From USA Today Bestselling Author Dani René comes a new adult romance filled with lies, secrets, and steam!I hate her. I want Dahlia to pay. Tynewood is my town, and she doesn’t belong here. While rage fuels me, my blood burns with desire. I want vengeance, and I’ll get it. No. Matter. What. We’re on opposite sides of the battlefield — a poised flower, a raging warrior, and a mountain of secrets … a poised flower, a raging warrior, and a mountain of secrets between us.
I knew he was bad news the moment I laid eyes on him. Anger and lust swirl together when he looks at me, but I don’t know why. War has commenced, and as secrets unfold, it looks like the battle has only just begun. He wants to hurt me. He loves to see me cry.
What Ares Lancaster doesn’t realize is, I’m not afraid of the darkness inside him.
Lies. Revenge. Bloodshed.
When war comes to a head, nobody is safe from the destruction it leaves in its wake.
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Oh man what a terrific book absolutely amazing by Dani. There’s nothing this lady can’t write that wouldn’t be less than amazing. This is definitely one that I would recommend as a must read.
This was the first book in the The Gilded Sovereign Series. I really loved Ares and Dahlia. They started off as enemies, and ended up as lovers. Dani is an amazing author, and doesn’t disappoint with this book!
I enjoyed this book. I found it a bit hard to follow at first but eventually got the characters sorted as the story started to fall into place. I definitely didn’t have any clue what was going on until all the secrets were revealed which I think was the point but it felt like I was getting half of every story so the suspense didn’t build I just knew I had to keep reading to get the other end of the story. That might have also been why I had a hard time connecting to the characters. I felt like I was hearing what they were saying but not feeling it. Not every book needs to tear you apart and this was good for an easy secret society mystery read. I also liked it wasn’t too mean, dark, or anything of that sort. I will continue to read this series because I am intrigued and do like all the characters.
Once I started reading this series I wasn’t sure it was going to be for me but , OMG ! these characters just suck you right in as their intriguing and dangerous and “yes”, down right volatile.
The whole concept of the story drew you right in and the story itself kept you in edge to and turning the pages the very end.I could not put the book down.I have to say were are enjoying this series and enjoying its characters even more.
I loved Ares that man scared the heck out of us.Although Ares was tall dark and dangerous and a total alpha it’s what simmers beneath the surface in him that still make him human.His vengeance is blinding and he wanted Dahlia to pay for her fathers sins but, no matter how much he torments her he is drawn to her body and soul. Even when Ares was tormenting her he cared for her to a certain extent and it was not just her physical appearance that drew him to her it was so much more.
Something doesn’t sit right with this whole situation with Dahlia and he is destined to uncover what it is but, while waiting Dahlia is not some little meek little lamb that will be lead to slaughter she will fight with everything within her or die trying.
Dahlia was a favorite of ours we found her to be the perfect mixture of fire and sass but, also beauty . Dahlia she grew up oblivious to the secrets surrounding her but, when she learns those secrets will she been able to handle the darkness those secrets come with? I am banking on my girl being strong enough… We just loved her from the onset of meeting her and we knew that she would be Ares savior as well as his perfect match in every way.
Ares and Dahlia had smokin hot chemistry together and they sizzled together quite perfectly. We loved that sometimes that their is more than just love ,honor ,duty and family but, that sacrifices are just as important to make for the sake of the ones you love.
One of the things that drew us to the characters in this story was the darkness that resided within each of them and at such a young age it was even more heartbreaking to handle. They were all cocky and conceded and arrogant and thought that others were just their playthings but, one thing always stood out to me and that was not matter how dark or dangerous each of them were they were capable of feeling something at-least because they loved one another and considered each other their brothers and well as family as they were close-knit and protective of each other and who die for one another.
This was an engrossing tale that had us glued to the pages the entire time and although the story made us uneasy at times we couldn’t put it down because we couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next in this twisted tale.
“We loved it !”
This is the first book in a new series and what a fantastic introduction this is! This gifted author had put her heart and soul in penning this tale which is well written and is filled with angst, emotion, passion, secrets, lies, revenge, suspense, mystery, danger, and twists which all lead to a steamy read which had me totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more in this phenomenal series.
Cruel War by Dani Rene is the First book in The Gilded Sovereign Series. This is the story of Ares Lancaster and Dahlia Milton. Ares is a young strong rich man who rules with a iron fist. When his mother is killed he goes forward with plans of revenge which include Dahlia. Dahlia and Ares family are enemies that shed blood between the two. Dahlia knows that Ares is not a good person and that he is darkness. But Dahlia is a strong young women who can seems to handle what he is.
This is a dark young read but one that you can’t put down too.
Cruel War is book one of the Gilded Sovereign series by Dani Rene and is told in dual POV’s. This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and never let go!
“Revenge, like power and greed, is insatiable. It craves, it poisons, and it infests you like an addiction and you’ll never be free.”
Dani Rene has created a whole new world of characters to fall in love with and intriguing story lines that kept me guessing until the very end. Ares & Dahlia start off hating each other due to the war that has been brewing between their families. Both thinking they know the truth but finding out little by little that each of their families have deeply buried secrets. The buildup of this story was so intense that I found myself literally holding my breath while flipping pages torn between the anticipation and the fear of what was coming next! Ares & Dahlia’s chemistry is sizzling hot and just got hotter as they started to discover the truth and stopped fighting their attraction to each other. Cruel War ticks all my boxes! It has mystery, angst, lies, lust, deception and insane chemistry between an antihero alpha you can’t help but love and a sassy kickass heroine that fights for her place at the table. Add to that an intriguing and sexy cast of secondary characters whose stories promise to be just as exciting and Dani Rene has a new reader for life!
“Welcome to the inner sanctum. A society of gods. Welcome to the Gilded Sovereign”
What a very exciting start to this new series. Dani never fails to bring her very best to everything she writes. Ares and Dahlia are just what my darkened soul needed… bring me more!
I was super excited to see this author was writing a new series. She is an awesome writer and it seems that no matter what she writes I love. This is another to add to that as this consumed me.
Ares and Dahlia. Crikey their story was all kinds of everything. I couldn’t read it fast enough and then I didn’t want it to finish. So many questions and so many answers.
This book grabbed me hook, line and sinker. Dani is in a league of her own. Expect the unexpected with her.
This is a superb read and I can’t wait to read more.
I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed with this one! The Gilded Sovereign is comprised of wealthy men of influence, and Ares plans to take every advantage of them to seek revenge. Dahlia is a victim of her circumstances, but she’s no shrinking violet, and I love that she stands up for herself. Eye-popping secrets are revealed though, that changes everything, and I couldn’t get enough of this book! This was one wickedly twisty dark romance tale!
Ares is out for revenge. His mother is dead and someone needs to pay for it. Being part of the Gilded Sovereign, a secret organization made up of rich and powerful men, has its advantages and its disadvantages and Ares is going to use it to his advantage. To take down the family that took his mother away.
Dahlia has no idea but she is about to encounter someone who wants to take her down for the sins of her father. After moving to the town her father grew up in to live with her grandmother after his death, Dahlia didn’t know the storm that she was moving into. Her best friend Rukaiya and her father moved too, letting Dahlia know she wasn’t alone.
“This time it’s not just a job, it’s war. A cruel war.”
Ares is ready to go to war to avenge his mothers death. Even if it means going to war with an innocent girl.
But what happens when Ares learns the truth? What happens when everything he things he knows changes? What happens when Dahlia worms her way into his heart?
Will he chose family or Dahlia?
This is a great enemies to lovers story. I love stories about secret societies and this one did not disappoint. There was hate and love. Danger and comfort. Right and wrong.
I watched Ares grow though-out this book, from a boy to a man. I think the story flowed well, did not seem too rushed.
I am now ready for the next one. I need to know Etienne’s story.
It’s a Secret Society, all we ask is trust…. 4½
Wow, what a nice story of enemies to lovers. This story is about a secret society that’s been happening for years, but now it’s time for the new generation.
Ares, is one of the sons of the founding families, and can’t wait until he gets the golden ticket into the society, but with that comes more secrets, more information, and a whole lot of lies to be discovered. When he sees Dahlia, his mind goes directly to what he’s been thinking about since he was sixteen…revenge.
Dahlia, doesn’t know about the town of Tynewood, and all the secrets and lies it holds but she goes to live there with her Grandmother. When she tries to get the truth about her father and what the town has to do with it Dahlia comes up empty.
When Ares and Dahlia finally meet they can’t keep their eyes off each other. The chemistry between them is magnetic and the lust is so strong they have a hard time trying to control it. All Ares wants to do is have her and keep her for what ever he wants but with Dahlia’s sass and fiery mouth and attitude, it won’t be as easy as he thinks.
Cruel War was an intense start to a new series from Dani Rene and a relatively dark story of revenge, intrigue and steam. This story was filled with so many twists and turns that will have you turning the pages quicker than a desperate hoe ( lol).
Anyway if you want to give this story a try, do it! I enjoyed!
This story had me captivated from the beginning until the end. So many secrets. Dahlia and Ares story is steamy and perfect characters for an enemies to lovers story.
This goes to show that no matter the genre, Dani can deliver. I liked that this book kept me on my toes. It had a strong Alpha, a strong willed leading female. I went in not knowing which way it was going to go. The suspense, the turmoil, the outcome it all worked well together. What a way to start a series!!
Omg. What an incredible story. Strong alpha characters. Sassy strong woman. Tons of danger and violence. Many twists in the story to keep it interesting. Highly recommend this book!
This book has you hooked from the start. Its packed full of everything! The more you learn about Ares and Dahila the more you want to read. You never want to put it down. Another fabulous read!!
Yeesss!! Dani did that that again!!! She blew our minds with Ares and Dahlia’s story!
Intensity,passion,lust… all is there.
Intense and intriguing!! Definitely a page turner!!
Cruel War is the first book in this new series and can be read as a stand alone. It’s a contemporary, romantic suspense with a dark, bully romance, enemeies to lovers element.
Dahlia came to live with her grandmother at Tynewood after the alleged death of her father the year before. She is to attend a college with her bestfriend Rukaiya, who also moved in the area with her father. There she met Ares, one of the heir to the seat of Gilded Sovereign, a secret society who controls the whole country. Their crossed paths lead Ares to exact revenge on her when he found out her father’s connection to his mother’s death.
The connection between Ares and Dahlia was like a fire waiting to be lit. Theirs is a slow burn romance and I’m just about dying from the sexual tension that’s burning up the pages of my e-reader. The tension is so thick and palpable, that it was like a time bomb ticking away, ready to burn everyone around them. It doesn’t help that what they felt is somewhat forbidden, like a Romeo and Juliet vibe. Nevertheless, the tension, suspense, lies, betrayals and deceits made this book an enjoyable, heart stopping read and keeps you at the edge of your seat. I’m so excited to read Etienne’s story next!