Ruthless Villains: A Spicy Fantasy Romance

Two villains who absolutely hate each other need to put aside these differences to achieve a common goal. They bicker back-and-forth and constantly remind each other how when everything is over that their feud will resume and that they will try to kill the other. Along the way, you can see that even though there is no love involved there’s nothing stopping them from acting on their attraction to one another while on this mission. And I’d like to reading how during Callans point of you you could tell he was really starting to fall for her and respect her. Both come to realize that they actually worked very well together and that they think alike. But in the end they aren’t able to trust each other and that’s where the problem lies.Rate: 3.75⭐️

Okay, I loved this story until the very end......it made it seem like a joke and I had to just roll my eyes. I triple crossed your double cross, well I quadruple crossed your triple cross, etc, etc 🙄I don't understand the dark mages very well. So they want to keep their magic, got it, but they fight and kill each other off? I get they lie and double cross, but why dont they do that to the regular people, not each other. They are only an alliance against the other people when they want to destroy them? Their motivations don't really make sense.Storyline and action are on point though and very interesting.*There are several descriptive spice scenes. They are dark, mean, and not "healthy" at all. This is not a "how to" relationship guide.

Mannnn this is good, I love the plot, the spice, the wit and the fact that it’s a multi-book series makes it even better, I love it all! 10/10 would recommend 👏🏼🤌🏼 if you want a good slow burn that leaves you wanting more (as a good book should) then Ruthless Villains is for you.

BOOK REVIEW: Ruthless Villains books 1-3/4by @marionblsckwood (Ruthless Villains Wicked Villains and Heartless Villains)Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Story: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤Spice:🌶🌶🌶️🌶️Swoon: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Well holy of all that is unexpected and sexily wonderful. We have a truly incredible magic based fantasy series where the villains/anti heroes are the main characters and you find yourself rooting for them every step of the way even when they choose the morally black path. Callan and Audrey’s visceral hate for each-other made for an amazing catalyst of chemistry, angst, and honestly…. Just wicked and hot, fun times. And using force magic in the bedroom.. or carriage/dining table/against a wall… okay I’m ☠️. But aside from *falls down to my knees and does a prayer hands thank you” spice… I really fell in love with Audrey. Her ruthless drive, belief in herself even when she wavers in so many facets of her self confidence, and her “I’ll poison first ask questions never” attitude is oddly admirable. How she evolves in emotional awareness and maturity throughout as well had me swooning. Callan is hotly infuriating and seeing him take each emotional step to Audrey, as they try to literally kill each other. Is so weirdly romantic I can’t wrap my head around it but I’m going with it. I’m love this series. The plot, cadence of the story line, progression… it’s just a really incredible series.

Once I got into it I couldn't put it down! I loved the idea of a story plot based on the villain's side of the story. It did take a little bit of time for me (personally) to get into it, mostly because of all the arguments between the two main character. It truly felt like they hated each other (which duh, that's the point!!) And there was no heat or sexual tension (again...duh that's the point) But the build up to it was really great! You honestly get the spice of two lovers being together while still maintaining the fiery banter of enemies to lovers.Slight spoiler ahead:I also loved that they are fighting their SLOWLY building feelings for one another, even till the end of book one. So far it feels genuine in that they are developing a connection, SLIGHT feelings for one another, and even a bit of trust that the other has their back (at least while stuck on this mission together) but still have to fight the instinctive nature not to truly trust or rely on anyone... least of all another villain!I wasn't sure how book one was going to end as far as wrapping up their mission together...and honestly I can say I wasn't disappointed. I'll just leave it at that!I am very much looking forward to book 2!

I don't like a ton of spice in my books, and to be honest, this had just a little too much for me. But great plot. Solid ending. I enjoyed it.

Marion Blackwood is a one click author for me. I have read, or should I say, devoured everything she has ever written and I could not wait to dive into this new series from her. I knew this one was going to be a bit grittier because we are dealing strictly with villains here, but let me just say that she blew me away with this one! I even found myself disliking the heroes in this story and siding with the villains! The main characters have so much depth to their characters that I am dying for even more of their back stories. But true to her writing style, Marion gives us a book full of blackmail, backstabbing, scheming and so much action and adventure that I could not put this book down! And the spice...oh my word, the spice!! She definitely kicked it up a notch in this new series. You have to read this book!! I cannot recommend her writing enough!

