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witchy_book_babe's review
4.0
3.5/4 Stars
I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved a lot of scenes in here, but there was also a few times in the plot that I felt were out of place personally.
Viking was absolutely hilarious in this book, his character knows how to command the room when he has scenes, no matter how small. I really loved Shadow's character, he was very sexy and I hope to get more of him in the next book! Crow, was another character that I had a lot of fun with and easily connected with. I absolutely loved Hush's parent's story; I found myself so completely engrossed in their love story that it actually overshadowed my interest in Sia/Cowboy/Hush's relationship unfortunately.
The MFM scenes in this book were quite delicious, however I felt that some of the dialogue was quite cheesy at times...which made it hard for me to connect with the scenes 100%. I felt conflicted with this book as a whole because I felt the focus was strongly leaning in a few different directions and on top of the romance that was being developed in here, it didn't turn out to be my favorite Hades book.
I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved a lot of scenes in here, but there was also a few times in the plot that I felt were out of place personally.
Viking was absolutely hilarious in this book, his character knows how to command the room when he has scenes, no matter how small. I really loved Shadow's character, he was very sexy and I hope to get more of him in the next book! Crow, was another character that I had a lot of fun with and easily connected with. I absolutely loved Hush's parent's story; I found myself so completely engrossed in their love story that it actually overshadowed my interest in Sia/Cowboy/Hush's relationship unfortunately.
The MFM scenes in this book were quite delicious, however I felt that some of the dialogue was quite cheesy at times...which made it hard for me to connect with the scenes 100%. I felt conflicted with this book as a whole because I felt the focus was strongly leaning in a few different directions and on top of the romance that was being developed in here, it didn't turn out to be my favorite Hades book.
stuck123's review
4.0
This was a great read! Hush, Sia and cowboy were so cute together. While it was great to get a break from the order stuff this was still a dark read. Sia and Hush both have dark pasts and cowboy really helped heal them. Also having each other was everything they needed.
I think I am probably going to take a break before I finish the series. It has been a wild ride and I need some fluffy stuff now lol. Will probably read the novellas when I come back then finish 7 and 8.
Highly recommend this series!
I think I am probably going to take a break before I finish the series. It has been a wild ride and I need some fluffy stuff now lol. Will probably read the novellas when I come back then finish 7 and 8.
Highly recommend this series!
cala_p's review
5.0
I was not nearly excited for this one as I was with the others. Excited because it is a Hangman novel? Yes, definitely. Excited for this particular one? Kinda. Not really. I wished we got another brother’s book instead. Especially since the author takes a lot of time to make these books perfect (which we all appreciate), but the time between this one and her previous one was not as large as the gap between the previous one and its successor. So for another one to be written “shortly” after, I wished it was another couple, one I look forward to more. Like Tanner. Given his history, I think his will be interesting. Afternote: After reading I retract this part. I see why Tanner’s story needed to take place after Hush’s.
That being said, I was never one of those readers who saw it was a menage and refused to read it. Quite the opposite. I’ll read whatever Tillie puts out, but I was bummed that there is a menage book at all. Again, probably not for the same reasons that everyone else has. Love two people? Sure, I don’t care. But Tillie writes such beautiful romances and each couple just makes me tingle so damn much, I couldn’t imagine them with anyone else. So for her to make a book with a female and TWO males...Oh no. I don’t like menage books in general because my body gets confused, my heart always wants her to be with one person, and my head will always look to choose the better guy in the two and then secretly hope it’s only him and her, and not the other character. THAT was my “ugh” with this book--I just didn’t want a book with two male love interests because I would always want her to choose just one. And Tillie’s books being how they are, I honestly didn’t know how my soul would live through two males being chosen. So while menage books generally are not my thing, I had no doubt that I would read this one. (And highly suspected I would love it).
That being said, I was less than 10% in when I was just hooked. My damn school work prevented me from sitting and reading all day. I don’t know if it’s the story, the writing, or just being back in the Hangman world, but whatever it was, I was right there into it.
The character development in this novel is phenomenal. More so, just how the characters interact with each other--this may be her best novel yet for those interactions. Right off the bat I was so taken with Hush and Cowboy. At first, Hush seemed more interested in Sia, but he was quiet and reserved, while Cowboy was right up there flirting with her. But through all this, there was no jealousy by Hush. Well, a little because he believed he didn’t deserve her but wanted her. Besides that, nothing. This is only the beginning of what makes these two great. Sia is such a strong person. There’s so much of her brother in her and it’s great. She stands out from all the other females in the series thus far. She’s more outgoing and such than the others (for obvious reasons-the cult girls) and that is required for this book.
Which leads me into the menage aspect. Hush and Cowboy’s set-up is interesting, but just shows the connections and loyalty between these two. They’re never each with a woman alone. They’ll always do threesomes. We’ve seen this in other books, but this one gives more meaning as to why they do that only. What sets this book apart from other menage books is Cowboy and Hush’s relationship. Other books of the type involve three people--if there was already a previous connection between 2/3 or even 3/3 then it was not one like this. Although they are not gay, they are in a relationship on their own and Sia is the third person in this. It is not Sia’s story and they are seconds. No, they are the main and she is the third; the add-on in their already existing relationship. The connection they have is crucial for this book. The threesome’s are not even for the mutual pleasure for these two. Hush needs them; needs Cowboy with him, so Cowboy modified his sexual relations for his childhood friend. This is the connection I am talking about. This is why this menage book is different. More so, it wasn’t all sex, nor was it instant. Hush avoided her, Cowboy friended her, and Sia was attracted to both. But the attraction wasn’t what we would see in other menage books, or just books in general. She was attracted to them both equally, fell for them at the same time, and they her. Again, there was no debating to make it so she could date both of them--it was pretty much you get both or none, and Sia wouldn’t choose even so.
As a final note, after I finished the book, I sat book and looked at the entire book inside the series. This was the most appropriate group to have this story with. Basically, this menage book was set-up from book 1 when Cowboy and Hush were first introduced. They are a couple on their own, and putting them with someone like the cult girls would not have been realistic. Given their history, it took them a while to be with one man; I couldn’t imagine what being with two at once would do to them. It would send them on a mental overload. Plus, they’re deeply religious, and I’m sure this goes against the bible. But Sia is a regular woman. Born in the biker life, and ran away to have a normal life as a rancher. She’s a contemporary character and would be mentally and ethically stable enough to handle two men. Without Sia, Cowboy and Hush would have no love interest, and it would only be those two because they also wouldn’t break apart. Again, book 1 set their duo up too tightly,
I realize what I just said contradicts what I said at the beginning, and that is exactly what I was trying to do. I didn’t want to spend my whole review on the menage aspect, but considering the controversy that surrounded this book, I feel like I need to rationalize it to all reading this. Tillie Cole’s writing made this menage a super sweet and emotional novel. She made the menage thing work. I feel like after all this I should add a disclaimer: I do not judge. If this book matches your real lifestyle, good for you. I will hate the haters for you. Your life is your own. From a novel aspect I don’t like it, only because I feel like I need to choose one. I guess my “dislike” for menage is similar to my “dislike” for love triangles. I don’t hate them, I just don’t search for them in my book choices. But if I read one and it’s done well, then I will admit to enjoying it. I suppose menage books are the same thing and I didn’t realize it until now. But Tillie wrote a menage book that was beyond tasteful so I enjoyed it. It’s SO hard to explain to people how this book differs from others. I urge anyone debating to boycott this book to give it a try. Make it 15% in, and if you’re still not enjoying it, then drop it. But give it a shot to see that Tillie wrote this as well as the rest of the series. If it’s the sex scenes you hate, skip those. They are a mix of hot and sweet, but if they are a personal bother to you, then remove the bother.
