When something is forbidden, it becomes maddeningly tempting.Judas Barron, for example. Wicked blue blood and heir to a severely twisted cutthroat society.Everyone knew who he was and what crew he ran with—a clandestine group of filthy rich kids surrounded by ominous secrets. Secrets that were rumored to be dark, dirty, and stained with blood.It was never my intention to get tangled up with them, … intention to get tangled up with them, but Judas and I had a secret too, one he was determined to make sure I took with me to my grave, which meant keeping me by his side.
Now forced to be part of a savage coterie, I start to see his world through a new pair of eyes. It isn’t long before temptation becomes something dangerous and wild, breeding the sickest kind of infatuation.
And those secrets Judas keeps?
They’re about to tear my life apart.
WARNING
Before beginning this series please be aware that while LK is mild in terms of darkness, the following books in this series will be on a drastically different level, containing graphic violence, total power-control, explicit sexual content, and varying triggers. LK is a percursor that sets the stage for the rest of the series. 18+ only.
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Rating:
Sociopathic Mafia progeny in high school!
I really enjoyed the story despite the fact that it is a bit difficult to believe. These high school seniors are from he most prominent and connected families and these just happen to be Mafia families so the kids have been brought up in the life and have never been sheltered from the business that they will eventually inherit.
Suffice it to say, they act in their own lives much like their parents act in their business lives. They are used to torture, murder and are desensitized to it all. They also know how to get rid of bodies and get their way in just about any situation. The de facto leader is Judas Barron and Judas has decided he wants Rhiannon Clermont.
Rhiannon goes to public school unlike her best friend Audrey, her boyfriend Dax and the rich kids that attend Pesadilla Prep. However suddenly right before her senior year begins, her parents surprise her by telling her she was accepted at Pesadilla Prep.
The story is good, and very much like it sounds. As crazy as it seems, it is a mafia based romance played out in a high school setting. Judas wants Rhiannon but also hates her for some reason that is unknown to the reader. Rhiannon is fighting Judas despite being wildly attracted to him even though she was about to break up with Dax before he ghosted her. Though Judas is much to overbearing and controlling for any woman not to fight him.
There are also a bunch of secrets within Rhiannon’s family. She doesn’t look like her parents at all. She has olive skin and dark hair and they are very white. Also they are keeping secrets about why they were pushing Dax on her and why they hate Judas. I’m excited to see what happens in the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have been reading Natalie Bennett stories for a while now and every each one of them are just the way I love them dark, twisted and so much more. Lawless Kingdom it’s not as dark as the rest but it still has it’s moments and since is the beginning of this couple jounery. I would say that is like an introduction of what we would be looking for from this. And I gotta say that it is looking pretty mighty great from my pov. So I would be so very patiently waiting for more of Judas and Rhiannon jounery.
“It’d been natural for the wolf to seek me out since I had gone as Little Red. Letting the wolf taste and claim me was another story.”
Rhiannon went to a party, while one thing led to another and she ended having the best night of her life with a masked stranger. Fast forward a few years, she lived a pretty simple life. Moved to a new place, making her way to through school, best friend and boyfriend, although, they were from different worlds, never left her behind. It wasn’t until her senior year, when all the fun begins.
Jude Barren, an arrogant, possessive, alphahole. His family is one of the elite families that make up the underground crime world. At such a young age, he’s already specializes in murder, torture, and disposal. Once he staked his claim on Rhiannon, that was it. Nobody is to touch her, but him.
“We were a New Age Romeo and Juliet, but for one of us our curtain call would come with a much more satisfying ending, and a sinister twist.”
I really loved this. I didn’t really know what to expect. I am such a sucker for academia, bully, mafia/crime stories (especially together) and it all fit perfectly! I have to admit (besides the prologue), the build up was a tad bit slow but definitely couldn’t put it down. This was an incredible prequel and backstory. Natalie Bennett can literally do any trope. There were so many unanswered questions and twist, I NEED MORE!
Tense, broody & brutal! That prologue was the perfect setup for a bloody romance in a world of teen killers and one unsuspecting girl. Lots of secrets and malevolent acts when Rhiannon catches the eye of the king of the pack, Judas Barron. This was a quick read with the start of love/hate romance and the intro to the mafia families that run the world. The school setting and Judas’ bullying of Rhiannon was OTT crazy but hot. She stood up for herself but she’s just as full of darkness as he is. A perfect pair! The mystery of who Rhia really is was left open but it seems she is not who she’s been told and her parents are bad folks. But everyone seems to be in this story. This is another twisted, gory tale from a fabulous author with teen lovers and mafia happenings with a hint of things to come in the next installment. Can’t wait!
I honestly don’t know how I feel right now. And that’s not meant negatively at all either. This book seriously left me with the million dollar question of ‘WTF?’ Rhiannon’s story begins with a depraved tryst with a man in a wolf mask and then moves onto present day before senior year begins and someone dark and dangerous forces himself into (or back into) her life. Judas Barron is Toxic but impossible to resist in all his dark and handsomely depraved ways of inserting dominance over Rhiannon and even though she is strong, outspoken, feisty and confident she is also weak to resist Judas even when she tries to fight it. The moment their lives collide she’s forced to open her eyes to the world around her realizing not everything is as it seams and the secrets and lies begin in her own home after realizing her parents aren’t who she thought they were. The ending left you in a deep dark hole of questions. The next two books can not come quick enough. I really need to know where things go next for Rhiannon. But I know the wait will be well worth it. So if you like dark romances with pushy men and secret societies full of secrets, lies, murder and angst I totally recommend this book 100%.
Lawless Kingdom by Natalie Bennett is the First book in the Reign & Ruin Series. This starts the story of Rhiannon Clermont and Judas Barron. Judas is the leader of the Knights group at Pesadilla Prep. Rhiannon has ended up at that school where she re-encounters Judas who she met a while back where they had a hot but dark encounter. Know Judas is out to control her along with keeping their secret to just themselves. The pull between these two is a lot. This is a dark young romance that does end with a cliffhanger.
I devoured this book in one go. I couldn’t have stopped reading even if I wanted to. The mystery, suspense, twists and turns in this story, held me captivate till the very last page.
I can’t wait for Savage Gods! My mind is blown!
Lawless Kingdom was my first journey into Natalie Bennett’s brilliant mind. I have been wanting to read her books for quite some time. She definitely knows how to tap into the darkness that can be found in all of us.
Rhiannon Clermont seems like your average teenage girl who has been attending public school until her parents surprise her with a change of school for her senior year. She will be going to Pesadilla Prep which is the school where children of the rich and powerful attend. Meeting Judas Barron again is not expected. They share a secret and now, he seems to despise her on site. He is heir to a dark, secret society. He and his group of friends live on the dark side of things. All of their families have mafia ties so little things like torture or murder are a regular occurrence to the point of desensitization. Judas becomes easily obsessed with Rhia including some serious possessiveness. He feeds off the darkness he senses within her. Their chemistry is off the charts HOT as well as dark and twisted. He tries to totally control her but she is one hell of a spitfire and fights him at every turn even if she knows she’ll give in eventually.
It was almost impossible to put this book down. There are constant twists that I never saw coming. I’m still not sure what I believe. I ended this book with about a million questions that I’m dying to get the answers to. Judas’ dark and possessive side had me so intrigued with him and I loved Rhia’s feisty nature. The side characters were just as interesting. The angst was so good and the suspense had me hanging on the edge with a death grip. I can’t wait to see how much further the author will take us in the books to come which promises to get much darker and even more twisted. If triggers are relevant for you, heed the warnings before entering this world. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Okay can we talk about the raw and gritty chemistry Jude and Rhiannon have like hold onto your panties they are spicy together. Jude is complete obsessed with Rhiannon and honestly I couldn’t tell if it was love or hate or a bit of both but I was here for it. These two both have this darkness inside them that calls to one another and I really do think they are each others half that will make them whole. There is a whole lot of lies and secrets and I still have so many questions I need answered. I loved all the secondary characters and I am really hoping we get more from them in the next book… Must Read!
Like always Natalie leaves me wanting more! This book is tame compared to some others but it does leave the promise of a darker more twisted future and I can’t wait to see what that future hold for Judas and Rhionnan. I need more and I am impatiently waiting for book number 2!!!
Lawless Kingdom introduces Rhiannon and Judas. It’s a dark high school (not bully) romance. Judas has a, errrmmm, strong personality but I get the feeling there is much more to Rhiannon than presented in this story, and I can’t wait to find out what it is! Although this was not as dark as some other stories by Natalie, I’m sure the next book will change that drastically.
I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of high school romances… there’s just something I can’t believe about a barely beyond pre-teen boy having that much swag and emotional/psychological control… but I found this story enjoyable. The side characters were interesting, and I hope we get to know them better in Savage Gods (especially Bri). I also can’t wait to see what goes down with Rhiannon’s parents.
I will say, this story was a bit short, almost like an incomplete first installment. But it definitely has me in keen anticipation for the next installment! Natalie Bennett is always a one-click purchase for me, and after reading this, she will continue to be.
Rhia feels like an outcast from her parents. Looks. Personality. When she meets Judas at the elite school she feels as though she knows him.
Judas and his circle of friends are dark and dangerous. He has a fixation on Rhia. The hate/love relationship slowly brings Rhia into his dark world of devious acts. Their chemistry is explosive!
I highly recommend this series and anything written by this author.
Holy fuck. I need some damn ice water.
Judas Bennett.
Even his name his gorgeous.
“He looked like the personification of sin and heartbreak.”
