No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark, #2)

by Kresley Cole

A vampire warrior who yearns for death...Three hundred years ago, Sebastian Wroth's brothers forced him to become a vampire-a nightmare in his mind. Shamed and alone for ages, he longs to die. Until an exquisite creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead. A beautiful assassin dispatched to destroy him...When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow-accidentally extinguishing all of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters the vampire with his grave eyes, her feelings-particularly lust-emerge multiplied. For the first time, she's unable to complete a kill. The prize is a key powerful enough to resurrect her sisters. Not understanding the key's import, Sebastian hinders her against other opponents by using her new feelings to seduce her and earn her love. But when Kaderin is forced to choose between finally killing Sebastian and reuniting her family, how can she live without either...?

• ISBN10: 141653119X
• ISBN13: 9781416531197
• Publish Date: 31 October 2006
• Publish Status: Active
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Pocket Books
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[FranJessca @ A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog]

First Time Read: 2010

Second Time Read: June 2014

Third Time Read: February 8, 2019

Fourth Time Read: November 21, 2021

I have loved the Immortal After Dark series since the moment I picked it up in 2010, and I’m glad I’m revisiting my favorite characters in the series for the fourth time.

Storyline/My Thoughts: I missed Sebastian and Kaderin the Cold Hearted and reading about how these two unlikely characters met for the first time. Although, Kaderin did give me a hard time when I first read this book in 2010. She was stubborn when it came to Sebastian. (She grew on me, eventually, especially after the 3rd/4th time reading her book.) She had her reasons for being stubborn, though. A valkyrie and vampire, yeah, it was not happening because of what happened in the past. Kaderin lost her sisters to vampires, and the valkyries and vampires have never gotten along until recently.

Thanks to his brother, poor Sebastian has never liked what he became, so I felt sympathy for the poor guy trying to win over a stubborn Valkyrie. He often proved that he wanted to be with her, but Kaderin made it difficult, especially when she’s trying to win the Hie. She wants to get her sisters back, and Sebastian is just getting in the way. Poor vampire!

One of many reasons I enjoyed No Rest for the Wicked is the challenges that Kaderin and Sebastian had to complete and the places they had to visit for the Hie (contest). The ending was epic and had me in tears because of what Sebastian decided to do. He won me over so many times in this book. Although he’s not my top favorite male character in the IAD series, he comes close to 3rd place. He is such a sweetheart and was able to deal with Kaderin. Yup, he has some serious patience.

Kresley Cole’s world-building and character development in each of the IAD books are impressive. I have no idea how she does it on keeping up with everything with her characters. She even throws in previous and future characters in the story. I love the Valkyries and their protectiveness of each other. Kaderin was clueless about certain things happening back in New Orleans, and I loved her reaction to what happened to Emma and Myst.

Note: This reread of the IAD series makes me realize how the paranormal romance genre will always be my favorite genre. I love falling into a world with all my favorite supernatural creatures, and Kresley Cole does a fantastic job with this series. 

I give this book 4.5-stars and look forward to re-reading the next book(s) in the series.

Standalone or part of series: Each book is part of the Immortal After Dark series, and I recommend reading in order.

Steaminess Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Trope(s): Enemies to Lovers; Fated Mates.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, especially to Paranormal Romance readers.

Will I read other books from the author? Yes, definitely.

[scarr]

IMO this book is a much-needed improvement from the previous book (A Hunger Like No Other). I enjoyed the world-building more in this book and also the main characters were interesting and had depth. I look forward to the next!

[bookperson]

I liked this "slow burn" (even though it isn't slow in the slightest) more than 1st book. As beautiful ladies from Fated Mates like to say 'Kresley evolves', and I wholeheartedly agree. If every book is better than the previous one... well, can't wait to read it!

[Vicki]

Overall just meh for me. Romance was mediocre...I just couldn't get into it. The plot also could have been better. I think it could have been really great. I love the idea of the competition but I felt we just didn't get enough detail or action for every task that Kaderin and Sebastion completed. Think I'm taking a break from the Immortals After Dark for a while.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Kaderin, the Cold Hearted, is a Kickass Warrior Valkyrie who hates vampires with a vengeance after they killed her sisters. Sebastian Wroth, a warrior, was turned unknowingly by his brothers centuries ago to save him. He left his ancestral home in anger and has never taken blood from a living source. He instead drinks animal blood. Sebastian is a nomad who has chosen to live off the grid, disgusted by his own existence. We all know where this is going right? So of course when Kaderin crosses his path she makes his heart beat again. The two share a hot and heated encounter before she takes off leaving him behind. The romance that unfolds is slow building and filled with sexual tension, humor and character growth.

Their story intertwines with a quest or "amazing race" type of event. Kaderin has won in previous years and is determined to hold that honor again. This year the prize will grant her her heart's desire and no one will stop her. Sebastian tags along, or pops in to aid Kaderin much to her annoyance. I loved the banter and snark. The two of them totally surprised each other, as did their reactions to things. The "amazing race" was fantastic. Cole's description of the challenges, creatures they encounter and lore were delightful. This race allowed the romance to develop slowly and be tested. It also gave Cole room to showcase and flesh out these characters. They felt genuine, and I connected on a much more personal level than the previous book.

Cole also gives us plenty of humor, updates on previous characters and hints of things to come. I adore the Valkyrie home in NOLA and the men who have fallen for these women. Conversations between them and our main characters had me chuckling. Such mischief.

Robert Petkoff once again narrates, and I love his voice for these strong, alpha male characters. Petkoff gave me a delightfully feminine Kaderin, while still capturing her fierceness. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[littleread1]

Both characters willing participants. FINALLY.

[mitabird]

8/26/19: 4 stars

2/3/11: This wasn't too bad. I liked Sebastian, but it took me a while to warm up to Kaderin. I thought it was a bit too long though. I had to start skimming the scenes with them finding the objects for the Hie. It was kind of boring. 3.5 stars

[Melanie]

I am really like the valkyries. It is a different type of supernatural, which keeps the reading interesting. I was also a big fan of the story of the Hie.