Regin The Radiant has always been at the top of my list of favorite Valkyrie in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole. That’s saying a lot since the entire IAD series is packed with outstanding, highly entertaining characters. But I’ve always loved Regin’s carefree, sharp-tonged party girl attitude. As she tosses up a braid of hair as an offering to the wraiths that guard Val Haul she exclaims:
“Make a hole bitches.”
…and they grant her passage.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior takes place during the same time as Demon From The Dark. However the prologue takes us back to when Regin was twelve years old when she first meets Aidan the Fierce her fated mate. Once Regin comes of age they begin their love affair only to have it prematurely ended when Aidan is assassinated. Every one hundred years or so, Aidan is reincarnated and the lovers are reunited only to suffer the same loss over and over again once Adian remembers his past. But with his next reincarnation Regin is determined she will not let it happen again. She will not let her lover die. That is until she realizes Aidan has come back as the monster that ordered her horrendous torture and the incarceration of many of her Lore allies.
I’ve faithfully read every book in this series and these books just keep getting better and better. The world that Kresley Cole has built around her cast of characters is simply superb. I am constantly impressed with Ms. Cole’s storytelling and completely enthralled with the IAD world. After reading Demon From The Dark I did have to wonder if the series had hit its peak though. That book was one of my favorites and after finding out that Declan and Regin would be the next hero and heroine I had my doubts as to how Kresley Cole would pull off a romance between the two characters. These two would-be lovers didn’t have a few obstacles to overcome; they had major, major issues making for a romance that more of a slow burn rather than the smoking hot, passion filled relationships we’ve seen in past books. But don’t worry, Regin and Declan do scorch the pages, but there is much to overcome before they can take their relationship to that level and there is plenty of action and adventure to keep you flipping the pages.
Declan is such a tortured, almost ruined hero. His hatred for the Lore because of hideous crimes committed against him and his family by dark Lore has consumed him and he has dedicated his life to eradicating all members of the Lore. He must come to terms with who he is and his attraction to Regin before he can heal and make amends for his own crimes though. His journey is intense and heartbreaking to say the least.
Regin is faithful not only to her sisters and allies but also to her beloved Aidan. She waits for him each time after his death, never knowing another, only to lose him to death all over again. There is a scene where she prays to her father Woeden asking him to let her have her love this time. It was such an emotionally intense scene made even more so because we see Regin at her most vulnerable stripped down state.
As always in IAD books the secondary characters play important roles in the story. In Dreams of a Dark Warrior we get cameos from several well-known IAD players, meet a couple of new ones but the big gun this time is The Enemy Of Old, Lothaire, evil vampire extraordinaire. He makes a strong impression in later part of the book and leaves hints as to his role in future IAD book(s). Lothaire is sarcastic and cool, deplorable and untrustworthy, and always out for himself. His Endgame takes priority always and he grants no favors without a price. By the end of the book I was fully in love with the detestable vampire and I simply cannot wait for his heroine to take him down a notch or two. It should be a fun ride.
Dreams Of A Dark Warrior is yet another outstanding addition to the Immortals After Dark series and I remain a steadfast fan. I eagerly look forward to more from this highly entertaining series.
Favorite Quotes:
Declan:
He gripped her nape. “I fuckin’ love you, Regin!” Rain spiked his lashes as he gazed down at her, commanding her, “Love me back!”
Lothaire:
“And speaking of females, if I call you by one’s name while my fangs are plunged deep in your neck, just run with it”.
Dreams Of A Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
February 15th 2011 by Pocket
Paranormal Romance
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About Sophia (FV)
I wish Regin had made Declan suffer even more for his torture of her. But Kresley has a great way of redeeming her characters.
Lothaire has to be one of the most uniquely written characters Kresely has written. I’m dying to know who his heroine will be. I thought it was the white queen, but now not so sure.
I have to say, that is one tortured hero full of hate and even a little evilness, but I loved him because he completely redeemed himself. Not to start something but THAT is what an HEA is supposed to be with a tortured hero. He is not fixed but his love for the heroin holds him together and makes him a better person for it. Can you tell I am still feeling bitter over the whole “HEA” with Shadowfever, lol.
@KB/KT Grant: He seemed pretty tortured throughout the whole book, plus she loved him. I love Lothaire. I still think it’s the white queen. Why do you think it’s not? Or do we think the white queen is a different person? I emailed you.
@lvs2rd: I was happy with the ending for SH so…*shrug* lol
FV: I’m hoping L’s heroine is the White Queen as well. We should know in the next few months…
@KB/KT Grant: *taps foot impatiently*
OMG I just got a lump in my throat reading the Declan quote. God this book was so frigging good.
@KC: I know, he is so broken. The quote chokes my up too.
Those quotes are making me want to try this series again… Nice review!
I’m still reading it, let me tell you, it was 3 in the morning when I put it down, just because I needed to be at work at 9… I just LOVE Kresley, and wish she could write them faster.
Every time a read about Nix and her new pet I was LOL.
Now I’m crazy to finish it but also sad because it’s going to be a while until we have lots of Lothaire to read…
Thanks God March 29th it’s just around the corner, what a day for books, one JR Ward, one Larissa Ione and one Gena Showalter, all out in the same day… That’s going to keep me sane for some time.
I seriously LOVE Lothaire!!! Zomg I need his book.
Need book now….neeeeed
@Julie: The series gets better and better.
@Dani: I had to stay up late to read it too.
@Mandi: I never thought I’l love Lothaire but darn it, I do!
@blodeuedd: Oh hurry! Get it!!
O.M.G. You picked the BEST quotes for both of them. “The Love Me Back!” part had me so veklempt!!! SIGH. I love love love love this series and KC did it again. The series has not lost any of its magic… YAY!!
@Spaz: Yes velempt! LOL. I agree, KC just keeps the magic going. One of the best PNR series ever.
The 11th book in the series?!
Now I know why I felt a bit lost reading your summary. There is obviously a lot of world-building I have missed out on. *sighs*
But I always love the quotes you pick. This couple’s story sounds so tragic. Glad your doubts were dispelled.
I’ve been saving this for the weekend — I can’t wait! I agree with you, this series shows absolutely no signs of fatigue. It some just keeps getting better.
YEEESSSS! I have been waiting for this story!
Today is the day of KC reviews and I’m loving it. Great review
I still have yet to even read this series. I know I’m such a bad person and should be banned from the romance world. lol
@Missie: Have you read any of them?
@Linda S: It will be a good weekend for you.
@The Spinecracker (Jess): I love Regin, she is a crazy bitch. LOL
@Alexa: I might be able to forgive you if you get started soon. lol
Sophia- It is just hard to keep up because I try to read YA books and adult romance books so sometimes I lose track of some great books. This series is high up on my wish list though.
I absolutely loved this book. Definitely one of my favs in the series. My heart ached for Declan, first he is tortured by monsters as a young man and then that evil shit, Webb got his hands on him and brainwashed him. And of course I love Regin, I love her sharp wit and smart ass attitude.
Definitely a five star read for me.
Cindy