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Cartel #3
Empire
The breathtaking finale to the USA Today bestselling Cartel trilogy.
I should have known it would always come down to this, from the very moment I laid eyes on him in that motel.
I should have known his salvation was too good to be true.
Because it's all gone now, the impossible, secret love I had for him bleeding away in the darkness that came afterwards.
Now there's only hate.
Now I just want to escape.
Even if it means I have to kill him to be free.
Before the Gypsy Brothers series there was the Cartel - from USA Today bestselling author Lili St Germain.
I should have known it would always come down to this, from the very moment I laid eyes on him in that motel.
I should have known his salvation was too good to be true.
Because it's all gone now, the impossible, secret love I had for him bleeding away in the darkness that came afterwards.
Now there's only hate.
Now I just want to escape.
Even if it means I have to kill him to be free.
Before the Gypsy Brothers series there was the Cartel - from USA Today bestselling author Lili St Germain.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2016
108 people are currently reading
3178 people want to read
About the author
Lili St. Germain
44 books4,340 followersLili is a USA Today bestselling hybrid author who has sold over a million books since January 2014. She writes stories about vengeful girls and villainous men, with readers crowning her "The Queen of Darkness" and "The best when it comes to dark, brooding and bloody romance."
Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.
She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.
Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.
She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.
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December 28, 2016
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
Wow! This book blew me away! I am still trying to wrap my mind around everything that transpired between the covers of this book. It was brilliant, dark, gory...and I loved every damn minute!
After finishing 'The Gypsy Brothers' series, I was not ready to let go of the characters that I had grown to love or those that I had grown to hate. I wanted more. I needed answers.
Dornan, especially, was intriguing. How did he get to be such a sadistic, deranged killer? What happens to a person to turn them into that kind of monster? Lili St. Germain did a spectacular job of providing brief glimpses of Dornan's conscience, hinting at some underlying humanity, while not taking away from the fact that he was a really bad guy. Despite the fact that he was a brutal murderer, there was something about him that called to me.
Beginning the 'Cartel' series, I tried to distance myself from Mariana and John. After all, I knew how things were going to work out in the end. That was a given, if you read 'The Gypsy Brothers' first.
This is not a story with a happy ending. It is tragic. It is raw. It is absolutely heartbreaking. I knew this at the onset, but I couldn't help but be devastated when it all came to pass, just as I knew it would.
The final book in the 'Cartel' series, 'Empire' illustrates Dornan's descent into madness. While we were introduced to Dornan's dark side in 'Kingpin', this book submerses us in his darkness. There is no coming back for him and Mariana must face the fact that the man she loves doesn't exist any longer.
Even knowing how things would end, I found myself wanted Dornan to redeem himself. I wanted something...anything...to make it alright. I was devastated as I watched him literally transform into the cold, depraved killer that I knew from 'The Gypsy Brothers'. It was inevitable, but it still crushed me.
After everything, I was still taken aback by Dornan's vulnerability. Although he became a monster, embracing his darkness at the expense of his humanity, there was still a small part of him that was tender and loving. I was mesmerized by his thoughts and contradictory actions. He definitely had more than his fair share of daddy issues and his desire to please his father ruined his world.
If you're a fan of dark romance/erotica, then I highly recommend that your read 'The Gypsy Brothers' series, followed by the 'Cartel' series. These books are not for everyone, as they contain plentiful and graphic accounts of abuse of every variety. However, if you like raw, gritty, dark stories then you can't go wrong with these series. I am blown away by the disturbing, twisted content that Lili St. Germain produces. Take the disclaimers seriously...and buckle up! This story will rip your heart out and leave you rocking yourself in a corner.
Wow! This book blew me away! I am still trying to wrap my mind around everything that transpired between the covers of this book. It was brilliant, dark, gory...and I loved every damn minute!
After finishing 'The Gypsy Brothers' series, I was not ready to let go of the characters that I had grown to love or those that I had grown to hate. I wanted more. I needed answers.
Dornan, especially, was intriguing. How did he get to be such a sadistic, deranged killer? What happens to a person to turn them into that kind of monster? Lili St. Germain did a spectacular job of providing brief glimpses of Dornan's conscience, hinting at some underlying humanity, while not taking away from the fact that he was a really bad guy. Despite the fact that he was a brutal murderer, there was something about him that called to me.
Beginning the 'Cartel' series, I tried to distance myself from Mariana and John. After all, I knew how things were going to work out in the end. That was a given, if you read 'The Gypsy Brothers' first.
This is not a story with a happy ending. It is tragic. It is raw. It is absolutely heartbreaking. I knew this at the onset, but I couldn't help but be devastated when it all came to pass, just as I knew it would.
The final book in the 'Cartel' series, 'Empire' illustrates Dornan's descent into madness. While we were introduced to Dornan's dark side in 'Kingpin', this book submerses us in his darkness. There is no coming back for him and Mariana must face the fact that the man she loves doesn't exist any longer.
Even knowing how things would end, I found myself wanted Dornan to redeem himself. I wanted something...anything...to make it alright. I was devastated as I watched him literally transform into the cold, depraved killer that I knew from 'The Gypsy Brothers'. It was inevitable, but it still crushed me.
After everything, I was still taken aback by Dornan's vulnerability. Although he became a monster, embracing his darkness at the expense of his humanity, there was still a small part of him that was tender and loving. I was mesmerized by his thoughts and contradictory actions. He definitely had more than his fair share of daddy issues and his desire to please his father ruined his world.
If you're a fan of dark romance/erotica, then I highly recommend that your read 'The Gypsy Brothers' series, followed by the 'Cartel' series. These books are not for everyone, as they contain plentiful and graphic accounts of abuse of every variety. However, if you like raw, gritty, dark stories then you can't go wrong with these series. I am blown away by the disturbing, twisted content that Lili St. Germain produces. Take the disclaimers seriously...and buckle up! This story will rip your heart out and leave you rocking yourself in a corner.
December 31, 2016
Empire
Cartel #3
By Lili St. Germain
Wow just wow amazing book- I highly recommend both series especially if you are a fan of a dark romance.
As I wrote this review I tried my best not to give away too much info.
These two had a unique relationship it's a miracle that lasted as long as they did.. At least from her part due to the fact that he was the jailer with the key to everything, her cage at home- you name it…He saved her from his father who was going sell as slave, or did he? We knew the ending to this so called " love story" before we even started the journey of reading the trilogy... We just didn't know how they travel from beginning to end...
In the 1st book wasn't sure if I was reading about the same evil man from the Gypsy Brothers series... in 2nd book we started to see some taste of that man. .. But whole hell there was no doubt in my mind that this was that same evil man... Lord after what Dorman did to his so call 1st love left me reeling. .. And then what he did Ana... I was worried for while that she might forgive him... I loved how Ana stood up to big daddy (Emilio ) I thought for sure he was going kill her right than & there...
But again I had Lil doubt in mind at end book... Without Anain his life Dornan turn so very dark & if you read Gypsy Brothers series can see how dark this man can truly be
This is not a story with a happy ending. It is tragic. Dornan had best described it in book 1 when he told Mariana/Ana
"Remember? This isn't a fairytale.
I'm not your hero, Ana.
Nobody is.
Nobody is coming to save you."
And trust me he wasn’t kidding her
There is many twists & turns in this book that leaves Mariana story open at the ended. With Lili St. Germain twisted mind & skill at writing I believe she can write more about Mariana/Ana
***I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Cartel #3
By Lili St. Germain
Wow just wow amazing book- I highly recommend both series especially if you are a fan of a dark romance.
As I wrote this review I tried my best not to give away too much info.
These two had a unique relationship it's a miracle that lasted as long as they did.. At least from her part due to the fact that he was the jailer with the key to everything, her cage at home- you name it…He saved her from his father who was going sell as slave, or did he? We knew the ending to this so called " love story" before we even started the journey of reading the trilogy... We just didn't know how they travel from beginning to end...
In the 1st book wasn't sure if I was reading about the same evil man from the Gypsy Brothers series... in 2nd book we started to see some taste of that man. .. But whole hell there was no doubt in my mind that this was that same evil man... Lord after what Dorman did to his so call 1st love left me reeling. .. And then what he did Ana... I was worried for while that she might forgive him... I loved how Ana stood up to big daddy (Emilio ) I thought for sure he was going kill her right than & there...
But again I had Lil doubt in mind at end book... Without Anain his life Dornan turn so very dark & if you read Gypsy Brothers series can see how dark this man can truly be
This is not a story with a happy ending. It is tragic. Dornan had best described it in book 1 when he told Mariana/Ana
"Remember? This isn't a fairytale.
I'm not your hero, Ana.
Nobody is.
Nobody is coming to save you."
And trust me he wasn’t kidding her
There is many twists & turns in this book that leaves Mariana story open at the ended. With Lili St. Germain twisted mind & skill at writing I believe she can write more about Mariana/Ana
***I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
December 24, 2016
This was an awesome ending to this series and I can't wait to FINALLY dive into the Gypsy Brothers! I'm really not sure of all my feelings right now! Lili takes us on quite a gritty and crazy roller coaster that's for sure! She has me all kinds of confused on if I love or hate certain characters. If I want them to have a HEA or if they are even redeemable. For some reason after all the gruesome things that Dornan has done in this series (ESPECIALLY THIS BOOK) I'm still rooting for him. Which makes me question my sanity! Lili broke my heart in this book and made me angry and I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to let her continue to do so in the next series!!! If you read this don't be expecting sunshine and rainbows or a light at the end of the tunnel! This isn't a fairytale or a romance! This is raw, this is gritty and this is real! I'm so glad I picked up this series! It was a nice change of pace and it kept me on the edge of my seat with lots of unexpected twists and turns! As a dark series it definitely delivers and does not disappoint!
February 23, 2017
***4,5 "Brutal and unjustly" stars***
"People aren't born monsters. They're made that way."
If i'll say that this story didn't broke something inside of me, it will be a total lie!!!
Damn!!! The last thirty pages wrecked my heart... even some tears slipped down on my cheeks!!!
This ending was devestating and not so much for Mariana and John because they made their bed on their own, but for this poor girl, Juliette!!!!
She was the ultimate innocent person in here!!! She and Jase!!! And she had the worst fate of all of them for something that wasn't her fault!!!
Damn you, Dornan!!!! How could you???
"Why can't we ever turn back the fucking clock?"
In the last installment of the Cartel series, the web of lies and secrets are crumbling down...
Mariana can't stand to be anymore with Dornan, not after what he did to her....
She is in love with a kind and gentle man and the only thing that she wants is for her, John, Juliette and Jase to run away from this fucked up life and Dornan...
But she had no other choice than to stay with Dornan, until she will find out a way to be finally free of him, Emilio and the Cartel!!!
"I should have known his salvation was too good to be true.
Because it’s all gone now, the dark secret love I had for him bleeding away in the darkness that came afterwards.
Now, there’s only hate.
Now, I just want to escape."
"My twenty-ninth birthday and I was still here. Still with Dornan. Still with John. Trapped between three men: one that I loved, one that I used to love, and one that I despised with every fibre of my being."
Dornan is getting suspicious of her and with his father's push, he is determined to found out if Mariana had betrayed him in many ways...
