The Rebel King by Gina L. Maxwell ARC Review!

 

Title: The Rebel King (Deviant Kings #2)
Author: Gina L. Maxwell
Publish Date: July 25, 2023
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review!

All work and no wicked play makes Tiernan a very unsatisfied king…

Of all the Verran brothers, Tiernan is the least suited to wear the Night Court crown. The Rebel Prince is happy with no responsibilities or accountability―just the freedom to pursue his own dark, lush pleasures in Sin City. Including his secret hunger for a certain smart-mouthed, fiery redhead.

Only, the possibility of having Fiona is stripped away when Tiernan is thrust into the one role he never king . As king of the Dark Fae, wanting―let alone pursuing―anything with a lower-caste fae like Fiona would shift from fun…to forbidden.

Now war is emerging from the shadows of Vegas, and Tiernan is caught between who he’s meant to be and who he wants . And somewhere in this maelstrom of lust, love, and rebellion is the key to the Dark Fae’s survival…even if the cost is more than he can imagine.

Penelope's Review

So this is the second book in the Deviant Kings series, each of which focuses on a different Verran brother. The first book was based on Caiden and Bryn, and now we get Tiernan and Fiona. While I did absolutely enjoy this book, I think I am in the minority of people who actually preferred Caiden's story. I'm not sure what about this book was a bit less appealing, as it is definitely action packed, but it just didn't leave me with the same satisfied feelings as book 1. Again, that doesn't mean it wasn't good, because it was, it just wasn't my favorite of the two.

I think my feelings maybe stem from the fact that the writing here felt a little more juvenile. We get alot of slang, emojis, and new gen speak - I think I read someone say Gen-Z speak in another review?? It sort of took away from the story for me a bit because that's not the vibe you get from the first book. That being said, I understand that Tiernan is more of the 'chill, rebel' brother, so sometimes his manner of speaking is true to his character, but a lot of the times it just seemed forced. Other than that, I did really like his growth throughout the novel from reluctant king to someone who is ready to break barriers for the good of his people. 

Fiona was also a great character, but I found that I liked her more in the beginning of the book than I did nearing the end. She was strong, independent, and snarky and while that didn't necessarily change throughout the book, I just found myself getting less absorbed with her character as the story unfolded instead of more. 

Overall, I think it was a good read, but there were aspects that I didn't like as much as I thought I would. I have a feeling that the next book, Finnian's story, is going to be my all-time favorite of the series. But we shall see...

Rating: 3/5 Devils!

The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell ARC Review!

 

Title: The Dark King (Deviant Kings #1)
Author: Gina L. Maxwell
Publish Date: September 27th, 2022
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC for review! 

For Bryn Meara, a free trip to the exclusive and ultra-luxe Nightfall hotel and casino in Vegas should’ve been the perfect way to escape the debris of her crumbling career. But waking up from a martini-and-lust-fueled night to find herself married to Caiden Verran, the reclusive billionaire who owns the hotel and most of the city, isn’t the jackpot one would think. It seems her dark and sexy new husband is actual royalty—the fae king of the Night Court—and there’s an entire world beneath the veil of Vegas.

Whether light or shadow, the fae are a far cry from fairy tales, and now they’ve made Bryn a pawn in their dark games for power. And Caiden is the most dangerous of all—an intoxicating cocktail of sin and raw, insatiable hunger. She should run. But every night of passion pulls Bryn deeper into his strange and sinister world, until she’s no longer certain she wants to leave…even if she could.

Penelope's Review

Oooh this was a good one. A smart, sexy fae king and a strong, independent woman... what more could you ask for?! This book will give you all the feels lol. 

Caiden Verran is a billionaire fae king ruling over Las Vegas when he spots a human in the lobby of his hotel and is inexplicably drawn to her. One thing leads to another, and the next thing he knows, he's waking up married to the woman. Bryn Meara receives an invitation for a free stay at Nightfall hotel and casino in Las Vegas and jumps at the chance to escape the difficulties of her every day life. Little does she know, her life is about to change forever.

Caiden is such an excellently written character - he's funny and charming, commanding yet respectful... he's someone you root for. And the sex appeal as a Dom... phew! So. Good. 

And then we have Bryn! Sweet, independent, sassy Bryn. She was also such a great character - though I wish she would have stood her ground a bit more in a couple of scenes when Caiden's being a dick.... but that was part of her character's development as the story went along so it ended up working!

Absolutely loved every side character we met - Caiden's brothers were fantastic and I can't wait to get Tiernan's story. This book is definitely character- / romance- driven which is great if that's what you love! As many readers before me have said, I would have loved to delve a little deeper into the world that Bryn and Caiden are in, but the worked well regardless!

Overall, great read for some sexy characters, and a great erotic novel with a steady plot! Looking forward to my next read by Gina Maxwell!

Rating: 4/5 Devils!