They are the Fallen. A brotherhood of murderers whose nature compels them to kill. But guided by their leader, Gabriel, the Fallen have learned to use their urges to rid the world of those it is better off without.For Raphael, sex and death are intertwined. Where there is one, there must be the other. He is a lust killer, luring his victims with the face of an angel and a body built for sin. And … for sin.
And Raphael lives to sin.
His newest mission takes him into the sadistic underworld of Boston’s secret sex clubs, and puts him face to face with his greatest fantasy made flesh.
Maria is everything he’s ever dreamed of, the kill he’s always longed for. She’s not his target. And he knows he must resist. But the temptation is too strong…
Yet Raphael is not the only one with a mission. Maria is not quite what she seems. And as her secrets and Raphael’s unravel, Maria begins to question everything she thought she knew—about evil, about the place she calls home, and about the beautiful sinner she was sent to destroy.
Dark Contemporary Romance. Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language and topics some may find triggering. Recommended for age 18 years and up.
The Fallen: Genesis a prequel novella in The Deadly Virtues Series and MUST be read before RAPHAEL (DV: book one).
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Loved this book! Am dying for more of the Deadly Virtues series…
As soon as this little number landed on my tablet this morning, I knew I had to stop everything and read it. Four hours later and I have finally come up for air.
I will keep my review relatively vague. I don’t want to intentionally give anything away. I also think this is the type of book you just want to go into blind. If you’ve read the prologue (you have to read that first to know what is going on in this book) then you already know what you are getting yourself in to. It is dark. It is twisted. There are triggers.
I LOVED Raphael’s book just as much as I loved the prologue. Same great writing. That said, the pace of this one was a little on the slow side for me. Based on the synopsis I expected a little more action regarding Raphael and his lust killing. It didn’t affect my rating at all, but a lot of plot focus is on Raphael and Maria’s relationship. Which was fine as it made the connection between them stronger. The plot itself remains unique and wildly intriguing. The sex was hot. We get a little forward movement with the BRETHEN situation. We get to see cameos of the other members of THE FALLEN. I am not sure whose book is up next, but each and everyone one of them hold so much potential. Last, this ended with a satisfying conclusion that sets us up going forward.
So yea, I loved it…bring on the next book!
How do I express how greatly I’m loving this series without spoiling it for you? With my heart feeling like it’s about to burst through my chest, how can I make it clear to you how very much I loved this book?
All seven of The Fallen have suffered atrocities that no one should ever have to endure. No one! Yet, they survived. And really, that’s all they’ve done. The darkness that flickered in them before has now taken over. They are killers, wiping out those who deserve to be killed (like traffickers), and each has their own unique way of accomplishing the kill. Raphael’s got his own special signature. He, like his brothers, enjoys reliving his kills. When his fantasy is offered up on a silver platter, how could he refuse?
She would be the saint to his sinner.
The light to his dark.
The chastity to his lust.
Maria was innocent and her purity was never in question. While at first she was armed with misinformation, she quickly learned that she had no clue about the world she lived in. She was the complete opposite of Raphael, but she was exactly what he needed. She made him feel, for the first time in forever, and he gave her the same. Even surrounded by his darkness, her trust and her faith kept her strong, able to reach him in ways neither of them expected.
These young men are owning me, one story at a time, taking me apart piece by piece, leaving me feeling as broken as they are, taking me on a journey of pain, damage, hatred, self-loathing, the love of a good kill, brotherhood, hope and love. I’m willingly sacrificing my sanity and I encourage you to do the same.
5* UNBELIEVABLY ADDICTIVE STARS
After reading the prequel novella Genesis (which you must do to get the backstory) I dived into the story of Raphael. He is one of the Seven Fallen who have endured and suffered monstrous atrocities at the hands of the Brethren. His sin is Lust and the only way he will be cured is through Chastity.
The characters are so real and their brotherhood strong and fierce. This series is so addictive! It is like nothing you have ever read until you read it!!! It gets under your skin and remains there.
This is my favourite series ever read and with the promise of 6 more Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues the excitement and anticipation is palpable!
Tillie Cole you are a master storyteller of the highest degree!! Thank you for bringing us these fallen angels stories.
Goodness me i just don’t even know where to start with this review, this book is another amazing book from Tillie Cole and this book is just in a league of its own.
Firstly if you like dark dark stories then you want to read this nook, there were times when i one things would be coming up and i knew i would have to read them but there were times when i would close my eyes because i knew that i wouldn’t want to read certain parts and then i realised you can’t read with your eyes closed and that would get me through the more violent and hard to read stages in this book.
Thing i loved about this book was we basically got the back story in the novella to start this series so we didn’t have to go back to far but what i loved about it was we got Raphes story and we found out what happened to him and we all know why the boys turn out like they do but it was interesting to find out how the needed up at the Holy Church. Raphael was interesting Charlbury he got it so well and the storyline of his deadly sin.
I loved Maria i was not expecting her life story and what she tried to do for these boys just broke my heart she was full of love and compassion and empathy i really loved her and the way she would handle raphe
This book is definitely dark and has some tough scenes to read and i don’t often read to many dark stories but i know i will always read Tillie Coles books her writing is fantastic and her story’s blow my mind and this was no exception. I can’t believe there are so many more books to come in the series I’m exciting but scared and if you read these first two books you will understand why.
***5 ‘Roses’ Stars***
Oh, my dark, deviant heart is all kinds of happy!!
After finishing The Fallen: Genesis the need to get my hands on Raphael (the book, not the man ~ at least not at that time) was strong. Ok. That isn’t entirely true. I was making grabby hands at the series as soon as it was announced, but still…And good lord *smirk* did Raphael pack a punch. This baby had me jumping willing into the rabbit hole, gave me all the feels and had me wanting more when there were no more words to read.
I ended up adoring Raphael and Maria. From the start I was fascinated by Raphael, and all the Fallen in general, and as the book progressed and I got to live in Raphe’s head I started to truly like and then love the man. His soul and heart may be dark and venomous, but there is a…grey area, a lighter side of that darkness that made me melt for him in the most unexpected of ways. Maria is simply a strong woman. She has a past, and it isn’t pretty, but she’s dug her way out of it as best she could. She, at times, was an enigma in how she viewed the world, with all she new and yet didn’t know, but once she set a path for herself she never deviated from it, no matter the out come.
As for their romance. I did wonder just how things would play out, considering all the factors working against Raphe and Maria, and in the end I loved it. It was unique and showed that even in the darkness, love ~ even if it’s obsessive and bloody ~ can be found.
I have to be honest and say that I was a little worried at the beginning of the book because, for me, things were moving a bit slowly. There were various reasons ~ one, impatience on my part to get to the good stuff & two, simple exhaustion from an unusually busy couple of weeks ~ but I also knew that most of this was set up and needed to be done, so I persevered and was well rewarded. My fascination with the Fallen, the need to know more about each of them and just be around them all, especially when they are together has deepened exponentially. I don’t necessarily have a ‘favorite’ per se, as they all intrigue me on different levels, but Gabriel and Bara are the two that garnered my attention the most when they were around, but in the end, I just want more and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!
Note: YES, you NEED to read The Fallen: Genesis before diving into the Raphael. It will give you the background on this dark, crazy and chaotic work. And YES, the triggers are intense. So reader beware.
~ Copy provided by Ardent PRose PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
These are the kind of stories that legit hold you in a chokehold, stealing all your breaths. I was hanging on a precipice, too afraid to keep reading, too scared to stop any time. The story is a swirling storm, sweeping you away by sheer force of its electrifying emotions.
I knew after I read Genesis that this series will blow me away and tear me apart, yet even I wasn’t quite ready for the glory and madness trapped inside the pages.as we all know, The Brethren introduced the Darkness and the Fallen were created. Now this carries forth and multiplies in the minds of the Seven Angels. Their borrowed Blackness is charring their souls till they surpass their abusers and become hunters themselves.
“Thou shalt not kill an innocent.
Thou shalt not stray from the Fallen’s path . . .
Thou shalt not bring prey back to Eden Manor. . .”
Their self appointed rules are straining at the seams, just ready to pop open and bust apart. It’s getting tougher to contain them
It’s a grim and gruesome story. Raphael is so unlike his namesake. His proclivities of stealing breaths is addictive and makes him mad at times. His striking good looks are his bait and his hands his weapons. He has seldom strayed from his proscribed revelation…..until her
Her being the pretty rose- Maria. Innocent and naive, a novitiate. She’s the sacrificial lamb led to the slaughter house. Their relationship is fiery from the get go, they clash and burn together, stealing breaths and panting passions
Story is so mesmerisingly complex, I got lost in its secret chambers and strange rituals.
Some of the scenes were novel for me. I had heard about reparations in the day Vinci code but Tillie takes it to a next level. There’s devices and tools, self abuse and self mutilation. It’s hedonistic and horrendous at the same time.
Gabriel stole the show for me, the Sin-Eater is truely christlike, walking among the sinners, owning their sins and suffering FOR them….
“Forgive me,” he whispered,“They know not what they do.”
He would consume their sins and save their souls. After everything they had been through, they at least deserved that.
Many a times my teeth clenched so hard, I must’ve chipped some. The debasement and exorcism of demons at the hands of Father Quinn and Father Murray was hard to digest. And then was self punishment….O.M.G!! That too some really getting used to.
My gut screamed and nausea hit me hard yet I couldn’t put the book down. It’s not for the faint of heart, I suspect it’ll get blacker as we descend into the heart of Purgatory as each book deals with each Angel.
The war is inevitable, the battle has just begun !
Read at YOUR own risk , but MUST READ .
5 stars for Seven Sinners and Godly Pretenders
Wow just wow, I absolutely inhaled this book, I mean I was expecting great things here but this surpassed all my exceptions with its addictive and unique storyline and I can’t wait for the next one in this series to release so I can continue my onward journey alongside the Fallen and The Brethren.
We are originally introduced to “The Fallen” in the prequel to this, so you really do need to read that before this just to get a heads up into the way this world has been set up.
This one concentrates on Raphael and Maria it’s dark, depraved and twisted from the onset.
Just how I like them
The reality that we face here is so far from the normally accepted view of what is morally right but Gabriel The Fallens kind of self-appointed priest has put in place a set of tenent’s to protect not only the innocent but to also shield his brothers while also sating their inner monsters by setting them free on those that he feels deserve there particular type of justice.
So Maria manages to get herself caught in the crosshairs of both The Fallen and The Brethren, sort of collateral damage if you will.
The dance then between her and Raphael was just so intense from the minute he lays eyes on her he knows shes it and the commandments hes lived by up until now take second place to his new obsession, his Rose.
This was a battle between light and dark and Raphael to me was all about contrasts.
Take Raph’s Roses the similarities there were in the way he nurtures and coax’s them to full bloom before plucking the flower and the way he views his Rose.
The same hands that seem to deliver both life and death.
Raphael’s own internal image of love has been completely warped by his past affecting all his interactions beyond what’s considered normal and Maria’s own dark past has also damaged her leaving her very susceptive to Raphael’s unique brand of care.
This was everything I adore in a new series and I was gripped and invested instantly.
The ongoing battle with the Brethren was nicely continued and set-up for future story growth and I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us.
Highly recommend this one especially if you like them dark and unusual on that front this one delivers in spades, bring on the next.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Raphael (Deadly Virtues, #1).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
http://www.beckiebookworm.com
4.5 stars–RAPHAEL is the first full-length instalment in Tillie Cole’s contemporary, adult DEADLY VIRTUES dark, erotic, romance series focusing on a brotherhood of murderers, who call themselves the Fallen, a group of men who are compelled to kill. This is Raphael and Maria’s story line. RAPHAEL should not be read as a stand alone. It is recommended the reader read THE FALLEN: Genesis prior to reading Raphael, or any of the other series instalments.
SOME BACKGROUND: Approximately ten years earlier, following years of abuse and torture at the hands of The Brethren, six young men were rescued by one of their own. The Brethren, a collection of deviant Catholic priests, believed themselves above man and God in the hopes of ridding the boys of their demons and sins. Upon their rescue, the eldest Gabriel, took the young men, under his wing, in an effort to curtail their deviant natures. These are their stories.
TRIGGER WARNING: Due to the extremely graphic physical and sexual violence, and nature of the story line premise RAPHAEL is not intended for sensitive readers.
Told from several third person perspectives including Raphael and Maria RAPHAEL follows Raphael, one of the Fallen, as he is tasked to take down the lowest of the low. To help curb the ‘Fallen’s’ appetites, our anti-heroes use their deviant proclivities to rid the world of mankind’s sins, a tortuous affair that will bring Raphael face to face with a woman sent to destroy our story line anti-hero. Enter Maria, an innocent who has endured the pain and suffering of the aberrant, of the dark, and survived. What ensues is the forbidden and anomalous relationship between Raphael and Maria, and the potential fall-out as Maria finds herself both a willing and unwitting victim of Raphael’s past.
RAPHAEL is a disturbing, dark, raw and powerful tale of retribution, vengeance, abuse and survival; a story of religion and God, of power, lust, demons and sins; of the visceral impact of torture, and the need for revenge. Tillie Cole pulls the reader into the nightmare that is the abuse of power, and the potential to channel the darkness within.
“Mercy was never awarded by the Fallen. No one was ever spared. There was no goodness in their souls. Tears and cries rolled of their consciences like raindrops; protests and pleas made them smile.”
Tillie Cole is my favorite dark romance author and she just doesn’t disappoint. Raphael was perfect. The anti-heroes in this book/series are the type you normally would find in paranormal romances. Death, blood, and violence are the things that excites the Fallen. A brotherhood of murderers whose nature compels them to kill. I am a huge fan of villains so these guys are just the type of characters I love to read about. I didn’t know what to expect, but I did know that Tillie would create a very engaging, dark, twisted, and emotional story. This book made me feel so many different emotions. My heart broke for these abused and broken characters. This is a very dark and twisted book, and definitely isn’t for the faint of heart.
“You will be reborn in these rooms. Under my instructions and care you will flourish like you never have before. I will take you to heights you have only ever imagined in your most vivid fantasies.”
Raphael is the first to have his story told. When he meets Maria he knows that he needs to have her. She is his dream kill, and the one he has been looking for. Maria is submissive, sweet, silent but also broken like Raphael. She is also strong and caring. I loved her so much and thought she was a perfect match for Raphael. There were so many scenes that had me in tears and my heart went out to both of the main characters. I just loved how everything unfolded in this book. There was enough action, suspense, romance, and sex. I loved getting to know Raphael better, and see the dynamics between him and his brothers. Raphael was the perfect first book to the new Deadly Virtues series, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
“She would be the saint to his sinner. The light to his dark. The chastity to his lust.”
“It was the scars underneath that cut the deepest. The scars that sliced into the soul, that clawed at the flesh of the heart. That mutilated the mind.”
Y’all, Tillie Cole done took me to the dark side. And I liked it. If Raphael lives to sin, I live to be in his head when he does it. Don’t you just love how we can highlight all the best parts in our Kindle and read them over and over anytime we want? If only there was an audio option with a REPEAT button and I could actually hear Raphael say “Finally…my little rose.” over and over again…sigh.
I wish I could tell you what to expect in this story. Nah, that’s a lie. I wouldn’t do that to you. Half the fun of diving into the darkness is not knowing where you will land, right? If you haven’t read The Fallen yet, you need to start there. It explains how they came to be and you need to let that settle in your brain a little. You know, stretch your comfort zone before you go back for more. And let me tell you, Raphael is not only more…it’s extra everything that you didn’t know you needed or wanted, but wouldn’t change if you could.
As I knew was inevitable, the more time I spent with them their demented version of normal became more and more acceptable to me. I wanted to hang out and shoot the shit with them and discuss their hopes and dreams, already knowing they would be bloody. Intrigued is an understatement and I’m excited to know that I’ll get the chance to spend more time with each of them to see what lurks behind those cold eyes and hard hearts. And, I’m even more curious to know what it will take to soften them.
Things are getting more and more heated. They might have fallen, and they’ve already been to hell, but they’re not done yet. They have a mission.” Now, they were as dark as midnight, not a single star illuminating their godless worlds. But, maybe what they need is a she instead of a star to bring them some light, huh? I can’t wait to find out. The line forms here…
Words can not express how good this book is!! It’s exactly the raw dark depravity I expected from Tillie Cole!
Rapheal, a brother of The Fallen craves the perfect kill. He dreams of it and he finally meets his perfect prey. Her hair, it’s her hair that first attracts him. Exactly what he craves.
This book was very different. Way more than what I was hoping for. I simply can’t express how much my dark loving heart was filled to the brim and spilling over for these words. It was beautiful in such a dark disturbing way. It was dark romance perfection. I’m so beyond excited to read the rest of the brothers books! JEGUDIEL is coming so soon! I can’t wait!!
Raphael by Tillie Cole is a dark romance. It’s the first book from the Deadly Virtues series.
If you have read the prequel, (which you should before picking this one up), you already know that this series is going to be extremely
dark. From the beginning till the end there are triggers and some very intense scenes. The descriptions of the horrific parts were on
point which sometimes was hard reading them. You have to have a strong stomach in order to finish this book. Don’t get me wrong the
plot is exceptional, I haven’t read something like this before. This one is more focused on the romantic relationship between Raphael and
Maria and less on the killing spree. The romance is a slow burn, it felt like it took them ages to connect with each other.
There is also a tiny progression with the Brethen. The characters were incredible. I loved Maria’s
innocence and big heart and I could sympathize with Raphael. One of my favorite parts was the twist towards the end, it scared the crap
out of me.
If you are a fan of this genre you should definitely read this book. I will rate it with 5 stars.
PS: Hades Hangmen was my favorite series by Tillie Cole but I think that Deadly Virtues will top that one.
Twisted
Deranged
Redemption
Dark romance
Damaged hero
“Taking Raphael in to my body was my ministry. Caring for the sinner was my prayer. And loving him. Loving him was both his and my salvation.”
After The Fallen: Genesis I was so pumped to read Raphael’s story and let’s be real Tillie never disappoints me. The writing was beautiful, the story was all things twisted and dark deliciousness, and I couldn’t get enough of it. This series is so damn good, I can’t wait for all the other guys books! As we know from the prequel The Fallen’s defacto leader of sorts is Gabriel and to keep the guys satisfied with their craving he has set up a system to kill other killers/unsavory people that “deserve” to be killed. I don’t want to give too much away because I feel like you’ll get the most out of this book if you go in blind but through a series of events Maria is brought in to the middle of The Brethren and The Fallen. Once she’s caught in Raphael’s web though will he ever let her go?
Raphael and Maria are the two sides of the same coin. Dark things in Maria’s past have pushed her to seclude herself in her training to be a nun and then there’s Raphael. We’ve seen part of his past with the Brethren, but we don’t know what has shaped him before to have the compulsions that he does. I wasn’t sure that the journey that these two went through would work out in either of their favor, is there the point of no return for redemption. But they really were connected in such a spiritual level. Loved them!
„I’m gonna possess her, consume her, make her need me to live.”
