Kiss of the Night

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.25

First Impressions
Kiss of the Night is a book that features the Dark Hunters and Demi show more Gods and all the delicious conflict that comes with a love forbidden and one that has a timetable that is running out. Kiss of the Night features two people who should hate one another, where there is no happy ending for them but with the plot of some dangerous daimons, Acheron getting involved and some drama with Artemis and a love that is worth fighting for.

First Line
Atlantis. Fabled. Mysticla. Golden. Mysterious. Glorious and Magical.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Wulf
The Heroine: Cassandra

Summary
Cassandra is half apolite and cursed and destined to either turn into a evil daimon or die at 27 years old and a very painful death at that. She is on the run, in hiding with her bodyguard because she is being hunted. But one night when she is rescued from a group of daimons attacking her, she meets a Dark Hunter warrior, Wulf. But he is also cursed in his own way. Everyone except his own family will lose memory of meeting him. But when they meet in the corners of their dreams ....there is something more that develops between them. But there is a danger out to destroy Cassandra and their love is running out of time..

What I Loved
This romance was truly so deeply rivetning with high stakes at every turn. I had forgotten how easy this authors writing is to read and how enchanting it could be. I love this world that she has created and I really want to make this world a higher focus than what I have made it so far.

This romance was deeply rich and intense. From the very beginning there is a strong connection between Wulf and Cass and seeing them explore their relationship despite the conflict that is working against them was truly inspiring. I loved the way in which they come together, work through conflict and the ways in which they learn to fight for one another. There is also a great suspense plot that builds through the story with the Daimons. My heart broke though for Cass's sister in this one. We see some great moments with Acheron of course that was truly delightful and loved seeing Artemis because she is hilarious in how Sherrilyn Kenyon has written her. What was most beautiful about this story is how Wulf never stops fighting for Cass .....no matter how forbidden or how impossible finding a happily ever after truly is. And seeing the rewards of that devotion was brilliant and a true masterpiece.

What I Struggled With
Not much. There were times the pacing was a bit off or aspects of the romance I wish was a bit more focused at times.

Overall View
Kiss of the Night was a brilliant, thrilling high stake romance that will curl your toes and brighten your mind in the best of ways!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Mythological Fantasy Romance
Character Types: Alpha Male, Kick Ass FMC, Demi Gods
Themes: Heart/Emotionally Touching, Tear Jerker
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Kresley Cole
Gena Showalter
P.C. Cast

Song This Book Inspires
Angel by Aerosmith

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can either read in order or as standalones. Although this world is best in order.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. show less

Dear Reader,

What do you get when you take one immortal Viking warrior no one can remember five minutes after he leaves their presence, an Apollite heiress on the run for her life, and one seriously pissed off demigod? Basically, you get my life.

It started out simple enough. I went to save a woman one night in a club. The next thing I knew, the doorway to hell had opened and out stepped Daimons the likes of which I'd never seen before. Led by the son of Apollo, they are out to end the curse that has banished them all to darkness. The only problem with that is they have to kill Cassandra Peters to do it and if she dies, so dies the sun, the earth and all who dwell here. Life's just a bowl full of cherries, ain't it?

Brought together by show more fate, it's now my job to protect a daughter of the very race I have been hunting for centuries. Neither of us dares to trust the other. But she is the only one who remembers me... More than that, with her courage and strength, she is the only one who has ever touched a heart that I thought died centuries ago.

The only way for a Dark-Hunter to regain his soul is through the love of a woman. But what happens when that woman isn't exactly human?

Wulf Tryggvasen show less

Synopsis: Kiss of the Night is the 4th novel in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunters series. It is the story of Wulf, a Dark-Hunter who is cursed by the gods so that nobody he meets ever remembers him after about five minutes (with the only exception being members of his own family and other Dark-Hunters). Cassandra, the heroine, is half-human/half-Apollite. She has been hunted all her life because, apparently, she is the last direct descendent of somebody or other important and if she dies, then the whole Apollite curse will either be lifted OR the world will come to an end. (I forget all the particulars.) The premise in this book was stretched a bit thin, I have to say. However, you really do have to feel sorry for the Apollites. show more Cassandra, like the other Apollites, is cursed by the god Apollo to die on her 27th birthday. And she meets Wulf just a few months shy of her birthday and they eventually fall in love. Unlike the first few books, this one is set in St. Paul, Minnesota. We get to meet some more Were-Hunters in this book, including Dante, a were-panther who gets his own short story in the anthology Stroke of Midnight.

Overall, this was probably my least favorite of the Dark-Hunters books. I just wasn't crazy about Cassandra. The whole book she is kind of a Debbie Downer. Also, the romance isn't that great. My favorite character in the book was Chris, Wulf's last remaining living relative. He's pretty funny. However, there is a LOT of important character and storyline development in this one, so it is a necessary read to understand what is going on in the rest of the series.

The best part about this book is that you get to spend a good deal of time getting to know all about the Apollites, which are pretty important to the overall story arc of the series. See, the Daimons whom the Dark-Hunters are sworn to destroy, are really just Apollites who don't want to die on their 27th birthday. In order to cheat their fate, they take the life (and soul) of human beings to stay alive. Kenyon does raise an interesting morality question in this story. You find yourself wondering, what would I do if I were fated to die like that? Would the taking of someone else's soul be justified? show less

Wulf is cursed. Despite being an ancient Viking of massive size and incredible fighting prowess, anyone who sees him forgets him within 5 minutes. He can never have a friend and he is a stranger to everyone – even if he sees them every day. The only people exempt from this curse are his fellow Dark Hunters, who he can’t be around, his blood family – of which there’s only one left, his enemies – and one woman. Cassandra.

Except Cassandra is an Apollite. Doomed to die on her 27th birthday unless she feeds on the souls of humans, becoming a Daimon and the very enemy Wulf fights to destroy. More, Cassandra is the last direct descendent of Apollo and enthused with his life essence. When her line dies, so too does Apollo – and so show more too does the sun itself. When she dies, everything dies.

And the Daimons are trying to kill her. Not just Daimons but Spathi, ancient warriors pledged to the goddess of destruction, far more deadly than anything the Dark Hunters have faced before.

Wulf has to keep Cassandra alive as their relationship grows deeper and as she becomes pregnant. Then both of them are faced with the harsh truth that, as a 26 year old Apollite, she only has months to live. Faced with this, Wulf gets a far greater insight into the pain the Apollites suffer and how the seemingly awful choice to kill humans so you can live seems so much more tempting when its your own loved one facing the inevitable death.

Reading this book is like watching a fascinating film, but you can’t see the screen because there’s a couple shagging in front of the screen. Great world, great setting, potentially fascinating setting – aaaand lots and lots of pages of bumping and grinding.

The sex isn’t as Ikea as Anita Blake, as dull as Vampire Huntress or as ridiculous as the Black Dagger Brotherhood, but it takes a special prize for the Iridescent Indigo writing. Yes, this prose is so purple that special eye protection may be needed (“He tasted of beer and wild, untamed masculinity!”). And this makes the scenes long, very very long. Extremely horribly long. Also, sorry but I have to quote this line:

“I need to go clean up”
He didn’t release her. “I don’t want you to.”
She cocked her head at him in confusion.
“I like the sight of my seed on you, Cassandra,” he said raggedly in her ear. “My scent on your skin.”

Yes, we have Anita Fug!

It doesn’t help that we have the standard “oh I’ve just seen you and now I can’t stop thinking about your hot, luscious loveliness” that is so very common in this series – I really dislike the trope, it’s kind of lazy and seems to stand in rather than developing an actual relationship.

Read More show less

Kiss of the Night
4 Stars

Synopsis:
Wulf Tryggvasen is a Dark Hunter cursed with inducing amnesia in others. No one remembers him for more than five minutes, which means he will never find true love or regain his soul. Luckily, Wulf finally meets Cassandra Peters, the one woman who can remember him. Unfortunately, she belongs to the cursed race he is sworn to destroy. Can Wulf and Cassie overcome ancient curses, prophecies and meddling Gods to find true happiness?

Review:
An entertaining addition to the series. It should be noted that in terms of the timeline, this installment takes place in parallel to the events in Night Embrace and Dance with the Devil. Consequently, the other Dark Hunters are engaged elsewhere for most of the book and show more Cassie and Wulf are left to their own devices.

The world building continues with more intricate details about the Apollites and the Daimons as well as additional tantalizing hints regarding Acheron’s true nature and identity. Intriguing questions are also raised concerning some of the new characters such as Cassandra’s bodyguard, Kat.

The one problem is the overabundance of new characters and groups, which can be overwhelming and distracting because it is difficult to keep track of everyone.

Nevertheless, the story is engaging and the main characters are well-developed. Cassie and Wulf have great chemistry and their relationship is more emotional than in the earlier books. Of course, I am a sucker for the forbidden loves/opposites attract plot device. The dream sequences were a little weird but mesh well with the overall story.

Cassandra is a wonderful heroine. The way in which she copes with her eminent death demonstrates and incredible strength of will. Wulf is also an appealing character. It was interesting to see him come to terms with Cassie’s heritage and realize that the Apollites are people suffering under a terrible curse. His banter with Chris contributes to some of the funniest moments in the book.

The villain is one of the most dangerous and threatening in the series so far. He has some vicious tendencies and it will be interesting to see what happens with him in future books.

In sum, the Dark Hunters is a well-written series with one of the most fascinating mythologies in the genre of paranormal romance. I look forward to continuing on to the next books. show less

I love Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series, but after the emotional whirlwind that was Dance with the Devil, this entry was a bit of a let down. Wulf just did not capture me the way previous Dark-Hunters have, despite his predicament (no one remembers him once he leaves the room). Still, this book had a lot going fo it, especially in the expanded world-building. Daemons come about when Apollites refuse to die as they are cursed to do on their 27th birthdays. They start eating human souls to stay alive, and Dark-Hunters must stop them. When Wulf falls for Cassandra, an Apollite who is also destined to die, it creates a moral dilemma and a more tragic obstacle to the romance. But, this IS romance, so they will get their HEA thanks to some clever show more plot twists from the author.

Overall, though this didn't suck me in like the books before, it was still a worthwhile read and a solid entry to the series. show less

For me, too many things didn't add up! The attraction between Wulf and Cassandra didn't make sense; The odd erotic dream or two does not lead to that kind of emotional attachment in such a short space of time. Overall, this is a nice easy read and provides some background information about the Apollites and Dark Hunters.