What do you think?
Rate this book
Star-Crossed #5
The Reluctant King
Avalon St. Andrews has endured Hell and war in an attempt to secure freedom and immortality for his people. Raised and conditioned to be both warrior and leader, he now sits on a throne with his sister Eden, governing the Kingdom in peace. While his people enjoy the benefits of his struggle and loss, he is restless, bored and alone.
Avalon is summoned to fight in order to save his people once more as the Kingdom is threatened by a brand new evil. In addition to reigning in a kingship he doesn’t want, he is fighting against the very people he has fought so hard to protect. They are determined to throw away their newfound freedom and their newfound leaders.
In this war and in this kingship he feels alone. And for the first time he feels hollow. That is until Amelia Cartier shows up, invading his every thought and shaking up his carefully controlled world.
Now he faces yet another battle—making Amelia his queen.
Avalon is summoned to fight in order to save his people once more as the Kingdom is threatened by a brand new evil. In addition to reigning in a kingship he doesn’t want, he is fighting against the very people he has fought so hard to protect. They are determined to throw away their newfound freedom and their newfound leaders.
In this war and in this kingship he feels alone. And for the first time he feels hollow. That is until Amelia Cartier shows up, invading his every thought and shaking up his carefully controlled world.
Now he faces yet another battle—making Amelia his queen.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2012
492 people are currently reading
1949 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Higginson
122 books3,497 followersRachel Higginson is the best-selling author of The Five Stages of Falling in Love, Every Wrong Reason, Bet on Us and The Star-Crossed Series.
She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.
She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days writing stories and raising five amazing kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
August 19, 2018
SO FREAKING GOOD!
I definitely flew through this audio and I also enjoyed the heck out of it. I loved getting to know more about Avalon and this book is probably my favorite out of the whole series (so far).
The Reluctant King is again about Avalon, Eden's twin brother. Throughout the book we read (or listen) to his struggles about being a king and falling in love. Now the romance part of this book definitely felt like it was shoved in my face. I feel like it was just being pushed on me (and them) rather quickly. Now don't get me wrong, I did like the lovely couple but again, they were just rushing things throughout the book. Other than that, I'm happy for the happy couple even if the happy ending for them was just sudden.
Besides all of that, I loved this whole twin vibe thing. It was hilarious watching Avalon going through the feelings of being pregnant due to his twin sister. I highly doubt that happens in real life with twins and shit, but that was just hilarious.
Now that Avalon, Eden, Kiran, and basically everyone else are out and about being all happy and shit - I need my book about my baby Jericho STAT! I need him to be all lovey dovey with someone because he deserves better than being alone and pining after Eden.
I definitely flew through this audio and I also enjoyed the heck out of it. I loved getting to know more about Avalon and this book is probably my favorite out of the whole series (so far).
The Reluctant King is again about Avalon, Eden's twin brother. Throughout the book we read (or listen) to his struggles about being a king and falling in love. Now the romance part of this book definitely felt like it was shoved in my face. I feel like it was just being pushed on me (and them) rather quickly. Now don't get me wrong, I did like the lovely couple but again, they were just rushing things throughout the book. Other than that, I'm happy for the happy couple even if the happy ending for them was just sudden.
Besides all of that, I loved this whole twin vibe thing. It was hilarious watching Avalon going through the feelings of being pregnant due to his twin sister. I highly doubt that happens in real life with twins and shit, but that was just hilarious.
Now that Avalon, Eden, Kiran, and basically everyone else are out and about being all happy and shit - I need my book about my baby Jericho STAT! I need him to be all lovey dovey with someone because he deserves better than being alone and pining after Eden.
June 12, 2017
Just saw on fb that Rachel Higginson is writing Jericho's story...
SO EXCITED!!!!!
It totally reminded me that I have this on my Kindle and just have not found time to get to it yet. I am going to be rectifying that hopefully next weekend!!!! I wish I had time to re-read the entire series I sure do miss Kiran!!! :D
SO EXCITED!!!!!
It totally reminded me that I have this on my Kindle and just have not found time to get to it yet. I am going to be rectifying that hopefully next weekend!!!! I wish I had time to re-read the entire series I sure do miss Kiran!!! :D
August 19, 2018
Ah, we finally get Avalon's POV in this installment of the series. He and the Resistance have defeated the evil king, Lucan, but the magical community still wanted a monarchy and elected Avalon and Eden. Eden and Kiran are off on their extended honeymoon, so running the kingdom falls to Avalon and he is more than frustrated by the position. He is bored with some of the inane decisions he has to make, that is until a real threat surfaces that could mean the end to the freedom he fought so hard to win for his people. The warrior within him stirs. While he should be focused on this threat, he is very distracted by Amelia - the first girl EVER to capture his attention. The timing couldn't be worse, but he is tired of bearing the weight of the kingdom alone.
This was by far my favorite book in the series! I loved Avalon and getting inside his head. I listened to the audio version, and the narrator did a great job of bringing Avalon's character to life.
This was by far my favorite book in the series! I loved Avalon and getting inside his head. I listened to the audio version, and the narrator did a great job of bringing Avalon's character to life.
April 6, 2014
he is bored and so he is boring us.
January 1, 2013
Avalon and Eden have defeated Lucan and are now ruling their people with freedom and peace. Eden is happily married to Kiran and just returning from a two year honeymoon. Avalon is use to being a warrior and leader and is bored and lonely.
When the kingdom is threatened, Avalon is called to fight to save his people. When he meets Amelia, who is in his every thought and causing him to lose control of his own world, he realized he isn’t lonely anymore.
The Reluctant King is written from Avalon’s point of view, which I love. It was great to have all the characters back from the other books in this series. Jericho, Kiran, Eden, Sebastian, Sylvia, and everyone else that I missed reading about were back. Watching the connection between Avalon and Eden stay strong and true, having Eden and Kiran be happy and in love are all of what I hoped for at the end of Rachel’s last book in this series. The fact that Avalon found love made this novel even better, with a happy ending for Avalon that I was hoping for.
Rachel Higginson truly outdid herself. With each book in this series I become more and more enraptured with the Star Crossed Series. I am anxiously awaiting the next release. If you have not read this series you are seriously missing out on a great set of books.
When the kingdom is threatened, Avalon is called to fight to save his people. When he meets Amelia, who is in his every thought and causing him to lose control of his own world, he realized he isn’t lonely anymore.
The Reluctant King is written from Avalon’s point of view, which I love. It was great to have all the characters back from the other books in this series. Jericho, Kiran, Eden, Sebastian, Sylvia, and everyone else that I missed reading about were back. Watching the connection between Avalon and Eden stay strong and true, having Eden and Kiran be happy and in love are all of what I hoped for at the end of Rachel’s last book in this series. The fact that Avalon found love made this novel even better, with a happy ending for Avalon that I was hoping for.
Rachel Higginson truly outdid herself. With each book in this series I become more and more enraptured with the Star Crossed Series. I am anxiously awaiting the next release. If you have not read this series you are seriously missing out on a great set of books.
April 29, 2024
Book 1-4 made me want to know more and more about the story, I was really captivated. I actually didn't know that the story could continue after book 4, because of the ending. But it kind of goes on and on and on. And even though the characters in the book are really cool and they kind of grew on me, I feel like with this book the author is just trying to continue something that should have ended with book #4. It's nice to get a new perspective and know what happens after book 4, but for me it was a bit too much and didn't captivate me as much as the other books.
July 29, 2016
This is the start of a whole new Star-Crossed series. While I'm happy that the story is continuing (and told from Avalon's perspective now), it means I've got to start waiting on new books to come out. Nooooo!
It's a nice change having this story focus on Avalon. He's more mature than Eden is, and it's fun following his thought process, and learning more about him. He was a bit glazed over in the first four books. Eden spent her time either ignoring him, or they were captured, so there wasn't really too much said about him.
The new villain is great, as well. They don't know everything about him or his plans. Actual work has to go into figuring out how to stop the guy. His actions against his own kind are horrible, but they make him an actual threat. This is no siege mission, where they know who they're going after, where he is, and what he's doing - this is everyone having to bond together to protect what they spent years creating.
I was a bit sad that the whole romance part of this book had to be so fast-paced.
There were also the expected typos.
All-in-all, this was a pretty good continuation of the series.
It's a nice change having this story focus on Avalon. He's more mature than Eden is, and it's fun following his thought process, and learning more about him. He was a bit glazed over in the first four books. Eden spent her time either ignoring him, or they were captured, so there wasn't really too much said about him.
The new villain is great, as well. They don't know everything about him or his plans. Actual work has to go into figuring out how to stop the guy. His actions against his own kind are horrible, but they make him an actual threat. This is no siege mission, where they know who they're going after, where he is, and what he's doing - this is everyone having to bond together to protect what they spent years creating.
I was a bit sad that the whole romance part of this book had to be so fast-paced.
There were also the expected typos.
All-in-all, this was a pretty good continuation of the series.
January 2, 2016
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the other books. It's nice seeing things through Avalon's perspective, but the romance seemed to be the focus of the book. The romance also a too cheesy and went a little too quickly for me. . Still, I liked seeing the characters again and the rebellion was interesting (though I wish there was more focus on this). I will be continuing the series.
March 18, 2024
This is my go to series that I reread whenever I hit a rut, or I'm just in a mood for some cheesy fantasy, with some cheesy rom
June 3, 2024
Again the writing style has me reading the next book.
June 25, 2022
I really like Avalon, but his love for Amelia seemed a little “forced”, but yet, not. I’m not sure that’s the word I’m looking for? This was good, but the ending seemed a little rushed.
February 11, 2014
3.5 stars.... 4 would be a lie and 3 is too cruel, I mean I finished it in a day and was still aching for more. I have weird mixed feelings about book five. I mean of course I devoured it like everything else in Star-Crossed, and loved it cumulatively on principle, but it was probably my least favorite. I had stupendously high hopes after my initial love affair with the other books, and hoped this would be an opportunity to further into the narratives on the revolution and whatnot.
Avalon is a pretty great protective big brother figure. He’s Eden’s twin, equal in royalty, and deserves his own side of the legacy to be told. I wish I liked his character more, but I don’t. This story reiterated that to me full force. Backtrack a little with me. As the series began, Eden was pretty much a awful little brat and took time to grow on me, no matter how much I love her now. That being said, she was just a teenager. She was going through a hellacious and terrifying post puberty development being thrown into a new realm essentially, a new family, torn between a love with the bad guy and her destiny in the revolution to destroy him. She had a right to be a little immature at the beginning, or that's what I was getting around to hopefully.
In this particular installation of Star-Crossed, we focus on Avalon in his new begrudging role as King (while his twin sister and her husband run away to a two year honeymoon before returning to their duties on the throne). Avalon is miserable. I get that. He hates the politics, he misses the action, he runs around in his jeans and can’t make the crown sit straight on his head. He's never cared about relationships and suddenly he's the third wheel to pretty much everyone in his life, who is living happily ever after.. He catches sight of Mimi (Bastian's little sister, if you managed to forget) for "the first time" that he recalls, even though he broke her heart walking away from their dance as wedding party members. This is where it gets ugly to me.
The entire first half feels like one big "MMM DAT ASS" monologue from Avalon. I get these are particularly romance novels foremost above YA fantasy but good grief. I mean it's more than that I admit and I still liked it. The revolution is far from over just because they have taken over the kingdom, he and Mimi actually bother to date and fall in love of course, he realizes she's feisty and smart and a huge humanitarian and so much more than just a pair of short shorts. I shouldn't be surprised, because honestly it was the most easily relatable of the love stories in the series. More readers can probably relate to this than star crossed/family enemies/Romeo and Juliet trope. You have a huge crush on someone, they are oblivious and consequently hurtful, you're bitter. You grow up, you grow into your looks, and suddenly the people you were invisible to for so long are hitting you up.
This could have been a great chance to build on Avalon's history, his childhood with Angelica in full awareness of his destiny and preparing as such.
Avalon is a pretty great protective big brother figure. He’s Eden’s twin, equal in royalty, and deserves his own side of the legacy to be told. I wish I liked his character more, but I don’t. This story reiterated that to me full force. Backtrack a little with me. As the series began, Eden was pretty much a awful little brat and took time to grow on me, no matter how much I love her now. That being said, she was just a teenager. She was going through a hellacious and terrifying post puberty development being thrown into a new realm essentially, a new family, torn between a love with the bad guy and her destiny in the revolution to destroy him. She had a right to be a little immature at the beginning, or that's what I was getting around to hopefully.
