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emckeon1002's review
4.0
There are no heroes in this novel, only anti-heroes. With veins of violence, despair, poverty of spirit and plain old poverty running through it, this novel captures an America that exists in every town, though we would like to believe it doesn't. When you're rooting for the drug dealers and car thieves against the white supremacist goons, you know you're reading a noir about America. This isn't just about the Inner Empire in California, it's about every beaten-down town where the outsiders want what everyone else has, and is willing to stop at nothing to get it. Harper is an amazing stylist and a gifted writer, with a very dark vision of mankind.
kellyvandamme's review
4.0
Hi and welcome to my review of The Last King of California!
It was most definitely the cover that made me take notice. Then the title, which intrigued me. And the blurb sealed the deal. It’s no secret I’m fond of small-town settings, extra kudos if they’re located in the desert. I’ve also mentioned before that Sons of Anarchy is one of my favourite TV-shows of all time, and I had a feeling that The Last King of California might be able to scratch that itch.
The Last King of California is about the Combine, a gang in Southern California. They consider themselves a family, but also a crew. They steal cars and sell drugs, they’re more than petty criminals but they make sure not to draw the eye of the DEA or FBI or any other agency.
The story is told from two points of view: Callie and Luke. Callie is 22 and has been part of the Combine for literally ever. She loves the family but she’s getting tired of the dead land that is SoCal and maybe she’s found a way to make easy money so she can grab her man and get out of there. Luke is 19 and the prince of the Combine: it’s his dad who started it all. He hasn’t been in California for over a decade, not since he was 7 and witnessed his dad kill a man in cold blood. Circumstances and bad choices have driven Luke back home, but is blood really thicker than water?
I decided to try The Last King of California on for size, get in a few chapters before bed to see what was what. Boy, did I come to regret that! I was hooked from the very first chapter and I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep, promising myself I’d binge it the day after. Which, for the record, I did.
I had such a great time with this story. Sons of Anarchy meets Breaking Bad meets Animal Kingdom, let’s face it, there are not enough books out there that rock that kind of combo. Add the kind of atmospheric setting that reminded me of Chris Whitaker’s We Begin at the End and that’s me sorted for an afternoon of ignoring the real world.
I loved seeing things from Luke’s perspective, the boy who got away from a life of violence and crime but came back. And I loved how vulnerable but tough Callie turned out to be. I was definitely rooting for them both.
If you like your crime thrillers tattooed, riddled with bullets and covered in a fine layer of desert dust, this is without a doubt one for you!
The Last King of California is out now in the UK.
Massive thanks to Simon & Schuster UK and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
It was most definitely the cover that made me take notice. Then the title, which intrigued me. And the blurb sealed the deal. It’s no secret I’m fond of small-town settings, extra kudos if they’re located in the desert. I’ve also mentioned before that Sons of Anarchy is one of my favourite TV-shows of all time, and I had a feeling that The Last King of California might be able to scratch that itch.
The Last King of California is about the Combine, a gang in Southern California. They consider themselves a family, but also a crew. They steal cars and sell drugs, they’re more than petty criminals but they make sure not to draw the eye of the DEA or FBI or any other agency.
The story is told from two points of view: Callie and Luke. Callie is 22 and has been part of the Combine for literally ever. She loves the family but she’s getting tired of the dead land that is SoCal and maybe she’s found a way to make easy money so she can grab her man and get out of there. Luke is 19 and the prince of the Combine: it’s his dad who started it all. He hasn’t been in California for over a decade, not since he was 7 and witnessed his dad kill a man in cold blood. Circumstances and bad choices have driven Luke back home, but is blood really thicker than water?
I decided to try The Last King of California on for size, get in a few chapters before bed to see what was what. Boy, did I come to regret that! I was hooked from the very first chapter and I had to force myself to put it down and get some sleep, promising myself I’d binge it the day after. Which, for the record, I did.
I had such a great time with this story. Sons of Anarchy meets Breaking Bad meets Animal Kingdom, let’s face it, there are not enough books out there that rock that kind of combo. Add the kind of atmospheric setting that reminded me of Chris Whitaker’s We Begin at the End and that’s me sorted for an afternoon of ignoring the real world.
I loved seeing things from Luke’s perspective, the boy who got away from a life of violence and crime but came back. And I loved how vulnerable but tough Callie turned out to be. I was definitely rooting for them both.
If you like your crime thrillers tattooed, riddled with bullets and covered in a fine layer of desert dust, this is without a doubt one for you!
The Last King of California is out now in the UK.
