🍷🍷🍷🍷 #Review of The King by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Title: The King
Series: A Wicked Trilogy #3.6
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format: Kindle Edition
Published: July 23rd 2019 by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
ASINB: 07G5H68P1
Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Source: Inkslinger PR
Reviewer: Crystal
Rating: 4 out of 5 Wine Glasses

From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes the next installment in her Wicked series.

As Caden and Brighton's attraction grows despite the odds stacked against a happily ever after, they must work together to stop an Ancient fae from releasing the Queen, who wants nothing more than to see Caden become the evil Prince once feared by fae and mortals alike.

Crystal's Thoughts:
Wicked fans will easily become immersed in the heart-pounding continuation of Caden and Brighton's story with The King.

Brighton thought that she'd already experienced the worse that life could throw her. Being captured and tortured by the winter fae, witnessing the murder of her mother, and watching the man she loved ascend to the throne and break her heart. But nothing could have prepared her for what was to come. Hunting the night for the last of the fae responsible for her mother's death, revenge keeps her motivated when no one else seems to believe in her. They all see her as the quiet researcher for the Order. The fragile, demure daughter. And Caden only sees her as a distraction. When Brighton is captured by the enemy though, she begins a new fight. A fight for her life.

Let me start off by saying that The King was a roller-coaster of a tale, encompassing the entire spectrum of emotions. My stomach was in knots from the enticing start, through the stunning middle, and to the frustrating end. Brighton's journey is dark and raw. She is on a mission, and she won't listen to anyone who tries to alter that mission. Not Ivy, Ren, Tink, and especially not The King, Caden. I won't get into the entire series arc, you can find my review of The Prince → HERE ← if you need a recap. Suffice it to say that all is not well in New Orleans; danger lurks around every corner and it's not long before Brighton comes face-to-face with it. Aric was a truly diabolical character, and the things he does to Brighton are disturbing to say the least. Her strength is stunning here, and while some of it could be attributed to things that are later revealed, a lot of it comes from within.

Numerous questions arose throughout the story-line, and the answers that were doled out one precious piece at a time were shocking.  The raging inferno of lust between Caden and Brighton finally reaches it peak here and the wait was well worth it. But the choice between love and duty isn't an easy one; Caden and Brighton still have a long road ahead of them. While this is told from Brighton's point of view, readers finally get some insight into Caden's actions. At the end, his character was beyond endearing and I literally swooned at his determination to win back Brighton at all costs. Can she find forgiveness and acceptance though? Brighton's character has evolved throughout these last two stories and I honestly adore her.

While reading The King, the world around me disappeared. I was Brighton. I experienced the worst sort of betrayal from Caden with her, my heart falling to my feet. I felt her vulnerabilities, and her inability to see her self in the same light as others saw her. I felt her anger at the world brimming from within. Jennifer L. Armentrout is a wickedly talented author that has created a rich, tantalizing world filled with unique and irresistible characters in the Wicked Trilogy and I can't wait for the last book in this spin-off, The Queen. The title says a lot in itself. The 1001 Dark Nights novellas are typically published as stand-alones, however you do not want to read this title without first reading The Prince. You can get the gist of it all without reading the entire Wicked trilogy, but reading The Prince is a must. And I certainly recommend that you do! Be sure to come back here to let me know your thoughts on the two novellas afterwards. ☺

Suggested Reading Order:
Suggested Reading Order:
BOOK 1 Wicked
BOOK 2 Torn
BOOK 3 Brave
BOOK 3.5 The Prince
BOOK 3.6 The King
BOOK 3.7 The Queen - July 2020