seriouslybookish's review
2.0
I've been duped
2.5 stars
This book was nothing like what the synopsis promised. The book started well enough. I was excited about this history and culture in this book. Even though it's not my culture, even though I'm not American, I was excited to read a book that touches history and struggles of indigenous people. I thought it would be fascinating and I was. I didn't mind the info dumping because it was well researched and well thought out. The author did an amazing job and for that I'm glad I picked up this book.
Lennix is a proud independent Native American woman with ambitions and dreams. She is smart, resourceful and knows what she wants for herself and her people. Maxim is a climate change activist with the drive, passion and ambition to change the world and get rich doing it.
But... Maxim was annoying and Lennix when not in professional mode was very childish.
The love story, the relationship, the conflict, none of it worked for me.
The love story develops in over the course of 14 years but they only meet 3 three times. The first time was for a few hours, second was for a few days and the third was for a few minutes. Maxim keeps tabs on our girl but waits 10 years before wanting to reunite with her. He says that he wants to be with her, but doesn't work for it. He says she left a lasting impression on him but never works hard for it. He sleeps around over the years even though he keeps reiterating that he cares about her so much and no one else can compare. Of course Lennix was celibate for the most part because how could she be with another man when he was so perfect? *eye roll*
I think what bothers me the most is that he kept tabs on her life for over ten years on her relationships and and work life but not once did try and unite with her it at least put in the effort. Instead he goes around sleeping with other woman, then demands she be with him.
The relationship was sweet at times but because it happened over the course of many years it's just feels rushed. We also don't get much in terms of their relationship. If you take away the sex and the week they spent in Amsterdam, there is nothing left.
The conflict was predictable and could have been executed so much better. This isn't really enemies-to-lovers. It's more like 'your father's a piece of shit, and you know I hate him, so you omitted to mention that you're his son, and now that I've found out I don't want to be with you anymore' kind of romance.
Also the ending... WHY?
It was completely unnecessary and came out of nowhere.
I'm was going to read the next one but three chapters in and I decided its just not worth it.
2.5 stars
This book was nothing like what the synopsis promised. The book started well enough. I was excited about this history and culture in this book. Even though it's not my culture, even though I'm not American, I was excited to read a book that touches history and struggles of indigenous people. I thought it would be fascinating and I was. I didn't mind the info dumping because it was well researched and well thought out. The author did an amazing job and for that I'm glad I picked up this book.
Lennix is a proud independent Native American woman with ambitions and dreams. She is smart, resourceful and knows what she wants for herself and her people. Maxim is a climate change activist with the drive, passion and ambition to change the world and get rich doing it.
But... Maxim was annoying and Lennix when not in professional mode was very childish.
The love story, the relationship, the conflict, none of it worked for me.
The love story develops in over the course of 14 years but they only meet 3 three times. The first time was for a few hours, second was for a few days and the third was for a few minutes. Maxim keeps tabs on our girl but waits 10 years before wanting to reunite with her. He says that he wants to be with her, but doesn't work for it. He says she left a lasting impression on him but never works hard for it. He sleeps around over the years even though he keeps reiterating that he cares about her so much and no one else can compare. Of course Lennix was celibate for the most part because how could she be with another man when he was so perfect? *eye roll*
I think what bothers me the most is that he kept tabs on her life for over ten years on her relationships and and work life but not once did try and unite with her it at least put in the effort. Instead he goes around sleeping with other woman, then demands she be with him.
The relationship was sweet at times but because it happened over the course of many years it's just feels rushed. We also don't get much in terms of their relationship. If you take away the sex and the week they spent in Amsterdam, there is nothing left.
The conflict was predictable and could have been executed so much better. This isn't really enemies-to-lovers. It's more like 'your father's a piece of shit, and you know I hate him, so you omitted to mention that you're his son, and now that I've found out I don't want to be with you anymore' kind of romance.
Also the ending... WHY?
It was completely unnecessary and came out of nowhere.
I'm was going to read the next one but three chapters in and I decided its just not worth it.
sjohns19's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
I loved them they are perfect for each other. I am not a huge fan of miscommunication or lying but the way that it plays out and is solved/justified makes sense to the characters and storyline. It was also instalovey but I still really enjoyed it and also enjoyed the time jumps. I was not expecting it to go that way at the end it’s giving fitz and olivia from scandal
carlysgrowingtbr's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan. I found the story intriguing and emotional. The writing was concise although I found the pacing a little slow at times.
The relationship between Lennix and Maxim was definitely tense and suspenseful and kept me interested and reading. However, I had a hard time liking Lennix. Certain relationship complications felt overblown and drawn out by her character and it definitely pulled me out of the story at times. I wish we'd had a little more character development with the side characters. In some ways they were more interesting than main.
The spice was on point and definitely made the relationship between Lennix and Maxim more interesting. I wish the timeline had been tighter so we could have been given more Romance scenes. But I'm anxiously hoping for more in the second book. Overall really solid book and I'm excited to continue with book two when it's released.
The relationship between Lennix and Maxim was definitely tense and suspenseful and kept me interested and reading. However, I had a hard time liking Lennix. Certain relationship complications felt overblown and drawn out by her character and it definitely pulled me out of the story at times. I wish we'd had a little more character development with the side characters. In some ways they were more interesting than main.
The spice was on point and definitely made the relationship between Lennix and Maxim more interesting. I wish the timeline had been tighter so we could have been given more Romance scenes. But I'm anxiously hoping for more in the second book. Overall really solid book and I'm excited to continue with book two when it's released.
xandriamonique's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
KENNEDY RYAN IS EVIL AND SO GOOD AT HER JOB.
starrynightky's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
I have been a fan of Kennedy Ryan for a while now and I have reviewed a couple of her books on my blog in the past couple of years.
I started reading this one in the late morning and kept reading it because I couldn't put it down. I lost track of time and almost forgot to make supper.
I love this story. It is very well written and it got me hooked. I loved Lennix and Maxim.
I do recommend this.
I am giving this 5 out of 5.
I started reading this one in the late morning and kept reading it because I couldn't put it down. I lost track of time and almost forgot to make supper.
I love this story. It is very well written and it got me hooked. I loved Lennix and Maxim.
I do recommend this.
I am giving this 5 out of 5.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free copy of The Kingmaker. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
Oh my gosh! This book. This book is made of awesome. It's so good I want to go back to the beginning and start over again straight away. But I also want the next book right now. So it's a toss-up for sure.
Ryan said she got inspiration for this story from the TV show Scandal. And I can definitely see that. However, The Kingmaker is more like Scandal on steroids. Lennix is a strong woman in almost every sense of the world. She knows who she is. She knows where she's going. And she definitely knows how to get there.
Maxim is strong, too, mostly he's very strong-willed. He also knows who hie is and where he's going. But he also knows who he wants. And he's willing to wait for her to be completely ready for him.
There is political intrigue, native women who are fighting for their tribal rights, and there is a heart-wrenching romance, too. There is incredible female friendship, and I think the way Kimba and Lennix not only met and became friends, but how they also started working together show how women building each other up can make absolutely everything better.
I know I've said a lot. But I promise I haven't spoiled anything. Make sure you pre-order both The Kingmaker and The Rebel King right now. I am sure you will love this story as much as I did.
Oh my gosh! This book. This book is made of awesome. It's so good I want to go back to the beginning and start over again straight away. But I also want the next book right now. So it's a toss-up for sure.
Ryan said she got inspiration for this story from the TV show Scandal. And I can definitely see that. However, The Kingmaker is more like Scandal on steroids. Lennix is a strong woman in almost every sense of the world. She knows who she is. She knows where she's going. And she definitely knows how to get there.
Maxim is strong, too, mostly he's very strong-willed. He also knows who hie is and where he's going. But he also knows who he wants. And he's willing to wait for her to be completely ready for him.
There is political intrigue, native women who are fighting for their tribal rights, and there is a heart-wrenching romance, too. There is incredible female friendship, and I think the way Kimba and Lennix not only met and became friends, but how they also started working together show how women building each other up can make absolutely everything better.
I know I've said a lot. But I promise I haven't spoiled anything. Make sure you pre-order both The Kingmaker and The Rebel King right now. I am sure you will love this story as much as I did.
midnight_lit_'s review against another edition
4.0
3.75 ⭐
I have very mixed feelings about this book
Literally hated Maxim until the truth came out. But Lennix is someone I connected with deeply, especially with what she went through with her mom's death at a young age. I just loved her growth and the vision she has for herself and the world and was really looking forward to the political campaign. I admire Maxim but I also feel he's too privileged. Yes, we are shown his personal conflicts but it wasn't as deeply felt or portrayed compared to Lennix. I hope to see more in book 2
I have very mixed feelings about this book
Literally hated Maxim until the truth came out. But Lennix is someone I connected with deeply, especially with what she went through with her mom's death at a young age. I just loved her growth and the vision she has for herself and the world and was really looking forward to the political campaign. I admire Maxim but I also feel he's too privileged. Yes, we are shown his personal conflicts but it wasn't as deeply felt or portrayed compared to Lennix. I hope to see more in book 2