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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
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