A Top 50 Amazon Bestseller.“Powerful, gripping, unflinchingly honest and sensuously gorgeous writing.” — Kristan Higgins, New York Times Bestselling AuthorRITA® Award-winning author Kennedy Ryan delivers the gripping conclusion to the All the King’s Men Duet.Ambition. Revenge. Love.Raised to resist. Bred to fight. Survival is in my blood and surrender is never an option.Though surrender is what … resist. Bred to fight. Survival is in my blood and surrender is never an option.
Though surrender is what Maxim Cade demanded of my body and heart, I had other plans. We were fast-burning fascination and combustible chemistry, but the man I trusted with everything was a trickster. A thief who stole my love. If what we had was a lie, why did it feel so real? The man I swore to hate will have it all, and wants me at his side. But power is a game, and we’re the pawns and players.
Facing insurmountable odds, will we win the world, or will we lose it all?
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I already decided The Kingmaker is my top read of 2019. And unbelievably Kennedy Ryan gifted me a better story in The Rebel King. So you can imagine the epicness and brilliance of the story. It evoked pure, gripping and powerful emotions in me. It transported me to a whole new yet familiar world. Her magnificent story telling and literary wizardry made me feel every single emotion deep in my heart.
We left Lennix in face of death at the end of The Kingmaker. Maxim will move heaven and earth to get her back but the danger is not over yet. The deception and secrets and conspiracies will threaten Lennix and Maxim constantly. And they will have to make a difficult decision. A decision that can change a nation. A decision that can help Maxim achieve every dream for the better world. A decision that can help Lennix reach the stars. But their hearts may be the cost to do so.
Maxim is the ultimate alpha and he secured a permanent seat in my super secret table of my all time favorite alphas. He is not arrogant. He is CONFIDENT. He has so much conviction, power and ability to dominate any situation or any person. His strength, courage and protectiveness was extraordinary. And my heart and panties were lost cause. He became more intimidating, more attractive and more dangerous in this story. And Lennix is his strength. I am simply awed by this woman. So much trauma, so much torture, so much pain..and yet she emerged victorious wearing her scars proudly. The true magic of this story is in the chemistry between Maxim and Lennix. The unlikely alliance of the girl from a native american background and the man who runs the mega business empire she always protested against. They are a force to be reckoned with. They bond at the primal level with scorching hot passion. The sex scenes of this story are some of the steamiest I have read and they carry emotional weight too. They need each other like air and water. And Kennedy Ryan made me feel every longing, every angsty moment, every heartbreak, every sweet moment and every tearing part with hundred percent impact. They will face difficulties and stand by each other ferociously. I cried like a baby at the ending because I had to let out my overwhelming emotions.
The Rebel King was an exceptional ending to an exceptional story. Everything about this story attcked my heart from all directions. Unforgettable characters. Exotic story backdrops. Epic emotions. And genius writing by Kennedy Ryan binds everything together beautiful. It will remain one of the most special and unique story to me forever. This is story of hope and believing in change.
Received ARC for Honest review
Ambition. Passion. Betrayal.
Alpha Male + Alpha Female
Passion spanning 4 continents & nearly 20 years
2 fighter-dreamers determined to change the world!
Enemies-to-Lovers + Second Chance Romance
This was a stunning conclusion to their story. Full of surprises, angst and love beyond measure. This book, like the first, is well written and makes you feel like you are in the book experiencing everything right alongside the characters.
WAO just WAO!!!
There’s so much I want to say about this exquisite, compelling and emotional story. After 5 days I feel like nothing I say will give justice to the incredible book I read. Once I got to the end I literally stare at the wall in amazement. The level of knowledge and perfection in details that Kennedy put into this duet needs an ovation. I never get tire of saying that with Kennedy’s books there’s ALWAYS a lesson to be learn.
“The past is behind us. The future is ours. Figure out how you can change the world right now, and don’t fear it. Do it.”
The Rebel King was the perfect conclusion to the All the King’s Men duet. It will keep you on the edge of your sit from beginning to end. It is so much more than an incredible and passionate love story. It’s also a story with a socio political lesson. A book that will educate us in culture, human equality, love of the land and even history.
“True empowerment is about choice; figuring out what we want and going after it.”
A book with intrigue and even a bit of suspense throw in the mix to make this a perfect culmination to an already mesmerizing duet.
I don’t feel worthy of writing a review cohesive enough to give you all the powerful feelings this story evoke in me.
Lennix and Maxim have become my favorite power couple. Their convictions, strong personalities and determination are to be admire. There’s nothing this two can’t conquer. Their passionate about their beliefs and can convince anyone to see a better way for the world. They could change the world, I can feel it in my bones. I wish that there would be more humans with their level of passion and knowledge to actually achieve more good and real change in the world.
