I was impatiently waiting for the next installment in the Dark Destinies series. So imagine my excitement when I had to the chance to read Dark Lord of the Night before its release. Let me just say that it did not disappoint. If you love vampires, you’ll love this fresh spin on your favorite type of underworld-lings.
First off, I want to say that the best thing about this series is that there are no cliffhangers but I always want to know what’s going to happen next. I can’t help but think about the characters after the story ends and hence my impatience about reading the next book. It’s one of those stories that don’t let go even after having finished reading the book a few days ago. I WANT MORE!!
The main threat from the previous book makes its way into this one and I knew that my beloved characters were not going to have an easy time of it. Dominic or Nic as he’s called still holds my heart. Seriously. I’ve never read such a vampire that had a sweet, charming, dangerous, sexy and troubled personality. He’s still a fledgling vampire trying to contain the “beast” within. The “beast” simply refers to a vampire’s base needs that could go out of control and can kill. Nic has that constant battle but he’s one of the good vampires.
Top 5 reasons to get this book:
1. Constant turmoil
Nothing is easy this book/series. The love story between Dominic and Cassidy is always under stress. Just when you think it’s going good...BAM!
2. Serge
Who doesn’t love a kooky vampire? He’s so cute, but crazy. He’s the pain in Nic’s butt, BUT! I have a feeling that he loves that crazy guy.
3. The villains
You’ve got the big honcho vampire Kymbyses. Super old and powerful vampire. However, it’s really his evil underlings that you have to watch out for as well.
4. The vampire hunters
I dislike Jackson and his family of vampire hunters. But maybe there is a way to redeem him? The jury is still out on that one. You can kind of understand their reasoning, but I’m on team Nic and Cassidy all the way!
5. Vampire scents
Yes, they smell. Each vampire has a scent. The descriptions are so vivid that I can actual smell it when I’m reading along. Cedar, frost, smoke, it’s all there.
I highly recommend reading book one Dark Heart of the Sun first. They won’t read as standalones.
Cass & Nic are BAAAACK! This second installment is no less exciting than the first. Elements from Dark Heart of the Sun carry over into this novel, and everything is ratcheted up a notch. The duo have their hands full as Nic fights to keep control of his last shred of humanity, while together they fight to save each other from an existing prophecy and the clutches of a perilous evil.
Once again, Ryder artfully brings a next-level vamp story that is far from the pat and trite narratives that currently overpopulate the literary market en masse.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
This is the second book in this series
Dominic Marchant is a vampire and in love with Cassidy Chandler, an editor of the Orcahrd Beach Gazette. When another vampire is in Dominic's territory he will do what he can to protect those he cares about, including forming an unlikely partnership with Jackson Striker, a vampire hunter.
Will Dominic, Jackson and all of their friends be able to save themselves from who is after them in time or will they now become the hunted?
As mentioned above this is the second book in the series and I wasn't aware that there was a first one but as I began to read I felt like I was missing a bunch of the back story. I was able to read the book and understand what was happening but I did feel like I was missing out on the past so I do recommend reading book one first.
Dominic was swoon worthy with his French accent and protectiveness over Cassidy but at the same time he was realistic in who he was battling and knew that he couldn't do it on his own. I loved that he asked for help from his enemy knowing that he may not survive the battle but as long as Cassidy did he was ok with it.
I had no idea if Cassidy was going to be turned into a vampire or not and that definitely kept me into the book. I loved her spunk and her friendship with Samantha Reynolds.
This book definitely had many interesting characters but I wish I had read the other book first!