I flew through The Dark King. Dark Fae in Vegas, yes please! I felt that this book was more character driven which I am not mad at. The plot was a bit slow but it build up quickly. The MC characters Bryn and Caiden were fun. I enjoyed their banter, their POVS and the romance between the two characters. I definitely enjoyed the narration of this book as well and thought the narrators did a great job telling the story. I'm looking foward for book #2!


Thank you NetGalley and RB Media/ publishers for this audiobook for an honest review.

I'll start by saying I was mildly hesitant but wildly curious about fae royalty in Vegas and what that would look like and I'm SO GLAD I WAS CURIOUS ENOUGH!
Any time I read a book about the fae (and especially mentioning the Night Court) I get nervous and want to compare it to the ACOTAR series but this book ABSOLUTELY stands on its own and sets itself apart
I was hooked from start to finish and loved the story.

What I loved
⭐Hottie Fae King
⭐Hottie Fae family
⭐Smart and badass FMC
⭐Open door spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐BDSM scenes
⭐Fae powers
⭐Opening to the next book without ending right on a cliffhanger
⭐Lust to Enemies to Lovers- like COME ON
⭐TENSION
⭐There was definitely world building but not as much as I would have loved- definitely a possibility for future books 😍 but can 100% stay as is and be just as wonderful

Rated 3.5 Stars

The Dark King was an enjoyable read. I liked this take on fae. It was interesting, spicy and intriguing but there were things about it I just didn’t care for. Things that had to do with the hero and heroine that to be honest annoyed me. I’m not being specific because I don’t want to ruin the experience for others. That said I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I think the narrators did an awesome job bringing these characters to life.

Voice actors are chefs kiss!!

This gives light bdsm. I wanted either more plot or more spice! Otherwise I enjoyed it. Fae I’m the urban world is great!

I've listened to the first few chapters of this so far, and I had to preorder the physical copy of it!! I'm in love and I want to wait to finish reading it after I get my copy of it in the mail. I already can not wait for book 2!! I'll be posting a review on Goodreads after I finished reading the physical copy.
Things I love about it so far: the world building, the writing, CAIDEN

Quick Summary: A guilty pleasure

My Review: The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell was intense! The whole audio experience was like being caught in a heavy summer storm. It was feisty, explosive, and straight raw.

Beneath all the sexy heat, there was a really good story. I would have liked to see more of the underlying plot and conflict points versus the overwhelming kink and dominance, but this series certainly has room to grow. Overall, I think many readers will be drawn into this world of dark fae.

My Final Say: This is the type of book that you devour in one sitting. You will not be able to stop yourself from getting caught up in this guilty pleasure.

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: +
Audience: A
Level: MA
Warning: BDSM

Thanks to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley for providing access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

* A Goodreads review has been posted.

Fae stories haven't really been my thing, but this has me wanting to read even more. The Dark King was incredible. It had the perfect amount of spice to it and a great plot. Bryn's wit and fast talking abilities offset Caiden's broodiness wonderfully. I could not stop listening to it. I just had to know how Caiden and Bryn's story ended. I am excited to see how the next story in the series plays out.

"Something inside me shifted, changing me irrevocably and tying my soul to you in a way I couldn’t possibly understand in that moment..."

My first time experiencing Gina L. Maxwell's writing and I just loved it. I will for sure be checking out more of her work.

From the first paragraph, I was hooked on this book. I loved that the there were two narrators for the dual POV and both actors did amazing. This book gave everything it was promised, Neon Gods plus 50 Shades with dark fae and fated mates. I loved every second of it.

Thank you #Netgalley for an early read of #TheDarkKing

4.5*
Plot 4.5/5 | Characters 5/5 | Romance 4.5/5 | smut 5/5 | world building 4/5

I absolutely loved this book! Started and finished in less than a day and I felt completely sucked into this world that Gina L Maxwell laid out so well. It was my first novel by this author and it did not disappoint. Usually with this type of genre, you kind of know that to except, but this book just felt...like more.

