
Member Reviews

Seriously I can not say enough good things about this series. This book was the perfect ending for this set of bada$$ warriors and their ladies. It's really hard to say too much without giving away all the action, but I loved how everyone was included and working together.
This is definitely one of those series you will reread knowing you missed some of the juicy twists.
Arc Provided by Net Galley

I love this series so much and was sad to see it end. But Tillie Cole has written the perfect story to end this series and really knows how to write a dark read. This story had so much emotion throughout it just like the other stories within the series. My heart broke for the characters and the hell they have lived throughout their lives. Tillie Cole has become one of my favourite authors and I was nervous going into this story because I was worried it wouldn't be as good as the others because I loved them so much. I don't know why I even bothered being worried because this is a Tillie Cole book we are talking about and if any author knows how to write a highly emotional, dark and angst read Tillie.
This book you will see all your favourite characters and be introduced to new ones to fall in love, which you will. Thank you Tillie Cole for introducing us readers to the Scarred Souls series.

First let me start with , finally we get everything we ever wanted to happen, happens! I just finished and I am a little frazzled right now. I loved this series from Raze to this one Riot. Tilling has a way of drawing you into these deeply personal stories and you are hooked. You hurt because of the atrocities that have occurred to each character . You rejoice when they finally enjoy a little bit of happiness. But in this story you are finally elated when revenge is handed down. This book grips you by the heart and does not let you go until the very end. I will say ain't the beginning it is a tad slow, but just a tad. There is a lot of back story no you sometimes feel like this is more of the same story from the previous books. But each character has been through much of what Ineasa and Ilya have. The methods of torture are the same but 901 is the Masters champion and he wants to keep him in line no matter the cost..
I feel like this is the perfect ending to a series that is gripping and not all that pretty, but most of the best stories aren't. This is a fantastic ending or is it a fantastic new beginning.

This series is dark and devastating but oh so good. I have been super excited to read this book. It is a little difficult to review without spoilers but I will say there is definitely a feeling of finality in this one. As with the previous three books, this book connects new characters with past characters and story points. It is well written and draws the reader into the world.
152 was in book three and we meet her again in the Blood Pit, where in a battle of wills and manipulation 152 is gifted to 901. Blood Pit champion, 901 is tough and focused on staying strong as well as alive. I liked 152 and 901 individually and I liked them together.
There is so much to love about this book.

Holy. Hell.
This book.
Wow. Just wow.
Not gonna lie, I was a little...concerned when I got the ARC for this.
was <i>really</i> worried about not liking it.
While I definitely liked <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1894972744">Ravage (Scarred Souls #3) </a>
I did NOT lurve <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1063327149">Raze (Scarred Souls #1) </a>
Or <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1311377734">Reap (Scarred Souls #2) </a>, for that matter.
Thus, I was very uncertain how this one would go for me.
And, while I would <i>never</i> skew my opinion/review to be higher just because something is an ARC - this is not a dig at anyone else and I'm not trying to suggest others do this - I am talking only about myself...
...I also feel really shitty about negatively rating something I was lucky enough to be given free and early by an author whom I love and admire.
This was me about 20% into this book when I recognized I was <i>really</i> enjoying it:
<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/39/3c/24/393c24b106b3281b6811d407d6557340.gif" width="240" height="180" alt="description"/>
At 50% when I realized I was totally gripped by it:
<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/bb/a1/46/bba146971b78abdc5b60b05a36220975.gif" width="357" height="296" alt="description"/>
And, finally, at 75-100% when I had the realization this was the best thing I had read in a long time:
<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/51/e6/38/51e6388d9f7dcd2c8031dc1ab14c9fb9.gif" width="400" height="274" alt="description"/>
Tillie Cole is just a master at making emotions jump off the page and into your heart.
She also isn't afraid to make you uncomfortable - and to put your characters in positions and circumstances that are going to make you feel uncomfortable.
And not just for the sake of shock value, either.
While so many authors make tragedy or hardship feel empty or like a constantly overblown plot device (that usually falls flat for me), Cole has this ability to capture those moments and make them feel authentic.
Not only that but, in this case, this book was the culmination of the emotions of the three books which preceded it - and I didn't even <i>like</i> two of those books.
So just imagine how much you will love this one if you did.
Needless to say, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to read this, it's definitely going on my "Top Reads of 2017" shelf.
I hope you all love it as much as I did.

This is a bittersweet review for me for a few reasons. Mainly the fact that Tillie Cole's Scarred Souls series is the first Dark Romance series I ever picked up and fell in love with. Raze will always hold a special place in my heart and now Riot has sidled right up next to Raze as two of my favorite heroes ever.
There is beauty in the darkness that Tillie Cole has given us with this series and Riot surpassed what I have come to love about this series, it brought us full circle and out of the dark and into the light. It's brutal, bloody, tear jerking, and painful but it's also hope, passion, friendship and love.
With Riot we thrown into the same darkness that we have gotten with the previous three books but now we are getting an up close and personal look at the Gulag's, the fighting rings that each of our four heroes have broken away from and it's worse than I think we could have ever imagined. Not only are we seeing it from the heroes perspective but we are also seeing how females in the gulags have been treated and it is just as painful as knowing what the men went through, perhaps at times even more so. This is a dark romance so you have to know going in that while you may get that HEA we all crave at the end there is going to be a lot of pain and suffering in the process of getting there. If you have triggers to abuse and rape keep in mind that these two things are not hidden. These are issues that are heavily discussed and visualized and it makes the book what it is, it makes the lightness that comes out of the dark even more beautiful, but it is harsh and it can be hard to read so just keep that in mind before going in.
This is one of those series that if I talk about too much in detail I will take away from your experience so I am not going to do that and I am definitely not going to give anything away that could be a spoiler. The best thing I can tell you is that this story brings everything together. All the pieces fall into place and the battle we have watched coming arrives. The romance between the two main characters is scary, a bit angsty, painful, and (yes I know I keep coming back to this word) beautiful. It's a quiet light in the middle of the loud dark of the gulags. It is the antithesis to all the evil surrounding 901 and 152, it is, in it's darkness, virtuous.
Clearly, when it comes to this story, in fact this series I could wax poetic and if I could have I would have left you a review with one word alone.....BEAUTIFUL. I know you are tired of me using that word and if I had an editor going through my review right now they would have run out of red ink circling that word over and over but I think that what you need to know when you go into this story and this entire series is that despite the pain and tears that will occur with each book, each book ends with a beauty that will light you from within and Riot is the culmination of all the darkness being beaten back so that the beauty of life and love can shine through. It is the redemption of broken souls and the truth of love.
I would shout to every reader that this series is worthy of your time and devotion. These are not standalones, you need to read them from beginning to end and in order but you will never regret putting in the time. Just one last reminder that these are dark romances even though I use the word beautiful to describe them that beauty comes at a price so go in prepared. Grab yourself some tissue, a good strong drink of tea or vodka and settle in becuase once you start you aren't going to want to let go. I know how everything ends and I am still not ready to let go of this world and these characters. They will always be with me for their strength and love and I hope that when you are done you feel the same way.
~ HAPPY READING ~

I really enjoyed this book. It has a good story. Plot keep me interested and wanting to get to the end. Writing was smooth. Even though there are 2 books before this, it can definitely be read as a standalone.

I have been sitting on this book for awhile. I had to get my head ready for the story that I knew would take me where it was bleak. I knew this book was going to be dark and intense. I found it exciting finish to the series. After years of being in the dark for these men and some of the women they all found their light.
Was not disappointed with this story. Sitting on edge for the happy ending that I hoped would come.

I cannot give this book enough stars... OMG I was so happy when I received this ARC
I am in awe of this author. She can tell a story so vividly that it will seem you are in the book. That is what happened to me when I was reading this book. I felt like i was in the Pit with 901 and that I was right there while 152 was being beaten and abused. Totally broke me apart Tillie Cole
This story was about 152 who is Valient's sister who read about in the previous book. She has been elevated to High Mona status as the Master has become obsessed with her. So you would ask then why abuse her and hurt her.
Because 901 was his best warrior in the pit and not afraid of anything. Had no ties no emotions so Master couldn't use anything against him. So he decided to use 152 and even though 901 didn't want that emotions with her he couldn't help himself.
Two people in the most terrible circumstances and the most horrible things done to them finding some little happiness with each other.
This book will make you see what terrible things people are capable of and also how people can find happiness in the most terrible of places.
Beautiful, he had said. Krasivaya. 901 thought me beautiful. And he had told me so in Russian. In the language of our hearts. The Language of our home. I smiled as his chest brushed my breasts. I smiled as I looped my arms around his strong neck. Because I also thought this deadly warrrior was Beautiful. He was simply... more
This series was an awesome experience and I think my most darkest read.

Riot is my favorite out of this series, it could be because all the characters from the previous books played a part in Riot as well or it could simply be because it’s based on the female’s story versus the male, like the first 3 book of this series. To be honest I was hooked from Raze (#1) but in the 2nd and 3rd books it almost felt repetitive even though the characters had their own story to tell, however Riot wrapped up this series spectacularly and I loved the way it concluded. As always, the author’s writing is phenomenal and you find yourself drawn to the characters as usual.
Even though I mentioned the previous characters are a part of 152 and 901’s story, it did not once feel like they were overtaking it. The author did an amazing job in closing the Scarred Souls series without taking the light off the main characters.
I recommend reading them in order even though they could be read as standalones. I feel like in order to truly understand and enjoy it, reading the entire series will give you a better picture of the pain they endured both physically and mentally in order to survive.

This was so so good.
The quest for freedom and the forbidden love!
Really good.
Fantastic for fans of dark romances.

Wow- HOLY MOLY!!!! What an amazing ending to an equally amazing series.
From the very first book I read, I was fascinated by the idea of present-day gladiators. Human beings conditioned to be killers, fighters, and berserkers. Alpha males that felt so much RAGE in their blood that only ONE human could calm their volatile nature - their female.
I followed their journey from blood pits and fighting rings to their new lives and now to their well-earned peace. RAZE, REAP, RAVAGE and now RIOT. The journey was bloody, filled with pain, and unimaginable horror but also heart-achingly beautiful.
Tillie Cole wrote books that stayed with me for more than a day. They lingered. Now, after I read the conclusion it's hard to imagine that this incredible series finally came to an END.
In RIOT, two people who were utterly alone for most of their life, crossed path in the most horrible circumstances and realized they were more than just numbers.
When 152, a pleasure slave, was pushed into 901's cell, events started to unfold that neither could have ever imagined.
901, a cold-blooded killer, uncaring, undefeated, with no discernible weakness was his Master's priced possession, until 152 came along. As the renowned champion 901 knew his value and rattled his Master's cage by refusing to play by the rules. To give him a weak spot, his Master found a way to make him comply by giving him the pleasure slave.
901 didn't want to have anything to do with her and refused to give in, even so 152 was his for the taking. 901 understood, having a female for himself meant a weakness that could be exploited. But when he saw her suffer from the drugs in her bloodstream, it weakened his resolve, and he allowed himself to give her the release she so desperately needed.
Day after day 152 was brought to him, and gradually something deep in him changed.
Still, at the mercy of their Master, both were vulnerable to his machinations and helpless in regards of what was coming.
Even so they found each other at the darkest of times, they accepted their bleak destiny, but that didn't keep them from dreaming about a life together.
Meanwhile in the States, former fighters Luke, Valentine and Zaal, were planning an escape that would finally bring peace to all of them. The question was, would anybody still be standing afterwards.
This book was fascinating, spellbinding, and a nail-biter. It all came to an END and the author couldn't have written it any better. Fast paced with vibrant scenes that jumped off the pages, while deeply emotional and heart-achingly beautiful. RIOT had it all!!!!
It was hard to say goodbye. I just hope that whatever the author writes next will be as captivating as the Scarred Souls turned out to be.
4 stars
this review will be posted on February 19th, at that point I will update the links to reflect my blog, Twitter and GR. Amazon will be updated on release day.

Oh, I found this story so hard to read. Not that it wasn't explosive and entertaining and adventurous just as the last 3 had been - but dealing so directly with Inessa's sexual assaults was just very difficult. I think that's a tribute to the author, to make it so real it hurts; and I applaud her for her incredible talent. The story was raw, it was heartbreaking and harsh and even the happy parts had such a gloom hanging over them that it was hard to appreciate. I spent the entire book waiting for the next shoe to drop. Again, clearly this was purposeful by the author and so well written that you didn't even realize you were on pins and needles, racing through the story to see how it ends until it was done. These characters were fabulous, and I loved how the series tied off all its loose ends and brought everyone in for a (somewhat) happy ending.

Post goes live 17 Feb
Words couldn't begin to express how excited the Scarred Souls series makes me. Riot is book four and I have yet to find a single chapter in the entire series that falls under the category of boring. Every word the author has put in this series reaches out to the reader, pulling them into this dark world. Often I find I don't even realize how dark the scene was till I am past it because I was totally engulfed in the emotions pouring off the page.
Each book could be read as a stand alone but seriously why would you want to do that? I strongly advice you jump on book one and buckle up for a ride of a life time. The evil is vast, the humanity is strong even in situations when humanity was meant to be destroyed.
901 is the male character that will steal your heart. His life is no longer his own, Master has taken everything from him, except his honor. As the champion fighter for the Master's organization, the only rule to the fight is the winner must stay alive. When Master wants to solidify his reputation and make more money he demands for 901 to appear weak before the kill. 901 will never go for that. He has deprived himself of affection or lust from women, he has numbed his emotions, crushed his own dreams and refuses to hope, which wasn't as hard as it sounds since he is fed drugs every day to maintain the power over him.
The one thing that won't die is his honor, he will not be weak for anyone. This is when the plot thickens because the only weapon the Master has is his personal Mona named 152.
As you can see now the slaves under the Master and his sister, are drugged and their past identity is removed. 152 wakes up in a luxurious room with her own chiri which is the lowest level slave/servant. When 152 becomes fully aware of her surroundings, she is told that she has been promoted to be Master's sex toy, she will be drugged with new drugs that will make her body crave the Master and be more malleable to his every wish.
What comes next will leave you gripping your kindle, rapidly reading each page so you can find out what happens next. With an outside war ready to be waged against the Master, will they help 901 and 152 escape or will it be too late? 901's biggest crime was letting the Master know his trick to weaken him only lead to his devotion to the mona that the Master doesn't want to share. There is so many epic qualities to this series. It will be a set of books that I will be reading over again, assured that I will once again find things I missed the first time because I was lost in the plot.

Finally they get their ending to it all. It was good to see everyone happy and doing well from prior books. In this book, we are brought to the blood pit and to a new master. Drugs were used to erase her memory, as well as a drug making her needy for sex, which she must have relief or it becomes painful. I had issues with her being drugged and raped. I had a difficult time getting into this story and staying interested while reading it.I just found myself not being invested in this one. This story felt darker than the other ones in this series. Despite horrible circumstances, these two fall in love with one another and cannot be without one another. I could feel their love for one another.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Here it is.....the conclusion.
Where it all ends.
Master Arziani.
The Blood Pit.
Raze. Reap. Valentin.
The Scarred Souls.
In this book we meet 901 and 152 (Inessa, who we met when she was much younger).
In the Blood Pit 901 is a god. Possibly the most conditioned out of all the characters from this series.....but not in other ways...he knew was what was going on and I think that was worse.
'For the briefest of moments, life pumped back into my dead heart. For a split second it made me feel alive. And in that short second, I was reborn.'
152 now has the elevated status of High Mona to Master Arziani (and that is not a good thing). Drugged, abused and used. But maybe one good thing comes from it?
You find love in the most unlikely of places. And this series proves that. So raw, so sweet, so innocent and so beautiful.

Riot is the fourth book in Tille Cole’s Scarred Souls series. I haven’t read the other books in the series, but that wasn’t a problem. Cole gave enough background information about the other books and characters – without turning it into an information dump – that I wasn’t lost. To be perfectly honest, I don’t know if I would have made it to the finale had I read the previous novels. Not because the books aren’t well written because they are. No, because these stories are brutal. Although the blood pits don’t exist to the extent indicated in Riot (at least I hope not!), there is enough slavery and all-around bad sh*t in the world that a reader can’t help but get depressed about the cruelty that exists in this off-kilter world we currently live in. But there is also hope and white knights in the form of killer fighters and – if we’re really lucky – love.
I fell in love with the gentle giant - 901. His character development kept me flipping pages even as I cringed with each punch and drop of blood. 152 was a less interesting character, but considering what she had endured, she was amazing. I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. The suspense and action really kicked up in the second half of the novel, but if I told you about that, I’d have to kill you. Not really, but I would have to include a spoiler alert. Trust me, just give Riot a chance.
I highly recommend this novel to romance readers who like an intense story. Warning – If you need a trigger warning, this book is not for you.

