Guest Reviewed by Gyn
Title: Sweet Ruin
Author: Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #16
Heroine/Hero: Josephine/Rune
Genre: MF Paranormal Romance
Length: 384 Pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: An immortal assassin is caught between desire and duty…
A foundling raised in a world of humans
Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was—just that she was “bad,” an outcast with strange powers. Her baby brother Thaddeus was as perfect as she was flawed; protecting him became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl… to would-be superhero… to enchanting, ruthless villain.
A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission
A threat to the Møriør has brought archer Rune the Baneblood to the mortal realm to slay the oldest living Valkyrie. Whether by bow or in bed, he never fails to eliminate his target. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty conceals a black heart. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, taking his forbidden blood – and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.
A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin…
Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. Despite his millennia of sexual conquests, he can’t ignore the unfamiliar longing she arouses deep within him. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.
Review: Sweet Ruin? Ha!! That title is so very misleading. Smoldering Ruin is more like it. I mean, Damn, with a capital D, this book was seriously on fire. I almost never include quotes in my reviews for various reasons, but I have to say there was one moment, one line, that when I read it, I thought, “Oh, yeah, baby. This is gonna be good.” Setting aside the fact that I harbor a deep love for this series and all of the characters, there have been a few of the books that stood out for me as a reader, and eight chapters in, I knew Sweet Ruin was going to be one of them. Forget about doing the laundry, ten little words strung together had me clinging to the pages and calculating how many clean pairs of underwear I had left. “Then suck me like you mean it, you little bitch.” Panties minus one.
Now, even though the blistering raunchy sex and the steamy dirty talk were right up my alley, they weren’t the only reasons I loved this book. I really enjoyed Josephine. In a world full of characters and stories, Cole does an amazing job at making each one unique. Jo’s voice was new and refreshing. She’s blunt, tough and has a bit of a potty mouth. Jo also wants an HEA and loves fiercely. Rune is her match in every way, only he’s never dared to believe he could have a happily ever after.
With such an amazing hero and heroine, I was thrilled that we got so much time with them together. So often in large series like Immortals After Dark, the story progression and past characters take up more page space than the main characters. Not the case in Sweet Ruin. Cole manages to move the story along without sacrificing the romance and relationship development. And we get just enough of some of our favorite characters to boot! (I am going to lose my ever loving mind when we finally get Nix’s book)
Speaking of storyline, this novel keeps the Accession rolling along, picking up speed and a few more pieces to the puzzle, as it moves. We’re introduced to The Møriør, a group of very powerful beings whose ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy’ status is questionable. A few characters, like Jo’s brother Thad, are beginning to take a shape of their own. I love trying to speculate answers and guess what’s coming next. I have a few ideas but only time will tell if I’ve managed to come close to Kresley Cole’s brilliant mind.
Overall Impression: It was amazing
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
The Blogger Girls 