Kresley Cole’s Dark Series

She may be categorized as a romance book author because, after all, Kresley Cole does write about love and relationship as the main idea of her books. She also created a series that is well written and delightful and yes, naughty and erotic as well on a topic that few expected - something usually left only for science fiction and fantasy. She is one of the authors of what is now called paranormal romance. In this series, she writes about the creatures of the Lore.
The Lore have been around for ages. We’ve all heard of vampires, werewolves (Lykae), ghouls, Valkyries, witches and more. In this case, they’re living really close by, closer than some think - like New Orleans, London, Paris…and a few more places. They have their squabbles and powers. They have competitions like the Talisman’s Hie and the Accession - the big shebang which happens about every 500 years which naturally is of major importance to everyone, whether one is of the lore or not, though mortals have little say in it But I get ahead of myself.

Now these are romance books so most boys will cringe rather than be caught dead anywhere near them. You bet these are by no means your chaste, general patronage love scenes. These are books to paint images in your head of scenes normally only viewed if you buy porn or are experienced yourself. That makes some happy, others uncomfortable.

Personal opinion, get past all the scenes that the publishers said must be thrown in (hey! we all know sex sells but need it be poured in so thickly?) and there is a very interesting story. For all we know, there really are creatures of the Lore hangin’ out and about. Who’s to say?

There are so far, six stories in the series. As you all know, I try to avoid spoilers so these are not going to tell you what actually happens in the books. Let me introduce you to the cast of characters and their stories.

In The Warlord Wants Forever we are introduced to General Nikolai Wroth, a Forbearer vampire, and to Myst, the vampire slayer - a Valkyrie. The Valkyrie believe the only good vampire is a dead one, so you can just imagine the fireworks when these two meet. Nikolai was not born a vampire and has little idea of what Myst is. So what do you do when your Bride is on the opposite side of enemy lines? Being a romance, you know this book gets a happy ending but read the twists and turns for yourself. If I’m not mistaken, this story is part of the book titled “Playing Easy To Get”.

Naturally, Myst and Nikolai aren’t the only creatures of the Lore wandering around. Meet Emma, half vampire-half Valkyrie. She’s trying to find information about her father when she is captured by Lachlain, a Lykae - one very angry Lykae. He’s spent quite a long time being tortured by vampires and you bet he isn’t happy to discover that what he thought was his mate turns out to be a blood drinker. It is so hard not to give spoilers but you know how the ending goes. A Hunger Like No Other is their story but you’ll also be meeting a number of other interesting characters like Nix or the proto-valkyrie as she calls herself, Regin the Radiant, Annika, Lucia and more.

It seems like Valkyries are this author’s favorites. Who can blame her? They are beautiful and lethal warriors, daughters of Woden and Freya, chosen from the battlefields to be reborn as immortals. All are warriors but some are more lethal than others; and more driven. It is time for the Talisman’s Hie - a scavenger hunt of the Lore. The prize, a very precious object, one wanted very much by Kaderin, the cold-hearted. She’s representing the Valkyries in this competition and everyone else watch out! She’s the undefeated champion. So what’s a guy got to do to get her to run into his arms? For Sebastian Wroth, there is only one way to win his bride - join the Talisman’s Hie as well. Major snaps for this character for ingenuity, tenacity and bravery. Can you tell I enjoyed this book best? Do read their story in No Rest For the Wicked. And yes, this is related to the first book.

Of course, there were other competitors in the Talisman’s Hie and it is wonderful that the author chose to focus on something other than the vampires and Valkyries. Wicked Deeds on A Winter’s Night is the story of Mariketa the Awaited and Bowen MacRieve. Both have also entered the Talisman’s Hie. Mariketa is representing the witches while Bowen is representing the Lykaes. Bowen is determined to win the prize and won’t let anyone, not even one who seems to call to something in him, stop him from getting the prize. Now, if you’ve read the previous book, you know who wins the prize but there is more to the story than winning or losing. Sometimes, the story is about the reason for trying to win the prize and what the real prize is. And let’s just say that, I like her idea on familiars - something new.

But the stories, aren’t done yet. There were four Wroth brothers. Nikolai and Sebastian were featured already. Murdoch was mentioned - but doesn’t have his own book yet (just wait!). The last brother, Conrad, is the chosen lead of Dark Needs at Night’s Edge. His brothers have finally found him and they are determined to help him come to terms with being a creature of the Lore. They manage to capture him and take him to a “haunted house”, where a ghost who was gruesomely murdered years ago still dwells. Neomi Laress has spent ages in loneliness since her death. No one has been able to see or hear her. Why expect anything different. But strange things happen whenever those of the Lore are involved and this is one of those stories. A little sappy for me and not one of my favorites, but it does fill in some gaps. I also like that it talks about a few more creatures of the Lore. It also had “guest appearances” from some of the other characters already introduced in the previous books.

The most recently released book in the series is Dark Desires After Dusk. Now we already met the lead character. Cadeon Woede was introduced as one of the competitors of the Talisman’s Hie. A Rage Demon with major issues, very few want to be around one of those, let alone a….math teacher? Takes all kinds and Holly isn’t your average educator apparently. I just got my copy so I can’t tell you much yet. But I do want to know what the story is building up to.

Keep writing Kresley Cole. I find your work interesting and entertaining. I wonder when Murdoch’s story will come out. That really sounds interesting.