Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Series: Immortals After Dark #15
Published by Simon and Schuster
Published on: December 1, 2015
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Length: 14 hrs & 42 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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An immortal assassin is caught between desire and duty in this sizzling new novel from Kresley Cole’s #1 New York Times bestselling Immortals After Dark series.
A foundling raised in a world of humans
Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was—just that she was “bad,” an outcast with strange powers. Protecting her baby brother Thaddeus became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl…to would-be superhero…to enchanting villain.
A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission
Whether by bow or in bed, archer Rune the Baneblood never fails to eliminate his target. In his sights: the oldest living Valkyrie. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty mesmerizes him. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, stealing his forbidden blood—and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.
A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin…
Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.
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SWEET RUIN clashed with the other installments in this series; it had a different writing style, and given how far along the IMMORTALS AFTER DARK plot arc is, I thought that it was a little late for Kresley Cole to be rolling out two new characters. Josephine is Thaddeus’ sister, and there was a strong connection to the Valkyries, but other than that this was mostly a transition novel.
I liked Jo. She fit the IAD female lead profile perfectly, and therein was the problem. Other than having a different name, and being a vampire crossed with a not-yet-seen supe type, I found that her voice was extremely similar to many of those that came before her. On the flip side, Rune was a shameless man-whore, and bats for Team Morior which made reading his POV compelling because it muddied the good/evil waters.
This was one of the more sexually supercharged titles thus far which significantly changed the tone of the story, and I personally don’t stray into the erotica side of Paranormal Romance, so I wasn’t thrilled about that. Nix had her usual moment in the sun, although it was significantly larger (YAY!), and set some fascinating wheels in motion. Ooh, and I think Cole dropped a hint about the soothsayer’s HEA.
Audiobook listeners have been blessed with samples of Robert Petkoff’s Texan accent ever since Thad showed up; however this was the first time that we got to enjoy the full extent of it via an MC. The narrator also did a sensational job with Rune, and adroitly adjusted to the author’s format change. If previous installments left you blushing, wait until you hear his latest performance!
I had mixed feelings about SWEET RUIN, but still, I regret nothing!
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
New characters added in book what #14? seems like a bit odd, but I’m glad to hear the narrator did as great job as always even if this book felt a bit more of a filler than any of the previous ones!
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I’m sorry this book had a different feel and was more of a transition novel, Carmel. But I’m glad there were elements to give you some satisfaction. I’m still on book 2 but I’m working at catching up! 😉
I felt like I wasn’t really in the IAD world at all. With the exception of the Valkries, who we only really come face to face with Nix (except for familiar character comments), this felt like something new. I had completely forgotten who Thad was, so his role didn’t help to bring me back to the fact that this was IAD. Overall, I liked it. Rune kind of frustrated me, but I’ve also been a big fan of the sassy women Cole writes. They all make me laugh. Although, I got more of an immature feel with Jo, which made things kind of weird.
Kresley Cole explained the change. She had to make a choice if the series were to wind down or continue on. This shift to the Morior, Rune, and Jo was meant to send the series in a new direction and prolong it.
Personally, I really liked it, but I was aware of that fact before diving into Sweet Ruin, so I knew it was going to be different.
One thing we agree on, Robert Petkoff was phenomenal once again. This is by far my favorite author and narrator pairing.
I am gonna try to read another COle book next week *fingers crossed*
Yes, this one was a lot of new on new. I look forward to what is to come. A few interesting dangling threads.
I loved the opening with baby Thad.
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I’m in the middle of listening to this one and I’m not seeing the formula change? It’s like most of the series. And there was another book (can’t remember which one) that had a similar sexual feel to it. The with holding of ‘releases’ and such.
But yeah so far this one is not shining more than the others in the series. Still enjoyable but not a Wow installment so far.