Savages had one of the worst and most melodramatic of endings that I have ever read in a gritty crime book. The Kings of Cool ends on a much more satisfying note. It works as a prequel by adding depth to most of Savage's characters except O. So better characters and better ending will translate to a better rating though the writing still irritates me. Rating - 3/5 Honestly, after reading this, I can't believe this book was anywhere near as good as it was. In fact, it was down right awesome. Conran managed to build in one lesbian scene, no doubt for the pleasure of the voyeurs among her readers. I wouldn't have missed it if it hadn't been there.

Words from that scene,like the ones that follow, made me wonder just how less they applied to a heterosexual encounter: " Above all, because of each woman's [read: person's] intimate knowledge of the female [read: and male] anatomy, their unspoken feelings were gently recognised and shared..." Shirley Conran is the ex-wife of British designer, restaurateur, retailer and writer Sir Terence Conran. She is the mother of designers Sebastian Conran and Jasper Conran. A bestselling author in her own right whose most memorable books include Lace and Superwoman. Fleming, Mike (February 10, 2011). "Oscar Nominee Jennifer Lawrence In Talks For Oliver Stone's 'Savages' ". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 19, 2012.This quote : "Sad fact of Life - Smart people sometimes get stupid, but stupid people never get smart. Never. Ever." (p. 19)" Smut was good of course but some of it just felt like TOO much. Like the dirty talk at parts were kind of cringe. I also felt like I had to push through several parts of the book because it felt like too much story telling and never getting to the actual point. The overall story just really fell short for me compared to other books. I knew before starting this book that Gage was somehow still going to be very much ALIVE. So ending the last book on that hangover was kinda…eh. Expected. We all knew this.

Returning from a sail in time to see the massacre, the women escape into the jungle, where survival in the jungle skills came in hand, albeit slowly and painfully. The ship's captain teaches them, but his death leaves the once shy Annie in charge of the rest: Silvana, Patty, Carey, and Suzy, all rich and pampered women used to the Hollywood glamour and glitz. It's an age-old debate, not be rehashed here, but basically-Ben believes that to answer violence with violence only begets more violence, while Chon believes that to answer violence with nonviolence only begets more violence, his evidence being the entire history of humanity.Having said that, this is an awesome series. It has been described as Den Of Vipers meets Mafia and sleeps with your favorite Bully/Academy. It is that and so much more. This series is four books long so we really get to know each of the characters well. All the nuances of their personalities, fears, old hurts, loves, etc. This was a pleasure because Ms. Ashwood weaves a marvelous tale that is driven not only by action and sex but by the wonderful, strong, female character and her four man harem.