Ravage (Scarred Souls Book 3)

I am really enjoying the dark pathos of Tillie Cole's books. She has captivated me and though the themes are painful and dark, it falls into my wheelhouse and I am a huge new fan. What's next Tillie? I need to know what happens to 157

Wow. I really enjoyed Ravage! It was deliciously dark, it made my heart both smile & cry & it was full of surprises. It had a beautifully damaged characters that you couldn't help but root for from the very beginning. I devoured it!

Loved making the connections from these main characters, Zoya & Valentin/194 to others from the previous books. Certain chapters brought out some pretty big "A-ha" moments & had me going back to Raze & Reap to compare notes. (Which was NOT a hardship since I LOVE Luka!!)

Even though things started off strange for Zoya & Valentin, I truly adored them together! I loved how broken they were & how they helped to heal one another. (Well, start the process anyhow.) It was painful to see them go through certain events but so worth it in the end. (LOVED their confessions to each other in the apartment! Stolen kisses... *le sigh*) They were totally meant to be & I can only imagine that they'll to continue to grow stronger in the next book.

I blame it on the confused feelings but I can't believe that Valentin didn't think about what might happen if a "certain something" was disposed of... or that Mistress might have set up the latest (& the past) apartment(s) with hidden "things". I was waiting for that ball to drop & when it did, I was so nervous for Zoya!

Speaking of Mistress... That b**** couldn't get what she deserved fast enough! I'm happy with the way things played out & that Valentin took a different route with her "punishment" than was previously planned throughout the past 18 years.

Very much looking forward to reading book four in this series, Riot! I NEED 152's happily ever after like yesterday!!

I have read numerous dark novels, but Tillie Cole takes it to a new level. Well written stories with depth of characters and plot lines that keep the book interesting. The sex is off the charts hot! Can't wait to see her next book.

Great book and amazing writing. Tillie Cole has a way of pulling you into the story. The book is very dark and sad and can be very emotional at times. I love all of these characters and cant wait to read the story of 152!! Great read!

I love Tillie's writing, especially on this series and the Hangmen, but I will admit some of the scenes are hard to read. The fact that I keep plowing through says a lot about her talent. I look forward to more.

Ravage, book three in the Scarred Soul series, is the perfect example of the kind of series worth investing your energy and time into with its fantastic writing and depth filled characters. Stripped down and bare this story was brutal in its telling but worth every gut wrenching moment! Forced into captivity as a child and transformed into a monster by his actions and mutilated exterior Valentin's life is hell on earth. The only thing that keeps him going is the promise by his captors that one day they will release his beloved sister. Valentin's life is soulless and heartless until fate steps in and he falls for his latest hit, Zoya. What an intense and riveting story! To see Zoya, despite her abuse at Valentin's hands, reach deep and find the good in him without seeming like a text book case of Stockholm Syndrome was a feat in dark writing. Edgy attraction and a meaningful emotional connection on the part of the hero and heroine made this a gripping story and another great installment in Tillie Cole's Scarred Souls works.
*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*

Zoya Kostava has survived the massacre of her family and is excited to learn that her brother is not only alive but in the same state she currently lives in. Unable to wait she runs to see her brother and is grabbed by Prisoner 194 before she can make it through the door.

Prisoner 194 was taken as a teenager and forced to do heinous things all to protect the only person he has left in the world... his sister. As promised many times before if he finishes one last job...his sister will remain safe...and he is willing to sacrifice his life and everyone else's to keep her safe.

Nights and days collide together as Prisoner 194 does everything and anything to get Zoya to give him all of her secrets. The real question is can Prisoner 194 continue to ignore his tortured mind to save his sister or will he learn that two ravaged souls can create a love that can combat anything? Read and find out!

I received this book from Net Galley for my honest review

I started this series at book 2 and hunted down book 3 as soon as possible. What I love about this series is that it can be read out of order and you can still get the full effect of everything the Scarred Souls series has to offer.

What I love about this book is that it ties up a lot of loose ends and answers a lot of questions. As the reader, you get so sucked into this world that Tillie Cole creates, where even the most savage men can have the biggest hearts ever.

In this book prisoner 194 will not only steal your heartstrings he will own your whole body. I completed this book and felt very strong emotions. Emotions so strong that Prisoner 194 quickly became more than just a number but a man that deserves not only love but protection and thank goodness that Zoya is woman enough to give him that and soooo much more.

Great job Tillie Cole! I applaud you for stepping outside of the normal box that is created for romance authors and giving us something more..something so beautiful that it somehow turns this fictional story into something that feels so real. I literally cannot wait for more!

Ravage, book three in the Scarred Soul series, is the perfect example of the kind of series worth investing your energy and time into with its fantastic writing and depth filled characters. Stripped down and bare this story was brutal in its telling but worth every gut wrenching moment! Forced into captivity as a child and transformed into a monster by his actions and mutilated exterior Valentin's life is hell on earth. The only thing that keeps him going is the promise by his captors that one day they will release his beloved sister. Valentin's life is soulless and heartless until fate steps in and he falls for his latest hit, Zoya. What an intense and riveting story! To see Zoya, despite her abuse at Valentin's hands, reach deep and find the good in him without seeming like a text book case of Stockholm Syndrome was a feat in dark writing. Edgy attraction and a meaningful emotional connection on the part of the hero and heroine made this a gripping story and another great installment in Tillie Cole's Scarred Souls works.
*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
*While part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone.*

Zoya Kostava has survived the massacre of her family and is excited to learn that her brother is not only alive but in the same state she currently lives in. Unable to wait she runs to see her brother and is grabbed by Prisoner 194 before she can make it through the door.

Prisoner 194 was taken as a teenager and forced to do heinous things all to protect the only person he has left in the world... his sister. As promised many times before if he finishes one last job...his sister will remain safe...and he is willing to sacrifice his life and everyone else's to keep her safe.

Nights and days collide together as Prisoner 194 does everything and anything to get Zoya to give him all of her secrets. The real question is can Prisoner 194 continue to ignore his tortured mind to save his sister or will he learn that two ravaged souls can create a love that can combat anything? Read and find out!

I received this book from Net Galley for my honest review

I started this series at book 2 and hunted down book 3 as soon as possible. What I love about this series is that it can be read out of order and you can still get the full effect of everything the Scarred Souls series has to offer.

What I love about this book is that it ties up a lot of loose ends and answers a lot of questions. As the reader, you get so sucked into this world that Tillie Cole creates, where even the most savage men can have the biggest hearts ever.

In this book prisoner 194 will not only steal your heartstrings he will own your whole body. I completed this book and felt very strong emotions. Emotions so strong that Prisoner 194 quickly became more than just a number but a man that deserves not only love but protection and thank goodness that Zoya is woman enough to give him that and soooo much more.

Great job Tillie Cole! I applaud you for stepping outside of the normal box that is created for romance authors and giving us something more..something so beautiful that it somehow turns this fictional story into something that feels so real. I literally cannot wait for more!

How this author went from her Sweet Home series to this OTT dark, violent, teeming with graphic abuse series really surprises this NetGalley reviewer. I have to admit I was first repulsed and stunned, at only 7% into it, when the hero was drugged via his custom made futuristic dog collar which forced him to be violently intimate with his female master/handler, which apparently is a common, scheduled occurrence. She also uses it to put him in a murderous rage, so he will kill on command.

Yeah, the author had me seriously questioning what book I had stumbled into, folks. As you’ve probably guessed, I have not read previous books in this series. Even at almost 30%, it was still far too focused on dishing out abuse, in one form or another, for my taste. When a big block of time was spent with the hero, Valentin, dubbed #194, despicably, heartlessly, depravedly abusing the heroine trying to get her to confess how she was connected to Zaal Costava, I started to wonder why this was considered a romantic read. Btw, no way was this gal giving up the ghost though. She’d do anything, including dying, to protect Zaal, her brother, especially since she just recently found out he was still alive.

Oddly enough that’s when the first tiny spark of “there’s more behind the mask/scarred face” of her abductor that ignited in the heroine’s heart. She started to see him as an extension of her likely similar tortured brother since she suspected they both had been molded into their current state by the same evil one, the Jakhur. When the predictable, non-consensual touching of her unclothed body/doing smexy things to her commenced, I was inwardly shouting, “Now wait just a dang minute!” You see, for a virgin who’s been stripped bare, doused with freezing cold water/then subjected to unbearably hot temps, repeatedly, logically there is no way she would start to enjoy any smexy moments with this guy. Don’t you agree? No, it would have been more realistic to have her mentally tell him off and defiantly stare him down or just cry her eyes out. Turning into lusty putty in his hands just would never have happened, folks.

Sure, I read the synopsis. So what was I expecting? Honestly, it was the mention of mafia that lured me in to give this book a chance. I’m an avid mafia romance reader, my fellow romance book-loving friends. I’m used to dark, bad boys finding redemption. I just need to enjoy the journey getting there though, and that wasn’t the case with this one.

It wasn’t until around 35%, the plot to get this story rolling forward finally kicked in, until it kept getting interrupted with more unlikely smexy moments. With their true confessions of admitting to one another they had just shared their first ever kiss, instead of feeling mushy over it, because, really, it wasn’t a Snow White romantic kind of scenario, the guy’s been torturing her for days now, I found myself thinking, “How about sharing a shirt with the lovely lady, buddy? You’ve kept her naked long enough! Show some loving by giving her some clothes instead!”

Then at 45%, we are back to vivid flashbacks of more disturbing details of the hero and his sister’s abduction by the night wraiths. That’s when I decided I was d-o-n-e, folks. I’m not a fan of child abuse ever being used to promote a storyline. It was OTT sick, disturbing and continued for 18 years! Throw on top of the fact, almost half-way through, we can easily predict there is still going to be more darkness than light before this couple gets their HEA. For me, it’s just not going to be worth the agony of the literary journey filled with more depressing drama/abuse/violence.

If you are a fan of this series, you likely won’t be shocked and will even enjoy it. If you are like me, however, proceed with caution. Just make sure you can handle the elements I tried to lay out for you. Here’s to hoping my review will be helpful in making your own decision. Despite not using any offensive words, I repeatedly had to keep dumbing down this review by deleting the specific types of abuse contained in this book. You see, the store kept rejecting my review because the subject matter is disturbing. What does that tell you about this book, folks?

Title: Ravage, Series: Scarred Souls (Book 3), Author: Tillie Cole, Pages: 336, did not want to finish, too OTT/disturbing to be entertaining, hero regularly drugged and forced to kill/have violent sex, no thank you to this whole series, too many sub-plots/characters to keep track of made it exhausting, virgin heroine who would die to protect her brother, hero’s younger sister drugged/raped repeatedly, hero and his sister held captive for 18 years.

Book 1 - Raze, (#818/Raze’s HEA), Pages: 256, 12/29/14
Book 2 - Reap, (#221’s HEA), Pages: 231, 11/10/15
Book 3 - Ravage, (#194’s HEA), Pages: 336, 8/16/16
Book 4 - Riot, releases 2017

(This review is based on ARC ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No monetary compensation was made. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher.)

Zoya’s protector and keeper was Avto. Twenty years ago there had been a massacre. Zoya hadn’t seen her brothers Zaal and Anri since. Zaal was eight and tried to protect her from the Jakhaus. Now all this time later Avto tells her had the boys and and the Jakhaus had been developing drugs - obedience drugs that wiped out the memories of the victims and then the victims would do horrible things such as killing anyone their masters told them to. The drugs had been developed on the boys Taal and Anri and they had been twins. The memories were returning but Zaal thought Zoya was dead as she had him. Then Avto let Zoya know that Zaal was alive and was engaged to Taelia Tolstaia who was the daughter of one of the Red Kings. Her family had betrayed Zoya’s father. But the Tolstaia family is who freed Zaal from the Zakhaus. With the help of Luke Tolstaia Zaal killed the man who had killed her family. Valentin was to kill Zaal so he kidnaps Zoya knowing there is a connection between Zoya and Baal he just didn’t know what the connection was. Then even Zoya has been tortured by Valentin for information on Zaal, Zoya starts to have feelings for Valentin and he for her. Valentin had become a monster to protect his little sister who he loved dearly who was also a prisoner.
This was a very harsh story to read. I can’t say I hate it because I didn’t but i did not love it. Some parts seemed to be rushed like when Zoya and Valentin become lovers. Also the switch in their emotions especially Zoya was just unrealistic in any way to me. But it did make me sad what Valentin had went through as had Zaal for the love of the younger sisters.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

“You have stolen my breath,” I whispered. Valentin rolled until half of his chest hovered over mine.

Looking me straight in the eye, his long scar bright now that he was clean, he whispered back, “You have stolen my heart.”

Ravage by Tillie Cole is about two broken people who find strength and love through the toughest and bleak moments. And making the ultimate sacrifice for love.

Zoya Kostova has been in hiding all her life due to her life being threatened by the people who massacred her family, her body never to be found. Zoya is innocent and yet aware of the violent atrocities that can be afflicted. After years of being in hiding and searching for any news on her brothers, she finally gets news that Zaal is well and alive. She will do anything to protect her brother

Prisioner 194 is a ruthless killer, a killing machine. As you can tell from the blurb, he has no free will. But he’s different, he remembers who he is and what his goal is. Usually the drugs strip the victims of their memories, but he hasn't lost sight. He has developed a tolerance of sort to the drugs and always does one more kill for his sister. He will do anything to protect his sister.

Now put these two together and you have an heartwarming story. Yea, there is somewhat of a cliche when Zoya, coincidentally, is the only one to tug on the heartstrings of the ruthless killer. 194 is taken by Zoya’s beauty and her affection, breaking through his walls and duty.

Lifting my head, I traced my finger over my lips and said, “I never knew a kiss could be stolen, until you.”
Valentin’s eyes flared, and stroking my cheek with his finger he said, “I never thought I could be a thief of the first kiss, until you.”

