XV: (Fifteen)

War of Roses, Book 1

By: Lana Sky

Narrated by: Caitlin Allgood Knight

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

When hate becomes obsession....

Mistaken for her beautiful half-sister, Ellen Winthorp is taken captive by a madman who declares that she will be his "15": The 15th victim of a vicious mafia blood feud. Armed with only her instincts, Ellen must resist her captor for as long as she can - which is easier said than done the more she's exposed to the complex man beneath the beast. Because Mischa Stepanov isn’t a mindless monster - he’s a wolf, and she’s the unwitting doe caught in his midst.

Unraveling the torment of his past may be her only hope of salvation....

Or the secrets uncovered may destroy them both.

This is a dark romance.

©2019 Lana Sky (P)2019 Lana Sky

XV: Fifteen (War of Roses, Book 1)

I read this book when it was first released and recently had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. What follows is the review I originally left for the story with an additional review added for the narration.

XV: Fifteen left me absolutely breathless. It was a dark and brutal story with scenes of unthinkable violence. It was so well written, with many secrets and twists, I couldn't put it down. It does end in one heck of a cliffhanger and has me anxiously waiting for book two.

Ellen was the ultimate underdog, she had been all her life. From a young age she was hidden away, a dirty little secret, and never measured up to her half-sister. Then she became the wife of an abuser, someone who only wanted candy on his arm and someone he could control and possess. Despite all that, Ellen was a fighter. She was never going to let Mischa win without putting up a fight. My heart broke for her though. She had definitely been conditioned by her husband. Her undying loyalty for him was tough to take.

Mischa had an ax to grind and a hatred of the Winthorp family that stemmed from a terrible injustice over two decades ago. It didn't matter to him how a person was related to the Winthorps, he just wanted revenge. He did unspeakable things to Ellen. He was cold and relentless. However, there were glimpses that eluded that maybe he was different with Ellen than any of his victims in the past.

Despite the events that took place between these two, you can't help but wonder where they're going to end up. Mischa made Ellen feel in a way she never had before. I also got the impression Ellen did the same for Mischa. It will be an interesting and twisted ride, that's for sure.

This was the first story I've listened to by Ms. Knight. Normally I like audiobooks with both a male and female narrator. However, I thought Ms. Knight did an excellent job with the male characters. Her accent was believable. I thought she also did Ellen justice. Her narration is very much how I pictured Ellen would talk while I read the book. It's hard to describe but there was a vulnerability to her voice, as well as a resignation of this is just how her life is. I would definitely listen to another audiobook by this narrator.
*I was provided a copy of this audiobook and voluntarily chose to leave a review. This is my honest review.*

She kind of deserves her fate, She's a mess.

Are there really people that stupid, that gullible, that weak, that incapable of believing in themselves or their self worth? I can't accept or appreciate a woman who wants to die instead of live just because she can't face that she's been a victim her whole life and she isn't strong enough to become a survivor. she is dumb and cowardly. She gives abuse survivors a bad name and she needs to stop being completely weak and instead decide to live with courage and autonomy. I completely understand feeling mentally trapped as well as physically trapped in a relationship and feeling like your unable to move on but I'm unimpressed with people who don't make an effort to live. I suppose she was never truly a heroine to begin with, and I have a hard time feeling sorry for her.

However, I will say that this story is interesting enough for me to continue reading the series, even if it is really frustrating.

Wow

This is a dark story that can contain lots of tigers but it really keeps you in your toes. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!

Intense, and Dark!

This is the first book in the War of Rose series, and the story of Mischa, and Ellen. Mischa is an intense, cold man. Mischa is out to destroy the Winthrop Family, and Mistakenly takes Ellen. Ellen has already gone through torture in her life, but in captivity Mischa wages mental torture, that Ellen has not been though before. Can Ellen survive he tormentor? This book is full of twist and turns, and the intense emotions suck you in. Must read/listen for any Dark romance lovers. This is my first time reading, and listening to anything from this author, and I can't wait to continue this series. I look forward to reading/listening to book two.

Fabulous

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. A bit different for me but loved it from the start. The Narrator’s voice definitely helped the enjoyment

Great Read

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook, Lana Sky and Caitlin Allgood Knight did a great job with this story

A dark read!

When hate becomes obsession....

So dark and so delicious. Wow. I'm so speechless by this book - really enjoyed this book that I lost time.

Very seductive and dark listen.

Dark, romantinc suspense!

There is a dark side to me that just gets completely pulled into books like this one. Lana Sky has written the first installment in a book, so dark, so tragic and so suspenseful I couldn't stop listening. Mischa, a mafia man has kidnapped Ellen. She is not his target, but she is a Winthrop, and she will be victim XV. There is an interesting relationship between these two. Not quite a Beauty and the Beast, but Ellen sees things in Mischa that others just do not, not even himself. He is ruthless and violent and with her quiet beauty she compliments him, even in the darkest of circumstances. This is not an easy read, at times graphic, but the story is so intriguing, I had to keep going. And it doesn't end! We are left needing to know what Mischa will do. Will he kill her? Will he return her and take her sister Briar? Will the pain of their tragic pasts heal them together? We need to know, so book will be loaded.

Caitlin Allgood Knight is a new narrator to me and she gives an amazing performance. This is not an easy listen, the characters are complex and emotionally charged and she nails it. Each scene plays out with an ease to distinguishable voices and she raises the suspense level just with an inflection of her voice. Can't wait to see how this keeps going.

Captivating first book in this dark, twisted series.

Let me start by saying that the narrator for this book is a perfect choice. Her voice is captivating and easy to listen to as she takes you on this dark, twisted ride.

Ellen Winthorp gets taken because she is mistaken for her half-sister, Briar. But the madman named Mischa that takes her quickly realizes she's not, but is determined to find out who she is and what she knows of his enemies. This is a twisted, sordid tale that is just beginning in this first book in this dark series. This book ends on a cliffhanger and the story continues in book two, VII : Seven. I'm looking forward to the rest of Ellen and Mischa's story. Note: This book does contain content that may be triggering for some readers/listeners.

Dark, Gritty, And Intense

This is a an extremely dark and intense story. It gas so much drama with a mystery involved in it. It is a story that is deeply addictive that you just can't let go. You must find out the who, the what, and the where. It makes you feel everything that our characters are going through. The descriptions are extremely vivid. Caitlin Allgood Knight narrates the story beautifully. The only complaint I would have is sometimes the accent was so thick it made words hard to understand. Yes, that does add a very realistic element to the story but I would also want to hear the words. Otherwise, when the accent wasn't that extremely thick she was clear and precise. I am extremely excited to see how the story continues.

darkness at its finest !

if you like dark reads you'll love this book, I'm actually struggling to put into words how good and gripping the storyline is , Lana Sky knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat dying to find out how the story is going to progress! cant wait to listen to the rest of the series
the narrators were both absolutely perfect in their roles