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The Forsaken King
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
A captive revenge romance where the heroine actually challenges the kidnapping trope instead of accepting it — Ivory has a steel spine and calls Huntley on his nonsense. The fantasy world is surprisingly rich with dragons and soul-sucking creatures, and the enemies-to-lovers tension crackles. Fast-paced with high spice and a cliffhanger that will have you grabbing book 2 immediately.
Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Penelope Sky releases her first sexy fantasy romance under Penelope Barsetti. Readers have said, "It's got everything I love in her contemporary novels. Feisty Heroine. Action. Betrayal. Pretty much everything!" Ivory : I see him watch me. Everywhere I go—he follows. He’s one of my father’s guards at the castle. Goes by the name Mastodon. There’s something about him I don’t like, but my warnings are never taken seriously. But I bet if my brother voiced the same concerns that would be no issue…just because he has balls and I don’t. Well, I have bigger balls than he ever will. When I leave for the Capital, Mastodon escorts me. And just as I feared, he kills my guards and captures me. At least he tries to capture me. There’s a lot of running and chasing. I land an arrow right in his neck, but it does nothing. It’s like he doesn’t even feel it. He takes me into a cavern and we descend deep underground—to the Bottom of the Cliffs. Then he tells me why he’s doing this. Because my family took everything from him—and now he’s about to do the same. Mastodon : Her father murdered mine then raped my mother—and forced me to watch. Then he pushed us over the cliff—to our deaths. But we survived—and now we’re ready for revenge. She’s the key to that. After she helps us get what we need, I’ll hang her by her pretty neck and watch her take her last breath. I steal her from Delacroix—and of course, she fights me the whole way. Not just with her fists, but her mouth too. If she wasn’t my pawn, I might actually like her. When I hand her over to my mother, I realize she has far more sinister plans. She tells me to do exactly what her father did—and force her. That’s not the kind of man I am, so the answer is no. But then she asks Geralt—the most barbaric man I’ve ever met. So I volunteer—because I know she’d rather it be me than anyone else. This book contains dark themes and subject matter that may be difficult for some readers
At a Glance
4.12 ★ GoodreadsTop TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
4.12 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
339 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2021
Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?
Fantasy Romance
PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.
M/F
POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).
Dual POV
Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.
Medium Burn
CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.
spoiler
AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
Yes
FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.
Dual Narration
NarratorThe voice in your ears.
Michael Ferraiuolo, Ramona Master
Narrator Count
2
TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.
Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.
fast
Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.
moderate
Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.
medium
VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'
Characters
FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?
MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.
Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.
Spice Details 🌶️
Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.
Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.
Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.
World & Setting
World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.
Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.
Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.
RepresentationIdentity representation in the book. LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, disability, neurodivergence, body type, age and more.
Reading Context
Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.
Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.
anytimeWhen & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.
Short Takes
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