Watching 194 break through the compulsion to kill was heartbreaking to watch. One minute, he’s a lover, and then the next, he's stripped of his will to become a monster.

“And it took a monster to revive my heart.
It took a killer to touch my soul.”

Zoya and 194 made the ultimate sacrifice when they decided to be together, because one of them was going to lose. Watching them navigate through hardships and the violence inflicted was heartbreaking.

“Everything, I thought. This man had become my everything.”

Ravage is a dark, emotional unicorn love.

4.5 stars.

***ARC provide in exchange for an honest review***

I have a strange relationship with this series, I absolutely loved Raze which is where readers are first introduced to the Volkova and Durov families of the Bratva of New York, and the bitter war between the Russians and the Georgians. Luka was the first of the survivors of the gulags, where men are trained from young boys to fight to the death, under the influence of a man-made drug that enhances their fighting instincts and suppresses their feelings of empathy or remorse.

When Tillie Cole announced that this was to turn into a series, I was eager to read about the other characters that were so tortured and brutal, and hopefully find a way out of their horrific lives.

Whilst I don't mind the occasional instance of 'instalove' I am afraid to say that in the case of this series, it really doesn't work for me, and I am finding as each book is published, that the speed of their feelings, and the lack of self-preservation from the female characters, are just a little too unbelievable for me to get past.

Saying that, the storyline is very good, and the sex scenes are top notch. If you are a fan of the suspense style romances, then this is definitely a series to get reading.

Ravage is the third book in a series which follows different couples. Cannot be read as a standalone. A dark erotic romance.

*Copy received in exchange for a review

For some reason, it felt like there was a big gap between bk 2 of this series and this (my fault entirely btw). If you’re a fan of the series, you know how bk 2 ended to pave way for this. I felt like I needed to remind myself of the last few scenes from that one to refresh my memory.

Zoya is Zaal’s long lost sister. In her quest to get reunited with Zaal, she got in the way of 194/Valentin, the guy tasked with taking Zaal out. 194 saw her as his perfect opportunity to get his task done. And while he had her in captivity, they slowly learned to get to know each other, recognized similar emotions, and slowly fell for each other.

Undoubtedly, there’s an unassuming resiliency that just radiated from Zoya which I think shows real courage. She exhibited strength that only someone with a past like her learns to develop.

194/Valentin’s past, just like Luca’s and Zaal’s, just broke my heart. To go through what this men went through, to damage them in that brutal manner, for them to hold on to their good selves despite everything… it highlights their true measures.

So on that note, if you love Luca and Zaal, I think you’ll fall in love just as hard for Valentin. And as Zoya, I think she may be my fave so far. I like how she may be all mousy and she’s nothing but. Because of her past, she has this maturity that will surprise you. Her understanding of their world allowed her to see the beauty hiding inside Valentin and embrace every facet of his personality.

They’re off-the-chart hot when together, and I totally appreciate how they made each other stronger, even when they didn’t realize it.

And just like in the first 2 books, Tillie pulled no punches with the dark details, and I love her for that, but just warning y’all, a lot of triggers... The evil people that surrounded these fellas, they’re as evil as can be. I didn’t think I can hate a villain as much I did here, just sayin…

Next in the series is Valentin’s sister’s story. Seeing that this time around, the focus is on a woman “growing up” in that world, I’m nervous, to say the least. But of course, I’ll read it… no doubt.

Ravage (Scarred Souls #3) by Tillie Cole
4 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Torture, slavery, murder, kidnapping, sexual slavery, rape, drugs
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

First off, I have not read the previous books and I highly recommend that you do, as I had a much more difficult time figuring out who was who. Also, the names are very similar, so I continuously had to backtrack to figure out who was being spoken about because I wasn't familiar with their names, backgrounds, etc.

Honestly, I almost didn't finish this story. Not having the background made jumping in to the story very tricky.

Valentin is an assassin. The deadliest, most brutal assassin that is within his group. Despite his demeanor, he's really a slave. He is injected with brutal drugs, forced to please his mistress and kill whomever she wants killed. When he was younger, he and his sister were kidnapped from an orphanage - taken prisoner, held hostage and forced in to their own slavery. Killing for him, sexual slavery for her.

Valentin never forgot his promise to his sister, and he continues to live in a prison of unimaginable horrors as he tries to figure out how to keep his sister, Inessa, safe from Mistress.

Zoya is living in a prison of her own. She has been sheltered all of her life because she was supposed to have been killed at the age of 5. The rest of her family was slaughtered in front of her and those loyal to her family hid her away and raised her. When it is discovered that she is not the only living relative, the search begins. Can she find her brothers? The brothers who were taken from her? Just as she's about to find Zaal, her brother, she is abducted by Valentin.

This begins their strange tale of torture, breaking each other down, putting each other back together again and figuring out how to survive in a free world.

There is a lot going on in this story, but at the heart, it is about two people who learn to live free of the confines that were placed on them when they were just kids - can they figure it out enough to forgive those around them, love themselves and learn to love someone else? Despite not knowing if I could finish this story, by the end, I couldn't put it down.

I can't wait to see if there is more to their story and to see who else discovers a way through hell.

I liked the content - it was well developed, steady, fast paced and there was a lot going on. There were a few key phrases that the author used often that I found strange, but overall, the story flowed well.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher St. Martin's Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

WARNING: this is a dark romance and there are certain aspects that some readers won't feel comfortable with.
Once again, welcome to the world of Russian mafia!
Yet another great, dark read by Tillie Cole! At times, quite disturbing and brutal, but still captivating.
I just love Scarred souls series, and I can't wait for the continuation of the story.
Ravage is the book three in the series.
I am not so sure that you can read this a standalone, so I strongly recommend to read the books in order. Trust me, you won't be sorry.
I am not always in the mood for gritty, dark and emotional stories that push boundaries, but when it comes to Tillie, I never miss my chance to pick put her books.
It took me some time to get into the hero and heroine, and their relationship.
So, since Ravage picks up where Reap has ended, in Reap, we learned that Zaal's sister is alive, and this is where Tillie takes us this time.
Her name is Zoya, and she lives cut off from the world for the past twenty years, hiding in an apartment in NYC. She is forced to stay inside, protected from those who try to harm her, but all she really wants is to find her brother.
Valentin /194 is a killer and a damaged soul. A perfect, ruthless, killer machine. Kidnapped at the age of twelve, and abused since early childhood. In order to keep his younger sister Inessa alive, he has to obey the Mistress and the Night Wraiths. His body is theirs to do what they wish. Under the influence of drugs, he becomes a monster, cold blooded killer - an assassin. His next assignment is Zaal Kostava, Zoya's brother. He is a man on a mission.. to capture and kill Zaal and everyone he loves.
After Zoya escapes her golden cage in NYC, and even before she has a chance to be reunited with her brother, she is captured by Valentin and held as his prisoner.
What will happen when the two of them find themselves feeling things they shouldn’t be feeling, experiencing a strange connection, I will not reveal. I will only say that I really liked Valentin's transition from a cold hearted beast into a beautiful human being.

