The Devil’s Crown: Part 1

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would.

Alek stole my heart in Willow and Saints trilogy All The Pretty Things. I fell in love with the monster he was then, but the man now? Bitch that mother fucker straight up snatched my soul.

Aleks story was NEVER going to be easy. I knew going in to expect the unexpected, but even then I could not have anticipated the reality of all that is the man behind the monster. Going in you have to be aware that he has never been and will not ever be the good guy. He is if nothing else true to himself so you should know now that he is very much the villain of his own story.
He’s the kind of character I want to sink my claws into and peel back those layers to see what hides beneath the surface. There is so much more to him than even he realises. He’s cold and methodical and yet he’s torn by his past actions. He is selfish to the core and yet he cares deeply for others. He is the biggest contradiction I’ve ever read. He’s a beautiful disaster. The kind that will chew you up leaving you raw and exposed. Oh and he’s very aware of that fact.

‘I may be standing here, breathing and functioning with a beating heart, but I’m dead inside.’

Despite the horror that comes from him, he is still one of the most intriguing, infuriating and honest characters I have ever read. There is something special about a character so brutally honest it hurts in every way. I rooted for him in Willow and Saints story because despite all he is, he still snatched my attention whenever he appeared. His past, the betrayals.. his need and greed for power. Everything about this man demands your attention and focus when he’s around.

Let’s just say his leading lady is a fucking snack and she shocked the living lights out of me. I mean when you think Monica can’t possibly surprise you more, she whips out a mother fucking Hail Mary and slaps the shit out of you with it for ever thinking otherwise. I died. Like legit cried laughing whilst simultaneously praying for my soul cause lord knows I’m burning in hell for being so amused at the whole situation. PRAYFORME.

‘she has given me the greatest gift- sacrificing herself for the people I love’

Let’s just say dear sinful Alek met his match in every way and I’m all here for what’s to come. That is all I’m saying on the matter of his leading lady because something’s are best left a surprise.

The progression of this story is everything because it is so unpredictable. It’s like a live wire waiting to go off. The suspense and anticipation are everything because it builds you up to something so unforgettable, I don’t think I’m going to ever get over it. With every new revelation comes more secrets and lies. This book has you hook line and sinker from the beginning waiting, wanting and needing more. And just when you think you can’t be shocked again, it will happen. It’s climactic,gripping and brutally raw. I cried so hard to many times to count because at times it hurt to read his story but I also laughed at all the highly inappropriate outrageous shenanigans that happened. Oh and did I mention the sex? The steam of it all. It’s so bad it’s good.

“You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full, pet” I gently stroke over her chin with my thumb.”

I’ve spent a day trying to write a review that would do this book justice without giving anything away and I know I’m falling short. There honestly isn’t enough descriptive words to describe how this book made me feel. Monica is as always true to herself in her writing and in turn true to her character and that shows. Her unique stories and characters are quite literally the gift that keeps giving. I’m not a hard to please reader by any means but this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that left me rung dry but still wanting more by the end. It’s heartbreaking and brutally raw. It’s sinful sensual and all kinds of teasing. It’s exciting and surprising and so original.

I’m never going to regret being team Alek. Even when I know he’s a bad egg. How can I resist him.

I’m going to leave this here for now and come back when I’ve pulled my head out of the clouds. I’m still suffering a epic book hangover here.

Congratulations if you’ve made it this far in my rambles.

Side note- this is only book one, his story is not yet finished. So understand Monica is hanging you with a mother of a cliffhanger. Gahhhhhh. It’s painful, but I know his story is worth the emotional meltdowns I’ll suffer until I get the rest.

“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.”

From that very quote to the end, I was on edge. I could not put this down for the life of me. I ended up ignoring everyone in my family because this is not a book you can take a break from.

Since it’s a spin-off of All The Pretty Things trilogy, it’s best if you read those books first. However, if you don’t, much of what transpires there is explained or mentioned here so you get a feel for what happened and why Alek is the way he is.

Alek is the anti-hero you need in your life. He’s bad, yes, and he calls himself a monster but he has a heart and he’s human and he cares. Him and Ella are explosive! They’re destined to be together and now I am still on edge because I need to know what happens next.

I was gasping and covering my mouth with eyes wide open during the entire ending because holy sh*t!! I can’t believe that part 2 is not until September.

