| Title | : | The Rebel King (Deviant Kings, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1649373481 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781649373489 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 352 |
| Publication | : | First published July 25, 2023 |
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.
Each book in the Deviant Kings series is
* The Dark King
* The Rebel King
* The Vicious King
The Rebel King (Deviant Kings, #2) Reviews
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Dear Readers,
I can't tell you how happy I am with all the love Tiernan and Fiona are receiving! This book was a difficult one for me, but the struggles were worth it because I'm so proud of how it turned out.
Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, shared, or expressed excitement for this series. I'm so glad you're along for the ride with me and the sexy Deviant Kings! 🖤👑🖤
The Rebel King is now available wide *and* in Kindle Unlimited:
https://geni.us/eRUqcBg
With literary love & kitten kisses,
Gina
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The Rebel King by Gina L Maxwell
Deviant King series, book 2. Fantasy romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series. Characters overlap but are secondary. Alternating chapter by Tiernan and Fiona.
Tiernan is soon to be King of the Dark Fae since his brother abdicated to keep his wife safe. Tiernan didn’t expect to ever be King and he’s been more of a Rebel his whole life. But he will do his duty. After this one last task.
Fiona has had an intimate relationship with Tiernan recently but they now must hide and meet in secret since she’s just a housekeeper in his home. She finds out she’s human when the Dark Fae are under attack but they are family and she will help track down the threat.
Explosive and gripping. Dark and sexy. Tiernan and Fiona together rate combustible.
Loved this second book of possibly tragic love then resolved and won. Can’t wait for the next brother to get his book.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. Opinions are my own. -
WOW!!!!! I don't say this often but if you haven't pre ordered this book yet hit the one click its that fucking good!!! 😉
Gina L. Maxwell has done it again!!!! The Rebel king is the second book from her The Deviant King series and she upped the ante with more dare I say hot sex and all all things so darkly delicious from the Verran men!!!! This is Tiernan's book so I knew going in it was gonna be a fabulous read! While I loved the intense Caiden and fell hopelessly in lust Tiernan the playboy and all around partying goodtime brother stepped up to the plate big time! After the light king Edevane tried and failed to kill dark king Caiden he stepped down to protect his mate so it would be Tierran next brother in line who would rule their people. Tierran never wanted to sit on the throne and he's in a race to find the light king so Caiden will be king once more. This king shit not only brings expectations of his people and the court but it also changes his personal life. His secret liaisons with the beautiful and sexy half fae maid Fiona has been a whirl wind of mind blowing sex and dark desires that have them both a slave to their desires! With everyone watching everything the rebel prince does the only place without security cameras is the dungeon and while Fiona is all for sex with a edge Tier has made the dungeon it off limits! But what Fiona doesn't know is in his past a BDSM scene went to far when he lost control. Their both keeping secrets and after fiona's mother is attacked by NPO a group who is hunting the fae's down she learns that she is even more different and any dreams she had of being with Tiernan are gone. But what she can do is go undercover as a stripper at Devils Door where the group hangs out to find out who's all involved and find the missing fae women that are being used and sold for pleasure. Loads of action and plenty of steamy sex and great banter and a couple who's chemistry was off the charts!!! And Edevane the light king is back to be a royal pain in the ass! Everytime they think they've taken care of this fae asshole he's one step ahead of them and theirs no keeping hold of this slippery shit head! Before I close this out I do so love the two new characters that were introduced in this book. First was Tiernan's best friend and chess partner Robert a human who is close to 80 with snark and wit that made me instantly fall in love with him. And then theirs the big hot and sexy vampire Dmitri “D’yavol” Romanov who was a fierce legendary Russian warrior before he was turned into a vampire.He goes by the nickname" The devil " but damn is he fine with being over six feet and pale blue eyes with a sexy scar and amazing charm its no wonder this vamp draws attention everywhere he goes. I hope Gina is planning a book for this bad boy too!!!! Next up the youngest brother Finn and I can't wait!!!!! This series just keeps getting better!!! Gina is a awesome storyteller and her characters all unique and memorable. Until next time Luv's💕💋
I want to thank Gina and Netgalley along with Entangled publishing for the copy to read and review it made my day!!😉💋 -
3.5 ⭐️ This was a great addition to the Deviant Kings series. I couldn't put it down!
"Things might be different for us outside these walls. But right now, in here, you're mine. Say it."
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ paranormal romance
✨ fae, humans, vampires
✨ las vegas setting
✨ she’s the housekeeper and last lover of the the soon to be fae king of the Night Court
✨ he’s the playboy prince and future king who wants nothing to do with the crown
✨ royal x non-royal
✨ forbidden romance
✨ casual hookup to love
✨ forced proximity
✨ playful banter
✨ 3/5 spice
✨ heavy BDSM: dom/sub, sadism/masochism, rigging, whipping
✨ political intrigue
✨ murder mystery
✨ secret missions
✨ dual pov
My Thoughts:
This was such a fun and sexy story that dove way deeper into the Deviant Kings world and left me craving more. Seriously, The Vicious King (book 3) sounds incredible and I'm so glad we only have to wait a few months till it's release on December 5th!
What I liked:
Tiernan and his journey to becoming king. Tiernan has a boyish charm you can't help but love, a sharp mind, and a big heart - all qualities that make a great leader. No one wants the crown less than Tiernan, but unfortunately, it's fallen into his lap. And over time, with the help of a few friends, he accepts his responsibilities and realizes that maybe the Night Court needs a king just like him.
Fiona and her story. Fiona was a sweet secondary character from the first book who we hardly knew anything about, and this book did a fantastic job diving into her character. I love her kindness and caring nature towards others, her bravery and willingness to do what she can to help, and her fire and passion. She also has a complicated past with many twists and turns I didn't expect, so getting to know her was a blast!
The romance. Tiernan and Fiona are the epitome of a modern couple whose relationship starts with hooking up and ends with love. I love their playful banter. The forbidden element of their story made things exciting, and incredibly angsty. Seriously, them not being able to be together paired with the mystery plot had my heart clenching. It was a painfully delightful story. (lol) They obviously had a connection from the beginning but watching them grow as individuals and as a couple was lovely. Also, the nickname 'Little Red' is fucking adorable! And that ending was super cute.
The political intrigue and plot! I LOVE that we learn much more about the dark and light fae, and the added (murder) mystery element really kept me on my toes. It was so fun and I couldn’t put it down because I just had to know how things would unfold!
The smut. I’m really not into hardcore BDSM, but the scenes were done well. I never got the ick so that's always a good sign. The scenes seemed to have also been done in a proper and safe manner that aligns with the BDSM lifestyle, so that is very much appreciated.
The Bryn and Caiden cameos. I loved these two from
The Dark King and was curious what life would be like for them afterwards. Turns out, it's just as crazy! I won't say more because it would spoil some things but they do play a role in this book, so get excited!
That second epilogue featuring Finnian has me salivating for book 3! I'm shook after all that new information and cannot wait to learn more about Taryn and how she's connected to Finnian!
What were my issues:
I didn’t like how Tiernan talked like a Gen Z-er. I know he's the relatable brother since he hangs out with humans all the time, but still, it was distracting and really hard to get past, especially since he's 150(?) years old. Here are some examples: "I'd fucking smash that look, no question," "bitch slap me in the face", "staying chill," "dude,". There's also a bunch of Twilight/Edward Cullen jokes which I didn't really get.
Sometimes, it felt like the plot was overshadowing the romance. I'm someone who likes both to be developed in the romance novels I read, but a lot of Tiernan and Fiona's romance was intertwined with whatever was happening politically/mystery plot-wise when I wish they had more romantic moments that would have unfolded without those outside factors. For example, the first time they 'play' is during an undercover mission at a BDSM club, and while it was hot, I wish they had an experience prior in a more private place so the moment was just about them.
I wish Tiernan and Fiona had a BDSM scene before the sex club. We knew both characters had experience with BDSM so it's not like they needed to learn about it, but Tiernan gave up the lifestyle because of a bad experience. So him being forced to do BDSM with Fiona (for the first time) in a sex club while on a secret mission just seemed contrived and cruel. Especially because he does end up having a trauma response to the entire experience, which Fiona does talk him through. But my tender heart didn't want to see him suffer, so I personally, wish their first BDSM experience had been in a safe environment without any pressure.
Occasionally, the story sometimes moved from political drama to romance so quickly it was a bit jarring. One paragraph would be politics and then next would be romance. I think it sort of aligns with my point above, but the romance moments needed some time to breath without the other angst and tension from the mystery/political plot.
Thank you Entangled and Gina Maxwell for sending me an arc copy! As always, all opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
"Power is as ruinous as it is advantageous."
_______
"I felt like I'd finally found what I hadn't even known I was searching for. You are my little treasure. You are worth more to me than all the riches of Faerie and this world combined. You must believe me."
_______
"It's okay to be mad at your eyes. I'll show them enough love until you're ready to love them, too."
_______
And suddenly I want to wipe it all off, to get rid of anything that disguises the real her. So that for the first time in her life, she doesn't have to hide who she is, because who she is naturally is perfect.
_______
"I swear to the gods, Fiona, if you die on me, I will follow you. I will find you in whatever afterlife exists for humans, and I will drag your cute ass back to the land of the living, even if it costs me my soul's place in Mag Mell."
_______
"Know that you belong to me, just as I belong to you. Now and always, no matter what."
_______
"Whether fae, human, or other, everything about you is - and always has been - fucking perfect."
_______ -
OF COURSE I PICK UP A SERIES THAT'S NOT FINISHED YET 😭
22/1/24
Finally read it after AGES.
Maybe a 3 star?
I liked Tiernan, his character arc was good, and genuinely made sense. Fiona was fine, too impulsive for my liking (it gave reckless, not strong and awesome).
Would love it if authors stopped making characters from other books pregnant to further their plot; it's not the only way to keep them relevant.
This didn't live up to the first book (which i ADORED), but it was a decent follow up. Hoping for a better plot and writing from the third book 🤞🏼 -
second read:
okay, the audiobook is better! my original review still stands and i didn’t love the narrators, but it is a fun listen. it’s a light-hearted, silly, dark rom com. love that tiernan got his edward cullen moment.
first read:
i should have liked this but unfortunately i cringed one too many times. the romance was lackluster and i didn’t really like the mmc tiernan. there is more world building/overall plot progression so it’s important to read if you want to continue the series. -
Obviously read this for science. 😏
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2.75 ⭐️ Great story, awful execution.
I wanted to like this book so badly. Not only because this is the first series where I've gotten an eARC for both the first AND the second book in the series (which, seriously, thank you so much Net Galley please don't stop granting me my requests), but because I remember really enjoying the first one. Unfortunately, either I've changed or this book is just not it, because I was genuinely having a hard time just finishing this.
The writing wasn't great, and the characters engaging in emoji talk was so painful. Borderline criminal. I feel like I need to insert a couple of quotes so you can understand the pain I was put through."You need an eggplant in your taco, STAT, girl."
"Big tongue, waving hand, and then the trio of droplets."
And yes, those are two pieces of dialogue that happen in the span of a single conversation in this book. I don't know if it's the millennial ick or what, but it was irritating as hell.
The plot and storyline feel like it's almost mirroring the first book. It's the exact same thing, but in reverse. Much like in the first book, this fmc journey in self-discovery makes her find out the truth about herself in a very jarring, almost careless way. What she'd always believed herself to be is no longer true, and she doesn't really seem all that faced about it. She has one scene where she's kind of in shock, but then she's just fine. Moves on so f*cking fast that it feels like whiplash. I didn't love that it's always women's bodies being exploited and taken for profit or subserviency. But then again, this book it's dark fantasy, so there's that. The smut was nice (even if there's no blood sharing scene, which is a huge missed opportunity in this book.)
I would recommend for dark fantasy readers who only want vibes, no need for great writing or plot.
⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
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Hot Damn, Tiernan, The Rebel King is a fantastic and sizzling read.
Honestly, I finished this book several days ago; I was undecided between four or five stars. I was then torn between two brothers. I didn’t think Caiden’s brothers could top him. Once again, slap my ass and call me Sally. The author proved me wrong. I absolutely adore Tiernan.
While Cadien leads with his head, Tiernan leads with his heart, authority, and strategy. I would always bet on him.
What I didn’t expect was the emotion I felt with Fiona and Tiernan's love story. The council has certain expectations as Tiernan being king, he must produce an heir of royal blood and dark Fae. Fiona is the hired help. These two are so much in love with each other. Then is also danger in the background.
With Fiona by Tiernan's side to investigate, Tiernan's possessive side can’t help but shine through. I laughed a time or two.
The chemistry between the two is a scorcher. Fiona knows her sexuality and owns it. Top of that, she is a strong heroine, which I love.
This book and series will live rent-free for in my has for a long time. I didn’t want this book to end. It’s very entertaining and I for one enjoyed it.
Of course, there are cameos from Caiden and Bryn. That girl is hysterical.
I see a re-read in my future. -
In the words of Finnian Verran, "My brain feels like it's about to blow a gasket."
Review to come!
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More than five stars!
So, I loved The Dark King, but this book...this book blew me away! Like the first book, The Rebel King is a spicy paranormal romance with D/s themes. Whips...whew! Tiernan is my new book boyfriend, kthanks.
Tiernan and Fiona are written perfectly. Compared to Bryn in The Dark King, Fiona was much easier to connect to right away. She's a snarky, but vulnerable badass.
Her and Tiernan have an already established connection going into the story and I appreciated that shift from the fated mates trope. I'd say this lingers more in Forbidden Romance territory.
Their vulnerability becomes really apparent on page, making you able to connect to them easier. I could feel the struggle Tiernan had with the mistake he made in his past and I would've loved to have seen more written about that time in his life.
"Tiernan might come off as being no deeper than a puddle, but you know he's not as shallow as that."
Omg, and Robert! Tiernan's human best friend...I love him so, so much! The absolute best side character.
This being the second book in a series, I HIGHLY recommend reading The Dark King first, even if they are technically standalone books, as I feel like there are a ton of spoilers for the first book and you don't want to miss out on Caiden's book ;)
The Rebel King showed us deeper into the Deviant Kings world, allowing us to meet more of the others. With that little peek into Finnian's story at the end, I am salivating for the next book! December cannot come soon enough.
HUGE thank you to Entangled Publishing (AMARA) for the e-ARC to read, enjoy, and honestly review! -
I got this lovely arc to read and review and give my opinion. I want to thank Gina L. Maxwell, Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me this opportunity!
“Hey, Dolan, I have a riddle for you. What do you get when you ask a Rebel Prince to ascend the Midnight Throne?”
From the crowd, a familiar gravelly voice shouts, “You get a rebel king!”
“Zwischenzug!”
Wow! Oh my fuckin god!!! This book is so remarkably entertaining! I LOVED everything about it! The plot was better! I really loved the story in this book. It was so exciting and invigorating to see all the plot twist and turns. You got to delve more into the characters. I absolutely LOVE Tier and Fiona!
Wow! Just wow! That scene with pour some sugar on me! Wow! That was some crazy steamy stuff and then you get to the private back house!!!! I was like ….Dumbfounded!!!
I really like the character Dmitri. I love his persona and his wit. He was awesome! I also love Robert! I love his sense of humility and his wisecracking ass!
This book was sooo fuckin awesome!!! Go read it!!!
“Death is a new beginning. Peace in darkness.” -
The Rebel King was sexy and explosive. I loved Tiernan and Fiona and thought this was a good follow up to The Dark King! This story continues the intricate plot and political intrigue of the first book and immediately follows the story from that cliffy-esque ending.
While I absolutely adored this story, I did find that this story consumed me less than The Dark King. While I know Tiernan is completely different from Caiden, I was expecting the same level of passion and intensity between Tieran and Fiona that Caiden and Bryn had. I also got lost in the details of the story vs the love story itself. Overall this was a good story, and I look forward to the next book in the series! 4 stars! ~Ratula 🩷 -
There's always another way.
Also, leave us on a cliffy much???? Ahhhhh!!! -
Gone are the days of no responsibilities, and the dark pleasures only Vegas can offer. With an unwanted responsibility looming over his head, the rebel prince, Tiernan has no choice but to count down the days until his freedom disappears. A war is emerging from the shadows of Vegas and Tiernan finds himself caught between who he is and the duty that’s been set before him.
The Rebel King is an addictive and compelling forbidden romance. I loved getting to dive further into the world this author has created. I found Tiernan’s struggles easy to relate to. He wanted to live his life to the fullest and wasn’t prepared to rule over the court. Fiona was deliciously forbidden to Tiernan. She was a real spitfire and wasn’t afraid to protect those she cared about.
Together, Fiona and Tiernan made a great team. I adored their fun and steamy banter. Their chemistry oozed off the pages and despite knowing that a future together will never be in the cards, that didn’t stop me from rooting for Tiernan and Fiona to find their way to a happily ever after.
The Rebel King is a fantastic addition to the Deviant Kings series. It’s filled with lots of steam, romance, danger, and some really great twists. The characters and their story will consume you from page one and will leave devouring every word. The Rebel King is completely addictive and entertaining. If you’re a fan of fantasy and forbidden romances, you won’t want to miss The Rebel King!
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review* -
Tiernan, the once rebel prince, is about to become King. With his pride in check he is ready to take the crown. Giving up his lifestyle for the throne and familial duties he accepted, giving up the opportunity for love is something he isn’t can’t accept. He desperately wants to pursue a relationship with his house cleaner Fiona. This forbidden romance is a steamy continuation of the Deviant Kings series.
The Night Court otherwise known as the Dark Fae have built Las Vegas up as their home. They have enjoyed the profits and indulgences that Las Vegas has created. That is until the murders start. For the first time, the Dark Fae are being murdered. It is shocking because how to kill a fae is not common knowledge. With an investigation open Tiernan must get to the bottom by employing new alliances with other supernatural creatures.
I loved the Deviant Kings so being able to dive back into the world was exciting. The main part of this story was the mystery, which intertwined itself with self discoveries of the main characters. Rebel King was less romantic and more mystery with explicit sexual elements. I wanted a bit more encompassing love story and less dark side of the Fae.
The book had some modern day references that made me laugh. I do recommend this book especially if you like forbidden romances, explicit dark romance and Romantasy.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Reading Copy. My review is my honest opinion.
3.5 Stars
4 Peppers for BDSM & explicit sexual situations
TW: Human/supernatural trafficking, bdsm, -
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️🦸🏻♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨.75
First Impressions
The Rebel King is the second book in the "Deviant Kings" series which I am assuming is going to be a trilogy. I was really intrigued with this one especially with the ending in the "Dark King" that we received. I have found that this author's writing is very interesting. Its not really my favorite when reading a PNR fantasy as some of the world building aspects she writes, but it has some great plot dynamics and her relationships tend to be wildly entertaining.
First Line
Power is as ruinous as it is advantageous
Summary
Tiernan is the playboy of the brothers and the least likely to take on the role of king. He was never trained for years like his brothers were and was considered the brother that handled things differently. His only current passion has really been chess and women. He never became invested in courtly politics of the fae realms but when his brother abdicates he is forced to change his perceptions. While he is in a relationship with Fiona, he knows that they can never truly be together in the long term aspect. But when he realizes he most likely will have to give her up completely while also trying to solve a murder mystery with her, tensions will rise both in the relationship and within the fae court. Can Tiernan find a way to embrace his destiny while also keeping the woman he loves at his side?
What I Loved
I found "The Rebel King" to be quite a interesting take. I also love to see the unconventional character take on a leadership role. And we do see some many aspects to a court politic element that was intriguing. So I do think fans of fantasy romance or historical romance, will find themselves intrigued by this element. I also can't get enough of the "Forbidden" elements that rise within this one here. I had a fun time seeing how our characters work with each other here. We do have a fun murder mystery that contains some undercover spy work that really pulled me in. We also have some BDSM elements that I had fun with. I didn't expect BDSM in this one, but I really enjoyed what we received in this one, especially the focus of the safety portions of the lifestyle. The forbidden romance was quite interesting. I also love it when a couple finds their way over restrictions on them being together. And how it happens I adored. It happens in a way you don't expect but loved the intellectual enlightening that is implemented to showcase the path forward for our couple. I found these characters to be very likeable and wanted to see them through to their HEA and after that ending I am curious to see what the author has planned for "Vicious King" which releases this summer.
What I Struggled With
So there was a couple of things I struggled with. I wasn't a fan in how the hero pushes the heroine away without telling her what was happening and getting her input on it. It effects her too so it wasn't really explained why he was so secretive on it. Another aspect was the different ways the authors put in some political stuff here. There was some references to the pandemic (I am NOT a fan of COVID references in books) I know some readers don't mind it, but I am not a fan of it but also the whole making so much about the court being all about racism and sexism. I want to see issues like this addressed, it was just done in a way that felt preachy in the writing style and turned me off a bit. Despite this, I still do want to read more from this author, because I didn't see it in the first book and curious about her backlisted books.
Narration
SUPERB in every way. I couldn't put this audio book because of how much I enjoyed the style of narrating that these narrators used. They really brought the emotional aspects behind the intentions of the characters to life. I quickly became invested in their story and I do think some of it is due to the narration being so well messaged.
Overall View
The Rebel King is a story that will take you into a world of fantastical imagination and sensuality. Its one that will take you on some adventures, a mystery to be solved and solid teamwork with our couple to reaching their HEA! A SATISFYING GEM!
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Fantasy Paranormal Romance
Character Types: Royalty, Fae
Themes: Hot Smexy Times, BDSM, Court Politics, Danger/Suspense
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Fling
Book Perspective
Duo POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Plot Conflict
Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes you want to read this series in order if possible
Steam/Spice Explanations
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Narrators:
J.F. Harding, Kelsey Navarro
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After reading the first book in the Deviant Kings dark romance-fantasy series last year, I was so eager to read book two – The Rebel King. Tiernan was so intriguing, and I was curious how he would adjust to the role pushed upon him. Unfortunately, it is not smooth sailing, as he cares for a woman he cannot be with, some are questioning his abilities to rule, and shocking murders plague his people.
The story switches between Tiernan and Fiona’s perspectives, so you really get to understand both of them on a deeper level. They are fascinating protagonists, and I was engrossed in both of their journeys. Tiernan is transitioning into a leadership role, and he’s begrudgingly accepting his role as king. He’s a way better leader than he gives himself credit for, and he really comes into his own over the course of the story. I loved seeing his belief in himself as a leader grow.
And Fiona is the perfect match for Tiernan. Feisty and strong, Fiona is kind of a badass. She puts her own safety on the line so many times to protect and help others, even though she’s going through a lot personally. Fiona receives some shocking revelations about herself that shake the foundation of her life and some of her relationships, but she never loses her determination to help Tiernan and the missing women they are searching for. I also love how Fiona makes Tiernan see things from a different perspective, which is particularly poignant as Tiernan faces unfortunate traditions and expectations.
Of course, my absolute favorite part of the book is the super steamy love story between Tiernan and Fiona. In a forbidden romance, the pair can’t be together for so many reasons. And with the crown on the line for his family, Tiernan is bound by duty. But oh my word, these two have it bad for each other! It’s electrically charged and spicy, and the forbidden nature of their relationship just adds to the intensity of their romance. Regardless of the dangers they face, Tiernan and Fiona’s deep love for each other, which neither wants to admit to, is incredible. And did I mention steamy? That’s definitely worth mentioning twice because – whew!
Some other things I really love about this series are the awesome banter, the humor, and the myriad of relationships that are explored. I adore the relationship between Tiernan and his brothers, his wonderful connection to their mentor, and the relationship between Fiona and her mother. Friendships, family bonds, and new relationships are all explored and create nuanced and layered characters and side stories that I really enjoyed. And some of the conversations are laugh-out-loud funny, which I appreciated, especially after some of the intense and darker scenes.
I thought this was a great addition to the series. It’s entertaining and suspenseful, and the romance is super steamy. Special thanks to Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own. -
Wow! Just Wow! Gina you have done it again. I have fallen for another Verran brother. I knew I liked Tiernan in The Dark King but that has been now upgraded to LOVE! Tiernan and Fiona immediately had my heart in book 1. Having only stolen moments in the theater room I automatically fell for their forbidden romance.
Tiernan is known as the Rebel King. He acts before he thinks, he’s known as the partier and has always been the one with no responsibilities. And he’s fine with that. However when his brother Caiden abdicated duty then fell to Tiernan. Since being announced as future King he must keep his relationship with Fiona a secret, learn what he can about being King oh and stop a war between humans and Fae.
Fiona is an absolute spitfire. She has so much personality and spunkiness and I love it! Fiona is different from other dark Fae. She doesn’t have all the features normal dark Fae have. However she eventually learns news that just might change what she’s thought was true the whole time.
Tiernan and Fiona will grip your heart so tight and never let go. You will root for them, cry for them and laugh with them. The Rebel King was so good! 10/10!
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Gina for sending me a copy for review. -
I would not recommend listening to this one on audiobook. While the male narrator was pretty good, the female narrator's reading style was just off-putting. Like... sarcastic? It was particularly unpleasant during the spicy scenes. I think it may have affected my interest and engagement in the story, but I can't know for sure. Maybe fae royalty in Vegas just isn't my thing. 🤷♀️
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Tiernan Verran is next in line to rule over the Dark Fae. This was never something that he wanted, but will accept. Fiona is hiding her true self from everyone. Working as a maid at Midnight Manor, the home of the Night Court King, she has been trying to keep her relationship with Tiernan strictly professional after a few secret dalliances. They are drawn to each by a strong pull. As things begin to heat up, everything starts to unravel. Secrets are revealed, and there is danger at every turn. As Fiona and Tiernan navigate the danger, they are brought closer together. I really enjoyed this story and finding out what makes them tick. So happy that everything turned out for them in the end. Looking forward to next installment.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review. -
After reading the first book in the Deviant Kings dark romance-fantasy series last year, I was so eager to read book two – The Rebel King. Tiernan was so intriguing, and I was curious how he would adjust to the role pushed upon him. Unfortunately, it is not smooth sailing, as he cares for a woman he cannot be with, some are questioning his abilities to rule, and shocking murders plague his people.
The story switches between Tiernan and Fiona’s perspectives, so you really get to understand both of them on a deeper level. They are fascinating protagonists, and I was engrossed in both of their journeys. Tiernan is transitioning into a leadership role, and he’s begrudgingly accepting his role as king. He’s a way better leader than he gives himself credit for, and he really comes into his own over the course of the story. I loved seeing his belief in himself as a leader grow.
And Fiona is the perfect match for Tiernan. Feisty and strong, Fiona is kind of a badass. She puts her own safety on the line so many times to protect and help others, even though she’s going through a lot personally. Fiona receives some shocking revelations about herself that shake the foundation of her life and some of her relationships, but she never loses her determination to help Tiernan and the missing women they are searching for. I also love how Fiona makes Tiernan see things from a different perspective, which is particularly poignant as Tiernan faces unfortunate traditions and expectations.
Of course, my absolute favorite part of the book is the super steamy love story between Tiernan and Fiona. In a forbidden romance, the pair can’t be together for so many reasons. And with the crown on the line for his family, Tiernan is bound by duty. But oh my word, these two have it bad for each other! It’s electrically charged and spicy, and the forbidden nature of their relationship just adds to the intensity of their romance. Regardless of the dangers they face, Tiernan and Fiona’s deep love for each other, which neither wants to admit to, is incredible. And did I mention steamy? That’s definitely worth mentioning twice because – whew!
Some other things I really love about this series are the awesome banter, the humor, and the myriad of relationships that are explored. I adore the relationship between Tiernan and his brothers, his wonderful connection to their mentor, and the relationship between Fiona and her mother. Friendships, family bonds, and new relationships are all explored and create nuanced and layered characters and side stories that I really enjoyed. And some of the conversations are laugh-out-loud funny, which I appreciated, especially after some of the intense and darker scenes.
I thought this was a great addition to the series. It’s entertaining and suspenseful, and the romance is super steamy. Special thanks to Entangled Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own. -
I was wondering where the author would go next with this series. In my opinion, she did even better with Tiernan’s story than she did with Caiden.
After Caiden abdicated in the previous book, his younger brother Tiernan is supposed to be crowned. Which makes his relationship with Fiona, the half-human housekeeper, a forbidden one. At first, Fiona and Tier are mostly friends with benefits–without being really friends either. They even banter quite a lot. But it’s clear from the beginning that there’s a bit more than just attraction between them: there’s respect and admiration. And yeah, a lot of attraction. I found it very telling and sweet that the things Fiona was the most insecure about were also the things Tiernan liked the most. As a dominant lover, Tiernan was quite selfless and attentive. Even the scenes they both participated in were different than most BDSM scenes written in romance.
If Beauty and the Beast was in the background of the first book, this time the author references Little Red Riding Hood. But not a lot. The fact that Fiona has red hair explains her nickname, Little Red, and that’s pretty much it. Tiernan is far from a big bad wolf–though there are some in the story–and there’s no grand-mother in sight. There are patterns of concealing one’s identity, though.
The other recurring metaphore is chess, as seen on the cover, and I guess it sums up the story pretty well too.
Besides the romance, the story revolves once again around the rivalry between the Dark and the Light faes. But the author added another surprising element: a human faction fighting against the faes. The racist subtext behind their actions was obvious too.
Politics and diplomacy were also a big part of the story. It was an interesting element, as Tiernan is introduced as a rebel, and you’d imagine that negociation and following rules wouldn’t be among his skills.
I could complain that some decisions they make while looking for the bad guys don’t make a lot of sense, but they bring Tiernan and Fiona together. So in the end, I won’t complain. It’s a sexy, entertaining paranormal romance, and that’s already a lot.
Quickie
- Series: Deviant kings #2 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #paranormal romance #billionaire romance #dark romance #forbidden romance #royal romance #fae #BDSM #erotica
- Triggers: BDSM, violence, death, injuries, sexual abuse
- Main couple: Fiona Jewell & Tiernan Verran
- Hotness: 5/5
- Romance: 5/5
- + I loved the kinky side of the story, it had meaning
- – such a complicated plot… interesting, but still complicated
EDIT: I knew, diving into this audio, that I would enjoy the narration, and I was right. Both narrators are great, and are perfectly cast. Tiernan's narrator was light and funny when needed, and more introspective and deep at other times, while Fiona's narrator's energy matched with the character, bold and stubborn. It was a great way to enjoy the book. -
Thank you to Gina L. Maxwell and Entangled: Amara for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CONTENT WARNING: murder, violence, blood, gun violence, gore
From the second that I finished the last sentence in my ARC of The Dark King, I couldn’t wait to get my little grabby hands on a copy of this book. And I am incredibly grateful to have gotten my hands on a copy of this as soon as I could. It was everything I could have hoped for and more, so trust me when I say that you want a copy of this.
If you’ve read the first book in this series, you’ll be familiar with the characters. If you haven’t, don’t worry because this can also work as a standalone. After the abdication of his older brother Caiden as a result of a curse, the crown falls to the reluctant middle Verran brother, Tiernan. He’s got a reputation as a rebel, a playboy, and definitely not someone who you’d think would be comfortable leading the Dark Fae.
But that’s exactly what happens, and it means that there’s a lot of changes coming for him. Starting with his lifestyle. Instead of living it up, bachelor style, he’s going to have to get serious and find an appropriate consort. And his serious secret affair with Fiona isn’t going to cut it anymore, since she’s only half-Fae and that makes her not appropriate for the King to be messing around with. The only problem is, he can’t get her off his mind. And Fiona is miserable without him too. But they’ve got bigger problems to worry about, like someone on the loose who is murdering Dark Fae in Vegas.
We get POV chapters from both Tiernan and Fiona, and I loved seeing both of their perspectives as they’re forced to work together to figure out where this threat is coming from and how to fight it. The story is sexy, fast-paced, full of action, and never, ever boring. There’s some seriously steamy sex scenes, and there’s the added depth of more BDSM in this book than there was in the previous one—exhibitionism, flogging, and whips are some of what you can expect, but it’s all handled gently and sensitively.
In addition to all the mystery, court politics, and random pop-ins from characters in the first book, there’s the swooniest romance I could have ever asked for, and I loved how Maxwell wrote it. It was written beautifully, and for a while I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out, but I knew that a HEA was coming. This is a standout example of what romantasy (romance-fantasy) should be, and it’s done absolutely perfectly. -
This one ended up just being okay. I liked the first book in the series more. Some of the moments in this book felt very similar to plot points in book 1 and I just wanted something different. Heroine finds things out about her past early on and the reveals were just okay. I did like more about the fae and how their world works. We kind of just jump into an existing relationship in this book and I just never believed their chemistry. This is basically a series following fae royalty but we get to see them in Las Vegas. We get a lockdown situation in this book.
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DNF@14% While I enjoyed book 1 this book is not working for me. Tiernan acts like a child constantly having a pity party for himself.
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I been waiting for Tier’s story ever since I read Caiden’s! I absolutely LOVED it and couldn’t get enough of Tier and Fiona’s story.
Gina L. Maxwell has done it once again! The Rebel King is the second book in The Deviant King series and she gave us so much more in this one than the first. The Verran men are all so dark and delicious but then again they are apart of the Night Court! Tier stole my heart in book one so I knew we were going to get a delicious story for him. The way Tier stepped up from the Rebel Prince to the Rebel King was absolutely amazing to read. He never wanted to sit on the throne but when his people needed him the most, he did what he needed to do! But with the crown comes responsibility and his secret rendezvous with Fiona were quickly coming to an end, but neither of them wanted that.
I loved all the action, suspense, angst, heartbreak, and spice we got with Tier’s story! They’re so much more to the Rebel King than people wanted to give him credit for. Robert was also one of my favorite characters, he had me laughing every time!! This series just keeps getting better and better and I can only image what Finni’s story will hold. This is definitely a MUST READ!
Huge thank you to Gina L. Maxwell, NetGalley, and Entangled Publishing for the ARC!! I couldn’t get enough. -
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gina L. Maxwell. Fantasy, Romance, erotica, BDSM.
I frickin LOVED this book. I frickin LOVE this series. This author has a fresh, crisp writing style and her characters are simply divine. Super sexy and very authentic. Each character has their own vivid personality.
Sin city was created by the dark fae, the Verran family has ruled for a very long time. Because of a curse, the king has stepped down. Being the next in line Tiernan only has 3 months until his coronation. This rebel prince is not ready. He's trying to be kingly, he's even curbing his dalliance with a certain fiery half-fae.
Fiona is trying to stay away from Tiernan, but she misses him. She's been around long enough to know they can't really have a future.
Then the killings start. Quickly getting out of hand. When Fiona becomes involved Tiernan can't deny his feelings for her. What's worse, she is about to learn a truth that will destroy everything she thinks she knows.
Tiernan has to find help.
Turning to the russian Mafia and a sexy as hell vampire. Things just get more interesting and the intrigue is nail biting!!!
I highly recommend this book! It's just fantastic.
I received this Advanced copy from NetGalley and Entangled publishing, all thoughts and opinions are my own. -
*I received a copy through NetGalley. All opinions are strictly my own*
WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?
So here's the thing, I liked the first book, It was fun, it was hot, it had some cool backstory. But I never truly felt like Caiden was fully my type. However, every single time Tiernan appeared on the page I got some immediate heart eyes. So imagine my surprise when I learned the second book would be about him - this absolute disaster Fae who everyone, including himself, consider the least suited to be king.
Honestly I loved The Rebel King more than the first installment in this series which is a great thing because sequels rarely live up to the first book. I also loved Fiona and she's my favorite FMC so far. She and Tiernan are so sweet and steamy and absolute goals. I love how Fiona isn't afraid to speak her mind, and how Tiernan finally lives up to his potential without compromising his values. Without giving away too much, there's a particular scene that takes place in the kitchen and it's just *chef's kiss* Just writing about it makes me want to read it again.
Can't wait for Finnian's story! -
Fae in Sin City?! That’s all it took to hook me in when I picked up The Dark King (the first book in the Deviant Kings series) last year so I was very excited to get to revisit the world of the Dark Fae. Where The Dark King centers on the eldest Verran brother, Caiden (and his relationship with Bryn Meara), The Rebel King focuses on his successor in both book series and the throne, middle Verran brother, Tiernan.
The Rebel King continues what I enjoyed about the first book, a fantasy world entwined with reality by way of Las Vegas. But just like any good sequel, Maxwell expands on the lore, bringing us deeper into this fantasy world she has created.
Of course, at the heart of all of this is a love story between rebellious Tiernan and the fiery Fiona Jewel. For fans of “romantasy” via forbidden love, the relationship between Tiernan and Fiona will keep you engaged.
Overall, The Rebel King is a great continuation of the Deviant Kings and I already cannot wait to carry on within this series.
Thank you Gina L. Maxwell, Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
