Steel Princess (Royal Elite Book 2)

Wow just wow, this author keeps taking us on this crazy ride between Elsa and Aiden and I love every single word of it. This is the second book for these two and it picks up where book one left us hanging, so we get more twists, turns, and suspense. Elsa has been through so much and in book one she was kind of a pushover when it came to Aiden and his bullying ways but in this book Elsa is stronger, tougher, and holds her own against Aiden even if it doesn’t last too long and I loved she found her backbone. Aiden is not up for losing at anything especially not losing Elsa, so he pulls all the tricks to get her to realize she is his and no one else’s. Aiden is a complicated character and we learn more about his past and god do I love and hate this man so seeing a softer side he only shows to Elsa was so rare and so special. These two have a rough road ahead of them and I’m not sure how things will go for them, will they let these things tear them apart when they were finally getting somewhere in this relationship? Or will this make them stand together and fight for each other? I just know I fell even more in love with Aiden and the other horsemen and cannot wait for more.

Buckle up for another hot and wild, jaw dropping ride and be prepared to forgo sleep because once you settle into this 2nd installment of the Royal Elite Series you will not want to put it down! Steel Princess picks up right where Deviant King (book 1) dropped a doozy of a cliffhanger and is an entertaining novel full sizzling chemistry, secrets and twists and turns that are sure to leave you frantically flipping those pages just to find out what shocking revelation this author will unveil next.

No one writes a dark, high school bully romance like this author and Steel Princess surpassed all of my expectations on this front. Aiden remains a complex character where jealousy and obsession are the name of his game when it comes to his unrelenting need to possess Elsa. He is commanding, domineering, and pretty much a guy that I would run from in real life, but I find him to be the epitome of an anti-hero that I crave in these types of dark romances.

“Being mind isn’t really a choice,” he says in that scarily calm tone. “It’s a […] reality.”

Small pieces of himself are cleverly revealed throughout the book as he starts to open up to Elsa and we also get to see a more tender side to him. One of the things that I appreciated was finally getting into the depraved mind of Aiden during those few chapters told from his POV.

“He has multiple layers that he carefully chooses which to hide and which to show.”

Elsa continues to maintain a defiant streak, refuses to bow down to Aiden, and discovers a bit of darkness within herself.

Devils can’t be redeemed. Devils can only crash and burn. He said he’ll destroy me, and he did. It’s time I destroy him back. . .

After all, it takes a monster to destroy a monster.

I absolutely love how she is no wilting flower, but rather a stubborn girl who is full of steel and grit. Elsa struggles to unravel her past and with each layer the author peels back, I am left either heartbroken and / or reeling.

One of the things that I loved about this book is that it is not your typical high school bully romance as there is so much more than meets these eye in this intricate story. These characters, the main ones and the secondary ones, are all unique and intriguing. I adored Aiden and Elsa, but I also loved all of the “horsemen” and the dynamic between them all. There is a lot of heat between these pages as well as a fair amount of edge-of-your-seat suspense that will keep you entertained until the very end. As this is the 2nd book in Aiden’s and Elsa’s trilogy there is a cliffhanger that will leave you gasping in surprise.

I hate everything and everyone now.
Rina broke me again, and I want nothing more now than my cat, Xanax, and a panic room.

Deviant King is a mind screw of grand proportion full of little hints and easter eggs enough to make one bedlamite. The story is chockablock of broken characters who are far beyond repair; every damn one of them has more baggage than the Louis Vuitton outlet store. All the females are needy for love and affection but trade any hope for good things so they can live off the interest of the lies they tell themselves about the great future the could have if only they spring there trap. —Note to Elsa, Kim, Silvers, and Blair: You ARE your cage.

The only character that isn’t an A-hole of monstrous proportions is Uncle Jaxon. But don’t worry because in Steel Princess Rina breaks him too.

Both books have Elsa and Aiden considering the concepts of intuition and inevitability as their opening chapter. We return to philosophy, and Sartre: Elsa and Aiden both struggles with the ultimate existential crisis: are they the player or the game? In Steel Princess, there are references throughout Aiden’s POVs of his worldview; he’s the player; manipulation won’t work on him anymore. He mastered himself in the darkness of his childhood, nursing himself upon the suffering and pain forced upon him to create a self-possessed demon without weakness — a villain entirely in control of his victim.

But regardless of all Aiden’s encouragement, he hasn’t been able to get Elsa to stop being the game and to embrace her power. Elsa spent all of Deviant King saying bullies shouldn’t be understood. Rina has created her character with enough subconscious awareness to know that her amnesia, her scar, and her submissiveness are the seal on her Pandora’s box, and the key to it is to look into the abyss.