I love the Tille's style and writing, and she sure didn't disappoint this time.
I loved reading about all other characters (Luca, Kisa, Zaal & Talia) from the previous books.
So, if you are into some good old dark romance, full of suspense, this one is for you.
I highly recommend it!

Ravage gives readers to a different view of this dark world that Tillie Cole has created. In the previous two books the heroes were taken from their mafia royalty families in a revenge tactic. We are immediately swept into a different side of the fighting and slavery. We get to see exactly how these people disappear into this horrific life.
Valentin and Inessa, children orphaned by a drug addict mother and left in one of the many overflowing orphanages in Russia know true nightmares. They hide and hope the Night Wraiths never notice them. They know that where the Night Wraiths take the children they steal can’t be good. They know that being taken will make a bad situation worse. Sadly no matter what Valentin does to protect his sister it isn’t enough. In his teen years he and his baby sister are taken it is in this new place where they become 194 and 152. The Mistress takes a personal interest in 194. She forces him to become her favorite assassin. The Mistress knows that 194 will do anything for her because she has 152.
Because of the Kostava family massacre twenty years ago Zoya has lived her entire life in hiding with the family servant that saved her lie. Finding out that her brother is not only alive but in a position of power they believe that Zoya is safe. Zoya is not safe. She is now the target and a connection to Zaal. The lover of the man at fault for her family’s annihilation won’t rest until she gets her revenge. 194 knows his objective is to kill Zaal. Zoya is his connection to getting to Zaal.
I have to admit one of the main reasons I’ve continued reading the Scarred Souls books is because I have to see just how far the author is going to go into this dark and twisted world. With that said there were a few chapters in this installment that just seemed to drag it on a little too far. It isn’t that the torture went too far it just seemed to me like the torture went on too long. I was ready for the couple to move on. Mentally they were on the same page and understood the thoughts of the other. So yeah there was this huge area of the book that seemed to just drag on.

*arc received from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review*

I've read this whole series. Each time a new book comes out, I swear I'm not going to like it more than Raze. And each time I'm at war with myself, because it's quite possible that I do. Raze, to me, was the original. The warrior. The start of this all. And it's hard to compete with the man who starts a series. But again, Tillie has delivered a book that gives Raze a run for it's money.

I loved the story of Zoya and Valentin. Let me clarify, I loved when they were together and he was VAletin. My stomach dropped when he was not. When the drugs were in his system. But I love his determination to overcome what they do, the collar, beat the Mistress. And I love her strength to fight him when he wasn't himself. TO protect her brother, and herself.

Then when these two get together, you want to hate him for what he's done to her. But you get to really see his character when the drugs wear off and you can't help but feel for this guy. This broken man. This determined brother. This warrior. His whole life has been nothing but fighting. But then when you think about it, hasn't she been doing the same thing, just in a different manner? She's been locked away. Fighting to stay safe from those who murdered her family. Hiding for so long. Finding Zol, her brother, should be a good thing, right?

I love what Tillie Cole has done with this series. Taken each of our broken warriors and teamed them up with such strong women, and brought them together to try to bring down those who have done what they've done. Who have hurt them the way they have. I can't wait to see what Tillie does with the last book. I can't wait to see what she does with the last book. I'm both heartbroken and anxious to see what happens with it.

This addition to the Scarred Souls series and goes right off the rails as the hero actually hurts the heroine. I will admit to skipping those scenes. I just couldn't take it.

To be clear, he is drugged and compelled but ... ewww.

So, this world still has me watching it and the move forward it the arc of the series is a good one as two brothers trying to save their sisters from this horror show are pitted against each other.

The heroine, Zoya, needed more development to get me to complete buy into why she forgives and loves the way she does but Cole does a good enough job that I hang in there. This is another look at conditioning vs the human spirit.

The hero has been brutalized and is brutal but he is super compelling as more and more of who he is revealed. The revenge in this one is great and we are all set up for the next book.

I am ignoring the mob stuff because except for the very good writing of the two previous heroes working to take their places in the family and the death match awfulness, we don't really get to see the heroes doing those awful things to anyone we don't think has earned it.

The last scenes of the book wen Valentin is treated with value are kind of great in a dark dark way.

Ravage the third instalment in the Scarred Souls series. I really enjoyed Valentin and Zoya's story.
We are taken through the life of Valentin and how he became 194, the savage, brutal killing machine. His story is heart breaking how at the age of twelve he and his sister are stolen in the middle of the night, separated and used as a bargaining tool to the most sadistic Master and Mistress of the underground. With the most severe scares marring his face and body Valentin has been doomed to a life of loneliness.

Zoya has been living in hiding for most of her life, presumed dead, endured the sight of her family being massacred right in front of her. Even though her story is sad, she didn't really have to endure much hardship.
She kept true to her self and showed endurance during times of being tortured. Never breaking and giving her true identity away. Only when she saw within the depts of 194/Valentin's soul did she she him for who he should have been.

There story is heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed Valentin and Zoya's story and the glimpses into Luka and Zaal's life. Tillie Cole certainly bought us fantastic character to another edition of a sensational series.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder......

**Please note there may be spoilers for previous book in this series.**

I absolutely love this series. It’s dark, mysterious, dramatic, romantic, with alpha males up the wazoo. Tillie Cole has written a fabulous world surrounding the Russian Mafia and an underground slave ring that had me gasping in horror and oooohhhhing in possessive love. Scarred Souls is a series that must be read in order from beginning to end; each book contains a story of a couple, but the characters from previous books are still included within each novel. Ravage was no less addictive than Raze or Reap and only adds to the intrigue surrounding the war between the Volkov Bratva and the Georgians.

The story begins in an orphanage, a brother trying to protect his baby sister, but that night ends in horror and begins the unspeakable life of the two children. The Night Wraiths had come!

It is now fifteen years later and Zoya Kostava has learned of new information that will change her life forever. She’s free! Her clan is free to come out of hiding and her lost brother has been found. She’s desperate to see her brother and cannot wait another minute. Sneaking out, Zoya uses her training to hide in the shadows and see for herself if Zaal is in fact alive. But what she didn’t factor into the equation was that others were also watching Zaal and Zoya is taken before she even gets to meet her brother.

194 wears a collar that injects a serum into his veins. This serum turns him into an unfeeling beast with only one thing on his mind, KILL. Mistress is 194s owner, she is the only one he is to obey, but he has no choice when they hold his sister, 152, captive to motivate him.

194 sees images of his sister and is promised to be reunited after a mission, but every time a mission is completed, he still only sees an image. Will this time be any different? 194 has no choice but to follow orders. He has a new target now and is told to take his time, use anybody necessary to get close and destroy.

Zoya discovers she’s been kidnapped by a beast, but the more time she’s in his presence, the more she realises just how similar they are and that under the horrifying exterior, there is a soft hearted, beautiful and possessive man.

