RIOT - Review

RIOT - Scarred Souls #4
by Tillie Cole

From USA Today bestselling author Tillie Cole comes RIOT, the anticipated gritty and raw final installment of the Scarred Souls series.  Cole proves that love can truly overcome everything in her latest compelling and dark romance.  Stolen by the Arziani Georgian crime mob as a child, 152 was raised and conditioned to be a Mona—the most subservient of the Arziani Blood Pit slaves.  152 has been living in a drug-induced fog for most of her life, but now she can finally think clearly when she is gifted to one of the death match fighters.  152 will have to fight for what she wants and ultimately make an impossible choice.

Brutal. Intense. Passionate. The World of the Scarred Souls.

They call me 901. I am a monster, a killer, a champion. In the blood pit I am a god. I have no name, no family, and no identity. When master says fight, I fight…until I am the only one left standing. I have one goal, to fight so well that I am freed. I don’t need friends, I don’t need women. They are weaknesses. I am strong.

Until I see her. She is gorgeous and kind and off-limits to me. She was stolen as a child to be the worst type of slave and now master wants her. What he wants, he gets. With a smile, she melts my brutal heart. I have never wanted anything more.

I need to make a choice. Freedom or Love. I cannot choose wrong.

St. Martin’s Press - releases march 7 - ISBN: 978-1-250-08628-0
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I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: Wowzers that's one heck of a dramatic series finale!! 
For the purpose of this review I'm going to presume you're up to date with Tillie Cole's Scarred Souls series. This time the focus is on 152 and 901 - no I'm not giving you their names because it's a big part of the story and the reveal is something of a spoiler!
The Arziani blood pit is a horrifically dangerous place for warriors and slaves alike, but things take a dramatic turn when 152 finds herself as High Mona (chief sex slave) to the awful Master.

901 is the pit's prize fighter - he's a deadly champion whom Master struggles to control, until 901 notices Master's new High Mona...

The story is dark and pretty hard to read at times but I really liked the sweet relationship between 152 and 901. Their friendship almost develops in reverse, where they go from fear to friendship.

There are lots of dark naughty scenes, some of which I couldn't quite get my head around but others are awkwardly sweet.

RIOT is brutal and surprising, yet hopeful and surprisingly endearing. It is worth noting that due to the adult nature of the book and the dark themes, certain parts may be a trigger.

We get a sneaky catchup with some of our previous favourites as the series comes to a fierce and savage end. Oh the messed up and glorious angst!

3.5 - 4 Stars in my Sky!

Author Spotlight: 
After graduating from Newcastle University, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies for seven years. Tillie has now settled in Calgary, Canada, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters. She writes Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels and happily shares her love of alpha-male leading men and strong female characters with her readers.