So in book two, our Steel Princess is born upon the sacrificial stone of Deviant King’s poolside cliffhanger; the revelation has finally come to Elsa that she needs to remover herself from the Kings’ gameboard. But it hasn’t occurred to her that all her research on strategy and attack is absurd in the light that she refuses to recognize what she controls. She is focused on the smallest most inconsequential parts of the larger picture and settles for crumbs when she owns the bakery.

This book is a rabbit hole of epiphany and discovery; admissions, confessions, and betrayals unloaded automatic assault weapon style and land like bombs. But the more you learn, the more you realize that you know nothing at all. For all of Rina Kent’s unbundling of backstory explaining what ingredients went into creating present-day Elsa and Aiden, we can’t begin to guess how two monsters will build their twisted kingdom. The last few pages only murky the waters further.
I hate it. I hate how badly I want more. I want a nap.

These books require multiple readings to start seeing Rina’s smart little hidden-in-plain-sight hints for Aiden, Elsa, the other horsemen, and side characters. I see new things with every read and have noticed she unmercifully diverts you from specifically stated facts through inflammatory dialogue between characters. It would help if you read the book once watching and hearing, once hearing all the conversation, and a few times with the sound off. I can assure you you will see things that will open your eyes. But I don’t recommend the obsessive investigation unless you want to join me in the misery that has me up at night penning theories in my journal and texting my therapist for psychiatric profiling answers.

My wrap is that Rina mean-girl styled effed with my mind. I love her. I don’t particularly appreciate how she makes me feel. I can’t wait for her to mistreat me with the last book. And she better not let up with her story-crafting when she moves further into the other Royal Elite Series.

I love the intricacies of her plot and the devastating brutality of the nature of her characters. Rina Kent is comfortable making her characters uncomfortable. I’m cool with that. She is so skilled at character development that I want her to challenge and break the horsemen and make all her heroines rage. And the people she writes are better with the more decay with which she defiles them.

More.
Give me more.
Corrupt me too.

Cruel King: A Dark New Adult Romance (Royal Elite)
Deviant King

This book is EVERYTHING!! Rina Kent did not disappoint with Steel Princess. I love when you anticipate a book and exceeds all of your expectations. Aiden is still his handsome and broody self, but Elsa did not hold back and I was here for all of that! This book brings a lot of twists to the story and right when I think I know something or think that person did it I’m left speechless how the story turns. Aiden is every bit jealous and possessive of Elsa especially when a new boy arrives at the academy. Elsa is stuck in a hard place after she overheard Jonathon and Silver’s conversation and feels betrayed by Aiden. This book had me in tears through Elsa’s discoveries about her past. Aiden had me swooning for him the more his character unfolded. But after that ending!! I had to reread the last chapter twice to make sure I read that correctly. But that cliffhanger at the end had my mouth hanging open! I need book 3! This series is one of a kind and I love it more after each book. This is a MUST READ!!

OMG why did this book have to end! Steel Princess is the second book in the Royal Elite series by Rina Kent and boy what a series it is. We basically begin from the end of the first book and the drama just never stops. The two main characters are unreal! First, we have Elsa who was totally destroyed by revelations at the end of the first book. She has so many unanswered questions but things seem to be coming to light as she finds out why Aiden hates her (that one throws you for a loop). She is such a strong character to read about and you are totally rooting in her corner when she is up against her family, Aiden, his father and other players in the background. This is in contrast to Aiden. How she will survive Aiden is beyond me, but you are starting to see some of her darkness creep out which seems to tame Aiden’s beast…. well as much as he can be tamed!

Aiden…holy heck! He is a true psychopath, the things this guy does and most of the time it makes sense until it doesn’t and you just want to be in his mind. He is all dominant and completely obsessed with Elsa, like 100% would kill for her. He knows all of these secrets but plays his cards close to his chest and it is just magnificent. There is just no empathy with him, basically what you see is what you get and there are no apologies for that!

Sexy scenes between the characters in this book are hot! There are no other words for it, you literally want to keep reading as you are so invested in these characters and the story-line and now, we have to wait for the third book!

Secondary characters pop up throughout this book and it will be interesting to see how they are all stuck in this web of deceit and secrets. Like the last book there is a monumental cliff-hanger that you totally don’t see coming! Someone has some explaining to do.

If you love scorching hot bully/lovers romance with suspense, intrigue and amazing characters then this is the book for you!

ARC received for a fair and honest review.

More of my reviews can be found on my blog: https://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com

“By all means, show me what you got, sweetheart.”

Not only is my anxiety way through the rough, but my words are failing me, so I’m going to try here. I need to stop reading Rina Kent’s books. They’re so addictive. Kent draws you in and it’s so confusing. Reading this, I wanted to back down so many times, thinking, “I can’t do this. I’m not ready.” As soon as the title appeared on my kindle, I sat there and just stared for a while.

Well, I did it. And I’m so torn. Once again, I fell in love with Aiden and Elsa’s sticky situation. And honestly, I think the heat was kicked up so much more in this compared to Deviant King—which I didn’t think was possible. As well as the mysterious pull that hooks you to the book and sinks you under. I devoured this book.

Steel Princess was so intense. And the past has only peaked through. I swear, there’s so many questions I have. The cliffhanger was like a punch in the gut.

I’m going to be going back and forth in my head about this book until Twisted Kingdom comes out. I still think that won’t be enough. (I really need the next book…like, yesterday)

Aiden has become an obsession (to everyone, I swear). Elsa has… way passed my expectations and blown me away.

This plot? OUTRAGEOUS. If you haven’t read Steel Princess, you really need to. You’re missing out.

“There’s always been darkness inside me. I fought it. I denied it. The time has come to embrace it. After all, it takes a monster to destroy a monster.”

I need to scream from the rooftops how much I loved this book! IT WAS SO INCREDIBLE. It’s characters are dark and punishing, but loyal and loving. There are so many secrets and lies and deceit going on, it makes my head spin.

Rina has left me with more questions than o started with!! I NEED ANSWERS LADY. RIGHT FREAKING MEOW. You can’t make me wait until the next book.. I don’t think I can take it.

Aiden is by far, my favorite character. He’s like…. a sour patch kid! He is sweet (sometimes.. and only to Elsa) in his own broody, possessive way and then he is sour.. and by sour, I mean mean. He is so mean. He has a deep, dark past and nobody knows what makes him the way he is. Closed off. Emotionless.

“Aiden approached me for revenge. He approached me to hurt me. To destroy me as he promised. It was all a lie. A game.”

Elsa is starting to become one of my favorite heroines ever. She is starting to come into her true self and I know, when she finally makes that full transformation, she is going to be BAD. I already love how much she tests Aiden. She won’t be controlled (to an extent), she won’t be knocked down, she won’t be forgotten. I can’t wait to see what happens in book three with her.

“Steel blood runs in my veins. I wasn’t born to be trampled with.”

Rina is doing amazing things with this series. The characters and story is one that will stick with me forever. I can’t see how I can possibly wait for book three.

This is the 2nd book in this phenomenal trilogy, and what an amazing story this is! This is a well written flawless story which is dark, riveting, and with twists which all lead to a steamy and amazing read. I was completely enthralled throughout this addictive page turner and cannot wait to read the 3rd and final book in this trilogy.

I LOVE Rina Kent’s books! If you looking for a dark, twisted and absolutely brilliant book then you need to read Elsa and Aiden’s story! This is the second in the trilogy and I cannot wait for Twisted Kingdom!!! Rina Kent is my go to author for dark romance!

If twisted antiheroe and stronger heroine bringing him to knee is your trope, Steel Princess by Rina Kent should be at top of your list. The pervert mind games and raw sensuality is amazingly brought to life.

Steel Princess is the second book in the series and must be read in order. Aiden, one of the four horsemen and king of RES has been using Elsa as a pawn in his game of revenge. But Elsa has gotten under his skin. And he has this overwhelming need to possess her and protect her from the upcoming storm. Elsa is in a dark place in her mind. With scrambled memories and confused feelings, she is trying to make sense of everything. But her tormentor Aiden is not making it easy. Will he be able to protect her? Will the truth shatter her?

Aiden is so arrogant and irritating and intimidating. He is the proverbial bad boy without any mercy or softness. But Elsa has a special place in his heart. He claimed her in the intense, rough and bullying way he knows. But his emotions made me swoon and sigh all the way. I was captivated by the unravelling of Elsa’s mind. And I love her strength and resilience. Both of them had a traumatic childhood with visible scars. So their dark, filthy, raw and gritty bond cannot be like any other normal couple. The story is full of twits and turns so you will be glued to the pages. And that ending was one big ” Oh my god what is happening I need answers” moment.

Steel Princess is a steamy, suspenseful and intense tale of twisted love. Lovers of bully romance should not miss it!

Received ARC for Honest review