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Immortals After Dark #11
Lothaire
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Romance (2012)Number-one New York Times best-selling author Kresley Cole continues her electrifying Immortals After Dark series with this thrilling tale, revealing secrets of the Lore, fierce realm of the immortals....
All fear the enemy of old.
Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.
A deadly force dwells within her.
Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.
Centuries of cold indifference shattered.
Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past—or risk everything for a future with her?
All fear the enemy of old.
Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.
A deadly force dwells within her.
Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.
Centuries of cold indifference shattered.
Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past—or risk everything for a future with her?
468 pages, Hardcover
First published January 10, 2012
About the author
Kresley Cole
66 books26.9k followersKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,107 reviews
October 20, 2012
Oct 20th, re-reading... Loooooove Lothaire!! Such a fun book.
------------------
Loved it! I mean, Who the HELL decided to pair the zillionaire wealthy and half-mad evil vampire Lothaire -- complete with a wicked dry sense of humor and a snobby God-like complex -- with a dirt-poor, barefooted, Appalachian hillbilly girl who is possessed by an evil Goddess, lives in a broken down trailer with her redneck family, and enjoys ‘parking’ for some good ol’ dry humping action?!
Hoooooey!! Hands out to Kresley Cole, cause this was just an unexpected and delicious F’N fun book to read! Cole is one of the most talented PNR authors out there, and this book is one of her best yet.
Could this be Elizabeth's favorite uncle Ephraim? LOL!
>>My mostly spoiler free recap with some of the highlights:
The beeeyotch Saroya, Soul Reaper and Goddess of Death and Blood, was cursed to die over and over while she possessed the lives of mortals not of her choosing. Finding herself pleasantly pleased to be in the body of Elizabeth Peirce, a young beauty living in the remote Appalachian mountains, she contrives with Lothaire to extract Ellie’s (Elizabeth) soul and turn her into an immortal vampire. Separately, Lothaire believes the Ring of Sums, a talisman that grants wishes, is the key to separating his bride from the vile human also inhabiting her body.
If you’ve read the series up to this point, you know that Lothaire has been frantically searching for the ring for a long time, finally stealing it from the finger of the sorceress La Dorada, aka The Gilded One, and a particularly treacherous adversary of Saroya’s. And… that he most recently lost the ring to the Commander Webb, the evil leader of the human faction known as The Order, upon his escape from island that held many immortals prisoners.
Lothaire frantically takes up his search for the ring, meanwhile imprisoning Elizabeth/Saroya to keep them safe from his adversaries. Lothaire also plots and prepares to extract revenge for his mother’s death and gain the thrones of two Kingdoms: Dacia and the Horde. And in a fun game of Tit for Tat, both Elizabeth and Saroya try to convince Lothaire that they are his intended bride, not the other one.
We see many characters here too! Yeah! We learn more about Balery, aka The Hag, as she helps Lothaire with her sorcery skills. Thaddeus Brayden, a 17 year old vampire/phantom Halfling who claims to be Lothaire’s only friend, makes a fun appearance too. And of course the Valkyrie ladies show up to flaunt their stuff, and Nix both dazzles and confuses us with her brilliance. (LOVE HER!) We learn more about Dorada too, and see that she is now regenerating into the beautiful woman she was once.
As you expect from any IAD book, the sexual tension goes OFF THE CHARTS! Holy Mother of Elvis, this book was SIZZLING HOT. When Ellie decides to show Lothaire what it is like to ‘go parking’, I about laughed myself silly. Lothaire and Ellie are two of the most opposite hero and heroine’s I think I’ve ever read, but THEY WORK. OMG, do they work. His condescending comments about her redneck life were priceless, and her ability to go toe-to-toe with him only drove him more deliriously mad.
If you haven’t started this series, you are really missing out! Bottom line, they are HOT, HILLARIOUS, BRILLIANT and FUN reads. The world building is so well done, few authors could even compare to Ms Cole, IMHO.
Yeehah! A FIVE STAR SQUIRREL REVIEW!
------------------
Loved it! I mean, Who the HELL decided to pair the zillionaire wealthy and half-mad evil vampire Lothaire -- complete with a wicked dry sense of humor and a snobby God-like complex -- with a dirt-poor, barefooted, Appalachian hillbilly girl who is possessed by an evil Goddess, lives in a broken down trailer with her redneck family, and enjoys ‘parking’ for some good ol’ dry humping action?!
Hoooooey!! Hands out to Kresley Cole, cause this was just an unexpected and delicious F’N fun book to read! Cole is one of the most talented PNR authors out there, and this book is one of her best yet.
Could this be Elizabeth's favorite uncle Ephraim? LOL!
>>My mostly spoiler free recap with some of the highlights:
The beeeyotch Saroya, Soul Reaper and Goddess of Death and Blood, was cursed to die over and over while she possessed the lives of mortals not of her choosing. Finding herself pleasantly pleased to be in the body of Elizabeth Peirce, a young beauty living in the remote Appalachian mountains, she contrives with Lothaire to extract Ellie’s (Elizabeth) soul and turn her into an immortal vampire. Separately, Lothaire believes the Ring of Sums, a talisman that grants wishes, is the key to separating his bride from the vile human also inhabiting her body.
If you’ve read the series up to this point, you know that Lothaire has been frantically searching for the ring for a long time, finally stealing it from the finger of the sorceress La Dorada, aka The Gilded One, and a particularly treacherous adversary of Saroya’s. And… that he most recently lost the ring to the Commander Webb, the evil leader of the human faction known as The Order, upon his escape from island that held many immortals prisoners.
Lothaire frantically takes up his search for the ring, meanwhile imprisoning Elizabeth/Saroya to keep them safe from his adversaries. Lothaire also plots and prepares to extract revenge for his mother’s death and gain the thrones of two Kingdoms: Dacia and the Horde. And in a fun game of Tit for Tat, both Elizabeth and Saroya try to convince Lothaire that they are his intended bride, not the other one.
We see many characters here too! Yeah! We learn more about Balery, aka The Hag, as she helps Lothaire with her sorcery skills. Thaddeus Brayden, a 17 year old vampire/phantom Halfling who claims to be Lothaire’s only friend, makes a fun appearance too. And of course the Valkyrie ladies show up to flaunt their stuff, and Nix both dazzles and confuses us with her brilliance. (LOVE HER!) We learn more about Dorada too, and see that she is now regenerating into the beautiful woman she was once.
As you expect from any IAD book, the sexual tension goes OFF THE CHARTS! Holy Mother of Elvis, this book was SIZZLING HOT. When Ellie decides to show Lothaire what it is like to ‘go parking’, I about laughed myself silly. Lothaire and Ellie are two of the most opposite hero and heroine’s I think I’ve ever read, but THEY WORK. OMG, do they work. His condescending comments about her redneck life were priceless, and her ability to go toe-to-toe with him only drove him more deliriously mad.
If you haven’t started this series, you are really missing out! Bottom line, they are HOT, HILLARIOUS, BRILLIANT and FUN reads. The world building is so well done, few authors could even compare to Ms Cole, IMHO.
Yeehah! A FIVE STAR SQUIRREL REVIEW!
January 13, 2012
There are only a few select authors I consider to be like crack with their series. JR Ward is my #1 crack. Kresley Cole comes in a very close second. Kresley’s Immortals after Dark series is very addicting and she writes characters who walk a very fine line in regards to morals. Her heroes and heroine are fierce warriors who will fight to the death to survive or get what they feel they. The majority of these supernatural characters are close to losing their minds because they've been alive for so long and must constantly be on their toes in case they’re decapitated or tortured horribly by their adversaries.
Lothaire is one character who Kresley’s fans had been anxious for to be the star of his own book. He made quite the splash in the last book, Dreams of a Dark Warrior and almost took over the story. Now Lothaire is the only character who not only has been given hard cover status (at $25.00 a pop) but the only title as the character’s name in this entire series. I recommend you go back and read all prior books before this one because you'll understand the world and why Lothaire acts the way he does. You also may end up hating Lothaire for what he does to the heroine, human, Elizabeth “Ellie” Peirce during the course of this story.
Lothaire is a very complicated character. You will either love him or hate him. The majority of the time I couldn’t stand him. He reminded me so much of another egotistical, cruel and harsh immortal man I fondly call Le Douche concerning Karen Marie Moning’s Jerricho Barrons from her immensely popular Fever series. I despise Barrons le Douche with everything I have inside of me. Lothaire for most of this book was channeling Le Douche and Kresley barely made him redeemable by the end. But Kresley is a very sly wench of an author and does something amazing based on her epilogues.
The epilogue to Lothaire is the best one she has written in all her IAD books. She gives us insight on the main character before they become this heartless, and in most cases, ruthless killer. The start of Lothaire shows Lothaire at eight years old and not yet a vampire. Lothaire will become a vampire by the time he’s in his early thirties, but as an eight year old he’s a typical boy who enjoys puzzles and adores his puppy. His mother is a proud queen of the Daci race, another type of vampire, and Lothaire is meant to take over the crown there and become the Daci king. Unfortunately his father is a cruel bastard who throws Lothaire and his mother, Ivana out into the snow.
And based on this small excerpt about the fate of Lothaire’s puppy, I teared up. This is something I never done while reading an epilogue. *shakes fist at Kresley*
“Lothaire’s puppy had followed him, wide-eyed and tripping over its own paws, panicked to catch up with him. While Lothaire stared in disbelief, Stefanovich (Lothaire’s father) had seized the dog by is scruff, snapping its back."
This description stuck with me throughout the entire novel, showing what horrors Lothaire went through from his mother being raped and killed, to him being buried underground for 600 years, to being left alone and transforming into a vindictive, vengeful killer. Based on Lothaire’s love for his puppy and revenge for this mother, I kept that in back of mine and excused most of his behavior. And since Lothaire is thousands of years old, the way he reacts to things can be excused to a certain point.
Lothaire wants to rule every kingdom he can get his hand on in the Lore, as well as Dacia. In order to do that he needs an immortal bride. Her name is Saroya, a goddess who has been cursed and takes over human bodies. Lothaire meets Saroya, while in the body of the teenage, Ellie Peirce, who is poor white trash and lives with her family in the Appalachian Mountains. From that moment on, Lothaire comes to the conclusion that Saroya is his bride because of the way his body reacts to her. He will free Saroya from her mortal bonds and they’ll rule together. In order to do this, Lothaire must find a special ring that grants wishes. Until then, Lothaire wants Saroya to remain safe and treat the body she’s in as a temple. This is unfortunate for Ellie, who blacks out thanks to Saroya and ends up on death row because Saroya goes on a bloody rampage. Ellie is stuck in prison for five years, hoping she's given the needle because she feels her life has been destroyed. But Lothaire saves her right when she’s about to die by lethal injection and imprisons her in his penthouse in New York City.
Lothaire is cruel to Ellie because he thinks Saroya is his mate and only worthy of him. Ellie doesn’t cower in fear and refuses to be a victim, knowing she has less than a month until Lothaire is able to unlock the solution to breaking Saroya’s curse. Ellie is ready to go down in flames, but wants to enjoy herself before she's snuffed out by Lothaire. She drives him up the wall, by seducing him with her virgin, redneck temptress body Lothaire wants to eat up. Lothaire hasn’t had sex in thousands of years and since he’s mighty fine to look at, Ellie will use him and hopefully make him like her so he will forget Saroya.
It’s a battle of wills between Lothaire and Ellie and soon Lothaire is confused and annoyed because Ellie has broken through his defenses. She questions his reason for things, such as his endgame he’s obsessed in accomplishing. But after he does complete his endgame, he has nothing else to look forward to. And the times Saroya appears, he grows annoyed with her because he’s failing for Ellie. So is Ellie his bride or is Saroya? And if Ellie is his true bride, he loses everything because his oracle and his advisory and sometimes friend, the loopy and close to deranged Valkerie Nix, says he can only be king if he has Saroya as his bride.
Lothaire is an intense, character driven book about a battle of wits between two people who have nothing to lose. Ellie should be rocking a corner and twitching from everything she has endured. But her mind never breaks. She may just be my favorite Kresley heroine up to this point because she takes on Lothaire, the bad ass vampire king of old and is willing to get burned because it feels so good.
Watching Lothaire fall for Ellie is a riot. Lothaire comes across as adorable more than a few times, along with being a douche. The adorable times outweighed his douchey times, especially when he watches Ellie while he’s invisible and expects her to start crying when she can’t escape his penthouse. She doesn’t and Lothaire’s very analytical mind is thrown off center because half the time he can’t figure out what Ellie is going to do next. She keeps him on his toes and the law and order he has created is now in chaos. Lothaire has a bad case of OCD and Ellie is the only medication that can keep him sane.
Readers may have a big issue because Lothaire never really grovels and begs for Ellie’s forgiveness. He’s one stubborn SOB you want to shake. He also acts immature at certain points, sending Ellie his heart (literally) in a box because of something she did that hurt him. Her response is a big awesome FU back to him that will make you stand up and applaud. Ellie has balls and she’s not afraid to use them.
The foreplay and sex here could melt an egg on the hot pavement. Some of the best love scenes Kresley have written are here and they're all very naughty and OMG give me more! I feel as if Lothaire is Kresley's own endgame of sorts. She’s closing more than a few open plot lines while introducing new ones. We gain some big insight on Lothaire and Nix’s relationship that's a very tender one, as well as a big spoiler about Lothaire’s family. When we’re introduced to Lothaire’s brother on the last page, it totes of awesome because he’s one character whose story I’ve been waiting for since the very beginning, including his heroine who has never appeared on any page, but is the most tortured of any characters in this series.
I’ve said I many times before, I bow down at the altar of Kresley Cole. Even though I wanted to smack Lothaire more than a few times and I wished Ellie would have cut off a certain part of his anatomy for being mean to her, I was lost in this book and hungry for more. Lothaire is the ultimate feast for any reader and had me begging for more scraps.
Thank you Kresley for writing another entertaining book that has me anxious for the next one. I even forgive you for the way Lothaire’s puppy was disregarded, while I both cursed you, as well as sighed over everything you’ve written. Lothaire engaged me in ways I never expected.
Lothaire is one character who Kresley’s fans had been anxious for to be the star of his own book. He made quite the splash in the last book, Dreams of a Dark Warrior and almost took over the story. Now Lothaire is the only character who not only has been given hard cover status (at $25.00 a pop) but the only title as the character’s name in this entire series. I recommend you go back and read all prior books before this one because you'll understand the world and why Lothaire acts the way he does. You also may end up hating Lothaire for what he does to the heroine, human, Elizabeth “Ellie” Peirce during the course of this story.
Lothaire is a very complicated character. You will either love him or hate him. The majority of the time I couldn’t stand him. He reminded me so much of another egotistical, cruel and harsh immortal man I fondly call Le Douche concerning Karen Marie Moning’s Jerricho Barrons from her immensely popular Fever series. I despise Barrons le Douche with everything I have inside of me. Lothaire for most of this book was channeling Le Douche and Kresley barely made him redeemable by the end. But Kresley is a very sly wench of an author and does something amazing based on her epilogues.
The epilogue to Lothaire is the best one she has written in all her IAD books. She gives us insight on the main character before they become this heartless, and in most cases, ruthless killer. The start of Lothaire shows Lothaire at eight years old and not yet a vampire. Lothaire will become a vampire by the time he’s in his early thirties, but as an eight year old he’s a typical boy who enjoys puzzles and adores his puppy. His mother is a proud queen of the Daci race, another type of vampire, and Lothaire is meant to take over the crown there and become the Daci king. Unfortunately his father is a cruel bastard who throws Lothaire and his mother, Ivana out into the snow.
And based on this small excerpt about the fate of Lothaire’s puppy, I teared up. This is something I never done while reading an epilogue. *shakes fist at Kresley*
“Lothaire’s puppy had followed him, wide-eyed and tripping over its own paws, panicked to catch up with him. While Lothaire stared in disbelief, Stefanovich (Lothaire’s father) had seized the dog by is scruff, snapping its back."
This description stuck with me throughout the entire novel, showing what horrors Lothaire went through from his mother being raped and killed, to him being buried underground for 600 years, to being left alone and transforming into a vindictive, vengeful killer. Based on Lothaire’s love for his puppy and revenge for this mother, I kept that in back of mine and excused most of his behavior. And since Lothaire is thousands of years old, the way he reacts to things can be excused to a certain point.
Lothaire wants to rule every kingdom he can get his hand on in the Lore, as well as Dacia. In order to do that he needs an immortal bride. Her name is Saroya, a goddess who has been cursed and takes over human bodies. Lothaire meets Saroya, while in the body of the teenage, Ellie Peirce, who is poor white trash and lives with her family in the Appalachian Mountains. From that moment on, Lothaire comes to the conclusion that Saroya is his bride because of the way his body reacts to her. He will free Saroya from her mortal bonds and they’ll rule together. In order to do this, Lothaire must find a special ring that grants wishes. Until then, Lothaire wants Saroya to remain safe and treat the body she’s in as a temple. This is unfortunate for Ellie, who blacks out thanks to Saroya and ends up on death row because Saroya goes on a bloody rampage. Ellie is stuck in prison for five years, hoping she's given the needle because she feels her life has been destroyed. But Lothaire saves her right when she’s about to die by lethal injection and imprisons her in his penthouse in New York City.
Lothaire is cruel to Ellie because he thinks Saroya is his mate and only worthy of him. Ellie doesn’t cower in fear and refuses to be a victim, knowing she has less than a month until Lothaire is able to unlock the solution to breaking Saroya’s curse. Ellie is ready to go down in flames, but wants to enjoy herself before she's snuffed out by Lothaire. She drives him up the wall, by seducing him with her virgin, redneck temptress body Lothaire wants to eat up. Lothaire hasn’t had sex in thousands of years and since he’s mighty fine to look at, Ellie will use him and hopefully make him like her so he will forget Saroya.
It’s a battle of wills between Lothaire and Ellie and soon Lothaire is confused and annoyed because Ellie has broken through his defenses. She questions his reason for things, such as his endgame he’s obsessed in accomplishing. But after he does complete his endgame, he has nothing else to look forward to. And the times Saroya appears, he grows annoyed with her because he’s failing for Ellie. So is Ellie his bride or is Saroya? And if Ellie is his true bride, he loses everything because his oracle and his advisory and sometimes friend, the loopy and close to deranged Valkerie Nix, says he can only be king if he has Saroya as his bride.
Lothaire is an intense, character driven book about a battle of wits between two people who have nothing to lose. Ellie should be rocking a corner and twitching from everything she has endured. But her mind never breaks. She may just be my favorite Kresley heroine up to this point because she takes on Lothaire, the bad ass vampire king of old and is willing to get burned because it feels so good.
Watching Lothaire fall for Ellie is a riot. Lothaire comes across as adorable more than a few times, along with being a douche. The adorable times outweighed his douchey times, especially when he watches Ellie while he’s invisible and expects her to start crying when she can’t escape his penthouse. She doesn’t and Lothaire’s very analytical mind is thrown off center because half the time he can’t figure out what Ellie is going to do next. She keeps him on his toes and the law and order he has created is now in chaos. Lothaire has a bad case of OCD and Ellie is the only medication that can keep him sane.
Readers may have a big issue because Lothaire never really grovels and begs for Ellie’s forgiveness. He’s one stubborn SOB you want to shake. He also acts immature at certain points, sending Ellie his heart (literally) in a box because of something she did that hurt him. Her response is a big awesome FU back to him that will make you stand up and applaud. Ellie has balls and she’s not afraid to use them.
The foreplay and sex here could melt an egg on the hot pavement. Some of the best love scenes Kresley have written are here and they're all very naughty and OMG give me more! I feel as if Lothaire is Kresley's own endgame of sorts. She’s closing more than a few open plot lines while introducing new ones. We gain some big insight on Lothaire and Nix’s relationship that's a very tender one, as well as a big spoiler about Lothaire’s family. When we’re introduced to Lothaire’s brother on the last page, it totes of awesome because he’s one character whose story I’ve been waiting for since the very beginning, including his heroine who has never appeared on any page, but is the most tortured of any characters in this series.
I’ve said I many times before, I bow down at the altar of Kresley Cole. Even though I wanted to smack Lothaire more than a few times and I wished Ellie would have cut off a certain part of his anatomy for being mean to her, I was lost in this book and hungry for more. Lothaire is the ultimate feast for any reader and had me begging for more scraps.
Thank you Kresley for writing another entertaining book that has me anxious for the next one. I even forgive you for the way Lothaire’s puppy was disregarded, while I both cursed you, as well as sighed over everything you’ve written. Lothaire engaged me in ways I never expected.
December 4, 2013
What did I think? What did I think?...
I think this book is fantastic! Hands down the most erotic of the whole fabulous series, and one of the hardest to put down. I stayed up until 3:00am to finish this one...and then I was so keyed up I couldn't fall asleep! And it's days later and I'm still thinking about it...and rereading it.:)
No synopsis here, except to say this in the vampire Lothaire's story, the "Enemy of Old", the guy who's been in just about every book of the whole IAD series; the baddest of bad boys. Lothaire is quite a character--he's evil, he's a bit mad, he's calculating, he's self-absorbed, he's intelligent, he's selfish, he's arrogant, he's sarcastic, he's cruel, he's condescending...but he's also vulnerable (he really needs to know what love is), brave, fearless, sexy-as-all-get-out, and one of his best qualities--he's funny! He's got some great lines in this book, as does his future bride, 'mountain girl' Elizabeth "Ellie" Peirce.
Elizabeth...
Lothaire...
I loved this pairing between the 24-year-old and this centuries old vampire...holy cow could Ellie go toe-to-toe with Lothaire, matching him with her wits and her words. The absolute perfect partner for him, someone who wouldn't take his crap or let him get away with anything (if she could), and manages to teach him how to 'give', and not just 'take'. Anyway, when Lothaire and Ellie first meet she's being possessed by this b**** soul reaper named Saroya, who has inhabited her body and does all sorts of evil things (murders) when she's in control. Lothaire comes alive (his heart stars beating again after years of being one of the 'walking dead') when he's around Saroya (in Ellie's body) and he thinks that Saroya is his Bride (and his future). (Ha!) With Saroya by his side he will rule the vampire Horde and become king of Dacia (his mother's hidden vampire kingdom)...once he destroys Ellie's soul so Saroya can inhabit her body--permanently. But what if Saroya isn't Lothaire's Bride? What if his Bride is the unthinkable--a mortal? How will that affect all the plans Lothaire's made, all the debts owed to him, all that he's been working towards...how will that affect his so-called 'Endgame'?
Okay, I'm not going to say any more. If you're reading this review it's because you already have read all the books in this series and you think you know Lothaire--but you won't really know him until you read about his early life...and then you'll see how that shaped him to be the vampire that he is. Some sad, sad stuff here, and it made me forgive him when he was being an absolute ass towards Ellie. But even though I forgave him and could understand his behavior, he still had some shaping up to do to be a worthy hero (and that's what he turned out to be). No spoilers now, but just some pictures to tell the story...
Ellie comes from humble beginnings in rural Appalachia...
Lothaire faced tragedy and horror as a young boy...
OMG, this forest...
and this tree...*shudders*...
Lothaire's a complex guy, with a keen mind. He likes mechanical puzzles...
Lothaire 'saves' Ellie from this...
Lothaire can be suave...
...brooding...
sexy...
I'm coming for you, Elizavetta...
This settee sees a lot of action...
"I'm the sucker punch that you never saw coming."
Could Elizabeth be Lothaire's Bride?
Would she have to become...a vampire?
Is the Black Castle in Dacia in Lothaire's future?
Can 'Lizvetta' show 'Leo' how to be happy?
Just lovers...or something more?
Lothaire proves his love for Elizavetta...
To sum up--Lothaire is not to be missed, for fans of the series or anyone who enjoys a lusty paranormal. Yes it's true, these books should be read in order, so don't be tempted to skip to this one if you haven't read all the previous ones. But know that it's no hardship to read all the books that lead up to this one--they are all truly excellent and worthy of your reading time. Once again, Kresley Cole has knocked one out of the park---in fact, Lothaire is the grand slam of the whole series. Tension, humor, sex (Yowza--wait until you read chapter 32...and 33, 34...and 41 and 42!), suspense, terror, and love, all wrapped up in one very big satisfying book. 5 huge stars.
*P.S.: Is it just me, or did anyone else get the feeling that Woody from "Cheers" was speaking for young Thad? Whenever he said "Mr. Lothaire"...:)
I think this book is fantastic! Hands down the most erotic of the whole fabulous series, and one of the hardest to put down. I stayed up until 3:00am to finish this one...and then I was so keyed up I couldn't fall asleep! And it's days later and I'm still thinking about it...and rereading it.:)
No synopsis here, except to say this in the vampire Lothaire's story, the "Enemy of Old", the guy who's been in just about every book of the whole IAD series; the baddest of bad boys. Lothaire is quite a character--he's evil, he's a bit mad, he's calculating, he's self-absorbed, he's intelligent, he's selfish, he's arrogant, he's sarcastic, he's cruel, he's condescending...but he's also vulnerable (he really needs to know what love is), brave, fearless, sexy-as-all-get-out, and one of his best qualities--he's funny! He's got some great lines in this book, as does his future bride, 'mountain girl' Elizabeth "Ellie" Peirce.
Elizabeth...
Lothaire...
I loved this pairing between the 24-year-old and this centuries old vampire...holy cow could Ellie go toe-to-toe with Lothaire, matching him with her wits and her words. The absolute perfect partner for him, someone who wouldn't take his crap or let him get away with anything (if she could), and manages to teach him how to 'give', and not just 'take'. Anyway, when Lothaire and Ellie first meet she's being possessed by this b**** soul reaper named Saroya, who has inhabited her body and does all sorts of evil things (murders) when she's in control. Lothaire comes alive (his heart stars beating again after years of being one of the 'walking dead') when he's around Saroya (in Ellie's body) and he thinks that Saroya is his Bride (and his future). (Ha!) With Saroya by his side he will rule the vampire Horde and become king of Dacia (his mother's hidden vampire kingdom)...once he destroys Ellie's soul so Saroya can inhabit her body--permanently. But what if Saroya isn't Lothaire's Bride? What if his Bride is the unthinkable--a mortal? How will that affect all the plans Lothaire's made, all the debts owed to him, all that he's been working towards...how will that affect his so-called 'Endgame'?
Okay, I'm not going to say any more. If you're reading this review it's because you already have read all the books in this series and you think you know Lothaire--but you won't really know him until you read about his early life...and then you'll see how that shaped him to be the vampire that he is. Some sad, sad stuff here, and it made me forgive him when he was being an absolute ass towards Ellie. But even though I forgave him and could understand his behavior, he still had some shaping up to do to be a worthy hero (and that's what he turned out to be). No spoilers now, but just some pictures to tell the story...
Ellie comes from humble beginnings in rural Appalachia...
Lothaire faced tragedy and horror as a young boy...
OMG, this forest...
and this tree...*shudders*...
Lothaire's a complex guy, with a keen mind. He likes mechanical puzzles...
Lothaire 'saves' Ellie from this...
Lothaire can be suave...
...brooding...
sexy...
I'm coming for you, Elizavetta...
This settee sees a lot of action...
"I'm the sucker punch that you never saw coming."
Could Elizabeth be Lothaire's Bride?
Would she have to become...a vampire?
Is the Black Castle in Dacia in Lothaire's future?
Can 'Lizvetta' show 'Leo' how to be happy?
Just lovers...or something more?
Lothaire proves his love for Elizavetta...
To sum up--Lothaire is not to be missed, for fans of the series or anyone who enjoys a lusty paranormal. Yes it's true, these books should be read in order, so don't be tempted to skip to this one if you haven't read all the previous ones. But know that it's no hardship to read all the books that lead up to this one--they are all truly excellent and worthy of your reading time. Once again, Kresley Cole has knocked one out of the park---in fact, Lothaire is the grand slam of the whole series. Tension, humor, sex (Yowza--wait until you read chapter 32...and 33, 34...and 41 and 42!), suspense, terror, and love, all wrapped up in one very big satisfying book. 5 huge stars.
*P.S.: Is it just me, or did anyone else get the feeling that Woody from "Cheers" was speaking for young Thad? Whenever he said "Mr. Lothaire"...:)
May 7, 2012
I hate when I finish reading a book right before I go to bed, because then I wake up sometime in the night and can't stop re-hashing the book. So now I'm up at 4am specifically to write this review. As I was lying in bed, I came up with many items to point out. Too bad I didn't have someone to dictate to, because I was really on a role there.
First of all I should point out that I've really loved this series. I've been a loyal pre-ordering fan. Kresley Cole has mad skills. She is an expert at juggling voice, sexual tension, action, humor, characterization, plot, and dialogue. In fact, she has created a formula which involves all the aforementioned elements and a plot plan. She does not stray from the formula. She has used it successfully for the entire series. Problem is...previously, even aware of the formula, it receded to the background for me as I was swept along with the characters and the sexual tension. This time--not so much. This time the formula was a bleekin' beacon flashing in the background: "Now this will happen, next that. Here we are at the part where the heroine does this, the hero responds by that..."
Why was the formula such a problem for me THIS time and not for every other book in the IAD series? Because I suddenly reached my WTFery threshold.
It all began with the introduction of the fabled Kingdom of Dacia. Now realize, this is not a spoiler that I'm about to discuss because it has nothing to do with any plot points. This kingdom is a new thing that KC introduced. It's a vampire kingdom which is hidden from the entire Lore. It's full of goodness and light and fountains of flowing blood.....screech....what? Fountains of BLOOD? That's just gross. Of course, having an ample supply of blood allows these vamps to never drink from the flesh. Why? Vampires aren't supposed to be all good. They're creatures of the night. Why this kingdom? It's weird. Also, where does all that blood come from? This really bothers me. Blood must COME FROM somewhere. That's like saying---there's this magical kingdom where steak grows in rolling meadows straight from the ground. Ew. That's not right. Just ew.
I'm sorry, but immortality needs to come with suffering and angst and---well, there's just a price to pay for eternal life. It's a rule of fantasy. Plus, ew. Fountains of blood?
Something about the introduction of the Kingdom of Dacia just threw me out of my KC induced haze and I started to pick apart my love of this series. I came to a realization that I love the secondary characters created in this series UNTIL THEY BECOME MAIN CHARACTERS. Then suddenly, they are not the characters I originally loved. Regin is one example. Lothaire is another.
I'm highly disappointed that Nix and Lothaire were not a match. There was all this backstory with the two. There's something incredibly poignant about two foes finally coming together after a millennia of warring. I was looking forward to that. Nix is crazy. Lothaire is crazy. They NEEDED each other. They were both irreverent, snarky, entirely lovable....
We didn't need this new human person. Yes, I came to enjoy Ellie's character, but there are SO MANY characters in this Lore world. Why keep adding new ones? It makes me not want to invest in any of these characters. The cast becomes ungainly.
Also--I miss the valkyries. They're my favorite part. So loyal and funny and vicious.
What? I had other things to say. It's TOO EARLY in the morning. This is how my mind was racing while I was attempting to sleep.
Oh yeah, Lothaire. Stupid Lothaire.
He was so...oh I don't know...like Spike. He was a Spike. But instead of turning all vulnerable and cute he was just mean. And I realized that ALL of KC's heroes are horrible and abusive. Why do we readers accept this? Are we all just secretly wishing some man would imprison us, practically rape us until we like it, and then go all gooey on us? It's unhealthy woman. A sickness.
Like I said-- WTFery threshold.
The ending was a cop-out. Too pat. The whole thing followed the formula:
1. Hero recognizes his fated mate. "Mine."
2. Hero hates her for some reason--but must have her. "Mine."
3. Hero imprisons fated mate. "Mine."
4. Hero must have sex with his woman so basically forces himself on her.
5. There is much ejaculation but no penetration because he will kill her with the strength of his need to claim her.
6. Ejaculate eventually subdues feisty female.
7. She comes to love the asshole despite his assholery.
8. Still she's angry about the assholery and leaves either purposefully or due to some major drama going on in the Lore.
9. Hero finds himself BETRAYED. Hates stupid bitch fated mate.
10. Mate sad.
11. Usually due to vamp dreams, hero knows she cared all along. Love Mate. "Mine."
::sigh::
First of all I should point out that I've really loved this series. I've been a loyal pre-ordering fan. Kresley Cole has mad skills. She is an expert at juggling voice, sexual tension, action, humor, characterization, plot, and dialogue. In fact, she has created a formula which involves all the aforementioned elements and a plot plan. She does not stray from the formula. She has used it successfully for the entire series. Problem is...previously, even aware of the formula, it receded to the background for me as I was swept along with the characters and the sexual tension. This time--not so much. This time the formula was a bleekin' beacon flashing in the background: "Now this will happen, next that. Here we are at the part where the heroine does this, the hero responds by that..."
Why was the formula such a problem for me THIS time and not for every other book in the IAD series? Because I suddenly reached my WTFery threshold.
It all began with the introduction of the fabled Kingdom of Dacia. Now realize, this is not a spoiler that I'm about to discuss because it has nothing to do with any plot points. This kingdom is a new thing that KC introduced. It's a vampire kingdom which is hidden from the entire Lore. It's full of goodness and light and fountains of flowing blood.....screech....what? Fountains of BLOOD? That's just gross. Of course, having an ample supply of blood allows these vamps to never drink from the flesh. Why? Vampires aren't supposed to be all good. They're creatures of the night. Why this kingdom? It's weird. Also, where does all that blood come from? This really bothers me. Blood must COME FROM somewhere. That's like saying---there's this magical kingdom where steak grows in rolling meadows straight from the ground. Ew. That's not right. Just ew.
I'm sorry, but immortality needs to come with suffering and angst and---well, there's just a price to pay for eternal life. It's a rule of fantasy. Plus, ew. Fountains of blood?
Something about the introduction of the Kingdom of Dacia just threw me out of my KC induced haze and I started to pick apart my love of this series. I came to a realization that I love the secondary characters created in this series UNTIL THEY BECOME MAIN CHARACTERS. Then suddenly, they are not the characters I originally loved. Regin is one example. Lothaire is another.
I'm highly disappointed that Nix and Lothaire were not a match. There was all this backstory with the two. There's something incredibly poignant about two foes finally coming together after a millennia of warring. I was looking forward to that. Nix is crazy. Lothaire is crazy. They NEEDED each other. They were both irreverent, snarky, entirely lovable....
We didn't need this new human person. Yes, I came to enjoy Ellie's character, but there are SO MANY characters in this Lore world. Why keep adding new ones? It makes me not want to invest in any of these characters. The cast becomes ungainly.
Also--I miss the valkyries. They're my favorite part. So loyal and funny and vicious.
What? I had other things to say. It's TOO EARLY in the morning. This is how my mind was racing while I was attempting to sleep.
Oh yeah, Lothaire. Stupid Lothaire.
He was so...oh I don't know...like Spike. He was a Spike. But instead of turning all vulnerable and cute he was just mean. And I realized that ALL of KC's heroes are horrible and abusive. Why do we readers accept this? Are we all just secretly wishing some man would imprison us, practically rape us until we like it, and then go all gooey on us? It's unhealthy woman. A sickness.
Like I said-- WTFery threshold.
The ending was a cop-out. Too pat. The whole thing followed the formula:
1. Hero recognizes his fated mate. "Mine."
2. Hero hates her for some reason--but must have her. "Mine."
3. Hero imprisons fated mate. "Mine."
4. Hero must have sex with his woman so basically forces himself on her.
5. There is much ejaculation but no penetration because he will kill her with the strength of his need to claim her.
6. Ejaculate eventually subdues feisty female.
7. She comes to love the asshole despite his assholery.
8. Still she's angry about the assholery and leaves either purposefully or due to some major drama going on in the Lore.
9. Hero finds himself BETRAYED. Hates stupid bitch fated mate.
10. Mate sad.
11. Usually due to vamp dreams, hero knows she cared all along. Love Mate. "Mine."
::sigh::
March 3, 2020
Lothaire Daciano (Half Dacian/half Horde Vampire prince) and Elizabeth Peirce ('insignificant' human)
"How do you know it's not me who's... blooded you?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Because fate would not slight me so unspeakably. I'd seek a noon-day sun if I were paired with one such as you."
"Such as me," she repeated blandly...
"Yes, you. An ignorant, mortal Kmart chechout girl."
The majority of the story was a long delightful misunderstanding
...and lots and lots of makeup sex.
"I'm not falling in love with you."
"Of course you are."
Seriously hot chapters: 32, 33, 34, 41, 42 and 49-50 (I was totally blushing while I was reading hahaha)
I don't think that I need to remind you what an arrogant and self-centred bastard Lothaire is. I am sure that you remember him from the previous books. He is pretty unforgettable actually.
I'm accustomed to women of all species lusting after me.
Also I don't think that I need to emphasise what a great,brave, spirited woman Elizabeth is. She wouldn't manage to tolerate his Assholiness and his stupidity otherwise. And surely she wouldn't manage to be alive in the end.
Lothaire, just because I'm sexually desperate doesn't make you a peach.
This is one of my favourite vampire books of all time. It is always nice revising it.
"How do you know it's not me who's... blooded you?"
A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Because fate would not slight me so unspeakably. I'd seek a noon-day sun if I were paired with one such as you."
"Such as me," she repeated blandly...
"Yes, you. An ignorant, mortal Kmart chechout girl."
The majority of the story was a long delightful misunderstanding
...and lots and lots of makeup sex.
"I'm not falling in love with you."
"Of course you are."
Seriously hot chapters: 32, 33, 34, 41, 42 and 49-50 (I was totally blushing while I was reading hahaha)
I don't think that I need to remind you what an arrogant and self-centred bastard Lothaire is. I am sure that you remember him from the previous books. He is pretty unforgettable actually.
I'm accustomed to women of all species lusting after me.
Also I don't think that I need to emphasise what a great,brave, spirited woman Elizabeth is. She wouldn't manage to tolerate his Assholiness and his stupidity otherwise. And surely she wouldn't manage to be alive in the end.
Lothaire, just because I'm sexually desperate doesn't make you a peach.
This is one of my favourite vampire books of all time. It is always nice revising it.
April 4, 2017
I love Kresley Cole’s writing. She has created such an amazing world in her Immortals after Dark series, filled with incredible characters that are beyond imagine and totally engaging and somehow…dare I say real!!!
If you've read the other books in the series, you will have met Lothaire before – he has a habit of making a lot of unexpected appearances in the Immortals universe.
Now, we finally get his story and what a fangbulous one it is.
After all his adventures and misadventures in the past, he finally thinks that he’s reached a time in his loooooong life that will make everything perfect for him. Right!!!! Is he in for a surprise, shock, disbelief? Definitely!!
Lothaire has finally found his Bride..you know that special and unique woman who has the power to get his heart beating again? But there’s only one problem. What, did he actually think it was going to be an easy path???? Wrong!!
His poor bride is trapped in a body she took over from and the only way the two can be together is for Lothaire to get back the magical ring that was stolen by Dorada…that weird and wicked creature from the last book
Now if that was the only problem…..but no, there’s another huge obstacle which he has to overcome. That being that the body his bride has possessed belongs to Ellie Peirce, who is not prepared to give up her body and soul to the wicked and evil Saroya, some Goddess of Death and Blood (she loves killing and torturing her prey).
What a ride this journey will be for the gorgeous, arrogant, rich and snarky vampire
and the hillbilly from the Appalachian Mountains!!
I adored Ellie. She’s this country bumpkin (which by the way, is a kind description), uneducated, sassy and totally kickass. I love her take on life…….
Ellie never gives up, she always has a plan:
She takes no crap from anyone, especially Lothaire and her body possessor.
I so agree with Ellie. Lothaire was really awful to her most of the time…so much so that I wanted to smack him and pull his ears a few times!
The conversations and interaction between these two is hysterical.
Twit...but I have to say Lothaire is witty at times and even sarcastic too!!
Ellie is no wallflower, let me tell you!!
And their sexual chemistry? Pretty hot and sexy!!
I loved seeing characters from the previous book but my absolute favorite has to be Nix…she’s totally awesome and she still carries Bertil, the bat on her shoulder!!! And she’s still as “ditzy” as ever!!
This scene at the Valkyrie’s place was a total blast:
And Nix’s excuse to Lothaire….what a hoot!!
This was such a fabulous part when Nix is talking with Ellie:
And the last sentence in the book left me wanting more…more.
Kristoff!!!! OOOH..can’t wait. Hope we get what follows next...like...SOON!!!
If you've read the other books in the series, you will have met Lothaire before – he has a habit of making a lot of unexpected appearances in the Immortals universe.
Now, we finally get his story and what a fangbulous one it is.
After all his adventures and misadventures in the past, he finally thinks that he’s reached a time in his loooooong life that will make everything perfect for him. Right!!!! Is he in for a surprise, shock, disbelief? Definitely!!
Lothaire has finally found his Bride..you know that special and unique woman who has the power to get his heart beating again? But there’s only one problem. What, did he actually think it was going to be an easy path???? Wrong!!
His poor bride is trapped in a body she took over from and the only way the two can be together is for Lothaire to get back the magical ring that was stolen by Dorada…that weird and wicked creature from the last book
Now if that was the only problem…..but no, there’s another huge obstacle which he has to overcome. That being that the body his bride has possessed belongs to Ellie Peirce, who is not prepared to give up her body and soul to the wicked and evil Saroya, some Goddess of Death and Blood (she loves killing and torturing her prey).
What a ride this journey will be for the gorgeous, arrogant, rich and snarky vampire
“First of all, I'm not narcissistic." When she opened her lips to argue, he said, "I know Narkissos of Thespiae -- while we might share traits, I came first, so he's Lothairistic, not the other way around.”
and the hillbilly from the Appalachian Mountains!!
“She remembered her granny telling her, 'Men are like coal boilers, Ellie. If you find a man you reckon to keep, you got to feed his belly every day, make him burn for you, then release some steam purty regular, or you ain't ever gonna get him to work.”
I adored Ellie. She’s this country bumpkin (which by the way, is a kind description), uneducated, sassy and totally kickass. I love her take on life…….
Part of her wanted to try it once more. Maybe if she got him to claim her totally, she could drive a wedge between him and Saroya.
Or maybe Ellie should just give him the blowjob he’d wanted. She remembered the wise words of her cousin Sadie, the mountainside’s resident slut: “If you want to communicate an idea to a man’s brain, you talk to him through his pecker. It’s like an ear horn, y’all.”
Ellie never gives up, she always has a plan:
Despite being penniless, with only a single change of clothes, a hoodie, and a quart of blood packed in a grocery bag, she would heed Cara’s decree.
“It was never supposed to go like this,” Ellie told the soothsayer. “How will I feed myself or protect myself from the sun? How do I make a living?”
Nïx’s palms flew to her cheeks. “I meant to teach you how to join the typing pool!”
“I’m serious, Valkyrie! I can’t exactly use my degree to get a job. I don’t even have an identity I can use. Hey, maybe I can go to New Orleans, get a job in a Lore shop somewhere?”
She takes no crap from anyone, especially Lothaire and her body possessor.
“He gave her an indulgent look. "I'll forgive these rash words for now." She sputtered, "Forgive? Let's talk about who should be forgiving who."
"Whom," he corrected.
"Shut up! I'm in the right here. Remember all those things you did to me?”
I so agree with Ellie. Lothaire was really awful to her most of the time…so much so that I wanted to smack him and pull his ears a few times!
The conversations and interaction between these two is hysterical.
“He jerked back. "What is this? Be like you were with me the other times! When you melted for me."
"That was before I fully understood what a nasty piece of work you are."
"Because of a few shifter beheadings? Come on, Lizvetta, it's not as if I went around cock-slapping gnomes."
Her jaw dropped.”
Twit...but I have to say Lothaire is witty at times and even sarcastic too!!
“Yes, peasants,” he repeated slowly. “The lowliest of the low among humans.” Then he enunciated, “Exceedingly backward and vulgar hillbillies.”
“Been called worse, mister.” At his raised brows, she exhaled impatiently. “Bootlegger, moonshiner, Elly May Clampett, mountain mama, redneck, backwoods Bessie, hick, trailer trash, yokel, and, more recently, death-row con.”
“No references to mining? I’m disappointed.”
Ellie is no wallflower, let me tell you!!
“Lothaire, just because I’m sexually desperate doesn’t make you a peach.”
And their sexual chemistry? Pretty hot and sexy!!
“Greedy for more?"Grinding his hardness against her hip, he nuzzled her neck, her ear, murmuring words in Russian. His warn breaths against her made her shiver wildly."Wh-what did you say?"
"I talked filth in your ear."Voice gone ragged, he said, “I told you that you've got the prettiest little pussy I've ever seen, and then I told you what I'm going to do with it.”
I loved seeing characters from the previous book but my absolute favorite has to be Nix…she’s totally awesome and she still carries Bertil, the bat on her shoulder!!! And she’s still as “ditzy” as ever!!
This scene at the Valkyrie’s place was a total blast:
?” Lightning blasted outside, thunder quaking the house.
“Nïxie, easy!” Regin clambered over, yanking on her sister. “We were just fucking about.” But even Regin was no match for Nïx’s power.
Finally, Nïx allowed Regin to heave her away, both of them landing tangled on the floor. The soothsayer blinked in bewilderment. “What has happened?”
Ellie cried, “You’re askin’ me?” Then regretted her tone when Nïx suddenly looked exhausted, sickly even.
Her bat waddled toward her, hopping on her arm, seeming to soothe her.
“What the fuck, Nïx? You’re a regular shit show these days!” Regin disentangled herself from her sister, shooing the bat away. “You went allRide of the Valkyries on Vampirellie.”
Nïx frowned at something unseen to Ellie, then sighed sadly. “And I fear between the two of us, I’m doing the better. . . .
And Nix’s excuse to Lothaire….what a hoot!!
“Even after all the antagonism between us, I came to you for help just weeks ago. You turned your back on me and sent Dorada straight to my home! Don’t you dare deny it.”
“I was hoping Dora would find your addy okay. MapQuest is sometimes hokey.”
His fists clenched tight, his shoulder muscles knotting with tension.
This was such a fabulous part when Nix is talking with Ellie:
Nïx clasped her hands over her chest, sighing, “He gave you his heart. That’s so romantic. So much better than a candy heart. Those get stuck in the fangs, you know.”
And the last sentence in the book left me wanting more…more.
Kristoff!!!! OOOH..can’t wait. Hope we get what follows next...like...SOON!!!
May 17, 2017
Ahhhh... Lothaire
I'm not sure how to rate you...you sexy, mega alpha, fucked up, know it all, maniacal, narcissistic bastard!!
I have waited so long for Lothaire's book. What kind of woman would Kressley Cole put him with? The trend has been to fall for the enemy of your species, so I was beyond happy that Lothaire's mate was not a Valkyrie. But the poor girl was a young, innocent human. Fate is so cruel. Lothaire couldn't possibly be mated to a vulnerable human. He has far too many enemies!!
Lothaire's plan to keep his human safe from his enemies is just wrong!!! I mean everything he does to her is totally wrong!!! I loved Lothaire one moment and hated him the next. And so did his mate, Elizabeth.
“I never knew I could hate someone as deeply as I do you.”
“I often help others discover the outer limits of their hatred. It’s a talent of mine.”
Ellie Peirce
Ellie's life has been hell ever since Lothaire entered it. He's a pompous, narcissist, violent bastard. He has no respect for life or others in general. One moment he treats her as if the sun revolves around her, and in the next, he's insulting and demeaning.
“Everything between us is sick... twisted. And it doesn’t have to be.”
“Shh, shh.” He rocked her in his arms. Never had he comforted another in such a manner. He was awkward with this as well.
“I h-hate you s-so much.” She sobbed so hard her body quaked against him, her tears wetting his chest.
“I know.”
Lothaire is on a mission to save Ellie from certain death. He is also still obsessed with power and ruling the horde. This book was very fast paced and action packed. I could't put it down. Lothaire was not what I had expected. I wanted to gush over him. But KC was honest to his character. She didn't change him into an angel just because this was his love story and I really appreciate that. And his sense of humor had me cracking up at times!!
“He jerked back. "What is this? Be like you were with me the other times! When you melted for me."
"That was before I fully understood what a nasty piece of work you are."
"Because of a few shifter beheadings? Come on, Lizvetta, it's not as if I went around cock-slapping gnomes."
Her jaw dropped.”
Cock slapping gnomes!!! That statement had me laughing out loud!!
“He gave her an indulgent look. "I'll forgive these rash words for now."
She sputtered, "Forgive? Let's talk about who should be forgiving who."
"Whom," he corrected.
"Shut up! I'm in the right here. Remember all those things you did to me?”
I don't know if I would ever be able to forgive Lothaire if I had been Elizabeth. He was truly a grade A Ass, but for some reason, I didn't hate him. KC did a wonderful job with this one. One moment I want to give this a 2 star because Lothaire was such a jerk, and then I want to give it a 5 star because he was a hero that I will never forget.
My Immortals After Dark Reviews:
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Dark Skye
I'm not sure how to rate you...you sexy, mega alpha, fucked up, know it all, maniacal, narcissistic bastard!!
I have waited so long for Lothaire's book. What kind of woman would Kressley Cole put him with? The trend has been to fall for the enemy of your species, so I was beyond happy that Lothaire's mate was not a Valkyrie. But the poor girl was a young, innocent human. Fate is so cruel. Lothaire couldn't possibly be mated to a vulnerable human. He has far too many enemies!!
Lothaire's plan to keep his human safe from his enemies is just wrong!!! I mean everything he does to her is totally wrong!!! I loved Lothaire one moment and hated him the next. And so did his mate, Elizabeth.
“I never knew I could hate someone as deeply as I do you.”
“I often help others discover the outer limits of their hatred. It’s a talent of mine.”
Ellie Peirce
Ellie's life has been hell ever since Lothaire entered it. He's a pompous, narcissist, violent bastard. He has no respect for life or others in general. One moment he treats her as if the sun revolves around her, and in the next, he's insulting and demeaning.
“Everything between us is sick... twisted. And it doesn’t have to be.”
“Shh, shh.” He rocked her in his arms. Never had he comforted another in such a manner. He was awkward with this as well.
“I h-hate you s-so much.” She sobbed so hard her body quaked against him, her tears wetting his chest.
“I know.”
Lothaire is on a mission to save Ellie from certain death. He is also still obsessed with power and ruling the horde. This book was very fast paced and action packed. I could't put it down. Lothaire was not what I had expected. I wanted to gush over him. But KC was honest to his character. She didn't change him into an angel just because this was his love story and I really appreciate that. And his sense of humor had me cracking up at times!!
“He jerked back. "What is this? Be like you were with me the other times! When you melted for me."
"That was before I fully understood what a nasty piece of work you are."
"Because of a few shifter beheadings? Come on, Lizvetta, it's not as if I went around cock-slapping gnomes."
Her jaw dropped.”
Cock slapping gnomes!!! That statement had me laughing out loud!!
“He gave her an indulgent look. "I'll forgive these rash words for now."
She sputtered, "Forgive? Let's talk about who should be forgiving who."
"Whom," he corrected.
"Shut up! I'm in the right here. Remember all those things you did to me?”
I don't know if I would ever be able to forgive Lothaire if I had been Elizabeth. He was truly a grade A Ass, but for some reason, I didn't hate him. KC did a wonderful job with this one. One moment I want to give this a 2 star because Lothaire was such a jerk, and then I want to give it a 5 star because he was a hero that I will never forget.
My Immortals After Dark Reviews:
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Dark Skye
January 31, 2012
(3,5 stars)
This book was entertaining (hey: it's Cole!) but compared to her earlier work it was just okay. It had some definite 5 star moments (Lothaire's sarcasm for one) but overall the general plot line wasn't great and it just went on and on. I also stick to my guns: Lothaire should have been with Nix.
In full:
The good:
Lothaire. Oh what a wonderful hero (and I use this term loosely) he is. Super powerful, super knowing and super cynical. Not a shred of modesty in that vampire and when you resent being called narcissistic because you were there first and Narcissus should just be called Lothairistic... then you're my man!
Thad. I know he's only seventeen, but boy: do I lurveeee him. He is honesty, toughness and naivety all wrapped up in a pretty package.
The bad:
The plot. What exactly happened? Besides a whole lot of sitting around the mansion I mean. And I'll be the first one to admit that I found the last few adventure plots repetitive, but hanging around one place isn't really much better.
Besides that, the story -though entertaining- had a long feel to it. I know the book is bigger, but there is expanding the story line and then there is dragging it out. (The plugging of the new spin off series was tastefully done though. I'm curious about those Dacians.)
The ugly:
Actions and traits. At around 70% of the book, situations became contrived because of out of character actions by both Lothaire and Ellie. She became overly dramatic and he became emotionally retarded. Now I know he's a newbie in experiencing and expressing true feelings, but he's not an idiot. He knows the rationale behind certain behavior and he knows what makes one tick or turn off. How could he have (emotionally) manipulated thousands if he's really that emotionally challenged?
The pairing. I am sorry: I tried. I think I gave Ellie Peirce a fair chance and I liked her okay, really. I just don't think she is right for Lothaire. However smart and surprising we're told she is, she can't match him.
*mild spoiler* The domestication of Lothaire near the ending was an example of it. By no means was it character castration (afterall: the man still thinks friends are people who continuously invade one's personal space and mean dogs are cool), but this is a millennia-old, unredeemable vampire! The Dark King! Who, in my humble -though very persistent- opinion, only fits one woman: Nucking Futs Nix. The few Nix/Lothaire scenes went to demonstrate that and, to me, were the highlights of the book.
Black King & White Queen: a perfect match.
This book was entertaining (hey: it's Cole!) but compared to her earlier work it was just okay. It had some definite 5 star moments (Lothaire's sarcasm for one) but overall the general plot line wasn't great and it just went on and on. I also stick to my guns: Lothaire should have been with Nix.
In full:
The good:
Lothaire. Oh what a wonderful hero (and I use this term loosely) he is. Super powerful, super knowing and super cynical. Not a shred of modesty in that vampire and when you resent being called narcissistic because you were there first and Narcissus should just be called Lothairistic... then you're my man!
Thad. I know he's only seventeen, but boy: do I lurveeee him. He is honesty, toughness and naivety all wrapped up in a pretty package.
The bad:
The plot. What exactly happened? Besides a whole lot of sitting around the mansion I mean. And I'll be the first one to admit that I found the last few adventure plots repetitive, but hanging around one place isn't really much better.
Besides that, the story -though entertaining- had a long feel to it. I know the book is bigger, but there is expanding the story line and then there is dragging it out. (The plugging of the new spin off series was tastefully done though. I'm curious about those Dacians.)
The ugly:
Actions and traits. At around 70% of the book, situations became contrived because of out of character actions by both Lothaire and Ellie. She became overly dramatic and he became emotionally retarded. Now I know he's a newbie in experiencing and expressing true feelings, but he's not an idiot. He knows the rationale behind certain behavior and he knows what makes one tick or turn off. How could he have (emotionally) manipulated thousands if he's really that emotionally challenged?
The pairing. I am sorry: I tried. I think I gave Ellie Peirce a fair chance and I liked her okay, really. I just don't think she is right for Lothaire. However smart and surprising we're told she is, she can't match him.
*mild spoiler* The domestication of Lothaire near the ending was an example of it. By no means was it character castration (afterall: the man still thinks friends are people who continuously invade one's personal space and mean dogs are cool), but this is a millennia-old, unredeemable vampire! The Dark King! Who, in my humble -though very persistent- opinion, only fits one woman: Nucking Futs Nix. The few Nix/Lothaire scenes went to demonstrate that and, to me, were the highlights of the book.
Black King & White Queen: a perfect match.
February 9, 2017
“Admit it, love, you like it when I'm a little bad....”
Lothaire is the longest book of this series, but I spent just one day savoring it. Lothaire is ruthless, wicked and intolerably cocky. He was introduced to us since the first book, and I couldn't imagine the woman who will end up with him then. So in this book, we get a chance to explore more of him. We've seen his dark side and how he's in a mission that we didn't know until this book. He's sure up to something.
“I never knew I could hate someone as deeply as I do you.”
“I often help others discover the outer limits of their hatred. It’s a talent of mine.”
The first meet between Elizabeth and Lothaire doesn't go well. He does something unforgivable and his purpose is so clear from the beginning that he wants to get rid of her. The story goes on and on with the fights of the main characters, then Lothaire misunderstands tremendously about what he's done. Consequently he must redeem his last chance before it's too late.
The story wasn't exciting for me all the time like the other books. To be honest, I got bored and yawned many times for the climaxes to come. Yet the biggest one left my heart beat fast. It was worth what I had put up with, and I thought that Lothaire wasn't disappointing for me at all.
“His debtors always assumed he'd demand their firstborn. Like I'm fucking Rumpelstiltskin? What would Lothaire do with countless squalling babes? Raise them in a kennel?”
Although the plot is not my cuppa, the characters are still awesome. I loved the sarcastic dialogues between them, especially the thing Lothaire has done for Elizabeth at the end. And those love scenes are outstanding and hotter than the others.
https://goo.gl/w3SOUO
August 21, 2012
I am BAFFLED by all the good reviews. I have read this entire series and was eagerly anticipating this book. What a disappointment. Usually I stay up all night in order to finish books from this series because I literally can't put them down, but I actually had to force myself to even finish this book at all.
First of all, I understand that Lothaire is not a "good guy." That has been established in the previous books; however, I feel like his behavior could have been spun differently so as to make him at least likeable in this book, which Cole just did not do. She tried to set up a background for Lothaire to explain why he is the way he is (which I won't go into here), but it just fell short for me. Also, if I had to read the words "end game" one more time I probably would have thrown the book across the room.
I thought the whole premise of Ellie being possessed by Lothaire's potential vampire bride, Saroya, was brilliant. And it started off really well. Somewhere along the way, however, (perhaps midway through) Cole seemed to lose steam. The story just wasn't going anywhere and the constant discussion about doing something to get the ring from La Dorada and subsequently banishing Ellie's soul just became redundant. It was almost like, enough already, stop talking about it and do it or shut up.
Also, SPOILER ALERT, I understand that Lothaire is an uber alpha male and all that, which I usually love. But when he turns Ellie into a vampire against her will, in the face of her flagrant and vehemently stated objections, I was annoyed. And when he didn't even apologize, flying the "I know what's best for you" flag, I was even more annoyed. BUT when Ellie, who up until that point was pretty strong and independent, just kind of accepted that without a fight, I was just over the book.
I felt like there was a lot of build up around the premise of Lothaire realizing and accepting mortal Ellie as his bride, but when it actually happened it was pretty anticlimactic. And he didn't really accept her as a mortal. I felt like he didn't accept her until he turned her (against her will) and made her into an immortal, which to me doesn't scream true and unconditional love. Long story short, it almost seemed like Cole just said forget it and wanted to finish the book.
First of all, I understand that Lothaire is not a "good guy." That has been established in the previous books; however, I feel like his behavior could have been spun differently so as to make him at least likeable in this book, which Cole just did not do. She tried to set up a background for Lothaire to explain why he is the way he is (which I won't go into here), but it just fell short for me. Also, if I had to read the words "end game" one more time I probably would have thrown the book across the room.
I thought the whole premise of Ellie being possessed by Lothaire's potential vampire bride, Saroya, was brilliant. And it started off really well. Somewhere along the way, however, (perhaps midway through) Cole seemed to lose steam. The story just wasn't going anywhere and the constant discussion about doing something to get the ring from La Dorada and subsequently banishing Ellie's soul just became redundant. It was almost like, enough already, stop talking about it and do it or shut up.
Also, SPOILER ALERT, I understand that Lothaire is an uber alpha male and all that, which I usually love. But when he turns Ellie into a vampire against her will, in the face of her flagrant and vehemently stated objections, I was annoyed. And when he didn't even apologize, flying the "I know what's best for you" flag, I was even more annoyed. BUT when Ellie, who up until that point was pretty strong and independent, just kind of accepted that without a fight, I was just over the book.
I felt like there was a lot of build up around the premise of Lothaire realizing and accepting mortal Ellie as his bride, but when it actually happened it was pretty anticlimactic. And he didn't really accept her as a mortal. I felt like he didn't accept her until he turned her (against her will) and made her into an immortal, which to me doesn't scream true and unconditional love. Long story short, it almost seemed like Cole just said forget it and wanted to finish the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2012
FYI, pretty much spoiler-free, I think.
3+/3.5 stars overall. I'll be completely honest; I'm a little underwhelmed. I liked it...for the most part. There were parts I really liked, parts I didn't particularly like, and parts with which I was definitely squeamish/uncomfortable. This is a hard one for me to evaluate because I had been looking forward to it for QUITE some time (uh, check when I originally shelved this book - back in MAY 2011). Much like that feeling you get when you've planned a vacation to see, say, the Eiffel Tower, then after months of waiting, you get there and you're like "oh," I feel the anticipation for this book may have clouded my judgment.
HERE'S WHAT I LIKED
1. World-building! Back story! Introduction of the Dacians (a supposedly fabled but actually real vampire kingdom...that happens to be the subject of KC's spinoff series "Realm of Blood and Mist," arriving this summer)! Seeing other characters with whom I am familiar and of whom I am quite fond (hi, Thad! hi, Nixie!)!
- KC is really good at this. REALLY good at this. We get a lot of information about Lothaire's history, from his early formative years to...YES...his long history and odd frienemies status with Nix. If you're an IAD faithful *raises hand*, you'll also get a little thrill when you spot cameos of other IAD characters.
- Beyond that, we get a lot more of the world-building that makes the IAD world so fun. The biggest aspect of this world-building is the world of the Dacians. The vampire books generally are my least favorite of the IAD world, but KC does a nice job of giving her Dacian vamps individual personalities, whether it be brooding or surly. Mmmm...me likey. I'm curious enough to try out her new series set in that world.
2. The heroine, Elizabeth Ann Peirce (or "Ellie") - I liked her. A lot. Whoever thought to pair up a millenia-old, mortal-hating, filthy-rich, eviler-than-thou vamp with a human hillbilly from Appalachia? KC, that's who. Surprisingly, it worked for me. I had some fears that her character would be too much like the (loathed) trailer trash Tayla from Larissa Ione's Pleasure Unbound, who was so unworthy of Eidolon, but Ellie didn't. Ellie worked for me because she was intelligent, spunky, stood up for herself, and had backbone. And when you're paired up with Lothaire, the Enemy of Old, you need a backbone...or else he'll just rip it out for you. Even faced with her seemingly impossible position (um, from death row prisoner to captive of a vampire who is hell-bent on exterminating you so that he can use your body as the host for an evil ex-goddess? yeah, THAT doesn't sound daunting), she was still trying to scheme and plot her way into besting him. I liked that. It showed determination and grit.
3. Lothaire...as a character. To clarify, NOT as a hero. Yes, this is going to come as a weird one for all of those Lothaire groupies (of whom I still count myself a part), but yeah...he's not hero material. Sorry, folks. I think he's an awesome character with his dry DRY wit, his boundless arrogance, and his unwavering confidence. He had so many one liners that I couldn't keep track of "I should add that as a status update!" moments. He also has a really interesting back story, but yeah...that made him a great character. He didn't work (for me) as a romance hero. For more info thereon, see number 2. of "Here's what didn't work for me" below.
4. Sexytimes. Pretty smokin' hot. Like...hotter than all the other IAD books, I think. And Lothaire when he loses control over his puny mortal (then doesn't want to cop to it) is pretty great. *evil grin*
HERE'S WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME
1. Sexytimes. Yes, this shows up on both lists. Pretty smokin' hot sexytimes, but I just couldn't get past my squeamishness over what felt like questionable consent scenarios. And pretty much all of them fell under that category. I mean...super-powerful vamp who torments his kidnappee meets human captive? The power dynamic just felt SO wrong to me that I couldn't get comfortable with their sexytimes scenes, especially when Lothaire was such an asshole afterwards and any time he was with her otherwise, even if the sexytimes themselves were hot and choreographed nicely. There was just such a weird dynamic overall to the relationship that, even though Ellie tried to do all that she could to best Lothaire, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing these things (namely, seducing him) not necessarily of her own free will, but because (a) she was overpowered and had no choice and (b) she had her own endgame in mind.
2. Lothaire...as a romance hero. Yeah, he's alpha. Gamma, even? Yeah, he knows his way around a bedroom (and a settee...and a kitchen counter...etc.). But yeah...he wasn't...romantic. And he didn't protect and cherish Ellie like a vamp should his Bride. Now, I'm usually on board with KC's alpha heroes. Give me a demon with lickable horns who's dragging a reluctant newfound Valkyrie cross-country, and I totally signed up for that. It's not like I expected a reformed Lothaire or anything. He could continue with his badassery, End Game, and death dealing (which he does in this book). I just wanted a little more...outlook adjustment, I suppose? At the very least with respect to his Bride? After he recognizes Ellie as his Bride and subsequently mulls over his really UN-heroic actions towards her, I was rubbing my hands in anticipation of some major groveling. Alas, such did not appear. Some of his actions were thoughtful, which I understand for Lothaire is a MAJOR leap already, but I just couldn't connect with him as a hero. He's fun to watch and a fantastic character, sure, but I didn't really think he was a hero in this case.
3. Saroya possession. *sigh* I was really indifferent towards the first 30% or so of the book. I knew it had something to do with the Saroya possession aspect, but I couldn't pinpoint it at the time. I finally figured out just why this bothered me so much. It was totally TOTALLY an "other woman"/cheating scenario, and what made this one different was you actually got narrative from the OW's POV. *cringe* I'm sure it added to the story in some way what with Lothaire's not knowing who his Bride was, but this part didn't really work for me. I know I know...I'm just a huge wuss when it comes to these evil chicks (I also hated Sabine from Kiss of a Demon King, but at least she could be funny), but nobody said this review was going to be anything but completely subjective.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
This was a really cool addition to the IAD world, and I loved seeing the IAD characters from earlier books. KC has a great imagination, and reading about some of the baddies and their world was a fun ride through less charted territory. However, the romance didn't really blossom as a romance, in my opinion. The inherent skewed relationship between kidnapper and captive just didn't really work to establish a believable connection between the two main characters, especially when one is adamant in his belief that a mere mortal couldn't possibly be his Bride and continues to degrade and insult her at every turn. Sure, I didn't really expect kittens and roses - it's Lothaire, after all - but I did expect...something more. I dunno...let's just say that I've done rereads of almost every other IAD book, but this one...might not be on that rotation as often as I would originally have expected.
I guess what it boils down to is this: I got caught up in this book and kept reading it, but NOT for the romance, which is a strange strange thing to say about a romance novel.
Here's hoping that the Dacians live up to their promise in this summer's Shadow's Claim.
**********
ORIGINAL REVIEW PLACEHOLDER (*sigh*...I was so looking forward to this, too!): I just want to mention that there is an author named M. Lothaire who has written about combinatorics. For those of us obsessive IAD fans, we know that Holly studied, among other things, extremal combinatorics, and Cade (my favorite - <3 him!) had looked up on Holly's laptop..."cluster analysis and extremal combinatorics." Lothaire. Combinatorics. Holly. Cade. CONSPIRACY THEORISTS, UNITE!
3+/3.5 stars overall. I'll be completely honest; I'm a little underwhelmed. I liked it...for the most part. There were parts I really liked, parts I didn't particularly like, and parts with which I was definitely squeamish/uncomfortable. This is a hard one for me to evaluate because I had been looking forward to it for QUITE some time (uh, check when I originally shelved this book - back in MAY 2011). Much like that feeling you get when you've planned a vacation to see, say, the Eiffel Tower, then after months of waiting, you get there and you're like "oh," I feel the anticipation for this book may have clouded my judgment.
HERE'S WHAT I LIKED
1. World-building! Back story! Introduction of the Dacians (a supposedly fabled but actually real vampire kingdom...that happens to be the subject of KC's spinoff series "Realm of Blood and Mist," arriving this summer)! Seeing other characters with whom I am familiar and of whom I am quite fond (hi, Thad! hi, Nixie!)!
- KC is really good at this. REALLY good at this. We get a lot of information about Lothaire's history, from his early formative years to...YES...his long history and odd frienemies status with Nix. If you're an IAD faithful *raises hand*, you'll also get a little thrill when you spot cameos of other IAD characters.
- Beyond that, we get a lot more of the world-building that makes the IAD world so fun. The biggest aspect of this world-building is the world of the Dacians. The vampire books generally are my least favorite of the IAD world, but KC does a nice job of giving her Dacian vamps individual personalities, whether it be brooding or surly. Mmmm...me likey. I'm curious enough to try out her new series set in that world.
2. The heroine, Elizabeth Ann Peirce (or "Ellie") - I liked her. A lot. Whoever thought to pair up a millenia-old, mortal-hating, filthy-rich, eviler-than-thou vamp with a human hillbilly from Appalachia? KC, that's who. Surprisingly, it worked for me. I had some fears that her character would be too much like the (loathed) trailer trash Tayla from Larissa Ione's Pleasure Unbound, who was so unworthy of Eidolon, but Ellie didn't. Ellie worked for me because she was intelligent, spunky, stood up for herself, and had backbone. And when you're paired up with Lothaire, the Enemy of Old, you need a backbone...or else he'll just rip it out for you. Even faced with her seemingly impossible position (um, from death row prisoner to captive of a vampire who is hell-bent on exterminating you so that he can use your body as the host for an evil ex-goddess? yeah, THAT doesn't sound daunting), she was still trying to scheme and plot her way into besting him. I liked that. It showed determination and grit.
3. Lothaire...as a character. To clarify, NOT as a hero. Yes, this is going to come as a weird one for all of those Lothaire groupies (of whom I still count myself a part), but yeah...he's not hero material. Sorry, folks. I think he's an awesome character with his dry DRY wit, his boundless arrogance, and his unwavering confidence. He had so many one liners that I couldn't keep track of "I should add that as a status update!" moments. He also has a really interesting back story, but yeah...that made him a great character. He didn't work (for me) as a romance hero. For more info thereon, see number 2. of "Here's what didn't work for me" below.
4. Sexytimes. Pretty smokin' hot. Like...hotter than all the other IAD books, I think. And Lothaire when he loses control over his puny mortal (then doesn't want to cop to it) is pretty great. *evil grin*
HERE'S WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME
1. Sexytimes. Yes, this shows up on both lists. Pretty smokin' hot sexytimes, but I just couldn't get past my squeamishness over what felt like questionable consent scenarios. And pretty much all of them fell under that category. I mean...super-powerful vamp who torments his kidnappee meets human captive? The power dynamic just felt SO wrong to me that I couldn't get comfortable with their sexytimes scenes, especially when Lothaire was such an asshole afterwards and any time he was with her otherwise, even if the sexytimes themselves were hot and choreographed nicely. There was just such a weird dynamic overall to the relationship that, even though Ellie tried to do all that she could to best Lothaire, I couldn't shake the feeling that she was doing these things (namely, seducing him) not necessarily of her own free will, but because (a) she was overpowered and had no choice and (b) she had her own endgame in mind.
2. Lothaire...as a romance hero. Yeah, he's alpha. Gamma, even? Yeah, he knows his way around a bedroom (and a settee...and a kitchen counter...etc.). But yeah...he wasn't...romantic. And he didn't protect and cherish Ellie like a vamp should his Bride. Now, I'm usually on board with KC's alpha heroes. Give me a demon with lickable horns who's dragging a reluctant newfound Valkyrie cross-country, and I totally signed up for that. It's not like I expected a reformed Lothaire or anything. He could continue with his badassery, End Game, and death dealing (which he does in this book). I just wanted a little more...outlook adjustment, I suppose? At the very least with respect to his Bride? After he recognizes Ellie as his Bride and subsequently mulls over his really UN-heroic actions towards her, I was rubbing my hands in anticipation of some major groveling. Alas, such did not appear. Some of his actions were thoughtful, which I understand for Lothaire is a MAJOR leap already, but I just couldn't connect with him as a hero. He's fun to watch and a fantastic character, sure, but I didn't really think he was a hero in this case.
3. Saroya possession. *sigh* I was really indifferent towards the first 30% or so of the book. I knew it had something to do with the Saroya possession aspect, but I couldn't pinpoint it at the time. I finally figured out just why this bothered me so much. It was totally TOTALLY an "other woman"/cheating scenario, and what made this one different was you actually got narrative from the OW's POV. *cringe* I'm sure it added to the story in some way what with Lothaire's not knowing who his Bride was, but this part didn't really work for me. I know I know...I'm just a huge wuss when it comes to these evil chicks (I also hated Sabine from Kiss of a Demon King, but at least she could be funny), but nobody said this review was going to be anything but completely subjective.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
This was a really cool addition to the IAD world, and I loved seeing the IAD characters from earlier books. KC has a great imagination, and reading about some of the baddies and their world was a fun ride through less charted territory. However, the romance didn't really blossom as a romance, in my opinion. The inherent skewed relationship between kidnapper and captive just didn't really work to establish a believable connection between the two main characters, especially when one is adamant in his belief that a mere mortal couldn't possibly be his Bride and continues to degrade and insult her at every turn. Sure, I didn't really expect kittens and roses - it's Lothaire, after all - but I did expect...something more. I dunno...let's just say that I've done rereads of almost every other IAD book, but this one...might not be on that rotation as often as I would originally have expected.
I guess what it boils down to is this: I got caught up in this book and kept reading it, but NOT for the romance, which is a strange strange thing to say about a romance novel.
Here's hoping that the Dacians live up to their promise in this summer's Shadow's Claim.
**********
ORIGINAL REVIEW PLACEHOLDER (*sigh*...I was so looking forward to this, too!): I just want to mention that there is an author named M. Lothaire who has written about combinatorics. For those of us obsessive IAD fans, we know that Holly studied, among other things, extremal combinatorics, and Cade (my favorite - <3 him!) had looked up on Holly's laptop..."cluster analysis and extremal combinatorics." Lothaire. Combinatorics. Holly. Cade. CONSPIRACY THEORISTS, UNITE!
May 13, 2014
5 Huge, Mega, Gigantic Stars!
I loved this book! It was just as good as I hoped it would be. Lothaire is a true antihero but he's a perfect one!
Review to come.
I loved this book! It was just as good as I hoped it would be. Lothaire is a true antihero but he's a perfect one!
Review to come.
June 9, 2024
Edited@23/02/2019:
I just need to pimp my freshly made Lothaire/Elizabeth fanart here, so bear with me, dear readers:
(Link: https://www.deviantart.com/darkchildr...)
(Link: https://www.deviantart.com/darkchildr...)
Original short review written in 2013: I had spent the better parts of my night chowing through this book, but now I'm freaking giving up at page 349.
After the worthy opening with Lothaire's painful (but cliched) past and Ellie's demon possession, everything just goes straight to hell, damn it!
Although I like vampires being evil and bloodthirsty instead of goody-two-shoes, still I don't enjoy this story (well, a tiny part of it is enjoyable, but it doesn't cover the bad, boring parts), plus the romance and sex scenes and the idea of a fated mate/Bride don't do much to me.
Edited @23/08/2014
When I first read Lothaire, I became so weary that I had to give up in the middle of the book, but after re-reading it I found the story to be entertaining, and its characters interesting and vividly written. I really like how the male lead is an evil jerk and how the heroine can hold her own and doesn't overlook how much of a jerk he is.
But unlike Cole's other books, there isn't enough action scene in this book, and the 'battle of wit' between Lothaire and Eille and the sex scenes grow tiresome after some point.
And the comic below would show you my major problem with this book and the entire series as a whole.
(Link: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...)
As a little boy, the male lead witnessed his mother being raped and then murdered, but did he stop when a woman *screamed* and *struggled* for him to stop? Not quite.
Gross.
Edited@10/11/2015, during the re-read:
Edited@24/11/2015:
I think it's saying something when you read the same book for the third time, right? Again I'm fully entertained. Plus isn't it just endearing when the male lead can be tender and sweet toward the heroine only when he is entirely out of his damn mind?
To me, it is! LOL
Last but not least, I went completely wild and was overjoyed when the heroine , I was like: "Go! Girl, go! This jerk had it coming anyway!" when this happened. LOL
Edited@29/01/2016:
I actually read this book for the fourth time!
Favorite quotes:
I am laughing myself silly at this, Lothaire! lol
We all know having people around to be crushed is very critical for Lothaire. LOL
Edited@01/02/2016
Wow! I read this book for the fourth time after I finished reading Dreams Of A Dark Warrior! And accordingly I raised the rating to 3 stars because I read this book so many times can only mean I enjoy it.
As always, I can still see the flaws in this book and its characters---namely Lothaire's many questionable behaviors, his often unlikable (though still amazing) character (I really have difficulty imagine any woman falling--and staying- in love with a guy like this!) and the highly questionable romance between the main couple---I mean, the heroine, Ellie eventually falls in love with a guy who is not only insane, he is also an immortal who had killed god-know-how-many-people (innocent people included) in his long life!? OMG can things be any more twisted?
However! I truly appreciate how Ellie's personality, her reasoning and her change of heart is written (even when I still feel ), I also fully enjoy how Lothaire is written and how he develops throughout the book (his development must be one of the best I'd ever read in romance novels). Damn, despite his many flaws Lothaire is still one hell of a guy to read about!
Not to mention supporting characters like Thad and Hag and...Nix really keep the story entertaining! Though I still wish there can be more Loreans showing up in the story.
By the end of the story, Ms. Cole teases us with the mention of OMG what will come down from this development!? I just can't wait!!!
@07/06/2024, I finished another re-read, yeah!
My review for Kiss of a Demon King: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here are my favorite reviews for this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3R858UY...
I just need to pimp my freshly made Lothaire/Elizabeth fanart here, so bear with me, dear readers:
(Link: https://www.deviantart.com/darkchildr...)
(Link: https://www.deviantart.com/darkchildr...)
Original short review written in 2013: I had spent the better parts of my night chowing through this book, but now I'm freaking giving up at page 349.
After the worthy opening with Lothaire's painful (but cliched) past and Ellie's demon possession, everything just goes straight to hell, damn it!
Although I like vampires being evil and bloodthirsty instead of goody-two-shoes, still I don't enjoy this story (well, a tiny part of it is enjoyable, but it doesn't cover the bad, boring parts), plus the romance and sex scenes and the idea of a fated mate/Bride don't do much to me.
Edited @23/08/2014
When I first read Lothaire, I became so weary that I had to give up in the middle of the book, but after re-reading it I found the story to be entertaining, and its characters interesting and vividly written. I really like how the male lead is an evil jerk and how the heroine can hold her own and doesn't overlook how much of a jerk he is.
But unlike Cole's other books, there isn't enough action scene in this book, and the 'battle of wit' between Lothaire and Eille and the sex scenes grow tiresome after some point.
And the comic below would show you my major problem with this book and the entire series as a whole.
(Link: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...)
As a little boy, the male lead witnessed his mother being raped and then murdered, but did he stop when a woman *screamed* and *struggled* for him to stop? Not quite.
Gross.
Edited@10/11/2015, during the re-read:
Edited@24/11/2015:
I think it's saying something when you read the same book for the third time, right? Again I'm fully entertained. Plus isn't it just endearing when the male lead can be tender and sweet toward the heroine only when he is entirely out of his damn mind?
To me, it is! LOL
Last but not least, I went completely wild and was overjoyed when the heroine , I was like: "Go! Girl, go! This jerk had it coming anyway!" when this happened. LOL
Edited@29/01/2016:
I actually read this book for the fourth time!
Favorite quotes:
Why would I draw the short straw?
I am laughing myself silly at this, Lothaire! lol
In other words, he was the tree in the forest that silently fell--when no one was around to be crushed.
We all know having people around to be crushed is very critical for Lothaire. LOL
Edited@01/02/2016
Wow! I read this book for the fourth time after I finished reading Dreams Of A Dark Warrior! And accordingly I raised the rating to 3 stars because I read this book so many times can only mean I enjoy it.
As always, I can still see the flaws in this book and its characters---namely Lothaire's many questionable behaviors, his often unlikable (though still amazing) character (I really have difficulty imagine any woman falling--and staying- in love with a guy like this!) and the highly questionable romance between the main couple---I mean, the heroine, Ellie eventually falls in love with a guy who is not only insane, he is also an immortal who had killed god-know-how-many-people (innocent people included) in his long life!? OMG can things be any more twisted?
However! I truly appreciate how Ellie's personality, her reasoning and her change of heart is written (even when I still feel ), I also fully enjoy how Lothaire is written and how he develops throughout the book (his development must be one of the best I'd ever read in romance novels). Damn, despite his many flaws Lothaire is still one hell of a guy to read about!
Not to mention supporting characters like Thad and Hag and...Nix really keep the story entertaining! Though I still wish there can be more Loreans showing up in the story.
By the end of the story, Ms. Cole teases us with the mention of OMG what will come down from this development!? I just can't wait!!!
@07/06/2024, I finished another re-read, yeah!
My review for Kiss of a Demon King: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here are my favorite reviews for this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3R858UY...
January 5, 2016
I just want to give a big middle finger to the person who designed the cover for Lothaire. It's completely YOUR fault that I was unable to picture Lothaire as attractive.
Because of that cover, I couldn't get a certain Russian vampire from some other "random" franchise out of my head. Surely, someone else must see the similarity?
Nothing sucks harder than having the wrong image of a male lead in your head.
I really wanted to do my usual Fetish Cafe review but I'm so thrown off that I'm struggling to get my head in the game. Hopefully, I'll return to the Cafe for book 13.
Had I done a FC episode, it might have been : Hate the One You're With. Man, that Lothaire took his hate game to a new level. I probably shouldn't have been surprised by how much of a dick was. After all - it's Lothaire. Maybe he was just amusing to me in previous books because of how other people saw him. Maybe he was never really amusing at all. But yeah, I was kind of thrown into an ice bath when Lothaire stepped up to the romance novel plate and went the distance with his bad self.
But as all (romance novel) anti-heroes do, they find a way. And I ended up loving Lothaire more in the end, even though the journey took us a while to get to that point.
The possession angle of the story weirded me out. This is definitely not something that I would normally enjoy reading. But if the author was trying to keep things fresh by coming up with a new way for couples to meet (not gonna lie - it would be hilarious for Nix to try online dating), then she hit the ball out of the park this time (sorry for the randomly placed baseball analogies.).
Different can be interesting. This was not the story or heroine that I would have imagined for Lothaire but Kresley Cole somehow seems to make it work. Lothaire will most likely never be fully reformed, but that's just the way I like him. Good is not always better.
Because of that cover, I couldn't get a certain Russian vampire from some other "random" franchise out of my head. Surely, someone else must see the similarity?
Nothing sucks harder than having the wrong image of a male lead in your head.
I really wanted to do my usual Fetish Cafe review but I'm so thrown off that I'm struggling to get my head in the game. Hopefully, I'll return to the Cafe for book 13.
Had I done a FC episode, it might have been : Hate the One You're With. Man, that Lothaire took his hate game to a new level. I probably shouldn't have been surprised by how much of a dick was. After all - it's Lothaire. Maybe he was just amusing to me in previous books because of how other people saw him. Maybe he was never really amusing at all. But yeah, I was kind of thrown into an ice bath when Lothaire stepped up to the romance novel plate and went the distance with his bad self.
But as all (romance novel) anti-heroes do, they find a way. And I ended up loving Lothaire more in the end, even though the journey took us a while to get to that point.
The possession angle of the story weirded me out. This is definitely not something that I would normally enjoy reading. But if the author was trying to keep things fresh by coming up with a new way for couples to meet (not gonna lie - it would be hilarious for Nix to try online dating), then she hit the ball out of the park this time (sorry for the randomly placed baseball analogies.).
Different can be interesting. This was not the story or heroine that I would have imagined for Lothaire but Kresley Cole somehow seems to make it work. Lothaire will most likely never be fully reformed, but that's just the way I like him. Good is not always better.
February 22, 2023
At last,the long-awaited 11:th instalment in the "Immortals After Dark"-series,"Lothaire" is a book i have long waited and longed to read.Its about the one evil vampire i couldn`t resist and i truly wondered who his fated mate would be..the one woman who would finally bring this villian down his knees.Damn it Kresley Cole...i just never expected this awesomeness!This book also ended in a cliff-hanger and that scene closely reminded me of the first episode of The Vampire Diaries where Damon said with an evil (SEXY) smirk to Stefan.."Hello brother"..
Lothaire Daciano captures the young human Elizabeth Pierce,thinking the goddess Soraya inside her is his real fated mate.But he never expected Elizabeth`s stubborness or her intense passionate nature that he simply tried to but failed to resist.Elizabeth Pierce was one of a hell heroine with wills of steel,courage and sassyness.Like Lothaire she was unpredictable and also like him she could be calculating.Once she gets to know her ruthless captor she slowly loses her heart which is readily accepted by me since i lost mine too.I love how she stands up for herself and her beliefs against his selfishness and his arrogance.It was hell of a fun watching her put him down and make him crazy about her.
Lothaire Daciano The Enemy of Old is a daciano vampire that made me itch to slap him and later on tempt me to kiss him at other times.This blond,hardcore,sexy hero was evil and selfish to the core..so damn narcissistic and arrogant that i wanted to puke.But oh was he charming and so hilarious because of it.I watched how he falls obsessively in love with her despite him trying to force himself to deny it.He sees her as equal in strength and determination...but it was long before he could truly understand this creature he have come to love but it was a worthwile journey of heartbreak and passion and learning.He could be a ruthless possessive jealous lover once and later be a tender,caring romantic lover next.But i loved all his sides,and i love the man he becomes through his eternal love for his "Lizvetta".Oh god how i swooned everytime he called Elizabeth that!Elizabeth and Lothaire were like drugs to each other.Neither could feel happiness without the other.
Don`t let me mention the smoldering sex-scenes BEACUSE THEY BLEW ME AWAY!Kresley Cole is a Queen at writing those and damn how i want a Lothaire of my own just for his skills in bed WHEWW!The crazy valkyrie Nix also appears a lot and i had always been curious about Lothaire`s nemesis relationship with her.I love how Nix always looked after him despite having to betray him several times.I really wonder about the valkyrie Furie who are prisoned somewhere,wonder if KC will write her story soon?I am really curious about the other Dacian Princes,especially Victor and Trehan since they looked really intriguing!Yeah..now to the next one!
Lothaire Daciano captures the young human Elizabeth Pierce,thinking the goddess Soraya inside her is his real fated mate.But he never expected Elizabeth`s stubborness or her intense passionate nature that he simply tried to but failed to resist.Elizabeth Pierce was one of a hell heroine with wills of steel,courage and sassyness.Like Lothaire she was unpredictable and also like him she could be calculating.Once she gets to know her ruthless captor she slowly loses her heart which is readily accepted by me since i lost mine too.I love how she stands up for herself and her beliefs against his selfishness and his arrogance.It was hell of a fun watching her put him down and make him crazy about her.
Lothaire Daciano The Enemy of Old is a daciano vampire that made me itch to slap him and later on tempt me to kiss him at other times.This blond,hardcore,sexy hero was evil and selfish to the core..so damn narcissistic and arrogant that i wanted to puke.But oh was he charming and so hilarious because of it.I watched how he falls obsessively in love with her despite him trying to force himself to deny it.He sees her as equal in strength and determination...but it was long before he could truly understand this creature he have come to love but it was a worthwile journey of heartbreak and passion and learning.He could be a ruthless possessive jealous lover once and later be a tender,caring romantic lover next.But i loved all his sides,and i love the man he becomes through his eternal love for his "Lizvetta".Oh god how i swooned everytime he called Elizabeth that!Elizabeth and Lothaire were like drugs to each other.Neither could feel happiness without the other.
Don`t let me mention the smoldering sex-scenes BEACUSE THEY BLEW ME AWAY!Kresley Cole is a Queen at writing those and damn how i want a Lothaire of my own just for his skills in bed WHEWW!The crazy valkyrie Nix also appears a lot and i had always been curious about Lothaire`s nemesis relationship with her.I love how Nix always looked after him despite having to betray him several times.I really wonder about the valkyrie Furie who are prisoned somewhere,wonder if KC will write her story soon?I am really curious about the other Dacian Princes,especially Victor and Trehan since they looked really intriguing!Yeah..now to the next one!
February 3, 2022
My absolute FAVORITE so far!!! I freaking love Lothaire and Ellie!
November 11, 2024
The most melodramatic man in the universe finally meets his Bride so he can orgasm again after like 2700 years — yay! — but she’s this mega bitchy goddess who’s squatting inside the body of a young woman who is really super over this — boo! — but is she really? At this point in the series, we’ve known Lothaire for quite some time, although I don’t think we knew that he was really bad at planning hostile takeovers of g-Lore-bal superpowers. I’ve seen some reviews take issue with the portrayal of Appalachia in this book, which is fair criticism, but I’m wondering why no one is saying anything about the grown woman kissing a 17 year old boy, which is a great commentary on the double standards romance readers engage in. This book is smutty as hell, quite the feat in a series simply riddled with men and women doing unfathomable and frankly exhausting-sounding things to each other, and to be perfectly honest I think it cured at least some of my depression.
March 17, 2017
Holy Hillbilly Fun!!!!
Spoilers
Where do I start with this book
Lothaire:
One minute I wanted him the next I wanted to beat the crap outta him. I really liked that He stayed true to his character. In the first part of the book I could not stand him, but I did understand why he was the way he was. My God the first part with his mother so heartbreaking. He so redeemed himself it just took awhile for this bad boy to learn to love!
“His debtors always assumed he'd demand their firstborn. Like I'm fucking Rumpelstiltskin? What would Lothaire do with countless squalling babes? Raise them in a kennel?”
“I never knew I could hate someone as deeply as I do you.”
“I often help others discover the outer limits of their hatred. It’s a talent of mine.”
“You are so naive, it physically aggrieves me.”
“He sat up, going still. “Am I wearing a wife-beater, Lizvetta?” He gaped down. “Oh, come on!”
Ellie Peirce:
I adored Ellie she was so funny I laughed so hard. I loved that she was proud, tough, humble, hard working, caring, sweet, and brave she stands up to Lothaire and doesn't give up or let them take her life she fights the whole time and I can respect that and the fact that just because she was poor and lived in a trailer she had humble roots but she wasn't ashamed!
“I have an idea. Let's take off our clothes and fool around on the settee. If I trip and fall and land smack-dab on your cock, then it won't be your fault.”
“If you want to communicate an idea to a man's brain, talk to him through his pecker. It's like an ear horn, y'all.”
I have to say I was surprised how much I liked this book since Lothaire was a dick for alot of it the plot was great and there was alot of emotions in this book it makes you feel. Ellie was so different than anything I have ever read before that I really enjoyed her and her close family! As always nixie was great... On to the next book.
Spoilers
Where do I start with this book
Lothaire:
One minute I wanted him the next I wanted to beat the crap outta him. I really liked that He stayed true to his character. In the first part of the book I could not stand him, but I did understand why he was the way he was. My God the first part with his mother so heartbreaking. He so redeemed himself it just took awhile for this bad boy to learn to love!
“His debtors always assumed he'd demand their firstborn. Like I'm fucking Rumpelstiltskin? What would Lothaire do with countless squalling babes? Raise them in a kennel?”
“I never knew I could hate someone as deeply as I do you.”
“I often help others discover the outer limits of their hatred. It’s a talent of mine.”
“You are so naive, it physically aggrieves me.”
“He sat up, going still. “Am I wearing a wife-beater, Lizvetta?” He gaped down. “Oh, come on!”
Ellie Peirce:
I adored Ellie she was so funny I laughed so hard. I loved that she was proud, tough, humble, hard working, caring, sweet, and brave she stands up to Lothaire and doesn't give up or let them take her life she fights the whole time and I can respect that and the fact that just because she was poor and lived in a trailer she had humble roots but she wasn't ashamed!
“I have an idea. Let's take off our clothes and fool around on the settee. If I trip and fall and land smack-dab on your cock, then it won't be your fault.”
“If you want to communicate an idea to a man's brain, talk to him through his pecker. It's like an ear horn, y'all.”
I have to say I was surprised how much I liked this book since Lothaire was a dick for alot of it the plot was great and there was alot of emotions in this book it makes you feel. Ellie was so different than anything I have ever read before that I really enjoyed her and her close family! As always nixie was great... On to the next book.
December 16, 2020
Lothaire's review in two songs.
Part I - THE CHARACTER (Lothaire)
Sing to the music of Sexy and I know it by LMFAO.
♪♫♬
I'm evil and I love it
I'm evil and I love it
When I'm at Val Hall, the Valkyries want to kill me all
But they can't beat me, they're not even on my league, (what?)
I'm the Enemy of Old, I've betrayed half the Lore
No matter who they are, I make them nervous
No Lykae, no Demon, no Lorian, don't compare us (watch)
Ah...Just look at that body
Ah...Just look at that face
Ah...Just look at that brain
I'm so bad
Ah...Just look at that body
Ah...Just look at that face
Ah...Just look at that brain
I'm so mad
When I walk in the Lore, this is what I see
Everybody stops and they want to kill me
I'm the Enemy of Old and they're afraid to fight me, fight me, fight me
I'm evil and I love it
I'm evil and I love it
♪♫♬
Part II - THE RELATIONSHIP
Sing to the music of Last Christmas by Wham!
♪♫♬
At Vall Hall I gave you my heart
But the very next day you flipped me the bird
(You flipped me the bird)
Indeed! You're crazier than me
I think we can have something special
(Special)
Once bitten with my sexy fangs
I thought I had you but you almost went mad
My head by a thread, dangling perilously
If I was upset, you can't really blame me
(With my compliments)
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying 'Rot in Hell,' I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
You're the woman for me, you're so crazy
At Vall Hall I gave you my heart
But the very next day you flipped me the bird
(You flipped me the bird)
Indeed! You're crazier than me
I think we can have something special
(Special)
♪♫♬
I want to conclude by tipping my hat to Ms. Cole. I loved how she was true to her character. No political correctness at all! So refreshing! (And Mr. Petkoff was, as always, just masterful!!)
**Re-Read #1: Jan. 2015 - Enjoyed it as much a the first time.**
**Re-Read #2: Oct. 2015 -So.Freaking.Good. Petkoff was simply brilliant.
Part I - THE CHARACTER (Lothaire)
Sing to the music of Sexy and I know it by LMFAO.
♪♫♬
I'm evil and I love it
I'm evil and I love it
When I'm at Val Hall, the Valkyries want to kill me all
But they can't beat me, they're not even on my league, (what?)
I'm the Enemy of Old, I've betrayed half the Lore
No matter who they are, I make them nervous
No Lykae, no Demon, no Lorian, don't compare us (watch)
Ah...Just look at that body
Ah...Just look at that face
Ah...Just look at that brain
I'm so bad
Ah...Just look at that body
Ah...Just look at that face
Ah...Just look at that brain
I'm so mad
When I walk in the Lore, this is what I see
Everybody stops and they want to kill me
I'm the Enemy of Old and they're afraid to fight me, fight me, fight me
I'm evil and I love it
I'm evil and I love it
♪♫♬
Part II - THE RELATIONSHIP
Sing to the music of Last Christmas by Wham!
♪♫♬
At Vall Hall I gave you my heart
But the very next day you flipped me the bird
(You flipped me the bird)
Indeed! You're crazier than me
I think we can have something special
(Special)
Once bitten with my sexy fangs
I thought I had you but you almost went mad
My head by a thread, dangling perilously
If I was upset, you can't really blame me
(With my compliments)
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying 'Rot in Hell,' I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
You're the woman for me, you're so crazy
At Vall Hall I gave you my heart
But the very next day you flipped me the bird
(You flipped me the bird)
Indeed! You're crazier than me
I think we can have something special
(Special)
♪♫♬
I want to conclude by tipping my hat to Ms. Cole. I loved how she was true to her character. No political correctness at all! So refreshing! (And Mr. Petkoff was, as always, just masterful!!)
**Re-Read #1: Jan. 2015 - Enjoyed it as much a the first time.**
**Re-Read #2: Oct. 2015 -So.Freaking.Good. Petkoff was simply brilliant.
March 28, 2023
“I’m no expert with females”—the others rolled their eyes at that—“but I believe an attempted decapitation communicates the need for some space.”
I honestly just want to go back to the beginning of the series and start all over again, because I do not want it to end. Every damn instalment in this series has been such a treat to read. I’ve read 12 so far and have a few more to go.
And I don’t want to jinx things but there hasn’t been one that has disappointed me yet.
Yeah, that’s Kresley Cole for you.
Lothaire is probably the most hated character in the series so far. He’s known as the ’Enemy of Old’. He’s done abhorrent and unforgivable things. For centuries. He’s been a dick through and through.
But my god did I fall in love with this vampire. 🥹
Kresley Cole just does character development ridiculously well. It’s always interesting to see how authors will dissect characters like that, (I mean anti-heroes) to see how they choose to explore their (fictional) being and make them redeemable and likeable, despite their flaws and mistakes.
And whilst this book is called Lothaire, Ellie was in a league of her own. This vile but lovable vampire fell for a human being and I think that in itself just shows her strength of character.
I had the best time reading it!
4.5 ⭐️
I honestly just want to go back to the beginning of the series and start all over again, because I do not want it to end. Every damn instalment in this series has been such a treat to read. I’ve read 12 so far and have a few more to go.
And I don’t want to jinx things but there hasn’t been one that has disappointed me yet.
Yeah, that’s Kresley Cole for you.
Lothaire is probably the most hated character in the series so far. He’s known as the ’Enemy of Old’. He’s done abhorrent and unforgivable things. For centuries. He’s been a dick through and through.
But my god did I fall in love with this vampire. 🥹
Kresley Cole just does character development ridiculously well. It’s always interesting to see how authors will dissect characters like that, (I mean anti-heroes) to see how they choose to explore their (fictional) being and make them redeemable and likeable, despite their flaws and mistakes.
And whilst this book is called Lothaire, Ellie was in a league of her own. This vile but lovable vampire fell for a human being and I think that in itself just shows her strength of character.
I had the best time reading it!
4.5 ⭐️
May 29, 2019
Listened to audiobook between 1/2019 and 3/2019. Robert Petkoff is an excellent audiobook narrator. He's great at accents and equally skilled at portraying male and female characters. He made each personality distinctive. This is still one of my all time favorites in the series.
Previous Review Below-----------
I loved this book! This was worth waiting for, even though it was a long wait for it to come out in paperback. I can say that the hours spent reading it were truly enjoyable. It's true that I am a huge fan of this series, but it never gets old for me. I do believe this is one of the best paranormal series out there, hands down! It has a lot of sex, so I wouldn't recommend it to a fantasy fan who doesn't like sex, but I feel that the world-building stands up to muster for a fantasy novel as well. I think that this story keeps expanding in ways that intrigue and fascinate me. I am happily surprised at all the twists and turns Cole gives this storyline.
Lothaire totally lived up to his potential. He is all that and more. I think that Cole did a great job of giving this character a romance without compromising who he was. Lothaire will always be a bad guy. He is just a bad guy who sometimes does the right thing. Kind of different and it worked for me! I have asick fascination weakness for villainous/antiheroic types, and Lothaire is the top of the list!
Things I loved about Lothaire
*Lothaire stays true to his character. He doesn't become a Stepford Hero just because he finds his true love. He is always going to be Lothaire, just Lothaire in love.
*He cracks me up. I know he's not trying to be funny. He's just being him, but his way of twisting his words to get around his physiological demand to be truthful, and his sheer arrogance, results in some laugh out loud, snarkalicious comments. I can imagine Ms. Cole cracked herself and her editor up reading as she wrote it. I know she cracked me up.
*I love a wickedly intelligent guy. My Achilles' heel. Lothaire is such a calculating dude. Always working all the angles. It was interesting to see how others reacted to him. Many hated him, some were scared witless by him, and some admired him (in a "I hate him" kind of way). No one was 'meh' about him.
*Lothaire actually wants to be faithful to his Bride.
Things I loved about Elizabeth
*She's very tough considering all that she went through. (Shudders) I can't imagine having that awful thing taking over my body committing those horrible acts with it. And then, where she spent five years! That was so dark!
*She's so down to earth. I love a down to earth heroine. She's very proud of her humble root, loves her family, and is unshakably loyal.
*She holds her own with Lothaire. Maybe she doesn't have thousands of years of experience or his incredible, immortal strength, but she has a snarky tongue, plenty of intelligence, and a big heart.
Things I loved about this book
*Kresley Cole never tries to sell this as a normal people/functional romance. From the beginning, it's clear that this is not for the faint of heart. Lothaire is not a kind, loving, good-hearted boy next door. He is the Enemy of Old. Ellie is not the normal girl next door with a sweet, happy existence. Her life was tough since she was young, and it turns into a living hell when she's eighteen, and things just get worse. Despite that, I found it to be a sigh-worthy romance. I don't want a Lothaire of my own, but I sure did like reading about his romance with Ellie!
*Lothaire has met his match in Ellie. Although he tried to walk all over her, he finds out the hard way that's not going to fly. Ellie proves to be a dangerous woman in her own right. If you have read this, you'll find out.
*I didn't find this to be predictable. I had my ideas about how things would work out, but I was wrong! In fact, I was thrown a loop a time or two. I love how Cole turns all the endgame goals of Lothaire on their heads.
*Freaking hilarious. Despite the very dark beginning and dark subject matter, there is much to enjoy and laugh about this book.
*Smoking hot love scenes. I mean, wow! (thinks about the scenes and wipes forehead)
*This world is endlessly fascinating and entertaining. All the different characters and how their immortal lives intersect. I like seeing the plots come together and overlap. With each book, I just want more.
Over five hundred pages of fantastic goodness. And when it ended, I was sad. I want to read it over again, but no time. Good thing I am planning on an Immortals After Dark series reread early next year!
Thumbs Way Up!!! This is a Goodread For Sure!
Previous Review Below-----------
I loved this book! This was worth waiting for, even though it was a long wait for it to come out in paperback. I can say that the hours spent reading it were truly enjoyable. It's true that I am a huge fan of this series, but it never gets old for me. I do believe this is one of the best paranormal series out there, hands down! It has a lot of sex, so I wouldn't recommend it to a fantasy fan who doesn't like sex, but I feel that the world-building stands up to muster for a fantasy novel as well. I think that this story keeps expanding in ways that intrigue and fascinate me. I am happily surprised at all the twists and turns Cole gives this storyline.
Lothaire totally lived up to his potential. He is all that and more. I think that Cole did a great job of giving this character a romance without compromising who he was. Lothaire will always be a bad guy. He is just a bad guy who sometimes does the right thing. Kind of different and it worked for me! I have a
Things I loved about Lothaire
*Lothaire stays true to his character. He doesn't become a Stepford Hero just because he finds his true love. He is always going to be Lothaire, just Lothaire in love.
*He cracks me up. I know he's not trying to be funny. He's just being him, but his way of twisting his words to get around his physiological demand to be truthful, and his sheer arrogance, results in some laugh out loud, snarkalicious comments. I can imagine Ms. Cole cracked herself and her editor up reading as she wrote it. I know she cracked me up.
*I love a wickedly intelligent guy. My Achilles' heel. Lothaire is such a calculating dude. Always working all the angles. It was interesting to see how others reacted to him. Many hated him, some were scared witless by him, and some admired him (in a "I hate him" kind of way). No one was 'meh' about him.
*Lothaire actually wants to be faithful to his Bride.
Things I loved about Elizabeth
*She's very tough considering all that she went through. (Shudders) I can't imagine having that awful thing taking over my body committing those horrible acts with it. And then, where she spent five years! That was so dark!
*She's so down to earth. I love a down to earth heroine. She's very proud of her humble root, loves her family, and is unshakably loyal.
*She holds her own with Lothaire. Maybe she doesn't have thousands of years of experience or his incredible, immortal strength, but she has a snarky tongue, plenty of intelligence, and a big heart.
Things I loved about this book
*Kresley Cole never tries to sell this as a normal people/functional romance. From the beginning, it's clear that this is not for the faint of heart. Lothaire is not a kind, loving, good-hearted boy next door. He is the Enemy of Old. Ellie is not the normal girl next door with a sweet, happy existence. Her life was tough since she was young, and it turns into a living hell when she's eighteen, and things just get worse. Despite that, I found it to be a sigh-worthy romance. I don't want a Lothaire of my own, but I sure did like reading about his romance with Ellie!
*Lothaire has met his match in Ellie. Although he tried to walk all over her, he finds out the hard way that's not going to fly. Ellie proves to be a dangerous woman in her own right. If you have read this, you'll find out.
*I didn't find this to be predictable. I had my ideas about how things would work out, but I was wrong! In fact, I was thrown a loop a time or two. I love how Cole turns all the endgame goals of Lothaire on their heads.
*Freaking hilarious. Despite the very dark beginning and dark subject matter, there is much to enjoy and laugh about this book.
*Smoking hot love scenes. I mean, wow! (thinks about the scenes and wipes forehead)
*This world is endlessly fascinating and entertaining. All the different characters and how their immortal lives intersect. I like seeing the plots come together and overlap. With each book, I just want more.
Over five hundred pages of fantastic goodness. And when it ended, I was sad. I want to read it over again, but no time. Good thing I am planning on an Immortals After Dark series reread early next year!
Thumbs Way Up!!! This is a Goodread For Sure!
May 31, 2021
Loved it!!
Lothaire and Ellie are so perfect for each other. I could seriously read more books with them as the MC’s and not get tired.
This book is amazing! Even though its the 11th book in the series I never truly felt lost, but now I really want to read the entire series. If you like Paranormal Romance you need to read this book! Going straight to my favorites.
Lothaire and Ellie are so perfect for each other. I could seriously read more books with them as the MC’s and not get tired.
This book is amazing! Even though its the 11th book in the series I never truly felt lost, but now I really want to read the entire series. If you like Paranormal Romance you need to read this book! Going straight to my favorites.
Shelved as 'wishlist'
August 31, 2021A villain AND a vampire? Someone needs to get this to me, asap.
UPDATE: it is currently $1.99 (8/31) and after EVERYONE and their grandmother recommending this to me, I have finally obtained the precious
UPDATE: it is currently $1.99 (8/31) and after EVERYONE and their grandmother recommending this to me, I have finally obtained the precious
January 21, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
Lothaire the Enemy of Old possess an insatiable need for revenge against the Horde. After being cast out along with his Dacian mother by his father and King of the Horde vampires, Stefanovich, Lothaire vows to his mother that he will slay his father and become king one day. His plans include uniting the Dacian and Horde kingdoms together. This is his endgame, his raison d’etre.
That is until Elizabeth Pierce stumbles upon his life. Ellie, as she is most often called in this book could not be more different than Lothaire. He, dark, cunning and lethal. She, a spit-fire, loyal and loving. Though Ellie is a mere mortal, her body is inhabited by a death goddess named Saroya. Once powerful, Saroya is now condemned to live within mortal bodies. She lives to draw blood and deal death, which is why whenever Saroya surfaces and takes control of her body, Ellie wakes up to find herself in a bloodbath.
When Lothaire meets Saroya/Ellie, he becomes blooded. His heart begins to beat after centuries of remaining still. His lungs fill with breath once again. And ... other things begin to stir to life. Naturally, Lothaire, the maddened and most feared vampire in the Lore believes that Saroya is his Bride, not the hillbilly mountain girl. But in order for him to claim his Bride, Lothaire must dispose of Ellie’s soul from the body and make Saroya immortal, a vampire like him.
To do this, he must obtain a ring. This ring holds his one chance to keep his Bride, except locating it is his greatest problem.
In the meantime, Lothaire saves Ellie from jail where she is being held and almost killed. Saving her from death row doesn’t get any points for him because Ellie actually wants to die. To die would mean there would be no more innocent deaths on her head, and Ellie wants nothing more than peace.
Together, Ellie and Lothaire combust. One who is used to getting his way all the time, Lothaire isn’t used to the way Ellie refuses him. There were times when I wanted to slap him for hurting Ellie, but as you read this book, you learn that Lothaire never had any relationships before this. He has no friends, just a ledger with names scrawled on the pages that record the debts that must be paid to him. His madness is his only company, forever torturing him, allowing him no reprieve.
Cole stays true to Lothaire’s character. She doesn’t suddenly make him a “good guy” now that he is the hero of his own book. Called the Enemy of Old, Lothaire has created that name for himself. He remains ruthless and cunning, sometimes to the point where his actions are unforgiveable.
Though a mere mortal, Ellie sinks his claws into Lothaire. It was enjoyable to read his emotions – confusion, anger, distrust. No one else throws Lothaire for a loop like Ellie does. Lothaire reacts to Ellie in a way no like other. It is only then that the question of Saroya being his true Bride arises:
“Are you certain she’s not your Bride?”
“Careful, Hag,” he warned her, seething that she would even consider Elizabeth for him. “Your past employers might have forgiven your impudence; I will not.”
“I never predicted your female would be Saroya.”
“In so many words, you did. ‘A great and fearless queen beloved by vampires, who will secure your throne for you,’” he said. “Ellie Ann, late of Appalachia, just isn’t going to inspire Hordely, vampirely love.”
Though their times together may not be all hearts and goo-goo eyes, apart, Ellie and Lothaire wither. It is this conversation with Nix, everyone’s favourite cray cray soothsayer that became one of my favourite parts of this book:
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t feel old when I was with Elizabeth. I felt like a young vampire, just starting out with her. The world was ours for the taking.”
“I envy you that feeling.”
After several heartbeats, he admitted in a low voice, “I’d go back to the grave if it would force Elizabeth to love me.”
What I loved about this book is that Lothaire and Ellie choose to make their relationship work. Fate may play a big part in choosing a Bride, but Ellie has the ultimate say in all things. I loved watching Lothaire be brought to his knees by the woman he loves.
LOTHAIRE - just as the self-titled book entails - will demand your attention until you flip that last page! Just as addicting as the rest of the series, Cole is my new brand of crack. I’d do anything for that next hit!
*Review copy provided by publisher
Lothaire the Enemy of Old possess an insatiable need for revenge against the Horde. After being cast out along with his Dacian mother by his father and King of the Horde vampires, Stefanovich, Lothaire vows to his mother that he will slay his father and become king one day. His plans include uniting the Dacian and Horde kingdoms together. This is his endgame, his raison d’etre.
That is until Elizabeth Pierce stumbles upon his life. Ellie, as she is most often called in this book could not be more different than Lothaire. He, dark, cunning and lethal. She, a spit-fire, loyal and loving. Though Ellie is a mere mortal, her body is inhabited by a death goddess named Saroya. Once powerful, Saroya is now condemned to live within mortal bodies. She lives to draw blood and deal death, which is why whenever Saroya surfaces and takes control of her body, Ellie wakes up to find herself in a bloodbath.
When Lothaire meets Saroya/Ellie, he becomes blooded. His heart begins to beat after centuries of remaining still. His lungs fill with breath once again. And ... other things begin to stir to life. Naturally, Lothaire, the maddened and most feared vampire in the Lore believes that Saroya is his Bride, not the hillbilly mountain girl. But in order for him to claim his Bride, Lothaire must dispose of Ellie’s soul from the body and make Saroya immortal, a vampire like him.
To do this, he must obtain a ring. This ring holds his one chance to keep his Bride, except locating it is his greatest problem.
In the meantime, Lothaire saves Ellie from jail where she is being held and almost killed. Saving her from death row doesn’t get any points for him because Ellie actually wants to die. To die would mean there would be no more innocent deaths on her head, and Ellie wants nothing more than peace.
Together, Ellie and Lothaire combust. One who is used to getting his way all the time, Lothaire isn’t used to the way Ellie refuses him. There were times when I wanted to slap him for hurting Ellie, but as you read this book, you learn that Lothaire never had any relationships before this. He has no friends, just a ledger with names scrawled on the pages that record the debts that must be paid to him. His madness is his only company, forever torturing him, allowing him no reprieve.
Cole stays true to Lothaire’s character. She doesn’t suddenly make him a “good guy” now that he is the hero of his own book. Called the Enemy of Old, Lothaire has created that name for himself. He remains ruthless and cunning, sometimes to the point where his actions are unforgiveable.
Though a mere mortal, Ellie sinks his claws into Lothaire. It was enjoyable to read his emotions – confusion, anger, distrust. No one else throws Lothaire for a loop like Ellie does. Lothaire reacts to Ellie in a way no like other. It is only then that the question of Saroya being his true Bride arises:
“Are you certain she’s not your Bride?”
“Careful, Hag,” he warned her, seething that she would even consider Elizabeth for him. “Your past employers might have forgiven your impudence; I will not.”
“I never predicted your female would be Saroya.”
“In so many words, you did. ‘A great and fearless queen beloved by vampires, who will secure your throne for you,’” he said. “Ellie Ann, late of Appalachia, just isn’t going to inspire Hordely, vampirely love.”
Though their times together may not be all hearts and goo-goo eyes, apart, Ellie and Lothaire wither. It is this conversation with Nix, everyone’s favourite cray cray soothsayer that became one of my favourite parts of this book:
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t feel old when I was with Elizabeth. I felt like a young vampire, just starting out with her. The world was ours for the taking.”
“I envy you that feeling.”
After several heartbeats, he admitted in a low voice, “I’d go back to the grave if it would force Elizabeth to love me.”
What I loved about this book is that Lothaire and Ellie choose to make their relationship work. Fate may play a big part in choosing a Bride, but Ellie has the ultimate say in all things. I loved watching Lothaire be brought to his knees by the woman he loves.
LOTHAIRE - just as the self-titled book entails - will demand your attention until you flip that last page! Just as addicting as the rest of the series, Cole is my new brand of crack. I’d do anything for that next hit!
*Review copy provided by publisher
August 23, 2014
I have a confession to make. I didn't think this book would live up to my expectations, secretly, I started reading this expecting it to disappoint me. How could it not? Lothaire the Enemy of Old has been in these books from the beginning, we have had 11 books building his character up, making us adore and worship him despite the fact that he is undeniably evil and insane and would happily murder all our other favourite characters. Yet still we long for a happy ending for him, Kresley Cole has us on in her thrall!
I figure if you have read this book, or are about to, then you don't really need a synopsis of what is happening, you know who Lothaire is and I don't want to give anything away that will ruin it for you. If you haven't started this series then you need to read: The Warlord Wants Forever or A Hunger Like No Other first and work your way through this fabulous series.
Another confession, showing my dire lack of faith in the almight Kresley Cole, is that I couldn't think of female that would match Lothaire, perhaps, apart from Nix, but yet again I was gladly proved incorrect, Elizabeth Peirce (Ellie to her friends) was a great fit. Good to his bad, sane to his insane, happy to his misery... you couldn't help but like her. As for Lothaire, there is so much more to him then being the insane bad guy, his Endgame comes into focus and we begin to see a different side to him, still evil ofcourse, but I can't seem to help loving the bad boys. And his arrogance, how can something so damn annoying if it were real, be so damn sexy?!
Like all the other books in this series, this was sexy (spare knickers required), funny and full of unforgettable characters. One of the best things about Kresley Cole's books are that the heroines are just as good as the heroes, something I have found to be rare in romance, which only makes me feel a little guilty now that I have poached Lothaire to be in my harem!
p.s. Don't worry Lachlain, you are still my favourite!
Quotes I Loved
"Yes, you. An ignorant mortal Kmart checkout girl." He took the sharpest knife from his place setting, absently turning it between his left thumb and forefinger.
"Kmart? I should've been so lucky. Those jobs were hard to come by. I worked at my uncle's outfitter hop."
"Then you're even worse. You're an outfitter checkout girl with aspirations for Kmart."
*****
"Everything you've ever dreamed is real," Lothaire said. "Every creature thought to be myth. We call our world the Lore. And for the record, Mothman's a fuckwit."
*****
"You are so maieve, it physically aggrieves me."
*****
"First of all I'm not narcissitic." When she opened her lips to argue he said, "I know Narkissos of Thespiae- while we might share traits, i cam first so he's Lothairistic, not the other way round."
*****
"And how is it that you could possibly pity me?"
"I'm twenty-four years old. I've spent more then twenty percent of my life on death row. And I've still known more happiness in my short life than you have in your unending one."
*****
Has anything really changed?" (Ellie)
"I've learned I need to consult you in matters, lest you decapitate me."
*****
"What is this? Be like you were with me the oher times! When you melted for me."
"That was before I fully understood what a nasty piece of work you are."
"Because of a few shifter beheadings? Come on, Lizvetta, it's not as if I went round cock slapping gnomes."
I figure if you have read this book, or are about to, then you don't really need a synopsis of what is happening, you know who Lothaire is and I don't want to give anything away that will ruin it for you. If you haven't started this series then you need to read: The Warlord Wants Forever or A Hunger Like No Other first and work your way through this fabulous series.
Another confession, showing my dire lack of faith in the almight Kresley Cole, is that I couldn't think of female that would match Lothaire, perhaps, apart from Nix, but yet again I was gladly proved incorrect, Elizabeth Peirce (Ellie to her friends) was a great fit. Good to his bad, sane to his insane, happy to his misery... you couldn't help but like her. As for Lothaire, there is so much more to him then being the insane bad guy, his Endgame comes into focus and we begin to see a different side to him, still evil ofcourse, but I can't seem to help loving the bad boys. And his arrogance, how can something so damn annoying if it were real, be so damn sexy?!
Like all the other books in this series, this was sexy (spare knickers required), funny and full of unforgettable characters. One of the best things about Kresley Cole's books are that the heroines are just as good as the heroes, something I have found to be rare in romance, which only makes me feel a little guilty now that I have poached Lothaire to be in my harem!
p.s. Don't worry Lachlain, you are still my favourite!
Quotes I Loved
"Yes, you. An ignorant mortal Kmart checkout girl." He took the sharpest knife from his place setting, absently turning it between his left thumb and forefinger.
"Kmart? I should've been so lucky. Those jobs were hard to come by. I worked at my uncle's outfitter hop."
"Then you're even worse. You're an outfitter checkout girl with aspirations for Kmart."
*****
"Everything you've ever dreamed is real," Lothaire said. "Every creature thought to be myth. We call our world the Lore. And for the record, Mothman's a fuckwit."
*****
"You are so maieve, it physically aggrieves me."
*****
"First of all I'm not narcissitic." When she opened her lips to argue he said, "I know Narkissos of Thespiae- while we might share traits, i cam first so he's Lothairistic, not the other way round."
*****
"And how is it that you could possibly pity me?"
"I'm twenty-four years old. I've spent more then twenty percent of my life on death row. And I've still known more happiness in my short life than you have in your unending one."
*****
Has anything really changed?" (Ellie)
"I've learned I need to consult you in matters, lest you decapitate me."
*****
"What is this? Be like you were with me the oher times! When you melted for me."
"That was before I fully understood what a nasty piece of work you are."
"Because of a few shifter beheadings? Come on, Lizvetta, it's not as if I went round cock slapping gnomes."
November 3, 2016
I can't ... I mean I CAN NOT express the amount of love I feel for this series! I am talking BURSTING with FEELS! From appreciation for the author and her ability to deliver the most unique story-line/couple/conflict with each and every book to falling in love with anti-hero you have no business of falling in love with. From rooting for THE most kick ass female leads to laughing your butt off at all kinds of pop-culture references. From shedding a tear [or several] when your heart aches for these characters who happen to be immortals but manage to provoke all kinds of human feels in a reader to fist pumping when said characters finally manage to arrive at their well deserved HEA. I can go on but one MUST experience the beauty of Kresley Cole's magical storytelling for themselves to fully 'get' what I am trying to say. This author has become my one-click author for a reason. At this point, I am convinced she can't write a bad book even if she tried. The way she tells a story is so natural that I find myself flipping pages at super [for me] speed and I am one of THE slowest readers on Earth! I am never bored & always feel like I am there, in the midst of the action with some of the most fascinating characters I've ever had a pleasure of reading about. Absolute PERFECTION from start to finish. Every. Single Time. If you enjoyed fairy tales as a child and love letting your imagination run wild as an adult, this series is for you!
February 5, 2021
Call me old-fashioned, but I think turning a human into a vampire against their will is pretty high on the list of shit things you don't you.
November 14, 2020
Sad to say this one was not a 5 star for me as many of her others in this series were. In fact, I vacillate between just thinking it was okay to liking it to really liking it because the parts I liked? I really liked!
Let me synop it a bit then give you my reasons why.
Lothaire, the ancient vampire known as The Enemy of Old, has an endgame...vengeance upon his paternity who so betrayed his mother a thousand yrs ago. He’ll use any piece on the chessboard his master of a mind can get his hands on to achieve it- including the woman fated to be his “Bride”, his mate for immortal life whom can only make him stronger. One catch- his mate, a Goddess of death and destruction, is trapped inside the nubile body of hillbilly from the Appalachian mountains of America.
The nubile young body, (a very much sentient Elizabeth Peirce), knows she’s possessed by something unutterably evil, she’s awoken too many times in the midst of too many broken bloody bodies strewn about to doubt that. But she’s determined to rid the world of this malicious creature- by destroying herself.
But a wicked blond haired, red-eyed, devil wants otherwise- and he’s holding her captive till he can rid the world of her rather than the evil goddess, Saroya, (the being he thinks is his mate).
But, as people have all her life, The Enemy of Old has underestimated this seeming backward girl from the poorest of the poor and when he finally realizes the truth, there’s a good possibility he’ll lose everything- even his much desired throne.
Lothaire's story became a disappointment to me for reasons other than the characters- which is usually the biggest downfall for me when grading a book... If I don’t “get” the characters- you’ve lost me. But I will say something about Lothaire himself never fully grabbed me. I found him lacking in depth UNTIL we saw him through Thad’s eyes long after the middle of the book.
For the most part, I felt the book plotted with a heavy hand, (“I’ve been betrayed all my life, gee I hope she doesn’t betray me.” hmmm wonder if she’ll betray him?) and was decidedly lacking in KC's trademark wit. In fact, she borrowed from Dreams of a Dark Warrior to bring in some humor over Lothaire, having Thadd recount some of Lothaire's funnier lines from that book. Don’t get me wrong there were some damn funny bits with the valkeries toward the end which made the last third of the book my favorite part of the book and the most memorable. Odd that it was when they were separated? I am a bit curious about their lives together after this book. For some reason its difficult to picture them in something as mundane as marital life with a pack of kiddoes.
Another issue for me? The scene jumping. I had a difficult time figuring out why we were suddenly in another scene, and that happened more than once. It made me wonder if KC had written more to this story and then hacked it up later? Maybe. Probably. Whatever. It just didn’t feel right.
Ultimately, I kept waiting to fully immerse myself in the story but ended up merely going along for the ride, which became my biggest disappointment.
And I gotta say, they were indeed perfect for each other- even though his prejudice against her upbringing nearly ended it. She was empathetic, smart and determined and she didn’t back down- exactly what Bitter Bossypants needed. And I just LOVED watching him want her. The fact that he figured out she's way more attractive then the stupid bitch goddess inside her because she was kind, made me finally be okay with him.
Bonus: ‘Nix!- we get her full name, which we might have before but I couldn’t remember, and a little more insight into the burden she carries. She’s the biggest manipulator of them all and nobody knows how long she’s been playing at it- except for perhaps Lothaire, her once boon companion. Now-after seeing her here- I’m seriously curious as to who will mate her… and how this apocalypse is gonna play out. She’s gotta a lot of things to manipulate to make it work out fine for her pals- but I think she just may do it. ;)
Finally- c’mon he’s a prince and heir to two thrones and she’s a modern day peasant, and, he ends up a sad sack without her-because she’s a fighter and he has no idea how wrong her is about her. And that in the end he will tear his heart out to have her in his arms. what romance reading gal doesn’t fall for a couple like that??
So, okay, yes I was disappointed- not because I anticipated Lothaire’s story so much, because honestly I didn’t, but because I anticipate any story from K. Cole.
Still I’m giving it a grudging 3.5 stars-for all the reasons above... Lothaire and his downfall, Lizvetta- who becomes his means to an end- are worth the read!
(and yes, I'm still very excited I bought the signed, limited edition copy of this story- because I still think this is the best Paranormal Romance series out there right now!!)
Let me synop it a bit then give you my reasons why.
Lothaire, the ancient vampire known as The Enemy of Old, has an endgame...vengeance upon his paternity who so betrayed his mother a thousand yrs ago. He’ll use any piece on the chessboard his master of a mind can get his hands on to achieve it- including the woman fated to be his “Bride”, his mate for immortal life whom can only make him stronger. One catch- his mate, a Goddess of death and destruction, is trapped inside the nubile body of hillbilly from the Appalachian mountains of America.
The nubile young body, (a very much sentient Elizabeth Peirce), knows she’s possessed by something unutterably evil, she’s awoken too many times in the midst of too many broken bloody bodies strewn about to doubt that. But she’s determined to rid the world of this malicious creature- by destroying herself.
But a wicked blond haired, red-eyed, devil wants otherwise- and he’s holding her captive till he can rid the world of her rather than the evil goddess, Saroya, (the being he thinks is his mate).
But, as people have all her life, The Enemy of Old has underestimated this seeming backward girl from the poorest of the poor and when he finally realizes the truth, there’s a good possibility he’ll lose everything- even his much desired throne.
Lothaire's story became a disappointment to me for reasons other than the characters- which is usually the biggest downfall for me when grading a book... If I don’t “get” the characters- you’ve lost me. But I will say something about Lothaire himself never fully grabbed me. I found him lacking in depth UNTIL we saw him through Thad’s eyes long after the middle of the book.
For the most part, I felt the book plotted with a heavy hand, (“I’ve been betrayed all my life, gee I hope she doesn’t betray me.” hmmm wonder if she’ll betray him?) and was decidedly lacking in KC's trademark wit. In fact, she borrowed from Dreams of a Dark Warrior to bring in some humor over Lothaire, having Thadd recount some of Lothaire's funnier lines from that book. Don’t get me wrong there were some damn funny bits with the valkeries toward the end which made the last third of the book my favorite part of the book and the most memorable. Odd that it was when they were separated? I am a bit curious about their lives together after this book. For some reason its difficult to picture them in something as mundane as marital life with a pack of kiddoes.
Another issue for me? The scene jumping. I had a difficult time figuring out why we were suddenly in another scene, and that happened more than once. It made me wonder if KC had written more to this story and then hacked it up later? Maybe. Probably. Whatever. It just didn’t feel right.
Ultimately, I kept waiting to fully immerse myself in the story but ended up merely going along for the ride, which became my biggest disappointment.
And I gotta say, they were indeed perfect for each other- even though his prejudice against her upbringing nearly ended it. She was empathetic, smart and determined and she didn’t back down- exactly what Bitter Bossypants needed. And I just LOVED watching him want her. The fact that he figured out she's way more attractive then the stupid bitch goddess inside her because she was kind, made me finally be okay with him.
Bonus: ‘Nix!- we get her full name, which we might have before but I couldn’t remember, and a little more insight into the burden she carries. She’s the biggest manipulator of them all and nobody knows how long she’s been playing at it- except for perhaps Lothaire, her once boon companion. Now-after seeing her here- I’m seriously curious as to who will mate her… and how this apocalypse is gonna play out. She’s gotta a lot of things to manipulate to make it work out fine for her pals- but I think she just may do it. ;)
Finally- c’mon he’s a prince and heir to two thrones and she’s a modern day peasant, and, he ends up a sad sack without her-because she’s a fighter and he has no idea how wrong her is about her. And that in the end he will tear his heart out to have her in his arms. what romance reading gal doesn’t fall for a couple like that??
So, okay, yes I was disappointed- not because I anticipated Lothaire’s story so much, because honestly I didn’t, but because I anticipate any story from K. Cole.
Still I’m giving it a grudging 3.5 stars-for all the reasons above... Lothaire and his downfall, Lizvetta- who becomes his means to an end- are worth the read!
(and yes, I'm still very excited I bought the signed, limited edition copy of this story- because I still think this is the best Paranormal Romance series out there right now!!)
November 23, 2014
The first thing I want to say about this book is that I love how Kresley Cole didn't weaken Lothaire to fit a role. She also took the time to build him up, making it difficult to hate him. She also picked the perfect woman for him, a strong capable woman who refused to back down. The wit was wonderful and the made the story more enjoyable. I'm already planning to read this book again in the near future. Without a doubt the best book in the series so far.
January 21, 2012
Lothaire (Immortals after Dark, #12: 5 Star read that doesn't fail to deliver an amazing read
General Thoughts: I love this series beyond reason. How is it that every freaking book manages to get better and better. I have no clue. Hopefully you are in the process of reading this book or reading the series because I can't help but feel like its one of the best ones out there. I never read paranormal romance until I stumbled across this series and it was the best stumble I've ever had. People think i'm so odd when i sit around squealing over a book about immortal beings , but you have to read it to understand!
Ok I finally have time to review and what better way to express my love of this book than with an Acronym!
L othaire:
O bcession
General Thoughts: I love this series beyond reason. How is it that every freaking book manages to get better and better. I have no clue. Hopefully you are in the process of reading this book or reading the series because I can't help but feel like its one of the best ones out there. I never read paranormal romance until I stumbled across this series and it was the best stumble I've ever had. People think i'm so odd when i sit around squealing over a book about immortal beings , but you have to read it to understand!
Ok I finally have time to review and what better way to express my love of this book than with an Acronym!
L othaire:
He is just so sigh worthy. Unlike some people, I never had a problem with Lothaire. Yes, he popped up at the most horrid times and was an ass. However, I knew he was going to get his. I always knew that the one thing he couldn't defy was his immortal nature. When his bride came-a-callin' I figured he would get his just desserts. I really loved finding out who the true Lothaire was. In the end, he is nothing but a really sad product of his environment. Everything that concerned him was tainted with some sort of betrayal, torture, or evilness. I enjoyed his intelligence immensely and his struggle. He is just one of those characters I could honestly read about for a long time. I was always interested in what he was going to do or what he had done. He is so misunderstood. There is a part in the novel when he is talking to Nix and he simply states that he "feels old." He wanted Emily back because for once he felt young and alive. I love that moment. It was poignant and it was the moment When i fully empathized with Lothaire. Reminded me of when Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby said I'm 5 years to old to lie to myself and call it honor...
O bcession
Thats right. I'm freaking obsessed. I mean, I was already obsessed by the time I read this book. However, this one multiplied it by like a million. I'm just not a person who likes to read series for some reason but this series is my exception to everything
T ragedy:There was a hint of tragedy that surrounded everything in this novel. Lothaire's past. Emily's present circumstances...( i shall stay ambigious on that as to not spoil it :P) The state of the Lore. It added a seriousness to the novel. What I love about these novels is that every action effects something big in the Lore, whether we know what it is or not. The tragedy surrounding Lotharie and Emily cemented the importance of all their actions.
H eroine:OMG. Emily was freaking amazing! Kresley Cole surprised the shit out of me with this girl. She was everything you just wouldn't expect in a mate for lothaire. The best part about her was that I compltely knew the type of girl she is. I'm from Indiana, home of corn and Nascar so I felt like I knew Emily personally. It is just hilarious that Mr. sophisticated vampire lotharie is matched to this girl from Appalachia! She was so strong. Her life was hell in a handbasket but she still endeavored to fight her circumstances. she always had an ace card. I liked her better than freaking Lothaire. She was too good for him to be honesty. Plus
A ction:There was a nice amount of action in this novel. I generally knew what was going to happen in the end, however, I could never predict HOW it was going to happen. It really made this novel fun to read as well as exciting ^_^
I mprovement:This series just keeps getting better. I know it sounds cliche but immortals after dark is very much so like wine. The world building is superb, the coupling, the actions, the plot, the suspense. Everything is so good. Each book gets better. I can hardly wait for the next one. I love seeing a writer improve with each book. It shows how much KC cares about her readers and her work.
R epartee:The freaking banter in this novel is like no other. I love LOVE a good snide remark. The sarcasm and wit was just endless in this novel. Lothaire is such a dick! The things he said were atrocious...I laughed out loud so much. He is just my type of guy bad mouthed and sarcastic. And lovely Emily gave it right back. She didn't take any shit! I loved it. KC can write banter like no other. I could read her quotes all day!!
E roticism:OMG OMG OMG! This book was EEEEEROTIC! I was reading this book in a class and it was damn near impossible to keep a straight face. My boyfriend kept asking me why i was blushing ( which is a feat since I have dark skin!). The sex was hot hot hot. I should know, I just got done re reading a scene for like the 100th time... hehe
Well that ends my acronoym, i don't think i will be doing that again. It took forever. LOL
Points of Concern
So this book/series did raise some things to my attention.
1. Word on the street is KC is going to be doing a YA series...Idk how i feel about that. I do know I'm not excited... Its pretty obvious who it would star
2. Blood and Mist Series
I'm excited, however, I'm so invested in this lorean world already. There are so many coupling I've yet to see!! I hope those don't get put on the back burner
3. Nix...I'm worried
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