Review: Debase (Elite Bratva Brotherhood #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

Print Length: 420 pages

Publisher: Rachel van Dyken (April 30,2019)

From Goodreads.com: From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken, comes the final book in the Eagle Elite Series and the first new book in the Elite Bratva Brotherhood...

With blood on my hands, I held her. 
With death in my soul, I took from her. 
With the devil in my heart, I coveted her.

There're many definitions of Hell. 
My list was exhaustive, my definitions tragic. 
Tonight I was adding something new to the very top. 
Girl number six thirty-two.

She arrived on my birthday, the same day, every year, I play Russian Roullete and pull the trigger.
She was my omen. 
My end game. 
She made it personal. 
And for the first time in my life, I gave in. 
A virgin mob boss with no soul.

My name is Andrei Petrov. 
They call me the devil.
All I want is for the pain to end. 
All she wants is for me to share it.

I am the last remaining heir to a dynasty that should burn in Hell. 
And my last wish remains for it to die with me.

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

FINALLY!!!!!! My FIRST above three star read of 2019!!! 

I have to admit I was hesitant to read this one. While some of Rachel's books are hit or miss, her Eagle Elite series has always been heart-wrenchingly primal. Their roads to happily-ever-after are long, they are dark, and they are far from easy. And being that I had lost my husband shortly before this came out..... I wasn't sure I could handle it. 

But I am oh-so-glad that I did. Sure there were moments that hit me like a ton of bricks. There were lines that I wish I could post, but can't because of spoilers. Just know that this one is every bit as emotional as the previous ones. Andrei is such a powerful character - flawed, broken, and lethal in every way. How often to read about a man as powerful as he is who actually prays for death? How often is your heroine someone like Alice? Someone who has been through hell at the hands of the people who should have cared for her, only to when captured by "monsters" smile about it? These two were like gasoline and matches. Only while they burned hot, they didn't burn out. I loved the banter between them. I loved the chemistry. But most of all? I liked watching the transformation of Andrei as he found heaven inside the hell of his creation. 

And of course, considering this is just the first book set in the already established world of Eagle Elite (and no you don't have to have read the novels from the original serious in order to enjoy this one, but I do think you will want to once you've finished this one) - we get to say hello to our favorite mafia families. The group texts are just as hilarious as always. The next generation is adorable, and the FAMILY that exists between all of these characters is truly amazing. As one character puts it - "I walked in with a guard and walked out with an Army". 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                                           Debase is available from Amazon.com