In this particular installation of Star-Crossed, we focus on Avalon in his new begrudging role as King (while his twin sister and her husband run away to a two year honeymoon before returning to their duties on the throne). Avalon is miserable. I get that. He hates the politics, he misses the action, he runs around in his jeans and can’t make the crown sit straight on his head. He's never cared about relationships and suddenly he's the third wheel to pretty much everyone in his life, who is living happily ever after.. He catches sight of Mimi (Bastian's little sister, if you managed to forget) for "the first time" that he recalls, even though he broke her heart walking away from their dance as wedding party members. This is where it gets ugly to me.
The entire first half feels like one big "MMM DAT ASS" monologue from Avalon. I get these are particularly romance novels foremost above YA fantasy but good grief. I mean it's more than that I admit and I still liked it. The revolution is far from over just because they have taken over the kingdom, he and Mimi actually bother to date and fall in love of course, he realizes she's feisty and smart and a huge humanitarian and so much more than just a pair of short shorts. I shouldn't be surprised, because honestly it was the most easily relatable of the love stories in the series. More readers can probably relate to this than star crossed/family enemies/Romeo and Juliet trope. You have a huge crush on someone, they are oblivious and consequently hurtful, you're bitter. You grow up, you grow into your looks, and suddenly the people you were invisible to for so long are hitting you up.
This could have been a great chance to build on Avalon's history, his childhood with Angelica in full awareness of his destiny and preparing as such.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2018
The wonder you forgot
An evil has reappeared and Avalon and his friends are once again fighting for their kingdom. But Avalon will be fighting for a lot more than that when the beautiful cousin of his brother-in-law shows up!
An evil has reappeared and Avalon and his friends are once again fighting for their kingdom. But Avalon will be fighting for a lot more than that when the beautiful cousin of his brother-in-law shows up!
September 22, 2019
Honestly, even the two stars I gave this book are for getting to see everyone again and not for Avalon. I honestly can't give any stars for Avalon despite the fact that I had been really excited to get inside his head. But getting inside his head just led me to realizing he's the perfect example of the kind of guy no girl should ever be with ever. Because he's a complete and utter psychopath who fell in love with a girl at first sight and then pushed himself on her over and over again despite her rebuffs and who created a fantasy version of their lives together in his head without any indication from her that she wanted it.
There were just so many things Avalon said that made me want to throw him through a wall and make him realize how disgustingly wrong he was to think that way. Like, at one point he talks about "appeasing her feminist views" ...um, excuse you. And then he's always talking about "making her his" and he'd sometimes qualify it by saying he already belongs to her, but really he doesn't because she doesn't want him. He was just so possessive and awful.
He was honestly a bit of a stalker and a jerk and a possessive, objectifying male and it was just disgusting and I could not take it. He was just so problematic and I can't believe this book. I can't believe Avalon. Like, that part where he just tells Jericho to get out of their room. What even, dude? Or when he got super jealous of Jericho and Titus and any other guy Amelia ever looked at. What even.
And who even knows what Amelia is really like because Avalon had made up his own version of her in his head. He didn't even know her when he started giving her all these personality traits and I just don't get him. He was just a crazy person in this book. Like, obsessive, psychotic, stalker.
The only things I did like about this book was getting to see the other characters again. Like, Eden and Kiran being cute and in love and going on a two year honeymoon and being pregnant was so great. Lilly and Talbot were adorable and I died over how things ended for them in this book. I liked getting to see Sylvia again. And Jericho was a sweetheart. I'm honestly still shipping Sebastian and Titus even though I know it'll never happen.
I just can't even with this book. It was such a mess. Avalon just disgusted me the whole time. This was just awful.
There were just so many things Avalon said that made me want to throw him through a wall and make him realize how disgustingly wrong he was to think that way. Like, at one point he talks about "appeasing her feminist views" ...um, excuse you. And then he's always talking about "making her his" and he'd sometimes qualify it by saying he already belongs to her, but really he doesn't because she doesn't want him. He was just so possessive and awful.
He was honestly a bit of a stalker and a jerk and a possessive, objectifying male and it was just disgusting and I could not take it. He was just so problematic and I can't believe this book. I can't believe Avalon. Like, that part where he just tells Jericho to get out of their room. What even, dude? Or when he got super jealous of Jericho and Titus and any other guy Amelia ever looked at. What even.
And who even knows what Amelia is really like because Avalon had made up his own version of her in his head. He didn't even know her when he started giving her all these personality traits and I just don't get him. He was just a crazy person in this book. Like, obsessive, psychotic, stalker.
The only things I did like about this book was getting to see the other characters again. Like, Eden and Kiran being cute and in love and going on a two year honeymoon and being pregnant was so great. Lilly and Talbot were adorable and I died over how things ended for them in this book. I liked getting to see Sylvia again. And Jericho was a sweetheart. I'm honestly still shipping Sebastian and Titus even though I know it'll never happen.
I just can't even with this book. It was such a mess. Avalon just disgusted me the whole time. This was just awful.
September 25, 2013
I absolutely loved this book and the entire series. even though the first one is free on the kindle, they were just as good or better than many of the books I have paid for! This was one of my favorites and I definitely would recommend this to pretty much anyone who likes romance,action or rebellion, along with pretty much everyone else. It is really neat to see everything from Avalons point of view. while reading the first books I always wondered when he would eventually fall in love and it was really cool to read as it happened. I'm not sure which in the series is my favourite but I think this might be the best. I actually didn't even know she was writing this book and I was so excited when I figured it out a few days ago. it was one of those books where I never wanted it to end because it was so good. I feel like it went so fast but it was actually really pretty long. I just wish she had continued the book a little bit longer as I think it left off at a place where I really wanted to read more and find out what happens next. if there were going to be another one then this would be a good place to end, but since I don't think there will be done the author never planned on writing it,I would have liked to see it continue a little longer before it ended. overall I loved it and I think you should definitely read it if you even think you might like it. or if you read the series but are not sure if you will like the book from Avalons point of view then I think you should give it a shot because I think you will be surprised! happy reading!!!!!!
December 31, 2012
What the f-!
First, I didn't know that this book existed at all. Second, I thought this book is considered one-time big-time but no..there's a next book. Third, my guess was right! Amelia is the one for Avalon. :)
Unlike Kiran and Eden, these two had a love story that's three years in the makingat least for Amelia. At least the moment Avalon got involved, everything happened in a matter of days. It's just sad that they had to rush everything. All because of the extreme circumstances that's a matter of life and death in Amelia's case again. At least, it only took a short time for them to admit their feelings to each other and end up getting married.
On the other hand, this was a really really funny book. It was a very different experience to read into the mind of Avalon as compared to Eden. Really.. his thoughts tend to go to the extreme. Well as Eden said, he's over-dramatic. Still, his thoughts on being king, his sister's PDA, his jealousy, and the existence of bromance were funny as hell.
Other characters.. I think Jericho fell in love with one of the humans they were treating in the Citadel. That was just a wild guess. Talbott and Lilly..my heart bleeds for Talbott. That was just too much. They've been through bad times but this was really the worst.
I don't know what to expect in the next book. I'm just glad there's still one next because frankly, you can't compress Avalon's story in just one book. ;)
First, I didn't know that this book existed at all. Second, I thought this book is considered one-time big-time but no..there's a next book. Third, my guess was right! Amelia is the one for Avalon. :)
Unlike Kiran and Eden, these two had a love story that's three years in the making
On the other hand, this was a really really funny book. It was a very different experience to read into the mind of Avalon as compared to Eden. Really.. his thoughts tend to go to the extreme. Well as Eden said, he's over-dramatic. Still, his thoughts on being king, his sister's PDA, his jealousy, and the existence of bromance were funny as hell.
Other characters.. I think Jericho fell in love with one of the humans they were treating in the Citadel. That was just a wild guess. Talbott and Lilly..my heart bleeds for Talbott. That was just too much. They've been through bad times but this was really the worst.
I don't know what to expect in the next book. I'm just glad there's still one next because frankly, you can't compress Avalon's story in just one book. ;)
March 16, 2013
I've gone on and on before about how in love I am with the Star-Crossed series. This is the fifth book in that series, and the main character is now Avalon (the twin brother of Eden, the main character of the first four books). This was still definitely a Star-Crossed book, but having Avalon as a main character made it a bit different as well. I absolutely loved it.
I'm not going to lie, I kind of missed having Eden as a main character because I absolutely love her, but I also love Avalon and loved having him more focused on as well. I had never thought about Avalon and Amelia becoming a couple in the first four books, but I was surprised at how well that works. They were amazing together. I love how the romance in this book is so much different than the romance in the first four books, but it's just as amazing.
The conflict in this book also seemed more intense to me than the conflict with Lucan in the first four books. I think it has something to do with the main characters being the people being attacked as opposed to the people attacking. It just feels like they're in more danger.
It was amazing to hear more about all of the characters that I fell in love with in earlier books, and also get a different perspective on that world from Avalon. The book was absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait for more.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/20...
I'm not going to lie, I kind of missed having Eden as a main character because I absolutely love her, but I also love Avalon and loved having him more focused on as well. I had never thought about Avalon and Amelia becoming a couple in the first four books, but I was surprised at how well that works. They were amazing together. I love how the romance in this book is so much different than the romance in the first four books, but it's just as amazing.
The conflict in this book also seemed more intense to me than the conflict with Lucan in the first four books. I think it has something to do with the main characters being the people being attacked as opposed to the people attacking. It just feels like they're in more danger.
It was amazing to hear more about all of the characters that I fell in love with in earlier books, and also get a different perspective on that world from Avalon. The book was absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait for more.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/20...
June 20, 2022
You know, I love this series and I always will. But all of my hesitation about a book from Avalon's perspective came to light.
I had read books 1 through 4 when I was a teenager and hadn't read this one back then. On my reread of the series, of course I have to read all of the spinoff books too, duh.
Unfortunately, Avalon is just unbearable. While he might treasure Amelia, his thoughts toward women and his line of reasoning did not make me want to keep listening. And the thing is, I loved the voice actor. A shame really. I couldn't get into Avalon's story, I didn't think he was worthy of her or the series that I adored from Eden's often confused but lovable perspective.
The ending really sealed the deal for me in my dislike. Sure, Avalon wants to take the throne finally. Whoopdeedoo. But what about the very evil guy still out there? At this point, I prefer to read a book from Jericho's perspective (stay tuned to see if I still feel that way after the next book lol). Good grief.
I had read books 1 through 4 when I was a teenager and hadn't read this one back then. On my reread of the series, of course I have to read all of the spinoff books too, duh.
Unfortunately, Avalon is just unbearable. While he might treasure Amelia, his thoughts toward women and his line of reasoning did not make me want to keep listening. And the thing is, I loved the voice actor. A shame really. I couldn't get into Avalon's story, I didn't think he was worthy of her or the series that I adored from Eden's often confused but lovable perspective.
The ending really sealed the deal for me in my dislike. Sure, Avalon wants to take the throne finally. Whoopdeedoo. But what about the very evil guy still out there? At this point, I prefer to read a book from Jericho's perspective (stay tuned to see if I still feel that way after the next book lol). Good grief.
March 24, 2016
Ohhhh this is so great, one story just ended and a new one begins where the other one left off, this time from Avalon's point of view.It's so cool when you get new stories, with characters you already love...I love authors who understand this....Jo Rowling, you should understand THIS ! Anywho, this story is as good as the others, maybe a bit more on the romance side, but since its from Avalon, you enjoy it quite too much.I dunno, people complain too much happens too fast, I did not mind that, it felt real and in the tush of the newcthreat, which IMO sound scary, things just fit. I Liked it pretty much, looking forward to starting the next book already !
April 22, 2013
This books starts off where Kiran and Eden get married and live happily ever after.
It switches from Eden's POV to her brother Avalon. It didnt work for me and I couldn't get into the story.
The star crossed series is one of my favorites but this book just wasn't right. The style of writing did not flow like the others.
In the end they don't even get the bad guy and Lilly gets captured... Then it ends :-/ I guess it's a opening for another book and I hope it goes back to Eden's POV.
It switches from Eden's POV to her brother Avalon. It didnt work for me and I couldn't get into the story.
The star crossed series is one of my favorites but this book just wasn't right. The style of writing did not flow like the others.
In the end they don't even get the bad guy and Lilly gets captured... Then it ends :-/ I guess it's a opening for another book and I hope it goes back to Eden's POV.
March 3, 2014
I must say that this series really grows on you. The first couple of books were good. But the more I've read the more I learn to love all of the characters and understand the first couple of books better.
Rachel Higginson really does have a way to make you enjoy the background characters as well as the main characters. (One of the reasons why I love this series.)
Rachel Higginson really does have a way to make you enjoy the background characters as well as the main characters. (One of the reasons why I love this series.)
March 4, 2018
I didn’t fall as hard for this book in comparison to the others in this series. I was a little disappointed that this book didn’t follow Eden. However it was interesting to read from Avalon’s perspective. Naturally it’s left with a little bit of a cliffhanger so I’m curious to see where they go next.
March 3, 2013
I did think this book ended a bit abruptly. Especially considering the length of the previous books. There were so many things left unresolved. That being said,I alway enjoy reading about Eden and Avalon and the world they inhabit. I can't wait for book 6.
December 20, 2012
Story told by Avalon after he earned the crown. This is his POV about love, ruling and being too cool. Again we are left hanging. Luckily the next book is coming soon.
February 7, 2014
I wish this book had focused less on the love story. I am so curious about Terletov and his experiments, but I feel like that was just given a back seat.
October 2, 2023
Avalon was unbearable.
June 1, 2024
Boring, kind of chauvinistic, and flat. I think there was a plot in there somewhere but it was hidden in pages and page of make out scenes. Really dissapointing.
October 21, 2025
good book
This book feels like the perfect culmination of the emotional journey the Star-Crossed series has been building toward. It’s slower in pace compared to the earlier books, but that’s intentional — it’s less about the chaos of magic and war, and more about the inner battle of duty, love, and leadership.
Avalon’s arc truly shines here. Watching him transform from a powerful but hesitant figure into a man ready to bear the weight of a kingdom was incredibly satisfying. Rachel Higginson did a beautiful job balancing the politics and the personal, giving us the sense of a man who doesn’t want power but can’t turn away from his destiny. The emotional depth is rich — moments of tenderness and heartbreak are written with real sincerity.
While the plot doesn’t race as much as the previous installments, the payoff comes through in the maturity of the characters and the resolution of long-standing tensions. The romance feels earned, not forced, and the chemistry is layered with history and longing rather than simple attraction.
Overall, The Reluctant King is heartfelt, reflective, and the perfect emotional close to an epic saga. It’s not about flashy magic — it’s about choosing love, responsibility, and legacy when every path leads to sacrifice.
This book feels like the perfect culmination of the emotional journey the Star-Crossed series has been building toward. It’s slower in pace compared to the earlier books, but that’s intentional — it’s less about the chaos of magic and war, and more about the inner battle of duty, love, and leadership.
Avalon’s arc truly shines here. Watching him transform from a powerful but hesitant figure into a man ready to bear the weight of a kingdom was incredibly satisfying. Rachel Higginson did a beautiful job balancing the politics and the personal, giving us the sense of a man who doesn’t want power but can’t turn away from his destiny. The emotional depth is rich — moments of tenderness and heartbreak are written with real sincerity.
While the plot doesn’t race as much as the previous installments, the payoff comes through in the maturity of the characters and the resolution of long-standing tensions. The romance feels earned, not forced, and the chemistry is layered with history and longing rather than simple attraction.
Overall, The Reluctant King is heartfelt, reflective, and the perfect emotional close to an epic saga. It’s not about flashy magic — it’s about choosing love, responsibility, and legacy when every path leads to sacrifice.
January 13, 2021
I read the first 4 books about 4 years ago. Back then, I was really into YA genre and I devoured the books. Now, I decided to finish the series (one big reason is that the books are included with the audible membership :wink). What a big disappointment. I don't blame entirely the book because I believe that maybe the main reason I disliked it was because I grew out of this genre. I did not like how much of a child the main character was. I did not like the fact that clearly the author did not do research about Romania (my home country) and therefore there are a lot of discrepancies. And also, the plot developed so slowly. More than half the book spins around Avalon's wining about not wanting to fall in love and get married. At the end, he marries the girl that he barely knows. This book should have ended after the 4th book. I will try to finish the series but have no expectations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews