Great second installment by Gina Maxwell. I can already tell that this is a series I’m going to be auto-buying from now on. I was a big fan of the dark king and I might love the rebel king even more. Tiernan and Fiona are a powerhouse couple and their chemistry was off the charts. I will say that I found the plot and pacing somewhat uneven, but overall this was an entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an eARC of The Rebel King in return for my honest review.

The Rebel King is the second book in the Deviant Kings series by Gina L. Maxwell. I have previously read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. The Rebel King, or Tiernan and Fiona's story, did not disappoint.

As it had been some time since I read the first book, I appreciated that Maxwell included reminders or the story/.world building from the first book, it was helpful to get back into the story and the characters and not feel lost. I also feel like we got to know/learn a bit more about the Fae and their history in this story, which I really enjoyed.

This story picks up pretty much where the last book took off, with Caiden (the eldest Verran brother) abdicating as the Dark Fae king to his younger brother Tiernan. Tiernan never expected to be king, commonly known as the rebel prince, he doesn't feel as though he's the right fit to be the king of the Dark Fae. The Rebel King follows Tiernan's journey to his coronation and his complicated (and forbidden) romance with Fiona, a half-fae.

This book is dual POV between Tiernan and Fiona's perspective, which I'm a fan of, as I think we really get more of an insight to both of our main characters and their history. The romance in this story is not rushed like the first book, more of a suspense, but it does have a few spicy scenes that will not leave lovers of spice disappointed. I would've liked to see the BDSM scene's explored more as Tiernan built this up to be a big (although conflicting due to his past) part of his character, as I felt that the spice was great, but the BDSM was minimal.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters in this book, I felt that Finnian, Robert and Dmitri really added to the story and added a bit of comic relief to the main storyline/characters.

Overall this is a great addition to the Deviant Kings series and I would highly recommend it to fans of the supernatural (fae, vampires, werewolves) , forbidden romance, touch her and die, BDSM and spice.

Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing and Gina L. Maxwell for an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is about Ternan who is known as the Rebel King and Fiona who is half-Fea. Which you meet them in the first book and got to read a little bit about their relationship. This is dual POV with both Ternan and Fiona perspective which I enjoyed getting to read things for their point of view. In this book we get to learn more about the Fea and other supernatural beings. This book picks up right after the end of the first book with Ternan preparing to become King now that his brother Caiden had to give up his throne to protect himself and his mate Bryn.

While I liked this book better than The Dark King, I did feel like this was more of a suspense romance book due to the lack of romance in this book and I wanted more of Tiernan and Fiona. This book did a better job of explaining things so that I did not feel lost like I did in the first book. I liked that Bryn and Caiden where in this book, but I did wish there was more scenes including them. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to the next book about Finnian. Would recommend if you liked the first book or if you like this author.

Expected publication July 25, 2023

Another great read by Gina Maxwell! I was a huge fan of The Dark King so I was ecstatic to get a digital copy of this one, The Rebel King, from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing.

This one was another darker romance, very mob-like at times, but just truly spectacular. The characters Tiernan and Fiona were very well-developed. I loved that the dual POV were 2 MCs who are each flawed in their own unique ways and that the story followed them as they worked on accepting their true selves…realizing that what they initially perceived as flaws were actually their strengths.

Spice level is also still high folks - so prepare yourselves for some more graphic BDSM. The BDSM scenes are actually very minimal in this one so even if it’s not your thing, it’s easy enough to skip over it without losing any truly pivotal plot points. I definitely didn’t skip over them though 😜

2.75 ⭐️ Great story, awful execution.

I wanted to like this book so badly. Not only because this is the first series where I've gotten an eARC for both the first AND the second book in the series (which, seriously, thank you so much Net Galley please don't stop granting me my requests), but because I remember really enjoying the first one. Unfortunately, either I've changed or this book is just not it, because I was genuinely having a hard time just finishing this.

The writing wasn't great, and the characters engaging in emoji talk was so painful. Borderline criminal. I feel like I need to insert a couple of quotes so you can understand the pain I was put through.

"You need an eggplant in your taco, STAT, girl."

"Big tongue, waving hand, and then the trio of droplets."


And yes, those are two pieces of dialogue that happen in the span of a single conversation in this book. I don't know if it's the millennial ick or what, but it was irritating as hell.

The plot and storyline feel like it's almost mirroring the first book. It's the exact same thing, but in reverse. Much like in the first book, this fmc journey in self-discovery makes her find out the truth about herself in a very jarring, almost careless way. What she'd always believed herself to be is no longer true, and she doesn't really seem all that faced about it. She has one scene where she's kind of in shock, but then she's just fine. Moves on so f*cking fast that it feels like whiplash. I didn't love that it's always women's bodies being exploited and taken for profit or subserviency. But then again, this book it's dark fantasy, so there's that. The smut was nice (even if there's no blood sharing scene, which is a huge missed opportunity in this book.)

I would recommend for dark fantasy readers who only want vibes, no need for great writing or plot.


⭐️⭐️.75 / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5

This review has already been posted on Goodreads! :)

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book in addition to the sequel. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 (rounded up for Goodreads)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spicy, binge-able and fast paced!

You can expect:
▪️Fae, vampires, werewolves
▪️Las Vegas setting
▪️Spiceeee (including BDSM scenes)
▪️Forbidden romance
▪️Political intrigue
▪️Royalty 👑
▪️Dynamic characters

Some of my thoughts:
📍This appears to be marketed as a stand alone but even though the POV has changed from book one, it still feels more like a sequel. I was glad that I had actually read book one, I think it would have been a confusing otherwise! The court system, species history and general lore is fairly intricate and I appreciated the knowledge that I could carry over from the first book.

📍The main pairing actually had their origins in book one (though that book was not in their POV) so I actually felt that I missed out on their early encounters. The initial attraction, flirting, first kiss and first time having sex all happened before this book, it was a shame to have missed that build up! I find it harder to invest in a pairing and feel their chemistry when I haven’t been a part of said build up.

📍’I know it would be wrong, but the desire to sink my fangs into her and share my blood with her is almost overpowering. The animal inside me is godsdamned selfish, and it wants to mark her. Brand her. Claim her. But I f@cking can’t.’

Little thing, but when they finally did work out a way to be together, I very much wanted that (⬆️) blood bonding scene. I was seriously let down that this didn’t eventuate! 😆

📍Remember the court system, species history and general lore I mentioned earlier? I’d now like to take the moment to say … those elements were fantastic!! There were times the book felt like erotica but then depth would be brought back to the plot with some political intrigue, moments of cinematic action or surprising identity revelations!

📍I loved both the main and side characters and I’m very keen on book three, it sounds like Finnian’s story is gearing up to be epic! 👀

I was offered the first two books in the Deviant Kings series to review and they unfortunately didn't meet my expectations. I was honestly looking forward more to the bad boys of Vegas aspect rather than the fae royalty component that took center stage. I've read far too many pointy eared princes and I was ready for some Sin City kingpins to lead the charge. I enjoyed The Rebel King far less than I did it's predecessor, The Dark King. This did not feel like a standalone as advertised, but rather picking up the eighth book in a collection without reading the previous seven. Our couple's relationship was pre-established and we had completely missed the genesis of their courtship. There were a few sentences offered of how they came to meet and they were already knocking boots on the regular. I felt completely bamboozled and noticed this unfortunate trend of omitted information carried on from the first book.

Tiernan and Fiona were set up to have a fabulous dynamic, but the author fumbled the bag. We totally missed out on the blossoming relationship between a king and his maid. It's certainly cliche for the royal family to play hanky panky with members of their staff, but I'm still going to read it regardless. It felt like starting a movie midway through and I had no idea what was going on. There was no exposition or in depth explanation of their romantic timeline. I was considerably befuddled. I'm so honored to read not only one but two books from a new series, but I spent most of my reading experience in a state of confusion. Luckily, the spice was dynamite and left my kindle sizzling to the touch. I may not have fully grasped the story, but at least they had undeniable chemistry? It was practically an episode of Hot Ones and the Scoville scale was off the charts!

The Rebel King was a dark romance that led me on a road of confusing roundabouts and bumpy country lanes leading to nowhere. I am beyond humbled to receive unsolicited books in my favorite genre, but they can't all be winners. I know I can be a prickly pear, but this series just didn't work for me. I don't believe I'll continue with this collection nor this particular author. I know Tiernan was hailed as the Rebel King, but this time they took rebellion too far.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨 (book two in the 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 series) follows middle Verran brother, Tiernan as he navigates his new role as the Fark Fae King, and his situationship with "lower-caste" fae, Fiona.

Individually, Fiona and Tiernan are characters you can't help but love and root for. Together they're explosive in all the best ways! Even the new side characters are delightful in their own ways -- most notably, Robert and Dmitri.

BDSM is a prominent element in the book, and as an outsider to that community, I think Gina did a respectful job at portraying it and even includes scenes of aftercare. Of course, my opinion on that doesn't really matter.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, even more so than the first book, and I can't wait for the final installment in this series and to see what happens between Finnian and Taryn.

I been waiting for Tier’s story ever since I read Caiden’s! I absolutely LOVED it and couldn’t get enough of Tier and Fiona’s story.

Gina L. Maxwell has done it once again! The Rebel King is the second book in The Deviant King series and she gave us so much more in this one than the first. The Verran men are all so dark and delicious but then again they are apart of the Night Court! Tier stole my heart in book one so I knew we were going to get a delicious story for him. The way Tier stepped up from the Rebel Prince to the Rebel King was absolutely amazing to read. He never wanted to sit on the throne but when his people needed him the most, he did what he needed to do! But with the crown comes responsibility and his secret rendezvous with Fiona were quickly coming to an end, but neither of them wanted that.

I loved all the action, suspense, angst, heartbreak, and spice we got with Tier’s story! They’re so much more to the Rebel King than people wanted to give him credit for. Robert was also one of my favorite characters, he had me laughing every time!! This series just keeps getting better and better and I can only image what Finni’s story will hold. This is definitely a MUST READ!

Huge thank you to Gina L. Maxwell, NetGalley, and Entangled Publishing for the ARC!! I couldn’t get enough.

Thanks to his brother Caiden's abdication in book 1 (The Dark King), Tiernan Verran will be the next ruler of the Dark Fae, but he has no interest in having responsibility and power over the Night Court. Unfortunately, he needs to be seen as committed and competent so the interim ruling council doesn't decide to remove the Verran line from power altogether. That means he has to resist the one woman he finds most irresistible: the housekeeper at his home Midnight Manor, Fiona Jewel. And he also must find out who has started killing Dark Fae -- and why.

Fiona feels like something of an outsider amid the Dark Fae, given that some human blood in her lineage has left her with clearly human features: rounded ears she hides with her long braids as well as blue eyes she covers with amber contacts. When her mother Erin is attacked by those who are hunting Dark Fae, she learns an unexpected truth about herself that leads her to risk her life in helping Tiernan hunt the hunters -- and to risk the relationship she really wants to have with him.

This second book in the Deviant Kings series really ramps up the suspense and action, making for a gripping read. Tiernan, seen as something of a playboy in book 1, shows his true wit and strength here, as well as his growing attraction to and care for Fiona. His determination to do what is best for his people leads him to some difficult choices, but the way he works through them and the decisions he makes feel very true to his character. Fiona is a strong, feisty, fun character who is willing to go for what she wants, whether it's sex with Tiernan or a chance to serve her community, and her level-headed determination and skills really shine in the latter half of the book. The two also strengthen their emotional bond as well as their physical one through BDSM, so if that's not your jam, consider yourself warned -- their scenes are very well done, however, with consent assessed throughout.

A really solid and compelling second entry in this series (and I'm not a big fan of romantic suspense). 4 stars.

CW: hospitalization, assault, violence, gun violence, and murder.

Thank you, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

The Rebel King continues on from The Dark King which was a surprise favorite read of mine. With Neon Gods/Fifty Shades of Gray vibes we follow the Verran brothers, billionaire fae brothers who rule Vegas after being banished from the fae realm. Now that Caiden has stepped down due to multiple attempts on his mate’s life which would ultimately end his own through their connection, Tiernam the rebel prince and unlikely candidate for king must step up to the challenge. Someone is targeting fae throughout Vegas and he must navigate his way of ruling while coming to terms that his role means no happy ever ending with the one female he wants for his own. Fiona finds herself in the danger zone and the now Rebel King must decide how to save his people, her and himself and decide what kind of a ruler he is going to be. Will he continue in the tradition of the council or forge his own path. I loved the collaboration of magical beings in this book and unlikely alliances that form. I’m excited to continue the series with the sexy, kinky, bad boy Verran brothers in The Vicious King.

This was absolutely delicious. Gina is a new to me author so I wasn’t sure what to expect but wow. This was sexy and written so well.

A big huge thank you to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and the author for granting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is just fantastic. It is a must, must bread. Put this series and author on you must read, must pre-order list

Full of hot, spicy romance!!! Full! Not your average romance novel.

Characters are amazing, story is amazing, romance is...well .super hot!

Five stars!!!

Quick Summary: A Dark Fae ero-spicy romance

My Review: The Rebel King by Gina L. Maxwell is book two in the Deviant Kings series.

About the Book: Tiernan Verran has always been known as the Rebel Prince. He is the rebellious spare who has a reputation for doing what he wants. He lives a carefree life. He doesn't envy the role his older brother has by any stretch of the imagination. When his brother unexpectedly steps down from what was to be his kingship, Tiernan's life changes forever.

Before Tiernan has a chance to adjust to what's happening, evil forces set themselves up against him and all of the Dark Fae. In the sudden, unavoidable battle, not only are a number of lives lost, but the life of the woman he cares about most is also put in jeopardy. How far is Tiernan willing to go to save his people, to save his mate, and to save himself?

About the Supernatural Characters: This book introduced so many characters. It was a smorgasbord of supernatural beings. Dark Fae, Light Fae, a hybrid mix (Darklight), Werewolves, Vampires, Djinns, Conjurers, Mystics - they were all mentioned. While not all were used beyond serving a base purpose, the plotting and placement of primary factions soon became clear. The fantastical world that existed just beyond humankind was both amazing and deadly.

