Kiss of Darkness by Loribelle Hunt
* Jan 24, 2011 *
- paranormal, romance, UF -
reviewed by Tara SG
received for review via Netgalley
Book Order (Demon Hybrids)
- Kiss of Darkness (Jan 24, 2011) * * 3/4
Links
Author’s Website : www.loribellehunt.com
Author’s Twitter : @loribellehunt
Amazon : pre-order eBook ($3.99)
Add To Your GoodReads TBR List (5 ratings : 3.40 avg)
In Six Words
good world /character building but repetitive
Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?
* I just wanted to note that I am trying to stick to my ratings system better this year and remind you not to discount a book just because it has below 3 or 4 stars. 2 stars still means that I thought it was OK and worth my time! *
The summary for this book really caught my eye and while the world building and even the characters were well-developed, I found some of the book to be repetitive and the later POV shifts confusing.
Winter was great. Her backstory, attitude, abilities, intelligence, bravery, and even her weaknesses and fears were well-defined and worked beautifully together. Even her friends were dynamic and engaging. I liked Marcus, but he was a little too “let the men take of it, honey” kind of alpha male for me. I will say that I was a little more won over by the end of the book.
The plot was fast-paced and action packed. Not for those afraid of a little gore. I had no idea who the bad guy was and enjoyed the little bits we saw from their perspective. However, when it came to the shifting of POVs not everything was smooth. There were a lot of points of view. Almost everyone got a shot in the spotlight. In the beginning it seemed to go chapter to chapter (which I love and can easily follow), but then later in the story it would shift more sporadically and made me have to go back and reread some areas. Changing how you shift POVs (from chapter/chapter to paragraphs ect) in the middle of a book is a big pet peeve of mine and probably accounts for a lot of the lower score.
I ended up giving this just below a 3 because I enjoyed the story and characters, but it felt a little slow in the middle and a little confusing in some parts. I’ll probably still pick up the next in the series when it comes out and would recommend this for fans of UF that leans a little more towards the romance end of the genre.
Brief Summary
Winter, a hybrid, has spent her life at war. A group of humans who are part demon, the hybrids, along with the lupines and nightwalkers, have dedicated their lives to defeating demons and protecting humanity. Yet, despite their united cause, the three groups share an uneasy alliance.
When hybrid military compounds come under attack from demon insurgents, Winter has no choice but to turn to the lupines and nightwalkers for assistance. It’s a partnership based on necessity and she has no intention of letting down her guard with either group.
Marcus, the nightwalker Lord, has other plans. The immediate attraction between him and Winter promises a passion he can’t ignore. To claim her as his own, he’ll not only have to fight the demons who seem hell-bent on destroying her, but her own misconceptions about him and the nightwalker race. It’s a battle he refuses to lose.
- via GoodReads.com
I haven’t heard of this author before but it sounds like the 2nd book in the series will tell more about how consistent of a writer that she is. Great Review! Plenty of information to base a good decision on
I just posted my review of this book today as well and agree with many if not all of your thoughts on it. The chauvenistic men really killed it for me but Winter made up for their short comings. She’s awesome!
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
My Review: Kiss of Darkness
Thanks for honest review- I know how it is for books to be repetive
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Nice review Tara, I haven’t heard of this one! I agree on the rating system, so many people discount the books that are even below a 4 and I just want to write in big letters in the review THIS IS STILL A GOOD BOOK:) Multiple POVs are always tricky for me, I love it when they’re done well, but when we start to flip back and forth at random I get confused. Thanks for this review!
[...] Kiss of Darkness {early ARC review} * * 3/4 [...]
@ Jenny : I know I’m guilty of it too and it’s a terrible habit! I hate having to add the warning, but I felt at the beginning of the year is the best time to get back to using my rating system right
I love shifting POVs when it is done the same way through out the book. Changing things up like that just gets too confusing!
@ brandilieigh2003 : I hate feeling like I’m reading the same info over and over. Most people don’t need that many reminders of what is going on.
@ Carmel (Rabid Reads) : Winter was great! But like you, the guys just didn’t do it for me.
I’ll be sure to check out your review! Thanks for the link!
@ Felicia : I think so too. I’m not sure if this is her first book, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. I’d most likely try the second book in the series.
(This started as a mini-review, but I couldn’t stop writing lol.)