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eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 Stars
Male: Lachlain MacRieve (Lykae, meaning werewolf)
Female: Emmaline Troy (half Vampire, half Valkyrie)
Plot: He finally escapes 150 of torture and comes across his (soul) mate. So he kidnaps her (smart, I know).
This is one of my least favourite books in the series. I get that Lachlain was tortured for over a century and that he's a little out of practice with civilized behaviour. But he scared poor Emma, who isn't even a 100 yet (though he didn't know she was that young), out of her ever-loving mind. It made me uncomfortable. I mean seriously dude, stop trying to sleep with her!
And that's not all. The story wasn't all that great for me either. Lachlain's need for revenge and Emma looking for her father, it was all not done that well. I wasn't really into the story.
Still, it wasn't all bad. We got introduced to new parts of the world and Lachlain realized that kidnapping wasn't the way to go. Emma grew into herself, started to trust herself and her decisions. Their relationship worked out in the end as well. That's one of the best parts of the series; no matter what happens, no relationship ends up toxic or unhealthy.
The Warlord Wants Forever
.
bottleblondebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Truly, 5 stars for the vibes. Lachlan is hot. Emma is a firecracker. Honestly, kinda hate Anika or whatever the foster mom/aunt’s name is, she just got in the way and annoyed me.
kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
Second in the Immortals After Dark paranormal romance series.
The Story
Emmaline Troy has finally gathered up the courage to travel alone to Paris and research her mother's activities. Her mother died after her birth and Emma wants to discover her father's identity and since Paris was her last known residence, it only makes sense to try here first. Only, Emma has never had to feed straight from another. She has never had to protect herself and when the beast runs her down and drags her back to her hotel room...well, there isn't much Emma can do to stop him.
On the beast's part, Lachlain, he's appalled that his mate could possibly be this weak, fragile vampire. Even as he hopes that he's wrong, he lies and provokes Emma into coming home with him to his castle, Kinevane, in Scotland. Every step of the way learning what he has missed in technological advancements and crudely seducing Emma yet never managing that last step with this virginal vampire.
Part of Lachlain's problem is that vampires are the enemy and how he will coerce his subjects into accepting Emma when he has such issues with it. Then there's Emma and her reluctance. She cannot lie and does expect him to be honest in return.
The Characters
The story has strong female and male characters.
The primary lead is Emmeline Troy, the result of a Valkyrie mother, Helen of Troy, and a vampire father. Left on her aunts' doorstep, the Valkyries do their best to raise and train young Emma but she's weak. She'd rather curl up in a ball than fight and she cries when a moth dies—she can't even bite a human for the necessary sustenance of their blood.
Lachlain is king of the Lykae and has been chained underground in the catacombs of Paris and tortured by fire for the past 150 years. Only the scent of his mate gave him the strength to finally break the chains holding him prisoner.
The aunts and other Valkyries in their group live at Val Hall Manor outside New Orleans and include Regin, Lucia, Annika, and Nix as Emma's aunts while Myst and Daniela are amongst the others.
Demestriu is the king of the Vampire Horde with some interesting revelations on the quality of blood one might drink from different beings. He's also the vampire who captured Lachlain. Ivor the Cruel is one of his, let's say, more reluctant subjects while Lothaire is another enemy of the Valkyries.
The Lore is a collective of the supernaturals divided into the Vampire Horde, the Valkyrie, the Lykae, the Forebearers, the Furiae, wraiths, demonarchie, witches, and ghouls.
My Take
I didn't enjoy this as much although the storyline was very interesting. I mostly worked my way through just to get it over with as the writing was juvenile without any finesse. Although, it was interesting to observe when Lachlain finally realizes the truth about Emma and then he goes overboard in the other direction trying to suck up.
Instead Cole writes rough encounters...and, no, I don't mean the rough interaction there is between Lachlain and Emma or with her aunts. It's the choppy progression from hating Emma and hauling her to Kinevane and then the uneven segues from scene to scene.
The taking of Emma from Scotland by a vampire doesn't inspire much concern from the aunts even though they've invaded and destroyed aspects of Lachlain's castle. Then there's the encounter in New Orleans where the aunts are ready to start a major war. Hypocritical much?? It's more of a bullet outline that didn't get past first draft stage.
