Valentina's Reviews > Dukes of Madness

Excellent, the best of Forsyth

What can I say? I loved it. The rich plot, the interweaving sub arcs, the character development and transition were absolutely amazing. Such talented writing that I was held captive by this world of, this exposed underbelly of Forsyth, wrapped in character redemption. The relationship they forged with a bit a give on all sides but not too much that their personalities weren’t authentic to their original. Nick was still the controlled, bad boy that flaunted consequence in the face of protecting and loving his little bird. Remy was still mentally confused tethering on imbalance, still artistic. Sy, always a winner, was moving past his repression, trading skills with Lavinia. Lavinia was still her feisty, assertive person, but hedging toward amenable, their Duchess once the guys proved their worth. And let’s not forget the rambunctious, entitled Archduke. Everyone ceded love to the kitten.

Besides the rich story and complex characters, there was an abundance of humor. Like, laughing out loud! A well-planned balance of dark themes with levity and at just the right moments. And then the spice was so hot. (4/5)

I loved the side characters too: Dukes, Bear crew and Friday night fight; the familiar Lords and their Lady; the other Royals and the power plays with the university and underworld backdrop. And how cool was the unconventional Bruin-Perelini family unit: mom, dad, and pops. There was also a lot learned more of the motivations of Remy’s and Lavinia’s fathers. More about Tate and Leticia too.

An impressive, yet deliberate unfolding of multilayered plot, nothing is as it seems, and while lengthy, its complexity of story felt as if viewing a well-made, riveting film. Heck of a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book.