I didn’t know darkness and evil lurked inside me until I had to murder in order to survive. Forced to become my own worst enemy. With so much blood on my hands, I was surprised I could still see my own skin.I killed. I tortured. I loved… I played God while I was rotting in Hell. Thriving on control and power was the only way I knew how to live. There were no other options. If you weren’t my …
If you weren’t my friend, you were my foe.
If you weren’t with me, you were against me.
Traitors, as I called them. There were no imaginary lines. I’d crossed them all. No boundaries. No second chances. No redemption.
Not for me.
For them.
For anyone.
Only for her…
She loved me. Always convinced I was a saint, never believing I was just another sinner.
A fucking monster.
Until it was too late.
Except, I didn’t choose this life.
It. Chose. Me.
more
“Her energy, her innocence, her love for me, it all became a magnet. Little by little she became a staple piece in my world that I needed in order to keep going. I may have saved her life. But she kept me alive.”
I finished this one at 2am, and because of the late hour I decided not to scream and throw my kindle. My favorite thing about reading this Author is she makes you so invested in the story that you feel personally affronted that they don’t cooperate, and she makes you work for that happy ending. Throughout this one, I never anticipated there would ever be one to tell you the truth. Starting off in such a horrifically traumatic scene, sets the stage for these two polar opposites in their journey from complete strangers to what develops into a unique and quite frankly epic, love of a lifetime type relationship. 75% of the book they were forbidden due to a ton of reasons, but once the barriers were lifted, all bets were off. The Author teases you mercilessly with small things that show their undying love for each other, and then dangles it just out of reach so you feel like screaming.
“Fully aware that he let his guard down, allowing me in. For the first time in his life, I controlled him. Even if it was only for a few minutes. Petrifying him more than anything had in a long time. He was mine. And I had always known that.”
It would not be an M. Robinson book without the angst factor, so let me tell you…heed the warning. El Santo does not pretend to be a good guy here, he may have a few redeeming qualities, but for the most part I was telling her to run far, and fast until towards the end of the book. They battled for years, fighting for what seemed to be inevitable for both of them. Then the magic happened. One scene in particular just gave me feels for days and actually got giddy from it. That did it for me!!! The last 25% of the book was a beautiful band aid to cover all of the heartache and push/pull we battled throughout the rest of the book. I was dragged through the grit and the grime of both of their unfortunate pasts to that point, and I happily was given reprieve, only to be completely sated for a short time before being dumped off a cliff. A complete roller coaster of every emotion under the sun and well worth the ride!!
“He was the beginning to my end or maybe it was the end to my beginning. It didn’t matter because he was my home too. He would always be home to me.”
I have no doubt I will devour the next book so I can see how all of this turns out and I thank the Author for providing a copy to review!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
This book is very different but wonderful. I can’t wait to read the next one. People keep saying how dark this book is, but those are probably the ones who thought Fifty Shades was hard core. lol. I think for who the characters were that this book is actually believable. And nothing in it sexually was bad. A very romantic book and well worth reading. I read a lot of books. And this is one of the few that I felt was worth a recommendation.
3.5 STARS!!!
Although this is a duet, I have followed the characters in this “series” from the very beginning and absolutely enjoyed every book and all of the characters; good and bad. El Santo was a good read with a lot of surprises and twists within this story. It definitely took me by surprise because I had no idea what to expect and I can honestly say I never expected the things I read. At the same time with that being said, although some things were unexpected, I expected something more. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good story and I finished the book in one sitting but based on the previous books that I’ve read from this author, I felt as if something was missing for me. It’s one of those things you feel is missing but can’t quite put your finger on. However, that will not stop me from reading the second book in this duet because this one ends leaving readers wanting more.
I swear every time I read one of M’s books she destroys me a little more, and more, and more! She’s not crowned the “QUEEN OF ANGST” for nothing, she earned that title because every time you read one of her books she rips your heart out, let’s it bleed awhile, till it’s on the verge of stopping then slowly pumps life back into it. This story of Damian and Amira did just that and more because you want to hate, despise and loathe Damian; however, at the same time you want to love, worship and submit to him. You will definitely question your sanity by the end of this read with the twists and turns it takes you on. Be prepared for one helluva angsty, emotional, crazy f*cking ride that will leave you yelling and screaming “What the f*uck!!!!!” at the end! Good luck !
Oh my ….Damian and Amira this is one heartbreaking tormented ride that the Queen of Angst has once again woven for us.
I must say that the characters written by Monica for this story have taken us on a journey that must begin where these two individuals initially meet and that is many years ago. The moment I met Damian in the previous book I wanted and needed to know his back story …Never in a million years did I imagine the depths of brutality and anguish that he and his world evolved from.
Amira is an innocent girl whose life changes literally before her eyes and the horrors that those sweet eyes witness can never be undone. She is now given a life that she did not choose and is left to life it to the best of her ability. I needed at points of the story to stop and reread to attempt to get a better grasp on the depth of these two characters and the people that surround them. This is not a light read you must prepare yourself to be taken places that you may not want to go and you will certainly have your heart ripped to shreds but that is the beauty of this story. The characters are showing you their world and you must accept and understand the journey. ILoved it and I am so privileged to say that I am a beta reader for this amazing tale. I cannot wait to see where we will go with these two characters !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
She always gets to me the queen of angst. Exellcent book left me breathless as usual !
Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next installment. Very very good!!
Lordy this book is so good, one minute you can’t stand Damien and the next you love him, emotions all over and then there is the cliff hanger but it’s all good because this book is worth it, definite worth the read and one click, looking forward to book 2.
El Santo is the first book in the Saint-Sinner Series from M. Robinson. Wow! M. Robinson put the characters together perfectly, playing with my emotions, twisting and turning them every which way, makes this book addicting. It was very hard to stop reading, I keep saying one more paragraph till it was a entire chapter. As always M. Robinson didn’t disappoint with Damien’s book, I cannot wait for more. If you are looking for a good read you should definitely look M. Robinson up. She’s amazing and pretty nice.
Wow. Damien Montero – EL SANTO – almost … ALMOST managed the unthinkable and kicked Martinez off his throne. I’m still trying to digest that fact because I was positive this was not possible at all. Somehow, his messed-up, evil, “monstrous” – as he likes to call himself – character spoke to me. I should have probably hated him, but from the very beginning to that malicious ending – I just couldn’t. As mean and nasty, as callous and ice-cold but controlled as he sometimes was, although some of his actions just could not be justified, and definitely because of how very well constructed this story is to show how he came to be the man he is, I found myself always loving him. Never despising him as I should – instead seeing and acknowledging the brokenness that he hides so well. That didn’t mean I didn’t want to punch him at times though.
After meeting him briefly in previous books, I thought I kind of knew what to expect from his story – but far from it! What we got is so vastly different – in a purely positive way. Like her other books, it portrays each character’s evolution from a fairly early age – and had me utterly stunned by the way their lives are connected. It’s a testament to how tough, what a spitfire Amira is, while it also only emphasizes that despite all his evil, Damien’s soul is not completely rotten.
And then there was this one scene… this crucial scene that utterly captured my heart. I don’t know how many times I’ve read that scene – it meant so much and I just couldn’t get enough. And for a fraction of a second … everything was perfect – until I blinked and it wasn’t. Gaaahh! Amira definitely has a huge battle ahead of her in the sequel!
M. Robinson delivered one truly angst-filled story – as we’ve come to expect – that will leave you sucker-punched, gob-smacked, wanting, no, needing, CRAVING more – even if it will ruthlessly, unforgivingly continue to shred your heart into tiny pieces. I loved every beautiful, spellbinding word that makes up this phenomenal piece of a story!
M. Robinson definitely hit this one out of the park. There are so many twists and turns that you just do NOT see coming until they hit you in the face. This story pulled me in from the first page, and made me keep reading until the very end. You will root for the main characters, you will feel their pain, their frustration, their wants and needs… I just can’t say enough about how well written this was and all of the things it will make you feel. It takes true talent to make you FEEL with the characters, and this book did exactly that
El Santo
It took me about 8 hours to actually manage to formulate a review and still, I’m not sure any words can do this book justice.
Monica Robinson has, once again, manage to leave me in such a heavy book funk, I don’t know how to get out of it… We don’t call her the Queen of Angst for nothing.
Damien is now my favorite anti-hero. I was always skeptical that anyone could match Martinez from El Diablo in my eyes, but holy hell, Damien is unparalleled. His assholish-ness (not a word but for him, we can use it) is no compare, his cunningness is awe inspiring, and his strength, heroic.
El Santo is a story of intrigue, of danger, darkness, history, lust, and love. It is all encompassing in its depth. My emotions at every single event, as I turned each page, is unexplainable. I felt EVERYTHING , literally every single emotion, most especially angst.
My heart broke time and time again, and right when I was just picking up the pieces, they shattered once again.
If you think you know where El Santo will take you, you better be effing prepared, the twists and turns will make your head spin, in a great way, as your mind and heart tries to catch up to all the feelings.
I must say, Monica Robinson outdid herself this time, and that is saying something, specially if you’ve read all of her previous books…
On another note, I seriously love you, M!!! You have a gift that I will never get tired of nor stop supporting…. no one can ever evoke the pain you are capable of with just words and the worlds you create and my God, your stories are amazing!!!!!
Dude this book is so awesome! I couldn’t put it down. It was like a real movie playing in my head and that ending! And you can’t help but love Damien and hate him at the same time! Can’t wait for book 2.
Epic must-read and another top favorite!
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
Another phenomenal and must-read of 2017 by the Queen of Angst! How does she do it? I swear, this author can take you on a magic carpet ride and transport you back in time when such important events were taking place in the world. This is what M Robinson does; her spellbinding words capture us hook line and sinker and we never want to let go. You think you know… but be prepared ‘cus you know nothing about El Santo! Damien and Amira were EVERYTHING and I absolutely loved them together! They are my new favorite couple! #Soulmates #TeamDamira It’s stories like this, with unforgettable and unique storylines that stay with us forever. If you loved El Diablo and The Good Ol’ Boys, then you’ll love El Santo as it’s a blend of both. You get the angst and the @ssh0le hero who no matter how hard you try to hate, will win you over! As for me, I will go and wallow in misery because the book is over and I want more!
Where do I begin? How about a definite 5 star read. Monica has delivered an amazing book yet again. This story will have you hooked from the beginning. An edge of your seat, biting your nails , kind of read. I think I went through every emotion possible. I cried, yelled, cheered, smiled, and even wanted to throw my kindle. It is a gripping tale between Damien and Amira. I was amazed by Amira’s strength and completely loved her character. I had a love/hate relationship with Damien. Monica your writing is amazing and addicting and I cannot wait to see what your next read will bring.
The song “I hate you, I love you” is very appropriate for the way I felt about Damien throughout this book. M. Robinson is an expert at making you both want to kiss and kill her leading man and also making us love her leading lady. I loved that we got to see the why Damien is the way he is and that there is a heart that beats in his chest. I cant wait until the next book!
Damien was born into a violent world but he saved the life of a young girl he hides away Damien trusts the one lady who raised him to care for her. Damien proves time and time again what a monster he is. He follows the rules that are given to him as he hides the one person he cares about. He trusts but 2 people in his life yet he is not afraid to kill anyone in his path.
Damien proves he can do anything he wants and you will fall for his dedication to the one he loves.
All in the name of love!
Heat-stopping! Earth Shattering! Leave you with a book hangover!! And you wonder how M. Robinson got the nickname Queen of Angst? She earned it by writing books like El Santo. M. Robinson has blown me away with her new book and let me tell you she will have you cussing up a storm or throwing a fit for what she puts you through on this journey into Damien and Amira life. I don’t think I could have pictured the twist and turns she has in store for her readers. There were many times that she left me breathless and had my heart stopping, which I loved every minute of it.
El Santo the Saint is Damien. Damien was trained to become monster taking after his father and leader of their country. One fateful night, she became his. It is not something he asked for and lord knows he didn’t want it but he got her; knowing that he must protect her. Amira is the light to his darkness, which she doesn’t see the monster, but only her hero. She knows Damien is no saint but he is the one that saved her on the most horrible night of her life. He is all that she has. He is all she wants. Will he be the one to shatter her? He is meant to be a trained soldier, killer, as well as someone with no heart. He is the monster she never saw coming.
I loved this book. M. Robinson has done it again. From the first word to the last I couldn’t put it down. There is a reason they call her the queen of angst. So if you like your books to make you feel all kind of emotions then this is the book for you. Her best book to date!
M. Robinson is an evil genius. Damien is a man who should hate, despise and not want to succeed, but that’s exactly what you will do while reading this story. You will fall in love with him and want the world for him!
From his childhood, he was untarnished but was meant to be a man with a force to be reckoned with, but he developed a soft spot in his heart for her…always her. Watching this unmarred young man become a tortured man will break your heart at times and then make you curse his name (often and loudly). The twists and turns and ups and downs will make your head spin and blood pressure skyrocket.
Every moment of this book had me on high alert, making my emotions manic at times, soaring for Damien and Amira and then plummeting to anguish the next.
There is a reason many refer M. Robinson as the “Queen of Angst, ” and she has delivered her well know writing style with grace and beauty and a hefty dose of angst in El Santo.