The addictive Immortals After Dark series continues with an electrifying love story between a brooding vampire warrior and a ruthless fey assassin from the internationally bestselling author, Kresley Cole.
Three hundred years ago, Sebastian Wroth's brothers forced him to become a vampire. Burdened with shame, he lurks in the shadows and yearns for death to free him from life's torment. Until he meets Kaderin The Cold Hearted, a beautiful valkyrie assassin intent on killing him, and begins to reconsider.
After Kaderin lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, an unknown benefactor extinguished all of her emotions in an attempt to save her from sorrow. She became known as Kaderin the Cold Hearted, a prolific vampire slayer. But when she encounters the handsome Sebastian Wroth, she is flooded with feelings again. For the first time, Kaderin is unable to complete a kill.
Faced with the possibility of resurrecting her sisters through a prize in a mythical contest, Kaderin is determined to claim victory, and Sebastian is determined to claim her heart. Even if it means seducing her while she faces opponents. As the end of competition approaches, their relationship begins to blossoms. But what happens when Kaderin is forced to choose between the vampire she couldn't help but fall for and reuniting her family once again?
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
Reading updates
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Started reading
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20 December, 2016:
Finished reading
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20 December, 2016:
Reviewed