I figured there would be too much going on, too much world building (Liz Maverick's Crimson City comes to mind), but I was wrong. This book has a nice balance between, world building, character development and storytelling.
If there is one thing I normally dislike, it's the "soul mate" theme that permeates a good part of paranormal romance. So when in the prologue, our werewolf hero scents his soul mate I thought, OH NO. Ah, but it's okay, somehow Kresley Cole overcomes my aversion to this. The prologue reads like a horror novel--Oooo, I like that.
In fact the next several chapters read more like horror than romance, I really like that. I've always thought that's one of the biggest thing paranormal romances lack. Shouldn't books about Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts... be scary?
Our hero is a werewolf, our heroine a vampire/valkyrie mix, different races that hate each other. He has spent the last 150 years being tortured by the "Vampire Horde". She is a sheltered young (72) miss, protected her entire life by her Valkyrie aunts.
At times, I honestly thought the hero was on the verge of rape, and yet, as the story progresses, he comes more and more under control. At first you think, our heroine is going to be weak. Ah, but she's not, as the story develops, she gets stronger and stronger. And it all flows nicely together.
I'd recommend this one, and that comes from someone who is incredibly picky when it comes to paranormals.
Tara
8 comments:
Ok, I was doubtful about this one, but between you and Bam, you've convinced me. I think I'm going to take the plunge.
Oh, the pressure, I hope it lives up to expectations.
I liked this one tremendously. I had the same feelings - that this guy was really, really bad. He didn't care about the heroine initially. He cared only about satisfying his beast which made it more believable for me. I may have wanted to jump off the balcony, too, if I were the heroine and take my chances.
I loved that he was freely spending her money, believing she was a dreaded vampire. He wanted to sock it to the Hoarde every which way and he had no scruples. He lied when he wanted to get his way. He fought dirty. He was truly entertaining and different than alot of other paranormal heroes.
Hmm..you've often said you prefer your paranormals to be scary. For myself, if I wanted scary I'd read a straight horror. Which authors do you feel walk the line with just enough scary & just enough romance? Just curious & no offense intended! :)
Have a great weekend?
Dangit - first Bam and now you - I want this book NOW.
CindyS
Yeah - I've heard good things about this one so it's going on my TB list - thanks for the review!
Amanda--no offense taken, I think that horror and romance have an interesting juxtaposition. I like Lynn Viehl and Susan Squires, both add enough horror. JR Ward is somewhat campy, but her horror scenes can hit the scary mark. Meljean Brookes' novella in Hot Spell hits the horror mark too.
Cindy & Sam--it's worth giving a try.
Oooh. That's it. I'm getting a copy. Thank you, TM. :)
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