Razor's Edge - American Yakuza III

5 - Stars - Reviewed By Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite

After almost losing Brooke, all Luce wanted to do was nurse her lover back to full health and plot her revenge against Frank. However, that would not be the case. First, a whole new set of family drama erupts when a woman shows up claiming to be Luce's sister, but Luce does not even get enough time to process it before Petrov strikes. Petrov is out for revenge and what better way to ensure the safe return of his family than by kidnapping the Oyabun herself. With Luce missing, a frantic Brooke steps up to fill the leadership void and guide the family in the search for Luce and seeking justice against all who had wronged them. Will Luce and Brooke get a chance to live out the next step of their life that they had only just started discussing, or will it all be foiled by the endless game of retribution with the Russians?

In Razor's Edge: American Yakuza III, Isabella delivers yet another amazing read and a worthy addition to the outstanding American Yakuza series. Isabella has a way of starting her novels with gripping scenes that right away draw you into her world with anticipation, suspense and thrills that last all the way to the end. Whether it is the sweet, sensual passion between lovers or the dark violence between enemies, every scene is captured in a way that makes the story vividly come alive and seduce your mind into this fictitious world of crime, passion, and revenge. Razor's Edge is another fitting addition to the revolving game of vengeance between the Yakuza and the Russian mob. I read the book in one go, and couldn't put it down until I knew how it all played out; Razor's Edge is that captivating.




5 Stars - Reviewed By Melissa Tanaka for Readers' Favorite

Razor's Edge: American Yakuza III by Isabella is the third thrilling novel in the American Yakuza series, which focuses on two women named Luce Potter, a Yakuza crime boss, and Brooke Erickson, a journalist and also Luce's lover. You hit the ground running; readers first find Luce as she's fighting for her life and for escape from a Russian crime boss named Petrov, who has her bound and gagged in an attempt to solicit information from her. Brooke is in recovery mode after suffering a brutal knife attack, which is made worse by security breaches and threats to her life. Naturally, things go from bad to worse, as an apparent long lost sister with a curse tattooed on her body, the kidnapping of a crime boss's wife, and her own kidnapping all make their appearance in Luce's life, while Brooke steps in during Luce's absence to try to piece together the puzzle and save her partner's life.

Although this is the third book in the American Yakuza series, it is readable as a standalone novel, but with the incredible world that Isabella has created, I don't think you'll want to stop at just one! From the moment I picked up Razor's Edge, I knew I was in for a treat. You will find yourself caught up in the lives of Luce and Brooke, rooting for their respective recovery and escape, as well as their happiness. Isabella is an expert when it comes to world building; she takes you deep inside the gritty world that Luce and Brooke live and thrive in with rich and detailed descriptions that make you feel as though you're right alongside with them through every heart pounding, blood rushing moment. A wonderful novel that I very much enjoyed!

5 Stars - Reviewed By Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

Isabella, the author of Razor's Edge, is one very prolific and clever writer. This lady knows how to plot a riveting story, full of action, nasty characters, crime and violence. But at the same time, she knows how to make her key players, in this case, Luce and her lover, Brooke, touch our hearts with their love and sensitivity so that good prevails in the midst of all the mayhem. Razor's Edge will intrigue readers who aren't used to seeing women wear the pants in both personal relationships and in corporate affairs. These are the women with roles and personalities society associates with men. These women are competent, intelligent and tough. They don't buckle or fall apart when the going gets rough. Instead the rougher it gets, the tougher they get.

As the head of the Yakuza organization, Luce is a no BS woman who can match any man. If a man messes with her organization or those she loves, as the evil Petrov and Frank do, the price they might pay is death at the end of a bullet. So too, her lover, Brooke, who initially appears as the softer side of the couple, surprises even Luce as she executes a solution that will bring down both Petrov and Frank and put an end, for the time being, to the turf wars between the two sides. What will be most pleasing to female readers is seeing that the men's usual tools of violence against women are no match for the intelligence of Luce and Brooke!

Isabella has written two previous books about the Yakuza organization that might be worth reading for background on Luce and Brooke before starting Razor's Edge. That isn't necessary to understanding and enjoying this gripping, high tension, cleverly plotted book, but readers might like to know where and how it all began. There is a list of Isabella's books provided at the end of the Razor's Edge. Occasionally, perhaps in the effort to keep the reader guessing, some scene changes and what might have happened between them cause a bit of confusion. And there are unanswered questions at the end of the book too. But perhaps that's exactly what Isabella wanted i.e. is there another book in the series already being planned? Who knows?




5 Stars - Reviewed By Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

Razor's Edge (American Yakuza III) by Isabella is an intriguing suspense novel about a Japanese mob boss. Since her grandfather's recent death, Luce Potter is now head of the Yakuza. Frank was her grandfather's second and defected to Luce's rival, Petrov, the leader of the Russian mob. As an act of vengeance, Frank attempts and nearly kills Brooke, Luce's lover. While staying with Brooke in the hospital, Luce is planning her revenge and retaliation. Before Luce can put her plan into action, she vanishes. Brooke, recently released from the hospital and concerned for Luce, isn't about to let the Yakuza's power waver. Brooke assumes control and starts administering orders. Warily, Sammy, Luce's second, and the others follow Brooke's instructions. She begins by dealing with the newly arrived and questionable family member, who may hold clues to Luce's fate. Also, she is not letting the opportunity to capture Luce's enemies escape her. When the opportunity arises, Brooke orchestrates a plan of attack against their adversaries' leaders. But will Luce ever get the chance to exact her revenge or is it too late for her?

Razor's Edge (American Yakuza III) by Isabella is an enthralling suspense novel. It is a breathtaking story regarding mob rivalry and possibly the beginning of a mob war. The fierce rivalry between the two mobs grows in its magnitude. The torture scenes described are intense, and the executioners' cold and calculating performances gave me the shivers. The lead characters are strong, but I especially admired Brooke's fortitude, though I must say that my favorite character was the dominatrix. This book is perfect for those who are looking for an empowering LGBT novel. I would not recommend this book for anyone under eighteen due to the adult and violent content.

5 Stars - Reviewed By Sefina Hawke for Readers' Favorite

Razor's Edge (American Yakuza III) by Isabella is a fictional intrigue, romance, suspense read that will appeal most to an adult audience. Razor's Edge follows Luce Potter as she tries to survive while still living up to her own code of family, honor, and duty. Luce Potter finds herself struggling between revenge and love. As Luce Potter grapples with the decision that will set her life on one of many paths, she has to also help her lover who only recently survived an attempt on her life. One twist has both Luce Potter and Brooke Erickson questioning themselves as Brooke Erickson ends up at the top of the Yakuza family.

Move over Goodfellas, The Godfather, Once Upon a Time in America, Casino, and The Departed, and make room for Luce Potter and Brooke Erickson in Razor's Edge (American Yakuza III) by Isabella. Razor's Edge is a fast paced romance/intrigue read that pulled me in right from page one. I found that reading Razor's Edge without reading the first or second books in the series left me unsure about some plot points and characters, but the more I read the more I learned about the plot and the characters and everything came together for me like the pieces in a puzzle. Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading Razor's Edge. Luce Potter and Brooke Erickson quickly became my favorite characters because of how they both handled themselves and did not need to rely on a rescue from a knight in shining armor.