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Night's Darkest Embrace
Enter the dark realm of Nocturna in Jeaniene Frost's redhot tale, where blisteringly sexy Raphael dominates the demons of a lawless dimension and tries to help a beautiful young woman avenge her cousin's disappearance. Originally appeared in the Haunted By Your Touch anthology.
Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2012
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About the author
Jeaniene Frost
68 books27.1k followersJeaniene Frost is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author. Works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, the Night Rebel series, and the Beautiful and Beastly series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty-three different countries. Jeaniene lives in Maryland with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies with her husband, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.
For information on Jeaniene's books, please visit: www.jeanienefrost.com
For information on Jeaniene's books, please visit: www.jeanienefrost.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
June 21, 2018
Actual Rating: 2.5
It is a short entertaining read. I liked it.
As always with Jeaniene Frost 's books, I wanted to know what was going to happen next all the time, but there were moments that went too long and it seemed like we were never getting there.
I know it is a short story, but I wish we could have had more about Rafael so I could have been able to connect more with him and his feelings towards Mara.
Jeaniene Frost is a great story teller, she always keeps me entertained. I will keep reading everything she writes because her books are never a waste. I keep my hopes up to find some other male character that I would love as much as I love Bones!
It is a short entertaining read. I liked it.
As always with Jeaniene Frost 's books, I wanted to know what was going to happen next all the time, but there were moments that went too long and it seemed like we were never getting there.
I know it is a short story, but I wish we could have had more about Rafael so I could have been able to connect more with him and his feelings towards Mara.
Jeaniene Frost is a great story teller, she always keeps me entertained. I will keep reading everything she writes because her books are never a waste. I keep my hopes up to find some other male character that I would love as much as I love Bones!
November 13, 2018
This is a story about the food chain in the demon world of Nocturna.
Partial Demons are the main food for Pureblood demons. And they prefer the more tasty kids and teenagers.
Pureblood demons are the main food for Fallen Angels. And they don't have age preference.
Partial demons and cousin Gloria and Mara were tricked by two Purebloods and were taken in Nocturna.
Gloria did not survive.
Mara was saved by Raphael, the ruler of Nocturna and Partial Demon. Or maybe he is something else.
Mara’ life will be entwined to Raphael's life, but she will only realises this when she gets older and she is back to Nocturna to avenge her cousin's death.
If you enjoyed “Night Huntress”' books, you will probably enjoy this book – although they are not from the same world.
I wish the book was longer, but still it was a very entertaining book.
Partial Demons are the main food for Pureblood demons. And they prefer the more tasty kids and teenagers.
Pureblood demons are the main food for Fallen Angels. And they don't have age preference.
Partial demons and cousin Gloria and Mara were tricked by two Purebloods and were taken in Nocturna.
Gloria did not survive.
Mara was saved by Raphael, the ruler of Nocturna and Partial Demon. Or maybe he is something else.
Mara’ life will be entwined to Raphael's life, but she will only realises this when she gets older and she is back to Nocturna to avenge her cousin's death.
If you enjoyed “Night Huntress”' books, you will probably enjoy this book – although they are not from the same world.
I wish the book was longer, but still it was a very entertaining book.
April 1, 2013
This is a very different world from the Night Huntress, Night Huntress World, & the Night Prince books. JF takes us to a lawless realm where humans are partial demons who can cross over from our world to Nocturna, a world where pureblood demon's, partial demon's, and fallen angels exist.
Short novella but worth the read if your a fan of Jeaniene Frost.
Short novella but worth the read if your a fan of Jeaniene Frost.
August 21, 2024
Night’s Darkest Embrace by Jeaniene Frost
Paranormal romance. 1st person. Originally published in Haunted by Your Touch anthology.
Mara is part demon. She travels once again to Nocturna, a dark realm, to find the Purebred that killed her cousin Gloria. Mara caught a glimpse of him at the time, but hasn’t been able to find him again. Raphael is in charge of the lawless dimension. He wants Mara. He also wants to help Mara avenge her cousin’s disappearance but he doesn’t know who it was that night. Knowing her younger sister wants to come to Nocturna, Mara is desperate and will do whatever it takes to find the monster.
Mara is comfortable in Nocturna but she’s older than the deviants want. She has a crush on Raphael but doesn’t know if she can trust him. Better to assume she can’t, then to get her heart broken.
Mara is strong and determined. Fortunately Raphael is on her side. Now he just needs to have the chance to prove it to her.
Dark and tense, this demon world is a bit haunting. It reads as if it could be the start of a series, but is a stand-alone from 2010. Romance ending.
Paranormal romance. 1st person. Originally published in Haunted by Your Touch anthology.
Mara is part demon. She travels once again to Nocturna, a dark realm, to find the Purebred that killed her cousin Gloria. Mara caught a glimpse of him at the time, but hasn’t been able to find him again. Raphael is in charge of the lawless dimension. He wants Mara. He also wants to help Mara avenge her cousin’s disappearance but he doesn’t know who it was that night. Knowing her younger sister wants to come to Nocturna, Mara is desperate and will do whatever it takes to find the monster.
Mara is comfortable in Nocturna but she’s older than the deviants want. She has a crush on Raphael but doesn’t know if she can trust him. Better to assume she can’t, then to get her heart broken.
Mara is strong and determined. Fortunately Raphael is on her side. Now he just needs to have the chance to prove it to her.
Dark and tense, this demon world is a bit haunting. It reads as if it could be the start of a series, but is a stand-alone from 2010. Romance ending.
December 9, 2012
Review posted on Demon Lover's Books & More
Mara is a Partial demon (and really? They’re called “partials” or “purebloods” there couldn’t be a better name?) and when we first enter the scene, Mara is ready to dive through a portal to Nocturna, the world where Partials live and purebloods hunt them. Purebloods survive by sucking the life essence out of partials, and the younger, the better. Partials hunt Purebloods if they come into their territory, but it's the Fallen who really hunt Purebloods. (The Fallen are Fallen Angels).
Mara and her cousin Gloria visited Nocturna as teens and were kidnapped by purebloods. A stranger named Rafael came to her rescue but he couldn’t save Gloria, she had already been taken and eaten.
This is where my complaint lies: Mara is a crappy heroine. I had a hard time liking her, therefore I cared little about her story. Rafael I loved, but not at first.
With the Night Huntress series, it’s no big deal if we don’t get to know Bones for a while, there are going to be many more pages, and more books. But this is a novella and we know nothing about Rafe at all, and I kind of feel that with it being shorter, and PNR rather than UF, it’s a big deal to not have much interaction between Mara and Rafe right off the bat.
Instead it felt like a poor substitute for a Cat and Bones story. But Mara isn’t kick-ass, she’s a brat. She doesn’t think things through and it gets her in trouble. A lot. Oh and the Rafael betrayal thing was cleared up way to easily/quickly for my taste.
Sadly, this Frost fan was disappointed with the novella. I think was good, but it wasn’t fantastic. The price point is good, but I missed the witty sarcasm and snark that I love about Frost’s writing.
***Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster/Pocket Star
Mara is a Partial demon (and really? They’re called “partials” or “purebloods” there couldn’t be a better name?) and when we first enter the scene, Mara is ready to dive through a portal to Nocturna, the world where Partials live and purebloods hunt them. Purebloods survive by sucking the life essence out of partials, and the younger, the better. Partials hunt Purebloods if they come into their territory, but it's the Fallen who really hunt Purebloods. (The Fallen are Fallen Angels).
Mara and her cousin Gloria visited Nocturna as teens and were kidnapped by purebloods. A stranger named Rafael came to her rescue but he couldn’t save Gloria, she had already been taken and eaten.
This is where my complaint lies: Mara is a crappy heroine. I had a hard time liking her, therefore I cared little about her story. Rafael I loved, but not at first.
With the Night Huntress series, it’s no big deal if we don’t get to know Bones for a while, there are going to be many more pages, and more books. But this is a novella and we know nothing about Rafe at all, and I kind of feel that with it being shorter, and PNR rather than UF, it’s a big deal to not have much interaction between Mara and Rafe right off the bat.
Instead it felt like a poor substitute for a Cat and Bones story. But Mara isn’t kick-ass, she’s a brat. She doesn’t think things through and it gets her in trouble. A lot. Oh and the Rafael betrayal thing was cleared up way to easily/quickly for my taste.
Sadly, this Frost fan was disappointed with the novella. I think was good, but it wasn’t fantastic. The price point is good, but I missed the witty sarcasm and snark that I love about Frost’s writing.
***Review copy provided by Simon & Schuster/Pocket Star
August 22, 2024
This is a short story in a new world that I don't think the author explored more in other stories, so it's just a standalone.
In this fiction world, there are multiple/parallel worlds were you can travel through portals. There are demons and angel like creatures and some human can have mixed blood giving them special abilities.
It was a fun story, too short to invest either in the characters or world building, but still JF, has the talent to give the reader a good time.
In this fiction world, there are multiple/parallel worlds were you can travel through portals. There are demons and angel like creatures and some human can have mixed blood giving them special abilities.
It was a fun story, too short to invest either in the characters or world building, but still JF, has the talent to give the reader a good time.
November 15, 2012
Fun book, I kind of liked Mara and Rafael but I just didn't connect with the characters. I know that I love the way Jeaniene Frost writes, she has had my imagination captured with every adventure Cat and Bones had but sadly this book just didn't do it for me...
3 stars because Jeaniene does write exceptionally, she has a wonderful way with words, however, the story, for me, was not one of her best.
3 stars because Jeaniene does write exceptionally, she has a wonderful way with words, however, the story, for me, was not one of her best.
April 17, 2017
Cute story and I hope Jeaniene revisits the Nocturna land. I wanted an epilogue and we didn't have one.
But write Ian's books first!!! LOL
But write Ian's books first!!! LOL
August 29, 2017
OMG WHY IS THIS ONLY A NOVELLA???????? I NEED MORE!!!! OMGOMGOMGOMG!!! Seriously Jeaniene! You need to turn Nocturna into a series please!!! PLEASE???!!!!
Enough of the fangirling for now. Wow. I loved this! I was absolutely enthralled by Nocturna and the dynamic that lies within. I WANT MORE!!! I want to know everything I can about this universe that only exists in a novella. I need to know what happens next! Raphael was such an interesting character and I want to know more about him! Mara was a spit fire! There was just so much right with this story!!! My only issue? WHY IS IT ONLY A NOVELLA?????????????
Mara is what is called a Partial. Simply meaning part demon. Mara travels to a dimensional world called Nocturna, a demon realm ruled by Raphael! Yumm. Anyways the main reason Mara goes back to Nocturna is to seek out any info she can to avenge the disappearance of her dear cousin who was kidnapped by a full demon years ago. See, Mara escaped the same kidnapping the night her cousin was taken. Needless to say she wants to take revenge on the demons who took her cousin from her.
I'd share more but it's a short story and I don't want to give away any crucial info!
Enough of the fangirling for now. Wow. I loved this! I was absolutely enthralled by Nocturna and the dynamic that lies within. I WANT MORE!!! I want to know everything I can about this universe that only exists in a novella. I need to know what happens next! Raphael was such an interesting character and I want to know more about him! Mara was a spit fire! There was just so much right with this story!!! My only issue? WHY IS IT ONLY A NOVELLA?????????????
Mara is what is called a Partial. Simply meaning part demon. Mara travels to a dimensional world called Nocturna, a demon realm ruled by Raphael! Yumm. Anyways the main reason Mara goes back to Nocturna is to seek out any info she can to avenge the disappearance of her dear cousin who was kidnapped by a full demon years ago. See, Mara escaped the same kidnapping the night her cousin was taken. Needless to say she wants to take revenge on the demons who took her cousin from her.
I'd share more but it's a short story and I don't want to give away any crucial info!
September 30, 2019
For a short story this was pretty good! 😍
May 30, 2024
Night’s Darkest Embrace
I Picked Up This Book Because: Had to catch up.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: BC Public Library
Dates Read: 5/23/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Tavia Gilbert
The Story:
This was the only book by Ms. Frost I hadn't read so of course I had to fix that. This was a great adventure with a side of sexiness. I would have liked to see more from this world.
I Picked Up This Book Because: Had to catch up.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: BC Public Library
Dates Read: 5/23/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Tavia Gilbert
The Story:
This was the only book by Ms. Frost I hadn't read so of course I had to fix that. This was a great adventure with a side of sexiness. I would have liked to see more from this world.
April 9, 2017
Menceritakan ttg Mara, gadis petualang di dunia Nocturna, bertekad utk membalaskan dendam terbunuhnya Gloria, sepupunya oleh Darah Murni. Masalahnya Mara tidak mengetahui dgn jelas siapa saja yg mjd oknum Darah Murni tsb. Raphael yg sempat dia curigai ternyata adalah seorg Fallen yg menyukai dirinya.
Sisi suspense dlm buku ini kurang menegangkan walau tertolong sedikit oleh unsur surprise. Baik karakter Mara maupun Raphael juga cenderung standar banget utk ukuran hero dan heroine dlm paranormal romance. Novella ini terlalu biasa ceritanya bagi saya.
Sisi suspense dlm buku ini kurang menegangkan walau tertolong sedikit oleh unsur surprise. Baik karakter Mara maupun Raphael juga cenderung standar banget utk ukuran hero dan heroine dlm paranormal romance. Novella ini terlalu biasa ceritanya bagi saya.
November 13, 2012
This novella was originally in the anthology Haunted By Your Touch and has now been released as a standalone story. It's actually a wonderful story that I remember very well and could easily be turned into a series. It's fun, fast-paced and has great characters. The world is very rich and very visual for being a novella. I did reread it because I love Jeaniene Frost and it's still just as delightful.
The story revolves around a young woman named Mara, who on one fateful night of teenage rebellion, ends up being kidnapped with her cousin and dragged to a demon realm town named Nocturna. She is rescued by the towns leader named Raphael but not in time to save her cousin. Since that fateful night, Mara has vowed vengeance on the kidnappers. She also wants desperately to find her missing cousin and will do anything to accomplish her goals but as a teen, she was sent back to her own realm and told not to come back until she's older. Well now she's older and she's back. Unfortunately, there are people who have been waiting for her to grow up, including Raphael.
When I first read this story, I loved it. It's a mix of whodunit mystery, spaghetti western, and PNR. Mara is a bold young woman bent on finding her cousin at whatever cost and seeking her vengeance. Just the type of heroine we love and Raphael is totally delish! I mean who doesn't like a roguish hero who has waited for the woman he wants and helps her as much as he can on her vengeance trip as well as hiding secrets of his own, I mean, was he part of the kidnapping? Is he a full blooded demon? Is Mara more than just a girl he wants in the biblical sense? Who knows, well I do but if you want to also, you'll have to read the story *evil grin*
The story revolves around a young woman named Mara, who on one fateful night of teenage rebellion, ends up being kidnapped with her cousin and dragged to a demon realm town named Nocturna. She is rescued by the towns leader named Raphael but not in time to save her cousin. Since that fateful night, Mara has vowed vengeance on the kidnappers. She also wants desperately to find her missing cousin and will do anything to accomplish her goals but as a teen, she was sent back to her own realm and told not to come back until she's older. Well now she's older and she's back. Unfortunately, there are people who have been waiting for her to grow up, including Raphael.
When I first read this story, I loved it. It's a mix of whodunit mystery, spaghetti western, and PNR. Mara is a bold young woman bent on finding her cousin at whatever cost and seeking her vengeance. Just the type of heroine we love and Raphael is totally delish! I mean who doesn't like a roguish hero who has waited for the woman he wants and helps her as much as he can on her vengeance trip as well as hiding secrets of his own, I mean, was he part of the kidnapping? Is he a full blooded demon? Is Mara more than just a girl he wants in the biblical sense? Who knows, well I do but if you want to also, you'll have to read the story *evil grin*
March 22, 2022
Night's Darkest Embrace is a novella set in a world with different realms. Mara is part demon and her people tend to either inhabit Earth or the dark realm of Nocturna. Rafael is the ruler of Nocturna.
It's been a while since Mara has visited Nocturna. But she decides to return to find the person who killed her cousin.
I picked this up on a whim because I just needed more Jeaniene Frost stories lol. I'm impressed with how good the world building is, especially for a novella. I listened to this on audio and Tavia Gilbert is just so good at bringing Jeaniene Frost's stories and characters to life.
The romance between Mara and Rafael is definitely my favourite part. The build up is sooo delicious 🔥 And Mara is not scared of using Rafael to achieve her goals LOL. But of course, things aren't what they seem... 😏
My only complaints:
- I wish we had met Mara's parents
- I wanted to know how Rafael became the ruler of Nocturna
Otherwise, this was a solid novella with interesting characters and world building. I was really close to giving this one 5 stars!
It's been a while since Mara has visited Nocturna. But she decides to return to find the person who killed her cousin.
I picked this up on a whim because I just needed more Jeaniene Frost stories lol. I'm impressed with how good the world building is, especially for a novella. I listened to this on audio and Tavia Gilbert is just so good at bringing Jeaniene Frost's stories and characters to life.
The romance between Mara and Rafael is definitely my favourite part. The build up is sooo delicious 🔥 And Mara is not scared of using Rafael to achieve her goals LOL. But of course, things aren't what they seem... 😏
My only complaints:
- I wish we had met Mara's parents
- I wanted to know how Rafael became the ruler of Nocturna
Otherwise, this was a solid novella with interesting characters and world building. I was really close to giving this one 5 stars!
April 8, 2025
3rd reread as audiobook 4/7/2025
Second reread as audiobook 3/17/2023
Another audiobook. Same narrator as the last Frost novella. Her narration is just perfect for these books.
Wow. I was super in love with this one. Hot and steam but also super sweet. I like steamy but at the end of the day I'd rather have heart melting sweetness.
I hope Frost writes some more in this world. I'm a sucker for demons and fallen angels. The only thing that could have made this better was if it was a full length novel or part of a series. The couple definitely made me think of Cat & Bones, but since I love them a lot that is not a bad thing!
Second reread as audiobook 3/17/2023
Another audiobook. Same narrator as the last Frost novella. Her narration is just perfect for these books.
Wow. I was super in love with this one. Hot and steam but also super sweet. I like steamy but at the end of the day I'd rather have heart melting sweetness.
I hope Frost writes some more in this world. I'm a sucker for demons and fallen angels. The only thing that could have made this better was if it was a full length novel or part of a series. The couple definitely made me think of Cat & Bones, but since I love them a lot that is not a bad thing!
November 27, 2012
*Note: This story first appeared in the Haunted By Your Touch Anthology, and is therefore technically a reissue.
Expected Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Pocket Star
Author’s Website: http://jeanienefrost.com/
My Source for This Book: Gift from the Publisher
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: Too Stupid To Live Moment
Favorite Tropes: Fated To Be Mated, Fallen Angels
I think readers who are new to Jeanine Frost will probably appreciate this story more than the fans of her Night Huntress Series will, simply because, well, this isn't the Night Huntress World. This is Nocturna, and there are different rules and a different vibe to the entire story.
