5 stars
***warning, I got into some detail in this review so if you don't like spoilers you may not want to read this review***
Another great book by Sophie Oak (and also a great continuation of the series)! So, when I read the first book and met Dante's character I have to admit that my first thought wasn't "I have to see a book with Dante". I thought he was a great guy and loved his contributions to the story in the first book but wasn't really feeling him as a lead character at the time. Now, I'm so glad Sophie gave Dante his own book!
Kaja is a werewolf. She wasn't treated very well by her pack and was on her own when a demon found her and kidnapped her, taking her to another plain to be sold as a consort. Kaja is a pretty cool woman who has been through a lot but wasn't broken. When she's taken prisoner she doesn't understand what's going on and fights to try to get free. Everyone thinks she's feral and stupid and since she doesn't understand anyone and they can't understand her, no one realizes she's not dumb until Dante shows up.
Dante is the son of the leader of the Dellacourt Corporation on the Vampire plane of existence. He does some work but tends to be more interested in his playboy ways. The only thing he's truly passionate about is trying to help his cousins, Beck and Cian get their rightful throne(s) of the Seelie lands. Since the fight hasn't truly started on that front yet, Dante finds himself drifting and causing embarrassment to his family with his escapades. After a particularly bad embarrassment, Dante's father tells him to find a consort to marry or get disowned. Dante's not thrilled about this edict from his father and makes a plan to get around it...fortunately some of the best laid plans go awry.
Dante decides (with a little help) that the best way to follow his father's edict while inconveniencing himself as little as possible is to find a consort that will be completely unsuitable to his family. Then, he'll be allowed to send her to another house, still being his "wife" but with Dante not having to see her and being able to go on with his life as normal. As luck would have it, his cousins, Beck and Cian are visiting the Vampire plane and happen to get called to the market that sells consorts about an issue with a wild consort. Dante accompanies them and finds Kaja acting wild, trying to escape and attacking anyone that comes near her. When Dante realizes she's smart but just can't understand, he attempts to put a translator chip on her but they end up tussling and he surprises her (and everyone, even himself) when his more primal level is brought up and he bests her. Once he shows her he's the boss, Kaja settles down and follows his orders. Dante, thinking that a little feral consort like Kaja would perfect for his plans, buys her. Kaja is attracted to Dante and feels safe with him. When he tells her that she's now his, his mate, she's happy about this since she's never had anyone care about her in her life. She's less happy when Dante explains his plans to give her her freedom after his parents are appeased by him marrying her. She doesn't have much choice though, since he bought her. She feels it would be better to run away from Dante, knowing that he could hurt her emotionally if she stays. Fortunately, they run in to certain issues that keep them busy and Kaja finds she cares too much for Dante to leave him even though it would be the smart thing to do. Dante finds that the longer he spends with Kaja, the more he cares about her. Before he was with women just because he wanted sex and now he's with Kaja because he wants Kaja. It's unsettling to Dante and he tries to fight it, but at one point when Kaja is in danger, Dante almost dies trying to save her and he realizes he loves her, deciding that there's no way he's letting her leave his life.
Dante and Kaja go back to the Vampire plane and Kaja meets Dante's family. She's sweet and nice and so they love her. Unfortunately, Kaja has a lot to adapt to in this world of technology and she isn't settling in well. It doesn't help that now Dante is back, his family have put him back in charge of a their biggest new product, sunscreen (LMAO). Dante feels he has to do good work because he has a consort to provide for but he's spending so much time working, he doesn't get to spend as much time as he should with Kaja. His family all see his more serious attitude and are impressed but know he's still not completely happy. Dante tries to settle in to the work, it's what he's been raised for, but he can't help but feel he'd prefer to be away from his home and go somewhere that he can do some good and where Kaja will be more comfortable. Kaja tries hard to adapt to her new life but things aren't helped when she gets scared and changes in to a wolf in front of the press of the Vampire plane. It blows up in to a huge news story because werewolves are from an unknown plane and aren't known of in this world. When another vampire that's been causing them trouble (trying to support the usurper King or the Seelie throne and get rid of Beck and Cian for him) kidnaps Kaja, Dante becomes a force to be reckoned with, getting a rescue going and taking the lead in getting in to save Kaja. Dante really grows up in this book, realizing his true potential and what he really wants. Dante saves Kaja (but she does kick some ass as well) but bad news comes that sends Beck and Cian (and Meg) on the run. Dante and Kaja decide to go with them, preferring to help them win back their throne(s) than staying safely on the Vampire plane. Things end with the battle for the Seelie throne still being waged but Dante and Kaja strongly together and starting their HEA together.
I really loved this story. Dante grew up so much in this story and he turns in to a really great guy. I loved Kaja, she's been through so much and knew it would be easier on her to leave Dante but instead took the harder way, staying and trying to make things work with Dante. I was so happy when he stopped fighting his feelings and Kaja's efforts paid off. They make a wonderful couple and I loved their story. I can't wait to read book #3! This book is definitely worth reading, I'd recommend it. 2 thumbs up (for both book and series).
One of my favorite quotes from this book (from Dante to Kaja):
"I don’t know what marriages are like on your plane. I know Fae marriages can be all about respect and treating your wife like a lady. That’s crap, love. You’re my wife. I’m going to do all sorts of filthy things to you because you belong to me. You’re my little toy. I’m going to fuck you as often as I can and in as many ways as my filthy mind can come up with. That’s a strong marriage.”
BTW...on the series: Overall this series is fun and very interesting, with a good amount of action while still having a touching romance. It's so different from most of Sophie's book because it takes place on alternate planes of reality but core of the stories is still the great work that Sophie always gives us. I'm really loving the series. I love how Sophie brought in the "Alternate planes" versions of many characters and places from her other 2 series, the Bliss and Sirens series. It's just so fun seeing these "crossovers". I think they'll give people that have already read those series a laugh but I don't think you need to read those others series to read this one. It would just give you more of a laugh finding the crossovers of characters from Oak's "normal" series on the Faery plane. :)
10/2/16 - This was part of a reread of the series. I still love this story and thought Dante and Kaja made a great couple. :)