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A review by currant7
Her Crimson Reign by Tristina Brockway
5.0
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Anastasia "Six" is an assassin with a truckload of a past. She is a cunning, smart, and skilled killer who takes independent work from wherever for a price and the "right cause." She is a unique woman because of her family connections, a dark past that shaped her, and the experience she had to endure to get to where she is now. She has risen from the ashes of everything to come out as The Crimson Queen.
Giovanni "Gio" Morelli is the next-in-line to the most prominent Italian mafia group in town. He is trained well in killing and helping his father, Victor, in the family business. He saw a lot of deaths and learn from them, but there is one that still brings him down to his knees up to this day. He has to learn to overcome this "weakness" else he would indeed be "taken out" faster than he can swing his deadly knife because there are others who are "gunning" for his position as heir. Ironically, Gio has the same philosophy as Six on killing - it is a tool to keep their sanity.
The story is non-stop action, suspense, and mystery as Six learns more about her troubled and traumatic past. She tries to find out who wants her "out." The story will have you keep guesting since Six has racked up many enemies and not only individuals but "big gun groups" that will make anyone's head spin. I had my suspicions, and although it was correct, how the author weaved in the pawns and manipulations to get to the ending was just right for the book.
Six and Gio are the coolest and most bada** anti-protagonists I have ever encountered. They both have a job that takes a strong person to go through, but their "uniqueness" are traits of assassins. They kill with purpose but also for lust. Their demons balance them between sanity and madness. I believe this "common factor" is what keeps them together. They understand each other.
Six's past is an unfortunate one. The worst part is all of this "abuse" was inflicted by the people who are supposed to protect her! It was awful because just as she thought she got rid of a problem, another springs up. I kept shaking my head in disgust but understand that there was no solution at that time for Six.
I am surprised that Six turned out so well with a great head and support system later on around her. It was like a never-ending battle until she grew up and fought back.
Gio has his own "demons" to tame but is the more emphatic one between the two main characters. He had to discover many "new secrets" and accept them for what it is. Some were pretty sad, but there was a reason for it happening. He then had to focus on what is important to him - the here and now with Six. He does a great job of understanding her and being the support system when she starts giving in to her "demons."
The supporting characters of Chance and Kat were stellar also. They provided great relief for both main characters and comic relief moments to break the tension as the story dives into suspense and mystery. Chance and Kat are childhood friends of Gio and Six, respectively. They are as close to each other as siblings from a different mother. I was at the edge of my seat when comments like this come out of Kat's mouth, "Does this mean we're having a sleepover?" --> Just to let you know that this comment after a siege happened wherein Six mentioned a playroom called Kat's reaction to this. Hilarious! I choked on my drink when I read it. I love Kat and her "innocent" enough ways.
In summary, I was floored with this book! OMG OMG OMG! The secrets that came out between Gio and Six were epic! I thought Six's background was one "bad sh*t," but to see the connection later between them implode in the style that left me speechless. WOW...just wow! From the first sentence of Chapter 1 until the final word in the book, I was thirsty for more! This book kept me up all day/night and in-between errands to read on and finish the book as soon as possible.
If you want to read all about crazy assassins, intricate storylines, hidden bloodlines, and more secrets that can be contained in Fort Knox - read this book! I like how the author included a playlist to get readers into the frame of mind of Six, and it worked a lot of magic in the scenes, especially at the end. The ending was spectacular, and it can only be a Six's signature indeed!
I am excited to see what other books will be out by this author and soon! Please tell us the story of Chance and Kat!!!
**Word of warning: contains scenes that may cause readers to skip or cover their eyes through some violent scenes. There is a lot of blood, gore, abuse, violence that may triggers because, let's face it - there is a lot of things going on between Gio and Six that it was impossible not to have this much violence without a past.
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Anastasia "Six" is an assassin with a truckload of a past. She is a cunning, smart, and skilled killer who takes independent work from wherever for a price and the "right cause." She is a unique woman because of her family connections, a dark past that shaped her, and the experience she had to endure to get to where she is now. She has risen from the ashes of everything to come out as The Crimson Queen.
Giovanni "Gio" Morelli is the next-in-line to the most prominent Italian mafia group in town. He is trained well in killing and helping his father, Victor, in the family business. He saw a lot of deaths and learn from them, but there is one that still brings him down to his knees up to this day. He has to learn to overcome this "weakness" else he would indeed be "taken out" faster than he can swing his deadly knife because there are others who are "gunning" for his position as heir. Ironically, Gio has the same philosophy as Six on killing - it is a tool to keep their sanity.
The story is non-stop action, suspense, and mystery as Six learns more about her troubled and traumatic past. She tries to find out who wants her "out." The story will have you keep guesting since Six has racked up many enemies and not only individuals but "big gun groups" that will make anyone's head spin. I had my suspicions, and although it was correct, how the author weaved in the pawns and manipulations to get to the ending was just right for the book.
Six and Gio are the coolest and most bada** anti-protagonists I have ever encountered. They both have a job that takes a strong person to go through, but their "uniqueness" are traits of assassins. They kill with purpose but also for lust. Their demons balance them between sanity and madness. I believe this "common factor" is what keeps them together. They understand each other.
Six's past is an unfortunate one. The worst part is all of this "abuse" was inflicted by the people who are supposed to protect her! It was awful because just as she thought she got rid of a problem, another springs up. I kept shaking my head in disgust but understand that there was no solution at that time for Six.
I am surprised that Six turned out so well with a great head and support system later on around her. It was like a never-ending battle until she grew up and fought back.
Gio has his own "demons" to tame but is the more emphatic one between the two main characters. He had to discover many "new secrets" and accept them for what it is. Some were pretty sad, but there was a reason for it happening. He then had to focus on what is important to him - the here and now with Six. He does a great job of understanding her and being the support system when she starts giving in to her "demons."
The supporting characters of Chance and Kat were stellar also. They provided great relief for both main characters and comic relief moments to break the tension as the story dives into suspense and mystery. Chance and Kat are childhood friends of Gio and Six, respectively. They are as close to each other as siblings from a different mother. I was at the edge of my seat when comments like this come out of Kat's mouth, "Does this mean we're having a sleepover?" --> Just to let you know that this comment after a siege happened wherein Six mentioned a playroom called Kat's reaction to this. Hilarious! I choked on my drink when I read it. I love Kat and her "innocent" enough ways.
In summary, I was floored with this book! OMG OMG OMG! The secrets that came out between Gio and Six were epic! I thought Six's background was one "bad sh*t," but to see the connection later between them implode in the style that left me speechless. WOW...just wow! From the first sentence of Chapter 1 until the final word in the book, I was thirsty for more! This book kept me up all day/night and in-between errands to read on and finish the book as soon as possible.
If you want to read all about crazy assassins, intricate storylines, hidden bloodlines, and more secrets that can be contained in Fort Knox - read this book! I like how the author included a playlist to get readers into the frame of mind of Six, and it worked a lot of magic in the scenes, especially at the end. The ending was spectacular, and it can only be a Six's signature indeed!
I am excited to see what other books will be out by this author and soon! Please tell us the story of Chance and Kat!!!
**Word of warning: contains scenes that may cause readers to skip or cover their eyes through some violent scenes. There is a lot of blood, gore, abuse, violence that may triggers because, let's face it - there is a lot of things going on between Gio and Six that it was impossible not to have this much violence without a past.