My The Ritual Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
The Ritual by Shantel Tessier throws readers into the shadowy, seductive world of Barrington University’s secret society, the Lords. Here, power is the only currency—and brutal initiation rituals, sexual “rewards,” and fierce loyalty define status. Ryat Alexander Archer is a senior Lord groomed for dominance, and as part of his initiation, he chooses Blakely Anderson, the seemingly privileged but yearning-for-freedom student, as his “chosen one.” What follows is a plunge into dangerous games, coercion, and twisted intimacy, as Blakely is drawn into rituals that blur the line between pleasure and submission. Ryat’s initial control morphs into genuine obsession, while Blakely discovers a dark side of herself she never anticipated. As they struggle with threats, betrayals, and haunting secrets, the story explores the illusion of freedom, the price of power, and whether real love can exist in a world built on manipulation and fear.
Why I Love This Book
I love how The Ritual unapologetically swan-dives into its own darkness. The forbidden, high-stakes relationship between Ryat and Blakely is combustible—with emotional and physical tension that’s both thrilling and deeply uncomfortable. Tessier delivers an immersive world brimming with secrets and dangerous allure, keeping the pace ferociously fast and the atmosphere always at a simmer. The book’s strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: characters are messy, morally gray, often cruel, and occasionally vulnerable in ways that feel honest. It blurs boundaries—of power, desire, and consent—forcing characters (and readers) to confront the messy intersections between freedom and control, pain and pleasure, love and possession. The writing is punchy and addictive, the plot never lets up, and every twist ups both the stakes and the spice. It’s a wild, provocative ride you won’t easily forget—perfect for those who want their romance dark, dangerous, and daring.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy dark romance, secret societies, power dynamics, forbidden love, and off-the-charts steam, The Ritual will hook you from the first chapter. It’s a must-read for fans of morally gray heroes, explicit romance, and suspenseful thrillers where stakes are as high in the bedroom as they are in the broader narrative. The story doesn’t shy from explicit content, violence, and mature themes, so it’s best for readers who are comfortable with taboo topics and bold, unapologetic storytelling. If you’re looking for a college romance that is as much about survival and control as it is about passion, this book was made for you.
⚠️ Trigger warning: Includes graphic sex, sadomasochism, BDSM themes, coercion and dubious consent, assault, violence, and psychological manipulation. The author includes an extensive trigger warning—please check before reading if you’re concerned about these topics.
Tagged As
dark romance, college romance, secret society, initiation rituals, power dynamics, explicit romance, slow burn, mature themes, possessive hero, forbidden love, suspense, morally gray, angst, survival, sadist hero, submissive heroine, boundaries, high heat
Steam Level
This book is infamous for its explicit, frequent sex scenes and intense erotic tension. The steam is not only high—it’s relentless, detailed, and intertwined directly with both plot and character transformation. If you want your romance with maximal heat, heavy kink, and no fade-to-black, The Ritual will absolutely deliver.
