Taken By Raider Kings

The Raider Kings #1

by Sophie J. Rivers

My father traded me like currency.
The Cartel wanted a hostage. The Raider Kings wanted a prize.Xavier wants my fear. He collects it like trophies.
Isaiah wants to unravel my mind — beautiful chaos with moss-green hair and a grin that promises ruin.
Asher watches me in silence, patient and merciless, like a puzzle he’s dying to break.

Three ruthless kings clawing their way through Dallas,
And I’m the blood-marked contract they think seals their reign.

But they didn’t take a captive.
They crowned a threat.

I bite. I burn. I fight.
And if these kings think I’ll kneel?

I’ll make them bleed first.

Three kings. One queen. And I’m the only one who decides who falls.


Reader's This is Valentina's story—Book One in her series and book six in the Ruthless Kings of Thornhaven series. Dark Why Choose Romance with no sword crossing. New to the series? You can start with Valentina's story, her journey continues in future books.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Contemporary

182 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2025

Reviews

[Debs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading part 1 of Valentina's story. Hot read.

[°˖✧˚lindsay˚✧˖° · Rating 1 out of 5]

The hook might as well be a noodle with all those errors in punctuation and sentence structure.
I barely made it past the first sentence.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say it enough, but I love this series of books. Each one has me from the get-go. The characters in them are brilliant. I love that we have a strong female lead who, even though she is dominated by the Alpha males around her, still stands her ground. She may have to acquiesce at times, but when she needs to, she will fight for her say.

Valentina finds herself in a position due to her father's promise to the Raiders MC, even her father's death can't get her out of the debt he still owes. She should hate the position she is in, at the mercy of these three men, but each of them brings something out of her.

Isaiah, the S-A-A of the club, half-brother to Xavier, has watched Valentina from afar, gathering data on her, and at the same time has become his obsession. Now he has her, he'll not let her go.

Asher, the V.P., who is cool and calm, maintains the balance, the unshakeable backbone of the club. Until it comes to Valentina, she is the one who can get under his skin.

Xavier, the President, dark, dangerous, controlled, who expects loyalty. Who had other plans for Valentina until he met her? Her fire, her sass, a body to die for, has him making a new plan, one she may not like, but he does.

But all three want Valentina. Can Xavier play nice and share, or will chaos ensue if he decides she is only his?

The story leaves us on a cliffhanger, and I'll be chomping at the bit until the next one is released.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna L · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌶️Passionate. Dangerous. Spicy. Addictive.🌶️

Sophie J Rivers continues her Ruthless Kings of Thornhaven reverse harem series with Cast’s sister, Valentina. She is a strong-willed, trained assassin who has been promised as collateral to the Raiders biker gang by her cartel father. I don’t know how Ms. Rivers does it, but each book is packed with action, angst, and spicy romance.

What you will love:
🔥 Three Hot, Possessive, Protective Alphas
🌺 Virgin Cartel Princess
⚠️ Danger & Mystery
💥 Off-the-Charts Chemistry

Valentina now finds herself at the mercy of three dominant men: Xavier is now the leader of the Raiders, Isaiah is his half-brother and has an obsession for Valentina, and Asher is the stone-cold second in charge sociopath.

I don’t give a synopsis of a book when I do a review, so you need to read this intensely addictive book to find out what happens. This series is a set of interconnected standalones, and yes, it would be better to read all books chronologically but it's not essential. But the books are so good, you really should read them all. 😁

This one ends with a dramatic and heart-stopping cliffhanger! I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the story. I received a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally Paying the Piper -
When Valentina’s friend convinced her to go out clubbing , she never expected to find herself in the middle of a rift involving Isiah, Xavier and Asher, who were affiliated with someone whose life she had taken a while back. Although Valentina expected to be harmed because of her previous actions, but she ended up being the catalyst to shake up the entire group of Raiders and tries to bring Isiah, Xavier and Asher closer so they can learn to share and enjoy her. Unfortunately, chaos ensues before they could ratify their agreement.

OMG! Book one did a great job setting the stage for what's yet to come in the rest of the series. The underlying tension from the beginning of the story grabbed my attention and it gets thicker and darker the more you read, but I was still glued to the pages and could take a break until I finished reading it. I can say without a shadow of doubt, that the story has a good flow to it and a depth to the characters that was truly amazing, but most importantly Sophie J. Rivers did a great job ensuring the cliffhanger of this book has left me anxiously awaiting her next book.

I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous. Thrilling. Addictive.

Book 6 of Ruthless Kings Of Thornhaven

A dark reverse harem bully romance packed full of action, spice, and suspense. The plot is exciting, fast-paced, and easy to get pulled into. The characters are intense and interesting.

Our FMC Valentina is a spitfire. Talk about a strong female lead, I mean she's a trained assassin, how cool is that?!
Our MMCs are:
Isaiah is flirty, obsessed, psycho.
Asher is cool, calm, and unshakable.
Xavier is dark, controlled, president of the club.

The sizzling hot intensity between the FMC and each of the MMCs was palpable. Hot! Hot! Hot!

Tropes:
Mafia
MC
Bully
Insta-lust
Obsessed/Possessive
Kidnapping
Why-choose
FMMM
Virgin
Enemies-to-lovers
Alphas
Multiple POV

Check TW

The action-packed plot was entertaining from start to finish.

This is book one in Valentina's series and book six in the interconnected Ruthless Kings of Thornhaven series. It ends on one heck of a cliffhanger making me eager for book 2 of their story.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 6 on the Ruthless Kings Of Thornhaven is Taken By Raider Kings and is Valentina, Isaiah/Zay, Asher and Xavier's fast-paced, steamy, why choose journey. This story is intense and packed tight with action, danger and sooooo much drama and chaos. It's an incredibly exciting read with fantastic characters and the push and pull between them all is fiery hot. Valentina is a force to be reckoned with and she makes nothing easy for her guys and of course they just love that she's fierce and independent. I can't wait for the next part of Valentina and her men's story!

"I need all of them—the chaos, the cruelty, the comfort."

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 6 of Ruthless Kings Of Thornhaven series but you don't need to read the previous books. This begins a new story arc and will continue in future books.

The plot was strong and compelling. World building was extremely well thought out and held my interest. The characters were expertly drawn. They were complex, dark and delicious. Enjoyed immensely and highly recommend. Look forward to more from this world.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandy Hollis-Zeigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claimed Assassin

Val is everything to Zay, whose been watching her for a while. When Asher & Zay kidnap Val & take her to Raider compound, let's just say all order is gone. Val feels she's invisible and has lost her badassness. Xavier now rules the Raiders and ready to make Val his after her interference in another matter. Zay & Asher both want her but will Xavier share or lose it all.

[shelleysreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic quick read, packed with drama & emotion that perfectly sets the scene for what’s to come next! I’m loving following Sophie’s journey as an author and following along with these characters and the world she’s building in the series, packed with strong independent and fierce fmc and dangerous, dark, obsessive alpha males who fall for the fmc’s! I can’t wait for more in the series!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

★“She’s a little goddess, carved out of stubborn will and sharp edges,”★

This story was an intriguing first start to the series, with Valentina’s grappling with Asher’s supposed indifference, Xavier’s aloofness, and Isaiah’s obsessive devotion. She has a role to play, firstly as their captive, and the men have no choice but to deal with this female who subsequently manages to defy all the odds to survive in their Raiders world. Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

[Donna Nalbandian Woerner Homschek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginning for a new series starting with Valentina on the run and hiding. Bikers a trained assassin along with the Cartel in the Shadows make for an interesting situation for her and the three men that would die for her. So looking forward to the next book!!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[dianna fifield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow each page turn burns!

This story is so hot! Each character is dangerous in their own way! And Valentina is match that test each one of the top three Raider Kings as she fits so well with them like the missing puzzle piece! But can the guys plan work to claim her and her to claim them or will they all perish before they get the chance to find out?

[Amy Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie J Rivers does it again. I can not get enough of this series and falling more in love with each FMC stories. I love that Valentina has her own story now, and we get to see what she's been up to and how she's doing. I'm on the edge already waiting for the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but addictive read that had all the right feels! I love the RH dynamic and the internal struggle of Valentina, definitely lots of push and pull! It had a great plot with a lot of promise for more to come! I can feel this story intensify towards the end, so cannot wait for the next book to find out what happens.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy Start Toward Danger

While this book leaves the reader on a cliffhanger, it does set up the background and characters of this intriguing story. Valentina catches the attention of three Raiders who claim every inch of her. This was an exciting start to a wonderfully written plot. I can't wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters were well written. Each MMC gives you their own dangerous yet hot self. The FMC is a storm they’re not ready for. Valentina, Xavier, Isiah and Asher brings you all the thrills and danger you’d expect from mafia books. Definitely would recommend reading this series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carlie Haddock · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get over the way this was written. Even though it's technically the first in the series I felt like I didn't understand any of what was going on. I got about 15% of the way through the book and was so confused I just couldn't finish it. the writing was also really weird the tense of how it was written changed a lot. Could have been better.

[MsRoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken By Raider Kings: A Dark Reverse Harem Bully Romance (Ruthless Kings Of Thornhaven) By: Sophie J. Rivers. Xavier,Isaiah, Asher The Raiders. Valentina Torres will be the woman that will unravel them all. It’s a great short story unfortunately, I wish it did not end the way it did . I enjoyed it

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this felt like it was missing something. I didn't get the motivations. And the excuse that "it's tradition" just fell flat. I didn't get real, emotional feelings off of any one but Zay. I probably won't finish the series.

[Jennifer Ziegelmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

not your same old same

This book has a plot. A good one. It's not just another reverse harem mc read. The author brings the characters alive in a way that is real and down to earth. Can't wait to read the next book in series.

[Teresa R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed
Valentina is collateral. But oh so much more! Xavier, Isaiah, and Asher want their little assassin. Will she be their future or only theirs right now, for just a moment before she’s gone?!

[Amanda Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic, so many twists and turns. Fiesty FMC and 3 brooding MMCs. Cliffhanger has me devastated.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book. The pacing was kind of slow and the mmc’s were jerks but not the worst I’ve read.

[IDGirl1101_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists & Turns with passion and suspense on what happens next!!

[BleuBelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 30%

[Trish]

Taken By Raider Kings

My first Sophie J. Rivers book, but not my last. This is a spicy hot RH read that has a lot of intrigue. Im looking forward to the second book.

[Shannon Wurster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg WHAT was that ending?! Where is the next book?! WHERE IS THE NEXT BOOK!? These people have me in a dang chokehold!

[Heather and Wesley Epple · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Love this one. Leaves ya on a cliffhanger. 😬 i cant complain though ♥️ keeps ya guessing what's gonna happen next

[Sarah Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was good

This book was a good read. It ends on a cliffhanger, which I don’t like it’s interesting. There’s a lot of smart in it which is good.