So to go back to the actual novel itself and the story...WOW. When Sia was first brought in, we knew she had a history given how she was hidden by Ky, but I didn’t think she would be interesting. She has such a heartbreaking story for such light-hearted girl, proving how strong she really is. The flashbacks to her past were agonizing to read, knowing what was bound to occur next. The history we’re given of Hush and Cowboy too was so interesting. To know they came from backgrounds surrounding racism and hate, but from different sides of the tracks so to speak. I liked watching all three develop through their past, and how all their pasts seem to catch up with them. Hush’s emotionally, Cowboy through association, and Sia’s physically. That was a fantastic part of the book because we got to see the Hangmen in action again!
After book 4, with the cults gone, I wondered where this series would go. It started out very central around that, so I’m happy it’s gone in other places now. Everything mentioned with the Klan in the past books seemed just internal war stuff, so I am happy we’re being brought into that side. This novel was important to be that bridge between cult and Klan, given the pasts of Hush and Sia especially. We’re now wide open for Tanner’s book and given what we’ve learned about him in this book, I am super excited for that one. Especially since Tanner was never a major player, so it’ll be nice to have a down-low character brought to the light.
I didn’t meant to write this much, but given the amount of work the author put into this pure gold book, only to have a bunch of backlash on the subject, I feel like a review is the least I could do. I am pleased to see so many others say the same thing I am. Even those like I who didn’t want a menage book, who were more like meh about it, it still came out on top for them.
laceyfrance's review
4.0
At first I was going to give Crux Untamed 3 stars but in the end, I bumped it up to 4. Being a Cajun from coastal southeastern Louisiana, I initially took offense to what seemed to be an outdated stereotype of the extreme racism in the south in general portrayed in this book. I’m almost 51 y/o and have never met anyone associated with the Klan or any other white power group, nor have I ever run across an entire town run by Klansmen. This may have been a thing 60-70 yrs ago, but (thank God) I don’t think this happens in this day and age. I finally realized that I was being over sensitive and got over it because not everybody was portrayed that way. Also, Tillie Cole did a decent job of portraying Cajuns by not making us look like uneducated idiots or “cher”-ing us to death like lots of authors do, (its pronounced “sha”, btw. Rhymes with the sound a sheep makes.). I’m looking forward to Tanner’s book next, but I’m even more anxious to read what’s in store for Viking. Anyone else have a feeling that he will end up with a man? I can’t wait to find out!
hilary89's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Even though I loved the polyamorous element, this wasn’t my favorite of the series. The writing was a bit clunky at times and there were points where it felt rushed. That said, Sia was a fabulous protagonist. It was great to finally have a FMC who had sass and a backbone. Hush and Cowboy were pretty dreamy and Hush’s backstory was absolutely devastating. I do wish we got more of Cowboy’s POV, but I can understand how Sia and Hush’s storylines really drove the plot.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this edition. I’m building up to the 8th book that was so controversial… after this one (where the KKK is one of the main antagonists and is written as the deplorable organization it is) it’s hard to imagine how Tillie Cole could have romanticized the KKK, but we’ll see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide, and Trafficking
Moderate: Misogyny, Alcohol, and Stalking
optimisticbooknerd's review
3.0
3 ⭐️
MFM woowoo! this one was good. I loved the heroine in Ky's book and she literally deserves the world. some of the dialogue in this one was really cringy so i did dock it a star but so good still
MFM woowoo! this one was good. I loved the heroine in Ky's book and she literally deserves the world. some of the dialogue in this one was really cringy so i did dock it a star but so good still
frenchpressbookworm's review
5.0
4.5
