Audiobook Review
By: Kresley Cole
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio 11/2012
15 hrs and 18 mins
Sample
Shadow's Claim features Prince Trehan, a ruthless master assassin who will do anything to possess Bettina, his beautiful sorceress mate, even compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament—to the death.
He won't be denied...
Trehan Daciano, known as the Prince of Shadows, has spent his life serving his people, striking in the night, quietly executing any threat to their realm. The coldly disciplined swordsman has never desired anything for himself—until he beholds Bettina, the sheltered ward of two of the Lore's most fearsome villains.
She's bound to another...
Desperate to earn her guardians' approval after a life-shattering mistake, young Bettina has no choice but to marry whichever suitor prevails—even though she's lost her heart to another. Yet one lethal competitor, a mysterious cloaked swordsman, invades her dreams, tempting her with forbidden pleasure.
A battle for her body and soul...
Even if Trehan can survive the punishing contests to claim her as his wife, the true battle for Bettina's heart is yet to come. And unleashing a millennium's worth of savage need will either frighten his Bride away—or stoke Bettina's own desires to a fever-pitch.
My Thoughts
This is the first entry to The Dacians series, a spin-off from
the Immortals After Dark. The story is set up almost parallel to the book
Lothaire. In fact, if you can remember; the Dacians are briefly mentioned in
that novel.
Here, we get introduced to a new world within the world of the
IAD; there are some mentions of IAD, but
the story pretty much takes place in this new realm.
As the layers of this new world slowly unravel,
Ms. Cole quickly introduces us to the heroine, Bettina (a half demon
half sorceress) in a very violent opening - where she is
being brutally attacked and tortured by her enemies, and to make matters worse,
she has been stripped of her powers.
In efforts to see her protected (now that she’s
vulnerable) Bettina's godparents decide
that she needs to marry, so they invite everyone from the Lore to compete in a tournament where they will fight to the
death, and the last man standing will become her husband.
Bettina is not really happy about their plans, and would try to
do whatever it takes to spoil them, but everything changes when the prince of shadows, Trehan
Deciano, is sent to her world to assassinate her childhood friend and object of
her affection.
Finding out that Bettina is his destined mate, puts an obstacle
on Trehan’s objective, and after years at existing just to protect his people
by keeping the knowledge of his realm secret, he now has to deal with the demands of a newly
beating heart.
In efforts to win Bettina’s
hand, he enters the competition in hopes of claiming his beloved mate.
The competition sets up the action and suspense scenes; meanwhile
the sexy chemistry between Trehan and Bettina deliver another engrossing
romance conquest Ala Kresley Cole’s style...Loved it!
For me, this story was all about the hero, I simply adore him,
he’s hot, strong, loyal, and a total gentleman that can quickly turn into a bad
boy just to make things more interesting.
I can’t say that Bettina is the best heroine that Kresley Cole
has ever written; she’s flawed, and sometimes not in a good way, she sometimes
acted spoiled; a far cry from a kick ass valkery… but than again she’s not a valkery….
Bettina was raced as a child that was destined to inherit a throne, yet, in the
end I liked her character in spite of all her faults.
Just when I thought I couldn’t
find another story o series about vampires interesting, here come the
Dacians to prove me wrong.
I truly enjoy this
installment - it reminded me a little of the earlier IAD novels, nothing deep or earth shattering
here, but this is pure escapism and
wonderful entertainment; this story is full of action, passion, tenderness,
love, sexy and scorching hot scenes, and don’t let me forget to mention the typical
humor always found on Ms. Cole’s books.
Since this is the beginning of a new series, I do think this
could be enjoy as a standalone novel, nevertheless, l highly recommend
reading/listening to the Immortals After Dark....You are just going to love it
:)
The Author
Kresley Cole
Narration
Robert Petkoff is a PROFFESIONAL!
The man is absolutely amazing; his acting experience bring these
novels to a new level.
I can honestly tell you, much of my enjoyment of this entry came from Petkoff’s interpretation.
I can honestly tell you, much of my enjoyment of this entry came from Petkoff’s interpretation.
From the accurate depiction of the heroine and hero to the infinite
amount of voices, his performance is nothing short of 5 flaming hearts.
His timing and pace are excellent and never distracting.
While truly conveying Ms. Cole vision he transports the
listener to the world with ease, allowing for the story and characters to be enjoy to the max.
I've read a Kresley Cole before and it made me avoid her. But if you say that this one is good, I might try her again...
ReplyDeleteOn no! Which book did you read?
DeleteI have a special place for the IAD series, you see, it was one of my first paranormal romances, and I've have enjoyed every single entry.
Honestly, if you didn't enjoy her style...It happens :( I'm not sure if you going to like this one. Also, my whole experience is a little different than reading, and audiobook adds a new dimension to a novel, I really think that Robert Petkoff's performance had a lot to do with my level of enjoyment.
The book was If You Dare. I'll try it on audio format next time and see... :)
ReplyDeleteOh! I've never read anything else by her besides paranormal, maybe It was a good thing :)
DeleteThis sounds awesome. I haven''t read the other series would I be lost reading a spin-off?
ReplyDeleteNot lost, but Immortals After Dark is a great series, I think you would like it. it's got pretty strong UF elements
DeleteI read the first five book in her IAD series but never got into them. At all :( I want to try this series but I'm a bit nervous about it. Your review makes it sound good though Lup! I will add it to my wish-list. :)
ReplyDeleteOh :( I know...It happens, but I think it might be hard if you don't enjoy her style, this book has her signature all over, and it reminded me of one of the earlier books....But you never know ;)
Delete