“I learned how to survive on my own, and the streets became my training ground. All I had was my street smarts . Now, I have none of that. Things have changed, and I must start from scratch.”
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Book: The Devil’s Crown Part One by Monica James
Raiting :
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The Queen @authormonicajames did it again , seriously I want to hug her and thank her for creating the most perfect forbidden escape world . If you have read All The Pretty Things Trilogy , you already know that Alek was going to make you sweat and I mean that literally and figuratively because he’s a wicked king and so damm hot. If I could give this book 10 stars I’ll do it in a link of an eye , because it’s so good I didn’t want to put it down . It consumed me . This story it’s as delicious as it’s twisted and only Monica can delivered a masterpiece like this one full of vengeance , blood and more blood, heat that will make you sweat , secrets and romance that will make your jaw drop . Part 1 of The Devils Crown it’s worth every second of your time , a roller coaster of emotions that will leave you impatient for book 2 . So do yourself a favor and add this bad boy to your tbr because it’s everything you want on a dark romance, but I won’t say more because i don’t want to spoil anything , just know that Monica James it’s the queen of dark romance

The Devil’s Crown by Monica James

. . . .

Oh my freaking soul!!
Monica James just took to a whole new level. ’ left me in a conundrum of conflicting emotions. I was battling with my moral compass and rationalising why her words drew me in a dark abyss as I fell so deep into her intricately crafted web of darkness when vengeance, violence and lust was both the venom and soul redeeming purge.

When gives a , . I pray for your soul because you are about to lose it to the devil himself. Pray also for me too.

ℎ ℎ, ’ ℎℎ , ℎ ’ ℎ .

Anti heroes don’t get darker than Aleksei Popov, fallen from Grace he may be but this outcast King to the Russian mafia empire is about to take back his crown.

ℎ ℎ ℎ’ – .

And it goes without saying, every king needs a queen- or a pawn. Ella is the definition of femme fatale and the lust and passion that sets them both ablaze is beyond carnal. She is not all that she appears to be and lies and deception can be the very things that ruin or save them both.

’ ℎ , ℎ .

The Devil’s Crown left me feeling twisted, boiling with rage, the depravity and violence made my gut churn, but there’s so much more… seeing a broken, softer, vulnerable and selfless Alek is everything that makes him redeemable… if you read the All The Pretty Things series, you’d understand why Alek is the beautiful and brutal devil…

The return of Alek’s heart’s desire and obsession and the most unlikely bromance changes the tone of this book, and turns up this dial on his quest for vengeance reclaiming his throne

And in the author’s own warning: “This twisted tale is not intended for the fainthearted. So, if you’re game…welcome to the madness. God save your soul.“

“The closer I get to her, the deeper I fall. To know this, whatever this is, is reciprocated, animates me and some of the monsters inside me ebb away.”

If you were along for the dark and heart racing adventure that was The Saint Trilogy, you will absolutely eat this spin off featuring the most loathed-turned-loved monster that I had the pleasure of falling for. Alek is EVERYTHING, unapologetic, magnetic, a force of nature, and his introspection, and developing humanity softened my first impression down to fully melted with hearts in my eyes. I wanted him to have some good, but not so fast friends….

“With her, everything seems more vibrant–flavors sweeter, colors brighter. I am lost to her, and if she turns me away, I don’t think I’ll survive it.”

Let’s not kid ourselves with hearts and roses, Alek wouldn’t be true to himself if that were the case. Can I just say, holy forbidden hotness!!! Didn’t see it coming, so many twists, hidden enemies, secrets hidden and revealed…WHEW!!! I was left winded and ready to jump in to the next book, because I am guaranteeing it will be explosive and swoon inducing as the first. An absolutely sinful joy ride I didn’t want to stop.

“You’re magnetic and you don’t even know it. You’re a villain…who has a heart. And what woman doesn’t want to try and fix a bad man?”

~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog

Bless me Father, for I have sinned- the fallen king and Monica James have dragged me into the darkness, and I am going willingly. The Devil’s Crown is consuming, completely dark, depraved, and deliciously titillating. Truly a passionate and intense triumph, this is Monica’s best work yet and will leave you desperate for the finale.

Aleksei was once a monster, or perhaps he still is- he’s lived in darkness, done horrible things, and still craves the darkness. But, the events of All The Pretty Things have left him changed- in more ways than one. Once the King of the Russian Mafia, he now hides in the shadows waiting to exact his revenge on his half-brother who has dethroned him. He’s lost his power, his influence, his money, his allies- and as we know from All the Pretty Things, he’s lost the woman he loves, to the man she loves. He turns to his only comfort, his thirst for blood, the darkness that can’t seem to escape his soul. But his status is not the only thing that has changed- this is a man conflicted, a man at battle with the person he was and the person others think he MIGHT be, a man unnerved by the rare glimmers of humanity that keep seeping out from his psyche.

It’s easy for him not to confront this tension when his only aim is revenge, but wrinkles in his plan put others issues…other desires…in his path-a haggard survivor of his brother’s evil, a tiny and abused orphan, an orphanage full of pious nuns, and a smokeshow nun that is his siren. They not only derail his focus, they confound his heart and paranoia as they tug at his humanity. And somehow, in the sanctity of a familiar church sanctuary, Aleksei finds his salvation. But his salvation is not in God, but in the soul of Sister Arabella (Ella).

