Corrupt (Devil's Night #1) Kindle Edition

This book is disturbing to say the least. You don't like any of the characters but you feel incredibly sad for Rika the main character as she's underaged when the boys start tormenting her and lost, looking to belong. That being said it's a well written and an original book so I really struggled with the rating for this book. Every rating I settled on didn't seem right, so I settled for 4 stars (realistically it's 3.5 if allowed). She was fabulous but the male characters seemed totally immature to me. The story goes... Erika is wealthy, comes from a good family and she is loved by everyone in her hometown. She has a boyfriend, Trevor, a childhood sweetheart the parents had prearranged but she is actually in love with his older brother, Michael. Michael and his friends are feared and respected in their hometown. Michael, Kai, Will and Damon are called the Four Horsemen. They are wild and they like to play pranks. This is the part you'll either love/ find amusing or pathetic in the book, like I said either way it's definitely original. For me it was poor little rich boys just acting out. Erika wants to be noticed by Michael and things go crazy. What was supposed to be a fun Devil's Night, goes very bad for 3 of the boys - I won't spoil why, because the reveal is quite slow in the book.
Three years on and we meet Erika again she has broken up with Trevor, moved away to go to college, but she finds Michael getting in her way. The four Horsemen are back and they have the worst intentions for Rika. The storyline kept me guessing, I have to confess that I really wanted to find out what will happen in the end, although many times I was simply repulsed. The book has darkness looming all through it, sometimes I wasn't sure why, simply for shock value?! - everything between Michael and Erika is consensual, but this is not a romantic book. There is attraction, lust, chemistry, passion but the romance came towards the very end and by then I was not that invested in our couple. Michael felt blah to me while I developed a particular fondness for Kai, he became my favourite. Damon was the perfect villain he was cruel from the start. It's a long book, but there's so much going on it's a compelling read.
Overall, I recommend it. 3.5 Stars from me.

I 'loved it' pops up when you press 5 stars. I wouldn't say 'loved' is the right word - facinated, compelled, conflicted, yes. Corrupt, by Penelope Douglas, pushed against my comfort zone!
The writing contained good descriptions as well as some interesting observations. However, the overall dominant style of Penelope's writing reminded me of the dark, shadowy silouettes of Film Noir. Think...urban setting...undertones...mystery...melancholy...disillusionment...bitterness...downbeat...distrustful...morally flawed...twisted.
Further, on the Film Noir slant, I can't say the characters are well-defined, because essentially, the book relies on a cloudy, vagueness. Who really is the good guy (s)? Well, no one actually, but there were some who were revealed as downright low and evil. Most of the characters were hardboiled and spoke in an emotionally tough way. Sometimes the tone was unemotional and clipped, or has sexual overtones, or innuendo. Warning, some scenes are confronting, but the blurb isn't explicit. There are a few editing errors, but these don't deter from the story.
The plot was well thought out, had twists and was quite Bohemian. Rika, the female lead was initially curious, innocent and naive, but she wanted 'in' to a world of nonconformity and excitement. She was drawn to the 'dark', via Michael who was equally drawn to her. However, all was not sweet and lovely, like in other romance narratives and I didn't always like Rika's decisions. Occasionally, she back flipped...confusing...but, I guess that could be put down to her youth.
Nevertheless, I tried to give a review based on the standard of writing, the circumstances of the characters and their motivations.
This is not my first Penelope Douglas publication. While there were some flavours from her other narratives in this book (and it ended in an HEA), this was certainly a different work altogether - edgier, darker and, well...corrupt.

I finished this one a week ago but just didn't feel ready to write the review. Man!!!.... one word comes to mind - INTENSE. Penelope Douglas has done a great job with this one. Great character development with a little bit of everything; mystery, excitement, sex, intrigue, anger... it's all there. I don't want to give any spoilers but this is definitely worth the read and the emotions that go with it. Good value read that will keep you up all hours.

There is no doubt that 'Corrupt' has the reader turning the page to discover what had happened to set off the chain of events that you find yourself reading.

There is plenty of intrigue and wanting to know what was happening.

The characters are interesting, but things didn't always seem to 'ring true'.

This is certainly worth a read.

3.5 stars from me

This book has a great storyline, something different. Well written, an easy read but with intrigue, you keep reading wanting to know where the story is going and then how will it end? It's a mystery, a thriller, a love story, but not a sweet romance. It's gritty and raw and the story takes you on a journey. Read it you won't be disappointed, from an avid reader of many genres.

Holy smack! This book was AWESOME. It's dark and full of triggers, but MAN I loved it.
The scheming and the drama. The angst and the love.
Man oh man. I could do some more of these kinds of books!

This felt like she is stepping into more adult literature than the Bully series, Penelope is one of my favourite authors, this book had her usual love/hate drama but I felt the intent behind the house scene went too far and was too easily forgiven. Still another great read from an awesome author.

OMG!!!! One of the best books i have read so far.
Absolutely twisted but in all the right ways.