I received an ARC from netgalley.

This is the conclusion of the Illusions Duet. Fear The Wicked is dark and twisted and I actually enjoyed this book more than the first.

Secrets are uncovered that help to explain why Elijah is so evil, this I had been itching to find out. While Jacob makes it his mission to uncover secrets from the past, his evil twin is very busy taking over his church! The nerve of the man! I don't know if I should hit him or pat him on the back for his pure cheek, and the way he pulls people into his sick beliefs. Eve is Elijah’s puppet and she does anything he says, it kind of made me mad, even though I know she's brainwashed.

Four stars!

“Darkness doesn’t settle, it consumes.”

Lily, you are an evil SOB, but holy hell, can you write! Fear the Wicked is such an addicting story of betrayal, malevolence, and penance. This psychological thriller completely engrosses the reader in its wickedness.

“Evil is all around us in this world. It tiptoes down dark alleyways, spreads through the sewers and contaminates our lives.”

Fear the Wicked continues right where Illusions of Evil left off. While the first book focused more on Jacob and Eve, giving us snippets of Elijah’s twisted mind, Fear the Wicked is more centered on the twins lives. Jacob believes he killed Eve and has left the small town and his parish. He is leading a life of sin, using any woman willing to warm his bed for the evening. He discovers a horrific truth about his family’s past and must decide how to deal with the discovery. Meanwhile, Elijah has taken over his brother’s identity and is slowly brainwashing the residents of the town. His evil knows no bounds and will stop at nothing to succeed in its destruction.

Thank you so much for providing me with an ARC, Lily. I loved this duet so much!

Jacob Hayle has abandoned his parish and it’s questionable as to whether he’s also left behind his faith. Looking for answers, he travels to his childhood home hoping to gain insight into his own shadows and also those belonging to his brother.

Jericho “Elijah” Hayle is a man with a mission. Having left behind his past, his vision is about to become a reality. Using effective and inventive ways of manipulation, Elijah’s choices underscore the level and depravity of his vengeance.

What ensues is a steady crescendo that tests the balance of good versus evil between twin brothers. With both having experienced circumstances that would beget the question of faith, their paths deviated taking very different directions. The notion of piety in religion is also a crucial element in the plot separating those that blindly follow and others who maintain their faith despite setbacks.

Told in multiple POV, Elijah’s arc offers dimension to a character that is plagued by injustice but his version of righteousness is quite askew. For Jacob, he further develops and makes conclusions about what defines him and beliefs. When the brothers unite, it is such a telling and intense moment that I just wanted to absorb it all and for as long as possible.

Throughout both books in this duet, my feelings toward each brother shifted many times as I was trying to decipher hidden meanings and the motivation for their actions. In regard to Eve, her character felt the least dimensional but her healing process was realistic. Ultimately, the mysterious and ominous tone adds to the somber plot as the author pulls the reader into a world where good is shadowy and evil is downright tenebrous.

Fear the Wicked is a dark psychological thriller that examines faith and sacrifice taking the facade of wicked and righteous. I recommend!!

First and foremost I would like to praise the woman who is Ms. Lily White, she’s one of my favorite dark romance writer because she never hold back when comes to her telling the story. I always say the grittier the better and that’s why I always gravitate towards her work. I just love the little glimpse that I get into her sick twisted world that when I start to read one of her books I can never put it down. I always end up devouring it in one sitting; she captures your attention and keeps it there until the end. This happened to me when I started to read “Fear the Wicked,” the follow up to “Illusions of Evil.” I couldn’t wait to see the journey she took Eve, Jacob and Elijah on because I knew it was going to have some craziness going on and that’s exactly what she gave us.
There were so many things that revealed this time around that will leave your mouth hitting the floor on more than one occasion. I mean, what was I to expect when it came to the lovely Ms. White. I loved the multi character POV because a lot of times we read stories and we are left with wondering what one of the main characters were going through and with this book I was left with no answers left answered. I enjoyed the suspenseful roller coaster ride that these characters brought us on because it kept me on the edge of my seat. I was left very satisfied and I cannot wait to see what else Ms. White has in store for her readers next.

Edge of you seat page turner every chapter felt like a cliffhanger. Brilliant You feel for all 3 of them Eve aka Sedra, Elijah aka Jeremiah and Jacob.

The twist and turns. My take on religion is simple god forgave us for our sins. He saw the wicked of the world. It was up to you to fight it but not how you think.

How lost people will follow those they believe are stronger, mightier, holier, without second guessing right or wrong.

Either Stand with the Wicked or Fight with all you got not to be tempted into dark. There is always light if your looking in the right places.

WOW...I just finished this book and author Lily White blew me away. Amazing. I really liked Illusions of Evil, book 1 in this duet. But, Fear the Wicked made book 1 seem like child's play. This novel gives new meaning to "wolf in sheep's clothing". But what happens when the wolf is supposed to be the person you trust? The person that is supposed to look out for you?

Fear the Wicked picks up where Illusions of Evil left off. It is told in alternating POV, focusing on our characters, Elijah, Jacob, and Eve. Plans for revenge. Secrets revealed. The true monsters come to light. I couldn't believe what I was reading. It is dark, disturbing, gritty and intense.

Fear the Wicked is thought provoking. Temptation, power, corruption, fear and manipulation, mixed together with secrets, lies and cover-ups aid in the changing of the make-up of who a person becomes over who he might've been. Thus, bringing truth to the adage monsters are made not born. Evil is all around us, hiding in plain sight. Faith is important but blind faith is dangerous. Author Lily White is so skilled in her craft that she actually had me feeling sorry for Elijah. She weaves a tale so crazy and twisted, highlighting how insidious evil can be. But, there is always hope that good will conquer evil.

Fantastic read. Highly recommend. Dark themes and graphic content. Not for the feint of heart. Fans of Lily White and dark stories will not be disappointed.

Riveting!
An all engrossing story, combined with brilliant writing!
The darkness in this book heightened all the other senses and emotions in the best possible way as we emerge into the suspenseful plot of these very flawed characters.
This story begins right where book 1 ends so you can't appreciate book 2 without reading the first book.
Sharp, edgy, raw and gripping. The writing in this story was intense, suspenseful and full of emotion. The plot was complex and rich. A twisted, slow burn, insightful story of repenting, and the final consequences!!
Reading this story felt like I was not only learning more about these very flawed characters, but getting and inside look at a very valuable life lesson.
Told in multiple pov's, the characters came to life as they explained their story.
For me book 2 was more enjoyable because we learn much needed background information about the dynamics of "why" these characters behaved the way the did, and what their final outcome was.
What made them turn out to become complete opposites despite their identical backgrounds. The characters evolved more and demonstrated their complex and twisted reasons for their actions.
All because of one moment!
Revelations were made, secrets revealed, and explanations rendered.
Confession... does it lead to redemption or revenge?
Can we forgive after the ultimate betrayal?

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did book one. It felt too long and drawn out and I found my attention waning quite a few times. I know the author was laying down much needed background, but I found most of the Jacob stuff a bit of a slog to get through. It does pick up at about 80% but that was too late to get me back and fully invested. That said, the writing was still phenomenal. The plot was intricate and engaging. The layers of these characters are slowly peeled back as we get glimpses into their pasts that give clarity to the present. I am not sure what it says about me but I loved Jericho/Elijah. He was the most intriguingly diabolical of the bunch and I was kind of rooting for him. I am not sure what I was rooting for him to do...take over the World maybe (lol), but I found his character entertaining as hell. Again, as with the first, I wouldn't classify this as a romance at all. It was more of a dark psychological thriller with an erotic undertone so there was basically no sex. I was a bit bummed by that, but it didn't affect my rating. Last, it was all wrapped up in an ending that felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic. So yea, not as enjoyable as the first book but still a decent read and a great duet overall. Therefore this one gets a thumbs up from yours truly.

"You think she'll scream?" Eeeeppp I know I did!! lol

Lord have Mercy, this book wassss Twissstttteeedddd!!!! Andddd it was sooo good even though it is effed up!! lol

Lily is at is again with her cray cray story in Fear the Wicked. Yesss this is book 2 and Yesss you really need to read book 1 Illusions Of Evil. This is a Duet so yesss this is your conclusion...no more waiting, both books are out!!!

"We were the same age. We lived under the same abusive hand"

Sooo Fear the Wicked has a lot of back story in it, helps you find out why those boys are soo fucked up and why they do the shit they do. Secrets are revealed, but you have to ride the ride of the twists and turns and who is screwing who. And then when you think you have it figured out, ummm nope, you are Wrong...the rug gets pulled out from under you and then you are on a new path of WAIT...WHAT...JUST...HAPPENED.... LOL

I gave Fear the Wicked 5 iScream Stars!!! What a great read for my dark and twisted lovers!!!