Brekke K. (sfvamp) - , reviewed on 2/22/2010 + 108 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 5

After finding the last few stories in the IAD series to be a bit meh, I'm glad to see that my favorite romance author is back in fighting form with Pleasure of a Dark Prince. As another reviewer has mentioned, the first 100 plus pages are rehashing events that took place in the other novels, but from Lucia and Garreth's point of view. Consequently it's a bit choppy and jarring even for someone who remembers what happened in the other stories quite well. I'm not sure how easy the beginning of PDP would be for a newcomer to the series though Cole does do a valiant effort of explaining it all.

Fortunately, after the prerequisite setup, this book really takes off and holds you captive until the end. We get to see Garreth and Lucia in a "Tomb Raider" style adventure and Cole's writing really shines here not only as a romance author but as a fairly decent horror/adventure storyteller as well. She introduces several new intriguing characters in the mix and several favorites (like Nix, Regin, and Lothaire) also have major cameos. The love story is hot without losing the romance and I definitely think this story is up there behind No Rest For The WIcked as a favorite in the series. It had a freshness about it that I feel was lacking in some of her latest stories (such as the ones following the demon brothers and the novella with Murdoch Wroth and Daniella). Although, even Cole's mediocre contributions are still miles higher than the average paranormal romance author, and so very readable.

This book sets up a future trilogy of books that follow Carrow, Regin, and Lothaire's stories. I think Cole is a genius at having you fall in love with her characters to such a degree that you pine for her next novel like a lovesick fool. I know I will be not-so-patiently awaiting Carrow's story which comes out on August 31.

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