Did she betray the Cartel by killing Murphy???
Is she fucking someone else???
At the same time, Dornan and John's friendship is breaking down and Dornan is a very vengeaful person...
"She hated him for what he’d done. For everything. And he couldn’t even blame her, because she was right to hate him. To fear him.
None of that mattered, though. She was his. She would always be his."
"Time had worn them both down, two brothers in arms, complete strangers....
They were no longer the brothers in arms they’d been as teenagers, setting off on the open road, criss-crossing the country with abandon. They were prisoners of fate now, soldiers of a fortune that they could never have foretold."
John doesn't want anymore to be the other man in Mariana's life!!!
He wants to get her and his loving daughter away from this life and Dornan's wrath, but Mariana is refusing to let Jase behind, so that fact are slowing them down and if they won't be careful, they will find themselves in a very difficult position...
Probably, six feet under the earth!!!
"You have a daughter, John. Calm your shit. Get it together.
It wasn’t easy to be calm around a storm like Dornan Ross. He made you see the worst in yourself, like a mirror, held up to expose your dirtiest truths. He was like poison."
Well, as you can understand, things got really ugly in here, especially when Dornan became suspicious...
The man had lost his mind.... He wasn't the man that he was in the first book...
The darkness had completely ruled him and he became very unpredictable!!!!
"Dornan had been born on this road. Naked, bloody, screaming, a pawn in a game much bigger than him. A chess piece that belonged to Emilio Ross, in blood and in name...
Dornan would never be able to run from the thing he came from. The thing that created him. The darkness didn’t just exist within him.
He was the fucking darkness."
No, i won't tell you more, but the things didn't turn out very good...
The thing that pissed me off very much was that the bad guys didn't take what they really deserved...
Unfortunately, the good guys took what they didn't deserve and that was breaking my heart!!!
Especially for Juliette!!! But also for John...
How could Dornan do all those things to these two people who knew for so many years and that he once loved so much???
I also have some objections for Mariana's ending.... It pleased me but it pained me as well!!!!
"He became the monster he was born to be."
Damn!!!! I'm running for Gypsy Brothers series because i need desperately redemption for Juliette!!!
I hope that she will kill painfully Dornan and his six seeds!!!!
***ARC generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
"People aren't born monsters. They're made that way."
If i'll say that this story didn't broke something inside of me, it will be a total lie!!!
Damn!!! The last thirty pages wrecked my heart... even some tears slipped down on my cheeks!!!
This ending was devestating and not so much for Mariana and John because they made their bed on their own, but for this poor girl, Juliette!!!!
She was the ultimate innocent person in here!!! She and Jase!!! And she had the worst fate of all of them for something that wasn't her fault!!!
Damn you, Dornan!!!! How could you???
"Why can't we ever turn back the fucking clock?"
In the last installment of the Cartel series, the web of lies and secrets are crumbling down...
Mariana can't stand to be anymore with Dornan, not after what he did to her....
She is in love with a kind and gentle man and the only thing that she wants is for her, John, Juliette and Jase to run away from this fucked up life and Dornan...
But she had no other choice than to stay with Dornan, until she will find out a way to be finally free of him, Emilio and the Cartel!!!
"I should have known his salvation was too good to be true.
Because it’s all gone now, the dark secret love I had for him bleeding away in the darkness that came afterwards.
Now, there’s only hate.
Now, I just want to escape."
"My twenty-ninth birthday and I was still here. Still with Dornan. Still with John. Trapped between three men: one that I loved, one that I used to love, and one that I despised with every fibre of my being."
Dornan is getting suspicious of her and with his father's push, he is determined to found out if Mariana had betrayed him in many ways...
Did she betray the Cartel by killing Murphy???
Is she fucking someone else???
At the same time, Dornan and John's friendship is breaking down and Dornan is a very vengeaful person...
"She hated him for what he’d done. For everything. And he couldn’t even blame her, because she was right to hate him. To fear him.
None of that mattered, though. She was his. She would always be his."
"Time had worn them both down, two brothers in arms, complete strangers....
They were no longer the brothers in arms they’d been as teenagers, setting off on the open road, criss-crossing the country with abandon. They were prisoners of fate now, soldiers of a fortune that they could never have foretold."
John doesn't want anymore to be the other man in Mariana's life!!!
He wants to get her and his loving daughter away from this life and Dornan's wrath, but Mariana is refusing to let Jase behind, so that fact are slowing them down and if they won't be careful, they will find themselves in a very difficult position...
Probably, six feet under the earth!!!
"You have a daughter, John. Calm your shit. Get it together.
It wasn’t easy to be calm around a storm like Dornan Ross. He made you see the worst in yourself, like a mirror, held up to expose your dirtiest truths. He was like poison."
Well, as you can understand, things got really ugly in here, especially when Dornan became suspicious...
The man had lost his mind.... He wasn't the man that he was in the first book...
The darkness had completely ruled him and he became very unpredictable!!!!
"Dornan had been born on this road. Naked, bloody, screaming, a pawn in a game much bigger than him. A chess piece that belonged to Emilio Ross, in blood and in name...
Dornan would never be able to run from the thing he came from. The thing that created him. The darkness didn’t just exist within him.
He was the fucking darkness."
No, i won't tell you more, but the things didn't turn out very good...
The thing that pissed me off very much was that the bad guys didn't take what they really deserved...
Unfortunately, the good guys took what they didn't deserve and that was breaking my heart!!!
Especially for Juliette!!! But also for John...
How could Dornan do all those things to these two people who knew for so many years and that he once loved so much???
I also have some objections for Mariana's ending.... It pleased me but it pained me as well!!!!
