Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole

Dark Needs at Night's Edge (Immortals After Dark, #4)

by Kresley Cole

The deliciously seductive Immortals After Dark series continues with the story of an exiled vampire and a phantom ballerina entangled in a passionate romance that transcends mortality. 

Néomi Renate, a famous ballerina of her century, became a phantom the night she was murdered. Stuck between the realms of the living and dead, she is cursed to relive her harrowing death each month during the full moon. She haunts her old home, scaring away those who dare to trespass. Until one day she encounters an inhabitant far more terrifying than herself.

Conrad Wroth has been half-mad for centuries. To protect others, his brothers locked him in an abandoned house where he first beholds Néomi Renate and is instantly captivated by her beauty. Driven by desire, Conrad is determined to claim her as his own no matter what it takes. But even if he does manage to win her heart, will Conrad be able to defeat the evil forces tormenting her and figure out a way to bring her back to life?

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

3 of 5 stars

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Caffeinated Aspects:

  • Conrad is the missing Wroth brother who suffers from bloodlust. He is also one of the most feared assassins in the lore. His brothers desperate to save him, drug him and bring him to a home they have secured in NOLA. What they don't know is that the home is haunted by its owner. Naomi Laress was a famous ballerina in the 1920's when she was murdered by her ex-fiance. Angered, she refused to leave this earthly realm and haunts her beloved home.  Conrad is able to see this feisty, sensual entity and the tale that unfolds is reminiscent of Ghost and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.


  • I loved Namoi. She was fun, determined and comfortable with her sexuality.


  • Conrad did not handle his sibling's attempt to save him when he turned him into the one thing he loathes - a vampire. Consumed with rage, he succumbs to bloodlust and has spent 300 years killing and fighting the memories each brings. Each victim passes their memories to him, and it has quite literally driven him insane. Before he was turned, Conrad was a virgin which made things a tad interesting, well that and the fact that Naomi isn't corporeal. It took me a while to warm up to Conrad.


  • The relationship that developed had some tender moments, humor and telephone games. Despite not being able to touch, we did get some intense heat.


  • Petkoff worked his magic delivering Naomi's voice and personality. His ability to create the accents necessary for the characters is wonderful.


  • Secondary characters from previous books are present and become involved as the romance progresses. Bowen, Caden, Rydstrom, and Mariketa. Nix's continues to be a favorite of mine. I love scenes with her and find myself laughing out loud.



Decaffeinated Aspects:


  • I love all things about ghosts, and of course, a romance with a vampire is complicated. While I thought Cole was creative as to how she managed it, I found it was still predictable. The trope isn't a favorite of mine, but she gets kudos for keeping me entertained.


  • While I felt the attraction of this couple, and I enjoyed their time together, I wasn't as emotionally connected with them as previous couples.


This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 22 January, 2017: Finished reading
  • 22 January, 2017: Reviewed