Empire (Eagle Elite Book 7)

If you've not read Elude by Rachel Van Dyken, I'd advise you in the strongest terms to read it before diving into Empire. In fact, I'd advise you to even stop reading this right here and go and read it.Bring tissues.You see, while each of the books in the Eagle Elite series and its related spin offs are written as standalones, the story of Empire picks up and builds, very much on the themes and storyline of Elude, and the character of Sergio Abandonato in particular.For the second time in less than a year, Sergio is pressured to marry someone he hardly knows. Something hes even less inclined to do a second time around, but, if mafia families were nations, this would be considered a marriage of state. The joining of families, ensuring the succession of dynasties, honor, duty, all of that, and having failed his family in the past, that's something Sergio wont do again.Then, as if all of that weren't bad enough, there's 'that girl'. Nearly ten years younger, 19 year old Valentina is sweet, innocent, and completely oblivious to the fact that the three doting uncles who've raised her and her twin brother Dante are mafia. So far as she knows the far too quiet little florist shop they run that she works in is kept afloat because of sound investments.Splitting her time between being coddled and sheltered by her uncles and reading about dashing Dukes and perfect Princes, she's entirely unprepared for the whirlwind that her life is about to become.After being somewhat broken by Elude, to the point that I start to tear up a little whenever I come across the word 'twirl', I approached Empire with some trepidation. Though its been months for me, that wound is still tender, and I wasn't at all sure I wanted to rip off the band aid and start poking at it, but the promise that things could be made 'better' was there and so I dove in.There's just so much in this book. The theme of family takes pride of place, as is fitting for a mafia story, but for Valentina its very much a coming of age story, and for Sergio? healing doesn't quite seem the right word.And then there's Frank. You see, this book is told from alternate POVs. Sergio's and Valentina's as you might expect, but also Frank's. The last of the older generation of mob bosses, Frank has past sins to atone for, family to protect and guide as best he can, but above all, an Empire to preserve.Smiles and laughter, tears, laughing even while tears were still damp on my face, Empire pulled emotions from me one after the other and played them like harp strings creating a beautiful harmony.Loved it so much

***SPOILER ALERT: THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS IF HAVE NOT READ ELUDE***An arranged marriage.Only this time.I won't fall.Or so help me God, I'll kill her myself.My name is Sergio Abandanoto, you think you know my pain, my suffering, my anger, my hate--you have no idea.I am the mafia.I am the darkness.Blood in. No out.What an amazing conclusion to Sergio's story! Elude brought us Sergio story. He had been forced to marry Andi and then had fallen so hard for her. ** spoiler alert** He was heartbroken and devastated when she passed away from leukemia.Sergio now finds himself in the same situation but this time he is full of anger, rage and pain. Val was raised in New York. Young and innocent, she had no idea about her Mafia heritage. She is suddenly thrust into an arranged marriage with Sergio.Empire brings us so much. Families coming together. Redemption. Mending. Pain. Passion. Mystery. More death.Once again Rachel Van Dyken weaves an elaborate story filled with action, betrayal, love, and so much more!Sergio is so complex that he needed two books to completely tell his story! And let's not forget that there are so many hot hot Hot times!The family moves on as Sergio and Val move forward. This has been such a unique and fantastic way to catch up on the Eagle Elite Series. I am enjoying the audibles very much. Tom Taylorson, Keith Szarabajka and Erin Spencer do a phenomenal job in narration.Now on to Enrage which I am so excited to listen to because I have already read the book! It was one of my favorite in the series!Blood in. No out!

It has been almost a full year since Rachel Van Dyken wrecked my heart with Elude, and to say I've been anxious for Empire is an understatement. I learned a while ago to trust completely in RVD and have faith she would deliver exactly what readers longed for. However, I wasn't prepared for how emotionally exhausting Empire is, and it easily ties Ember as my favorite book in the series. From the dedication page until the the last chapter, I felt with all my reading soul the gut wrenching story of Sergio and Val. "Life is full of two-twirl moments--don't allow her to settle for only one."When I started crying on Chapter 2 of this book, I knew this was going to be a devastating read. I think watching someone learn to move on is even more difficult than loss itself. Sergio is just going through the motions and my heart ached for him immensely. Val is a refreshing change and nothing like the other ladies of this series. I immediately loved her innocence and child like charm. Not only is she a book nerd, but she is witty and caring to her overbearing family. She is exactly what Sergio needed, even if he refuses to see it. I wanted to hug Sergio one moment and slap him the next. Their journey is intense and filled with a vast array of emotions. There are highs and lows, laughter and tears, and heartbreak and healing. "Sometimes, it's nice to be someone's hero. Just for once."Of course, it wouldn't be Eagle Elite without new revelations and plot twists. Even after seven books, they remain fresh and completely unexpected. Frank has been a prominent character since the early books, but he really shines through in Empire. I enjoyed being inside his head and seeing him battle his inner demons. We are introduced to new and interesting characters, including my favorite, Dante. As always, RVD does a magnificent job of balancing intense moments with fun and light-hearted ones. At this point, all the characters feel like family, and I treasure the extra scenes with Nixon and crew. I can't tell you how many times I laughed through tears, and that is a testament to just how incredible this book is. Yes, there are sad moments, but I smiled more than I cried, and couldn't have loved it more.I will be counting the days until the next installment. Eagle Elite has become one my favorite contemporary series of all time, and I highly recommend it to any adult reader

This is another Sergio story because the last book was hard and no way could we have one of our favourite and most loved characters not have a HEA.So, Sergio is about to marry a 19-year-old girl by force. Yes! He has to have another arranged marriage. Sergio is absolutely not going to fall in love. He has left his heart with a girl that is buried in the ground.Val is just 19 years old and she lives with her uncles and twin brother. She loves reading and she believes in true love. She also has no idea who she really is and when it comes to the mafia, the only info she has is what she has learned from TV or books. She is completely innocent in all things.Their first encounter is not elegant for the young girl but Sergio who is still stuck on his first wife doesn’t really notice. However, Sergio and Frank are at a party because Val has just got engaged to another guy who Val can’t stand. But, at the party he tries to kiss her, she says no, but he tries again and it’s Sergio that comes to her rescue. That is when she finds out she is to marry him.She finds him gorgeous and sexy as hell, but his heart is not in it and he tells Val at the start that he will never lover her, share his bed but, he will protect her with his life and she will always be safe with him.I can’t really say much more because if I do I will be giving away spoilers. What I will say is that this may not have as much action in it as the other Eagle Elite stories but, this is about Sergio’s heart being healed and Val being the one to do it. There is action in it, this is the Mafia. There are shocks in this book and I will say that not only do I love this book, I read it in one day and when I was finished I went back to beginning and started re-reading it all over again. I have read it about 4 times so far. I can’t put it down, there are only a handful of books that make me do that, this is one of them. I loved it and I can’t wait for the next book. I think this is my favourite book and I have said that about all of them. But this is one of my favourite books this year. Read the series you will not be disappointed. Trust Me!!!Ms Rachel Van Dyken you are truly amazing and I can’t wait for the next book. You’re the best and one of my favourite authors.

How can you be bursting to read a book but almost terrified at the same time? I'm not sure but this was definitely the case with this one.This is the seventh instalment in the Eagle Elite series and this story centres on Sergio. His story started in Elude and you really need to read that first to understand the full story and understand Sergio. It really doesn't work otherwise. Having said that this story is so well written you probably still love it going in blind but my advice is definitely read Elude first.Sergio is less than happy but resigned to the fact that he needs to make an advantageous marriage for the sake of strengthening the family. He's lost and broken and is struggling. His emotions are like a festering open wound and he's unable to see any way out of it.Valentina (Val) was completely different from how I was expecting, not that I really knew what to expect lol. She was sweet and innocent and different from the other girls in this series. She had practically no knowledge of her heritage and is thrust in to a situation that she doesn't really understand or ask for.This story has lots of twists and turns, some completely unexpected, was action packed with some humour but also very emotional. I wasn't sure how to call this before I read it as I really couldn't see how this could end in a way that would truly satisfy the reader. The plot is intricately woven in a very clever way and, like I said took completely unexpected turns. That's unusual for me as I normally see things coming a mile off lol.I loved every second of this. I really enjoyed being inside Frank's head at times too as he's a cool, complex character and it was great to have a little peak into his thoughts. It was also great to catch up with the other characters in the series and meet some pretty cool new ones. I liked how this book focused on the relationships between the characters.This has now become my favourite of the series. I love how instead of getting a little stale like some series that this one seems to get better with each instalment with plenty of new exciting plot ideas and exciting avenues for future books to follow.I would definitely recommend this to all and I can't wait to read the next book.

I loved the first 3 in the series but the others all have similar plots, but meets girl they hate each other then within minutes are in bed together. However I am hooked in wanting to know how they all turn out so keep reading. Book 6 made me cry, it added in such a touching story line and not the happy ending expected, and was beautifully written, if your reading this book then hopefully i you've read 6 and I've not spoilt it for you! This book pans out the same as the other 5 but deals with grief and guilt which is still very raw from book 6. And although the others have their issues, Andi's death and her 'voice' from the grave in this book was sad, moving but also a different take on life and the story to date.

Sergio.....well throughout the series you have been indifferent to him when he was just a ghost, at the end of the last book you loved him maybe even pitied him.....now you will hate the bastar*. Val is the girl we would all secretly like to be, the really nice kind person (lets be honest not many of us are truly that nice or kind) and he treats her like poo! Until he doesn't and you fall in love with him again. Whilst Phoenix will always hold my heart, Sergio gives you a rollercoaster of a ride. Apart from a few grammar mistakes and a few missing words (more editing mistake than Rachel though) Rachel's writing is flawless she take you on amazing journeys ones that will make you feel as if you are in the room filled with tension, or being shot at by the foe of the bad guys, falling in love or tasting dark chocolate cookie dough. Rachel's writing is like the 4d of the tv world. I for one hope these books get made into a movie, it would be far more epic than harry potter and much more anticipated than 50 shades of grey.

This is the conclusion to Sergio's story.Sergio and Valentina are a brilliant match. Where Sergio is hard, Valentina is soft. Where Sergio is jaded, Valentina is innocent.They both have a lot to overcome, and struggle to accept their new life together.This book was written so well. You couldn't help but feel each emotion as they navigated getting to know each other, as well as trying to figure out how to adapt to their new life.