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t_divines_reading_corner1's review against another edition
5.0
Mind-blowing is all I can say. This was my first Kennedy Ryan read and she did not disappoint! Delve into the world of: politics, injustices, POTUS campaigns, love and second chance. Lennix Moon Hunter & Maxim Kingsman Cade are strong leading characters and forces to be reckoned with. While reading this it made me think of my favorite hit TV Show— Scandal with Kerri Washington as Olivia Pope. The similarities made revel in the memory of my eyes being glued to that tv show and then binge watching it on Netflix. Kennedy left her first book on a cliff hanger and I’m stumbling to find the next book in the series to read more! If anything love and unrequited love always prevails in the end despite the odds. Mrs. Ryan you have my attention!
karend's review against another edition
Read this for a challenge. Wish I'd known more about how it ends. Guess that's on me for not doing more research, but it came from source that generally doesn't recommend books with endings like this, so I let my guard down. The story is good though too rooted in current events for me to fully enjoy (current events are pretty depressing, and I prefer not to deal with them in my pleasure reads).
Content Warnings
Spoiler about structure of plot: ends in a cliffhanger
kbrownies's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
gh0stli's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ald715's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kaysbookgallery's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
spow's review
4.0
EDITED FROM ORIGINAL REVIEW AFTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION:
I normally judge a book by how much I think about it once I’ve read the final page. I finished “The Kingmaker” this morning, and I've found myself thinking about it often.
I liked the complexity that Ms. Ryan has given to both Maxim and Lennix. Lennix is deeply rooted to her Apache heritage, so much so that it really defines the choices she makes in her life. After experiencing loss, we see a driven and confident adult Lennix, so much so that it’s not so easy to see that those losses also left their scars. In her quest to change the world, she needs to find a way to open herself up to possibility and love. Meanwhile, Maxim is so passionate about climate change and forging his own path, but the further he goes to achieving his goals, the more he starts to sound like the person he is at odds with. There were many times where I couldn’t figure out if I was supposed to root for Maxim or consider him the heel of the story.
While I am not as educated on these topics, it felt like Ms. Ryan handled the portions of the book revolving around the Apache culture and traditions, as well as climate change initiatives, with respect.
EDIT: After sitting on this for awhile, I think my biggest issue with this book how the love scenes are handled comparative to the topics handled. There is a lot of attention paid to MMIW, and having respect for these women's lives, but then during sex scenes or the lead-up to sex scenes, Lennix is often mentioned as Maxim's possession. I really tried to overlook this when thinking about this book because I did like the characters and the larger topics, but I wish this was handled a bit better considering the importance of the larger topics. From the few steamier books I've read, this seems to be a popular trend, but I have to think Ms. Ryan could have done better. As much as I liked the overall, when I think about what I read it always feels a little muddied because of this.
With this, I still think this is a worthwhile read, and I already have my next Kennedy Ryan book lined up. I give this book 4/5 stars.
**Thank you SO MUCH to Bloom Books, NetGalley and Kennedy Ryan for the advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. It was a privilege to read this book!**
I normally judge a book by how much I think about it once I’ve read the final page. I finished “The Kingmaker” this morning, and I've found myself thinking about it often.
I liked the complexity that Ms. Ryan has given to both Maxim and Lennix. Lennix is deeply rooted to her Apache heritage, so much so that it really defines the choices she makes in her life. After experiencing loss, we see a driven and confident adult Lennix, so much so that it’s not so easy to see that those losses also left their scars. In her quest to change the world, she needs to find a way to open herself up to possibility and love. Meanwhile, Maxim is so passionate about climate change and forging his own path, but the further he goes to achieving his goals, the more he starts to sound like the person he is at odds with. There were many times where I couldn’t figure out if I was supposed to root for Maxim or consider him the heel of the story.
While I am not as educated on these topics, it felt like Ms. Ryan handled the portions of the book revolving around the Apache culture and traditions, as well as climate change initiatives, with respect.
EDIT: After sitting on this for awhile, I think my biggest issue with this book how the love scenes are handled comparative to the topics handled. There is a lot of attention paid to MMIW, and having respect for these women's lives, but then during sex scenes or the lead-up to sex scenes, Lennix is often mentioned as Maxim's possession. I really tried to overlook this when thinking about this book because I did like the characters and the larger topics, but I wish this was handled a bit better considering the importance of the larger topics. From the few steamier books I've read, this seems to be a popular trend, but I have to think Ms. Ryan could have done better. As much as I liked the overall, when I think about what I read it always feels a little muddied because of this.
With this, I still think this is a worthwhile read, and I already have my next Kennedy Ryan book lined up. I give this book 4/5 stars.
**Thank you SO MUCH to Bloom Books, NetGalley and Kennedy Ryan for the advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. It was a privilege to read this book!**
rejh's review against another edition
4.0
went into it thinking it was a mafia romance or sth but ryan delivered anyway
yamalep's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
elliott_the_clementine's review against another edition
I know they do not date until later, but the word “jailbait” in any romantic context makes me instantly decide to DNF. Making the main character even just a year older could have solved this issue. I do not want to read a romance about an allegedly respectful twenty-four-year-old who would think about using that word to describe anyone. The romance (as far as I can tell) would still be sufficiently “forbidden” given the palpable clash between Lennix and Maxim’s ridiculous, hateful father.