Empire by Rachel Van Dyken: Review


Posted June 1, 2016 in review Tags: , ,

Empire by Rachel Van Dyken: ReviewEmpire by Rachel Van Dyken
Pages: 376
two-flames

Series: Eagle Elite #7
Genres: New Adult
Also in this series: Enrage, Eulogy, Envy, Dissolution
Also by this author: The Consequence of Loving Colton (Consequence, #1), The Consequence of Revenge, Capture, The Dark Ones, Untouchable Darkness, The Consequence of Seduction, The Matchmaker's Playbook, The Bachelor Auction, Enrage, The Playboy Bachelor, Eulogy, The Consequence of Rejection, Envy, Risky Play, Ruthless Princess, Surrender, Scandalous Prince, Mafia Casanova, Destructive King, Mafia King, Office Hate, Falling for the Villain, My Summer in Seoul, Broken Crown , Office Date, The Anti-Fan and the Idol, The Godparent Trap, Dissolution, Exposing the Groom, The Unperfects
Amazon iBooks
Goodreads

I have lost everything.
My purpose.
My love.
My soul.
Death knocks on my door, I want to answer, but every time I reach for the handle--the promise I made her, brings me back.
So I breathe.
I live.
I hate.
And I allow the anger to boil beneath the surface of a perfectly indifferent facade.
I am broken, I dont want to be fixed.
One last trip to New York, one last chance to redeem a lost part of the mafia family. The Empire is crumbling and it's my job to fix it, my job to mend the pieces that were scattered over thirty years ago.
The only issue is, the only way to fix, is to do something I swore I'd never do again.
An arranged marriage.
Only this time.
I won't fall.
Or so help me God, I'll kill her myself.
My name is Sergio Abandanoto, you think you know my pain, my suffering, my anger, my hate--you have no idea.
I am the mafia.
I am the darkness.
Blood in. No out.

Empire
Rachel Van Dyken

what i think

Not a Standalone!

SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN’T READ ELUDE: Empire brought back all the feels from Elude. I have been trying to forget Elude for months! Months!!! Too sad!!! Ugh, so now we are back in that world and Sergio is just heartbreaking. We also meet Luca’s children, Dante and Valentina (GREAT names!). I love Val because she is so different from the other women. Val is shy and quite and awkward. She reminds me of Trace when she first fell into the Eagle Elite world.

Since I have been reading these books as they are published, I am finding that I kind of need a refresher. Perhaps a family tree would help! I just know that I am getting things all kinds of mixed up! But, enough about that! Empire takes us from Chicago to New York and the Nicolisi family. I loved the uncles-they were great. I loved Dante as well-he is so young to be given such a heavy burden and you see both the strength and the insecurity in him which was perfect. Sergio has gone back to being an ass. I struggle with the dead spouse trope because its almost impossible to do well. We will always compare Andi and Val. We will always feel like Val is a ‘consolation prize’ to Sergio. Its really hard for an author to make me feel otherwise so its not my favorite trope. I thought Van Dyken did a good job though-Sergio doesn’t rush into love with Val. He compares Andi and Val and you know his struggles with the relationship with Val (which mirror my concerns!).

So, Empire is seriously sad. Sergio is still so broken and Val is so confused and hurt (What happened after the first time the sleep together is heartbreaking! Seriously, I wanted to hug Val). It was painful to read honestly. Painful in a beautiful way, if you know what I mean. The emotions are raw and real. But, the journey is never easy is it?

  • POV: Dual 1st
  • Tears: yes!
  • Trope: dead spouse, mafia
  • Triggers: none
  • Series/Standalone: Series
  • Cliffhanger: No
  • HEA: View Spoiler »
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if you liked

Obligation by Aurora Rose Reynolds, Fighting Solitude by Aly Martinez, An Obsession with Vengeance by Nancy Haviland…then you will probably like Empire!

where to get it

iBooks icon Amazon-icon

Other Books in the Series

These books are not required but add to the series!

5

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

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2 responses to “Empire by Rachel Van Dyken: Review

  1. I really like Van Dyken’s writing so I need to try something else of her’s. I’ve only read her funny/romance stuff. And thanks for the spoiler warning! Phew! This must be a serial, huh? You get props for sticking with it!!!! Great job!!!

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