Thank you so much Entangled Publishing for sending me this ARC via Netgalley!

The Rebel King is the second book in the adult paranormal romance Deviant Kings series and I think I enjoyed this one even better than The Dark King, it was so good!

After his brother abdicated the throne, Tiernan, the fun-loving playboy prince, is supposed to become the new king of the Night Court in just a few months. But becoming king means there is no way for him to pursue Fiona, a lower-caste Fae who he can’t get out of his head, but who is forbidden for him to have a relationship with. With Fae being killed in his city, Tiernan will have to figure out if he is ready to became the king his people need and how to do that without sacrificing his heart in the process.

I loved Tiernan and Fiona’s as main characters, these two were completely different but fit so well together, I loved seeing their forbidden relationship grow and them starting to trust and love each other. Fiona was a very strong female lead, she went through a lot and her world turned upside down in this book, but she dealt with everything very well, she maybe wasn’t badass but still very strong and I loved how she developed as a character. Tiernan grew a lot here too, it was amazing to see him change from the playboy prince into a king caring for his people and I can’t wait to see more of him and Fiona in the next book in this series. Aside from amazing characters and beautiful romance, this book had a really interesting plot that had me finish this book in one sitting but the amount of plot was perfectly balanced with romance and spicy scenes, it was everything I love in books.

The Rebel King is a really great sequel to Dark King, I loved it and already can’t wait for the third book in this trilogy! If you like fantasy books with amazing characters, spicy romance and interesting plot, you should definitely give this series a try.

The Rebel King was sexy and explosive. I loved Tiernan and Fiona and thought this was a good follow up to The Dark King! This story continues the intricate plot and political intrigue of the first book and immediately follows the story from that cliffy-esque ending.

While I absolutely adored this story, I did find that this story consumed me less than The Dark King. While I know Tiernan is completely different from Caiden, I was expecting the same level of passion and intensity between Tieran and Fiona that Caiden and Bryn had. I also got lost in the details of the story vs the love story itself. Overall this was a good story, and I look forward to the next book in the series! 4 stars! ~Ratula 🩷

4.5 -⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

"I will never stop wanting you, Fi. Not for as long as I'm breathing."

The Rebel King is the second interconnected novel in the adult paranormal romance series, Deviant Kings. Set in a world where Dark Fae rule the landscape of Las Vegas from behind the scenes, we follow the Tiernan after the events of the first book leading him to become heir to the throne after his brother's abdication. Tiernan never thought he would become king and chafes at the shackles...yet something is rumbling beneath the surface as Fae are being found beaten and killed. As the tension arises to seek out those harming his people, so to does the fire he feels towards a certain red-head who he cannot seem to let go. As his two worlds collides Tiernan must decide how far will he go for duty...or love.

Tiernan and Fiona were an amazing duo that helped this story shine. Tiernan starts as this rebel prince grudgingly taking a throne for his family's sake. His duty to his people is unquestionable but his doubt towards himself is evident. As he faces off with a threat to his people we get to see him shine in his newfound role. Add in him falling in love with a woman he can't get enough of and I was sold. He is the delicious sexy and mesmerizing male lead you want in a book with this carefree attitude that hides so much more.

Fiona has this fascinating character arc around identity. She is drawn to Tiernan and understands she could never really be with Tiernan but she cannot say no to him. She matches him with her love of her community and I loved how their chemistry blended well with their need to solve the mystery. She is fierce and has this underlying spark to her I did not anticipate but thoroughly enjoyed.

This book does contain spice - I would say 3.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. These two characters have a pre-existing relationship prior to this book so it made sense to see them together early on and I appreciated how their physical relationship changed as their connection became stronger. They started to truly see each other and the romance was incredible to read. It has the balance of sweet but also all the angst I love in a forbidden romance. We also get elements of BDSM in this book so make sure to check triggers!

"Remember this night, Fiona. Know that you belong to me, just as I belong to you. Now and always, no matter what."

In terms of world and plot, the world building definitely has opened up in the book as we get more of an understanding of the royalty and relationships between different creatures and Fae. I especially loved the introduction of the vampire like Dimitri as it makes for the next book to sound very intriguing. The story itself plays into an investigative story with twists and reveals that keeps guessing, though it does get muddled a little towards the climax. We get these sweet moments between the characters, time to hang out with characters from the previous book, while also being hit with tension, action, and spice. There is elements of self-discovery as both characters are trying to find themselves with all they are faced but the connection between them is undeniable and pulled on my heartstrings by the end. I found what kept me reading was Tiernan and Fi's dynamic the most as the story is traditional.

Overall, The Rebel King gives readers a spicy yet enticing adventure with mystery, reveals, and action that keeps you on your toes. I loved Tiernan and Fiona a lot and felt they carried this book so well. I will definitely be watching out for book 3.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the e-ARC.

I enjoyed reading this book. We follow Tiernan’s journey as he steps into a role as king which he has to take on when his brother steps down at first he doesn’t seem like a great man for the role but you watch as he grows and starts to believe in hisself. And then there’s Fiona and their forbidden romance and it’s a spicy one .

This book has Mystery, forbidden romances, faes War, Kings and so much more. This is the second book in this series but can be read as a standalone. But if you can start with The Dark King first to get some insight into some of the characters.
I would recommend this reading this.

💙♟️🖤 The Rebel King ARC Review 🖤♟️💙

Thank you so much to Gina Maxwell, Entangled Publishing @Entangled_Publishing and netGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

The Rebel King is a paranormal urban fantasy and book 2 in the Deviant Kings series. Following the events of book 1, The Dark King, Tiernan is now only three months away from his coronation. He feels like his world is crashing down but he’s determined to step up and assume the throne. Everything is going as well as expected, until he learns he’s expected to give up Fiona, the commoner who captured his attention…

This was such a fun read!! Tiernan was the perfect mixture of royalty, charm and deviance! He definitely met his match in Fiona and it was interesting to see how they overcame their obstacles. I loved returning this world - Vegas is one of my favorite cities - and the mystery subplot was super fun too!

Overall this was a five star read for me! I loved Tiernan and Fiona so much!! Their story was sweet and spicy, yet also had moments of all the feels - it was a great balance! This book had some darker elements, so definitely check your triggers if you’re sensitive! This book definitely started off strong with the spice and kept it going throughout, plus the BDSM elements were delicious! Four flames for spice!

If you’re a fan of strong women, possessive Fae men, hidden magical worlds, BDSM play, and lots of sass & banter, then absolutely pick this one up!! Each book does read as a standalone, but there is an overarching storyline - so I personally recommend reading them in order.

Note: Review will be posted to Amazon upon publication

I uh.....don't even know where to start with this one.
🤷🏽‍♀️
After the events of The Dark King by Gina L. Maxwell, Tiernan is being prepped to take his place as the Dark Fae King. He's the least suited of the brothers for this role, but he knows it's necessary. In addition to the new responsibilities, he's also been stripped of the one thing he enjoys most, playing with Fiona. Fiona is a lower caste fae, and their romance is forbidden. Whispers of war are creeping, and Tiernan is forced to choose between duty and want.
♟️
I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark King and thought for sure the same enjoyment and momentum would be felt with book two, The Rebel King. Nope. Not the case. This book had promise. There's forced proximity, forbidden romance, bđŝm(with an emphasis on whipping), and a good bit of humor. Yet even with all that, the story fell flat. The plot was meh with a mŭrđer mystery and undercover missions. Some plot points were brought in randomly that had me scratching my head and wondering if I missed something. Granted, I skimmed a bit. But not THAT much.
👀
Then, the romance is actually barely there. Tier and Fiona hardly have time together, and when they do, it's rushed or during a scene that Tier wasn't even comfortable doing. That I didn't like. Add in some updates from the 1st book's couple that I could have done without and ridiculous emoji speak, and I finished the book with a sigh of relief. I appreciate NetGalley giving me the ARC, but I find myself no longer interested in the series, which sucks because I was curious about Finnian.

Faeries, and werewolves and vamps, oh my!

‘I’m still Dark Fae; deviance is in our very nature.’

We were so ready for to dive into another Deviant King instalment, after loving the first book, The Deviant King. How did Teirnan’s story stack up in The Rebel King? It was every bit as good, or dare we say, even better, which had a lot to do with the divine sexy, dominant Fae reformed playboy, Tiernan. Who doesn't love a sexy protective Fae King?

Something is afoot in Las Vegas, the playground for Tiernan Verran, the man known as The Rebel King among the Fae. He's been a party guy for too long, but with the abdication of his brother Caiden to protect his wife, Teirnan has now been thrust into the role of the next Night Court King, ruler of the Dark Fae. A role he wasn’t born to play.

“I know it doesn’t seem possible, but his ego can get bigger, it has no limit.”

Tiernan has so much on his plate. Fae hunted and slaughtered, he's in lust with Fiona Jewel, with feelings that are becoming a lot more, but theirs is a forbidden tryst – after all, he’s due to be King, and Fiona is a low-key Faerie, but the heart wants, what the heart wants!

‘And suddenly I want to wipe it all off, to get rid of anything that disguises the real her. So that for the first time in her life, she doesn't have to hide who she is, because who she is naturally is perfect.’

We are absolutely loving this series. Faerie fantasy romance is one of our favourite tropes, and Gina L Maxwell has nailed it. Fabulously atmospheric, vivid and we adore all the characters and the banter. What better way to escape than with a sexy, suspenseful fun-filled, spicy read? The Rebel King delivers all this and more!

Now, to try and patiently await the release of book three, The Vicious King, in December. Finnian’s book promises to tantalise and entertain us once again. We cannot wait for more!

Yessss so here for Tiernan & Fiona! Usually the second book in a trilogy is just a mediocre bridge but this book DELIVERED. I loved watching Tiernan grow into his role as heir to the throne without losing the sarcastic sparkle that makes him who he is. And while his older brother may have been a picture perfect king, “the rebel prince” brings new solutions and new ideas to the throne with fantastic results.

Have to give Fiona her due credit too, she is a total badass who is willing to do anything for her people. These two are a perfect match and that second epilogue has me antsy for the final book already!

This series is the perfect blend of fae magic & Sin City mafia vibes — if you’re into dark kings with a supernatural flair, you’ll love it.

Fiona is happy working for the Night Court King as a lowly maid...and sneaking around with Prince Tiernan. But when Tiernan gets unexpectedly named King, everything chances...except her feelings that is.

This is the second book in the Deviant Kings series, following middle brother Tiernan. I liked this one (better than the first) most because of the characters!

Fiona: She's feisty and fearless. I really enjoyed her chapter development. Early on, she finds out something about herself that not only shocks her but leads her on an interesting path. But she pushes forward and is really strong.

Tiernan: he's my favorite brother. Probably because he's the most personable. He's also charming and funny. What's not to like? It's interesting to watch him navigate the world of being king while also wanting his old life.

The action...both kinds: The spicy action: it's there and on point! It also starts pretty early which is nice. There is a big BDSM push with most of it, but it's well done. The other type of action, the actual action, was well done too. This isn't just a romance. There is a whole plot line with dueling Fae and fights for power.

All in all, this is a good read! If you are an urban fantasy fan that needs spice, this is the series for you!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy. My reviews are always honest.

<b>I thought Caiden Verran would be holding my new favorites book boyfriend spot for quite some time. Then Tiernan Verran came and conquered me all over again. Seriously my obsession for these Fae brothers knows no limits. The Rebel King was another stunning compilation of kinky dark passion, swoony feels, heart stopping suspense and brilliant storytelling from Gina L. Maxwell.
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Tiernan can make you laugh and smile and can charm your panties off but dear lord, when his alpha dominating side takes over..I had no chance of resisting it. But our girl Fiona did. She is sweet but sassy, strong but vulnerable, proud but struggling with the twists life is throwing at her one after another. They are absolutely sensational together and the spice here is epic. But again, the emotions won me over. Unrequited forbidden love brings the angst here and Gina L. Maxwell managed to captivate my heart again.</b>

Nightfall mayor's housemaid Fiona and the Rebel prince of Dark Court Tiernan had a sizzling hot affair going on but then his elder brother and King Caiden abdicate the throne to protect his mate and Tiernan has to take over. He is known as the playboy party loving charmer and he is not sure he is ready for this job. He cannot continue being with Fiona and he begins to realize that they have more than sexual tension. But when an anarchist group starts killing Fae all over Vegas, he has to step up sooner. He is torn between his duty and his heart..who will win?

