Reviews

Healer to the Ash King by Rebecca F. Kenney

tany3l's review

3.5

She should of been more mad

astarions_bhaal_babe's review

5.0

I need to get close to him and learn his habits, his secrets.
He truts me. He doesn't believe I'm his enemy.
But I am.
I will see him undone.

Rebecca Fenney, the gift that keeps on giving.


Healer to the Ash King is The Selection for naughty girls, sans the love triangle turmoil that came with the America/Maxon/Aspen triad.
I mean, the Ash King was a bit of a little bitch, and there was some jealousy drama, but we kind of expect it from someone who belongs to a book series called Dark Rulers.

The best thing about this series is that you can pick up any of the books, in no particular order and simply based on your mood, and would always find something for you.
In this, I found everything I needed in that moment.
For example, the MMC is basically a grown up Cardan Greenbriar with bad maneers and long white blond hair. Chef's kiss is an understatement.
Cailin is a badass and she just doesn't take anyone's shit. We absolutely love a heroine who can stand up for herself.
The enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story is well done; it's clear as a tropical sea that these two have the hots for each other, right from the start, but they try to hide it well.
I appreciate that they became reluctant allies before they gave in to their carnal desires. I like my smut dirty and filthy, but give me the hint of a deeper bond beneath the sexual surface, and I go all mushy.

Kenney's writing has easily become one of my favorites. She can craft the most quotable lines with the simpler words and manages to make you squirm with a glance between her main characters.
If that's not what talent means, I've been reading the wrong books.

There also is some good queer rep in this. I love that one of the contestant is a beautiful trans woman, and that two of the previous rulers were a gay couple who adopted a son, and nobody is making a case out of it. You can tell inclusivity was the goal, and I can't help but praise the fact that it wasn't forced nor there for the sake of plain diversity.

Overall this book wasn't perfect, but it's perfect for me.
Many thanks to my Fishy for recommending me this book/author/series. What would I do without you?

"I would like my payment, and I would like different lodgings. I don't care how small and simple the lodgings are - I can't stay in the Rose Room. I want to mantain my dignity where you are concerned."
"Which is why you came in here dressed in that. I thought you swore you'd never seduce me."
"I'm not seducing you. I'm yelling at you."
"By all means, continue. It's working for me."

elleestaunord's review

5.0

🌶️1/2😈

cookiekerri's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

3.0

kimaiya222's review

fast-paced

5.0

Another stellar read from this author! It’s one of my favourite ones so far. A great love sorry with steamy scenes and a fun plot. Not the makings of a classic book but I had a fabulous time reading it and was fully invested! A great love story with steamy scenes and a fun plot. Super fun

gingerellareads's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this - my only complaint is I felt like we were leading up to so much for it all to happen in less than 50 pages at the end. Did I still devour this and think it was very good? Yes
I would have loved to have more details and storylines- I could have read a whole 2nd book of this.

scarykarie's review against another edition

4.0

Soooo, turns out I liked this. It’s essentially an AU of Katara and Zuko if Zuko looked like Geralt Targaryen and Katara was from a volcanic village instead of an icy clime. Throw in a dash of the Hunger Games (a brewing rebellion, a deadly competition) and I guess the Bachelor (a bunch of women vying for the king’s hand in marriage). Overall, it was fun. The pacing of the romance was believable, and the balance of fantasy to romance is what I prefer. There were of course some things that made me roll my eyes, like the King’s actual name (which isn’t revealed until about 3/4 through the book…why? How is his name not public knowledge considering the Ash King was a prince for quite a long time…?) and his eventual cutesy nickname for the titular healer made me cringe. Some of the decision making was questionable. But, whatever, I came here to be entertained and I was.

iseenologic's review

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? It's complicated

4.5

beth_holman's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

5.0

selda's review

lighthearted slow-paced

2.75

This book started out so good. I was loving the characters and the writing was solid enough. Then it sharply spiraled downward around the 40-60 percent. I'm a little baffled because I was very intrigued by the heroine. She was soft hearted, kind and sensitive. The type of character I love. She also had a bit of that common fiery attitude heroines have but it was used more reservedly than I'm used to and she seemed smart with her temper. Not quick to make dumb choices. I was tentatively excited. The relationship was developing at a good pace and the setting was interesting. I liked that she was a healer and not competing. The initial interest he showed to her felt bluntly done for the circumstances but not unforgivably bad. 

Then there were several instances where he did romantically messed up things and the heroine was hurt by it, but she later let him touch her with no qualms. He kissed other girls.

The day after sleeping with her for the first time he humiliated her in front of the other girls. He let the girls he was dating shoot arrows into her body and after she was willing to beg him to fuck her. It wasn't even because he was trying to create distance after sex it was to help the girls that were competing for him. 

Even when there was a jealousy misunderstanding with another man she quickly assuaged the kings jealousy not even letting him feel a little taste of his own medicine because she is forced to watch him with all these other girls. It was annoying.

To be clear I love assholes/bastards/villains, love bullying romances, love toxic relationships but not ones where the guy comes off sleazy like this. The sex was typical.