Review: Marek by S. Nelson (Knights Corruption MC #1)

Note: This ARC was provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Everything about her called to me, and not strictly in the carnal way. Something inside her spoke to me. It was unknown what she was trying to tell me, but in due time I knew I would uncover the unspoken messages.

Whoa. I've already read a couple of other books after Marek but the story and characters have stayed with me, lingering in my consciousness. This Knights Corruption MC series starter from author S. Nelson wasn't just an introduction to the world of the KC MC but to S. Nelson's storytelling. There was a rawness to it all, presenting the characters and their stories in all its stark honest and the reality is, the environment in which motorcycle clubs live in isn't about hearts and flowers and all the fluff and stuff you would think belong in romance novels. But the thing is, it's that harshness and crudeness when inserted with open displays of love and affection that have MC romances in a sub-genre all their own, and this book? Well, it's a cut above the rest, and one that's whetted my reading appetite for more of the Knights.

Make no mistake, Cole Marek may be young at twenty-eight to be president of the Knights Corruption MC, but in the three years he's been at the helm, the club has always come first and he has long-term plans for himself and his brothers. He's slowly moving the club toward more legitimate business endeavors but he knows that he still has to engage in the not-so-legal ones in the meantime. When one of their own is left close to death in front of their compound, he has only one suspect in mind--the Savage Reapers MC, their long-time foe. Revenge, however, doesn't just  come in the form of physically striking back and taking down as many from the other side as he can. No, this time around, Marek is after the top prize, and it's none other than the Savage Reapers's president's one and only daughter, twenty-year-old Sully Brooks.

You would think that being thought of as an MC princess would come with some perks and privileges, but not in the case of Sully Brooks. Well, unless you consider being given to someone who wants to claim you as property at the age of fourteen and then enduring countless bouts of rape and different forms of abuse perks and privileges. From her father to the man she once fancied she was in love with to the stranger her club is in cahoots with, Sully is constantly reminded that she is nobody and will never amount to anything, serving only one purpose. She used to pray for respite, but now she wants freedom from the Hell she's been languishing in. The last thing she ever expected was their enemy to swoop in and then to look up at her savior and find out that he's none other than the Knights Corruption's president himself, Cole Marek.

This wasn't exactly short in terms of number of pages, but the time flew by, absorbed as I was in Sully and Cole's story. These two underwent one hell of a journey to get to where they were by the end of it, and I'm going to have to insert a trigger warning here because there are numerous occasions of rape, abuse, violence, and torture, so if you're a reader who's sensitive to these things, you may want to either shy away or go into it prepared. Without a doubt, Sully is a strong female lead character because others--regardless of age or gender--would have succumbed to everything that was thrown her way. She doesn't easily trust, as the case should be, and I'm glad that it took a while for Cole to earn that trust and for her to finally allow herself to let him in. His protectiveness and paranoia made him both so endearing and frustrating.

While one of the major issues was resolved by the end of the book, we're still left with a few that need resolutions. So yes, this series starter does end in a cliffhanger and it looked like an ominous one considering who showed up and where they were at. The second book, Stone, is set for release in June so that'll be about a two-month-long wait, give or take a few days or a couple of weeks, but I'm already eagerly anticipating it because I want to know what'll happen to Cole and Sully (and yes, I prefer to call him Cole because Cole is a not-so-subtly different creature from Marek), even though I'm assuming that the sequel will be more focused on the second intriguing couple in book one, Stone and Adelaide. If you're a fan of MC romances or appreciate a well-written story, I'm highly recommending Marek. Five-plus stars. ♥

Release Date: 05 April 2016

Date Read: 05 April 2016

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