The Reluctant King

By: Rachel Higginson

Narrated by: Josh Hurley, Bailey Carr

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Avalon St. Andrews has endured Hell and war in an attempt to secure freedom and immortality for his people. Raised and conditioned to be both warrior and leader, he now sits on a throne with his sister Eden, governing the Kingdom in peace. While his people enjoy the benefits of his struggle and loss, he is restless, bored and alone.

Avalon is summoned to fight in order to save his people once more as the Kingdom is threatened by a brand new evil. In addition to reigning in a kingship he doesn't want, he is fighting against the very people he has fought so hard to protect. They are determined to throw away their newfound freedom and their newfound leaders.

In this war and in this kingship he feels alone. And for the first time he feels hollow. That is until Amelia Cartier shows up, invading his every thought and shaking up his carefully controlled world.

Now he faces yet another battle - making Amelia his queen.

©2012 Rachel Higginson (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Not as great as the first 4 books

I loved the first four books in the Star Crossed series, but this one was kind of disappointing in comparison. Avalon is much less likable from his own pov than he was from Eden's perspective. I will still listen to the rest of the books on the series to see what happens. I'm hopeful the others will be better than this one.

Least favorite of series

I listened to 6 and 7 and went back to 1 to read them all. I didn't like the crass language throughout this one. It seemed also like Avalon's thought processes and the author's descriptions were extremely repetitive, causing me to want to roll my eyes in the knowledge I heard it all before. I loved Avalon's character for the most part in the other books, but not in this one.

No,no,no

Why????? I was so in to these books and then I got to this one that was read by Josh Hurley mostly. His voice as Avalon was blah and annoying. I had to stop listening. Why ruin a good thing?? Bailey Carr was awesome as all the characters in the first 4 books. Well, I am off to find another storyI can listen to. So long Star Crossed Series.

Jury is still out

The Jury is still out on this series. This is the first I’ve listened to and I’m thankful it was included and didn’t cost me a credit. I’m a finisher, so I finished it … I hope the closing means Avalon has grown up. Because good grief … he’s king, evidently a renowned warrior… but what a piece of work. I get that the author must be trying to show his character development … but the self obsessed egotistical bits are overdone and are jarring against his clear dedication to his people and cause. And the misogynistic overtones are also over the top and just don’t mesh with Jo he’s supposed to be. A dozen ways this character could have been developed so that all the pieces if his character aligned as he grew and learned lessons about himself and others. The story is fascinating and makes e want to learn more … so based on reviews, I’ll try another book out of curiosity for the story itself. But sheesh. I hope Avalon truly has become the man he was meant to be. I can’t handle anymore of his “growing”.

Overall it’s a good experience

It was a good book with a good story. Interesting setting throughout the book. Looking forward to the next one.

Just not a good read .

So many issues . They changed the voice for Karin and Eden . Some how aunt Sill raised Eden after finishing med school from newborn and Eden is in her early 20’s yet aunt Sill is in her mid 30’s . Please make that make sense .
Repeat victims like leave Lilly alone already ! I just feel like another book was needed and this was not well thought out.

A nice switch

I really enjoyed the story for Avalon's life. I am happy to also be kept in sync with everyone else as well. I wish the book had covered more of the story after the ambush at the engagement party and I really wanted to hear more about Lilly's fate. I like the closeness that he shares with his sister as well as his family, adopted, foster family. I enjoyed this story but it could have given more.

Story Slightly Juvenile but Good Continuation of Series

I enjoyed the earlier books in this series and it’s narrator (except for her atrocious French accent). Was a little disappointed in the change of narrator, though I understand as the POV has changed. New narrator is MUCH better at accents but voice is fairly young and juvenile. Story is mostly good. I expect follow-up books to be stronger in storyline. This seems to be a setup for more interesting action. Disappointed again in the author’s depiction of Machu Picchu. Clearly, she has never been there, as the story makes no sense for anyone who has. For one, you can’t drive a vehicle into town - you can only get there by train or tour bus. Story is mostly mushy love stuff with only a few parts pushing the plot forward. I don’t mind love stuff by any means, but somehow the narrator’s voice made it seem quite childish. Whereas, in the earlier books, I was able to enjoy unfolding romances. I think if this was standalone, I wouldn’t be a fan. But since I’m mid-series and know there’s better story to come, I can forgive the weakness and cheesiness of this one as I look forward to a more mature follow-up.

❤

Loved it.. so well written and the characters just steal your heart! now for the next book.

Grammar becoming too distracting to finish

Made it through this far in the series since the story was compelling, however the grammar and misuse of words has become too distracting. Author needs better editors/proofreaders.