Book Boyfriends and Booze

Dark, Twisted, and Unforgettable: Welcome to the Darker Side of Dark Romance 

If you’re dipping your toes into Dark Romance, or this a new genre for you, God of Malice is NOT where we recommend you start. Buckle up Book Besties, because this isn’t your average dark romance. Right from the first pages, we’re dropped into a world where consent is non-existent (or murky, at best), danger is palpable, and the romance is… well, “twisted” might be putting it lightly. Killian Carson, our leading man, describes himself as a “psychopath,” and he’s not kidding. His interactions with Glyndon King, the seemingly good girl, are intense and far from traditional. For readers unfamiliar with darker themes, a strong trigger warning is advised—the story’s central theme is a forced relationship as Killian’s violent nature and trauma-infused psyche dominate the plot.

Killian Carson: Book Boyfriend or Book Fling? 

Killian may hit the marks for possessive, obsessive, and dangerously hot, which are all typically all essential ingredients in a good dark romance, but when we think “book boyfriend material,” he’s not ranking as high as we’d hoped. While he brings undeniable heat, dirty words, and tension to the story, his psychopathic tendencies and violent streaks make him a character that’s hard to imagine beyond the pages. Even as his character develops (slightly) through his relationship with Glyndon, you get the sense that he’ll remain forgettable once the book is over, and only really enjoyed him (if at all) in the context of a fictional story. And, sure, his dirty talk might send some readers blushing, but let’s just say he’s the type to leave you on edge for the wrong reasons. Even so, we appreciate that the tropes in this novel may hit home for some readers and we’re not here to judge that. Credit has to be given where credit is due, and if we were going to fall for a psychopath, we can see why Killian hits the marks strictly as a Dark Romance Book Boyfriend.

Killian’s Growth, Plot, and the Series’ Potential 

In the realm of character development, Killian’s growth, however limited by his sociopathic nature, gives us a glimpse into the power of his connection with Glyndon. With unresolved childhood trauma and a complicated family dynamic, Killian’s arc comes full circle in some ways, though he remains haunted by his past. His extreme obsession with Glyndon adds to the tension, keeping readers hanging on to see if he’s capable of something resembling love. While God of Malice may not be at the top of our dark romance favorites, it left us intrigued enough to look forward to how the other “gods” in the series evolve. Speaking of…

Despite the sexual intensity, the plot in God of Malice is compelling. We’re introduced to a legacy of characters for Kent’s Legacy of Gods series, laying the groundwork in other characters for future installments. With secrets to uncover and mysteries in the shadows, there’s plenty here to keep you hooked. Rina Kent also weaves in backstory and easter eggs from her previous books—yes, this book exists within a 34-book universe (talk about dedication) – so those who’ve read from the start will appreciate familiar faces and different POV’s popping up throughout, without it taking away from the main storyline.

Final Thoughts 

If dark, twisted, and intense romance is your style, God of Malice brings plenty of that. Rina Kent’s story might not be for everyone, but fans of dark romance will find the push-pull tension gratifying. With six books in the Legacy of Gods series, this might be the right way to get your fix of obsessive romance and complex characters. But if not, there are other book boyfriends that you may like better, so don’t rule out the whole series based on the first book just yet.

Note: Dark romance fans or newbies to the genre should check the trigger warnings before diving in.

Maybe you don’t need all that dark non-con in a story line, but you could read a good spicy scene, so here are your spicy chapters, just PLEASE check your Trigger Warnings: 2, 13, 16, 21, 26, 29, 32, & Epilogue.