Deviant King: Special Edition Print (Royal Elite)

📚 Book #1 of 2024 📕 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Deviant King by Rina Kent is a mesmerizing journey into the depths of darkness and desire. From the very first page, I was completely engrossed in the storyline, captivated by the intricate plot, and enthralled by the compelling characters. This dark high school bully romance is not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to explore the forbidden and embrace the unconventional, it is an absolute must-read. The story revolves around Elsa Steel, a strong-willed and determined young woman with a simple plan: to finish Royal Elite School and secure her place in her dream university. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she catches the attention of the school's king, Aiden King. With one glance, Aiden shatters her dreams and thrusts her into a world of chaos and danger. Their connection is intense, their chemistry undeniable, and their journey together is filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. What truly sets Deviant King apart is its exceptional character development. Aiden King is a complex and enigmatic anti-hero who exudes a dark and magnetic aura. His black mind, heart, and soul make him an intriguing and unpredictable character, and I found myself both hating and loving him in equal measure. Elsa Steel, on the other hand, is a fierce and resilient protagonist who refuses to be broken by Aiden's cruelty. Their dynamic is electric, and their interactions are filled with tension, passion, and undeniable chemistry. While Aiden and Elsa steal the spotlight, the secondary cast of characters is equally compelling. Each character brings their own unique flavor to the story, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. I found myself equally invested in their journeys and eagerly anticipating their roles in the unfolding drama. The ending of Deviant King left me reeling, with a twist that hit me like a blow to the face. It left me craving more, desperate to dive into the next installment of the Royal Elite Series, Steel Princess. The author's ability to keep readers hooked and emotionally invested is truly commendable. In conclusion, Deviant King is a dark and addictive tale that pushes boundaries and challenges conventions. Rina Kent's masterful storytelling, combined with a captivating plot and well-developed characters, makes this book an absolute gem. If you're a fan of dark romance, mature new adult, and enjoy exploring the depths of human desire and emotion, then this book is a must-read. Just be prepared to be consumed by the spice and love that emanates from the pages.

I’ve never read any of Rina Kent’s work before and stumbled across this title on BookTok. After reading Cruel King and really enjoying the experience, I decided to give this book a go. Holy smokes - I was not disappointed. This book was dark, twisted, sexy, made me giggle in a few places, and really shocked me with how much I enjoyed the world building happening within the story. Aiden and Elsa have magnetic energy that grips you from the moment you learn about their first meeting. You want to know why Aiden behaves the way he does towards her, what is going on at this school, and why does it feel like something is seriously off. This book is the beginning of a trilogy and definitely feels like the start of a much bigger, more complex story that’s slowly unfolding for us. A great introduction into this couple and their complex history, journey, and relationship. This book is hot. A little messed up - but hot!!!🥵 If you’re into darker themes and storylines then this book is for you. Aiden is the experienced jock King of the school who doesn’t have time for anything or anyone but himself and the games he plays. Elsa is the quiet ice princess who keeps everyone at an arms distance by hiding in plain sight and doesn’t interact with the world except for her best friend Kim and her adoptive parents/aunt and uncle. Their immediate spark when they’re alone for the first time sent chills down my spine. I’ve never read a book where the personalities of our MCs clashed so intensely yet perfectly at the same time. Their relationship makes you feel a little bit out of control and a little bit intrigued at the loss of that control because you simply cannot predict where the heck this book is going to go. Sure, there are the silly school tropes and enemy’s to lovers tropes, but I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of the darkness for our lovers, and I’m actually so excited to find out more in the next books! The only reasons I did not give this book five stars: It’s a little on the slow side. This book tends to drag in some places, and can feel a bit repetitive when Aiden and Elsa are fighting about the same things over and over again. I wish Elsa would fight back a little smarter against Aiden, but I also get that part of her character development is learning to not only play the game but play Aiden’s game. So if you read this book, try not to get too frustrated when you want her to say the things she should but backs down. Hopefully in the next books she’ll grow into herself a bit and give him a run for his money!! The other reason is that this book is single POV. We’re only in Elsa’s head for this book. I was dying to get to see what Aiden was thinking in a few of the scenes and hear what runs through his head because WOW - he says some stuff that made me BLUSH!!!! I’m curious if this has a purpose within the story - because as you’re reading and watching what’s happening to Elsa, you feel as isolated and lost as she does. It’s an interesting writing style that I like, but I’m still a Dual POV girly. Overall - this is a fantastic new adult dark high school enemy’s to lovers bully romance. It’s hot, intense, twisted, intriguing, and a little bit thrilling!! You will not be disappointed!! But please read the warnings before you read as this is a dark romance and deals with darker themes that can be upsetting to some readers. P. S. The male narrator for the audio book is SO HOT!! I highly recommend reading the book and listening to the audio along with it🥵🥵🥵🥵

Oh wow. I’m so glad these books are KU because I’m starting book 2 as soon as I finish this review. It’s sad for me to admit that this is my first book by Rina Kent, but she has earned another fan! The book starts off with Elsa going to a new school after moving from home. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle when her parents passed away. She walks in and sees a loner, Kim, and immediately approaches her, wanting to start a friendship with her. Kim tells her that she doesn’t really have any friends and to Elsa that means she found someone she can rely on. When she enters the school, she is hesitant and cautious, but she’s willing to look on the bright side of things. That is, until Aiden sees her and becomes the tormentor and bully no one wants to have. From then on, there are rumors and whispers about her. Aiden made her to be the enemy and no one cares or wants to be her friend. Two years later, this is still going on, but Elsa refuses to give in to the glances, the whispers, the taunts. That all changes when Elsa follows Kim, her best friend, and Xander, who happens to be her bully, and starts recording his bullying of her. That’s when Aiden comes, catches her, and decides to start tormenting her physically now. Their relationship changes after this. Yeah He asked her to give him her phone, but she refuses, and then he forces it from her and starts to do other things to her. Of course, this ignites the passion between them, that’s so combustible, so raw, so visceral, that it was explosive every time. Aiden’s possessiveness is so delicious... no one can flirt, touch, or be with Elsa. I love how Elsa fights back physically, emotionally, shoot even psychologically, and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. But, I still appreciate how he still overpowers her LOL and is able to read her better than she wants to admit. She might think she has the upper hand, but then he tells her or shows her otherwise, which I WAS HERE AND SUPPORTIVE FOR. The Cliffhanger. Oh the cliffhanger left me baffled and shocked. I’m so glad all the books are out; that way, I can just click to the next one without having to wait. I would’ve been dying if I had read this when it first got released. I had a feeling something like this was going on or had something to do with the backstory, but now I need to know the truth LOL. Highly recommended!!

I don’t usually like high-school romance but I have to say that I do like this one. The way it was written was great and I was worried that the dark concepts won’t mix well with the high school set up but it blended seamlessly with the story. I also like the sense mystery in this book cause it kept me invested and had me making theories left and right. At first, there were things that just didn’t make sense like their first meeting and Aiden’s volatile reaction to her but the more I read, the more some of it (not all) makes sense cause you can really feel the puzzle pieces slowly clicking into place despite a lot of it still missing. Aiden and Elsa’s chemistry is a little confusing for me. It’s certainly there and it’s so thick you can almost feel it taking over the entire room, but without all the answers, I can’t help but feel that the infatuation and obsession with Elsa couldn’t have begun just like that, cause it just doesn’t make sense! I mean, it’s not clicking for me at least (I know I’m slow, no need to come for my stupid ass 😆). Did his obsession grow from his resentment? Did they know each other back in the past? Was it obsession at first sight? I have so many questions and hopefully, the next book resolve it for me cause I won’t be able to move on from this book if I can’t make sense of this one 😩😆

I recently got into the darker/bully romance genre via the L.J. Shen gateway, and some of my main gripes are predictability, repetitiveness, lack of nuance, and one dimensional characters. This is the first one I've read that didn't have me rolling my eyes at some point. First, Aiden and Elsa break the mold of your typical main characters. While Aiden is definitely hyper-alpha and Elsa has some of that typical "I'm strong, but I'm weak" back and forth thing going on, they each have a lot of other aspects to their characters, including an occassional sense of humor, which is so often lacking in angsty novels. Aiden sucks the reader in on several levels, including his particular brand of possessiveness, and how he is always thinking 10 steps ahead. I'd rank him up there with Baron "Vicous" Spencer from LJ Shen's All Saint's High series. The mystery aspect of the Elsa and Aiden trilogy was actually intriguing and not super obvious. There weren't twist thrown in for no apparent reason, or events that seemed totally random or out of place. Each novel in the trilogy did a good job of revealing a bit more of Elsa and Aiden's past. One thing that initially put me off, but that I ended up really loving was Kent's writing style itself, and I don't mean anything due to her being a British author. Her sentence construction, at first, seemed to show a lack of editing (and who knows, maybe it was) but once I got used to it, it almost came off poetic at times. The flow was pretty funky, but in a good way that was a nice change up from many of the authors I've read. The final acheivement of this novel was the secondary characters. While some were kind of annoying (Ronan and Kim...not my favorites), and I absolutely hate that Ronan throws a French phrase into every bit of dialogue that he has for no apparent reason (maybe the reason will be revealed in Ronan's novel) they were all unique and interesting in their owns rights. Friends, parents, etc. were all well developed and in some cases, impressively complex, which you also don't see much of in this genre. I would definitely recommed the first three books of this series (I'm about to start book four, Xander and Kim's story, despite finding Kim kind of limited and one-dimensional thus far). I read the prequel to the series (Levi and Astrid's story) before starting the series, and that one I could take or leave. The best parts of that book were the glimpses you got of Aiden and Elsa =) You don't really need to read it before starting this series, but it's an OK read and has some good, initial character development for Aiden.

🎧Audiobook 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Wow narration by Shane East & Keira Stevens has been excellent and they are really bringing this story to life. The different voices of characters the emotion, I’m loving it! I’m really enjoying the storyline but I do not know whether I love or hate Aiden right now. He’s been an interesting character so far but he’s got my emotions all over the place! Elsa on the other hand, I love her but I wish she’d just stand up for herself more. Overall I’m enjoying and jumping into book 2!

Deviant King was one of those books that will leave you in a tailspin wondering what in the world did you just flipping read!The Royal Elite series has become my new addiction. If you thought Levi was cruel and lethal . . . think again. Aiden King is the devil himself. He has no boundaries or morales what so ever. He takes what he wants with a brutal fist. When just one look he is infatuated by the blonde bombshell Elsa Quinn. From day one Elsa has no idea what Aiden's problem is with her. Yet, she can see right through him. There is emptiness in his eyes. A look she is quite familiar with. Elsa is the type of girl who is always sitting in the back of the classroom, with her head down walking through the halls. But Aiden brings out the ice queen. She hates him with every fiber of her being, yet she can't get enough of him. Aiden is K I N G of the Royal Elite's. His soul dark as night. This man is cruel, unforgiving, relentless, possessive, and one sexy alpha that will have you hating him and wanting him at the same time. When it comes to Elsa, he's merciless in the way he treats her. He doesn't give up until he's ruined her and even then he keeps returning back. It's a sick, yet hot game of cat and mouse. “Be mine and you become the queen on my board.” He pauses and flicks his tongue to lick my lower lip. “Fight and you’ll remain a pawn.” The beauty of Elsa was that she wasn't a meek mouse, and even in those moments where she lost control she never once lost her spark and her strength. She never ran away in fear. She fought back with claws. This book was explosive, raw, and gripping from start to finish. Things start to take a turn, and it got intense. Secrets are unraveled, and hearts will be broken. No one is innocent at Royal Elite. They all play a part in everyone's demise. When it comes to dark and sadistic reads, this is far from my first rodeo. I was completely enthralled to the blurb, but it was the prologue that sold me. Rina Kent lures you in like a siren with her writing, and once your snared in her trap, there is no going back.

I do not like books that end on Clift hangers. I do not like the fact they made the fat girl lose weight in order to be seen as valuable. I hope that in Kim's book, she gains the weight back. I don't like that we never hear the MMC side of the story. However, with all the things I do not like, it has me hooked, and I want to know more. Worth the read.

This book is great!!! So many twists and keeps the interest intense. Can wait to start the next book!! This series has started great!

5 Frozen stars Oh my... Deviant King is hands down, one of the best bully romances I've read. I’m a big fan of bully romances and it’s not easy to please me when it comes to this trope, but Rina Kent has done a fantastic job. The storyline is captivating, the characters are intriguing (to say the least), and the twists are unexpected. She delivered literally everything I wanted. I love when the heroine is strong and doesn't back down to anyone and that was the case with Elsa. Oh, how I love her. I also do like villains so Aiden King is just the type of characters I love to read about. And oh my god, can we talk about the ending (yes it ends with a cliffhanger). That was SO unexpected, I have so many questions. Ugh, I cannot wait for Steel Princess. I highly, highly recommend this book

I had a feeling that there was something to do with the past, but I wasn't quite sure what. This is an excellent book from start to finish. It's not exactly fast paced, but it is extremely captivating. I can't wait to open the next book and have more uncovered and find out the true extent of the devious, calculated extremes of the whole revenge plot!! Obviously we all know it will have a HE'S finish and he'll realise just how much he's in love with her, but at what cost will it transpire!! Why should the child pay for the crimes of their parents?!?! There's a lot of psychological stuff going on throughout this novel and I can only say that I hate the fact that it's taken me this long to find Rina Kent's novels!! How i wish I'd heard of her sooner. She's an amazing writer and it looks like I'm going to rearrange my top five authors and make one of the others my number six!!

“But that’s the thing about hearts, isn’t it? They can’t help beating despite the pain.” - Elsa Perfectly sums up this first instalment❤️‍🩹 Aiden is one deviant monster, a master manipulator with a moral compass so broken & a heart the deepest shade of black. Elsa tried as hard as she could to push back but Aiden was always one step ahead of her. These two are scorching hot, absolutely explosive together❤️‍🔥🌶️ That ending, I knew it was going to be some type of nonsense but I wasn’t expecting the way it came about.

Aiden’s mind is so intriguing, I’m excited to see where this story goes.