Book Review: The Soulless King by April Wildman

The Soulless King, the first installment of April Wildman's Chronika series, dives into a dark, steamy, and thrilling paranormal world where power, secrecy, and forbidden desire intertwine. This debut novel delivers a pulse-pounding blend of romance and supernatural intrigue, perfect for fans of dark fantasy who enjoy a story driven by intense emotions and high-stakes drama.

The story revolves around Maeve Perryman, a public relations expert who has made a career out of fixing the reputations of the rich and powerful. Maeve is sharp, confident, and more than capable of navigating the murky waters of celebrity scandal. However, her newest assignment is far from ordinary—her job is to clean up the public image of Symmachia, a shadowy council overseeing a supernatural world that humans know nothing about. It's a world of vampires, werewolves, and ancient beings whose power can be felt in every interaction.

At the heart of this world is Aristotle Crane, the brooding and enigmatic King of Shadows, a thousand-year-old vampire whose weary existence has long been devoid of hope or passion. Aristotle has ruled his dark kingdom with a ruthless hand, but behind his hardened exterior, he secretly longs for a way out—a release from the eternity that has become his prison. His character embodies the quintessential tortured hero, dark and seductive, yet yearning for something more.

When Maeve and Aristotle cross paths, their chemistry is immediate, electric, and undeniably dangerous. Maeve's determination to maintain her professional boundaries is constantly tested by Aristotle’s presence. He exudes an irresistible pull that threatens to unravel her control, but Maeve is more than just a damsel caught in the thrall of a powerful vampire. She's quick-witted, strong, and hiding her own secrets, making her a compelling and layered heroine.

Wildman excels at building tension—not just of the romantic and sexual variety, though the book certainly delivers on that front—but also in crafting a world filled with mystery, political intrigue, and dark history. The romance between Maeve and Aristotle is a slow burn, laced with danger and conflicting desires. Aristotle, with his centuries of torment, finds in Maeve something he never thought possible—a chance at redemption and connection. The dynamic between them is intense, and their developing relationship is both fiery and emotional, exploring themes of trust, sacrifice, and the struggle between duty and desire.

The supernatural elements in The Soulless King add layers of complexity to the narrative. The world-building is rich, with an underworld of ancient beings and complex power structures. The Symmachia, in particular, is a fascinating element—its members, each with their own agenda, are shrouded in mystery, and the political games they play give the book a sense of looming conflict. The story is also laced with secrets, some of which remain tantalizingly out of reach by the novel’s end, ensuring readers will be eager for the next installment.

While the book is heavy on romance and sensual tension, it doesn’t shy away from the darker side of the supernatural world. Wildman doesn’t hold back when it comes to the brutality of the Shadow realm—there’s blood, violence, and moments of genuine danger that keep the stakes high. This blend of romance and darker elements makes The Soulless King a well-rounded entry into the paranormal romance genre, appealing to readers who want both heart and edge.

For some readers, the pace of the book may feel uneven at times. The romantic tension, while deliciously drawn out, occasionally overshadows the larger plot. However, this is the first in a series, and it's clear that many of the story’s larger arcs—both personal and political—are being set up for future exploration.

In conclusion, The Soulless King is a strong start to the Chronika series, offering an intoxicating mix of dark romance, supernatural intrigue, and complex characters. April Wildman weaves a story that is both passionate and dangerous, where love is intertwined with power, and every choice has the potential to change everything. Fans of dark paranormal romance will find much to enjoy in this book, and Maeve and Aristotle's turbulent journey is only just beginning. If you’re looking for a steamy, high-stakes love story set in a world where nothing is as it seems, The Soulless King is well worth picking up.

"The Soulless King" is a dark paranormal romance that draws you in from the first page.

The story follows a PR expert and an enigmatic ancient vampire king working together, blending suspense, passion, and supernatural elements beautifully. With its slow-burn romance and spicy moments, the book strikes a wonderful balance of tension and release.

While some aspects of the plot might feel familiar, the overall narrative remains enchanting. Readers should be aware of the high spice level and read trigger warnings for violence, but most dark romance fans will be familiar and feel comfortable.

"The Soulless King" presents a unique and compelling beginning to a series that will leave fans of dark paranormal romance excited for more.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for my eARC copy for review.

Fantastic book! 4/5 spice level, great scenes. While this book is the first of a series, there is NO cliffhanger. The author has a great way with words and descriptions left me feeling like I was right there. The plotline took a bit to set up and then the rest of the book was a lot of action, which was fine by me. Can't wait to read more in this world.

Did I love this book? No. Did I like it enough to want to know what happens next, totally!

I don’t usually read dark romantacies, and yet I didn’t find it THAAAT dark. Maeve, a human, is tasked with the challenge of helping create a newer and better image for the Symmachja, a group of vampires and other shadowy characters. Aristotle, the leader of the group, is a centuries old vampire, brooding, tall, dark, and handsome, typical romantacy MMC.

Was it spicy. Yes. Different, sure. There was even some decent banter. Plot wise, part of me felt like there really wasn’t so much of a plot until the second half of the book.

Again, was it awful, no. Definitely intrigued to see how the next book turns out. Not giving up on Chronika.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I'm not exactly convinced about this book. I mean, the story itself was quite captivating, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down, as I was enjoying it very much. I'd say this book has its ups and downs.

Maeve is a human in a world where supernatural beings are out and about. She finds a PR job in Symmachia, basically the board of directors of all supernatural beings, led by Aristotle Crane. While in this job, Maeve gets to learn a few things she had not idea, about herself, the supernatural world and about Aristotle himself.

Aristotle is a character I have enjoyed reading about a lot. It's a story told in third person but inside both Maeve's and Aristotle's pov. A new things but not necessarily bad.

When they say this book is dark and a steamy slow burn, well, yes, it is dark and the steamy slow burn is very steamy and very, very slow.

The plot is meh, I mean, some things were easy to spot a mile away, and the real plot of the novel fell a bit flat for me. So that's why I can't give it more than 3 stars. But, I still would like to find out how the story continues.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for having me reading this novel, coming out October 1st

Maeve Perryman, a sassy badass living in a world where humans and supernatural beings intermingle, lands a PR job for the King of the Shadows. She gets to know Aristotle Crane, Helene, Sephora, and the other members of Symmachia, as well as learns more about herself. Complete with humor, action, and a slow-burn sexy romance, The Soulless King is a phenomenal read and I already can't wait to read the next book in the series!!

I am sure that I have read this book before, somewhere...can't, for the life of me figure out where, though. I was able to totally predict everything that was going to happen. Anyway...While I though the world building was very good, I didn't like or really care for any of the characters. The writer's "voice"/style just wasn't my cup of tea. Not to take away from the book in anyway...it was me, not the book. Best wishes and much success!!!

When the description says dark, it means dark; I wish the author had a trigger warning before the book to warn the reader! This is a good book with a compelling storyline and a good love story, and the writing is excellent. I would go into this book knowing it's a dark romance, and you should be prepared for those themes.