Cruel King: Special Edition Print (Royal Elite)

I loved the snippets we get of Levi and Astrid in their kids book so naturally I had to read their story as well. I have to say so many things make sense now. Good story, in typical Rina style the plot is scarce but the focus is the relationship even if here the focus was the push and pull. It’s and introductory book for the rest of the characters in the series.

First of all, thank you to Evermore for the physical ARC because holding this level of toxicity in paperback just feels correct 😌✨ Now. Cruel King by Rina Kent is what I can only describe as posh Skins with money, manipulation, and unresolved emotional trauma in a tailored blazer. Four stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Because was it healthy? Absolutely not. Was I entertained? Deeply. This is elite school romance at its messiest. We have power plays, obsession, control, revenge energy, and a male lead who absolutely needs therapy but instead chooses emotional warfare. And I ate it up. The romance is intense, toxic, and very much built on dominance, tension, and that push-pull dynamic that makes you turn the page faster. The chemistry is undeniable it’s sharp, biting, and uncomfortable in a way that feels deliberate. This is not soft love. This is sharp-edged attraction wrapped in designer chaos. It genuinely felt like watching Skins if they all had trust funds and a vendetta. What worked for me: 👑 Elite prep school drama 👑 Morally questionable MMC energy 👑 Intense chemistry 👑 Enemies-to-something-much-worse vibes 👑 High emotional stakes, low emotional regulation Is it toxic? Yes. Is it manipulative? Also yes. Did I sometimes want to shake both of them? Absolutely. But the book knows what it is. It leans into the darkness, the obsession, the control dynamics. And if you go in expecting morally grey and messy instead of healthy and wholesome, it delivers. It didn’t quite tip into five-star obsession for me I needed just a touch more vulnerability to fully spiral but it was gripping, dramatic, and completely addictive. Four stars for rich-kid chaos, emotional warfare, and a romance that feels like a slow-burning car crash you cannot look away from. 🔥👑

Another great book from Rina Kent. Enemies to lovers. Spicy 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ Love Levi and Astrid. Possessive male who doesn’t love their leading men like that! Can’t wait to read the next instalment in the series Another smash hit!

Giving this one 3.5 ⭐️ It did take me a while to get into but the plot twists in the end had me HOOKED, I actually didn’t see them coming surprisingly. I can’t wait to read more of the rina Kent world

I’ve wanted to read Rina Kent’s huge interconnected series for a long time and I’m so glad I started now. The main reason this book loses a star for me is that it felt weird the characters being in high school. Although they were all 18, with the dark content of the book, it felt like it would’ve made more sense if they were in some private university instead. Although I am looking forward to reading Aiden and Elsa’s books, I wish Levi and Astrid had another one of their own. Although their dark bully to lovers romance is a huge part of the plot, Levi has his very sweet moments and I loved the smaller side plots of the relationship between Astrid and her dad’s relationship changing throughout the story. I would also absolutely love to read a story about how Astrid’s parents’ relationship started because they sounded adorable together. Check TWs

This is my first book by Rina Kent and I chose a bloody good one. I can't wait to read the rest now!! All I can say is, I want a Levi too!!! I mean swoon worthy or not?!?! How is it that it's always the bad boys that makes you feel more alive?? Totally recommend this book, without a doubt!! If you want to read about how the guy chases the girl, wears her down and takes her down, all just because he can. And if you want to read about the girl being chased, caught, toyed and played with, before finally taking him down, then absolutely you must read this book. Enjoy!!

I must of read this at least 10 times already but it never gets old. I love Levi and his crazy possessive ways. I love Astrid and the fact she’s not a weak fmc. No one writes a book like Rina kent. So if this series isn’t already on your tbr, I highly recommend you add it!

I’m officially beginning my journey from the start of Rina Kent’s reading order. I’ve already read the Legacy of Gods series but when I saw that there was a whole back catalogue of older generations I knew I had to go back to the start! Boy am I glad I did, Levi and Astrid were so good together. Levi was every bit a cocky, confident football player who owns the school. Then Astrid starts of as someone quite quiet and invisible, but she turns into this confident outspoken woman who refuses to be backed into a corner. This had the perfect amount of bully/ enemies to lovers romance to it, there was so much tension and angst between them. Each scene they were together they bounced off each other so well, neither of them backed down which I loved! The chemistry between them was so fiery! I loved the mystery and suspense element of the plot as well, it left me guessing right to the very end! I’m so excited to read the rest of this series and the rest of Rina’s books because I’m sure she can’t write a bad one!

I loved this, & I loved Levi King he reminds me so much of Landon IYKYK. The name King just exudes power, and Levi King always gets what he wants and has never heard the word no and until he meets Astrid. 🖤 Levi & Astrid are meant to be their paths keep crossing one way or another. Astrid is a strong FMC and I love that for her! She gives Levi a run for his money, which is hot and exciting. I am excited to start Aiden Kings' book as he is quiet and seems dark & psychotic 😈

I had this book in my TBR list, for the longest time, and am so glad I took the time to read it, I can’t wait to read the next ones, it was spicy 🥵, chaotic sometime as well as sweet! Super recommended

I have seen people say they don't like this story out of all the King stories but I actually like it because it was very normal. I mean the others are a bit out there but this one was well paced and beautiful.

The beginning of a story that hasn’t stopped affecting me in a long time. My first step into this author universe the beginning of a journey that is still continuing and I don’t ever see to come to an end.

A perfect blend of angst, suspense, mystery & spice transformed into the book, Cruel King❤️‍🔥 These two were a beautiful disaster from the start. Both Astrid & Levi have a troubled past that haunts them daily. Through many obstacles & as the dark comes to light, they find their way to each other to have their beautiful ending. - “She knows I won’t be her prince charming, but she still wants me anyway. If anything, she wants me because I’m not.” - “Astrid once told me I was a dark night. It’s on dark nights that stars like her shine the brightest.”✨ I really loved the little excerpts at the beginning of every chapter, as if it was just a little thought just for them. Honourable mentions; - The father/daughter moment🥺😭❤️‍🩹 - Astrid’s friendship with Dan - The hilarious banter between Captain & the Four Horsemen All I can say is.. Karma really took its sweet time with Levi because no wonder he was blessed with the first twin being a psycho & Killian, & Niko, for son-in-laws🤭 Because I’m so late to the party I don’t have anything new to add to all of the other reviews, except; I started with God of Malice and continued with the LOG series, now I’m starting from the beginning. This will be a long & emotional rollercoaster, I’m in it for the long haul♥️