Title: Steel Princess
Series: Royal Elite #2
Author: Rina Kent
Genre: Dark Romance
Age Rating: 18+
Spice Level: 5/5 (very steamy, explicit scenes)
POV: Dual POV
Cliffhanger: Yes
Published: April 13th 2020
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, OW Drama, Bully, High School/Academy, Anti Hero, Obsessive / Possessive Hero, Suspense, Angst, Hidden Past (Amnesia), Strong Heroine
HOLD UP: Spoilers ahead for Steel Princess if you haven’t read Deviant King!
Recommended Reading Order (Aiden and Elsa Trilogy):
Steel Princess is not a standalone and must be read as part of the Royal Elite series and Aiden and Elsa’s trilogy.
- Deviant King
- Steel Princess
- Twisted Kingdom
Steel Princess Book Review
Steel Princess by Rina Kent picks up where the first ends, with Elsa reeling from the revelation about Aiden’s motivations. The series becomes hotter and more intense as secrets emerge and Elsa and Aiden’s past draws in ruthless players.
She stares up at me with dim eyes. “We’re enemies, aren’t we?” “Maybe.” “Then we’re over,” she says with more strength than needed. I push a stray blonde strand behind her ear, taking my time to feel the warmth of her skin against mine. “That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart,” I murmur near her mouth, “Being enemies doesn’t change the fact that you’re fucking mine.”
Elsa doesn’t know whom to trust. After overhearing Silver and Aiden’s father and nearly dying in an incident, she looks for answers that only her past holds.
Unfortunately for her, Aiden’s a part of that past. He knows about her family, her name, and the legacy they are both born to lead. But Aiden’s the enemy, and the King family is out to destroy her.
Steel Princess has dual POV – Aiden’s and Elsa’s, and you begin to see Aiden in a new light – other than just being an elusive cruel bully and a stage five creeper (LOL – Levi’s words)
She stares up at me with dim eyes. “We’re enemies, aren’t we?” “Maybe.” “Then we’re over,” she says with more strength than needed. I push a stray blonde strand behind her ear, taking my time to feel the warmth of her skin against mine. “That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart,” I murmur near her mouth, “Being enemies doesn’t change the fact that you’re fucking mine.”
Rina’s writing style is crisp. Her character development stands out, especially in the way Elsa evolves into a strong girl who fights for herself. Elsa realizes she is the key to uncovering her past.
I love her determination to stop being played by others and start playing the game herself. We follow along as Elsa discovers more of the secrets. Rina’s skillfully written story makes you feel what Elsa feels – the pain, the attraction to the enemy, the darkness in her mind, and her own deviant nature.
“It’s stupid, really. She should’ve learnt by now that nothing — absolutely nothing — will keep me away from her. Elsa can wear armour, and I’ll stab straight through it. Hell, she can hide behind a fort, and I’ll bring the whole fucking thing down.”
I love possessive heroes. I mean, if I ever met Aiden IRL, I’d run from him, but in the books – I just can’t help but fall for him. He is completely bonkers about Elsa, and you can see it in his POV.
His darkness molds to Elsa’s. He is possessive about her and will destroy everyone to keep her safe. He is the villain, and we understand some of the reasons behind that.
He has darker sociopathic tendencies, lacks empathy, and plays the game better than anyone. He is a complex character, and I loved reading those glimpses of his smart AF brain. The past may have twisted him to the point of no return, but he knows Elsa’s the one to calm his demons.
He places a finger under my chin and lifts so I’m facing him. “You don’t have to be ashamed of who you are with me, Elsa. You can be a fucking lunatic, and I still won’t let you go.”
The past binds Elsa and Aiden. It’s like fate or destiny made them for each other. After Aiden’s ‘betrayal’, Elsa tries her best to push Aiden away. But he is having none of that crap. The push and pull added to their explosive relationship, the chemistry scorching, their connection so intense.
They bring out the bad and the good in each other. And as you read further, you just know Aiden needs Elsa in his life and vice versa. I love them!
The review is incomplete without mentioning the other members of the Horsemen – Xander, Cole, and Ronan! I am so intrigued by their friendship. They are competitive and, at times, antagonistic towards each other. But they are tight.
Aiden’s father, Jonathan King, is another king on the chessboard, and I was wary about his involvement in Elsa’s past.
Conclusion
The plot is addictive, packed with twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The story moves at a fast pace, with suspense and mystery constantly keeping you on edge, while the romance remains intensely passionate throughout.
I was completely hooked on every part of it! And that explosive ending? I should have seen it coming, but it still hit hard.
I highly recommend this series to all Dark Romance and New Adult Romance readers!
Blurb of Steel Princess by Rina Kent
The princess isn’t supposed to dethrone the king.
Elsa
He said he’ll destroy me, and he did.
I might have lost the battle, but the war is far from over.
They say it starts with one move to dethrone the king.
No one mentioned he’ll yank me with him on the way down.
Aiden
If Steel’s little princess wants a war, then war it is.
There’s only one rule: my rules or none at all.
By all means, show me what you got, sweetheart.
Steel Princess is book two of Royal Elite series and should be read after Deviant King. This is a dark high school bully romance, mature new adult, and contains dubious situations that some readers might find offensive.
This book is part of a trilogy and is NOT standalone.
The entire trilogy is available
Purchase Links
About Rina Kent:
Rina Kent is an international bestselling author of everything enemies to lovers romance.
Darkness is her playground, suspense is her best friend, and twists are her brain’s food. However, she likes to think she’s a romantic at heart in some way, so don’t kill her hopes just yet.
Her heroes are anti-heroes and villains because she was always the weirdo who fell in love with the guys no one roots for. Her books are sprinkled with a touch of mystery, a healthy dose of angst, a pinch of violence, and lots of intense passion.
Rina spends her private days in a peaceful town in North Africa daydreaming about the next plot idea or laughing like an evil mastermind when those ideas come together.
Books in the Royal Elite Series -
