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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Third in the Night Prince urban fantasy series (a spin-off from Frost’s Night Huntress series) and revolving around Vlad the Impaler and his new bride, Leila.
My Take
Whew, this is such an improvement over Twice Tempted, 2. Yeah, there’s a bit of melodrama and a whole LOT of torture. Just nasty. Fortunately, Frost doesn’t delve too deep into that one. Although the tell of it doesn't bring the full horror home.
I do have to laugh at Leila’s frustration with Vlad. It’s an interesting clash between modern woman and medieval warrior. Marty does wonder if Leila understands that Vlad has been ruthless and overpowering for centuries. Not habits one changes overnight, which makes it rather fun to watch. On the other hand, it was rather annoying that Frost didn’t make it more of a battle between them. And then again, it was lovely to have an intelligent character who could understand when Vlad’s actions were the best plan of action. I know, I know, I should make up my mind.
It’s his own experiences with being tortured and raped that enable Vlad to know the lengths to which a prisoner will go to survive.
I can definitely see why Marty wouldn’t want to go up against Vlad. The things he does to the people who do betray him…*shudder*… There is something to be said for not reacting at the drop of a hat. Maximus had been loyal to Vlad for over 500 years and then was kicked out for one series of lies. Okay, that is bad, but exile…? Then Maximus drops that one statement on Leila, and I can so understand why I’m terrified.
I cannot believe the reasons why Szilagyi hates Vlad so much. How incredibly petty!
Oh, man! ROFL, Vlad tells Leila his greatest secret…you will LYAO too.
The Story
Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness.
It's the depth of Szilagyi's treachery that is so shocking, as friend and foe alike align against him — and his overprotectiveness drives Leila mad — Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…and Leila's love for Vlad may be their survival.
The Characters
Leila Dalton Dracul, once known as the Fantastic Frankie (Once Burned), 1, is tied in a human marriage to Vlad. She has psychometric abilities which makes her the best lie detector on the planet. Due to a tragic accident when she was 13, she also carries quite the electrical charge. Vlad “the Impaler” Basarab Dracul is 600 years older than Leila and madly in love with her. Clara had been Vlad’s wife back when he was still human. Hugh Dalton, a retired lieutenant colonel, is Leila’s disapproving father; Gretchen is her sister. Marty, a dwarf vampire, is more of a father to Leila than her own.
Samir is the new head of Vlad’s guards who include Christian, Petre, Alexandru, and Dorian. Claude and Erin are Vlad’s pilots. Sandra is one of the human blood donors at the castle and Leila’s friend. Darryl Meadows is on death row. Bernstein is the wrong cop. Phillips is a murdering guard at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
The Night Huntress characters include…
…Mencheres (whom Vlad sees as his honorary sire) and Kira and Bones and Cat whose grave power will come in very handy. Katie is their daughter. Vlad offers a powerful gift for Cat's help. Tate and Cat’s mom are living with Cat and Bones. Fabian is Cat’s ghost friend.
Marie Laveau is voodoo queen of the revenants.
Mihaly Szilagyi, uncle to the then Hungarian king, is Vlad’s oldest enemy and his father-in-law. Maximus had been Vlad’s oldest friend until he betrayed him in Once Burned. Harold is Szilagyi’s torturer. I’d like to see him tortured to death. By Vlad. No wait…imprisonment would be far worse. Cynthiana, the vampire for whom Shrapnel betrayed Vlad, is also Vlad’s former girlfriend. She killed Leila in Twice Tempted. Ilona was Vlad’s second wife, a woman already pregnant, and Szilagyi’s daughter. Radu is Vlad’s brother, and his son, Mircea, hates his stepfather.
The “Joker” and “Khal Drogo” are some of eastern Europe’s big bads. Tenoch was Vlad and Szilagyi’s sire. Remnants feed on energy and pain, not even a vampire is a match for them. The Law of Guardians outlawed the use of magic.
The Cover and Title
The cover is deep mint green and fluorescent orange (it really makes the title and author’s name stand out!) A bare-chested Vlad stands at an angle, his head turned to the left but those eyes glaring at us, his hair blowing behind him. This man, this vampire, is ready to flame out against a background of wisps and bare branches.
The title is Leila and Vlad, Bound by Flames, even as their enemies too find themselves in that embrace.
My Take
Whew, this is such an improvement over Twice Tempted, 2. Yeah, there’s a bit of melodrama and a whole LOT of torture. Just nasty. Fortunately, Frost doesn’t delve too deep into that one. Although the tell of it doesn't bring the full horror home.
I do have to laugh at Leila’s frustration with Vlad. It’s an interesting clash between modern woman and medieval warrior. Marty does wonder if Leila understands that Vlad has been ruthless and overpowering for centuries. Not habits one changes overnight, which makes it rather fun to watch. On the other hand, it was rather annoying that Frost didn’t make it more of a battle between them. And then again, it was lovely to have an intelligent character who could understand when Vlad’s actions were the best plan of action. I know, I know, I should make up my mind.
It’s his own experiences with being tortured and raped that enable Vlad to know the lengths to which a prisoner will go to survive.
I can definitely see why Marty wouldn’t want to go up against Vlad. The things he does to the people who do betray him…*shudder*… There is something to be said for not reacting at the drop of a hat. Maximus had been loyal to Vlad for over 500 years and then was kicked out for one series of lies. Okay, that is bad, but exile…? Then Maximus drops that one statement on Leila, and I can so understand why I’m terrified.
I cannot believe the reasons why Szilagyi hates Vlad so much. How incredibly petty!
Oh, man! ROFL, Vlad tells Leila his greatest secret…you will LYAO too.
The Story
Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness.
It's the depth of Szilagyi's treachery that is so shocking, as friend and foe alike align against him — and his overprotectiveness drives Leila mad — Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…and Leila's love for Vlad may be their survival.
The Characters
Leila Dalton Dracul, once known as the Fantastic Frankie (Once Burned), 1, is tied in a human marriage to Vlad. She has psychometric abilities which makes her the best lie detector on the planet. Due to a tragic accident when she was 13, she also carries quite the electrical charge. Vlad “the Impaler” Basarab Dracul is 600 years older than Leila and madly in love with her. Clara had been Vlad’s wife back when he was still human. Hugh Dalton, a retired lieutenant colonel, is Leila’s disapproving father; Gretchen is her sister. Marty, a dwarf vampire, is more of a father to Leila than her own.
Samir is the new head of Vlad’s guards who include Christian, Petre, Alexandru, and Dorian. Claude and Erin are Vlad’s pilots. Sandra is one of the human blood donors at the castle and Leila’s friend. Darryl Meadows is on death row. Bernstein is the wrong cop. Phillips is a murdering guard at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
The Night Huntress characters include…
…Mencheres (whom Vlad sees as his honorary sire) and Kira and Bones and Cat whose grave power will come in very handy. Katie is their daughter. Vlad offers a powerful gift for Cat's help. Tate and Cat’s mom are living with Cat and Bones. Fabian is Cat’s ghost friend.
Marie Laveau is voodoo queen of the revenants.
Mihaly Szilagyi, uncle to the then Hungarian king, is Vlad’s oldest enemy and his father-in-law. Maximus had been Vlad’s oldest friend until he betrayed him in Once Burned. Harold is Szilagyi’s torturer. I’d like to see him tortured to death. By Vlad. No wait…imprisonment would be far worse. Cynthiana, the vampire for whom Shrapnel betrayed Vlad, is also Vlad’s former girlfriend. She killed Leila in Twice Tempted. Ilona was Vlad’s second wife, a woman already pregnant, and Szilagyi’s daughter. Radu is Vlad’s brother, and his son, Mircea, hates his stepfather.
The “Joker” and “Khal Drogo” are some of eastern Europe’s big bads. Tenoch was Vlad and Szilagyi’s sire. Remnants feed on energy and pain, not even a vampire is a match for them. The Law of Guardians outlawed the use of magic.
The Cover and Title
The cover is deep mint green and fluorescent orange (it really makes the title and author’s name stand out!) A bare-chested Vlad stands at an angle, his head turned to the left but those eyes glaring at us, his hair blowing behind him. This man, this vampire, is ready to flame out against a background of wisps and bare branches.
The title is Leila and Vlad, Bound by Flames, even as their enemies too find themselves in that embrace.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
4.0
That epilogue was bloody priceless. Priceless! I love it!
yodamom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a F book-Fabulous Frightening Facinorous Flammiferous Fitting.
