Ana Huang, known for her explosive Twisted series and masterful command of modern romance tropes, returns with King of Pride, the second installment in her Kings of Sin series. Following the compelling King of Wrath, which introduced us to Dante Russo and Vivian Lau, King of Pride draws us into another seductive battlefield—this time between restraint and recklessness, propriety and passion.
Each book in the Kings of Sin series stands alone yet feels stitched from the same opulent, emotionally intense fabric. The lineup continues with King of Greed, King of Sloth, King of Envy, King of Gluttony (upcoming in 2026), and King of Lust—each mapping a cardinal sin onto a high-stakes love story among the world’s most powerful elite. With King of Pride, Ana Huang serves up a tale of forbidden attraction that’s as refined as it is provocative.
The Plot: Fire and Ice in a Crystal Ballroom
Kai Young, the stoic billionaire heir with a mind for Latin translations and a heart barricaded behind steel doors, is a man with everything to lose. When his bid for CEO of the Young Corporation hinges on maintaining a pristine image, the last thing he needs is a scandal. But enter Isabella Valencia—a vivacious, impulsive bartender at an exclusive club, who crashes into his world like an uninvited burst of color.
Their chemistry is immediate, irresistible, and utterly impractical.
At first glance, Isabella is the antithesis of Kai’s world: purple-haired, emotionally open, and far from the Ivy League elite his world revolves around. But as secrets unravel—including Isabella’s hidden identity as an heiress to the Hiraya Hotels empire—their relationship deepens into something far more complicated.
What begins as a flirtation quickly spirals into a story about reputation, power, family legacy, and vulnerability. From stolen moments behind sculptures to public confrontations with venomous media moguls, Huang anchors their romance in both quiet intimacy and volatile drama.
The tension is slow-burn, smoldering beneath the elegance of cocktail lounges and charity galas, until it inevitably ignites.
Character Study: Still Waters and Storms
Kai Young
Kai is the embodiment of the book’s title—he is Pride personified. He is reserved, controlled, and addicted to excellence. But Ana Huang smartly doesn’t let Kai remain a trope. Instead, she builds his inner life with careful detail: his filial obligations, his loneliness masked as self-discipline, his struggle with perfectionism. His icy demeanor thaws not because of a manic pixie dream girl, but because he chooses to change. And that nuance makes him deeply compelling.
Isabella Valencia
Isabella might initially come across as the archetypal “chaotic sunshine” heroine, but Huang gives her depth through her insecurities and dreams. As the only daughter in a high-achieving family, her imposter syndrome feels all too real. Her decision to hide her background—and her journey toward claiming authorship of her own story (literally, with her debut novel)—makes her more than just Kai’s opposite. She’s his equal.
Their dynamic isn’t just opposites attract—it’s opposites collide, and then rebuild together.
Writing Style: Intimate, Lush, and Wry
Ana Huang’s prose walks a fine line between modern wit and slow, luxurious detail. The writing is never overwrought, but rich with physicality—every look, touch, or word is charged with meaning. Internal monologues are sharp and character-specific. Isabella’s voice sparkles with humor and introspection; Kai’s is measured, cerebral, but devastatingly honest.
Scenes oscillate between steamy indulgence and aching vulnerability, making the emotional payoff as satisfying as the romantic one. Ana Huang excels at crafting private moments that feel grand and public ones that seethe with quiet tension.
Themes Explored: Power, Identity, and Emotional Integrity
- Class and Social Perception: Kai’s need for propriety and Isabella’s blue-collar front push them into an unbalanced public narrative—especially when the media twists their relationship into scandal. Huang critiques how societal expectations and wealth often police romantic choices.
- Pride and Prejudice (No Jane Austen Reference Intended): Much of the novel hinges on the destructive power of pride—not only Kai’s, but also Isabella’s reluctance to let herself be seen for who she really is. Both characters have to strip themselves bare emotionally to build something real.
- Creativity and Self-Worth: Isabella’s transformation from a drifting bartender to a published thriller author provides a wonderful subplot that elevates the book beyond just romance. Her creative arc parallels the romantic one: messy, insecure, and ultimately triumphant.
- Family Expectations and Cultural Identity: Both characters face pushback from their families—Kai from his controlling mother and Isabella from her high-achieving, press-shy relatives. Issues of cultural expectation (especially Isabella’s Filipino-Chinese heritage) are handled with sensitivity and realism.
Praise-Worthy Elements
- Chemistry: The magnetism between Kai and Isabella is palpable from their very first scene. From intellectual flirtation to emotional baring, their connection feels earned, not forced.
- Character Growth: Both protagonists undergo satisfying, non-linear development. They’re messy, reactive, and human.
- Plot Integration: Unlike many billionaire romances that hinge solely on wealth and angst, King of Pride weaves in corporate drama, family dynamics, and creative ambition with finesse.
- Series Continuity: Though it’s a standalone, references to King of Wrath feel natural, and setups for King of Greed (Dominic and Alessandra’s story) flow seamlessly.
Where It Stumbles: Critique with Care
- Pacing Issues: The midsection occasionally lags under the weight of corporate boardroom politics, which, while realistic, slightly dulls the romantic urgency.
- Victor Black as a Villain: While antagonists are necessary, Victor Black leans too heavily into caricature at times. His brand of cartoonish cruelty lacks the nuance that Huang provides to her protagonists.
- Resolution Convenience: Some of the conflicts—especially regarding Kai’s CEO vote and family approval—wrap up a bit too neatly. Given the emotional build-up, a more drawn-out fallout might have added weight.
Where It Stands in the Series & Similar Reads
Kings of Sin Series Order
- King of Wrath – Dante Russo & Vivian Lau
- King of Pride – Kai Young & Isabella Valencia
- King of Greed – Dominic & Alessandra
- King of Sloth – (2024)
- King of Envy – (2025)
- King of Gluttony – (2026)
- King of Lust – TBD
Similar Books
- Twisted Games by Ana Huang (royalty x bodyguard trope, emotional angst)
- The Fine Print by Lauren Asher (billionaire romance with emotional depth)
- Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher (contract marriage trope with heart)
- Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score (emotional, small-town romance)
Final Verdict: Wrath Was a Warning. Pride is a Reckoning.
King of Pride doesn’t just explore passion—it interrogates what happens when emotion, ambition, and vulnerability collide. Ana Huang has once again proven her ability to marry steamy romance with compelling character arcs and thoughtful storytelling. While not flawless, it is immensely enjoyable and continues to establish Kings of Sin as a must-read series for fans of high-stakes love stories that are both sexy and substantial.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely—especially for readers who crave emotionally intelligent romance with tension that scorches and a love story that heals.
Have you read King of Pride or any books from the Kings of Sin series? Share your thoughts in the comments—and don’t forget to pick up King of Greed for Dominic and Alessandra’s story of redemption and riches.
