⚠ This review contains a minor teaser!

•••
• BLURB •
I live in a world where secrecy reigns.
A Society rooted in power, wealth, and long-held dynasties.
Where men are Kings, and women are pawns.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamt of escaping the shackles of my expectations.
But it can only ever be a dream.
I made a fatal mistake, and those shackles became a cage.
Now I’m trapped in a war with a man who controls my every move.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My enemy, my tormentor, and my solace.
His words have the power to wound me.
His touch just might break me.
But this is his kingdom, and as long as I’m here I only have one choice.
I’ll play by his rules.
•••
• MY REVIEW •
“When Mercedes and I come together, it’s like fire and ice. A battle of wills. Two beasts with our jaws on each other’s jugulars. For one to win, the other must lose, but what will the cost be?”
Give this book ALL the stars! It may be a little premature since this is only the first book in the trilogy, but I’m calling it anyways… this is the BEST, most intense story I’ve read within The Society! I have enjoyed all the previous books set in this world but I just emotionally connected with Mercedes’ and Judge’s unbelievably in-depth story on a whole deeper level!
It’s ironic how much of a non-fan I was of Mercedes in The Society Trilogy (where she was first introduced) only to come back around after reading His Rule to become my favourite heroine! 😅 A true testament of Knight’s and Zavarelli’s high quality storytelling to have who was once considered a devious antagonist become a complex, misunderstood protagonist you can’t helped but be emotionally invested in… and lowkey wanting to kick ass!
Whilst I had instantaneously adored Judge in The Society Trilogy, Mercedes however was a tough character to support. But seeing how much her character has evolved and finally knowing her backstory made me realize how quickly I may have prejudged her and assumed she was just another trouble-making side character. 🤦♀️
Other than his sense of dominance and power within The Society, very little is known of Judge as a character before this book, and when you finally learn about his story, you will swoon over him more so. He blows hot and cold, yet I found myself mirroring Mercedes as she navigates through her feelings.
A fast-paced, super action-packed storytelling that has so many twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the book. It has an overall sense of mystery, danger, and thrill that only heightened the reading experience. I found the world-building so vivid and alluring that I wished I could transport to their world.
Knight and Zavarelli know how to write weighty, in-depth stories and this is another prime example of their honed skills. The secrecy lurking at what seems like every corner, the handful of seedy secondary characters that you can’t help but need to keep constant attention on, and the rollercoaster ride that Judge and Mercedes takes you on as they battle out the effects of their push-pull relationship is what makes His Rule a must read!
The chemistry between these two fierce characters was off the charts FIRE! The heated banter was entertaining and only increased my love for them as a couple. There’s such an appeal in the forbidden aspect of their relationship and as the story develops, the more you want to see their bond.
Just the dark, romantic suspense story I needed for the perfect escape. It has an amazing combination of elements I look for (and expect) in my dark romance reads. Yes, it’s ultimately a work of fiction, but a lot of the parts included are fairly realistic and relatable— from the complex family dynamics, to the bonds and friendships formed, to dealing with one’s own social standing. I love the many layers this story consisted of, with multiple subplots both in the foreground and background, it’s what made it such a gripping read. There’s an equal balance of romance, personal journey, and all-around suspense to keep the intensifying build-up that culminates to an epic cliffhanger. It’s safe to say this book left me in such a desperate state of needing book two!
Please note, this book does contain sensitive subject matter that may be triggering for some readers such as, child abuse, domestic abuse, and graphic violence. It also contains strong sexual content. Intended for readers 18+ only.
However, if you have no triggers, and love any of the following romance tropes and genres, I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR.
- Hate-to-Love
- Forbidden Romance
- Dark Romance
- Romantic Suspense
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Age Gap Romance
It’s not necessary to read The Society Trilogy first, but I still recommend you do so, or at least go back to it after reading this one as it introduces you to Judge and Mercedes, and how their intricate relationship began.
Knight and Zavarelli are THE dream romance writing team and in my honest opinion His Rule was beautifully executed. Mercedes’ and Judge’s story not only expanded the existing world-building but IVI have another striking couple added to their already impressive list.
All in all, it’s an unbelievably impressive start to The Rite Trilogy. I couldn’t fault it. It’ll definitely be a story I’ll go back and visit time and time again!
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you Natasha, Ashleigh, and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read an advanced copy! 💛
🔔 Interested in reading His Rule? Grab your copy here: Amazon US | Amazon INTL | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple Books | Google Play
•••
🌹 More from the exclusive world of The Society – IVI

💀 The Society Trilogy by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli
(Santiago De La Rosa and Ivy Moreno)
Book One: Requiem Of The Soul by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli
Book Two: Reparation Of Sin by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli
Book Three: Resurrection Of The Heart by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli
•••

👑 Kingdom Fall by A. Zavarelli
(Alessio Scarcello and Natalia Cabrera)
Standalone Book: Kingdom Fall by A. Zavarelli
•••
⛪ Devil’s Pawn Duet by Natasha Knight
(Jericho St. James and Isabelle Bishop)
Book One: Devil’s Pawn by Natasha Knight
Book Two: Devil’s Redemption by Natasha Knight
•••
Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo
You must be logged in to post a comment.