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tayrod4594's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ssejig's review
3.0
The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
I only just discovered the Immortals After Dark series and when I had a chance to read the first book in the series from NetGalley, I jumped at the chance. This is the story of how Myst, a Valkyrie, ended up hooked with a formerly human vampire (Forbearer), Nikolai.
The two meet when Nikolai and a group of other rebel vampires take the castle of one of Demestriu's (the King of the Vampires) right-hands. Myst is a prisoner in the castle. And Nikolai's true mate. But it will take some time for them both to figure it out.
Really uncomfortable with all the stuff about her having to do what he said. Just felt... ooky. Not sexy at all.
Two and a half stars
Forsaken by Night by Larissa Ione
Well. This had some uncomfortable stereotypical undertones. And was confusing as all heck since I hadn't read any of the other books in this series.
Lobo is a vampire who is able to take on the appearance of others. He was kicked out of the vampire clan he had been a part of since he was a boy and would have probably died if not for Tehya, the wolf that he saved. The wolf that is now in trouble. So he risks his life to save hers. And when she is taken, she wakes up in another form, her vampire form.
Two stars
Dark Swan by Gena Showalter
Lilica is one of three girls bred to be superbeing. Her two sisters have been dubbed Little Divine and Little Delirium while Lilica is known as Little Wicked. They have been held in a lab and studied. But Lilica knows that they will escape some day.
Dallas Guitierrez hunts rogue alients. Or maybe it's rogue alien diseases. And now he's starting to have visions. Visions of a woman who ends up being the one held in his friend's house. One who can lead him to the Queen of the Schon (a disease that may end up taking over Earth). And with an immediate connection, the imprisoned woman is his mate. And the Queen that Dallas wants to kill... her sister.
An interesting (and sad) story. Very interested in reading both Jade and Trinity's (Lilica's triplets) stories.
Three and a half stars
I only just discovered the Immortals After Dark series and when I had a chance to read the first book in the series from NetGalley, I jumped at the chance. This is the story of how Myst, a Valkyrie, ended up hooked with a formerly human vampire (Forbearer), Nikolai.
The two meet when Nikolai and a group of other rebel vampires take the castle of one of Demestriu's (the King of the Vampires) right-hands. Myst is a prisoner in the castle. And Nikolai's true mate. But it will take some time for them both to figure it out.
Really uncomfortable with all the stuff about her having to do what he said. Just felt... ooky. Not sexy at all.
Two and a half stars
Forsaken by Night by Larissa Ione
Well. This had some uncomfortable stereotypical undertones. And was confusing as all heck since I hadn't read any of the other books in this series.
Lobo is a vampire who is able to take on the appearance of others. He was kicked out of the vampire clan he had been a part of since he was a boy and would have probably died if not for Tehya, the wolf that he saved. The wolf that is now in trouble. So he risks his life to save hers. And when she is taken, she wakes up in another form, her vampire form.
Two stars
Dark Swan by Gena Showalter
Lilica is one of three girls bred to be superbeing. Her two sisters have been dubbed Little Divine and Little Delirium while Lilica is known as Little Wicked. They have been held in a lab and studied. But Lilica knows that they will escape some day.
Dallas Guitierrez hunts rogue alients. Or maybe it's rogue alien diseases. And now he's starting to have visions. Visions of a woman who ends up being the one held in his friend's house. One who can lead him to the Queen of the Schon (a disease that may end up taking over Earth). And with an immediate connection, the imprisoned woman is his mate. And the Queen that Dallas wants to kill... her sister.
An interesting (and sad) story. Very interested in reading both Jade and Trinity's (Lilica's triplets) stories.
Three and a half stars
katrinamarie's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Bookish Things & More
Quickie Review
This anthology has three pretty great novellas. And it makes me want to read more of the series they are a part of.
This was my second time reading The Warlord Wants Forever. I love this world, and loved it just as much through the second read through. The characters are great, and I still felt that yearning for more when it was over.
I've never read anything by Larissa Ione before, but I want to go grab the first book in this series. This can be read as a stand alone, and it makes you want more of the world. I loved the romance, and the world building. It's a different twist on vampires that I've never read before. I loved every second of it.
I've read Showalter's YA books, but haven't read any in the adult genre. Dark Swan definitely made me want to read the rest of the series. The chemistry is off the charts. And I liked learning little tidbits about the different types of otherworlders. I'll be picking these up so I can get more!
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Gah, this was a fantastic anthology! I love all of the authors and the series and the stories and the writing and just everything! I need more of these series! And yeah that things were set up for more (well, The Warlord Wants Forever already did when it was first published, and the subsequent books in the series!) Loved it, it was so great!
laurla's review
the warlord wants forever by kresley cole, immortals after dark # 0.5
forsaken by night by larissa ione, moonbound clan vampires # 2.5
dark swan by gena showalter, otherworld assassins # 2.5 -
"lilica smacked herself on the butt. "i don't always wear sassy pants but when i do, i wear 'em classy and smartassy."
"ah yes, a spanking. a one-handed round of applause for my magnificent ass."
forsaken by night by larissa ione, moonbound clan vampires # 2.5
dark swan by gena showalter, otherworld assassins # 2.5 -
"lilica smacked herself on the butt. "i don't always wear sassy pants but when i do, i wear 'em classy and smartassy."
"ah yes, a spanking. a one-handed round of applause for my magnificent ass."
laurinb83's review
3.0
Sorry, Kayla, but not impressed. The premise sounds fantastic, and I would have loved to read more about the Lore . . . but the sex! And I am the furthest thing from a prude, but it feels like that was the only objective of this book!
booksuperpower's review
4.0
Blood Red Kiss by Kresley Cole. Larissa Ione, and Gena Showalter is a 2016 Pocket books publication.
This anthology series features three short stories from three wildly successful paranormal/urban fantasy series, by three incredibly well-loved and popular authors.
The story I am going to review here is – ‘The Warlord Wants Forever’ by Kresley Cole.
This story first appeared in an anthology entitled “Playing Easy to Get” and is the first story is the amazing “Immortals After Dark” series.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know if I have read this story, which was released back in 2006, originally. I have read the entire IAD series, but don't think I ever got around to reading this one.
I have heard some people say this edition has been updated, but I can’t swear to that.
The story centers around Myst and Wroth, a Valkyrie and a vampire. When Wroth finds Myst the couple experiences an instant tension between them, but Wroth is on a mission and Myst, despite his initial first impression, gives him a fight of a lifetime. They war it out for five years, one upping each other until they can't fight the passion between them any longer.
“No one possess me, except in their fantasies. I’ll kill you as easily as kiss you” – Myst
The banter is what makes this story so good, and of course it is steamy, steamy, steamy! It’s no wonder this story had everyone panting and begging for more of the series and why it has remained so popular.
If you have read any of the other books in the series, you know how wicked Cole’s sense of humor is and how wild her imagination is. So, even if you missed this one somewhere along the way, you will be glad you decided to read it.
If you have already read it, again, I am told this version is slightly different from the original, so you may want to give it a second look.
The other two stories included in this anthology are:
“Forsaken by Night” by Larissa Ione- from the MoonBound Clan Vampires
“Dark Swan” by Gena Showalter- from Otherworld Assassin
I can’t speak for the other two books included, because I am totally unfamiliar with those series. But, I’m sure fans of the authors and their respective series, will want to include this book in their collection and for those looking for a paranormal read for Halloween, this collection might be just what you are looking for.
4 stars
This anthology series features three short stories from three wildly successful paranormal/urban fantasy series, by three incredibly well-loved and popular authors.
The story I am going to review here is – ‘The Warlord Wants Forever’ by Kresley Cole.
This story first appeared in an anthology entitled “Playing Easy to Get” and is the first story is the amazing “Immortals After Dark” series.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t know if I have read this story, which was released back in 2006, originally. I have read the entire IAD series, but don't think I ever got around to reading this one.
I have heard some people say this edition has been updated, but I can’t swear to that.
The story centers around Myst and Wroth, a Valkyrie and a vampire. When Wroth finds Myst the couple experiences an instant tension between them, but Wroth is on a mission and Myst, despite his initial first impression, gives him a fight of a lifetime. They war it out for five years, one upping each other until they can't fight the passion between them any longer.
“No one possess me, except in their fantasies. I’ll kill you as easily as kiss you” – Myst
The banter is what makes this story so good, and of course it is steamy, steamy, steamy! It’s no wonder this story had everyone panting and begging for more of the series and why it has remained so popular.
If you have read any of the other books in the series, you know how wicked Cole’s sense of humor is and how wild her imagination is. So, even if you missed this one somewhere along the way, you will be glad you decided to read it.
If you have already read it, again, I am told this version is slightly different from the original, so you may want to give it a second look.
The other two stories included in this anthology are:
“Forsaken by Night” by Larissa Ione- from the MoonBound Clan Vampires
“Dark Swan” by Gena Showalter- from Otherworld Assassin
I can’t speak for the other two books included, because I am totally unfamiliar with those series. But, I’m sure fans of the authors and their respective series, will want to include this book in their collection and for those looking for a paranormal read for Halloween, this collection might be just what you are looking for.
4 stars
aliterarylion's review
3.0
I thought it was a lazy move on the publisher's part for simply rewriting the original novella of the first IAD book and publishing it ten years later. The story already existed and it wasn't that much different from the original. It was nice foray into the exciting world of Immortals After Dark, but I have read it before.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/495789602?book_show_action=false
Thankfully it cleared up some of the sloppy writing and excess of side characters, but I wish The Warlord Wants Forever was presented as a full novel. I don't care for novellas because it just samples the author's writing and doesn't give them enough time to establish the plot.
