I was feared.Respected.Worshiped.But all of that changed when the impossible happened—I fell in love. Only those feelings weren’t reciprocated, because who could love a monster like me?My empire crumbled. People died. I went from being a victorious leader to lurking in the shadows, planning revenge on my half-brother who now reigns in my place.An orphanage is where I find sanctuary, but when she … where I find sanctuary, but when she walks into my world and evokes a yearning I thought long dead, my demons are awakened and want what they can’t have—her. Sooner or later, I knew I’d need to feed the darkness inside me.
Mayhem, power, and control course through my veins. I will use them to regain my crown, my throne, and then claim her, despite what solemn vows she might’ve made.
I will break them…and her.
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How does an author take a bad guy make a reader fall in love with him, swoon over him, and absolutely die for his own book? Talent. Plain and simple this author has an amazing way of writing books were you can’t help but fall for the one you probably shouldn’t. In Saint and Willow’s book Aleksei was the epitome of a villain but man if I didn’t end up loving him. When we were told he was getting his own story I was so excited and this book does not disappoint. Alek has changed since Willow left and we find him turning into a very likable man who is almost searching for redemption even if he doesn’t know it yet. I was curious how it would all play out, who would be his love interest, and will he change for the better. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone but all questions I had were answered and then some. It ends on an epic cliffhanger and I can not wait to see how Alek’s story will pan out. We do get to see some familiar faces and I was happy about that too. So many twist, turns, and unexpected events happen I was holding my breathe not wanting it to end but dying to know what would happen next. Like I said it takes amazing talent to come up with a world full of bad, evil people and places then to bring some light into this world so that it gives you hope about how things will go. I love Alek even find him amazing now that he has changed in some ways but this Devil adjusts his crown and is on the prowl for his woman.
I don’t even know that I have the right words to describe the epicness of this book. I think it’s safe to say for me, Monica James is the Queen of Darkness.
Aleksei Popov has fallen from greatness. He was once feared and respected, now he hides in the shadows because he chose to save the person he loved. He vows that he will regain his position of power, and that all starts with taking out his half-brother. He’ll stop at nothing to make him pay, and anybody that stands in his way, but life throws Alek a curve he didn’t see coming. He plans to bend and break everyone to submit to his will, but can he?
Freaking perfection. This story is one I’ve been dying to read since the end of the ‘All The Pretty Things Trilogy’. I know that Alek is the villain, but the way that Monica writes had me falling in love with him. He’s complex and there is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to him. Yes, he can be cruel, but I feel like we see him become so much more in this story. I am seriously so stoked for book two, I don’t know how I’m going to survive until September! Monica James absolutely slayed this story (as she always does)!
I do also want to say, that if you haven’t read the ‘All The Pretty Things’ Trilogy I highly recommend it, or I think some content may be lost! I also want to point out that this story is dark, and touches on some topics that may be hard to read, but even though this is a dark romance, Monica handles this situations in an amazing way, and I feel like they only add to the story!
Holy. Fuck. I am totally going to hell.
The Devil’s Crown is an All the Pretty Things Trilogy spin-off. You can read the duet alone but I HIGHLY recommend that you read the trilogy beforehand. I don’t know if Monica was planning on giving us this duet but I do know we begged for more Alek. He was the villain but damn, we fell. Hard.
Alek lost it all. Power. Money. Love. Partners in crime. Everything but his connection to the orphanage and a POS place to live. He was hidden away until he was ready to strike. He wanted his half-brother to die. Slowly, painfully. He wanted to be back on top. He might be a changed man after falling in love but he was still him. Ruthless. He was a man not to be fucked with. Except if you were a woman. You might want to fuck with him just to see what would happen next…I know she did. Will he fall again?
I can’t really say much about the story without spoiling anything. I can say that I was all in from beginning to end. I was one of the fans that begged for more Alek and Monica did not disappoint. I knew she wouldn’t since she is a badass but this was fantastic! It’s twisted, sinful, sexy, and suspenseful. I can’t wait for the next book! Come on, SEPTEMBER!
Quotes:
“I much prefer to be the villain. They have all the fun.”
“You like when I speak filthy words to you in Russian, красавица?”
“This means nothing.”
“Of course not.”
Holy Hello Kitty, Y’all!!!! Monica James has brought us our dark, sexy, steamy monster we have ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!! Ladies, it’s Aleksei Popov, and he has a body, and a mouth, made for sin, and I FLOVE IT!!!!! The Devil’s Crown: Part One was edge of your seat, HOT ASF, steamy goodness, and Monica James is an UNBELIEVABLY TALENTED author!!!! She is quickly becoming one of my all time favorites!!!! Now I just have to figure out what the hell to do with my life until part 2 comes out!!!!
So this will go one of two ways. You tell me where that piece of shit is, and I kill you. Or you tell me where that piece of shit is, and I kill you. The choice is yours.
The balls on this man. Shit, Monica James knows how to deliver. Woo-wee!
Before I even begin this review, I wanted to inform readers that prior to diving into this dark, gritty, suspenseful romance novel—if you haven’t done so already I would highly recommend that you please please read the ‘All The Pretty Things Trilogy’. ‘The Devil’s Crown’ is the spin-off and reading the ATPT series beforehand will allow you to get a better grasp and understanding of Alek and how he plays into everything.
Now getting back to this book… holy shit! This topped ‘All The Pretty Things’ in every single way. No joke.
The spin-off starts off where its predecessor ended, following Aleksei Popov’s fall from ‘grace’. Once a King of a notorious empire in Russia who struck fear in many, he now lurks in the shadows (more so an orphanage that he sees as his sanctuary) seeking vengeance against his half-brother Serg and co-conspirator mother, Zoya, who took everything away.
I hate to disappoint you, but if you’re looking for a story with a hero, then you best turn back now. This is the point of no return.
… and there sure isn’t! Aleksei is a known villain and as any villain would do, he will do everything in his power to get his crown back. Lie. Steal. Cheat. Murder. Leading readers to be blessed with the many twists and turns, action, suspense, redemption, oozing tension and everything else in between that the author is known for. That also includes her ability to successfully introduce characters and provide insight on their back stories which includes the lead heroine.
For reasons that are later explained, Sister Arabella is gradually introduced when seeking refuge in the orphanage, moving the King in ways he cannot describe. The somewhat meek, shy heroine who transferred from America to aid the Sisters in raising the children left a lasting impression and I would deem as the perfect example of not to judge a book by its cover. As the story progresses, her solemn vow and commitment to the Lord, Arabella becomes conflicted by her sinful thoughts and feelings towards Alek and after their brief introduction, the fallen King has found his purpose. Kill his half brother, make the city his again and establish a new kingdom fit for a Queen, his epitome of a femme fatale. And ensure there is only one God Sister Arabella will worship before on her knees. Him.
The devil lay dormant for a while , humoring me because he knew we were cut from the same cloth, and sooner or later, I would need to feed the darkness inside me.
This compelling read was a game changer and it’s evident the author’s writing style has improved drastically since ATPT. There’s more depth to her characters, development, and solid storyline that easily absorbs the reader to dive right into the captivating romance. Yet as much as I rant and rave about this, I will admit it wasn’t perfect. There were particular scenes that were predictable and specific characters motives that were pretty obvious and straightforward. Unfortunately I can’t dive too much into it without spoiling key components that made this story possible but overall I am glad to say it did not diminish my phenomenal reading experience.
In closing, I would consider ‘The Devil’s Crown’ Monica James best work yet. It was far more than difficult not to be invested and consumed with Alec’s journey in reclaiming his throne while fighting the sinful temptation known as Sister Arabella. With the sequel in tow, I seriously seriously can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us.
Can I just say… WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?! I have been intrigued by Alek since the All The Pretty Things trilogy. Was he worth redemption? Could he really be a hero? All these run through my mind as I devoured this book. Alek is the perfect anti-hero. You loved to hate him and hated to love him in the trilogy but now that we are seeing from his perspective, it is a whole new level and you will absolutely adore him. What he will do to protect the ones he cares for. The lengths he will go to save the ones that mean something to him, even if it means destroying him in the process.
What we get with part one of The Devil’s Crown is something so epically twisted that will leave you gasping for breath, dying for answers, wishing you could take away Alek’s pain and so much more. It is raw, gritty, passionate and beyond intense. The little twists at every moment will have you with your mouth open ready to yell. Just when you think you figured something out, there goes James throwing you for a complete loop! And because we know this is part one, that ending! I have so many thoughts going through my mind right now.
To say this story was stunning is such an understatement. I find with James and being in love with her words for some time now, her plots and ideas just get better and better. This story was no exception. It is fast paced, high octane, scorching and so much more. It has unbelievable flow and will have you fully immersed in every single word. From the character build, the woman that changes it all and how past characters come into play. It is simply mind blowing and something I doubt I will ever forget. I need part two! STAT!
“ , , , . , , . , .”— ‘ : , .
Holy. Freaking. Smokes.
Un-fucking-forgettable!
I can only remember wanting to read Alek’s story for the longest time and ‘The Devil’s Crown: Part One’couldn’t have been a better start to the tale of the wicked Russian he is.
I was left stumped for words.
This book is dark, dirty and will drive you to the point of delicious insanity. Your heart will race, pound and break walls.
Aleksei Popov has my soul.
He’s a man who is out to ruin, seeking revenge and his crown and, boy, he’ll stop at nothing to get what’s rightfully his.
Nothing in this book is as it seems and the beasts are out to play.
This the beginning of one twisted tale, sinful yet redeeming while being filled with lies, secrets, danger, deciete, romance and a whole lot of heat that you’ll thirst for more by the time you close the book.
It’s the best spin-off to the ‘All The Pretty Things’ trilogy that can be.
Monica James is truly the queen when it comes to dark romance.
Her words are pure magic and she’ll drive you wild with the way they fill you.
You can’t expect to read anything less than utter perfection from her.
I need more of Aleksei on his journey to crush and get back the one who is his.
This book was finished in one sitting, and now I only wish that I read it slower.
Part Two of this duet is coming soon.
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