Name: The Dark King
ISBN: 9781649373281

Gina L. Maxwell

NY Times bestselling author Gina L. Maxwell is back with the first in the Deviant Kings series set in a modern world but with a dark, erotic fantasy twist perfect for fans of Neon Gods.

The Dark King

Brooke Barnett

Something tells me you're not the kind of guy to insist a girl keep her own last name.

Instead of making me believe you're not the kind of man who could ever satisfy me, you made me realize you might be the only one who can.

And I want an e-reader with an unlimited book budget.

he just got thrown under the bus....good luck buddy!

Sophia 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂

The Dark King was a really fascinating fantasy romance. This is the type of fantasy romance that is part of our world currently. I really enjoyed the setup and I don't get a chance to read books with fae in them that much especially with this type of setup, so I was highly intrigued. I am not sure I have even read this author before, I am pretty sure that I haven't although I have most defiinitely seen her around quite a bit. This is a trilogy about three brothers and a very interesting lineup of the fae courts. This also blends in a forced proximity/mating type of situation as well that really brought a interesting dynamic to the relationship.

When our heroine, finds herself being let go of her job, but having an opportunity to take a free trop to Vegas, she can't resist the temptation. So she goes to Vegas and she runs into Caiden Verran, and instantly the chemistry between them is instant and strong. Caiden is the king of the Dark Fae who was rejected by the courts because of his grandparents, and now he is stuck in the mortal realm alongside with his family. When he and Bryn wake up, after being drunk, they realize they both married and were mated and now their fates are sealed. Until Caiden can find a way out of this, he has to force Bryn to stay with him. But their relationship with be packed with conflict as Bryn doesn't understand why, and Caiden is used to being the leader and having to make the tough calls. But together they slowly learn to trust in each other. But there is a evil plot to destroy them both and only by working together can they defeat a hidden enemy.

So there were many aspects to this story I enjoyed. I really loved the hero. There is something about a stubborn commanding alpha male that I am just immediately drawn to. I also loved the way he is a leader and has to make the tough calls. He is fair and just though with his people and I really respected that even though you can see how tortured he is at times. The heroine was sassy and strong willed and got a bit creative and I admired that from her. The plot was by far the best part of the book. I found the whole their lives being in danger and the whole third act was so intense I guarantee it will keep you at the edge of your seat. I also enjoyed how the family interacted with each other, it was so infectious. If you need strong spice levels in your stories, I can guarantee that the steam in this book will literally SINGE YOU!! Whew this book was SPICY!! haha But much of the emotional aspects of the relationship were built so well in these scenes and I really respected that about this author instead of it just being about the sex only.

The angst in the relationship was a bit too much at times. I really wanted to see more teamwork and to be honest I never really understood why they were so against one another. I mean they were both in the same situation so why attack one another? It just didn't make much sense.

The narration on this was super well done and I am glad that I was able to listen to this one. It was truly delightful.

I found The Dark King to be a spice filled fantasy romance that will keep you on edge and be regularly delivering the thrills and fire up the senses for the adventure, intrigue and passion!

I'd rather be sorry for taking a thousand risks than be safe for never taking any.

Sub Genre: Fantasy Romance, Erotic Romance

Themes: Family Bonds, BDSM, Hot Smexy Times, Vegas Wedding

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Marriage of Convenience

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥.5
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
The Dark King was a really fascinating fantasy romance. This is the type of fantasy romance that is part of our world currently. I really enjoyed the setup and I don't get a chance to read books with fae in them that much especially with this type of setup, so I was highly intrigued. I am not sure I have even read this author before, I am pretty sure that I haven't although I have most defiinitely seen her around quite a bit. This is a trilogy about three brothers and a very interesting lineup of the fae courts. This also blends in a forced proximity/mating type of situation as well that really brought a interesting dynamic to the relationship.

First Line
Sex Sells

Summary
When our heroine, finds herself being let go of her job, but having an opportunity to take a free trop to Vegas, she can't resist the temptation. So she goes to Vegas and she runs into Caiden Verran, and instantly the chemistry between them is instant and strong. Caiden is the king of the Dark Fae who was rejected by the courts because of his grandparents, and now he is stuck in the mortal realm alongside with his family. When he and Bryn wake up, after being drunk, they realize they both married and were mated and now their fates are sealed. Until Caiden can find a way out of this, he has to force Bryn to stay with him. But their relationship with be packed with conflict as Bryn doesn't understand why, and Caiden is used to being the leader and having to make the tough calls. But together they slowly learn to trust in each other. But there is a evil plot to destroy them both and only by working together can they defeat a hidden enemy.

What I Loved
So there were many aspects to this story I enjoyed. I really loved the hero. There is something about a stubborn commanding alpha male that I am just immediately drawn to. I also loved the way he is a leader and has to make the tough calls. He is fair and just though with his people and I really respected that even though you can see how tortured he is at times. The heroine was sassy and strong willed and got a bit creative and I admired that from her. The plot was by far the best part of the book. I found the whole their lives being in danger and the whole third act was so intense I guarantee it will keep you at the edge of your seat. I also enjoyed how the family interacted with each other, it was so infectious. If you need strong spice levels in your stories, I can guarantee that the steam in this book will literally SINGE YOU!! Whew this book was SPICY!! haha But much of the emotional aspects of the relationship were built so well in these scenes and I really respected that about this author instead of it just being about the sex only.

What I Struggled With
The angst in the relationship was a bit too much at times. I really wanted to see more teamwork and to be honest I never really understood why they were so against one another. I mean they were both in the same situation so why attack one another? It just didn't make much sense.

Narration
The narration on this was super well done and I am glad that I was able to listen to this one. It was truly delightful.

Overall View
I found The Dark King to be a spice filled fantasy romance that will keep you on edge and be regularly delivering the thrills and fire up the senses for the adventure, intrigue and passion!

Favorite Quote(s)
I'd rather be sorry for taking a thousand risks than be safe for never taking any.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Fantasy Romance, Erotic Romance
Character Types: Fae, Royalty
Themes: Family Bonds, BDSM, Hot Smexy Times, Vegas Wedding
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Marriage of Convenience

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Avery Reid, Aiden Snow


Megan BV

I fully went into this book expecting to hate it, but I actually had an ok time! I’m not usually a fan of urban romantasy as I fell they’re usually poorly done, but this had such little world building that it didn’t really matter that it was set in Las Vegas. The magic system is also confusing and almost nonexistent except when it’s convenient to use for the plot. It’s basically mafia but the mafia is fae, that’s how much the Fae actually plays into the whole story. The romance is the best part of this book for sure and the only thing that got me to the end. But the last chapter had the absolute worst ending so I knocked another half star off my review. 

Katie Allard

This book was exactly what the line on the cover says, a perfect mixture of Fifty Shades and Neon Gods.