The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
thirdeyeangel23's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Colonisation, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Death of parent
michelle_my_belle's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcohol, Colonisation, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Police brutality, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Cursing
Minor: Murder, Trafficking, and Stalking
hopecobblepotworld's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content, Colonisation, and Violence
escapismforlife's review
- 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
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.
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Death of parent, Abandonment, Colonisation, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition
- 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 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.
Moderate: Racial slurs, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Trafficking, Death of parent, Colonisation, Grief, Kidnapping, and Murder
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Colonisation, Cursing, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death
kenziewol's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Colonisation
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Grief
deidrelj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Kidnapping and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Murder
psydneigh's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Police brutality, and Grief
churrosmom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Violence, Torture, Kidnapping, Blood, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol and Colonisation