Sweet Ruin Series: Immortals After Dark #16 by Kresley Cole
Published by Gallery Books on December 1, 2015
Genres: Adult Paranormal Romance
Pages: 421
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
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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.
Sweet Ruin is the 16th book in Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series and is my new favorite of this series! I loved everything about this book.
Josephine is an orphan and has no clue of who she is. She came into her powers with no guidance and has been walking the streets of New Orleans longing to be part of a family and have friends. Rune the Baneblood is a heartless assassin. He is a half demon half dark faye with poisonous blood so he is convinced he will never have a mate. As the main spy for the Møriør, an allegiance of otherworldly beings, he’s gained a reputation with the ladies. He uses sex to gain information and he has no plans of changing his ways. That is until he meets Josephine and his world is turned upside down. Not only does Josephine survive contact with his poisonous blood but she stirs emotions he has never felt before. Rune is on a mission and Josephine needs to help her brother, but will their attraction get in the way of what’s important? You have to read this to find out.
Sweet Ruin did not disappoint me at all and I loved these characters. Josephine had a rough childhood living on the streets so once she gained her powers she protected the innocent. To me she’s a modern day superhero. Josephine is smart, sassy and kicks ass! She also has a great sense of humor she had me laughing out loud. Paired up with my favorite Valkyrie Nix this book had some crazy scenes and I just had a great time reading this book! Rune also had a painful pass and it is clear why he has the dark outlook on life. He does make some bad mistakes in the book that made me angry but he does redeem himself.
In the Immortals After Dark series each book showcases a couple who have discovered they are each other’s mate. Even though the premise for each book is the same I keep coming back for more of the steamy romance, exciting action and swoonworthy love story. Sweet Ruin is a standalone but some characters from previous books do make an appearance. It was so good to see Thad again and finally understand who and what he is. I suggest you read the book in order but if you prefer not to you can easily follow the story. I know fans were upset with the author’s decision to write a book of new characters but I really enjoyed this. The introduction of the Møriør gives an exciting look at the creation of the Lore. The Møriør has some unusual characters who are the primordial, the firstborn or the oldest generation of the species. They appear to be the Justice League of the paranormal and I can’t wait to read more about them. I think Sweet Ruin was a great move by Kresley Cole to insure the Immortals After Dark series lives on. I can’t wait for the next book and plan to read Sweet Ruin again and again!
I received this book as a member of the XOXperts, XOXO After Dark’s official street team, in exchange for an honest review. Visit XOXOAfterDark.com for the best in romance, urban fantasy and women’s fiction.
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About Kresley Cole
Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series and the young adult Arcana Chronicles. She has also written five award-winning historical romances.
Since her first novel was released in 2003, Kresley has published nineteen books with Simon & Schuster and has seen her releases translated into more than eighteen foreign languages. She has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Two of her favorite places to visit include the rain forests of Central America and the Queensland area of Australia.
Cole’s trademark action, sensuality, and humor are exemplified in her popular Immortals After Dark Series, which revolves around the Lore, a secret stratum of hundreds of immortal creatures--ranging from Vampires to Lykae, Furies to Shifters, and Fey to Valkyrie--that each have their strengths, weaknesses, and age old prejudices against the others. Though they secretly live among humans, they constantly war among themselves, which gives her a lot of material.
In 2007, Kresley won the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA award for best paranormal for her novel A Hunger Like No Other, and in January 2009, she became a #1 New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller with her sixth IAD installment, Kiss of a Demon King. In 2010, Kiss of a Demon King earned Kresley her second RITA award. 2011 brought Cole her second #1 NYT bestseller with Dreams of a Dark Warrior.
She lives in Florida with her husband and far too many animals. She spends any free time traveling and enjoys all things related to boats and water.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2015 New Release Challenge
I enjoyed this book. I always enjoy IAD, some more than others, but that is to be expected with any series. This one wasn’t at the top of my list, nor was it at the bottom. I’m really curious as to where she is taking the series. I wasn’t disappointed, as you said many were, I’m just curious with the addition of the Møriør.
I love this series! There have been some books that I didn’t like as much as the others. I saw some nasty comments on Goodreads and I couldn’t believe how angry some fans were. But I liked this and I’m really curious about the other members of the Møriør. There are 12 members so that is a lot of books to come so I’m happy lol.