Narrators Curt Bonnem and Lilly Drake's performance of the second book in this paranormal fantasy series is a mixed bag. In the wake of losing her father, Isolde has no time to rest. A deadly mist is infecting vampires, the court is filled with cutthroat politics, and her love for Adrian is being tested again. There appears to be a lack of communication between the narrators, who portray the same characters with different accents and tones. Lacking this unity, the shifts between them may be jarring for listeners. Drake, who performs most of the narration, delivers a smoother and more consistent voicing. However, the overabundance of sex scenes and lack of unique phrasing may lose the listener's interest despite Drake's otherwise enjoyable performance. A.L. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

12/19/2022

St Clair’s explosive second Adrian and Isolde romance (after King of Battle and Blood) finds emotions running high between the eponymous newlyweds. As vampire Adrian hunts the traitorous men set on assassinating Isolde, who they feel is unworthy of her new title as queen of Revekka, Isolde struggles with guilt about her desire to return to her homeland rather than commit to her husband’s kingdom and worries that Adrian resents her for her lack of magic. While Isolde grapples with her feelings, Adrian struggles to control his body from Dis, the goddess who created and holds him. When an old enemy set on destroying the couple resurfaces, it threatens their very foundation—but the danger may be just the push Isolde needs to reconnect with her ancestral magic. Series fans should expect more of the same lively banter, bloody violence, and highly charged sex scenes that made the first book such a page-turner, plus an ending that will leave readers eager for the next installment. This more than lives up to expectations. (Dec.)

"Lively banter, bloody violence, and highly charged sex scenes…a page-turner." — Publishers Weekly

"Filled with equal parts lust, magic, and political intrigue, leaving readers hungry for more." — Library Journal

12/09/2022

In the aftermath of an attempted coup at her coronation, Isolde struggles to find her place in the vampire stronghold Revekka. The court is filled with those who fear and despise both her and her husband, King Adrian. Discovering the loyalties of those closest to them is a treacherous landscape that Isolde must carefully navigate in order to stay alive and pursue her goals for her homelands. When ominous and deadly monster attacks as well as poisonous mists descend on Isolde's new kingdom, she must seek the magic within and tap into her complicated past to find the source of these new threats. The warring goddesses who have held power for centuries begin to boldly manipulate the people of Revekka, including their King and Queen, creating instability and chaos across the land. Secrets and betrayals continuously force Adrian and Isolde to question their priorities and devotion as they continue to grapple with their complicated pasts and fight each of the forces set against them. VERDICT St. Clair's return to Revekka in this sequel to King of Battle and Blood is filled with equal parts lust, magic, and political intrigue, leaving readers hungry for more.—Jenna Harmison

Narrators Curt Bonnem and Lilly Drake's performance of the second book in this paranormal fantasy series is a mixed bag. In the wake of losing her father, Isolde has no time to rest. A deadly mist is infecting vampires, the court is filled with cutthroat politics, and her love for Adrian is being tested again. There appears to be a lack of communication between the narrators, who portray the same characters with different accents and tones. Lacking this unity, the shifts between them may be jarring for listeners. Drake, who performs most of the narration, delivers a smoother and more consistent voicing. However, the overabundance of sex scenes and lack of unique phrasing may lose the listener's interest despite Drake's otherwise enjoyable performance. A.L. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine