901 is the blood pit's champion fighter, his Master wants him to make the fights more competitive but 901 just wants to get the fight over with and be left alone. However the Master wants to force him to fight the way he wants him to.

Number 152 has been brought to be the sex slave to the Master, he has coveted her and waited until she was ready. Keeping her in a a drug induced state that causes her to want to have sex keeps her constantly aroused. Only Master can satisfy her needs. 152 doesn't know where she came from but has faint memories that make her sense she was taken.

When Master sees 901 watching 152 he realizes he finally has something he can use against him. 152 doesn't understand why her Master is giving her to 901, but does his bidding. 901 wants to reject 152 but she manages to burrow her way into his heart. Will this be the way their life will always be or is there hope for something better in the horizon.

This is dark but fantastic. Reminded me of Laurann Dohner's species series a bit. 901 is brutal, he reminded me of a gladiator. I thought the way the story evolved when 152 is introduced to him was fascinating. Has a whole other layer to the story that I did not mention but is is mind blowing. Going back to read from the beginning.

Honestly, this series has been really hard for me to read. It's dark and gritty and at times it made me uncomfortable but the writing is so amazing and the story so heartbreaking but enthralling I just keep coming back for more. This book is incredible and even though it hurt my heart at times, I'm so glad I read it.

4.5 Stars

‘The male with the cruel eyes. The infallible killer. The Pit Bull of the Arziani Empire. Master’s living god among men.’

Wow, what a compelling way to finish this fabulously dark and highly emotional series. It’s been quite the horrific but brilliantly written ride, with each book giving us a new tormented hero and heroine all with a harrowing and tragic past and present. All with the fighting pit at its centre. It’s been a tearful and upsetting journey but a journey that’s been lit up by a beacon of shining bright love.

“Our names are part of our path to freedom.”

In this series finale we hear the voice of 152, the lost sister of Valentin, and 901, the king of the fighting pit. The master’s favourite but for how long? This series has always had a flair for the dramatic and over the top, but it’s worked for us. We’ve been gripped, addicted and invested in every single book and Riot was no different. We loved it.

‘He was the most intimidating male I had ever encountered. And I was trapped in his cell. Completely alone. In the unwelcome company of a killer. And there was absolutely nothing I could do.’

152 – Inessa, the lost one, the beloved sister. She stole our hearts and they bled for her fate. She was a fighter a survivor and her story broke our hearts. She’s the chosen one for Master Arziani, who runs an evil and inhumane empire set to break the human spirit for his own gains and desires. Using her as bait to get final control of 901 who isn’t running the line of commands. This catalyst sparks a series of events that ultimately sets in motion a revolt that could see freedom at the end of a very long imprisonment under an evil reign of punishment.

“You became my heart. He made me want you like I have never wanted anything else. Even my freedom does not compare. If I had to fight every day for the rest of my life here in this pit, I would do it gladly to have you with me.”

901 and 152 are thrown together as part of a concluding plan for Arziani’s final blood lusting glory. However, where the evil intent succeeds the strength of love, protection and human spirit was ultimately underestimated. There’s such a vulnerable almost innocent essence to 901 and 152’s relationship. Considering the gruesome circumstances, this was such a beauty to read because of this. For two people so deeply embedded in the sadistic and brutal side of life there was such a beauty to their characters.

‘901 thought me beautiful. And he told me in Russian. In the language of our hearts. The language of our home.’

What we absolutely loved about Riot was being back with everyone and everything coming full circle, seeing vengeance and redemption. Finding happiness and love. We loved how it played out, how after such a long time being spent in virtual hell with our hero and heroine we saw a culmination of the previous books through Luka, Zaal and Valentin. We loved the final climax and what a fabulous ending to what has been a crazy good suspenseful, dark and passionate series.

‘We had been thrust back into hell. But this time the only way out was to burn it in our wake.’

‘We would maim. We would slaughter. We would kill. Together, we would fucking raze hell.’

Firstly - WOW!!!! What an ending to that series!

SECONDLY - AND THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!! You must must MUST have read the first three books in the Scarred Souls series first. This is NOT a standalone. I've seen it a lot with this series that people are reading it in the wrong order.

Okay!

Now that's done, let's move on.

I can't believe the series has ended. I'm lost. I have fallen in love with each character as the stories have progressed. I knew RIOT was going to be the last one. I thought I was ready. I mean, the book had been sitting on my kindle for almost a month before I finally read it.

We come into this story at a tense time for our three main men: Luca (Raze), Zaal (Reap), and Valentin (Ravage). All three are still adjusting to their new realities with their women, their soulmates, their responsibilites. But there is still a dark cloud hanging ominously over their heads and none more so than Valentin. His sister is still in danger. She is in grave danger at the hands of the Master.

Doing what it necessary to save her, the men have to re-enter the pits of hell and willingly go back to where their demons still lie very close to the surface.

Inessa - Valentin's sister, or '152' - has been drugged for so much of her young life that she has no idea who she is, where she is, or what her purpose is in this dreary place she's awaken in.

What ensues is a story of survival, of redemption, of true love and selflessness. '901' is the champion. No, sorry, the Champion - such a title needs highlighting. He fights because it is all he knows. He fights for an unknown entity - freedom. He fights to stay alive. To breathe, to be. He is reclusive. He is alone. He prefers it this way after seeing the other champion fighters have monas or women and their visceral reactions to them. He can show no weakness. Master knows if there is a weakness, there is a way to control him. He can not be controlled. Not completely. Not like the other fighters.

It just so happens that Ilya - or '901' - does have a weakness. The Master's High Mona. Inessa!

This story then becomes so much more than survival, about fighting for yourself, about being alone. All of a sudden, hearts beat in synchronicity, souls become tangled and fates collide with the fight of their lives about to happen. Who will come out victorious when all four skilled fighters - all with something to live for, and something to lose - are in the Pit together?

I am continuously awed by Tillie Cole's writing, by her research and her knowledge of this topic. The way her mind works to create unique scenarios and situations for us to read, devour and fall in love with. I can't wait to see what she has next in store for us throughout 2017.

#Review @tillie_cole

QueenZany 5 Star Review
Riot
Tillie Cole

Holy mother Fucker!!
Riot is sheer raw, gritty goodness to the highest power! This earth shattering conclusion will leave you in a complete tailspin! Yelling at the top of your lungs! Heart racing out of control and feeling like it was jumping out of your chest! God maniac, isn't even the right word. To describe my mental state at some points.
WTF??? Yes, that was me asking myself??? Just mind blowing awesomeness! Yet I'm so sad to see the series ends!!! I need more!

I was in a Riot haze, this was the ending I was waiting for. A brilliant and explosive final installment!
Finally we got the rise and shine of 818, 221,194 and 901.

It was about damn time, after all the pain and suffering, psychological effects, the battle for freedom and war against the demons who transforming people into monsters was very close.It's time for war and no one will be spared. They were seeking for blood and revenge. Their goal was to save Valentin’s sister. At any price.

The tension was so well built and drove me insane, I was feeling so much pain, reading about how people could treat another. Such cruelty, without any remorse. I was heartbroken.

901 and 152, had suffered, gone through hell, where their humanity were totally annihilated, being the pawns of one of the sickest man ever, Master. Toying and disposing of anyone like puppets. Sheltered all their lives, the moment they connected, all the feelings that supposed to be shut down, thanks for all the drugs they were taking, collided in a powerful way. The lightness into the darkness. A glimmer of hope for a better world, a place where they could finally be free, even if it was almost unattainable.

901 is a machine, raised to win and to crush his opponents. The thrill of the kill and being the best, the one people should be feared about was primal, carnal. Behind all the tough and rough body, his meeting with 152, awoke feelings that he shouldn’t have. Because having feelings is a weakness that could kill him. Behind all this brutality, roughness, his part of humanity was still there. Buried deeply, filled with anger just waiting to be unleashed.

152 is one of the bravest and strong woman ever. After all she went through, she had still this strength and fire inside, to see something more behind this prison. As master’s favorite, being abused and raped was her life. Constantly and repeatedly. Being used for her body, at her master’s disposal. Reduced to nothing. In spite of everything, when she could easily have sunk into madness but she remained strong, trying to fight fiercely.

I was swept away by 901 and 152’s journey. Watching their love bloomed, overshadowed by this darkness. The only moments where they where could escape their grim reality of pain, suffering and destitution is to be united, together. A few stolen moments in a cell, comforting and soothing each other. Turning into true love. The kind of love that only death would til them part.


Through the hell, the darkness where the worst form of barbarity and cruelty existed, where your soul was destroyed until you couldn't know who you were anymore, the path of freedom and happiness was near.
But before attaining this ultimate goal, you had to face your demons once more.
And when see the wrath of some men determined to destroy the one thing that could threaten their loved ones?? I say hell yes to the riot!

Wow! This was a great ending to this series. I read this book right after I read Ravage. But since I read the first two books when they first came out, I had to go back and skim Raze and Reap. All the characters come together in Riot to bring this story to its satisfying conclusion. I will admit that this book was hard to read.......that's why it took me a week to finish. I had to take a break and read something light. Inessa's story is just heartbreaking. And although Valentin's story ended in a HEA in Ravage, it never felt right because his heart was still broken over his sister. I loved Ilya......even though his situation was no better than Inessa's, he still came out strong and in control over his "master". I over how he treated Inessa even reluctantly. I will or give any spoilers but it is a perfect ending to this series. And as much as I loved this series, I do not want Ms. Cole to write another bc the ending was so perfect. I want these characters to have their peace!

Title: Riot
Book Series: Scarred Souls #4
Author: Tillie Cole
Genre: Dark Romance
Publication Date: March 7 2017
Cliff Hanger: No

5 Stars

*This story is for mature audiences only. Contains explicit scenes and language intended for adults 18+

SYNOPSIS:

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.

MY THOUGHTS:

Holy crap what a book! I have read book one and two of this series and loved them, so I was excited for this one! I have the third one that I now have to go back and read! Loved Valentin! I love this author’s dark romance reads. Her style of writing is gritty, raw, and at times makes you grip your Kindle so hard you think it will crack. What a ride!

This is a tale of two slaves that have a forbidden love! A warrior champion and a concubine to their Master, who is a sadistic, twisted man. The story is like a modern-day Spartacus of the underground fighting world of the Bratva or Georgian/Russian mafia. The slaves were stolen from their homes or orphanages as children and raised in this Master’s sick world with its own caste system.

This story has triggers for abuse and sexual assault, as the slaves were gravely mistreated. The tender love story that develops throughout the chaos of their lives is amazing. They are fighting for their lives, their love for each other and their freedom. Freedom that they have never known.

The story also includes characters from the previous books and their involvement in the lives and future of 901 and 152. The ending is amazing and it is wrapped up so well, it wasn’t rushed and I felt like the story was truly complete. I am hoping that there will be a spin-off series from this, as the ending made me think it was a possibility! I can only hope!

If you love dark romance, then give this book and this series a try!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for an honest review.

4.25 stars--RIOT is the fourth and final? Installment in Tillie Cole’s adult, contemporary, SCARRED SOULS dark, erotic, romance series focusing on the Russian Mafia, the Georgian Bratva criminal underground, cage fighting, sexual slavery, and the Russian blood pits. This is death match fighter Ilya Konev (aka 901) and Inessa Belrova’s (aka 152) story line. RIOT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and backstory. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Inessa Belrova is the missing sister to Valentin (Ravage #3).

WARNING: RIOT contains scenes of graphic violence and sexual imagery including scenes of rape, murder and torture that may be disturbing for some readers.

Told from three first person points of view (Luka, Ilya and Inessa) RIOT focuses on the struggle to be free. Ilya aka 901 was kidnapped as a child and trained in the death matches for the Arziani Georgian crime mob. As a fighter 901 has never known anything outside of the arena and the cell that has imprisoned him for close to twenty years. Drugged to perform 901 is eventually caged with a young woman known only as number 152, the Master’s High Mona (or consort). When 901 refuses to accept the gift from his Master he soon realizes that to reject 152 could mean the death of the woman that will eventually call to his heart. What ensues is the building but forbidden relationship between 901 (Ilya) and 152( Inessa), and the struggle to gain freedom from the man who has destroyed too many lives.

The relationship between Ilya and Inessa struggles with the question as to the how and why. Why were they thrown together and for whose benefit will their relationship help. Ilya and Inessa have never known love, comfort or the touch of friendship without the pain or repercussions of torture and abuse. The $ex scenes between Ilya and Inessa are intimate and intense.

There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including all three of the previous story line couples. We are also introduced to several other slaves and death match fighters-some will not be so lucky to survive, as well as the Arziani Georgian crime lord whose psychotic personality fuels the life and death fights in the arena.

RIOT is a graphically violent story line with scenes of rape, torture, abuse and death. Some of the slaves wish for death on a daily basis, while others struggle to stay alive through the torturous beatings and daily drug injections used for submission and control. The premise is dramatic and intense; the characters are broken, tragic and dynamic; the romance is fated and traumatic. RIOT is a heartbreaking story of betrayal, loss and pain; rescue, love and revenge. For fans of the Starz Network's SPARTACUS the final showdown is akin to Spartacus and Crixus's take down of the Dominus- Quintus Batiatus.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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This is the final book in the Scarred Souls series. Of course anything written by Tillie Cole is a must read and this was one of my favourites in the series.

It is the culmination of all the 4 men and their partners. It is an insight into the evil of how one person controls the minds and bodies of others for his personal gain and his eventual demise at the hands of these persons. When reading this book there are many emotions to be felt, the love for these characters is overwhelming and the goodness that is really in 901's heart when he finally gives in to 152 overflows.

There is a lot of violence in these books but it is all relative to the story of underground fighting to the death. There is also the terrible reality of child stealing which breaks my heart but is also a large part of the story. Absolutely loved reading this book, especially when there is the appearance of the characters of the previous books.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review another great read.

From the very first book in this series, I've been addicted - especially to the audio versions with their drop-dead sexy accents that place readers right in the middle of the action. These narrators were perfect for this Russian Bratva series.

There is everything a reader could want in a dark romance... the intrigue, the suspense, the drama, the romance, and at last - the victory! And in this book, readers get the grand finale of victories. It's cheer inducing! You must, must, must listen to this series in order. It's absolutely the only way to get the full effect.

I review for the Guilty Indulgence Book Club. FULL REVIEW via enclosed link...

Tillie Cole's dark romance spins a tale of mobsters, slavery, unspeakable acts and children who are stolen from their homes and take to hell. A hell where a psycho man rules his minions, turning children into soldiers, warriors, whores and servants. In a world of darkness, pain, torture and oblivion, people are turned into monsters and their existence is maintained for the entertainment of one man. The master. The devil himself. In this world, everyone is a captive, ripped of their free will and their identity. They are drugged, raped and killed. There is no happiness or joy. The drugs bring on lust for sex or for the kill and Arziani controls them all. But he too has a weakness, his high Mona. Slave 152 is beautiful. So beautiful, the master wants her for himself. But when his champion shows interest in her, Arziani finally sees the way to fully break him. Prisoner 901 is the Blood Pit's prize fighter. He is unrivalled and refuses to submit to the master. Until the most beautiful woman he has ever seen brings him to his knees. A dark and intense tale of fight for freedom, love and revenge. A romance so hot it will take your breath away.

I'd recommend reading the Scarred Souls series but it's not 100% necessary although it would make the final third part of this book make more sense.

152/Mona, the h, and 901, the H, are basically slaves fighting for their lives on a daily basis. 152 fighting against the Master and 901 fighting for the Master/his life. It's ugly and raw but there's some beauty and hope to the way these two MCs fight to survive individually. And how they slowly start to fight together to be together is sweet in a way that only a gulag relationship can be.

As I finished this series I was exhausted for these couples throughout this series. Their lives were daily ugly fights and it was nice to see them all get their HEAs.

I would suggest reading this series in order. I read this book as a standalone, and while I did not have an issue with it you could tell that it did reference the previous books occasionally. I would say by chapter 5 I was hooked all the way. I think it would be impossible not to be hooked with this book. It is so thrilling! Even as I am writing this review, I can practically feel my blood pumping like my adrenaline was running. That is how entrance you will become. I do feel like it was a little predictable at parts, and that the ending was lacking some. But other than that, I really like what Tillie Cole did.

This was my first read by this author and I am looking forward to reading more. The story had me hooked from beginning to end. The characters are amazing and story is filled with drama and emotion. This is a dark read so be prepared. I loved it!

I was so looking forward to reading this new story in the Scarred Souls series. Tillie did not disappoint in giving us a twisted suspenseful read. I was taken aback by the sci-fi/ paranormal elements but the story was well written and the plot was tight enough that it drew me in and I was not disappointed.
Then the ending completely blew me away so...yeah! Well worth the read!

Good Lord! I got this novel from NetGalley, having heard of the series but never read it, so I didn’t realise that it was, in fact, the finale to the series. It can be read as a standalone but probably best read in order, so I’ll definitely be backtracking to read the previous novels very soon.

This was an ABSOLUTELY THRILLING read!! It’s Spartacus and Gladiator (incidentally, one of my favourite films of all time) for the modern age.

It’s brutal, harsh, and horrifically violent, but a true love story of forbidden passion! The wonders of first love and the tenderness juxtaposed next to the violence made it all stand out in stark relief. God, I just LOVED it!

“I owned this sand.
I owned every soul freed in this ring.
“In the Blood Pit, I was god.”

901 is the Master’s champion - the famed Russian Pit Bull of the Arziani Blood Pit. Fierce, cold and unbeatable. He keeps himself closed off, aloof and uncaring. A warrior of warriors.

“I was a mona. A slave used for her body, to give males pleasure whenever they wished.”

152 is the Master’s new personal whore – the High Mona. Beautiful, submissive and coveted. A modern-day Helen of Troy.

“I do want you…but I just can’t let you have me…it’ll make me weak.”

The evil, despicable Master Arziani is determined to break 901’s defiance. When he sees 901 eyeing his new High Mona, he forces her presence on him. Locked together in a cell, and 152 injected with a drug that sends her libido soaring, and the only thing to alleviate the pain is the physical release of a male inside her. In spite of his jealousy and possessiveness over 152, Master is hell-bent on breaking his champion, finding his weakness so that he will bend to his will. What Master hadn’t counted on was the possibility that 152 might form an attachment for the champion.

Elsewhere in the world, plans are afoot to bring down Arziani’s blood-soaked empire and deliver freedom to those he has enslaved.

“You have made me feel, in here. You have made me want things I never dare let myself want. You have made me want to fight for survival, not pride. I no longer want to die on the pit’s sand, like a warrior. I no longer want to die at all…You make me want to live.”

This was such an EXCITING read! It showcased all the feels – agony, fear, hate, fury, passion, love. The author really brought it all to life like an epic movie. I could feel the tension, the roar of the crowd, the gritty sand beneath my feet. It’s heart-pumping stuff! Then you have the romance. Two people who have been conditioned as slaves since children, constantly drugged, not knowing what that funny feeling they get in their chests is.They had been exposed to so much brutality and cruelty that any kindness or happiness is completely alien to them. I adored their tender words to each other and the absolute wonder of finding beauty in the ugly prison of their lives. A Top Read 2017.