Ella is an anomaly- a stunning beauty in a nun habit whose interests might be more secular than expected. She’s a mystery, and one that Aleksei can’t turn away from, as the attraction and need boils over between them. Like Aleksei, she’s fallen from grace, her choices leading her to a life she never expected or wanted. And, with the entire story being told from Aleksei’s POV, she’s a mystery to us, too. She’s drawn to Aleksei’s darkness, but she sees the goodness in him. Their attraction is carnal, visceral, unstoppable- and each begin to awaken parts of their souls that they’ve long since shut down, their connection soothing the shreds that others have made in their hearts. For a brilliant man, Aleksei often doesn’t see what is right in front of him, but this is really part of the journey- he’s distracted, not only by those around him, but by his own metaphysical exploration. If Willow was the spark that catalyzed the change in Aleksei, then Ella is the oxygen not only sustaining but stocking the flame. But Aleksei’s past is not done with him, and in a world of deceit and blood, he’ll have to make hard decisions about who to trust and what path to choose- revenge or love?

This story is INTENSE- the plot is suspenseful and intricate, the characters are nuanced and compelling, and the romance….oh my…the romance is hot, depraved, sinfully seductive and captivating. The emotions are raw, viscerally experienced. And the tone- oh my, this is such a great example of author’s using tone to drive a story. The juxtaposition of the religious, the sacred and the dark and depraved in this story sets a tonal mood that has your heart pounding the entire time.

While this story is action packed, SO twisty and surpringy and suspenseful, this is really a story about a man’s existential conflict- a man reconciling his past and future while trying to navigate the present, a man trying to decipher his emotional contradictions, a man at odds with his own heart and soul, a man learning that you can be a good man even if you do bad things, a man discovering that darkness and light can co-exist, that perhaps one makes the other stronger. This metamorphosis began in the pages of the former trilogy, but the impact is really explored here. Monica does a brilliant job of unpacking this complex character thread by thread- creating a narrative that is driven not by the action itself but rather by the evolving reactions Aleksei has to those actions. This is about his redemption, and at the end, we will know who this man is, who he intends to be. The question is what does that mean for everything else. The jaw-dropping, devastating cliffhanger will be a game changer. Our characters finally came to terms with themselves, found their redemption, but the impact of those decisions and this shattering cliffhanger are going to test their new found sense of self- and at what cost? I need Book 2 now!

As soon as this beauty popped up on my kindle I dove in and didn’t stop until the last word was read. A solid 5 star page turner.

This is Aleksei’s story. He was in the All The Pretty Things Trilogy. He lost everything, money and power for the girl he loved. But she loved another. Now he must do what he needs to survive. His brother wants him dead so does he. He was a monster who took and took but now he has a conscience. He has people to protect. This is story.

I have loved every word written from this story. It’s highly addicting and captivating. I hated him before but now I feel for him because he is trying very hard to make amends. There were surprises at every turn, I was left speechless quite a few times. There are quite a few scenes that will leave the readers hot and bothered. And there are scenes that made me cringe. But I loved it all. Bottomline this is a must read. Sit on tight because this will be a bumpy ride.

This is a duet so it does end with a cliffhanger. If you haven’t read All the Pretty Things trilogy rest assured you can still read The Devil’s Crown because the author does catch us up. But for better enjoyment read them all. Told in Alek’s POV. I strongly recommend this story.

I love Monica writing, I really enjoyed Aleksei’s story can’t wait for book two.

When I finished reading Saint and Willow’s story I thought of switching to my next book but then I felt Alkeisi story is also meant to be heard so i decided to give it a chance and this book again left me in tears .

“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,”

Alkeisi who was once king of Russia now have to live in shadows but he wishes to change that and kill the bastard of a half brother who’s ruling in his place now .

Must say the MC here has lost everything his kingdom..his love but yet he has the charm in him and this charm is what had me hooked to this book .

Ella a girl hiding behind a facade and struggling to survive but what happens when her fate has decided otherwise .

Ella can see through the human Alkeisi is behind the monster he says he is .
Alkeisi never thought he’ll never feel love after Willow but he was proven wrong when Ella entered his life .

The way Alkeisi’s character changes in the story is incredible he becomes selfless…. he doesn’t want to inflict pain on others….he is willing to go through anything to protect the people he loves and he loves Ella .
The steamy scenes are to the point and so is the little humour this book carries

Sacrificing yourself for the ones you love isn’t for them—it’s for oneself…because love is selfless, and knowing they’ll be free…that’s the biggest gift of all.” This sentence left me in tears .

This story is incredibly written once again I was in awe with this book the way the story unfolds is amazing and when Saint amd Willow come into the story I couldn’t stop reading it .
Loved this book eager to read what comes in part 2 Monica James

One of the best books I’ve ever read