(Night Prince #2)
Jeaniene Frost
Release: March 26, 2013
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Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...Review:
Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.
Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...
Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.
Twice Tempted is the second book in the Night Prince series, better known as 'Vlad's books'. These spinoffs of Frost's Night Huntress series have been highly anticipated due to readers love of Vlad, myself included. In the first Vlad book, Once Burned, I found myself loving the book for what it was, a great mix and urban fantasy and paranormal romance, but slightly disappointed in the lack of usual Vlad snark. I was also caught off guard that the book was told from the first person POV of new character, and eventual love interest of Vlad, Leila. I'm not sure who I thought would be narrating these books, but I wasn't ready to get inside the head of a new lady when what I really wanted was Vlad. Don't get me wrong, I still loved the book and rated it 4.5 stars, I had just been looking for something a little different. A case of a reader starting a book with different expectations I guess.
Fast forward to me starting Twice Tempted. I know Leila as a character now, and have found her likable, strong, and a good match for my man, Vlad. She doesn't just swoon and take his shit. She demands more from him and she's a heroine I can respect. I know now what to expect now from Vlad in these books. He's not trading snarky insults with Bones or building a friendship with Cat. We are seeing him in his element as a Prince and leader of his people, and he rules with an iron fist. Not a lot of time for snark (although Frost does manage to slip it in there occasionally). I knew what to expect from this book and that made me so much more involved in it. I read it straight through for six hours without stopping and devoured every bit of it.
Vlad is powerful, confident, and unyielding. But, its his strength, and his own awareness of that strength, that makes him so sexy. All of these traits carry over into his relationship with Leila and cause some rifts between them. Needless to say, when this book begins they are having some problems. These problems lead to Leila leaving Romania and attempting to re-join carnival life with Marty, her vampire best friend. The plot focuses on two things: the search for the dangerous someone who is out to kidnap or kill Leila and Vlad and Leila trying to reach a common ground in their relationship. Of course these two plots intertwine as Leila continually puts herself in dangerous situations to find the 'bad guy', Vlad tries to force her not to be reckless, and the two argue about whether or not Vlad is in love with Leila.
This book actually felt a little like some of the old school Cat and Bones books, before their relationship was secure and they became a steadfast team. Vlad and Leila go through some similar situations and I love that Frost didn't give them an HEA at the end of book one and is really making them both work for it.
A LOT happens in this book, involving both the plot and the relationship. By the end, readers will feel rewarded and excited to see where the last in the trilogy will take Vlad and Leila. I am impressed with how well Frost has written the complicated relationship between these two: a damaged heroine just beginning to understand her own strength and an all-powerful Master vampire famous for instilling fear and respect who is learning that he can love and be loved in return. Their relationship is very difficult and I enjoyed reading how Frost pushes each of them to their limits with each other.
Twice Tempted is an exciting and sexy read that I greedily devoured. It left me saying "More Vlad!" and I can't wait for the next one!
Recommended for fans of: Vlad (duh), urban fantasy romance, vampire romance, complicated relationships, and hot sex that rivals Chapter 32 (oh yay, I'm serious).
This review is based on an advanced copy of the book provided by the publisher.
I felt the same way with the whole Cat & Bones thing. I even reference their problems from Destined for an Early Grave in my review (coming on release day).
ReplyDeleteI was also hoping for more Vlad snark but again I agree, we are seeing him as the badass Vlad not Cat's friend.
And getting the story from Leila's POV makes sense, since Vlad is a man of little words and more a man of action.
I'm loving that we're seeing more series focusing on couples after they get together. I mean, I love stand-alone romances, but it's also nice to see relationships evolve past happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteI really need to get caught up with the overall series. I'm on book five of the Night Huntress series so I'm almost up to date but I just don't want to go all Vlad until I know where Cat and Bones are. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review, I'm glad you loved it!