King of Wrath by Ana Huang Summary
In "King of Wrath," jewelry heiress Vivian Lau faces an arranged marriage with vengeful billionaire Dante Russo. This steamy enemies-to-lovers tale has captivated romance readers with its fresh take on power dynamics, cultural tensions, and the irresistible question: can hatred truly transform into passion?
About the author
Ana Huang, the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of King of Wrath, is renowned for crafting steamy contemporary romances with morally gray heroes and emotionally layered storytelling. A Chinese-American writer born to immigrant parents, Huang infuses her narratives with multicultural perspectives and globetrotting settings, drawing from her international relations background and study abroad experiences in Shanghai. Her expertise in blending angst-driven plots with billionaire romance tropes has solidified her status as a leading voice in the BookTok community.
Huang’s blockbuster Kings of Sin series, which includes King of Wrath, King of Pride, and King of Greed, explores power dynamics and redemption within elite circles.
She is equally celebrated for her viral Twisted series, republished by Bloom Books, which dominated bestseller lists for over a year. Featured in Cosmopolitan, Elle India, and Good Morning America, Huang’s work resonates globally, with translations in over 25 languages. By 2024, her novels had sold 1.4 million print copies in the U.S. alone, ranking her among the top-selling BookTok authors worldwide.
FAQs About This Book
King of Wrath follows billionaire CEO Dante Russo and jewelry heiress Vivian Lau, who enter a forced engagement due to blackmail. Initially resentful, their strategic alliance evolves into a passionate romance as they confront familial pressures and personal vulnerabilities. Themes of power, control, and emotional growth drive this steamy contemporary romance, set in New York and Boston.
Fans of enemies-to-lovers tropes, arranged marriages, and billionaire romances will enjoy this book. It’s ideal for readers seeking spicy scenes, complex character dynamics, and explorations of duty versus desire. Those who appreciate Ana Huang’s Twisted series or authors like Elena Armas and Tessa Bailey will find it compelling.
Yes, King of Wrath is praised for its slow-burn romance, layered character development, and high-stakes emotional conflicts. Readers note its balance of steamy scenes and realistic growth, though some critique Dante’s initial harshness. With a 4.1/5 Goodreads rating, it’s a strong pick for romance enthusiasts.
Key themes include familial pressure (Vivian’s obedience vs. independence), moral compromise (Dante’s blackmail-driven choices), and vulnerability (breaking emotional barriers). The story contrasts societal expectations with personal desires, highlighting the cost of control in relationships.
- Dante Russo: A ruthless CEO forced into marriage, masking vulnerability with arrogance.
- Vivian Lau: An ambitious heiress torn between duty and self-discovery.
- Francis Lau: Vivian’s manipulative father, whose secrets drive the plot.
The novel frames arranged marriage as a catalyst for growth, showing how Dante and Vivian’s initial hostility transforms into mutual respect and love. It critiques transactional relationships while celebrating emotional authenticity.
Tropes include forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, billionaire romance, and fake engagement. The story also incorporates secrets, blackmail, and family drama, typical of Ana Huang’s signature style.
The book contains explicit open-door scenes, earning its “steamy” reputation. Spice level is comparable to Huang’s Twisted series, with tension-building moments and intimate emotional connections.
- King of Wrath (Dante & Vivian)
- King of Pride (Kai & Isabella)
- King of Greed (Alessandro & Julia)
- King of Sloth (upcoming)
It shares tropes like alpha heroes and strong heroines with Huang’s Twisted series but focuses more on familial duty vs. self-identity. Fans praise its deeper emotional stakes, though it retains her signature blend of steam and angst.
Some readers find Dante overly abrasive initially, and the blackmail plot stretches believability. However, most praise the character growth and romantic payoff, noting it improves on rereads.
Its themes of balancing tradition with modernity resonate in discussions about gender roles and autonomy. TikTok trends highlighting “morally gray heroes” and arranged marriage tropes have also revived interest.
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
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