Book: King of War by Sadie Kincaid
Reviewed by Michelles_Cosy_Booknook
Rating: 5/5
This is the first book in the Las Vegas Ruthless series, a mafia romance with darkness on practically every page.
Rayne has returned to Las Vegas after fleeing six years earlier, wronged, broken-hearted and fearing for her life. Now, she needs to put her nursing career to use helping to care for her ailing father. Unfortunately, her return also captures the attention of the man who wants nothing more than to break and destroy her — her former fiancé, Enzo Medici.
Enzo is the King of Las Vegas, and we aren't talking Elvis-style crooning skills here… although his hip-thrusting abilities are certainly worth mentioning.
Along with his brothers, Enzo is feared by practically everyone. The Medicis are brutal, violent and dangerous, and when it comes to Rayne and what they believe was her betrayal, they've saved the blackest parts of themselves especially for her.
You might as well know by now: if Sadie Kincaid writes it, I'm reading it.
The way this woman writes mafia romance is something I will forever devour. The darkness, the intensity, the passion and obsession, the situations she throws her characters into — every element works individually, but put them together and I'm completely hooked.
King of War is predominantly told from Enzo's POV, which gave us a much deeper understanding of both him and the dark world he rules over. This book is filled with plotting, violence, suspicion, politics, shifting allegiances and a precarious balance of power. Because of that, this felt deeper and darker than some of Sadie's other series.
At the heart of all that darkness, though, is the devastating betrayal and pain that Rayne and the Medici brothers have carried since that night six years ago. It's raw and genuinely gut-wrenching at times.
Watching their individual barriers slowly being chipped away as secrets, misunderstandings and long-held truths finally begin to surface was one of my favourite parts of the book. Beneath all the violence and vengeance is a story about the gradual return of friendship, love, trust and family bonds — and I loved that contrast.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Queen Sadie read without her signature blend of banter and spice, and this book is absolutely brimming with both. Even surrounded by all that darkness, I still found myself laughing, kicking my feet, fanning myself and occasionally clutching my pearls.
There's a little Easter egg tucked into the story that should immediately jump out at readers familiar with Sadie's other books.
This was an incredibly easy five stars for me, and I can absolutely see readers who enjoy authors such as Leigh Rivers and Rina Kent eating this one up.
Bring on more of the Medici brothers. I'm ready. 🖤
Thank you to Sadie Kincaid for the opportunity to read an early release copy of King of War. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.