Scan barcode
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Rating: 3/5 stars
I read the All the King’s Men duology as a buddy read with some close friends in December, and the buddy read commentary was EXCELLENT. Unfortunately, it was also much better than the books for me.
Lennix and Maxim come from very different worlds, but a chance encounter puts them on a collision course that spans decades.
I didn’t like the time jumps and the initial age gap was super creepy, but I did appreciate the Native American representation. The ending was bonkers, and not in a good way.
If you don’t mind heavy political overtones (and can ignore factual errors) and want something with tons of drama, you may enjoy these more. I know I do have friends who love them!
CW: Violence; kidnapping; trauma; grief
I read the All the King’s Men duology as a buddy read with some close friends in December, and the buddy read commentary was EXCELLENT. Unfortunately, it was also much better than the books for me.
Lennix and Maxim come from very different worlds, but a chance encounter puts them on a collision course that spans decades.
I didn’t like the time jumps and the initial age gap was super creepy, but I did appreciate the Native American representation. The ending was bonkers, and not in a good way.
If you don’t mind heavy political overtones (and can ignore factual errors) and want something with tons of drama, you may enjoy these more. I know I do have friends who love them!
CW: Violence; kidnapping; trauma; grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
gabbyisbaking's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Murder
michelle_my_belle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying and Cursing
Minor: Trafficking, Stalking, and Murder
hopecobbledpots's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
"I'm too preoccupied with a second chance I never thought I'd get. Can it be called a second chance when there was never a chance before?" Maxim Cade
This references the line in the sand Maxim's character makes when he meets Lennix. He's stunned at the incongruity of the strength and power of her words and her maturity but her being only 17 and leading a group that includes her elementary school teacher. Again, as a writer Kennedy Ryan chose this line in the sand and I'm giving her an enthusiastic tennis clap.
This book has some things readers needs to be aware of:
-Death of Parent
-Colonialism
-Obsession/Stalking
-Rape/Murder (not described)
-Kidnapping/Violence
I am very glad I found out this book is part of a series. I thought it wasn't when I finished it leaving me quite stunned. I need more Kennedy Ryan books in my life. Her writing is exquisite.
Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
This references the line in the sand Maxim's character makes when he meets Lennix. He's stunned at the incongruity of the strength and power of her words and her maturity but her being only 17 and leading a group that includes her elementary school teacher. Again, as a writer Kennedy Ryan chose this line in the sand and I'm giving her an enthusiastic tennis clap.
This book has some things readers needs to be aware of:
-Death of Parent
-Colonialism
-Obsession/Stalking
-Rape/Murder (not described)
-Kidnapping/Violence
I am very glad I found out this book is part of a series. I thought it wasn't when I finished it leaving me quite stunned. I need more Kennedy Ryan books in my life. Her writing is exquisite.
Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Bloom Books for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Colonisation
browningwithabook's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I still like it the second time around and even more so bc I actually know how that solar plexus punch of a cliffhanger pans out. I’m *still* trying to determine if these two really love each other though of if the shtucksing was just that memorable 🤭
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
ooohgoshtara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In the Kingmaker we meet Lennix a Native American women and Maxim who is from a wealthy, old money oil family. The two meet by chance for the first time at an oil pipeline protest where they are both arrested and spend some time in a holding cell together. Although they do not keep in touch after that day they never forget each other until they happen to run into each other four years later. The story spans many years and is broken up into three parts. So it is a slow burn for sure.
The story is told in dual POV. I enjoyed getting to know Lennix and Maxim as individuals and seeing them grow over the years. There is such strong character development among the main and supporting characters as well.
The Kingmaker is an amazing story with complex, diverse characters, an unpredictable storyline up to the very end. It's the first of three books in a series and ends on a massive cliffhanger. You can tell this story was heavily researched. It's politically charged in the way it tackles issues such as climate change and systematic racism. I enjoyed that I felt like I learned a few things along the way. This story was written with care to capture Native American Culture and the many issues that Native Americans are subject to such as racism and violence against Native people as well as the epidemic of missing native women. The writing is simply beautiful. I cannot wait to read the next installment and see where Lennix and Maxim's paths lead them.
The story is told in dual POV. I enjoyed getting to know Lennix and Maxim as individuals and seeing them grow over the years. There is such strong character development among the main and supporting characters as well.
The Kingmaker is an amazing story with complex, diverse characters, an unpredictable storyline up to the very end. It's the first of three books in a series and ends on a massive cliffhanger. You can tell this story was heavily researched. It's politically charged in the way it tackles issues such as climate change and systematic racism. I enjoyed that I felt like I learned a few things along the way. This story was written with care to capture Native American Culture and the many issues that Native Americans are subject to such as racism and violence against Native people as well as the epidemic of missing native women. The writing is simply beautiful. I cannot wait to read the next installment and see where Lennix and Maxim's paths lead them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
that_brish's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping
wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
The Kingmaker was a much needed Romance featuring a diverse cast of characters. I enjoyed that the MC was indigenous, and though her story is tragic, it is necessary and I appreciate how Ryan is unafraid to delve into the depths of Lennix's experiences as the daughter of a woman who has been added to the ranks of the MMIW, entwining it with who she has become, without making it her entire story. It is a driving force throughout, but Ryan has left us room for love and laughter and friendship and ambition beyond Lennix's trauma. This book handles so well many social and cultural issues that lack representation too often.
The love story in this book is absolute gold. The Kingmaker jumps between several well known romance tropes, including the hard to perfect Second Chance, which Ryan has done superbly well, delivering a sweet, passionate romance without sacrificing a character's likability to do so. Both Lennix and Maxim are characters to root for, and I truly enjoyed how she handled bringing them back together without making that age gap creepy.
The Kingmaker shows us that, sometimes, love also has to wait on timing.
The love story in this book is absolute gold. The Kingmaker jumps between several well known romance tropes, including the hard to perfect Second Chance, which Ryan has done superbly well, delivering a sweet, passionate romance without sacrificing a character's likability to do so. Both Lennix and Maxim are characters to root for, and I truly enjoyed how she handled bringing them back together without making that age gap creepy.
The Kingmaker shows us that, sometimes, love also has to wait on timing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
jessicamattingly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-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
5.0
Native American Culture. Politics. Fiery Collision. Angst. Burning Desire.
This seems to be a trend for me of writing a review before I've finished the book. Currently sitting at 60% on this one, and I'm only putting it down long enough to tell you to RUN to this title. Kennedy Ryan is a goddess with prose, pulling you in and making you lose sleep over Lennix and Maxim. I feel as if I am standing on the sidelines or a fly on the wall, watching this story unfold before my eyes. I am finding myself frantically reading at top speed trying to figure out if Lennix and Maxim can work through their challenges and what other obstacles they will face. Both characters are fierce and lovable, while dealing with their conflicting interests. Fate crossed lovers similarly to a Romeo and Juliet trope, I'm hoping for the HEA of their dreams!
This seems to be a trend for me of writing a review before I've finished the book. Currently sitting at 60% on this one, and I'm only putting it down long enough to tell you to RUN to this title. Kennedy Ryan is a goddess with prose, pulling you in and making you lose sleep over Lennix and Maxim. I feel as if I am standing on the sidelines or a fly on the wall, watching this story unfold before my eyes. I am finding myself frantically reading at top speed trying to figure out if Lennix and Maxim can work through their challenges and what other obstacles they will face. Both characters are fierce and lovable, while dealing with their conflicting interests. Fate crossed lovers similarly to a Romeo and Juliet trope, I'm hoping for the HEA of their dreams!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Police brutality, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
I enjoyed The Kingmaker! Kennedy Ryan is so good at writing emotional connections between love interests. She’s particularly great at second chance romances where she builds a strong foundation, realistic conflict, and then a strong connection when they reunite. I love how strong willed and determined both Lennix and Maxim are. They are so passionate about their causes and each other. I easily found myself rooting for them. And this cliffhanger?! Thank god I can immediately download the next book to my Kindle because I need to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Kidnapping
Moderate: Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Murder