Myst and Nikolai were so well matched and I enjoyed reading their interactions together again. Nikolai is a total badass Estonian warlord who seeks information about the Lore and presses Myst for information. I really loved Myst the Coveted's characterization because she is a unique immortal vixen who really plays against tropes. She is used as bait for her Valkyrie sisters to falsely blood vampires into believing she is their mate. Turns out she is also a fierce warrior who can hold her own and wield a sword. She is one of the sweetest Valkyries, next to Emmaline the Timid, and described as the most beautiful as well. She loves video games and is known for her species-specific mischief too. Nikolai and Myst were great foils but I wanted a whole book about them.
I really liked the author's notes after the novella which included Q&A's and trivia. I love how Cole was inspired by New Orleans and her ability to incorporate such varied supernatural creatures. Her anecdote over her obsession with Donkey Kong Country and making Myst a video game fanatic was perfect.
Kresley Cole is my favorite author but I would much rather read a new story instead of an edited version of a previous novella. I didn't even bother reading the other two novellas by Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione. I'm here for my fave and nobody else. I can't hardly wait for the next installment, Wicked Abyss. I'll have to tide myself over with the inferior (yet still fun) Sookie Stackhouse series in the meantime.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/495789602?book_show_action=false
Thankfully it cleared up some of the sloppy writing and excess of side characters, but I wish The Warlord Wants Forever was presented as a full novel. I don't care for novellas because it just samples the author's writing and doesn't give them enough time to establish the plot.
Myst and Nikolai were so well matched and I enjoyed reading their interactions together again. Nikolai is a total badass Estonian warlord who seeks information about the Lore and presses Myst for information. I really loved Myst the Coveted's characterization because she is a unique immortal vixen who really plays against tropes. She is used as bait for her Valkyrie sisters to falsely blood vampires into believing she is their mate. Turns out she is also a fierce warrior who can hold her own and wield a sword. She is one of the sweetest Valkyries, next to Emmaline the Timid, and described as the most beautiful as well. She loves video games and is known for her species-specific mischief too. Nikolai and Myst were great foils but I wanted a whole book about them.
I really liked the author's notes after the novella which included Q&A's and trivia. I love how Cole was inspired by New Orleans and her ability to incorporate such varied supernatural creatures. Her anecdote over her obsession with Donkey Kong Country and making Myst a video game fanatic was perfect.
Kresley Cole is my favorite author but I would much rather read a new story instead of an edited version of a previous novella. I didn't even bother reading the other two novellas by Gena Showalter and Larissa Ione. I'm here for my fave and nobody else. I can't hardly wait for the next installment, Wicked Abyss. I'll have to tide myself over with the inferior (yet still fun) Sookie Stackhouse series in the meantime.
si0bhan's review
3.0
I brought Blood Red Kiss to read The Warlord Wants Forever, the first book in Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series. It’s a series to have interested me for quite some time, and I wanted to start with the novella before diving into the full-length novels. Whilst The Warlord Wants Forever was an interesting read, it wasn’t the amazing read I had been hoping for.
Much more enjoyable was Larissa Ione’s Forsaken by Night. Despite being two-point-five in the MoonBound Clan series, it works perfectly fine as a standalone story. As a fan of Larissa Ione’s Demonica series, I was excited to read some of her other work – and I was not disappointed. The MoonBound Clan series is now on my to-read list.
The least enjoyable story, for me, was Gena Showalter’s Dark Swan. Gena Showalter is an author who has interested me for quite some time, but I’ve never picked up one of her books. I feel as though diving into two-point-five of the Otherworld Assassin series was not the best of moves. Although the story made sense without the context of the other series, I feel as though I was missing out too much information to really enjoy it. Although that contributed to some of my lack of enjoyment, I also found myself struggling to enjoy it for other reasons. Due to this, I’m no longer so eager to dive into another Gena Showalter book.
Individual ratings:
The Warlord Wants Forever: Three stars.
Forsaken by Night: Four stars.
Dark Swan: Two stars.
Much more enjoyable was Larissa Ione’s Forsaken by Night. Despite being two-point-five in the MoonBound Clan series, it works perfectly fine as a standalone story. As a fan of Larissa Ione’s Demonica series, I was excited to read some of her other work – and I was not disappointed. The MoonBound Clan series is now on my to-read list.
The least enjoyable story, for me, was Gena Showalter’s Dark Swan. Gena Showalter is an author who has interested me for quite some time, but I’ve never picked up one of her books. I feel as though diving into two-point-five of the Otherworld Assassin series was not the best of moves. Although the story made sense without the context of the other series, I feel as though I was missing out too much information to really enjoy it. Although that contributed to some of my lack of enjoyment, I also found myself struggling to enjoy it for other reasons. Due to this, I’m no longer so eager to dive into another Gena Showalter book.
Individual ratings:
The Warlord Wants Forever: Three stars.
Forsaken by Night: Four stars.
Dark Swan: Two stars.