Will 194 reclaim himself? Will Zoya be able to convince her kidnapper that he isn’t a complete monster? Will 194 be able to break free of Mistress and free his sister? Will Zoya get to reunite with her brother?

Follow the intense forbidden love of Zoya and 194, how they can find love in the most horrific of circumstances and convince everyone that their love is real and forever. This action packed, dark, sizzling hot intriguing romance is a must read. Ms Cole is a fabulous writer and I cannot wait to read number four, Riot, due out in 2017.

When we first entered the world which introduced us to Reap & Raze, we entered a world of unparalleled violence, suffering, and a heartless need for power & control. Add into that Russian mob families, and this became a whole new planet for me.

There are a lot of similarities between the first two novels. The boys both stolen from prominent mafia families, each coming from a loving home, experimented on, pumped full of drugs, and forced to fight in order to stay alive. The stories of these two men were ones that touched me straight to my soul. Growing up in a place designed to kill is a feat unto itself, but being able to find even a piece of yourself after a life like that is a miracle.

As I entered this world again to meet 194, I was thrust back into the lives of Luka, Zaal, and their now growing family group. 194 was a trained to kill and torture in order to fulfill his Mistress’s wishes. And unlike the men before him, he was able to keep a small piece of himself intact. Unfortunately in keeping part of himself, he is forced to complete even worse tasks in order to protect his memories. In following his Mistress’s orders, he walks into the world that Luka and Zaal are now beginning to take charge of. With some new discoveries and new connections, we find there is even more to the story than we had first believed.

Much like the story of Zaal, the story of 194 crumbled my heart. 194 knows that he would not be doing the things he has been forced to if not for the drugs administered to him. There are times we see glimpses into the man he should have been, but those are nothing compared to what he has been trained to be. Diving into this story, you will be reminded of the hell that exists within each of these men, as well as all around them.

One of the things I have enjoyed most about these books was that each man creates his own “I love you” with his woman. The men of these stories have led far from ordinary lives and did not get to experience growing up understanding love and how to express it. So, to use the word “love” would not mean anything to them, but they set out to find the words they could understand that expressed what they were feeling. In each situation, I found the words meant so much more to me than a simple “I love you” ever could have.

As with any other of Tillie’s dark stories, I like to issue a disclaimer about the vast differences between such a world and the one I live in. I can’t begin to imagine how living a life in such a world would change me. The one thing I wasn’t quite sure about was the path to love in this one. I feel like I came to understand it, but it wasn’t something I was completely on board with.

Overall I believe this was a solid addition to the Scarred Souls series and it has made me curious as to what more could be to come in this world. I wish my review could better convey all the feelings I had reading this book!

RAVAGE is the third installment in Tillie Cole’s contemporary, adult SCARRED SOULS dark, erotic, romance series focusing on the Russian Mafia, the Georgian Bratva criminal underground, cage fighting and blood pits, and two families torn apart by power and greed. This is enslaved killer 194 (aka Valentin Belrov), and New York Russian mafia princess Zoya Kostava. RAVAGE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for cohesion and back story.
WARNING: RAVAGE contains graphic violence and sexual imagery that may be disturbing for some readers.
Told from several first person points of view including Zoya and Valentin, RAVAGE is a graphically violent story of one man’s struggle to remember his past and survive to live another day. 194 is a killer with no idenity; a warrior trained to torture and maim, a scarred and brutally savage killing machine, and a man determined to free himself from bondage to save his sister from a similar fate. At twelve years old, Valentin and his younger sister Inessa were taken from an orphanage, and their fate and future became part of a series of illegal, underground drug tests towards building the ultimate fighting machine and obedient soldier. 194’s latest target assignment is Zaal Kostava, the head of New York’s Russian mafia and there is nothing he can do when designer drugs used to keep him under control turn the once loving young man into a monster with no heart. But 194 finds himself falling for his latest captive- a woman long thought dead with connections to Zaal Kostava, and a woman that begins to tame the beast within. Zoya Kostava will become 194’s prisoner; his target of torture and abuse; and the woman with whom Valentin will fall in love. There is a Stockholm Syndrome feel to the relationship and rescue.

RAVAGE is a heartbreaking and tragic story of Beauty and the Beast, and Anastasia Romanov; a tale of torment, aggression and exploitation; a distressing look at power and control. The brutality and violence is fierce; our heroine will become the victim of a drug-controlled monster but a woman who continues to fight to remain alive. 194 is a broken and mutilated killing machine who is desperate to hold onto his humanity and his memories of who and what he was before he became the monster of his own nightmares.

Once again, the world building focuses on the imprisonment, torture and training of young boys; the men and monsters they will become; and the people who destroyed their lives. As the series progresses, each of our story line heroes sets into motion a string of events that will ultimately free both their bodies and their souls finding love and a happily ever after in the arms of a woman that calms the dark and damaged beast. The premise is disturbing and dark; the characters are tragic and intense; the romance is controversial and dramatic-sometimes monster deserve a happily ever after.

Another beautiful masterpiece in the Scarred Souls series!! I love the series all the stories are intense, with many twists, emotional, heartbreaking full of suspense, action, passion and many more things.. (truly i can't stop myself).. And always in the end i want more and more..(so addictive)

In this book we have 194's story with Zoya.. 194 grew up as a slave and an experiment puppet, a vessel for testing obedience drug under his Mistresses' watchful eye, the things he suffered are unspeakable but he is a fighter and he has a purpose.. to save his loved one from these monsters and he will do anything in order to succeed it even hurt innocent people...now he has a new mission in this one he will cross paths with Zoya, the sweet "scarred" innocent girl.. The question is will this trained killer break through his darkness??? Can Zoya save them both??

"We are different. Me weak and you strong. Me Georgian and you Russian, but our broken hearts are tired and old. Our spirits are low, though not broken. But our souls, though thoroughly tested and hardened through pain, are resilient."

Two scarred souls united..the results are explosive..Zoya despite the suffering and the loss from young girl she has a hidden strength, she seems innocent (and she is) and fragile but all these disappeared upon the threat of her loved one..she keeps fighting even if it's too much..the thing that she didn't expect is that her heart will see him differently, beyond this dark vessel will see a hidden scared, vulnerable, hurt, sad boy who is been controlled by savages. She will try to bring him back but things are not so easy and simple...

194 beyond all those dark things that happened and happening to him struggles to maintain his little humanity and not to be lost in this dark monster who drowns him again and again, he doesn't want to forget like the other experiments, he has a strong purpose and yet a beautiful distraction..a fierce unbreakable raven woman who looks at him with those eyes and sees what he truly is..behind the pain and the scars..

"My beautiful Monster"

It's difficult to write all my emotions and thoughts about this stunning story because words are truly overrated, from the characters besides the main we have also Luca, Kisa, Zaal & Talia from the previous books (which i loved as well) through the background story everything screams perfection for me at least. The author develops the plot steadily creating more suspense...every page i was like "What is going to happen??" my heart tensed every time from intensity and the turmoil. What else can i say...you should definitely give it a chance it totally worth it!!! And i absolutely can't wait to read the next one (which i think will be the one with the darkest vibe)...

ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Yet another fantastic Tillie Cole story!!! I really enjoyed reading this story. I know I should feel really bad for what the characters have to go through to make such an awesome book but I just can't bring myself to feel that way. I want more books like these and if the characters have to suffer unimaginable pain, then so be it. We all have to sacrifice something to get things that we want, so if I can suffer with my waiting for the next book to come out, then so can the characters bleed a little, right? Yes, I know I'm evil but who cares, you feel the same way anyway, no shame in admiting that... I love that the book stays the series true and I was glad to see all the previous characters and also some of Luka's POV. That made the story more interesting, to see what the other characters are doing and going to do, while at the same time 'watching' what 194 and Zoya are going throught. Made the book more dynamic, that's for sure. I only wished we get to see the villain's POV, too but I guss that would have just been too greedy, right? I think the next book is going to be quite interesting, judging by what was revealed in this book. Lots of action, violence, love and also the right amount of pain to make the story really grip your emotions. But what else could you expect from this fantastic author, she just knows how to write them right.

Now, where to start with 194 aka. Valentin. Gosh, his life is just so miserable, that is until he finally meets Zoya, his captive and the person he also, besides her brother, should in the end kill. Until that point 194 only knew pain, how to receive it and how to inflict it. Also, he was nothing but a slave and a killing machine, a proud prize for his masters, or better said his mistress. Man, did I hate that you know what, she deserved what she got in the end and so much more. What a horrible person! She abused him so much and not just by using his body to her pleasue but also his mind by making him false promises of his poor sister. Btw. her book is next and I cannot wait to read it. I'm not going to go into detail but meeting Zoya, everything changes and she definitely makes him feel more human and gives him hope of something more.

I liked Zoya, a lot! She is such a loyal person, it truly touched my heart. And she also fight like a lioness for the people she loves and that's exactly what she does. They tried to break her but in the end they were the ones that were broken, some for the better some for the worse. Also, her relationship with her brother is so strong and I'm so glad they found each other again, after all these years finally becoming a family again.

This author sure knows how to write stories that will grip your attention and make you feel so many emotions. Just brilliant and I can't wait for the next book in this series. It's a must-read for sure!

This must be by far the most aggravated, sickening, disturbing, horrifying and heartbreaking dark book I’ve read from Tillie Cole.

It wasn’t an easy read for me, yet I finished this book in one night, I mean what’s the point of sleep when you know it’s going to haunt your thoughts and induce anxiety!

Here I am, writing this review days after finishing the book and I still feel my stomach churning everytime I think of the horrendous events that took place in the course of this book. If you dig such heightened emotions this book is definitely for you if not, you might need a friend, a punching bag, a paper bag (to breath into), a bottle of wine, box of tissues or a therapist. Either way, you’re in for one hell of a dark ride!

If you are thoroughly warned, let’s get down to the business!

Third book in the Scarred Souls series, Ravage picks up where Reap has ended but this time it’s a story of another innocent soul being destroyed, humanity shredded and making him a killing machine by a bunch of inhumane Georgian group called Night’s Wraith.

This is the tragic story of 194 and how he became a MONSTER.

Abducted as Kids and trained to be an obedient slave under the influence of drugs, Valentin has become everything his Mistress has a wanted him to be - a ruthless cold hearted killer, her personal assassin. He despises every single thing he has done, buries his rage deep within every time he obeys her and embraces his darkest side just to keep his younger sister ‘152’ safe or one day to get her out of this hell. A promise he intends to keep no matter the amount of blood he has to shed.

Now she wants him to capture Zaal, for killing her lover (Zaal’s former master) in any means possible to ensure his sister’s safety.

Zoey has been in hiding ever since she had survived the night that saw the downfall of Kostava Clan and massacred her entire family. When she finds out about Zaal and his survival, she risks her safety and identity to reunite with him after years of mourning her dear brother’s death.

Before she even gets a chance to meet him in person, Zoey is captured by this monstrous man and now held as his prisoner. He uses his torturous skills to find out her connection with Zaal and goes to any extent to get answers from her. But Zoey is resilient and holds her ground, never giving her captor the satisfaction of breaking her.

Ravage is another great addition to the Scarred Souls series, it has lived up to its name of delivering dark and tormented alpha male who is driven by rage and love towards his family.

Tillie Cole is master of words and emotions. This book is a total page tuner! while the brutality of certain scenes causes heart palpitation, the love blooming midst the horrific situation is beautiful feeling in itself; typical Tillie Cole’s signature, she makes you go through array of emotions every single time.

While Valentin and Zoey’s character shows lot of depth and complexity, their love for each other really didn’t connect with me. It was a case of insta-love, that made second half of the story less appealing to me. Nevertheless, it was intense, packed with enough suspense and drama to keep you on edge, plus characters from the previous books makes an appearance.

The most devastating part of the story for me was 152, Valentin’s baby sister ‘Inessa’. Her story is the next in this series. To read what happened to her from the flashbacks and through him was traumatising but to actually get into her head, to know all the abuse she endured, would be death of me!

I don’t care if I die reading but I’ve to know if she got out of that hell and has a happy ending!

"Then we both are vory serdtsa; we are both thieves of the heart."

As a huge fan of Tillie Cole's books, I always get very excited the moment I get my hands on any of her books. She is an amazing author with a creative mind, and she keeps on surprising me with her unique stories. She left me wanting more at the end of Reap and I needed Ravage ASAP. I dropped everything I was reading and started this book the moment it hit my kindle.

“We are different. Me weak and you strong. Me a Georgian and you Russian, but our broken hearts are tired and old. Our spirits are low, though not broken. But our souls, though thoroughly tested and hardened through pain, are resilient.” Her lips twitched, and she added, “They are the same.”

This book focuses on 194, who was taken as a young teen and is forced to kill and torture. And Zoya, who is Zaal's sister and is hiding from her enemies in Manhattan. This book started out really dark and emotional, but I am used to that from Tillie. I was intrigued by 194 and wanted to know more about him. Both 194 and Zoya had a very heartbreaking past. For 194 his nightmares are still continuing till this day. After the danger to Zoya is over, she prepares to meet her brother. In front of the house just before she is about to meet him, she gets kidnapped by 194, who is under the influence of drugs that force him into obedience. He has one goal and that is to get Zaal.

In the beginning of the kidnapping 194 does a lot of horrible things. He was ruthless and he needed information, and would do anything to get it from Zoya. I have to say some of the scenes were pretty horrific. But 194 is not himself so I could definitely overlook his evil actions. I loved how they understood and found comfort in each other. I think they were a great match together. I especially loved Zoya, because she had things figured out pretty fast. Zoya and 194 gave each other hope and that was beautiful to read.

"I feel alive. I feel like yours."

Ravage is not my favorite but overall a strong third book in the series. I did have a couple of issues with this book. I was missing the development for Zoya and 194 as a couple. I wanted to see more of them together, especially after the kidnapping. I do understand that 194 basically had no life for 15 years. The same goes for Zoya, who had been in hiding her whole life. So their relationship is obvious going to happen in a very non-traditional way. I was happy that Tillie included a couple of Luka's POV, because I am always interested to know what he is up to. There are still enemies out there and they need to prepare for war. I am very intrigued by the main character of the next book Riot and can't wait to find out more.

ARC Review
I am going to begin differently this review as this is a book quite different from the style of book that I like. Something akin to The Soprano and The Godfather.
In this dark tale, that seemed to me inspired by The Beauty and the Beast with light touches of the previous book that seemed inspired by Romeo and Juliet, we met the troubled and created to kill 194, who survives on the basis of drugs that make him obey blindly the orders of his Master. His next mission is to kill the one who killed the Master’s lover. Mission that he will blindly undertake to try to free his sister of the claws of the Master’s brother. So 194, in a moment of luck, manages to kidnap to brother of this unknown target. It is then that my torture begins. I spent the entire book completely apprehensive with each step taken by 194 and in several moments had to stop the reading to breathe a little and not to give up the reading that is very cruel.
It was then I did not manage to connect with the couple, in spite of the knowledge that very often the Syndrome of Stockholm sets in, I could not notice and did not even feel by the couple’s words they were falling in love. I liked a particular moment when I realized clearly The Beast finally accept handing the Beauty his heart, his rose, his most precious possession than not even he knew himself he had. Zoya with all her sweetness made me cheer for her very much to tame the Beast, the monster of Tibilisi.
Stop everything!!!!! I spent the book cursing all generations of those who created the Dark Romance and suddenly, the mistress Tillie Cole made me an addict as a simple reading where I never imagined to feel so much, she wrapped me in a suspense that made me shudder making me yearn for unraveling of the story and to count the seconds until the next book in the series.
The book alternates the pov of 194, Zoya and Luka (protagonist of book 1), which it helped reel me in and to get me involved in the story. The fact had been that it is always great to see again the characters of the previous book.
This is a book about accepting the differences and to see beyond appearances. I tell you, if you like me who likes sweet and sugary things. . .
Be Strong! Read this book! Hang in there! You will be handsomely rewarded.
At the instagram account @quotes-gataleitora, you will find several sentences that represent well the style of Tillie Cole.
I recommend. . . .

4.5 STARS

This author is just simply brilliant. It really doesn’t matter what she writes there is no doubt that her characters and story telling will captivate. Ravage’s powerfully charged words almost brought me to my breaking point with its raw, intensely filled scenes and nail biting moments. I honestly was not prepared for everything that we got and honestly that’s saying something considering I didn’t think it was possible for Tillie to go any darker. But she did, what a heartbreaking, tantalizing and consuming story. This story is a not one you want to go into unless you have read the others first, so if you have not started this series then you are truly missing out on one of the most amazing series written.

I am certainly not going to be giving you a break down on what happens. I will say that 194’s journey isn’t that much different from Luka or Zaal’s but I will say that his story is no less heartbreaking. As the others are, this book is raw and it was pretty angsty. My stomach was in knots the whole time reading this story and I wasn’t joking it almost brought me to my breaking point. I had to walk away and take a few breathers but I think that’s mostly because my mind was racing and coming up with all sorts of sick things that could happen to these characters. Not to say that there wasn’t some pretty twisted things that happened because there were. Ravage is definitely not an easy story to read.

Tillie had this uncanny ability to come up with some pretty unique characters and story lines. Even though you have a pretty good idea from the other books of the kinds of horrors this man has lived through there is always something different about each one of them. I will say even though I grew to like 194 he wasn’t my favourite of the bunch. He was special in his own right but I just felt like my heart stings tugged a little harder for the other men.

I really enjoyed meeting Zoya. She was fierce and so strong. I loved that she is such a tough cookie and how much she stood her ground on her convictions. This is one character that I really admired. She looked beyond the physical and saw what was deep inside. And best of all this woman didn’t crack under pressure.

I am so glad that this series is not over yet. I really need to see justice served and only in the way that the Volkov Bratva and Kostava clan can bring. I can’t wait for the next book.

The Russian Mafia, the Georgian Mafia, human trafficking, sex slaves, mind altering drugs, bred assassins, mafia royalty, this novel has it all and then some. Even though the book feels like it is set in the past, it takes place mainly in modern day New York. This is my first book by Tillie Cole. So I haven't had the pleasure of reading the previous books in this series. But after reading "Ravage" I'm sure going to be checking them out.

Zoya Kostova is the only remaining survivor of the Kostova family. She is Georgian royalty as far as the Georgian crime world is concerned. Her whole family was killed. She was also shot and thought to be dead, but survived by being trapped under the dead bodies of her parents. Her older twin brothers were kidnapped. She has been in hiding, secretly searching for them, hoping to reunite one day. When she finds out that her beloved brother Zaal is alive she can't wait to see him. Zaal was living as a slave and trained assassin. Under the influence of drugs, he had no memory of his past, until he was saved. However, the sibling's reunion is far from easy when Zoya is kidnapped by the assassin whose mistress is after Zaal.

194 is the number that is tattooed on Valentin's chest. He was kidnapped from the orphanage with his sister and many other children when he was a only eight. The only thing that has kept him sane and going is the will to save his sister who is being used as a sex slave. No one knows or calls him by his real name. He has only one goal now. To capture and kill Zaal Kostovo. When he finds the young woman in front of Zaal's house with a picture of his in her hand, he believes that he has found a way to lure him in and finally save his sister.

This story is truely dark at times. I know that it is fiction, and yet knowing that human trafficking exists in the world makes this story heart wrenching. The story also goes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it's not only scars that people see sometimes, but the beautiful and pure soul that shines beneath them.

Can't wait to read the next book in the series and find out what happens to 152! I also have to add that I love the covers of this series ;)

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 Capture Me Stars

I love all of Tillie Cole books. I love how each series she writes are completely different. I love how powerful her words are and I love how dark and emotional her stories can be. Every time I pick up any of her reads it’s always a non-stop addictive read. Ravage is no exception and it’s a fantastic book.

Ravage is a standalone and is part of the Scarred Souls series.

Like every book in this series it starts off with a bang and we are instantly hit with how the main Hero became 194. It’s not an easy read, but it captures your attention. 194 and his sister, 152 were taken at a young age. He loves his sister and would do anything for her.

Years of training has made him become a killer, a killer now on a mission in order to save his sister’s life.

I really love the Hero’s story. I found it gripping and tragic. I love how much he loves his sister and I love the special bond they have. The Hero has gone through some traumatic events and on top of everything he’s drugged to keep him in his place.

Then there’s Mzia, Zaal’s sister. Mzia is alive and she’s ready to meet her long lost brother Zaal, finally after years in hiding she goes to meet Zaal, but on her way she is captured.

Yes, this is a capture / kidnapping book and it’s not like the typical ones you usually read. There are so many past issues with Zaal and 194 where it breaks your heart, yet you still hold out that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The main Hero is nasty, mean and very messed up. Many times I ached for him because I felt his pain, but he wasn’t nice to Mzia and I loved the book even more because of that. I found Mzia a typical kidnapped Heroine, yet she wasn’t a typical damsel in distress. She was strong and she held her ground.

I really liked where the book was going and I love all the flashbacks. I liked reading the history and what happened in the past. I felt like the author developed the characters really well and I LOVED reading about the previous characters from the previous books. I love how everyone is related in some way and it made the book just flow.

I love his series, I love this book and I love this author. It’s no surprise it was a hit for me.

An ARC was provided

Oh this series just keeps getting better and better!! This book blew me and my emotions out of the water!! I was immediately pulled into the dark world of Valentin & Zoya. Their story is blossomed from pain and fear, but in the end, love wins. This book is not for the faint of heart and I highly recommend reading Raze & Reap to get some back story.

These two characters are broken and alone in the world, but when they find each other, it's like two broken souls becoming one. Zoya is a very strong character. Honestly, what she went through would have broken me, but she stood strong in the face of heartache and danger. She also saw beyond the number 194 and saw the real man underneath. Zoya never gave up on Valentin and she fiercely protects anyone she loves and she proved that again and again in this book.

My heart broke and just kept breaking for Valentin throughout this book. What he went through when he was just a child to what he was going through also as a man. He did everything for his sister; to protect & save her. When he meets Zoya, his priorities change, and now he doesn't just protect his sister, he protects Zoya. I loved how even when they tried to make him forget Zoya and destroy her, he fought it and never gave up on her.

Together, these two character found a purpose for themselves in life. They healed each other and they found peace with each other. I loved getting some Luka POVs in this book and seeing how he, Kisa, Zaal & Talia are doing. Honestly, the amount of love & protectiveness in this book astounds me. The men and women in this series are equal and they fight with and for each other. The women are all strong and accept their men how they are.

Tillie Cole wrote a book that will literally break your heart and then slowly put it back together, but there will still be some cracks. I cried a lot while reading this book, because the words and the scenarios are just that strong and deep. This book is dark and dangerous, but it will suck you in and not let up until it is finished and even then, you are left feeling anxious for the next book and what is going to happen. Ravage will definitely be going on my re read shelf and I am definitely on pins and needles waiting for the next book!!

The Scarred Souls series is exactly that, a world full of damaged, tortured characters but ones that are never broken. Hope is that elusive glimmer at the end of the dark tunnel for these characters and now following on from Raze and Reap we finally get Ravage. The word dark is often banded about when it comes to stories that are intense and as far from the norm as can possibly be but this author laughs at that idea . These books are squirm inducing and I can only liken them to car crash tv as its almost impossible to look away. There are aspects that are vile, painful to read and yet again I find myself sucked into this world of degradation because her characters need saving but sometimes they can only save themselves .
Yes this book continues the war that's taking place between factions of the Russian Mafia but it's the twisted underbelly in this world that's explored here. So much pain and suffering with underground fight clubs and men drugged to become little more than killing machines. 194 remembers life before the drugs and more importantly he remembers and loves his captured baby sister Inessa. Zoya is so close to meeting her long lost brother Zaal when she is taken hostage by a monster but that monster has a lot more in common with Zoya and her family than either one of them realise. Let the twisted games begin!
I could be harsh and say there's a certain formula in play here but quite honestly it's refreshing to see this author manage to engage my attention with yet another harrowing tale. It's further enhanced by different points of view as we learn what characters in play are thinking and indeed doing. I mentioned that 194 is a monster but the reality is it's the sadistic people who control him that are really the monsters. Zoya sees the man that 194 could be and whilst I felt their love seemed too quick (Stockholm syndrome ?) it did hold emotional depth as they plummet into a dark place. Best of all? Well sometimes the villains deserve what's coming but my lips are sealed.
I read an arc of this and should point out that my copy says Zoya but have noticed the synopsis on Goodreads names the character as Mzia but it is the same story.
This is a voluntary and honest review for an arc copy

AH!!!!!! Tillie Cole is AMAZING!!! I honestly cannot read anymore of her books because they leave me in a reading coma for weeks after reading one of her books. Ravage was no different. Ravage was glorious and beautiful.

Valentine and his sister were taken as children by the Jakhua Clan who sell children for drugs, sex, and worse. Valentine also known as 194 has been stripped of everything he cares about and is forced to fight and kill for a woman who has taken his sister. His latest assignment is to track down and kill Zaal Kostava, but when he sees Zoya he takes her instead. Zoya had just learned her brother survived and had been tortured for years. She went to meet him for the first time when Valentine took her. Now she’s fighting her attraction to the real man behind the monster who torments her.

Ah such a good book. I won’t give too much away, but I will say this was an amazing book. Zoya was such a strong character and I was amazed at how much torture she endured to make sure her brother was safe. I like how realistic it was in a sense although the beginning of the torture it seems like the relationship is very unhealthy. Despite the harsh beginnings of their relationship their relationship makes sense. They live in a dark world and Valentine is the light spot for Zoya and Zoya is the light spot for Valentine. They are great together in the sense that they’ll do anything for each other and they understand each other.

Such a great story. I love that we still get Lucas’ POV. I wish we could have gotten Zaals again but we didn’t. Anyway, all the different POV’s really added to the story and I can tell that these crime families are doing everything they can to take down those who hurt them and other children before.

Such a great story. I suggest you read the books in order. Scarred Souls is a great series so if you’re looking for a good series to get into Scarred Souls is a great one to get into. Sexy times, action, amazing characters, and suspense on every page.

This is the third book in this incredibly addictive dark series.

Like the characters in the previous stories, Valentin was taken as a child and was conditioned to fight to kill. He was also heavily drugged and permanently wore a collar that administered drugs to him each day. The drugs are something that are a part of his life now and his body has grown used to them, in fact his resistance seems to be building as they seem to wear off faster than have in the past.

He has a reason to stay alive though. His sister Inessa. She was taken with him by the Jakhua. He is determined to one day free her from a life of slavery in this hell hole they live in. His sister’s freedom is used against him by the woman who controls his life.

Valentin (194) is being sent on a new mission to find and kill a man, as per his orders from his mistress. If he completes this task, he will be able to see his sister. As he begins his search for his hit, he happens upon a young woman, a young woman who he thinks is important to the man he is looking for. Being conditioned the way he has been since he was taken, he decides to take her. This plan seems to work for his mistress on him so it should work with this hit target.

This young and beautiful woman is now at his mercy, caged and alone with a monster. She knew when she left her house that night she was taking a risk and now her worst fears have been realised. She is his captive and is probably going to die.

Sounds pretty freaky huh? That is just the beginning of this incredible story that completely drew my attention away from anything else for 24 hours. If you have read the other two books in this series then you have to read this!

‘And all I could think of was my brothers. How I hadn’t been able to save them. How they may have been forced to do something like this man was being forced with me. And because of that, something inside of me called me to save him. Save him like I couldn’t save my brothers.’