Four. Four stars
Vlad got his wicked back and I couldn't be happier. His sappy side that we saw in a previous time has hardened and turned into an even more dangerous weapon. He learned from it, grew greater. What I saw and his character saw as a great weakness, love,had made him more dangerous and ruthless. He also regained his dry funny snarky bone, and had me laughing out loud several times. When he told his greatest secret near the end. Bwahahahahha ! This new version of Vlad is wonderful, bring on more !
Leila, was strong independent and sure of herself and her relationship. What a fabulous character she has developed into. She was never wishy washy about her trust in Vlad or their love bond, what a rare treat. This girl went through the worst of the worst and never wavered, she feared but never doubted her value to him. Oh the horrors she had to endure, I was undone for her, tears filled my eyes and pain tore at my heart. Many characters are written as scared broken things after so much torture but not this one she rose like a Phoenix with a mighty whip. I loved her quick witty moments with Vlad, these two got me some odd stares while ridding the rail with my outburst of laughter. Ah, public reading moments, so fun. LOL
I couldn't stop reading it. I had to finish it once I started the villain was just what a villain should be utterly evil, the history revealed interesting, the love moments were hot and steamy. I am back in the Love Vlad Cheer Squad. I'm sad that there is only one more book in the series now.
Four. Four stars
Vlad got his wicked back and I couldn't be happier. His sappy side that we saw in a previous time has hardened and turned into an even more dangerous weapon. He learned from it, grew greater. What I saw and his character saw as a great weakness, love,had made him more dangerous and ruthless. He also regained his dry funny snarky bone, and had me laughing out loud several times. When he told his greatest secret near the end. Bwahahahahha ! This new version of Vlad is wonderful, bring on more !
Leila, was strong independent and sure of herself and her relationship. What a fabulous character she has developed into. She was never wishy washy about her trust in Vlad or their love bond, what a rare treat. This girl went through the worst of the worst and never wavered, she feared but never doubted her value to him. Oh the horrors she had to endure, I was undone for her, tears filled my eyes and pain tore at my heart. Many characters are written as scared broken things after so much torture but not this one she rose like a Phoenix with a mighty whip. I loved her quick witty moments with Vlad, these two got me some odd stares while ridding the rail with my outburst of laughter. Ah, public reading moments, so fun. LOL
I couldn't stop reading it. I had to finish it once I started the villain was just what a villain should be utterly evil, the history revealed interesting, the love moments were hot and steamy. I am back in the Love Vlad Cheer Squad. I'm sad that there is only one more book in the series now.
erikajay's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series! Vlad is the best!!
This book has everything.. extremely sad moments, funny moments, sweet moments, intense moments. I’m so sad there’s only one more book after this!
This book has everything.. extremely sad moments, funny moments, sweet moments, intense moments. I’m so sad there’s only one more book after this!
clairedrinkstea's review against another edition
2.0
In a word... Disappointed.
This, for me, is the third miss by Miss Frost in a row.
I honestly don't know why Vlad loves Lelai. She's so annoying. Nothing that has occurred throughout this series has ever given me any indication as to way the biggest, badass Vampire would fall for her.
"I came closer, wondering what he'd been like before the brutalities of his life had hardened him into the complex, lethal man I'd fallen in love with. Did he have any happy memories from his childhood?".... HELLO!! This is Vlad the Impaler! His childhood sucked!!
The chapters were short and seemed to lack detail. Don't get me wrong I don't need to read about torture in intimate detail but as a massive driving force within this narrative it was barely touched upon.
I'm also disappointed this is not the last in the series. Though I LOVE Vlad and welcome him in any book, it means yet again we have to hear from Leila. The new element meaning fourth book is on the cards could have been wrapped up in this book and the new bad guy was forced.
Vlad saves the series and the supporting characters help though I'm getting mighty tired of the one track story for Marty, Hugh and Gretchen. Maximus as with the second instalment is one-dimensional however there is a redeeming scene near the end. I would love for Ian (front the other Night Huntress books) to take Maximus on a wild night out to blow of the cobwebs and realise how Lelia isn't really a catch.
This, for me, is the third miss by Miss Frost in a row.
I honestly don't know why Vlad loves Lelai. She's so annoying. Nothing that has occurred throughout this series has ever given me any indication as to way the biggest, badass Vampire would fall for her.