So the spicy is SPOT ON! Very descriptive!Audrey ! She's a total badass. I definitely look forward to finding out what happens next with Callen.. ON to the next book!

Oh my. A definitely grown up story. Morally gray characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Love that we get both perspectives too. Marion has done it again. Absolute belter ❤️

It is very hard to write erotic sex scenes of this nature but this was excellently done. The tension between the characters was great and the final inn scene in this book made me chuckle. Very well written.

Overall Rating: 4/5Spicy Rating: 4/5- Rivals- One Horse- One Bed- Fake Relationship- Magic- Anti-Hero/Bad Boy- Banter for days!!Callan and Audrey are enemies, stuck in a feud, demanding the other’s life. But they are forced to become temporary allies when a bigger threat promises to destroy them both.But Callan and Audrey are both dangerous, dark mages. Welding unique powers that they’ve perfected and honed into a lethal force. They are not merciful, they are not driven by idealistic righteousness. Their aim is to thrive in the freedoms they have killed to gain. They are not the heroes of this story, but the villains.This isn’t the darkest book I’ve read but there is a fair bit of violence, some gore, and some darker, explicit sex scenes so take that into consideration before you start.CharactersCallan is the egotistical, controlling, alpha-male force mage who revels in violence and Audrey is the snarky, cunning poison mage that is often underestimated.They are two dark mages who rebelled and were forced on the outskirts of society, where dark mages battled for supremacy.I will admit that I was a bit worried at first. Audrey and Callan initially presented as cheesy, over-the-top characters but Blackwood did a great job at diving below the surface to dredge up emotions and experiences that actually made their motivations rationally justifiable and, dare I say, relatable (okay, maybe not all the gratuitous killing).I really appreciated that Blackwood managed to slip in some tender(-ish) moments that really fleshed out these characters and rounded out their humanity. They became a lighter shade of dark.PaceStraight out of the gate, Ruthless Villains lays the action on thick. It’s a fairly average sized book at 314 pages and I read it in a day (which included forcing myself to sleep and getting up early to finish it before everyone else need something from me). There are a lot of surprises and twists that keeps the plot flowing at a good pace. I honestly struggled to put it down!Is Ruthless Villains spicy?Is my husband lactose intolerant but refuses to give up ice cream and nukes our house with his carcinogenic bowel movements? Yep.(Okay, apologies for the overshare.) But, yes! These villains are insatiable.Conveniently for Audrey, Callan is a self-proclaimed sex-pert and, admittedly, he does have skills. I don’t want to spoil anything but I literally could not stop giggling when Callan broke out his little trick.Just be warned that there are explicit, though consensual, scenes with bondage and knife play.My ThoughtsAlong the way, I forgot Callan and Audrey were supposed to be the bad guys and then Blackwood sucker punched me with that ending. They aren’t just labelled villains for the sake of the story and I found that this twist in perspective made for a super fun, unique read. And the banter between these two – hilarious! And the schemes and twists, so clever!Ruthless Villains is a dual POV and Blackwood did a good job at telling the story through the two distinct voices and personalities. This is not a HEA story but I’m hoping it gets as close to a HEA for Callan and Audrey as they can have by the end of the series.I really don’t know why, but I started this book with low expectations and I’m pleased that Callan and Audrey far exceeded my flawed preconceptions.

Sorry, I really wanted to like this book, as I love enemies to lovers stories. Even though I finished the book and one day, I didn't like that without her poison magic Audrey was practically defenseless, I like when FL can kick ass, even without their powers. At some point I hoped that Callan would teach her how to fight, but he was just an Alphahole the entire time.Also the whole stubborn, empowered FL, but submissive at sex wasn't for me. Callan always shoving her at a wall, twisting her arm behind her back, chocking Audrey got really repetitive and boring.

I had to pass on this half way through which is a first for me. The characters are so well written. Love the world and the chemistry between them is more than enough to keep reading. I’m no prude and not easily offended but I just had an issue with all the mindless murder. As I said it’s just not for me, it’s pretty intense and very well written especially if you Like fantasy and slow burn enemies to lovers but I couldn’t get past certain pointless murders. I didn’t see trigger warnings but then again I didn’t know I had triggers till this book. Definitely worth a try if your in a book hangover