The Ruthless Fae King

Kings of Avalier #3

by Leia Stone

Lucien Thorne is the most vile monster in all of Thorngate. As Winter King, he rules our land with an iron fist and a cold, dead heart. And my father has just informed me that I am betrothed to marry him....As the Princess of Fall, it is my duty to marry whatever suitor my father chooses for me, but even duty can't make me spend the rest of my life with someone like Lucien. However the more time I spend with this mysterious man, the more I wonder if the rumours about him are even true.As I get to know the real Lucien, I start to discover the secrets and dark history of his family. A history that explains his ruthless behaviour... And one I plan to expunge if I am ever to live out my life in the Winter Palace in peace.As much as I want to hate Lucien Thorne and everything he's done to our realm... I cannot deny my heart.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fae, Romantasy, Paranormal, Fantasy Romance, Magic

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2023

About the author

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder and Wolf Girl. She's sold over two million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children.


Follow her on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/leia.stone

Reviews

[Lamia Zain · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started off so well…why oh why did THAT have to happen when it served no purpose to the story?! After that it just went down hill tbh :/

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly offensive

Our main lady is upset about her rape, not for the violation to herself, but because he stole the purity she was saving for another man... If this were a social commentary on the loss of self due to the patriarchy's value of women, than maybe... But it is not - it romanticizes rape recovery and minimizes the physical and psychological trauma rape causes. I'm supposed to be behind this romance when a) the author treats rape with the significance of someone stealing a lolly pop and b) the only value a woman has is her worth as seen through a man's eyes. This story was disappointing and irresponsibly written.

[Aguslovesbucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ Tercer y penúltimo libro de la saga Los Reyes de Avalier, que se siente como una bomba emocional lista para explotar. Leia Stone vuelve a demostrar su talento para el romance de fantasía con una historia cargada de tensión, deseo, magia y secretos. El rey protagonista en esta entrega es el más oscuro, intimidante y peligroso... y eso lo hace absolutamente irresistible.

✨️ La protagonista femenina no se queda atrás: fuerte, decidida y con un poder que ni ella misma termina de comprender, pero que sabe usarlo perfectamente, está dispuesta a desafiar todo lo que el mundo fae le ponga delante. La relación entre ambos es intensa, con escenas cargadas de tensión emocional, química brutal y diálogos afilados.

✨️ Cada capítulo empuja la trama hacia una revelación más grande, y sabes que se acerca algo enorme. La ambientación sigue siendo mágica, oscura y envolvente, y el ritmo no te deja soltar el libro.

[Paranormal Kiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Started out good but then the story took a turn that I didn't like. Certain events happened and then it just felt like they were glossed over. I wish the story had gone in a different direction.

So, it started out my favorite of the series but ended up being my least favorite in some ways.

[Teodora · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐

Surprisingly, so far this has been the better of the bunch and (I can safely say) my favourite.
I quite enjoyed it and even though some aspects seem a bit too forced, overall I think this is a step ahead from the first two books of the series.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

disappointed

I usually love Leia Stone’s book. She such a good author. However, I was disappointed by how this book was written. I read books to get away from everyday life struggles. And to write that the bad guy gets to take from the FMC what she did not freely give (which was basically rape) was disappointing to read. I don’t want to read about stuff like that. I read to get away from life’s problems. I want the hero to rescue the lady before she’s harmed. And she didn’t write it like that. I won’t be reading anymore books in this series. The first and second books were so good but to read that the FMC basically gets raped is not what I want my authors to write. Very disappointed won’t recommend. I want my money back. I should have given it one star.

[Ania · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

[Hilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follows Lucien and Madelynn. This book does need a big TW. I didn’t like that part at all and was very conflicted about it. I thought it was going to serve a bigger purpose but then kind of fell flat. It was frustrating for it to happen and then nothing. Or at least nothing that Madelynn couldn’t have done on her own. Now speaking about the story itself, I was so happy the war is moving along. This book has a clear direction. I am worried about the ending. The antagonist hates magical creatures BUT is stealing all their magic and using it on herself and her soldiers. That seems very odd. Also, she seems very unhinged. Have they ever even fought before. It seems like the territories are peaceful. Why even start a war? I guess I’ll find out in the next and final book.

Also, this story was so sweet. I really enjoying watching them fall in love. I think I enjoyed them the most.

[Anila · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series so far. The first half was alright, but I didn’t like where the plot went in the second half. There was also less focus on the romance compared to the previous books. Given that this series does not have a really fleshed out fantasy world, the romance aspect was what kept my interest. So, the fact that it was pushed to the background here ruined the book for me.

The characters were all so bland as well. Not much time was spent fleshing them out and they ended up feeling super one-dimensional. I was also skimming through the last few chapters as I just wanted the book to end.

I’m definitely hesitant about reading the last book in the series now.

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Using sugar plum unironicly is a crime

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series! While this is still a solid 4 star read for me, this one might be my least favorite.

I was pretty disappointed that Madelynn was taken away from Lucien and she was forced to commemorate another marriage. This part alone makes this book more New Adult than YA. Not that I don't like New Adult, I just think everyone should be aware that she is forced into another marriage against her own will.

I loved Lucien. He was the perfect possessive winter King!

Memorable Moments:
"Name your price, Madelynn Windstrong, because there isn't a piece of gold in the realm I wouldn't pay to be able to wake up next to you each morning."

"I think I'd pay extra for independent and headstrong."

- young adult fantasy (definitely more New Adult)
- standalone
- magic
- arranged marriage
- possessive mmc
- he falls first

[Jennifer W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting as well and I’ve been entertained the whole time!! Lucien is my favorite and I will have his back for the foreseeable future, he is mine now ✨

I don’t have a lot to say other than that I really enjoyed it and it was a fun read. I like how the main story develops through all books and I can’t wait to read the last one about Alix and see all of them kick the queens ass

[Kelly Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just…wow! This book was uniquely different than the first two. We’ve seen what each of the couples have had to go through and for these two, especially Madelynn, this was horrifying. (Heed the trigger warning in the beginning.)
I loved Madelynn. Absolutely adored her. She’s is pure strength and a leader with a heart. This book tore her to shreds only to build her up again. She’s exactly what Lucien needs. And Lucien-nothing like what I thought he would be. She thought he was a monster, we thought he was a monster, but he’s so much more. We learn his tragedies and walk with him towards the triumphs.
These two together are just 100% yes! This series just keeps getting better. I thought nothing could top the first book until the second and now, here we go again.
That ending….it leaves you wishing the last book was out. I can’t wait to find out about Axil. I also can’t wait for the final battle. That evil witch needs to go down!

[Made by Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Please check the Content/Trigger Warnings prior to reading.

[Farah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m so so pissed right now, this book started as my favorite in the series even tho it’s cringy but what the hell just happened? He fucking RAPED her????? How is this okay? Her enemy kidnaps her, force her to marry him and just rape her?? It was not even needed to happened and just so extreme. Why not just do what other books do and torture the MC and then their love interest saves them?

I always stay away from this subject, but for it to happen in this manner??? Dnfing, I’m so disgusted by this book and so disappointed in the author for including it. Will not continue and honestly don’t want to read anything by her.

[Toshita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have slightly conflicting feelings about this book. On the one hand, I enjoyed this story more than the others. Madelynn and Lucien both had more depth to them as characters when compared to the MCs of the previous books. But at the same time, the problem of telling and not showing continued to be a problem. There was a little bit more showing this time which shows that the author is maturing as she has written more books. Additionally, I feel like the ending of this book didn't really feel as complete as the endings of the previous books. Overall, better than the previous books but not that great.

[Kawka Nad Książką · Rating 4 out of 5]

❄️🍁 Książka Ruthless Fae King autorstwa Lei Stone to opowieść osadzona w fascynującym świecie fae, w którym cztery sezony mają swoje królestwa, a polityczne intrygi splatają się z magią i miłością. Głównymi bohaterami są Madelynn, księżniczka Jesieni, oraz Lucien, legendarny i budzący strach król Zimy. Ich losy splatają się w wyniku aranżowanego małżeństwa, które początkowo jawi się jako przymus, lecz z czasem nabiera głębszego wymiaru.

❄️🍁 Madelynn jest bohaterką, która nie zamierza biernie poddać się swojemu losowi. Od początku pokazuje się jako silna i niezłomna postać, gotowa walczyć o swoje prawa i niezależność. Jej determinacja w wynegocjowaniu posagu oraz opór wobec Luciena sprawiają, że historia nabiera dynamiki. Nie jest to typowa bohaterka, która poddaje się z miejsca swojemu przeznaczeniu - przeciwnie, jej upór i cięty język dodają jej charakteru.

❄️🍁 Lucien to postać otoczona aurą tajemnicy i grozy. Jego wizerunek brutalnego, nieprzystępnego władcy jest wszechobecny w narracji, lecz czytelnik szybko zaczyna dostrzegać pęknięcia w tej lodowej skorupie. To król, który zmaga się z własnymi demonami i przeszłością, co czyni go bardziej złożoną postacią niż można by przypuszczać na początku. W relacji z Madelynn widać stopniową przemianę - nie tylko jego stosunku do niej, ale także sposobu, w jaki postrzega własną rolę jako król.

❄️🍁 Fabuła książki jest dynamiczna, pełna emocji i konfliktów. Nie brak w niej napięcia, a relacja między głównymi bohaterami rozwija się w sposób naturalny, bez sztucznego przyspieszenia. Poczatkowa wrogość i niechęć stopniowo ustępują miejsca fascynacji i uczuciu, które nabiera głębi w miarę postępu historii. Wątki polityczne oraz magia świata przedstawionego dodają smaku tej opowieści, sprawiając, że nie jest to jedynie romans, ale także dobrze skonstruowana historia fantasy.
ㅤ
❄️🍁 Styl pisarski Lei Stone jest lekki, ale jednocześnie plastyczny. Autorka potrafi wprowadzić czytelnika w swój świat, kreśląc go barwnymi opisami i dobrze zbudowanym napięciem. Dialogi są żywe i naturalne, co sprawia, że lektura jest przyjemna i angażująca. Szczególnie warta uwagi jest narracja, która stopniowo odsłania głębsze warstwy postaci, pozwalając czytelnikowi na lepsze zrozumienie ich motywacji i wewnętrznych konfliktów.
ㅤ
❄️🍁 Książka Ruthless Fae King to propozycja dla miłośników romantycznego fantasy z dobrze wykreowanym światem i bohaterami, którzy nie są jednowymiarowi. Historia między Madelynn a Lucienem wciąga i intryguje, dostarczając czytelnikowi wielu emocji. To opowieść o walce o wolność, pokonywaniu uprzedzeń oraz odkrywaniu, że czasami prawda skrywa się pod wieloma warstwami. Warto sięgnąć po tę książkę, by zanurzyć się w świecie fae i doświadczyć magii, która potrafi stopić nawet najzimniejsze serce.

[Jessica Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I was left a bit disappointed again with this one.
The start was so good. I was like yes enemies to lovers. Such good character dialogue. But nope, that never happened.
Then it began to feel like a rip off of the other two again in some spots. Then the other ending was kind of ok. The narrators are still amazing though. Love their voices. I kinda wish we got more of a storyline of the night queen (I think that’s her name she’s really not mentioned enough). That would have made the story epic!!

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books of this King of Atelier series and this started off in the same light tone.
Feisty female character who faces I hate you/I love you trope and then..
There's a rape...a plot device that seems to be badly written..not so well handled with that characters response and aftermath.
I understand it seemed a practical plot device but just didn't sit well with the general tone of the book.
Plus the book is pretty short..and for such a difficult subject..there seemed no way to deal responsibly with it..

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

No me importa que tan básica sea una historia, pero si tiene faes, estoy dentro.
Vamos con la tercera parte de la saga de los Reyes Avalier, ya pasamos por el Rey Dragón, el Rey Elfo y ahora vamos por el Rey Fae.

Él no es un rey muy querido por culpa de una noche que perdió control de sus poderes y muchas personas murieron, y gente del pueblo le guarda rencor, entre ellos nuestra protagonista. Y cuando se entera que su papá "la vendió" a él hace un plan para salirse del acuerdo.

Lo que no esperaba era conocer una faceta de él que no conocía y se iba a comenzar a enamorar de él. Haciendo un equipo muy poderoso.

Es un libro fácil de leer y muy bonito, la historia de amor se me hizo linda y me gustó como se desarrollaron cosas de la trama y del mundo para darle fin a la saga.

Es un libro que se puede leer de manera independiente, pero si recomiendo que se lean en orden porque aunque sean de diferentes personajes todos pelean al mismo villano y salen los personajes del libro anterior y conoces a los nuevos que van a salir.

Es un libro ligero, fácil de leer que recomiendo leer si quieres una historia para descansar de lecturas muy emocionantes o pesadas.

[Nia Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point I think Leia stone has a grip over me 😂 I was impressed I’ve read the first couple of books in a few days I read this one in one day 🤦‍♀️

I just love everything about this world the characters the story and now I’m patiently waiting for book four to arrive in the post so I can sit and read it and not deal with my adult life 😂

[Scolardy · Rating 1 out of 5]

„The Ruthless Fae King“ von Leia Stone ist der dritte und somit der vorletzte Band der „Chroniken von Avalier“.

Achtung: Ich werde hemmungslos spoilern. Lesen auf eigene Gefahr!

Wir starten direkt durch: Madelynn Windstrong erfährt, dass sie dem Winterkönig, Lucien Thorne, versprochen ist. Nur wenige Stunden und einige Wutanfälle später geht es gleich auf die Verlobungsrundreise durch die vier Jahreszeiten-Höfe. Direkt bei ihrem ersten Stopp erfahren sie, dass Frühling und Sommer sich gegen den Winterkönig verschworen haben, um das Reich zu spalten. Bei ihrem letzten Stopp – keine 5 Tage nach Beginn der Geschichte – gestehen sich Madelynn und Lucien direkt ihre Liebe. Wo ist hier der Haken, fragt man sich.

Und der kommt gleich knüppeldick. Die junge Liebe möchte mit der Konvention brechen und die Hochzeit so schnell wie möglich vollziehen. Dafür reist Madelynn zurück an den Herbsthof, um ihre Familie zu diesem freudigen Ereignis einzuladen. Dort erwartet sie allerdings der Sommer-Fürst, der ihrem Vater ein Angebot gemacht hat, dem er nicht widerstehen kann. Kurzerhand wird ihre Magie gebunden und sie wird an den nun selbsternannten Sommerkönig verkauft und gezwungen, ihn zu heiraten. Noch in derselben Nacht vergewaltigt er sie, damit die Ehe rechtsgültig ist.

Ja, Ihr habt richtig gelesen: sie wird vergewaltigt. Und Leia Stone ist definitiv nicht die Autorin, die so eine Szene schreiben sollte. Das einzig Gute daran ist, dass der eigentliche Akt nicht im Detail beschrieben wird. Trotzdem bin ich außer mir vor Wut. Es ist nicht die erste Vergewaltigungsszene, die ich in meinem Leben gelesen habe, und es wird gewiss nicht die Letzte sein, aber es ist mit Abstand die Taktloseste. Dieses ganze Kapitel ist so lieblos geschrieben. Es reiht sich ein Ereignis an das Nächste, nur ist eines dieser Ereignisse eben eine VERGEWALTIGUNG.

Fragt Ihr Euch vielleicht schon – leicht genervt -, wieso ich das Wort Vergewaltigung so oft in diesen Text einbaue? Das tue ich, weil die Autorin es nicht ein einziges Mal in den Mund genommen hat. Stattdessen wird Madelynn als „beschädigte Ware“ bezeichnet. Ansonsten ist immer nur die Rede davon, dass eben die Ehe vollzogen wurde. Ein-, zweimal findet man zumindest ein „gegen ihren Willen“ davor. Und dann lese ich mir Rezensionen auf Goodreads durch und sehe, wie sich diese Verharmlosung wie eine Krankheit ausbreitet.

Also: das arme Mädchen wird vergewaltigt – und es macht absolut keinen Sinn. Das Tragische dabei ist, dass das tatsächlich realistisch ist, denn Vergewaltigungen machen niemals Sinn. In einer fiktiven Geschichten sollte dieser Akt aber doch bitte nicht nur dazu dienen, die Protagonistin in EINER Szene so wütend werden zu lassen, dass sie ihre neue Magie nutzen kann. Ich glaube, die Tatsache, dass man sie ihrer „wahren Lieben“ geraubt hat oder dass ihr Vater sie gleich zweimal innerhalb einer Woche betrogen hat, hätten da auch ohne diesen Missbrauch funktioniert.

Nun haben wir also diese Abscheulichkeit und eine Insta-Love. Wir wissen ja schon, dass die Reihe keine wirklich sinnige Fantasy-Geschichte zu bieten hat, deshalb zehrten die vorigen Bände von deren „Liebesgeschichten“. Nun sind Lucien und Maddelyn das erste Paar der Reihe, das nicht toxisch ist. Dafür passiert DAS. Was soll man diesem Buch also jetzt noch abgewinnen?

Tatsächlich rächt sich wohl so langsam, dass Stone bislang den übergreifenden Plot so vernachlässigt hat. Deshalb liest sich „The Ruthless Fae King“ in etwa wie meine Essays für die Uni, wenn ich diese mitten in der Nacht 2 Stunden vor Abgabefrist geschrieben habe. Die Geschichte ist so gehetzt, dass es lustig wäre, wenn mir nicht so das Lachen vergangen wäre…aber ich wollte ja in diesem letzten Abschnitt eine „gute“ Sache erwähnen: der Kriegt mit Nightfall geht endlich los und die beiden Pärchen aus den vorigen Bänden spielen mit. Es endet dann mit einer Reise zum letzten der vier Könige, die unsere 3 neuen Königinnen ohne ihre Männer antreten. Diese wenigen Momente zwischen den Frauen – DAS ist das Einzige, das die Autorin in dieser Reihe jemals richtig gemacht hat. Ich empfehle diese Reihe niemandem. 1 Stern.

[Lee ✨✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was super promising but it took a turn at the 50% mark (TW: sexual assault) and I don’t think it addressed the topic very well at all. The ongoing link between virginity and a woman’s worth was also so repetitive and grated on my nerves. Many an eye rolls were done during this book. I’ll stilling reading the last one purely because I need to see how the war goes, let’s hope for a better romance plot without so much purity talk!!

[Madison Lubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this so far was my favorite book out of the series

[‧₊ galleta ⋅ ˚ ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una historia encantadora. Me gusta que los 4 libros estén conectados de una manera limpia, sobre todo, cuando aparecen los personajes de los primeros libros. Además, tuve ese deja vu de mi amor por los fanfics de Elsa y Jack Frost. Es una historia corta y bonita, pero que te saca del bloqueo. ♡

[BalzOfSatan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasted potential.

This book has a phenomenal blurb. Execution? Horrific. Just cringe central over here. There were vain attempts to be rational, but FMC still ended up with a holier than thou personality. And ofc MMC became the edge lord himself with traumatizing backstory and all. It's cliche after cliche but not done well. Negative bonus points for still somehow overexplaining.

Mainly:
Emotions control powers
MMC has power over 9000
FMC is the only one that can calm MMC, thus avoiding catastrophes.

And honestly, I was disappointed, but I could continue. That was true until we came to the antagonist kidnap marry rape arc. There we're stuck with just FMC and its horrible. You know you've completely disconnected from a novel when you're rooting for the main character to unalive themselves. Fantasized abt that for a little bit but then I realized that wouldn't happen because it wouldn't be HEA if she's dead :/

Genuinely no idea why this book has such high ratings. Did we read the same novel??

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic love story! ❤️
I adore this series and book 1 and 2 were amazing but this, Lucien and Madelynn's love story, is EPIC!!! ❤️‍🔥
Lucien is so misunderstood and, under his ruthless facade, lies a man starved for love! #ivolunteerasatribute 😍🥵
Madelynn is a force to be reckoned with, and her inner strength and resilence is put to test in the most horrific way! 💔😭... but she overcome her tragedy and became stronger after everything she went through! 💪🏻👊🏻💅🏻
The banter and chemistry between them was so enjoyable!!!, I was giggling and blushing alongside her, and swooning over Lucien, damn, he’s so hot!... and they are perfect for each other!!! 🤗🥰
Seeing the three kings and queens getting along was amazing and, now, I can't wait for the final king to be reunited with his old friends... the next and final book can't come soon enough!!! 💕

[Shelby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Big bummer I didn’t enjoy this one after really liking the first two. I just did not care about these characters. Lucien character was so uninteresting. I didn’t like the insta-love. Everything felt very surface level. There was so much I didn’t enjoy. I’ll probably read the next when it comes out, but I’m wary. The ball felt dropped to me.

[Ravyn Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one sitting…such a cute story but also madie is so damn strong to be able to continue on after what was done to her. Is purity culture strong in this series yes but it’s used well for the story telling, it’s an integral part of the world the author built.