Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Tasha Nicastro lives a life of opulence in the city that never sleeps. Holding onto the status quo, that includes throwing lavish parties, she wants for naught. Above all else, family is everything to her and she'll do what it takes to keep her status and goals aligned. But things start going awry once an old former friend turned nemesis comes back into town. Leo Danesi holds a grudge, one that involves the untimely death of his father of which he blames the Nicastro's for. But when his little sister is nearly taken he finds that Tasha may be the only key to finding answers to this continuing domino effect. When he tries to retrieve said answers, an ambush occurs that results in the death of Tasha's father and eldest sister Amelia. From there, Tasha tries to make sense of figuring who would strike them down, try to come to terms with everything her father hid from her, and grapple with the unwelcome feelings between herself and Leo Danesi, the one she is sworn to hate but cannot help doing the exact opposite.

Y'ALL THIS WAS A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE AND A HALF. If you're into Gossip Girl, The Sopranos, mafia families, thrilling mysteries and an ending that'll make you scream, this is the book for you. The ease in which Cook establishes the setting with the violence and glamour of it all was so breathtaking that I implore you to give this a read immediately. Twist after twist had me wanting more and I still want more! Put this on your radar now!

Was this review helpful?

Tasha Nicastro is extremely wealthy in a town full of wealthy people, and is the undisputed ruler of the social scene at her posh private high school. She lives of life of extreme privilege but suffers her own family issues: her mom abandoned the family, her sister is marrying a guy she doesn’t like, she broke up with her boyfriend because everyone is pressuring them to get married, and her childhood best friend who betrayed her four years earlier is suddenly back in town. It’s a lot for a young woman to handle.

Then her last two remaining beloved family members, her father and her sister, are brutally murdered before her eyes. And she starts to learn that nothing in her life—or her family—is what it seems.

Although I’m a YA fan, I’m new to the genre of YA mobster novels. The writing was engaging, the characters had depth, and the plot was full of interesting twists and turns. The last quarter of the book is a nonstop roller coaster. However, I can’t say I’m a fan of this particular subgenre. I know most YA novels require a significant level of suspension of disbelief, but some of what happened in this novel I just could not get past. That’s not shade at the author; that’s just my personal preference. Any novel in this particular genre needed to have those bits that I couldn’t get past.

For those who enjoy the genre, this is worth a read, especially if you like strong female characters.

This is an honest review based on the book provided by NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

Was this review helpful?

Not gonna lie, I figured out the ending in the first chapter. But this was a plus for me. It was an a great time reading how author Elora Cook managed to get to that ending. I'd say this was more of a New Adult book than YA. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Was this review helpful?

In the Company of Killers is a Gossip Girl x The Sopranos YA drama and let me just say that the vibes are unmatched. The FMC, Tasha, really is the Blair Waldorf type with a mafia heiress twist.

I really thought I had ITCOK figured out but was totally surprised by the ending and would love some sort of sequel. I’m also a tinsy bit obsessed with the rivals to lovers/hate to love trope.

Special thanks to Elora for providing me with an eARC of this book! 🤍

Was this review helpful?

In the Company of Killers by Elora Cook
A dark and gripping thriller, In the Company of Killers delivers a pulse-pounding story of danger, deception, and survival. Elora Cook masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers on edge as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested. With sharp prose and relentless twists, this novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and high-stakes drama.

Was this review helpful?

This book is like if Blair Waldorf and Nate Archibald were rivals from enemy mafia families trying to solve a murder together. The plot of this book sucks you in and is filled with tension, betrayal and suspense.

Set in New York, Tasha's life looks perfect. She comes from one of the wealthiest families, with a father and sister whom she loves and can’t imagine living without, but when her sister and father are murdered at her sister's engagement party, her life completely falls apart and everything she thought she knew was a lie. She ends up partnering with Leo, who is from a rival family and used to be her best friend before his father died, in order to solve what happened to her family because there’s a good chance it’s connected to what happened recently to his family.

This book throws you right into the action from the start and once I started it I didn’t want to put it down. The plot of this book is filled with tension, betrayal and suspense. I thought I had the ending of this book completely figured out but the ending left me speechless. This is such an incredible debut book and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Was this review helpful?

This book was interesting. I wasn't sure how I would like the high school/YA setting for a mafia story. It ended up being pretty much predictable except for the final twist. I truly didn't see that coming... but the ending. I'm confused is this a set up for a second book? As for characterization... the 2 main characters were too wishy washy for my taste. I understand they are teenagers but it just felt unbelievable with some of the choices and plot points being very underwhelming. Mixed feelings but not bad over all.

Was this review helpful?

In the Company of Killers consistently challenged my expectations. It begins by asking us what lies behind the mean girl face. And then it descends into a story of retribution and searching for the truth. But, at the end of the journey, what happens if we aren't ready for it? It's a game of digs, barbs, and winning remarks until it descends into guns, assassinations, and collateral. We are quickly introduced into this world of violence. Can both Tasha and Leo survive not only this world, but each other?

Was this review helpful?

This was everything it promised to be I absolutely loved it! A YA thriller that was fast paced with a twisty plot and a great cast of authentic characters!

Was this review helpful?

Short and Sweet Review

In the Company of Killers follows our main character Tasha as she navigates becoming the new Mob Boss after the death of her father and older sister. Tasha just thought the Nicastro name was powerful but it isn’t until another Mob kills her father and sister that she learns what was really going on behind the scenes. Tasha doesn’t know much about this world so she asks her former friend Leo to help her get revenge on the new mob behind the hit.

I don’t usually read books about the mafia and I think this might have been my first one on the topic, I thought I would venture out and try new things and unfortunately I ended up hating this book. Tasha is our main character and she may have been oblivious about the fact that her family is involved in the mob but she does know that her family has a powerful name and she uses that to be a mean girl and treat those around her as less than. She also wasn’t very bright and most of the decisions she made were infuriating. She would take unnecessary risks and put herself and those around her in danger, her family was killed in front of her eyes and she’s acting like she can go wandering around town without a care and evading her security guards. I’m also not sure why she wanted Leo’s help because whenever he would offer sound advice she would just do the opposite. We also get Leo’s POV and he’s an okay character nothing special but he was better than Tasha. Leo’s father was killed in a hit and he really wants nothing to do with the mob but he’s being forced into the lifestyle by his mom. We see these two try to work together but they always say little things to get under the others skin and then the partnership is off and then a chapter later it’s back on. The romance between the two was a waste of time especially with that ending. Also the mystery about the other mob wasn’t too shocking I had an inkling about what was going on.

Overall, this was a hard book for me to get through. I didn’t like the characters and I honestly just want to forget about this book and the time I spent reading it. I would try to read another book by this author but not if it takes place in the same universe.

Was this review helpful?

If you miss CW shows from the mid-2010s, then In the Company of Killers just might fit the bill. With plenty of socialite drama, lovelorn teens, and questionable family practices, In the Company of Killers keeps you guessing until the very end, even in places you can see where the plot may turn it's a ride in watching it play out. While entertaining, as a reader (and adult) at times you have to suspend your belief at time (that as smart as Tasha is she wouldn't have picked up on her father's profession?). We're going for entertaining, not–maybe, I don't know what rich kids do in their free time–realistic. With childhood friends to rivals to reluctant allies (and lovers?) Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos is a perfect comparison for a socialite teen thrown into the role of leading her father's mafia.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars

The moment I read this book’s description, I knew I had to pick it up. <i>Mafia meets Gossip Girl? </i>Say less. It had all the makings of an addictive YA thriller, but while it delivered in some areas, it fell a little short of my expectations in others.

The story follows 17-year-old Tasha Nicastro, who suddenly inherits her father’s secret mafia empire after witnessing the brutal murder of both her father and sister. Overnight, she goes from a teenager draped in designer clothes and sharp comebacks to the heir of the most feared mafia in New York's underworld while needing to get revenge. But she can’t do it alone. Enter Leo Danesi: the boy who broke her heart four years ago and heir to the second most powerful mafia.

