Monica James

The Devil's Crown-part One (all the Pretty Things Trilogy Spin-off)

Sheena

❝ So this will go one of two ways. You tell me where that piece of shit is, and I kill you. Or you tell me where that piece of shit is, and I kill you. The choice is yours.❞
  
The balls on this man. Shit, Monica James knows how to deliver. Woo-wee!
 
Before I even begin this review, I wanted to inform readers that prior to diving into this dark, gritty, suspenseful romance novel—if you haven't done so already I would highly recommend that you please please read the 'All The Pretty Things Trilogy'. 'The Devil's Crown' is the spin-off and reading the ATPT series beforehand will allow you to get a better grasp and understanding of Alek and how he plays into everything.
 
Now getting back to this book… holy shit! This topped 'All The Pretty Things' in every single way. No joke.
 
The spin-off starts off where its predecessor ended, following Aleksei Popov's fall from 'grace'. Once a King of a notorious empire in Russia who struck fear in many, he now lurks in the shadows (more so an orphanage that he sees as his sanctuary) seeking vengeance against his half-brother Serg and co-conspirator mother, Zoya, who took everything away. 

  
    ❝ I hate to disappoint you, but if you’re looking for a story with a hero, then you best turn back now. This is the point of no return.❞
  
… and there sure isn't! Aleksei is a known villain and as any villain would do, he will do everything in his power to get his crown back. Lie. Steal. Cheat. Murder. Leading readers to be blessed with the many twists and turns, action, suspense, redemption, oozing tension and everything else in between that the author is known for. That also includes her ability to successfully introduce characters and provide insight on their back stories which includes the lead heroine. 
 
For reasons that are later explained, Sister Arabella is gradually introduced when seeking refuge in the orphanage, moving the King in ways he cannot describe. The somewhat meek, shy heroine who transferred from America to aid the Sisters in raising the children left a lasting impression and I would deem as the perfect example of not to judge a book by its cover. As the story progresses, her solemn vow and commitment to the Lord, Arabella becomes conflicted by her sinful thoughts and feelings towards Alek and after their brief introduction, the fallen King has found his purpose. Kill his half brother, make the city his again and establish a new kingdom fit for a Queen, his epitome of a femme fatale. And ensure there is only one God Sister Arabella will worship before on her knees. Him.

  
    ❝ The devil lay dormant for a while , humoring me because he knew we were cut from the same cloth, and sooner or later, I would need to feed the darkness inside me.❞
  
This compelling read was a game changer and it's evident the author’s writing style has improved drastically since ATPT. There's more depth to her characters, development, and solid storyline that easily absorbs the reader to dive right into the captivating romance. Yet as much as I rant and rave about this, I will admit it wasn't perfect. There were particular scenes that were predictable and specific characters motives that were pretty obvious and straightforward. Unfortunately I can't dive too much into it without spoiling key components that made this story possible but overall I am glad to say it did not diminish my phenomenal reading experience.
 
In closing, I would consider ‘The Devil’s Crown’ Monica James best work yet. It was far more than difficult not to be invested and consumed with Alec’s journey in reclaiming his throne while fighting the sinful temptation known as Sister Arabella. With the sequel in tow, I seriously seriously can't wait to see what the author has in store for us.

The Devil's Crown-part One (all the Pretty Things Trilogy Spin-off)

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