27 May Book Review: The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman

Lauren Palphreyman first made waves on Wattpad with her paranormal romance Cupid’s Match, which had one of those viral moments that turns online readers into full-blown fans. With The Wolf King, she’s stepping into the romantasy world with claws out and fangs bared—literally. This is the first in a new series, and I went into it expecting something high-stakes, a little over-the-top, and definitely heavy on the slow-burn angst. Spoiler: it delivered.

What’s it about?

Princess Aurora lives in a kingdom where appearances are everything, and duty always comes before desire. She’s a royal pawn, her life dictated by the Crown’s political needs. Her latest assignment? Marry a nobleman she doesn’t love to secure an alliance for her family. She’s resigned to her fate—until a violent underground werewolf fight changes everything.

At the fight, she intervenes to protect a young wolf from being mauled to death. That act of compassion sparks a chain of events she couldn’t possibly predict. Among the chained fighters is Callum—a brooding, scarred alpha who’s been enslaved and exploited for entertainment. He’s not just powerful, he’s strategic, dangerous, and very much not impressed by royalty. And he takes note of Aurora’s mercy.

Later that night, Callum escapes… and kidnaps Aurora.

He whisks her off to the northern territories, a vast and wild landscape where werewolves are gathering for something bigger—an uprising. Turns out, Callum is no ordinary alpha. He’s a prince in his own right, one with a claim to leadership and a vision to unite the fractured werewolf clans against the tyranny of the human monarchy.

Aurora, stuck in the middle, becomes a symbol of hope for some and a threat to others. As she learns more about the werewolf world—its traditions, hierarchies, betrayals—her carefully constructed beliefs start to unravel. She’s not just a passive observer; she becomes a player in a conflict that could change the kingdom forever.

And then there’s the slow-burn romance simmering under the surface. Callum and Aurora have serious enemies-to-lovers energy. There’s distrust, defiance, undeniable attraction, and more than a few moments where you can practically hear the sparks crackle off the page.

By the time the book barrels toward its final chapters, you’ve got secret alliances, dramatic rescues, a brutal power grab, and one hell of a cliffhanger. Aurora’s journey—from dutiful royal to someone who just might burn the whole system down—is only just beginning.

What This Chick Thinks

Character Chemistry

One of my favourite things here is the dynamic between Aurora and Callum. It’s classic fantasy romance fare—the icy noblewoman and the wild alpha—but it’s done with real tension and nuance. Aurora isn’t just reacting to the world around her, she’s trying to reshape it. And Callum, for all his rough edges, isn’t just the typical alpha; he listens, adapts, and challenges her in all the right (and frustrating) ways.

Also, their banter? So much fun. There’s a real sense that both characters are changing each other, and that makes their growing relationship feel earned.

World-Building & Politics

The werewolf lore here is a mix of familiar and fresh. You’ve got power struggles within the packs, a long history of werewolf-human violence, and just enough supernatural flair to keep things feeling a little dangerous and mysterious. The politics—both courtly and primal—add stakes that go beyond romance. I appreciated how layered the conflict was. It’s not just “humans bad, wolves good”; there are shades of grey all over the place.

That said, I wouldn’t mind even more depth in the world-building. I could’ve used a bit more grounding in how the different territories function, or how the werewolf clans operate. But for a first-in-series, it set the stage well.

Tropes, But Make Them Delicious

Look, this book leans into the tropes, and I am so okay with that. Enemies-to-lovers? Check. Kidnapping that turns into a political alliance? Absolutely. Powerful woman discovering her inner rage and purpose? Oh yes. It’s like Palphreyman took a romantasy checklist and said “yes, and let’s make it fun.”

There are a few plot beats that felt a bit fast or convenient, but honestly, I didn’t mind. This book knows exactly what it is—high-stakes, dramatic, emotional—and it delivers.

Pacing and Payoff

It moves fast. There’s a lot happening, especially in the last third of the book, which sort of explodes with action, revelations, and that gasp-out-loud ending. If you’re here for slow, sweeping build-up, this might feel a little rushed. But if you want something that reads like a Netflix binge-watch—fast, sexy, dramatic—you’re going to have a great time.

Final Thoughts

The Wolf King is pure romantasy entertainment with a sharp edge. It’s emotional, a little wild, a lot dramatic, and filled with characters who feel ready to leap off the page into battle—or bed. If you’re the kind of reader who loves court politics, brooding wolf princes, and heroines discovering their power, this one is for you.

I’m in for the next book, no question. Solid 8.5 out of 10.

Try it if you like:

• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – A fantasy romance with enemies-to-lovers tension and lush political intrigue.
• The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen – Another fierce female lead caught between duty and love in a brutal world.
• Wolfsong by TJ Klune – A more emotional, lyrical take on werewolf lore, with an equally strong romantic heart.