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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
The book was a quick, enjoyable 3 stars until the last 1/4 of the book.
Spoiler below:
By about 3/4 of the way through the book, Bettina, the heroine, promises to be true to Trehan (the hero) but is understandably hurt that either he or her childhood best friend will have to die in the tournament for her hand in marriage.
Knowing how much she'll hurt if that happens, Trehan manages to find a loophole to spare both of them, and tells Bettina what to do: call for mercy when he is about to kill the old friend, Caspian, in the match. Logical because everyone already knows Trehan is the winner given how much older and stronger he is (it's like a lion to a kitten).
Now, how does Bettina react???? Instead of feeling relief or gratefulness, she is enraged that Caspian will have to suffer from broken pride from not being able to win. This is AFTER she realizes her feelings for her old friend were misplaced and decides that she wants to marry Trehan very much. AFTER she had despaired because she knew it was her fault that both men entered the tournament to the death. And AFTER Trehan suffered repeatedly from her choosing Caspian over him for everything, despite Caspian never showing her any feeling and Trehan baring his heart and soul.
And then what happens at the tournament? She calls for mercy for TREHAN instead, very early in the fight, because she panics and thinks she's going to lose everything if he loses. This, of course, throws him into a rage because he believes she wants Caspian to be the winner and to win her hand. And then promptly loses the battle to Caspian, who had never wanted to marry Bettina in the first place.
And it's a downward spiral from there until finally, months later, Trehan returns, and forgives her for everything. HEA for one of the dumbest heroines to ever have existed. Sigh.
I read this book because I enjoyed [b:Lothaire|10790516|Lothaire (Immortals After Dark, #12)|Kresley Cole|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1366322959s/10790516.jpg|15702803], the book preceding this in the loosely-linked Immortals After Dark series. Due to the protagonists in that book both being witty, logical, and smart, I expected the main characters of this book to follow the same basic pattern and also have common sense. But alas, here we are, with a well-deserved 1-star review.
Spoiler below:
Knowing how much she'll hurt if that happens, Trehan manages to find a loophole to spare both of them, and tells Bettina what to do: call for mercy when he is about to kill the old friend, Caspian, in the match. Logical because everyone already knows Trehan is the winner given how much older and stronger he is (it's like a lion to a kitten).
Now, how does Bettina react???? Instead of feeling relief or gratefulness, she is enraged that Caspian will have to suffer from broken pride from not being able to win. This is AFTER she realizes her feelings for her old friend were misplaced and decides that she wants to marry Trehan very much. AFTER she had despaired because she knew it was her fault that both men entered the tournament to the death. And AFTER Trehan suffered repeatedly from her choosing Caspian over him for everything, despite Caspian never showing her any feeling and Trehan baring his heart and soul.
And then what happens at the tournament? She calls for mercy for TREHAN instead, very early in the fight, because she panics and thinks she's going to lose everything if he loses. This, of course, throws him into a rage because he believes she wants Caspian to be the winner and to win her hand. And then promptly loses the battle to Caspian, who had never wanted to marry Bettina in the first place.
And it's a downward spiral from there until finally, months later, Trehan returns, and forgives her for everything. HEA for one of the dumbest heroines to ever have existed. Sigh.
I read this book because I enjoyed [b:Lothaire|10790516|Lothaire (Immortals After Dark, #12)|Kresley Cole|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1366322959s/10790516.jpg|15702803], the book preceding this in the loosely-linked Immortals After Dark series. Due to the protagonists in that book both being witty, logical, and smart, I expected the main characters of this book to follow the same basic pattern and also have common sense. But alas, here we are, with a well-deserved 1-star review.
Yet another winner by Kresley Cole. Dacian Vampire and Sorceri/Demon Halfling pairing.
adventurous
emotional
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had to go back to this one. I thought I could skip the Dacians, after reading Dark Skye I was wrong. There was series arc in this one too. I'm glad I wasn't too far ahead and it hadn't been too long.
Oh WOW!!! This book is **AMAZING**!!! It is definitely one of those grabs-you-on-the-first-page-and-wont-let-go kind of books! I *devoured* it! It irked me that I had to put it down to sleep! LOL! ;-)
If Trehan would have waltzed into my room and said hello, I'd have a hard time not launching myself at him (and then having to say, "Oh, um hello hubbie, meet Prince Trehan!" LOL!) ;-) You just have to swoon over the idea of a man giving up everything for the woman he loves! :-)
The heroine Bettina is no slouch either! You are just so darn proud of her as you watch her overcome those, present-in-all-of-us feelings of inadequacy! You cheer just as loud as Trehan does! :-)
Miss Kresley Cole needs to get off her stick and write the next in this series, before I come offer to help! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!! :-D
Just go read it! You know you want to! ;-)
XXOO
~Hope
From Goodreads.com:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist, a new paranormal series following the royal bloodline of Dacia, a vampire kingdom hidden within the Lore of the Immortals After Dark.
Shadow's Claim features Prince Trehan, a ruthless master assassin who will do anything to possess Bettina, his beautiful sorceress mate, even compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament—to the death.
He won't be denied...
Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people, striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore's most fearsome villains.
She's bound to another...
Desperate to earn her guardians' approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she's lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.
A battle for her body and soul...
Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina's heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium's worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina's own desires to a fever-pitch...
If Trehan would have waltzed into my room and said hello, I'd have a hard time not launching myself at him (and then having to say, "Oh, um hello hubbie, meet Prince Trehan!" LOL!) ;-) You just have to swoon over the idea of a man giving up everything for the woman he loves! :-)
The heroine Bettina is no slouch either! You are just so darn proud of her as you watch her overcome those, present-in-all-of-us feelings of inadequacy! You cheer just as loud as Trehan does! :-)
Miss Kresley Cole needs to get off her stick and write the next in this series, before I come offer to help! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!! :-D
Just go read it! You know you want to! ;-)
XXOO
~Hope
From Goodreads.com:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist, a new paranormal series following the royal bloodline of Dacia, a vampire kingdom hidden within the Lore of the Immortals After Dark.
Shadow's Claim features Prince Trehan, a ruthless master assassin who will do anything to possess Bettina, his beautiful sorceress mate, even compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament—to the death.
He won't be denied...
Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people, striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore's most fearsome villains.
She's bound to another...
Desperate to earn her guardians' approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she's lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.
A battle for her body and soul...
Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina's heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium's worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina's own desires to a fever-pitch...
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I hate Bettina. She was a child. I think she was 22 or 24 I can't remember exactly but she acted younger. I guess I'm use to the females being centuries old but this one I just wanted to punch in the face. She was in love with her best friend. Who was a man whore to the extreme and he wasn't quiet about it. That's not 100% unusual i guess but when her best friend has ZERO interest in her as a female and has stated that fact multiple times and she's still desperately in love with him?? yeah no it just doesn't work for me. I know blah blah you can't just turn off feelings but the guy has never given any reason that he wanted her. Then she gets drunk and a male comes to her bed and she just assumes its her friend.. really? I just could not stand her and a bad character ruins a book. I wasn't overly fond of the story itself. A game to win the princess hand and a crown. Meh. Just not that exciting.
The one thing that I did like about this book was the progression of the relationship... parts of it annoyed me but I think in general I liked the pace and the way Trehan went about it. He was slowly seducing her and getting to know her. I liked him. He was sweet but incredible fierce and just an all around bad ass. He actually cared about her interest where even her BFF got distracted and stopped listening to her.
OH!!! The one thing I think I hated most about Bettina.. she chose concert tickets over the heads of the creatures that ruined her life? REEEEEEAAAAAALLLLLLYYYYYYYY????? Bullshit. That's just stupid. I would have fallen to my knees begging Trehan to marry me. She's a stupid cow.
2 stars is honestly generous...
The one thing that I did like about this book was the progression of the relationship... parts of it annoyed me but I think in general I liked the pace and the way Trehan went about it. He was slowly seducing her and getting to know her. I liked him. He was sweet but incredible fierce and just an all around bad ass. He actually cared about her interest where even her BFF got distracted and stopped listening to her.
OH!!! The one thing I think I hated most about Bettina.. she chose concert tickets over the heads of the creatures that ruined her life? REEEEEEAAAAAALLLLLLYYYYYYYY????? Bullshit. That's just stupid. I would have fallen to my knees begging Trehan to marry me. She's a stupid cow.
2 stars is honestly generous...
I still can´t decide how to describe the book. You have that sexy as hell Vampire burning for the lovley little Bettina - most of the time she is helpless and he will protectet her now matter what. Then there is her friend, a childhood friend she thinks she is on love with, which drives the Vampire crazy - of course aaaand we have a tournament and yes - both are the last contestant. Bettina has to decide - who may live?
Then there is the sex or none-sex. I found it strange that the nearly sex was much better then the first time - the very first time for Bettina: in and our and thats it? Lame ....
Then there is the sex or none-sex. I found it strange that the nearly sex was much better then the first time - the very first time for Bettina: in and our and thats it? Lame ....