Ana Huang’s King of Envy, the fifth installment in her electrifying Kings of Sin series, offers a darker, sharper edge to the world of contemporary romance. While each book in this standalone series explores a different “sin” embodied by an emotionally complex billionaire, King of Envy delves into themes of longing, loyalty, and identity with striking intimacy.
The series so far includes:
- King of Wrath (2022)
- King of Pride (2023)
- King of Greed (2023)
- King of Sloth (2024)
- King of Envy (2025)
- Upcoming: King of Gluttony (2026) and King of Lust
Fans of Huang’s Twisted series or her If Love duet will find her signature blend of smoldering chemistry and rich emotional layers once again at play—only here, it’s intensified by secrets, scars, and a love that challenges moral boundaries.
A Story Rooted in Silence and Scandal
Vuk Markovic, CEO, recluse, and former assassin, is a man defined by control, silence, and a haunting past. He’s feared and respected in equal measure, known for his icy demeanor and brutal efficiency. Yet beneath the surface simmers an obsession—for her. Supermodel Ayana Kidane.
Ayana is everything Vuk is not: luminous, outspoken, constantly in the public eye. But her glamorous life is a gilded cage. Trapped in a business marriage with Vuk’s best friend Jordan—a transactional arrangement that trades her freedom for financial liberation—Ayana’s only escape lies in performance. That is, until Vuk’s quiet presence begins to unravel her defenses.
The novel’s emotional center lies in this simmering triangle of desire, obligation, and betrayal. Vuk saw Ayana first. He wanted her first. And now, with the wedding looming, he must choose between loyalty and a love that could destroy them all.
Plot Breakdown: Love in the Shadow of Loyalty
Ana Huang takes readers on a deliberate, burning slow-burn that resists genre clichés. Instead of leaning on tropes alone, King of Envy builds tension through silence, longing glances, and quiet gestures that scream louder than declarations.
What begins as a study in restraint unfolds into a chaotic cascade of:
- Emotional warfare — Vuk’s internal turmoil between honor and need is relentless.
- Public personas vs. private pain — Ayana’s façade as a glamorous supermodel cracks in stunning ways.
- Revelations of the past — Vuk’s traumatic childhood, the loss of his twin, and his life within a secretive Brotherhood lend the narrative a gritty, suspense-laced texture.
- A storm of consequences — Their eventual union isn’t just forbidden; it’s explosive, literally and figuratively, climaxing in acts of violence, truth, and redemption.
Where the Twisted series flirted with dangerous men, King of Envy dives into the abyss and forces us to fall with it.
Character Spotlight: Vuk Markovic
Vuk is one of Huang’s most morally gray—and compelling—heroes to date. Scarred physically and emotionally, he’s a man of few words who communicates largely in American Sign Language (ASL), a character detail that never feels performative. Instead, it becomes symbolic of his internal quietude and controlled rage.
He’s ruthless when needed (and sometimes when not), fiercely loyal, and heartbreakingly vulnerable beneath his armor. His love for Ayana manifests not in grand gestures but in small, searing moments: hand-holding during car rides, protecting her from danger, letting her into his guarded world—even when it threatens his sense of self.
And yet, he’s unhinged in the most Ana Huang way—dangerous, brooding, and willing to burn everything for love.
Character Spotlight: Ayana Kidane
Ayana is far more than a pretty face. A rising model trapped in a toxic contract, she’s smart, self-aware, and deeply ambitious. Her initial portrayal as the picture of confidence slowly gives way to reveal a woman shaped by survival. She doesn’t just challenge Vuk; she sees him—something no one else has dared to do.
Their relationship evolves from tension to tenderness, and Ayana becomes the only person capable of pulling Vuk out of his emotional exile. She’s also Huang’s most culturally grounded heroine to date, with Ethiopian roots, a close-knit family, and a deep sense of identity that shines throughout the narrative.
Writing Style and Structure
Ana Huang’s prose in King of Envy is deliciously controlled and emotionally evocative. She blends:
- Dual POV chapters (Ayana and Vuk)
- Inner monologue that aches with repressed longing
- Sharp, dialogue-rich scenes that deepen character development
The pacing is slow in the first half, but intentionally so. When the dam finally breaks, the emotional payoff is staggering. She also weaves in suspense and light action elements, particularly in the third act, which feels fresh for the series.
Thematic Deep Dive
King of Envy explores complex and dark themes:
- Obsession vs. Love – Where is the line between unhealthy longing and deep devotion?
- Loyalty vs. Betrayal – Can you love someone if it means hurting another you once called brother?
- Freedom – Both protagonists seek autonomy in vastly different ways: Ayana from the fashion industry, Vuk from the prison of his past.
- Redemption – Through Ayana, Vuk begins to believe that he deserves more than shadows.
Huang doesn’t hand readers easy resolutions. She leans into discomfort, but her characters earn their ending—every scar and all.
Critique: Where the Ice Cracks
While this novel’s strength lies in its restraint, it may test the patience of readers used to faster romantic arcs. The middle third of the book dips slightly in pace, especially with the repeated avoidance between Ayana and Vuk. Some readers might also find the action elements late in the story underdeveloped or tonally divergent from the otherwise intimate romance plot.
Furthermore, Vuk’s darker choices—including acts of violence—are morally murky, and while Huang doesn’t shy away from them, she doesn’t deeply explore the psychological fallout either. A few more reflective beats here would’ve added nuance.
Connections and Continuity
Huang fans will delight in the many references and cameos from past Kings of Sin books:
- Dante & Vivian (King of Wrath) make subtle appearances.
- Kai and Isabella (King of Pride), Sebastian and Maya (King of Gluttony, teased here), and Zane and Luna (King of Sloth) also drift in and out.
- The epilogue ties beautifully into the overarching series arc, teasing King of Gluttony while wrapping Ayana and Vuk’s journey with satisfying finality.
Comparisons to Similar Books
Readers who enjoyed:
- Twisted Games by Ana Huang
- The Devil of Downtown by Joanna Shupe
- Beautiful Sinner by Sophie Jordan
…will find King of Envy a gripping and rewarding read. It’s more brooding than Twisted Love, darker than King of Wrath, and certainly more morally twisted than King of Pride.
My Final Take
Ana Huang doesn’t just write romance; she writes emotional reckoning. King of Envy is an unforgettable portrait of two people who should never have fallen in love—and did anyway. It’s a story about healing through connection, about loving the parts of someone the world says are unlovable.
While it occasionally falters under the weight of its ambition, it ultimately triumphs in delivering a powerful romance laced with secrets, sin, and soul.
Strengths
- Evocative writing and character depth
- Authentic emotional tension
- Stellar slow-burn pacing
- Seamless ASL integration
- Culturally rich heroine
Areas for Improvement
- Slight middle-act drag
- More exploration needed around Vuk’s past deeds
Wrapping It Up
In King of Envy, Ana Huang asks: What happens when your deepest desire is also your greatest betrayal? The answer is neither simple nor safe—but it is beautiful.
A must-read for fans of forbidden romance, emotionally complex characters, and stories that don’t just sizzle—they burn.
King of Envy cements Ana Huang’s place as one of the reigning queens of modern dark romance. Bring tissues. Bring tea. And prepare to fall hard.