Lennix Hunter is the kind of woman I wish I grow up to be. She is a fighter a righteous, compassionate and sensible woman. In this book her strength will be challenged but at the end she will succeed fiercely.
Lennix love and connection with Maxim is the kind that you only get once in a lifetime and endures and last forever. It’s beautiful, passionate, powerful and undeniable.
”She’s an extension of me, and I’m an extension of her. She’s a layer of my skin, a chamber of my heart. She’s the tattoo on my chest. Endurance.”
Maxim Kingman Cade is my new book boyfriend obsession. He is power and his possessive and protective side made me melt for him. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do or place he wouldn’t reach for Lennix. If I thought he was delicious in book 1, in book 2 he brought me to my knees in admiration and with pure desires.
”I don’t want any man to ever hear her unravel that way again. She’s mine completely. And I, unequivocally, belong to Lennix Moon Hunter.”
I could keep talking about this book, this duet for hours, days and years. I can’t wait to have more of this world that Kennedy created because I need more. There’s no way I’ll be done with Lennix and Maxim.
Perfection
I love nothing more than when a hero and heroine are perfectly matched. This duet is beautiful, inspiring, and sexy as hell. I highly recommend it!
The Rebel King is the conclusion to the All the King’s Men Duet so please make sure you have read The Kingmaker before diving into this amazing read. Book 1 left me wanting more I was left sitting on the edge of my seat and book 2 gave me everything I wanted and so much more.
I’m not going to write a review full of spoilers if you like me are anxious for the continuing saga for Maxim and Lennix you will know what you are expecting and I have to say I’m sure you won’t be disappointed because this book has it all, danger, angst and so many twists and turns none of which you see coming. Once again I was on the edge of my seat right through to the last line but this time I got a conclusion to the journey this couple took. This duet has to be the best reads of 2019 so I urge you all to get your finger one clicking. A book with all the feels that ticked all my boxes and once against n we see just how diverse and how talented Kennedy Ryan is…..
It’s been a while since an author has stunned me. The Rebel King delivers so much more story than I ever could have anticipated. Kennedy Ryan delivered, hands-down, one of my top duet reads of the year.
As a Native American romance reader, i’m always on the hunt for books that not only deliver a great love story, but also feature characters of diverse backgrounds. I LOVE that Lennix is Native. I love that her culture defines her powerful character so much. And I love that this author carefully included things that helped you understand Lennix as a Native American living in the modern world. She’s bold, strong-willed and she dominates the political scene with unashamed zeal.
Maxim and Lennix are couples goals to the extreme. Thoughtful, caring, and full of lust. Their connection from book 1, The Kingmaker, screams through the pages, and the way their love transformed in this book astounds me. This is the kind of grown-up love we all dream about finding. It’s a blush-worthy, thigh-clenching, all-encompassing love story.
In The Rebel King, Maxim and Lennix continue their crusade to change the world. Individually they’re powerful, but together they’re pure magic. This book is phenomenally thought-provoking on that front. The twists and turns that Kennedy Ryan incorporated into this story truly made it a monumental read. If you could change the world, what would you do? How would you do it?
Everyone needs to read this duet and experience the love between Maxim and Lennix. I’ve never wanted two fictional characters to be more real than I do Maxim and Lennix. I don’t ever want to come out of this book hangover.
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quite simply is outstanding and ensured that this Duet is my top read of 2019. The trajectory of the story from the first chapter of THE KINGMAKER to the last page of THE REBEL KING is awe inspiring. Thematic layers depicting so very much in terms of thought and feeling and pivotal moments that shape the narrative and attack the reading heart. There is strength and power in the main protagonists and their life story and I have so much respect for their journey together which, as a complete entity, is utterly stunning.
T .
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I cried.
I sobbed.
I love the charcaters and I LOVE where Kenndy Ryan took her story. #perfection
Overall Grade: ++
“I signed on for you, whatever that means, wherever that takes us.”
Throughout my life, I’ve read the works of women whose books infected my soul with their truths. From Austen to Alcott to Morrison, these women infused the truth of their own societies into their storytelling in a way that challenged my thinking and left me altered. It’s these moments when writing is most powerful when people’s truths are articulated decidedly, as a willful act for change. It’s hard to believe that the genre of romance, so often ridiculed for its light and erotic fare, could proffer these same lessons, these same truths. And yet, we see it often. Kennedy Ryan is flaying her soul open and offering us the, often painful, truths of our time. Her most recent book, The Rebel King, along with its counterpart, The Kingmaker, leaves its poignant mark on the romance community and on our thinking. At least, like my favorite books of my youth, she’s made me question my thinking on privilege, the climate, politics, and the necessity to connect your soul with another’s.
The Rebel King, the second book of her duet, All the King’s Men, is the place where you, the reader, fall more deeply in love with Maxim and Lennix. The Kingmaker introduces us to their character, their passions, their burgeoning love. The Rebel King sets us on their journey towards building a future together, replete with action, suspense, political campaigns, and sensual bedroom action. There is something here for everyone.
At its core, and at its best, Ryan’s The Rebel King’s hero and heroine are its endurance. Is there anyone like Maxim? He is a controlled heroic characterization of intellect, alpha-male, sensitivity, sensuality, emotional adeptness, etc. Above all of that, he’s sweet. He washes Lennix’s hair, meets her needs WELL in the bedroom, and he makes her a priority. Maxim’s character has the soul of a poet. In him, the man of white privilege, we find the rule, not the exception. Ryan crafts him to illustrate the best response to marginalized people from a person in his position. And she completes this with one of her swooniest male heroes to date.
Without Lennix, there is no essence of Maxim. These two are soulmates, the yin to the other’s yang. Lennix’s passion and fire match Maxim’s passion and fire. They are wholly complete in each other. What I love most about Lennix’s character in this book is her need to maintain her identity. Maxim’s charisma dominates the room, yet Ryan makes space for Lennix as his complement and his contrast. She’s bold, intelligent, unapologetic, effective, resolute, and Maxim’s perfect match. I believe Olivia Pope of Scandal provided a minor influence for this character. From my perspective, Lennix’s character is better. She isn’t petty, and she thoughtfully considers the best for Maxim, sometimes at the expense of her own happiness. These soulmates sense the needs of the other and provide it without question, without personal needs being met. Time and time again, I felt deliciously overpowered by their love and adoration for each other.
In terms of other characterizations in The Rebel King, Ryan creates gradients of character. In the Kingmaker, Warren Cade seems the villain. His dislike of Lennix and his inability to accept Maxim’s life choices make him unlikeable. Yet, after this book, Ryan carefully illustrates true evil. She makes it possible for the reader to accept Warren Cade when it’s appropriate for the story. She carefully creates the gray area of character as a reminder that most of us are flawed in our intentions, yet most of us still exude humanity.
Even more, Ryan is inclusive in this world. She recognizes all points of view, shining a magnifying glass on our differences. While she might privilege some of them, she does so through the logic and clarity of her research. It’s clear, in this book and the former one, that she is well-read for the politics of her book. It makes her credible and lends believability to her characters. We are challenged by them. The diversity of thought in this story isn’t overbearing; instead, it seeks to remind us that sides can disagree, but harmony can be reached through mutual respect and the need to listen. This is a necessary lesson of Ryan’s book for our world today.
Beyond her characterization, her story, and her message is Ryan’s style. It’s important to note because it is one of the driving forces of her writing. There is an intentionality in her writing choices. To ramp up the tension at the beginning of The Rebel King, she shortens the chapters. This adds tension to the action. She is a magician with words so elemental to her storytelling that it’s become an expectation of her writing now. She uses the eloquence of language to build Nix and Maxim’s lovemaking, the tragedy of this book, and the urgency of its action. Whether it’s alliteration or metaphor or allusion, Ryan’s words, her style, drive the meter of this romance, feeling as though the pages turn themselves.
Time and time again, Kennedy Ryan reminds me of my favorite female authors of the past. Her insistence on finding a voice TODAY for the marginalized, for women, for anyone who struggles feels necessary and honest. I was absolutely looking forward to The Rebel King, but, quite honestly, I didn’t expect to come away with it attached to my mind, heart, and soul. This book is about the tattoo on Maxim’s body: endurance. In The Rebel King, Kennedy Ryan is reminding those of us who are troubled by our world, fearful for the future, that we can and will endure, working towards making it better. Just as those who have come before us, endurance is the key to fighting the good fight and loving with all of our souls.
The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan was a sensational finish to the All the King’s Men duet! This final installment had me sitting on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s absolutely incredible the amount of story and well developed plot Ryan delivers in just one book. Not only was The Rebel King exceptionally written and enjoyable to read, it was also unique and original. Truly groundbreaking within the romance genre. You won’t have read another book like this all year! Get ready to read this book straight through and fall even more in love with Lennix and Maxim, and read The Rebel King today! You absolutely won’t regret it!
Action packed, non-stop amazing, with so much swoon power, you won’t be able to put it down!
The Rebel King by Kennedy Ryan is book 2 in the All The King’s Men Duet. It’s emotional, explosive, messy, gut wrenching, powerful, steamy and touching.
There isn’t enough words to describe book 2 in this fabulous duet. Their story picks right up where it left off in book 1 in an epic cliffhanger.
Lennix and Maxim’s story is beautifully written. They go through an emotional rollercoaster ride in their love story yet what a ride it is. Their journey towards their HEA is electrifying and so powerful that when you are reading this book, as a reader, you become emotionally involved. From start to finish, there is suspense, intrigue, angst, twists, turns, passion, political intrigue, murder, heartbreak, hope, love, and forgiveness.
Maxim and Lennix are the couple to watch. They find their way back to one another- even thru some horrible times and through it all, they are it for each other. Love the chemistry and connection between them. Great ending!!
My Rating: 4.5 stars ******
Whenever I read a book written by Kennedy it takes me so much time to figure what I want to write on my review because not only there is so much to say but there’re so many emotions flowing so hard to translate..
All the king’s men duet was not te exception it was beautiful, heartbreaking, angst but also full of hope and faith. Two very powerful characters that never fought for control or being on top, on the contrary, two powerful characters with so much respect that they gave each other the time, space and a well-respected place in their love life as well as their dreams and goals. that’s how much these two were in love..
The Rebel King is the conclusion of the All The Kings Men duet and it was amazing, we get to finally see what happens with Lennix projects and life but also how the relationship between Lennix and Maxim grew so much that their love was spilling from every chapter and page..
Maxim was an amazing hero, he was strong, bold and didn’t show any fear when things got so hard for Lennix and him but we also get to see that the most amazing heroes with such a strength had also that vulnerability that will make you want to hold him and keep rooting for him no matter what.. this is exactly what I love about the way Kennedy bring her characters to us.. they can be a king and a queen, strong and fearless but when the time comes they will not hesitate to show their vulnerability because being vulnerable doesn’t mean being weak specially when you have someone like Lennix ready to hold you and carry your pain in those days Maxim wasn’t able too.
There is so much love, passion, and determination, so much trust between Lennix and Maxim two amazing characters that their love transcended anything that life threw at them.. no matter how scary things were they both were always ready to save one and another and protect what they love the most.
so many great things to say about this magnificent book, the secondary characters were also amazing, they really gave so much depth to the story and support so much the story of the main characters. Kimba, Grim, David, Millicent, Owen, Maxim parents all of them brought so much and gave so much making them more appealing and even more interesting..
Another great thing about Mrs. Ryan is the way she writes her stories, always giving so much light to their culture and their background, in this case, it was amazing to learn more about Lennix traditions and ancestry something very beautiful that we should know and respect as well, I love how we got to see so much of her rituals and traditions, how she incorporates them into her daily life.
I just don’t want to spoil anything but I rarely encounter a second book in a series or a duet that is so strong and heavy as the first book but The Rebel King was an exception, we got the pain, the love and the roller coaster of emotions a great story should have..
I’m so in love with this story and their characters and I’m sure Maxim and Lennix #NixXim will stay in my heart and soul for a long time..
I can’t wait for the next project, book, series Kennedy writes!!!
This story is stunning. I could wax poetic about it for the rest of my life and never do it justice. I implore you to read it NOW. You won’t regret it and you’ll never ever forget it. It is EXCELLENT.
The Rebel King is a superb conclusion to ALL THE KING’S MEN duet.
It’s on a class of its own. It is Kennedy Ryan like never before. She does not hold back and gives it to us with a gut wrenching punch to the Heart and Soul and it feels GOOD!
Kennedy Ryan gives us her best in all her books which are Uniquely and Independently AMAZING. In fact, Rita Award-winning.
But she definitely accomplished something insanely special with this story. One I will never forget.
I went through so many emotions and Yes! I cried it was so powerful. I cried and then I smiled. Lennix and Maxim’s story is about LOVE but it’s also about so much more
The girl who chases stars! *mic drop*
When Lennix says this. I wanted to jump up and down like a mad woman and celebrate her.
All The King men: Warren Cade, Owen Cade, Maxim Cade are in my heart
The Rebel King was beautiful and exciting. Daring and heartfelt. Our characters grow and their growth is phenomenal. This story shows us perseverance, endurance, fight, grief and forgiveness. With all these elements and I’m probably forgetting a whole lot more, it’s mo surprise it was FABULOUS
This second chance romance by Kennedy Ryan is utterly intoxicating. You will be left in such a book hangover the only cure is to indulge in a second reading. The characters were the blood in each other’s veins, the heart within each other’s devotion and love. With such a soul deep connection Kennedy Ryan captivated me with Lennix and Maxim’s story. I truly loved watching their journey from book 1 to the end of book 2. Throughout their growth, struggles, and everything else in between was just mind blowing . The author meticulously weaved a story so raw, so real and so touching. The love between Nix and Maxim is one that will have readers, had me in awe. It’s a once in a lifetime love that wasn’t perfect but was perfect for them. Thank you Kennedy for such a inspiring and phenomenal read as you definitely have outdone yourself and more than exceeded my expectations.
The Rebel King (All The King’s Men Duet #2) was epic, indescribable, beautiful and emotional in so many ways. This book and duet is without a doubt the best I’ve read in 2019 and also in my life. I was mesmerized from beginning to end.
Maxim and Lennix’s journey continued and was filled with so many shocking twists and turns, it was flawlessly written and their character growth was amazing. The amount of knowledge, research and details that Kennedy Ryan poured into this book just blew me away and consumed me. This couple and their story was an absolute favorite of mine and as much as I hated to see it end, Ms. Ryan once again proved why is the most talented author that I’ve encountered. I HIGHLY recommend reading this duet.
5 star Review The Rebel King (All The King’s Men Duet #2) by Kennedy Ryan
Firstly this is part two of the duet so if you haven’t read The Kingmaker then stop as this picks up where it ended and you must read it first.
Initially I couldn’t get into the first book but once I got through the first couple of chapters, such was the power and strength of the writing that I became completely and totally invested.
I needed to know what happened and couldn’t wait to dive in to The Rebel King. These books are a departure from previous books I have read by Kennedy Ryan. This is a powerful book that will reel you in and keep you riveted from the beginning to the end.
My heart was racing as I began as after the terrifying cliff hanger in book one I was anxious to see what she had in store for Lennix and Maxim. This book had it all, angst, danger, tragedy and off the charts chemistry that left me breathless. The twists and turns that Ms.Ryan wove, kept me guessing until the end with the face pace keeping me on the edge of my seat.
For fear of accidentally spoiling this story, I am not going to say anything more, other than do yourselves a favour and one click this amazing duet. I learnt so much from this duet and I thank Kennedy Ryan for that.
Rarely, do I find an author who can reach my soul, with every book they write. Kennedy Ryan is truly that rare writer. Every single time she publishes a book, there is a place in my heavily-protected innermost being, which she manages to reach with her well-placed words. I Love and Hate her for that. I say this because there are usually tears involved and I am not, by nature a crier.
That being said, Ms. Ryan’s latest release, The Rebel King rocked my foundation with its passionate intensity, unique characters, and ingenious plot line. This trifecta is just the trigger to set a book-lover’s mind on a journey from which it will never recover.
What I loved most about The Rebel King is the power-couple of Lennix Hunter and Maxim Cade. Their individual journeys and their love for each other are two of the most epic and awe-inspiring I have read in my contemporary literature experience.
The Rebel King is more than an epic romance, though. It is an extraordinary tale of familial bonds, power struggles, the battle to change the out-dated practices of a nation, and a lesson in past and modern history regarding the treatment of the Indigenous American population by the United States Government and its capitalists. The Rebel King addresses contemporary issues with eye-opening frankness.
Kennedy Ryan has the unique ability to make us understand and empathize with those who have been underrepresented and misjudged. Her words make us rethink our acceptance of what has been and look for ways to improve existing conditions.
The All the King’s Men Duet, which includes The Kingmaker and The Rebel King, was a transformative experience for me. It is honest and insightful. It’s impact on my mind and heart is indefinable. This gorgeously written duet is a contemporary masterpiece which needs to be on everyone’s reading list.
Chasing Stars
Every emotion ran high during this unpredictable conclusion that made me feel and question. So many relevant, thought provoking topics that the author delivered with great passion. A truly incredible conclusion to this duet.
The author had left us literally hanging! This story picks up where book one left off. My adrenaline ran high.
Fear
Love
Devastation
Betrayal
Forever
Maxim knows what he wants. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks. No sacrifice us too great for the woman he loves. Lennix is wrestling with what she wants and fulfilling her dream. She’s afraid of what she’ll lose.
Dreams change. Love is about compromise. Having it all doesn’t mean you have to guve up something. The vision of everything just changes.
The author delivered a story you will never forget. Love that transcends time and space. It consumes and sacrifices. It never lets you go.
She brought us love and heartache. Loss and pain. But in the end Maxim and Lennix were right where they were always destined to be…together. Their journey was arduous yet their love and devotion to one anither endured.
Your heart will race. Tears will flow. The intensity will overwhelm you.
How much are you willing to sacrifice for love? How far are you willing to go?