jesstandrews's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
cira273's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
manda24176's review against another edition
5.0
If you enjoy reading awesome series that have shared worlds that just continue to expand then you really need to start this series. I recommend finding the reading order on Rina's page and start there. That way you can keep up with who is who. A reading family tree would be awesome, lol, to have as a cheat sheet when reading the new releases. Cruel King is Levi and Astrid's story. If you've read God of Malice and haven't read this book yet, then you should really do so. I think I may find myself rereading the rest of Royal Elite series a second time for a major refresher, plus a few others that I've already read. I love this shared world.
alyssiam29's review against another edition
4.0
Such a wild start...
So I have decided to make my way through Rina Kent's entire backlog starting with her series Royal Elite cruel King being the first book. (So if you're reading this stop reading even though these aren't really spoilers there may be spoilers for some of you if you feel like what I'm getting ready to say the spoiler and stop reading but I don't think it's a spoiler okay that's it) Let me just say she definitely started with the bang with this book for me. I love love Levi and Astrid. They're romance is the best mix of delicious toxicity that I needed in my life. Should they have ended up together in a real world scenario absolutely not because of red flags a blaring from dang one but in this book universe was I cheering and rooting for this epically tragic toxic love story that had an hea absolutely. Like Levi was the best main character that you literally just loved to hate but then when you like found out like his little backstory you kind of understood why he is the way he is, and also how a lot of things were just like complete misunderstanding things between him and his uncle cuz his uncle doesn't really hate him I just think their family has to live up to that snobbish aristocracy of life and I think that Astrid was the perfect like level-headed little princess to bring him back to real world society and she kind of developed into her own person as well I felt like Levi and Astrid definitely played to each other's strengths they balanced each other out so much. So yeah this book was not perfect five stars but it was definitely a good 4 out of 5 stars for me.
So I have decided to make my way through Rina Kent's entire backlog starting with her series Royal Elite cruel King being the first book. (So if you're reading this stop reading even though these aren't really spoilers there may be spoilers for some of you if you feel like what I'm getting ready to say the spoiler and stop reading but I don't think it's a spoiler okay that's it) Let me just say she definitely started with the bang with this book for me. I love love Levi and Astrid. They're romance is the best mix of delicious toxicity that I needed in my life. Should they have ended up together in a real world scenario absolutely not because of red flags a blaring from dang one but in this book universe was I cheering and rooting for this epically tragic toxic love story that had an hea absolutely. Like Levi was the best main character that you literally just loved to hate but then when you like found out like his little backstory you kind of understood why he is the way he is, and also how a lot of things were just like complete misunderstanding things between him and his uncle cuz his uncle doesn't really hate him I just think their family has to live up to that snobbish aristocracy of life and I think that Astrid was the perfect like level-headed little princess to bring him back to real world society and she kind of developed into her own person as well I felt like Levi and Astrid definitely played to each other's strengths they balanced each other out so much. So yeah this book was not perfect five stars but it was definitely a good 4 out of 5 stars for me.
anagv's review against another edition
4.0
4,5 ⭐
“Since then, I’ve hated rainy days. Until you showed me how to enjoy it again. Thank you.”
“Since then, I’ve hated rainy days. Until you showed me how to enjoy it again. Thank you.”
sophielaura1's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
2.25 stars ✨
I want to preface this by saying that I have read a lot of dark romance and have enjoyed it, so the genre not being suited to me is not the reason for the rating.
Where do I start? I’m not sure because I had quite a few problems with this book. First and foremost, why tf is Astrid constantly referencing Viking?! Like I get that she likes the TV show, but oh my god it quickly became annoying and repetitive. Secondly, this book claimed to be set in England……how? Not only was the use of ‘bigger’ ‘shagged’ and ‘arsehole’ repetitive (we do say other things!) but the author used an American schooling system? Literally makes zero sense. Then there was the man child that was the MMC, Levi. The possessiveness, which normally doesn’t bother me ended up being a little cringey. The condom issue was the biggest issue I had with him though. It is COMPLETELY NORMAL for a girl to want the guy they’re having sex with to wear a condom (for the first time might I add), and not have him whinge about her not wanting to have children with him…… THEY ARE 18!!! Major rapey vibes. I hated how Daniel’s issue was completely brushed over and not taken seriously. There was some questionable things written in my opinion; every time the FMC saw this one girl she would refer to her as chubby. I don’t get it? You didn’t point out any other characters weight, you didn’t use the phrase ‘skinny girl’. Was it relevant to the plot? I don’t think so. You could’ve at least called her curvy.The other questionable piece of writing was regarding Ebola. It was used as a joke in an especially ignorant way, when millions of people literally died from the disease! Do better. The writing in general could’ve honestly just been a little better.
I will say that I think the relationship with her dad was well written (purely for relatability factor). This book was definitely a filler read, so it was entertaining in the ‘mind numbing, pass the time’ kind of way. The plot, whilst in the end I did find underwhelming, did keep me intrigued.
Overall, it was an okay filler read. I would probably only continue with the series if I was really in the mood to, but with many other, likely better, bully romances out there, it’s unlikely.
I want to preface this by saying that I have read a lot of dark romance and have enjoyed it, so the genre not being suited to me is not the reason for the rating.
Where do I start? I’m not sure because I had quite a few problems with this book. First and foremost, why tf is Astrid constantly referencing Viking?! Like I get that she likes the TV show, but oh my god it quickly became annoying and repetitive. Secondly, this book claimed to be set in England……how? Not only was the use of ‘bigger’ ‘shagged’ and ‘arsehole’ repetitive (we do say other things!) but the author used an American schooling system? Literally makes zero sense. Then there was the man child that was the MMC, Levi. The possessiveness, which normally doesn’t bother me ended up being a little cringey. The condom issue was the biggest issue I had with him though. It is COMPLETELY NORMAL for a girl to want the guy they’re having sex with to wear a condom (for the first time might I add), and not have him whinge about her not wanting to have children with him…… THEY ARE 18!!! Major rapey vibes. I hated how Daniel’s issue was completely brushed over and not taken seriously. There was some questionable things written in my opinion; every time the FMC saw this one girl she would refer to her as chubby. I don’t get it? You didn’t point out any other characters weight, you didn’t use the phrase ‘skinny girl’. Was it relevant to the plot? I don’t think so. You could’ve at least called her curvy.The other questionable piece of writing was regarding Ebola. It was used as a joke in an especially ignorant way, when millions of people literally died from the disease! Do better. The writing in general could’ve honestly just been a little better.
I will say that I think the relationship with her dad was well written (purely for relatability factor). This book was definitely a filler read, so it was entertaining in the ‘mind numbing, pass the time’ kind of way. The plot, whilst in the end I did find underwhelming, did keep me intrigued.
Overall, it was an okay filler read. I would probably only continue with the series if I was really in the mood to, but with many other, likely better, bully romances out there, it’s unlikely.
ukulele2019's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pachomacho's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
biaaaa's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really liked both characters and I thought they were cute together but I felt like they went from enemies to lovers way too fast and their on again off again relationship became really annoying!!! I feel like they got together, someone fucked up and they fought and then they got back together like 5 different times!!!
It was also super dramatic (sometimes a bit to much) which to me made it really entertaining, so I'll probably continue with the series.
It was also super dramatic (sometimes a bit to much) which to me made it really entertaining, so I'll probably continue with the series.