While the premise had so much potential, the execution felt a bit predictable. Every major plot twist—especially <i>the</i> big one—was something I saw coming, which made some moments fall flat. However, what really saved this book for me was the romance. As a die-hard fan of childhood friends-to-rivals-to-lovers (and forbidden romance), I was obsessed. Leo’s devotion to Tasha? Chef’s kiss. I need someone to be that obsessed with me, honestly. And don’t even get me started on the ending—it left me feeling extremely mad . . .

Would I recommend it? If you’re looking for a YA thriller with power struggles, betrayal, and a fierce heroine stepping into a dark legacy, along with a sprinkle of romance this one is worth a read. Just don’t go in expecting mind-blowing plot twists.

thank you netgalley for this e-arc

Was this review helpful?

In YA thriller, IN THE COMPANY OF KILLERS, seventeen-year-old Tasha inherits a mafia after the murder of her family. To solve the crime, she partners with Leo, her childhood crush from a warring mafia, who will either help her navigate the criminal underworld, or put her in a matching grave.

Gorgeous line level writing kept me INVESTED through twist after twist. The romance is sizzling, with the dual-POVs delivering all of the yearning, and Tasha's grief fuelled revenge had me literally sobbing three (3) separate times. The vibes are captured in amazing lines like "The girl I once knew had morphed into a lioness, ready and eager to tear me apart" and "[she] gave him one of her signature foxglove smiles. Of beauty and allure, ready to poison with the slightest taste."

If you love Gossip Girl, you will feast on the glamourous violence and drama.

Was this review helpful?

After having read these violent delights by chloe gong, I was really missing a mafia/mob type story, so this book was right up my alley. The vibe I got from the premise was that it’d be a fun and somewhat mysterious story about two teenagers raised in rival Italian-descent mafia families, and the crazy adventures they get up to living in New York. The storyline was exactly as promised, and it was an enjoyable read. tasha and leo were well-written characters and the plot was fun. Some of the twists were predictable, but this didn’t make it less enjoyable for me. Overall, a really solid mafia teenage romance story.

Was this review helpful?

I was first intrigued by the fan art of this book. I think my teenage or early twenties self would have devoured this story. For me now, in my thirties, it was not my typical style. I gave it a decent rating though because it was nothing against the plot or the writing. The action and adventure was all there, and I hope the author has many more books coming our way!

Was this review helpful?

fun synopsis and strong ideas. i like the romance, although at points the characters feel a hair flat, but in general it's good. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Was this review helpful?

"You shouldn’t question the determination of a teenage girl with a grudge.”

I've been wanting to read a ya mafia book ever since I heard the the genre existed, and I can confirm, we need more of these.

Was this review helpful?

40/100 or 2.0 stars

Despite all the storylines that have been done before leading up to the predictable last twists, I could have forgiven some of it, but that ending was really not good. The writing style itself flowed well, but the overall plot was done before and relies on clueless main characters. I would give the author another try, but I am not interested in continuing in this world, unfortunately. The premise was good, but the execution was not it.

Was this review helpful?

Glamour and betrayal! I love that this book doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s unlikeable characters but in a way you’re rooting for them like you’re watching pretty little liars or sopranos.

Was this review helpful?

In the Company of Killers is a YA mafia drama pitched as Gossip Girl Meets The Sopranos. It follows a teenage mafia heiress named Tasha who lives this life of glitz and glamour who finds out during a tragic, violent incident that her family runs the most powerful mafia branch in New York. Tasha vows vengeance on the mysterious new mob behind the hit, but she needs the help of someone who already knows the underground world to help track them down. And that person is none other than Leo, her former childhood friend now turned enemy, as well the youngest son of her family’s rivals.

I have never read a YA mafia book before, so it was really interesting to read about the mafia world from the perspective of a teenager. I enjoyed a lot of the plot points and the family dynamics. It’s definitely more serious and grounded than a typical mafia romance book. I feel like a lot of mafia romance books can feel very unserious and rely more on the romance tropes, but this felt more like realistic fiction or a family drama than a romance. The cliffhanger left a lot of anticipation for me, and I'm really hoping there is a sequel to this book to tie everything together!

Was this review helpful?