I enjoy the idea that Cole combines groups that don't usually encounter each other as well as the change-ups she designs into each. She has a start on creating a unique world if she would just stop riding roughshod over it all. Cole does create a nice bit of backstory for this initial full-length novel in this series.
The major issue is for the series as a whole is Accession when the supernaturals fight to reduce the population allowing the group with the greatest numbers to rule over the others until the next Accession. In between, alliances seem to shift depending on payment or need although the Vampire Horde seems to be on its own side most of the time with occasional alliances with the demons. I get the impression that there is something special about Emmeline's blend but Cole doesn't provide much detail.
I'll try the next in the series, No Rest for the Wicked if only to try for fairness...
The Cover
The cover certainly reflects Lachlain and Emma with his dark form and clawy-looking hands entrapping a pale barely-clad woman—with painted nails—up against him as he attempts a kiss. The title is accurate as well as Lachlain and Emma each experiences A Hunger Like No Other.
The Story
Emmaline Troy has finally gathered up the courage to travel alone to Paris and research her mother's activities. Her mother died after her birth and Emma wants to discover her father's identity and since Paris was her last known residence, it only makes sense to try here first. Only, Emma has never had to feed straight from another. She has never had to protect herself and when the beast runs her down and drags her back to her hotel room...well, there isn't much Emma can do to stop him.
On the beast's part, Lachlain, he's appalled that his mate could possibly be this weak, fragile vampire. Even as he hopes that he's wrong, he lies and provokes Emma into coming home with him to his castle, Kinevane, in Scotland. Every step of the way learning what he has missed in technological advancements and crudely seducing Emma yet never managing that last step with this virginal vampire.
Part of Lachlain's problem is that vampires are the enemy and how he will coerce his subjects into accepting Emma when he has such issues with it. Then there's Emma and her reluctance. She cannot lie and does expect him to be honest in return.
The Characters
The story has strong female and male characters.
The primary lead is Emmeline Troy, the result of a Valkyrie mother, Helen of Troy, and a vampire father. Left on her aunts' doorstep, the Valkyries do their best to raise and train young Emma but she's weak. She'd rather curl up in a ball than fight and she cries when a moth dies—she can't even bite a human for the necessary sustenance of their blood.
Lachlain is king of the Lykae and has been chained underground in the catacombs of Paris and tortured by fire for the past 150 years. Only the scent of his mate gave him the strength to finally break the chains holding him prisoner.
The aunts and other Valkyries in their group live at Val Hall Manor outside New Orleans and include Regin, Lucia, Annika, and Nix as Emma's aunts while Myst and Daniela are amongst the others.
Demestriu is the king of the Vampire Horde with some interesting revelations on the quality of blood one might drink from different beings. He's also the vampire who captured Lachlain. Ivor the Cruel is one of his, let's say, more reluctant subjects while Lothaire is another enemy of the Valkyries.
The Lore is a collective of the supernaturals divided into the Vampire Horde, the Valkyrie, the Lykae, the Forebearers, the Furiae, wraiths, demonarchie, witches, and ghouls.
My Take
I didn't enjoy this as much although the storyline was very interesting. I mostly worked my way through just to get it over with as the writing was juvenile without any finesse. Although, it was interesting to observe when Lachlain finally realizes the truth about Emma and then he goes overboard in the other direction trying to suck up.
Instead Cole writes rough encounters...and, no, I don't mean the rough interaction there is between Lachlain and Emma or with her aunts. It's the choppy progression from hating Emma and hauling her to Kinevane and then the uneven segues from scene to scene.
The taking of Emma from Scotland by a vampire doesn't inspire much concern from the aunts even though they've invaded and destroyed aspects of Lachlain's castle. Then there's the encounter in New Orleans where the aunts are ready to start a major war. Hypocritical much?? It's more of a bullet outline that didn't get past first draft stage.
I enjoy the idea that Cole combines groups that don't usually encounter each other as well as the change-ups she designs into each. She has a start on creating a unique world if she would just stop riding roughshod over it all. Cole does create a nice bit of backstory for this initial full-length novel in this series.
The major issue is for the series as a whole is Accession when the supernaturals fight to reduce the population allowing the group with the greatest numbers to rule over the others until the next Accession. In between, alliances seem to shift depending on payment or need although the Vampire Horde seems to be on its own side most of the time with occasional alliances with the demons. I get the impression that there is something special about Emmeline's blend but Cole doesn't provide much detail.
I'll try the next in the series, No Rest for the Wicked if only to try for fairness...
The Cover
The cover certainly reflects Lachlain and Emma with his dark form and clawy-looking hands entrapping a pale barely-clad woman—with painted nails—up against him as he attempts a kiss. The title is accurate as well as Lachlain and Emma each experiences A Hunger Like No Other.
zwe's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Actually really enjoyed this one!!! And the tension was 😮💨 so hot. Lachlain is yummy I would've folded so fast for him. Emma was a great character loved her story and her evolution. There was a bit of cringy dialogue, but this book is from like 2006 so that's to be expected. And it ended so abruptly!!! I wanted more!!!
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
4.0
When the shrinking violet grew some balls she did so in a major way.
biliboc_diana_simona's review against another edition
dark
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
Virginal mate, denigration and imagined rape scenarios..no thanks
The main character is an insecure, whiny, spoiled, cruel, shrew. The Alpha male, is very Alpha & grunts his speech half the time. The plot is lame & the the formula is dog tired.
On my second read- I'll move it to 3 stars, it was 2. Still not an enjoyable read for my taste. I just don't like the MC's but I was intrigued by the side characters. So, I'll read the next book
The main character is an insecure, whiny, spoiled, cruel, shrew. The Alpha male, is very Alpha & grunts his speech half the time. The plot is lame & the the formula is dog tired.
On my second read- I'll move it to 3 stars, it was 2. Still not an enjoyable read for my taste. I just don't like the MC's but I was intrigued by the side characters. So, I'll read the next book
ddog8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard for me to rate romance because I judge it by different standards than other books I pick up. I am certain they are out there, but so far I have not come across a romance worthy of 5 stars where I didn't have to grade on a curve to get it there.
That out of the way, I really enjoyed A Hunger Like No Other.
The lore was actually key to the romance. It wasn't merely set dressing. The conflict between the two was well founded. It made sense why Lachlain hated Emmaline. It made sense why Emmaline was wary of Lachlain. The enemies to lovers trope wasn't simply tacked on to sell copies - it had real impact on their decisions. The transition from enemies to lovers was too abrupt, but I never doubted the chemistry so I was inclined to ignore it.
Smut wise it's pretty good. Like I said the chemistry was strong and thankfully, it did carry over to the steamy scenes. It is of the possessive 'I own you, only for me, etc' variety. There are multiple scenes of dubious, murky consent in the first half so keep that in mind. But, if you've read monster fiction before then you already know what you're in for.
Lachlain is a grumpy brute who gets jealous easy. Emmaline is a wilting flower who simultaneously doesn't suffer fools lightly. It's vaguely silly and bursting at the seams with paranormal shenanigans in the background. Go nuts.
That out of the way, I really enjoyed A Hunger Like No Other.
The lore was actually key to the romance. It wasn't merely set dressing. The conflict between the two was well founded. It made sense why Lachlain hated Emmaline. It made sense why Emmaline was wary of Lachlain. The enemies to lovers trope wasn't simply tacked on to sell copies - it had real impact on their decisions. The transition from enemies to lovers was too abrupt, but I never doubted the chemistry so I was inclined to ignore it.
Smut wise it's pretty good. Like I said the chemistry was strong and thankfully, it did carry over to the steamy scenes. It is of the possessive 'I own you, only for me, etc' variety. There are multiple scenes of dubious, murky consent in the first half so keep that in mind. But, if you've read monster fiction before then you already know what you're in for.
Lachlain is a grumpy brute who gets jealous easy. Emmaline is a wilting flower who simultaneously doesn't suffer fools lightly. It's vaguely silly and bursting at the seams with paranormal shenanigans in the background. Go nuts.