Book Review: Dreams of a Dark Warrior

When we started this blog , I knew this was one book review I would have to do. I’ve never hid my fangirl ways when it came to Kresley Cole. I’ve been enjoying her books since the first Immortal After Dark story, The Warlord Wants Forever.

Needless to say, that every time I finish her latest release, I start to feel the building pressure for the next book. The anticipation increases with each passing month and sometimes I have to re-read the entire series to stave off the cravings. Yes, it is that bad. I had a chance to meet Kresley Cole at Nationals and she whet our appetites with hints about the upcoming books. You can just about imagine my excitement when February 15 rolled around and Dreams of a Dark Warrior was released. I woke up at 4 in the morning (because I normally work out) but with that book sitting in my library on my Kindle, there was no way I was going to sweat when I could read.

Now for the review:

She awaits his return. . .When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals, unaware that he belongs to their world.

To sate a desire more powerful than death. . .

Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan’s torments, will Regin rekindle memories of the passion they once shared—even if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?

First off…Declan has to be one of the best heroes I’ve read in a while. By that, I mean since the last Kresley Cole, or J.R. Ward book. What can I say? I’m biased! However, he’s so damaged, so cold that you can’t picture him any other way. And there is no way in hell you can imagine him with Regin the Radiant. She of the disco snow-boots and Low Rider fascination. Yet there’s something about him, something I can’t even put a name to that makes you hope for his redemption.

Regin is one of those characters who acts as the comedic relief in the other books of the series, so yes, it’s very hard to read what’s done to her, what she’s experienced, without feeling her pain. Kresley Cole does a marvelous job of giving Regin awesome depth.

I’m not ashamed to admit that there were moments in this book that I thought I would cry. It hurt. Oh, man, did it hurt to watch Declan and Regin’s relationship develop. That’s one thing I can say about Kresley Cole’s books. She makes you hurt for her characters and then leaves you smiling when she gives you a HEA.

I won’t give out spoilers  – I don’t like them, but I will say that the Ascension is rolling along at a fast clip now. In this book, Cole starts to piece together all the snippets of information she’s sprinkled through the series. Oh, you don’t get all the juicy details, but you get enough to leave you salivating for the next book in the series.

I’m giving Dreams of a Dark Warrior five swords up. It’s an engaging story that won’t leave you hanging.