The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #1
Published by Pocket
Published on: November 22 2011
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 164
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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The Warlord Wants Forever…the sensually charged novella that started it all, now with an exclusive excerpt from MacRieve!
In this scorching series opener, #1 New York Times bestseller Kresley Cole introduces the captivating Immortals After Dark series. The eBook also includes an exclusive extended excerpt from MacRieve, the highly anticipated next installment in the series.
The Warlord
Nikolai Wroth, a ruthless vampire general, will stop at nothing to find his Bride, the one woman who can “blood” him, making his heart beat and filling him with strength. Coldly interested only in the power his Bride will bring, he can hardly believe when Myst the Coveted awakens him body—and soul.
The Seductress
Famed throughout the world as the most beautiful Valkyrie, Myst has devoted her life to protecting a magical jewel and to fighting the vampires.Wroth provides her with the perfect opportunity to torment her sworn enemy—for with his new heartbeat comes a consuming sexual desire that can only be slaked by her. Denying him, she flees, struggling to forget his searing, possessive kiss.
The Hunt is on…
She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen her enchanted jewel, giving him absolute power over her. Now that she’s his for the taking, he intends to make her experience first-hand the agonizing, unending lust she subjected him to for half a decade.Yet when Nikolai realizes he wants far more than vengeance from Myst and frees her, will she come back to him?
So. Paranormal Romance. A lot of readers don’t see a huge difference between PNR and Urban Fantasy. I do. And for the most part, I infinitely prefer UF—more save the world, less cheerleader.
Exhibit A: my sister and I were reading a well-known PNR a few years ago, our version of a buddy read (b/c I was like ten books ahead of her), and we’d shoot each other texts, snickering and generally carrying on, BUT the most often made comment was, “If someone hisses in pleasure one more time . . . ” and that pretty much sums up my problem with PNR. There’s so much sex, that sometimes it feels like I’m reading the same scene over and over again, and if an author is being lazy about the plot, and focusing mainly on the sex, I mean relationships, things can get old fast. So I’m picky about the PNR series I choose to read, and my prejudice against them can turn me into a bit of a snob.
So I’m just being honest when I say that a pen name like “Kresley Cole” didn’t inspire much confidence in that whole area. And when the first full-length novel in the series is titled “A Hunger Like No Other“?
*snorts*
If you’re like me, you’re going to turn up your nose in a snotty display of indignation (no matter how ridiculous it is to act superior when choosing a PARANORMAL ROMANCE series).
So with my highly-refined PNR palate, how did I end up reading Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series? Well, I’ll tell you—leftover trade credit at the used bookstore.
Now I get to use fun words like “fortuitous” and “serendipitous” b/c that’s exactly what I think about that situation. Not only did I get this series b/c there was literally nothing else that I wanted (in a BOOKSTORE), but then I went home and actually started reading it. I have books on my shelves that I got from McKay’s (used bookstore) when I first moved to Chattanooga 10(ish) years ago that I still haven’t touched. But this time, I got home, grimaced at the cover a bit, and dove in.
I surfaced eight days later, having read books 1-12.
You could say I liked them.
But I’m a little confused as to where this installment originally fit. It’s listed as the first book in the series, but length-wise it’s more of a novella, and while most of the dates published are in 2011, I did find one for 2006 when the series began. So whether it was always the planned first book, or if it was a prequel added after the fact, I don’t know. Don’t really care either. Know why?
Nikolai Wroth and Myst the Coveted.
Cole focuses an several species of supernatural creatures in these books—Valkyrie, vampires, werewolves, demons, and witches—but this first book is mostly about Nikolai Wroth, a vampire, and Myst the Coveted, a Valkyrie.
Myst has been used as bait (not for the first time) by her Valkyrie half-sisters, for Demestriu, the King of the (BAD) vampires. This entails her being held captive in one of the King’s strongholds. Which is where Nikolai finds her after capturing said stronghold with the Forbearers (GOOD vampires). They have insta-chemistry and it tingles. Nikolai isn’t sure what he’s feeling at first b/c in Cole’s world, once a human is turned into a vampire, the body’s physiological actions/responses completely stop functioning.
Until the vampire meets his Bride. *winks*
So when Nikolai’s heart starts beating for the first time in hundreds of years, he knows he’s found her. Problem is, Valkyrie, more than any of the other supernatural races, value their independence. And a 300+ y.o. vampire who wants a happy homemaker for a Bride, and a fiercely independent Valkyrie named “the Coveted” b/c of how many men have desired to “own” her over the years, do not make for an easy courtship.
But where would the fun in that be?
To that end, Cole’s Valkyrie are some of the most fun and original supernaturals I’ve come across. The best way I can succinctly describe them is as tiny, little termagants who really like sparkly things, and who will say A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G. When Nikolai finds Myst in her cell, she demands that he free her. He asks, “Are you innocent of malice against us?” to which she replies, “Oh good gods, no! I love, love, love to kill leeches.”
And that pretty much sums up their courtship: Nikolai asking Myst reasonable questions or requesting reasonable things, and Myst . . . well, being Myst.
It’s fun. I like it.
I think you will too. UNLESS you are mightily offended by things like Daenerys and Drogo’s “courtship” (Game of Thrones), in which case you will absolutely not like it. Make no mistake, there are intensely aggressive sexual situations in this series. So if you like big, strong alpha males that are intensely aggressive sexually in pursuit of their wily, warrior women (I LOVE accidental alliteration<——there it is again!), then have I got a series for you! Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark is hands-down the BEST paranormal romance series I have ever read (and if I can still say that 12 books in, you know I mean it), and The Warlord Wants Forever is the perfect opportunity for you to find out if you’d love it too—it’s long enough to give you a good idea of what Cole’s writing is like, but it’s not a full-length novel, so it’s both less of a time-commitment AND it’s cheaper (it’s been $1.99 on Amazon for-EVER). Try it out, and let me know what you think!
My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I am down with intensely aggressive as long as not unwanted.
Me TOO 😉
I love this series. It is one of my favorite PNRs as well. The valkyries are my favorites, and you know you are in for a good time if Nucking Futs Nix makes an appearance. I highly recommend this series on audio too. Robert Petkoff does a wonderful job with all the different voices and accents (though he doesn’t narrate this novella and I haven’t listened to this one, so I cannot comment on how good it is, but he has done all the others).
Thanks, Melanie, I’ll definitely add him to my list of narrators to try. I’m actually listening to my first audio this weekend while driving back and forth to visit family, and I have no idea who the narrator is, but I’m going to have to look him up b/c he’s AMAZING. Maybe I can do this audio thing after all 😉 And YES—Nix is my favorite!
I agree with Melanie. I this is my favorite PNR series and it’s awesome on audio!
This is definitely my favorite PNR too, and I’ll be sure to check it out in audio.
oh LOL, Jessica! I remember when I read my first PNR, I was very much a sex-in-books virgin, and I was actually a little shocked… but I was also more than a little titillated! And so, now, both UF and PNR are among my favorite genres to read. But I do need a good storyline, and real plot and some character development to go with my book-sex, please 😀
Kresley Cole has a great way of telling a story, though, and once I got over my initial shyness (thank goodness for my kindle! noone on the bus knew what I was reading!) I devoured more and more PNR stories.
Lovely review – and aren’t you happy you stepped out of your normal comfort zone and gave this series a chance?
SO glad. I LOVED it. I really did go on one of the biggest binge-reads of my life. All 12 books in 8 days, LOL (and I’ve never looked back 😉 )!
It’s been a long time! But I remember loving it as I have every installment in this series 🙂 I love the sassy heroines, the uber alpha males, the action….everything..lol
I understand your confusion, I read/listened to this one way late in the series and I don’t know where it fits..LOL but it fits!..
It definitely fits. I LOVE all of these books, and this is my first reread, so I can’t wait to see all the details that paint the bigger picture that I missed the first time through—these sassy heroines and uber-alphas are SO worth a second look 😉
na na na boo boo…. Now you need to read Sherrilyn Kenyon!!! Mush I say! 😉
Actually, I am infinitely happy that Cole decided to change the covers on her early books b/c the cover to Hunger Like No Other is horrible!!! But the book is still one of my faves!!! I honestly go back and forth between UF and PNR; which is better?!?!?!?!
…pnr is like candy, though. You kind of proved that one!
And I LOVE candy!! I go back and forth too, but I haven’t found many PNR series that I loved as much, so I don’t think I can compare them fairly. BUT I have read Sherrilyn Kenyon. I’ve actually slotted ALL (geez) of those books for a reread as soon as I’m a bit ahead in my reading-for-reviews. There are like 5 or 6 new books since the last time I read them . . .
