This fairy tale doesn’t end with a kiss… A spellbinding Immortals After Dark tale from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole!
The terrifying king of hell…
As a boy, Abyssian “Sian” Infernas had his heart shattered by a treacherous fey beauty who died before he could exact vengeance. Millennia later, a curse has transformed him into a demonic monster—just as she’s been reincarnated. Sian captures the delicate but bold female, forcing her back to hell.
Meets his match.
Princess Calliope “Lila” Barbot’s people have hated and feared Abyssian and his alliance of monsters for aeons. When the beastly demon imprisons her in his mystical castle, vowing revenge for betrayals she can’t remember, Lila makes her own vow: to bring down the wicked beast for good.
Can two adversaries share one happily-ever-after?
As Calliope turns hell inside out, the all-powerful Sian finds himself defenseless against his feelings for her. In turn, Lila reluctantly responds to the beast’s cleverness and gruff vulnerability. But when truths from a far distant past are revealed, can their tenuous bond withstand ages of deceit, a curse, and a looming supernatural war?
My Rating: 3 Stars
After a brief two week sabbatical, during which I was FORCED to study for finals (bleh), I’m back with a review that honestly bums me out a little. Now, if you are unfamiliar with Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series, I have one thing to say to you: shame. Shame on you. It is an incredibly well written, intricate series, about an upcoming war involving every fantasy species you have ever imagined. Werewolves, vampires (of the non-sparkling variety thankfully), and demons? Check. Badass Valkyries? Check. Electrifying fight scenes? Check. Heart-wrenching romance and passion filled sex scenes? Check plus. Need I say more?
Though I may not need to say more, I will. In Wicked Abyss, the 18th installment in the IAD series, a newly introduced character, Sian, has recently become the king of hell. Unfortunately, with his promotion comes something called the “hell change”. With each passing day, Sian’s devastating good looks wither as he transforms into a creature you’d actually associate with the leader of hell. Not only are his looks devolving, he is losing his ability to control the demon part of his mind. When he discovers that his long lost mate has been reincarnated, and is now living on Earth, he does what any sensible man in love would do – he places a bounty on the poor girl. Not so that he can woo her and spend eternity in her arms, but so that he can take revenge on her for her past transgressions. Lila, completely unaware of her past life and treachery, agrees to go to hell to assist in saving her fae realm.
The first quarter of the book is full of snarky remarks, constant warring, and sizzling sexual tension. Unfortunately, for me, it kind of falls apart after that. Kresley Cole is known for her ability to twine together romance and action seamlessly. Honestly, it is one of the things I love most about this series. It combines an incredible, paranormal, fantasy world with heartwarming romance. However, Wicked Abyss has almost no action past the 100 page mark.
For fans of the series, this book is very reminiscent of Rydstrom and Sabine’s book, Kiss of a Demon King – absolutely packed to the brim with hate sex and arguing. Although I tend to like the sexy parts of Cole’s books, (it is unwise start one without your boyfriend handy – real or battery operated) there is just too much of it in Wicked Abyss. It almost seems like filler for lack of a true plot.
Fortunately, the end of the book is interesting, and helps the reader understand the purpose of Sian and Lila’s story in the grand scheme of things. All of the above being said, this is 110% a series I recommend to fantasy and romance lovers. Each book centers around a new pair of characters, and everything ties together. The universe Kresley Cole continues to build upon is absolutely unique and easy to get lost in. All of her characters are fun and witty, and there is never a weak heroine – another thing to love about her writing.
My Takeaway: Though this particular book wasn’t a home run for me, I eagerly await the next book in the Immortals After Dark series. Now, please excuse me while I start the entire series over for the fourth time in as many years.
As The Book Ends 