Scan barcode
ooohgoshtara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
In the Kingmaker we meet Lennix a Native American women and Maxim who is from a wealthy, old money oil family. The two meet by chance for the first time at an oil pipeline protest where they are both arrested and spend some time in a holding cell together. Although they do not keep in touch after that day they never forget each other until they happen to run into each other four years later. The story spans many years and is broken up into three parts. So it is a slow burn for sure.
The story is told in dual POV. I enjoyed getting to know Lennix and Maxim as individuals and seeing them grow over the years. There is such strong character development among the main and supporting characters as well.
The Kingmaker is an amazing story with complex, diverse characters, an unpredictable storyline up to the very end. It's the first of three books in a series and ends on a massive cliffhanger. You can tell this story was heavily researched. It's politically charged in the way it tackles issues such as climate change and systematic racism. I enjoyed that I felt like I learned a few things along the way. This story was written with care to capture Native American Culture and the many issues that Native Americans are subject to such as racism and violence against Native people as well as the epidemic of missing native women. The writing is simply beautiful. I cannot wait to read the next installment and see where Lennix and Maxim's paths lead them.
The story is told in dual POV. I enjoyed getting to know Lennix and Maxim as individuals and seeing them grow over the years. There is such strong character development among the main and supporting characters as well.
The Kingmaker is an amazing story with complex, diverse characters, an unpredictable storyline up to the very end. It's the first of three books in a series and ends on a massive cliffhanger. You can tell this story was heavily researched. It's politically charged in the way it tackles issues such as climate change and systematic racism. I enjoyed that I felt like I learned a few things along the way. This story was written with care to capture Native American Culture and the many issues that Native Americans are subject to such as racism and violence against Native people as well as the epidemic of missing native women. The writing is simply beautiful. I cannot wait to read the next installment and see where Lennix and Maxim's paths lead them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
sdupont's review
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
I enjoyed The Kingmaker! Kennedy Ryan is so good at writing emotional connections between love interests. She’s particularly great at second chance romances where she builds a strong foundation, realistic conflict, and then a strong connection when they reunite. I love how strong willed and determined both Lennix and Maxim are. They are so passionate about their causes and each other. I easily found myself rooting for them. And this cliffhanger?! Thank god I can immediately download the next book to my Kindle because I need to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Kidnapping
Moderate: Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Murder
sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐️
2 🌶️
I have a lot of thoughts about this book. I love Kennedys writing and her way to weave a story is superior. If you are a fan of Scandal I think you will like this book/ duet. Lennix and Maxim are both really strong characters that do not want to compromise! I liked that not going to lie.
Beware there is a cliffhanger and you are doing to want book 2 before diving into this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Police brutality, and Kidnapping
manoncrochan's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Stalking
krystalframe's review
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Murder
psydneigh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
I love Lennix. Im kind of on the fence about Maxim in this one. Can’t wait to finish their story up!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
churrosmom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol and Colonisation
iamsammie27's review
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Grief, and Murder
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is bonkers - just absolutely bananas - and it ends on a huge cliffhanger that had my heart pounding at 1030pm, and not in a good way. I was *not ready* for Kennedy Ryan, y’all.
There’s a pipeline protest! There’s an Antarctic expedition! There are missing and murdered Indigenous women! There is a trip to Amsterdam (complete with tulips)! There’s a PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?!? A trip to Central America to distribute vaccines! A billionaire boyfriend who can provide private jet dates! There are lies of omission! There is sex! There is swoon!
I loved Lennix, the heroine. She is brilliant and brave and so resolved in her convictions. Maxim, well, he’s okay. He has a possessive streak that borders on invasive, and despite very clearly knowing that this is a book about the super wealthy, I picked it up and was once again reminded that super-wealthy protagonists piss me off. Try all you want to make him a “good” billionaire, I’m just envisioning Elon Musk. 🥴
👍🏻 All told I think this is definitely worth your time if you’re looking for a book with love in it but also with a LOT of other stuff going on. Anticipate the cliffhanger and mind the CW (I’ve put them in the comments).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment