Wrath of a King

by Lily X.

Never trust a friend... especially one that wants you dead.

Earth enchanter Olympia has a legacy to uphold. As the only Alpha heir of the Summerstream clan, she's been browbeaten all her life into accepting her place as a future leader.

To her people, Olympia could do no wrong. She's patient, protective and politically correct—the facade of the perfect future Queen. She's certainly incapable of ordering the cold-blooded murder of her former friend.

Fire sorcerer Zoei Highblade is feared and worshiped by her subjects in equal measure.

After years of strife between the royal clans of Summerstream and Highblade, a tremulous peace has descended upon the southernmost kingdoms of the Seventh Star—one that shatters upon the discovery of an earth enchanter assassin masquerading as a maid in Highblade Palace.

Zoei is hellbent on revenge. As the head of the Summerstream clan, Olly will pay—with her life.

But Zoei has to ignore the pull of nostalgic friendship, and the forbidden allure of the other Alpha's lips before she fries the life out of Olly’s treacherous bones.

Genres: Omegaverse, Fantasy, Queer, LGBT, Enemies To Lovers, Erotica, Lesbian

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2023

Reviews

[Tory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! Great story and great characters plus lots of steam. My kind of book. I highly recommend.

[Rata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HAVE NO WORDS EXCEPT O.M.G.

Spice level 5 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
This is a total banger in the fantasy world! The characters are relatable and extremely sexy, although as usual I'm left wondering about what happened to Cryssa. Is she the Hana of this world? Oops.

Read this if you like enemies2lovers, omegaverse, sapphic sex with magic p***s.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Lots of action. Both MC were interesting and I quite liked their interactions and how they finally overcame their obstacles. Hot sex and I don't know if it's okay to say but alpha-alpha pairing is something I didn't know I needed but surely I was missing on it. Very good.

I didn't give it a 5-star review, just because some stuff were smelling that smelly smell and we never touch the subject again. I hope we get a 2nd book, even if a novelette, a novella, just so we get to see how far they went and that last epilogue, how it goes. My heart is too soft to not know if things were fine to that person.

[Cia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one just takes it away!!! 🤯
I've been a fan of this series and I always can't wait for the next book to come, finding this when I wasn't expecting it was the best surprise!

The story is amazing, I was constantly on the edge of the seat impatient for what might happen next, and even then I was mind blown with every turn the story took!!

5 🌟 rating, definitely would recommend!!

[Jes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tbh I was very certain that the psycho mom and cryssa actually conspired with the other tribe leader to overthrow the government and since that didn’t happen, I hated the ending, I left feeling unfulfilled

what was that epilogue, like why use news paper clippings? Also why so much follow up about cryssa or whatever, it gives the vibe that this info is important like is that to foreshadow the next book??? 🤔🤔 or was i supposed to care more about her character than i did??

[The Wild Weary Cow Reads Sapphic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good Omegaverse and the Seventh Star series is one of the best. Wrath of a King is a welcome addition to the series!. MC Olympia & Zoei are fun to read.. there's intrigue, passion, fight scenes, spice!! and humour.

Started it last night and couldn't put it down

[Subira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I did not see that one coming

[the red stockings · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more books I read from Lily X., the more I fall in love with her prose and layered characterization that gives depth to the love relationships she weaves.
And this book is yet again a proof of her mastery.

The only thing I hold against Lily is that her books are way too short😭 It feels like 400p just flew by. I always feel the wrenching need of staying longer with our heroines, and follow them even in their most mundane day-to-day life.

Wrath of a King was a sizzling love story.

Definitely a must read.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire

Choices we make for a happiness is never easy. The path in which we lead often presents us with complacency versus the fear of unknown. To find out HEA, we must find the courage to do so.

[Zureena]

I love this series 😊

Cant get enough of this amazing series. Full of action, steam and rollercoaster emotions, gives you front row experience of our MC's emotions. Lily has oudone herself again and a 5🌟 as always. Cant wait for the other books.

[Azhure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so starting out with the things that I didn't like. I didn't quite get the leap between the earth enchanter's dagger and blaming Olympia. I mean, Zoei is quick to anger, doesn't really think things through, and has been poisoned against the Summerstreams, but why Olympia? Like, why not her mom, the reigning queen? Why not any of the council members? I guess because she was just so focused on Olympia before that. Second, I know this isn't a mystery book, there doesn't have to be a plot twist, but it was so obvious who the bad guy was going to be. Honestly I baited myself, because I thought when Cryssa was so impatiently rushing them out so early, there was going to be a plot twist and that the assassination plot really was going to have been planned by Vetri. Third, I don't think the transition between the secretive plotter to outright villain was handled that well. Olympia shows up, so he knows his plot has failed, at least in part, so he just launches into an hours long lecture about the borderlands self-governance. During a short break, Olympia wanders away and gets kidnapped. We don't quite know what happened in the meantime back in the village, but presumably Olympia's people discover she's missing, they start a search, find nothing(? maybe the bodies of the two guards she had with her, and the one assailant she killed), and then... I don't know, I guess Almanera let them leave? Then a couple days later when Zoei brings Olympia to go 'talk' with him, he's full mask off, attempts to kill them (knowing it's them) by blowing them out of the sky, slaughters the soldiers that come looking for her. I was like, wait what??? Did she/her people send a message ahead saying "Hey, the king and the princess are coming to chat with you guys, expect them to be there at noon"? And what caused him to go for such a drastic change in strategy? First Vetri's princess goes missing in the borderlands, and then Agnivale's king and a fair amount of her soldiers are killed there, and he didn't think people would be like "yeah, I think the borderland people did that"? I don't know, I didn't quite get it/buy it, but maybe that's just me.

I'm a little ambivalent on the writing. Overall I did like it, but at some points, especially in slower moments, I felt like the prose was a bit long-winded and too flowery. It kind of reminded me of the criticism some people have for Robert Jordan, where he would go on and on, about things that didn't really matter that much. The scale is a lot different here, it wasn't nearly that bad, but there were moments where I wish it could've been more concise.

So, ironically long-winded myself, I've listed most of my complaints. And yet, I'm still rating it 5 stars. At the end of the day, I did really enjoy the book. It was very interesting. I did mostly like the writing. It was like my second omegaverse story, and the first I've finished, so there was a little bit of a learning curve, but I thought that aspect was interesting. What worked best for me, what really made me unable to put the book down, was the romance. I loved the interplay between the two leads. There's a warning for borderline noncon, and even being prepared it was still kind of a lot. But it gave her this self-loathing and regret that were warring with her yearning which was warring with her general anger, and I was so here for it. And for Olympia's side, the inner turmoil of betraying her betrothed, being violated, but still wanting it/Zoei. Though as much as I liked the toxic aspect, when Zoei was more open, and things were more mutual, I feel like that's where it gets really good. The couple of scenes we get are quite spicy. Also I'm assuming that this is bread and butter for an a/b/o story, but I did like how possessive Zoei was. I also enjoyed the action bits, and appreciated that while Zoei is more of a stereotypical warrior, Olympia can still handle herself.

So my last complaint, that I alluded to before, was saved for the epilogue(s). The epilogues were just a series of tabloid reports. I was kind of curious about the logistics, but I'm not mad that the author didn't choose to go into them. I'm just disappointed that there wasn't an in-person epilogue. Like, one of the tabloid reports was "The Highblades released a statement that there was a wedding between Zoei Highblade and Olympia Summerstream! That's right, a wedding! Can you believe it? Poor Cryssa". And reading it, I thought, I guess it's nice that they're married, but I really would've preferred to be there at the wedding, from either of their perspectives. And speaking of Cryssa, what was with the fourth (and final) epilogue??? "Cryssa, the highest ranking omega, who loved her job and fought for the people, quit and became a researcher, buuuut she blew herself up recently, almost died, and is currently in urgent care. The end!" I'm not going to hold the epilogues against the book as a whole, I feel like they're more like a cherry-on-top thing, but truly a disappointing and frankly bizarre way to finish the book.

Okay, complaints aside and epilogues ignored, I really enjoyed the book. My enjoyment of the book definitely outweighed any complaints that I had.

[sappyandsomali · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was well written, the writer clearly had a knack for making a realistic world, dialogue and flow from the start, however nearly all the characters, bar the the two main mcs, were quickly left behind. If they had been developed, even slightly, this book could have been a lot better. The voices of the characters and their interactions felt real and the descriptions were really well done, but it quickly turned into a smut fest, and look I am all for the spice, but when you have this talent it just feels a waste to not also build a book outside of the two main love interests. Even that first scene between Olly and Emberleigh showcased how much better this book could have been.

What makes it even more annoying is I’ve read worse books where writers clearly couldn’t, from the outset, create believable interactions between characters and strong voices, so seeing this writer choose, what I think was intentional I should note, to not develop a even slightly bigger world outside of Zoei and Olympia, just feels a complete waste. I think it would’ve added to their story, instead jumping into the sex so fast. I understand that this might not be what the writer envisioned for this book, so it might just be a preference thing. but with how lengthy this book is, I just don’t feel it’s contents measure up.

Speaking of Zoei, I understand the writer was catering to a certain audience, so I’m assuming this is again, a case of different preferences, but MAN was she insufferable, and extremely stupid, which Olly mentions multiple times, so there is some awareness there, but of course, her championed “pragmatism” is overpowered by her lust filled brain. Zoei kidnaps and imprisons - in broad daylight might I add - Olly up after finding, poor circumstantial evidence, and here is where the writer after at the start, setting up a world which seems to follow some form of logic and sense, completely decides to throw it away. Does anyone wonder where the Heir to an entire kingdom has gone, her mother even? her to-be mate? no. Is there any sort of due process in this world, which from the outset, is painted as rule following, no nonsense, a bastion of formality and etiquette, in regards to Zoei’s suspicion of Olly? no. I mean I get the writer makes it no secret that Zoei is supposed to be an idiot, guided by her pop up dick, but she’s supposed to the next Leader of an entire country, she’s a warrior. That’s when I realised there would have to be some level of suspension of disbelief, for the sake of getting to smut earlier on, but I think if the writer came up with more plausible reasons, even if that required some patience, the pay off would have been so much better. It’s annoying, because I can see the digs she makes towards zoei narcissistic tendencies and olly’s placatory behaviour, but that’s it’s, she lets the reader know it’s intentional, and moves on, as if acknowledgement someone makes the characters insufferable behaviour any less insufferable (it doesn’t btw).

To finish, I don’t know if I can still recommend this book, I honestly prefer reading books that don’t get my hopes up and this really did. I might give some of her other works a read, but considering this is one of a newer releases I’m not sure if I’ll like the others.

[Nyki Mancera · Rating 5 out of 5]

It could only go one way…

Early ties in one’s childhood cannot be overlooked. They were soulmates from the start. We all know how Yogi was attracted to her alpha BFF Sage and I dare say since they were about 8 y/o and were inseparable. We keep seeing how some A/b/o defy biology of hormones, scents, and pheromones. Yogi had become pregnant (rare but possible) from mating with Sage. We can see the writing on the wall with Zoei and Olympia. It is always surprising to me how in this Onegaverse we see Alpha’s in a different light…calm, maternal, loving, giving, kind and above what their biology would normally dictate. And we see the reverse of Omega’s being manipulative, egotistical, mean, deceitful and other negative traits except for Aeryn. She is the epitome of most Omegas.

I am happy that these two Alphas were able to blend their pheromones since before birth when they were babes and their scents merged instead of competing or repelling one another. I knew Olympia’s intended future mate was in trouble when she turned down pleasure “repeatedly” and couldn’t seem to “perform.” I knew Cryssa was on borrowed time no matter how wonderful she seemed. A life of contentment is nothing when you’re missing passion, bliss and excitement. She was too predictable and boring when juxtaposed with the hot blooded Zoei.

When Olympia snuck into her childhood friends private quarters when they landed leaving her betrothed behind, it told the tale that this was the first step she had taken to end the relationship of over 5 years. And when we learned that Zoei had been watching her also from the shadows that this was also her first step toward the woman she had wanted since they were 12 years old and she kissed all 12 freckled across her nose.

They were ripped away from each other in the middle of the night from a love affair from two of their parents. And the pups paid the price for those two adults. Their final coming together was on a horrid level but was the ONLY way to eat up the past 20 years separated and the damage done to both parties. There was no other way to break through that barrier of hate than “brute force.” But it only works if the other is “willing” if if only subconsciously as they were. We saw this in “Truly Yours” on a different scale and level that was between two strangers but even through the heinousness of the crime committed (nonconsensual sexual contact) which is how I have read these things normally happen in the omega verse, we still see or read how even in that moment that Issadora berated herself for taking pleasure in it nonetheless.

I felt badly for Cryssa in the end. But she knew it had been a gamble the whole time she was involved with Olympia because they didn’t have the typical A/o pheromone pull for ruts or heats. They both knew someone could step in and pull the other. Although Olympia didn’t feel it from ANY omega. I wonder will Cryssa find herself in Queen Oreani’s arms and bed? We were told that she was a more mature Omega.

[M L · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read all the KU books of the New World series and I loved all of them. Then a while ago I read Let Me Be Yours and loved it too or even more because of the FF Omegaverse setting. Then very recently I found out there are now many new additions to the the Seventh Star series. I'm not sure why instead of reading them in succession I decided to skip to this one. Well it wasn't that I was missing background information in the world building by not reading the books in a series, but that I just could not wrap my mind around the AA pairing, especially with one of the Alphas being described on page as pretty and feminine. And I really could not stand Zoei. What a friggin' moron, brute, and IMHO - rapist. The warnings say "borderline non-consensual". I found nothing borderline about the way Zoei treated Olympia. Not to mention the sex scenes read like gay sex for me, which was not I signed up for when the book was advertised as FF Omegaverse. Honestly I only finished the book because I was waiting for a plot twist because I saw it foreshadowed in the beginning - it never happened !!! I even read all the the epilogues - which felt stupid and irrelevant. Perhaps the author is setting up for the next in the series? When I get a couple of other books in to clean my palette I may go back to the second book in this series, in the hopes that I can find more of what I loved about this author from her older works. Sigh.

[Iv · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up. Where this book did well, it did amazing and exceeded all my expectations. Where it failed, it failed pretty badly.

The good:
-i loooooved the characters! the inner monolgues, the decisions, everything. they made sense to me (with one exception)

-the YEARNING for YEARS

-i get the romance and i believe it, which is why i have a soft spot for this book despite some issues. i sometimes have a hard time understanding why THOSE TWO PEOPLE are the ones falling in love in sapphic romances beyond "she's so pretty and she's right there" so when a book is clear about this it shoots up in my ranking

-LOVE alpha/alpha relationships

The bad:
-i'm...still a little jarred by the non-con scene. i think what bothers me is that it's not presented as a dark "stockholm" romance, but as...zoei did that and here's why and she's sorry. i feel like that's having your cake and eating it too
(i can't help but love zoei overall so that was hard to reconcile)

-maybe i'm reading too much into this, but i don't love how zoei, the darker-skinned character, refers to herself as a beast for what she did, and it's constantly emphasized how much bigger and stronger and more dominant she is. it feels like it feeds into a larger trend of masculinizing characters of color in weird ways.

-the author remembered that zoei has a child exactly twice, and none of the characters mentioned her outside those two times. why is her kid not a larger part of her inner monologue?

[Ola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Halfway through the book, there’s a deeply uncomfortable sex scene that feels both narratively unearned and ethically troubling.

Zoei comes across as completely unhinged—she uses physical dominance against another character who clearly resists. It isn’t romantic, and it’s definitely not sexy—it’s assault. What’s worse is that the narrative never truly addresses it. The sex just happens, and then the story moves on like nothing occurred, expecting the reader to believe it’s the beginning of a love story.

Let's just forget that ever happened.

[dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the dynamics of the relationship in this one! The transition from childhood friends to acquaintances, enemies, almost lovers, and finally lovers felt so natural—it had me giggling and kicking my feet in the air the whole time.

I did drop a star, though, because I wasn’t totally comfortable with the coerced sex in the 3rd or 4th(?) chapter. But aside from that, this book was amazing. Thanks for the fantastic read!

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two omegaverse alphas, yes, please! Oympia is quite carismatic, but unfortunately, the couple quite didn't work for me. Everything about Zoei is infuriating. Many things are also lacking for me out of the romance. The magic, politics, characters are only a sade of grey. Not really engaging. However, I do enjoy reading LiLy' works I can't give it less than 4 stars.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

No absolutely no. This book needed so MUCH GROVELING. I MEAN THE BITCH KIDNAPPED HER AND KINDA sa”d HER. NOPE ABSOLUTELY NOT. I MEAN I COULD ACTUALLY LIKE THIS IF THERE WAS GROVELING!!! BUT THERE WAS NOT🙄. SO NOW IM ANGRY. It isn’t the worst I have read. I mean I had a phase where I read Wattpad and AO3. Anyhow that’s all

[elisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

more of cryssa please🙏

[Johnna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have officially read every book of yours now. Keep em' coming!

[Pamela A. Streetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrath of a King

I love ANYTHING and EVERYTHING written by Lily X!
I’m fascinated by her characters and the worlds in which they live.

[Ana Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book by this author! It has all the elements for a perfect romance, in my opinion. I adored the characters and their dynamic. Their love for each other is beyond beautiful😭

[3ww3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bueno a secas

Me gustó un buen la interacción entre los personajes principales.

[worm s · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spicy scenes in this one… damn it has not left my head. Lily thank u for feeding the lesbians.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Seventh Star series and absolutely loving them (greedily wished there were so many more), I was excited to read this book. I am a fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender so I loved the inspiration from that as the basis for this book. The choices made for the characters, both good and bad, were fitting, captivating, and kept me hooked from start to finish. I couldn’t give enough praise for this story. Again, I would read anything related to the series and especially this story.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love them together 💞