Defiant Queen

Savage Heirs #6

by Jagger Cole

She can’t remember.
I won’t forget.


Two houses, both alike in indignity.

In violence, bloodshed, and tragedy.

But this rose by any other name would still be mine.

Death couldn’t take her from me.

Her running away won’t either.

I pulled her from her darkness, and wrapped her in mine.

Now I’ll turn the world to ash to find her.

My sweetest torment, and cruelest obsession.

My tale of woe.

A shattered Juliet, for the anti-Romeo.


Defiant Queen is book 2 in a duet and not a standalone book. The completed duet of Broken God and Defiant Queen is a standalone story within the Savage Heirs series, though. You do not need to have read the previous books in this series to read this duet.

This extra dark Bratva academy romance is guaranteed to leave your kindle steaming. Step into the vipers nest of Oxford Hills Academy and meet the Savage Heirs of Bratva kings and oligarchs.

Absolutely no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a happy ever after..

Genres: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Mafia Romance, Romance, Dark, High School, Contemporary

412 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2022

About the author

A reader first and foremost, Jagger Cole cut his romance writing teeth penning various fan-fiction stories years ago. After deciding to hang up his writing boots, Jagger worked in advertising pretending to be Don Draper. It worked enough to convince a woman way out of his league to marry him, though, which is a total win.

Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.

When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside—rain or shine.

You can find all of his books at www.jaggercolewrites.com


Grab a FREE book for joining my fans-only newsletter! -> https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8rld1ik3sd

Reviews

[Milica's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much better than the first part of this duet. I love it!

[Diksha]

Konstantine makes me feel things <3, Safe with happy ending!!!!!!!!!

A book on 'Gavan' would be great <3

[Luna ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

»You are what I’ve been trying to find behind every tree and under every rock. You’re not what I’d burn, Mara. It’s the rest of this fucking world I’d turn to ash in order to find you.«

★ ★ ★ ★

❥ 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒂
Really liked her in this part. She stands her ground against Konstantin and defends herself most of the time.

❥ 𝑲𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏
What a hot asshole. I would run for the hills if I ever meet him in reallife but in a book? Give me more.

✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This was a little better than the first book in this duet. It‘s thrilling, entertaining and full of emotions. Finally we get some real plot and a lot of secrets get revealed. Still it was not necessary to write a duet about this couple, everything would have easily fit on one book without all of these filler scenes.
Anyways I enjoyed reading and had a lot of fun doing it. I liked the twists and turns and the dynamic in Maras and Konstantins relationship. It was kinda repetitive because Mara again gets amnesia but never mind.
Overall this was an okay duet with likeable characters and an okay plot. I prefer standalone books so maybe other people will love this.

𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes.

𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 4/5
spice: 3/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes

𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
possessive and protective hero, forced proximity, instant attraction, enemies to lovers, secrets and lies, mafia princess x mafia heir, academic setting, darkromance, bratva, traumatic childhood, shared past, forbidden love, amnesia

𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: Mara (18) and Konstantin (18)
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no

𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
#1 Savage Heir ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Dark Prince ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Brutal King ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 Forbidden Crown ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#5 Broken God ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#6 Defiant Queen ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Abstract ♥ Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS



Star Rating : 5/5 Stars

POV : Dual

Cliffhanger : None

Hero : Konstantine

Heroine : Mara

Pace of the story : Moderate

Angst Rating : 6/10

Heat Rating : 8/10

Triggers Involved : Kidnapping . Black Mail , Betrayal

Plot Summary :
This will be a joint review for both the books of this summary since I binge read them.

Mara had an easy life until a single accident ripped it away from her, putting her in a four year long coma. Now she is finally awake and ready to take back control of her life as an eighteen year old. She does not remember things from her old life but that might change eventually. What she didn't expect was to meet the devil with the gray eyes. The man who woke her up from her coma. The one who scares her. She knows she should stay away from him because her mind screams at her to fear him. What shocks her is the glaring hate in his eyes. He says he knows what she did. He says he will make her pay. That he will break her. And then the world will finally know what type of monster she is.

