Enrage by Rachel Van Dyken Pages: 450
Series: Eagle Elite #8
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: ARC
Also in this series: Empire, 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, Empire, The Matchmaker's Playbook, The Bachelor Auction, 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, Office Mate, Ciao Bella
Goodreads
The next book in the international bestselling Eagle Elite Series. Complete Stand Alone.
Part of a world I loathe.Part of a family who hates me more than I hate myself.Living with a girl who reminds me of my darkness.I'm. In. Hell.Also known as the Cosa Nostra.I wish I would have known--that my life was over the minute I stepped off the plane.Son to a murdered mob boss.Heir to a throne of murder and lies.My name is Dante Nicolasi.And there will be blood.
Full disclosure: I started Enrage by reading the end. I needed to know. I am in Rachel’s reader group and knew something BAD was going to happen. I mean, the next book is called Eulogy for God’s sake. And, I am still a bit teary eyed from Elude. So, yeah, judge me if you want, but I read the end first so I could prepare myself. Still fucking hurt. Damn you Rachel Van Dyken!
A quick run down of how we got to Enrage: Dante is Val’s brother (Val is one of my favorite characters!). He is angry and bitter about everything but especially El. Poor, sweet, victim El. She has been abused and used and the last thing she needs is Dante’s anger directed at her. But, thats exactly what happens. I wanted to nut punch him for this alone. But, he does redeem himself. Both of them have been transplanted to Chicago to live with the Abandonado’s and attend Eagle Elite.
El (Elenor) Petrov is the enemy in Dante’s eyes. She was married (against her will) to a monster in the Russia mob. Now she is a ward of the Italians. She has been a pawn in the game of the mafia for so long she doesn’t know what a normal life is like. But, there are still plenty of secrets about her own identity she learns along the way.
Dante used to be a normal kid. He likes the movie Newsies and he used to draw. Now, he is a killer. He is learning the ways of the Italian mafia so he can take his place in the family. He welcomes the pain and anger and feeds off it. He swears he hates all the bosses, but he doesn’t really…He is at Eagle Elite trying to take back power from the Russians.
In previous books, the conflict had been between the families or from smaller uprisings within the families. Since Elude though, the antagonists have been the Russians. Enrage blends the threats together. The Russians/Petrov are causing problems at Eagle Elite; Mil is up to something and it causes problems with the families. Being back at Eagle Elite gives Enrage a bit of that Elect feel-the powerful students punishing others, the violence, the terror. It reminded me how much I enjoyed the series when the characters were at EE. Now, they seem so old, when in reality, they are only in their mid-twenties. It was nice to harken back to the way the series began, but with a Russian twist.
I was getting a bit tired of the ‘She’s too good for me’ speech Dante kept giving. I think it drug on a bit long and I was thrilled when he finally got over it. However, it was a good 75% into the book before he got over it. I wanted someone to fight FOR El. She had been an object, a ‘prize’, for so long, I wanted someone to make her feel more. I knew Dante would if he would just get over himself!
Aside from the Dante/El romance, the story played out in a way I never expected. And trust me, I tried to guess. I tried to think of every possible way RVD could take the plot of Enrage and still never imagined this. So, kudos for keeping me always on my toes and giving me a book that kept me up all night, with tears streaming down my face the whole time.
I left El off this chart intentionally as her familial connections are explored in the book.
- POV: multiple 1st
- Tears: oh sweet Jesus yes
- Trope: mafia, bad boy
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: series (could you read this as a stand alone? Sure, but you would be a bit overwhelmed by all the back characters and quite frankly, the series is so good, you will want to read it all anyway.)
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Cole by Tijan, Nico by Sarah Castille, Enforcer by Katana Collins …then you will probably like Enrage!
Enrage
oh I so need this book in my life here, it just sounds fantastic!!! I so love those books that keep you up all night, those are the best. Already added it to goodreads. Lovely review darling.