Scan barcode
A review by heabooknerd
The Alpha and His King by Kiki Clark
5.0
I went into THE ALPHA AND HIS KING with no expectations and I was just happy to be reading a shifter romance but this ended up being so good and I may have a new favorite author! Between the interesting pack politics and the sweet and sexy romance it was the perfect book for me. I did read the prequel novella from the author’s website first and it was a nice introduction to the Kincaid pack but it’s not required to understand this one.
It was really cool that the pack included not just shifters, but also humans, seers, and witches and I liked this dynamic. Rick has grown one of the most powerful packs in the country and he’s created a welcoming and safe place for misfits, loners, and those who are being mistreated or abused by their current packs.
The romance absolutely swept me up and I loved Kai and Rick’s relationship. Rick was a swoony alpha hero who was equal parts growly and soft. He’s dedicated everything to his pack and the way he cares for his people was so gentle. He’s truly a safe space for his pack to be vulnerable. Kai quickly sees this side of Rick but he’s had years of being told lies about alpha shifters so it takes time for him to trust. While this is a fated mates romance, things develop at a slower pace as Rick gives Kai time to grow and make connections in the pack. But when they do work things out they are so sexy and adorable together.
Also, I loved all the scent marking and pack bonding, it was really sweet. Of course a lot of this happens between Kai and Rick as a sign of their growing attraction but I also liked that the simple touch to a packmate’s neck could also be a sign of affection and protection from the alpha.
I especially adored Kai and it was great to see him grow from scared and worried about being kicked out to trusting this new pack and even finding his place in it. His age is never explicitly stated but I’m thinking he’s probably around 19-20 years old but his abusive upbringing has forced him to grow up fast while also keeping him sheltered in certain ways. I loved that he made connections in the pack outside of Rick because it showed that he was no longer isolated and he was finding his way as his own person.
There’s some shifter political intrigue that isn’t resolved by the end of this one and I’m really curious to see where things go in the rest of the series.
Content Warning: Kai’s father and stepmother were physically abusive and forced Kai and his siblings to live in the shed; references to other characters leaving abusive packs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
“I’ve decided something else as well,” Rick said into his skin, his hot breath causing Kai to shudder in his arms.
“Oh?”
“Mmhmm.” Rick pressed a small kiss to the spot where Kai’s pulse raced. “It’s time someone took care of you for a change.”
It was really cool that the pack included not just shifters, but also humans, seers, and witches and I liked this dynamic. Rick has grown one of the most powerful packs in the country and he’s created a welcoming and safe place for misfits, loners, and those who are being mistreated or abused by their current packs.
The romance absolutely swept me up and I loved Kai and Rick’s relationship. Rick was a swoony alpha hero who was equal parts growly and soft. He’s dedicated everything to his pack and the way he cares for his people was so gentle. He’s truly a safe space for his pack to be vulnerable. Kai quickly sees this side of Rick but he’s had years of being told lies about alpha shifters so it takes time for him to trust. While this is a fated mates romance, things develop at a slower pace as Rick gives Kai time to grow and make connections in the pack. But when they do work things out they are so sexy and adorable together.
Also, I loved all the scent marking and pack bonding, it was really sweet. Of course a lot of this happens between Kai and Rick as a sign of their growing attraction but I also liked that the simple touch to a packmate’s neck could also be a sign of affection and protection from the alpha.
I especially adored Kai and it was great to see him grow from scared and worried about being kicked out to trusting this new pack and even finding his place in it. His age is never explicitly stated but I’m thinking he’s probably around 19-20 years old but his abusive upbringing has forced him to grow up fast while also keeping him sheltered in certain ways. I loved that he made connections in the pack outside of Rick because it showed that he was no longer isolated and he was finding his way as his own person.
There’s some shifter political intrigue that isn’t resolved by the end of this one and I’m really curious to see where things go in the rest of the series.
Content Warning: Kai’s father and stepmother were physically abusive and forced Kai and his siblings to live in the shed; references to other characters leaving abusive packs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
“I’ve decided something else as well,” Rick said into his skin, his hot breath causing Kai to shudder in his arms.
“Oh?”
“Mmhmm.” Rick pressed a small kiss to the spot where Kai’s pulse raced. “It’s time someone took care of you for a change.”