Lawless (Steel Demons MC Book 1)

Incredible world-building, character development, a h I can get behind, a MC with a alpha-hole president, and Hs that bring different traits to the table and balance each other out."Sons of Anarchy meets The Handmaid's Tale" sounds about right. Dystopian future where the US Government has collapsed and states/provinces/territories are constantly at war to defend (or expand) their borders and 'topple the king' uprisings change who's in power. Leading up to "The Collapse" (the event), human rights were being stripped away, particularly for women and BIPOC. "Post-Collapse" there are no rights, laws, or protections that can be counted on, it's whoever is ruling the territory at the time for the law (or outlaws) of the land. Peoples' experiences leading up to and following the Collapse varied depending on where they were located, who was running their area and the state of the border wars, what privilege and protections were afforded to them, and what baser natures came to the surface. Everything devolves into lawlessness, predators vs prey, and in continual survivor-mode more so than living."The Collapse seemed to bring out the worst in everyone. Self-preservation became the only goal at the forefront of everyone's mind, which ironically, only led to more widespread suffering."The story follows Mariposa, who was in school for her nursing degree when the Collapse happens. She makes it to graduation just before her local capitol is taken over and the new powers-that-be have forbidden women from holding any kind of medical license. She leaves East Texas to head West, bartering her medic skills and services for food, shelter, and supplies on her trek. She hopes to find a women's group or community that she can feel safe in or at least practice her nursing degree, providing medical aid to others, without fear of being imprisoned. Mariposa is a healer, not a fighter, but she's smart, fearless, and compassionate.Our FMC (Mariposa or Mari) stops for a layover at a service center (I thought of it like a saloon with room and board, food, prostitutes called "service girls", and other services/trade depending on the location and who is there) near "Old Phoenix", where she trades her medic services for two week's room and board and also helping out the kitchen staff and cleaning. This is where our FMC meet the officers and small group of Steel Demons MC, as this service center is one of their regular stops for R&R on a supplies route. Mari has plenty of reasons to distrust and fear the MC given the rumors and general state of societal depravity.MCs in this future are more like gangs than "clubs for enthusiasts", but the Steel Demons totally have a SOA vibe, and I love it! Some MCs have more autonomy than others, but are often used by the local powers-that-be in a disposable way."Why is their president called Reaper?" ... "Because seeing his club is a death omen. The minute you hear their bikes in the distances, someone's time is up." ... "The Steel Demons control the southwestern desert... and they didn't do that by asking nicely. Wherever they go, hell follows."The FMC is kidnapped by the Steel Demons MC president, and she fears the worst. The not-so-spoilery-spoiler is that she finds things that she didn't think she would have again in this lifetime like friends, love, and hope for a better tomorrow. Her new fear is a broken heart. Mari is learning MC life and figuring out her place (what she wants and could she really call this her new home). The MC discovers a new threat/enemy to them, which becomes a major part of the plot carrying into the next book.Multi-POV in this book is done really well. Even when it overlaps a scene, so you read it from two perspectives, I found that it was additive, not repetitive. Multi-POV adds great depth and dimension to the characters and the world-building. If we only saw things from the FMC POV, we would only have her assumptions, perceptions, and experiences to go off of, and with a story like this I think that would be very limiting and multi-POV is a richer experience for the reader. Each character does read uniquely, which I love and is a sign of a strong writer IMO. I also really liked how each character POV had a unique icon accompanying their name at the chapter headings. The author also does a really great job of developing things through actions and experiences, not just stating things at you.The Hs: Reaper, Jandro, Gunner, Shadow - I grew to love them each for different reasons, definitely gain more depth from their POV chapters.This is a slow-build RH, meaning the harem and relationships build over the series. You pretty much know who is going to end up in it, but I love seeing the relationships build over time. There's insta-attraction in this one, but not insta-love or insta-hookups. I'd rate it as a slow-medium burn (picks up in later books); when it does happen it is damn steamy, but it's not a major focus of the book. There is actual relationship building between the characters and lots of intimacy that's cuddling, nuzzling, or touching that is affectionate without going further. And there's a lot of world-building and actual plot going on. Can't say enough of how much I loved this!!

*Update after finishing series*Unfortunately I’m one of those people who has to know how a book/series turns out once I get to a certain point…. And I hate myself so much for it 😒😒😒I’ve been struggling through this series since book 4.I know you’re saying*well it’s your fault for continuing to read them* and you’re absolutely right. I have no one to blame but myself….And well Mari because she’s the WORST FMC IVE EVER READ IN MY LIFE‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️I read over 350 books last year….I’m at 224 this year and I’m not exaggerating when I say Mari is the WORST character I’ve ever read in my life. I’m genuinely confused as to how this series has such good ratings.Everything I’ve ever heard about these books was about this bada** fmc and hot biker dudes…Could not be more wrong… well the biker dudes are actually hot and the only thing helping this painful situation.Mari thinks she’s so valuable and she’s NOT. Yeah cool… we get it… you’re a medic.. that’s admirable… but it doesn’t compensate for how weak she is and EVERY OTHER aspect!!!She walks around beating her chest (metaphorically) about how she knows so much about everything medical and then turns around and does something that’s (medically) hazardous to her health….This scene for example.. a medical tent is attacked and here’s how she reacts 👇🏼👇🏼*no spoilers other than knowing a tent gets attacked 😒*“The doctor’s arms banded around me, pulling me back once he realized I fully intended to run into that tent, which had now collapsed into a wide circle of flames. The blaze didn’t reach very high, but the fire was spread out. I could see some of the metal frames of the hospital beds and shelving we used. Flames just engulfed everything, covering shapes of every size. I couldn’t even tell what was equipment or a person, and that made me scream a heart full of rage and pain at the carnage right in front of me.“Mari? Mari!”Someone was shouting my name, growing louder by the second. Dr. Brooks loosened his hold on me just a fraction and I tried to seize the chance to run into the fire, but he held on tighter when he sensed me pulling away.”So she’s a super important medical personnel….. extremely valuable because of her skills (sarcasm)… yet she’s fighting to run into burning flames even as she recognizes the tent is beyond saving and there’s nothing she can do??? 🤔🤔Yeah that makes TOTAL sense…Which brings me to my next point… the author uses the characters to TELL us how we’re supposed to be feeling instead of laying the scene out for us and leading us there organically.I assume the above scene was supposed to demonstrate Mari being in shock to a point she was willing to run into the flames instead of just standing there to watch… but she yells at EVERYONE for doing anything half as dangerous if it can harm them…..The author advertises Mari as being SO smart… until it suits the story for Mari to be dumb… and she’s dumb A LOTTTTT.Nothing, and I do mean nothing, feels natural. It’s a lot of *oh man that’s probably really important. I should definitely tell someone. But wait… I really need to deal with this totally unimportant thing right now. I’ll just tuck the really important thing away for later*🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄And the amount of contradiction is PAINFUL!Scene:One of Mari’s men tells her she needs to stay back or with one of the guys to stay safe.Mari scoffs, offended at the implication she needs one of her men to guard and protect her…Then THE VERY NEXT SCENE…*oh no!! Mari is being taken!! No she can’t be taken or die! I can’t live in a world without her in it!* and needs to be saved by one of her men 🙄🙄It’s forced drama and happens MULTIPLE times.Give me a freaking break. I have NEVER… I mean NEVER hated a FMC as much as I hate Mari.Original review below—————Considering this is a lengthy series, we’re not given too much in this first book, but I consider that to be a good thing.You don’t want to be bombarded with information too fast. All that does is leave you feeling overwhelmed & like you missed something.This was enough to have me hooked on the characters, itching for more plot, and ready to dive into the next book!!——————I love Hades & Horus!! 😍😍Loved Gunner’s playfulness. He’s like a big kid, but in the endearing way, not the childish one.I’m SUPER interested in finding out more about Shadow and what events lead to him being the person he is now.&& of course no one can resist Reaper 😈.——————My ONLY negative is Mari 😒.I understand her initial impression of the MC, & even why she continues to keep her guard up, but the difference between what she says and what she does is TOO obvious to accept her continued (verbal) denial of the situation she’s in.Not to mention she didn’t know what a Prospect was? It’s supposed to be like year 2100… zero way she hasn’t seen an MC movie or show pre-Collapse.She’s too naive and whiny to be likable for me right now. BUTTT‼️‼️‼️‼️I believe these rather annoying traits of hers are a set up to make her redemption that much sweeter 😈.Not to mention the story line has too much promise to stop now.Ok….ON TO THE NEXT ONE 🏍🐾🦅

I was a little hesitant to start this series but I’m so glad I did. All the men are so interesting, and the entire setting/time of this world is different than any I’ve ever read. It’s original with spurts of our reality sprinkled in which makes me funny to consider. There’s definitely elements of mystery, violence, chemistry, and so much more in it. Each man carries his own personality and I love that it’s from all POVs. This was just the beginning of what’s seeming to lead to a really good storyline

I loved this book so much that I couldn't put it down. I read it in less than 12 hours. I definitely recommend this. The only problem I had wad they use OLD ladies instead of the correct trem Ol or OLE ladies, but that seems to be every MC book.

wish i could find men like these

I can’t wait to read book two. I read loved the characters and everything about this book. It gives me divergent vibes but nothing like it. I don’t know how to explain it. But I highly recommend this book especially if you like multiple partner relationships.

I had never read any books by Crystal Ash before but I saw that the reviews for this one were good and it was recommended to me by a friend so I grabbed a copy.The main character is newly qualified Nurse, Mariposa Wilder who lives in the 22nd century. Unfortunately for Mari, just as she completed her Nurses education The Collapse happened and it changed everything. Government no longer exists in the US and anarchy now rules, which means that Mari’s qualification is not recognised and the world is a dangerous place, especially for women. Mari ends up working as a medic for a notorious Motorcycle Club, against her will. The main people we meet from the MC are Reaper, the president, Jandro, the VP, Gunner, the man that makes the deals and Shadow, the dark and scary one. All these men are deadly and Mari finds herself getting closer to them all as she understands them better.OK, so the general facts of the story were not great, a newly qualified medic that can apparently perform surgery and diagnose diseases…? And the fact that these guys kidnap Mari and she falls heavily into lust with them….? I don’t know. I know this is a RH story but I kinda wanted more story, story with a backbone. Mari is annoying, she is a strong medic with a good moral compass but just goes to pieces when one of the guys looks at her. That was frustrating. Animals and people with superpowers, a guy that is afraid of women, stereotypical male characters that all need Mari….The pace of the book was good and the sexual tension was really drawn out and acts as an encouragement to buy the rest of the series as not much happens in this first book. What does happen was well written, although not unexpected. I'm pretty sure I could predict what happens in the rest of the series.‘Lawless’ was presented to me as a post-apocalyptic reverse harem biker romance advertised as "Sons of Anarchy meets The Handmaid's Tale" and, as I have read and watched both of those titles, I can say that that is very far from the truth. I am sure this is fine if you want a quick, easy read with no real depth (which a lot of this genre of books are) but I just wanted a bit more. I probably won’t bother with the rest of the series.

I didn't hold much hope that this would be any good, but the premise interested me and actually it turned out to be pretty decent. This post apocalyptic world is decently fleshed out. The main Characters are likeable and interesting and there is a genuine adventure story line with danger brewing that leads you into wanting to read the next book. Now considering this is a RH, I was pleasantly surprised by this fact. I'm not a particular fan of RH. I rarely find ant real romance I them and the focus is always on getting to the spice and that means little attention to character building or even proper character introduction. All we need to know is: His big, his gorgeous and he has mussels...... booooooring!! and god forbid you wonna know what's going on outside of the bedroom. So imagine my surprise when this book is a proper slow burn. By the end, I understand the world & I understand the players before anyone jumps in the sack... but don't worry, there is a fair amount of tension building steamy moments building up to it. Im just happy to report Lawless has a little more substance than the average RH. When you say "I read it for the story line" it might actually be true 🤣

Writing this review after reading the whole series.Really enjoyed this series. It’s really well written with well developed characters with distinct personalities. A strong female lead who’s allowed to be vulnerable and compassionate without it compromising her strength. Men who are also strong and tough with ruthless streaks but inherently good.It’s RH but all parties are fully happy with that. Some RH books I’ve read portray the men as not wanting to share but being so in love with the woman they’ll take whatever they can get which I really don’t like. But there’s none of that in this series, those who join the harem are truly happy with the situation.The only very minor irritation I have is the Doberman being shown on the covers with cropped ears. He was found as a tiny puppy, ear cropping is a significant surgery that needs to be performed by a trained vet. And his tail is also described as being docked. How’d they manage that in a dystopian world?! Given the unnecessary cruelty of ear cropping and tail docking and the fact that he was found so young and there is little to no vet care it would have been nice to see him as a completely natural Doberman, with floppy ears and a long saggy tail as intended!

The idea was intriguing and it was recommended in a reading group im in but this is awful. The FMC is just laughable, the world has completely devolved and she is still a simpering idiot - couldnt take her seriously at all. So many things happen which are just unbelievable...surgery to remove an ovarian cyst by a recently qualified medic who wanted to be a midwife...a dog which can run alongside a motorcycle. The main character is afraid of these men and yet when she goes on a run she decides its a good idea to get into a bikini and lounge around a pool which of course leads to her being in a less than ideal situation. Cant believe this got good reviews

I am writing this review after completing the whole series (NO SPOILERS)Set in the early 22nd century, this is a post-apocalyptic future where the United States has become a lawless place after the Collapse. Men are fighting over the different territories and women no longer have rights and have become property.The main female lead is Mariposa, who qualified as a nurse on the same day women were banned from holding a medical licence. Fast forward 3years and she has been travelling as an unlicensed medic, primarily giving medical treatment to women. Mariposa is kidnapped by the Steel Demons MC and forced to work as their medic. Mariposa quickly learns that although the MC are ruthless, they are loyal to their brothers with strong family values. The story is told through the point of view of the 5 main characters: Mariposa, Reaper, the Steel Demons President, Jandro (VP), Gunner (arms dealer and captain of the guards) and Shadow (enforcer).They are all strong characters who have their own unique personalities that develop throughout the series, along with their animals, Hades, Reapers dog and Horus, Gunners Falcon.Post-apocalyptic, MC, reverse harem, paranormal series that keeps you hooked through to the last book.(After reading the Steel Demons MC I recommend 'Their Property: Sons of Odin MC' a spin-off of the Steel Demons series)