This is a short book that like Natalie Bennett style, gives us no fucking answers as to what’s going on.
“We were a sick, savage youth. The offspring of modernized and clandestine ‘crime’ families. Paragon assets, so to speak.” –
We know Judas is part of some underground cult/mafia type group. He laid claim on Rhia. She literally has no idea what the fick is going on except now how this gorgeous boy and his damn riddles are confusing as overbearing and .. an alphahole.
“Rhiannon Clermont was a goddamn siren. Too damn beautiful for my world of depravity and sin. Yet, at the same time, so fucking right for it. All I wanted to do was consume her entirely, drag her into it and make sure she’d never find a way out.”
I’m dying for more.
I need more.
People aren’t who they say they are. No one will speak.
“ my family has skeletons about to pour from the closet, and I was in bed with the monster for my daydreams, a sick addiction”.
No worries. I’ll sit back and wait to watch Rhia’s world to blow the fuck up in the next book.
I have a feeling she’s going to do the same the one and only Judas Bennett.
5/5 stars
Audio Review:
Lawless Kingdom: A Dark Romance (Reign & Ruin, Book 1) just gives you a taste to what’s to come. This dark bully high school romance leaves you with myriad of questions. A trickle of dark erotica to lay the first stone. A mystery surrounding Rhiannon’s past. Supporting characters lay the infrastructure for whats to come creating excitement. The key is the multiplicity of secrets stained with blood, murder, lies and deceit.
Narratiors Lacy Laurel, Connor Crais dual performance was smooth and intoxicating. Connor Crais deep baritone fit Judas character perfectly. I loved the performance.
This was my first Natalie Bennett’s book, and definitely won’t be my last. This is the first book in the Reign & Ruin Series, a High School Bully Romance. This is a great introduction to the series. Judas and Rhiannon’s story is dark, and captivating. Judas is the perfect antihero, possessive, and dark. Rhiannon is innocent, but strong, and smart. The story ends with a cliffhanger, and now I am looking forward to listen to the next book in the Series, Savage Gods. Lacy Laurel and Connor Crais did an amazing job with the narration. I love their voices together.
Lawless Kingdom: A Dark Romance
Reign & Ruin, Book 1
By: Natalie Bennett
Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Connor Crais
This is my first Natalie Bennett book, and I can’t wait for the next in the series. Dark, bully and devious, this high school romance is like no other. Rhiannon is surprised by her parents her senior year to attend Pesdallia Prep, the school her best friend attends. Excited, she has no idea what she is in store for. This school has deep mafia ties, and Judas Barron runs the children of the families. Young, yet knowledgeable of the life, these kids are dark and dangerous. They have been numbed to destruction lives they destroy. Judas has his eye on Rhiannon, and the pull between them is strong. Will she go with him? Does she have a choice? Bennett has given us a good foundation of the story. We get Rhiannon’s naivete, and need to be accepted. Judas is definitely disturbed and controlling. We can hear the inherent secrets that are not being told, adding to the building suspense. I am looking forward to what is next!
Lacy Laurel and Connor Crais are the narrators and give us all the feels. Laurel is so good as Rhiannon, giving us her personality with a little fearfulness, yet a curiosity that can’t be stopped. This is my first Connor Crais listen, and I love his voice! He is amazing as Judas adding that dangerous tone. He makes me want to know him better.This team is a good casting for the series!
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I devoured this book from the very first page. Kept me flipping until the very end. I read it in a day, which says a lot for me. Can’t wait for book two.
Holy man I love Natalie Bennett’s books. They keep me guessing every chapter what will happen next. There is no other author who can completely mess with my mind like she does. And Rhiannon and Judas’s story is no different, complete book hangover as I was trying to finish the read, I can not wait for more.
Now this is a Highschool book I can get into. I have to admit, I was hesitant to read this one only due to the age of the character’s, but OMG, it’s so freaking good and I’m so glad I read it!!! It’s addicting right from the start.
Rhiannon, I really like her. She’s smart, mouthy and doesn’t seem to take crap from anyone. Her life seemed content with her best friend Audrey and her boyfriend Dax. Until she meets the Judas. What she knew or what she thought shd knew…will never the same again. Her life changes almost in the blink of an eye. Judas is the ruler and doesnt take no for an answer.
Family corruption, lies, betrayals…welcome to the Lawless Kingdom! This book was so highly adictive and I very highly recommend it! I can’t wait to find out more about The Barrons, Rooks, Knights…and the Clermonts.
I’m pretty new to the authors work and it boarder lines being almost too dark for me but the story lines are so great I cant help but keep reading. Wow Judas is really something I wasn’t really a fan of him. The private school bully role has become so popular lately I wasn’t surprised with the plot. This one seemed a little more Romeo and Juliet with the family issues but so much darker. The book was very intense and could have some triggers for people. It does leave you with a cliff hanger for book 2. I give it 4 stars.
By Tiffany