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.

Kingmakers Academy, where the children of the world's most powerful mafia families are trained in the dark arts of criminal enterprise. Interesting concept right? Just this sentence in the Blurb had me…. You know when all of the mafia children are put together, there will be action, drama and angst! And oh boy was I right! Sophie Lark delivers a thrilling mix of danger, rivalry, and forbidden romance that had me hooked from the first page.

Leo Gallo, son of the infamous Sebastian and Yelena, enters Kingmakers ready to prove himself. But the academy's strict rules—like no fighting or killing—are easier said than followed when tensions are high and rivalries run deep. Amidst the deadly games and power struggles, Leo finds himself drawn to Anna, a fiery and fearless student who’s off-limits in every way.

From the moment Leo and Anna meet, sparks fly, and their chemistry is undeniable. As they navigate the treacherous waters of Kingmakers, you can’t help but root for them. Their relationship builds beautifully, with just the right amount of tension, passion, and the ever-present threat of danger.

Anna and Leo’s love story is one of the highlights of the book. Despite the odds stacked against them—especially with obstacles like the annoying ‘Dean’ (yes this will be a thing now, whenever you hate a character, just compare it to Dean and see which one you hate more!) they fight for their love, making you cheer them on with every twist and turn. Their journey is intense, romantic, and oh-so-satisfying, especially when you see them emerge as the end game. Was truly relieved for this… wouldn’t be able to handle it the other way round.

Sophie Lark does an incredible job of blending romance with the gritty world of mafia politics, creating a story that’s as thrilling as it is heartwarming.

Kingmakers: Year One is a must-read for fans of dark academia, forbidden love, and stories where the stakes couldn’t be higher. I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment, desperate to see what’s in store for the rest of the Kingmakers.

Thank you to the publisher Bloom Books, The author Sophie Lark and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Obsessed would be an understatement when it comes to this series. I love the mafia school so much wow. The dynamic of it is amazing and the students are so interesting... I am intrigued at all their stories (specifically Ares)

This was my first book by Sophie Lark and it definitely won’t be my last. This was also my first mafia book, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I love the new cover, the characters are well thought out and the plot kept me intrigued. Definitely recommend.

Solid 4 stars.

THIS BOOK. I was literally so hooked from the beginning. Sophie Lark's writing style in this book is so easy to follow, though sometimes repetitive, I absolutely ate this up. I really was impressed with the fanart at the beginning and throughout the book. I love having visuals because I find it hard to imagine a character in my head. I also really appreciated the family trees!

I loved the dark academia vibe that this book gave and it is my first true mafia romance so I was very impressed by the build up of tension. The characters were mostly likable but driven by their backstories and family ties. The only thing that kept me from feeling like this was a 5 star read was that at points the writing felt very repetitive and maybe leaning a bit into YA (juvenile.) I know that the book is meant to be from the perspectives of 18 year olds but still. This is a book with lots of spice and some detailed explicit scenes so the juxtaposition of the juvenileish writing felt out of place and took me out of the story at certain points.

I will definitely be continuing this series but I am obsessed with the plot lines!!!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks/Bloom Books for this arc.

I loved the Brutal Birthright series so I knew I had to jump on Kingmakers! Can we talk about the cover? The setting in this book is hauntingly beautiful. I loved the concept of a mafia college plus the next generation as well. Here they're competing to be winners and the challenges were cool.

Leo and Anna have been best friends since kids and leaving for Kingmakers together. Also, going to Kingmakers is Dean Yenin 👀 Cue the tension! We have friends to lovers situation along with a bit of a love triangle 🙈 I loved the characters I think they each had something special about them. However, Dean does make some questionable choices throughout this book but I'm very interesting to see where his character goes.

Thank you Netgalley and bloom books for the gifted copy.

DNF at 55%
Honestly, I was bored reading this book. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn’t get into it. This is probably a me thing, because it had all the elements that I generally like - dark academia, mafia, dark romance, what appeared to be interesting characters, but it just wasn’t for me.

I think I found my new favorite series! There are so many connections to the Underworld and Brutal birthright series. I am not finished with those two series just yet, but I still enjoyed it. I loved the concept of a moody dark academia setting for mafia children. Ana and Leo are literally the definition of friends to lovers. There is a love triangle going on involving a family rival Dean. This man here!!! I was honestly kind of shocked that I liked his character at first, but it changed towards the end of the book. I don't think he is a total lost cause, but he has done some questionable things in this book. I will be continuing this series, and I am excited to see where it leads to next.

I really wanted to love this book but it was unfortunately not for me. Which is sad because I love Sophie Lark's other books but I could not for the life of me get into this book.

A school filled with mafia kids, sign me up!!
This book was unlike any mafia/academia book that I’ve read.
I love how Sophie included multiple povs so we can see the book from various angles and actually get to see how the characters are feeling and what they are going through.
I think my favorite thing about this book was Ana and Leo’s friendship and how it develops throughout the book.
The book kind of gives me Harry Potter vibes but without any magic. It’s cool to see how there are different house and challenges like in Harry Potter.

I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and can’t wait to read the rest of the series:)