Kiss of a Demon King (Immortals After Dark, #6) in Alpha Heroes & Spitfire Heroines

Jul 27, 2008 Auntee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: part-of-a-series, 2009_reads, paranormal-romance

I'm going to say up front that I was fully prepared not to like this one, or at least be a little disappointed because of the mixed reviews I've read. But darn it, after about page 150 (which I know, that's a long time to give a book a chance) I was totally riveted, did not want to put it down, and bought into the story hook, line and sinker! In fact, I just spent about 3 hours to finish it up, and even teared up at the end. And most of the time I had a silly smile on my face or caught myself ch I'm going to say up front that I was fully prepared not to like this one, or at least be a little disappointed because of the mixed reviews I've read. But darn it, after about page 150 (which I know, that's a long time to give a book a chance) I was totally riveted, did not want to put it down, and bought into the story hook, line and sinker! In fact, I just spent about 3 hours to finish it up, and even teared up at the end. And most of the time I had a silly smile on my face or caught myself chuckling while reading. Go figure.

So the book started out a little slow and confusing for me. It took me a while to immerse myself again in Kresley Cole's world of the Lore with the demons, vampires, sorceri, witches, valkyri, and assorted immortals. This stuff can get overwhelming at times. It took me a while to remember and get up to speed with the Demon King of Rothkalina, Rydstrom, and his story. Things picked up when the sorceress Sabine, the Queen of Illusions, stepped into Rydstom's life. These two had a powerful chemistry, and I loved the bickering, the sexual tension, and the constant one-ups-manship between the two of them. 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 (even his demon's horns!) 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. Which isn't surprising for me, since I always find something objectionable about Cole's heroines (compared to the heroes)- 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 also enjoyed when Rydstrom and Sabine made their way to New Orleans, and had a run in with some of the previous characters in the series (especially Nix). I liked Nix's reference to checking out the "Lords of the Underworld"--that was cute. There were some very funny moments between Nix, Rydstrom and Sabine, a funny moment in the bar when Sabine meets up with Regin, and a conversation between Holly (Dark Desires After Dusk) and Nix about Dirty Jobs star Mike Rowe that made me laugh out loud. It was also in New Orleans where Rydstrom and Sabine finally started admitting their feelings for each other, and finally had a mutually satisfying sexual encounter (page 357!) instead of just over-the-top sexual tension. So the reader has to wait a long time, but to paraphrase Rydstrom "it was worth every minute of the wait."

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 Omart the Deathless. I think I bit off a few fingernails reading the final 30 pages! 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.

It's hard to pick a favorite out of this series, because to me they're all good in their own way. It's all a matter of what characters you connect with, and whose story speaks to you. It may not have supplanted my favorite (No Rest For The Wicked), but Kiss of a Demon King came darn close. 5 stars! ...more

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Jul 11, 2008 MelissaB rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2009-reads, paranormal-romance, favorite-paranormal-romance, immortals-after-dark

Sabine, Queen of Illusions, has one main goal in life 鈥� to survive. After dying over a dozen times before being brought back to life by her sister Lanthe, who can blame a girl? Sabine and Lanthe are Sorceri who have mystickal powers but share the unfortunate distinction of being half-sisters to Omort the Deathless, the evil king of Rothkalina. Centuries ago, an oracle foretold to Omort that Sabine was the mate of Rydstrom, the demon king Omort stole Rothkalina from, and the child they would bear Sabine, Queen of Illusions, has one main goal in life 鈥� to survive. After dying over a dozen times before being brought back to life by her sister Lanthe, who can blame a girl? Sabine and Lanthe are Sorceri who have mystickal powers but share the unfortunate distinction of being half-sisters to Omort the Deathless, the evil king of Rothkalina. Centuries ago, an oracle foretold to Omort that Sabine was the mate of Rydstrom, the demon king Omort stole Rothkalina from, and the child they would bear would unlock the untold power of the mysterious Well in Omort鈥檚 court. Sabine and Lanthe are trapped in Omort鈥檚 service because he gave them a poison that causes a painful death unless they continue to take it regularly and since he is the only one who possesses it, they must keep in his good graces to live.

