Review: King of Spades

King of Spades by Alta Hensley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Tale of anti-heroes and their crazy deals, dark obsession, and a desire to possess

This book is the first in a series and does end in a cliffhanger, so be prepared. The book gives us suspense, drama, and a smidge of action. Throughout the story, there is a thread that gives the feeling of Alice in Wonderland with Nick as the mad hatter – but this is not a retelling. The main characters have sizzling chemistry, with Nick oozing seductive vibes, which our main female character, Lyriope (*I love this name!), can barely resist.

The Midnight Dynasty saga is filled with angst and inner machinations. Innuendos of the dark and bizarre abound in this story as well. Lyriope Bailey is in trouble; she is left holding the bag of a considerable debt to the Russian mob as her mother and stepfather abandons her. Her biological father, who might be a powerful man in town, wants nothing to do with a daughter born with his mistress, so help from him will not be forthcoming. Her only salvation seems to be with the mysterious but powerful man who runs Wonderland. But Nick Hudson wants something in return for saving her. Can Lyriope really pay his price?

Lyriope is a very likable character, combining a touch of reckless badass with fragility. She searches for acceptance and a place to belong, as being an illegitimate child of Bryant leaves its scars. In this first book, she begins a journey of self-discovery and awakening, proving her strength as she embraces her dark side.

The tug-of-war between our main characters became somewhat frustrating toward the end as Lyriope cannot seem to comprehend the magnitude of danger she is in. Her rash decisions get her only deeper into trouble.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review by Valentine PR