from goodreads:
She didn’t break his heart.
She sacrificed it to keep him alive.
Gabriella
I learned a long time ago that survival comes at a cost. Sometimes it’s your freedom. Sometimes it’s your voice. And sometimes… it’s the people you love.
He was never meant to be part of my story. But for one moment, I let myself believe I could have him. Just one moment of weakness—one choice that changed everything.
Now I live in a world where obedience is survival and failure is punished. I’m bound to his enemies, trapped in a life I can’t escape… and I’ve become someone he would never forgive.
Vienna
They always underestimated me. They thought the laughter meant I wasn’t paying attention—that the charm made me soft, that I wouldn’t see what was right in front of me.
They were wrong.
Because I remember everything.
The girl who chose me. The girl who betrayed me. The girl who took everything from me.
She thinks she made her choice. She thinks she’s beyond saving. But I’ve seen the cracks—and I’m done pretending I haven’t.
They took her from me once. This time… I’m taking her back. No matter who I have to destroy to do it.
She stayed to save him.
Now he’s risking everything to save her.
my review:
i was SO excited for this book because vienna is my favoriteeeee character from the entire devils disciples series. he always brought such a light, fun energy to the books, and finally getting to see who he really is and why he is the way he is just made me love him even more, wholeheartedly.
i will say check the trigger warnings for this one. there were a few moments where i was making faces and lowkey grossed out. it was never a hard no for me, but it definitely adds a heavier layer to the story. i also feel like this one leaned more into the smutty/sexual side than the others. it didn’t bother me personally, but i can absolutely see how it could be triggering, so pleaseeee check those warnings before going in.
dante and rachel felt a lot calmer in this book, like they were just over everyone and everything. dante especially seemed exasperated like all the years of chaos are finally catching up to him. but honestly? i feel like it’s a front and he secretly thrives in it. rachel definitely toned it down a bit, but she’s still her crazy self, ready to go to war with the riders straight out the damn front door.
i also loved getting more insight into rachel’s parents. because let’s be real, we all hated that sad excuse of a mother in the previous books. the rest of the club kind of fell into place like usual, but it was really cool to see how everyone developed into who they are now. the flashbacks and the whole descendants upbringing added so much depth and really tied everything together. and the stuff about laura???
wow… actually insane.nico, yeah, he’s still disgusting. i’ve always hated him from the little bits we got before, and this just solidified it. i cannot believe he ended up as president because he is not president material at all.
gabby though, my heart hurts for her. she was so strong, especially with everything she had to endure under nico. i really felt for her and all the other girls in this story. she did what she had to do to protect the people she loved and cared for so deeply, but i really wish she could’ve gotten what she deserved without going through the absolute worst. and that betrayal scene??? killed me. like WHAT. insane.
and vienna… he will always be my favorite. i knew he was troubled, but learning just how troubled he was and how he found his way into the devils was so interesting. it even made you appreciate kitty a little bit (yuck, i know). from the descendants to the disciples, he’s still the same loving, ride-or-die, would-die-for-you type of man. and seeing him with bee just hits differently now, knowing how everything in his life played out, just when he had it all.
overall, this was such a good book. j.m. johnson is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors, even though i HATE the way these books end. the cliffhangers get me every single time, my jaw literally dropped. the way this one ended should be illegal because WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?? i need to know immediately. but i guess i’ll be patiently or very impatiently waiting.
favorite quotes:
"i knew what it was to adapt before you even realised you were adapting."