Reviews

The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

clarij's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective 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

3.5

abbieday01's review against another edition

4.0

Kennedy Ryan has written a book that will leave you thinking about it long after you finish it. As a side note - I enjoy the newer cover better than the one shown here.

abbieday01's review against another edition

4.0

Of course, Kennedy Ryan has outdone herself with a new novel that tells a story that will have you all in knots. This is beautifully written and executed. So worth picking up to read.

thebookishbrewnette's review against another edition

3.0

While I appreciated the focus on many social issues throughout this book that deserve our attention, at times the story felt disjointed. The huge gaps in time also left some character development to be desired. I was not expecting the ending and am intrigued as to where this new storyline will go as it came out of nowhere.

_deathbytbr_'s review against another edition

3.0

This book highlights many of the injustices that need to be brought to light in today's society regarding our Indigenous Americans (in particular, women). This part of the story was the true heart of the book for me, and I appreciated it being told. I can only speak from my viewpoint, which is not relevant, so I will not expand while others who face this every day firsthand would be better resources. I very much enjoyed reading about the Apache Sunrise Dance and Ceremony; it was beautifully written and sounds like a much cherished and sacred tradition.

Now, for the romance...I could not get connected with the two main characters as a couple. I liked them better individually, especially Lennix Moon Hunter. What a fierce, brave, passionate character. These types of characters are one of my favorite people to read. While I can rationally understand why her and Maxim Kingsman Cade would be drawn to each other; the pairing was disenchanting for me.

All of this to say, the ending! And yes, I will be reading book two. I have to know what happens and I genuinely want to love these two together.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

bookbae96's review against another edition

5.0

We are the sky and the sea, and the horizon is where our hearts meet. Every part of that world is made by and from and for just us two.


Read. Devoured. Inhaled. This book set a path straight to my heart, and is holding it hostage. Kennedy Ryan has a way of crafting words, of breathing life into characters, that make them so real, so important. There doesn't seem to be any topic that she can't write in such a way as to transfix and transport the reader into the story, and she has outdone herself with this one.

I was hooked from the very first page of THE KINGMAKER. Lennix and Maxim will make you believe in soul mates, two people drawn together, against all odds. They are a couple that shouldn't work, but hope and love overcome, as they do.

And, yes, their story is unfinished here, but these two are strong, stronger than distance, stronger than passing time, stronger than the forces that want to keep them apart. I can't wait to see what Kennedy has in store for them, because it is going to be epic.

tsymonevisuals's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

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

4.0

tssimons's review against another edition

4.0

I loved the well researched native American aspects and the environmental issues. This is well written and displays depth and sensitivity relating to these issues. But I admit to struggling with some aspects of the storyline. Lennix seems to move away from her roots and causes too much. I also can't see the links to her coming of age ceremony (which I loved and thought would underpin her journey.) It is hard to believe that she doesn't meet anyone in the 10 years they are apart. Maxim remains a spoiled rich kid shagging anyone he meets. For someone who longs for her, he certainly doesn't come across that way. Add in the whole virgin trope and I cringed. Their relationship was firey and intense and among the best scenes in the book.This had so much potential, but I wish the characters had maintained their passions set out so clearly in the early chapters.

smakinde's review against another edition

3.0

I really really enjoyed this book, but then I really did not. Soooo let's talk about it.

I feel like this is classic Kennedy Ryan style writing and I really enjoyed that so much! The woman CAN WRITE. There is no doubt in that. I love that the book held so much indigenous representation and I really like that the book talked so much about climate change as well. Both very serious topics and I thought Kennedy did a really good job giving voice to these things. I just felt that outside of those topics our characters didn't hold a lot of chemistry between each other. I mean when they meet Lennix is 17 and idk how old Maxim is supposed to be, but I just did not enjoy his thoughts around her. Especially after he found out she was 17. I just felt it to be unnecessary and I really wanted him to not have those thoughts about a 17 year old. So while I did enjoy the push and pull of their relationship, I didn't enjoy mostly Maxim. ANNNND 10 years?! He says he is going to come back for her and it's been 10 damn years. I am sorry but the justification was beyond frustrating.

Overall I loved the topics that were discussed, but I just felt our main MMC fell flat.

emorymcc's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0