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Sons of Wrath #0.5
The Fallen
**This book is a prequel to Soul Avenged (Sons of Wrath, #1)**
To catch the Fallen, you have to become the very evil you were bred to slay.
Show loyalty. Be willing to go deep into the gritty underbelly of the world, where the vilest acts of human carnage thrive and seep into your mind like a black poison, consuming every part of you that was once good. Ignore your dark cravings and keep to the most important rule of all: never save the mortals.
This is the life of a Sentinel.
Some call us the toughest angels in the heavens. Unbreakable. But even the strong can break in the face of temptation.
Human females have always been the forbidden fruit for our kind--an enticement I've resisted for centuries, until she came along.
Karinna lusts for vengeance.
She wants inside the darkness, where the Fallen own the corrupted streets of Detroit--the perfect bait to take down the biggest crime ring the city has ever known.
I want her. To have her, though, I'll have to break the rules.
For one taste of the forbidden, I'll have to commit the most heinous sin of all ...
************************************************
WARNING: Not recommended for readers under the age of 18 due to graphic violence, sex and strong language. This book is very dark - much darker than the other books in the series. Can be read as a standalone (not part of the overarching story that spans the series).
To catch the Fallen, you have to become the very evil you were bred to slay.
Show loyalty. Be willing to go deep into the gritty underbelly of the world, where the vilest acts of human carnage thrive and seep into your mind like a black poison, consuming every part of you that was once good. Ignore your dark cravings and keep to the most important rule of all: never save the mortals.
This is the life of a Sentinel.
Some call us the toughest angels in the heavens. Unbreakable. But even the strong can break in the face of temptation.
Human females have always been the forbidden fruit for our kind--an enticement I've resisted for centuries, until she came along.
Karinna lusts for vengeance.
She wants inside the darkness, where the Fallen own the corrupted streets of Detroit--the perfect bait to take down the biggest crime ring the city has ever known.
I want her. To have her, though, I'll have to break the rules.
For one taste of the forbidden, I'll have to commit the most heinous sin of all ...
************************************************
WARNING: Not recommended for readers under the age of 18 due to graphic violence, sex and strong language. This book is very dark - much darker than the other books in the series. Can be read as a standalone (not part of the overarching story that spans the series).
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2014
43 people are currently reading
1797 people want to read
About the author
Keri Lake
42 books16.3k followersAuthor of gothic romance who specializes in demon wrangling, vengeance dealing and wicked twists.
I love connecting with readers, so feel free to join my reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thego...
I love connecting with readers, so feel free to join my reading group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thego...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
May 14, 2014
***FREEBIE on Amazon US***
5 twistedly dark stars
Xander is the fiercest angel on the Sentinel force, about to take down the fallen angels, the Sadismen, who have been very very naughty. The life he lives is one he wouldn’t trade, spending his time hunting and killing though who step out of line. The price he pays is his soul, for he is too far gone to ever return to the heavens. For years he has lived with them as them, working his way into being one of the trusted men of Sadismen, all to put a stop to the sadistic sex slavery that the Fallen run.
His job is to hunt the Fallen, not save humans, never bothered by all their emotion and weakness; he’s turned a blind eye to all except one, Karinna. Xander watched over this raven beauty and seen her transform before his very eyes, from a studious loving sister to a vengeful determined girl who is out for blood, the blood of the animals that took her sister away from her far too soon. Karinna trains her lethal body to endure torture and pain.
Besides the lust they feel for each other, Karinna and Xander also share the thirst for blood. The Sadismen and Xander want what Karinna is hiding, it has the power to expose them in all the ways they fear most. The only way to keep this lil hellcat safe is to take her
Xander wants Karinna to stop this madness, to walk away before she gets herself killed, and if he has to unleash the darkness in him to scare her off, then that’s what he’ll have to do; fear, humiliation, surrender and pain, how far is she willing to go to get her revenge...
Xander can’t give into his desires, it is the one last thing that keeps him from being a fallen, but Karinna’s body, mind and soul is too much of a temptation for a man like him; the way she submits to his desires, the way she yearns for the bite of his whip almost is enough to bring him to his knees. Karinna cannot be distracted from her revenge, no matter how much Xander proves to own her body; if only they met under different circumstances they might have had a chance, but as luck would have it they gods are not on their side, fully aware that they might not make it out of this alive.
The Fallen is an underestimated dark gem...who would have thought that such story could be hidden behind these pages. I for one was completely floored by the intensity and cruelty, it is definitely a darker read, with some paranormal thrown into the mix. When you think of angels, you think pure, clean and heavenly, but these angels are nothing like that at all, they curse, fuck and kill. There was some twist and turns along the way that added to the complexity of the story just sucking you in all the more. Told from both the leads POV, we get in their head and live each day through their eyes. There is an ending, now whether you consider it happy or not, is solely up to you and how you interpret the story. I can’t say any more, it’s something you’re gonna have to experience all on your own but I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can’t wait to get my hands on more. Awesome start to a very delicious twisted series!
**********************************************
Image snippet taken from Author's review :)
5 twistedly dark stars
“Death only takes those who lie to rest. I’m not ready to lie down yet.”
Xander is the fiercest angel on the Sentinel force, about to take down the fallen angels, the Sadismen, who have been very very naughty. The life he lives is one he wouldn’t trade, spending his time hunting and killing though who step out of line. The price he pays is his soul, for he is too far gone to ever return to the heavens. For years he has lived with them as them, working his way into being one of the trusted men of Sadismen, all to put a stop to the sadistic sex slavery that the Fallen run.
Xander lived by a simple motto: fuck up whatever has the power to fuck you up first.
His job is to hunt the Fallen, not save humans, never bothered by all their emotion and weakness; he’s turned a blind eye to all except one, Karinna. Xander watched over this raven beauty and seen her transform before his very eyes, from a studious loving sister to a vengeful determined girl who is out for blood, the blood of the animals that took her sister away from her far too soon. Karinna trains her lethal body to endure torture and pain.
Her thirst for vengeance silently spoke to him, touched him in ways no human ever had before her. Like two evils seeking each other in darkness.
Besides the lust they feel for each other, Karinna and Xander also share the thirst for blood. The Sadismen and Xander want what Karinna is hiding, it has the power to expose them in all the ways they fear most. The only way to keep this lil hellcat safe is to take her
“Why kidnapping?”
“My parents never allowed me pets as a child.” He smirked.
“Why pole fucking?” Karinna damn near shot daggers from her eyeballs.
“Because, when I ride a pole, every motherfucker up in the club wishes he could be that cold steel rod sliding between my thighs.” She smiled all smug and proud of herself . “That’s power. Real power.”
“And so here you are , strapped to my bed.” He crossed his arms over his chest and that sly grin widened. “I guess that’d make me the most powerful motherfucker up in the club.”
Xander wants Karinna to stop this madness, to walk away before she gets herself killed, and if he has to unleash the darkness in him to scare her off, then that’s what he’ll have to do; fear, humiliation, surrender and pain, how far is she willing to go to get her revenge...
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he said against her lips. “The need to hurt you and pleasure you. Don’t know which I want more.”
Xander can’t give into his desires, it is the one last thing that keeps him from being a fallen, but Karinna’s body, mind and soul is too much of a temptation for a man like him; the way she submits to his desires, the way she yearns for the bite of his whip almost is enough to bring him to his knees. Karinna cannot be distracted from her revenge, no matter how much Xander proves to own her body; if only they met under different circumstances they might have had a chance, but as luck would have it they gods are not on their side, fully aware that they might not make it out of this alive.
The Fallen is an underestimated dark gem...who would have thought that such story could be hidden behind these pages. I for one was completely floored by the intensity and cruelty, it is definitely a darker read, with some paranormal thrown into the mix. When you think of angels, you think pure, clean and heavenly, but these angels are nothing like that at all, they curse, fuck and kill. There was some twist and turns along the way that added to the complexity of the story just sucking you in all the more. Told from both the leads POV, we get in their head and live each day through their eyes. There is an ending, now whether you consider it happy or not, is solely up to you and how you interpret the story. I can’t say any more, it’s something you’re gonna have to experience all on your own but I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can’t wait to get my hands on more. Awesome start to a very delicious twisted series!
**********************************************
Image snippet taken from Author's review :)
April 18, 2014
Quick side note: To thank her readers for their continued interest in her books, Keri Lake is offering The Fallen as a FREE download!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I’m a huge fan of Keri Lake as an author and I absolutely LOVE her Sons of Wrath series. In fact, Soul Avenged and Soul Resurrected are two books that helped me discover my addiction to the paranormal romance genre. I am completely fascinated by the world she created and characters she brought to life including lycans, demons, angels, and warriors known as the Alexi. While reading Soul Resurrected, I was utterly fascinated by Xander’s character. During that novel, we got to know him as a kinky, twisted, member of the Fallen (fallen angel) that helps the Wrath demons out from time to time. To say that I was completely intrigued by him would be an understatement which is why I asked Keri Lake about the possibility of Xander getting his own book during the Bitten by Books release party. Never in a million years did I think that my question would spark her imagination to write Xander’s story but I am so thankful that it did because this novella is everything and more than I could have ever hoped for <3
When you first meet Xander in this novella, you discover he is a sentinel which is a lot like saying he is a soldier in the angel army. Their mission is to bring down a faction of the Fallen that make a profit on the production and sale of films depicting the torture, mutilation, and murder of the people they abduct.
Xander’s job has definitely hardened him and given him a sense of apathy to the violence he is exposed to on a day to day basis. To accomplish his mission, he has to immerse himself among the Fallen to win the cartel leaders’ trust and show his loyalty so that he can find a way to bring down the entire cartel.
“To defeat a monster, you have to become one. Be the very thing you loathe.”
By all appearances, Xander is violent, cocky, completely indifferent to the humans he is basically protecting, and has a fetish for dominating and breaking down the women he is involved with. I think one of the aspects of this novella that I really appreciated is that despite this rough exterior, you discover a small glimmer of light within all the all encompassing darkness known as Xander.
Like all of the heroines in Keri Lake’s novels, Karinna is a bad-ass! She is strong both mentally & physically, intelligent, and hell bent on getting revenge against the men who ruined her sister’s life. To do this, Karinna must basically go undercover amongst the Fallen to gain information that will lead her to the men responsible.
Karinna’s thirst for vengeance and strength of character catches Xander’s attention and pretty much leads to his obsession with her. She is a temptation unlike any other that he has experienced before; forbidden fruit that he isn’t allowed to touch. He fantasizes about dominating her, breaking her, and getting her to surrender to him.
Overall, I found The Fallen to be an addicting, unpredictable, twisted, & sensual exploration into how Xander became one of the Fallen. And when I say twisted, I’m not just referring to the characters ;) Keri Lake took me completely by surprise with a few plot twists I NEVER saw coming. And even though this novella doesn’t have a traditional HEA, I found the ending to be absolutely perfect given what we know about Xander’s character in the first two Sons of Wrath novels <3
I HIGHLY recommend this series to fans of the paranormal genre or to those wanting to give it a try.
ARC courtesy of the author, Keri Lake, in exchange for an honest review
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I’m a huge fan of Keri Lake as an author and I absolutely LOVE her Sons of Wrath series. In fact, Soul Avenged and Soul Resurrected are two books that helped me discover my addiction to the paranormal romance genre. I am completely fascinated by the world she created and characters she brought to life including lycans, demons, angels, and warriors known as the Alexi. While reading Soul Resurrected, I was utterly fascinated by Xander’s character. During that novel, we got to know him as a kinky, twisted, member of the Fallen (fallen angel) that helps the Wrath demons out from time to time. To say that I was completely intrigued by him would be an understatement which is why I asked Keri Lake about the possibility of Xander getting his own book during the Bitten by Books release party. Never in a million years did I think that my question would spark her imagination to write Xander’s story but I am so thankful that it did because this novella is everything and more than I could have ever hoped for <3
When you first meet Xander in this novella, you discover he is a sentinel which is a lot like saying he is a soldier in the angel army. Their mission is to bring down a faction of the Fallen that make a profit on the production and sale of films depicting the torture, mutilation, and murder of the people they abduct.
Xander’s job has definitely hardened him and given him a sense of apathy to the violence he is exposed to on a day to day basis. To accomplish his mission, he has to immerse himself among the Fallen to win the cartel leaders’ trust and show his loyalty so that he can find a way to bring down the entire cartel.
“To defeat a monster, you have to become one. Be the very thing you loathe.”
By all appearances, Xander is violent, cocky, completely indifferent to the humans he is basically protecting, and has a fetish for dominating and breaking down the women he is involved with. I think one of the aspects of this novella that I really appreciated is that despite this rough exterior, you discover a small glimmer of light within all the all encompassing darkness known as Xander.
Like all of the heroines in Keri Lake’s novels, Karinna is a bad-ass! She is strong both mentally & physically, intelligent, and hell bent on getting revenge against the men who ruined her sister’s life. To do this, Karinna must basically go undercover amongst the Fallen to gain information that will lead her to the men responsible.
Karinna’s thirst for vengeance and strength of character catches Xander’s attention and pretty much leads to his obsession with her. She is a temptation unlike any other that he has experienced before; forbidden fruit that he isn’t allowed to touch. He fantasizes about dominating her, breaking her, and getting her to surrender to him.
Overall, I found The Fallen to be an addicting, unpredictable, twisted, & sensual exploration into how Xander became one of the Fallen. And when I say twisted, I’m not just referring to the characters ;) Keri Lake took me completely by surprise with a few plot twists I NEVER saw coming. And even though this novella doesn’t have a traditional HEA, I found the ending to be absolutely perfect given what we know about Xander’s character in the first two Sons of Wrath novels <3
I HIGHLY recommend this series to fans of the paranormal genre or to those wanting to give it a try.
ARC courtesy of the author, Keri Lake, in exchange for an honest review
January 22, 2015
♥♥♥ 4.5 'Mind Blowing' Stars ♥♥♥
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"Perhaps it's in darkness, that things will come to light."
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
This book is a prequel to the Sons of Wrath series. If you have read the first two books, you know who Xander is by the few times we have read about him. This is his story where we learn how he became a fallen angel.
This is a bit hard for me to review because I didn't know what to think once it all came to an end. But I do know for sure that I enjoyed it.
We meet Xander and I didn't know what to really think of him. He seemed hard, self assured, dominant, and an anti-hero. But there were moments in the book where I wasn't convinced he was all that bad like he portrayed himself. At first, it seems like Xander has this weird obsession with a stripper named Karinna. He follows her around and desires her but he can't give in, because she is a human. There were also moments he was tender which made me freaking swoon.
Then we have Karinna, who I really liked for being strong and a badass. But she was an enigma just as much as Xander was. She desperately wants revenge for her sister. And to do that, she must infiltrate the dark club her sister was tormented and abused in. Karinna seemed to be haunted by her past and I really wanted to find out more about it and about her. She was just really intriguing.
When these two meet...holy freaking hell!! The sexual tension was very panty melting. They both were attracted to one another but both resisted for their own reasons. It was very entertaining watching them slowly break down and give in to it. I freaking loved it! I freaking loved Xander! He was SO sexy and an awesome alpha. The things he would say!! I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two characters and seeing them fall in love.
There were a few moments where I was't completely sure what direction the story was headed. So, I was left wondering. I should have been patient, because then there came a twist that just blew my mind. I seriously couldn't believe I hadn't picked up on the clues to realize what was coming. I LOVED that the author was able to surprise me that way. VERY well done in the writing.
After that big turn of events, I was a bit confused as to the feelings Karinna and Xander had. But then Xander sacrifices himself and I know that what he feels for Karinna is completely real. So, overall, I really enjoyed it. It was a really great read. I loved the plot and the big twist. I loved the mysterious but amazing main characters. I loved the steam with some BDSM in the mix. It also had some dark cringing scenes that makes this one not for everyone. But I wouldn't say it was DARK dark.
The ending was not your typical HEA but I felt like it ended like it should have. I am now highly anticipating reading about Xander in future books. If you already love the series like I do, or just love paranormal books, you need to read this one too. This one is one of those books you need to read with very little knowledge of the book to really enjoy it. So, please avoid spoilers. Trust me.
~Arc kindly provided by author, Keri Lake, in exchange for an honest review. ~
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September 1, 2014GRAB YOUR FREE COPY OF THE FALLEN!!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Fallen-Sons...
Snippet from THE FALLEN:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Fallen-Sons...
Snippet from THE FALLEN:
August 1, 2023
Good, but super dark, violent, bdsm, pain, etc. Not at all my preference to read, but I wanted to read this series and thought this prequel might be pertinent to the rest of the books. I don't think it is. I liked the story, but I really could have done without all the bdsm and darkness.
April 6, 2014
Okay, I originally wrote a teeny-tiny review for The Fallen by Keri Lake that went along the lines of:
*Le sigh*
*Le swoon*
*Le Xander*
But then I realised that, as much as it’s an accurate description of my thoughts on this hot dude, it barely scratches the surface of my thoughts on this novel as a whole.
So let’s evaluate.
Okay, is The Fallen a romance?
Well, the author claims not. Me? I’m going to argue the case.
