Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review...

What I love about this book is that even though the genre is dark there is still a mix of romance, happiness, and hope. I'm not happy that this series is over, I'm happy because all of the characters found their forever, their happiness, and most of all their family. Thank you much, Tillie, for sharing these amazing stories.

What an ending! This series is absolutely amazing! Its draws you in and holds you there until you devour each word!

I liked the last book, so even though the premise didn’t sound wonderful to me, I wanted to give this a try. Too much of the slave/master scenario, and too much trauma, so this one just wasn’t for me. Too graphic with the depravity for me. People are given certain drugs that mess with their minds, so they are slaves to a sort of mind control; lots of rape happens. 152 is one of those slaves, and so is 901. 901 wins her, 152, because he’s the best fighter in the Blood Pit. Also, the Master wants to “break” 901 down by giving him someone to care about. The writing is good and I like the hope shining through the darkness type of scenario, so I’m going with a 3 rating.

I haven't read any of the others in this series – I didn't even know this was part of a series – so it's hard to tell if the problems are down to that. But I'm sorry to say I found this needlessly violent, clunkily written, and just not sexy. I know this book has a lot of fans so it won't matter that it's not to my particular taste, but I guess I've learned that this sort of dark romance just isn't for me.

The end has finally come to this amazing series. I found this series on a whim while signing up for a blog tour for the second book. My first thoughts were about how dark and unique this book seemed and I was interested in reading something by a new author. It didn't disappoint and now here I am, at book four completing the series. I struggle with endings so instead of being mature I put this book off for as long as possible.

In book three we were introduced to 152, 194's younger sister. She was trained to be a Mona, a pleasure slave to be taken over and over against her will. When she gets sold to her latest master she's almost given up hope, especially since the drug that keeps her under control and her master is so much worse than any that came before.

We get a new character in this book. 901. 901 has spent his entire life as a prisoner to Master Arziani as a fighter in the Blood Pits. He's the pits undefeated champion. All he wants is his privacy since he knows freedom only comes when someone is stronger than him. Master Arziani wants something that can control 901 more than anything so he can win, lose, and die under his control. When he gives 901 152 he doesn't think they'll fall in love, but even in hell love finds a way to endure.

Ah so much love for this series. Tillie Cole is an amazing writer who crafts a beautifully terrible world that will have your blood-chilling to think something like that could happen. She doesn't write darkness for the sake of darkness, but to tell a story and deepen the characters and world and make it more intense.

I honestly could gush about this whole book and series and author all day long. Riot was a beautiful ending to a completely amazing series. I loved it from beginning to end and I couldn't be happier with how everything ended.

To this date I don't know what possessed me to request this one on NetGalley. I liked the first book in the series decently enough but quit reading the second one half-way through. I think I requested this way back then, because I was curious about 152 and 901. While I finally read this though, I remembered why I quit reading Reap, because this isn't really my genre. It's too crazy, too dark and too violent for me.

So I gave it a try, because I did request it, so I still owe the review for this and I got to about 30%. After that I just couldn't take it anymore. I won't rate this book because this is a clear case of "it's me, not you". I'm sure lots of people that like this genre, loved this book. It just missed its mark with me. I'm sorry.

Wow what an amazing end to an amazing series. My hear twas in my throat so many times. Thanks Netgalley for the Arc

Tillie Cole is an amazing author and all her books in some way or another, make me feel so much. The story was one that kept me engaged until the very end. The characters were well thought out and easily relatable.

I have loved every single book in this series giving them each 5 stars and singing their praises for days, but this one fell flat for me.

I wasn’t a fan of the instalove. That’s one of my bookish pet peeves and it rapidly took me out of the storyline. On the other hand, I did enjoy seeing the cameos from previous characters that I admire dearly.

Overall, I just felt disconnected from the story. I wasn’t convinced of their love and felt somewhat indifferent to it. I am glad that everything was resolved and that all of the couples can finally move on from the horrors they experienced.

Special thanks to the author and publisher for approving my request to read this book through NetGalley!

A fantastic and deeply addictive book that I couldn't put down until I reached the very last page. Gripping and enjoyable. I loved the character development throughout the series. I definitely recommend it to Romance book lovers.

Fantatic end to a fantastic series. This had me compelled from the the 1st page. Dark, and utterly addictive

Loved this book. It was raw and brilliant and so very gripping. 901 and 152 grabbed my soul and never let go.

I have enjoyed every book in this series. Each one taking us deeper into the dark world of the Pit. To find love in this dark world is rare, but I've been pleased to read how love truly does work miracles. The last and final book will have you glued to the pages, Loved it!!!!

Riot by Tillie Cole appears to be the fourth and final book in the Scarred Souls series. It is the first book of this series that I have read even though I do own a couple of the other books in the series but I got this one for review. I will say that I was a little confused in the beginning because I thought these were more about like MMA fighters or something until I realized that that was not the case. I had to double check the synopsis again. As I started to read without double checking, I thought it was also possibly a paranormal but nope it is not. (It is drugs.) Then then other strange thing (at least for me) was that I had to decipher when they talked about Georgia and had to realize it was the country not the state.

Riot is a dark, dark novel that may not be for everyone. If you haven’t check out this series already then, I will highlight the details. This world is set in a dark underground world of whoring and underground fighting (often to the death). 152 is an orphan. She was kidnapped as a child to become a love slave for whomever… but since has been transferred to Master because of her beauty and she is his Mona (#1 exclusive woman). These love slaves are under the influence of drugs but once she becomes Mona she gets to be weaned off the drugs so she knows she is the Master’s woman.

901 is the Master’s #1 warrior. He kicks ass and doesn’t give a shit for names. He kills as quickly as he gets into the ring. As a warrior, he doesn’t have to worry about drugs. Master has been trying to control his blood lust for some time to no resort when 901 finally gives an emotional reaction to 152. When Master realizes this, he decides to fuck with 901s emotions and send him 152. 901 has rejected all other whores before but they refuse to let 152 out of his cell. 152 has been given drugs that give her a sexual high and the unfortunate side effect is that she must have sex and be released otherwise she will die. 901 has to give in to his “potential” feelings towards her or let her die, and for some reason he decides that he can’t let her die. Even though his number one goal is to piss off Master.

Riot ties right in to a storyline that has been ongoing with the Scarred Souls series. Characters from previous books appear to finally destroy what Master has been building all these years so I do believe that having prior knowledge to this series is a plus but it wasn’t necessary. (Although, I still plan on reading the stories that I have previously purchased.) And I will say having prior knowledge of the past characters would be a plus.

Honestly, I thought the romance was a bit more of forced circumstance than actual love. I still rooted for the couple but I did have a hard time really feeling the romance since their getting together was just completely awful. Not to mention, 152 is raped by Master explicitly several times throughout the story. (This is why I say this story isn’t for everyone.) These characters are put through really tough and terrible circumstances.)

Overall, if you like to walk on the dark side then check this series out. The story itself entertained me but I did struggle through some of it. I may not have, if I had prior knowledge of the previous books in the series. It is a contemporary, dark romance series. (Also, for bonus points, if you’ve watched any of Arrow it deals a lot with the Bratva and the Russian underground crime syndicate. I found that part entertaining.)

love love love this book By Tillie Cole. I have been following this series and it just gets better and better and i am extremely happy thus far.

Wow. This was the perfect conclusion to an incredible series. Tillie Cole’s fourth installment in this series was thrilling, intense and held me captive the entire time. My stomach was in knots from the very beginning and I devoured this story. Couldn’t stop when I started. I was immersed into this dark world. 'Riot' gave me all the feels and I loved every minute of it. . I loved the engrossing story-line, the story’s intensity, the suspense, the danger and all the dark and gritty elements as the story progressed. Cole is definitely my go to author when it comes to dark romance. Fabulous book which ends the series on a high.

Made the mistake of starting this book after 2am and before I knew it, it was 6am and I had pulled an all-nighter. I could not put this down once I started it.

It was as emotional and heartbreaking as the previous two books were, if not more so, since this was about the sister of the hero in book 3. (Book 1 is still in the TBR for me.)

We met 152 in book 3 when she was used to control her brother. She was always completely drugged and those drugs caused her so much pain that the only way for her to get some relief was to have sex. At the end of book 3, she was taken by "Master" and returned to The Pit before Valentin (194) could save her and take her home with him.

At the start of Riot, 152 wakes up not knowing where she is. The drugs they've been giving her over the years have been switched to a dose not so lethal...it still causes her to need to have sex to relieve the pain but "Master" has decided that she's so beautiful, she will now be his "Mona" and he will no longer share her with other men. Master is psychotic, just like Mistress (his sister) was in the previous book. As long as 152 does not disobey him, she gets to live and gets to not be raped by the guards because of the drugs he uses on her.

901 is Master's prize fighter in the Pit. He's undefeated because he kills them all in the ring. He's emotionless and comes off as pretty cold and mean. Master wants 901 to "have a show" by extending the fights so those in the stands can get their money's worth. 901 refuses. Why would he do such a thing? He's not being bashful when he says he's the best at what he does and he sees no need to put on a show. Get in, make the kill, get out and return to his cell until it's time for the next fight. 901 knows Master is trying to find a weakness of his to exploit but 901 doesn't have any because he keeps to himself all the time.

Then he sees 152 and Master notices how he watches her. So Master gifts 152 to 901. On the stipulation that he obeys his rules when it comes to the fighting. Has her locked into his cell with him and he's told that she won't be leaving it until he has sex with her. 901 doesn't care for the rules and doesn't care what happens to 152. He knows this is just another way of Master trying to control him so he ignores 152 in the cell. Up until the drugs being pumped into her system almost kill her. She's in so much pain that he finally gives her relief. This goes on for days. She's taken away during the day and then returned to him at night, after his battles.

At one point, Master realizes that 152 is beginning to have feelings for 901 and 901 is still not obeying him, like he wants. Master ends up raping 152 and then takes her to 901's cell and let's him know what he did before he then starts beating 152 in front of 901. In the next fight, Master has a guard standing with a knife to 152's throat where 901 can see them from the Pit so he knows if he kills too quickly, 152 will be killed too. 901 lets himself get injured in that fight and it's at that point that 152 and 901 really start talking to each other.

There's a scene, after they're saved, where he asked her if she still wanted him and she replied with basically "what do you mean?" His answer broke my heart. He told her that the only reason they got together was because she was drugged and now that the drugs are no longer in her, did she still want him? Oh. My. Heart.

This book completely gutted me. Gutted. Me. The emotional rollercoaster ride never let up and I loved it from start to finish.

Fair warning, this series is not light and fluffy so know that before going in.

Loved!! I really enjoyed this dark and gritty story! The writing was absolutely brilliant! I adored the characters! I highly recommend this book!! So good!

152 woke in a real bed and things slowly came back to her senses. And was told by a young scarred female that she was in the High Mona suite. That Master had ordered it but the name Master Arziani sent a shock to 152s heart., but she wasn’t sure why master frightened her so much. But she trusted her instincts which told her to fear the Master. 152 was in the Blood Pit and the her Chiri who was hers was the lowest type of slave and told her 152 had been brought back to the Blood Pit for six weeks. The slave told 152 she was panicking that she felt she couldn’t breath and that it was the drugs. 152 had been weaned off one dose of drug- monebi drug and she had been subjected to it for years. Then the chiri told her you were with Mistress Argiani for a long time and had not been in the Blood Pit. The Master had called her back. When the Master called her home he ordered 152 off the monebi and put onto the High Mona formula. Then the chiri said she had been assigned as 152s. Then she said 152 was Masters personal consort and would no longer be with other men the Master only. Then 152 asked about the last High Mona and the chiri said she had been killed as she had been disobedient . The Master had put her to death publically in the pit. The pit was where the Masters fighters have their matches. 901 was Masters champion. No one has been able to bring him down. 901 keeps to himself and values his privacy as he feels that os all he has. Master wants to break 901 as he will not slow down before he wins and the Master has ordered him to. Master decides to use 152 to break 901.
I didn’t enjoy this, it just wasn’t for me. I am not into slavery of any kind or even reading about it. I must have chosen this by mistake. It is not a choice I would normally make. Or see myself making. I am sure someone else will enjoy this. This book just wasn’t for me.

I have been OBSESSED with this series since the first book it is so dark and raw! A MUST read! Brilliant!