Ri ♡ 's Reviews > Throne of Power

“Just because I was born a woman, doesn't mean I'll let anyone stomp all over me."

I need more characters like Rai Sokolov in Rina Kent books!

I think Rina is better at writing mafia romances than she is at high school bully romances. I finally found a decent Rina Kent book after reading five of her disastrous books. I liked how the mystery plot around the Irish mafia and the killings was explored and I must say it was more intriguing and captivating than the romance part of this book.

“Don’t ever, and I mean ever, repeat that. You’re my wife—know your fucking place.”
“And you’re my husband,” I mutter through clenched teeth. “Know your fucking place.”

➸ Rai Sokolov: I liked Rai the most. She's a true russian mafia princess. Reina was the mean bitch twin but Rai is the badass twin. She's always trying to rise up in the brotherhood, where fate and intelligence is determined by the gender you belong to. What I did not liked was how easily she was manipulated by Kai. Apparently, she's not a badass when it comes to her vengeful husband. She did gave him as much as he did and I liked that she didn't tolerated his bullshit attitude but I also wish she fought Kyle when he forced her with sex toys, but then every interaction leads to sex, so I guess it's worthless in the end.

“I’m your wife, and therefore, your equal, not a second-rate citizen you can do with as you please. Don’t dish out your double standards on me—you won’t like how I react.”

➸ Kyle Hunter: Kyle is just like all the other asshole mmcs written by Rina Kent. He's ruthless, vengeful, arrogant because he's the best hitman in Bratva. His manipulative toxicity got on my nerves so many times. I hated the way he treated Rai, always trying to tame her with sex toys even though he knew how hard she worked to earn her position in the brotherhood. It was like he didn't care if they judged her because he always turned them on during the brotherhood meetings. But I also liked how he tried to save her everytime with his own life even when he claimed to hate her. I guess I am conflicted about him until I finally find out his real motives in next book.

“She tastes like addiction and bad decisions, and yet I would still come back for a hit every day.”

The romance was just lust, sex and tension. I didn't felt the emotional connection between Rai and Kyle. The arranged marriage trope was executed well but I think what I was truly missing was the past timeline, where they spent months and Rai fell for him but he left her without giving her any reason, and it just felt weird because the past was left undiscovered and there was no retelling of what actually happened between Kyle and Rai seven years ago and what their dynamics were when he worked as an assassin/bodyguard for her. I wish we get some chapters from the past timeline in next book because that part feels essential to establish Rai's mixed feelings for Kyle. But the hunter x Russian mafia princess dynamics served in this book.

“Come here, Rai.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you close.”
“Why do you want me close?” Her voice is small, as if she doesn’t know how to ask that question.
“Because at the moment when I thought it was the end, that’s the only thing I wanted.”

That's the only normal moment they had in this book, the rest is just angst and sex.

I somehow knew how this book was gonna end, so I am not surprised with that.

Talking about side characters? Adrian, Kirill and Damien have all my attention and I can't wait to read their books!