"He became the monster he was born to be."
Damn!!!! I'm running for Gypsy Brothers series because i need desperately redemption for Juliette!!!
I hope that she will kill painfully Dornan and his six seeds!!!!
***ARC generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
December 14, 2016
FIVE ELECTRIFYING STARS*****
(ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
I'm sweating, I'm panting, my heart feels like it's beating out of my chest. Empire was the perfect ending for this thrilling trilogy, and the perfect set up for the reader to get excited about the Gypsy Brothers books. I can't wait to read every single book... so here I come!!!!
On this third and last book of the Cartel trilogy, Mariana finally has an escape plan in place. It is getting harder, and harder for her to keep pretenses in front of those who are always following her. She's already lost so much, but inside her shattered heart there is still a place for love, and she is planning to protect it, no matter what.
Dornan is not who he used to be, he's no longer the man who saved her ten years ago from that filthy hotel room, when her life was on jeopardy. Mariana's dream for the past decade has been to be able to be at Dornan's side in front on the world, without having to hide any longer, but now that it seems that this dream might come true, why does it feel more like a nightmare to her?
Friendships that no longer have trust will end bloody, dangerous alliances will form, and the ranks inside The Gypsy Brothers MC will shift. A cruel war is in the horizon and nobody's future is safe.
In Empire the angst was through the roof, and all the unexpected turns, kept the plot so entertaining, that I'm sure I'll have severe book hangover for days. These books were skillfully written and designed to keep the reader guessing, wanting, parched for more.
One more thing I have to say about these thrilling stories, is that together they make a seriously sizzling series. So hot I almost dropped my kindle because it felt like it was burning.
A MUST READ SERIES!!!!!!!!
(ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
I'm sweating, I'm panting, my heart feels like it's beating out of my chest. Empire was the perfect ending for this thrilling trilogy, and the perfect set up for the reader to get excited about the Gypsy Brothers books. I can't wait to read every single book... so here I come!!!!
On this third and last book of the Cartel trilogy, Mariana finally has an escape plan in place. It is getting harder, and harder for her to keep pretenses in front of those who are always following her. She's already lost so much, but inside her shattered heart there is still a place for love, and she is planning to protect it, no matter what.
Dornan is not who he used to be, he's no longer the man who saved her ten years ago from that filthy hotel room, when her life was on jeopardy. Mariana's dream for the past decade has been to be able to be at Dornan's side in front on the world, without having to hide any longer, but now that it seems that this dream might come true, why does it feel more like a nightmare to her?
Friendships that no longer have trust will end bloody, dangerous alliances will form, and the ranks inside The Gypsy Brothers MC will shift. A cruel war is in the horizon and nobody's future is safe.
In Empire the angst was through the roof, and all the unexpected turns, kept the plot so entertaining, that I'm sure I'll have severe book hangover for days. These books were skillfully written and designed to keep the reader guessing, wanting, parched for more.
One more thing I have to say about these thrilling stories, is that together they make a seriously sizzling series. So hot I almost dropped my kindle because it felt like it was burning.
A MUST READ SERIES!!!!!!!!
December 20, 2016
**ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review**
"People aren't born monsters. They're made that way."
I had mixed feelings while I was reading this book because I knew what would happen at the end. People who read the Gypsy Brothers series know what I'm talking about. Nevertheless I was also excited to be reunited with the amazing characters. Mariana, Dornan and John are one of the most intriguing characters I had the pleasure of meeting. Their relationship was very intense and complicated. My heart broke for all three of them.
I have been on a crazy and wild ride with this trilogy and I hate saying goodbye. Empire was a PERFECT conclusion to the trilogy. Lili managed to shock and surprise me throughout the book. So much was going on and I loved the plot twist. Mariana is such a strong character, and I have so much respect for her. She found a way to play with the big bad guys, and she stands her ground. We already saw Dornan spiraling out of control in the previous books, but it reached a new level in this book. I really felt sorry for him. John has been a very solid character in this trilogy and he has a special place in my heart. The ending was very difficult to read but it went the way it was suppose to go.
If you love unconventional dark romances then I highly recommend you to give this trilogy a try. Also make sure to read the Gypsy Brothers series, which is somewhat of a spin-off and will focus on characters you already met in this trilogy.
"People aren't born monsters. They're made that way."
I had mixed feelings while I was reading this book because I knew what would happen at the end. People who read the Gypsy Brothers series know what I'm talking about. Nevertheless I was also excited to be reunited with the amazing characters. Mariana, Dornan and John are one of the most intriguing characters I had the pleasure of meeting. Their relationship was very intense and complicated. My heart broke for all three of them.
I have been on a crazy and wild ride with this trilogy and I hate saying goodbye. Empire was a PERFECT conclusion to the trilogy. Lili managed to shock and surprise me throughout the book. So much was going on and I loved the plot twist. Mariana is such a strong character, and I have so much respect for her. She found a way to play with the big bad guys, and she stands her ground. We already saw Dornan spiraling out of control in the previous books, but it reached a new level in this book. I really felt sorry for him. John has been a very solid character in this trilogy and he has a special place in my heart. The ending was very difficult to read but it went the way it was suppose to go.
If you love unconventional dark romances then I highly recommend you to give this trilogy a try. Also make sure to read the Gypsy Brothers series, which is somewhat of a spin-off and will focus on characters you already met in this trilogy.
December 19, 2016
Full disclosure: I haven’t read Cartel or Kingpin yet. But I started this book for a graphics project and once I got over the fear of reading more about Dornan, I was really going to start it. So I felt like reading Gypsy Bros. at least prepared me and it really didn’t spoil the series at all. If anything, I want to read the two prior books even MORE now.
