The Never King (Vicious Lost Boys Book 1)

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Across the way she could see where the cliff face was alight with the glimmer of gemstones in the soft afternoon light. Witchstones, the source of the witches’ power, the various colours used for different spells and ready to be mined by the younger girls, who would abseil safely under the protection of numerous wards. When Nikki isn’t writing or daydreaming about sinfully sexy bad guys, she can either be found on the beach or at home with her husband and daughter. No I did not,’ Landril said. ‘Mardonius has begun a campaign to clear our nation of those who worship the Goddess and other gods.’ No one was able to answer him. The watchman stared through his tears. Nearby someone screamed in mourning. Winne Darling ends up in Neverland, and she meets not only Peter Pan but the Lost Boys; the twins, Kas and Bash, and then there’s Vane. The twins Kas and Bash are curious about her, and Vane wants to scare and/or break her. Peter Pan has told them all not to touch her. None of them are supposed to touch the Darlings.

Don’t get me wrong, if you want spice this book is way more focused on that than the plot. There’s no true development of the relationships. It goes from “we’re not sleeping with you” to “you sleep with no one else” in a heartbeat. But in a “you’re our whore and we’ll do whatever we want with you” kind of way. This is where my main problem comes from for the book. I don’t like degrading language during sex scenes. Some people like it, but I don’t. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the series outside of that. I couldn’t set these books down as I read them. The plot of each is a little all over the place, but each book focuses on a specific aspect. Here’s the overview of each book without giving too many spoilers: Of course. Look, spy, whatever you were out there –’ Xavir gestured with finger to the west – ‘does not apply in here.’ Elysia sighed, stepped towards the ornate stone rim and peered into the rippling pool of water. About two yards away, in the centre of the pool, a stone fish rose up and from out of its mouth came a stream of clear water. Aside from their voices and the occasional shrill bird cry, the bubbling fountain was the only sound here.Each male character you either love or hate. The twins I liked. Their curiosity got them in trouble, though. One Lost Boy in this book went a little too far. (No spoiling here) Peter Pan and Vane are ones that you hate at first, especially Vane, until you get to know them more, and I want to know these two more. I love some morally grey male characters, and Nikki St. Crowe wrote these characters well. Maybe too well. I can’t afford to add any more book boyfriends to my list. My husband is getting jealous.

Because when night falls, he comes for me. And this time, the Never King and the Lost Boys aren’t willing to let me go. Hell’s Keep. An apt moniker. More so than its official designation, Citadel Thirty-Six. The grey, high, fortress-like walls were built into the third highest peak of the Silkspire Mountains, two thousand feet up from one of the long-abandoned merchant routes out of the eastern kingdoms. Well away from the home comforts of Stravimon. This was a place to send only the most hardened and dangerous criminals. Those too deadly to imprison in any normal gaol – but too important or useful to have killed. No one had ever escaped. Jorund daubed woad to his face within the cramped confines of his watchman’s house and considered the grim situation ahead. Those too young and too old to participate in the coming battle were escorted into the nearby caves – Jorund’s young, pregnant wife, Carmissa, among them. All who remained were willing fighters determined to protect their homes. A grin came to Jorund’s lips. This will do. ‘Well, make a noise, you ugly bastards. You’re meant to be savages!’ Why can you not do what is a simple task for a sister of your advanced learning?’ Yvindris’s words were neither soft nor harsh, just the same emotionless monotone that most of the old matrons used with her. Only Birgitta was any different.

I’m stronger than you think,” I tell him. “Even the mighty oak believes she is strong until a man comes along with an ax to chop her down.” “Is that you then? Do you have an ax?” “All men are born with an ax in their hands, Darling. To take the measure of a man, you just have to pay attention to how he wields it.” Xavir Argentum is rotting in gaol. Sentenced to life in the squalor of Hell’s Keep, punishment for an atrocity he didn’t commit, the once legendary commander is all but forgotten. His elite band of warriors are dead – and the kingdom he was poised to inherit is oppressed by the tyrant who framed him. For half a decade now, Xavir has ruled nothing but a prison gang. The statement felt even more petty and ridiculous given Landril’s earlier news about the crimes going on in the wider world. Now I’m entangled right alongside him in a war we can’t seem to escape. We thought we had defeated our enemies. The young novice and the old, blue-robed teacher walked in silence along the passageway. Yvindris had a slight limp because of a persistent pain in her left leg which she waxed lyrical about to the bored Elysia. This was typical conversation among the older tutors, seemingly more concerned about news of their health than about magic – and even talking about magic could be dull enough at times. It made Elysia more determined than ever to spend time practising the more physical arts, lest she turn into someone like Yvindris.