Tillie Cole is one of the authors that are constantly testing my boundaries, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. She pushes me, expands my imagination and reading preferences, delivering dark and twisted stories that I simply devour. After reading Genesis, the prequel for Deadly Virtues series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Raphael’s book. I knew it would be challenging and provocative, but this story was so much more than that!
Entering Raphael’s mind was as chilling as it was thrilling. This damaged man has unusual cravings and urges, he’s haunted and driven by his demons. Maria is sweet, kind and full of compassion. Their story is by no means normal, nor morally accepted, but that’s exactly what makes it so unique in my opinion. Sure, it’s veiled with darkness and danger, but there’s certainly a beauty in finding love and salvation in a sinister environment.
The concept of the series storyline is brilliant (though violent and heartbreaking). I can’t wait to read other guys’ stories and I hope each of them is gonna find peace and solace (of course after getting their revenge). As for Raphael- this book will shock you and make you uncomfortable, but it’s so splendidly delivered that you will love every second of this controversial and hauntingly beautiful story!
I seriously don’t even know where to start either this review! Wow!
So much pain and hurt with each of these characters. The depth of pain everyone had endured at the hand of all these priests was unbelievable.
So many layers of craziness all the guys have. I can’t even put it all into words.
At the end of the Fallen I was interested to see how a love story could even be possible with any of these characters. I felt Tillie Come hit this out of the park. I felt the deep connection between Raphael and Maria. I felt his need to do what he did. And his internal struggle he was having with Maria. His feelings never showed up with anything. Only when he killed. He didn’t know how to process the feelings he was feeing towards Maria. It was messing with his head.
Maria just couldn’t catch a break with her life. Something tragic happened to her when she was younger. Now this thing wish Raphael. It’s like she knew that this was her life. It was kinda sad!
I loved how she was with Raphael. She knew what he needed. And how to handle it!
I honestly can’t wait for Gabriel’s book. The burden he carries was so sad. The way he punishes himself!
Man… the ending! This series is going to wreck me!!!! And I can’t wait for the next Book!!
*ARC provided for an honest review.*
Awesome!!! My dark soul definitely got what it wanted. Which is a beautifully disturbing gloomy romance.
The Deadly Virtues series is based on a theme where deadly sins are absolved through virtues. In Raphael’s book, chastity will cure lust. I love this idea. It is very unique and makes this story more complex and interesting. And it shows how skillful the author is.
With Raphael’s past and demons that came with it, he is definitely an anti-hero of this story. A bloody murder. But I loved him anyway. He is how he is and he still deserves his redemption, his little Rose. It is a beautiful story about sacrifice and love in pure form.
I really really enjoyed this story but I gave this only 4 stars because I had certain expectations for this book, based on my impression that I had after reading prequel novella. And for me, this story needed more action and violence. Nonetheless, it still captured my interest and kept me on the edge of my seat.
I definitely will recommend this book to every dark romance lovers. If you are one of them and did read it yet, DO IT NOW!!!!
I couldn’t read this at its release due to the pile of ARCs that seemed to be ever-growing, but I wanted to so bad. I didn’t know fully what I would be getting into with this one. Even after the prologue novella.
Oh, my dark heart. Raphael is everything and more. Marie is so sweet and adorable. You can imagine how the two mix.
I genuinely don’t know how to put a review into words. I found myself so utterly sucked into this new series. I’m debating which I find more interesting: this or Hangmen and I have come to the conclusion that they are equally interesting in their own ways. While Hangmen deal with some dark and sick situations that the characters live through (i.e.: cult) this one deals with dark characters. These dark characters are the product of other sick situations and of course they create their own. In the end, this series seems that it will have less layers to the overarching plot, but on the same note, it also won’t be the focus of it. It will to the stretch that it created the characters and will obviously be providing lots of bad situations for them in later books, but these characters will drive the books based on their own personality. So yes, I can’t pick a favorite because they’re both fantastic for different but similar reasons.
