Royal Elite Series By Rina Kent Book Review
I’m back with an exciting book recommendation: the Royal Elite series, a gem I stumbled upon thanks to “booksiveloved” on Instagram. She and I share a love for romance books with a dark twist, so if you’re into that, buckle up! However, if dark romance isn’t your cup of tea, I’d advise steering clear of this series like it’s the plague!
But if you’re anything like me, you’ll devour the Aiden and Elsa trilogy (books 1-3) and might even consider reading it twice.
Oh, and for my fellow Kindle enthusiasts, the Royal Elite series is available on Kindle Unlimited for free—happy reading!
my READING ESSENTIALS
Oh, wow, talk about a spicy read!
Bad boy? ✔️Check.
Innocent girl? ✔️Check.
Sexual tension? ✔️✔️Oh, double-check and then some!
I stumbled upon this gem on Kindle, and let me tell you, when Rina Kent said dark romance, she meant dark. Seriously, if you’re not into the whole dark romance scene, this might not be your cup of tea. I never thought I'd be into it myself, but there’s something about that “obsessive love” that just pulls you in.
As the title suggests, Aiden King is one seriously twisted individual with no boundaries whatsoever, always getting what he wants. What he does to Elsa is downright awful, crazy, and borderline criminal. Yet, against all odds, you find yourself rooting for him.
You'd think the king is the most vital piece on the chessboard, right? But no, it's the queen who holds all the power. And that perfectly sums up Aiden and Elsa's relationship. She challenges him in ways that make you realize he's finally met his match.
We all have our pasts, but Elsa can't seem to remember hers without Aiden's help. Defiant King is just the beginning of a trilogy in this series, and let me tell you, it's a wild ride. Get ready to hold onto your seat because this one ends with a cliffhanger that'll leave you breathless!
P.S., don't be surprised if you find yourself finishing it in one sitting because, believe me, I sure did! ;)
With dark romance comes intense, complex characters. As we delve deeper into the relationship between Aiden and Elsa, we explore the intricate workings of Aiden's mind. Aiden is a character defined by his manipulative, obsessive, and, above all, frightening traits.
Rina Kent skillfully portrays possessive men who are flawed yet captivating, alongside strong, resilient women who refuse to back down. Aiden’s character is undeniably dark, bordering on sociopathic, but as the story unfolds, you begin to understand the complexities behind his possessive nature. Kent masterfully unravels the layers of his character, providing a deeper insight into his motivations.
“Like he wants to shield you from the world. I don’t think you even notice it, but sometimes, he looks at you like he can’t breathe without you. And believe me, that’s not the King everyone knows.”
With trust shattered, secrets unveiled, and promises binding them, this story just took an intense turn! The passion between them is all-encompassing, both beautiful and, at times, even violent; these two characters can't seem to keep their hands off each other.
Rina Kent excels in painting a vivid picture with her words, making you feel the undeniable connection between Aiden and Elsa. Aiden's character, while confirming his sociopathic tendencies, also showcases a surprising sense of control, adding depth to his complexity.
Through Aiden’s cunning and Elsa’s unwavering determination, they unlock a buried memory, lost for a decade, leading to a promise fulfilled.
“Aiden and I aren't the darkness and the light. We both have tarnished minds and souls. But we're not soulmates. We're lost souls that fit in perfectly imperfect harmony.”
Please note that the rest of the books in this series are standalone, and some may contain sensitive content. I recommend reading reviews and notes before diving into books four and five. If you prefer a dark romance with minimal triggers, it's best to stick with the original trilogy featuring Aiden and Elsa.
A word of caution from Rina Kent’s note: “This book deals with depression, eating disorders, and self-harm. Please be aware of your triggers before proceeding.”
This book filled the gaps left by the Aiden and Elsa trilogy. We unravel the deep-rooted animosity between Kimberly and Xander, stemming from a childhood incident that scarred young Xander profoundly.
Midway through the book, we are plunged into one of the saddest and darkest chapters of Kimberly’s life. The sheer depth of her pain is unfathomable; understanding it feels like an impossible task. Yet, knowing that someone has endured such anguish is profoundly heart-wrenching.
Rina Kent's storytelling prowess shines as she skillfully paints Kimberly’s pain with her words, making it palpable for readers. I can't simply say I wept for her; it was more like a torrent of emotions, leaving me utterly shattered. In that moment, I despised Xander as fiercely as Kimberly did.
Yet, in the midst of this darkness, a transformation occurs. The very incident that once tore them apart becomes the force that reunites them, altering the course of their lives in unexpected ways.
“Like how much I hate you. I don’t. Or how much you’re nothing. You aren’t. Or how I can live without you. I can’t.”
I find myself utterly speechless, struggling to put into words my thoughts and emotions after reading Vicious Prince. Having enjoyed the Aiden and Elsa trilogy, I had hoped for a similar experience with this book.
Would I recommend this book? Sadly, no. In my opinion, it crosses a line even for fiction. While Black Knight in the third book was a touchy subject, Vicious Prince takes it to a much darker place.
To me, this book feels like it comprises two distinct stories. The first follows the pattern of the previous four books in the series, where one of the "four horsemen" pursues a woman, creating intrigue and challenge, which initially drew me in.
However, my initial engagement quickly turned into profound discomfort as the second story unfolded, revealing a narrative filled with disgust, anger, and immense sadness. Rina Kent has warned readers about the inclusion of molestation in this book, and I hesitated greatly before continuing. It angers me to acknowledge that such malevolent individuals exist in the world. Despite my hesitations, my curiosity about the relationship between Ronan and Teal pushed me to give it a chance.
I feel it's crucial to alert readers that specific chapters, notably Chapter 28 and Chapters 31-34, contain extremely detailed content that may be triggering. Proceed with caution.
Apart from the gripping trilogy featuring Aiden and Elsa, Ruthless Empire has swiftly become my next favorite in the series. This dark tale of young love, mixed with forbidden desires, ruthless adversaries, and unexpected plot twists, keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I found myself resonating deeply with Cole's sentiment: “I’ve always thought sleep is a waste of time. Why sleep when you can read?” I wholeheartedly agree; if only sleep weren't a necessity, I'd indulge in hundreds of novels, escaping reality in the pages of books.
The story between Cole and Silver is drenched in raw intensity, sheer madness, and all the electrifying firsts.
“I want to be your first.”
“My first in what?”
My thumb wipes the moisture under her eyes. “In everything, Butterfly.”
“Then I want your firsts, too.” She juts her chin. “Promise me.”
“Promise.”
In the earlier books, Rina Kent depicted Cole as quiet and calm, while Silver appeared to be the quintessential queen bee. I, too, was under the impression that they were strictly step-siblings.
But that assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Silver and Cole are far from being mere siblings; that label was thrust upon them due to a marriage, a title that never resonated in their hearts, minds, or souls.
As the series reaches its conclusion, Ruthless Empire masterfully answers lingering questions from the very first book, Deviant King. It sheds new light on Silver and Cole, explaining the intricacies of their behaviors and choices.
Their relationship has always been labyrinthine, a web of complexity right from the beginning. Yet, amidst all the complications, their love remains unwavering.
“Because she’s mine now.” My throat closes around the word. Mine. How long have I waited to say that out loud? Years. Fucking years.
This book is a standalone from the series itself and classified as book #0.
Unrestrained power. Reckless behavior. Corrupted wealth.
Rina Kent does it again with an epic story of Levi King and Astrid Clifford! May I say this might be my favorite in the series?! Forbidden love between the two families is filled with hidden secrets.
It did not take long for these two to cross paths. With a hatred so intense, Astrid did everything in her power to avoid Levi. But you can never escape a King when he has set his eyes on you!
The princess can fight whatever we have all she wants, but I’ve already set my sights on her. She can run, but I’ll catch her every time. Hell, I’ll enjoy every minute of the chase, too. There will be no escaping the king’s grasp in his kingdom.
Astrid tries to be one of the “invisible” people of RES, while Levi is always in the spotlight as the football team captain and the wealthiest family. Though her status isn’t among the popular, she never backs down. As much as Levi pushes her, she pushes and challenges him even more.
I wasn’t born to bow. - Astrid
The thrill, the chase, and the romance start to build up. There is no escaping the grips of a king! It takes one taste for everything to change.
He’ll burn me. He’ll destroy me. But I’ll keep coming back for more, anyway.
There are so many obstacles in the way of these two; with issues at home and at school, it’s hard to put the book down. Let’s just say I have never read so fast before!
Cruel King is truly one of the best dark romance books ever! The characters are written so perfectly with a storyline that has you hooked immediately!
“Those who don’t play chess think the king is the strongest piece, because the game ends when he dies, but they don’t stop to think that if the queen dies first, the king doesn’t have a chance to survive.”
As much as I wanted more from the series and see where they end up, I noticed that a few of the chapters were repetitive epilogues from the main book itself. Despite that, I really enjoyed their happy ever after! I was so giddy with the group chats at the end, haha. It was the perfect way to end the series!
"I was lucky to find her and I’ll spend the rest of my life making her feel like the queen she has always been. Now and forever."
Dive into the captivating Royal Elite series today! Stay updated on my latest reads by following me on Goodreads! 📚😊
Can't get enough of this world? Explore the Kingdom Duet and delve into Aiden's dad’s story!