4 stars
Warning :
If you don’t like grunting and fighting male.
If you can only stand badass heroine fighting alone…
This book will not be for you.
BUT
If you love big tattooed and scarred males, muscles bulging and fighting for their life, ready to kill anyone threatening their female.
If you can commiserate with a female having lived her whole life as a sex slave, never knowing anything else and being just a toy to other males…
THEN you’ll be a happy reader!
This is the fourth book of this series. I’ve read the first two books so far and will tackle the third one as soon as I can.
I must confess this one was the hardest to read. The female 152 in this book is drugged to feel the need to have sex. And she is used and abused by Master. That was really hard to read at times. As a woman I could easily relate with her.
901 has been abducted as a kid. He is orphaned and has no memories of his life “before”. Here he is Master’s champion. Pit of blood’s Pit Bull.
“Because I was the Russian Pit Bull. The collector of souls. This was my domain. The Blood Pit was my arena. And I’d fight until the end.”
Alone. Always alone. He does not want to have feelings for others. It makes you weak and Master can dominate and manipulate you. The last think he owns is his pride and he’ll never truly bow to Master.
Master Arziani is insane. He must be bipolar hitting Inessa one moment and kissing her the next. He sees himself as a modern emperor.
“I am the only male on the planet who has this as his kingdom.” He gestured with a sweep of his arm, then continued, “A Caesar for the modern age. An empire built on strength and skill. A gladiatorial Rome right here in Georgia. An arena where we root out the gods from the men. The arena where my word is law, where lives are saved or taken by the simple flick of my wrist.” So they’re plotting and preparing.
Master is also obsessed with 152 who is Inessa, Valentin’s sister (you have to read the other books to understand all, sorry guys). He’s made her his High Mona and is really possessive with her but completely deranged. The poor girl was beaten , abused and then kissed. Try to stay sane!
Inessa is a gentle soul. She is gorgeous, shy and generous. She is not the kind of heroine fighting and kicking because she’s been conditioned to be pliant. And she needed to obey if she wanted to survive.
I can’t say that’s my favorite kind of heroine but I could totally relate with her and like her.
901 on the other hand is my kind of hero. I’ve a soft spot for powerful alpha male and he checked all the right boxes.
There is no complicated plot. This is not the book’s purpose. What’s taking center stage is 152 and 901’s relationship. And it is just moving.
They are two lonely souls “not free” never hoping to find something beautiful in this Hell. And yet together they created happiness.
“901 froze, then with watery eyes, he repeated. “Happy. Together, we make happiness.” I smiled. I smiled freely and uncaged.”
Of course it’s not been a smooth sail, far from it. 901 will resist 152’s appeal as he knows Master wants to play with his head gifting him the gorgeous female. He does not want to surrender his pride. But when he’ll fall for her and get his first loving touch… I was all teary eyes. I know I’m a big baby sometimes but yes my heart broke for the lonely male. It’s 100% cliché but it worked perfectly well.
“But I am choosing to be with you. I am choosing you as my first. Despite the other males I was forced to be with. Despite Master. You will be the first in my heart. The only one I have given myself to freely . . . with no drug forcing my hand.”
152 and 901 are not the only main characters in the story as Valentin, Zaal and Luka still want to rescue Inessa and eradicate Master.
Will they succeed?
Will 152 and 901 find their HEA?
You’ll just have to read it. No telling!

Whew! I feel like I can shake out my limbs and relax now. This is one of those series that you just can't wait to dive in, yet you're nervous to start. It's such an amazing story of the ultimate underdog. These men are warriors, fighters, unbelievably strong men who are enslaved by one weak man. You want them to break their chains so badly. I tense up from the beginning til the end when I can finally breathe again.
The author had me falling fast for these killing machines and rooting for their victory. The best victory of all is the love they found that made them fight for their lives. There is nothing better than to see someone who has lived so much tragedy get their happiness in the end.
Amazing book. Amazing series. Amazing author. ARC provided by NetGalley.