Dark Skye by Kresley Cole
It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE Kresley Cole fan so you might be confused when I say that Dark Skye is the first book I’ve read by Cole. I’ve listened to all the Immortals After Dark books (and Cole’s other books) on audio. She has great narrators. But when I got a review request to read Dark Skye I jumped on it. I wanted to see if I enjoyed Cole’s Immortals as much if I read them. And I did!! Of course I missed Robert Petkoff’s narration, and I found myself wondering how he would voice Thornos, and I plan on listening to the audio as well. But I can now say I love Cole’s writing no matter if I’m reading or listening to her novels.
FINALLY!! We get a virgin HERO. We’ve had a few virgin heroines in the series but now we get a yummy hero that’s not dipped his immortal wick into the pleasurable “honey” of a woman.
The timeline for Dark Skye puts us back on the island that’s run by the Order, where tons of Immortals are held as prisoners and being tested and tortured. One of the things I love about this series is how Cole weaves the stories together to make one big picture. The story of the Order and it’s island of immortals started in Dreams of a Dark Warrior and after that we’ve seen how some of the prisoners have faired since their escape. This time we get to see what happens to Lanthe after Thornos carries her away.
These two have an interesting and sad history together. Lanthe has been running from Thornos for 500 years. Why? Because of one really f’up misunderstanding. Oh and she left him broken when they were young. Another new thing in this long running series, Thornos found his mate at a young age. Lanthe was 9 and he was only a couple of years older than her. They started out as best friends that should have been enemies. After some bad blood between them they later become enemies only to find each other again and get their HEA.
Lanthe is a great character. She’s sassy and kick ass but has a heart of gold. She’s been looking for love in all the wrong places the last 500 years. Thornos has lived a very sheltered life as a Vrekener. Seriously, the Vrekener is like the Amish of the Lore. No TV, they wear boring clothes, oh and no sex out of marriage. Yep, that’s why our hot, broody hero is still a virgin all these years.
What better way to turn someone like Thornos’ world upside down than a Sorceri that wears micro-minis and has no problem with romping outside of marriage? And boy is Thornos’ a quick study when it comes to the ways of the bedroom!
I highly recommend Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series. It’s not everyday that you can find an author that can keep a series fun and refreshing after 15 books. If you’ve not tried Kresley Cole you should!
My Rating: A, Loved It
About the Book:
Eternal Obsession
As a boy, Thronos, prince of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body—and left an even deeper impression on his soul.
Endless Yearning
Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.
Can the heat of desire burn brighter than vengeance?
With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts?
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books
Series: Immortals After Dark #14
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (416 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher
Audiobook Review: Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole
Sweet Ruin features Jo and Rune’s story and it fits perfectly into the world; they are like every other couple that’s been featured.
I love the humor that Cole puts into this series.
She swooped in to kiss Thaddie. “Mwah!” Then she whispered to him, “Bitch tries anything, you tit-punch her.”
A twelve-year-old Jo telling a three-old-Thaddie to tit-pinch an older woman for taking care of them is just funny as hell.
I almost died at all the Axe cologne references. Jo (and maybe Kresley Cole) hates the stuff and I’m with her!
Or worse, he’d reek of cologne. Axe cologne. How could she put her tongue on skin saturated with that crap? Until someone invented a fang condom, she’d continue stealing from the blood bank.
Sweet Ruin is full of Cole’s trademark snark and hot romance. We get a new couple that ties into the world through Jo’s connection through her younger brother Thaddeus, who we’ve seen in a few other books. Plus, we get to see some of Nix and the valkyries. Cole continues to weave a web that will bring us closer to the Accession and now we know that Nix is not the only one pulling strings to align people where she wants them. If Nix is the Queen of the chess board of immortals, then we’ve now met the King. And I think the King and Queen might end up together. We’ll have to wait and see.
Petkoff delivered another outstanding performance with the audio. He just gets Cole’s humor and characters so well that I feel like he is the characters living their lives and adventures.
My Ratings
Story: A-
Narration: A+
About the Book:
An immortal assassin is caught between desire and duty in this sizzling new novel from Kresley Cole’s number-one New York Times best-selling Immortals After Dark series.
A foundling raised in a world of humans
Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was – just that she was “bad”, an outcast with strange powers. Protecting her baby brother, Thaddeus, became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl…to would-be superhero…to enchanting villain.
A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission
Whether by bow or in bed, archer Rune the Baneblood never fails to eliminate his target. In his sights: the oldest living Valkyrie. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty mesmerizes him. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, stealing his forbidden blood – and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.
A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin…
Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.
Author: Kresley Cole
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Series: Immortals After Dark #15
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Audiobook Release Date: December 12, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Length: 14 hrs and 41 mins
Source: Publisher
Audio Speed: 1.25x
Shadow’s Seduction by Kresley Cole
Shadow’s Seduction is a novella M/M romance featuring Mirceo Daciano and Caspion the Tracker. This novella was a taste of what I was missing. I wish it was longer but I have a feeling we will see more of these two in an upcoming story. With all the couples in the Lore, it was great to get a pairing that wasn’t male/female. I’m hoping we get more stories featuring romances like this.
Shadow’s Seduction is only in ebook so I wasn’t able to listen to Petkoff. (Sad face)
About the Book:
A night of debauchery . . .
Prince Mirceo Daciano and his new friend, Caspion the Tracker, comb the streets of Dacia, drunkenly seeking out pleasures of the flesh. In what should have been a typical night, they coax a bevy of nymphs to bed. To impress their females, the demon and the vampire kiss on a dare.
Changes them forever . . .
Once they finally break away from their soul-searing kiss, they find themselves alone—and shaken. Had they imagined their explosive chemistry? Obstacles—ranging from a death sentence to exile in a war-torn dimension—threaten to destroy their lives . . . and the vulnerable promise in that one kiss.
How long can they resist the fire that blazes between them?
Even if Mirceo can accept Caspion as his fated mate, the seductive vampire still must convince the stubborn demon that their bond is forever. And any royal Dacian union must receive the blessing of King Lothaire, an unpredictable and savage killer…
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Publisher: Valkyrie Press
Series: Immortals After Dark #16
Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Purchased
Audiobook Review: Wicked Abyss by Kresley Cole
Wicked Abyss features Abyssian Infernas and Calliope of Sylvan. I believe Kresley Cole as made a deal with some high power of the Lore! I mean 17 books into the IAD series and she’s still bring the magic to us.
Sure these are all paranormal romances but they never get old. The characters are rich and the world building it phenomenal. Plus any book that features Nix the Ever-Knowing is a great time.
Wicked Abyss showcases witty banter and sexual chemistry off the charts and moves the over all story ARC of the series along.
Petkoff again does a wonderful job of bringing Cole’s characters and world to life.
My Ratings
Story: A
Narration: A+
About the Book:
This fairy tale doesn’t end with a kiss….
A spellbinding Immortals After Dark tale from number-one New York Times best-selling author Kresley Cole!
The terrifying king of hell…
As a boy, Abyssian “Sian” Infernas had his heart shattered by a treacherous fey beauty who died before he could exact vengeance. Millennia later, a curse has transformed him into a demonic monster – just as she’s been reincarnated. Sian captures the delicate but bold female, forcing her back to hell.
Meets his match.
Princess Calliope “Lila” Barbot’s people have hated and feared Abyssian and his alliance of monsters for eons. When the beastly demon imprisons her in his mystical castle, vowing revenge for betrayals she can’t remember, Lila makes her own vow: to bring down the wicked beast for good.
Can two adversaries share one happily ever after?
As Calliope turns hell inside out, the all-powerful Sian finds himself defenseless against his feelings for her. In turn Lila reluctantly responds to the beast’s cleverness and gruff vulnerability. But when truths from a far distant past are revealed, can their tenuous bond withstand ages of deceit, a curse, and a looming supernatural war?
Author: Kresley Cole
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Series: Immortals After Dark #17
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Audiobook Release Date: April 25, 2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins
Source: Publisher
Audio Speed: 1.25x