Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost – a Review

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Description:
The Rule Breaker

Master vampire Ian is unrepentant, shameless…and every shade of wicked. He’s made one too many enemies in his two centuries of existence, including Dagon, a demon who now lays claim to his soul. Ian’s only chance to escape Dagon is to join forces with a Law Guardian, but he’s never been able to abide by the rules for long.

The Law Maker

Veritas’ normal role is police, judge and jury to reprobates like Ian. But she has her own ax to grind with Dagon, so if she can use Ian as bait…well, all’s fair in law and war. As they scour supernatural hotspots to perfect their trap, Veritas soon realizes Ian’s devil-may-care, roguish image hides something much more powerful. And Ian discovers that Veritas has shocking secrets of her own. As they’re drawn to each other with a passion as intense as their peril, either love or justice will prevail. But each will have devastating consequences…

Review:

Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost is the 1^st book in her new Night Rebel series, which is a much anticipated spin off from her wonderful Night Huntress series. Being a major fan of Frost’s Night Huntress, as well as her other spinoffs (Night Prince/ World), I could not wait to read Ian’s story. He is indeed the star in Shades of Wicked.

Ian, our hero in this series, is a master vampire that you love to hate, though he is considered friends to our previous heroes in Bones, Cat, Mencheres, and even Vlad (well he hates him, but will help him if needed), just to name a few. He is totally wicked in every way, but he is also loyal to his friends. Ian is desperate, as he knows his days are numbered, since he bargained his life and soul to a dangerous demon, who is waiting for the day when Ian willingly gives up his soul.

Veritas, our heroine, is a Law Guardian and vampire, who we have come to know as one strong powerful tough cookie, who always abides by the rules. But she has a secret that will make her find Ian, and get him to work with her.  Seems she wants vengeance against the same demon, Dagon that holds Ian’s soul.  

At first Ian wants nothing to do with Veritas, but she convinces him to work with her to destroy Dagon, which will be benefit both of them, as together they are strong enough to defeat him. Neither one of them trust each other, and when Dagon gets closer to finding Ian, they begin to work together to find a way to set up a trap for the demon.

What follows is an amazing story that puts together two unlikely people totally different, that will develop into a slow built romance that no one could ever imagine.  Ian has always been an egotistic manwhore, and Veritas is the opposite. But along the way, they each begin to learn more about each other; their pasts & secrets that made them what they were today.  Bravo to Jeaniene Frost for making us fall for both of them and have us rooting hard that they will stay together.  But will they?

The last half of the book was exciting, dangerous, sexy, fun and I loved every moment of it, as I raced to finish the book.  The romance was intensely passionate, and to my amazement I loved them together.  Shades of Wicked is a fantastic start to this new series.   I will add that there is sort of a cliffhanger, which is making me so impatient for the next book. You need to read this series.  Bravo again, Jeaniene Frost.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher