Shadow's Claim (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Review

By: Kresley Cole

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio 11/2012

Hot

The Dacians (Realm of Blood and Mist) # 1

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 :)

  4.32  ·  rating details  ·  631 ratings  ·  142 reviews on Goodreads

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.

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 loved it! And I’m sure you will too. 

Voices behind the books

Robert Petkoff