People think that Konstantin saved Mara from her coma because of his deal with her sister, but they would not be more wrong. He has his reasons because he needs to make her pay. He trusted her once and for that he lost everything and now it will be her who will be broken. No matter what he has to do, who he has to threaten, he will bring Mara to heel. And then when she is crying and begging for mercy, he will break her forever.

Overall Opinion :
Like, literally this author's books just keep getting hotter and hotter. The steam in this one is 🔥🔥🔥. You think you are prepared for it but nahhh, nothing could ever prepare you all for this much heat! I made the mistake of starting this duet late at night and kid you not, I was awake until I finished it all!! It's just so tempting.

The suspense , the thrill and that shocking plot twist which will completely ruin you at the end. You will neve see that coming. The ending of book two will move the floor from beneath your feet because that is how it just is. These two characters are officially my favorite by this author. I have read every single book by her and this duet is definitely my top read by her. All those Rina Kent, Penelope Douglas fans need to get their butts in gear because I can just tell that you all will love this duet as much as I did. Highly highly recommended!

Website | Bookstagram | Facebook Page | Newsletter

[Flo₂₂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

again slow...i felt like it was repetitive and kind of a filler... the first 60% of it which is a loooot!
but then those last 40% were perfect.
I wish we knew about Kostantine since the beginning to connect more with him...finding all out after 2 book made me kind of mad cuz i wished we could be with him you know? in his mind...
Now i'm truly disappointed that we don't have an epilogue in this long book..like WHYYY?
i know we will see more of them in another couple book but still ... WHYY:(
This was a really great story but unfortunately i was annoyed with all that filler stuff...
so yeah, this duet it's like a 3,5* for me

[Jeraca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this free eARC novel from the author. This is my honest review.

I literally don't have words right now after finishing this amazing duet! Jagger Cole is a fantastic author who I've devoured all of his novels and wait with impatience for the next one.

I am so glad we only had to wait 2 weeks between book 1 and 2. Konstantin and Mara are dynamite together. I couldn't get enough of them and every interaction had me holding my breath, had my heart beat racing. I don't know the last time I was this invested in a storyline. I'm already ready to dive back into book 1 and experience everything so over again.

So many things happen in this book. So many secrets get revealed, so many questions get answered. There is a lot of betrayal, a lot of relationships cemented.

I need more people to discover Jagger Cole and his amazing novels because I know everyone who enjoys Dark romance, Mafia romance will instantly love this series! All I know is I'm 100% an auto buy fan of his and I will be here for every book Cole publishes! Seriously, read this series!

[Maggie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok I personally liked the other books in this series but this one genuinely made me so uncomfortable. I know it probably was not the authors intention but I felt kinda sick reading most of both books, because I could not get over the fact that Mara is basically 14. Its so clear in the way she acts and behaves she is mentally and emotionally 14 years old and I actually almost threw up when Konstantin told her to "stop acting like a child," like she isn't basically one. ALSOO the plot was literally all over the place and it pissed me off soooo much that whenever Mara genuinely was upset about something, she got over it just because Konstantin would freak with her. Like genuinely none of his actions displayed that he cared for her at all and I get its like an enemies to lovers thing blah blah blah but there was NOTHING. I would say that I hate Mara because she has no fucking backbone but she is literally 14. I cant stress enough how much her being 14 made me uncomfortable. Anyway I didnt finish this book I had to skim most of it cuz it was making me angry but 🤷‍♀️

ALSO ALSO this book ruined lover you shouldve come over for me cuz its genuinely a beautiful song that does not belong here im sick

[Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever · Rating 5 out of 5]

just Wow

I don’t even know what to say! The hits kept coming and I was left speechless! The twists and turns and then the Wam Pam I didn’t see coming like holy crap that was freaking brilliant!! I love these two and they are definitely so much more than Romeo and Juliet this duet was pure freaking brilliance!!

[Ashley Carr, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book!! Now that the duet is complete I have all my questions answered. Mara and Konstantin are wonderful characters and I couldn’t put the book down once I started. I definitely would recommend the whole series but especially the duet!

[Fadua Castro · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5⭐⭐⭐
4/5🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Eunoia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second half and the last book in this duet.

Something was lacking and it was definitely the ending for me, I feel like it was sort of rushed, I have some questions left unanswered. But overall, this was a solid 3.5 / 5 stars for me.

~ HEA

Will I recommend this one? Yes, I will. 🤗

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Brilliant!!!
This is the second book in the duet following Broken God which was book one. Oh my, Jagger certainly hasn't let us down with this one. Perfect ending to Konstantin and Mara's story.
Mara was woken from a four year coma and was trying to assimulate back into life by going to OHA where her twin sister Lisbet goes. There she meets Konstantin and lies, deceipt and past history that had been blurred come to light.
The drama, mystery, intrigue and intense emotions that come out in this book just took my breath away. The relationship between Konstantin and Mara was just weird and dominant, but so wonderful to see the way that Mara changed him and he loved her. Their passion was certainly to be envied. Wow!!
I really was spell bound to the very end, and the conclusion is NOT to be missed. Wow such a brilliant story! I can not do both these books justice. I'm sad it's over, and happy for the conclusion. The best book really fantastic!!!
This was an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down once I started it. I'm a huge fan of Jagger Cole and the Bratva Heirs are amazing. I loved how strong Mara was in this book and the relationship between her and Konstatine was so much more balanced in this book compared to the first. This was the book were Mara found her power and accepted what she wanted from Konstatine but also where he stopped trying to manipulate her. And the heat between them was steaming!!!! Another great book from Jagger Cole. Loved the twisted ending and I'm hoping that Gavin gets his own story at some point. Absolutely terrific!!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am at a loss for words...this book is absolute perfection. The plot twists in this book had me freaking out. Konstantin and Mara are spectacular and extraordinary. Their love and passion is so profound and deep. This is hands down one of the best duets I have read. I love the connection this series has with the Bratva Captive series. Each book in this series stands on its own and works so well within the series. Jagger Cole manages to create such engaging and stunning stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving ARC.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟

Not as strong as the first, but still good

[Barry Renaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a must read!

Jagger never disappoints. His books keep you on the edge extremely spicy and a great storyline. Every book he writes is gold.

[elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I would turn the world to ash for you, Mara, I would bring you back from death itself to keep you selfishly all to myself."

[SimplyƝì₭ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending. Loved it. More review to come.

[Jane Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MIND BLOWING TWISTS & TURNS MUST READ!

“I made a me you would love. I made the me I wanted to be but couldn’t.”
Konstantin Reznikov
“I gave my heart to the man who almost stopped mine.”
Mara Belsky

Both Truths? Or both lies? Partial or a combination of? Does a picture really tell us a truth or what we think is true? Do we actually want to remember or only think we do?

Jagger Cole has totally blown the minds of his readers with DEFIANT QUEEN his conclusion to BROKEN GOD Duet. Mara Belsky has awakened with pieces of her memory returning and pictures on her old cell from the afternoon she was shot. She fled to her home in Odessa for answers only to find more questions. Her twin Lizbet wants her to stay safe at OHA with her and her husband, Lukas Kormarov and their Bratva Heirs.. Konstantin Reznikov, head of the Reznikov Bratva, has consulted with her doctors and agrees she needs to return to the familiar… living with him at OHA. He wants what is best for her… to remember… everything. Even if remembering everything will lead to more pain. Lead to answers? To truths unmasked? To answers? To real love? Will the plethora of questions readers asked after the cliffhangers in BROKEN GOD get answered for Mara’s and Konstantin’s satisfaction also?

Jagger Cole has outdone himself. This nook is filled with complex characters and a wonderful familiar supporting cast. We pull for Mara and Konstantin and feel their pain. Agonize, feel joy and cry. However, the twists and turns which are often expected often go where expected and then…. And then… well.. didn’t see THAT…. And that’s what made DQ the mind-blowing read it was. This reader has already read it through twice before writing my review. Are Konstantin and Mara as star-crossed as Romeo and Juliet? Will they find a way towards each other while healing together? Both books are a must read!

Both a Verified Purchase and ARC Honest review

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Romeo & Juliet dynamic of these two, and the push and pull between Konstantin and Mara was so much fun to read. I devoured these two books in less than two days.

The twists and turns of this duet were intense, and even when I had little inklings of something being up with characters and motivat0ns, even if I was right, there was always more going on that I wasn't aware of yet. Putting all the puzzle pieces together was so much fun.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I am at a loss of words for this book. Mara and Konstantin's story continues in this book and thank goodness we didn't have to wait long for their conclusion. There are so many twists and turns and secrets revealed in this book and I could not put this book down! Mr. Jagger's work keeps getting better and better and I am so glad that I took a chance on a new author almost two years ago with his first book. I can't wait to see what Mr. Jagger has in store for us next! I would highly recommend this duet, this series and Mr. Jagger as a must read author.

I received a free e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[ecem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Karakterler hep aynı düzlemde gidiyor, bazı sayfalarda yükselmeler bekledim ama yok yani yazar o yükselmeleri verememiş, tamam dark romance ama bu kadar saçma sahnelerinde olmaması lazım, serinin en sıkıldığım kitabıydı keşke bu da tek kitap olsaymış 2.gereksiz olmuş.

[Kiki_HeartReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know. This was the worst duet in the whole series. I'm not gonna just say this book because although it is a 2 parter, It definitely needs to be taken as one whole book. The first was just erotica and this one also didn't really have much going for it!!

Im extremely sad and pissed with this duet. We still don't know much about Konstantin and the story had so much flaws and missing links.

Why was he so against coming together and embracing alliance with the other leaders?? or make nice with the future leaders as well??? It doesn't make sense. only 1 line was put into it and only at the very end. But still we have no idea if that one lame line was the reason why he refused help or partnership with them.

Also, for a man who keeps shouting to the rooftops that he would do whatever it takes to protect her and keep her...He still refused to create that alliance and friendship with everyone!!! I mean especially when there was an attack at the school with his own men failing to stop it. I would think he would mend whatever fences was up his ass to get that extra protection for her!!???


Lastly---This is weird and never freakin explained and it pissed me off...If he was who he was back then to Mara, then why on earth did he wait 4yrs to wake her up??? and why did he stop visitng after 2years?? OHHHH RIGHT!! why did he push to marry Lizbet and the mother??? its so Fxxing confusing as it was NEVER EXPLAINED????? was it because his dad told him??? did he do that because he had a secret plan that involved coma Mara??? like WTF???!!!!! I mean its pretty messed up if it was he was pushing to marry them just because of his controlling father and knowing he would actually marry them with us knowing about his history with Mara. I mean it doesnt make sense.

PLUS if i was MARA, you can bet your ass, I would be asking him those questions!! especially on that day he confesses 'everything(loosely used)' to her.

Man, this was so underwhelming. It makes me want to not read anymore of his books but then the previous ones were so good and had potentials to be amazing so its just weird. I mean this is what i mean when he doesn't fulfill these small links from the beginning of his characters' arcs in the stories.

As a duet I expected so much as a reader should, I mean this could've been epic!! but 1 book was just sexual shit and this one was going back to the beginning of the first book and finally completing it in a substandard way. Which also made this book repetitive. Mara was also so monotone in her character being so one sided in both books. She was like whatever to the things Lukas and her sister were saying. everything was only ever about Konstantin and only because he was her first everything. very lame. I mean wheres her curiosity for him. Honestly, just no.

This couldve had a plot where it was going to begin a new era of leaders or what not. Bringing all these men together and creating a bond. Still don't understand why Konstantin was such a brooding ass to everyone but his people when they never did nothing to him.

The only time I saw humanity in him was when he had scenes with Lukas in Lukas's book. Since he knew what he went through. Where on earth were those sides of Konstantin in this duet!!!?????

The only good thing about this book was the relationship between Lukas and Mara. It was soo sweet and brotherly. I loved it. I also loved the relationship between Konstantin, Gavan, and Vadim. Which leads me to another usual missing connection/link of Jagger Cole. Lizbet, Mara and Gavan meeting and seeing each other for the first time as they are all in fact half siblings as well. But no, it wasn't even talked about and only that he is the half sibling to Konstantin. I think this is also unfair to the sisters. I know they would want to meet him and possibly have some sort of relationship with him. Like HELLO!!??.

I don't know I just keep getting annoyed and disappointed that these talked about things never fully meet a closure. I get excited like wow and then flatlines those specific storylines. Anyways I will take a break from him until i prep my mind to not take his books seriously as i would other mafia books and see it as just a simple mafia read with loads of erotica over good plot. which is a shame as he does create good ones. If only he actually carries it through completely.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEFIANT QUEEN is the sixth instalment in Jagger Cole’s contemporary, new adult SAVAGE HEIRS dark, erotic, Mafia romance series, and the second instalment in the author’s interconnected due focusing on eighteen year old Mafia princess Mara Belsky, and heir to the Reznikov’s throne Konstantin Reznikov. DEFIANT QUEEN should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of BROKEN GOD.


WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

SOME BACKGROUND: Several weeks earlier Mara Belsky woke from a four year coma, a coma induced by a bullet to the back of her head. Forced to move in with Konstantin Reznikov, Mara’s slow recovery of her memories begin to reveal dark and dangerous truth that sends our heroine on the run.


Told from dual first person perspectives (Konstantin and Mara) DEFIANT QUEEN follows Mafia princess Mara Belsky as she journeys to Russia to uncover the truth about the day she was struck by an assassin’s bullet but the target upon our heroine’s back has yet to be removed, and Mara finds herself in constant danger from an unknown source, and the man that she loves. Konstantin Reznikov is keeping secrets from our story line heroine, secrets he knows could destroy the limited trust between Mara and himself but the past refuses to die, and our couple continue to be the focus of a series of reminders that everything they knew could very well be a lie. What ensues is the rebuilding relationship between Konstantin and Mara, and the fall-out as an assassin returns to finish the job.

Konstantin Reznikov’s backstory is heart breaking and dark; a backstory that has groomed a man to be cold and unforgiving, dangerous and deadly. The only light in Konstantin’s young life was destroyed by the people sworn to protect, and our hero refuses to watch the woman he loves succumbed to the same end.

The relationship between Mara and Konstantin is tempestuous and unforgiving. Mara believes Konstantin is the ultimate betrayer, and Konstantin struggles to reveal the truth. A slow rebuilding of trust and acceptance forces Konstantin to expose the darkness he has endured all of his life. The $ex scenes are aggressive, erotic and intense.

Once again, Mara’s twin sister Lizbet and her boyfriend Lucas (Brutal King) are front and center in our heroine’s life, as well as her former bodyguard Grigori, and Konstantin’s best friend and right hand man Vadim and his father Gavan. The requisite evil has many faces.

DEFIANT QUEEN is a story of betrayal and revenge; obsession and delusion; trust and understanding; friendship and family, love and acceptance with a few twists and turns to add shock and surprise. The premise is dark, gritty and haunting; the romance is spicy and provocative; the characters are broken, flawed, determined and strong.

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished The Defiant Queen, the second book of a duet, by Jagger Cole. In this novel, Mara finally has some small breakthroughs regaining “bits and pieces” of her memory, albeit disorganized, from the day she was shot when she was 14 years old. She desperately wants to be “whole,” and she needs to know, for her own sanity, whether or not Konstantin Reznikov was involved in her shooting. Mara takes off to Odessa alone to meet with the Officer investigating her shooting. She hopes that going to the actual garden will aid her in regaining her memory. Of course, nothing is as it seems, and Mara fell into a “mouse trap.” However, this is only the beginning. Hold onto your hat and prepare yourself for more plot twists and turns than the Autobahn in Germany!

One thing evident by the end of the novel is that the Bratva leaders’ “parenting” skills/techniques were abusive, cruel, deceitful, and in some cases—diabolical. In the first three books of the series, it was clear that Ilya, Misha, and Lukas were “damaged” young man who were raised in the Bratva. But even as flawed characters, they had redeeming qualities that slowly modified my viewpoint of them as the novels progressed. In Broken God, I had a phrase that came into my mind regarding Konstantin—"the young man is a psychopath.” But with Konstantin, I felt he was unstable mentally and emotionally and is like a landmine idling… waiting to go off. In Defiant Queen, Jagger Cole provides the reader with additional family background and history about Konstantin which gives us insight into why he acts the way he is; truthfully, he could have been much worse than he is! Konstantin DOES have redeeming qualities and his own sense of morality (better than his father’s) which is evident by the end of the story. As the author, Mr. Cole was able to manipulate my emotions into actually liking Konstantin by the ending, and I honestly did not feel that was remotely possible. For Mara, Konstantin is her “constant,” like her own North Star. Through their tragedy, they managed to find love and a new sense of “family.” One can only hope that the younger Bratva leaders educated at OHA will create a more modernized Bratva organization that is financially savvy and more humane.

[Aye Martzzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ wow , aquí pasaron muchassss cosas , hablemos de mara y konstantin, bueno , resulta que Maria había caído en coma por un ataque (le dieron un balazo en la nuca ) por 4 años , al final logró despertar gracias al personal de kons, pues resulta que a todo esto , ell llega y le dice “vivirás conmigo” y quedamos locos y sin ideas , pues si , al final el la obliga y obviamente pasan cositas y todo eso y ella no recuerda muchas cosas de su vida , por ejemplo del cómo fue todo lo del ataque , pues que ella empieza a leer unas cartas de romeo y Julieta (era ella con un tipo que no conocía pero hablaban que se querían ver y que se amaban y bla la ) pues resulta que hay un tipo que le da su telefono y ella se da cuenta que el día que se iba a ver con romeo fue su ataque yyyy que se puso a ver las fotos y en ese día en medio del ataque vio a konsss y que ella enojada se fue para el lugar donde ocurrió todo y fue el detective que btw intentó matarla pero kons la siguió y la logró salvar pero que pasa , de que ella empezó a huir , se cayó y olvidó muchas cosas y a kons , pero luego lo fue descordando , pues ahi termina el primer libro , luego ella empezó a recordar poco a poco , las cosas iban bien con kons y yéndonos ya pal final , nos damos cuenta que hay un tipo malo que quiere matar a kons y pues la secuestra a mara y quien es este tipo ? Pues el guarda espaldas de ella y el también es tío de konsss y pues él va y quiere rescatar a mata (volviendo un poco atrás , mara se dio cuenta que romeo era kons y él fingió ser romeo porque ella no lo amaba pero luego se enamoraron y ese día que se vieron fue el ataque que btw , quien le dio un balazo no fue kons si no que fue su guardaespaldas y tío de kons ) pues resulta que al final la logra salvar y mata al tipo y viven felices pa siempre

[Betty Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

good ending…

This was a better story than Broken God plot wise. Some of my issues from the first book were resolved in this book. The twists and action was much more entertaining and it kept me on my toes. It was nice to see a regretful Konstantin trying to “win” Mara back. His soft spot for her was sweet.

But it was still very repetitive. If I got a penny for every “gun-metal eyes”, “whimpering”, “shivering”, “squirming” I’d be a billionaire. I rolled my eyes every time the description of his eyes was mentioned. I mean, WE GET IT! He has gun metal, stormy grey eyes. No need to repeat it every other sentence. Literally. And then Mara was ALWAYS whimpering. And her…feelings…we’re all the same ALL the time. She’s scared but squirming, she’s angry, but whimpering, she’s confused, but shivering when those GUN METAL eyes look at her… she was in a state of “excitement” (if you know what I really mean) ALL the time. Seriously? It got old real fast.

So, as I said in the first book of this duet, there was too much seggsy scenes. So I did the same as in the first book and skipped them since they didn’t really add to the story. Except the few times when they did…can’t say what because of spoilers. But those scenes that triggered something important were probably two out of what seemed like a hundred.

Despite all my previous observations, I’m still giving this book 4 stars because I liked the character development. I liked how Konstantin learned to accept and forgive/let go of things. And how Mara came into her own personality. The story itself was good.

[Kayla Kramas · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶Two Part Duet Review🌶

Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨
Spice: 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

Listen.....this is a bratva academy romance.

If you want cute, cuddly, soft romance...probably don't read it. If you want dark, bully romance (at first), dirty talking, smut, and a somewhat cruel storyline to go with it...these books are for you.

I read Broken God as soon as it came out, like stayed up until 3 am reading. It ends on a cliffhanger (obviously), and when Defiant Queen came out I REFUSED to read it...I didn't want Konstantin and Mara to end so I figured I'd hold off on reading it. But I finally did and it was so worth it..even if I am sad that it's over.

I highly recommend going back and reading the rest of the books in the "series" (these are all stand alone books...but the characters are in all of them in some shape or form), honestly just go back and read all of Jagger's books. They're worth it.

These books are full of dark romance, a little bullying, smut galore, twists and turns, and memory troubles (Mara). They have such a push and pull connection and a link between them that you just cannot wait to figure out.

#quickthoughts : Dual virginity (yea..). So much spice. Even though it's a dark romance you can feel the emotions and love Konstantin and Mara have for each other. Mara seems like a kick ass queen that refuses to let her coma knock her down. Konstantin seems like a hard ass, but when you see into his past you can see why, plus he totally has a softer side.

[Charizards Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I would kill for you. I would cheat. I would lie, steal, destroy, burn down fucking kingdoms for your love."
This is an amazing book and great follow up to the first book in the Broken God Duet. I think I actually liked this book more because it leaned more into the Romeo and Juliet trope. That trope is actually not my favorite when it is super cliche but I thought this one was unique enough to make it interesting. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy that is in my opinion modeled off of greek tragedy and the twists and turns in this book certainly fit that (crazy families are I think a must for greek tragedy).

I felt SO bad for Konstantin in this book. The abuse his father inflicted on him and the absolute tragedy that was his mother's untimely death is just too difficult to bear. I loved getting to see his other side, the soft side of him that he always reserved for Mara.

Oh Mara, my heart ached for her. She was betrayed by people she thought had her back. Even though I called both of them ahead of time, it was still heartbreaking to see the characters recognize it.

The love in this book is great! I liked that it lacked some of the insta love and cringy elements of Romeo and Juliet but retained the angst. Also unlike a greek or Shakespearean tragedy, not all of the characters end in death and we are well assured of a happy ever. I could really see the love the two had for each other in the past and in the present. These two are a perfect fit for each other and could always be completely themselves around each other.

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Tropes : enemy to lovers, mafia romance
Ending : HEA (they were graduated)
Triggers : violence, attempted sexual assault, YA ish, rape (H’s mom), mention of child abuse (SA) (Mara’s sis)
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : no
Kink: choking, spanking, oral sex

Hero : Konstantin Reznikov
Heroine: Mara Belsky

The h was pictured quite manic and kinda crazy ish which she supposed to be since she kept joking about herself being crazy. But for me it seems too much sometimes. It freaked me out a little lol.

The twist was not predictable. I had my eyes on Gregori because it seemed weird that he was still in the pic when he worked for a ‘russian company’ and I was betting there would be more to him than just be a caring ex bodyguard.

And I was right. Although I didn’t think he would be the bad guy. The fact that Antin’s death wasn’t explained in detail should raised the alarm in my head but I brushed it under the rug and since I haven’t read the previous books I thought maybe it was explained in one of those books.

Turned out he wasn’t dead yet! And his actual death was pretty lame… wanted him to suffer more tho.

Overall an okay story. Not the best from Jagger Cole but good enough for me to pass time.