Limecello’s review of Dark Desires After Dusk (Immortals After Dark, Book 5) by Kresley Cole
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Pocket on 20 May 08

I was excited about the newest installment in the Immortals After Dark (IAD) series, and after I’ve read it, I know it was for good reason. Dark Desires gives us our first demon hero, and he’s definitely able to hold his own. This was a fun new story that is a great continuation of the series.

I wasn’t quite sure what to think about Cadeon Woede, but the beginning of this story just broke my heart.  I knew I should expect a lot more than meets the eye with the hero, and my expectations were met. Cade has a lot more depth than you’d expect, considering he’s a rage demon (and how he’s characterized in the previous books). He’s also carried around guilt for nine centuries. Guilt for losing his brother’s crown. Guilt for not being able to protect his foster family. Guilt for not being fitting royalty. Guilt for accidentally killing a human female and ending his brother’s hopes of learning how to reclaim his throne. The poor guy just can’t catch a break. In fact, his female is a human, so he can’t even be with her, because she wouldn’t survive being with him.

I like Holly, but I didn’t feel that she was a particularly developed character. I did think the beginning scene where Holly is going to her class was cute. Generally the jocks don’t show up – but for a hot teacher, I can see it. Holly had a lot of quirks and those were quite specific, but otherwise, I didn’t think she had that much of a personality. Maybe that was due to her OCD – but it felt like she was solely defined by her routines. While I can see that the routines were performed in order to suppress her true self, I find it harder to accept that she so easily breaks away from that. I also felt that her boyfriend was rather unnecessary.

I really liked the descriptions and secondary characters in this book. Definitely am curious about Rydstrom and Sabine. I’m also glad that Cade finally doesn’t feel like the entirely bad brother. The obstacles Cade and Holly faced were very interesting, and I loved how Holly finally and truly embraced her Valkyrie self. However, I felt like some parts were just too convenient. The fact that Cade can’t attempt Holly is a major source of angst. But wait! She’s not human, she’s a Valkyrie! It was supah sekrit and she repressed it for 27 years.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I think Cade may have edged out Bowen in my IAD heroes ranking. I really liked this book. I could have gone for a few more non confrontational scenes between Cade and Holly (their road to developing a relationship was filled with potholes), but I’m already looking forward to the next book. In fact, I can’t wait.

Grade: B

A seductive beauty he can never have, yet can’t resist…  Cade of the rage demons will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past.

A tormented warrior she should fear, but can’t deny…  Raised as a human, Holly Ashwin never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon’s wicked touch.
Surrender to dark desires…

Yet just when he earns Holly’s trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs-and claim his heart?

Read an excerpt here.

Click on the Immortals After Dark series tag for more excerpts, more reviews, and more everything on this series.