Immortals After Dark (2) - A Hunger like No Other by Kresley Cole
Remember the Halfling mentioned in the prequel? Yes, now it’s Emma’s turn. And Lachlain’s. A Hunger Like no Other, part 2/18 (Nacht der Begierde). I read it in English with 356 pages. Originally published 2006.
When Lachlain finally manages to escape his prison, he is as relieved as confused. Because the world really did change in the last two centuries or so. And his mate, the woman who gave him enough strength to free himself, is... a vampire. His biggest enemy. But Emma is a lot different from what he thinks. As a half-Valkyrie, she doesn't fit in any world, is as lonely as can be. And afraid of everything, her own shadow included. But now that she has a werewolf stalking her, it's time to find her inner steel... and become the woman she was supposed to be.
This is the first book I’ve read from this series, and it’s… well, thrilling, to say the least. It keeps you on edge, and Lachlain and Emma are very interesting.
Lachlain has been captured by vampires and imprisoned… well, basically in the fiery gates to hell. And his immortality prevented him from dying, which means that he has to go through this for ever. But then, Emma walks over his tomb and gives him unknowingly the strength to get free. Let’s just stop there and appreciate how damn cute that is.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t exactly stay that way. I’m kind of sorry for Lachlain, that his mate – the person he waited for eight centuries – is a vampire, of all the people. Okay, half-vamp, but he doesn’t know that. The “we pair you off with the person you’d instinctively hate most on the planet” is so damn crabby it could be realistic.
I like how he slowly begins to see her how she truly good is – not a bloodthirsty, cruel vampire, but a remarkably interesting and kind woman with a remarkably low self-esteem. That he begins to really feel the need to protect her – for her as Emma, not for her as his mate. And that he’d rather ruin his hands than break a promise to her. That’s kind of sweet.
Emma herself is just a very nice, kind and just… lovable person. I could identify with her from page one – she’s basically the reason I didn’t give up on the series. Emma’s so remarkably realistic, she sees herself as weak and helpless, and slowly discovers the opposite. Through learning how to stand up to others (meaning Lachlain), she began to saw the goodness in herself. She didn’t only find her inner strength, but also began to understand she’s worth being loved.
Emma the Unlikely, Emma of the Three… most definitely.
Well, as you can see, I really liked that part. And was, therefore, particularly angry at a few scenes.
Spoiler:
Sex solves all their problems, and that’s so not okay. It’s like Emma says “Hey, I don’t entirely trust you, actually even hate you because you kidnapped me and won’t let me go. But there, after you raping me everything’s fine again.”
Seriously?
Okay, she did continue to run hoping he’d catch her. Because she was under the full moon spell as well.
But damn, this solution isn’t realistic! Sex doesn’t take away the past and replaces it with trust. This just doesn’t work this way… does it?
If they’d just addressed their problems afterwards and gradually learned to love, trust and forgive… but they never really talk about the kidnapping. And that sucks.
Apart from that: the story was tense as hell, full of interesting ideas. And I love the Valkyries – ADORE them – you find out so much interesting stuff about that race, about the unwavering loyalty and their overall mentality. Fight first, ask later. We’re the nightmares of the Lore.
And Nucking Futs Nix? I love that woman, she’s so gorgeous! I’m just glad that I don’t have someone like her to actually deal with. You’d go crazy as well.
Anything else? Yes, I’m excited for Bowen’s story. Because he has to get one, he can’t stay alone like that forever. That’d be cruel. And besides, this character screams for a “sizzling love story” like important people (who get paid for their opinions) usually say on book covers.
And the problems of the main characters seem to be a bit forced – as do the fast solutions of them.
In brief:
I conclude: stars for characters, ideas, content and the Valkyries. Minus one for the relationship. No stars for style because of the artificiality of the problems.
Prequel:
(Myst the Coveted, considered the world's most beautiful Valkyrie
& Nicolai Wroth, vampire general, former human warlord)
Sequel:
(Kaderin the Coldhearted, Talisman’s Hie champion, Valkyrie assassin
& Sebastian Wroth, knight of arcane orders, vampire)