First let's talk about the FMC Bryn. She is such a strong lead character from the very beginning. She is unapologetic, not afraid to go for what she wants, charming and friendly yet also doesn't hesitate to say how she feels. She felt like she could easily fit the role of bestie and queen of the world at the same time. I am happy that she also had some realistic enough flaws (ex. being naive and innocent) that she wasn't too "leading lady barbie" if you know what I mean. You did see character growth that was enjoyable to read about. Then there is Caiden.... Sign me up for a piece of that royal hunk. Honestly, he was everything that you want in the leading guy, smart and fair, serious yet funny, romantic and a totally dom in bed. AND the fact he is a male that APOLOGIZES?! Mind BLOWN! Check, check and CHECK! He had a couple line that were cliche eye-rollers (and he can definitely give me 3 strikes for saying this), like " It's fkn good to be king" or " It's fae....and I am the mother fkn king!" Caidens and Bryn's chemistry was off the charts hot in and out of the bedroom. Their banter was very witty too which I liked so much. I mean, she called him "The Lion King!" Damn! The dual POV that the book was written in made the whole thing even better. I love what is going on in the minds of both leads. The supporting characters: Fionna, Finn and Tier, to name a few. I want these people in my life. Love all three of them!

The plot itself was fast paced, never boring and kept me hooked for hours straight. I liked that it stayed true to typical fae myths but put it's own spin on it too. I would have liked to know more about this universe that Maxwell set the novel in- some details were just touched upon and could have been developed more. I also felt like the ending was rushed a little bit, but that could be because I enjoyed the book so much. I can't wait for the next book!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were 5***** Aiden Snow's voice is exactly what I picture Caiden to sound like and the same with Avery Reid and Bryn. I love when the publisher/author decides to used 2 narrators for books like this, especially having multiple POV. It makes everything more believable and enjoyable.

If you like fantasy romance/erotica novels with kink,BDSM, forced bond, dual POV, I highly recommend this book for you.

* Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion*

WOW! This was so SO good. Looking for spice? This has you covered. Looking for plot? Also has you covered. It’s so hard to find both in a fantasy book, but this one pulls it off very well. My only gripe is I had a bit of a pacing issue. There were a few moments I felt it dragged.

Book: The Dark King
Author: Gina L Maxwell

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced audio copy.

The Dark King sounds like a silly cliche story on the surface but once you get into you quickly realize it’s so much more.

Bryn loses her job and then gets an offer too good to be true. A free weekend at a famous hotel and casino in Vegas called Nightfall. The night she gets there she meets the owner, Caiden, and they absolutely hit it off. The way they are playing off each other was perfect. Then the cliche story part happens. They wake up the next day, do not remember anything, and are married. That is both where the cliche starts and finishes. I loved everything that came next.

Turns out Caiden is not what he seems. Not only is he extremely rude and different the morning they wake up married. We also find out he is not human. He is a Dark Fae, and not only that, he is the king of the Dark Fae’s. When he and Bryn got married they awoke a curse that bonded them together. A bond that should only work with two Fae’s not a Fae and a human. Bryn and Caiden now coexist and one literally can’t live without the other. I love the symbolism with this. Outliving a partner is not something I ever want to think about so the idea that they literally can not is truly moving. Bryn and Caiden's relationship was such a great relationship to watch grow. To see them realize how much they love each other but they do not want to show it was frustrating and left me wanting to scream at them. Gina L. Maxwell really knows how to write characters you want to care about it and want nothing but happiness for.

This book really has everything. It has mystery, it has romance, it has humor, and it has some good fights. I went through this book so fast. I just had to know how and why Caiden and Bryn were bonded, and I really enjoyed their relationship together. There were so many details and open ends I just had to know the answers too making it impossible to pull away from the book.

Without any spoilers, there is a fight scene towards the end of the book that has such good imagery and writing I was truly lost in the world. I felt I was there and in a book not grounded in reality that can be something hard to achieve.

This is the first book of the series and it sets up a series that can not wait to go back to.