Oh how I love this series. It’s dark and brutal and painful. But also so beautiful. This crazy bunch of men are dark and dangerous and freaking hot. Hush and cowboy were no different. Hush was so broken and his story was so painful and also hit home for me since I’m in an interracial marriage and have two beautiful mixes babies. That hate he lived through I have seen first hand so his story touched me to the core. And oh Cowboy is perfect. His loyalty to his best friend was beautiful.. the world needs more people like him and Sia had a backbone that just couldn’t be broken. I loved it. She was sassy and strong! She wouldn’t be broken and I just want to be her friend. I will forever be a flame whore but hush and cowboy come in close. I can’t wait to read about crow. And this awesome British hangmen! Anyway fantastic like always
Oh how I love this series. It’s dark and brutal and painful. But also so beautiful. This crazy bunch of men are dark and dangerous and freaking hot. Hush and cowboy were no different. Hush was so broken and his story was so painful and also hit home for me since I’m in an interracial marriage and have two beautiful mixes babies. That hate he lived through I have seen first hand so his story touched me to the core. And oh Cowboy is perfect. His loyalty to his best friend was beautiful.. the world needs more people like him and Sia had a backbone that just couldn’t be broken. I loved it. She was sassy and strong! She wouldn’t be broken and I just want to be her friend. I will forever be a flame whore but hush and cowboy come in close. I can’t wait to read about crow. And this awesome British hangmen! Anyway fantastic like always
ceta_cea's review
2.0
This is a difficult book to review for me. Mostly because the theme of the book is so far out of my comfort zone, I was really quarrel with myself if I should buy it or not. But I thought I needed to read it to give justice to an author I otherwise like very much.
Unfortunately, at the end of the book, I just don't buy the HEA. I loved the back story for each character and the characters itself. But to me this relationship did not feel balanced. The chemestry, at least for me, just wasn't really there between Sia and Cowboy. In my eyes, those two would have been much better in a best friends/sibling relationship.
Viking was the one, bringing in the fun. And I can't wait for his story. I also liked the set up for the next book and the new characters.
Unfortunately, at the end of the book, I just don't buy the HEA. I loved the back story for each character and the characters itself. But to me this relationship did not feel balanced. The chemestry, at least for me, just wasn't really there between Sia and Cowboy. In my eyes, those two would have been much better in a best friends/sibling relationship.
Viking was the one, bringing in the fun. And I can't wait for his story. I also liked the set up for the next book and the new characters.
earthboundcutie's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This book took me almost a month to finish which was all me and not the book. It made me cry a lot. The last several chapters were tear jerkers.
I really liked Sia, Hush, and Cowboy. They were so great together.
I loved that Cowboy was the lightness, the happy one, but still went through some shit, still had some struggles.
Hush was so heartbreaking. He had such a tragic life and Sia and Cowboy both worked so hard to make him realize that he was out of those rough times.
Sia was so strong and yet still burned bright. I thought there was a TSTL moment (with Clara and the horses and all), but other than that Sia was a great heroine. The unconditional love she showed Hush and Cowboy was so lovely.
All in all, I really liked the story, I am SO EXCITED for Tanner and Adelita's book, and this was a great addition to the Hades Hangmen series.
***
OH MY GOD THIS BLURB I AM SO FRICKIN EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK
This book took me almost a month to finish which was all me and not the book. It made me cry a lot. The last several chapters were tear jerkers.
I really liked Sia, Hush, and Cowboy. They were so great together.
I loved that Cowboy was the lightness, the happy one, but still went through some shit, still had some struggles.
Hush was so heartbreaking. He had such a tragic life and Sia and Cowboy both worked so hard to make him realize that he was out of those rough times.
Sia was so strong and yet still burned bright. I thought there was a TSTL moment (with Clara and the horses and all
Spoiler
and she just ran outside like bitch who do you think is out there?? OBVIOUSLY JUANAll in all, I really liked the story, I am SO EXCITED for Tanner and Adelita's book, and this was a great addition to the Hades Hangmen series.
***
OH MY GOD THIS BLURB I AM SO FRICKIN EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK