Much better than expected!

The summary of the book itself read like a dream, a combination of all my guilty pleasures. I really wanted to listen but admit I was hesitant to buy as Joel Leslie narrated the story. I'd only heard one of his narrations (Hidden In darkness) and hated it unfortunately, with the main characters sounding so fake and forced, like the main male leads from Everyone Loves Raymond. So I went into his dubious but Joel Leslie is AMAZING here! The main characters have beautiful voices and every single sub character has their own individual accent or tone that helps you identify them, give them their own character. He even differentiates between regions so you instantly know the different dialects and that is such a skilful thing to do. I would even say the way he works this piece is one of the most varied and talented reads I've ever listened to (and I've listen to a lot). Maybe Hidden in Darkness was just a bad day for him or maybe I just didn't gel with it but his read of this story, Alpha King is astounding and so beautiful I cannot fault him. Will definitely try his other reads.
As for the story itself, it was everything I loved in a shifter story. Wolves, mates, omegas, alphas, a strong omega that stands against adversity without being obnoxious or overpowering. Luca and Kit were beautifully real and flawed and sweet and I loved every second of this story. Kudos to the author and to Joel Leslie they made an excellent team and if you like shifter/omega stories you must listen to this.

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Mixed feelings

I have mixed feelings about this book, generally I liked the story, the characters were engaging, but, I found myself talking to myself while listening. Getting annoyed with the way things progressed when common communication could have saved a lot of the problems this couple had.
Having said that I also found myself listening longer than I really had the time for just to see what happened next.
The narration of this book is masterfully carried out with Joel Leslie's trade mark splendour. Every single voice and accent easy to separate. I'm glad I bought the audio just to hear his narrative.

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1 person found this helpful

Such a great to listen to

If you could sum up The Alpha King in three words, what would they be?

I really enjoyed listening to this book, Narrared by Joel Leslie( who has such a awesome voice and he really gets the characters voices.
The Alpha King is about Luca and Kit, Kit is a human omega, Luca is the alpha, when they meet up by chance after seven years(of a brief meeting ) they know they are mates, but didn't know that Luca and Kit power together will be so strong.
Luca becomes Alpha King and Kit is a pure omega, their bond is so strong that they can lead humans and wolves to live side by side. I love shifters books. This drew me in so much that I listen with joy. Congratulations Victoria Sue and Joel Leslie for a very enjoyable book

Who was your favorite character and why?

Both Luca and Kit Luca made many foolish mistakes. But they grew together

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Joel Lesie, he really gave the book depth, and drew me into the book

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Like I've said really enjoyable book

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3 people found this helpful

Enjoyable shifter story

My first MPreg story and my first book by Victoria Sue. 
The world building is excellent. In the Kingdom of Askara Werewolf's rule and take humans as servants or slaves beaten and controlled in all aspects of life. Luca is betrayed by his brother and left for dead. He is rescued by Kit, at the detriment to himself. Kit tells him that he will be the Alpha King. Years later they meet again and sparks fly. I've never really been tempted by MPreg stories but I like the way this one is done.

There is so much here, betrayal, politics, espionage, fated mates, jealousy, love, misunderstanding, kindness and passion. An enjoyable shifter fantasy that has a fairy tale qualities. I quite enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Joel Leslie the ultimate showman brings all these aspects alive. Listening to him being an elder statesman one minute and a young girl next is magical. Perfect intonation swept me along with the story, many times I had to just stop what I was doing and listen spellbound. Definitely listening to this story again.

I was given a copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.

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1 person found this helpful

bloody loved this audio book!

Luca survived his poisoning only because a child distracted his tormentors. When Kit turns up at the choosing ceremony as a slave, Luca sees red and kills the current Alpha who was pretending to be The Alpha King. The Alpha King is a tite long since abused, but can only be held by an Alpha who has a Pure Omega as a mate. That his mate is a human MALE makes no odds to Luca, but he needs to look after the pack, ALL the packs, and having Kit as his mate will be one more difficulty he needs to overcome.
I LOVED this!
Luca knows he will be Alpha of a pack one day, he just has to bide his time. He never expected that Alpha title to come with a King on the end. Kit called him that, all those years ago, but he never thought anything by it. Now that Kit is in his arms, and Luca has inherited the title properly, he also comes into his powers. He didn't know about those. Kit's presence in his life, in his bed has opened a whole can of worms but Luca knows he can shut it.
Kit is an unlicensed human, used to life treating him in the worst way. He knew, he always KNEW that Luca was his mate, that Luca would be the salvation for all humans and the way they were treated, he just didn't expect to actually FEEL for Luca, to fall in love with him.
Both Luca and Kit have a says, in the third person. I wasn't sure Kit would for a time, since it is a way into the book before he gets his voice, so I was mighty pleased about that. It's deeply emotional in places, when Kit tells of his childhood (such as it was) and Luca talks about the future. It's violent in others when Kit is kidnapped and Luca does what he has to do to save Kit, and the consequences of that action.
It is a wonderfully told story!
This world is (currently) a bad place for humans, since the wolves overthrew the humans and enslaved them centuries ago. Once, the humans were the dominant species and much of their history is now lost to the winds of time, but Luca has a very industrious friend who digs up all kinds of long lost information, for both the humans AND for Luca and about the title of Alpha King and the Pure Omega who mates him. Things that are all kinds of spoilers and I'm not saying. But I also have a feeling that much more will be discovered in time that will turn a lot of things on their heads.
There are a couple of characters who I would like to have either heard from here, or would like if they could have their own stories, but I'm not sure that would work, in the grand scheme of things. Sam and Asher especially, but another couple too.
Joel Leslie narrates.
I love Mr Leslie's work, I really do. I could listen to the man read the phone book!
I cannot fault the narration! Everyone's voice fits their descriptions, each voice is clear and easily definable when in multi person conversations.
Leslie's reading voice is deep and even, and I had no problem with keeping up when Leslie gets over the emotions these guys were feeling. Sometimes, I lose that, when a narrator dips their voice when the characters are emotional, but not so Leslie!
I have books 2 and 3 to listen to, just as soon as I find some time. I can't wait!
5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration too
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

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Wonderful world building

This is book 1 in the Kingdom of Askara series and what a fabulous way to start. We have an intriguing story of werewolves and humans, one in which wolves rule over them. The world building is excellent, detailed enough for you to become immersed in the world, but not so different that it will feel unfamiliar to those of you who read/ listen to a lot of shifter/human stories. This is also a great love story between Luca and Kit. Luca becoming the Alpha King and Kit his pure omega. I loved this part of the world with the omega's each having a different gift/ ability. If you love mpreg, this is definitely going to be right up your street. I've not read/listened to a better mpreg book. The cast of secondary characters really bring this kingdom to life. Joel Leslie's narration is spot on, his pacing and timing are impeccable. His voicing of Kit portrays all of Kit's fragility, vulnerability and naïveté. He also has distinct character voices for the rest of the cast, so it's always easy to hear who is speaking. It's not too long a listen at 8 hours 16 mins but long enough for you to fall in love with Kit and Luca and with the kingdom of Askara. Victoria Sue has woven a great story of conflict and betrayl but with love and resolution overcoming. Performed by Joel this is a truly great shifter listen. Straight onto The Alpha Heir ( Kingdom of Askara book 2). Highly Recommended!

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Simply brilliant

Where does The Alpha King rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

How does this book rank? Well here is my current decision making tree when buying audiobooks: Is it narrated by Joel Leslie? If yes BUY if no DON'T Buy.
He has fast become my favourite narrator and I already loved this story so win win!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Alpha King?

I can only have one?? *pouts* this is such a complete story, way more than a romance, and makes me laugh in many places. I think the bit near the start where Luca breaks ranks to protect Kit is fab.

Which character – as performed by Joel Leslie – was your favourite?

Now this is impossible, Joel, possibly more than any other narrator actually breaths life into each character. He doesn't simply read a book he lives it, each character has their own voice not just the main ones. I think he does a fantastic job with Luca's sisters, especially the younger one which can't be easy for a man

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I'm rubbish at these - its why I'm a reader not a writer!
How about "An unexpected mate gives him a kingdom and so much more!"

Any additional comments?

I know this is an Mpreg story which can put some off but if you are going to try one for the first time this is fab :-)

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The King and the Pauper 🖤💙

An Heir to the kingdom and a kid with a vision. Luca was betrayed by his own blood, but he was destined to great things and was saved by a young kid. When he came into his own, his destiny would have to be fulfilled. His mate is unexpected, different but he would be his strength. I loved this story and Kit, and couldn’t stop listening. I had to know the unraveling and at times wanted to slap Luca silly. The narration did it for me, made me feel all the emotions.

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Enjoyable audio

This was a highly enjoyable narration of an entertaining story. The reselling was superb and offered highly differentiated characters which led to great world building and therefore an engaging listen.

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escapism

This was pure soppy, angsty, fun escapism and exactly what I needed this evening. 😃 Also helped that I could listen to the narration in one sitting while doing other chores. Will look out for Asher and Sam's story.

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