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Return of the Alpha: The Crown

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Happily ever after … at least I hope.

When it’s come to my friends and family, I’ve been willing to sacrifice just about anything to save them, but these last few months I’ve been sidelined from the fight—not anymore.

The time has come, and Abaddon is finally coming to collect what he was promised—and he is not alone. Those who I once thought were my allies, and others who I worried would stab me in the back have now partnered up with the demon to take what I hold most dear to my heart.

Some will be hurt, some will survive, and others will die in this battle to the finish.

Will we get the happily ever after we desire? Or will it all come to an end here?

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2021

76 people are currently reading
73 people want to read

About the author

Karina Espinosa

108 books466 followers
Karina Espinosa is a Colombian-American author best known for the Mackenzie Grey series, the Blood Weaver Trilogy, and her latest romantasy hit, The Dragon’s Ballad. When she’s not writing fierce heroines and magical chaos, she’s globe-trotting, bingeing Asian dramas, or teaching college students how to write essays—with a coffee in hand and fictional body count on the rise.

Follow her for more coffee-fueled chaos and character heartbreak.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra "Jeanz".
1,261 reviews178 followers
July 28, 2021
I have seen a few different cover styles for this book series, but I do honestly love the style of the covers. I think the female on the cover fits the imagery created in the book for Mackenzie Grey very well. It projects Mackenzie’s strong, determined, kick butt character well. The cover is quite dark to look at and that fits really well as Mackenzie has some dark forces to face and defeat in this final book.

I have read and truly loved this series from the very first book, Shift which was published back in early 2015, right up until this book. I honestly didn’t really want the series to end as I loved the characters, world building and everything about it really. So, I was approaching reading the book with a bit of apprehension about how things would end, and whether I would be left happy and satisfied with it, or if I would feel there should have been more or perhaps a different ending.

It’s difficult to say a great deal about the plot and exactly what happens without revealing anything major. I wouldn’t want to spoil the reading of the book and the events in it unfolding for anyone else.

I have loved the ups and downs in Mackenzie and Sebastian’s relationship and there’s been plenty. There are still issues in this book too. They both clearly adore each other and would do anything for the other. The problem is they come up with ideas and possible solutions without speaking to each other first, thinking they are not worrying each other which ends up causing them each more problems. Bash ends up coming across distant and uncaring which then irritates and upsets Mackenzie pushing her into rash decisions and making her push back and leave Bash out of her life.

I adored the scenes of the Brooklyn Pack fights for the position of Captain. The inner turmoil Mackenzie has not been able to help, and be seen to be biased in favour or even support of her brother Ollie. Naturally her enemies are determined to interfere and use anything or anyone they can to upset or even attempt to control Kenz. It’s so important that Ollie wins the fights and becomes the new Captain in the Brooklyn Pack. After speaking with Jackson who informs her, he has set up a live feed so she can watch the Captaincy fights from her castle in Scotland, Kenz has cross words with Bash and on a sudden whim decides to go to New York herself to watch the fights in person and to visit her best friend, Amy. As Kenzie’s pregnancy is still not widely known about, she attempts to hide her growing figure wearing baggy clothes. However as soon as Amy hugs her best friend the “cat is out of the bag”. Of course, Amy is overjoyed at the news and eager to be an Auntie!

I laughed out loud at the scene where Kenz knocks on Ollie’s bedroom door and barges in only to find him in bed with a Luna! Her guard puts his hands over her eyes and guides her out of the room, whilst an equally embarrassed and irritated Ollie hastily puts on some clothes to hug his sister. Kenz isn’t impressed at finding Ollie in bed, when in her opinion he should be training, so she sends him off with William her own guard, and royal guard trainer to put him through his paces. Later she talks to her brother, telling him he needs to think like the animal he now is and he must fight the Luna in the Captaincy battle just as hard as he will fight the male opponents. There’s a lot hanging in the balance, though Kenz doesn’t reveal Ollie’s possible fate if he doesn’t win and become Captain as she doesn’t want to put anymore pressure on him than he already feels.

As I think I have said before about these books, I love all the characters. The good, amazing ones like Kenz, Bash, Ollie, Jackson and Amy. The bad, evil one’s like the demon Abaddon, the tricky, sneaky fae Angus, and council & summit members Jacob and Lucas. Then there’s the what I’d describe as the “grey area” ones, the God, Fenrir, the Warlock, Bobby Wu and German Alpha Stefan.

What I also really thought amazing were the array of kick butt female characters, from Kenz who has been fighting for her rights and her life from the first book all the way through the series. I loved the way the female characters were as tough, if not at time tougher than the male characters. Kenzie’s best friend Amy is a fantastic example, the human who was first to know about what and who Kenzie was and helped her in the face of increasing danger to herself. Then when fatally injured and a rash decision from Kenz sees her friend becoming a vampire then back to human when Kenz manages to obtain a “cure” for vampirism. This final book in the series sees Amy living within the Brooklyn pack with the love of her life, Alpha Jackon, toughing it out and carving out her place amongst the pack, with not just the males being wary of her but also the Luna’s of the pack too. Another two great Luna’s are Rowan who is putting herself in increasing danger by acting as a spy for her Queen, Mackenzie. Then the Luna that lost her life but her character has lived on, inspiring Mackenzie to continue her fight for Lunas rights within all the Lycan packs in the world.
I also discovered the character of Raven, a Valkyrie in this series. Though Raven actually has her own series, The Last Valkyrie, which has been firmly put on my “to read” list after becoming acquainted Raven in this series!

Another character I cannot finish this review without mentioning is Bobby Wu, there are those who think he is bad through and through. When he disappears it appears, and some say he has abandoned Kenz to her fate. Mackenzie has more faith in Bobby Wu though, sure there’s been times when he used her for her powers, but when he is really needed he hasn’t let her down.

Mackenzie has a lot to face and fight for in this book. There’s Abaddon who wants her unborn child, which of course both Kenz and Bash say will only happen over their dead bodies. The Fae, are also determined to take the baby, putting themselves forward as a better option than the demon Abaddon. There are quite a few times you wonder who Kenz can really rely on in this book with council members, summit members and even Queens guard members working against her. Mackenzie also has to come to terms with the fact she honestly isn’t as strong without the full power of her inner wolf. In fact, Kenz has to suffer three months of bed rest which she hates with a passion. Even when she reveals she is pregnant, the problems keep on cropping up for her. Then when the baby is born, things become even more dangerous, so much so, the baby cannot stay with Kenzie until all threats to her and the baby are faced. Another thing Kenzie discovers in this book is that everyone has their weakness, such as Angus and his arrogance, Jacob and his greed for control of the throne. In fact, she even discovers Fenrir has a weakness. In this last book it’s clear that Mackenzie has matured, sure she can still make rash decision, but she is clever and has learnt to use her mind, and think strategy as well as using her brute force too!

My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were that I honestly hated having to put this book down. I think if not for a migraine I could have sat and read this book in just one sitting! I still can’t quite believe that this is the end, no more Kenz & Bash! Where will I get my kick-butt female fix from now?

Summing up, I have thoroughly enjoyed the final book and I have loved the series from the beginning to the very end. Part of me wanted to read the book really slowly, so it would take longer to end but I was soon hooked and flying through reading the book, desperate to know what was going to happen. I will miss the characters, maybe they will pop up in a different series by Karina Espinosa, like Raven from The Last Valkyrie featured in this series as well as her own. I definitely think the end was all I imagined, wanted and even more. The books in this series will always remain in my top favourite series, my top favourite characters and of course Karina will always be in my top favourite authors!
Profile Image for Megan.
9 reviews
August 10, 2021
It was a thrilling end to a 6 year ride. That's all I can really say about the series as a whole.

As for the book itself, it was (like the book before it) a bit slow for the first half and constant repetitiveness of Kenz having to protect the baby and keeping herself safe. Bash was another teeth-grinding read for a bit there. His personality was a total 180 that I was beginning to think he'd been spelled or possessed. My opinion grew brighter when I realized what he'd done.

When we get to the time of after Kenz's baby being born, it started to pick up back into the action that drew me into the series in the first place. Yes, a lot of things were predictable (Lucas, Charles...etc) and yes, certain characters needed a longer death (Charles, Lucas, Jacob...etc), Ollie making captain...but it was a joy to read once the pregnancy arc was finally finished

The only thing I wished for was that Amy was more involved (at least in the epilogue). Here is the snarky best friend who gets left behind in New York where (I assume) she lives happily ever after with Jackson (who is now the NE Alpha???). But to not have Kenz mention her in the epilogue? Did they have a falling out over the years or just lose touch?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mettesknit .
1,165 reviews6 followers
March 29, 2023
Re-listened March 29, 2023.

🎧📚
Narrated by Nicole Poole
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A worthy end to a great series!
Profile Image for Shannon B.
12 reviews
August 7, 2021
Good to the end

Such an exciting ending to this series. Her Work has improved and you can tell she has grown as a writer. It's exciting to think of the possibility of a breakout series based on the next generation maybe with new antics weather that comes to fruition or not Karina has done an excellent job at developing her characters over this series so that even if there aren't anymore books in this series the reader can imagine what the next chapters would entail. The action chapters in this book were well written and I could see the action in my mind as I read. The only thing I wish was told a bit better was the bond that Mackenzie created with her child and what motherhood did for her. It didn't feel as though it was a profound enough change in Mackenzie's life. Overall a great read and I will continue to follow Karina and her Work.
147 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2021
Any book by Karina Espinosa is outstanding and magical and this book is no different! I loved how this book started and in my opinion was exceptional for a series ending book! I'm going to miss Mackenzie Gray and all the ass Kicking she does but all Fantastic series have to come to an end eventually much to the dismay of her fans LOL! And does Mackenzie ever kick the bad guy asses and a much deserved kicking was needed in this book! With all the odds against her will Mackenzie, Sabastian and her family and friends survive the final confrontation? Well to find out you'll have to read this book! I don't think that anyone will be disappointed at all to read this ending!
I do recommend this series and that people read them in order to know what is going on because you won't want to miss anything!!!!
I can't wait to see what Karina Espinosa comes up with next!
1,190 reviews9 followers
July 30, 2021
McKenzie is fighting to keep everyone safe including her child. She has enemies comes at her from all sides. She will go back to being the McKenzie she was before her life changed so much. She finds out that Bash is keeping so major secrets from her that makes everything worse. McKenzie has to find away to deal with everything that is happening or everything will be lost.

This was such a fitting ending for McKenzie. There is so many great things happen in this book. There is something for everyone. I am sad that the series has concluded, but it was was an amazing ride. You will love every moment in this book. I highly recommend this series and book to everyone, you will love every moment spent with these characters.
Profile Image for Sasha.
400 reviews12 followers
March 16, 2023
Spoilers

I had a major problem with the way the MC was treated in this book. The misogyny was not surprising. But it was more than that.

Spoiler
What I could not get behind is her supposed mate, security head and father forcing her to have a kid. Everyone knew she did not want kids, but they did not care about her mental state or reasons. They only cared about how they wanted an heir, no matter the cost. When she was forced to look at the sonogram, that was not ok. She should have had an opportunity to make a decision without the constant guilt trip. Had she not suffered enough? I do not like the message of this book. Forcing a woman is not ok, especially after her birth control was sneakingly taken away.
Profile Image for Tracee Quinn.
352 reviews4 followers
July 31, 2021
I love this series, and hope there are spin offs for the future. Its a great ending for fans and leaves you feeling complete. Young Mackenzie grew up and matured over the series with all the wonder of great character development. The one-liners filled with sarcasm are outstanding, and i hope in the future the younger members of the clan get a spin off. Love the guards too! its difficult to let go when you become invested in so many characters which is a great compliment to the author! Thank you Ms Espinosa and team for sharing Mackenzie's world.
33 reviews1 follower
July 28, 2021
Once again I'm blown away by the amazing writing of Karina. As a random read on Facebook when I started back reading after a very long break, I must say best choice ever. You have love, hate, enemies, freinemies, action. What more could you fit in. Its the only series that has never bored me as every book is as thrilling as the next. I can't believe this is the last book but what an ending it is.
38 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2021
Definitely worth reading

I don't have any words to say how awesome this book is. I have loved all of Mackenzie's story. This did not disappoint. I could hardly put it down, staying up way to late and forgoing housework. There is a good mix of drama and Action. I found myself gasping a lot, crying and laughing hard. Worth the read.
3 reviews
August 13, 2021
Great reads! Read the whole series.

