“King of Wrath” was an exquisite story, simple through its theme and yet special for its features. It is a modern version of our beloved “Gossip Girl” TV series, highlighting an energic plot and well defined protagonists. “King of Wrath” proved to bring out an authentic “rich aesthetic”, in a totally new and yet familiar overview: the upper NY society.
I would like to say me liking this book was a surprise, but let’s be serious… I’ve known it since reading the very first sentence.
Title: “King of Wrath”
Series: “Kings of Sin”
Author: Ana Huang
Genre: Romance
Age Rating: mature readers only
Page Count: 400
Star Rating: 4/5 ⭐
“King of Wrath” is the first volume of the “Kings of Sin” series, but it can still be read as a standalone. It is a dual perspective story, narrated by both the protagonists. The book is structured in 44 chapters, plus the epilogue, and, at the end of the book, Ana Huang prepared a really nice and thoughtful surprise for the “King of Wrath” readers. It is available in the kindle version, and I think on paper version as well (I’m not sure). That was just the little sparkle I needed at the end of this cute reading.
I could consider that my reading experience was quite “fruity”. The author left out any possibility for “awkward pause” chapters and THAT was a brilliant idea!
A Hook
The beginning of the book is so simple to be defined: a hook. The author thought the beginning as a separate one page, with a suggestive content for the plot, the perfect words to keep your hands stuck to the book for the next few hours. It intrigued me and gave off a fresh vibe. Even though I’ve read the synopsis and knew what to expect, that first page completely took me by surprise. It was that one element to make the readers stare in disbelief: shock, impatience and thrill.
A complex personality
Somehow, I saw a lot more complexity in the description techniques used for Dante than in the ones used in Vivian’s case. I found his character in the middle of an intriguingly fascinating character development. I really enjoyed the complexity of all the twists his character took in personality and mentality along the story!
While his relationship with Vivian got off to a rocky start, his own reactions, according to his later “revelations”, were incredibly intense and authentic. Dante was astonished by the simple fact that Vivian was not a so terrible company, so the author highlighted really beautifully his moments of self-reflection. As a reader of “King of Wrath”, most of all, I felt like I was actually inside the male protagonist’s mind. I could see his continuous turmoil, mixed feelings and contrasting thoughts. His inner fight was so convincing!
“𝐌𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.”
“King of Wrath”, Ana Huang
One particular feature made Dante Russo’s character special and unforgettable for me: his unique humor. While his social image was that of a cold hearted, independent and unapproachable man, he started revealing, through his teasing moments with Vivian, that there’s a lot more to know about his character. His humor, his attention for the details and his tenderness, all of them are revealed gradually in a spellbinding manner. No better way to add just a little bit more mystery to an already enigmatic character!
“𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.”
“𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬. 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.”
“King of Wrath”, Ana Huang
Mesmerizing
No matter the number of amazing details this book highlighted, I was actually obsessed with the metaphors and connections the author used in her narration. This book highlighted so greatly the general atmosphere of the scenes, the body language, the art of eye contact and the meaning of each small gesture. The scene, from the beginning of the volume, in which Vivian puts on the ring Dante gave her, was dramatic, memorable and truly metaphorical. That inner speech was really effective in taking my breath away.
“𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭.”
“King of Wrath”, Ana Huang
Talking about that scene, Vivian knew her true situation: she was going to marry out of business, not out of love. Even though, she kept her head up and sticked dearly to her dignity. There was not even one moment in which she would feel intimidated by his social status or attitude. He was old money unlike her, but Vivian also knew her worth. Mannered and self-controlled, she gained not only his trust, but also his respect.
I was too stunned to speak when I discovered the dynamic of this book couple was going to be so much different from the basic and predictable book standard! Tired of the type of female protagonist who’s waiting for her knight in shinny armor to “save” her, Vivian Lau gained my appreciation through her determination and stubbornness. In a realistic manner, beside the whole intrigue of the story which involved them, their relationship was balanced and radiant.
Right by your side
What added the last touch on this story was Dante’s final gesture from (almost) the end of the book. He fought for what he loved, but the tension?! Excruciating and so exciting! He was the man who could’ve had anything in the world, but couldn’t have her, his biggest desire.
“𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐲 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝. 𝐇𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞.”
“King of Wrath”, Ana Huang
If you liked this post, hit the heart button and subscribe 😉
Read here more book reviews
Additional information
“King of Wrath” is in fact a steamy and spicy arranged marriage billionaire story. It is the first volume of “Kings of Sin” series, which is supposed to be formed of 4 books.
- “King of Wrath”
- “King of Pride”
- “King of Greed”
- “King of Sloth”
Only “King of Wrath” has been released so far, on the 18th of October 2022. “King of Pride” is going to be the second volume and be released on the 25th of April 2023. Personally, I’m looking forward to this great book release!
There is a 8 years age gap between the protagonists of “King of Wrath”. While Dante is 36 years old, Vivian is 28. Vivian Lau comes from a new money Chinese family, while Dante Russo comes from an old money Italian family. He was raised together with his younger brother by their grandfather, who taught Dante everything he had to know about the business world.
Other books written by Ana Huang:
- The “Twisted” series
- “All I’ve Ever Wanted”
- The “Kings of Sin” series
- The “If Love” series
