This is why I love this challenge so
much. I had passed by this book many
times, because, YES, I was judging a book by its cover. What? Don’t
act too shocked, you know we all do it.
Anyways, I understand it’s supposed to be a zip-up with the hood pulled
over his head, and the detail of the tattoos are great, but at quick glance, I
always saw a man inside of a shark’s mouth.
Therefore, when I saw this section of the reading challenge, on a whim,
I purchased the book. This is what I
thought…
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Conditioned in captivity to maim, to kill and to slaughter, prisoner
818 becomes an unremorseful, unrivaled and unstoppable fighter in the ring.
Violence is all he knows. Death and brutality are the masters of his fate.
After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge...bloody, slow and violent revenge. Revenge on the man who lied. Revenge on the man who wronged him. Revenge on the man who condemned him and turned him into this: a rage-fueled killing machine. A monster void of humanity; a monster filled with hate.
After years of incarceration in an underground hell, only one thought occupies his mind: revenge...bloody, slow and violent revenge. Revenge on the man who lied. Revenge on the man who wronged him. Revenge on the man who condemned him and turned him into this: a rage-fueled killing machine. A monster void of humanity; a monster filled with hate.
And no one will stand in the way of getting what he wants.
*****
Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill ‘The Silencer’ Volkov, head of the infamous ‘Triad’ bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it’s a virtual prison. Her father’s savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring—The Dungeon—ensures too many enemies lurk at their door.
Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. As manager of her father’s death match enterprise, only grief and pain fill her days. Her mafia boss father, in her world, rules absolute. And her fiancé, Alik Durov, is no better; the Dungeon’s five-time champion, a stone-cold killer, the treasured son of her father’s best friend, and her very own—and much resented—personal guard. Unrivaled in both strength and social standing, Alik controls every facet of Kisa’s life, dominates her every move; keeps her subdued and dead inside...then one night changes everything.
While working for her church—the only reprieve in her constant surveillance—Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t communicate with anyone. He’s a man beyond saving, and a man she must quickly forget...for both their sakes.
But when weeks later, out of the blue and to her complete surprise, he’s announced as the replacement fighter in The Dungeon, Kisa knows she’s in a whole lot of trouble. He’s built, ripped and lethally unforgiving to his opponents, leaving fear in his wake and the look of death in his eyes.
Kisa becomes obsessed with him. Yearns for him. Craves his touch. Needs to possess this mysterious man...this man they call Raze.
Kisa Volkova is the only daughter of Kirill ‘The Silencer’ Volkov, head of the infamous ‘Triad’ bosses of New York's Russian Bratva. Her life is protected. In reality, it’s a virtual prison. Her father’s savage treatment of his rivals and his lucrative and coveted underground gambling ring—The Dungeon—ensures too many enemies lurk at their door.
Kisa has known only cruelty and loss in her short life. As manager of her father’s death match enterprise, only grief and pain fill her days. Her mafia boss father, in her world, rules absolute. And her fiancé, Alik Durov, is no better; the Dungeon’s five-time champion, a stone-cold killer, the treasured son of her father’s best friend, and her very own—and much resented—personal guard. Unrivaled in both strength and social standing, Alik controls every facet of Kisa’s life, dominates her every move; keeps her subdued and dead inside...then one night changes everything.
While working for her church—the only reprieve in her constant surveillance—Kisa stumbles across a tattooed, scarred, but stunningly beautiful homeless man on the streets. Something about him stirs feelings deep within her; familiar yet impossibly forbidden desires. He doesn’t talk. Doesn’t communicate with anyone. He’s a man beyond saving, and a man she must quickly forget...for both their sakes.
But when weeks later, out of the blue and to her complete surprise, he’s announced as the replacement fighter in The Dungeon, Kisa knows she’s in a whole lot of trouble. He’s built, ripped and lethally unforgiving to his opponents, leaving fear in his wake and the look of death in his eyes.
Kisa becomes obsessed with him. Yearns for him. Craves his touch. Needs to possess this mysterious man...this man they call Raze.
MY REVIEW
3.5 out of 5 *Stars*
Whew! This book, this book. What to say about this book? It’s not a warm and fuzzy romance, but it
is. It’s not dirty and brutal, but yet
it is as well. It’s a whole bunch of
things gathered into one story. You can’t
help but route for the hero and heroine and for them to be able to conquer it
all and finally be together. At the same
time, you’re wondering how that can even be possible. They had both been through so much, it didn’t
seem like it could ever happen.
I really enjoyed the story. I loved the talk about soul mates and I loved
the whole concept of the story itself.
It was also written really well, but… For some reason I couldn’t get
emotionally attached to the characters. It
was as if I couldn’t connect to any of them.
Then there were the times that it got repetitive. I know the same thing had to be explained to
different people, but there is only so many times a person can read about the
color of someone’s eye and how it determines soul mates. After a while, I
started skimming when it started to mention the hero’s left eye, because I knew
the direction it was headed.
Overall, I thought it was a great
book. It wasn’t all sunshine and
rainbows. In fact, the majority of it
wasn’t, but it was a true love story. I’ll
definitely check out more of Cole’s writing, so I must say that this was
perfect for reading “a book by an author I’ve never read before.” Who knows if
I would have ever read it otherwise?
7 books down, 45 to go!
Happy Reading, Everyone!
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