Love Immortals After Dark!!! It’s one of my favorites and I adore the sassy, snarky heroines.
But wait??? Is My ParaHangover right? You haven’t read Sherrilyn Kenyon yet? Oh Jessica, you’re missing out! You gotta try the Dark Hunters 🙂
No, I have! Aurian has actually got me gunning for a reread with all of her reviews—it’s been YEARS. As soon as I finish my massive pile-o-arcs, I’ll be binge-reading Dark Hunters 😉
Bloody hell I just wrote a really long comment from my phone and I hit back somehow and now it’s all gone. Argh.
Ok, lemme try this again. I admit that I sometimes get confused between the difference between PNR and UF so thanks for giving me a little bit of an idea of the difference! I’ve only read this book and A Hunger Like No Other in the series but have enjoyed both too. I’m now listening to the audiobooks and love it cause the narrator’s amazing! I’m on Wicked Deeds right now 🙂
From what I know, this book is supposed to be a prequel because AHLNO was published first but since it’s a prequel it’s considered #1. Great review Jessica, I really need to get into UF more.
I HATE when that happens! And I’ve heard that the narrator for these books is awesome. I’m trying to listen to more audios, so I’ll have to check him out. And that’s kind of what I figured time-line wise. The first several books are happening kind of simultaneously too, so reading them out of order isn’t a HUGE deal.
I’m glad you’re liking them, Amir! And you know I always support the decision to read more UF 😉 But I also need to read more contemporary. My TBR list in that genre is getting out of control . . .
Okay so I’ve seen this and I hated this author’s YA book which was why even though I’ve wanted to pick her PNR series, I still haven’t. I am glad to see you enjoyed it though Jessica!! 😀
Perhaps I might pick this up after all (and blame you if I don’t like it ^_^).
WONDERFUL REVIEW (as always)!
THANKS! And I haven’t read her YA series, and I’m more and more inclined not too b/c I’ve heard not good things, but I think you’d really get down with her PNR if you don’t mind UBER alpha males. And BONUS—no triangles 😉
haha…Jessica! Have I mentioned how much I like you yet?! Well I do! I love this… “more save the world, less cheerleader”. I feel the same way. 🙂 Poison Princess was the first book of Kresley Cole’s that I have read and you know how that went. I will have to give the Immortal After Dark series a try. It sounds like I will need to lock myself away with all the books. Thanks for another great review.
Aw shucks *blushes* I like you too! And I know Poison Princess wasn’t a win for you, but honestly my mind is kind of blown that her YA writing could be such a stark contrast to her adult writing. I guess it shouldn’t be, b/c I love Kim Harrison’s The Hollows, but her Madison Avery series was mediocre at best (for me anyway). I hope you do give IAD a try. I think anyone who likes UF/PNR and doesn’t mind (or even prefers *waggles eyebrows*) the UBER alpha male, will really like this series.
You read them all back to back..I cannot do that. One I find I rush to much and don;t enjoy them as much and two they all blur together. However after your review I am snagging book one!
Yay! I can’t wait to hear what you think about it. And I don’t do binge-reads often, but I do occasionally do them. B/c I’m a maniac 😉
Lol, I like how you explain the difference. I usually say PNR is sex and romance, UF is more about kicking some ass
I try to work in a good Heroes reference every time I can, LOL.
Haha, you summed up exactly why I’m not a fan of PNR versus UF. I just honestly can say it doesnt tempt me because the romance is the main focus and I never like that to be the main focus of what I’m reading. I might have to live vicariously thru you on this one…12 books tho in 8 days….hmm that is definitely something to consider.
Yeah, I can turn into a bit of a maniac when I discover a new series that I REALLY like. It’s only happened a handful of times, but when it does—watch out!
I’ll definitely have to check this series out. I’m totally with you on sex in books – I don’t mind it, but I don’t want the plot to revolve around the sex. If it’s a book all about how characters X and Y want to sleep with each other with some paranormal thrown in, I’m not a fan.
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Neither am I. Especially in some of these series that are up in the 20s installment-wise. I don’t mind a book being about the romance, I LOVE romance, but it has to have substance, and I really think IAD does (despite my what my preconceived notions told me, LOL).
I read it a while ago so I confess I don’t remember a lot about it, but I read 3 in the series I think? like book 1 2 and 5 ? something like that. It was easy as we have them in French as well. I even have some in French in my TPB pile and one in ENglish. One day I’ll go back to the story. I’m glad you had a good time with it, I think it’s nice to have so many different characters like that.
I like all of the different characters too, Melliane, and I hope you find your way back to this series eventually b/c I LOVE it 😉
You read them all back to back? Wow, Jessica, I’m seriously impressed – haha! 😉
I haven’t read this one yet, but I’m definitely going to have to give it a try! Definitely will help with my attempting-to-avoid-dystopian-novels tactic! 😉 Plus, the characters sound pretty epic, so I can’t pass that up!
Thanks so much for sharing Jessica, and, as always, brilliant review! xD
Yes . . . sigh . . . 😉 Sometimes I think I’m really part machine.
And if you’re ever in the mood for PNR, then yes, definitely try this series. The women are hilarious, and the men are so alpha it’d be ridiculous if it wasn’t so hot (IMO). But start with this one b/c book 2 (the first full-length novel) is my least favorite out of all of them.
And thanks, Zoe! You’re going to make me blush 😉
I really need to try this series, I love both PNR and UF and this just looks great!
Wonderful review!!
Thanks! I hope you like it 🙂
Here’s what, i don’t think I’ll get to this series anytime soon because it’s a LOT of books and with all my other shit in my TBR bookshelf, yup not happening. I did like Arcana Chronicles so I’m sure I’ll enjoy her writing fantasy for adults.
P.S. No wonder I like you so much! It’s insta-like for me because I live in TN too! Weee!! I’m 2-3 hours away as I live close to Nashville. Did the waterfall up in Rock City turn green again? I so love that place!
I get you, my TBR lists are out of control too.
And YES! TN girls UNITE! I grew up outside of Nashville, in Dickson County (moved to NC when I was 8, but my whole family still lived somewhere in TN, so I visited a lot). Most of my family moved to Knoxville, but my grandparents still live around where I grew up, so I get down there to visit several times a year. But I’ve never been to Rock City . . . I guess I should go some time, LOL?
I’ve always noticed the difference between PNR and UF!!! How funny that you are explaining in this post and I share a lot of your same feelings! Now we’ve bonded over this and Henry Cavill!! We must be long lost sisters! 😉 And based on your review, this series sounds AMAZING!!!! I’m totally going to one-click now!
Of course we are! I suspected when you shared the Baz love, but the Henry love cemented it 😉 And YAY! I hope you LOVE it!
I will let you know once I start reading this! 😉 Baz…*sigh*
I was barely in high school when Romeo and Juliet came out (and I was also ALWAYS grounded), but I managed to see it in the theaters THREE times, I loved it so much. Do you remember how hard it was to get to the movies pre-driver’s license, LOL? And yes, please do, so I can stalk your updates 😉
Oddly enough in NJ, where I was born and raised, they did not screen who entered which films. Clearly they threw caution to the wind and it worked out in my favor! LOL 😉 You can count on my updates…will keep you posted! 😉
Yay 😉
Hmm I don’t know. I am like you. I get so sick of the sex scenes they totally ruin a read for me. I much prefer UF for that reason. I know Cole is the queen of sex scenes but if you enjoyed this I might try it.
She really the sex scene queen, but she’s also queen of awesome and hilarious heroines and UBER alpha man. There’s only one other PNR series that I’ve come across that keeps a good running plot-line along with the romance (Psy-Changling by Nalini Singh), but it can’t touch the characters or the sup groups in IAD (IMO). Like I said, next time you’re in the mood for it, this installment is really more of a novella, so even if you don’t like it, you wouldn’t have wasted much time on it. And who knows? Maybe you’ll like it too 😉
I won The Poison Princess by Kresley Cole! aaaand, the covers haven’t inspired me to start them. They just look like a lot of of paranormal romance, which isn’t my favourite thing of ever. Buuut, this sounds okay! I wonder if it’s the same series, or…mm. I should get around to reading mine someday. 😉
Definitely not the same series, LOL. And I’ve heard that Poison Princess being Cole’s YA series has distinct differences (beyond the obvious) in writing style, so even if you don’t like one, you might like the other.
I’m not sure if I’d like these or not. I tend to usually prefer UF over PNR cause of the sex & romance, but all the other aspects of this sound pretty appealing so this might be a series I really could enjoy.
