Dark Academia meets mafia college!! This was such a fun book and if you enjoy dark academia romance filled with students from mafia families, this is for you. The story follows Leo and Anna, two childhood friends who navigate a love triangle with Dean, the Bratva heir with a vendetta. It's a fun book but definitely has a new adult feel to it and is a good intro for anyone who enjoys dark romance and mafia romances. This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to read the rest of the books!

Release Date: August 20,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC

Sophie Lark can't do mafia wrong. It was unusual with school setting for a mafia romance, but I really enjoyed it! The characters were unlikable, but I still liked them? Dark and delicious. Really recommend if you're looking for a new mafia romance!

Only Sophie Lark could make me hate one the principal characters and take four stars out of me. And don’t make me talk about my last obsession Dean Yenin, im sighing in this moment just thinking about how much I loved his chapters have me sighing. He is the kind of character I fall for, so morally grey they bleed dark and I’m dying to read his book and how he will find a path and love.
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If you have ever imagined going to a school like Hogwarts but magic is not something that calls to you and instead you prefer classes on espionage, torture, martial arts, history of mafia families in the world and how to lead an illegal organization and then add the sons and daughters of the most powerful families in the world, we have a book that is impossible to put down.
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After they finish high school and receive their acceptance letter, each family says goodbye to their sons at the airport in their city and from there they are alone until they reach school on a difficult-to-access island in the Mediterranean.
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Everyone has a different goal, Anna Wilk wants to prepare to take command of the empire that her father built in Chicago, for Dean Yenin Kingsmaker it is just one step more to make a name for himself and rise to the top of the organization his father works for in Moscow, while that Leo Gallo wants to show everyone that he is the best without separating himself from his best friend Anna.
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Of course there are rules to avoid revenge and unexpected deaths, but with old family vendettas and the desire to prove oneself, school is a battlefield and no new flames of love or even life long friendship is fireproof
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There are steamy scenes, there are very controversial things and the trigger warnings can give you an idea about it but again, I wasn’t determined to read it because of Dean's actions and opinions in some reviews but I ended up loving him, also Anna a little but that’s because Sophie Lark really knows how to write good characters and the setting around them is cheff kiss, I can imagine this series as a television show or a cult movie everyone want to re watch.
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Thanks to Sophie Lark and SourceBooks Bloom for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange of my honest and voluntary opinion

Oh gosh, I just know this whole series will be soooooo good!

Read if you like:
Mafia/dark romance
Love triangle
Friends to lovers
3 POVs
Suspense

I really enjoyed Brutal Birthright (proof is I actually finished that series, yay me!), so to say I was looking forward to seeing these kids stories is an understatement! I've been told great things about Kingmakers but it still surprised me! It is so different from the first series but still so freaking amazing.

I love that the story is happening in a school with all these people we are already starting to like/hate. You get lots of meddling and stressful things happening, tension, steamy scenes and all. The love story was definitely not the only focus in that book, a lot was happening and I was always captivated by each chapter.

The relationship between Leo and Anna was really cute and nice to see evolve, loved it from the start. They had their ups and downs, and it was hard to see them so sad at times, but it kept things interesting for sure. I have to admit that the fact I kinda like Dean already probably helped, haha, I was always happy to get to his point of view. (This was such a surprise to get 3 POVs, I was definitely a fan of that, and I'm really excited for Dean's book that is for sure.)

Getting to see the previous characters (now parents) in this series is of course such a delight (Miko was killing me, I love him). So yeah, I feel like it will be an easy series to enjoy for me and I'm excited for the next book already!

Thanks to Bloom Books and Netgalley for my eARC. All opinions are my own.

3 POV's, Spicy, Dark Romance, Friends to Lovers, It Was Always You, Mutual Pining, She Falls First

The angst and yearning in this book are so deeply moving but I could not get past the way Leo and Anna just refuse to be open and talk to each other. One moment completely fractures their friendship and both remain stubborn and unwilling to speak to the other for a good portion of the book. Dean is manipulative and conniving and I cannot wait to get to his book.

I have very mix feelings about this book. I struggled a little with this book. I think part of it is that it felt redundant in the beginning, as it rehashing a lot of the family background we already know if we have read the first series. And that made it harder for me to get into the story because of that. It wasn't hooking me.
Now I have to say the 3 POVs also made it a little harder for me really into the story. I'm never the biggest fan of multiple POVs, and usually prefer one or two, and I could have gone without Dean's POV. I get why for the series' sake it was there, but I didn't feel like I needed it as much for Leo and Anna's story.
Now, for the romance part, I was hoping to see them more fall in love, to see that friendship bloom into romance, instead of having them both pretty much already there, just not yet in a place to tell the other. Then instead it became a love triangle, with Anna going for that hates Leo AND HER FAMILY (and whose dad tried to kill her aunts and uncle?) I guess it was just my expectation that were not where they should have been with this book.
I'm still curious to see what the next book will bring, because I feel like a lot of the things I didn't enjoy about this book were really specific to this one (and I've enjoyed her other series). And I still think it is an interesting concept with the mafia school and all. So Hopefully, Year Two will be more up my taste.

4.5 stars! I definitely did not read the description of this because it was not what I expected (romantasy) but wow did I still love it!! I loved the multi POV, and I loved the creativity of this universe! I cannot wait for future books.

My biggest dislike - the fan art. not exactly how i pictured the characters and kinda gave me the ick.

Kingmakers: Year One by Sophie Lark is a thrilling dark academia romance set in a secret university for the offspring of powerful mafia families. The concept of a school dedicated to training future crime lords is captivating, with its dangerous atmosphere and the intense rivalry among students. The story follows Leo and Anna, childhood friends who navigate a love triangle with Dean, a Bratva heir with a vendetta. The characters feel a bit juvenile at times, especially Anna, but their relationships are engaging, and the tension keeps you hooked. The setting—a massive castle on a secluded European island—adds to the dark, mysterious vibe of the story. I enjoyed the mix of organized crime, academia, and high-stakes trials that test the students’ loyalty and survival skills. Overall, it's an entertaining read with plenty of twists and drama. I'm excited to see how the series develops, especially with Dean's upcoming redemption arc.

Sophie Lark does an incredible job of world building in this book! I loved Anna, Dean and Leo and can't wait for the rest of the series!

I really liked this one!
I read it in the new version: “Kingmakers: Year One”
I was looking forward to immersing myself in this Hogwarts-inspired mafia school.
I was excited about the friends-to-lovers element of our main characters and seeing how these students would learn how to fit their ‘mafia life’ into the real world.
This book is the set-up for the entire series. We're given insight into a character that will be explored further in the future and an introduction to other characters whose stories will be told in subsequent books as well.
With all of this said, I was expecting it to be somewhat more ruthless, dark and conniving, and it wasn’t.
This is the type of book I would recommend to someone who is slowly putting their toes into the stormy ocean of what "dark romance" is. It will give you slight dark elements, with the whole "organised crime and powerful men" thing, but you're still reading basically young adults and so they're not taking it as far as it could go. IF.... you are into hardcore dark romance and you fall for that EXTREME villain (that is darker the better), this one is going to be disappointing.
The day-to-day life at the academy was interesting too, and the competitions are a lot of fun to read about. I love all the blossoming friendships, and I'm already invested in every character's story.

Mafia dark romance? Yes please. I actually haven’t read many mafia romances so I really enjoyed dipping my toes into it with this series. The writing is great and I found myself really enjoying reading it.

4 ⭐ 2 🌶 5 🎧

While this reread didn't quite hold up to my memories, I still absolutely loved it. And if I remember correctly, the series gets better and better so I'm really excited to keep going.

I forgot how much I despised Dean. He is quite the antagonist of this story and makes for a fantastic 3rd angle in this love triangle romance. I'm even more excited to get back to year 3 and watch his redemption.

Leo and Ana really are so cute together. These best friends to lovers have some trials and tribulations, but ultimately end up right where they belong. I loved seeing Seb and Ylena's and Niko and Nessa's babies all grown up. They are uniquely their own characters, but have so much of their parents in them too.

The audio was fantastic. Michael Gallagher, Chloe Ryan and Gregory Salinas did wonderful jobs bringing these characters to life.

I am not exaggerating a single bit when I say Kingmakes Year One stopped my heart. I don't think I breathed while reading last few chapters. My heart was already battered and bruised. The adrenaline rush was there. But the way Sophie Lark brought this heartaching and action filled tale to an explosive ending..it's pure genius. Who knew an infamous school of training mafia kids can be so exciting and exhilarating and heartbreaking? Leo and Anna easily own my heart but I am sure Dean is there somewhere...

✔️ friends to lovers/ cousins ( not blood related) to lovers
✔️ dark mafia
✔️ next generation book but you don't need to read the original ones to understand this..but the question is why would you miss a massive series like that
✔️ love triangle in a twisted way
✔️ angsty and suspenseful
✔️ New adult romance
✔️ set in The Kingmakers..a special school for kids of organized crime families all over the world

Leo Gallo is heir to the Chicago Italian mafia and Anna Wilk is heir to the Polish mafia. They are the best friend and their family dynamics make them like cousin. They are not sure how to handle their changing feelings about each other. They are both ready to attend Kingmakers where they will learn all the skills necessary for their future reign. But Leo's biggest enemy will be going there too. His cousin and Russian Bratva's heir Dean Yenin. The whole setting of Kingmakers is such a mood. The isolated island surrounded by dangerous sea. The gothic architecture. The numerous members of different organized families with their own agenda. I got goosebumps in every chapter. The author has such a hypnotic way of picturing things. Here friendships cannot be trusted. But for survival, one has to get the power. And that's through Quartum Bellum..war of the four Years. Dean wants revenge and he won't stop at anything. And he also wants Anna and he will go to any extent to get her. It was an rollercoaster and my heart is still racing as I write this review. The twists , the manipulation, the power plays, the mind games..this book was unputdownable.

But the real reason to call this book a must read is the emotional depth. Anna fell first for Leo and she was torn between her need to keep her best friend and to express her love. Anna is the center of his universe but Leo was confused too. The pressure of the school added to the mess. And then there was Dean. Shrewd, cold, bitter, angry, hurt...but the author built his character's background in such a way that you will feel a part of empathy with your hatred. I hate him for making the evil plays to create the divide between Anna and Leo. I hate him for hurting Anna and Leo. But I cannot deny his pain. Leo is full of sunshine and charm. Everyone loves him. Everyone wants to be him. He carries such intense and overwhelming confidence. And this same Leo was devastated and became a shell of a man when Anna went away from him. Anna is a balance of sweet, sassy and powerful. But her heart was twisted by Dean until she found her way back to Leo. They are soulmate. The division sucked away the joy from their soul. But they wouldn't have realised just how much they need each other without that angsty interval. The author created some magical and powerful emotional moments for them and my heart is still aching. I cannot wait to go back to the Kingmakers because the game has just started.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

Best friends Anna and Leo have grown up together, almost as close as family. When Anna decides to go to Kingmakers to learn how to be the heir to her mafia throne, Leo changes his college plans to follow her there. But Leo’s archenemy is also attending Kingmakers and plans to make Anna his own, no matter the consequences.

Rating 3.75/5
Spice: 2.5/5

Tropes:
Slow burn
Next generation
Multi POV

Triggers:
Attempted mûrd3r
Career manipulation
Near drowning

My thoughts:
I love Sophie Lark’s Brutal Birthright series, so when I learning that this series highlights the second generation from that series, I ran to read it. I enjoyed the great slow burn of this best friends to lovers story but would have enjoyed seeing the FMC and MC behave like the virgins they were instead of being instant divine s3xual beings. Overall though, I really enjoyed the book and will definitely be reading book two.

Leo, Anna, + Dean

-next gen series
-dark academia
-love triangle
-friends to lovers
-best friends enemy

this was probably the best love triangle i’ve ever read! the way it read set up that we regularly got all 3 povs was making it really hard to pick one!! but like it had to happen even with all we knew!! a great beginning of this series!

This wasn’t for me, I dnf’d about 20% in and just couldn’t force myself to read anymore. It was cliche and the writing felt really clunky and unnatural. The characters were whiny and frustrating. There was nothing to like here for me.

Surprisingly I liked this book. The idea of a school for mafia families' offspring is marvelous as well as the setting - a huge castle in an European island, loved the atmosphere with the undercurrent of danger and violence. Somehow even the love triangle trope didn't repel me much. Though the main characters felt a bit juvenile and overdramatic (Anna, I'm looking at you), I found them more entertaining than annoying, so that's a win in my book. As always, illustrations are chef's kiss. Looking forward to read Dean's story.

This book had a few of my favourite things in one book, and that drew me to it:

✅️ Academia setting
✅️ Organised crime families
✅️ Trials/ games

It's mainly based at Kingmakers, a secret university only known about by the crime families of the world, where they send their sons and daughters to learn all sorts of skills and tools they'll need to take their places within the organisations. It's split into 4 divisions, heirs, accountants, spies, and enforcers.
Our main characters are all within the heirs and have a long-standing family fued. I enjoyed this book for all the twists and turns to the story, and nothing comes easy as there are ploys to change even the strongest of relationships. Amongst all the plans, secrets, and sabotage alliances change and new relationships/ friendships formed all whilst battling it out in the annual contest they have, which pits all 4 years of students against each other. With the rivalry coming to a deadly head in the final task, this story keeps you invested and is well worth the read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloom books for the arc of this, for my honest review, the rest of the series is going straight on my tbr!

I love the Brutal Birthright series so walking in so many years later was such a treat! The dark academia vibes are so strong with this one, it's perfect for autumn! The push pull romance was infuriating and fun all at the same time. Grab a cozy cup of chai, a warm hoodie and curl up with this one!

Sophie Lark never disappoints! What a lovely surprise following the children of the families we followed in her Brutal Prince series. She has my readership! Loved this book so much. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.