Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gina Maxwell is an author I was very eager to read because I've heard great things about her previous work. I fell in love with the premise and cover of this, so I did have high hopes going into this. Very glad I loved this one!

Bryn & Caiden were HOT. I absolutely loved their banter and chemistry. I loved the Vegas backdrop and setting of this, and it honestly made me want to travel there more than I already do.

Great side characters and a plot that kept me hooked throughout the whole thing. Bring on book 2!

All is fair in marriage and war.

The Dark King was an extremely seductive tale about the Fae living in our world. With adult flawed characters, an enemies to lovers premise, a captive situation, and death constantly around the corner, this book was such a quick read! The Dark King was a memorable story that fantasy lovers will devour!

“I’d rather be sorry for taking a thousand risks than be safe for never taking any.”

Bryn Meara ended up with a free trip to the city of sin, Las Vegas. I adored her happy go lucky personality and how she could find so much positive even when the world knocked her down. Upon meeting Caiden Verran, a billionaire who owned the hotel she was staying at, there were sparks. And after a wild night with Caiden, they ended up married. But what Bryn didn't realize was that he was Fae. And the king of the Night Court. Bryn found herself trapped and part of a deadly game. But are you truly trapped if a part of your heart wanted to stay?

I’m a selfish fucking bastard who wants to keep what he’s not supposed to have.

Caiden Verran was a multi-faceted man. He showed us he had compassion for his employees and to keep them safe. That he loved his brothers. But he also showed us how he had no problem being dark, controlling and an asshole. Caiden's court was banished to the human world, and they made Vegas what it is today. And his court was also cursed. I loved watching how that played out as the story progressed. The Fae were so tricky, especially with their words! Caiden was sex appeal, danger and control all rolled into a beautifully powerful man. So when he showed us his heart or when he opened up to Bryn, it was impossible not to fall for him.

“So I was thinking, since I’m your prisoner—”
“Guest.”
“Hostage—”
“Roommate.”
She sighs.

Caiden and Bryn together were electric with their enemies to lovers romance. I loved how she had no problem standing her ground when it came to him. He definitely wasn't used to that lol. But at the same point, they were trapped together. So Bryn became a hostage. One who still had feelings and a wild attraction to her captor. Yet her captor felt so much towards her too, even if he didn't want to. Their moments together were beyond erotic. Sooooooo why didn't I gave this book a higher rating, since I loved so much of it? It's because the BDSM was way too much for me. I would have been fine with it once, but that was not how the story unfolded. Butt plugs, being called a slut, spanking, nipple clamps etc just aren't my preferences when reading a book. Just like the moment below, I flinched when reading ugh.

As her next orgasm builds and twists inside her, tears overflow and cause her mascara to run. I use the fingers of my free hand and smear the black drops into messy streaks down her face, then I grip the front of her throat and apply pressure on either side. Lips and nipples both swollen and red, cheeks painted in black tears…

Mysteries, secrets, and fabulous twists filled this story. And there was a sacrifice that was beautiful! Plus the side characters, oh I have way too many lovely words for them to write it all here, but readers will be excited to learn that this world will continue with those other characters. I absolutely loved the story-line and the characters, I just personally couldn't handle the BDSM. Not even a little bit. I read the synopsis on Goodreads, but lesson learned to also look at Amazon because on Amazon it states the book is similar to Fifty Shades. I wish I would have seen that. But here's hoping my friends who love their fantasy with all the spice enjoy this book!

I really enjoyed the PNR. Bryn and Caiden are two striking characters that have a sizzling chemistry together. This was a fast-paced book for me because the intriguing fantasy world and characters sucked me in and I couldn’t stop reading. I will be anxiously waiting to return to this wonderful land in book two.

Good book really enjoy it , really love this author first book by her that i read . And oh Caiden Verran was magnificent. Like hot , sexy just omg

Absolutely outstanding! I went into this one blind after seeing on my FYP page on tiktok I knew I had to read it & it absolutely did not disappoint

This was my first novel by this author and it was just okay for me. Of all the BDSM books I've read, this one seemed too rushed and not as fleshed out when it came to the sex scenes. I guess the relationship also felt that way to me and it kind of threw a blanket over the entire story. It wasn't bad, though, and I will continue the series as it comes out.

This is book one in the Deviant Kings series. I loved the intermingling of the modern Vegas and the Fae. I can say how good this book is without giving too much away. Just read and love it too. Can’t wait for the next book. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story

This was so much fun to read. I started this as my first read to get in the fall mood, and the mix of fantasy and scorching-hot romance just made it an absolute delight. It was the perfect book to start my fall TBR with. Highly recommend if you like a side of plot with your spice.

I have always been a romance reader, but recently I have been turning to more and more fantasy romance. The Dark King is a highly entertaining seductive story about Caiden, the Dark King, who is also the King of Vegas, and the unexplained bond he forms with his mate, Bryn. The story has a cast of secondary characters that are just as charming and interesting as the main characters. The banter between not only Caiden and Bryn, but the other characters will make you smile. I thought Maxwell also did a great job with world building and back story that helped the reader understand what was going on.

Overall, The Dark King is an intriguing, enticing, passionate tale that has just the right amount of mystery, sex, witty characters, and dominate alpha vibes to keep you engaged to the very end. I can't wait to read Tiernan and Fiona's story in the 2nd book, The Rebel King.

I'm a big fan of sexy Fae's and this book delivered. Bryn is a sweet (and incredibly naive!) midwestern girl and Caiden is a hot Fae king who owns most of Vegas. He's a billionaire with some dark dominant tastes. :). Very spicy, Lots of room to expand side characters and expand the series. I love that it's set in Vegas, because of course Caiden and his crowd hang out there!

❛ Somewhere, there's a romance reader swooning at the very idea. But I'm no romance heroine, and I have no idea what the hell is going on. ❜

4 STARS ✨

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of The Dark King from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Dark King is great for fans of:
• Fae
• Scorching level of spice
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Enemies to lovers
• And they were soulmates !

This is the first time I have read Gina L. Maxwell but it certainly will not be the last. Since reading, Bryn and Caiden have been living in my head rent free. Exiled in the human realm, King of the Night Court, Caiden Verran, who has dedicated his lifetime to becoming the King of Vegas in all but name gets swept into an evening of whirlwind romance with Bryn Meara, a Midwestern girl who won a weekend away at one of his hotels. In true Vegas style, the fae who has sworn off of any romantic connection (let alone a relationship) wakes up and finds him married to our female protagonist Bryn in a fae-mate-bounded way that neither of them has a recollection of.

I definitely enjoyed the story; it was a refreshing change to the demon-dominated supernatural spin on Vegas you'll often see in paranormal romances. I enjoyed reading both Bryn and Caiden's perspectives and, in general, did find it an enjoyable read. However, I do feel as if the world-building could have been expanded upon and the book could have been longer. The spice and romance that dominated the novel were fantastic, and I loved it, but it did leave some plot points that were rushed to allow the romance to take the starring role. It probably would have taken an extra fifty pages or so, but would have been really effective and probably boosted it to a five-star for me. The ratio just didn't completely fit.

Secondly, I was disappointed at the ending. I'm not going to spoil it, and I completely respect how the author is making each book in the series a standalone that focuses on different characters, so, therefore, had to write it in the way she did, but I would have loved to see more of Bryn and Caiden. I feel as if a trilogy, or even a duology, of Bryn and Caiden fighting through the issues presented towards the end of the book leading into the second would have really worked well, rather than the path that it did take.

However, regardless of my personal opinions regarding sections of the plot, I did still really enjoy The Dark King. It helped me out of a reading slump and was easy to get through. I would strongly recommend it to those who love a good, spicy fae read with characters who are easy to root for.

This book was first introduced to me by a small scene that was from the book. Instantly I knew I had to read it, I was lucky enough to be sent an arc by NetGalley. I read this book so fast and enjoyed it. I couldn’t wait to know what was going on and figure out who caused all the chaos. I wouldn’t give this book 5 stars, because I wouldn’t read it again, but I enjoyed it very much.

The dark king
The Dark King feels like a Beauty & the Beast retelling. Bryn is lured to Las Vegas, Nevada, by the promise of a free vacation where she meets Caiden. Caiden is not only Dark Fae, but he is also the King of The Dark Court.

After a night of drinks, Caiden awakens married to a human, Bryn. He finds himself sharing a bond that only seemed possible with another fae. He’ll hold Bryn captive until he can figure out how to undo the bond. The writing is smooth! Very easy to read. This book combines A Court of Thorns and Roses, 365 Days and Fifty Shades of Grey.

Caiden is a hot fae king into bdsm. He’s like a combination of Mr. Grey meets Rhysand. ❤️‍🔥

The first in a series and I cannot wait to read more! We start our story off with being introduced to Caiden Verran. He is not only the King of Sin City, but Fae King to the Night Court as well. Very quickly in our opening scene we learn that Caiden has control in all aspects of his life and runs a tight ship. Enter, Bryn Meara who is about to shake things up. She’s down on her luck and hoping her free trip to Vegas will change all of that for her and give her the reset she needs so badly. Little do these two know, they are about to embark on a wild journey neither of them expected.

I love the way the “waking up married in Vegas” trope was handled in this story. It was so fun and irritating in all the right ways. I loved rooting for our couple through everything that was thrown their way. The mystery of finding out who constructed this whole fiasco and is out to get our newlyweds was a fun journey. Bryn and Caiden had great chemistry and I loved all the banter between characters. My one complaint is that I wanted more between our two main characters. Caiden and Bryn are together for a few months in total over the span of this book, but lots of their one-on-one time takes place off page and is mentioned just in passing. I felt like I needed more scenes with them over time to build on their relationship and connection to one another during their time spent at Midnight Manor. Without those scenes, it seemed as if they had only been together for a couple of weeks and the depth of their connection wasn’t as believable as it should have been. Bryn’s relationships with his guard and brothers are also built off page which I would have loved to have read about to feel how close they had become like we were told they had.

I cannot wait to find out what happens next after that bombshell of an ending!

This book was seductive and steamy. I really enjoyed this read. Bryn and Caiden were pure fire, and I was more than happy to burn! This was an easy read that read smoothly and pulled me in quickly. The story was fun and intriguing, and it left me very excited to read more of this series. If you love sizzle, kink and swoon, you are going to want to check this out!

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had no clue what to expect going into this book, but wow! I’m so glad I read it. This is my first time reading a book by this author and I loved every second of it. This was such a refreshing read and one that I truly needed. The great world building and the spicy-hot chemistry between Caiden and Bryn made this book incredibly enjoyable. Caiden and Bryn are one for the books! Such a great couple. I loved the back and forth banter between the both of them, especially how sassy Bryn is. This was such an easy book to read and get caught up in. Everything in this world was fascinating and left me wanting so much more. I seriously can't wait for book two!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

3.75 STARS—THE DARK KING IS THE FIRST INSTALMENT IN GINA L MAXWELL’S CONTEMPORARY, ADULT DEVIANT KINGS EROTIC, FANTASY/PARANORMAL, BDSM ROMANCE SERIES. THIS IS LAS VEGAS BILLIONAIRE CAIDEN VERRAN, THE KING OF THE DARK FAE, AND TWENTY-SIX YEAR OLD PR SPECIALIST BRYN MEARA’S STORY LINE.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bryn and Caiden) THE DARK KING follows in the wake of a free trip to Vegas, and the fall-out of a night of drinking, landing Caiden Verran and Bryn Meara in the hotel’s honeymoon suite. Neither Caiden nor Bryn remembers anything about the night before but Caiden is the King of the Dark Fae, and as far as anyone knows, Bryn Meara is a human female, who is about to upset the world between the Light and the Dark Fae. Someone is targeting our story line couple, and death is the only way to separate the bonded pair. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Bryn and Caiden, and the potential fall-out as separation threatens the life of the King, and an assassin takes aim at our story line heroine.

The relationship between Bryn and Caiden begins as a manipulation but quickly turns into something more. Caiden is the Dark Fae King; a Dominant who enjoys the BDSM lifestyle, and Bryn, as his mate, is his perfect submissive but Bryn is something ‘other’; not a natural submissive, and in this, Caiden struggles with a mate who refuses to obey outside of the bedroom. Very reminiscent of the Fifty Shades of Grey premise and story line, Caiden doesn’t do relationships, and rejecting his mate, threatens both of their lives. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense with scenes of bondage, spanking, D/s role play, as well as punishment and withholding.

We are introduced to Caiden’ brothers Finnian and Tiernan; hotel assistants Fiona, as well as several humans, and Fae (both Light and Dark). The requisite evil has many faces. There may be a relationship developing between Fiona and Tiernan.

THE DARK KING is a familiar tale wrapped in a fantasy story line of Dark and Light Fae. From billionaire businessman to sexual playrooms, punishments, restraints and submission, the similarities to the aforementioned Fifty Shades series are numerous and recognizable, right down to several business practises, and the unfolding of the story time line. The fast paced premise is entertaining and enjoyable; the romance struggles in the face of perceived betrayal and manipulation; the characters are charismatic, captivating and strong. THE DARK KING ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.



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I'm not obsessed, you're obsessed!! Ok never mind it is me ;)

I cannot believe that this was the first time I read this author. I've been missing out if all their books is like this.

This one was steamy, spicy & oh so delicious. I absolutely loved the world that was woven between sin city and the hidden world of the Fae. A world hidden from the humans.

After winning a trip to Vegas Bryn is ready to let loose before she starts job hunting. Little did she know that she would soon be thrust directly into the path of the King of Vegas, Caiden Verran and before the night was over she would be wearing his ring. Things go from weird to weirder as she soon learns that the Fae are not part of a fairytale and her new husband is the Dark King.

I've been in such a reading slump and this book completely pulled me out of it.

I cannot wait for Prince Tiernan's story next which I'm sure will definitely please.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

I enjoyed this new series. I found the world building and characters intriguing and I love they were all flawed in some way. This story was steamy and plenty of twist and turns to keep it I interesting. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 4/5
Storyline: 4/5
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, captor-captive, age gap, some fade-to-black, roommates/forced proximity, Beauty and the Beast
Content Warnings: bondage, dub con

Bryn Meara gets an all-exclusive trip to the Nightfall hotel, an ultra-luxe casino in Vega. The reclusive billionaire hotel owner, Caiden Verran, spots Bryn in his lobby and the two are immediately drawn to each other. As the fae king of the Night Court, Caiden doesn't get involved with humans, but this one he can't resist.

A fantasy erotica with multiple POV, filled with witty banter and steamy spice. The book was fast-paces and hard to put down. I enjoyed all the characters, and I'll definitely read the other Deviant Kings books. I loved getting to know Bryn and Caiden. Reading their romance unfold kept me reading until (too) late into the night.

I wish the worldbuilding was more elaborate, but this is more a romance than a fantasy, so I guess that's why there was minimal explanation on the Dark and Light fae and their world. I felt the ending was a little rushed and it left me wanting more, regarding Caiden and Bryn relationship. Though I'm sure we'll get updates on them in the other books.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I'd give it a 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Gina L. Maxwell for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.