About the Drama/Action/Conflict: This dark installment did not leave out one single thing. It had murder-death-kills. It had secret clubs. It had representation. It had spice. It had attitude. It had sass. It had sacrifice. It had betrayal. It had fighting. At the heart of it, it had love. Not one moment was dull. From one scene to the next, it was non-stop drama, action, and conflict.

About That Epilogue: Hmm...Finnian and Taryn? I love it! Let's go!!!

My Final Say: This story is a yes all day long. Readers, begin at book one (The Dark King), proceed to book two (The Rebel King), and keep it going to book three (The Vicious King). Thank me later.

Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Yes
Status: E, R
Level: 🔥🚨💕🍬💬
Warning: BDSM, Violence, Trafficking

Appreciation is extended to the author and to Entangled Publishing for making this ARC available via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.

Actual Rating 3.5★

The Rebel King picks up where we left off from the Dark King with the spotlight on Tiernan and Fiona. I enjoyed the first book a lot and was very excited to receive an eARC fron Netgalley and Entagled publishing in exchange for an honest review. There will be mild spoilers from the first book as, although they are technically standalone books, they do happen sequentially so it is pretty impossible to talk about Book 2 without referencing how Book 1 ends. There also are some spoilers for Book 2 in this review as well.

As with The Dark King, The Rebel King gives us a well written contemporary Dark Fae romance set in Las Vegas. Tiernan, the second born, spare to the heir, set to be King after his brother had abdicated the throne to protect himself and his mate. Known to be a massive party animal had never really prepared to take up the role that seemingly fit his brother so well so he just messed around. His secret relationship with Fiona, an ordinary member of court, was never really much of an issue until now - now that he has to be King. Adding to that are Fae assassinations and a brewing plot to eliminate Fae-kind.

I absolutely loved Fiona, and I have to say I love her more than Bryn. She was such a nicely rounded character – her personality really shined through. The relationship between Tiernan and Fiona was lovely as well. Their banter seemed genuine and the pairing, the romance, and the spice was quite an enjoyable read.

I did wish a lot more from Tiernan, though. I feel like we were told repeatedly that he was this party animal but beyond it being mentioned there was nothing of that portrayed beyond musings. I also wish we just had deeper look into his character, how all the events of the plot from really impacted him. I didn’t get to see much of his personality shine through.

My absolute favorite part of this book had to be the one moment after a Scene that discusses a Dom drop – where After Care wasn’t just limited to the sub. More often than not in smut, not only is consent overlooked a lot of the time, but also the importance of After Care in Play. And beyond that, the importance of After Care for more than just the sub. It was quite refreshing to read this chapter.

While I could not put Book 1 down, The Rebel King didn’t seem to hold my interest as much- while I reading, I was incredibly invested, but when I wasn’t actively flipping through the pages, I didn’t find any motivation to read the book. Nonetheless, I still had a very enjoyable time reading it and will continue on with the series.

This is the second story of the Deviant Kings series that follows the future king Tiernan and Fiona in their life journey full of obstacles, challenges and unexpected turns .I would like all books to be like this one and to give us what we look for in books, which is a lot of action, drama, love. This book definitely fulfilled all my expectations, I liked both the main and secondary characters that I met in the first part of the series. I liked the energy and the whole flow of the story, which was full of humor, sparks ,happiness and sadness. Tiernan is my favorite brother and you have all the best reading recommendations from me. I am sure you will enjoy this story from beginning to end.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this opportunity, I enjoyed it.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review .

Wow wow and wow! I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down, brought my kindle with me everywhere to finish it!

3,5

Gina Maxwell did it again. She was able to conjure faes, humans and other creatures in this fast paced second installment. I loved Fiona maybe more than Bryn and definitely loved Tiernan more than Caiden.

Thank you so much for providing me with this book as an ARC. I LOVED this. I haven’t read the 1st book in the series so I read this as a stand alone and wasn’t disappointed! I will probably go back and read the dark king now because of how much I enjoyed this book.

I love the duel perspectives from both Fiona and Tiernan’s POV. Super fast-paced, I was hooked from the beginning. The spice….. phenomenal!!!! Every scene including the ones with some pain included were written so sensitively.

Definitely check out the trigger warnings before picking this up.

The forbidden romance between Tiernan and Fiona is so powerful. Tiernan needs to settle down and get out of the playboy lifestyle but he finds him self unable to think about anyone other than Fiona. The only issue is that Fiona isn’t quite what Tiernan needs to make his people happy.

Beautifully written, strong plot line, unexpected twists, sexy spice, fantasy. I cannot wait to read more of Maxwell’s writing!