TITLE: REAP
SERIES: Scarred Souls #2
AUTHOR: Tillie Cole
GENRE: Dark Romance
SOURCE: Netgalley
PUBLISHED: November 10th 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin
Raised as a prototype for the Georgian Bratva's obedience drug, 221 fails to think, act, or live for himself; he's his master's perfectly-crafted killing puppet. Standing at six-foot-six, weighing two-hundred-and-fifty pounds, and unrivaled in to-the-death combat, 221 successfully secures business for the Georgian Mafiya Boss of NYC, who rules the dark world of the criminal underground. Until his enemies capture him.
Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...
Talia Tolstaia dreams to break from the heavy clutches of Bratva life. She dreams of another life--away from the stifling leash of her Russian Bratva Boss father and from the brutality of her work at The Dungeon, her criminal family's underground death-match enterprise. But when she stumbles upon her family's captive who is more monster than man, she starts to see the man underneath. A powerful, beautiful, damaged man whose heart calls to hers. But sacrifices must be made--blood for blood...life for life...souls for scarred souls...
reap
verb (used with object)
- to cut (wheat, rye, etc.) with a sickle or other implement or a machine,as in harvest.
- to gather or take (a crop, harvest, etc.).
- to get as a return, recompense, or result:
to reap large profits.
Tillie Cole is a master at her craft. She has easily become one of my favorite authors. Her stories are always well-developed, emotionally gripping and beautifully written, and that holds true in REAP. I recommend reading RAZE first as it’s plot is central to this story. REAP is told from three POVs and evolves into a beautiful story of revenge, love and redemption.
REAP is the story of Luka’s promise fulfilled.
When the story begins, we are reunited with Kisa and Luka. I simply adore this couple and was happy to be updated on their relationship. So far they are my favorite couple in this series. We find that Luka is struggling to adjust to his new life and is still very dependent on Kisa to ease his damaged soul. Luka hasn’t forgotten the promise made to 362, to get revenge for him on the man that him in the Gulag. He finds that 362’s real name is Anri, and he has a twin that is being held prisoner. Luka resolves to free Anri’s brother.
REAP is the story of 221’s freedom realized.
With Luka’s retribution, 221 gains his freedom. After spending 20 years as a drugged zombie, 221 is a shadow of a man. He is a killing machine, programmed to slaughter at his master’s command. He knows that there was something wrong with what he was doing, but he can’t fight it. He is so damaged, almost irrevocably, but as the drugs wear off, memories of who he was begin to return. Tillie Cole describes 221's life in captivity in such a way that you can’t help but feel for him. I know I did.
REAP is the story of Talia’s true love found.
Talia has been running the Bratva’s fighting ring and needed a vacation, so she escapes to the family’s vacation home. The Talia we encountered in Reap is very different from the Talia we meet in Raze. She still has her rebellious spirit, but I didn’t connect with her character here like I did in book one. I found her to be very underwhelming and skimmed her chapters until her encounters with 221. I truly enjoyed the scenes with them together. Zaal's character was so child-like and kind. I loved the cadence of his speech. I understood his immediate feelings for Talia and him recognizing her as his other half. I am not a fan of insta-love, which is what Zaal and Talia's relationship feels. I would have liked their bond to develop more so that it seemed realistic.
There were times that I struggled with the story but ultimately I ended up liking it. Regardless of the few issues I had I still found it to be a good read and a wonderful addition to the series. If you enjoy a dark and gritty story, then I highly recommend you read the Scarred Souls series. We get a hint of the next book in the series, and I must say I can’t wait to read it.
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