As for the narration, it was absolutely perfect. Especially Caidens narrator. His voice and the way he speaks is exactly what I would picture coming out of the Dark King.

YES. MY. KING.

Holy wow. It's been a long time since I've read a book that *spicy* with an awesome plot. I really thought this was going to be all smut and I am truly shocked at how much I enjoyed this book. This is the first I've read by Ms. Maxwell and it was fantastic. I like that it gave me background and info on the fae without overwhelming me. Also, there was the perfect amount of *spice* in my opinion. (More plot than sex scenes)

Just as a warning, if you plan to listen to this audio - do it with no one around. I listened at work (with headphones) but when I said it was spicy, it was heavy BDSM spicy. And just as a warning, if you aren't into hearing someone called a dirty little slut, this book isn't for you. HAHA.

I'm sure I've listened to Aiden Snow narrate before, but HOT DAMN....his voice was PERFECT for our dark king. Avery was fantastic too. This was just an all around GOOD book and audio. I am pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to RB Media for allowing me to listen! And to Gina Maxwell as well - I'm now a fan!

I feel like the Booktok generation is going to absolutely love this and as a Neon God's fan who is thirsting for a new installment it definitely scratched an itch. I would like better pacing in the next part of the series but I will definitely keep it on my list for.follow-up, a very good time

So this is my first Gina L. Maxwell book. And um, it was a little more than I bargained for. I loved the premise of a dark Fae king and a human getting together. The BDSM was a tad more 50 shades than I needed. Although well-written with an actual storyline, I don't really care for the crassness of the activities or the degradation. Not my thing and not even remotely romantic. But, to each their own. I may try a different book of Maxwell's for perspective. Definitely enticing reading if you're into that kind of erotica.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for this audio e-version.*

I 👏love 👏 this👏 freaking 👏 book 👏

I never read 50 shades of gray (never want to🤷🏼‍♀️ personal preference) and I read neon gods and it was alright. I enjoyed it but to compare this book to it? Neon gods didn't hold a match to this one.

From start to finish I loved it. I couldn't put it down and when I had to I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I honestly went in nervous that it would just be all smut, but it had the perfect amount suited to my preferences. The story was there and the spicy didn't feel forced into the story just for the spice factor.

I absolutely need more of this world like now!!

.....from all the characters POV 's

(4,5)
Well well well, this was delicious! I absolutely flew through this. Silly me was expecting this to be mostly steam with very little plot but I actually enjoyed the plot a lot and found myself VERY invested in our main characters and actually all of the side characters as well. I felt the world was very well built and explained but enough mystery for a sequel (which I am hoping there will be?!?!). This is a perfect introductory fantasy read for readers new to the genre, but be warned, this isn't light steam. It's got a healthy dose of BDSM. Is it wrong to say I almost expected more steam? For sure not a fault, and does not at all affect my rating or anything, just a personal thought. It's a moden fantasy set in Las Vegas but filled with Fae, enemies, and curses. I really enjoyed this and I'm going to need another book, please!

Bryn recently lost her job and when she receives a letter in the mail for an all-paid stay at an exclusive Las Vegas hotel, she decides to give herself and break and take it before hitting the ground running and applying for new jobs. When she arrives, luck continues to go her way. The hotel is owned by the Dark King of Vegas, Caiden Verran. When their eyes meet, there's a charge there neither can explain. In typical Vegas fashion, Bryn goes out to have a little fun. But in the morning not only is she hungover, but shes also married. Married to who? The one and only Caiden Verran. Now the two find themselves in a sticky situation that is anything but easy to get out of. Bryn is about to learn about what really happens in Vegas and find out just why her new husband is called The Dark King.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the early access to this title! Can't wait for book 2!

**Please please check trigger warnings before going into this one and know that there is BDSM involved but always consent & safe words**

I read a galley of this and wanted to see how the narration compared and I loved the narrator in this! The way the story is given to us is great and the steamy scenes... .make sure you're not around anyone when listening to those.