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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5 stars
OVERALL: A battle of wills between two very strong and dramatic characters, the sustained sexual tension in this book as their feelings slowly develop was fantastic!
Content warnings: sexually explicit scenes, violence, battle, blood, poisoning, death, hostages, mentions of incest
Sabine and Rhydstrom are fated mates, despite being on opposite sides of the battle of good versus evil. After tricking Rhydstrom and taking him captive, Sabine tries her hardest to seduce him in the hope that he'll get her pregnant (as has been foretold). But their attraction and feelings start to blur the lines between right and wrong, and who exactly is in control here...
It took me a minute to warm up to Sabine--it was great to read such a kick-ass heroine, someone who took what she wanted, but I don't have a lot of experience reading morally grey main characters, I guess. So it took me a while to determine if she was really 'evil' as she was pretending to be, but this added to her depth of character and showed how well this story was crafted/written.
I loved reading Rhydstrom and how he was desperate for her and yet how his King status was also pulling at him--I totally appreciated his being pulled in different directions and felt like it was done so much better than Cadeon's confliction in the previous book.
I also appreciated how this book was set up early on to be a long slow torturous battle of wills and desires. There was so much building of sexual tension for both the reader and for our two main characters, so that was fun to read!
OVERALL: A battle of wills between two very strong and dramatic characters, the sustained sexual tension in this book as their feelings slowly develop was fantastic!
Content warnings: sexually explicit scenes, violence, battle, blood, poisoning, death, hostages, mentions of incest
Sabine and Rhydstrom are fated mates, despite being on opposite sides of the battle of good versus evil. After tricking Rhydstrom and taking him captive, Sabine tries her hardest to seduce him in the hope that he'll get her pregnant (as has been foretold). But their attraction and feelings start to blur the lines between right and wrong, and who exactly is in control here...
It took me a minute to warm up to Sabine--it was great to read such a kick-ass heroine, someone who took what she wanted, but I don't have a lot of experience reading morally grey main characters, I guess. So it took me a while to determine if she was really 'evil' as she was pretending to be, but this added to her depth of character and showed how well this story was crafted/written.
Spoiler
plus, if she'd been actually evil, she could have just climbed on top of Rhystrom and taken what she wanted....I loved reading Rhydstrom and how he was desperate for her and yet how his King status was also pulling at him--I totally appreciated his being pulled in different directions and felt like it was done so much better than Cadeon's confliction in the previous book.
I also appreciated how this book was set up early on to be a long slow torturous battle of wills and desires. There was so much building of sexual tension for both the reader and for our two main characters, so that was fun to read!
Spoiler
I will say that Rhydstrom's determination to deliver back to Sabine all that he'd felt he'd gone through-- the parity he kept demanding--was a bit less fun? I mean, he was giving her abundant pleasure but... I guess I just don't really understand Orgasm Denial as a thing. It seems like a punishment, which I am very conflicted about when it's in the bedroom between two people who are supposed to love each other.... And R does start to feel guilty about it, and bargains with himself to lower the amount of time he'll put her through it.
Hmm. I was looking forward to this book but in the end it was good, but not great. The author does a pretty good job of making all of the various couples have their own kind of "vibe" to some extent. This couple seemed like more the vain, wealthy, damnit-we-look-good vibe. A bit shallow but kind of fun. Their 'torturing' each other dragged on and I lost interest here and there but it's not meant to be a life changing read to begin with.
Holloween paranormal challenge, Kresley series makes it a cake walk.
This is Rydstrom and Sabine's story.
This is Rydstrom and Sabine's story.
A romance between a demon king who wants to regain his throne, and a sorceri who is the Queen of Illusions.
Such heavy content with most of the story involving physical, sexual and emotional abuse (both of them perpetrators!). But then the change to each of them learning and wanting to do better, the shift to a supportive relationship, the building of trust and, to finish it all, an action-packed resolution filled with love, healing of past hurt and then winning back the kingdom, made it a really enjoyable read.
Such heavy content with most of the story involving physical, sexual and emotional abuse (both of them perpetrators!). But then the change to each of them learning and wanting to do better, the shift to a supportive relationship, the building of trust and, to finish it all, an action-packed resolution filled with love, healing of past hurt and then winning back the kingdom, made it a really enjoyable read.
The Woede Brothers. *dreamy sigh* ANOTHER AMAZING BOOK!
