Two Halves, One Brian

This is the third book in the series. For reviews of the previous books, check out the links below!

• Dark Fae, book 1
• Savage Fae, book 2

Book Stats

• Series: Book 3 of the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac series
• Publication Date: 02/21/20
• Publisher: King’s Hollow
• Format: ebook
• Chapters: 53
• Pages: 642
• POV: 1st person, alternating between multiple main characters – Elise, Dante, Ryder, Leon, Gabriel, & Gareth
• On Kindle Unlimited 🖤

Book Rating

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5

Summary

In this book, Elise continues on her quest for revenge by constantly trying to get closer to the kings, while attempting to keep her emotions out of it. But it’s tough when she realizes that the kings all offer her something unique that she just might want/ need. Her emotions are starting to get out of hand and maybe she won’t have what it takes to separate her emotions from the investigation she’s so determined to complete.

And of course, each of Gareth’s chapters shows us how much he was involved with each king, either directly or indirectly, which may have ultimately lead to his death.

Review

Things are really starting to get spicy in this one.

And also tense. Not only the chemistry and sexual tension between characters, but the emotional intensity that we get from each MMC as we learn more about them and their past.

I mean, we explore more of Ryder’s trauma in regards to Mariella, Dante’s struggles with his gang/family dynamic, Gabriel’s loneliness and expectations of remaining afraid and alone, & Leon’s feelings of failure and inferiority in regards to his family.

These authors do a wonderful job of making these fictitious characters feel real. I mean, we get so much backstory and depth that these characters truly feel raw, emotional, and deep. It’s so impressive and I love it!

Elise continues to be a badass FMC, but she’s also slowly succumbing to her feelings and I love that too. No one should be strong all the time. 🖤

Ugh, I’m really loving this series, clearly. The writing is beautiful and while it remains lighthearted and witty the majority of the time, the authors do a wonderful job of diving into trauma and other deep topics. It’s really a beautiful balance that makes the story fun, while still ensuring you feel the deep emotions of grief and loss.

Phenomenal. Truly.

Plus, this one was even more hilarious. The group gets to go to Zodiac Academy to play against their pitball team, while also introducing us to Lance Orion. That entire situation was funny as fuck and I loved it, for real. Also, Lance is pretty cool to meet and his character clearly has an impactful role in our story, so that’s fun to see!

We also get more Lionel (yay. 🙄) as he wants Dante’s magic and dragon-ness under his thumb.

Oh and we get some betrayal (which I love book-wise because TENSION). But when it includes Leon? It’s kinda hard to deal with.

And the investigation continues to lead us to some interesting facts… (old details in black; new ones in blue)

Leon – Gareth’s roommate & friend

• had a super rare and expensive white jasper stone that Gareth stole and pawned

Ryder –

• had gotten into it with Gareth after asking if he’d chosen a gang (Lunar brotherhood or Oscura clan) & Gareth said no, he wouldn’t be joining either – took Gareth’s room
• later Gareth asked to do odd jobs to earn some money. Ryder initially said no, but eventually agreed
• Ryder makes it clear he knows what’s in Killblaze, so Elise assume he’s the one who creates or sells it – he’s a basilisk and they’re immune to all poisons, but can detect all ingredients in one. He tries it to see what it’s made of
• The recording showing Professor King’s and Ryder’s affair was recoreded by Gareth for Dante, to prove King was failing Dante on purpose. Ryder had Gareth make a magical bargain with him that he would find out who recorded the video.
• Professor King, in order to reduce her own charges/sentence, threatened to tell Ryder that Gareth was the one who recorded the video. Unless Gareth collected helpful info to take Ryder down

Dante –

• asked Dante to do odd jobs to earn some money. Agreed
• Dante had cut Lorenzo off from the pack until he cleaned up, getting off Killblaze. He had to stick with his decision, but wanted Gareth to be Lorenzo’s friend, helping him break the habit
• Dante had a picture of the magical deal being struck between Ryder and Gareth. He thought Gareth was a traitor and beat him until Gareth explained that he had to get info for the FIB

Gabriel –

• had gotten into it with Gareth when he accidentally bumped into Gabriel in the hall, knocking his Atlas out of his hands and seeing the large money donations. After Gabriel traps him with his water and earth magic, Gareth decides he’ll learn what Gabriel is hiding so he can bribe him for the money he needs to save Elise
• Gareth had found a hidden file of Gabriel’s, which included 7 different identities. Used this to blackmail money out of him
• Elise finds Gareth’s old burner phone and learns about the blackmail; texts Gabriel from the phone
• Gabriel found out Gareth was the one blackmailing him on the night of the Solarid Meteor Shower. Beat him up and told him he was nothing, then left him alone

Favorite Quote

• “I once got my dick out in front of a girl and she thought I’d shifted.”
  Dante’s eyes widened and a laugh ripped from his throat.