Scan barcode
jaydeythurgood's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
p1amelie's review
4.0
4.5 ⭐️- from the fact i couldn’t put it down no matter how hard i tried. to how much i love leo and anna, how emotionally invested i was. every moment had me squealing, or expressing some emotion. i love this series already?! i thought the three povs were gonna throw me off but i think the characters personalities are so different i never got confused or lost.
i love seeing miko and anna’s relationship so much and how he is protective but also wants his daughter to excell in what she wants to do - being the heir to the polish mafia. girl boss TING. any mention of the gallos/griffins - had me smiling so much i love their little families so much.
dean gets a big nono thumbs down, being the reason leo is assaulted and then proceeding to assault anna. nonono sir im revoking all your rights. draco malfoy wants his job back. i know he has his book and his turn so we are hoping for a redemption (im intrigued that is for sure).
also an extra star for how reminiscent it was of hogwarts and how much warmth i felt despite it literally being for mafia kids. the similarities and ideas drawn from it were everything! it felt like a warm hug. i love how it was the perfect mix of character building and world building.
ALSO OMG THE GAMES?! im a goblet of fire enjoyer through and through i was eating it up. also ares is my new husband, i love him so much. he may be big and muscley but i still wanna protect him with my whole heart. he deserves the world, NO ARES SLANDER.
some quotes i simply could not chose just one:
- “i’m kissing my best friend. after all this time, i finally know what it feels like to kiss leo. it feels shocking, and enlivening, and absolutely fucking wonderful. it feels like two puzzle pieces clicking together. it feels like finally remembering something you forgot. it feels like coming home.
- “anna,” he says. “he’s not a threat to me. no one is. when i have you, i’m fucking invincible.”
- “i’ve loved him through every stage of our lives. and i love him most today— i’m amazed at the man he’s becoming. overcoming his weaknesses. amplifying his strengths.”
- “everything that ever happened to me before today brought me to this point,” leo says. “right here, right now, with you in my arms. i wouldn’t change anything. because i’d never risk not being here with you.”
and honorable mention to my favourite dads (thus far..)
“young love!” my dad says, cheerfully. “can i get you some orange juice, miko?” and then, in an undertone, “please don’t murder my son.”
im so so excited for miles and zoe’s book now!! i love miles already and i just know that he is gonna be so fun to read about. especially after busting out the moves at the winter ball (one of the best scenes ever!!) and even the snippet of zoe saying she didn’t like miles.. honey, you got a BIG storm coming (in both ways wink wonk).
i love seeing miko and anna’s relationship so much and how he is protective but also wants his daughter to excell in what she wants to do - being the heir to the polish mafia. girl boss TING. any mention of the gallos/griffins - had me smiling so much i love their little families so much.
dean gets a big nono thumbs down, being the reason leo is assaulted and then proceeding to assault anna. nonono sir im revoking all your rights. draco malfoy wants his job back. i know he has his book and his turn so we are hoping for a redemption (im intrigued that is for sure).
also an extra star for how reminiscent it was of hogwarts and how much warmth i felt despite it literally being for mafia kids. the similarities and ideas drawn from it were everything! it felt like a warm hug. i love how it was the perfect mix of character building and world building.
ALSO OMG THE GAMES?! im a goblet of fire enjoyer through and through i was eating it up. also ares is my new husband, i love him so much. he may be big and muscley but i still wanna protect him with my whole heart. he deserves the world, NO ARES SLANDER.
some quotes i simply could not chose just one:
- “i’m kissing my best friend. after all this time, i finally know what it feels like to kiss leo. it feels shocking, and enlivening, and absolutely fucking wonderful. it feels like two puzzle pieces clicking together. it feels like finally remembering something you forgot. it feels like coming home.
- “anna,” he says. “he’s not a threat to me. no one is. when i have you, i’m fucking invincible.”
- “i’ve loved him through every stage of our lives. and i love him most today— i’m amazed at the man he’s becoming. overcoming his weaknesses. amplifying his strengths.”
- “everything that ever happened to me before today brought me to this point,” leo says. “right here, right now, with you in my arms. i wouldn’t change anything. because i’d never risk not being here with you.”
and honorable mention to my favourite dads (thus far..)
“young love!” my dad says, cheerfully. “can i get you some orange juice, miko?” and then, in an undertone, “please don’t murder my son.”
im so so excited for miles and zoe’s book now!! i love miles already and i just know that he is gonna be so fun to read about. especially after busting out the moves at the winter ball (one of the best scenes ever!!) and even the snippet of zoe saying she didn’t like miles.. honey, you got a BIG storm coming (in both ways wink wonk).
jenhurst's review
4.0
3.5.
I really liked the plot and the school dynamic. Mafia families sending their kids to a school is an interesting concept. I liked hearing what they were learning and the different tracts. I think people who are more scifi, fantasy or plot driven readers will like this. I don’t think romance readers will like this because the romance took the back seat. Plus the fact Anna and Leo are cousins who ended up together is not a romance I can root for.
Also why was their a third point of view? Dean? I was all ready for a polyamorous twist and their wasn’t. I think this was too long.
I really liked the plot and the school dynamic. Mafia families sending their kids to a school is an interesting concept. I liked hearing what they were learning and the different tracts. I think people who are more scifi, fantasy or plot driven readers will like this. I don’t think romance readers will like this because the romance took the back seat. Plus the fact Anna and Leo are cousins who ended up together is not a romance I can root for.
Also why was their a third point of view? Dean? I was all ready for a polyamorous twist and their wasn’t. I think this was too long.
lanidon's review
3.0
This book started out really fun, like so fun I even got into the concept of a school that teaches crime. I specifically loved tax evasion class
The characters were set up so well, very compelling. But then,,,, I felt like the author realized Dean wasn't evil enough to get a redemption later in the series and decided to just trash all that was built to make this a cartoonish exaggerated plot. Guys there's literally a tax evasion class and I still found the rest of the story to be over the top
The actual couple doesn't really have any development since they were in love before the series started and they're both kinda blandly perfect people. The pacing is weird since there's no real romance for 90% and then suddenly they're unbreakable soulmates and there are two extended sex scenes that just suck. I hate when characters are virgins yet already know their exact kinks and have freaky sex their first time, just chill dude
Everything I'm describing sounds like a two star rating, so why am I giving it three? I think somehow it still was fun and enjoyable. Yes the writing went south at the party scene and never recovered, but but I love that they get grades in tax evasion. Imagine failing your tax evasion class, you'd never live that down in the mafia. I hope the rest of the series is just about studying hard to pass your bribery final or whatever and there's no romance. Okay night night
The characters were set up so well, very compelling. But then,,,, I felt like the author realized Dean wasn't evil enough to get a redemption later in the series and decided to just trash all that was built to make this a cartoonish exaggerated plot. Guys there's literally a tax evasion class and I still found the rest of the story to be over the top
The actual couple doesn't really have any development since they were in love before the series started and they're both kinda blandly perfect people. The pacing is weird since there's no real romance for 90% and then suddenly they're unbreakable soulmates and there are two extended sex scenes that just suck. I hate when characters are virgins yet already know their exact kinks and have freaky sex their first time, just chill dude
Everything I'm describing sounds like a two star rating, so why am I giving it three? I think somehow it still was fun and enjoyable. Yes the writing went south at the party scene and never recovered, but but I love that they get grades in tax evasion. Imagine failing your tax evasion class, you'd never live that down in the mafia. I hope the rest of the series is just about studying hard to pass your bribery final or whatever and there's no romance. Okay night night
roglows's review
5.0
really enjoyed
Great writing; this book stands out in a sea of similar titles. Drama felt genuine and not totally forced or contrived…and the romance was sexy and sweet.
I loved the world building too - Kingmakers is like Hogwarts meets West Point meets Mafia school.
Great writing; this book stands out in a sea of similar titles. Drama felt genuine and not totally forced or contrived…and the romance was sexy and sweet.
I loved the world building too - Kingmakers is like Hogwarts meets West Point meets Mafia school.
emcclark42's review
3.0
Eh
I loved the brutal prince series. I was so excited to read this book. I’m very disappointed. The way dean and Leo talk is sexist. They treat Anna like property. Definitely not finishing the series.
I loved the brutal prince series. I was so excited to read this book. I’m very disappointed. The way dean and Leo talk is sexist. They treat Anna like property. Definitely not finishing the series.
driedflowers22's review
4.0
Ate this whole series up.
This book had 3 POV’s so I genuinely wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
Wasn’t into the SA though - wanted the dude to face actual consequences and despite his redemption arc in a later book I just couldn’t move past it.
This book had 3 POV’s so I genuinely wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
Wasn’t into the SA though - wanted the dude to face actual consequences and despite his redemption arc in a later book I just couldn’t move past it.