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dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was mildly disappointed because I've heard good things about the Legacy of God series and Rina Kent. but I found this first book to be irritating as hell. And it isn't even really the story or the taboo nature of the topics, but I have everything against Rena Kent's writing choices.
She comes off like a teenage Wattpad author forcing banter and using extremely over exaggerated phrases to get points across. it's dumb shit like Remi always saying "my lordship" or Ava and her dumbass shirt slogans. It's using dumb descriptive phrases about glyndon's honey balayage and the unironic usage of the words "god" and "god like" to describe these twisted 19-year-old men. I don't know what she thought she was trying to do but it just came off forced and ridiculous. I will say that it was a little easier to listen to the audiobook version then it was for me to read.
I also clearly have an interest in dark romance but I really didn't like the portrayal of this relationship. For me a good dark romance needs to have a good balance between the two main characters and the dark themes that they're exploring together. Obviously there will be a power imbalance often but it should be shifting between the two of them. Killian was fine but Glyndon felt like a victim. and there's no romance in that for me. I understand battling with any sort of morals or beliefs when faced with a dark person in your life is one thing, but I don't think Rina did a good job selling the Glyndon was into this for 80% of the book. She came off as a victim and I never really saw that improve until the very end when the big twist was revealed (which I saw coming).
I am going to give the other books a chance because they're so highly rated and I'm hoping to just write this one off as a mistake on Rina Kent's part.
She comes off like a teenage Wattpad author forcing banter and using extremely over exaggerated phrases to get points across. it's dumb shit like Remi always saying "my lordship" or Ava and her dumbass shirt slogans. It's using dumb descriptive phrases about glyndon's honey balayage and the unironic usage of the words "god" and "god like" to describe these twisted 19-year-old men. I don't know what she thought she was trying to do but it just came off forced and ridiculous. I will say that it was a little easier to listen to the audiobook version then it was for me to read.
I also clearly have an interest in dark romance but I really didn't like the portrayal of this relationship. For me a good dark romance needs to have a good balance between the two main characters and the dark themes that they're exploring together. Obviously there will be a power imbalance often but it should be shifting between the two of them. Killian was fine but Glyndon felt like a victim. and there's no romance in that for me. I understand battling with any sort of morals or beliefs when faced with a dark person in your life is one thing, but I don't think Rina did a good job selling the Glyndon was into this for 80% of the book. She came off as a victim and I never really saw that improve until the very end when the big twist was revealed (which I saw coming).
I am going to give the other books a chance because they're so highly rated and I'm hoping to just write this one off as a mistake on Rina Kent's part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dark, bully romance that feels like a mixture of “The Ritual” and “Lights Out.” Although I wouldn’t want this IRL I like how Killian pushes Linden to admit what she wants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence
Moderate: Suicide attempt
dark
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Premise and plot? Ludicrous.
Writing? Atrocious, juvenile, repetitive.
Characters? Don't get me started.
Non-con remains gross. Do people really find SA and threats of sexual violence cute? I don't understand.
Writing? Atrocious, juvenile, repetitive.
Characters? Don't get me started.
Non-con remains gross. Do people really find SA and threats of sexual violence cute? I don't understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
God of Malice starts bold—and not in a way that sat right with me. The opening scene treads deep into non-consensual territory, and for me? That’s not just uncomfortable, it’s a hard line. I stayed with it out of commitment, but that first impression stuck.
Now, if degradation and obsession are your thing—if you’re into possessive heroes who push every boundary and talk like you’re their personal property—this book might be your jam. But that’s not me. I like dominance without dehumanization. I like intensity without erasing respect.
That said, I’m not here to bash what worked. Two things did stand out. She helped him show up as his whole, chaotic self, no edits, no masks—and he gave her the courage to stop fading into the background. He pulled her out of her shell, helped her take up space, speak up, and stop playing it safe. She met him where he was, and he made room for her to grow. That mutual transformation? I respect it. I see what the author was doing.
But still this story didn’t pull me in. I turned the pages more out of curiosity than passion. I wasn’t moved, I wasn’t swooning, and I definitely wasn’t emotionally invested in the romance. It just didn’t resonate. I’d consider reading more of the series for the other characters, but this couple wasn’t it for me.
Three stars: one for structure, one for emotional arc, and one for sticking the landing even if it didn’t stick with me.
Now, if degradation and obsession are your thing—if you’re into possessive heroes who push every boundary and talk like you’re their personal property—this book might be your jam. But that’s not me. I like dominance without dehumanization. I like intensity without erasing respect.
That said, I’m not here to bash what worked. Two things did stand out. She helped him show up as his whole, chaotic self, no edits, no masks—and he gave her the courage to stop fading into the background. He pulled her out of her shell, helped her take up space, speak up, and stop playing it safe. She met him where he was, and he made room for her to grow. That mutual transformation? I respect it. I see what the author was doing.
But still this story didn’t pull me in. I turned the pages more out of curiosity than passion. I wasn’t moved, I wasn’t swooning, and I definitely wasn’t emotionally invested in the romance. It just didn’t resonate. I’d consider reading more of the series for the other characters, but this couple wasn’t it for me.
Three stars: one for structure, one for emotional arc, and one for sticking the landing even if it didn’t stick with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence
dark
funny
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping
Minor: Car accident
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The audiobook is done in dual style.
This is a bully romance with an angry MMC who will inflict pain on everyone, including the FMC. In the first chapter, she is visiting the cliff where her friend took their own life, and the MMC sexually assaulted her. That is the theme of the entire book.
Read at your own risk.
This is a bully romance with an angry MMC who will inflict pain on everyone, including the FMC. In the first chapter, she is visiting the cliff where her friend took their own life, and the MMC sexually assaulted her. That is the theme of the entire book.
Read at your own risk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
dark
funny
mysterious
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:
N/A
Definitely not a slow burn. Killian Carson is like a drug. Glyndon King was a bit annoying but not unbearable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Violence, Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence