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Nightwatchers #2
Wicked Kiss
My kiss can kill.
I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul…or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't…I hurt myself.
Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop—or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy….
NIGHTWATCHERS: When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising…
I used to be ordinary Samantha Day, but that's changed. Now, after one dark kiss from a dangerous boy, I can steal someone's soul…or their life. If I give in to the constant hunger inside me, I hurt anyone I kiss. If I don't…I hurt myself.
Bishop is the one whose kiss I crave most, but if I kiss him, I'll kill him. Then there's another boy, one I can't hurt. One whose kiss seems to miraculously quell my hunger. They're both part of a team of angels and demons that's joined forces in my city to fight a mysterious rising darkness, an evil that threatens everyone I know and love. I just wonder if I'll be able to help Bishop—or if I'm just another part of the darkness he's sworn to destroy….
NIGHTWATCHERS: When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising…
448 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2013
About the author
Michelle Rowen
64 books2,724 followersNational bestselling author MICHELLE ROWEN writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and young adult fantasy, both light and dark, sexy and sweet, long and short -- it all depends on the story! She's won a Holt Medallion for Best First Book and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Vampire Romance. For more information, please visit Michelle at her website at www.michellerowen.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
February 5, 2018
Samantha Day has lost her soul. One of the hottest guys in school is walking around with it, but he isn’t the guy she loves. That would be the fallen angel. This is the second book in the series. There is so much happening. Heaven and hell, angels and demons. Add to all that a haunted mansion. I truly enjoyed this book,
Want to read
May 26, 2012On the back of Dark Kiss it says, "Watch out for Wicked Kiss coming soon", I don't consider 2013 'soon'.
January 5, 2013
After reading Wicked Kiss, I stand by everything I said in my review of Dark Kiss. The characters really are generic and the story is absolutely by the books, but there's just something about Michelle Rowen's writing that turns what should be an average paranormal romance (read: a substandard book) into a fairly decent reading experience. In fact, I have to say Wicked Kiss is even an improvement over Dark Kiss, something I wasn’t expecting at all.
One of the things I remember saying in my review of Dark Kiss though is something to the effect of the characters didn’t really work for me because ‘I've seen [so] many of these triangles where the nice and slightly bookish girl has to choose between the serious hero and the sarcastic antihero [that] I just don't care anymore - not that I really cared before’ - and then I called out Bishop for being well-meaningly boring and Kraven for being stereotypically sarcastic. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is that Rowen’s expanded on the back story and the conflict between the two, and although the specifics of that conflict should be predictable enough to anyone who’s read the first book, the flashbacks scenes themselves and then Samantha’s reactions to what she’s learned are sufficiently well done to lend an air of credibility to Bishop and Kraven’s relationship. It isn’t much and is completely expected, but still, it works to make these two generic characters, well, more interesting. That, and by now it’s not really a triangle, Kraven’s written more as the sarcastic best friend who might have a shot but really doesn’t, so the entire gimmicky relationship thing between Sam, Bishop, and Kraven which was like sixty or seventy percent of what made the first book feel so ordinary is really no longer an issue.
I think I also said ‘sidekicks Roth and Zach are more interesting than [Bishop and Kraven]’, and surprisingly, they’re still big parts of the story, despite the loads of (predictable yet effective) character development heaped on Bishop and Kraven. Maybe it’s because, as readers of Rowen’s high fantasy series Falling Kingdoms can attest, she’s not averse to killing off her characters, and an effectively placed death now and then does actually work quite well. Shocking, yes, and I was totally sold. Then again, I wasn’t really sold at first on new angel Cassandra, ostensibly introduced to cause trouble for Samantha but whose storyline ends up being as stereotypically predictable as her character, especially when Sam introduces her with lines like:
Or:
Eh, not cool, but even still it really didn't matter for me because even though I could tell right away what was going to happen with her character, (the rest of) Rowen’s writing is strong enough that the developments, though no surprise, were still pretty effective when they came - and that goes for Sam’s mean girl nemesis Jordan as well.
My last point in my review of the first book was how the tone and mood in Dark Kiss totally rocked for a dark urban fantasy. I didn’t feel those elements as strongly in Wicked Kiss, but in a way that’s also a good thing, because the upside of not spending so much time building up the Trinity scenery is that the pacing is much better this go around and I really felt like I was learning something new about the mythology of the series in every chapter. Well, except there are really two different villains in the story, so there’s a first climax when I thought the book would be over with about a fifth of the book still to go, and then a second climax later on closer to the end. I’m not sure why we need the second one - seems to me like it was tacked on to give (an open ended) closure to the series in case this ends at two books - but it’s a little distracting to think the book is over and then learn, nope, more stuff happening. Oh, and some obvious things, like the haunted mansion or Seth’s real identity, are telegraphed a little too loudly and sort of ruined the surprise factor.
Still, even if unpredictability has never been either of the two Nightwatchers books’ strong suits, the writing certainly is. Anyone who liked the first book has to come back for this.
One of the things I remember saying in my review of Dark Kiss though is something to the effect of the characters didn’t really work for me because ‘I've seen [so] many of these triangles where the nice and slightly bookish girl has to choose between the serious hero and the sarcastic antihero [that] I just don't care anymore - not that I really cared before’ - and then I called out Bishop for being well-meaningly boring and Kraven for being stereotypically sarcastic. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is that Rowen’s expanded on the back story and the conflict between the two, and although the specifics of that conflict should be predictable enough to anyone who’s read the first book, the flashbacks scenes themselves and then Samantha’s reactions to what she’s learned are sufficiently well done to lend an air of credibility to Bishop and Kraven’s relationship. It isn’t much and is completely expected, but still, it works to make these two generic characters, well, more interesting. That, and by now it’s not really a triangle, Kraven’s written more as the sarcastic best friend who might have a shot but really doesn’t, so the entire gimmicky relationship thing between Sam, Bishop, and Kraven which was like sixty or seventy percent of what made the first book feel so ordinary is really no longer an issue.
I think I also said ‘sidekicks Roth and Zach are more interesting than [Bishop and Kraven]’, and surprisingly, they’re still big parts of the story, despite the loads of (predictable yet effective) character development heaped on Bishop and Kraven. Maybe it’s because, as readers of Rowen’s high fantasy series Falling Kingdoms can attest, she’s not averse to killing off her characters, and an effectively placed death now and then does actually work quite well. Shocking, yes, and I was totally sold. Then again, I wasn’t really sold at first on new angel Cassandra, ostensibly introduced to cause trouble for Samantha but whose storyline ends up being as stereotypically predictable as her character, especially when Sam introduces her with lines like:
I'd known Cassandra the Perky Blonde Angel for an hour now and I was insanely and irrationally resentful of her immediate connection with Bishop.
Or:
Cassandra was beautiful, capable, smart and strong - and she could heal injuries with a mere touch. She was an angel, too. They had everything in common with each other.
Irrational or not, I hated her stupid blond guts.
Eh, not cool, but even still it really didn't matter for me because even though I could tell right away what was going to happen with her character, (the rest of) Rowen’s writing is strong enough that the developments, though no surprise, were still pretty effective when they came - and that goes for Sam’s mean girl nemesis Jordan as well.
My last point in my review of the first book was how the tone and mood in Dark Kiss totally rocked for a dark urban fantasy. I didn’t feel those elements as strongly in Wicked Kiss, but in a way that’s also a good thing, because the upside of not spending so much time building up the Trinity scenery is that the pacing is much better this go around and I really felt like I was learning something new about the mythology of the series in every chapter. Well, except there are really two different villains in the story, so there’s a first climax when I thought the book would be over with about a fifth of the book still to go, and then a second climax later on closer to the end. I’m not sure why we need the second one - seems to me like it was tacked on to give (an open ended) closure to the series in case this ends at two books - but it’s a little distracting to think the book is over and then learn, nope, more stuff happening. Oh, and some obvious things, like the haunted mansion or Seth’s real identity, are telegraphed a little too loudly and sort of ruined the surprise factor.
Still, even if unpredictability has never been either of the two Nightwatchers books’ strong suits, the writing certainly is. Anyone who liked the first book has to come back for this.
March 6, 2013
Spoilers
“Yeah, he looks like he’s really helping the search,” I said with disdain. “If you’re searching for slutty girls.”
Shut up, Samantha! Just Shut The Fuck Up!! (Samantha is the heroine's name btw)
Want to know why the heroine calls the other girl slutty? Because said 'slutty' girl who Samantha's never actually spoken to before or even met is… wait for it… Being chatted up by a guy! OMG! THE SLUT! HOW DARE A GIRL LET A GUY FLIRT WITH HER! BURN HER! BURN HER, I SAY!
So, the so called heroine — the character we're meant to relate to is someone that thinks girls who are being chatted up are slutty. Nice.
Yea, I know they're girls who are just like dear old Samantha but those girls are sexist idiots and shouldn't be listened to. I would have been fine with Samantha's character if she realised she was a sexist loser and corrected her bastard attitude… but she didn't. What really pisses me off is that Samantha's view of other females isn't portrayed as wrong or messed up. Nope, it's perfectly fine for Samantha to think all girls are sluts for deigning to talk to a guy. It's fucked up.
-I didn't like Samantha (see above). I wasn't impressed with her whiny, judgmental, bratty, petty and boring personality. Also, her super speshul snowflake powers made her more dull and cliched rather than unique and interesting.
-Bishop was a better character than Sexist Samantha. However, he was still kind of annoying and stereotypical. I was irritated with him constantly ordering Samantha about and thinking that he knew what was best for her.
Apparently, in YA land all female characters are clueless idiots and need men to tell them what's what.
Why do so many YA authors write the same old fucked up dynamics between male and female characters?
-The plot was okay — nothing special. It was the usual good guys trying to save the world from evul… Blah blah blah.
-There were a load of info dumps, especially in the first half. It made a dull book even more duller.
-I loved the addition of Cassandra and also the fact that Jordan got a bigger role.
Cassandra and Bishop's relationship was a bit weird — they seemed to share a connection that came across as somewhat romantic but then that whole connection between them was just ignored in the second half. Did they have feelings for each other or was it just friendship? Because it wasn't clear considering how they acted towards each other in the beginning.
I did enjoy Roth and Cass's relationship but I was pissed at what happened with them at the end.
All in all, it was okay… I would have given it 3 stars but Samantha's sexism pissed me off.
“Yeah, he looks like he’s really helping the search,” I said with disdain. “If you’re searching for slutty girls.”
Shut up, Samantha! Just Shut The Fuck Up!! (Samantha is the heroine's name btw)
Want to know why the heroine calls the other girl slutty? Because said 'slutty' girl who Samantha's never actually spoken to before or even met is… wait for it… Being chatted up by a guy! OMG! THE SLUT! HOW DARE A GIRL LET A GUY FLIRT WITH HER! BURN HER! BURN HER, I SAY!
So, the so called heroine — the character we're meant to relate to is someone that thinks girls who are being chatted up are slutty. Nice.
Yea, I know they're girls who are just like dear old Samantha but those girls are sexist idiots and shouldn't be listened to. I would have been fine with Samantha's character if she realised she was a sexist loser and corrected her bastard attitude… but she didn't. What really pisses me off is that Samantha's view of other females isn't portrayed as wrong or messed up. Nope, it's perfectly fine for Samantha to think all girls are sluts for deigning to talk to a guy. It's fucked up.
-I didn't like Samantha (see above). I wasn't impressed with her whiny, judgmental, bratty, petty and boring personality. Also, her super speshul snowflake powers made her more dull and cliched rather than unique and interesting.
-Bishop was a better character than Sexist Samantha. However, he was still kind of annoying and stereotypical. I was irritated with him constantly ordering Samantha about and thinking that he knew what was best for her.
Apparently, in YA land all female characters are clueless idiots and need men to tell them what's what.
Why do so many YA authors write the same old fucked up dynamics between male and female characters?
-The plot was okay — nothing special. It was the usual good guys trying to save the world from evul… Blah blah blah.
-There were a load of info dumps, especially in the first half. It made a dull book even more duller.
-I loved the addition of Cassandra and also the fact that Jordan got a bigger role.
Cassandra and Bishop's relationship was a bit weird — they seemed to share a connection that came across as somewhat romantic but then that whole connection between them was just ignored in the second half. Did they have feelings for each other or was it just friendship? Because it wasn't clear considering how they acted towards each other in the beginning.
I did enjoy Roth and Cass's relationship but I was pissed at what happened with them at the end.
All in all, it was okay… I would have given it 3 stars but Samantha's sexism pissed me off.
Want to read
February 5, 2013
April 9, 2013
AHHH from this summary I know she is gonna kiss kraven! He basically said he liked her at the end of the first book and he is part of the team and he has no soul so hence....!
SAMS GONNA KISS KRAVEN, SAMS GONNA KISS KRAVEN, SAMS GONNA KISS KRAVEN!!!!!
Aaaaah I need this book:)
SAMS GONNA KISS KRAVEN, SAMS GONNA KISS KRAVEN, SAMS GONNA KISS KRAVEN!!!!!
Aaaaah I need this book:)
April 9, 2018
I really liked this sequel, I could feel the chemistry between the two that I shipped but unfortunately they weren't endgame and they had so much potential...
Want to read
August 9, 2012Who is that another boy mentioned in the synopsis?? Don't tell me it's Kraven??? Hahahaha! Now that's interesting! tsk! tsk! The revelation at the end of Dark Kiss how Bishop became an angel totally left my mouth hanging! Now I can't wait for the next book anticipating for a love triangle to arise! ;D
July 8, 2019
Samantha is still on a desperate mission to get her soul back and is trying to curb her craving to steal souls. She needs to kiss someone to help keep the cravings at bay... New troubles have arose as well as a new female angel added to the group that Samantha worries is taking Bishop's attention away from her. There is a rise in teen suicide as well as the grays are evolving. Either they turn monstrous and powerful or they die. Samantha must now more than ever find a way to return her soul.
I love the angel/demon mission team. The balance is a perfect mix of sarcastic wit and sweet moments. Kraven and Roth always have something crude and hilarious to contribute. I was happy that Samantha continued to get inside Bishops mind and now not only what he is currently doing but also his memories. I love learning about Kraven and Bishop's history as it was what most intrigued me during the first book.
Kraven is hilarious and I love him but I'm glad this didn't venture into love triangle territory. There was flirting and some interesting things...but as I really hate the love triangles I am happy it didn't go much further. At times I did hate Kraven though, he is a demon after all. But once all the secrets of his and Bishop's past were revealed I understood him more.
While I did find the first book was a little predictable and more of a setup, I was happy that this book had a ton of action and twists I did not see coming. Samantha's past and family history surprised me right along with Bishops. I also didn't expect the ending. Everything worked out and is concluded perfectly but not at all in the way I expected.
---
"Or maybe you can bite me."
His grin stretched. "Is that an invitation?"
"Take my soul. Take all of it. I don't care. I can't lose you."
"Sorry, I think you're forgetting I'm a demon. We don't really specialize in good. Mayhem, chaos, misery--that's more my ticket. Get all those malicious feelings out. Balance sales to the dark side a smidgeon. Delicious."
---
*I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
May 16, 2013
****FINAL RATING: 4.40 STARS****
CATCHALL
Dark Kiss was an intriguing and fun read, so I knew I had to get my hands on Wicked Kiss as soon as I could. I was not disappointed at all! It was a lovely and dark read that kept me turning pages all through the night. It was about as good as the first book, maybe a little better, but overall a satisfying sequel that lived up to my expectations.
THE HEROINE
SAMANTHA
Sam is such a kickass heroine that it's impossible not to love her even if she occasionally veers towards the annoying side. She isn't perfect, and she has her flaws, but hello, that is what makes her more relatable. I like that she's really determined, and she'll do anything to protect her friends. She's also prideful, but she doesn't let it get in the way of what she needs to do. Plus, Sam is compassionate. He major downside is that she can be way too stubborn.
THE LOVE INTEREST
BISHOP
Bishop is steady and sweet, but he's also very internally strong. He tends to make his decisions and stick by them without compromising his principles, and he believes in doing the right thing at nearly any cost. Bishop has a hard time saying how he really feels, though. He's loyal almost in spite of himself, and he's not as mysterious as I think he likes to believe. He's definitely bold, definitely hot, but I think his eloquence could use some work.
THE DEMON
KRAVEN
You know you're in love with a character when they're horrible and dark and cruel and you completely and totally love them anyway. It's not fair, but that's how it is. I adore Kraven. I love Kraven. I shouldn't, I totally shouldn't, but I do. I mean, for starters, he really is damn sexy. And it doesn't hurt that he's teasing and mischievous. Plus, he's just so darn lovable despite his darkness. Or maybe because of it. Either way, we see more of him in this book, and it actually makes him hotter. It shouldn't. But it does.
Plus, I kind of want to do him in the backseat of an expensive car. Don't ask me why that's so specific. I don't know.
THE PLOT
I thought that the plot of Wicked Kiss was just as well done as that of the first book. It's through, and has enough smaller details to be really realistic. There are twists that deepen everything, and I like that it's not the same storyline as the first one. It's a continuation of the story in its own right, but it was something different.
The plot moved pretty quickly, too, although overall the pacing was erratic. Sometimes minutes would drag on for pages and days went by in a paragraph. That's probably exaggerating a little, but you get what I'm saying. It was weird, and just generally off.
Angels and demons are a tricky subject to handle, particularly without getting preachy, but Michelle really handles it in a wonderful way so I have no complaints. She takes into account historical angel lore while also adding in her own twists and idiosyncrasies. It's classic balanced with the right amount of hot and modern. It doesn't focus on one aspect, it encompasses all of them.
I appreciated the novelty of this plot after being stuck in a reading rut, too. It kept me entertained and wasn't overly dramatic, although it had its moments, certainly. It has its own unique sort of feel and although it could have been just another paranormal romance it somehow rises about that for me.
My main problem is that some information seems thrown randomly in to either confuse us or annoy us, I'm not sure which, but either way it is awfully frustrating. I couldn't quite wrap my head around some of the things that were made to look like random reveals and not everything fit together for me and often felt too convenient.
However, though this book certainly has its faults, it also has its strengths. It was easily a worthwhile read, and one of the better sequels I've had the pleasure of reading recently.
THE ROMANCE
Sam and Kraven sort of have a fling in this book, but it's clear from the beginning that it's not really that serious as is more about controlling Sam's cravings than any sort of romance. Still it's actually pretty thrilling to read about, because the chemistry between the, is so hot and unique. The real romance, though, comes in between Sam and Bishop. They care so deeply for each other, but they cannot kiss. It puts both of them in so much pain, but each of them tries their best to resist. Yet they can't quite seem to manage it.
THE WRITING
Michelle is an enormously talented writer, so much so that anything she writes is automatically better simply because of the quality of her writing. It's luscious, gorgeous, and unique. Sam has a distinct and almost innocent voice that is reliable and tells things as they are, yet allows the reader to occasionally see things that she cannot. The banter between the characters is also awesome and provides some fun and humor to the story.
THE ENDING
Actually, the way Wicked Kiss ended was really unexpected. I don't know why, exactly, but it was. There was a twist I did not expect but that really worked. I loved the gutsiness of the ending and the fact that everything wasn't completely perfect. There was definitely a happy ending in some ways for some characters, but for others less so. There was also the sense that although part of this story has ended it is far from over.
WRAPUP
I will definitely be looking forward to more from this series, because there's definitely room for more! I have yet to read any other Michelle Rowen books (well, Falling Kingdoms, but besides that) but after reading this I'm sold and definitely will. I would recommend this series to paranormal romance fans mostly, although I think other people would enjoy it too. If you loved the first book, I don't think you'll be let down by the sequel.
FINE.
Find more of my reviews on Sparkles and Lightning!
CATCHALL
Dark Kiss was an intriguing and fun read, so I knew I had to get my hands on Wicked Kiss as soon as I could. I was not disappointed at all! It was a lovely and dark read that kept me turning pages all through the night. It was about as good as the first book, maybe a little better, but overall a satisfying sequel that lived up to my expectations.
THE HEROINE
SAMANTHA
Sam is such a kickass heroine that it's impossible not to love her even if she occasionally veers towards the annoying side. She isn't perfect, and she has her flaws, but hello, that is what makes her more relatable. I like that she's really determined, and she'll do anything to protect her friends. She's also prideful, but she doesn't let it get in the way of what she needs to do. Plus, Sam is compassionate. He major downside is that she can be way too stubborn.
THE LOVE INTEREST
BISHOP
Bishop is steady and sweet, but he's also very internally strong. He tends to make his decisions and stick by them without compromising his principles, and he believes in doing the right thing at nearly any cost. Bishop has a hard time saying how he really feels, though. He's loyal almost in spite of himself, and he's not as mysterious as I think he likes to believe. He's definitely bold, definitely hot, but I think his eloquence could use some work.
THE DEMON
KRAVEN
You know you're in love with a character when they're horrible and dark and cruel and you completely and totally love them anyway. It's not fair, but that's how it is. I adore Kraven. I love Kraven. I shouldn't, I totally shouldn't, but I do. I mean, for starters, he really is damn sexy. And it doesn't hurt that he's teasing and mischievous. Plus, he's just so darn lovable despite his darkness. Or maybe because of it. Either way, we see more of him in this book, and it actually makes him hotter. It shouldn't. But it does.
Plus, I kind of want to do him in the backseat of an expensive car. Don't ask me why that's so specific. I don't know.
THE PLOT
I thought that the plot of Wicked Kiss was just as well done as that of the first book. It's through, and has enough smaller details to be really realistic. There are twists that deepen everything, and I like that it's not the same storyline as the first one. It's a continuation of the story in its own right, but it was something different.
The plot moved pretty quickly, too, although overall the pacing was erratic. Sometimes minutes would drag on for pages and days went by in a paragraph. That's probably exaggerating a little, but you get what I'm saying. It was weird, and just generally off.
Angels and demons are a tricky subject to handle, particularly without getting preachy, but Michelle really handles it in a wonderful way so I have no complaints. She takes into account historical angel lore while also adding in her own twists and idiosyncrasies. It's classic balanced with the right amount of hot and modern. It doesn't focus on one aspect, it encompasses all of them.
I appreciated the novelty of this plot after being stuck in a reading rut, too. It kept me entertained and wasn't overly dramatic, although it had its moments, certainly. It has its own unique sort of feel and although it could have been just another paranormal romance it somehow rises about that for me.
My main problem is that some information seems thrown randomly in to either confuse us or annoy us, I'm not sure which, but either way it is awfully frustrating. I couldn't quite wrap my head around some of the things that were made to look like random reveals and not everything fit together for me and often felt too convenient.
However, though this book certainly has its faults, it also has its strengths. It was easily a worthwhile read, and one of the better sequels I've had the pleasure of reading recently.
THE ROMANCE
Sam and Kraven sort of have a fling in this book, but it's clear from the beginning that it's not really that serious as is more about controlling Sam's cravings than any sort of romance. Still it's actually pretty thrilling to read about, because the chemistry between the, is so hot and unique. The real romance, though, comes in between Sam and Bishop. They care so deeply for each other, but they cannot kiss. It puts both of them in so much pain, but each of them tries their best to resist. Yet they can't quite seem to manage it.
THE WRITING
Michelle is an enormously talented writer, so much so that anything she writes is automatically better simply because of the quality of her writing. It's luscious, gorgeous, and unique. Sam has a distinct and almost innocent voice that is reliable and tells things as they are, yet allows the reader to occasionally see things that she cannot. The banter between the characters is also awesome and provides some fun and humor to the story.
THE ENDING
Actually, the way Wicked Kiss ended was really unexpected. I don't know why, exactly, but it was. There was a twist I did not expect but that really worked. I loved the gutsiness of the ending and the fact that everything wasn't completely perfect. There was definitely a happy ending in some ways for some characters, but for others less so. There was also the sense that although part of this story has ended it is far from over.
WRAPUP
I will definitely be looking forward to more from this series, because there's definitely room for more! I have yet to read any other Michelle Rowen books (well, Falling Kingdoms, but besides that) but after reading this I'm sold and definitely will. I would recommend this series to paranormal romance fans mostly, although I think other people would enjoy it too. If you loved the first book, I don't think you'll be let down by the sequel.
FINE.
Find more of my reviews on Sparkles and Lightning!
April 2, 2015
FREAKING LOVE THIS SERIES !!!!!!!!
December 19, 2019
You could take the demon out of Hell, but you couldn't take Hell out of the demon.
Okay, first off, this book was weird. Nothing made sense. There were three problems in the book. They had the "grey" problem, the "killer angel that took happiness" problem and the "Hollow" problem. The "grey" problem took two books to solve. But the "killer angel that took happiness" problem took half of the second book to solve. The "Hollow" problem took two chapters to solve. All Samantha had to do was take all of this guy's energy and let Bishop save her by kissing her. Shesh!
For real love -- the kind that lasted forever.
"Because," I whispered, "Some things are worth dying for."
Okay, first off, this book was weird. Nothing made sense. There were three problems in the book. They had the "grey" problem, the "killer angel that took happiness" problem and the "Hollow" problem. The "grey" problem took two books to solve. But the "killer angel that took happiness" problem took half of the second book to solve. The "Hollow" problem took two chapters to solve. All Samantha had to do was take all of this guy's energy and let Bishop save her by kissing her. Shesh!
For real love -- the kind that lasted forever.
"Because," I whispered, "Some things are worth dying for."
February 6, 2016
3.5/5
I wasn't sure if I was going to read this book after the first one but I decided to. I'm not sure whether this book was better than the other one but at least Samantha was a little less whiny. There was action in it as well but there were too many plot twists or surprises that it seemed overdone or exaggerated. It got to a point that too much was being given away and it seemed as if Michelle Rowen was trying to get more action than was necessary. The ending was okay but it seemed kind of rushed. I did like what Samantha did at the end though and I'm glad that everything worked out, though not perfect (which is good). Overall, I did like this series and it was pretty well written.
I wasn't sure if I was going to read this book after the first one but I decided to. I'm not sure whether this book was better than the other one but at least Samantha was a little less whiny. There was action in it as well but there were too many plot twists or surprises that it seemed overdone or exaggerated. It got to a point that too much was being given away and it seemed as if Michelle Rowen was trying to get more action than was necessary. The ending was okay but it seemed kind of rushed. I did like what Samantha did at the end though and I'm glad that everything worked out, though not perfect (which is good). Overall, I did like this series and it was pretty well written.
April 18, 2013
This review can be originally found at The Twins Read.
Samantha can steal your soul through a kiss. It's one of the side effects of her becoming a gray. With the angels and demons sent to protect humans from threats and keep balance and harmony and order still being a bit wary of her, Samantha tries to find Stephen to recover her soul to do away with her current status as a nexus. But of course, that's only the tip of the iceberg. It seems that someone is convinced that Samantha is just what he needs to tap into his own power and unleash a fury like neither hell nor heaven has seen before.
Like in the first book, we could not comprehend Samantha's obvious obsession with Bishop's past. She's still as annoying, still as incapable as in the first book and we just couldn't bring ourselves to feel for her. Bishop hasn't changed and his relationship with Samantha felt stiff and forced. The only saving grace among the characters was Kraven. Sure he was crude and generally mean most of the time but in the second book his antics were quite entertaining. The only reason Rowen's characters actually stood out from the crowd were because they were either angels or demons. Take that away and the characters would just blend into the background.
The sequel to Dark Kiss is also pretty much heaped with cliche after cliche. The new "twists" in the book are predictable and very much overdone in YA, and there seems to be nothing refreshing about it either. Even the ending was uninspired. You know how sometimes it seems like everyone is talking at the same time? Well, that was how we felt about Wicked Kiss. This was just one of the books that was difficult to slough through, all because the dramatics were way over the top and unwarranted. You can't possibly imagine all the times we thought that the book was nearing the end, only to find out that there were still about a hundred or so pages to read.
We honestly thought that the second book would be better than the first instead we got even more nonsensical drama and lackluster characters in Wicked Kiss. If brooding, emo males and ridiculously dramatic female protagonists served with a heaping side dish of angel and demon hoopla are your thing, well, this series is it.
Samantha can steal your soul through a kiss. It's one of the side effects of her becoming a gray. With the angels and demons sent to protect humans from threats and keep balance and harmony and order still being a bit wary of her, Samantha tries to find Stephen to recover her soul to do away with her current status as a nexus. But of course, that's only the tip of the iceberg. It seems that someone is convinced that Samantha is just what he needs to tap into his own power and unleash a fury like neither hell nor heaven has seen before.
Like in the first book, we could not comprehend Samantha's obvious obsession with Bishop's past. She's still as annoying, still as incapable as in the first book and we just couldn't bring ourselves to feel for her. Bishop hasn't changed and his relationship with Samantha felt stiff and forced. The only saving grace among the characters was Kraven. Sure he was crude and generally mean most of the time but in the second book his antics were quite entertaining. The only reason Rowen's characters actually stood out from the crowd were because they were either angels or demons. Take that away and the characters would just blend into the background.
The sequel to Dark Kiss is also pretty much heaped with cliche after cliche. The new "twists" in the book are predictable and very much overdone in YA, and there seems to be nothing refreshing about it either. Even the ending was uninspired. You know how sometimes it seems like everyone is talking at the same time? Well, that was how we felt about Wicked Kiss. This was just one of the books that was difficult to slough through, all because the dramatics were way over the top and unwarranted. You can't possibly imagine all the times we thought that the book was nearing the end, only to find out that there were still about a hundred or so pages to read.
We honestly thought that the second book would be better than the first instead we got even more nonsensical drama and lackluster characters in Wicked Kiss. If brooding, emo males and ridiculously dramatic female protagonists served with a heaping side dish of angel and demon hoopla are your thing, well, this series is it.
February 26, 2013
Four stars: A wickedly fantastic sequel that provides all the answers!
For Samantha, the clock is ticking. Things are getting more dangerous and difficult by the day. She is still soulless,desperately trying to track down Stephen to retrieve her soul. Before she can find Stephen, she spots a search light in the sky, another angel is sent to help the mission. This time it is a female angel named Cassandra. Samantha is extremely wary of this new team member. She doesn't seem to be telling the team the whole truth as to why she is here. Furthermore, Cassandra is especially attentive to Bishop, causing a dark flare of jealousy in Samantha. The stakes are higher than ever as the grays without their leader, Natalie, are increasing in number, feeding on souls unrestrained, and inexplicably growing more powerful. Samantha learns that grays after a certain period of time undergo stasis. They will either survive this change and come through stronger or die. Samantha's stasis is nearing as her hunger grows and the situation becomes dire. Rampant suicides and deaths are occurring regularly and it is up to the team to stop it. Can Samantha recover her soul and save her city, or will she die trying?
What I Liked:
*Wicked Kiss kicks off into high gear. It wastes little time notching up the action! I was thrilled that this book moved at a high speed pace and that it was full of surprises. There were so many big twists and reveals that I didn't see coming, and I was very impressed with the complexity of the story. This book has plenty to like, and I couldn't get enough.
*I loved that this is only a two book series. While I was a bit sad to see the story come to an end, it was satisfying to uncover all the answers to the dangling questions from book one. I enjoyed the thrilling climax and the sweet happily ever after. I love a good series, but it is nice to be able to pick up a short one every once in awhile. Dark Kiss felt like it was laying down the groundwork and just getting started when it concluded, but rest assured Wicked Kiss picks up all the loose ends and weaves them into a action packed story with a satisfying ending.
*I really enjoyed the romance in this one. It starts as an inexplicable attraction and there are plenty of shaky moments, especially since Bishop is tight lipped and guards his past and secrets well. Not to mention the difficulties that ensue when Samantha kisses him. It is one where you never know from one page to the next if it will work out or not, but in the end I loved it. Thankfully, there is no love triangle either, though Kraven, the snarky demon, does his best to throw a wrench into the shaky romance. I especially liked how Bishop and Samantha are willing to sacrifice everything for each other. There is no better way to say I love you than putting your life on the life for the one you love!
*Again, I was completely astounded by the complexity of Ms. Rowan's world building and ideas on Heaven, Hell, angels, demons and souls. Her world building is very creative and I adored her vision of souls and how everything must remain balanced. Balance is the key, even if that means Heaven and Hell, demons and angels must work together. I particularly enjoyed that the demons were not completely evil, and that the the angels were not completely perfect. If you are looking for a YA paranormal read that is different and filled with intriguing ideas, great characters and a fun romance, definitely pick up these books.
*I was thrilled with the growth and change with Samantha's character. She truly steps up in this sequel and holds her own. She finally takes charge and seizes her powers and in the end she makes a daring, bold and breathtaking move that will astound you. She is definitely a bit more feisty this time, and she has plenty of snarky lines.
*I really enjoyed the relationship that Samantha ends up forming with her nemesis, the popular mean girl, Jordan. The pair are thrown together due to some troubling circumstances and what follows is the start of a shaky alliance. It is always fun to see two enemies have to work together. I admit, it definitely took awhile for Jordan to grow on me, but by the end I really admired and liked her character. Jordan has plenty of spunk!
*I was excited that I finally got the back story on Kraven and Bishop, and I won't say much more as I don't want to spoil it, but let's just say it was very rewarding to learn their secrets and how everything played out. Kraven is all kinds of fun with his snarky banter, and at items, he is dark and dangerous, he is a demon after all, but I think he redeems himself at the end and I hope there are better things in his future.
And The Not So Much:
*This book has a more complex plot and there are several sub plots. The additional storyline that follows the high rate of sudden suicides, the cause and Cassandra's mission felt a bit out of place. I don't think it tied in with the overall story line and it felt like a bit of a distraction. It was an interesting add on, but it really wasn't congruent with main plot.
*One of my complaints with the first book was the lack of parental supervision. That is indeed the case with this book, as Samantha's mother is compelled to take a vacation and she is out of the picture. I did like the movement at the end when Samantha reaches out and attempts to forge a new and better relationship with her parents.
*I was frustrated that I still didn't have a clear concept on demons and angels by the end of the book. Mostly, I wanted to know more about how they came to be, and if a demon, such as Kraven, could ever redeem himself and aspire to be an angel. I adored Kraven and I want things to turn out right for him, especially once I uncovered the secrets to his past. I would certainly love to see a spin off featuring more of Kraven and Jordan as they are both snarky, sassy characters who made me laugh.
*I was confused about Bishop's father. It is never fully revealed how he fathered Bishop and what role he had in his life. This seems like an important piece to the puzzle, especially since Bishop's paternal heritage is what ultimately saves his soul. This was one thread that felt like it was left a bit undone.
Wicked Kiss is a satisfying sequel and conclusion to the two book Night Watchers Series. This book is packed full of action and twists that will keep you engaged throughout. If you read Dark Kiss and were uncertain whether to continue with this series or not, I would highly recommend you pick this up, as it provides all the answers to the lingering questions and it is a great finale. While I was disappointed that the series is already over, I am happy that I don't have to wait another year for the conclusion! I am hopeful that there will perhaps be a spinoff series down the line with Kraven.
Favorite Quotations:
"I nodded, thinking back to that night----which was wonderful since I'd met Bishop, but also horrible because, well....I'd met Bishop. He represented the best and worst moments of my life, all in such a a short time."
"I kicked my jealous thoughts into the corner like a pair of dirty socks and tried to ignore them. They weren't helping. Also, they smelled bad."
"I'd met homeless people who had nothing and nobody. It was the most important lesson of my life. Be grateful for what you have, since it can be taken away at any time. Sometimes fate steps in to pull the rug from beneath your feet whether you're prepared or not---and we all fall differently."
"One more thing we don't have in common. I'm an open book. You're...closed with a lock and key."
"You say whatever's on your mind, but sometimes you need to listen with more than just your ears. Words aren't always that reliable."
"Life is a game, beautiful star. ONe with a time limit. And it's time to accept your destiny."
"We all choose our path to walk. Even by not choosing, we're still making a choice that will affect our lives for better or worse."
"Wow, did you just change into your bitch pants?"
"You could take the demon out of Hell, but you couldn't take the Hell out of the demon."
"So, sweetness, I'm back. Don't throw yourself into my arms and embarrass yourself."
I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for and honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
For Samantha, the clock is ticking. Things are getting more dangerous and difficult by the day. She is still soulless,desperately trying to track down Stephen to retrieve her soul. Before she can find Stephen, she spots a search light in the sky, another angel is sent to help the mission. This time it is a female angel named Cassandra. Samantha is extremely wary of this new team member. She doesn't seem to be telling the team the whole truth as to why she is here. Furthermore, Cassandra is especially attentive to Bishop, causing a dark flare of jealousy in Samantha. The stakes are higher than ever as the grays without their leader, Natalie, are increasing in number, feeding on souls unrestrained, and inexplicably growing more powerful. Samantha learns that grays after a certain period of time undergo stasis. They will either survive this change and come through stronger or die. Samantha's stasis is nearing as her hunger grows and the situation becomes dire. Rampant suicides and deaths are occurring regularly and it is up to the team to stop it. Can Samantha recover her soul and save her city, or will she die trying?
What I Liked:
*Wicked Kiss kicks off into high gear. It wastes little time notching up the action! I was thrilled that this book moved at a high speed pace and that it was full of surprises. There were so many big twists and reveals that I didn't see coming, and I was very impressed with the complexity of the story. This book has plenty to like, and I couldn't get enough.
*I loved that this is only a two book series. While I was a bit sad to see the story come to an end, it was satisfying to uncover all the answers to the dangling questions from book one. I enjoyed the thrilling climax and the sweet happily ever after. I love a good series, but it is nice to be able to pick up a short one every once in awhile. Dark Kiss felt like it was laying down the groundwork and just getting started when it concluded, but rest assured Wicked Kiss picks up all the loose ends and weaves them into a action packed story with a satisfying ending.
*I really enjoyed the romance in this one. It starts as an inexplicable attraction and there are plenty of shaky moments, especially since Bishop is tight lipped and guards his past and secrets well. Not to mention the difficulties that ensue when Samantha kisses him. It is one where you never know from one page to the next if it will work out or not, but in the end I loved it. Thankfully, there is no love triangle either, though Kraven, the snarky demon, does his best to throw a wrench into the shaky romance. I especially liked how Bishop and Samantha are willing to sacrifice everything for each other. There is no better way to say I love you than putting your life on the life for the one you love!
*Again, I was completely astounded by the complexity of Ms. Rowan's world building and ideas on Heaven, Hell, angels, demons and souls. Her world building is very creative and I adored her vision of souls and how everything must remain balanced. Balance is the key, even if that means Heaven and Hell, demons and angels must work together. I particularly enjoyed that the demons were not completely evil, and that the the angels were not completely perfect. If you are looking for a YA paranormal read that is different and filled with intriguing ideas, great characters and a fun romance, definitely pick up these books.
*I was thrilled with the growth and change with Samantha's character. She truly steps up in this sequel and holds her own. She finally takes charge and seizes her powers and in the end she makes a daring, bold and breathtaking move that will astound you. She is definitely a bit more feisty this time, and she has plenty of snarky lines.
*I really enjoyed the relationship that Samantha ends up forming with her nemesis, the popular mean girl, Jordan. The pair are thrown together due to some troubling circumstances and what follows is the start of a shaky alliance. It is always fun to see two enemies have to work together. I admit, it definitely took awhile for Jordan to grow on me, but by the end I really admired and liked her character. Jordan has plenty of spunk!
*I was excited that I finally got the back story on Kraven and Bishop, and I won't say much more as I don't want to spoil it, but let's just say it was very rewarding to learn their secrets and how everything played out. Kraven is all kinds of fun with his snarky banter, and at items, he is dark and dangerous, he is a demon after all, but I think he redeems himself at the end and I hope there are better things in his future.
And The Not So Much:
*This book has a more complex plot and there are several sub plots. The additional storyline that follows the high rate of sudden suicides, the cause and Cassandra's mission felt a bit out of place. I don't think it tied in with the overall story line and it felt like a bit of a distraction. It was an interesting add on, but it really wasn't congruent with main plot.
*One of my complaints with the first book was the lack of parental supervision. That is indeed the case with this book, as Samantha's mother is compelled to take a vacation and she is out of the picture. I did like the movement at the end when Samantha reaches out and attempts to forge a new and better relationship with her parents.
*I was frustrated that I still didn't have a clear concept on demons and angels by the end of the book. Mostly, I wanted to know more about how they came to be, and if a demon, such as Kraven, could ever redeem himself and aspire to be an angel. I adored Kraven and I want things to turn out right for him, especially once I uncovered the secrets to his past. I would certainly love to see a spin off featuring more of Kraven and Jordan as they are both snarky, sassy characters who made me laugh.
*I was confused about Bishop's father. It is never fully revealed how he fathered Bishop and what role he had in his life. This seems like an important piece to the puzzle, especially since Bishop's paternal heritage is what ultimately saves his soul. This was one thread that felt like it was left a bit undone.
Wicked Kiss is a satisfying sequel and conclusion to the two book Night Watchers Series. This book is packed full of action and twists that will keep you engaged throughout. If you read Dark Kiss and were uncertain whether to continue with this series or not, I would highly recommend you pick this up, as it provides all the answers to the lingering questions and it is a great finale. While I was disappointed that the series is already over, I am happy that I don't have to wait another year for the conclusion! I am hopeful that there will perhaps be a spinoff series down the line with Kraven.
Favorite Quotations:
"I nodded, thinking back to that night----which was wonderful since I'd met Bishop, but also horrible because, well....I'd met Bishop. He represented the best and worst moments of my life, all in such a a short time."
"I kicked my jealous thoughts into the corner like a pair of dirty socks and tried to ignore them. They weren't helping. Also, they smelled bad."
"I'd met homeless people who had nothing and nobody. It was the most important lesson of my life. Be grateful for what you have, since it can be taken away at any time. Sometimes fate steps in to pull the rug from beneath your feet whether you're prepared or not---and we all fall differently."
"One more thing we don't have in common. I'm an open book. You're...closed with a lock and key."
"You say whatever's on your mind, but sometimes you need to listen with more than just your ears. Words aren't always that reliable."
"Life is a game, beautiful star. ONe with a time limit. And it's time to accept your destiny."
"We all choose our path to walk. Even by not choosing, we're still making a choice that will affect our lives for better or worse."
"Wow, did you just change into your bitch pants?"
"You could take the demon out of Hell, but you couldn't take the Hell out of the demon."
"So, sweetness, I'm back. Don't throw yourself into my arms and embarrass yourself."
I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for and honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
March 1, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley.)
This is book 2 in the ‘Nightwatchers’ series, and kicks off a few days after the end of events in book 1 ‘Dark Kiss’.
**Warning- some unavoidable spoilers for book 1 – Dark Kiss**
Following the events in book 1, Sam is left soulless, and is desperately searching for Stephen in an effort to get her soul back, and also wants to get her best friend Carly back from the Hollow. Bishop is going slowly mad, and Sam can’t get too close to him for fear of taking his soul and killing him, and problems with the grays are only getting worse.
There’s also a new angel in town – Cassandra, as well as a new threat; an entity that has somehow come back from the hollow, and is now causing teens to commit suicide.
Sam’s hunger is also getting worse, and it looks like she’ll never get her soul back, and her status as a Nexus is also putting her at risk.
Can the angels and demons finally get rid of the grays that they were sent to get rid of? Will Sam ever get her soul back? And is there any hope of a happy ending for Sam and Bishop?
Having finished this book the first thing that comes to mind is – ‘Wow, that was one hell of a crazy story!’ To be honest, I’m not even sure where to begin! So much happened in this book, it was just madness.
Thankfully there was a bit of a recap at the beginning, and boy did I need it! I had forgotten most of the crazy stuff that happened in the first book, and exactly how many different plot-lines were all simmering along together.
So, firstly; Sam. Sam was left with no soul at the end of book 1, and a hunger for souls that made her a ‘gray’. She was in love with Bishop, but since he had been made a fallen angel, and had a soul, she couldn’t kiss him without killing him – bummer.
Sam stays strong in this instalment, she tries her best to stay away from the temptation of Bishop, although it’s hard for both of them, and she also tries to stay away from Colin (who previously kissed her), as well as any other tempting souls. It’s difficult though, and her hunger keeps growing.
Sam is still searching for Stephen, and looking for a way to get Carly back (see what I mean about multiple storylines?). She also has the whole Nexus thing to deal with somehow, without the added complication of this new supernatural who is driving people to kill themselves.
I liked Sam in this instalment, she was much stronger than in the first book, and tried to take charge of things a little more. She made difficult decisions and fought against her hunger, even when it was killing her. I admired how focused she was, and how doing nothing, or letting other people do stuff for her wasn’t an option for her.
Bishop was a little nuts himself this time, the madness that was coming over him whilst Sam wasn’t touching him was made worse by the fact that Sam couldn’t get too close to him without wanting to eat his soul. Because of this we hear a lot less from Bishop, but Sam and Bishops feelings haven’t changed.
I still like Kraven I’m afraid, even though he’s a demon, he is funny and sweet, and I personally would have chosen him over Bishop. I might be on my own here, but I like the bad boy!
The blurb says something about Sam kissing another member of the team who she can’t hurt. I’m not going to tell you exactly who this is, ‘cause that would be a spoiler, but let’s just explain this by saying that the other team members don’t have souls, and that for some reason, when this certain person kisses Sam, it takes her hunger away, without hurting that person. I will stress that this is not a love triangle developing here though, at least not in the traditional way. Sam doesn’t have feelings for this other person, and the kissing is not instigated by her.
I’m kind of unsure at this point whether this is a 2 book series or more. I will say that most stuff is wrapped up at the end of this book – the grays etc, but there are still some continuing factors, which leave the book open to further books. Whether further books are planned I don’t know, but this could easily prove to be just the start of our travels with Samantha.
Overall; I enjoyed this book, but you’ll need to concentrate on this one to keep up with all the different storylines going on!
7 out of 10.
This is book 2 in the ‘Nightwatchers’ series, and kicks off a few days after the end of events in book 1 ‘Dark Kiss’.
**Warning- some unavoidable spoilers for book 1 – Dark Kiss**
Following the events in book 1, Sam is left soulless, and is desperately searching for Stephen in an effort to get her soul back, and also wants to get her best friend Carly back from the Hollow. Bishop is going slowly mad, and Sam can’t get too close to him for fear of taking his soul and killing him, and problems with the grays are only getting worse.
There’s also a new angel in town – Cassandra, as well as a new threat; an entity that has somehow come back from the hollow, and is now causing teens to commit suicide.
Sam’s hunger is also getting worse, and it looks like she’ll never get her soul back, and her status as a Nexus is also putting her at risk.
Can the angels and demons finally get rid of the grays that they were sent to get rid of? Will Sam ever get her soul back? And is there any hope of a happy ending for Sam and Bishop?
Having finished this book the first thing that comes to mind is – ‘Wow, that was one hell of a crazy story!’ To be honest, I’m not even sure where to begin! So much happened in this book, it was just madness.
Thankfully there was a bit of a recap at the beginning, and boy did I need it! I had forgotten most of the crazy stuff that happened in the first book, and exactly how many different plot-lines were all simmering along together.
So, firstly; Sam. Sam was left with no soul at the end of book 1, and a hunger for souls that made her a ‘gray’. She was in love with Bishop, but since he had been made a fallen angel, and had a soul, she couldn’t kiss him without killing him – bummer.
Sam stays strong in this instalment, she tries her best to stay away from the temptation of Bishop, although it’s hard for both of them, and she also tries to stay away from Colin (who previously kissed her), as well as any other tempting souls. It’s difficult though, and her hunger keeps growing.
Sam is still searching for Stephen, and looking for a way to get Carly back (see what I mean about multiple storylines?). She also has the whole Nexus thing to deal with somehow, without the added complication of this new supernatural who is driving people to kill themselves.
I liked Sam in this instalment, she was much stronger than in the first book, and tried to take charge of things a little more. She made difficult decisions and fought against her hunger, even when it was killing her. I admired how focused she was, and how doing nothing, or letting other people do stuff for her wasn’t an option for her.
Bishop was a little nuts himself this time, the madness that was coming over him whilst Sam wasn’t touching him was made worse by the fact that Sam couldn’t get too close to him without wanting to eat his soul. Because of this we hear a lot less from Bishop, but Sam and Bishops feelings haven’t changed.
I still like Kraven I’m afraid, even though he’s a demon, he is funny and sweet, and I personally would have chosen him over Bishop. I might be on my own here, but I like the bad boy!
The blurb says something about Sam kissing another member of the team who she can’t hurt. I’m not going to tell you exactly who this is, ‘cause that would be a spoiler, but let’s just explain this by saying that the other team members don’t have souls, and that for some reason, when this certain person kisses Sam, it takes her hunger away, without hurting that person. I will stress that this is not a love triangle developing here though, at least not in the traditional way. Sam doesn’t have feelings for this other person, and the kissing is not instigated by her.
I’m kind of unsure at this point whether this is a 2 book series or more. I will say that most stuff is wrapped up at the end of this book – the grays etc, but there are still some continuing factors, which leave the book open to further books. Whether further books are planned I don’t know, but this could easily prove to be just the start of our travels with Samantha.
Overall; I enjoyed this book, but you’ll need to concentrate on this one to keep up with all the different storylines going on!
7 out of 10.
January 12, 2013
Actual Rating: 4.5
Wicked Kiss picks up right where Dark Kiss left off. The team still has to take care of the grays in order to save the city, but that's not the only problem they have to deal with. Oh no no no. There are much bigger problems that they encounter. And at first I was a little iffy about all that was going on. Turns out, it made for one hell of a story!
Even though there were a lot of plot lines to follow, it turns out they all wove together in the end. This story was more exciting and more action packed than the last one. The beginning started off a little slow and had a similar plot to that of Dark Kiss, but each chapter got better and better! I didn't want to put the book down once I got past the 50% mark!
Wicked Kiss had everything that I loved about the first one. The plot was extremely unique, the characters still acted like themselves despite what they've gone through, and Michelle Rowen still managed to surprise me! I didn't see a lot of the plot twist coming! Well, I actually did see them coming before Samantha (She was quite stubborn in this novel), but I was shocked that Rowen would actually come up with these plot lines! They were very unique and pretty...demented haha.
And while Wicked Kiss had everything I loved about Dark Kiss, it also still had the aspects that I didn't like. This time my issue came with Jordan. She accepted everything she was being told fairly easily. I kind of understand this because of what we find out about her, but I just wish someone would have a major freak out over everything. That would be believable!
One other thing that I didn't like was the fact that things were pretty repetitive. We kept reading things like "You're so stubborn" and "I am a realist." Yeah, I've heard this 50 other times already. And the realist thing? I didn't like that so much. Samantha claims to be a realist yet she accepts things fairly easily. Didn't make sense to me. And the thing is, she shouldn't be a realist anymore based on what she's learned and experienced! And it turns out this became her major flaw. I don't understand how she could accept a majority of things s easily, yet she can't accept what is staring her in the face. *sigh*
However, one thing was actually improved in this sequel! I had complained before about how I didn't feel that all of the characters were developed that well. Turns out we got to learn more about both Kraven and Bishop this time around! And boy do they have problems! I loved learning about their past even though it wasn't one full of sunshine and rainbows. It made their characters well-rounded. The thing is, only these two characters had more development. Samantha had a bit, same goes for Jordan, and even Connor had a smidge of development, but that's it. I just wish I understood all of the characters more. It would make me care more about them.
So Wicked Kiss ended up getting a spot on my list of rare sequels that are better than the original. It was a very entertaining story and I loved it! Definitely recommend you continue reading this series if you've already started it!
Wicked Kiss picks up right where Dark Kiss left off. The team still has to take care of the grays in order to save the city, but that's not the only problem they have to deal with. Oh no no no. There are much bigger problems that they encounter. And at first I was a little iffy about all that was going on. Turns out, it made for one hell of a story!
Even though there were a lot of plot lines to follow, it turns out they all wove together in the end. This story was more exciting and more action packed than the last one. The beginning started off a little slow and had a similar plot to that of Dark Kiss, but each chapter got better and better! I didn't want to put the book down once I got past the 50% mark!
Wicked Kiss had everything that I loved about the first one. The plot was extremely unique, the characters still acted like themselves despite what they've gone through, and Michelle Rowen still managed to surprise me! I didn't see a lot of the plot twist coming! Well, I actually did see them coming before Samantha (She was quite stubborn in this novel), but I was shocked that Rowen would actually come up with these plot lines! They were very unique and pretty...demented haha.
And while Wicked Kiss had everything I loved about Dark Kiss, it also still had the aspects that I didn't like. This time my issue came with Jordan. She accepted everything she was being told fairly easily. I kind of understand this because of what we find out about her, but I just wish someone would have a major freak out over everything. That would be believable!
One other thing that I didn't like was the fact that things were pretty repetitive. We kept reading things like "You're so stubborn" and "I am a realist." Yeah, I've heard this 50 other times already. And the realist thing? I didn't like that so much. Samantha claims to be a realist yet she accepts things fairly easily. Didn't make sense to me. And the thing is, she shouldn't be a realist anymore based on what she's learned and experienced! And it turns out this became her major flaw. I don't understand how she could accept a majority of things s easily, yet she can't accept what is staring her in the face. *sigh*
However, one thing was actually improved in this sequel! I had complained before about how I didn't feel that all of the characters were developed that well. Turns out we got to learn more about both Kraven and Bishop this time around! And boy do they have problems! I loved learning about their past even though it wasn't one full of sunshine and rainbows. It made their characters well-rounded. The thing is, only these two characters had more development. Samantha had a bit, same goes for Jordan, and even Connor had a smidge of development, but that's it. I just wish I understood all of the characters more. It would make me care more about them.
So Wicked Kiss ended up getting a spot on my list of rare sequels that are better than the original. It was a very entertaining story and I loved it! Definitely recommend you continue reading this series if you've already started it!
February 26, 2013
Review posted on Ja čitam, a ti?
So much better than Dark Kiss
I haven't read paranormal novels for a long, long time. I guess I had a bad case of sups overload. It was about time, right? I'm happy that my big comeback started with second book in Nightwatchers series by Michelle Rowen. (You can find my review for Dark Kiss here.)
I love books about angels, but so far books about this type of supernatural creatures tended to be disappointing. My biggest problem with first novel was that it didn't feel believable, but I didn't have that issue with Wicked Kiss. It wasn't absolutely perfect, there were few things that bothered me, but it's solid 4 stars.
Story continues were it ended in Dark Kiss - we are following Samantha in her struggle to get her soul back and put her life back together after some shocking discoveries. One thing I can promise you is that you will be blown away when you read about Bishop and Kraven's past. Also, there is new angel in town and she is one of those kick ass girls - I loved her.
I don't know how many books will there be - I hope one more, two max - it wouldn't be brightest idea to drag this series on and on. I can already tell that the next sequel will include Salvatore brothers/Elena type of love triangle - Michelle, please, don't do that! Make our Sam a strong girl who is devoted to that one special guy.
Until next time,
Glass
***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harlequin Teen. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.
So much better than Dark Kiss
I haven't read paranormal novels for a long, long time. I guess I had a bad case of sups overload. It was about time, right? I'm happy that my big comeback started with second book in Nightwatchers series by Michelle Rowen. (You can find my review for Dark Kiss here.)
I love books about angels, but so far books about this type of supernatural creatures tended to be disappointing. My biggest problem with first novel was that it didn't feel believable, but I didn't have that issue with Wicked Kiss. It wasn't absolutely perfect, there were few things that bothered me, but it's solid 4 stars.
Story continues were it ended in Dark Kiss - we are following Samantha in her struggle to get her soul back and put her life back together after some shocking discoveries. One thing I can promise you is that you will be blown away when you read about Bishop and Kraven's past. Also, there is new angel in town and she is one of those kick ass girls - I loved her.
I don't know how many books will there be - I hope one more, two max - it wouldn't be brightest idea to drag this series on and on. I can already tell that the next sequel will include Salvatore brothers/Elena type of love triangle - Michelle, please, don't do that! Make our Sam a strong girl who is devoted to that one special guy.
Until next time,
Glass
***NOTE! Copy of the book is kindly provided by the publisher, Harlequin Teen. I'm not paid for writing review - I do this for free as lover of written word. All opinions in this review are personal.
February 27, 2013
I admit it wasn't what I expected. Especially the love triangle . I mean, I love Sam with Bishop, don't get me wrong. But still... I don't know, Kraven would have given to the whole sweet love story a little more spice. Not that there wasn't spice enough already, but... well..I expected more... more passion maybe? I'm hoping for something more spicy with Kraven in the next book (I mean, because there will be a next book, right?)
Love triangle aside, it was a very good book and it was very hard for me to stop reading and get some sleep. I liked a lot also the memories Sam could read of Bishop's past. And I liked the new friendship between Sam and Jordan.
I was disappointed about what happened to Zach. I liked him.He was a good guy and was nice to Sam.
I didn't like much Roth. And I was confused about how I felt about Cassandra for a while. Then realized she was a good girl.
Stephen actually surprised me.
Kraven... sometimes I liked him, and other times I didn't like him so much. But have to admit that Kraven ad Sam's interactions were fun to read.
Learning about Bishop's past both scared me and intrigued me.
The whole story was full of surprises, exciting and never boring. Especially the end. It was a huge surprise and I was very pleased, although it left me wanting more. But that's nothing new when it comes to Michelle Rowen's books.
Love triangle aside, it was a very good book and it was very hard for me to stop reading and get some sleep. I liked a lot also the memories Sam could read of Bishop's past. And I liked the new friendship between Sam and Jordan.
I was disappointed about what happened to Zach. I liked him.He was a good guy and was nice to Sam.
I didn't like much Roth. And I was confused about how I felt about Cassandra for a while. Then realized she was a good girl.
Stephen actually surprised me.
Kraven... sometimes I liked him, and other times I didn't like him so much. But have to admit that Kraven ad Sam's interactions were fun to read.
Learning about Bishop's past both scared me and intrigued me.
The whole story was full of surprises, exciting and never boring. Especially the end. It was a huge surprise and I was very pleased, although it left me wanting more. But that's nothing new when it comes to Michelle Rowen's books.
January 28, 2013
Wicked Kiss really was only an 'ok' read, at the minute I'm not sure I would pick up any more books to come in the series...
The writing was ok, the characters were ok, the world building was ok, but nothing stood out and at times Wicked Kiss felt like a chore to read.
Not the best, but not the worst.
Read
March 2, 2014A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!
June 8, 2015
Seriously?
October 17, 2020
I gave the 4 stars because the ending caught me off guard. It was great and even though the entire book made me cringe and want to scream and throw the book away, the happily ending made me smile! Sorta a great read, over all. If you want something quick but sometimes slow paced and dreadfully dull and cringy at points....give this a go! Otherwise, on to the next!
UPDATE: Do you guys ever read something and think about it so much afterwards??
Well that's what I did and I'm back a day later. I honestly think this story was unfinished. What happened to Cass? And why didn't she get to see Roth? I am a romance person and the relationships in this story are what make the story whether its the main plot or not. It is about kissing so....I disappointed, they should've gotten back together and Kraven omg he's so cute and deserved so much more than he got. I am a sucker for hot villains-
UPDATE: Do you guys ever read something and think about it so much afterwards??
Well that's what I did and I'm back a day later. I honestly think this story was unfinished. What happened to Cass? And why didn't she get to see Roth? I am a romance person and the relationships in this story are what make the story whether its the main plot or not. It is about kissing so....I disappointed, they should've gotten back together and Kraven omg he's so cute and deserved so much more than he got. I am a sucker for hot villains-
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2019
I have to say I found this book a bit boring. There’s just too much inner monologue and repeating everything. Took too long to get to the point as well and finally the end happens and it was just disappointing. I was going to stop reading it I put too much time into it. Glad it’s over
Read
August 7, 2017Duidelijk einde, daar hou ik erg van. Het verhaal zelf is ook goed al loopt het in dit boek wel wat meer door elkaar dan in deel 1. Al met al wel een serie om aan te raden als je van het genre Young Adult en engelen/demonen houdt.
January 18, 2022
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4 stars)
Would’ve liked a bit more developed romance and to learn more about their relationship after the ending but otherwise it was a very cute story ^•^
February 24, 2013
The Second in this Series, Better than the First
We all know that a lot of books fall into the '2nd book syndrome' and end up being my least favorite in the series. The love interests usually leave for 'noble' reasons and there is a lot of whining, heart break, and I'm left feeling like I should have skipped the book entirely. Not so with this one thankfully...it even surpassed how I felt about the first one.
The Good
The very first thing that I liked about this one is that Samantha stepped up and I became more attached to her as a reader. One of the things I disliked about Dark Kiss was that Sam seemed bratty and was constantly saying one thing but acting another way. She admits in this one that she was selfish for her past actions that were described in the first book and that she learned from her mistakes which is why she now worries over her mother. In this one, she is far more giving and self-sacrificing which is needed in a heroine.
Also, she helps her frenemy from the first book, Jordan, which definitely shows a strength of character and that's what I like to see. I enjoy it when we get to delve deeper into why someone isn't a joy to be around. I felt like I got closer to both Sam and Jordan, and that is an important part in making the characters well-rounded.
More on the character's growth was that I got to see flashbacks of Bishop's and Kraven's past. Even though as a reader I could see and infer most of the causes behind their rocky sibling relationship, it was a pleasure to learn the exact causes and see Samantha learn them as well. The introduction of Cassandra was also well-placed. Even though I thought she was just meant to me a love triangle distraction for Bishop since she appears to be a perfect match for him, I thoroughly enjoyed her part to play in this one.
Then there is the story! OK so I have read a ton of paranormal and fantasy books, but this one is different and chilling if you actually take the time to stop and think about what is going on in Samantha's world. I don't want to give too much away, but any time you are playing around with souls and the fact of angels and demons being on Earth, I get a little creeped out. The action is more intense and the stakes are a lot higher. I love how Rowan utilized foreshadowing so well that because I was paying attention in the first one, I did have an idea of where this one was going.
The Bad
Remember when I said that this one didn't have a lot of the qualities of books that fall into the '2nd book syndrome' trap? Well, this one does do the whole leaving for noble reasons thing. However, there was no whining, heart break, and it all made complete sense to me why it occurred.
Sometimes while reading, I would jump from one thing to another so quickly. It did end up flowing together smoothly, but the ride was a little bumpy at times.
The Romance
The fact is that Bishop and Sam cannot stay away from each other. Is it due to supernatural forces that are at work and not a natural attraction? This book answers that question. I must say that their romance seemed pretty doomed to me and I applaud the fact that they don't simply give up.
Conclusion
I was impressed with the way the story went in Wicked Kiss and that Rowan doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. I was overjoyed to become more attached to the characters and watch them down a road that seemed chilling and hopeless at times. Definitely recommended for paranormal fans.
We all know that a lot of books fall into the '2nd book syndrome' and end up being my least favorite in the series. The love interests usually leave for 'noble' reasons and there is a lot of whining, heart break, and I'm left feeling like I should have skipped the book entirely. Not so with this one thankfully...it even surpassed how I felt about the first one.
The Good
The very first thing that I liked about this one is that Samantha stepped up and I became more attached to her as a reader. One of the things I disliked about Dark Kiss was that Sam seemed bratty and was constantly saying one thing but acting another way. She admits in this one that she was selfish for her past actions that were described in the first book and that she learned from her mistakes which is why she now worries over her mother. In this one, she is far more giving and self-sacrificing which is needed in a heroine.
Also, she helps her frenemy from the first book, Jordan, which definitely shows a strength of character and that's what I like to see. I enjoy it when we get to delve deeper into why someone isn't a joy to be around. I felt like I got closer to both Sam and Jordan, and that is an important part in making the characters well-rounded.
More on the character's growth was that I got to see flashbacks of Bishop's and Kraven's past. Even though as a reader I could see and infer most of the causes behind their rocky sibling relationship, it was a pleasure to learn the exact causes and see Samantha learn them as well. The introduction of Cassandra was also well-placed. Even though I thought she was just meant to me a love triangle distraction for Bishop since she appears to be a perfect match for him, I thoroughly enjoyed her part to play in this one.
Then there is the story! OK so I have read a ton of paranormal and fantasy books, but this one is different and chilling if you actually take the time to stop and think about what is going on in Samantha's world. I don't want to give too much away, but any time you are playing around with souls and the fact of angels and demons being on Earth, I get a little creeped out. The action is more intense and the stakes are a lot higher. I love how Rowan utilized foreshadowing so well that because I was paying attention in the first one, I did have an idea of where this one was going.
The Bad
Remember when I said that this one didn't have a lot of the qualities of books that fall into the '2nd book syndrome' trap? Well, this one does do the whole leaving for noble reasons thing. However, there was no whining, heart break, and it all made complete sense to me why it occurred.
Sometimes while reading, I would jump from one thing to another so quickly. It did end up flowing together smoothly, but the ride was a little bumpy at times.
The Romance
The fact is that Bishop and Sam cannot stay away from each other. Is it due to supernatural forces that are at work and not a natural attraction? This book answers that question. I must say that their romance seemed pretty doomed to me and I applaud the fact that they don't simply give up.
Conclusion
I was impressed with the way the story went in Wicked Kiss and that Rowan doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. I was overjoyed to become more attached to the characters and watch them down a road that seemed chilling and hopeless at times. Definitely recommended for paranormal fans.
February 11, 2013
Wicked Kiss was just as enamouring as Dark Kiss, the story just as thrilling and the characters just as fascinating.
The book picks up right were the first book finished, the search or should I say hunt for Stephen continues and the killing of all Grey's becomes priority.
But something else is haunting Trinity and well mankind. Some thing that seems literally unstoppable. Instead of making people soulless and killers its sucking the life and all of the happy good thoughts out of Sam's friends and peers making them batshit crazy and suicidal. In fact one Julie- Jordan's best friend who seems fine one minuet has a breakdown and throws herself over the mall staircase.
In this sequel there is a new addition to the angels and demons little missionary. Cassandra. she's an angel, but different from the others, she's a host. A made angel, shed never been human. But there's also a loss to the team.. Because this time not everyone is going to survive the evil.
Someone is controlling the hollow, and that means death and destruction. There's so much more at stake in this book.
I had so many questions after Dark Kiss..
Can Bishop who looses more and more of his sanity each day pull through and lead his team when they need him the most to end all of this and get home? Can they defeat the impossible and will Sam be able to save Carly and get her soul? Can she keep herself together and not feed?
This was am incredible sequel that kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat just like the first, but there is so much more going on in this book and so many more secrets revealed.
Little by little we get to know the real Bishop and his real name, Jordan gets a front seat in all of this and I really do like her character. She brings something more to the story. Sam becomes brave, fierce and strong. And Kraven, well you can't help but the love the dark brooding brother. He made me laugh and I find his attitude highly amusing and entertaining, yes he's cocky, yes he's arrogant and sometimes annoying but it's all part of his charm in opinion.
Kraven walked in a slow circle around me, his gaze sweeping the length of my body. "So sweetness, I'm back, don't throw yourself into my arms and embarrass yourself. We've got plenty of time for that."
You get to find out and see what actually happened that night that drove Bishop, the loyal and sweet boy to kill the only real family, the only real person who ever loved him, to stab his own brother literally in the back.
So I'm kinda hoping for a love triangle even though in most cases I hate them I think Kraven has more feelings for Sam than he lets on.
Sam's powers grow in this book, immensely so. Her powers develop and she adopts new ones, turning her already dangerous status into a lethal one. A cause for concern to the angels.
The ending was very very well thought out and I really enjoyed it, it leaves a very good concept for the next book as Sam is faced with yet another load of questions that require answers and decisions.
The book picks up right were the first book finished, the search or should I say hunt for Stephen continues and the killing of all Grey's becomes priority.
But something else is haunting Trinity and well mankind. Some thing that seems literally unstoppable. Instead of making people soulless and killers its sucking the life and all of the happy good thoughts out of Sam's friends and peers making them batshit crazy and suicidal. In fact one Julie- Jordan's best friend who seems fine one minuet has a breakdown and throws herself over the mall staircase.
In this sequel there is a new addition to the angels and demons little missionary. Cassandra. she's an angel, but different from the others, she's a host. A made angel, shed never been human. But there's also a loss to the team.. Because this time not everyone is going to survive the evil.
Someone is controlling the hollow, and that means death and destruction. There's so much more at stake in this book.
I had so many questions after Dark Kiss..
Can Bishop who looses more and more of his sanity each day pull through and lead his team when they need him the most to end all of this and get home? Can they defeat the impossible and will Sam be able to save Carly and get her soul? Can she keep herself together and not feed?
This was am incredible sequel that kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat just like the first, but there is so much more going on in this book and so many more secrets revealed.
Little by little we get to know the real Bishop and his real name, Jordan gets a front seat in all of this and I really do like her character. She brings something more to the story. Sam becomes brave, fierce and strong. And Kraven, well you can't help but the love the dark brooding brother. He made me laugh and I find his attitude highly amusing and entertaining, yes he's cocky, yes he's arrogant and sometimes annoying but it's all part of his charm in opinion.
Kraven walked in a slow circle around me, his gaze sweeping the length of my body. "So sweetness, I'm back, don't throw yourself into my arms and embarrass yourself. We've got plenty of time for that."
You get to find out and see what actually happened that night that drove Bishop, the loyal and sweet boy to kill the only real family, the only real person who ever loved him, to stab his own brother literally in the back.
So I'm kinda hoping for a love triangle even though in most cases I hate them I think Kraven has more feelings for Sam than he lets on.
Sam's powers grow in this book, immensely so. Her powers develop and she adopts new ones, turning her already dangerous status into a lethal one. A cause for concern to the angels.
The ending was very very well thought out and I really enjoyed it, it leaves a very good concept for the next book as Sam is faced with yet another load of questions that require answers and decisions.
November 29, 2015
Mir hat dieser zweite Band noch besser gefallen als der erste. Das lag vor allem daran, dass wie durch ein Wunder hier so gut wie nie erwählt wurde, dass Samantha etwas Besonderes ist. Das machte die Geschichte gleich um Längen besser und hat mir den Lesefluss deutlich erleichtert.
Am besten hat mir aber gefallen, dass die Autorin es geschafft hat, dass dies KEIN Liebesdreieck geworden ist, auch wenn man manchmal so Tendenzen dahingehend verspürt hat, ist es keines gewesen. Das war sehr erfrischend. Auch ist dies mit dem zweiten so wie ich das sehe auch der letzte Band und dabei sind zwar ein paar Fragen offen geblieben, aber abgeschlossen war die Geschichte dennoch. Das war wirklich clever gemacht und ich hoffe sehr, dass es vielleicht noch einen Band aus Kravens Sicht geben wird, der die offenen Fragen klärt. Denn Samanthas Geschichte ist für mich hier abgeschlossen und das hat auch alles ganz wunderbar funktioniert.
Generell hat mir die Auflösung der Geschichte unheimlich gut gefallen! Alle Zahnrädchen passten ineinander, alles machte Sinn und das war einfach herrlich so!
Auch hat mir Sam als Hauptcharakter in diesem zweiten Teil noch ein wenig besser gefallen als im Vorgänger! Sie war sehr stark, hat für sich selbst eingestanden und für ihre Seele gekämpft, auch wenn sie ein ewiges Leben haben könnte. Das habe ich ja schon von Beginn an an ihr gemocht. Diese Gleichgültigkeit gegenüber dem ewigen Leben und der Schönheit, die sie durch den Kuss des Grays erlangt hatte.
Bishop hingegen mochte ich im zweiten Band ein bisschen weniger, wenn auch nur einen Hauch. Seine Handlungsweisen konnte ich an einigen Stellen nicht so ganz nachvollziehen. Dafür mochte ich Kraven um so mehr. Seine sarkastischen Kommentare haben dem Buch einen ganz besonderen Charme verliehen!
Mein einziger Kritikpunkt wäre, dass ich bei dem Buch das Gefühl hatte, es würde nie enden. Nicht weil es langweilig geschrieben wäre, sondern genau im Gegenteil. Es war irgendwie... antrengend, weil auf einen Höhepunkt gleich der nächste folgte und dann wieder und wieder und wieder... Eigentlich seltsam, dass ich mich darüber beschwere, dass es zu viele spannende Szenen gab, aber so habe ich das komischerweise empfunden.
FAZIT
Eine sehr tolle Fortsetzung und auch ein schöner Abschluss, bei dem alles stimmte bis auf meine verquere Wahrnehmung der Spannungskurve zum Ende hin xD Leute, die den ersten Band mochten, werden den zweiten lieben und diejenigen, die sich beim ersten noch nicht so sicher waren, sollten dem zweiten vielleicht doch noch eine Chance geben ;)
Am besten hat mir aber gefallen, dass die Autorin es geschafft hat, dass dies KEIN Liebesdreieck geworden ist, auch wenn man manchmal so Tendenzen dahingehend verspürt hat, ist es keines gewesen. Das war sehr erfrischend. Auch ist dies mit dem zweiten so wie ich das sehe auch der letzte Band und dabei sind zwar ein paar Fragen offen geblieben, aber abgeschlossen war die Geschichte dennoch. Das war wirklich clever gemacht und ich hoffe sehr, dass es vielleicht noch einen Band aus Kravens Sicht geben wird, der die offenen Fragen klärt. Denn Samanthas Geschichte ist für mich hier abgeschlossen und das hat auch alles ganz wunderbar funktioniert.
Generell hat mir die Auflösung der Geschichte unheimlich gut gefallen! Alle Zahnrädchen passten ineinander, alles machte Sinn und das war einfach herrlich so!
Auch hat mir Sam als Hauptcharakter in diesem zweiten Teil noch ein wenig besser gefallen als im Vorgänger! Sie war sehr stark, hat für sich selbst eingestanden und für ihre Seele gekämpft, auch wenn sie ein ewiges Leben haben könnte. Das habe ich ja schon von Beginn an an ihr gemocht. Diese Gleichgültigkeit gegenüber dem ewigen Leben und der Schönheit, die sie durch den Kuss des Grays erlangt hatte.
Bishop hingegen mochte ich im zweiten Band ein bisschen weniger, wenn auch nur einen Hauch. Seine Handlungsweisen konnte ich an einigen Stellen nicht so ganz nachvollziehen. Dafür mochte ich Kraven um so mehr. Seine sarkastischen Kommentare haben dem Buch einen ganz besonderen Charme verliehen!
Mein einziger Kritikpunkt wäre, dass ich bei dem Buch das Gefühl hatte, es würde nie enden. Nicht weil es langweilig geschrieben wäre, sondern genau im Gegenteil. Es war irgendwie... antrengend, weil auf einen Höhepunkt gleich der nächste folgte und dann wieder und wieder und wieder... Eigentlich seltsam, dass ich mich darüber beschwere, dass es zu viele spannende Szenen gab, aber so habe ich das komischerweise empfunden.
FAZIT
Eine sehr tolle Fortsetzung und auch ein schöner Abschluss, bei dem alles stimmte bis auf meine verquere Wahrnehmung der Spannungskurve zum Ende hin xD Leute, die den ersten Band mochten, werden den zweiten lieben und diejenigen, die sich beim ersten noch nicht so sicher waren, sollten dem zweiten vielleicht doch noch eine Chance geben ;)
December 10, 2012
This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...
Brilliant sequel! I LOVED the first book, Dark Kiss, and Wicked Kiss was just as good! So much happens and so much is found out...it just left me speechless.
Samantha has grown into an ever stronger character. She was an impressive heroine in book one and has only grown more admirable. She finds out more about her parents-and, let me tell you, it made my jaw drop-and grows more powerful. Despite being surrounded by all powerful beings, she still holds her own and doesn't let anyone run right over her. Once again, tons of character growth that made her even more likable.
During the first book, I was a little shaky about Bishop. But, throughout the course of this book, I started to really adore him. His character matures as much as Sam's did. He comes to terms with his feelings for Sam and is very sweet about it. Their relationship develops very well and realistically. I can't say too much about it because I will give away so much but I will say that it was incredibly fun and, at the end, a huge surprise.
And on that vague note, I'll move on.
Kraven is still amazing. I adored him in book one and I still have a soft spot for the sarcastic demon. He's just incredible. We find out about his past as well as Bishop's. To say it was shocking would be a gross understatement. I was blown away. I never saw it coming. It had me questioning so many things. It answered quite a few questions but raised even more.
The other characters featured more and I started to get more attached to them. Even Roth, who reveals a softer side of himself.
There are a few character deaths. They were very emotional. The grief was so well written within the story that I could truly feel that sadness. But the deaths worked to motivate the lead characters to take action against the threat.
The plot was thrilling and kept me hooked right from the beginning until the very last page. SO much happens in this book that I truly felt speechless at the end. So many shocking secrets are uncovered. And that ending blew me away. I'm still trying to digest it. Wow, was it epic! And now I'm anxiously awaiting the next book so that I can find out what happens next.
Wicked Kiss was absolutely amazing. Even better than the first book. If you liked book one, you will adore book 2. Truly spectacular!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin TEEN for a copy!
Brilliant sequel! I LOVED the first book, Dark Kiss, and Wicked Kiss was just as good! So much happens and so much is found out...it just left me speechless.
Samantha has grown into an ever stronger character. She was an impressive heroine in book one and has only grown more admirable. She finds out more about her parents-and, let me tell you, it made my jaw drop-and grows more powerful. Despite being surrounded by all powerful beings, she still holds her own and doesn't let anyone run right over her. Once again, tons of character growth that made her even more likable.
During the first book, I was a little shaky about Bishop. But, throughout the course of this book, I started to really adore him. His character matures as much as Sam's did. He comes to terms with his feelings for Sam and is very sweet about it. Their relationship develops very well and realistically. I can't say too much about it because I will give away so much but I will say that it was incredibly fun and, at the end, a huge surprise.
And on that vague note, I'll move on.
Kraven is still amazing. I adored him in book one and I still have a soft spot for the sarcastic demon. He's just incredible. We find out about his past as well as Bishop's. To say it was shocking would be a gross understatement. I was blown away. I never saw it coming. It had me questioning so many things. It answered quite a few questions but raised even more.
The other characters featured more and I started to get more attached to them. Even Roth, who reveals a softer side of himself.
There are a few character deaths. They were very emotional. The grief was so well written within the story that I could truly feel that sadness. But the deaths worked to motivate the lead characters to take action against the threat.
The plot was thrilling and kept me hooked right from the beginning until the very last page. SO much happens in this book that I truly felt speechless at the end. So many shocking secrets are uncovered. And that ending blew me away. I'm still trying to digest it. Wow, was it epic! And now I'm anxiously awaiting the next book so that I can find out what happens next.
Wicked Kiss was absolutely amazing. Even better than the first book. If you liked book one, you will adore book 2. Truly spectacular!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin TEEN for a copy!
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