Love is impossible. Hate is an open game.
Kimberly
He was once my best friend, now he’s my worst enemy.
Xander Knight is heartbreakingly beautiful.
Ridiculously popular.
Brutally cruel.
He’s a knight but won’t do any saving.
Xander
We started as a dream, now we’re a nightmare.
Kimberly Reed is pathetically fake.
Terribly innocent.
Secretly black.
She can hide but never from me.
Black Knight is … me.
Black Knight is part of Royal Elite Series but could be read on its own. For better understanding of the world, you might want to read the previous books first. This is a high school bully romance, mature new adult, and contains visceral mental health situations that some readers can find triggering.
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Beautifully written clickbait.
This is spoiler-free.
I’ve been reading this series since the start, and it’s been getting better with each book, Black Knight, by far the best in the Royal Elite Series. It’s compelling and gorgeous in its emotional depth. Kim’s characterization is fantastic and truer than book three, Twisted Kingdom when she came across like a fluffy little cheer queen. But there is so much of this book re-used from Rina Kent’s other books. And much is nonsensical as far as the plot line is concerned. And Xander, where to even start there?
And I’m prepared for the rotten tomatoes and voices of dissent but hear me out before you get angry.
Kim and Xander were besties growing up, completely inseparable. Then one day, Kim and Xan have a level two event on a scale of one-to-ten, he’s cold to Kim and tells her she’s disgusting and hates her. Boys are awful, but this is strange. It doesn’t follow the timeline mentioned in the earlier books, which is ten years old, and this occurs when these two are eleven.
Secondly, there is a point in Black Knight in which a triggering event causes a life-threatening situation. Kim’s life is endangered–wait, didn’t that happen to Ella in Twisted Kingdom? And several times to Reina in Lies and Truth Duet?
My point is we are at clickbait level of storytelling, where we all wait for the next story with the same trope with just a little further pushing of the envelope. I’m not knocking the writing; I’m knocking the lack of creativity. I waited for how many months for this, and I got a regurgitation. What’s worse; It was the wrapping paper of shock value content and a pity party for two of my favorite characters.
Which brings me to Knight, what the — ?
I couldn’t buy into the characterization sold in this book. The problem with dual POV is it ruins the mystery, right? It is also supposed to explain some of the hatred, but this POV insight further trivialized it. It made it seem as if he was unhinged. Not only bonkers–but also foolishly so that the rest of the Horseman pitied him–which is out of character. Previous three books establish Ronan as his best friend, but he comments against this, suggesting he tells his secrets to Aiden.
But that isn’t where my issues start; they are just everywhere. Xander is dealing with many home life and personal problems in this book that are supposed to clarify why he’s such a douchecanoe. We are just dealing with more clickbait fodder. It’s a mountain rather than one manageable and actionable issue. But this is typical Rina reveal fashion. Why be happy with managing one thing when we can reveal personal weakness, betrayal, scandal, lying parents, near-death experience, perversions and degradations, and the ultimate sacrifice. That isn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes too much is just too much.
I would like one good book that is less fan service and based on Rina ripping her heart out to write and less trying to use the stuff she’s done before.
“Black Knight is the kind of story that you need to read it first and then hear it because nothing will be the same. Xander and Xin’s story had me on the edge with all the tension but mostly the hostility between them. It was delightful in a twisted way. Their story was raw and intense there’s no other way to put in words. The plot itself deals with some delicate topics though and the way Rina approach the topics was priceless. Plus I was ready to hear Shane and Keira once again. So far this is the best book. Emotional, dark and so hot.”
** Based on the audiobook narrated by Shane East and Keira Stevens.**
As six year olds he was sworn in as her knight. He would protect her always and forever.
But circumstances change, and now any chance he gets he tortures her with words of hatred.
She just wants her friend back, but is it too late?
Ohh what an dark and emotional trigger sensitive read.
His treatment of her was harsh and brutal. Words might not hurt physically like a punch would, but emotionally they butcher your soul.
My heart broke for her and her mindset. The fog was devastating to witness as it gripped her tightly.
I cried when she was at her lowest. I’m not afraid to admit that. Her pain bled through the pages so profoundly and shattered me.
His anger destroyed everything. Him, her, and what could of been.
This series introduced us to Kim and Xander through the other books and I had been dying to know what was going on between them.
Now I do and oh my gosh I was not dissapointed! what a freaking awesome read!
The royal elite series is the one bully series that you need in your life. There are no weak links only horsemen and their victims!
Black Knight has to be my favourite so far in the Royal Elite series! Ever since starting these books I’ve been waiting for Xander and Kimberley’s story and for sure this book did not disappoint!
I’ve got such a soft spot for Xander and I am aware that in the previous books he definitely acted like a major a-hole. But phwoar, there’s just something about him. Once again, I’m drawn to the alpha males who act like complete possessive animals.
The relationship between these two is messy and not entirely healthy all the time, but it’s real and the two of them are just trying to live with their baggage and find a way to come out on the other side. My heart breaks for the children they once were and it swells for the two adults they’re becoming.
Yes, this book is quite dark so maybe check the trigger warnings before reading as Kimberley does suffer with her mental health and her struggles are described in detail.
This series keeps on improving and I cannot wait to read more!
I was so excited to read this book. Now I had hints from previous books in the series, about a possible history between Kimberly and Xander. These two characters love to hate each other, but the chemistry between them *fans myself* Smoking hot!
What is their history? Will they ever be together? You need read to find out!
I loved this book, Kim’s thoughts and her issues made me connect with her in a different way than I do with a lot of characters, it was a much deeper and more understanding.
This was full of twists and the chemistry between Zander and Kim that was obvious in the previous books was only a taste of the explosive chemistry they shared in this book, beyond physical they also shared an emotional connection.
I can’t wait for the rest of this series.
I didn’t expect that Xander and Kimberly’s love story will be this intense, emotional, raw and so much angst I could hardly breathe from the feels! Whew! This latest installment in my opinion, is my favorite so far in this series.
The unexpected twist in the story was something I have never factored as the cause of Xander’s hatred of Kimberly. Nevertheless, it explains the change in their dynamics. Also, I’m not much of a fan of childhood sweethearts trope, but this book sold me to it with its riveting storyline and perfectly flawed characters. I might have shed quite a few tears so be ready with your box of tissues. I love it so much and I highly recommend it. I’m so excited to read Ronan’s book next. I have a feeling Ronan’s story will be exceptional.
Black Knight is the 4th book in the Royal Elite series by Rina Kent and I can not give it enough stars. Rina Kent is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Yes this book is dark, yes there is are themes that will put you way out of your comfort zone, but Rina has written this with the most care and compassion I have ever read in reference to anyone suffering the way Kimmy does. I cried for Kimmy’s loneliness, I felt her fatigue and loss of hope even though she fought so hard. Rina’s writing is beautiful, poetic at times. Knight’s journey is also so so painful and it takes a long time to find out what all the secrets that tore these two beautiful children to pieces. The path for them to come together now is an amazing one, definitely one you don’t think is possible with as many plot twists that are thrown in. I love all the secondary characters and can’t wait for Ronan’s book. You will not regret reading this book as the ending is beautiful. Definitely should be your next 1 click!!!!
By Lulu
This book is just phenomenal, no other words to describe this masterpiece by Rina Kent.
Yes, she has done it again making fall in love even more with her writing. This book is emotional and heartbreaking yet beautiful and full of hope.
Xander and Kim’s story is about friendship turn ugly. Miscommunications, secrets and lies thorn this couple apart at a very young age. Where they found solace in one another as kids now they don’t find nothing at all as young adults. Been apart for them was like breathing without living.
Rina Kent talks about some hard topics in this book like mental health and alcoholism ( so be aware it might cause some triggers) But I think she addressed them very well in the sense that she gives us all these raw emotions throughout these characters and just makes you feel so deep for them.
I mean you just have to read this book to find out how deeply you’ll feel for this story. I’m so so glad I found this author cause I honestly love her style of writing.
I’ve never cried so much reading a book as I did with Black Knight. Actually, I’m not much of a crier at all, but this book is like a punch in the gut.
I’ve been DYING for Kim and Xan’s story since I read my first Royal Elite book last year. I had a feeling Kim was a special character and Kent did not disappoint. From the very first page you are sucked into Kim’s world. It’s a sad and lonely place and I just wanted to give her a hug.
In typically bully romance fashion, the hero, Xander is cruel to her most of the time and when we find out why, my jaw drops. This is hands down my favorite Rina Kent read!
