Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Dukes of Ruin by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue

11 reviews

hilary89's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

God, this series has me in a chokehold. I didn't find this first book in the Duke's trilogy to be any darker than the Lord's books, but it definitely had a lot more in the way of political intrigue and worldbuilding. Though I did find it harder to read about Lavinia's circumstances in comparison to Story's as Lavinia has be stripped of any and all agency and is at the complete mercy of the men around her. Considering what she's gone through, I can anticipate a revenge arc in the future and am looking forward to it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Blood, and Gaslighting

Minor: Drug use, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Classism

readsbykirby's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

**Review of *Dukes of Ruin* by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue**

Holy mother of WTF did I just read?! *Dukes of Ruin* is an electrifying plunge into a world where dark secrets, complex characters, and twisted relationships reign supreme. This gripping tale introduces us to the Bruins: Pretty Nick, the narcissistic and obsessive brother; Simon, the adorably awkward “horny virgin” with a unique reason; and Remy, their troubled friend grappling with mental health and addiction. The narrative is anything but ordinary—a cocktail of laughter and shock that leaves you bewildered yet craving more.

At the heart of this story is Lavinia Lucia, the formidable daughter of the King of Counts, sold into a world dominated by power and manipulation. The richness of royal history intertwined with the sinister undertones of the Bruins' lives paints a vivid picture that's both thrilling and darkly alluring. This is not your average romance; it's a ride through a twisted labyrinth of emotions and consequences.

Lawson and Rue have outdone themselves with *Dukes of Ruin*. With each turn of the page, the tension escalates, leaving readers desperate for answers. How will Nick earn forgiveness? What truth lies within Tate's story? The anticipation is unbearable, and the only thing I’m certain of is that I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. If you’re ready to dive into a world where nothing is as it seems and characters are beautifully flawed, then grab a copy of *Dukes of Ruin*. You won't regret it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

These books are a fast paced slow burn! So many different things going on at once but it all flows and works together to make one badass story! HIGHLY recommend to read them in order so you do not miss any of the back stories that are being developed as the series moves along. These characters made me HATE them.....they made me FEEL for them.....they made me loathe them entirely UNTIL they made me fall hopelessly in love with them at the end of their story!

kganley's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, and Suicide attempt

meowrie's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Dukes are much rapier than the Lords were. Lavinia was put through so much. She didn't make it easy on herself, but you know, why should she? 

I'm not sold on these guys yet. They are physically, mentally, verbally abusive and they sexually assault her. So we shall see if the win her, and me, over. The Lords did, so I'm sure these guys will too

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Blood

nineinchnails's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, and Trafficking

Minor: Animal cruelty, Suicide, and Blood

chilivanilli28's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder

amberlinanderson's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Let me start by saying that I LOVED the Lords trilogy, but the Dukes are not doing it for me. I’m big on believability when I read. I can’t identify with the “I hate you with every fiber in my being, but sometimes I can see how this would work” vibe. With that said, the last 5% of the book did intrigue me, so I’m going to give book 5 a try.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Death of parent

readin3738's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

abhss's review against another edition

Less interesting characters and plot compare to the first trilogy

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual content

Minor: Confinement and Blood

k8thegr8's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i loved the lords series and was hopeful for this. I was so excited to see Nick too. I felt like they did him a disservice here. the men just never seemed to find a redeeming quality to them. and they all seemed to hate her. i am hopeful as the story progresses i find some love for the men but in this book i just feel so bad for lavinia that no one loves or cares for her in the slightest :/ she deserves to be loved or at the very least seen

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol