When the description says dark, it means dark; I wish the author had a trigger warning before the book to warn the reader! This is a good book with a compelling storyline and a good love story, and the writing is excellent. I would go into this book knowing it's a dark romance, and you should be prepared for those themes.

Maeve Perryman, a sassy badass living in a world where humans and supernatural beings intermingle, lands a PR job for the King of the Shadows. She gets to know Aristotle Crane, Helene, Sephora, and the other members of Symmachia, as well as learns more about herself. Complete with humor, action, and a slow-burn sexy romance, The Soulless King is a phenomenal read and I already can't wait to read the next book in the series!!

Fantastic book! 4/5 spice level, great scenes. While this book is the first of a series, there is NO cliffhanger. The author has a great way with words and descriptions left me feeling like I was right there. The plotline took a bit to set up and then the rest of the book was a lot of action, which was fine by me. Can't wait to read more in this world.

Book Review: The Soulless King by April Wildman

The Soulless King, the first installment of April Wildman's Chronika series, dives into a dark, steamy, and thrilling paranormal world where power, secrecy, and forbidden desire intertwine. This debut novel delivers a pulse-pounding blend of romance and supernatural intrigue, perfect for fans of dark fantasy who enjoy a story driven by intense emotions and high-stakes drama.

The story revolves around Maeve Perryman, a public relations expert who has made a career out of fixing the reputations of the rich and powerful. Maeve is sharp, confident, and more than capable of navigating the murky waters of celebrity scandal. However, her newest assignment is far from ordinary—her job is to clean up the public image of Symmachia, a shadowy council overseeing a supernatural world that humans know nothing about. It's a world of vampires, werewolves, and ancient beings whose power can be felt in every interaction.

At the heart of this world is Aristotle Crane, the brooding and enigmatic King of Shadows, a thousand-year-old vampire whose weary existence has long been devoid of hope or passion. Aristotle has ruled his dark kingdom with a ruthless hand, but behind his hardened exterior, he secretly longs for a way out—a release from the eternity that has become his prison. His character embodies the quintessential tortured hero, dark and seductive, yet yearning for something more.

When Maeve and Aristotle cross paths, their chemistry is immediate, electric, and undeniably dangerous. Maeve's determination to maintain her professional boundaries is constantly tested by Aristotle’s presence. He exudes an irresistible pull that threatens to unravel her control, but Maeve is more than just a damsel caught in the thrall of a powerful vampire. She's quick-witted, strong, and hiding her own secrets, making her a compelling and layered heroine.

Wildman excels at building tension—not just of the romantic and sexual variety, though the book certainly delivers on that front—but also in crafting a world filled with mystery, political intrigue, and dark history. The romance between Maeve and Aristotle is a slow burn, laced with danger and conflicting desires. Aristotle, with his centuries of torment, finds in Maeve something he never thought possible—a chance at redemption and connection. The dynamic between them is intense, and their developing relationship is both fiery and emotional, exploring themes of trust, sacrifice, and the struggle between duty and desire.

The supernatural elements in The Soulless King add layers of complexity to the narrative. The world-building is rich, with an underworld of ancient beings and complex power structures. The Symmachia, in particular, is a fascinating element—its members, each with their own agenda, are shrouded in mystery, and the political games they play give the book a sense of looming conflict. The story is also laced with secrets, some of which remain tantalizingly out of reach by the novel’s end, ensuring readers will be eager for the next installment.

While the book is heavy on romance and sensual tension, it doesn’t shy away from the darker side of the supernatural world. Wildman doesn’t hold back when it comes to the brutality of the Shadow realm—there’s blood, violence, and moments of genuine danger that keep the stakes high. This blend of romance and darker elements makes The Soulless King a well-rounded entry into the paranormal romance genre, appealing to readers who want both heart and edge.

For some readers, the pace of the book may feel uneven at times. The romantic tension, while deliciously drawn out, occasionally overshadows the larger plot. However, this is the first in a series, and it's clear that many of the story’s larger arcs—both personal and political—are being set up for future exploration.

In conclusion, The Soulless King is a strong start to the Chronika series, offering an intoxicating mix of dark romance, supernatural intrigue, and complex characters. April Wildman weaves a story that is both passionate and dangerous, where love is intertwined with power, and every choice has the potential to change everything. Fans of dark paranormal romance will find much to enjoy in this book, and Maeve and Aristotle's turbulent journey is only just beginning. If you’re looking for a steamy, high-stakes love story set in a world where nothing is as it seems, The Soulless King is well worth picking up.

"The Soulless King" is a dark paranormal romance that draws you in from the first page.

The story follows a PR expert and an enigmatic ancient vampire king working together, blending suspense, passion, and supernatural elements beautifully. With its slow-burn romance and spicy moments, the book strikes a wonderful balance of tension and release.

While some aspects of the plot might feel familiar, the overall narrative remains enchanting. Readers should be aware of the high spice level and read trigger warnings for violence, but most dark romance fans will be familiar and feel comfortable.

"The Soulless King" presents a unique and compelling beginning to a series that will leave fans of dark paranormal romance excited for more.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for my eARC copy for review.

If you’re looking for a spicy (3/5 🌶️) dark paranormal romance for this spooky season, this is a perfect choice.

Maeve is a PR badass. Aristotle is a 3,000 old vampire who’s in desperate need of an image makeover. What they discover about themselves and each other will change them both forever.

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked that she kept the vampires as actual killers. I also like the way she writes for both POVs. Maeve sounds like a 21st century woman, while Aristotle sounds like a very old vampire. Very believable characters.

The only thing I didn’t like is that Maeve refers to herself as “chick” constantly. A couple times probably would have been fine, but it was a bit overdone.

However, Aristotle was a wicked, wicked man and it more than made up for it 🥵

A 5 star read for me.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this great book!!

The Soulless King was a fast paced, thrilling and engaging read, delivering exactly what I crave in a dark paranormal romance. From the slow-burn romance to the dynamic chemistry between Maeve and Aristotle, this book kept me hooked from start to finish.

Maeve is a standout female lead—strong, witty, and fearless, with a commanding presence that fits right in with the supernatural world she’s thrown into. I loved how she held her ground with Aristotle, the brooding, dangerous King of Shadows. Aristotle himself is an unforgettable character—he’s the quintessential dark, protective antihero, and I found myself completely smitten with him. He embodies that "touch-her-and-die" energy perfectly, which added to the tension and excitement in the romance.

The slow-burn relationship between Maeve and Aristotle was beautifully done. April Wildman allowed the tension to simmer and build, making each interaction between them feel electric. The "big reveal" moments felt a slightly rushed for my taste. I would’ve preferred more time to let those secrets unravel slowly, adding an extra layer of suspense.

That said, the book is packed with action, steamy moments, and a fascinating world filled with supernatural intrigue. This was an exciting start to the series, and I’ll definitely be thinking about Aristotle for a long time to come.

If you’re looking for a dark, spicy paranormal romance with strong characters and a world that pulls you in, The Soulless King is the book for you!

Thanks so much NetGalley for this ARC

This epic dark romance follows our MFC Maeve, a PR consultant, as she gets brought in to fix the image of our MMC Aristotle. Going between both POVs we get to see how the characters discover themselves and new found secrets about each other.

I give this book a 3 out of 5 on the spice scale! Aristotle is dark and wicked but maybe that’s just what Maeve needs.

Beyond the romance aspect this book is action packed with a great storyline. This is book 1 in a developing series and I’m excited to see where our characters go from here.

I’m so excited that I got to read and review this book through Netgally. I highly recommend this as a fall time read.

An Epic Unputdownable Love Story. This is Romantasy at its best!

My favorite Romantasy books are character-led love stories set in a magical world and “The Soulless King” by April J. Wildman DELIVERED. I’m so glad I discovered this book on NetGalley and received an eARC. Let’s get into it… 🥁🥁🥁

Aristotle Crane, is the King of Shadows, a 1000+ year old sexy as f*ck broody vampire who leads the creature world and is trying to undo a curse to regain his soul. Maeve Perryman, is a sharp-witted PR executive, a mere human, who’s brought in to reshape the image of the dangerous creature world. (Short version: the creatures have a bad habit of doing debaucherous acts, which isn’t a good look on Insta) 😜

The TENSION between Aris and Maeve starts immediately – witty banter, a curious draw to one another, protective “who touched you” vibes, and a deep adoration that flies off the page in the spicy explicit scenes. 🔥

Pacing in a fantasy book is so important. If it’s too fast - I’m lost. If it’s too slow - I’m bored. ‘The Soulless King’ has brilliant pacing. It is unputdownable and you appreciate each OMG revelation as it unfolds.

Sometimes, in Fantasy books the female heroine is meek or has to “grow” into her powers or learn from the men around her, but there is NONE of that happening here. Maeve is intelligent, powerful, and passionate and I appreciate how the author made her Aristotle’s equal.

Earlier this year, I read ACOTAR (Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thornes and Roses series), which admittedly set a high bar for the Romantasy genre for me. I’m confident that if you enjoy that series, you’ll love this one, too! I’m very excited to read ‘The Death Queen — CHRONIKA, PART 2’ publishing in early winter 2025!

Thank you, NetGalley, April J Wildman, and BooksGoSocial for the eARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

A thousand year old cursed vampire with a death wish. The King of the shadows and feared ruler. Paired with Maeve, a strong willed witty female who is thrown into the supernatural world. What more could you ask for? I loved this. The banter between Aristotle and Maeve was fabulous. I loved that for a 3000 year old vampire, Aristotle was exactly how I expected him to be. I can’t wait for the next book.

A dark, broody romantasy following a PR queen who doesn’t need saving learning to get along with a grumpy vampire king. Maeve is sassy, capable, and gloriously unwilling to compromise her standards. Aristotle, might be ancient, but his modern respect for Maeve’s choices and consent makes him stand out in the best way.

The banter? Delicious. Maeve doesn’t back down, and Aristotle meets her sass with equal parts intensity and wit. Wildman gives us a wonderful mix of flirtation and fire, making every scene between them hot. Favorite bit? Aristotle offering not just respect but vulnerability:
“I’ll do well enough to pretend I don’t have a soul, Maeve. Do give me the luxury of not having to be someone other than myself in private with you.”

What I loved most:
- Maeve’s strength—she sets her boundaries and sticks to them
- Aristotle’s explicit consent and respect (seriously, more of this in romance, please!)
- Their tension-laced banter that never feels forced

Final Thoughts: The Soulless King delivers exactly what it promises—a dark, sexy, and surprisingly respectful romance. If you like powerful women, boundary-respecting brooding vampires, and snarky chemistry, this book’s for you. Can’t wait for the next one.

I'd like to thank BookGoSocial, April Wildman, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.