"I came closer, wondering what he'd been like before the brutalities of his life had hardened him into the complex, lethal man I'd fallen in love with. Did he have any happy memories from his childhood?".... HELLO!! This is Vlad the Impaler! His childhood sucked!!
The chapters were short and seemed to lack detail. Don't get me wrong I don't need to read about torture in intimate detail but as a massive driving force within this narrative it was barely touched upon.
I'm also disappointed this is not the last in the series. Though I LOVE Vlad and welcome him in any book, it means yet again we have to hear from Leila. The new element meaning fourth book is on the cards could have been wrapped up in this book and the new bad guy was forced.
Vlad saves the series and the supporting characters help though I'm getting mighty tired of the one track story for Marty, Hugh and Gretchen. Maximus as with the second instalment is one-dimensional however there is a redeeming scene near the end. I would love for Ian (front the other Night Huntress books) to take Maximus on a wild night out to blow of the cobwebs and realise how Lelia isn't really a catch.
mothermoth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
gladish's review against another edition
5.0
הווייב בספר הזה היה אפל יותר משני הספרים הקודמים בסדרה והעלילה הייתה מפותלת ומעניינת ממש
ולאד וליילה מוצאים עצמם שוב מול אויב ותיק שמחפש להפיל את ולאד ולהרוס את כל מה שיקר לו ובמקרה הזה החולשה הכי גדולה של ולאד היא ליילה
ולאד מנסה להגן על ליילה אבל לפעמים גם ההגנה החזקה ביותר אינה מספיקה
ליילה דמות חזקה וראויה להערצה היא מתמודדת עם חוויות קשות שהיו שוברים הרבה אנשים אבל היא מצליחה למצוא את חוזק בקושי ואהבה של לולאד פשוט מדהימה
מערכת היחסים של ולאד וליילה פה עולה שלב והאמון בין השניים גדל וזה מחמם את הלב לראות את אהבה שלהם אחד לשני מרפא אותם
בנוסף הרבה דמויות אהובות חוזרות פה להופעות אורח קצרות ביניהם קאת , בונז ומנצ׳רז
והאפילוג פשוט מעולה ומוסיף עוד הומור לספר הזה
ממשיכה בקוצר רוח לרביעי והאחרון בסדרה של ולאד וליילה
ולאד וליילה מוצאים עצמם שוב מול אויב ותיק שמחפש להפיל את ולאד ולהרוס את כל מה שיקר לו ובמקרה הזה החולשה הכי גדולה של ולאד היא ליילה
ולאד מנסה להגן על ליילה אבל לפעמים גם ההגנה החזקה ביותר אינה מספיקה
ליילה דמות חזקה וראויה להערצה היא מתמודדת עם חוויות קשות שהיו שוברים הרבה אנשים אבל היא מצליחה למצוא את חוזק בקושי ואהבה של לולאד פשוט מדהימה
מערכת היחסים של ולאד וליילה פה עולה שלב והאמון בין השניים גדל וזה מחמם את הלב לראות את אהבה שלהם אחד לשני מרפא אותם
בנוסף הרבה דמויות אהובות חוזרות פה להופעות אורח קצרות ביניהם קאת , בונז ומנצ׳רז
והאפילוג פשוט מעולה ומוסיף עוד הומור לספר הזה
ממשיכה בקוצר רוח לרביעי והאחרון בסדרה של ולאד וליילה
alisonhori's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoy this series...as guilty reading pleasures go, this series is up there for me. I like the characters a lot and the plays on the Dracula mythology are lots of fun. I am glad that this series isn't over...I wish it were her primary focus...I like it much better than the Cat and Bones series.
aliceboule's review against another edition
3.0
Frost is much darker than I had remembered.
I was looking through my to-read list and fell upon Bound by Flames . And even though I had read the other ones a while ago, I quickly fell back into the Night Prince's world.
It's strange because as much as this book is so dark what with all the terrible things happening to Leila, it doesn't come across as gritty and sad. Just part of the plot. That just seemed so odd to me and kept pulling me out of the story.
But this is still good and fun to read.
I was looking through my to-read list and fell upon Bound by Flames . And even though I had read the other ones a while ago, I quickly fell back into the Night Prince's world.
It's strange because as much as this book is so dark what with all the terrible things happening to Leila, it doesn't come across as gritty and sad. Just part of the plot. That just seemed so odd to me and kept pulling me out of the story.
But this is still good and fun to read.