HIS OBSESSION…
Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions: the evil beauty who surrenders her body, but not her heart.
HER DOWNFALL…
Rydstrom Woede: the ruthless warrior who vows to keep her at all costs.
THEY WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO WANT EACH OTHER THIS MUCH…
With each smoldering encounter, their shared hunger only increases. If they can defeat the sinister enemy that stands between them, will Sabine make the ultimate sacrifice for her demon? Or will the proud king lay down his crown and arms to save his sorceress?
I know I saw this often about various series, but I think this is my favorite paranormal series. Kresley Cole has created an effing amazing world in the IAD series. And aside from one book that was just meh, these books have rocked my socks. Kiss of a Demon King is no exception. This book was better than I was expected and I was expecting a lot.
The timeline in this book overlaps with Dark Desires After Dusk. If you read the series, you know that Rydstrom was abducted by Sabine, Queen of Illusions. At the end of DDAD, there was a brief look into Rydstrom as we’ve rarely seen him. He was opposite of everything he’s been since Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night. Calm, cool, and collected? Nope. Rydstrom definitely changed after being taken by Sabine and this book tells us exactly what he went through at her hand.
Sabine has her reasons for abducting Rydstrom and it has nothing to do with what her brother, Omort the Deathless, has ordered her to do. Sabine has known for years that she is the fated mate of King Rydstrom. It really is a shame that she is the sister of his mortal enemy, the very being that stole his kingdom from him. Sabine has no illusions that her and Rydstrom have a future together. All she needs is his demon heir. When that happens, she won’t have any further use for him and she’ll have the heir to Rothkalina.
Sabine is such an unlikely heroine. This is a woman that doesn’t want happily ever after. The only person in the world she cares about is her sister, Lanthe. Rydstrom is only a means to an end for her. At the beginning, I liked her as a character, but not as Rydstrom’s heroine. When she was holding him captive, I found myself looking forward to when she was his captive. Yet when that time came, I felt bad for her. Kresley Cole did a fantastic job of writing Sabine. She is nothing like the heroine you would think Rydstrom would end up with, but she’s perfect for him.
Since we first meet Rydstrom and Caedon, they are trying to reclaim Rothkalina. What makes this book so engaging is that Sabine is trying to get the same thing. The world building in this series continues to be amazing. Sabine’s sister, Lanthe is definitely someone I’m interested in reading more about. Omort the Deathless? *shudder* He was Sabine’s half-brother and he had some unbrother-like feelings for her. That was pretty sick.
When I read the last page, I was more than satisfied with Rydstrom’s happily ever after. Sabine was definitely the perfect heroine for him.
4.5 out of 5
This book is available from Pocket Books. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Other books in the series:
I love this series, but this was actually my least favorite book.
I cannot wait to read this. glad you liked it 🙂
It’s so good to hear that you like this book. I loved those teasing scenes in Dark Desires After Dusk with Rydstrom acting so out of character. I cannot wait to read this. Thanks for the review.
How very cool! I have this and I’m so psyched, but I’m trying not to drop all other books for it and finish things like a good girl. I love that the time lines overlap. That makes total sense!!
I agree Casee. I loved this book! I think KC made Sabine into such a strong woman that she was able to make her likable.
At first, I thought Sabine was too hard. Tough but with a mean streak that def put her on the evil side. But when she kicked Hettiah’s butt, I freaking loved her. She wasn’t just talk. She gave as good as she got, and wasn’t at all immature. This was never a woman who wld play the simpering female, and she totally rocked. I think that of all the heroines Sabine is my absolute favorite.
And Rydstrom was super sexy. His understanding of Sabine, always wanting her to be better than she thought she was, even when she was sure that was the best she cld do…. they were a couple I cheering for the entire way through. I loved this book!
I’m not usually into paranormals but I took a chance on Dark Desires After Dusk and, SURPRISE, I liked it. ALOT. So I’m going to give this one a try too. I know I’ve said it before but thanks for these great recommendations. 😀
I have one book by this author… Which one, though. Hrm, I forget.
I really should read it soon.
I just finished this book also. I haven’t reviewed it yet but I have to say that I agree with you 100%.
Chris, what was it that you didn’t like?
Tabitha, I loved the first book in the series, A Hunger Like No Other. We always like to hear that you like our recommendations. 🙂