imskylow's review
Bruh, you cannot cover up the fact she has serious PSTD with horribly cringy dirty talk and sex. Like have some restraint, Maxim. Actually say no and actually make sure she’s alright. Railing someone isn’t going to take away the trauma. I just feel like this book really reduced their relationship down to their base urges rather than show them loving each other in lots of different ways. Because of that, the smut just wasn’t good. It felt like I was the only one that had a modicum of concern for the situation and as a reader that was frustrating. Lennix is willfully ignorant of danger and her own trauma. Maxim is too revenge hungry and wants to manage everything. And both of them avoid communicating seriously by banging relentlessly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Gun violence
gabbyisbaking's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Racism, and Death
escapismforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was this perfect conclusion to this ambitious second chance power couples story for representation of an indigenous culture and the power and sadness that comes with being that in the America. Lennix Moon Hunter is the best empowered women that's her authentic self which is a beautiful thing to read about throughout her years. The jump in time for most of her life over two decades is powerful and healing in the most realistic and well done representation of one story for the family of a missing and murdered indigenous women. In this case its her mother, which she learns to adapt while pushing for focus on the issue personal to her life.
Maxim is tied in to her life in the best way and they work to overcome the divisive lifestyles which brought them together. Not to mention the seven year age difference which causes a part of there problem in the choices they make but somehow didn't bug me . This sequel for this duology writing is just a graceful and meanigful as The Kingmaker and was a good time for me considering I read both within two days last week. I'm beyond grateful to have read one of the most popular female black authors out right now in this ARC. I definitely plan to get physical about this story of love, growth, and compromise which if your reading this you should do the same.
Maxim is tied in to her life in the best way and they work to overcome the divisive lifestyles which brought them together. Not to mention the seven year age difference which causes a part of there problem in the choices they make but somehow didn't bug me . This sequel for this duology writing is just a graceful and meanigful as The Kingmaker and was a good time for me considering I read both within two days last week. I'm beyond grateful to have read one of the most popular female black authors out right now in this ARC. I definitely plan to get physical about this story of love, growth, and compromise which if your reading this you should do the same.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
on_my_bookshelf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
lololovesthings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
4.5 stars!
Kennedy Ryan never, and I do mean NEVER, misses. If you are not reading her books, you are missing out on some of the best novels ever written! Seriously!! She's THAT good. "The Rebel King" picks up right where "The Kingmaker" left off. I personally think this is one of the best sequels I've ever read, and I'm not just saying this because I am a Kennedy Ryan fangirl. The plot is insanely engaging, gripping, and tense. In fact, it never lets up once the book starts. It doubles down on the drama, triples down on the suspense, and quadruples down on the sexiness. It's hard to make my jaw drop, but boy, did it ever! Much like Maxim to Lennix, I DEVOURED this book. I'm not one for alpha-holes, but Maxim.... ohhhh, Maxim. His devotion, possessiveness, and adoration is something else. He's also super sweet and sensitive, too. Top book boyfriend material. And Lennix! What a strong, fearless, fierce-but-gentle main character. God, I love her. I love him. I love them both. I love them together. I love the smuuuut! I love their growth both together and apart. You never, ever doubt for a single second that they are not soulmates. And just when you think it can't possibly get any more emotional, BAM! More and more heart-pounding drama propels the plot forward into new, uncharted territories I did NOT see coming. This story is not just about the spice and the tension. It's also a multilayered sociopolitical commentary about climate change, big pharma, indigenous rights, political volatility, PTSD, and grief.
"The Rebel King" is a truly extraordinary book. It's a top-tier contemporary romance and an incredible sequel. I am just in sheer awe of Kennedy Ryan's writing abilities. She is truly to GOAT!
Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy Ryan, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
Kennedy Ryan never, and I do mean NEVER, misses. If you are not reading her books, you are missing out on some of the best novels ever written! Seriously!! She's THAT good. "The Rebel King" picks up right where "The Kingmaker" left off. I personally think this is one of the best sequels I've ever read, and I'm not just saying this because I am a Kennedy Ryan fangirl. The plot is insanely engaging, gripping, and tense. In fact, it never lets up once the book starts. It doubles down on the drama, triples down on the suspense, and quadruples down on the sexiness. It's hard to make my jaw drop, but boy, did it ever! Much like Maxim to Lennix, I DEVOURED this book. I'm not one for alpha-holes, but Maxim.... ohhhh, Maxim. His devotion, possessiveness, and adoration is something else. He's also super sweet and sensitive, too. Top book boyfriend material. And Lennix! What a strong, fearless, fierce-but-gentle main character. God, I love her. I love him. I love them both. I love them together. I love the smuuuut! I love their growth both together and apart. You never, ever doubt for a single second that they are not soulmates. And just when you think it can't possibly get any more emotional, BAM! More and more heart-pounding drama propels the plot forward into new, uncharted territories I did NOT see coming. This story is not just about the spice and the tension. It's also a multilayered sociopolitical commentary about climate change, big pharma, indigenous rights, political volatility, PTSD, and grief.
"The Rebel King" is a truly extraordinary book. It's a top-tier contemporary romance and an incredible sequel. I am just in sheer awe of Kennedy Ryan's writing abilities. She is truly to GOAT!
Thank you to NetGalley, Kennedy Ryan, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Murder, Death, Racism, Violence, and Grief
hopecobblepotworld's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
We meet again, Kennedy Ryan. You are still scintillating loquacious and heartbreaking profound. Kennedy weaves together our two power house main characters in a story that kept me weeping, laughing, and repeat.
Our lovers face one crisis and are reunited and then face another, foundation personal earthquake in their lives. And the hits just keep on coming. I love watching Maxim and Lennix struggle through their difficulties, figure out how to make it, and then not only make it work but just make it great. These two, they are amazing. I wish they were real. If they were, I'd want to know them. That's how much I like, no, love these characters. Lennix takes to rediscovering the power of her ancestorial beliefs and the healing in them and in her running. Maxim sees the power in his family but keeps his boundary that they accept Lennix. Kimba. Oh, she shines. She has so many moments. They are good. But ultimately this is Maxim and Lennix's story.
You are so going to enjoy this book. I'm giving it a hearty, 5 bright, shiny golden stars and 3.5 on the Scoville Spice Scale.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Source Bloom Books in exchange for an honest review.
Our lovers face one crisis and are reunited and then face another, foundation personal earthquake in their lives. And the hits just keep on coming. I love watching Maxim and Lennix struggle through their difficulties, figure out how to make it, and then not only make it work but just make it great. These two, they are amazing. I wish they were real. If they were, I'd want to know them. That's how much I like, no, love these characters. Lennix takes to rediscovering the power of her ancestorial beliefs and the healing in them and in her running. Maxim sees the power in his family but keeps his boundary that they accept Lennix. Kimba. Oh, she shines. She has so many moments. They are good. But ultimately this is Maxim and Lennix's story.
You are so going to enjoy this book. I'm giving it a hearty, 5 bright, shiny golden stars and 3.5 on the Scoville Spice Scale.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Source Bloom Books in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Violence, Colonisation, Grief, and Kidnapping
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Mental illness and Racial slurs
thejadamonique's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
While the first book I would say is a little bit better this one is still a great read. I was a little frustrated at the beginning, I felt Maxim was turning into a douche and it would be hard to root for him and Lennix especially since it seemed like all they did was have sex but after the first third of the book I was won back over like the beginning of The Kingmaker. I'll definitely have to read Kimbas story next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence and Kidnapping
sarah_thebooknerd's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
4.25 ⭐️
3 🌶️
This book put me through so many feelings....
I liked getting to see Maxim and Lennix together more in this one. This has to be spiciest Kennedy Ryan book that I have read to date. I was very thankful I buddy read this book because I needed an outlet as I was reading it all. _________________________
3 🌶️
This book put me through so many feelings....
I liked getting to see Maxim and Lennix together more in this one. This has to be spiciest Kennedy Ryan book that I have read to date. I was very thankful I buddy read this book because I needed an outlet as I was reading it all. _________________________
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Gun violence, Sexual content, Racial slurs, and Kidnapping
bookwormbullet's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Death of parent