I loved this series. The characters have all developed through the series appropriately. Start at the beginning, you won’t regret it.
I found these to be fast, exciting reads. I laughed, I cried and couldn’t put them down.
I hope that there are more “spin-off” series as well. I enjoyed the Valkyrie and Phoenix series as well.
2 reviews
November 8, 2024
Freaking Fantastic Series!!!

If you haven’t read this 12 book series, you’re missing out!!! Could not put the books down! Great characters and intriguing story line! Had never read this author before but will definitely read anything else I can find under her name! Thank you Karina Espinosa, never stop writing!
Profile Image for Mary.
156 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2021
I am so happy with this ending to the series! I have loved it so very much. I hated for it end, but it was so satisfying of an ending! Best ending of a series or book that I have read lately honestly! Looking forward to more books by Ms Espinosa!
263 reviews
July 31, 2021
Goodbye Mackenzie!

It was good to see the return of Mackenzie Grey and she did not disappoint. I was hoping for romantic moments between her and Bash but Mackenzie the fighter was a joy to see. Love that epilogue. Fitting end to the series
17 reviews
August 4, 2021
The best series ever.

This is the best series. Loved it. I recommend to everyone who wants to cry laugh and live their lives. I don't have words. I can't say enough good things about this series. Please take my word for it. It is the best. Read it.
Profile Image for Holly Nelson.
23 reviews
August 7, 2021
Epic conclusion

Mac has really evolved as a character and I loved seeing this story come to its conclusion. Hoping for another series linked to this and the Valkyries. Loooove them all so much. I need cameos!
100 reviews
October 11, 2021
Just one more book?

I've had this book sitting in my library since it was released... refusing to read it because I really didn't want it to end! It was a good book and tidied up most of the loose ends from the other books. Great series in general!
Profile Image for Leslie  Marsh .
50 reviews
January 14, 2022
Wonderful series

This has been one of the best series I've read. You're on your toes and then it calms down then your back on your toes again. I would love to read more books like this one.
Profile Image for C. Erani Kole.
1,709 reviews51 followers
January 1, 2023
beautiful 4.5 stars

I loved this one. It had its irate moments but Mackenzie was such a baddie in this one. So much happened, and it was a snowball down the hill picking up everything we’d read along the way and tying everything up. It was fun and kept me going in one sitting.
Profile Image for WonderWomanNZ.
1,389 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2023
End of the series? I am not sure if there will be another one, but I am happy with how it ended. It felt like a long series and some of the books were better than other. Loved the narrator she is great.
1 review
September 1, 2023
couldn’t stop reading, storyline are storyline, didn’t stop till book 12

Totally hooked from page 1, couldn’t put the book down. One of the best supernatural series I’ve read for a long time.
Profile Image for MelMon Sanchez.
587 reviews8 followers
September 15, 2023
What do I do know.

I can't believe I have to wait for a follow up or this could be the last in the series. I feel like I was there with Mackenzie the whole way through this. Please tell me there will be more?
125 reviews
July 6, 2024
Fabulous ending

12 books in this series... the buildup was intense but wow this author managed to wrap it up in the absolute best way possible. I was impressed with the suspense and twists and the ending... absolute chefs kiss perfect!
Profile Image for Domina Alexandra.
Author 16 books39 followers
July 17, 2024
perfect Ending

It was so rewarding to see her role at the end! Too many books try to eventually try to give a female protagonist a mundane ending and it was empowering to read! Thanks for this series
460 reviews4 followers
July 30, 2021
Fantastic series

Terrific conclusion to an amazing series. One of the best Urban Fantasy series I've ever read. Cannot wait for future books.
30 reviews
July 31, 2021
Great series

I loved the whole series. Each book was so exciting I couldn’t put it down. The hardest part was waiting for the next book to come out.
Profile Image for Ailis.
4 reviews
August 6, 2021
Perfection!

Couldn’t ask for a better end to this absolute treasure of a series! While I will miss these characters I’m glad it went out with such flare!
2 reviews
August 7, 2021
Love

Love the whole series!! I completed all 12 books in under a week!! Definitely would recommend to anyone who loves supernatural books!!
19 reviews
August 13, 2021
Loved it

This series is such a great read and I flew through all 13 books. Absolutely loved it, wish there were more!
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