4 Star Review: Fallen Saint (All The Pretty Things, #2) by Monica James

Tuesday 9 July 2019

Oh Saint, how you steal my heart!

From what was a fast-paced first instalment in this trilogy, part 2 continues in the same vein, with drama, excitement, hope, and frustration as Willow continues to be held against her will, this time by the enigmatic and dangerous, Aleksei Popov.

Saint works to ensure that Alek understands that he’s been working in support of him all along and not trying to find a way to release his sister and whilst keeping Willow out of his clutches, but despite trying to outwit his Russian counterpart, Saint finds himself one step behind Alek at every turn. Willow becomes more and more confused by her surroundings and by her captors and starts to question right from wrong as Saint and Alek both try to make her believe that their love for her is real and that their intentions towards her a truly honourable. Alek, the master manipulator, makes Willow see him not as a monster but as a misunderstood man with a painful upbringing and with Saint wanting Alek dead, Willow struggles to understand her feelings towards Alek.

It’s always hard reviewing a trilogy as you won’t want to give too much away but at the same time, you want to talk about what you have read and experienced in the book. What I can say is that this story continues to be dark and gives readers a feeling of falling ever further down the rabbit hole alongside poor Willow. Some of the scenes, for me personally, seemed a little too shocking on this occasion but as you read on, you come to realise that all may not be as it seems in relation to those Willow meets whilst still in captivity. The ending is even more explosive and ensures readers will definitely want to read on.

Whilst I am enjoying the story, I do struggle with duologies and trilogies as I always struggle to re-capture the initial magic and whilst my reading interests have gone in a different direction at present, I did manage to quickly re-engage my love of this story and it’s characters so that is a big plus for this book.

As before, this is an extremely well-written novel. The balance between drama and intrigue continues to hold my attention and I can’t wait to see how the trilogy concludes.

Blurb

Just as this nightmare began, I once again find myself bound, destination unknown. However, this time, my kidnapper is the man who shattered my world beyond repair.
Aleksei Popov—Russia’s number one mobster, and the man I was sold to.
His intentions for me are clear—submit, obey him, and call him master—but I won’t surrender. I’m not like the other girls. Whether that’s a blessing or curse, I’ve yet to decide. The problem is, my disobedience intrigues my captor all the more.
When we arrive in Russia, the rules change.
Saint, the man who was once a sinner, is my only salvation. What was forbidden now gives me hope that there is light in the darkness. He will risk everything to set me free.
But behind these opulent walls, things aren’t what they seem, and when the fine line between pleasure and pain begins to blur, only one thing matters—saving my soul.
I will lie.
Cheat.
Steal.
I was once an angel, but now… I’m a fallen saint, ready to inflict my own pain and burn this hellhole to the ground.