Reviews with content warning for Colonisation - The Kingmaker

Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

12 reviews

thirdeyeangel23's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

Kennedy Ryan never fails to write a story that is unputdownable. Max and Lennix’s story is not the typical infatuation/3rd act breakup/reconciliation, but the progression of two star crossed lovers meeting and pulling away, but always finding their way back to one another. This is a story of rich history and culture, injustice, and privilege. As this is book one of the duet be warned that it ends on a tense cliffhanger. I can’t wait to see how KR brings it all together in book two.

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michelle_my_belle's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

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hopecobblepotworld's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative 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? Yes

5.0

"I'm too preoccupied with a second chance I never thought I'd get. Can it be called a second chance when there was never a chance before?" Maxim Cade

This references the line in the sand Maxim's character makes when he meets Lennix. He's stunned at the incongruity of the strength and power of her words and her maturity but her being only 17 and leading a group that includes her elementary school teacher. Again, as a writer Kennedy Ryan chose this line in the sand and I'm giving her an enthusiastic tennis clap.

This book has some things readers needs to be aware of:

-Death of Parent
-Colonialism
-Obsession/Stalking
-Rape/Murder (not described)
-Kidnapping/Violence

I am very glad I found out this book is part of a series. I thought it wasn't when I finished it leaving me quite stunned. I need more Kennedy Ryan books in my life. Her writing is exquisite.

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

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escapismforlife's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is my first Kennedy Ryan book. And I finshed this in a day.

Partly because:
1. The native, relational, and family dynamic issues in this book are exceptional.

2. I adored and related to both leads guarded behavior in this intentional, meaningful story. And now understand the appeal of second chance romance.

3. It also had to due with the fact I got accepted for earc of The Rebel King in this duology from SOURCEBOOKS Bloom on Netgalley.

I'm so happy I did because I'm going right on with this series this weekend. With its ending but also through setup for the plot in Lennix's and Maxim's relationship it's hard not to.

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wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.0

The Kingmaker was a much needed Romance featuring a diverse cast of characters. I enjoyed that the MC was indigenous, and though her story is tragic, it is necessary and I appreciate how Ryan is unafraid to delve into the depths of Lennix's experiences as the daughter of a woman who has been added to the ranks of the MMIW, entwining it with who she has become, without making it her entire story. It is a driving force throughout, but Ryan has left us room for love and laughter and friendship and ambition beyond Lennix's trauma. This book handles so well many social and cultural issues that lack representation too often.
The love story in this book is absolute gold. The Kingmaker jumps between several well known romance tropes, including the hard to perfect Second Chance, which Ryan has done superbly well, delivering a sweet, passionate romance without sacrificing a character's likability to do so. Both Lennix and Maxim are characters to root for, and I truly enjoyed how she handled bringing them back together without making that age gap creepy.
The Kingmaker shows us that, sometimes, love also has to wait on timing.

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what_karla_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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

4.5

4.5/ stars
3/5 spice

Fair warning... it ends on a cliffhanger. I had no idea and wasn't prepared. Besides that, OMG, this book was emotionally charged and had a great plot. The cliffhanger sets up the next book for some serious drama.

Tropes:
Insta lust
Soulmates
Political intrigue
Social justice
Secret identity
Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
Indigenous heroine
Non-toxic alpha MMC
Dual POV

Lennix and Maxim are true soulmates but have to go through so much before finally embracing their love. They both are ambitious in their pursuit of their goals and are the epitome of "right person, wrong time." Their story spans 14 years. Which, in my opinion, works well. Allowing them to grow as individuals and achieve their goals. Other than their romance, the political and social issues discussed were integrated very well. There are so many important topics that even if there wasn't romance and spice, I would recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions violence against Indigenous women (MMIW), death of a parent, sexual content

Content Warnings