Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - King of Battle and Blood

We love an outspoken female lead ⚔️

Absolutely in love with Isolde's strength and grit. The way she spoke her mind and put men and women in their place.

Also, a king who worships his queen's fuck-with-me-and-you-will-die attitude gets an A+ in my book.

I wish the big reveal (that was pretty obvious) had happened sooner. I didn't enjoy this enough to read the next book. And the reviews of it seems to be horrible.

I'm left feeling satisfied with what I got and I don't regret reading it. I just wish this was a stand-alone.

Content Warnings

amanda_mh's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Picked the the second book up thinking it was a new standalone .. so bought this one and I really enjoyed it

Content Warnings

my_introvert_bookishlife's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

Gripping • Dark • Steamy

I was captivated from the start and loved the entire build up of the plot. Lots of emotion, deep connection and chemistry between MCs.
Isolde is fierce and brave but she is all heart.
Adrian is a savage anti-hero who will do anything to get back the love of his life.

Holy plot-twist! Okay I wasn’t completely blown away but I didn’t expect THAT betrayal.
⭐️ Strong, gripping plot- fast paced and balanced.
⭐️ Two formidable MCs
⭐️ Vampires/ witches/ curses| Dark and steamy
⭐️ Dark Emotional- Betrayal- heartbreak- vengeance
✨ OMFG plot twist

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Genre: Dark Adult Fantasy
Format: FORMAT: Audiobook

[Book 1 of 2]

Content Warnings

just_one_more_paige's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

So, I read A Touch of Darkness (in one sitting) on Xmas Day, as I was (happily) home alone and relaxing. It was exactly what I wanted it to be. And I was in the mood for more like it as New Year's Day approached. However, I also had been good with where that one finished and wasn't interested in more from Hades and Persephone, at least right now, so I decided to give St. Clair's new book/series a try instead, since the vibe on the first one had been so right. And let me tell you, not only did this hit the spot, it was even better! And honestly now I'm frustrated (in a good way) because I do want more from these characters, but the rest of the series isn't out yet! Gahhhhh!

King Adrian and his vampire army are on the doorstep of Isolde's kingdom and she would do anything to save her people from their vengeful conquering. So, when her father invites Adrian in to treat with him, and his offer of peaceful power transfer is contingent on Isolde becoming his wife, she agrees. Her secret plan, of course, is to use this opportunity to get close enough to kill him, but when her assassination attempt fails, she realizes she may need to get to know him better to really uncover any weaknesses. Over the time she spends with him traveling back to his home country of Revekka, and the weeks with him there, Isolde starts to realize that there may be more to his monstrousness than she'd originally thought. And there is absolutely no denying the physical pull between them, the sexual tension (and lots more than tension!) are real.

Y'all, there was nothing deep about this book. Nothing. And I loved every flipping second of it. First, and most importantly, there was so much sex. And it was so good and so steamy. I saw a review of this one on Goodreads that said "This might be for you if your first priority is vampire sex." And while that was a one-star review...it was also exactly right. And since I went into it with vampire sex as a priority, I'm giving it a very high star rating for the exact same reason. Moral of the story: know what you are getting into because it's exactly what you get. And for me, it was exactly what I wanted. Related, there was some light, interesting, reflection on how desire and lust are often coated in shame (especially for women) and it does not have to and should not be that way (and the recognition of love and sex not having to exist hand in hand, even if they eventually do).

Other than that, I have to admit that I am also a sucker for the "good monster" trope. Like, in this world, vampires are expected to be terrible and, in fact, are not, it's a lot of misinformation and misconception. I am particularly drawn in by this when it's in contrast or juxtaposition with a "bad human" alternative, as it was here. Great messaging around how looks/assumptions can be so deceiving. Another thing I was totally here for was Isolde's bloodthirstiness. I mean IRL, I obviously vote for the "trial and proven guilty" and whatnot. But in this fantasy setting, I’m *down* with all the immediate stabbing of icky men (and Adrian's unrepentant support of it).

Plot-wise...this is where I was surprised. There was a lot more to the world-building here than I had expected. The story behind Adrian's "curse," the connection that Isolde has to his past, the history of witches and magic and how that ties in with Adrian's current-day conquest(s) and his interest in Isolde was all way more interesting than I had anticipated. And then that ending, with Isolde's father's visit - shocking! - along with a bit of a cliff-hanger that definitely makes me want to know more. I also appreciated that, while this was mostly entertaining and fun and sexy, this plot gave it a bit more complexity as it introduced/intertwined the concept of perspective in history, and the dominant voices being the ones whose story persists, even when that story is not, in fact, the "factual" truth.

This novel had a bit of everything you want in an escapist read: magic and magical creatures (yea, I love vampires, I blame Buffy), drama (political and interpersonal), fantasy-style fighting and violence, and spectacular (quality and quantity) sex scenes. Like I said, I thought I'd be "one and done" with this series because I was with A Touch of Darkness, but the fantasy and surrounding world here grabbed me so much more and I want to see where everything goes next (plus I need more of Adrian and Isolde together, *sweating* thinking about it). So, here I am now, unexpectedly having to wait for the next book to be published. Haha.

“There was a difference between a monster and someone who could be monstrous.”

“History is just perspective. It changes depending on your side.”

“Secrets only make the world curious. Better to display than to hide.”

“What have you learned? \ Things that scare me, I said. \ Do you mean that you have learned the truth? he asked.”

“I did not want to die a hero. I wanted to live as a conqueror.”

Content Warnings

bskell's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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

2.5

Content Warnings

courtchase's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

this was super disappointing. i was expecting something completely different than this and i was truly disappointed with what it turned out to be.

Isolde was hands down one of the most unlikable characters i’ve ever read. I hate it when authors think being strong and independent means being a trigger happy bitch with no respect for anyone but demands it from others. she blamed it all on her hatred for people but her hatred was frankly immature and rash. for someone who claimed to be 26, she acted like a toddler.

not to mention, i found it hard to believe they were in love when 99% of the time they spent together they spent having sex. a solid 60% of this book is sex with 10% plot and another 30% of Isolde whining and then deciding she’s going to do the opposite of whatever she was told just for the hell of it.

adrian was kinda bland too, i liked that he listened to Isolde but that all felt too easy. have a backbone my man and don’t be afraid to disagree just because you love someone.

spoiler: but i also hate romances that are reincarnations. it feels inauthentic especially since it was only Isolde/Yesenia reincarnated. He doesn’t really love her for her, he loves her for who she was and is projecting that love and i’m not about it.

last thing i’ll say, is the ending just wrapped up way too quickly and that “twist” yeah i saw that coming from a mile away. and honestly didn’t really align with her fathers character at all. it felt like st clair just wanted the dad to be a big plot twist of killing his daughter, when all the previous information contradicted that part of his character. i’m all for a big twist but only if it makes sense and i can reasonably see the change of heart. but i couldn’t. it felt cheap and like a moment for her to be like “gotcha! bet you didn’t see that coming!”

what. a. disappointment.

Content Warnings

avery_hutchinson's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

0.5

The writing was mediocre, and the relationship between the two main characters made me feel gross

Content Warnings

csmall73's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-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

4.75

I was definitely not prepared for the sex content. While not far from reality for someone who is dealing with everything that Isolde is it was quite prevalent throughout. There is a lot of trauma, mystery, blood and violence. Not for the light of heart. Isolde is quite reactive, stabby and arrogant at times. Adrian is cold collected and logical unless it involves her then he submits almost without hesitation.

Content Warnings

More...