August 2012 Archives

Title: Untouchable
in Deep Kiss of Winter anthology
Series: Immortals After Dark #8
Author: Kresley Cole
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Goodreads

My Rating:

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Blurb

Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela – the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can’t be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure. Can they conquer an agony of frustration and slake the overwhelming desire burning between them?
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My Thoughts

I was dragging myself through the first 270 pages, but it was totally worth it for the last 30 pages. Because those pages are sizzling and moving, filled with deep emotions, love, and intense sensuality.

The main part of the story covers the events of the Immortals After Dark series from the first novella, The Warlord Wants Forever to the end of book 5, Dark Needs at Night’s Edge.

Murdoch and Nikolai (The Warlock Wants Forever) arrive in New Orleans together, and while his brother and Myst are trying to come to “some kind of understanding” Murdoch saves Daniela’s life. Reading the summary of the first 5 books of the series, following the main events from different aspects, from the viewpoints of Murdoch and Daniela was interesting, but as I was up-to-date when I read it, it made me a little bit bored.

Daniela is half-Valkyrie, half an ice fey, the rightful queen of the Icere. She suffers from burning if she is touched by anyone who is not from her own kind.

“They say I’m as fickle as winter, as shy as frost, and as indifferent as a blizzard. It’s rumored my body is pure as driven snow. Nobody imagines that I might be full of fire.”

As a vampire, Murdoch is unable to touch his Bride, which naturally frustrates him.

Murdoch and Daniela spend months together without touching each other at all.

They make only half-hearted attempts to find a solution for that problem. Maybe the reason is that they are not sure of each other. First they slowly get to know each other, and falling in love doesn’t happen in a couple of days like in many paranormal romances, but in months.

“Panic? I don’t panic,” he sneered the word. “Daniela, you can’t be touched.”
The frigid one. Enough of this. “No, you can’t! Your heart’s colder than mine. You are the untouchable one.”
She turned from him, wanting away from this vampire with his unflinching honesty. Because it… hurt.
Murdoch followed her. “Just because I’m not ready to blindly accept a Bride I hardly know – for eternity – makes me coldhearted? I’d say it makes me rational.”

The events finally speed up when Jádian appears.
The end of the story is wonderfully written, and everything is set up. The most amazing thing is how simple and obvious the solution is for Murdoch and Daniela’s happily ever after.

I was so happy to see the Wroth brothers and their wives together in the epilogue. Murdoch and Daniela, Nikolai and Myst, Sebastian and Kaderin, Conrad and Néomi all appear in a charming, cozy Christmas scene at the end.

“Doesn’t it bother you?” she asked him. “Not to be able to sit with them around the fire?”
She gazed back at the scene, the family laughing around a hearth, holiday decorations glittering in the firelight. A Hallmark card. Except that a phantom, Valkyries, and vampires populated the portrait.
“Sitting around the fire, versus making love to my wife as soon as we can possibly ditch?” Cradling her face in his palms, he kissed her forehead, her lashes, the tip of her nose, and a corner of her lips. “Danii, I’ve never been more satisfied with my life, didn’t know I could be.”

See more quotes on my Tumblr page,
Daily Quotes by Exina.

Title: Kiss of a Demon King
Series: Immortals After Dark #7
Author: Kresley Cole
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Goodreads

My Rating:

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Blurb

HIS OBSESSION…
Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions: the evil beauty who surrenders her body, but not her heart.

HER DOWNFALL…
Rydstrom Woede: the ruthless warrior who vows to keep her at all costs.

THEY WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO WANT EACH OTHER THIS MUCH…
With each smoldering encounter, their shared hunger only increases. If they can defeat the sinister enemy that stands between them, will Sabine make the ultimate sacrifice for her demon? Or will the proud king lay down his crown and arms to save his sorceress?
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My Thoughts

I have to admit that in the Immortals After Dark series I liked Kiss of a Demon King the least.

It has many positive aspects, but also many, many things I disliked about it.

It was boring. Really, really boring.

First, I was forced to reread what I have already known about the world of the Lore. Although very important information was also offered, such as the story of Sabine and Melanthe, facts about the world of the Sorceri, and how Omort had taken over Castle Tornin, it is too long, too detailed, and descriptive. Nothing happens, and there is no action in this part.

Rydstrom is chained to the bed through almost 130 pages! There is no suspense as he is chewing over his lost crown, his relationship to his brother Cadeon – although it is nice to see how Rydstrom relates to him –, and whether Cade gets the sword or not. Since I’ve read the books of the series in order, I’ve already known that Cade succeeds. Before reading, I assumed this book starts at the point in time (or a little bit earlier) when Cadeon’s book ends. But no. I’ve waited for Cadeon and the sword’s arrival for 335 pages!
I was a little bit disappointed in Rydstrom, I expected more humor, and less rigor. I didn’t feel his character close to me.

However, as almost no action takes place in the story, there is a great opportunity for the elaboration of the characters, and emotions.

I sympathized with Sabine and Lanthe very much. Their life was so hard, and painful, and they are still living in continuous threat. Sabine’s behavior is understandable. I loved to follow her emotional journey. Lanthe has a great sense of humor, and I hope she has her own book as well.

Omort, as the antagonist, is perfectly drawn as well, because I hated him with all of my heart.

The highlight of the story is the appearance of Nïx and her friends – not a surprise!

“Kill me, Valkyrie?” Sabine scoffed. “I can make you see things that will turn your brain to soup.”
“A-gain,” Nïx sighed, unfazed by the threat.
Sabine probed the Valkyrie’s mind, finding easy access- With a stifled gasp, Sabine just as rapidly withdrew her probe. Chaos, utter chaos.
“Welcome to my world!” Nïx said with an exaggerated wink.

The sibling story-lines are elaborated thoughtfully. I loved to see the strong bond and love between Sabine and Lanthe.

Rydstrom and Cadeon’s relationship is also worth mentioning, as they finally realize and admit how important they are for each other.

The story action is stuffed with unnecessary episodes, without excitement, or dynamism. I hate the “self-sacrifice” plot device, because it solves nothing, and it is also often clear that the sacrifice won’t take place. The final battle in Castle Tornin is too short.