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.

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

Delivered this morning and ive already read it! WOW i am hooked to say the least. Such wonderful book I am so excited to delve in the the Rita's world.

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

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. 🔥👑

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!

This was a fantastic read, really easy to get into the story, was full of drama, secrets and twists. I enjoyed Astrid and Levi’s chemistry and connection and the eventual HEA to this book. Loved it, now to read the rest of the series

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!