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Review
4 stars
Sebastian Wroth (brother of Nikolai from book 1) is a 300 year old vampire. Turned against his will while dying on a battlefield, he hates what he has become and lives a life of isolation. Kaderin the Cold Hearted is a Valkyrie. Following the death of her sisters, Kaderin pleaded for relief from her pain, and was ‘blessed’ by being stripped of the ability to feel any and all emotion. For 1,000 years she has lived life as a cold, controlled and ruthless killer.
At their very first meeting Kaderin is on a mission to kill Sebastian, only for them to discover that they are fated to be together. They both undergo physical changes that reflect their bond, and are drawn into an intense attraction and lust that neither of them have felt before – meaning that Sebastian finally feels affection and a kind touch, and Kaderin experiencing lust, want, and all of the emotions that have been kept from her for the first time in a millennium.
It’s all very overwhelming, but when Kaderin gets her senses back she is appalled to discover that she feels these things for a vampire – the race that she despises and has sworn to destroy. And so begins an epic battle of push and pull as a determined Sebastian tries to claim his very reluctant, very violent bride.
To make things even more exciting, Kaderin is about to take part in The Hie – a supernatural version of The Amazing Race, and an elite treasure hunt. Swearing to protect his Bride, Sebastian also enters, and there is lots of action and adventure as they trek around the world completing challenges and competing for the ultimate prize – the chance to go back and change history.
I really enjoyed this book, and OMG I love Sebastian! Having locked himself away, he is a little bit clueless about the modern world, so watching him acclimatise to that was fun. His shock at discovering his bride, only for her to scorn him both hurts and confuses him and he makes it his mission to win her at all costs, and I loved his tenacity.
“You’re mine Katja. And I will never let you go.”
His vulnerability is heartachingly beautiful, and his absolute dedication to Kaderin had me swooning madly. I got so pissed off with her being so dismissive of him, even after caving in to the mad lust between them, but it’s her nature to hate all vampires and she is incredibly independent and has never even considered being with anybody, so I could cut her some slack. And in the end, even she isn’t immune to all of the awesome that is Sebastian… in her own way.
“Don’t stop kissing me, vampire, or I will kill you.”
Once again, this book is HOT! The chemistry between Sebastian and Kaderin is sizzling, and they get up to all kinds of sexy hijinks that just reinforces that angry sex is HOT sex!!!!
Like the other books in the series, this one is fast-paced and great fun with lots of action, drama, humour and sizzling romance, all set against a complex and well developed paranormal world. Kaderin got a bit annoying at times, but it’s countered well by Sebastian’s devotion, and the goings on with the rest of the Valkyrie crew – Regin and Nix had me in hysterics! Bowen’s story also continues on from the last book, and broke my heart a little. I can’t wait to read his book next.
4 badass stars.
For full series info, see our Immortals After Dark series page.