Kiss of a Demon King is hot beyond measure. Rydstrom is not a caveman like the other heroes of this series, he is a king and duty bound to reclaim the throne. Unfortunately, nobody informed Rydstrom that his future mate has already been born and that she is a detestable sorceress. Thus, he was trying to find his mate among every available and willing demoness. More than a thousand years later, he is too bored to try another female. There is no challenge for him. As he was captured in the last book, Rydstrom will not allow his plan to be interrupted by a sorceress who gradually invades his heart. Sabine is a multilayered character, Cole shows us since the beginning of the book why she ended up like this, her past was heartbroken for me and made me pity her so much then. Sabine has known that she is Rydstrom’s mate for hundred of years and she has tried to be prepared for their first time. She learned all the tricks of seduction; she was reading about his life; his conquests and his battles from afar. And she stayed a virgin. Because it has been predicted that their offspring, their son will be powerful and unique. There should not be any doubt when she was finally pregnant. Rydstrom Woede was sexy and honorable with a kinky side. He makes a good king and sexy alpha male. I really enjoyed Rydstrom who is so in control lose his crap in their relationship I love that they are the polar opposites, but they complement each other.
So the book started out a little slow. Things picked up when the sorceress Sabine, the Queen of Illusions, stepped into Rydstrom's life. These two had a powerful chemistry, and I loved the bickering, the sexual tension, and the constant need to up-up each other. They had the whole love/hate thing going on, and I loved seeing Rydstrom struggling with his control and his growing feelings for Sabine. I loved Rydstrom's sexy presence especially his demon's horns! (Cade did well to inform us how THEY work) and his whole honorable character, yet I also loved seeing Sabine push his buttons and making him lose control and do and say things he wouldn't normally do.
Now Sabine...I took a while to warm up to her- at least at first. It's hard to like a heroine who lies, cheats, steals, and is so stubborn and devious...but there was just something about her, and the more I read and found out her circumstances, the more I forgave her and began to admire her (sort of like Rydstrom did). I loved reading her thoughts about Rydstrom, and loved seeing her struggle with her feelings for him. I thought the sexual torture in the castle dungeon went on a little too long and dragged the story down a tad, even though it was kind of hot. But the story really picked up for me when Rydstrom made his escape with Sabine in tow, and he unleashed his full demonic and masculine powers. Now that was hot.
I loved the small crossover with his brother's book! I was waiting for most of this too figure out how that would work. I can't wait to see their relationship change and grow now, thanks to Sabine giving Ry some secret info regarding Cade. The conclusion was action packed, with Sabine's near death, Rydstrom's reuniting with his brother Cadeon, the sacrifice Rydstrom was willing to make for love, and the final showdown with Omort. There was a very nice epilogue that brought you up to date with some of the characters but left a few unanswered questions and left a few stories hanging. I'm sure there will be some future books that will take care of that though.
He found her not even a block away from the house, sitting on a curb.
As he approached, he saw her wiping her face with her forearm.
Sabine was...crying? "What are you doing out here, cwena?" Over the past week, Rydstrom had been pleased when she'd worried about him, and gratified when she'd felt the sting of jealousy. Was he a terrible man to hope she was crying about him?
She glared at him with her bottom lip quivering, allowing him to see her like this instead of using a mask. "I d-don't have anywhere else to g-go." Another swipe of her forearm over her eyes. "Lanthe's gone, and I c-can't get to her for six days. And I'm in a strange t-town and land, and Vrekeners are everywhere."
Sabine hadn't even mentioned what they'd just gone through-
"And you br-broke up with me!" she said, her tears falling faster. "Is that supposed to make me happy?"
"Come inside, Sabine."
"No! You t-told me not to." She sniffled, "You don't want me at your house."
He swooped her up in his arms. "Will you shut up?" With his free hand, he brushed her tears. "I made it ten minutes before I came after you."
Kiss of a Demon King is hot beyond measure. Rydstrom is not a caveman like the other heroes of this series, he is a king and duty bound to reclaim the throne. Unfortunately, nobody informed Rydstrom that his future mate has already been born and that she is a detestable sorceress. Thus, he was trying to find his mate among every available and willing demoness. More than a thousand years later, he is too bored to try another female. There is no challenge for him. As he was captured in the last book, Rydstrom will not allow his plan to be interrupted by a sorceress who gradually invades his heart. Sabine is a multilayered character, Cole shows us since the beginning of the book why she ended up like this, her past was heartbroken for me and made me pity her so much then. Sabine has known that she is Rydstrom’s mate for hundred of years and she has tried to be prepared for their first time. She learned all the tricks of seduction; she was reading about his life; his conquests and his battles from afar. And she stayed a virgin. Because it has been predicted that their offspring, their son will be powerful and unique. There should not be any doubt when she was finally pregnant. Rydstrom Woede was sexy and honorable with a kinky side. He makes a good king and sexy alpha male. I really enjoyed Rydstrom who is so in control lose his crap in their relationship I love that they are the polar opposites, but they complement each other.
So the book started out a little slow. Things picked up when the sorceress Sabine, the Queen of Illusions, stepped into Rydstrom's life. These two had a powerful chemistry, and I loved the bickering, the sexual tension, and the constant need to up-up each other. They had the whole love/hate thing going on, and I loved seeing Rydstrom struggling with his control and his growing feelings for Sabine. I loved Rydstrom's sexy presence especially his demon's horns! (Cade did well to inform us how THEY work) and his whole honorable character, yet I also loved seeing Sabine push his buttons and making him lose control and do and say things he wouldn't normally do.
Now Sabine...I took a while to warm up to her- at least at first. It's hard to like a heroine who lies, cheats, steals, and is so stubborn and devious...but there was just something about her, and the more I read and found out her circumstances, the more I forgave her and began to admire her (sort of like Rydstrom did). I loved reading her thoughts about Rydstrom, and loved seeing her struggle with her feelings for him. I thought the sexual torture in the castle dungeon went on a little too long and dragged the story down a tad, even though it was kind of hot. But the story really picked up for me when Rydstrom made his escape with Sabine in tow, and he unleashed his full demonic and masculine powers. Now that was hot.
I loved the small crossover with his brother's book! I was waiting for most of this too figure out how that would work. I can't wait to see their relationship change and grow now, thanks to Sabine giving Ry some secret info regarding Cade. The conclusion was action packed, with Sabine's near death, Rydstrom's reuniting with his brother Cadeon, the sacrifice Rydstrom was willing to make for love, and the final showdown with Omort. There was a very nice epilogue that brought you up to date with some of the characters but left a few unanswered questions and left a few stories hanging. I'm sure there will be some future books that will take care of that though.
He found her not even a block away from the house, sitting on a curb.
As he approached, he saw her wiping her face with her forearm.
Sabine was...crying? "What are you doing out here, cwena?" Over the past week, Rydstrom had been pleased when she'd worried about him, and gratified when she'd felt the sting of jealousy. Was he a terrible man to hope she was crying about him?
She glared at him with her bottom lip quivering, allowing him to see her like this instead of using a mask. "I d-don't have anywhere else to g-go." Another swipe of her forearm over her eyes. "Lanthe's gone, and I c-can't get to her for six days. And I'm in a strange t-town and land, and Vrekeners are everywhere."
Sabine hadn't even mentioned what they'd just gone through-
"And you br-broke up with me!" she said, her tears falling faster. "Is that supposed to make me happy?"
"Come inside, Sabine."
"No! You t-told me not to." She sniffled, "You don't want me at your house."
He swooped her up in his arms. "Will you shut up?" With his free hand, he brushed her tears. "I made it ten minutes before I came after you."
4.5 Stars
This is one of my favorite couple pairings. Why is that you say? Well because we have the uber stoic and honorable Rydstrom, who much like George Washington has never told a lie and Sabine the ‘Evil’ Sorceress whose lies constantly and looks out for only herself and sister. They are opposites in every way and yet they are perfect for one another.
“We have loyalty, fidelity, honor—(Rydstrom)
All three are overrated. The only chance you have to demonstrate any of them is to deny yourself something or someone you desire.” (Sabine)
But for being an evil sorceress Sabine is pretty likable for the most part. She is selfish yes and conniving and has plots within plots, but when she cares for you those are good things because she will protect what she loves fiercely. She is a little hard to like initially when she kidnapped Rydstrom to try to have his child but as they spend more time together and she shows a few softer traits towards him it is easy to empathize with her past and her current situation to like her more, but she is definitely not a good girl. Plus since she is a little evil she has a very playful side that is absolutely hilarious
When a group of young females had asked her what one should name her horse, she’d answered, “I like the sound of Fellatio.”
When Rydstrom had confronted Sabine about it, she’d said, “Do you know how priceless it was to hear that demoness sigh, ‘I love my Fellatio’? Even gold can’t buy moments like that!”
Rydstrom has to escape the palace dungeons that used to be his with Sabine in hopes that they can find a portal back to our dimension and he can get the sword to plan an attack against Omort the sorcerer that stole his kingdom. He finds a very unlikely ally and when the tables are turned on Sabine I almost felt sorry for her. The journey Rydstrom and Sabine make across the kingdom is filled with obstacles and treacherous things. Every leg of the journey was entertaining and some of it nail biting.
I love that Sabine while a slightly better person with Rydstrom is never ‘cured’ of her wicked ways. He is better too as she loosens him up a little and shows him ways that he might be a better king to his people. They are perfect for each other, but I really can’t wait to see what other trouble Sabine can get herself into.
Nix of coarse is my go to character that I love. She is always in the thick of things right when she is needed with some funny and off the wall antics. Just her T-shirt collection alone bears mentioning.
She wore a red string bikini, stilettos, and a tiny T-shirt that said, “Heels Tall…Bikini Small.”
And “Poach her portal. So going on a T-shirt.”
Nix as always gets the best lines and is still busy bringing all of our power couples together for the accession it has got to be tiring being the all-knowing Proto-Valkyrie and demigoddess. Still I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. I really hope that if/when there is a book with the accession in it that it is from Nix’s POV, I know she is a Rake but doesn’t Nucking Futs Nix deserve a clandestine love as well.
Lanthe, Sabine’s sister also seems to have a forbidding love thing happening sometime in the future and I’m looking forward to her story with Thronos as well. So many great forbidden couples to still love in the future…
This is one of my favorite couple pairings. Why is that you say? Well because we have the uber stoic and honorable Rydstrom, who much like George Washington has never told a lie and Sabine the ‘Evil’ Sorceress whose lies constantly and looks out for only herself and sister. They are opposites in every way and yet they are perfect for one another.
“We have loyalty, fidelity, honor—(Rydstrom)
All three are overrated. The only chance you have to demonstrate any of them is to deny yourself something or someone you desire.” (Sabine)
But for being an evil sorceress Sabine is pretty likable for the most part. She is selfish yes and conniving and has plots within plots, but when she cares for you those are good things because she will protect what she loves fiercely. She is a little hard to like initially when she kidnapped Rydstrom to try to have his child but as they spend more time together and she shows a few softer traits towards him it is easy to empathize with her past and her current situation to like her more, but she is definitely not a good girl. Plus since she is a little evil she has a very playful side that is absolutely hilarious
When a group of young females had asked her what one should name her horse, she’d answered, “I like the sound of Fellatio.”
When Rydstrom had confronted Sabine about it, she’d said, “Do you know how priceless it was to hear that demoness sigh, ‘I love my Fellatio’? Even gold can’t buy moments like that!”
Rydstrom has to escape the palace dungeons that used to be his with Sabine in hopes that they can find a portal back to our dimension and he can get the sword to plan an attack against Omort the sorcerer that stole his kingdom. He finds a very unlikely ally and when the tables are turned on Sabine I almost felt sorry for her. The journey Rydstrom and Sabine make across the kingdom is filled with obstacles and treacherous things. Every leg of the journey was entertaining and some of it nail biting.
I love that Sabine while a slightly better person with Rydstrom is never ‘cured’ of her wicked ways. He is better too as she loosens him up a little and shows him ways that he might be a better king to his people. They are perfect for each other, but I really can’t wait to see what other trouble Sabine can get herself into.
Nix of coarse is my go to character that I love. She is always in the thick of things right when she is needed with some funny and off the wall antics. Just her T-shirt collection alone bears mentioning.
She wore a red string bikini, stilettos, and a tiny T-shirt that said, “Heels Tall…Bikini Small.”
And “Poach her portal. So going on a T-shirt.”
Nix as always gets the best lines and is still busy bringing all of our power couples together for the accession it has got to be tiring being the all-knowing Proto-Valkyrie and demigoddess. Still I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. I really hope that if/when there is a book with the accession in it that it is from Nix’s POV, I know she is a Rake but doesn’t Nucking Futs Nix deserve a clandestine love as well.
Lanthe, Sabine’s sister also seems to have a forbidding love thing happening sometime in the future and I’m looking forward to her story with Thronos as well. So many great forbidden couples to still love in the future…