Author: K. Loraine & Meg Anne

Series: The Mate Games: Death

First Published: 25 March 2024

“If it comes to saving you or anyone else. It’s you. Everytime.”

I will start by saying that I wI will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank so much Meg & Kim for sending a copy my way!

This is a sequel; I will try and keep my review as spoiler free as possible but just be wary if you haven’t read first two books, Haunting Beauty & Hunted Beast.

I would scorch the earth for the woman I love.

Being a dragon had always been my legacy. But not one I wanted anything to do with. After losing control the first time I shifted, I’d been exiled off to Blackwood, left to rot in the shame of my crimes.

I was meant to be a hero. A protector. The defender of my fae homeland. Instead I became the scary story they told their children at night.

Believing I belonged in this prison, I never considered a future beyond my punishment. Not until I met my mate. Dahlia is a gift I didn’t think I deserved and now I want more with her. We all do.

Her beastly Viking
Her mad pirate
Her vengeful god
And me, her imprisoned dragon

As tensions mount at Blackwood, it’s more obvious than ever we have to do everything we can to keep her safe. But the wheels of fate are turning and I’m not sure there’s anything we can do to stop what’s already been set into motion.
Not without having to become the very thing I most feared.

The Ripper’s come to Blackwood in search of new victims, but if he dares to lay a finger on my mate, he’ll find out what happens to those stupid enough to touch a dragon’s most valued treasure.

Hateful Prince is another stellar addition to The Mate Games: Death. There are so many twists and turns that I’m not sure how Dahlia and her guys will get their HEA. I feel like they will have to fight hard to get it. I am dying for the final book.

We dive right into the aftermath of Cain remembering who he is and who Dahlia is to him. Not surprisingly, Dahlia is frustrated with Cain and doesn’t fully trust that he’s now 100% committed to their relationship, especially given how much distance and slight disdain he threw her way. And honestly, go girl! If it was me, I would feel the same. Cain’s identity also sparks some interesting questions about Dahlia’s magic, which is growing in power with each mate she gains. Hats off to the wonderful author duo, Meg Anne and K. Loraine, now that we have the reveal, I’m remembering all the little clues and hints they have sprinkled through the first two books that I was too wrapped up in the drama and romance to fully pay attention.

One of the best juxtapositions in this book is how Dahlia is balancing her writing career and “normal” life with her developing powers and the ongoing investigation with the Ripper. There is a point where Dahlia is so overwhelmed with the attention and rapidly developing relationships with Cain, Tor, Kai and Cas that she asks for space. Honestly, that felt so relatable. She is an introvert. With these four guys demanding her attention, she has not had time to reflect and process how her life has changed. That fact, she throws herself into her work as a form of escape, was so on brand for her.

Alongside Cain, Cas is the hero who is a big focal point of this book. Dahlia forgave him for his actions in the first book. They become mates, which leads to an interesting discovery that maybe Cas is more than just Capitan Hook. Cas is still slowly losing his mind. I adore all the little nods to Peter Pan that are included. Cas is seeing crocodiles and constantly hears a clock ticking when separated from Dahlia. Of all the guys, he is the one who has yet to live up to his fairy tale, so I’m assuming we are going to find out more in Heartless Villains.

Now that we have all the guys on board, we get a few group steamy scenes and oh boy! They were off the charts, I-need-a-shower-to-cool-down hot. Honestly, they left me panting. And that scene where Cain takes control and offers Dahlia something to suck on to keep her quiet and stop freaking out left me panting. In terms of the guys, I adore how the dynamic has changed. They have gone from antagonizing and competing against each other to putting aside their alpha male posturing to prioritize what is best for Dahlia – queue the swoon. We also get another period caretaking scene, featuring Tor, which I am obsessed with. 

My jaw is still on the floor after finding out who the Ripper is and how that connected with the cult Dahlia grew up in. Kai did all he could to protect Dahlia, but now he might be called back to Shadow Court to start his service. Honestly, I have so many questions. After all these reveals, I want to reread the whole series.

I listen to this one on audio. I highly recommend that you do if you are reading this series. I love the dual narration. The cast of narrators has done an incredible job of bringing Dahlia, Cain, Tor, Kai and Cas to life. I just can’t imagine consuming these books in any other format.

After all the twists and turns that happened in Hateful Prince, I have no idea what’s going to happen in the finale, Heartless Villains, but I’m here for it. I am counting down the days till release. I bow down to Meg Anne and K. Loraine’s genius. This duo writes my perfect brand of why choose, paranormal romance. I am holy, 100% addicted to this world and series.