On that note, I would like to provide a disclaimer. If anyone is reading this and looking at this being their first Tillie Cole dark read, I would actually suggest otherwise. I can foresee a lot of reviewers complaints, especially around Maria (and the way she seemed to fall into Raphael’s world pretty quick), but I think for someone used to Tillie’s darkness and seeing how this world will unfold, that it is great, but for new readers to her dark books, I suggest Hangmen first. Then transition into this.
In my opinion though, again, going back to the characters, I was so enamoured with both of them. I think considering the history around the Fallen, having Maria be who she is, in appearance and job/life was a great plot twist. Given her past and how she emerged herself into the church, to later be used to get Raphael literally made her the best woman for him. They both have had an abusive past, she’s naturally submissive, and only wants the best for him. Raphael on the other hand…Do I even have words for him?? Wow!
The plot sucked me right in. It is amazing. I think the thing I loved the most was watching Raphael fall in love and he doesn’t even know it. Lust and pain have always been tied together for him, and Maria introduces lust and love together and he learns to handle it. The few bits of parts we get in Gabriel’s POV benefitted this, I think. To get that other person opinion on this, someone who knows more of the outside world and has recognized love in them before they did. Even when he has admitted to loving her, he wants to kill her; to have her be that perfect kill. To him, because he loves her, this still needs to occur so he can love her always. Until this starts to go down and he realizes that he loves her so much; that without her, there are more downsides than upsides to having her lay in a box to be stared at forever. And now that they are a couple, they will model for his brothers in their upcoming books. I suspect it’ll be a lot of “the looks that Maria and Raphael share” will look like the ones X girl is giving them.
The other thing I would like to touch on is the writing. Its poetic without being poetic. Does that make sense? Her words suck you in. Given the religion and death themes of this book, I think poetry and pretty words are a part of that. But she didn’t write it using large, poetic words either. Just how the characters spoke was so appropriate for the story. When Raphael described her death, it was beautiful. Describing her: beautiful. The manor: beautiful. You see where this is going. When it comes right down to it, I think the emotion poured into her words are what helped this book and the characters come alive.
It’s Tillie Cole-are we surprised?
What else can I say about this? Just that it’s amazing and I loved it soooo much and Tillie has done another amazing job with creating a world. I can’t wait for the next one, yet at the same time I can since I know she’s writing a Hangman book. I could live with her going back and forth between them. Who am I most excited for next? Michael and his shark teeth and penance for blood will be a fascinatingly dark book, I bet. But also Urial, Sela, Bara…So basically them all. Ugh, I just can’t wait to see how each romance unfolds and what each one brings to the table.
Lastly, her concept of Seven Deadly Sins paired with the Seven Heavenly Virtues making up the Seven Deadly Virtues when combined…brilliant. The themes that will unfold…ugh, can’t wait!!
This is the story of broken boys that became dark men.
Cole is truly an amazing writer. She writes so many captivating stories. She is QUEEN of dark romance. And this story was no exception.
I was so fascinated with this story. It was intense, full of twists and turns. This story was so unique. Raphael and Maria had a very unusual relationship. Maria is very sweet and innocent with a tortured past, compared to Raphael’s dark, tourtured soul. They were beautiful together. They found their soul in each other. A very unconventional love that flourished in a dark world. Through tragedy they found salvation in each other.
3.5
As an avid reader of TC dark matters, I knew exactly what I was getting in to however this one did not hit the mark for me. After The Fallen I was intrigued I wanted to know how they got they way they did because they are pretty fucked up. It’s pretty horrific reading. Even though this may be dark doesn’t mean there isn’t any romance. I personally think adding a romantic lead makes the books so much more interesting, I love the conflict. Maria is an angel in Raphael darkness I didn’t feel their chemistry till the very end. Gabriel is definitely a person of interest. The leader and protector of The Fallen I would hate to see all the chaos that could occur without his guidance. He has taken it upon himself to be the saviour to his brothers. His book is going to be very interesting I’m going to take a stab and say his book will be last, you know the saying save the best for last.