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goolsby's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Of all the books so far, this one has gotten better with distance.
You can see Kresley setting up pieces for the full series, and it's starting to feel like that. A series. One you need to read all of in order to get the players and the lore. The romance payoff, too.
I have to say, I love Conrad and Naomi. I think their situation is absolutely nuts--a ghost and the vampire who is the only person who can see her? Sign me up.
Naomi has the most agency of any of the IAD heroes so far. She's made a life out of her death—maybe it's not a great one, but it is one she crafted and has a degree of pride in. When it's insulted, she pulls away. When she tires of it, she finds a way tobecome alive.
Conrad is the classic type of romance hero that is incredibly fun and you should absolutely never date. Possessive and domineering and needs someone like Naomi to push back against him. He's single-minded and it is so so satisfying to see her pry her way in and open up his horizons. They really do work together
There is so much going on with this book, but it still could have been 50 pages shorter. Probably more. I know this is a lot of set up for the future, but their love story would have been better suited to a novella. That was where too much of the padding existed, and more than once I found myself thinking "we get it." It was still the best constructed romance so far. They got to me.
You can see Kresley setting up pieces for the full series, and it's starting to feel like that. A series. One you need to read all of in order to get the players and the lore. The romance payoff, too.
I have to say, I love Conrad and Naomi. I think their situation is absolutely nuts--a ghost and the vampire who is the only person who can see her? Sign me up.
Naomi has the most agency of any of the IAD heroes so far. She's made a life out of her death—maybe it's not a great one, but it is one she crafted and has a degree of pride in. When it's insulted, she pulls away. When she tires of it, she finds a way to
Conrad is the classic type of romance hero that is incredibly fun and you should absolutely never date. Possessive and domineering and needs someone like Naomi to push back against him. He's single-minded and it is so so satisfying to see her pry her way in and open up his horizons. They really do work together
There is so much going on with this book, but it still could have been 50 pages shorter. Probably more. I know this is a lot of set up for the future, but their love story would have been better suited to a novella. That was where too much of the padding existed, and more than once I found myself thinking "we get it." It was still the best constructed romance so far. They got to me.
waldtochter's review against another edition
3.0
I love smut, this however was an interesting piece of smut.
The relationships in smut are always expedited, but this one also dealt along the way rather well with topics I found taboo.
The male in this book is a paranormal addict and also could be seen as an abusive lover. The female struggles with her desire to be saved by this man and also to be the savior of this man.
In books, women are still portrayed as wanting the Prince Charming on a white horse deal, and that every Prince Charming must have this egregious flaw that somehow can be fixed, thankfully, with love and a woman's touch.
It seems this book is the re-telling of [b:Beauty and the Beast|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169613617s/41424.jpg|2321285], where women are told to hold-on and hold-out and eventually things will get better - somehow. It was frustrating because these are roles we are hopefully moving away from locking ourselves into, but as is common in smut the roles are just more cemented.
Of course, in the climax of the book, the couple must always face, together, some sort of strife. But as is common in Cole's books they also deal, for the most part, realistically with the emotional problems that arise from just being in a relationship.
I like when things don't magically fall in line. I think many will agree that relationships can be hard to maintain and romanticizing a misrepresentation of this just misleads readers, and causes disappointments in real life. This book seems to have the theme of forgiveness throughout it, and while it's not my favorite book in the series it definitely has one of my favorite leading ladies.
So not half bad, but I think I could have waited to borrow it from the library.
The relationships in smut are always expedited, but this one also dealt along the way rather well with topics I found taboo.
The male in this book is a paranormal addict and also could be seen as an abusive lover. The female struggles with her desire to be saved by this man and also to be the savior of this man.
In books, women are still portrayed as wanting the Prince Charming on a white horse deal, and that every Prince Charming must have this egregious flaw that somehow can be fixed, thankfully, with love and a woman's touch.
It seems this book is the re-telling of [b:Beauty and the Beast|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169613617s/41424.jpg|2321285], where women are told to hold-on and hold-out and eventually things will get better - somehow. It was frustrating because these are roles we are hopefully moving away from locking ourselves into, but as is common in smut the roles are just more cemented.
Of course, in the climax of the book, the couple must always face, together, some sort of strife. But as is common in Cole's books they also deal, for the most part, realistically with the emotional problems that arise from just being in a relationship.
I like when things don't magically fall in line. I think many will agree that relationships can be hard to maintain and romanticizing a misrepresentation of this just misleads readers, and causes disappointments in real life. This book seems to have the theme of forgiveness throughout it, and while it's not my favorite book in the series it definitely has one of my favorite leading ladies.
So not half bad, but I think I could have waited to borrow it from the library.
astr0jelly's review against another edition
3.0
I just really wish this author could chill on the gross possessiveness and internalized misogyny, her books would have been way better, but I guess you could blame it on the times..
nicholeb84's review against another edition
4.0
More of a 3 and a half.
So...I'm reading nothing but romance novels for four months as part of a deal with a friend. After reading several Julia Quinn's, I became interested in branching out. The world of IAD seemed interesting. I've now read 4 of them and have had ALOT of mixed feelings about this series.
We start with the hero, Conard: a vampire who hunts his own kind. When he drains people, he takes their memories - which has made him a bit. . .unstable. Interesting (as several have said) every male character within the story (some of whom have REALLY mistreated their wives at different times) discuss how Conard is dangerous and should be "put of his misery" and yet - he treats Néomi very well. He doesn't mistreat her and honestly tries to help her - even if it means they may not be together.
A vampire bounty hunter and a ballerina ghost somehow make a very sweet, angsty, and awesome little romance. It felt free of that "fated mate" stuff from the other novels. Yes, Conard believes that Néomi is his fated mate, but she's also dead. So, there is none of that "have to half you/will stalk you/alpha man" stuff that gets a bit old in the other novels of the series. I really enjoyed the fact that the couple didn't actually sleep together until page 200ish (out of 369). Which was actually nice, because it made me believe that they were a couple who had depth and actually loved each other because of more than being "fated mates". (Not knocking the other couples in the series, but I do sometimes feel that they actually fall for each other only toward the end of their novel.)
So over all, I liked this one. My favorite so far.
So...I'm reading nothing but romance novels for four months as part of a deal with a friend. After reading several Julia Quinn's, I became interested in branching out. The world of IAD seemed interesting. I've now read 4 of them and have had ALOT of mixed feelings about this series.
We start with the hero, Conard: a vampire who hunts his own kind. When he drains people, he takes their memories - which has made him a bit. . .unstable. Interesting (as several have said) every male character within the story (some of whom have REALLY mistreated their wives at different times) discuss how Conard is dangerous and should be "put of his misery" and yet - he treats Néomi very well. He doesn't mistreat her and honestly tries to help her - even if it means they may not be together.
A vampire bounty hunter and a ballerina ghost somehow make a very sweet, angsty, and awesome little romance. It felt free of that "fated mate" stuff from the other novels. Yes, Conard believes that Néomi is his fated mate, but she's also dead. So, there is none of that "have to half you/will stalk you/alpha man" stuff that gets a bit old in the other novels of the series. I really enjoyed the fact that the couple didn't actually sleep together until page 200ish (out of 369). Which was actually nice, because it made me believe that they were a couple who had depth and actually loved each other because of more than being "fated mates". (Not knocking the other couples in the series, but I do sometimes feel that they actually fall for each other only toward the end of their novel.)
So over all, I liked this one. My favorite so far.
redhairedashreads's review
4.0
4 stars - It was really good
I was a little apprehensive about starting this one since I had issues with Nikolai’s book and most of the other men in this series, but like Sabastian’s book, I enjoyed this one.
Conrad Wroth’s brothers have captured him and imprisoned him in an abandoned manor to try and help him overcome his bloodlust and the memories that are overwhelming him. What they can’t see though is the beautiful ghost who is haunting this house and who Conrad finds himself craving.
Conrad is a tortured man who never wanted to be a vampire. He spent his life hunting them and hates Nikoli for turning him into this monster. He now struggles with the memories of all the people he has drunk from and they have made him into a deadly madman who is wanted by a lot of people. I really enjoyed getting to know Conrad and seeing overcome the madness and gain a part of himself back. I also really liked seeing him reunite with his brothers and forgive them for turning him, even if it was against his will.
“For three hundred years my sword hand has been steady. If I’m to be overcome, I’d want it to be by a little dancer.”