Omort sends Sabine to capture and seduce Rydstrom when he finds out that the demon king is trying to obtain a sword that is said to be able to kill him. Sabine has her own plans for the future 鈥� she will use this demon king to get pregnant then take over the throne from Omort when her son can use the power of the Well. She is confident that Rydstrom will be seduced quickly, after all who could resist her beauty and illusions?

Rydstrom, the deposed demon king, is finally within reach of the goal he has worked toward for centuries 鈥� killing Omort and recapturing his throne. On the way to meet an accomplice in his quest, he is fooled by Sabine鈥檚 illusions into stepping through a portal to a cell in the dungeon of his old castle in Rothkalina. Once there, Sabine begins her seduction of Rydstrom by getting him very excited then refusing to finish things until he promises to make her his queen. Rydstrom is very confused because this sorceress feels like his mate but there is no way fate would stick him with an evil, selfish woman 鈥� right?

Sabine continues her seduction of Rydstrom by showing him his secret fantasies with her illusions but he refuses to break because he will not have her use his child for evil. She is impressed by his strength in spite of herself but refuses to give up her plan because there is no beating Omort any other way. She eventually gets her way but Rydstrom manages to trick her into thinking he made her queen when he really vowed revenge in the demon language.

Turn about is fair play, so when Rydstrom is given a chance to escape unexpectedly from an old enemy, he kidnaps Sabine and has a chance to enact the revenge he contemplated while under her mercy in the dungeon. She is helpless without her hands, so he ties her up and shows her exactly how it feels to be brought to the brink of satisfaction again and again without relief. The longer they stay together, the more certain Rydstrom is that Sabine is his real mate. He no longer knows whether he wants revenge or to seduce Sabine to stay by his side forever. Sabine is impressed by Rydstrom鈥檚 fighting skills as he wards off attacks as they make their way to a portal out of Rothkalina to New Orleans. She has never had anyone fight for her besides her sister Lanthe and finds herself impressed with his honor and strength. He proves himself to her and slowly makes his way into the heart she didn鈥檛 know she had anymore after too many years spent trying to survive in Omort鈥檚 cut-throat court. Rydstrom finds that Sabine is just what he needs 鈥� a woman who is unafraid to challenge him in bed and out and someone strong enough to lead his people.

Sabine and Rydstrom are a great pair. Sabine is a bit wicked but is not evil. She does what she needs to survive but does not purposely hurt people 鈥� unless they come between her and gold, a Sorceri obsession. Rydstrom finds that he needs Sabine鈥檚 wickedness, especially in bed. The story kept me on the edge of my seat wondering who was going to seduce who 鈥� and how do you kill an evil man who can鈥檛 die? The seduction scenes were hot! Rydstrom had some wicked fantasies in his head that Sabine was more than willing to fulfill. The action was non-stop, both in the bed and out, with it all coming down to Rydstrom facing down Omort for the throne of Rothkalina, where he found out what was really important to him. There was plenty of humor in the book with some great one-liners from Nucking Futs Nix. Kiss of a Demon King was a great read with two very interesting and complex characters who find love where they least expect it. I highly recommend reading this book and the rest of the Immortals After Dark series.
...more

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Aug 16, 2008 鈾arlyn P鈾� rated it it was amazing

Shelves: published-2009, genre-paranromal, steam-hot, read-2009

Another great addition to the series!! Great characters, action, humor, burning sexual chemistry and a smart plot. What a fun read! The series is like crack, and I am so addicted. If you haven't read any of them I would start at the beginning just to experience the great world building that goes on, but at least read the book 6 before this one as that is where this story really begins. ...more

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Oct 25, 2008 Eastofoz rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal

This latest and much anticipated book in the IAD gets just a weak 4 star rating for me (5 if we count only the eye-candy cover ;D ). Something is off and it鈥檚 hard to say exactly what that is.

The story happens at the same time as the previous one, 'Dark Desires after Dusk', only it鈥檚 Rhydstrom鈥檚 story. There鈥檚 lots of action, the story flows and the steam is kettle whistling hot, but it seemed as if Cole tried too hard to be funny and those sex scenes that she鈥檚 usually really good at writing w ...more

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Jun 08, 2009 Stamatia rated it it was amazing

I really LOVED this heroine. She was so unapologetically neither good nor evil but just herself looking out for Number One that I couldn't help but be charmed!! I know that most of my goodreads friends didn't like her abd her mercenary outlook on life but I found her so HUMAN in her reactions. Hence the five stars. This is definitely not a run of the mill female lead character. And what I enjoyed most is that the author doesn't cast her in a role of a villain who later redeems herself. She is wh ...more

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Jan 14, 2009 Celeste rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kresley-cole, favorites

LOVED Kresley Cole's newest edition to her Immortals After Dark Series. I knew I was going to enjoy Rydstrom's story though while I was reading Cadeon's.

Rydstrom and Sabine were perfect for eachother. Sabine is the "evil" sorceress that kidnapped him in the beginning of Cadeon's book. Even though she frustrated me a little in the beginning of this book I grew to love her! And what's not to love about Rydstrom!? Can I have one?! ;-)

**SPOILER BELOW**

I have to say, there was something that was sa ...more

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Oct 28, 2008 Mahlet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pnr, own, series

Loved it! Kresley Cole's IAD seris is STILL my favorite PRN series :) Don't try to read this series out of order. "Kiss of a Demon King" picks up somewhere near the middle of the previous book, "Dark Desires After Dusk", but from Rydstrom Woede's perspective.

The heroine, Sabine, was one of my favorites because she's so different from the others - selfish and seemingly evil. She doesn't really have much sympathy for anyone because she's been killed so many times and has suffered so many horrible Loved it! Kresley Cole's IAD seris is STILL my favorite PRN series :) Don't try to read this series out of order. "Kiss of a Demon King" picks up somewhere near the middle of the previous book, "Dark Desires After Dusk", but from Rydstrom Woede's perspective.

The heroine, Sabine, was one of my favorites because she's so different from the others - selfish and seemingly evil. She doesn't really have much sympathy for anyone because she's been killed so many times and has suffered so many horrible deaths (but Sabine is always brought back to life by her sister Lanthe's healings powers...) Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions, uses her glamour powers to cover the evidence of her past pains.

Sabine also uses an illusion to capture Rydstrom, then holds him prisoner in his own former castle, announces she is his fated mate, and finally proceeds to sexually torture him each night until he gives her an heir. And let me tell you - it was HOT HOT HOT! Rydstrom is torn between giving in to his desire and overwhelming need to satisfy his mate, and saving his kingdom.

Of course, the tables get turned, and suddenly it's Rydstrom who's doing all the teasing! Another thing I love about this book was Rydstrom's personal sexual conflict. On one hand, he feels he owes it to his kingdom to find a queen who is pure, well-loved - a kind of Snow White figure. But what he really wants is kinky submission and domination, the kind of greedy lover that takes care of herself while taking care of you, the kind that fights and resists but ultimately submits. I thought the quote that started off the book was so perfect, "That sorceress might be an evil bitch, but she's my evil bitch. And I'll have no other." - Rydstrom Woede, falling demon king of Rothkalina.

In addition to the hot sex and chemistry, the plot was exciting - will Rydstrom choose his crown or his mate? And Nix, everyone favorite Valkyrie, made some hilarous appearances - every scene she's in is such a treat - Kresley Cole needs to hurry up with her book! Lachlain and Bowen's books are still my favorites of the series, but this one is up there :) ...more

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Jan 19, 2009 Jenny Rebecca rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance-novels, contemporary, super-steamy, underworld-gods-etc

I adore Kresley Cole. Her books have it all. Good story, laugh out loud characters, and sexy smut. It's a good thing. This story is no different.

I'm so glad I found Gena Showalter all on my own this last week, otherwise I'd be so annoyed that they're trying to do a cross over thing.

Whatcanyado? ...more

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