Cruel King / RinaVerse #1 / Royal Elite #0

I’m going to start by saying this: Cruel King is a cornerstone of the “RinaVerse” and an unapologetic guilty pleasure of mine. Yes, I’ve read it more than once, and despite all the hate this series gets, I’ll never be among the critics. This is a dark romance, and for those who love the genre, it delivers exactly what it promises: a whole lot of angst, intensity, and some serious emotional rollercoasters.

Let’s talk about Levi King, shall we? He’s a bully. He’s crazy. He’s a total dick most of the time. He demands that everyone bow, break, and bend the knee before him, and he expects no less. But honestly, what do you expect from a dark romance “hero”? You don’t get sunshine and roses here—you get rain, thorns, and all the twisted emotions that come with them. Levi King is ruthless, and that’s part of why I love him. I’ll join him to enjoy the rain any day, thank you very much.

He’s one of those morally dark heroes who sticks with you. Sure, his methods are unhinged, but I love every minute of it. Levi was one of the first “dark” heroes I met when I started reading this genre, and he’s always going to hold a special place for me because of that.

Now, let’s get into Levi and Astrid’s relationship. Is it toxic? Absolutely. But the chemistry between them is undeniable, and that’s what makes the story so addictive. From the moment these two are on the page together, you can feel the tension, and despite all the power plays and manipulation, I was totally hooked.

Sure, I must agree that it’s not perfect. There are cliches—rival families, secrets, bullies, drama—but sometimes, that’s exactly what you want from a story like this. The drama pulls you in, the steam keeps you reading, and the dirty talk? It doesn’t disappoint.

Another thing I really loved about Cruel King is the supporting characters. Levi’s dynamic with his team, especially Aiden, adds depth to the story. Honestly, their interactions are a whole mood, and it’s one of the things I look forward to as I dive deeper into the RinaVerse. Aiden’s books? Sign me up for more of that psycho train.

The humor sprinkled throughout the book is top-notch as well. It helps balance the darker moments, making the read more enjoyable. The best friends are also a standout—loyal, funny, and a little bit crazy, just the way I like them. Special shout out to “Bug” aka Daniel. His banter with Astrid is just pure BFF goals.

Now, I’ll say this loud and clear: if you don’t like dark or bully romance, this book is not for you. Simple as that. I’ve seen so much trash talk about Cruel King, and honestly, I’m over it. If you’re not into morally gray characters or twisted love stories, just give this one a pass.

For Final Thoughts: Cruel King is far from perfect, but that’s not why I love it. It’s dark, intense, and has just enough secrets, tension, and twisted romance to keep me hooked every time I pick it up. Levi King may be a villain, but he’s my favorite kind of villain—the one willing to destroy the world just to keep the woman he loves safe by his side. And for that, this book will always have a special place in my dark romance-loving heart.

I’ll leave with one of my favourite quotes from the book that pretty much sums up Levi King:

“What the hell do you want from me?” I’m glad my voice doesn’t crack like my insides.  

“Your fire.” His lips graze the lobe of my ear, and a zap of shivers shoot through my body.  

“Your fight.” His voice drops to a low, tingle-inducing range.  

“Your everything.”