I was naïve to think my marriage to Luka Catano might work. I was infatuated with him from afar… Until I met him. He loved the challenge of his next conquest, anyone would do… Except me. A wife was never something he wanted. Torturous was not a strong enough word to describe how I felt when I was in a room with Luka. Besides hating nearly every word that came out of his mouth, I also … out of his mouth, I also drowned with lust every time I looked at him.
At times I thought he might feel the same.
But nothing prepared me for what his family would make me become.
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4.5 stars
Willow Aster wrote one of my top favorite books ever, True Love Story. I devoured the book and was excited to jump into a new book by her. Downfall is an angst-filled marriage of convenience story that I could not put down. Luka Catano could be cold and heartless and he definitely did not want a wife. Eden is ready to do what is needed of her. But Luka was unexpected. The chemistry between them was explosive, but bring in royals, drama and lies and you are in for quite the story!
~ Read and reviewed for Reviews From the Heart.
Happy reading!
4.5 “I’m Yours” Stars!
Eden Safrin is the princess of Farrow. A strikingly beautiful, elegant, innocent royal who was raised and groomed to be the perfect wife, and one day a queen. She’s headed to Kings Passage University in Pravia where students from around the world get their education. It’s a place for higher learning for the wealthy, elite, and royal. She’s excited to finally have some freedom, but mostly is looking forward to meeting her future husband she knows nothing about. She’s always known Prince Luka Catano of Niaps would be her destiny. Their parents agreed to an arrangement that would benefit both their countries, and believed they would be a good match.
Eden is hoping they can spend some time together where they won’t feel like complete strangers, but Luka has other ideas. The confident, arrogant, playboy seems to think the world revolves around him. He will do his duty, but he’s resentful, and not happy about their upcoming union.
Luka and Eden can’t stand one another and clash at every turn. They’re like oil and water and have a love/hate relationship from the start. Regardless, they must both accept their fate. Forced to spend time together, the games their playing become exhausting. Soon Luka realizes he’s met his match in Eden, and tries to fight the pull between them. When he’s near, Eden can’t think straight. He’s hot and cold. He’s awful, moody, and cruel, and then he shows a side that’s tender. He makes her feel breathless with one touch. As real feelings develop she can’t let herself fall. Suddenly her future is in someone else’s hands, and she’s in a constant state of confusion and turmoil. Too much is at stake to walk away, but she’s left wondering if she’s made a huge mistake. Will she be chained to a life of heartbreak, or will Eden finally get her fairy tale?
Downfall (Kingdoms of Sin, Book #1) by Willow Aster is an enemies to lovers, royal arranged marriage romance full of secrets, lies, action, and angst to the extreme! It’s an emotional roller coaster ride that keeps you wanting more. I couldn’t put this one down. At times I wanted to scream at Luka, and in the next moment was swooning again. I was completely consumed by this beautiful, unique world of different kingdoms, and can’t wait to read more in this series. I hope we get a book for Jadon next!
Willow writes the best characters—ones you love and ones that make you crazy. Downfall had so much push and pull, conflict, and angst. Royal madness!
I loved that she pushed the boundaries with this relationship and didn’t play it safe with my heart. Five phenomenal stars for this unputdownable masterpiece!
Overall Grade: 1/2
Willow Aster’s Downfall is a tale of romance and woe. Set among royalty, this story illustrates the deals completed behind the scenes to ensure peace between royal houses. Unfortunately, there is a human cost to those arrangements, and that cost can be heartbreaking while also empowering.
Downfall tells the story of Eden and Luka. Eden is the daughter and princess of Farrow. Luka is the oldest son of King Titus of Niaps. From their early teenhood, they have been arranged to be married. Sent off to college, Eden and Luka finally meet, and Luka makes it clear to Eden that he is unhappy with their arrangement. He does everything in his power to humiliate her. Unfortunately, on a threat by a neighboring country, Luka and Eden are forced into their marriage earlier than originally expected. Out of obligation, Eden follows the plans of the families, but Luka makes it difficult. On the day they are married, an outside threat wreaks havoc for her family, and she is sent away with Luka and his family sooner than planned. During this time, Eden’s daily experience is difficult because Luka acts both interested in her and cold to her, confusing her. When a tragedy strikes her family, Eden must return home. Will she and Luke ever find her happy ending, or is Eden doomed to an unhappy marriage?
