I really enjoyed this. In fact, I just downloaded book 2. I'm awfully glad the 2nd book was available because this definitely ended on a bit of a cliffhanger and I really wanted to know what happens next!

This is one of those entertaining prison island books. Our main character is very likeable - and very unsuited to his current circumstances!

The book is fast paced and a little too short - I wanted more!

Happily beginning book 2 shortly!

I love when a book moves through several genres and Blood Kings does that and does it well. As I read through the book, the dystopian vibes became very clear – the manner in which life-sentence prisoners are dealt with is very dystopian in nature. Then you have the horror, which is readily apparent in the way people are treating each other on these islands.

I like Leo – he’s the kind of character that you want to root for. You want him to find a way out of the predicament he’s found himself in. You want him to get away, to win. Even if you haven’t got a clue what he’s actually winning if he does win… you want him to win. I also enjoy Niles. He’s a great “best friend” for Leo. Even though it seems like Leo cares more about Niles than Niles does about Leo, I’m certain that Niles cares just as much as Leo.

The plot for this book is a more unique twist on dystopian horror. Life sentence prisoners are exiled to the Krimos Islands where they are expected to live out their days however they can. It is unclear how long these prisoners have been sent to the islands, but it is long enough that prisoners have established settlements, gangs, etc. on the islands. It’s great plot and I really enjoyed it.

The writing is easy to follow and fairly quick to read. It took me a few days to read this book, but that was more because I had other things I had to do instead of reading like I wanted to. Still, I don’t think it took more than 3 days to read.

The ending is sort of a cliffhanger. Not an “Oh crap!” cliffhanger, but more of a “darn it, the book is over but I need more” cliffhanger. It is the first book in a series though, so we’ll get to find out what happens to our favorite characters. I gave it 4/5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian horror thriller books.

In the thick of the jungle. No prison guards. Kill or be killed.

After being wrongly convicted of murder, eighteen-year-old Leo Hart is sentenced to serve time in the worst place imaginable—Krimos Islands.

I love a good dystopian book and this was it. The suspense killed me throughout all of my reading. I'm so excited for the second book. I want to k own what happens to our main characters. So far we've been on pins and needles.

Thank you @netgalley and @shadeowensauthor for the opportunity to read and review.

Blood Kings by Shade Owens.
In the thick of the jungle. No prison guards. Kill or be killed.
After being wrongly convicted of murder, eighteen-year-old Leo Hart is sentenced to serve time in the worst place imaginable—Krimos Islands.This cluster of penal islands is said to be reserved for the most heinous of convicts.Murderers. Sociopaths. Wicked men capable of taking a life without a second thought.And Leo is anything but wicked. He’s soft—too soft, according to his brother.He’ll never survive.But when Leo discovers that part of Krimos Islands is inhabited by a society of men searching to atone for past mistakes, he knows this is his only shot at survival.
This was a really good read. Different. 4*.

Not for me, unfortunately, but I think this book can find its audience. I appreciate that I had the opportunity to read it.

This was a full on fast paced action almost dystopian world.
With a future where prison for murderers is being dumped on an island and fighting for survival there’s always going to be something happening.
The switching between island life and before island life provides insight to our main character and background to how Leo got there.
This is not the kind of book I’d normally pick up and I can only describe it as a cross between the TV shows Lost and Prison Break.
Definitely worth a read and you’ll be through it in no time for sure!

I received this ARC for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever longed for a book that feels like Lost meets Prison Break? Look no further than Blood Kings by Shade Owens. After being wrongfully convicted of murder, Leo is sentenced to live on Krimos Island, full of murderers galore. Along with his new friend Niles, he must learn to survive if he wants a chance to live in harmony (or as close to harmony as you can get on Krimos Island).
I really enjoyed watching Leo and Niles’s friendship grow and blossom. It was definitely my favorite part of the book. I liked the use of flashbacks, to get a sense of Leo and how he ended up on Krimos Island. Otherwise, I have a hard time finding much else I enjoyed about Blood Kings. I understand the book takes place on an island full of murderers but there was too much brutality for my taste. The characters outside of Leo and Niles felt very one dimensional. I also felt like the setting of the world outside Krimos Island needed more exploring. I was confused about points and numbers and what that meant for our characters.
Blood Kings got ⭐️⭐️.75 from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this was very original, and quite different to other books out there .However, I found it to be too long, I wish it had been more punchy, and shorter. Still not a bad book, worthy of a read.

WOW, this book was no stop-action from the first page. This was different than any book I've read before. This was very wild but in the best way. I wish the second one was out because I need more. If you are looking for a good thriller I would suggest this one. Thank you, NetGalley, Red Raven Publishing, and Shade Owens for this ARC.

I always really try not to give negative reviews, but I was really frustrated with this book. It gave one of the ring vibes, but it was way too long, and not nearly enough happened to warrant the length. I get it the reader was supposed to take in the brutality of the police and the way things worked, but it just never went anywhere. I kept waiting for the moment that they were going to try to make their escape and when I had hit 90% of my Kindle and they hadn’t done anything. I knew that it wasn’t happening in this book. I understand that there is a second book coming but I would not be looking for it.