Having read the GB first, I didn’t go into this story with hopes that Dornan could give me a case of the warm and fuzzies. BUT. A huge, giant BUT goes here... I couldn’t help but grieve for him just a bit. He was a train wreck. His path was laid out before him and although he had choices, he sort of didn’t at the same time.
He couldn’t be good, so he made sure he was the worse.
John and Marianna’s story was tragic. Reading the events that led up to the first book in the Gypsy Bros... It broke my fucking heart.
I cried so hard. My heart broke and I can’t really tell you who it hurt more for. This story was amazing. It was so damn emotional and gripping. I lost it completely. I still can’t even think about it and it’s been about a month.
Lili St. Germain rocked the fuck out of this story. She delivered a tragic love story that had no good way to end and still had this reader on the edge of her seat. Still clinging to a little ounce of hope that somehow I dreamed up the GB books and this could end differently.
Dornan might just be my favorite villain EVER.
Having read the GB first, I didn’t go into this story with hopes that Dornan could give me a case of the warm and fuzzies. BUT. A huge, giant BUT goes here... I couldn’t help but grieve for him just a bit. He was a train wreck. His path was laid out before him and although he had choices, he sort of didn’t at the same time.
He couldn’t be good, so he made sure he was the worse.
John and Marianna’s story was tragic. Reading the events that led up to the first book in the Gypsy Bros... It broke my fucking heart.
I cried so hard. My heart broke and I can’t really tell you who it hurt more for. This story was amazing. It was so damn emotional and gripping. I lost it completely. I still can’t even think about it and it’s been about a month.
Lili St. Germain rocked the fuck out of this story. She delivered a tragic love story that had no good way to end and still had this reader on the edge of her seat. Still clinging to a little ounce of hope that somehow I dreamed up the GB books and this could end differently.
Dornan might just be my favorite villain EVER.
February 17, 2017
Violent. Brutal. Empire will take its toll on your mental well-being.
This is the third book in the Cartel series by Lili St. Germain. I had this marked on my calendar for release this past June. As they do, release dates get moved and in this case, it was moved so far from when I read Kingpin (Cartel, #2), I forgot major portions of the previous story. This created an issue for me as this book picked up where Kingpin left off and I was a little lost and confused.
Emilio continues to be the deranged lunatic we have seen in the first two books, and Dornan continues to unravel. Gone is the love she once held for Dornan, Mariana wants both dead. She longs to run away with John and aside from the danger that is involved in running away, she won’t leave without taking the kids and this as good as a death wish.
I don't mind dark books. I have no problem reading with one eye open, or between the fingers which I've thrown over my eyes. But I struggled to turn the pages of this one. Lili St. Germain didn't seem to hold back while writing this conclusion to the Cartel series. Though, I guess I am a glutton for punishment because St. Germain's writing kept me intrigued and engaged to the end.
Not for the faint of heart, Empire ends the series with a BANG!
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
❝As if on cue, a tiny crab crawled out of a neat hole in Allie's chest and darted along her collarbone before disappearing underneath her ragged red hair.❞
This is the third book in the Cartel series by Lili St. Germain. I had this marked on my calendar for release this past June. As they do, release dates get moved and in this case, it was moved so far from when I read Kingpin (Cartel, #2), I forgot major portions of the previous story. This created an issue for me as this book picked up where Kingpin left off and I was a little lost and confused.
Emilio continues to be the deranged lunatic we have seen in the first two books, and Dornan continues to unravel. Gone is the love she once held for Dornan, Mariana wants both dead. She longs to run away with John and aside from the danger that is involved in running away, she won’t leave without taking the kids and this as good as a death wish.
I don't mind dark books. I have no problem reading with one eye open, or between the fingers which I've thrown over my eyes. But I struggled to turn the pages of this one. Lili St. Germain didn't seem to hold back while writing this conclusion to the Cartel series. Though, I guess I am a glutton for punishment because St. Germain's writing kept me intrigued and engaged to the end.
Not for the faint of heart, Empire ends the series with a BANG!
**I received an Advanced Reader Copy. This did not influence my opinion of the book, nor my review.**
December 19, 2016
I struggle with giving this 5 stars. You see, I'm all about the romance in my books and if I had to rate this for romance, I hated it. Take the romance out, it deserves all 5 stars. I'm kind of stunned with what I just read. I've said in other "cartel" book reviews how real it felt. I was so wrong. This one was real. This book was so real it hurt to read about some of the things that happened. In fact, I'm kinda horrified and yet all I can think about is how it was brilliantly written. I don't even have words for how this book ended. There should be a huge fat warning for everyone about to read this book series. This book series is far from safe. It's dark, raw and gritty! ARC provided by NetGalley.
December 26, 2016
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher HarperCollins Publishers Australia, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***
In the first 2 books I didn’t really knew if I should hate or love Dornan but now ... I really hate him and it hurts because more than once he showed that he can be good, he has a conscience, ...
Love and hate ... there is such a thin line between them! Poor Marianna! How much can a woman suffer... She is such a strong woman and deserved happiness
What I did like about this book but what is often too much in other books is the multiple POV ... For this book it worked because it really helped to find out what all main characters were thinking.
I loved this dark conclusion of the Cartel series and would love to read more from this author. I loved her Gypsy Brothers series. I still have to read the last book in that series and am really looking forward to it. This author knows how to write dark, captivating books!
Be warned this book doesn’t have a real HEA and even though I knew what was going to happen I was crying so much... Heartbreaking!!
In the first 2 books I didn’t really knew if I should hate or love Dornan but now ... I really hate him and it hurts because more than once he showed that he can be good, he has a conscience, ...
Love and hate ... there is such a thin line between them! Poor Marianna! How much can a woman suffer... She is such a strong woman and deserved happiness
What I did like about this book but what is often too much in other books is the multiple POV ... For this book it worked because it really helped to find out what all main characters were thinking.
I loved this dark conclusion of the Cartel series and would love to read more from this author. I loved her Gypsy Brothers series. I still have to read the last book in that series and am really looking forward to it. This author knows how to write dark, captivating books!
Be warned this book doesn’t have a real HEA and even though I knew what was going to happen I was crying so much... Heartbreaking!!
November 29, 2017
I honestly have no idea what just happened....
i swept through this book and it was so hard not to read that you just had to finish it.
This series felt like it was going on for so long.
There were some loose ends to the ending of this book and i absolutely didn't get it.
This story was phenomenon and i loved it so much. But there was so much loose ends that it just drove me crazy!
This was an epic story and i don't think I'll ever forget it's characters. John, Dornan and Marianna will be unforgettable.
I expected dark story when i read this and boy, did it deliver. I loved this story. I would've given it a 5 if it just ended on a different note and not by loose ends.T^T
i swept through this book and it was so hard not to read that you just had to finish it.
This series felt like it was going on for so long.
There were some loose ends to the ending of this book and i absolutely didn't get it.
This story was phenomenon and i loved it so much. But there was so much loose ends that it just drove me crazy!
This was an epic story and i don't think I'll ever forget it's characters. John, Dornan and Marianna will be unforgettable.
I expected dark story when i read this and boy, did it deliver. I loved this story. I would've given it a 5 if it just ended on a different note and not by loose ends.T^T
January 16, 2020
Speechless...
This book broke me. There were times where I literally thought I’d throw up. This Story is so messed up, but I literally could not stop reading. Lili St. Germain is unbelievable! I love an unpredictable, dark and gritty read. This is not a love story. This is something I don’t have words for.
This book broke me. There were times where I literally thought I’d throw up. This Story is so messed up, but I literally could not stop reading. Lili St. Germain is unbelievable! I love an unpredictable, dark and gritty read. This is not a love story. This is something I don’t have words for.
March 12, 2021
I CAN'T HANDLE THIS ENDING!!!!! I have to say I really wish Lili put the gypsy brothers on audio. Especially listening to this series it was great! My heart breaks for all of these characters! I eagerly await any more books in this world.
December 14, 2016
Ten years ago, the Gypsy Brothers took me.
It started with blood.
It was always going to end the same way.
The question was – whose blood? Who got to live, and who had to die?
If you think you know how my story ends – you have no idea.
Wow absolutely blown away by this trilogy of angst,danger,pain and corruption.
Mariana
At 19 love saved me, a dangerous man with a heart that was determined to own mine.
At twenty nine love almost freed me....But in the end, love broke me.
Empire is a gripping and explosive end to the Cartel trilogy.
Mariana has loved and lost, first her teenage love Esteban then Dornan, the man she loved is no longer there in his place stands the image of his father.
Mariana:
I'd been in love with Dornan Ross for almost a decade. Slept in his bed, sewn up his wounds , tasted his blood, seen inside his soul. I was the mistress of a monstrous man.
John, president of the Gypsy brothers becomes Mariana's saviour but a story like this would it ever see a happily ever after ?
Mariana
Trapped between three men: One that I loved, one that I used to love and one that I despised with every fibre of my being.
There's even more bloodshed, federal involvement, corruption,betrayal, angst and drama to the hilt in this jam packed gripping read, if this was a movie ide be gripping my seat wide eyed.
Praise to Lili St. Germain this Cartel trilogy is one hell of a white nuckle read and Empire is a brilliant conclusion that left me sad with a feeling of bittersweet.
Empire like previous books is told in Mariana's pov but other characters told in third person, Empire leads to the first book in the Gypsy Brothers series were you could go from this book and jump right into that series.
I have read the first book in the gypsy brothers series and having now read Empire it's so much clearer with regards to Juliette and her hatred towards Dornan that I need to do a re-read.
IN SUMMARY THIS IS ONE HOT, BLIND BLOWING ACTION PACKED READ
Arc gratefully received for review Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends & L.A.B.B
http://www.Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
It started with blood.
It was always going to end the same way.
The question was – whose blood? Who got to live, and who had to die?
If you think you know how my story ends – you have no idea.
Wow absolutely blown away by this trilogy of angst,danger,pain and corruption.
Mariana
At 19 love saved me, a dangerous man with a heart that was determined to own mine.
At twenty nine love almost freed me....But in the end, love broke me.
Empire is a gripping and explosive end to the Cartel trilogy.
Mariana has loved and lost, first her teenage love Esteban then Dornan, the man she loved is no longer there in his place stands the image of his father.
Mariana:
I'd been in love with Dornan Ross for almost a decade. Slept in his bed, sewn up his wounds , tasted his blood, seen inside his soul. I was the mistress of a monstrous man.
John, president of the Gypsy brothers becomes Mariana's saviour but a story like this would it ever see a happily ever after ?
Mariana
Trapped between three men: One that I loved, one that I used to love and one that I despised with every fibre of my being.
There's even more bloodshed, federal involvement, corruption,betrayal, angst and drama to the hilt in this jam packed gripping read, if this was a movie ide be gripping my seat wide eyed.
Praise to Lili St. Germain this Cartel trilogy is one hell of a white nuckle read and Empire is a brilliant conclusion that left me sad with a feeling of bittersweet.
Empire like previous books is told in Mariana's pov but other characters told in third person, Empire leads to the first book in the Gypsy Brothers series were you could go from this book and jump right into that series.
