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challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a fun, messy read—dark romance chaos with a mafia twist and a heavy dose of enemies-to-lovers tension. Nikos and Bran have electric chemistry, but the constant push-pull between them got repetitive fast. The same cycle—together, apart, can’t stay away—played out a few too many times, and by the end, it felt like the book could’ve been at least 200 pages shorter.
That said, when the dynamic did hit, it hit hard. The tension, the vulnerability, and the emotional unraveling were really compelling, especially toward the end. I just wish we got more of that and less of the loop.
Rina Kent knows how to write intensity, and this one definitely delivers on that front. Just be aware: it’s dark, 18+, and comes with a solid list of trigger warnings—so check those before diving in.
If you enjoy MM romance with complicated characters, emotional warfare, and morally gray relationships, this one might be up your alley.
That said, when the dynamic did hit, it hit hard. The tension, the vulnerability, and the emotional unraveling were really compelling, especially toward the end. I just wish we got more of that and less of the loop.
Rina Kent knows how to write intensity, and this one definitely delivers on that front. Just be aware: it’s dark, 18+, and comes with a solid list of trigger warnings—so check those before diving in.
If you enjoy MM romance with complicated characters, emotional warfare, and morally gray relationships, this one might be up your alley.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Words cannot describe how much I have been needing this book in my life. As soon as I caught a glimpse of the twins at the end of the Royal Elite Series I knew I'd need their stories so I can find out what kind of men they would be shaped into. After now having both their books I can honestly say I am so proud of both of them. I believe that Lan and Bran deserve everything and more in this universe.
I am also especially happy about them being able to work towards mending their relationship as brothers, and us getting to see their relationship be as strong as when they were kids has healed my heart.
As for Nikolai I knew he would be my favorite from the Heathens and I am so glad to say that he is. As much as I love the unhinged kinks of Jeremy, the heart and teddy bear personality that Nikolai has is so perfect. I love how effortlessly funny he is. He is honestly such a lovable character.
By the end of the book I am so proud of them all in this book.
The only reason why I haven't given the book 5 stars is because of some minor nit picking stuff. First being that Bran is British and uses American measurements. And the second being that their intimacy moved very quickly with not much discussions for Bran to get used to everything.
As for Nikolai I knew he would be my favorite from the Heathens and I am so glad to say that he is. As much as I love the unhinged kinks of Jeremy, the heart and teddy bear personality that Nikolai has is so perfect. I love how effortlessly funny he is. He is honestly such a lovable character.
By the end of the book I am so proud of them all in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, Gaslighting, Alcohol
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.25 out of 5 ☆’s.
“I'll be by your side during all of your battles with your demons. I'll kill them for you if you let me.”
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I have a looot of thoughts about this one. 😮💨
“I'll be by your side during all of your battles with your demons. I'll kill them for you if you let me.”
ੈ✩‧₊˚
I have a looot of thoughts about this one. 😮💨
I admittedly went into this book with high expectations. I read most of RK’s backlist because I had gotten videos of Nikolai + Brandon on my FYP & wanted to read their book when it was released. I started this entire journey for them - so it is possible that those expectations and feelings influenced my reading experience (and are therefore reflected in my rating).
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It has been a couple of days since I finished God of Fury and yet I am still struggling to grasp how I feel about it…
I was worried about how things would be portrayed — seeing as this is RK’s first LGBTQ+ novel — but I had hoped that my worries would be unfounded (I am not sure that is the case though, unfortunately).
While reading the LoG series there were moments where I felt as though Nikolai’s character perpetuated some harmful bisexual stereotypes, which made me a bit uncomfortable while reading. He is constantly reflecting upon threesomes + orgies that he has participated in in the past and in GoF (while speaking to his pen*s) he states the following: “Is it all the fucking? No. Hell no. That's what he thrives on. It's why he chose to be completely cool with any hole. Endless options and all that.”
I understand that LGBTQ+ representation doesn’t have to consist of squeaky clean characters that are perfect representations of their sexuality. Bisexual characters + people are allowed to enjoy sex (and threesomes) but when this is your first time writing in the POV of an LGBTQ+ character and you end up relying on stereotypes (even unintentionally) then it does make me worried about possible future LGBTQ+ releases and the way that those characters will be depicted.
I understand that LGBTQ+ representation doesn’t have to consist of squeaky clean characters that are perfect representations of their sexuality. Bisexual characters + people are allowed to enjoy sex (and threesomes) but when this is your first time writing in the POV of an LGBTQ+ character and you end up relying on stereotypes (even unintentionally) then it does make me worried about possible future LGBTQ+ releases and the way that those characters will be depicted.
I also felt as though Brandon’s whole toxic masculinity mentality (?) wasn’t unpacked enough? I understand that he had issues with appearing “abnormal” due to what happened to him in the past (and I do sympathize with that), but saying the following: “I hate it when he treats me so delicately like I’m some girl. It’s enough that he fucks me. I’m still not fully comfortable with the fact that I like being fucked by a man. It makes me feel less manly, less…normal.” was…a bit much to say the least?
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I did enjoy the family moments in this book though! :) Landon + Brandon’s growth made me tear up & I thought that Kyle + Nikolai had some great scenes as well!
I wish we had seen more of Jonathan + Aurora (since Brandon was compared to Alicia in a previous book) & I wish we had some more scenes of Brandon + Mia’s friendship. I also felt as though there was a severe lack of “lotus flower” mentions (since that’s the only thing that Nikolai would call Brandon in the other books) but that’s just me being nitpicky.
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(I’m also side eyeing the people that are leaving bad reviews on this book because they’re upset that it’s about two men. Do better. 🤨)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Body shaming, Drug use