I picked up Willow Aster’s book in the evening on a Saturday night. Thinking I would only read for a couple of hours, I found myself engaged in her story. Downfall is the type of book with a story that compels the reader forward. I couldn’t put it down because I needed a happy ending for Eden. There is something so heavy about her experience in this book. Through all of the insult and, quite frankly, bullying, she maintains her sense of self. Even in her broken moments, Eden is a beacon of strength. Given the way in which she is treated as a pawn, it would seem impossible for her to maintain steadfast to her ideals, but she does so. And it’s inspiring.
In contrast, I was not a personal fan of Luka. Honestly, Aster writes him as an indulged, whiney lothario. You need to know that there is cheating in this book. While some would say that, given the arranged marriage aspect of the story, cheating seems permissible. In the context of Downfall, it can be painful. At least it was for me. Luka’s personality switches so often in the story that it takes most of the book to accept him as a partner for Eden. One minute, he acts as though he adores her. The next minute, he detests her and bullies her. While I wanted to read to the end for Eden’s happy ending, I also read for Luka’s change, for his growth. One of my favorite types of heroes is the ones who seem unredeemable who find redemption. Thankfully, Aster spares us heartache, and Luka’s growth becomes the second best part of her story.
This story is also a story of suspense. As is the case with most stories about royalty, there intrigue and pole-positioning for power. The dealings among royals are scattered throughout Luka and Eden’s story. It works as a tool to twist the plot in different directions. Thankfully, Eden’s family is the buffer to the torment of the story. Her brother, Jadon, is one of my favorite people because he offers her refuge when she needs it.
With the current popularity of bully romances, Willow Aster’s Downfall evokes a bully romance for royalty. That’s how I read it because, before Luka can fall in love with Eden, he makes her life exponentially difficult simply because he can. At times, I found my stomach clenching and tears wetted my pillow for Eden. I hoped for a happy ending for her because she endures much and is everything you love about a heroine: stalwart, fearsome, innocent, and loving, even when her hero treats her poorly. I’m excited for the other books in this series of standalones. I think Aster’s telling of a royal tale is just what the romance doctor ordered.
The young couple grows throughout the story. She matures and stops looking at life as being a fairy tale. He gets wiser and stops acting out and gets his head on straight. Life is a struggle for both of them.
Made me want to throw it across the room multiple time! So much emotion and a fantastic read!
Eden will do her duty and marry Luka who she is romanticizing from afar. He is not what she imagined. This book has steam, secrets, and twist. It is a rollercoaster ride of emotion. I think I know where Luka was coming from with some of his comments. I enjoyed this book and the characters were great. I can see the place that each of these characters are coming from. I thought the story was great and told in a splendid way. Great book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am on the fence on this. I enjoyed the blurb and the premise of the story and I could understand the characters and their decisions, but I had a hard time connecting to them anyway. Eden seemed to pliant and submissive for me, even if that’s what she was expected to do. At times I felt Luka to be too much. Oddly enough, even with me not feeling them, I could feel the tension and why the story was written this way.
Arranged marriage tale with modern touches yet it felt historical with King and Queens. Luka and Eden’s marriage was arranged to align their families wealth and power. Their HEA was threatened by some of those that arranged it but they prevailed.
Downfall is my first book by Willow Aster and I was happily surprised how much I liked this book. This royal arranged marriage with angst and steamy chemistry will have you missing some sleep.
At the beginning of this book, I have to admit I didn’t like Luka’s character; he was a little to douche. But the more I read and got deeper into who he was I started to like him more. I loved that Eden could hold her own with Luka for being someone who was sheltered most of her life. Can these two get along enough to help save both of their countries?
Great writing and set of secondary characters; I can’t wait for the next book set in this world!
* A review copy was provided by the author *
WOW….just WOW!!! This book was beyond amazing!! This book consumed me right from the start. I didn’t want to put it down. I loved every word of this story. As usual, I don’t think my review will do this book the justice it deserves. I can’t really put into words what I loved about this book, because it would spoil it for other readers.
I haven’t read many books by Willow Aster, but the ones that I have are absolutely amazing!! I am definitely going to go and read all of her books now. Her stories are original and unique and I can’t get enough of them.
Downfall was full of angst, drama and a love story you couldn’t help but root for. I will say that Eden was my favorite of this story. I have mixed feelings about Luka. I really want to hate him, but there is something there that in the end I ended up loving him.
I went into this book thinking it would be another royal love story, well it is but it’s not what you would expect. It is so much more!! This story is filled with lies, betrayal, secrets and families willing to do whatever it takes to save their country.
In this story we follow Eden and Luka’s journey. Eden is a princess who is to marry Prince Luka. She is willing to do anything to help her family, but when she meets Luka, she quickly realizes it isn’t going to be the fairytale she dreamt about. Luka definitely doesn’t want a wife, especially Eden. Their road is definitely a rocky one and as you read this story, you won’t know who to believe. But you root for a HEA!! Like I said Eden was my favorite. Yes there were times I wanted to shake her, but overall she was a likable character. She was strong but vulnerable. She so wanted to see the good side of Luka. Luka on the other hand, took me almost the whole book to fall for him. I hated him most of the way through, but once the story unfolded, things made more sense and I couldn’t help falling in love with him.
Downfall is the first book in this new series by Willow Aster. I believe each book will be a standalone novel, featuring a new couple, but I would guess maybe the storyline/characters will interconnect. I feel this might be a series that will need to be read in order. So get on this book when it releases so you are ready for the next book when it comes out.
This is a story that is told solely from Eden’s POV. I do wish we would’ve gotten some of Luka’s POV in this book. I think having his thoughts throughout the book would’ve made it easier to like him sooner in the story. But maybe that was the author’s intent…making Luka tough to love. I will say this book does show Luka’s growth throughout the story, so that might have been the true nature of why Luka is the way he is.
I can’t say enough about this book….So just know this is a book you WANT to read and should be close to the top of your TBR list.
I have to admit when I first saw this cover I was like what?!, this is not the Willow Aster I know and love but then you open the pages and begin reading and think to yourself oh there she is. I don’t know what I expected with this one but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The story was engaging and kept you on your toes. I loved or even loved to hate all the characters at some point in the book. This one has it all folks. Angst, anger, want, love, you name it, Downfall has it. I can’t wait to see where this series takes us!
Willow has outdone herself! I am completely blown away by this book!!
It’s no secret I am a huge fan of Willow’s work, so I expected to love this, but holy shit, you guys she absolutely hit it out of the park with this one!!!
I devoured it, I couldn’t turn pages fast enough and I absolutely could not put it down until I was done, which happened to be at 3am and it was so worth the sleep lost!
The angst!! Oh my gosh, the angst!! I wanted to punch Luka in the face 90% of the time, and yet….I fell so hard for him! I absolutely loved Eden’s fire, poised and beautiful but took no ones shit!!
I can’t get over how much I loved this book!! I am so glad there will be more books in this series!! I can not get enough of this world! And can not wait to see which characters the next book follows!
This is my first book by Willow and I’m wondering where I’ve been. I loved her writing. Downfall has an original story that pulled me right in. I loved the characters Luka and Eden even though I did want to slap Luka a few times I fell deeply in love with them.
This story has lies, betrayal and it’s extremely sexy. If this first book is what we are in store of with this series well then we are in for a treat. Loved it!
*review by Michelle
I usually shy away from “Royalty” romance novels but was intrigued by this blurb. I was looking for something different with a bit of political intrigue.
In today’s modern world one would think that arranged marriages are a thing of the past. Most of countries that still have monarchies are usually for ceremonial and diplomatic purposes rather than presiding over the government. Most of us are enamored with the idea of royalty and fascinated by the princes and princesses.
Downfall is anything but the typical royal romance. It’s actually kind of ugly because the royal heirs are being used as political pawns in a very treacherous world.
The marriage has been arranged since childhood between Prince Luka Catano of Niaps and Princess Eden Safrin of Farrow . The two have not met until they both were to attend Kings Passage University. They have one year to pursue their studies and get to know one another before their marriage. When the two meet not only can they not stand one another but also have different agenda’s in the grand scheme of life. Luka wants to sow his royal oats until the wedding, Eden wanted a fairytale romance. Unfortunately their one year reprieve is cut short due to their countries dangerous political crisis. These world situations change the arrangement and they are forced into a hasty marriage.
Life is miserable for both of them. The royal palace of Niaps is full of deception, cruelty, and filled with hatred. Eden doesn’t know how to survive this kind of environment. She’s determined to find her way.
Luka is hiding many secrets. His open affairs and blatant disregard for Eden is horrendous. Beneath the surface there is another Luka altogether. Will Eden ever get to see that Luka?
Just when things are becoming bearable life throws another wrench in their twisted marriage.
Downfall is only the beginning of the Kingdoms of Sin series by Willow Aster. This is not a fairytale, it’s a story of survival. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Downfall by Willow Aster was a wild, steamy, suspenseful and intriguing royal romance. It combined the adrenaline rush of royal conspiracies and politics with the scorching hot enemies to lover romance. A deadly yet effectively balanced story.
Luka, the prince of Niaps and Eden, the princess of Farrow has been committed to marriage since childhood. And it is for the peace and survival of both countries. But when Eden first time meets him, he turns out to be an arrogant, rude, egomaniac, cold asshole who has no intention of being considerate to her feelings and being faithful. Then they had to get married in haste and slowly Eden finds he has another side. They have some great chemistry. But soon the plot thickens. Luka’s vindictive and manipulative family, the death and chaos and finally Luka’s odd behaviors turned Eden’s world upside down. Can they find a way out of this mess? Is Luka really a cheating conniving man or is there something else hiding behind his actions?
I love Eden. She is so graceful, delicate and full of great qualities as a person. But the author made her extremely real and relatable by showing her vulnerabilities, heartbreaks and cracks. Like any other romantic girl, she fall for Luka even when she gets hurt repeatedly. But she does not take the hits lying down. She sacrificed her happiness for her country but she never tolerated any demeaning attitude silently. And Luka is a very complicated character. His mood swings gave me a headache. One moment he was this loving, caring, doting and attentive husband. And the very next moment he becomes this annoying person. The plot was planned very cleverly so that you won’t know what is going on till the very end. And when I did, I fall for bad boy Luka too. He has the biggest heart and lots of burden on his shoulder. The extent he was willing to go to protect Eden and be a better person for her was incredibly heartwarming. And holy hell the chemistry was straight away fireworks and explosions.
Downfall by Willow Aster is a romance with endless shades and dimensions. Sometimes beautiful and sweet. Sometimes sexy, sinful and dirty. Sometimes angsty aching and clouded by mystery and sufferings. It will grip and win your heart.
Received ARC for Honest review
What a way to start a series! WOW! Willow Aster is an amazing author! I was completely sucked into Luka and Eden’s story! The angst is this story made me oddly happy (don’t judge). I devoured this book in one day! I cannot wait for more!
I read this book in one sitting. It isn’t your typical Willow Aster book, it is a new direction for her and I am loving it. Even with the new direction though, there are elements of the book that are so Willow. She has such a way with words and I absolutely love her writing. Now that I have calmed down from the excessive angst and heart palpitations, I am able to write this review. First of all, Luka was a jerk. I wanted to punch him so many times in the face that I lost count. While I understand all the things he did and why he did them, I still didn’t like him at the end of the book. The real kicker is that Luka is what kept me reading. He is the reason I didn’t put this book down. I wanted to see why he was doing all of the things he was doing. I never knew who to trust and that kept me reading for more and more. I can’t wait to read more books in this series! I am so excited! ANGST LEVEL HIGH.
I received an ARC from the author thru Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review. I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was not expecting the dynamic between the main characters. They had an arranged marriage but that did not excuse the cheating. When he tried to hurt her with that fact, I lost all interest in him. Then she disappointed me further by still pining for him and being intimate with him. I ended up stopping about two thirds thru the book. At that point I was not invested in the story at all any more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the storyline. The main characters emotions are like a yo-yo, not sure what or who they want. There were interesting twists and turns in the plot. It’s definitely I hate you, I want you, I need you but I don’t want you yet I love you thing.