Whilst Xander’s initial interest in Karinna is definitely infatuation bordering on obsession, the feelings he has toward her, and the development of those feelings, should still be treated with equal respect. Because when a tough dude suddenly finds a human worth breaking the rules for, you can bet your butt she means something to him, and this is 100% what we see from Xander in this book. Just because a dude doesn’t understand his feelings, doesn’t mean they’re not there. After all, love needs no rhyme or reason. Love just … is.
And then, alongside this slightly deranged dude, we have Karinna. She is easily the most surprising element of this book and a VERY multi-faceted character that will demand you struggle to get a handle on her. Normally, this kind of character would be frustrating to me, and risk the danger of hindering a reader connection. However, Karinna is such an intriguing soul that you can’t help but want to get to know her just to unravel her mystery.
Because Karinna is definitely the mystery of this book. And you’d better ensure you have a strong stomach if you’re to take this feisty chick on. Not only is her story terrifyingly familiar, it is also as heartbreaking as one should expect it to be, and just about as damaging as it gets. Though, the reader doesn’t learn immediately just how damaging her experiences have been. Which only adds to the enigma of this woman. I’m not going to say any more than that, because I’m not one for spoilers, but her carefully-unfolding tale, and the twists it made, most certainly took me by surprise—and I love to be surprised by a story.
So, what about the ending? Well, you’d expect a tale of a couple binding over death and circumstance, and a male trying to save a female who doesn’t even realise she needs to be saved, would come with a happy ending of final relief … right?
Wrong!
But nor does it necessarily come with a bad end—although, that opinion would likely differ depending on the POV.
Man, how to word this without giving it all away?
Okay, here goes: this story is full of sadness and badness, and commitment, and sacrifice, and quite possibly some of the darkest horror any female can possibly image … with a bitter sweet ending that is full of sadness in and of itself whilst being the best possible outcome anyone could hope for, given how everything plays out.
In short: you may go into this one expecting a hot dude and a whole lot of BDSM, but The Fallen truly is so very much more than that. You definitely want to add this one to your TBR.
*Le sigh*
*Le swoon*
*Le Xander*
But then I realised that, as much as it’s an accurate description of my thoughts on this hot dude, it barely scratches the surface of my thoughts on this novel as a whole.
So let’s evaluate.
Okay, is The Fallen a romance?
Well, the author claims not. Me? I’m going to argue the case.
Whilst Xander’s initial interest in Karinna is definitely infatuation bordering on obsession, the feelings he has toward her, and the development of those feelings, should still be treated with equal respect. Because when a tough dude suddenly finds a human worth breaking the rules for, you can bet your butt she means something to him, and this is 100% what we see from Xander in this book. Just because a dude doesn’t understand his feelings, doesn’t mean they’re not there. After all, love needs no rhyme or reason. Love just … is.
And then, alongside this slightly deranged dude, we have Karinna. She is easily the most surprising element of this book and a VERY multi-faceted character that will demand you struggle to get a handle on her. Normally, this kind of character would be frustrating to me, and risk the danger of hindering a reader connection. However, Karinna is such an intriguing soul that you can’t help but want to get to know her just to unravel her mystery.
Because Karinna is definitely the mystery of this book. And you’d better ensure you have a strong stomach if you’re to take this feisty chick on. Not only is her story terrifyingly familiar, it is also as heartbreaking as one should expect it to be, and just about as damaging as it gets. Though, the reader doesn’t learn immediately just how damaging her experiences have been. Which only adds to the enigma of this woman. I’m not going to say any more than that, because I’m not one for spoilers, but her carefully-unfolding tale, and the twists it made, most certainly took me by surprise—and I love to be surprised by a story.
So, what about the ending? Well, you’d expect a tale of a couple binding over death and circumstance, and a male trying to save a female who doesn’t even realise she needs to be saved, would come with a happy ending of final relief … right?
Wrong!
But nor does it necessarily come with a bad end—although, that opinion would likely differ depending on the POV.
Man, how to word this without giving it all away?
Okay, here goes: this story is full of sadness and badness, and commitment, and sacrifice, and quite possibly some of the darkest horror any female can possibly image … with a bitter sweet ending that is full of sadness in and of itself whilst being the best possible outcome anyone could hope for, given how everything plays out.
In short: you may go into this one expecting a hot dude and a whole lot of BDSM, but The Fallen truly is so very much more than that. You definitely want to add this one to your TBR.
April 18, 2014
IT'S OUT NOW & A FREEBIE!!! ➜ Amazon: http://amzn.to/1hZ8kFx
The is a beta read review
I just love, looove Keri's paranormal books. When I saw she's writing a prequel, which can also be read as a standalone I was game. I adore her Sons of Wrath books -they're awesomely plotted with passionate characters, lots of action and ass kicking, and the paranormal aspect is her top priority -what's not to love?!?
In The Fallen we get to know Xander, who we briefly met in book 1+2 and who was already a Fallen one at this moment. But in this prequel we get the back story about who he's, what's his duty/purpose, and so on.
I loved him *sigh. Even though this was a beta read and I gave her some advice the story was already a 5 star read for me. It had everything what I'm looking for in a book and her plot -damn, she got me again. She put some twists in it, and a turn, which I haven't seen coming, that made me say, "Oh F**K" at the end. Well written, well plotted, total mind-f**k on my side.
Xander is smokin', brutal, and cocky as hell. There was nothing I didn't like about him; in fact I'm dying to read more about him :) And no worries ladies, there's some steam going on as well.
But read her disclaimer. Certain scenes are not for the faint heart; meaning you'll feel disgusted, sick to the stomach and feel pain for certain characters. It has some dark elements in it but nothing that would kill you lol
The whole setting of this book, as well as book 1+2 in this series is laid out perfectly and if you're like me a lover of paranormal books her series is the right fit for you!
So in a nutshell you get while reading her series: hot supernatural alphas,strong females, action, great plot development, never a dull moment, LOL scenes, and panty-melting hot moments that made you wish to switch position with this said female. What I love the most is her originality of the stories she comes up with and the given background/terminology glossary so that I never have to scratch my head to ask: "huh?"
So I think you got it, I enjoyed this book A LOT!! Go add it to your tbr and def start reading book 1+2 in her series -500 pages of pure awesomeness.
The is a beta read review
I just love, looove Keri's paranormal books. When I saw she's writing a prequel, which can also be read as a standalone I was game. I adore her Sons of Wrath books -they're awesomely plotted with passionate characters, lots of action and ass kicking, and the paranormal aspect is her top priority -what's not to love?!?
In The Fallen we get to know Xander, who we briefly met in book 1+2 and who was already a Fallen one at this moment. But in this prequel we get the back story about who he's, what's his duty/purpose, and so on.
I loved him *sigh. Even though this was a beta read and I gave her some advice the story was already a 5 star read for me. It had everything what I'm looking for in a book and her plot -damn, she got me again. She put some twists in it, and a turn, which I haven't seen coming, that made me say, "Oh F**K" at the end. Well written, well plotted, total mind-f**k on my side.
Xander is smokin', brutal, and cocky as hell. There was nothing I didn't like about him; in fact I'm dying to read more about him :) And no worries ladies, there's some steam going on as well.
But read her disclaimer. Certain scenes are not for the faint heart; meaning you'll feel disgusted, sick to the stomach and feel pain for certain characters. It has some dark elements in it but nothing that would kill you lol
The whole setting of this book, as well as book 1+2 in this series is laid out perfectly and if you're like me a lover of paranormal books her series is the right fit for you!
So in a nutshell you get while reading her series: hot supernatural alphas,strong females, action, great plot development, never a dull moment, LOL scenes, and panty-melting hot moments that made you wish to switch position with this said female. What I love the most is her originality of the stories she comes up with and the given background/terminology glossary so that I never have to scratch my head to ask: "huh?"
So I think you got it, I enjoyed this book A LOT!! Go add it to your tbr and def start reading book 1+2 in her series -500 pages of pure awesomeness.
April 17, 2014
**Not recommended for readers under the age of 18 due to graphic violence, sex and strong language.
he Fallen is technically, the prequel to Son of Wrath series, but it was released after the first two books of the series, Soul Avenged and Soul Resurrected. Due to popular demand; Ms. Lake only gave her readers what they had asked for…Xander’s story. Well, readers got what they wanted. The Fallen is all about how Xander became a fallen; All the dark and gritty details of it.
It is a very twisted, twisted life that Karinna lives in. She solely lives for one purpose and that is to avenge her sister for everything that was done to her. If it means putting herself in harm’s way, so be it. She will get her revenge. Xander will be her way to getting closer to that goal. Though not in so many ways and certainly not to her expectation, he will give her what she wants and needs.
Right from the very start, Ms. Lake had grabbed my attention by revealing how rough this book will be. Not only that she gives you a warning, but from chapter one you already get a feel of how dark and gritty this book will be. Pay heeds to that warning because this book is filled with all kinds of obscenities, profanities and abuse. But note that it is written in such a fashion that you will come to understand and accept this book as it is. Just know that it is not for the faint of heart.
I love what Ms. Lake had done with Xander’s story. He is not what I expected. He is such a contradiction of good and evil. I mean, he is a man-whore yet, can love selflessly. Seek to punish who have sinned yet a sinner himself. His kinkiness was just out of this world sexy. He is sexy beyond sexy and damn the man is a rockstar when it comes to his “skills.” He definitely rocked Karinna’s world inside out.
I could not put this novella down. I was excited and intrigued from one scene to the next. There was a twist at the end that made me double take and reread that page again to make sure I read it correctly. It was so unexpected.
For those who are sticklers about happy endings, know that Xander does not get a happy-ever-after in this novella. However, this book gives you a feeling of satisfaction in the end. I do know that there are plenty of fans that are requesting (aka demanding), including myself for more of Xander. Simply because, well, every hero deserves his HEA.
he Fallen is technically, the prequel to Son of Wrath series, but it was released after the first two books of the series, Soul Avenged and Soul Resurrected. Due to popular demand; Ms. Lake only gave her readers what they had asked for…Xander’s story. Well, readers got what they wanted. The Fallen is all about how Xander became a fallen; All the dark and gritty details of it.
It is a very twisted, twisted life that Karinna lives in. She solely lives for one purpose and that is to avenge her sister for everything that was done to her. If it means putting herself in harm’s way, so be it. She will get her revenge. Xander will be her way to getting closer to that goal. Though not in so many ways and certainly not to her expectation, he will give her what she wants and needs.
Right from the very start, Ms. Lake had grabbed my attention by revealing how rough this book will be. Not only that she gives you a warning, but from chapter one you already get a feel of how dark and gritty this book will be. Pay heeds to that warning because this book is filled with all kinds of obscenities, profanities and abuse. But note that it is written in such a fashion that you will come to understand and accept this book as it is. Just know that it is not for the faint of heart.
I love what Ms. Lake had done with Xander’s story. He is not what I expected. He is such a contradiction of good and evil. I mean, he is a man-whore yet, can love selflessly. Seek to punish who have sinned yet a sinner himself. His kinkiness was just out of this world sexy. He is sexy beyond sexy and damn the man is a rockstar when it comes to his “skills.” He definitely rocked Karinna’s world inside out.
I could not put this novella down. I was excited and intrigued from one scene to the next. There was a twist at the end that made me double take and reread that page again to make sure I read it correctly. It was so unexpected.
For those who are sticklers about happy endings, know that Xander does not get a happy-ever-after in this novella. However, this book gives you a feeling of satisfaction in the end. I do know that there are plenty of fans that are requesting (aka demanding), including myself for more of Xander. Simply because, well, every hero deserves his HEA.
May 3, 2015
1.5 **spoilerish**
I must have missed the memo. When exactly did the word erotica become synonymous with abuse? This is complete drivel—cheap thrills and post Fifty Shade of Grey crap with a paranormal twist. Seriously, it is one big rape fantasy and glorification of abuse.
The thing is, I can understand the rape fantasy part. I REALLY don't enjoy reading them (in fact, I had to force myself to finish this one), but I understand women who do. I totally get facing that fear on safe pages and forcing it into something you can garner a little excitement and fun from instead of just a terror inducing real possibility. I get that.
What I don't get it why women, WOMEN (of which Ms. Lake is just one of many) would continue to write all females as mindless, volition-less, disposable commodities who rather enjoy their own abuse, up to and including death and dismemberment (and starting in childhood). This book is littered with quotes like this:
What nonsense. This book even suggests that the female=tradable possession to be passed by a man to a man as reward belief exists even in Heaven. Wow, I bet that's what every good Christian woman dreams of when she prays for those pearly white gates.
Why is this seen as sexy? Why is this so common that I'm tempted to call it cliché. Women in this book are collected, disparaged, drugged, raped (almost constantly as background noise), beaten, "trained" (which is a euphemism for being abused until they stop fighting back and become docile enough to be raped by others...but it's then presented as enjoying her position as sex slave), killed and dismembered. Meanwhile the MC is physically abused in some bastardized version of BDSM in which she has no control or realistic expectation of not being killed. In fact, she's terrified.
Of course, she comes to love and crave it as an illustration of how all women really only want to be dominated, hurt and broken (and what good are they then?) by the men they love. (Thus, all those other women who have been abused and killed in the book probably enjoyed their rapes and murders too.) While simultaneously regaining memories of being gang raped by her father and his cronies, as if to suggest that any woman who desires something different than monogamous, vanilla sex must already have been defiled in some fashion. You'd think these were mutually exclusive, but apparently not.
It's horrid. I went into this knowing it was a dark read. I'm no prude and enjoy the darker side of fiction (that's why I picked this book up in the first place), but that doesn't mean I wanted to spend 200+ being told how worthless me and my pussy are. I mean the whole concept of this book is that Xander can torture and kill people regularly, he can get blow jobs from a mindless sex slave, he can break women into said slave, he can kidnap, whip, and abuse Karinna, all with no heavenly repercussions. But god forbid his penis enter her vagina, even in love, and he's condemned to Hell for all eternity. We women apparently aren't just worthless, our vileness is contagious.
And let's not miss that it is essentially JUST women we're talking about. Almost as an afterthought Kid's are thrown in too (but one would presume they're at least half girls to start with and who know when boys age out of the victimizable children's group), but never, NEVER men. The book is very clear on this.
I could write an essay on the distancing technique being used in the use of 'female' instead of women, girls or a name (it crops up a lot). But I'll let that one go. What I really want to point out is that I'm always amazed that truly evil beings are still expected to adhere to strict heterosexual norms. Men are never victimised, be it in a any sort of homoerotic way or just, you know, basic power dynamics. Baffling.
To wrap this up, I'd like it noted that at no point have I used the world misogynistic. Misogyny being the hatred of women and girls, but the word is often thrown around willy-nilly whenever a book or character treats women badly. I never got the impression that the author or even any of the cruelly dismissive men in the book hated women. To hate someone (as an individual or gender grouping) requires caring enough to have an opinion about them. It elevates them at least to the level of 'human enough to think about.'
No one here did that. In a sense, I think this is worse. Women weren't hated. They were just not accorded any sense of human agency, or even faces as they're all masked as well as apparently thoughtless automatons. They were, as a whole, mere shadows that men act upon. I'm holding out hope that sometime in the near future the female population will realise that we're worth more than this.
The book did try to redeem itself at the end by punishing the bad guys, but it was too little too late for me and really the exact same story could have been relayed without dehumanising every woman...excuse me, female...to pass the pages. (And been a damn good book too.) I'm giving this two stars and the only reason it's not a single star is that mechanically it's fairly well written. I like a spot of erotica here and again. I even like a bit of dark erotica. But I don't want to finish the book feeling like shit about being a poor, pitiful, potentialess, penisless, disposable victim...i.e. a woman.
I must have missed the memo. When exactly did the word erotica become synonymous with abuse? This is complete drivel—cheap thrills and post Fifty Shade of Grey crap with a paranormal twist. Seriously, it is one big rape fantasy and glorification of abuse.
The thing is, I can understand the rape fantasy part. I REALLY don't enjoy reading them (in fact, I had to force myself to finish this one), but I understand women who do. I totally get facing that fear on safe pages and forcing it into something you can garner a little excitement and fun from instead of just a terror inducing real possibility. I get that.
What I don't get it why women, WOMEN (of which Ms. Lake is just one of many) would continue to write all females as mindless, volition-less, disposable commodities who rather enjoy their own abuse, up to and including death and dismemberment (and starting in childhood). This book is littered with quotes like this:
This woman has suffered since the day she was brought into this world.” Hasziel cupped her cheek and smoothed his thumb over her skin. “It is the only place in which she finds comfort."
What nonsense. This book even suggests that the female=tradable possession to be passed by a man to a man as reward belief exists even in Heaven. Wow, I bet that's what every good Christian woman dreams of when she prays for those pearly white gates.
Why is this seen as sexy? Why is this so common that I'm tempted to call it cliché. Women in this book are collected, disparaged, drugged, raped (almost constantly as background noise), beaten, "trained" (which is a euphemism for being abused until they stop fighting back and become docile enough to be raped by others...but it's then presented as enjoying her position as sex slave), killed and dismembered. Meanwhile the MC is physically abused in some bastardized version of BDSM in which she has no control or realistic expectation of not being killed. In fact, she's terrified.
Of course, she comes to love and crave it as an illustration of how all women really only want to be dominated, hurt and broken (and what good are they then?) by the men they love. (Thus, all those other women who have been abused and killed in the book probably enjoyed their rapes and murders too.) While simultaneously regaining memories of being gang raped by her father and his cronies, as if to suggest that any woman who desires something different than monogamous, vanilla sex must already have been defiled in some fashion. You'd think these were mutually exclusive, but apparently not.
It's horrid. I went into this knowing it was a dark read. I'm no prude and enjoy the darker side of fiction (that's why I picked this book up in the first place), but that doesn't mean I wanted to spend 200+ being told how worthless me and my pussy are. I mean the whole concept of this book is that Xander can torture and kill people regularly, he can get blow jobs from a mindless sex slave, he can break women into said slave, he can kidnap, whip, and abuse Karinna, all with no heavenly repercussions. But god forbid his penis enter her vagina, even in love, and he's condemned to Hell for all eternity. We women apparently aren't just worthless, our vileness is contagious.
And let's not miss that it is essentially JUST women we're talking about. Almost as an afterthought Kid's are thrown in too (but one would presume they're at least half girls to start with and who know when boys age out of the victimizable children's group), but never, NEVER men. The book is very clear on this.
Nothing more stony and unapologetic than a bitter angel forced to leave the heavens—even demons avoided the Fallen. Humans, on the other hand, couldn’t avoid them if they tried. Every day, kids and females got snatched up from the streets like smelt in a shallow pond, drugged and used at the amusement of their sadistic captors.
I could write an essay on the distancing technique being used in the use of 'female' instead of women, girls or a name (it crops up a lot). But I'll let that one go. What I really want to point out is that I'm always amazed that truly evil beings are still expected to adhere to strict heterosexual norms. Men are never victimised, be it in a any sort of homoerotic way or just, you know, basic power dynamics. Baffling.
To wrap this up, I'd like it noted that at no point have I used the world misogynistic. Misogyny being the hatred of women and girls, but the word is often thrown around willy-nilly whenever a book or character treats women badly. I never got the impression that the author or even any of the cruelly dismissive men in the book hated women. To hate someone (as an individual or gender grouping) requires caring enough to have an opinion about them. It elevates them at least to the level of 'human enough to think about.'
No one here did that. In a sense, I think this is worse. Women weren't hated. They were just not accorded any sense of human agency, or even faces as they're all masked as well as apparently thoughtless automatons. They were, as a whole, mere shadows that men act upon. I'm holding out hope that sometime in the near future the female population will realise that we're worth more than this.
The book did try to redeem itself at the end by punishing the bad guys, but it was too little too late for me and really the exact same story could have been relayed without dehumanising every woman...excuse me, female...to pass the pages. (And been a damn good book too.) I'm giving this two stars and the only reason it's not a single star is that mechanically it's fairly well written. I like a spot of erotica here and again. I even like a bit of dark erotica. But I don't want to finish the book feeling like shit about being a poor, pitiful, potentialess, penisless, disposable victim...i.e. a woman.
April 16, 2014
Free right now on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Sons-Wra...
I am not sure how to write this review without giving too much away. I will try to give the minimal that will make you want to read this.
Xander is an angel. He is on earth for one reason, one that you are not exactly sure if he is a good angel or a bad angel. That is something the reader will have to decide on their own. I have my own opinion, but some of you may not agree. (I love him)
Karinna is human. Her sister died after going through something horrific. Months after her sister’s death, Karinna is out for vengeance to find the men who hurt her sister and make them suffer. She will do anything and everything to bring down these men including working as a stripper in a sleazy club. There Karinna meets Xander. She does not know who he is exactly, but she thinks he may be her ticket to the men who “killed” her sister.
I heard that this book was not to be considered a romance? Are you kidding me??? I felt every emotion…good and bad between Karinna and Xander. I loved their little banter, if I can describe it that. It was this exchange that I just can’t explain. Some moments were very dark and hard to read.
I really liked the story. I liked the heroine. She was strong and you were just rooting for her to find answers. I wanted both Xander and Karinna to feel peace and love. I loved the premise, the story and the way the author went about telling it. I thought about these characters after I finished the book and hoping I see a sequel. Hint, hint.
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Sons-Wra...
I am not sure how to write this review without giving too much away. I will try to give the minimal that will make you want to read this.
Xander is an angel. He is on earth for one reason, one that you are not exactly sure if he is a good angel or a bad angel. That is something the reader will have to decide on their own. I have my own opinion, but some of you may not agree. (I love him)
Karinna is human. Her sister died after going through something horrific. Months after her sister’s death, Karinna is out for vengeance to find the men who hurt her sister and make them suffer. She will do anything and everything to bring down these men including working as a stripper in a sleazy club. There Karinna meets Xander. She does not know who he is exactly, but she thinks he may be her ticket to the men who “killed” her sister.
I heard that this book was not to be considered a romance? Are you kidding me??? I felt every emotion…good and bad between Karinna and Xander. I loved their little banter, if I can describe it that. It was this exchange that I just can’t explain. Some moments were very dark and hard to read.
I really liked the story. I liked the heroine. She was strong and you were just rooting for her to find answers. I wanted both Xander and Karinna to feel peace and love. I loved the premise, the story and the way the author went about telling it. I thought about these characters after I finished the book and hoping I see a sequel. Hint, hint.
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2014
Talk Supe review
Written as a stand-alone, THE FALLEN by Keri Lake, a Sons of Wrath, prequel novella, or should I say short novel since this dirty tale is a good 257 pages. Going in I was expecting the usual tone and texture that I've grown to love in Sons of Wrath, shit talking, silly banter and wild action instead THE FALLEN is dark, disturbing and quite erotic. It was a trip to a very dark and dingy place that would make some readers uncomfortable. THE FALLEN is what would happen if Liam Neeson failed to save her daughter in that movie Taken except that it'll be on paranormal steroids, know what I mean?
THE FALLEN is Xander's story when he was sentinel, angel, and a good guy, until a gorgeous, vengeful brunette crossed his path. I don't know if we're meant to fall in love with Xander, to be honest with you. His doesn't do fluff to begin with and accepts payment in tits and clits (can't help but LOL on that one) he's imposing and carries a sliver of darkness around him which is ironic considering he's an angel. He's a stalker/protector, depends on how you look at it, an avenging angel so mercy isn't really his thing. He can be loving and caring in his own dark way and he sure did sacrifice a LOT of things for Karinna, his one true love (?). Xander may not be my type but he is a compelling character due to the darkness and light that he carries in his heart. Let me just say this, I would want him guarding my back for sure but I'd think it over a million, trillion times before I invite him to my bed not because he'll scar me for life, he just throws off this hard-to-read vibe about him. Xander is beyond Alpha and definitely not angelic.
Karinna. This girl is on a mission to avenge her sister's death which got Xander's attention. This girl's lived a hard life since her sister died and she went out of her way, exploring the dangerous red light underground circle of Detroit to get into Sadismen, a group of sadistic mofo who are into making snuff films, raping and torturing the death out of women. Karinna has this coldness about her that would rival an Ice Queen's. She has tunnel vision until Xander broke through her haze. As a "couple", I didn't find anything romantic between these two. They're both tortured souls and when they got together, it's more of comfort and lust than love. I didn't feel the intimacy between them despite the vulnerability they both demonstrated. Unfortunately they didn't get the chance to fan the flames of romance because tragedy struck too soon leaving both of them in a better place but more scarred than before.
Man, I tell you, I felt so distraught after reading THE FALLEN! This shiznit's got no HEA, only a promise of something more with the outcome unknown and unpredictable. KLake really went to a very dark place in this novel. I'd use the label BDSM loosely because the erotic elements here are midnight black and S stands for slavery and not the cute consensual one so grit your jaws tight and suck in a big breath before delving into this novel. But as I enjoy being shoved out of my comfort zone, I of coursed LOVED every minute of it. It's nice when an author switch things up, adding a smoky, more musky flavor to her books. It's risky but it sure paid off here although, KLake, if you're reading this, I hope Gavin's book isn't as dark as this one. I like him warm, romantic and pliant *wink wink* if you know what I mean.
Written as a stand-alone, THE FALLEN by Keri Lake, a Sons of Wrath, prequel novella, or should I say short novel since this dirty tale is a good 257 pages. Going in I was expecting the usual tone and texture that I've grown to love in Sons of Wrath, shit talking, silly banter and wild action instead THE FALLEN is dark, disturbing and quite erotic. It was a trip to a very dark and dingy place that would make some readers uncomfortable. THE FALLEN is what would happen if Liam Neeson failed to save her daughter in that movie Taken except that it'll be on paranormal steroids, know what I mean?
THE FALLEN is Xander's story when he was sentinel, angel, and a good guy, until a gorgeous, vengeful brunette crossed his path. I don't know if we're meant to fall in love with Xander, to be honest with you. His doesn't do fluff to begin with and accepts payment in tits and clits (can't help but LOL on that one) he's imposing and carries a sliver of darkness around him which is ironic considering he's an angel. He's a stalker/protector, depends on how you look at it, an avenging angel so mercy isn't really his thing. He can be loving and caring in his own dark way and he sure did sacrifice a LOT of things for Karinna, his one true love (?). Xander may not be my type but he is a compelling character due to the darkness and light that he carries in his heart. Let me just say this, I would want him guarding my back for sure but I'd think it over a million, trillion times before I invite him to my bed not because he'll scar me for life, he just throws off this hard-to-read vibe about him. Xander is beyond Alpha and definitely not angelic.
Karinna. This girl is on a mission to avenge her sister's death which got Xander's attention. This girl's lived a hard life since her sister died and she went out of her way, exploring the dangerous red light underground circle of Detroit to get into Sadismen, a group of sadistic mofo who are into making snuff films, raping and torturing the death out of women. Karinna has this coldness about her that would rival an Ice Queen's. She has tunnel vision until Xander broke through her haze. As a "couple", I didn't find anything romantic between these two. They're both tortured souls and when they got together, it's more of comfort and lust than love. I didn't feel the intimacy between them despite the vulnerability they both demonstrated. Unfortunately they didn't get the chance to fan the flames of romance because tragedy struck too soon leaving both of them in a better place but more scarred than before.
Man, I tell you, I felt so distraught after reading THE FALLEN! This shiznit's got no HEA, only a promise of something more with the outcome unknown and unpredictable. KLake really went to a very dark place in this novel. I'd use the label BDSM loosely because the erotic elements here are midnight black and S stands for slavery and not the cute consensual one so grit your jaws tight and suck in a big breath before delving into this novel. But as I enjoy being shoved out of my comfort zone, I of coursed LOVED every minute of it. It's nice when an author switch things up, adding a smoky, more musky flavor to her books. It's risky but it sure paid off here although, KLake, if you're reading this, I hope Gavin's book isn't as dark as this one. I like him warm, romantic and pliant *wink wink* if you know what I mean.
April 23, 2014
This book surprised me in so many ways, it was dark and cruel and explicitly sexual with a lot of BDSM. I was wary of Xander at the beginning, thinking I wasn't going to like him at all, but like most things not all is as it seems. Although as a hunter of the Fallen, in the seedy parts of existence, he can and does perform cruelties and executions. Karinna works as a stripper in the parts of Detroit that Xander hunts, she does this and other things to get the information she needs to avenge Lita...her sister, who suffered agonisingly at the hands of the kind of scum who get off on the rape, torture and murdering of young women. Xander watches her closely until he is forced to step in and take charge of her in his own dark way. Here starts the struggle between the two for dominance, a struggle that will change the course of both their lives. I was entranced, anxious, sometimes cringing and fascinated until the end...!! Be prepared for some surprises along the way! Well Done Keri Lake...I look forward to the next installment in this engrossing series.
August 2, 2014
I'll be back once I gather my thoughts.
Never realized I didn't come back. Gather my thoughts? Yeah right. Totally hard to do after this story.
Darker than anything I've read - edgier to the point of (good) discomfort, this story is a total emotional roller coaster ride. If you love paranormal tales packed full of tension, action, HOTNESS, and a just a tad (clears throat) of sexual tension, GET THIS BOOK.
It's one I'll be re-reading again.
And again.
The Sons of Wrath series kicks major @$$, and I cannot wait for the next release.
Never realized I didn't come back. Gather my thoughts? Yeah right. Totally hard to do after this story.
Darker than anything I've read - edgier to the point of (good) discomfort, this story is a total emotional roller coaster ride. If you love paranormal tales packed full of tension, action, HOTNESS, and a just a tad (clears throat) of sexual tension, GET THIS BOOK.
It's one I'll be re-reading again.
And again.
The Sons of Wrath series kicks major @$$, and I cannot wait for the next release.
May 10, 2014
Initially I didn't like this book. I had some trouble getting into it and also found it a bit hard to read. I almost gave up on it. But thankfully I didn't. The further into the book I read, the more I liked it and the easier I found it to read. Even now, after finishing the book I am still a little uncertain about some things to do with the story, but I am glad I read it. I did not expect that ending one little bit (the whole Lolita/Karinna revelation, which I found confusing at first and am not totally clear on still, was a huge surprise). This is defiantly not your typical angel story!
September 24, 2014
This book is not for the faint of heart. There are scenes of torture and abuse that are quite intense (imo). As dark and evil as the characters in this book are, I still found myself falling for Xander. While there isn't a typical HEA for our H/h I'm still holding out hope. I've already bought the next two books in this series, but I need a day or two to clear my head before I jump back into this series.
April 20, 2014
It was very, very dark but deserves 5 stars
April 24, 2014
4.5*s
I got to say... I have no idea how I'm going to review this book lol but here goes..
Wow, who knew Xander was so dark & sadistic? Or was he? Prepare for some mind f*@kery....
The premise of this book is that Xander- an angelic sentinel – is deep undercover within an organised ring of men known as Sadismen and headed by Ian Fontaine who runs a BDSM club – Hard Limits. Xander is in deep, he is loyal to them and partakes in some of their more unsavoury ventures to keep up the façade BUT he knows the time is coming to take them down and it can’t be too soon for Xander because he has been majorly affected by his exposure to the sadistic sexual side of the operation. That comes to the forefront when he starts following Karinna, knowing what she has planned, knowing that the life she is leading is all because the Sadismen got to her sister and she wants vengeance. Xander wants to give her that vengeance but he wants her more, he wants her in a way an angel should fear because she is forbidden…. What is it about her? Is he willing to ‘fall’ for her? Will he risk everything for the feel of the one woman he shouldn’t want? He needs to open her eyes to what will happen if these men get to her, make her face the abuse she will receive, keep her safe… but the only way to do that is to show her, enlighten her…and he will.
I have to admit that this book was a tad dark for me, I have never read anything like it – I know I enjoyed it for the story as a whole but it definitely pushed my boundaries and didn’t know what to feel about Xander… in one respect I get that he craves things and that being amongst those type of people will desensitise a person to what is the norm and I even view the way he treats the slaves in a positive light because in a way, he is saving them from that life with his mind f*@kery but his darkness did a number on my mind and I’m not sure how I’m meant to feel because it is all new to me. The darkest and most taboo sexual sadism is brought to light in this book in a way that I have never read before and challenged my perception of Xander as a hero/love interest…. He was both but also a contradiction to that and it’s only at the end of the book that we really see the whole picture and can judge the events that lead to the finale. Same goes for Karinna, to put herself through what she went through was so extreme. I totally get what lengths you would go to for vengeance against your own sister; I would die for mine…. But holy sh*t this was harsh and it was tough reading, I wanted someone to be gentle with her, heal some of her wounds but she was so far gone and single minded that nothing could get through and it took a lot of my imagination to try to empathise with her plight. I get the whats & whys but I’m a fixer, I like to heal people and I believe in the power of love and in a twisted way… I got all of that but again, it’s only at the end do we see. As with all books in this series the author is not afraid to go to any depths, giving us depravity of the highest order, this is not some ‘everyones happy playing at bdsm in their play room’ this is some f’d up sh*t!! there are no fluffy handcuffs (there are manacles), there are no silk ties (there are chokers with hooks), there is no mutual consent/agreements or safe words (there is force, there is rape, there is murder, there is entrapment) and it is a harsh read and if – like me - you’re not used to the more dubvious side of erotica, then you’re in for an eye opener. Now I must find something light & fluffy to read with lots of declarations of love and HEAs ;)
I got to say... I have no idea how I'm going to review this book lol but here goes..
Wow, who knew Xander was so dark & sadistic? Or was he? Prepare for some mind f*@kery....
The premise of this book is that Xander- an angelic sentinel – is deep undercover within an organised ring of men known as Sadismen and headed by Ian Fontaine who runs a BDSM club – Hard Limits. Xander is in deep, he is loyal to them and partakes in some of their more unsavoury ventures to keep up the façade BUT he knows the time is coming to take them down and it can’t be too soon for Xander because he has been majorly affected by his exposure to the sadistic sexual side of the operation. That comes to the forefront when he starts following Karinna, knowing what she has planned, knowing that the life she is leading is all because the Sadismen got to her sister and she wants vengeance. Xander wants to give her that vengeance but he wants her more, he wants her in a way an angel should fear because she is forbidden…. What is it about her? Is he willing to ‘fall’ for her? Will he risk everything for the feel of the one woman he shouldn’t want? He needs to open her eyes to what will happen if these men get to her, make her face the abuse she will receive, keep her safe… but the only way to do that is to show her, enlighten her…and he will.
I have to admit that this book was a tad dark for me, I have never read anything like it – I know I enjoyed it for the story as a whole but it definitely pushed my boundaries and didn’t know what to feel about Xander… in one respect I get that he craves things and that being amongst those type of people will desensitise a person to what is the norm and I even view the way he treats the slaves in a positive light because in a way, he is saving them from that life with his mind f*@kery but his darkness did a number on my mind and I’m not sure how I’m meant to feel because it is all new to me. The darkest and most taboo sexual sadism is brought to light in this book in a way that I have never read before and challenged my perception of Xander as a hero/love interest…. He was both but also a contradiction to that and it’s only at the end of the book that we really see the whole picture and can judge the events that lead to the finale. Same goes for Karinna, to put herself through what she went through was so extreme. I totally get what lengths you would go to for vengeance against your own sister; I would die for mine…. But holy sh*t this was harsh and it was tough reading, I wanted someone to be gentle with her, heal some of her wounds but she was so far gone and single minded that nothing could get through and it took a lot of my imagination to try to empathise with her plight. I get the whats & whys but I’m a fixer, I like to heal people and I believe in the power of love and in a twisted way… I got all of that but again, it’s only at the end do we see. As with all books in this series the author is not afraid to go to any depths, giving us depravity of the highest order, this is not some ‘everyones happy playing at bdsm in their play room’ this is some f’d up sh*t!! there are no fluffy handcuffs (there are manacles), there are no silk ties (there are chokers with hooks), there is no mutual consent/agreements or safe words (there is force, there is rape, there is murder, there is entrapment) and it is a harsh read and if – like me - you’re not used to the more dubvious side of erotica, then you’re in for an eye opener. Now I must find something light & fluffy to read with lots of declarations of love and HEAs ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2014
Keri Lake's SOUL AVENGED was one of the first books I read in 2013 and I loved it. It was everything I loved about paranormal urban fantasies with a great plot, complicated characters, and constant action. She followed it up with SOUL RESURRECTED that was just as good, continuing with the Sons of Wrath demons. And now... you have Xander's story in THE FALLEN and it's free today 4/17/14.
This book is grittier with some horrifying scenes that are no longer implied but shown to you. I really want to tell you more about Karinna and Lolita, but I fear giving away a single inkling of a thought. Karinna is a tough as nails chick who is seeking revenge for Lolita. She is going to carve up the b&st&rds who tortured Lita and to do so, she immerses herself into a dangerous and seedy underground.
Feed it. Eff it. Eat it. Feed it. Eff it. Eat it.
Argggggh. The scenes are intense and cringeworthy but not so bad that you'll toss your cookies. Watching the relationship develop between Xander and Karinna is confusing and sweet and mindboggling. And then Keri Lake dumps it on you. The twist. If you're anything like me, you'll curse and say, "Oh, s*o*b*! what?!"
Fast-paced, action-packed, gritty, dark, and yet with a beam of hope, this is a kindle bruiser and will keep you glued to your pages as you watch the face off between the angels and the fallen. 5 fabulous stars. Oh, how I cannot wait for the next Sons of Wrath novel. You write it, Mrs. Lake, and I'll read it and tell everyone I know about it!
This book is grittier with some horrifying scenes that are no longer implied but shown to you. I really want to tell you more about Karinna and Lolita, but I fear giving away a single inkling of a thought. Karinna is a tough as nails chick who is seeking revenge for Lolita. She is going to carve up the b&st&rds who tortured Lita and to do so, she immerses herself into a dangerous and seedy underground.
Feed it. Eff it. Eat it. Feed it. Eff it. Eat it.
Argggggh. The scenes are intense and cringeworthy but not so bad that you'll toss your cookies. Watching the relationship develop between Xander and Karinna is confusing and sweet and mindboggling. And then Keri Lake dumps it on you. The twist. If you're anything like me, you'll curse and say, "Oh, s*o*b*! what?!"
Fast-paced, action-packed, gritty, dark, and yet with a beam of hope, this is a kindle bruiser and will keep you glued to your pages as you watch the face off between the angels and the fallen. 5 fabulous stars. Oh, how I cannot wait for the next Sons of Wrath novel. You write it, Mrs. Lake, and I'll read it and tell everyone I know about it!
September 12, 2014
I really didn't know what I was in for with this book. I love paranormal romance and I also those dark and twisted books that leave you a little messed up afterward. Not often have I read those two rolled up into one book, but with The Fallen I did. This is not a tale for the faint of heart. There is graphic detail and a whole bunch of messed-up-ness.
I have not read any other book by Keri Lake and this was my first Sons of Wrath book even though I understand that it was written after the first book in the series. This was the twisted tale of Xander and Karinna and their path to take down those that have wronged them.
Xander has lived his life as a Sentinel and been a part of the nasty and wicked underbelly of society. Karinna has a taste for revenge against those that have messed with her life.
This is the crazy tale that shows the really terrible parts of the world that both Xander and Karinna have become intimately acquainted with. But beyond vengeance and the need to destroy, they find each other.
While I'm not completely okay with the end, I get it. I also understand that we will see Xander again in the other books. (Which has me a little excited.) The twists in this left my mind spinning. The details left me a little bit breathless. But the story had me a the beginning and I just couldn't turn away.
I have not read any other book by Keri Lake and this was my first Sons of Wrath book even though I understand that it was written after the first book in the series. This was the twisted tale of Xander and Karinna and their path to take down those that have wronged them.
Xander has lived his life as a Sentinel and been a part of the nasty and wicked underbelly of society. Karinna has a taste for revenge against those that have messed with her life.
This is the crazy tale that shows the really terrible parts of the world that both Xander and Karinna have become intimately acquainted with. But beyond vengeance and the need to destroy, they find each other.
While I'm not completely okay with the end, I get it. I also understand that we will see Xander again in the other books. (Which has me a little excited.) The twists in this left my mind spinning. The details left me a little bit breathless. But the story had me a the beginning and I just couldn't turn away.
May 19, 2014
This would have been a 5 star for me if not for the very unclear, and for me very unsatisfying ending. Let's speak plain: I hated the ending!!
The story is very, very dark, very, very violent. The cruelty is the worst I've read until now.
The heroine, Karinna, is a very sick, damaged young woman. To her violence is common, she trained herself to violence. She's drowning in violence. Her only scope is revenge. She'll do every and anything to obtain it.
The hero, Xander is an angel. An angel with white wings, but with a dark, dark soul. He's seen every depravity on earth without doing anything to stop them. He's killed. He's tortured.
Both of them are not heroes. They're revenge incarnate.
Karinna is the only human Xander has ever saved. But he's not allowed to save anybody. But still he did it and he'll do everything to keep her alive. Even fall...
Their love is tortured too. They're not allowed to love,
A complicated and in a way sad story. Excellent world building: very bleak and dark with an overwhelming sense of doom.
A good series though! I'll keep reading it!
The story is very, very dark, very, very violent. The cruelty is the worst I've read until now.
The heroine, Karinna, is a very sick, damaged young woman. To her violence is common, she trained herself to violence. She's drowning in violence. Her only scope is revenge. She'll do every and anything to obtain it.
The hero, Xander is an angel. An angel with white wings, but with a dark, dark soul. He's seen every depravity on earth without doing anything to stop them. He's killed. He's tortured.
Both of them are not heroes. They're revenge incarnate.
Karinna is the only human Xander has ever saved. But he's not allowed to save anybody. But still he did it and he'll do everything to keep her alive. Even fall...
Their love is tortured too. They're not allowed to love,
A complicated and in a way sad story. Excellent world building: very bleak and dark with an overwhelming sense of doom.
A good series though! I'll keep reading it!
September 2, 2016
5 wonderfully twisted stars!
This is the prequel to the Sons of Wrath series. It’s dark and twisted which just happens to be my favorite kind of read. The Fallen is Xander’s story. It takes place during the year prior to him getting hired by Gavin. This is the tragic story of how a Sentinel angel falls. Xander is one of those characters who will do everything that you would despise in a person but somehow those very flaws are what you love most about him. He’s harsh, cruel and cocky. Isn’t that what every girl wants in her man? No? Well, I think you might change your mind after reading this. And then there’s Karinna. She’s a strong complicated character but she’s also very fragile. Reading her story broke my heart at times. So many times I wanted to yell at Xander to just give her a hug. The Fallen has lots of twists that I never saw coming. I even shed a few tears because I was so invested in Xander and Karinna’s story. I hope to see more of these two in future books. I have totally fallen in love with the complex world the author has created.
**arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
This is the prequel to the Sons of Wrath series. It’s dark and twisted which just happens to be my favorite kind of read. The Fallen is Xander’s story. It takes place during the year prior to him getting hired by Gavin. This is the tragic story of how a Sentinel angel falls. Xander is one of those characters who will do everything that you would despise in a person but somehow those very flaws are what you love most about him. He’s harsh, cruel and cocky. Isn’t that what every girl wants in her man? No? Well, I think you might change your mind after reading this. And then there’s Karinna. She’s a strong complicated character but she’s also very fragile. Reading her story broke my heart at times. So many times I wanted to yell at Xander to just give her a hug. The Fallen has lots of twists that I never saw coming. I even shed a few tears because I was so invested in Xander and Karinna’s story. I hope to see more of these two in future books. I have totally fallen in love with the complex world the author has created.
**arc provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
August 9, 2016
I have been wanting to read Keri Lake's Sons of Wrath series for a while, but for one reason or another just haven't. Then I won an ebook copy of The Fallen. Since I won I felt the need to read it quickly so I could give an honest review. Since it was labeled a prequel, I expected a quick novella, but instead found a full novel. Not to say that's bad, because it isn't. Overall I enjoyed the world created in the series, although it was very dark at times for me. I also got the sense a few times that I might have been better off having read the other 2 novels that are currently out. Once I read them, I will know for sure.
As I said, this was a dark world, but in the end, it worked. I won't lie but I did struggle at times with the darkness of it. Karinna is likable and very determined and Xander very sexy and twisted but together they make sense. There were a few twists in the end that I totally didn't see coming and had to go back and re-read sections to get the clues. Very clever. :)
If you like dark, sexy, paranormal, this is the book for you. Now I really can't wait to read the 2 other books in this series!
As I said, this was a dark world, but in the end, it worked. I won't lie but I did struggle at times with the darkness of it. Karinna is likable and very determined and Xander very sexy and twisted but together they make sense. There were a few twists in the end that I totally didn't see coming and had to go back and re-read sections to get the clues. Very clever. :)
If you like dark, sexy, paranormal, this is the book for you. Now I really can't wait to read the 2 other books in this series!
May 7, 2025
First things first... This book is effing amazing!! Now that that's off my chest I have to say this book comes with a warning at the beginning and that warning should be taken to heart. This is an extremely intense story, but Xander has an amazing way of sucking you in and making you not only want more, but need it! Once he gets his sight set on Karinna, he can't get help but be drawn to her. Here's where part of the warning comes into play... He is very hardcore about his encounters with her, but holy hell does he know how to get a reaction! Toward the end there is a twist that you will never see coming, it caused me to have to pause and collect myself before I could continue. There were even a few tears being held back! Would I love to see more Xander? YES please!!! Would I recommend this to everyone I know?? Hell Yeah!!!! Best of all she is offering it for FREE as a thank you to her faithful readers!!!
November 24, 2018
Full Review posted on Book Lovin' Mamas
Readers who are new to this series can start with the prequel first, or they could even go with Soul Avenged first. It’s not confusing at all where you start from in the series.
After reading The Fallen though, I definitely feel sympathy for such a crazy character, such as Xander. I’m going to need read Soul Avenged, and Soul Resurrected again because I now know why Xander is the way he is thanks to The Fallen.
I give this prequel 5 full moons and recommend it readers out there that have read book one and two in the Sons of Wrath series, and readers who have been meaning to read the series.
Readers who are new to this series can start with the prequel first, or they could even go with Soul Avenged first. It’s not confusing at all where you start from in the series.
After reading The Fallen though, I definitely feel sympathy for such a crazy character, such as Xander. I’m going to need read Soul Avenged, and Soul Resurrected again because I now know why Xander is the way he is thanks to The Fallen.
I give this prequel 5 full moons and recommend it readers out there that have read book one and two in the Sons of Wrath series, and readers who have been meaning to read the series.
May 19, 2015
Wow! This whole book is one big mind-f**k!! Xander is a Sentinel, an angel assigned to kill the fallen. He's been undercover for years and has infiltrated a sex trafficking and snuff film ring. Karinna lost her sister to this group and how vowed revenge. She takes a job as a stripper and meets Xander there. He wants her, but if he f**ks a human he'll become one of the fallen. There was so much going on in this book. It is very dark - be warned! Including the sex trafficking, there is BDSM with knife play, mind f**kery, abuse, rape, torture, and so much more. There were twists and turns and I never saw the what was coming towards the end of the book - it totally blew me away. This is a bit dark for my tastes, but very well written and interesting. Loved, loved, loved Xander!
June 14, 2017
Talk about disgusting and disturbing! This book was just ewww...filled with a bunch of rapists, pedophiles, cannibals and mulitation, it just turned my stomach that so many men loved to hurt girls so badly! This truly wasn't a tale of HEA, it was dark, gritty and just plain horrid..yet and still it was also refreshing that it didn't end on a HEA, it gave the book a more realistic edge. Knowing how close Xander and Karinna came, though I'd like to think that the sacrifice he made for her was sort of a HEA, even if it wasn't your typical or conventional ending. Maybe there's something more in stored for these two disturbed individuals further down the line!
BTW..the twist with Lolita and Karinna...totally awesome! Did not see that shit coming!!
BTW..the twist with Lolita and Karinna...totally awesome! Did not see that shit coming!!
February 17, 2024
2024 Update - It's with a hell of a lot of sadness that I have to take Keri Lake off of my favorite author's list. I've been following her on Instagram and she will add to their Stories feature comments about the Gaza War. Leaving it up temporarily is cowardice to me. Onw your views, even if it costs you money and friends. My second issue is that she is only worried about *certain* murdered civilians, not all of them. That's good old-fashioned prejudice folks. It's also the point when we know we are losing our humanity. So I'm adding this to all the reviews I've written for books by Keri Lake. I'm removing her books from my TBR list, and I'm deleting the books I've bought from my Kindle library.
Original review - this was a good book and a better intro so a ho-hum series.
Original review - this was a good book and a better intro so a ho-hum series.
October 15, 2014
Let me take a deep breath before I dive into trying to write a review of this book.
This book is the definition of Dark Erotica. The extreme nature of the entire book rocked my socks off. The abuse and obscenities are not for the faint of heart. Dark erotica is one of my favorite genres to read but I found myself having to step away from this book and suck in fresh air before diving back in.
Xander was brutal, sexy and to die for type of man. *fans self*
The entire book was well thought out, well written and a total mind fuck. Perfect.
I am off to buy the entire series tyvm.
This book is the definition of Dark Erotica. The extreme nature of the entire book rocked my socks off. The abuse and obscenities are not for the faint of heart. Dark erotica is one of my favorite genres to read but I found myself having to step away from this book and suck in fresh air before diving back in.
Xander was brutal, sexy and to die for type of man. *fans self*
The entire book was well thought out, well written and a total mind fuck. Perfect.
I am off to buy the entire series tyvm.
May 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this book & look forward to the rest of the series. It could get a little confusing at times but I think it may be due to the first 2 books were already written when this prequel came out. Most of the world building's probably done in those books & less in The Fallen. I'm certainly hooked :) Karinna is kick ass, so confident and determined & Xander is so damn loveable in a deep, DARK erotic sorta way. Hoping to see more of them & maybe a HEA throughout the other books.
December 23, 2015
Awesome!
Dark, intense, suspenseful, and most importantly (to me), a total mindfuck! !!
What a beautiful find! I loved Ricochet and once again Karissa Lake didn't disappoint with The Fallen. I usually don't read paranormal stories but this one was addictive and I can't wait to read the series.
Meet two broken souls who don't hesitate to risk everything to achieve their goals. Trully beautiful heartbreaking complex story in a chilling Detroit!
Chapeau bas Keri Lake :)))
Dark, intense, suspenseful, and most importantly (to me), a total mindfuck! !!
What a beautiful find! I loved Ricochet and once again Karissa Lake didn't disappoint with The Fallen. I usually don't read paranormal stories but this one was addictive and I can't wait to read the series.
Meet two broken souls who don't hesitate to risk everything to achieve their goals. Trully beautiful heartbreaking complex story in a chilling Detroit!
Chapeau bas Keri Lake :)))
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