but Laya can’t help feeling that they’re different. That they might not believe in what they have to do for Andros. That they … have to do for Andros. That they aren’t as cold and cruel as him.
With Andros planning his cruellest deed yet, she needs to escape – but will these three men be her salvation or her doom?
***Warning: This is a dark story that contains violence, sexual abuse and other topics that may be triggering. Read at your own discretion.***
The Defiance Series – Three books, three women, three real-life stories. These dark, contemporary reverse harem romances can be read individually or as part of the series. They are loosely connected by side characters and settings, but they each have a different heroine and love interests.
Frozen Heart
Broken Spirit
Stolen Soul (coming soon)
more
Skye MacKinnon wrote a compelling story about the effects of being in a cult. Laya, Andros wife and Princess, takes the beatings, punishments for all the sins of the people. All is the will of the Angel as stated by Andros the self-proclaimed prophet. How could one person manipulate, brainwash, and gain control over the people in the cult? I gave 4 stars because the last chapter kept me hanging. Laya was possibly still in danger, Andros trial didn’t come up yet, so there wasn’t a finality to the story.
Kio Sijo is phenomenal in her narration. Her voices and personalities for each character were spot on! Her ability to transition from one character to the other is flawless. #audiobookobsessionreviewer.
This book was very different for me, the story was new and fresh something I’ve never read before, it kept me intrigued and hooked at all times.. I didn’t know what to expect and the characters and the story kept surprising me. definitely was intense but I love how it kept me wondering what was going to happen next..at some parts it was hard to read as it had a lot of realistic elements but at the same time it made you want to know more about it..
great characters, great Narration by Kyo Sija, she really made me feel every emotion the characters were going through and even made the story more interesting and with a lot of depth..
this was my first book by Skye MacKinnon and I’m looking forward to know more about her work.
AudiobookObsessionReviewer.
This books has so much pain in it that you can’t help but feel it along with Laya. A story that although fiction, you know that it can and does happen in real life when involved with some cults. This is a story about strength and conviction to move beyond what has broken you. Laya is such a strong character and with the help of three amazing men she is able to overcome so much. A very good listen!
This is a powerful story. It is emotional, extremely intense, sadistic, but heartbreaking in parts, with no holds barred.
If you have triggers it may not be for you.
I personally found it dark but loved it just the same, could not stop listening the narrator held you and wouldn’t let go, till the end. Wow just wow.
Reviewed for Audiobook Obsession
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Wow just wow! That is all my mind keeps repeating over and over again after I finished this book. yes it is dark and yes it covers bunches of hot button issues but all of it is handled in a way that really attaches you to the main character whether you want to or not. It allows you to really enter her mind space which just hooks you that much more on the story as you find yourself rooting for her survival and eventually her recovery even it is outside the norm. I absolutely loved for the incredible writing that it contains so I give it 5/5 stars.
“To the others, he’s a holy man, a prophet. To me, he’s the devil.”
This book sucked me in right away, seeming to be in a cult-setting and dark. It gets even more dark, fast and I’m officially hooked (and def going to seek out anything else that’s considered dark by this multi-genre-writing author! That’s it, I’m a huge fan of Skye MacKinnon!).
I liked it a lot; I hadn’t realized it’s book 2 in a series so I’ll likely go back and read book 1 and I may read on in the series with book 3. It could be dark at times, but ultimately it isn’t, if that makes sense.
4 stars.
Note:
I listened to the audiobook; amazing performance. I’m a huge fan of this narrator, Kyo Sija.
Note:
I borrowed this book from my library which has it listed as Broken Spirit.
Amazon & BookBub hae it listed as Broken Spirit: Trapped in a Cult, Defiance Book 2.
Goodreads apparently has it listed as Broken Princess.
Lost a lot of time figuring that out, figured I’d note it in case anyone else goes through this.
Heart wrenching story that breaks your heart over and over again. An excellent psychological thriller.
Broken Princess: Trapped in a cult by Skye MacKinnon is a Contemporary Reverse Harem that I listened on audio narrated by Kyo Sija. This is book two in the Defiance Trilogy. All three books are standalones that are loosely connected by side characters and settings, but they each have a different heroine, theme and love interests. The storyline is dark and contains violence, sexual abuse, and other topics that may be triggering. Listen at your own discretion.
This is the second book of Skye’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait until book three Stolen Soul is released.
Kyo did an amazing job narrating. She did a great job with the different voices for each character. It really helped pull me into the story. They are an amazing duo. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Dark Reverse Harem Novels.
#AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
wow this is an amazingly well written tale but the it is a truly dark, harrowing story that will make your heart bleed!
I wish that the ending was longer.
Wow, was not expecting that (in a good way)!
This book was nothing like I expected. If I could curse in a review I would, to explain some of the epicness I just listened too! So before listening or reading, make sure you read the blurb and understand what you are getting into before you move forward. I knew it was dark and there would be some tough moments, but the emotions that this book evoked were sometimes very very intense and tough for me to drive to work and be composed.
Skye does a brilliant job with this story of a member of the cult being saved from her situation, but only after having suffered a great deal. We get to see what it could be like to be in that situation and how manipulative, controlling, and brainwasher extraordinaire the leader of a cult can be. I was not prepared for some of the things mentioned but Skye does a great job weaving in the storyline, bringing the guys/rescuers into our MC’s life. I sometimes wanted to scream while listening like I want to do in horror or suspense films haha. It was great, I didn’t want it to end. This is the main reason I couldn’t give the story and the overall audiobook 5 stars. I thought with Abandoned Heart, Skye did a great job wrapping up the storyline and gave us a happy ending. Now I didn’t expect this to be necessarily a 100% normal happy ending, because that wouldn’t have fit with the story and message. I do think the ending was rushed and wish the loose ends could have been wrapped up. I know they are all standalones within the same universe, but we didn’t get a lot of resolution in this ending. I for one wanted to know what was going to happen to certain characters that we never find out about. Also, it felt like the MC and her guys story wasn’t the end. I was expecting another chapter but didn’t get one. Like I said, loved this story and the execution, but personal preference, I think the ending was not as strong at the beginning and middle of the haunting dark RH book.
On to the narration!!! I have to give Kyo Sija another standing ovation because her narration in this series has been spot in. I think she dove into these characters and really brought them to live. Like I could imagine the cult leader and his dove and how I would see it on TV/a movie. I think Kyo has drastically improved in the couple books I have listened to her and I will definitely keep her on my radar when looking for new audiobooks. I felt her sorrow and frustration, her will to live but also give up, her strength when most people wouldn’t have any. The little changes she did in the accents of various male voices. Wonderful job
I found the story intriguing and heartbreaking. It’s about a women being broken by a man she thought loved her.
The storyline is good except maybe a little abrupt ending. I also didn’t feel a connection to the characters so it lacked something to give it full score. But it’s HEA so I’m good .
There’s no unnecessary descriptions of surroundings and plenty of dialogues
Some of the content in this book might be triggers for some, I found it was described in a way that it was bearable to listen to.
Don’t expect steamy love scenes.
Narrator:
Not my favourite but it’s read with passion and the pronunciation is clear.
4 stars overall
AudiobookObsession reviewer
This was different than anything i’ve read from this author before. It was very dark, realistic, and heartbreaking. Layla was a very complex character, how she can justify her treatment and want to be there yet still want to leave, she was incredibly strong. I couldn’t put it down,I needed to know what was happening next.
An interesting very dark intense emotional story, with intriguing complex characters. It is a well-written book and a pleasure to read.
Every once in a while I come across a story that leaves me breathless and feeling gutted. I refer to this experience as a book hangover because, like alcohol drinking after a night of partying, the thought of starting a new book isn’t something I can stomach. That is how I felt after finishing this one. It was gritty, dark, and there were some parts where my stomach churned. It is also one of the most beautiful stories I have read this year. It is full of possible triggers and the fact that the story is believable and realistic in a haunting way makes those triggers slightly more intense. This isn’t a story for everyone, and it isn’t like anything else by this author, but if you love the dark then you must one-click this. You won’t be disappointed!
I like this story It was well written and really leave you on the edge of your seat with page after page thrown in some intricate challenges and characters makes a great read
Wow! I almost put the book down. I didn’t think the violence would be this bad. I just wanted to pull Laya out of the horror she was made to endure. I didn’t put the book down. I got caught up in her strength. I hurt for her. I don’t know who Skye was able to write this. It is so life like and at times, disheartened.
She may be called princess but she is not treated like one. She is in a cult and she is used and abused by the leader and her husband. Then three new recruits come who seem different to everyone else. She needs to get away as she was going to in even more trouble. Can they help her? Will she get away? See what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After reading Broken Princess, I have a greater reverence for victims of abuse and seeing what Laya endured. But even through it all, she stayed and even found love. Very strong character you will come to respect even if it is with a bit of pity thrown in. Well written dark read that I have not seen before from the author but this is a great book and one that should be read. Laya will touch your heart and spirit with her struggles. Definite must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this book a lot. It takes you on a emotional journey. I wish there was a further epilogue or more chapters in that portion to know if they over come everything more. I’m one that likes to know the end of everything going on.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a horrific tale of a young woman who is brainwashed into a cult. She believes everything that the Prophet tells her even as she struggles to understand why. The author wrote a very twisted yet compelling tale that you will find hard to read yet unable to put down. The ending was wonderful yet shocking at all of the reveals. And still she has her beliefs. I was impressed by the character building and delivery of this story. I didn’t want to like it because of the unbelievable abuse. Yet even as I say that, this book wouldn’t have been as good as it was without that aspect. Well done.