Kingmakers: Year One-A Dark Academia Mafia Romance by Sophie Lark is an entrancing mix of dark academia, forbidden love, and mafia politics. Kingmakers Academy is highly prestigious; it houses the best of the best in the mafia circles as they come to learn the ropes. The novel narrates a story of Anna and Leo maneuvering around this intriguing world of power, betrayal, and unstoppable attraction.

A World of Intrigue and Danger

Oh, my goodness, Lark has come up with such an intriguing world, as glamorous as it gets raw. Kingmakers Academy is one of those places where one could barely tell if it is education or manipulation. An interesting lot, all with their motives and secrets. She did just great-a great balance between romance and the harsh world of mafia politics, creating a story that's as thrilling as it gets heartwarming.

Forbidden Love and Betrayal

The first and foremost romance within the novel is that between Anna and Leo. Their affair is taboo, powerful, passionate, corresponding to shared pasts and the respect they feel for each other. Besides, that is the tension that builds up - a further loyalty that is owed to their respective families, and the awakening of feelings towards one another that makes the story even more complicated.
A Thrilling Plot

This plot will be full of twists and turns to keep the readers in suspense. Besides that, there is also a disappearance of their fellow student and the trailing dangers involving power clashes across mafia groups.

Conclusion:

Kingmakers: Year One is truly a read that fans of dark academia, forbidden love, or any of those stories in which the stakes can literally get no higher, should not miss. Sophie Lark has created a magnificent world with her book, full of interesting characters and an entertaining plot. If you like reading about romance with a touch of danger, this would certainly be the book for you.

This was my first Sophie Lark read and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised! I love her writing style, and while the romance here was a bit touch and go for me at times, overall it was a great read! Childhood friends to lovers with a possible love triangle - if that is your jam then you need to read this book! I have the others on my Need to Read list.

*4.5

I love a good friends to lovers book. Leo and Anna are really cute and were both being stupid in not admitting their feelings. Their families reaction to them being together was fun. However, the whole Dean plot pissed me off and I do not like that man.

While this wasn't my personal fave of Sophie Lark's, I do recognize that we will have some readers who would enjoy this. Childhood friends to lovers with a possible love triangle.

I’ve always wanted to read a Sophie Lark book and I was not sure what to expect from this one. While I love romance I feel like this one kind of drag on for me and I started to lose interest the longer it took.

4 5 stars I started this series reading book 3. (Yes, I know you're not supposed to do that, but it's fine) So to circle back was...interesting. This is a tale told in 3 POVs; Anna, her best friend Leo and Dean. Leo left his full ride to join Anna at Kingmakers and Dean..he's got grudges. This was totally worth the read, especially knowing how book 3 and 4 pan out, it's a wild ride and it gets a little dark in spots. Leo and Anna were so beautiful together when it finally happened. I won't leave it so long to dive into The Rebel.

Childhood friends to lovers! And that's all you need to know.
It's a mafia academy where the children of mafia dons from around the world attend college and train to be killer heirs. But the romance centers on Anna and Leo who are both fierce and talented and are faced with new challenges outside of their sheltered upbringing. It was fun, sexy, and thrilling and I recommend it as a contemporary parallel to Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing (which btw released after this one technically!)

Wanted to love this one but it has some triggers and a type of pairing I just wasn't into and it was a struggle to continue. I liked the writing style and the large universe, but this just wasn't my cup of tea.

3/5 stars! This story was just too dang long. I liked elements of Leo and Anna's story, but was confused why there was a 3rd pov. When the pacing was strong, I was pulled in and really enjoyed it. It just needed about 80 pages cut in edits.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

The Kingmakers: Year One - A Dark Academia Delight with a Mafia Twist

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. Dark academia? Mafia? It sounded like a strange combination, but I'm glad I gave it a shot.

Sophie Lark has created a world that's equal parts glamorous and gritty. The Kingmakers Academy is a place where the elite of the mafia world come to learn the ropes. Think of it as Hogwarts, but with less magic and more murder.

The characters are a fascinating bunch. Leo is the loyal friend who's always there for his loved ones, even when it puts him in danger. Anna is the strong-willed heroine who isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in. And Dean Yenin is the villainous rival who's always lurking in the shadows.

The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. There's plenty of drama, intrigue, and even a good dose of spice thrown in for good measure.

If you're a fan of dark academia, mafia fiction, or just a good old-fashioned thriller, The Kingmakers: Year One is a must-read. I’ll likely continue the series as I’m invested in seeing what happens to Dean 😏

I love a good dark academia, romantic suspense story and this one did not disappoint! I was captivated by the story the whole time and I’m excited to keep going in the series! Thank you NetGalley.

Kingmakers Year One by @sophie_lark_author
ARC from @netgalley and @read_bloom

This was my first Sophie Lark book and it did not disappoint!

This books follows the heirs of mafia families all around the world as they go to school to hone their skills to be worthy of one day being heads of their respective mafias. These students are put to the test to see who is the most ruthless, while also vying for each others affection. This dark romance was spicy and thrilling as you see this world through multiple POVS.

If you like:
Dark Mafia Romance
Love Triangles
Friends to Lovers
Rivals to Lovers
Competition
Multiple POVS

Grab this book!
New editions are out now with sprayed edges!

There are some situations and dark material that could be triggering to others. Please check trigger warnings before reading.


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Fabulous, give me 14 of 'em!

It’s Hogwarts, but for mafia children. I know other people have said it, but it’s totally true. Students get sorted by heir, accountant, enforcer, etc. and they also have school-wide competitions. It’s on a secluded island, and family rivalries still carry weight. We’re following the second generation: the kids of the Brutal Birthright series.

This one is Leo & Anna's story, with Dean the villain. As always, Sophie Lark’s writing is so dramatic and over the top in the most addictive way. Once I start one of her books, I know it’s going to take over my thoughts for the week.

The *only* thing I didn’t love was the odd sexual tension between cousins. They’re not blood related, but were raised as cousins. That was uncomfy and I had to just pretend they weren’t cousins.

Also: I need to know what the librarian is up to. I must know!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy! Somehow, I keep getting approved for Lark's books and it's such a privilege.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up to 5)
🌶️.5

SOPHIE LARK HAS DONE IT AGAIN LADIES AND GENTS.

If she writes it, I will read it and read it and read it. Seriously, how are all of these books so good!? Does she put crack in them?

I loved that this wasn’t even just another book and the start of another series, but it was the children of the brutal birthright MCs 😭 The way those original stories had such a chokehold on me!!!!! I’m so glad I can continue the stories with the next gen 🥹

I loved that Anna took after both of her parents and that she wasn’t afraid to punch a fucker in his throat. I also loved that Leo was always there to protect her, even if she didn’t need it, just as a backup. That’s true love right there.

Let me just say, Dean can get fucked. What the actual fuck bro? He needs to go back to Russia and fucking stay there.

I’m so excited for year two!!!

Having read the brutal birthright series already I was so excited to read Kingmakers: Year One!! Not only was I excited to see a glimpse of my favorite characters as parents, but I was so ready to see their kids! I loved this book- Sophie’s writing is top tier. I cannot wait to jump into Year Two!

I couldn’t put this down and can not wait to read the rest of the series!

The children of the mafia families around the world all go to one school to learn to be as powerful as their parents before them. They find love, friendship and make enemies. This first book was fantastic with the world building and told such a great story!

Leo and Anna have known each other since childhood, having been raised as cousins. As they grew up, their feelings for each other began to blossom. It was during their time at the Kingmakers that these feelings became more apparent. This book is set in a new world on an island that has been transformed into a college for children of mafia and criminals. It can be intense and challenging at times, reminding me of The Hunger Games in some ways. Dean is Leo's cousin who grew up in Russia. He had a difficult relationship with Leo's family, and there was animosity between their families. Dean believed that the Gallos were his enemy and despised Leo and Anna's closeness. He tried to interfere in their relationship, causing fights and trying to keep them apart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an e-arc!

This is my first Sophie Lark book, and I’m excited to continue reading this series! I will definitely be checking out other books by her as well.

Anna and Leo have been raised together as “cousins” since birth, making them the closest of best friends. The two are both from mafia families in Chicago, and have both enrolled in Kingmakers, an elusive, elite school for young adults in mafia families. The school offers courses in five different specialties, and Leo and Anna are both Heirs.

As the two embark on the school, there are concerns about conflict within Leo’s family. A long ago feud makes things very tense when Leo encounters Dean, a cousin of Leo’s who absolutely despises Leo and his entire family for the fate of Dean’s father and grandfather. Surprisingly, the family feud isn’t their only point of contention- the boys both want Anna.

Anna has had feelings for Leo for a long time, but assumed he sees her as family, so she kept her crush to herself. Little does she know that Leo has also felt the same. But since the two haven’t discussed their feelings, a bit of drama ensues at Kingmakers. Dean makes it known that he wants to be with Anna, and a love triangle of sorts begins.

On top of their feelings, everyone is also very invested in an annual competition that happens at the school- each grade faces off in various competitions to see who is the ultimate champion.No one remembers how long it’s been since freshmen have won, but with Anna and Leo being a part of the youngest class, things may just change this year.

I really enjoyed this book! I think it’s perfect for anyone looking for a dark academia read, especially this fall! My one complaint with the book is how the men repeatedly alluded to “owning” Anna- I wish it was phrased differently.

Definitely an interesting series that I will continue!!

Love it. It was great. I like the story and how it was done, like the main characters and their personalities. Enjoyed a lot

I did not realize this came out in 2022 and this was a re release HOWEVER, I am so glad I read it! The book took me on a wild ride! For starters the brilliant way she wrote the two main male characters had me pining for both! I was as confused as to where this was gonig. The pace was really great. It took me a minute to get into it and really familiar with the characters and then I hit a point where I finished the whole last half of the book in a day.

I feel like I deeply related to Anna. There were so many times in this book I thought she was just like me (only much more cool and a lot more money lol). She could go to really dark places and ballet and reading was her escape. The connection between Anna and Leo is extraordinary. Reading about them was intoxicating. When Dean came into the picture it really threw me for a loop. I was frustrated and could not stop reading. I was very satisfied with the ending, I thought it was very very fitting. I definitely want to go back and read more of this author.

꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂

I want to keep everything I love perfect and unchanging, preserved under glass like a snow globe.

“Power is not only in what we do but in what we don’t do,” Anna quotes calmly.

I don’t want to think about anything in my real life. That’s what books are for. To take you away.