Even though I'm a fan of Ms. Frost's work in general, I personally found the world of Nocturna, with its full-blooded demons, half-demons, and fallen angels, to be just as fascinating and entertaining as her Night Huntress world has been, and while Mara certainly is no Kat, that wasn't a hindrance in my mind.
The chemistry and tension between Mara and Raphael was a delight, and there was quite a bit of heat for such a low word count, which I appreciated. There was also plenty of action to balance out the steam, and the story took several unexpected twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages.
Overall, I'd recommend this one to fans of fallen angels, old western tales with a paranormal twist, and lovers who are fated to be together.
A very solid 4.5/5 Stars.
Expected Release Date: November 13, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Pocket Star
Author’s Website: http://jeanienefrost.com/
My Source for This Book: Gift from the Publisher
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: Too Stupid To Live Moment
Favorite Tropes: Fated To Be Mated, Fallen Angels
I think readers who are new to Jeanine Frost will probably appreciate this story more than the fans of her Night Huntress Series will, simply because, well, this isn't the Night Huntress World. This is Nocturna, and there are different rules and a different vibe to the entire story.
Even though I'm a fan of Ms. Frost's work in general, I personally found the world of Nocturna, with its full-blooded demons, half-demons, and fallen angels, to be just as fascinating and entertaining as her Night Huntress world has been, and while Mara certainly is no Kat, that wasn't a hindrance in my mind.
The chemistry and tension between Mara and Raphael was a delight, and there was quite a bit of heat for such a low word count, which I appreciated. There was also plenty of action to balance out the steam, and the story took several unexpected twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages.
Overall, I'd recommend this one to fans of fallen angels, old western tales with a paranormal twist, and lovers who are fated to be together.
A very solid 4.5/5 Stars.
March 30, 2013
Look. At. That. Cover. It is. SO EMBARRASSING.
And I feel like an idiot for having complaints about this thing, because it's a fucking paranormal romance NOVELLA. I mean, really, what did I expect?
But I do have a few complaints. Like, why did Frost feel the need to specify how many bullets it takes to kill people who are different %s demon? Does aim not count at all? Do Purebloods just automatically die once that third bullet makes impact? What about buckshot, then? Does it count as lots of tiny bullets? Why, Jeaniene Frost, are you so specific about weird things that it would never occur to anyone to give a shit about? You baffle me. And please write more Night Prince novels now pleasepleaseplease. Please. Please?
The romance is kinda meh, too. I mean, it's fine, whatever, but I expect more from this author than freaking insta-love.
But if she writes more in this world I will absolutely, 100% read all of it.
And I feel like an idiot for having complaints about this thing, because it's a fucking paranormal romance NOVELLA. I mean, really, what did I expect?
But I do have a few complaints. Like, why did Frost feel the need to specify how many bullets it takes to kill people who are different %s demon? Does aim not count at all? Do Purebloods just automatically die once that third bullet makes impact? What about buckshot, then? Does it count as lots of tiny bullets? Why, Jeaniene Frost, are you so specific about weird things that it would never occur to anyone to give a shit about? You baffle me. And please write more Night Prince novels now pleasepleaseplease. Please. Please?
The romance is kinda meh, too. I mean, it's fine, whatever, but I expect more from this author than freaking insta-love.
But if she writes more in this world I will absolutely, 100% read all of it.
January 5, 2013
Wow! Great book! Jeaniene Frost always creates excellent, kickass heroines and this book did not disappoint. I see a future new series coming on. :)
Mara is a partial demon. Mara lost her (cousin?) years ago in the demon realm of Nocturnana (sp?). Pureblood demons feed off the essence of Partial demons. Then there are The Fallen demons with wings that feed off of Purebloods. (Whew!) So Mara returns the the demon realm to seek revenge for her cousin. Only problem is Mara doesn't know who to trust.
Only 149 pages in ebook but Night's Darkest Embrace had it all. Romance, action, and great characters. Can't wait to read more.
I feel the need to retread some Night Huntress now. :)
Mara is a partial demon. Mara lost her (cousin?) years ago in the demon realm of Nocturnana (sp?). Pureblood demons feed off the essence of Partial demons. Then there are The Fallen demons with wings that feed off of Purebloods. (Whew!) So Mara returns the the demon realm to seek revenge for her cousin. Only problem is Mara doesn't know who to trust.
Only 149 pages in ebook but Night's Darkest Embrace had it all. Romance, action, and great characters. Can't wait to read more.
I feel the need to retread some Night Huntress now. :)
January 18, 2015
Good story with demons, half and full-blooded, as well as fallen angels. Some names made it too easy to figure out what kind of creature their character was, though
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
August 30, 2016
Read it in the Haunted By Your Touch anthology. I was disappointed by the story, didn't enjoy it at all, and not because it wan't about Cat & Bones.
Just really didn't like the world that Ms Frost created, no redeeming features, just really depressing.
Just really didn't like the world that Ms Frost created, no redeeming features, just really depressing.
December 8, 2018
This isn’t my favourite story by this author only because the two primary characters didn’t resonate for me as a couple the way characters in other series by Jenniene Frost have by comparison, but they are fully realized and skillfully developed. The plot is intriguing and well-paced with a character twist in the end that is very satisfying. And, her world-building is exceptional. This is an author who will always be on the top of my Must Read list.
June 21, 2018
I initially read this novella back in 2010, in the anthology Haunted by Your Touch. I've been in a book funk and even books that I love aren't of much interest to me right now. So, I decided to shake things up a bit and get back to reading the Hellblazer graphic novels, but when I was looking for something on KY Libraries Unbound, I found that not only was Jeaniene Frost's Night's Darkest Embrace available as an audiobook now, it was also available for immediate checkout.
Because it's been damn near eight years since I've read the novella, I had forgotten pretty much everything. On that note, I don't think I felt any differently about the novella than I did when I first read it. I thoroughly enjoyed the brief, but unique world building and I liked the characters. Mara is one of those "jump to conclusions before having any proof" kinda girls and irritated me a bit, but she was likable. Raphael, the ruler of Nocturna, is frakkin hot.
Because it is a novella, there wasn't much time for world building or character development in Night's Darkest Embrace. Other than finally accepting things for truth, Mara didn't grow much as a person and Raphael simply stayed Raphael, only without the secrets he'd been hiding.
When I read the Haunted by Your Touch anthology, I had hopes that this world would develop into something more and in my opinion, it easily could have. Like I stated before, though brief, the world is unique and I would have liked spending more time in Nocturna and seeing Mara and Raphael's relationship progress. Sadly, that wasn't meant to be. I give Night's Darkest Embrace 3.5 stars.
Because it's been damn near eight years since I've read the novella, I had forgotten pretty much everything. On that note, I don't think I felt any differently about the novella than I did when I first read it. I thoroughly enjoyed the brief, but unique world building and I liked the characters. Mara is one of those "jump to conclusions before having any proof" kinda girls and irritated me a bit, but she was likable. Raphael, the ruler of Nocturna, is frakkin hot.
Because it is a novella, there wasn't much time for world building or character development in Night's Darkest Embrace. Other than finally accepting things for truth, Mara didn't grow much as a person and Raphael simply stayed Raphael, only without the secrets he'd been hiding.
When I read the Haunted by Your Touch anthology, I had hopes that this world would develop into something more and in my opinion, it easily could have. Like I stated before, though brief, the world is unique and I would have liked spending more time in Nocturna and seeing Mara and Raphael's relationship progress. Sadly, that wasn't meant to be. I give Night's Darkest Embrace 3.5 stars.
February 26, 2020
Short little novella. Pretty good world building for such short length. Plot was fluffy, but wasn't expecting anything different.
January 20, 2021
Short and sweet
January 19, 2022
Excellent short story by an author with amazing talents! The worlds she creates are extraordinary and her characters are addicting.
January 26, 2025
"Night's Darkest Embrace" by Jeaniene Frost was a great and quick read. Mara has had a thing for Raphael for a while. Mara is trying to find information on her cousins disappearance and is questioning everyone. My favorite part was when Raphael told Mara about himself. Jeaniene always does a wonderful job with her stories and knows how to write the characters to have you enjoying their story.
December 19, 2022
I enjoyed this. I would’ve like more from this world and characters.
December 7, 2012
ORIGINAL POST at FANGS, WANDS AND FAIRY DUST
NIGHT'S DARKEST EMBRACE
A Candle in Nocturna's Eternal Darkness — A E-Short from Jeaniene Frost
Night's Darkest Embrace
by Jeaniene Frost
Pocket/Simon and Schuster 11/13/12
100 pages
Originally appeared in the Haunted By Your Touch anthology. Not related to the Night Huntress universe. Now in an E-Novella Format.
Blogger purchase. Twice!
☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆✹✹✹☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾
When I think of Jeaniene Frost I think of the Cat and Bones series and spin off series. I especially think of Vlad on whom I have a wicked crush as he is written by Jeaniene. On the re-issue as an e-short, which I enjoyed rereading, my opinion seems to have stayed pretty much the same. I remember trying to find out if there would be more "Nocturna" based books from Jeaniene. Part of this review appeared in October of 2011.
This "dark" novella is as unlike Cat and Bones as day is different from night. And, it's refreshing to read because I have only ever read J. Frost in that series. This is a completely different voice, world and characters.
The worlds that Mara, Rafael, Ashton and their respective species inhabit are completely different. They even have different gravity and are reached through various portals and boundaries. On her own, a partial demon like Mara can only enter realms like Nocturna and Earth which are open to them. Pureblood and Fallen have to carry her into others. It's a pretty complex world for a short book, and Frost has spent time building the worlds and rules, as well as the two main characters.
Nocturna is a world where daytime never happens. Without the passage of the earth around the sun, time stands still. This is actually a pretty heavy concept. It is remarkable how much that sense of orbit and time passing diurnal rhythms defines us—informing how we think, understand and our speech.
Mara is out for revenge but has a complex personality; in this reading I realized she is an excellent strategist and rather devious. Rafael is a bit less developed as a character but Frost's description of his physical attributes make up for it. One thing I noted is that after Mara and her beau consummate their relationship she became a completely different person. She began to remind me of Cat from the Cat and Bones series; a softer, giddier Cat.
I definitely miss the depth of a novel when I read a shorter book. It must be a challenge to write a whole new universe in 150 pages. Frost mostly succeeds here which is impressive. I recommend this story unless you have a copy of HAUNTED BY YOUR TOUCH an anthology with Shayla Black and Shari Kohler from which I read and reviewed this in October 2011.
I love Jeaniene Frost's books and shorter tales are a great way to see if you like an author without investing the time and money into an entire book. It's a nice way to expand who you read! I bought it twice and enjoyed it both times!
NIGHT'S DARKEST EMBRACE
A Candle in Nocturna's Eternal Darkness — A E-Short from Jeaniene Frost
Night's Darkest Embrace
by Jeaniene Frost
Pocket/Simon and Schuster 11/13/12
100 pages
Originally appeared in the Haunted By Your Touch anthology. Not related to the Night Huntress universe. Now in an E-Novella Format.
Blogger purchase. Twice!
Nocturna is a realm where it's always night, in Jeaniene Frost’s red-hot tale. Raphael, a very sexy partially demonic male, dominates the demons of a lawless dimension and tries to help Mara, a beautiful young partial demon, one of avenge her cousin’s capture and death. In this quest Mara suspects Rafael is hiding something from her, and she believes he is in cahoots with, and maybe even is, the Purebloods who feed on partial demons like Mara and her cousin. Mara trusts Rafael's guards who have helped her in the past, right before her world view gets turned upside down.
☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆☽✹☆✹✹✹☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾☆✹☾
When I think of Jeaniene Frost I think of the Cat and Bones series and spin off series. I especially think of Vlad on whom I have a wicked crush as he is written by Jeaniene. On the re-issue as an e-short, which I enjoyed rereading, my opinion seems to have stayed pretty much the same. I remember trying to find out if there would be more "Nocturna" based books from Jeaniene. Part of this review appeared in October of 2011.
This "dark" novella is as unlike Cat and Bones as day is different from night. And, it's refreshing to read because I have only ever read J. Frost in that series. This is a completely different voice, world and characters.
The worlds that Mara, Rafael, Ashton and their respective species inhabit are completely different. They even have different gravity and are reached through various portals and boundaries. On her own, a partial demon like Mara can only enter realms like Nocturna and Earth which are open to them. Pureblood and Fallen have to carry her into others. It's a pretty complex world for a short book, and Frost has spent time building the worlds and rules, as well as the two main characters.
Nocturna is a world where daytime never happens. Without the passage of the earth around the sun, time stands still. This is actually a pretty heavy concept. It is remarkable how much that sense of orbit and time passing diurnal rhythms defines us—informing how we think, understand and our speech.
Mara is out for revenge but has a complex personality; in this reading I realized she is an excellent strategist and rather devious. Rafael is a bit less developed as a character but Frost's description of his physical attributes make up for it. One thing I noted is that after Mara and her beau consummate their relationship she became a completely different person. She began to remind me of Cat from the Cat and Bones series; a softer, giddier Cat.
I definitely miss the depth of a novel when I read a shorter book. It must be a challenge to write a whole new universe in 150 pages. Frost mostly succeeds here which is impressive. I recommend this story unless you have a copy of HAUNTED BY YOUR TOUCH an anthology with Shayla Black and Shari Kohler from which I read and reviewed this in October 2011.
I love Jeaniene Frost's books and shorter tales are a great way to see if you like an author without investing the time and money into an entire book. It's a nice way to expand who you read! I bought it twice and enjoyed it both times!
April 17, 2017
More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives
This is my first taste of Jeaniene Frost outside of the Night Huntress world and what a good first taste it was. This is a super quick read, but it still delivers the great story and wit and romance Jeaniene Frost is known for.
In Night’s Darkest Embrace we are introduced to the world of Nocturna. Because it’s a novella we have to dive in pretty quickly and as a reader you are thrust into this new world immediately, but Jeaniene Frost does a good job making sure the reader has all the information they need without it being an info dump. I loved this world and thought the concept was so cool. A dangerous world of endless night where time doesn’t move was just really appealing to me. I kinda wish she had expanded on this world with more books because there is so much that could be built on here and I love it all.
Our main characters Mara and Raphael were ones I took an immediate liking to. Mara is feisty and strong and smart. I loved her from the get go. And I absolutely adored Raphael. He was oh so swoony and sexy and just yumm.
Night’s Darkest Embrace was a quick and fun read. I absolutely loved this world and I know I’ll revisit this story again.
This is my first taste of Jeaniene Frost outside of the Night Huntress world and what a good first taste it was. This is a super quick read, but it still delivers the great story and wit and romance Jeaniene Frost is known for.
In Night’s Darkest Embrace we are introduced to the world of Nocturna. Because it’s a novella we have to dive in pretty quickly and as a reader you are thrust into this new world immediately, but Jeaniene Frost does a good job making sure the reader has all the information they need without it being an info dump. I loved this world and thought the concept was so cool. A dangerous world of endless night where time doesn’t move was just really appealing to me. I kinda wish she had expanded on this world with more books because there is so much that could be built on here and I love it all.
Our main characters Mara and Raphael were ones I took an immediate liking to. Mara is feisty and strong and smart. I loved her from the get go. And I absolutely adored Raphael. He was oh so swoony and sexy and just yumm.
Night’s Darkest Embrace was a quick and fun read. I absolutely loved this world and I know I’ll revisit this story again.
July 2, 2015
Night's Darkest Embrace - Jeaniene Frost I wasn't sure how this Novella will be.. new world in 100 pages and a story to be told in it too?
I read Night Huntress Series so I was familiar with Frost's writing and looking forward to see who/how the heroine is going to be. Cat (from the Night Huntress) is a very strong character. has a lot to say about everything, stubborn and knows how to kick ass!
Well, Mara has the same traits which is always nice to read in a romance [ in my opinion :) ]
I loved how she knows what she wants, she knows how she wants to get it (with the complications..) and she is not afraid to use her sexuality in the way to get the upper hand with the gorgeous guy - Rafael. I think it's pretty easy to describe Rafael. The word "YUM!" would probably sum it up :D
The story in a little more than a sentence - Mara is looking for the demon who kidnapped her cousin to another dimension when they were young and careless. Now, older and determined she goes back to the dimension her cousin what kidnapped from to try to figure out what happened. She decides that Rafael would be a good beginning since he was "mysteriously there" the night her cousin was kidnapped and he never did give her any damn good explanation for it! Rafael is not only "this hunk of a guy" he is also the ruler of this dimension and might be in liege with the one who took her cousin.
The world was interesting. doesn't get a lot to "get used to it". You get the important stuff as the story gets along and you don't get confused about how / what's going on in this world / dimension. and also I didn't feel like I got too much of a background and too little plot. I didn't feel like I had any "burning questions" I didn't have answers for. The story was very fluent. Maybe all this paragraph could be summed up to - I just love Frost's writing! :) I was really sad to hear that the Night Huntress series will be over soon but reading this one reminded me that though I got attached to Cat, Bone, Vlad (!!!!) and the others, I'll sure be attached to any character Frost writes about :)
I loved this Novella. it had everything a good story should have. a mystery, a mystery of a gorgeous guy (probably a villain), dead attraction (even when its not convenient), going with that - sex and romance but not forgetting a pint of humor. and as I said before a good strong woman to navigate the story.
I read Night Huntress Series so I was familiar with Frost's writing and looking forward to see who/how the heroine is going to be. Cat (from the Night Huntress) is a very strong character. has a lot to say about everything, stubborn and knows how to kick ass!
Well, Mara has the same traits which is always nice to read in a romance [ in my opinion :) ]
I loved how she knows what she wants, she knows how she wants to get it (with the complications..) and she is not afraid to use her sexuality in the way to get the upper hand with the gorgeous guy - Rafael. I think it's pretty easy to describe Rafael. The word "YUM!" would probably sum it up :D
The story in a little more than a sentence - Mara is looking for the demon who kidnapped her cousin to another dimension when they were young and careless. Now, older and determined she goes back to the dimension her cousin what kidnapped from to try to figure out what happened. She decides that Rafael would be a good beginning since he was "mysteriously there" the night her cousin was kidnapped and he never did give her any damn good explanation for it! Rafael is not only "this hunk of a guy" he is also the ruler of this dimension and might be in liege with the one who took her cousin.
The world was interesting. doesn't get a lot to "get used to it". You get the important stuff as the story gets along and you don't get confused about how / what's going on in this world / dimension. and also I didn't feel like I got too much of a background and too little plot. I didn't feel like I had any "burning questions" I didn't have answers for. The story was very fluent. Maybe all this paragraph could be summed up to - I just love Frost's writing! :) I was really sad to hear that the Night Huntress series will be over soon but reading this one reminded me that though I got attached to Cat, Bone, Vlad (!!!!) and the others, I'll sure be attached to any character Frost writes about :)
I loved this Novella. it had everything a good story should have. a mystery, a mystery of a gorgeous guy (probably a villain), dead attraction (even when its not convenient), going with that - sex and romance but not forgetting a pint of humor. and as I said before a good strong woman to navigate the story.
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