I have read the first book in the gypsy brothers series and having now read Empire it's so much clearer with regards to Juliette and her hatred towards Dornan that I need to do a re-read.
IN SUMMARY THIS IS ONE HOT, BLIND BLOWING ACTION PACKED READ
Arc gratefully received for review Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookboyfriends & L.A.B.B
http://www.Bbbf-sizzlereads-bestbookb...
February 13, 2017
WHAT THE F@CK DID I JUST READ?!?
Gah! my heart was bleeding! Shattered! I haven't read Gypsy Brothers yet so I didn't know that the ending would end up like that...
This book was so BRUTAL and TRAGIC! and will f@ck up your mind! So, beware...
AAAAKKK!!!
Anyway, if you're fans of dark and bloody romance, you might like this one.
Gah! my heart was bleeding! Shattered! I haven't read Gypsy Brothers yet so I didn't know that the ending would end up like that...
This book was so BRUTAL and TRAGIC! and will f@ck up your mind! So, beware...
AAAAKKK!!!
Anyway, if you're fans of dark and bloody romance, you might like this one.
December 22, 2016
5 Nail biting stars
This is the third and what I assume is the final book of the Cartel Trilogy. It was also the one I was so scared to read (I even had a nightmare about Dornan), but oh boy was it worth it.
Mariana's story was briefly explained in the Gypsy Brothers series and anyone who has read that will know how things work out for Mariana and other characters, so the fact that I knew these things only made this an incredibly tense read for me.
This series has literally sucked me in and made me not only sympathise with Dornan, but actually have positive feelings towards him and that's where it has messed with my mind somewhat.
This book, I have to say was my favourite of the entire series and even though I thought I knew the story of not only Mariana, but John, Dornan, Juliette and Jason, this book gave me so much more than I ever thought possible.
As we are approaching the end of 2016, I am confident this will be one of my great reads of this year and definitely one I won't be forgetting in a hurry.
This is the third and what I assume is the final book of the Cartel Trilogy. It was also the one I was so scared to read (I even had a nightmare about Dornan), but oh boy was it worth it.
Mariana's story was briefly explained in the Gypsy Brothers series and anyone who has read that will know how things work out for Mariana and other characters, so the fact that I knew these things only made this an incredibly tense read for me.
This series has literally sucked me in and made me not only sympathise with Dornan, but actually have positive feelings towards him and that's where it has messed with my mind somewhat.
This book, I have to say was my favourite of the entire series and even though I thought I knew the story of not only Mariana, but John, Dornan, Juliette and Jason, this book gave me so much more than I ever thought possible.
As we are approaching the end of 2016, I am confident this will be one of my great reads of this year and definitely one I won't be forgetting in a hurry.
January 3, 2017
If it was possible for me to murder a fictional character I would kill Dornan Ross..bring him back to life...and kill him again!!! More often than not in all these books we swoon and get all hot and bothered over these men who are just horrible but somehow have redeeming qualities..Dornan Ross is not one of them, he is absolutely the fkn worst EVER!!!!!
Empire was so good though and I waited so long for this to come out but I swear I was reading this book like a person walking through a haunted house..scared of ever twist and turn and corner..ughhh!!! I'm at a complete loss as to how this ended...I knew what was coming but I didn't think it would be so brutal..sheesh!!
But overall Empire was so good..I was on the edge of my seat the entire time lol shit..I don't think I have fingernails left. I'm really glad I read this trilogy first because it gave me a background as to what's going on in the Gypsy Brothers series which came out before. Now I'm super excited to read it and see what happens..if Dornan and Emilio Ross finally get what's coming to them.
Empire was so good though and I waited so long for this to come out but I swear I was reading this book like a person walking through a haunted house..scared of ever twist and turn and corner..ughhh!!! I'm at a complete loss as to how this ended...I knew what was coming but I didn't think it would be so brutal..sheesh!!
But overall Empire was so good..I was on the edge of my seat the entire time lol shit..I don't think I have fingernails left. I'm really glad I read this trilogy first because it gave me a background as to what's going on in the Gypsy Brothers series which came out before. Now I'm super excited to read it and see what happens..if Dornan and Emilio Ross finally get what's coming to them.
December 31, 2016
3,8. A série é maravilhosa! Mas achei que ficaram algumas questões obscuras e mal resolvidas no último livro da série, que foram mostradas no início. A mente do personagem principal é um tumulto de emoções, e achei que sua evolução não condiz com o que foi mostrado no primeiro livro. A trama desenvolvida é excelente, porém no desenrolar da história foi se tornando meio nublada....
March 16, 2017
This series gutted me....chewed me up and spit me out.
June 18, 2018
Well... so many things happened that I was not expecting here, that now I have to read Gypsy Brothers to satisfy my curiosity.
February 6, 2017
Absolutely horrifying and fantastic.
December 22, 2016
"People aren't born monsters. They're made that way."
Of that I'm no longer certain.
Holy ever loving hell.
Going in knowing this is the end, knowing I've read the Gypsy Brothers series so I know what I'm looking at still did not prepare me for just how black Dornan Ross' soul truly is.
As much as I despised him before a part of me understood that he was who he was due to his upbringing but now that doesn't even matter.
He is the most sadistic, horrifying man I've had the pleasure of reading about. The truth of everything Mariana went through, the relationship between Dornan and Juliet, I wanted to kill him myself.
Seeing Juliet's trust for her uncle prior to everything going down broke my heart, and Dornan's inner monologue when it came time to ruin her was truly atrocious.
And on top of all that John.
Getting to know him better, understanding the depth of his love for his daughter and Mariana.
Before I'd have said Jase was my favorite character but in the Cartel series John is the man.
These books were twisted in a way that you begged for the demise of some characters and the happily ever after of others. None of which you will get, what you will get is one hell of an emotional train wreck with so many things rolling around in your brain that make you want to cry, to scream and to curse Lili for writing something that sucks you in and no matter how dark, how depraved, refuses to let you go until the very end and even then leaves you begging for more.
That is the evil genius that is Lili St. Germain.
Of that I'm no longer certain.
Holy ever loving hell.
Going in knowing this is the end, knowing I've read the Gypsy Brothers series so I know what I'm looking at still did not prepare me for just how black Dornan Ross' soul truly is.
As much as I despised him before a part of me understood that he was who he was due to his upbringing but now that doesn't even matter.
He is the most sadistic, horrifying man I've had the pleasure of reading about. The truth of everything Mariana went through, the relationship between Dornan and Juliet, I wanted to kill him myself.
Seeing Juliet's trust for her uncle prior to everything going down broke my heart, and Dornan's inner monologue when it came time to ruin her was truly atrocious.
And on top of all that John.
Getting to know him better, understanding the depth of his love for his daughter and Mariana.
Before I'd have said Jase was my favorite character but in the Cartel series John is the man.
These books were twisted in a way that you begged for the demise of some characters and the happily ever after of others. None of which you will get, what you will get is one hell of an emotional train wreck with so many things rolling around in your brain that make you want to cry, to scream and to curse Lili for writing something that sucks you in and no matter how dark, how depraved, refuses to let you go until the very end and even then leaves you begging for more.
That is the evil genius that is Lili St. Germain.
December 28, 2016
This is the perfect ending to the Cartel series and it gives you everything that you had hoped for. It’s been quite a ride with Mariana, Dornan and John and it been everything I could have hoped for. I had not read the Gypsy Brothers series yet but I definitely will now because if the writing is anything like it has been for this series it won’t leave me disappointed that’s for sure! Do yourself a favor and grab every book in this series and be ready for some dark and delicious reading.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for a freely given honest review.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for a freely given honest review.
December 29, 2016
The epic conclusion to Mariana's story. This was heart-wrenching, brutal and not for the faint of heart.
I kind of knew going in how things would go in the end, but the journey to get there was captivating. I spend most of this book with my heart in my throat knowing that no matter the outcome things were not going to be sunshine and roses. Dornan who I struggled with as a character chooses his path. His love for Ana was terrifying and electric. He loves her in a way that others cannot comprehend and he even struggles with who he is and who he is becoming. John finally follows his heart but keeps so many secrets from his brothers. And then Mariana, stuck in a lose-lose situation, with her heart being torn in two and her life falling apart all around her.
These characters really had an incredible story to tell and it was painful and breathtaking. The prior two books let up to one hell of an ending and prepares readers for what is to come in Gypsy Brothers Series. I am really interested to see where that story goes (because yes I am of those who haven't read it yet). I just need time to recover first because I don't know if my heart can take more if this just yet.
February 7, 2017
I loved this series really hate to see it come to an end, but can't wait to see what's next for this fabulously dark minded author. When reading this I felt like I already knew the story, but it was delivered with such feeling that it still seemed new.
Maria is stuck in such an awful position. I was still rooting for her until the very end. Dothan is such a wild card, sadistic awful person, but there were still tiny bouts of light shining through that you just wanted him to grab on to and turn things around. Even though we already know where this was going.
A definite awesome, if not tragic end to the trilogy.
Maria is stuck in such an awful position. I was still rooting for her until the very end. Dothan is such a wild card, sadistic awful person, but there were still tiny bouts of light shining through that you just wanted him to grab on to and turn things around. Even though we already know where this was going.
A definite awesome, if not tragic end to the trilogy.
December 4, 2023
How was that the ending? Dude, that was not the HEA I was hoping for. I am devastated that my fave died. Also the Juliette info at the end? I assume she has a series of her own, right? Hence the loose thread left? I hope so. Regardless this series only got better with every book
March 25, 2023
Phew! Talk about an adrenaline rush!! Of the charts anxiety and heart stopping, depraved moments! Wow!!
December 20, 2016
I loved this whole trilogy and it was so sad for me to have to say goodbye to these intense sad brilliant books, but it was time and the author ended it so perfectly. I was so lucky to receive Empire by Lili St.Germain in an ARC in exchange for a honest review. I am giving this amazing book 5 stars because even though it sucked to have my favorite series end. The writer did such a wonderful job helping us understanding why it all worked out this way and why it was for the best. I don't want to give away to much about whats going to happen because I think you will enjoy it more by reading it instead of me spoiling it for you. But I will say this it will all work out for our girl Mariana if you loved her character as much as I did. And hoped that she finally got her happy ending well she does. But it kind of broke my heart sometimes because even though I know Dornan is such an a** sometimes I was hoping he would get his happy ending too. I can't help but loved him. I just felt like his always got the shit end of the stick. And of course I loved John character he has been such a good man through the who series, and his been so good to Mariana so it makes sense how his story would end. For him it all worked out for the best he finally got what he deserved the family he always wanted. This finally conclusion was so crazy I honest didn't think they were going to get to where they were going because of all the obstacles they had to go through. but they did and in the end it paid off. If you have not read this trilogy then you should read them especially if you love this authors books. And if you have read this series, and your just waiting for book 3 don't wait to long get it now because your going to love this book. You will not be able to put this book down, but be warned now this will be one twisted emotion ride once you open this book you will not be able to come out of their world until its over.
February 19, 2017
OMG. OMG. OMG. What a thrilling end to this series. Although I see that there is an off shoot to this series, which I shall be buying shortly. That ending was so unexpected and so well written. What a monster and the ultimate betrayal of friendship and child naivity.
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