Shadow’s Seduction
by Kresley Cole
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Publisher: Valkyrie Press
Book #16 in the Immortals After Dark series
Number of Pages: 232
Paperback
Source: MelCat
Paranormal Romance
Ages 17 and up
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In this scorching Immortals After Dark/Dacian novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole brings together a wicked vampire prince used to getting everything he desires and a demon warrior who always felt like an outcast.
A night of debauchery . . .
Prince Mirceo Daciano and his new friend, Caspion the Tracker, comb the streets of Dacia, drunkenly seeking out pleasures of the flesh. In what should have been a typical night, they coax a bevy of nymphs to bed. To impress their females, the demon and the vampire kiss on a dare.
Changes them forever . . .
Once they finally break away from their soul-searing kiss, they find themselves alone—and shaken. Had they imagined their explosive chemistry? Obstacles—ranging from a death sentence to exile in a war-torn dimension—threaten to destroy their lives . . . and the vulnerable promise in that one kiss.
How long can they resist the fire that blazes between them?
Even if Mirceo can accept Caspion as his fated mate, the seductive vampire still must convince the stubborn demon that their bond is forever. And any royal Dacian union must receive the blessing of King Lothaire, an unpredictable and savage killer…
This story is the first same sex fated mate coupling in the Immortals After Dark series. As far as I can tell, the author hasn’t written any other same sex stories. When it comes to the overall story and and chemistry in the book, it was great. There were, in my opinion, some missteps when it came to writing a M/M story. Now, I’m not a cisgender male, gay or straight, so I’m not an expert. That means I’m not going to delve into these particular issues since I may be way off base.
Like I said, the chemistry is great in this book. Caspion and Mirceo really click with one another from the start, whether Cas wants to tamp down the fact that it could be more than a close friendship is a whole other issue. Mirceo knows it can be more and goes about trying to get what he wants, sometimes by shady means. This is where the wedge is driven between these two.
Mirceo definitely has a lot of growing up to do. Some of that comes from his age, some of that comes from his station in life. He has always had the adoration and love of those around him. He is a lot more spoiled than he even realizes. Cas sees that and wants to be sure Mirceo knows what he’s getting into. While Mirceo refuses to believe there would be any barrier to Cas accepting they are mates other than the same sex issue he knows Cas isn’t comfortable with, Cas really has so many other issues with their pairing. Mirceo’s immaturity is keeping him from really looking at things from Caspion’s point of view.
This book is a delightful love story. There is a whole lot of angst and these characters put each other through so much, but always with the thought they are actually doing right by the other. In the end, their love shines through and they get their HEA.
4 stars
All In Good Time 