Néomi was a strong willed woman who goes after what she wants. I loved how as soon as she realized Conrad could see her she went all in on talking to him, and then seducing him. She was just so much fun and a great partner for Conrad. He needed someone to bring some light and happiness into his life and Néomi really does that.
“Would you follow me anywhere?” “Into the sun.”
Conrad and Néomi’s story was wonderful. These two slowly got to know each other while they were trapped in this manor and as Conrad got better, they started to fall for each other, even though they knew their relationship was doomed since she was a ghost. Also I loved that their relationship was actually based on feelings first then the fated mates aspect was proven later.
Overall, this has been my favorite couple of the series so far and I really look forward to seeing more of them in future books. Now we just need to find out what is going on with Murdoch Wroth and his Bride.
TW: murder, kidnapping, violence, Intimate partner violence and murder, alcohol consumption, mention of past family death
alivrrr's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*2024 reread*
(re)reading this books at the moment, i really enjoyed it. 70% of it was exciting, i couldn’t stop reading. but the climax of the story, as well as the ending, weren’t as engaging.
*spoiler part next*
as soon as neomi gets a body and they start just living together and spending time together, it was a bit dreadful to read. maybe because most of the plot took place in a limited amount of locations, it felt repetitive, and even the conflict of her becoming “alive” wasn’t exciting at the end, because it is obvious everything’s going to be fine and the main couple will end up together anyway.
it is a great book, but i stopped caring about the main couple a lot faster after i finished the book compared to the other couples.
(re)reading this books at the moment, i really enjoyed it. 70% of it was exciting, i couldn’t stop reading. but the climax of the story, as well as the ending, weren’t as engaging.
*spoiler part next*
it is a great book, but i stopped caring about the main couple a lot faster after i finished the book compared to the other couples.
divapitbull's review against another edition
3.0
The 4 Wroth brothers are reunited after 3 centuries. Nikolai, Murdoch and Sebastian come together to attempt to save their insane, fallen vampire brother Conrad. As things work in the IAD world, what will save Conrad (if anything can in his current state) is finding his fated Bride. Luckily for Conrad the brothers are in good with the Valkyries, Nucking Futs Nix, soothsayer extraordinaire in particular; and she set them on course to plop Conrad smack in the middle of fate.
The love story between Conrad and Neomi was lacking something in my opinion. I really do enjoy the "love - hate" trope and there wasn't so much of that dynamic between them. There were a few misunderstandings where Conrad tipped back over into completely insane and said some things he didn't mean in a blind rage; but overall the main tension between the couple was the fact that Neomi was a ghost.
Mari and Bowen played a bit part in the story and it was fun to catch up with them and see how Bowen was adjusting to marriage to a VERY powerful witch. Nix had some dealings with the rage demons Cade and Rydstrom, which seemed primarily to serve as a vehicle for setting up future IAD installments. I would have liked to have seen more involvement of the entire cast of characters.
Overall I liked it, but it didn't quite have the pizzazz of some of the earlier books.
The love story between Conrad and Neomi was lacking something in my opinion. I really do enjoy the "love - hate" trope and there wasn't so much of that dynamic between them. There were a few misunderstandings where Conrad tipped back over into completely insane and said some things he didn't mean in a blind rage; but overall the main tension between the couple was the fact that Neomi was a ghost.
Mari and Bowen played a bit part in the story and it was fun to catch up with them and see how Bowen was adjusting to marriage to a VERY powerful witch. Nix had some dealings with the rage demons Cade and Rydstrom, which seemed primarily to serve as a vehicle for setting up future IAD installments. I would have liked to have seen more involvement of the entire cast of characters.
Overall I liked it, but it didn't quite have the pizzazz of some of the earlier books.
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
5.0
THIS WAS SO CUTE AND FUNNY. I really didn't expect to laugh so much, but oh my god, I actually adored this. Sexy ghost story for the win! And yes, I did actually like the ending. I thought it was cool and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
"But, Néomi," Nïx began with the gravest severity, "whenever you disembody..." She paused as if deciding how best to deliver tragic news.
"Yes?" Néomi whispered. Conrad was holding his breath.
Nïx finally finished, "You will be...wearing that dress."
Néomi and Conrad groaned."