I will never be the same again! This is a Top Read this Year for Me! It’s Kent’s most emotional book yet! She Wrecked Me with this Read! Let me start with Black Knight is book 4 in the Royal Elite series, while it can be read as a stand-alone I highly suggest reading the 4 previous books. I’m going to stay vague to keep from giving any spoilers away, just know You will Love this book! Xander and Kim have had been giving off some seriously strong vibes throughout the other books. The love/hate bully relationship was intriguing and knowing they had a history that goes wayyyy back had me completely interested! However, I was nowhere even close to ready. Get your big girl panties on, find the kleenex, and take some deep calming breaths before you tackle this baby because you will never be the same again! This was a Powerful read! It’s ugly and heartbreaking and eyeopening, It is not for the faint of heart. Kent is known for her dark books, but this book is on a whole different level! I cried and Screamed my heart out! I devoured it in one night. Black Knight brings you to your knees and sinks into your soul! I loved every bit of it! The hurt is unreal, my husband told me, whyyy do you do this to yourself. I’m a bit more emotional at the moment, but all I could say is that some authors write books that need to be read. With a story that calls to you so strongly, it’s profound! Xan and Kim are two haunted souls that call to each other. The light to each other darkness. She loves him and he’s out to make her pay! Never in a million years could any of us have predicted where this book was going or the events that took place! This book is EVERYTHING! It’s twisted and there are so many surprises! We get our favorite characters and some interesting happenings with their current situations. I loved their pain in the rear friends who can’t help but stir the pot! They make you crave more and leave you excited for the next Elite book! I’m ready! Seriously, this book and the other in this series are pretty freaking fantastic! Read them, they are so well worth it! I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so dark!!! I was expecting a bully story but this went beyond the bullying. Xander and Kim were neighbors and best friends until they were seven years old. Then, inexplicably, Xander turns against Kimberly and starts to hate her and treat her horribly. Poor Kimberly already suffers with an absent father and an emotionally abusive mother. She’s depressed, anorexic, bulimic and the only thing that’s keeping her sane is her little brother Kirian whom she loves to pieces.
Both Xander and Kim have parents that fail to comply with what we expect from loving parents. Kim’s father is always traveling for work, her mother acts like she hates her and is constantly berating her for her overweight. Xander’s father is always disapproving of his son’s actions, always demanding good behavior for his political ambitions. His mother left them years ago. Although both families are affluent, they are certainly living in turmoil.
Kim is subject to bullying at school, like she doesn’t have enough at home. The principal instigator and the most vicious in her harsh treatment is Xander. And the worst part, they have friends in common so Kim can’t evade Xander all the time.
Their story is convoluted and dark. There is a lot of hate initially, then you start to perceive the cracks beneath the veneer. You start to perceive that Xander has a strange attachment to Kim, even though he bullies and insults her. Kim’s little brother adores Xander and his love is returned. It’s surreal to see Xander treat Kir with so much love and share babysitting duties with the little boy, act like nothing weird is happening, meanwhile, hating Kim on the sly.
When a tragedy occurs, all the secrets come out, there’s a huge implosion and everything you thought you knew about the characters is turned sideways. The story keeps you riveted with this fascination that stems partly from incredulity. Their existence is so far removed from our normality! I cried at times because Kim’s ordeal gets to such painful limits, but she turns out to be a stronger person than everyone thought.
There were parts of the story that didn’t have a lot of credibility for me; however, it was entertaining, intense, a little too dark at times, and very sad other times. I didn’t find it disturbing but did think the characters were way to cruel with Kim, so that was a little off-putting. The writing was brilliant and the pace fast, just how I like it, so good job!
If you’re looking for a flowery story that’ll be over in three pages, this ain’t it. Black Knight was raw, captivating, and it dealt with real issues. Mental health, self-harm etc. Step into this one with an open mind, but also to feel and learn. Loved this one, Rina!
This book is by far Rina Kent’s best book yet! I thought I was prepared for Xander and Kimberly’s story, but I wasn’t. The emotions this book evoked in me were stronger than any book as of late. As I sat in my hairdresser’s chair, I did everything in my power to not cry as I read this amazing story. I don’t want to spoil anything for you. You need to go into this book with an open mind and be ready to fall in love Rina’s words.
No Spoilers – This All the feels
” Instead of dancing alone, dance with others. Instead of living alone, lean on others. Instead of purging the pain, talk about it. ”
Xander, I’m so proud of you.
Kimberly let go – someone will catch you – even if you can’t see them – let go
this was a …
Rip out my heart –
stomp on it –
grind your heels into the shattered pieces –
scrape up what is left –
and reshape my world –
Five-star bully romance
Oh my stars….WHAT A BOOK!!!! Hands down, this is my favorite read so far of 2020!!!!
“Xan and I will never change. I’ll always be his Green, and he’ll always be my knight.”
I love a book that can make me laugh, cry, and want to throw my Ipad across the room!!!! This one did all of that and more! The synopsis doesn’t even scratch the surface of how fantastic it is!!!
Kimberly aka Green to Xander is just waiting to get her senior year over with. She wants away from her mother and the bullies at school, especially Xander. He once was her best friend whom she adored. Now, he is her enemy and there is no adoration left for him. He made sure of that throughout the years as he stomped her heart into tiny little pieces.
Xander worshiped the ground Green walked on and would have done anything for her. They were the best of friends, and they commiserated about the “stellar mothers” they had. Yes, I’m being sarcastic. There was not one motherly bone in either one of their bodies. He can’t ever let Kimberly in his heart, so he is cruel, doing whatever he can do push her away…even while breaking her heart even more. This was a huge twist. I thought I knew why he treated her so badly, but I didn’t even come close!!!! Rina Kent rocked my world with that one!
As you can imagine, there is a lot of angst, but there has to be in Xan’s and Green’s story. I found the flashbacks of them as children so endearing. These two were meant to be together; they were soulmates from the very beginning. Life and uncaring people came between them. Xan is no longer her knight but her nightmare. I’m so glad Kent gave us both of their POVs because I would have a hard time finding any warmth for Xander. He could be so cruel to her. So, getting inside his head, helped me understand him so much better.
Rina Kent warned her readers in the beginning that she writes darker romances, and they aren’t for the faint of heart. She was also very accurate in warning us that this book was different, and she really dug in deep emotionally. She dealt with issues of bullying, cutting, an eating disorder, depression, and addiction issues. She broke my heart before putting it back together again. There is one scene in particular with Kimberly that tears were pouring out of my eyes. I wanted to be there holding her and reassuring her that I “saw her.” As heavy as the book could be, it is amazing to me that Kent makes something so incredibly beautiful from it too!!!! That takes real talent, and Rina Kent has tons of that!!!!
I literally stayed up all night long to finish this book, not going to bed until 4:30 AM. It was worth every single minute of sleep I lost! If you want a book to keep your attention and leave you completely at a loss of words and your heart beating wildly, this is the PERFECT READ for you!!!!
Black Knight by Rina Kent is the fourth book in her Royal Elite series. A standalone within the series that is better read AFTER the other books but COULD be read as a standalone. Told in dual POV between Kimberly Reed and Xander Knight, two people who were once childhood best friends but after a small trick went awry when they were eleven, Kimberly lost Xander and became the subject of his hate and ridicule ever since. But, of course, there is always more to the story and as senior progresses at Royal Elite School Kimberly’s problems come to a dangerous head and it finally shocks Xander into action instead of reaction.
This book is DARK. All appropriate trigger warnings are provided by the author (thank you for that) but it deals with eating disorder, depression, suicide, twisted family dynamics and more. The pain Kimberly was feeling throughout was palpable – the writing is well done, aside from a few funny turns of phrase, the entire cast of characters of RES have become my new obsession and Rina Kent has become a must-read author for me. This does end happily for Kim and Xan but the journey is painful, powerful and dark. Enjoy!
I need to compose myself first……
Phew, now that was a ride. There were moments where my heart and my chest hurt. What I was reading felt so real, it became real. I felt it throughout my soul. I ached for our characters. They were brokenly beautiful.
Kim and Xander took my breath and my heart away. Their story is full of darkness, deceit, betrayal, pain, and yet it is also full of forgiveness, awareness, growth, healing, light, and love. They learn family is more than just blood. They learn to let people in. They learn to ask for help. They learn to look at themselves, their real self. They learn that only themself can determine their worth. They learn that pain is often the cause of actions. But they learn love can strengthen themself, it can heal.
Black Knight was achingly beautiful.
If you can handle the triggers that are warned about, you need to read this book.
Black Knight will stick with my soul for a long time.
Rina, Rina, Rina what did you do to my heart?
To say this book left me breathless is an understatement, this book rocked me to my core. I didn’t know what to expect while I was reading but this sure as hell exceeded whatever expectations I had. There were several moments while I was reading I needed to breaks to calm my wildly beating heart. I needed to take deep breaths and hope Rina wouldn’t crush it.
I fell in love with Kimberly from book one and I just knew Rina was going to make me hurt while reading about her. Xan and Kim are two very broken people barely surviving in this world. I heart broke for Kimmy and I felt every pain she had. Xan, my poor broken boy, I just wanted to hug you.
Black Knight was gritty, raw, vulnerable, poetic, and perfection. If you expect your emotions to be safe then you’re sorely mistaken. Rina left no stone unturned and feasted on our pain along the way.
It’s one of my top books I’ve read this year and it’s my favorite by Rina so thus far. If you’re looking for a book that will take a piece of your soul with you, this is the one.
WOW! I absolutely loved this book! It is extraordinarily written, has amazing characters and a fantastic storyline. It is a sexy page-turner with just the right amount of secrets, surprises and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved Xander and Kimberly, individually they are wonderful people but they are phenomenal together.