Zeek's Reviews > Lothaire

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!!)