Tea and Eternal Kiss of Darkness with Guest Reviewer Tradermare (Spoilers Ahead)…

Lots and lots of books are being released today among them the, long-awaited, second spin off book in Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress World series, Eternal Kiss of Darkness. I asked my friend Tradermare to review it for the blog, since she was one of the lucky people who got a copy before release day. I had to buy a Kindle edition this morning since somebody screwed up our delivery for the store *pouts* Oh well I have it and I’m about to curl up in bed with it and take-away. Thank you Tradermare for taking the time to do this *HUGS*.

Title: Eternal Kiss of Darkness

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication June 27th 2010

ISBN: 9780062005274

Summary:

An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness . . .

And now one woman has stumbled into the shadows.

Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she's only imagined in her worst nightmares.

At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he'd seen it all. Then Kira appears—this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.

But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction. (From www.harpercollins.com)

Trademare’s Review:

Romantic. Surprising. Beautiful. That’s how I would describe the latest Night Huntress World offering, Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost.

The story opens with powerful, mega-master Mencheres shackled and tortured by ghouls in a Chicago warehouse during the predawn hours. Private investigator Kira Graceling discovers the gruesome scene and intervenes, saving Mencheres, but she is mortally wounded in the process. In return for her bravery, Mencheres heals her with his blood and escapes, taking Kira with him, so he can erase her memories of the supernatural world she has stumbled on.

Somehow naturally resistant to vampire mind control, Kira spends a fateful week with Mencheres while he attempts to erase her memories. She eventually becomes a pawn in an eons old high-stakes feud between the mega-master and Radjedef, a vindictive Law Guardian seeking to steal Mencheres super powers. Their feud becomes the backdrop for the developing love story between Mencheres and Kira in Eternal Kiss of Darkness.

The story is told from both Kira’s and Mencheres’ point of view, and to me, the dominant voice in the book is not Mencheres’ as one might expect; it is Kira’s voice that stands out, her brutal honesty, intelligence, and compassion eventually tearing down Menchere’s defenses, healing his wounds and giving him hope for his future. Her strength and his vulnerability make for a wonderfully romantic coupling.

By exploring both POVs, I felt this was as much Kira’s book as it was Mencheres’. I have to thank Jeaniene Frost for writing such complex, capable, female characters. This is one of the many reasons I love the Night Huntress series. The females stand equal to the men and as in real life, are sometimes even stronger. For all of Mencheres powers and experience, it takes Kira’s strength to show him a way out of his darkness.

But don’t get me wrong. Mencheres is no wimp in this book, and once again, he brings out his black magic tricks. In another awesome spectacle of forbidden magic, he risks everything to save his love, his life, and his line.

I have always found Mencheres to be an interesting character, a master manipulator of epic proportions, and I am thrilled to have more information about his past, and hope for his continued presence in this series. Anyone reading the paranormal genre ponders the consequences of immortality. What is it like to live 1000 or more years? Jeaniene Frost puts that question on the table and answers it beautifully.

Cat, Bones and Vlad all make appearances in this book. Bones continues to harbor animosity toward Mencheres over the events in At Graves End and Destined for an Early Grave, and it brought an interesting dimension to his character. Kira takes a tough stance with Cat that made me think there was potential for more from them in future books. Even Vlad Tepesh’s cool demeanor was eroded occasionally by the events of the story. What a pleasure to see another side to these characters.

There are a few surprising turns in this book, and it is a challenge to recap the story without spoiling them. The book is peppered with stunning reveals that die-hard Night Huntress fans will love, and these little tidbits enhance the richness of all of the characters in the Night Huntress World. I wondered if some of them were setting the scene for the upcoming Night Huntress book, This Side of the Grave. So, instead of spoiling them for you, I’ll tease you a little! Would you like to know…

- What is the connection between Mencheres and Vlad?

- Did Mencheres sire Vlad?

- Why did Ian, instead of Mencheres, sire Bones?

- How old is Mencheres?

- What is the possible source of discontent between Vlad and Bones?

- What are Mencheres powers and what may he have willed to Bones?

- What is Mencheres version of what happened between him, Patra and her lover Intef?

- Where did Mencheres learn his black magic?

All of these questions and more are answered in Eternal Kiss of Darkness.

In my opinion, Eternal Kiss of Darkness is one of the best offerings in the entire Night Huntress collection. The writing was beautifully executed, and the story crafted in such a way as to keep me turning the pages until I finished it in record time. Eternal Kiss of Darkness was an entertaining read that left me wanting more. Highly recommended.

I have to give *smooches and hugs* to the lovely @BonTempsCutie, who “procured” this book for me before its release! Thanks so much, sweetie!