Massive thanks to Simon & Schuster UK and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
jshel10's review
5.0
I'm now at the point where I'll read anything with Harper's name on it. This isn't necessarily a sequel to She Rides Shotgun, but it's tied into that universe. Harper's prose is both beautiful and blunt and he's once again crafted a story around people we don't often see in crime fiction. Violent, heartbreaking, and hopeful, this is just a terrific read.
hrkershaw's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alexcarbonneau's review
5.0
It took 5 years to get another Jordan Harper novel, and this one was worth the wait. A deep reflection about how who we are and who we want to be don't always align.
THE LAST KING OF CALIFORNIA is a profoundly atmospheric novel where every paragraph brings the reader to reflect on what was, what is, and what can be. It's a novel that reads at lightning speed, but requires frequent pauses to truly absorb everything Harper lays out on the page.
This one is a noir tour-de-force.
THE LAST KING OF CALIFORNIA is a profoundly atmospheric novel where every paragraph brings the reader to reflect on what was, what is, and what can be. It's a novel that reads at lightning speed, but requires frequent pauses to truly absorb everything Harper lays out on the page.
This one is a noir tour-de-force.
wrxtacy's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
CAWPILE score: 5.71 (40/70, Good)
FRTC
FRTC
reads_eats_explores's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Luke Crosswhite is a young man with many demons. Son of a drug addict and a convicted felon, he spent his youth passed around from family member to family member and now wants to find his place in the world.
The Last King of California begins with nineteen-year-old Luke flunking out of college and returning to his father’s land, to his father’s people, The Combine gang. Luke is in turmoil; he longs for a sense of belonging but roils with flashbacks of gang activity and watching his father viciously murder a man as a young boy. Even speaking to his family is a great feat, a test of mettle that will either get Luke a safe place to live or eviction forever.
Desperate to prove his worth to his kingpin father, Luke approaches his Uncle Del – who manages affairs on the outside – to claim his birthright and their iconic “Love is blood” black heart. And his timing couldn’t be better – or maybe, worse – as The Combine is about to launch a major defence against Beast Daniels and his nefarious crew.
Things don’t go easy, but Luke does connect with some members of the family. His “play-cousin” from youth, Callie, and her boyfriend, Pretty Boy; ex-convict Curtis, who bonded with Luke’s father while in prison; and Sam, the youngest aspiring gang member, in whom Luke sees shadows of his childhood self.
It's impossible to say much more plotwise about The Last King of California; it would spoil a gripping read, a gut stirring emotional journey for The Combine characters. This book is dark and violent, and the mentality of gang culture is explored. While The Combine are not afraid of the violent use of weaponry, Harper uses her words just as effectively, with each word carefully chosen to elicit the desired reaction from the reader.
You will quickly burn through The Last King of California in one sitting. It is highly compelling crime fiction with a solid emotional connection. None of the characters are the nicest of people, but you'll root for Luke and Callie regardless.
The Last King of California is a taut, gut wrenching story of family, fate, and failure. 4⭐
The Last King of California begins with nineteen-year-old Luke flunking out of college and returning to his father’s land, to his father’s people, The Combine gang. Luke is in turmoil; he longs for a sense of belonging but roils with flashbacks of gang activity and watching his father viciously murder a man as a young boy. Even speaking to his family is a great feat, a test of mettle that will either get Luke a safe place to live or eviction forever.
Desperate to prove his worth to his kingpin father, Luke approaches his Uncle Del – who manages affairs on the outside – to claim his birthright and their iconic “Love is blood” black heart. And his timing couldn’t be better – or maybe, worse – as The Combine is about to launch a major defence against Beast Daniels and his nefarious crew.
Things don’t go easy, but Luke does connect with some members of the family. His “play-cousin” from youth, Callie, and her boyfriend, Pretty Boy; ex-convict Curtis, who bonded with Luke’s father while in prison; and Sam, the youngest aspiring gang member, in whom Luke sees shadows of his childhood self.
It's impossible to say much more plotwise about The Last King of California; it would spoil a gripping read, a gut stirring emotional journey for The Combine characters. This book is dark and violent, and the mentality of gang culture is explored. While The Combine are not afraid of the violent use of weaponry, Harper uses her words just as effectively, with each word carefully chosen to elicit the desired reaction from the reader.
You will quickly burn through The Last King of California in one sitting. It is highly compelling crime fiction with a solid emotional connection. None of the characters are the nicest of people, but you'll root for Luke and Callie regardless.
The Last King of California is a taut, gut wrenching story of family, fate, and failure. 4⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Violence, Bullying, Murder, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Alcohol, and Drug use
Moderate: Self harm, Homophobia, Police brutality, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Lesbophobia