Cruel King
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Cruel King A Dark High School Bully Romance

Rina Kent2019
He's no fairy tale king. Levi Here, little princess. I'm your king. You have three rules. Bow. Break. Bend the knee. Fight me all you want, but soon enough, you'll be chanting long live the king. Astrid One day I'm Royal Elite School's small fly, the next I'm hunted and left to die. He doesn't only shred my life to parts, but he's also coming after my heart. He thinks he broke me, but the new princess will bring the king to his knees. Aside from the previously published book, this version contains a never-published-before bonus scene. Cruel King is a complete standalone in Royal Elite world. No book should be read prior to this. Disclaimer: This is a high school bully romance, mature new adult, and contains dubious situations that some readers might find offensive. If you've been looking for a hero, then you won't find it in Royal Elite. If you, however, have been itching for anti-heroes and villains, then welcome to their royal court.
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Reviews

Photo of jenna
jenna@jennaissexy
2.5 stars
Mar 23, 2025

honestly not my fav was kinda meh i liked levi and astrid but wasnt obsessed

+2
Photo of Macy
Macy@macy
2.5 stars
Aug 29, 2024

ummmm… crickets

Photo of Raquel
Raquel @infinitystar
4 stars
Jan 18, 2024

I can only say that Levi and Astrid stole my damn heart, I wish I had more of them to read. I flew through this like there was no yesterday, it was so addicting and easy to read. 4,5 stars ⭐️

Photo of aliyah johnson
aliyah johnson@aliyahstarreads
3.5 stars
Jan 17, 2024

its good! good not amazing. its not too dark or twisty, its got a fun little thing going on, although remember that the characters are still in highschool gave me whiplash.

+3
Photo of Lily
Lily@616lily
2 stars
Jan 9, 2024

honk shooo mi mi mi mi honk shooo mi mi mi mi

Photo of honya
honya@honbon
4 stars
Nov 4, 2023

IM OBSESSED WTF????? literally started this book at 8pm and couldn’t put it down for the life of me even though i had school the next day. IT ONLY TOOK ME SO LONG TO READ CUZ OF SCHOOL BUT THE ONLY THING I COULD THINK ABT ALL DAY WAS ASTRID AND LEVI. literally gonna go read the next book asappppp rina kent’s already one of my fav authors rn

Photo of x
x@malyhska
4.5 stars
Sep 3, 2023

back when rk book has some twisted ending.

this book is quite messy. i don't really like the nicole-levi situation, even slightly bit. but i can't bring myself to hate nicole for what i know what's actually happening in her life. daniel annoys me though, so does astrid's odd fixation of vikings! (still love her) i just hope astrid would make levi grovel more, he deserves that

This review contains a spoiler
Photo of brittney arthur
brittney arthur@blondiebritt
4 stars
Jul 17, 2023

loved the sporty bad boy vibe in this ✨ Levi + Astrid

Photo of Estefany
Estefany @thedarkestreader
3 stars
Jun 17, 2023

3.5 Primer libro que leo de la autora, y resulta que su pluma es muy adictiva aunque la historia en si no encierre nada nuevo en este tipo de tramas. Obviamente seguiré con la saga porque me intrigan mucho los personajes.

Photo of Danyella Barajas
Danyella Barajas@danyella
3 stars
Mar 23, 2023

i love dark romances, but i dont think i enjoy high school dark romances it’s way too unrealistic/can be cringe. but kent’s writing style is one that i do enjoy bc it’s simple and fast paced

Photo of Loulou
Loulou@juliaany
3 stars
Mar 8, 2023

I'm reading a Wattpad story This is how I felt during all of the book but god if this is addictive

Photo of Mae Morton
Mae Morton@mae_xoxo
4 stars
Dec 10, 2022

OOOOOO i read this book to get me out of my book slump and oh boy did it do it’s job !!!

Let’s start with the characters:

  • - Astrid - I actually liked her quite a lot, i feel like she actually had some personality and i loved how she rebelled at the beginning. She was a very real character and tbh i’d probably act basically the same as her. The only thing that got on my nerves is how she literally melted whenever he touched her, but do i blame her? No, no i do not because if do the same

  • - Levi - i meannn, he was hot, like the stuff he did and how he was actually changed something inside of me 😭🫠 As always you have to throw out your ideas about not liking toxic men because he was TOXIC, mainly in the beginning but still. His mind worked different and not in a good way. But it was entertaining seeing how he thought 😭

The tension and spice was chefs kiss🤌 made me FEEL things guys like it actually flipped a switch inside of me. I was literally vibrating with how strong the tension was in this book😭

The plot actually really shocked me (in a good way). The reveals/ plot twists at the end had me HOOKED and i really didn’t expect it to actually captivate me as much as it did.

When i say i couldn’t put this book down i mean it. i started it around 5/6 in the afternoon and stayed up till 2 am reading it and barely put it down if i could help it.

Overall, loved the tension, the dual POV, the spice, the plot twist, the characters + side characters, the way it was written and also the aesthetics of it as well (very dark academia)

4/5 stars because it was exactly life changing but it was definitely very entertaining and i really enjoyed reading it <3


This review contains a spoiler
+6
Photo of ♡
@blooms
5 stars
Sep 16, 2022

idk, i just love rks writing style. its written well and easy to read

Photo of Megan Lowe
Megan Lowe@booksandbubbletea
4 stars
Aug 21, 2022

Cruel Prince by Rina Kent - 4 stars. I liked this story much more than Brutal Prince. It had much more romance, which was great. I loved the relationship between Levi and Astrid. Levi is a great multidimensional character and I loved seeing all the different sides of him. I did have issues with some of the language used. It’s supposed to be British English but yet, some terms used weren’t. Also, there were technical errors with the football aspect of the story, as well a general hilarity with Arsenal’s involvement, up the Chels! Anyway, this is a much more solid contribution to this collection.

Photo of sharyn
sharyn@markovhirotaka
4 stars
Aug 16, 2022

4.90 porque en algún momento me aburrió pero Levi y Astrid háganme 10 crías

Photo of catia
catia@catiaslibrary
2 stars
Aug 14, 2022

“Astrid…” He trails off as if he can’t find the word. “I love you. I’m fucking crazy about you, princess.” “Fuck right I’m staying. I go wherever you go, princess.” Okay this was interesting and to be honest It made me want to read the rest! I really liked Astrid, though some things she said and thought was questionable but Levi is right there that man was a ride! But at the same time they were hot and a little toxic but what's new, I wasn't looking for a fairytale of a story, I knew what I was getting into to!! It was fun at least, like I always, it's not really my style but I read it fast and it wasn't that bad I just don't think they do deserve the hate they get! Only two stars because even though it wasn't bad and it could've been worse, there were definitely more worse parts than good but let's see the rest of the series! “My husband.” I flutter kisses over his neck, jaw, and the curve of his mouth. “My love, my life, and my everything.” “My wife. My everything.”

Photo of Loulou
Loulou@juliaany
3 stars
Aug 12, 2022

I'm reading a Wattpad story This is how I felt during all of the book but god if this is addictive

Photo of Jessie Stafford
Jessie Stafford@abibliophilesdesire
5 stars
Jul 6, 2022

I’m so glad I went back and read this prequel. I initially missed it and decided to keep reading forward and I feel like that was the best for me personally. Cruel King is a gritty, dark and dirty modern mixture of Romeo and Juliet meets Cinderella. Levi King may be brutal, angry and lost but that boy is such a lover. You may not see it at first, his disconnect is alive and well but there’s not doubt that he cares for people in general. He tries HARD to keep that rebel reputation up and don’t get me wrong he’s a “punk” as Jonathan calls him but in all reality it’s just an outcry from a sad soul. It’s clear to see his care from the way he leads the players as team captain to the way he fights for Astrid’s heart. Levi is possessive, he’s a bully but he’s no where near unredeemable. Astrid Clifford grows a back bone quick in this book and I am here for it! She wears her invisibility as a cloak but once she decides she’s done hiding she meets Levi tit for tat in his game. She’s quiet yet strong, playful and easy to relate to. There are major Cinderella vibes when it comes to her home life. Evil stepmom and wicked step sister to the MAX. I loved this element of her story. Astrid is unapologetic for her innocence in the bedroom nor is it a major theme which was refreshing. Waring family names bring in the Romeo and Juliet feels of forbidden love and two young adults that refuse to let it get in the way. Levi and Astrid bond over the loss of a parent and the feeling of not belonging in their home without realizing it. Then that bond is tested more than anyone would ever imagine when the secrets come out. The twists are a bit easier to figure out in this one compared to the others in the series but it is definitely still full of sinister scenarios. These two fight for their love and their freedom, their ability to be who they want to be and they do it together making your heart happy for their happily ever after.

Photo of Néomi
Néomi@thrureviews
4 stars
Jul 4, 2022

Had so much fun but I need more bullying it's not enawt

Photo of Hayley Lorraine Allaire
Hayley Lorraine Allaire@lovesofroses
4 stars
May 29, 2022

I honestly believed that the story in general I would not like but in a way it caught me, I liked it and it kept me chopped making me wake up until I finish it I would very much like to read the other books of this saga but I take a while to do it if I do I will probably enter a block, Levi and Astrid ended up liking me something that I did not believe finally enjoy reading.

Photo of Nedu
Nedu@nedu
4 stars
Apr 8, 2022

*3.5 Stars*

Photo of Milica Kurtovic
Milica Kurtovic@hazelhavilliard
5 stars
Oct 7, 2021

I really liked it. It's prequel of a series and the author introduced us really well with the main characters. It's one of those series where every book can also be a standalone because every book i about a different boy. I like how the boy is more like a villain than a hero because it's a dark romance and the smut is okay.

+9
Photo of 🤞
🤞@realit_00
2.5 stars
Mar 20, 2025
Photo of Destinee Vickers
Destinee Vickers@lilwolfdesi
4.5 stars
Feb 13, 2025

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