Shades of Wicked (Night Rebel, #1)

by Jeaniene Frost

[booksandcats]

It took me a long time to get around reading this one, even though I loved every other book in this world by Jeaniene Frost. For one reason, this book is not that easy to get in Switzerland, no library near me owns a copy and most bookshops would need to order it extra, so it was more of an effort. And for the second reason, I never really liked Ian. Not because he was kind of an antagonist when introduced first (his behavior is actually very reasonable in the vampire world, Cat and Bones just were kind of dickheads), but because he was annoying. He was always the character to boast, to make annoying quips and remarks. You know that kid in school that would always make jokes and just push it too far and you wish he would just stop because it stoped being funny way waaay back? That was Ian to me. So, fair to say I wasn't too eager to go through extra effort to read a book about him. Veritas on the other hand was quite intriguing. Granted, she was kind of bland and boring on first look (a very interesting mix with Ians Character), but we also saw several glimpses that she was more than she let on. So, since the second book came out recently and I've read so many amazing reviews by friends on here, I decided to give it a try. Lucky me.

This is maybe my favorite book of Jeaniene Frost so far. I'm tempted to say ever, but since there are still more to come, I'm sticking with so far.

Ian and Veritas both have amazing back stories that explain a lot about their behavior in previous books (Ian's annoyingness for example), their Chemistry is great. I love how it's built up a bit and not instantaneous. And while I loved, absolutely loved Ian in this book, in his interactions with Veritas, Frost stays very much true to the Character, as in his interactions with his friends he is still annoying and cocky and so very Ian. But I get it now. Veritas is... wow. I love Frost's ability to create strong, kickass woman. First Cat, then Denise, the Kira, then Leila, now Veritas. She is my favorite character. Ever. Won't say more about her, just read the book.

The storyline is great as well, the antagonist amazing, powerful and the fight against him is grasping, with lots of emotions and twists.

Lastly, I like how Jeanine Frost found an ending to this book that was kind of a mix between a sad and a happy ending. Veritas is not happy, she is heartbroken, but she knows Ian is alive and that what they had was true. We as a reader however know, that he knows about her, so their relationship isn't lost, so sad ending for her, happy for us? very fun twist. Also a great set up for the next book, a good way to keep the relationship interesting enough besides just being happy together and fighting evil (not that I wouldn't read that), yet still keeping the progress this book made. Also, so much more believable when fighting such an overpowered enemy that they wouldn't just win and everything would be fine, but that one of them actually dies. Also, even though I hate that Veritas loses part of her awesome power (the coming back from the dead part, this is a spoiler so I can write that lol), I like that she isn't that op anymore. Otherwise, no real stakes for her. Aside from losing everyone she loves and cares about.

So, great book, if you know the universe of Cat and Bones by Jeaniene Frost you will love this. I suppose it can be read as a standalone, but I wouldn't advise it. Many characters and actions won't really make sense, plus the other books are great as well. Do yourselves the favor and read them.