Immortals After Dark #11
Paranormal Romance
February 15, 2011
Mass Market Paperback
515 pages
For over the past millennia, Regin the Radiant and Aidan the Fierce have been involved in a torrid but tragic love affair. After leaving the paradise of Valhalla to search for her sister Lucia, a 12 year Regin enlists the aid of berserker leader and warlord, Aidan the Fierce. However, on first seeing Regin's face, Aidan instantly recognizes her as his destined mate. Although Aidan promises to help Regin find Lucia, he is adamant that she must stay with his parents until she is of age and he himself has achieved immortally or Ohalla. While she is intrigued by Aidan, Regin is not about to submit to a mortal and lose her independence, so she decides to leave the berserkers' camp during the night. But first, Regin makes Aidan promise not to bed another female in her absence.
Nine years later, Regin is fully grown and close to becoming a true immortal. However, the transition to immortality has ramped up her libido and there is only one man she wants to satisfy her sexual cravings. During this time, Aidan has searched for Regin relentlessly. While he has remained true to his promise and stayed abstinent, he is no closer to reaching his goal of gaining immortality. When Regin returns to him, however, he renews his quest to become immortal and refuses to sleep with her, although they do engage in other activities to satisfy their lust. After several months together, Aidan can no longer deny his berserker nature and they make love. While basking in the bliss of finally being together, a vampire traces into their longhouse and stabs Aidan in the back. With his dying breath, Aidan vows to Regin that he will return to her no matter what it takes.
Flashforward some 2000 years and Aidan has come back to Regin as four different reincarnations. While Regin instantly recognizes that the reincarnations are Aidan, the men have no memories of Regin until they kiss. But when Regin and Aidan have sex, the past repeats itself and Aidan is killed once again. This time, Aidan has been reincarnated as Declan Chase, a physically and emotionally scarred Irishmen hellbent on exterminating all immortals. During one of his missions for the Order, Declan captures Regin and halls her off to an island shielded from the outside world. Soon Declan becomes obsessed with Regin, feeling a magnetic pull towards her, although the very idea of lusting after her makes him sick. However, Regin is not about to go down without a fight and makes it her mission to make Declan remember her and help her friends escape.
After 11 books, we FINALLY get Regin's story and it was definitely worth the wait! I don't know how Cole does it, but each IAD book just keeps getting better and better. The world she has created is so unique and her characters are so well written that I always become entranced when reading her books, usually abstaining from food, drink, and sleep until I have them finished. Dreams of a Dark Warrior was no different. There were just so many things to love about this book. The prologue, in which we get a heartbreaking look at the original Aidan and Regin together, was the perfect introduction to the story. Other than Nix, Regin is my favorite IAD character and she had some great one liners throughout the book. I also enjoyed seeing her going through the motions in dealing with her capture and trying to get Declan to remember her. Honestly, if I could step into any book and become a character, Regin the Radiant is at the top of my list.
How Cole dealt with Declan's problems was also well done. When I found out that Regin HEA was Declan, my first thought was how the heck is Cole going to pull this off? But really, I should have never doubted her. At the beginning, the guy comes off as a total and complete jerk. It was very easy to hate him. However, as the story progresses and you get to learn more about Declan's life, he grows on you. Ultimately, he makes the perfect mate for Regin and I think I'll add him to my book boyfriend list. Also, I appreciated that Cole didn't resolve Declan's issues to quickly. Seeing him come to terms with who and what he is was was very emotional.
Unlike the previous books in the series, the sex scenes weren't as prevalent, which was understandable considering that having sex would mean Aidan/Declan's death. However, I did wish there was a little bit more lovin' between Regin and Declan. The few flashbacks and the sexual tension between Regin and Declan weren't quite enough for me. However, when Regin and Declan do finally get together, it's quite swoon worthy.
In the book, Cole also introduces a number of new and interesting characters. I'm thinking in the future we will get to see a book with Brandr and the new half-ling Thad. Also, Lothaire the Enemy of Old has a few scenes in the book where it is just his POV. I believe that his story is next and I have no idea how Cole will make him hero worthy. I find him much too creepy. Also, look for a future book featuring another MacRevie. Squeeeee! I love the MacRieves!
Even at 500 + pages, I did not want this book to end. Cole's characters are just so well-written and have such a great sense of humor that it was hard for me to put Dreams of a Dark Warrior down. After 11 books, I still love re-visiting the IAD world and I hope there will be 11 more books in the series.
"Oh my gods, when do you not sport wood? There are bathrooms in the back, so go burp the worm or whatever."
Other books in the series:
Click HERE for a full list of the series
Great review Nicole!
ReplyDeleteI'm so behind with this series. It's pathetic really. But despite how behind I am, I keep up with Kresley's site and the excerpt releases so I know who Declan is and I'm just as surprised as you that Cole made him Regin's HEA. And wow, the book is 500+ pages?! That I didn't know. Alright, so I've got to get myself in gear with this series.
Yes you do VampFanGirl!
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