Tiernan went through so much change in this book. It's like the witty sweet charmer was put under tremendous pressure of expectations and responsibilities and that brought out the hidden King inside him. He made unorthodox risky decisions for his people and he won the battle against the evil enemies! He had doubts and insecurities but he overcame every obstacles and I am so in love with every shade of Tiernan Verran! He can be playful and swoony that melt my heart and panties. And he can be a complete over protective, possessive and dominating alpha that set my heart on fire. Fiona is the half of his soul but by the time he realised it, he was bound by duties. Enter the thrill and tension and angst of forbidden unrequited love! My heart was breaking for them. Fiona's life was turned upside down as everything in her life was exposed to be lies. This vibrant fierce woman was broken but she didn't stop being amazing. Her loyalty and her big heart and her selfless love makes her the perfect queen but Tiernan had to fight for themselves first. It was high on action and suspense too. Tiernan and Fiona's chemistry is nuclear hot but what won my heart is the angst of "need her but cannot have her". They changed the rules, broke the boundaries and found happily ever after.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily through Netgalley and Entangled Amara

After reading the first book ive been waiting to read this one and it was such a good read I absolutely loved it

Thoroughly enjoyed; even so more than the first!. Loved the dual POV. The MMC’s are perfect for each other !!! Great addition to the series

<b>Actual Rating: 3.5⭐</b>

The Rebel King is the 2nd book in Deviant King series.
I suggest reading the 1st book (The Dark King) before getting into this one cause it has major spoilers everywhere for book 1.
Although it serves as a good recap for those who needs a reminder of what happen in the previous book like me!

The plot continues right after the ending of book 1. It was interesting seeing Tiernan (MMC) get ready to asumed the position as king of the dark fae. While it’s not what he wants to be at first, at the end of the story I think he’ll make a great king.
I also like it when Caiden and Bryn (couple of the 1st book) made an appearance here and there with a small update about their life as a couple.

As for the romance, I like Tiernan and Fiona as a couple. I also enjoy the really spicy scenes between the two of them.
Although, I wish we got to know more about Tiernan and Fiona’s relationship before he was appointed as king. It would give more depth to their relationship and see how their feelings grow throughout the story.

I also wish Fiona (FMC)’s feelings were more explored when she discovered a shocking truth about herself instead it was resolved rather too easily and abruptly.

The ending is quite satisfying seeing how rebellious Tiernan’s first act as king. I also like the 2nd epilogue featuring the third and last Vernan brother, Finnian. I’m interested to know his journey because the villain is not yet defeated.

Overall, it’s an okay read if you’re looking for something fast and spicy paranormal romance with BDSM scenes.
I’ll keep an eye out for the third book in this series.

<i>I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!</i>

Thank you to net galley and Entangled publishing for this ARC!

I thought Caiden was my favorite brother but it’s now Tier. I love his journey on becoming king and how he grew more confident. I also love that Fiona’s real identity didn’t change how he felt about her. As for Fiona I felt for her the whole time our girl was going through it she definitely had a lot of twists in turns in her story. The political side of this fantasy was so good and the chemistry between Tier and Fiona is sizzling hot. If you love fae men and forbidden romances this is the book for you!

4 rebel stars ☆

After his brother's abdication of the throne, Tiernan Verran is forced to become the new king of the Dark Fae, changing from being the rebel prince to the future rebel king. Needless to say he has a long way to go.

Having to learn a role he never meant to fulfill, he must learn to dominate his new responsibilities with his true desires. Certain red haired woman being the object of his dark desires.

Fiona Jewel never thought life could get more complicated, however new enemies surface, ones that will put the fae's livelihood in danger and life as she knows it will be shattered with one revelation. It will change everything.

Old enemies, new ones and new allies will be part of this second installment of the Deviant Kings series by Gina L. Maxwell, making the reading thirsty for what's to come on the next page. Fair warning: this book contains BDSM scenes, so if you're not into them, this book will not be for you; however, if you don't mind them or even enjoy them, you'll definitely should read this story. It's so much more than just their dark desires, it shows the growth and how people help each other to find the strength necessary to overcome what's thrown at them. This story got me hooked from page one and I can't wait for what's next.

**Disclaimer: I've received this book as an ARC via NetGalley and this is my free and honest review **

3.5 ⭐️ This was a great addition to the Deviant Kings series. I couldn't put it down!

"Things might be different for us outside these walls. But right now, in here, you're mine. Say it."

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ paranormal romance
✨ fae, humans, vampires
✨ las vegas setting
✨ she’s the housekeeper and last lover of the the soon to be fae king of the Night Court
✨ he’s the playboy prince and future king who wants nothing to do with the crown
✨ royal x non-royal
✨ forbidden romance
✨ casual hookup to love
✨ forced proximity
✨ playful banter
✨ 3/5 spice
✨ heavy BDSM: dom/sub, sadism/masochism, rigging, whipping
✨ political intrigue
✨ murder mystery
✨ secret missions
✨ dual pov


My Thoughts:

This was such a fun and sexy story that dove way deeper into the Deviant Kings world and left me craving more. Seriously, The Vicious King (book 3) sounds incredible and I'm so glad we only have to wait a few months till it's release on December 5th!


What I liked:


Tiernan and his journey to becoming king. Tiernan has a boyish charm you can't help but love, a sharp mind, and a big heart - all qualities that make a great leader. No one wants the crown less than Tiernan, but unfortunately, it's fallen into his lap. And over time, with the help of a few friends, he accepts his responsibilities and realizes that maybe the Night Court needs a king just like him.

Fiona and her story. Fiona was a sweet secondary character from the first book who we hardly knew anything about, and this book did a fantastic job diving into her character. I love her kindness and caring nature towards others, her bravery and willingness to do what she can to help, and her fire and passion. She also has a complicated past with many twists and turns I didn't expect, so getting to know her was a blast!

The romance. Tiernan and Fiona are the epitome of a modern couple whose relationship starts with hooking up and ends with love. I love their playful banter. The forbidden element of their story made things exciting, and incredibly angsty. Seriously, them not being able to be together paired with the mystery plot had my heart clenching. It was a painfully delightful story. (lol) They obviously had a connection from the beginning but watching them grow as individuals and as a couple was lovely. Also, the nickname 'Little Red' is fucking adorable! And that ending was super cute.

The political intrigue and plot! I LOVE that we learn much more about the dark and light fae, and the added (murder) mystery element really kept me on my toes. It was so fun and I couldn’t put it down because I just had to know how things would unfold!

The smut. I’m really not into hardcore BDSM, but the scenes were done well. I never got the ick so that's always a good sign. The scenes seemed to have also been done in a proper and safe manner that aligns with the BDSM lifestyle, so that is very much appreciated.

The Bryn and Caiden cameos. I loved these two from The Dark King and was curious what life would be like for them afterwards. Turns out, it's just as crazy! I won't say more because it would spoil some things but they do play a role in this book, so get excited!

That second epilogue featuring Finnian has me salivating for book 3! I'm shook after all that new information and cannot wait to learn more about Taryn and how she's connected to Finnian!


What were my issues:


I didn’t like how Tiernan talked like a Gen Z-er. I know he's the relatable brother since he hangs out with humans all the time, but still, it was distracting and really hard to get past, especially since he's 150(?) years old. Here are some examples: "I'd fucking smash that look, no question," "bitch slap me in the face", "staying chill," "dude,". There's also a bunch of Twilight/Edward Cullen jokes which I didn't really get.

Sometimes, it felt like the plot was overshadowing the romance. I'm someone who likes both to be developed in the romance novels I read, but a lot of Tiernan and Fiona's romance was intertwined with whatever was happening politically/mystery plot-wise when I wish they had more romantic moments that would have unfolded without those outside factors. For example, the first time they 'play' is during an undercover mission at a BDSM club, and while it was hot, I wish they had an experience prior in a more private place so the moment was just about them.

I wish Tiernan and Fiona had a BDSM scene before the sex club. We knew both characters had experience with BDSM so it's not like they needed to learn about it, but Tiernan gave up the lifestyle because of a bad experience. So him being forced to do BDSM with Fiona (for the first time) in a sex club while on a secret mission just seemed contrived and cruel. Especially because he does end up having a trauma response to the entire experience, which Fiona does talk him through. But my tender heart didn't want to see him suffer, so I personally, wish their first BDSM experience had been in a safe environment without any pressure.

Occasionally, the story sometimes moved from political drama to romance so quickly it was a bit jarring. One paragraph would be politics and then next would be romance. I think it sort of aligns with my point above, but the romance moments needed some time to breath without the other angst and tension from the mystery/political plot.

I definitely liked this book, but struggled to engage with the pacing. The middle 50% I absolutely sped through, but the first and last 25% took me a while to read.

The spice was definitely spicy, but it overtook the logical response to plot points towards the end of the book for me, which made it less enjoyable to read.

I’m glad I read this book, but I can’t say I’d read it again.

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for giving me the ARC. Here I leave my honest review!

Honestly I didn’t read the first book (but I think I will later). I didn’t know when I request the book that this book is part of series. Actually this book is interconnected series so we see different couple as the main character but the previous couple still involve in the story. Even tough it has different couple but I still recommend to read this book in order of the series. Because the problem connect with the previous book and still continue to the next book.

Even I didn’t read the first book it still okay for me to know the major problem and what kind of world the live now. The author did a good job to briefly explain to a new reader like me to understand the story but it will of course spoil the story from the first book.

Fiona and Tiernan. The maid and The King. You now for sure that this will be a forbidden love. Start with relationship with benefit now they know that they mean much more to each other. The book itself has two conflict, the first one is continue from previous book, with this organization want to banish the Dark Fae and the second of course between Fiona and Tiernan, their status surely become a hurdle for their future.

I’m not sure how the author describe their relationship in the first book. But here we just know that they have a relationship without label. We continuously see their need for each other. So I think I lost a moment of their beginning, how their feeling develop and how they act toward each other before. Despite what happen between them before, I think with them realize what they want toward each other show us how they behave with each other later.

With dual POV I know exactly how they feel. I like their relationship with little banter but still care for each other. The way Tiernan treat Fiona differently after what happen to her, how he help her to face her problem, save her on any situation. I think as a character I love Tiernan. He knows what he wants and still trying so hard to protect his family too. And I love how Tiernan trying so hard to make it happen with Fiona.

But, I think the problem regarding the Dark Fae and his court not solve really well. I’m not pleased with how they solve the problem. I don’t know if it’s the author’s way to make this problem bigger for the next book but I was hoping something much better than that.

I think the romance is much more better than the fae problem. A little disappointed but I still recommend this book. I give this book rating 3.5/5 ⭐ with 3 🌶. If you love fantasy romance maybe this book is for you!

This second in the series is explosive and and will leave the reader eager for the next book. Tiernan has the task as preparing to be the Dark King after his brother’s abdication. He is the middle brother and a rebel. Fiona is the housekeeper at the manor and in a relationship with Tiernan. The author keeps the plot interesting by offering surprises. It becomes steamy and heated as Fiona and Tiernan unmask themselves. Readers will love the outcome of this story.

After taking a break from this series, I finished book 2. I can see a lot of people loving these books, I just don’t think they are for me. I’m not a fan of the dialogue, which is a big deal to me.

I will say, the characters are so interesting and easy to read about. It can definitely be an entertaining book.