- Title: Immortal Craving (Dark Dynasties)
- Classification: Adult Fiction
- Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: Forever (January 29, 2013)
- ISBN-10: 145551165X
- ISBN-13: 978-1455511655 Author's Website: http://kendraleighcastle.com/
- Notes: I read the ARC of the book, so I'll need to check quotes against the final version.
In a cave in India a vampire from an ancient line thought to be extinct rises...
'When the first rays of dim light touched his skin, Tasmin, drew his hand back with a startled hiss. Bright pain sent a shock up his arm, and he clutched his hand to his chest, confused.
He had built up his tolerance well over the century he had lived, able to withstand even the brightest rays of the sun for extended periods of time if he wished. It was a gift of his line, one of many. He hadn't been burned since he was a fledgling, young and untried. Even if he had slept for a year, it should not feel like this.
Suspicion, rife with horror bloomed slowly as he held his hand before him in the darkness, saw skin so ashen it was as though he had been drained of blood and covered in dust. A corpse. Smoke coiled lazily from the place where the light had touched.
And he knew. To sleep so long, to become this dead and wraith like thing...
It had not been a year.
It had been centuries.'
After awakening and adjusting to a strange new world, he sought out the enemy of his enemy...
"I came here because I seek answers. The queen of the Lilim will know those who can find them. Of this I am certain."
Bay's eyebrows rose at the cryptic response There was something off about about him, something she couldn't even put her finger on that went beyond the obvious weirdness. Sadly, it didn't make him any less fascinating to her.
"Well, Tasmin, you, um, would have done better just waiting until nightfall and knocking on Lily's door. Whoever told you where to find me could have told you where to find her." She tilted her head at him. "Why didn't you just go there?"...
"The sun is still high. I had some time. And I wondered what sort of mortal would be considered such a friend to a powerful queen. I'm still not sure whether your relationship means I should expect to find her wise, or a reckless fool."
Things are about to be shaken up and get interesting.
'When the first rays of dim light touched his skin, Tasmin, drew his hand back with a startled hiss. Bright pain sent a shock up his arm, and he clutched his hand to his chest, confused.
He had built up his tolerance well over the century he had lived, able to withstand even the brightest rays of the sun for extended periods of time if he wished. It was a gift of his line, one of many. He hadn't been burned since he was a fledgling, young and untried. Even if he had slept for a year, it should not feel like this.
Suspicion, rife with horror bloomed slowly as he held his hand before him in the darkness, saw skin so ashen it was as though he had been drained of blood and covered in dust. A corpse. Smoke coiled lazily from the place where the light had touched.
And he knew. To sleep so long, to become this dead and wraith like thing...
It had not been a year.
It had been centuries.'
After awakening and adjusting to a strange new world, he sought out the enemy of his enemy...
"I came here because I seek answers. The queen of the Lilim will know those who can find them. Of this I am certain."
Bay's eyebrows rose at the cryptic response There was something off about about him, something she couldn't even put her finger on that went beyond the obvious weirdness. Sadly, it didn't make him any less fascinating to her.
"Well, Tasmin, you, um, would have done better just waiting until nightfall and knocking on Lily's door. Whoever told you where to find me could have told you where to find her." She tilted her head at him. "Why didn't you just go there?"...
"The sun is still high. I had some time. And I wondered what sort of mortal would be considered such a friend to a powerful queen. I'm still not sure whether your relationship means I should expect to find her wise, or a reckless fool."
Things are about to be shaken up and get interesting.
This is the fourth book of the Dark Dynasties series. If you haven't read the previous books, I highly recommend you do. Everything seems to build upon what happens in the previous books and you'll not want to miss a moment. Political alliances are formed and broken. There is a never ending struggle for power where one Dynasty, lead by a ruthless leader, is willing to do anything to be in control. Amongst the political back drop, a new 'reborn' dynasty with ancient roots is beginning to enter the political arena--The Lilim. For some they offer hope for change while for others they pose a threat.
In Immortal Craving, we are introduced to a new character, Tasmin Singh, a vampire with the ability to shape shift into a lion. *sigh* I confess to having a soft spot for shape shifting lions. I think it all stems from watching The Chronicles of Narnia movies and wishing I could take a ride on the back of Aslan like the kids did. Asleep for hundreds of years, Tasmin awakens to find himself, the last of his proud and powerful line, the Rakshasa. He's looking for answers as to what happened to him and his people, hoping against hope that others of his line were saved as he was, and coming to terms with all the changes in the world.
As he searches for answers, he realizes more may have changed than he first suspected. He fears whatever happened to him all those years ago may have done more than make him pull a Rip Van Winkle. He tends to have blackouts, "coming to" with large periods of time missing from his memory. As people and animals start turning up dead, with clues suggesting a lion is involved, Tasmin has to come to terms with the frightening possibility that he may very well be the culprit, and something may have been done to him when he was put to sleep. What he discovers is something truly to be feared.
Bay has a good heart and likes to help people. She may be a little too trusting, but that just adds to her charm. Not one to pass by someone in need (even if that someone is a vampire), she finds herself wanting to help Tasmin. What disturbs her the most is how attracted she finds herself to him. He's not the first vampire she's been around, and she's been asked out by several vampires in Lily's dynasty, but she's never been tempted by any of them before.
Feeling a little lost and alone, Tasmin is drawn to, Bay, the woman who showed him kindness and wasn't afraid of him when she should have been. Her being the best friend of the Queen of the Lilim and a mortal should warn him off from her. But something about Bay draws him in and is irresistible. But a relationship between the two might just lead to both their downfalls.
Why is the book called Immortal Craving? Well, I'll try not to give anything away, but Tasmin who is 'immortal' has a 'craving' or hunger that can't be easily satisfied. I know that's a little vague, but if I said any more I'd be spoiling you (as in letting loose a huge spoiler).
Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. I enjoyed the action and drama, the internal struggle Tasmin experienced, and the romance that sprouted between Bay and Tasmin. I loved both Bay and Tasmin and the way the ending played out. If you've followed the series so far you'll want to get your hands on this one fast because after this book, everything changes. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scores a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. If you haven't started the series, mark my words, you'll be asking yourself why you didn't listen to me sooner and read it. This is one of my favorite new series and I've been thoroughly and utterly seduced by it. :)
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