Only one way to find out 😉 And yeah, I’m typically like you—I’ll take UF over PNR any day, but IAD is the one exception. It’s GOOD book candy.
Holy … what? This sounds friggin’ great! Especially Myst. I haven’t read very much PR, but not because I’m not interested. I’m definitely adding this book though. I heard some pretty awful things about her YA book, so hopefully I’ll like this.
Oh yeah, I’ve heard terrible things about her YA books too! And I was shocked b/c the things I was hearing, were definitely things that I would also hate. The only thing I can figure is that she’s one of those authors that can only rock one age group and YA is not it. I hope you like this one, when/if you get it it. Myst is only the beginning of the awesome . . .
I started this series with A Hunger Like No Other which I thought was the first book so yeah, I don’t know. But I do love this series. PNR and UF are definitely not the same, and I do love UF a little more, but I love some sex in my books, sooo. yeah. lol Happy this one worked out for you.
That’s pretty much me exactly. I normally prefer UF, but when I’m in the mood for something more PNR-like, Cole is the best that I’ve found so far. Glad you liked it too!
I’m a big fan of both PNR & UF and you summed up their difference beautifully! (and gave me a giggle in the process).
I have only read this authors YA novels and I quite liked them so I’m definitely going to have to give this series a go, I like the sound of the characters, I just get nervous about the number of books in the series so well done on reading them back to back, that’s impressive 🙂
A fabulous review!
Thanks, Sharon! And yeah, I can turn into a maniac when I find a new series that I really like 😉 The characters in IAD are fantastic, so I hope you do give the series a shot.
Glad you’re enjoying this series Jessica! I’m a huge fan of PNR, though I agree, there is a lot of hissing in pleasure at times 😉 I read the first couple books in this series and then promptly got distracted by other things, so I need to go back and finish them (or start, depending on how you look at this novella) Myst sounds hilarious, and the relationship between Daenerys and Drogos was pretty much my sole reason for watching the first season of GoT, so I think I’ll like this relationship just fine!
Yay!! I’m glad you’re down with the Daenerys/Drogo-style relationship (I hate feeling like I need to defend my own love of it to less alpha-inclined readers). And Myst IS hilarious, so I hope you make your way back to the series some time. I loves it 😉
I love this series! The women are not your typical PNR heroines and they’re just as fiesty as their alpha counterparts. Some of these books are better than others but those Valkyrie women keep me glued to the pages with their kick ass fighting skills and great sense of humor! I’m not done with the series yet and your review is making me want to pick it back up. Happy reading Jessica!
Thanks, Lori! It’s the Valkyrie that keep me on my toes with this series too. They are hilarious AND kickass, and that’s just about my favorite combination. And I totally support that inclination 😉
I have first books in this series but haven’t read them. That will change soon, very soon.
Great review.
Excellent! Can’t wait to stalk your updates!
Kresley Cole… is she the one who wrote the Poison Princess books? o_o If she’s the one, then I hated her YA PNR! LOL! The dude there was such a jackass 🙂 This one sounds pretty different, though. I mean, hello, Valkyries?? What’s not to love about these kick-ass feisty women in awesome costumes? Added it to my TBR! Maybe her adult books are far better than her YA one 😀
Faye at The Social Potato Reviews
Yeah, I heard her YA books were crap. I haven’t read them myself yet, but all the reasons I was given were reasons that would make me hate them too. Sometimes adult authors should stick to adult books, and it looks like Cole is one of thoses . . .
I am yet to read a Kresley Cole book but you have convinced me to give it a chance sometime 🙂 Wow I cannot believe you read all 12 books in 8 days.. that is like supersonic speed reading with magical abilities!
I loved your insights into UF & PNR. Great post and great review Jessica!
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
LOL, yeah I can turn into a machine when I get really excited about something new. I hope you do give this series a chance some time, and thank you 🙂
Lol Jessica! I do love this series, and I am glad you enjoy it too, but there are other great series out there as well. Still, her unique characters and sense of humor is amazing. I want Nix’ book soon.
You and me both! Who cares about Lothaire?! Gimme NIX 😉
Ooo you haven’t read Lothaire yet? I did not believe she could redeem him in my eyes, but she did. He is an amazing hero in his own book. You will fall, hard.
No, I did! But (IMO) Lothaire pales in comparison to Nix, LOL.