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The King and The Firebird: Virtus Academy Book 2, An Enemies to Lovers Romance
Blurb:
Amelia
Of all the mistakes I could have made, deceiving Hektor Malgrem might have been my worst.
He is volatile.
He is chaos.
He’s the king of Virtus.
The eldest Q heir.
And I put myself in his path.
Sealed our fates together.
He wants my secrets, but it’s a risk I can’t afford taking without something in exchange: his heart.
Hektor
I used to think I could have everything I wanted with the snap of my fingers.
Until I met the firebird.
Torn between an obsession and the burning indigo fire that is Amelia Veldinari, I find myself battling the worst demon: greed.
I’m nothing if not ruthless. So why not have it all?
*****
The King and The Firebird is the second installment in the Virtus Academy series, and although each book—including this one—can be read as a standalone, the following ones will have interconnected events. Therefore, for the sake of the bigger picture, some particular situations—like the identity of the villains in this book (I need them to keep doing bad things in the future)—will be intentionally left unexplained or unfinished here, only to be picked up in the upcoming books.
Also, this book contains major spoilers for The Wolf and The Rose, and if you didn’t read it yet, I recommend you start with that one. Or, if you don’t mind, then go for it. Your choice. :)
There are no cliffhangers at the end of the book regarding the starring couple, and it ends in an HEA.
Intended for mature audience only. 18+
Amelia
Of all the mistakes I could have made, deceiving Hektor Malgrem might have been my worst.
He is volatile.
He is chaos.
He’s the king of Virtus.
The eldest Q heir.
And I put myself in his path.
Sealed our fates together.
He wants my secrets, but it’s a risk I can’t afford taking without something in exchange: his heart.
Hektor
I used to think I could have everything I wanted with the snap of my fingers.
Until I met the firebird.
Torn between an obsession and the burning indigo fire that is Amelia Veldinari, I find myself battling the worst demon: greed.
I’m nothing if not ruthless. So why not have it all?
*****
The King and The Firebird is the second installment in the Virtus Academy series, and although each book—including this one—can be read as a standalone, the following ones will have interconnected events. Therefore, for the sake of the bigger picture, some particular situations—like the identity of the villains in this book (I need them to keep doing bad things in the future)—will be intentionally left unexplained or unfinished here, only to be picked up in the upcoming books.
Also, this book contains major spoilers for The Wolf and The Rose, and if you didn’t read it yet, I recommend you start with that one. Or, if you don’t mind, then go for it. Your choice. :)
There are no cliffhangers at the end of the book regarding the starring couple, and it ends in an HEA.
Intended for mature audience only. 18+
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 4, 2023
"What are you doing to my heart, Firebird?"
I was sucked right back into the Virtus Academy world with Hektor, Amelia and The King and the Firebird. Amelia knows what she wants in life and does everything in her power to make sure her dreams happen, and Hektor is the oldest of the Heirs and is obsessed with his mystery Firebird. To see the events from Amelia and Hektor's points of view were just what I needed, and I can't wait for what's coming next in the Virtus Academy.
I was sucked right back into the Virtus Academy world with Hektor, Amelia and The King and the Firebird. Amelia knows what she wants in life and does everything in her power to make sure her dreams happen, and Hektor is the oldest of the Heirs and is obsessed with his mystery Firebird. To see the events from Amelia and Hektor's points of view were just what I needed, and I can't wait for what's coming next in the Virtus Academy.
April 9, 2023
This was incredibly addictive!
You can expect:
▪️A dark contemporary romance
▪️Drama surrounding the lives of the children of the elite
▪️A prestigious academy setting
▪️A possessive and aggressive alpha-hole MMC
▪️A fiery and determined FMC
▪️Gossip girl x mafia-esque vibes
Some of my thoughts:
📍A good portion of this storyline is running parallel to the events of the first book. So firstly, I do suggest reading book one before this one!
Upon finishing book one, I initially thought this second book would pick up from where book one ended but, I found myself enjoying jumping back, into new POVs. It filled in some blanks!
📍The dynamic between Hektor and Amelia was electric. I enjoyed their push and pull, passion and chemistry! I was absolutely sucked in from the moment Hektor sleeps with a ‘firebird’ and doesn’t know her real identity. I flew through chapters just waiting for him to unveil her identity!
📍I very much enjoyed the cast of side characters and I’m looking forward to some of their stories being told!
📍I did have one slight critiquing thought. Because this book did cover a few of the same scenes as book one (just in differing POV) I could see the author didn’t want to delve too deeply into retelling essentially the same scene. However, due to this, I felt some scenes were brief play by plays rather than in depth scenes which would allow me as the reader a more immersive experience. I felt this most with the kidnapping scene.
📍All in all though, this was a binge-able, riveting read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to those who like their romance on the slightly darker side!!
You can expect:
▪️A dark contemporary romance
▪️Drama surrounding the lives of the children of the elite
▪️A prestigious academy setting
▪️A possessive and aggressive alpha-hole MMC
▪️A fiery and determined FMC
▪️Gossip girl x mafia-esque vibes
Some of my thoughts:
📍A good portion of this storyline is running parallel to the events of the first book. So firstly, I do suggest reading book one before this one!
Upon finishing book one, I initially thought this second book would pick up from where book one ended but, I found myself enjoying jumping back, into new POVs. It filled in some blanks!
📍The dynamic between Hektor and Amelia was electric. I enjoyed their push and pull, passion and chemistry! I was absolutely sucked in from the moment Hektor sleeps with a ‘firebird’ and doesn’t know her real identity. I flew through chapters just waiting for him to unveil her identity!
📍I very much enjoyed the cast of side characters and I’m looking forward to some of their stories being told!
📍I did have one slight critiquing thought. Because this book did cover a few of the same scenes as book one (just in differing POV) I could see the author didn’t want to delve too deeply into retelling essentially the same scene. However, due to this, I felt some scenes were brief play by plays rather than in depth scenes which would allow me as the reader a more immersive experience. I felt this most with the kidnapping scene.
📍All in all though, this was a binge-able, riveting read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to those who like their romance on the slightly darker side!!
April 26, 2023
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Y’all, I kept rereading and highlighting and it took me forever to finish. I had to savor cause this book was so addictive! I thought I loved Sade with his OTT self, but Hektor bumped him right out of that spot. Also, absolutely love that he gap. His intensity was *swoon* and we love an intelligent and confident h.
So this story covers some aspects from the first book, but from Hektor’s and Amelia’s point of view and of course, their story. Which I loved because there were some questions that I had on what was said and why a character did something from the first book and the author provided some clarity here. The intensity and push/pull between Hektor and Amelia kept me on the edge of my seat. When he knew, he knew and nothing could keep him from his ✨Firebird✨.
Thanks to the author for providing me an ARC and this is my honest review.❤️
Y’all, I kept rereading and highlighting and it took me forever to finish. I had to savor cause this book was so addictive! I thought I loved Sade with his OTT self, but Hektor bumped him right out of that spot. Also, absolutely love that he gap. His intensity was *swoon* and we love an intelligent and confident h.
So this story covers some aspects from the first book, but from Hektor’s and Amelia’s point of view and of course, their story. Which I loved because there were some questions that I had on what was said and why a character did something from the first book and the author provided some clarity here. The intensity and push/pull between Hektor and Amelia kept me on the edge of my seat. When he knew, he knew and nothing could keep him from his ✨Firebird✨.
Thanks to the author for providing me an ARC and this is my honest review.❤️
April 24, 2023
Unputdownable!
I was so excited for Hektor and Amelia‘a story after having read and loved The Wolf and the Rose and book 2 of the Virtus Academy series did not disappoint! The King and the Firebird follows two incredibly complex characters, each dealing with their own deep and at times (I’m looking at you, Hektor!) volatile emotions as their lives become entangled with one another.
I love the whole world created in this series and honestly couldn’t put this book down! I really enjoy AL Velara’s the style of writing. It’s so descriptive and you really feel pulled into the story as you experience what’s going on with the characters. It has a bit of everything including some serious spice! This is a amazing read and I’m already impatiently waiting for Braxton’s story coming in book 3.
I was so excited for Hektor and Amelia‘a story after having read and loved The Wolf and the Rose and book 2 of the Virtus Academy series did not disappoint! The King and the Firebird follows two incredibly complex characters, each dealing with their own deep and at times (I’m looking at you, Hektor!) volatile emotions as their lives become entangled with one another.
I love the whole world created in this series and honestly couldn’t put this book down! I really enjoy AL Velara’s the style of writing. It’s so descriptive and you really feel pulled into the story as you experience what’s going on with the characters. It has a bit of everything including some serious spice! This is a amazing read and I’m already impatiently waiting for Braxton’s story coming in book 3.
April 8, 2023
I was so excited to come back to Virtus Academy. Our King Hektor is so deliciously jealous and possessive. He has an incredible night with a mysterious firebird and she has overtaken all of his thoughts. But while his thoughts are on his firebird he starts to also notice Amelia. Amelia while trying to get from under her fathers controlling wing and find her own path is torn holding secrets from The King. I loved the push and pull from these two and can not wait to see what is next.
April 24, 2023
I loved it!
Wow! Again, I loved this book. AL Velara is now one of my favorite author… Now I
just want to read about Braxton, Byron, Nate, Carter, Josselyn (a lot of the side characters are interesting)… I can’t wait for the next book!
Wow! Again, I loved this book. AL Velara is now one of my favorite author… Now I
just want to read about Braxton, Byron, Nate, Carter, Josselyn (a lot of the side characters are interesting)… I can’t wait for the next book!
January 2, 2025
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 - 𝟝 ⭐️ & 𝟛 🌶️
ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
If I should tell her that over the past months I couldn’t stop thinking about her. That since she’d sent me that damn picture with her in the bathtub it was as if something snapped inside me and was waiting to be put back together.
Or I should have lied and said that her mouthy personality drove me crazy, and I just wanted to shut her up. Put her in her place.
That would have been a partial lie, though, because her personality was driving me crazy. But with lust.
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨:
This book is Volume 2 in the Virtus Academy Series. In this book, we have the FMC - Amalia Veldinari, and the MMC - Hektor Malgrem. 📚✨ If you didn’t read the first book in the series, then you will not understand everything that is going on in the second book, and you are probably going to get some spoilers. ⚠️
This book is divided into four parts: the past, the in-between, and the present. The past is also divided into two parts. I can say that after reading the first book, I didn’t get that much insight into the relationship between Amalia and Hektor, but now everything makes so much sense! And now, my favorite male from Virtus is Hektor—sorry, Sade. 😅❤️
Now, what is this book about? Well, Amalia is kinda forced by her BFF to go to a masked party she wasn’t supposed to attend, and there, the magic between her and Hektor begins. ✨ But the catch is that he doesn’t know who is behind the mask, but she does! 🔥 And let me tell you, you do want to see a King obsessed with finding a Firebird. 👑
I want so much to tell you, how intelligent Amalia is, how she managed to graduate at 16 years old, attend Oxford to become a neurosurgeon, and at the same time, participate in Virtus Academy without anyone knowing—just her grandmother, who is her rock in this part. 🧠
What can I say to convince you to read this book? Maybe the incredible chemistry between Amalia and Hektor? 🧡 It’s phenomenal – breathtaking, even! “Just be mine, Hektor!” (Sorry again, Sade 😅).
Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I hope you’ll love it as passionately as I do. 🌟📖💕
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
🌌 Contemporary dark romance
🎓 College settings
⚔️ Enemies/friends to lovers
💍 Arranged marriages
🏛️ Elite society
🔫 Mafia elements
🖤 Morally gray and possessive MMCs
💪 Strong FMCs
🌶️ Spice
🌀 Lots of secrets, twists, and turns
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 - 𝟝 ⭐️ & 𝟛 🌶️
ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
If I should tell her that over the past months I couldn’t stop thinking about her. That since she’d sent me that damn picture with her in the bathtub it was as if something snapped inside me and was waiting to be put back together.
Or I should have lied and said that her mouthy personality drove me crazy, and I just wanted to shut her up. Put her in her place.
That would have been a partial lie, though, because her personality was driving me crazy. But with lust.
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨:
This book is Volume 2 in the Virtus Academy Series. In this book, we have the FMC - Amalia Veldinari, and the MMC - Hektor Malgrem. 📚✨ If you didn’t read the first book in the series, then you will not understand everything that is going on in the second book, and you are probably going to get some spoilers. ⚠️
This book is divided into four parts: the past, the in-between, and the present. The past is also divided into two parts. I can say that after reading the first book, I didn’t get that much insight into the relationship between Amalia and Hektor, but now everything makes so much sense! And now, my favorite male from Virtus is Hektor—sorry, Sade. 😅❤️
Now, what is this book about? Well, Amalia is kinda forced by her BFF to go to a masked party she wasn’t supposed to attend, and there, the magic between her and Hektor begins. ✨ But the catch is that he doesn’t know who is behind the mask, but she does! 🔥 And let me tell you, you do want to see a King obsessed with finding a Firebird. 👑
I want so much to tell you, how intelligent Amalia is, how she managed to graduate at 16 years old, attend Oxford to become a neurosurgeon, and at the same time, participate in Virtus Academy without anyone knowing—just her grandmother, who is her rock in this part. 🧠
What can I say to convince you to read this book? Maybe the incredible chemistry between Amalia and Hektor? 🧡 It’s phenomenal – breathtaking, even! “Just be mine, Hektor!” (Sorry again, Sade 😅).
Overall, I highly recommend this book, and I hope you’ll love it as passionately as I do. 🌟📖💕
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
🌌 Contemporary dark romance
🎓 College settings
⚔️ Enemies/friends to lovers
💍 Arranged marriages
🏛️ Elite society
🔫 Mafia elements
🖤 Morally gray and possessive MMCs
💪 Strong FMCs
🌶️ Spice
🌀 Lots of secrets, twists, and turns
April 19, 2025
5⭐️
🐦🔥: Amelia are un singur aliat în viață, pe bunica ei, Susanna. Rămasă singură să lupte în lumea misoginistică în care este crescută, după ce prietena ei cea mai bună, Selena, este trimisă în Franța, Amelia se pierde în tristețe și secrete. Ajutată de bunica ei, absolvă în secret la 16 ani și se înscrie la facultatea de medicină de la Oxford, în timp ce se preface că este încă la liceu, studiind pe ascuns să devină neurochirurg. Însă totul devine prea mult pentru ea, ajungând să aibă insomnii, căzând în depresie și având burnout cronic.
🖤: Hektor este o “bestie” care are lumea crudă în care trăiește, pe umeri. Luptând cu disperare să schimbe viitorul grupului Q, se pierde de cele mai multe ori în furia care îi conduce viața.
🐦🔥🖤 : Destinul îi unește pe cei doi neașteptat, mai mult decât doi moștenitori ai unui imperiu. Însă secretele și frica îi ard din temelie.
♥️♥️: O carte pe care nu am putut să o las din mână până nu am terminat-o aseară pe la 2 AM. Am iubit personajele de la primele pagini. Chimia dintre ei a fost senzațională. Cu un ritm alert și interacțiuni extraordinare, abia așteptai să dai paginile. Amelia divin descrisă și dezvoltată, o femeie care știe ce vrea în viață, cu vulnerabilitate și aripi tăiate de lumea în care este crescută. Hektor, nemilos și instabil, își găsește balansul în obsesia lui față de Amelia. Monologurile nu plictisesc, din contră, adaugă inteligent la tensiune, acțiune și dezvoltarea personajelor, ritmul este alert, nu te pierzi în acțiune, iar scânteile sunt palpabile.
Recomand din tot sufletul, devine cartea mea preferată de anul acesta, de până acum, din genul acesta. Aș sugera totuși să citiți prima dată The wolf and the rose, pentru a înțelege mai bine poveștile.
🐦🔥: Amelia are un singur aliat în viață, pe bunica ei, Susanna. Rămasă singură să lupte în lumea misoginistică în care este crescută, după ce prietena ei cea mai bună, Selena, este trimisă în Franța, Amelia se pierde în tristețe și secrete. Ajutată de bunica ei, absolvă în secret la 16 ani și se înscrie la facultatea de medicină de la Oxford, în timp ce se preface că este încă la liceu, studiind pe ascuns să devină neurochirurg. Însă totul devine prea mult pentru ea, ajungând să aibă insomnii, căzând în depresie și având burnout cronic.
🖤: Hektor este o “bestie” care are lumea crudă în care trăiește, pe umeri. Luptând cu disperare să schimbe viitorul grupului Q, se pierde de cele mai multe ori în furia care îi conduce viața.
🐦🔥🖤 : Destinul îi unește pe cei doi neașteptat, mai mult decât doi moștenitori ai unui imperiu. Însă secretele și frica îi ard din temelie.
♥️♥️: O carte pe care nu am putut să o las din mână până nu am terminat-o aseară pe la 2 AM. Am iubit personajele de la primele pagini. Chimia dintre ei a fost senzațională. Cu un ritm alert și interacțiuni extraordinare, abia așteptai să dai paginile. Amelia divin descrisă și dezvoltată, o femeie care știe ce vrea în viață, cu vulnerabilitate și aripi tăiate de lumea în care este crescută. Hektor, nemilos și instabil, își găsește balansul în obsesia lui față de Amelia. Monologurile nu plictisesc, din contră, adaugă inteligent la tensiune, acțiune și dezvoltarea personajelor, ritmul este alert, nu te pierzi în acțiune, iar scânteile sunt palpabile.
Recomand din tot sufletul, devine cartea mea preferată de anul acesta, de până acum, din genul acesta. Aș sugera totuși să citiți prima dată The wolf and the rose, pentru a înțelege mai bine poveștile.
September 30, 2025
⋆｡°✩ Spoiler Free Reviews ⋆｡°✩
Something about this series just CAPTIVATES me every time and I love it!
This is a dark contemporary romance, academia vibes, arranged marriage, traumatised but still resourceful and badass FMC, broody tattooed alpha MMC, touch her and die, she gets injured & he loses it, she runs from him, group of friends.
Smut was 3/5 on the spice scale and it’s a HEA in a series of interconnected standalones.
Amelia is our FMC. She’s got ambitions, she’s got resources, she’s stubborn and she really was a fave from book 1! I really loved getting to see ger make the MMC work for it, whilst not being spineless or caving too easily. Top tier.
Hektor is our MMC and would he be an alphahole if he wasn’t stubborn and brooding? No so I’m 100% here for his downfall into obsession. 10/10 no notes, the man learnt a lesson or two!
Something about this series just CAPTIVATES me every time and I love it!
This is a dark contemporary romance, academia vibes, arranged marriage, traumatised but still resourceful and badass FMC, broody tattooed alpha MMC, touch her and die, she gets injured & he loses it, she runs from him, group of friends.
Smut was 3/5 on the spice scale and it’s a HEA in a series of interconnected standalones.
Amelia is our FMC. She’s got ambitions, she’s got resources, she’s stubborn and she really was a fave from book 1! I really loved getting to see ger make the MMC work for it, whilst not being spineless or caving too easily. Top tier.
Hektor is our MMC and would he be an alphahole if he wasn’t stubborn and brooding? No so I’m 100% here for his downfall into obsession. 10/10 no notes, the man learnt a lesson or two!
March 16, 2025
I knew Hektor will not dissapoint becauseee the scenes with him and Amelia? PERFECTIONNNN!!
The tension, the banter, the spiceee... the way this man was like "YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID OF HOW MUCH I FEEL FOR YOU RIGHT NOW"!!!!
ON MY KNEEEESS
The tension, the banter, the spiceee... the way this man was like "YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID OF HOW MUCH I FEEL FOR YOU RIGHT NOW"!!!!
ON MY KNEEEESS
July 12, 2023
frustrated!!!! (warning: spoilers in this review)
If you’ve read the first book in the series than be prepared for a frustrating read. 70% of this book is a retelling on the first one but from the new character’s perspective and you don’t learn enough new information for it to be worth it.
Why would you compress the chase into the last 150 or so pages? It’s over before it even starts. Hector finding her could’ve been a real plot point that kindled their relationship. So disappointing
If you’ve read the first book in the series than be prepared for a frustrating read. 70% of this book is a retelling on the first one but from the new character’s perspective and you don’t learn enough new information for it to be worth it.
Why would you compress the chase into the last 150 or so pages? It’s over before it even starts. Hector finding her could’ve been a real plot point that kindled their relationship. So disappointing
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews