Series: Blud #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Steampunk
Published by: Pocket Books on 2013-04-30
Format: eARC
Pages: 384
Source: NetGalley
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When Blud princess Ahnastasia wakes up, drained and starving in a suitcase, she’s not sure which calls to her more: the sound of music or the scent of blood. The source of both sensations is a handsome and mysterious man named Casper Sterling. Once the most celebrated musician in London, Sangland, he’s fallen on hard times. Now, much to Ahna’s frustration, the debauched and reckless human is her only ticket back home to the snow-rimmed and magical land of Freesia.
Together with Casper’s prickly charge, a scrappy orphan named Keen, they seek passage to Ahna’s homeland, where a power-hungry sorceress named Ravenna holds the royal family in thrall. Traveling from the back alleys of London to the sparkling minarets of Muscovy, Ahna discovers that Freesia holds new perils and dangerous foes. Back in her country, she is forced to choose between the heart she never knew she had and the land that she was born to rule. But with Casper’s help, Ahna may find a way to have it all…
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A wicked sequel filled with more adventure, thrills and sexiness!
WICKED AS SHE WANTS follows the handsome musician Casper Sterling (whom we first met in Wicked As They Come) as he meets his match in a wild blud princess that drives him crazy in more ways than one! Our story begins when Princess Ahnastasia is awakened by the sounds of music and finds herself near death and in a suitcase. The music calls to Ahnastasia but her bloodlust overpowers her senses that lead to a predatory encounter with none other than Casper, a Stranger she’ll have to rely on in order to get back home and claim what’s been taken from her.
I liked Casper from the moment I met him in Wicked As They Come and was super excited when I found out he would be the main character in the second book in the series…he needs his happy ending! Casper is on his own, doing what he does best, playing music and being a loner. He’s a tortured soul who charms you with his easy going personality and flirtations. I knew he would need a fiery counterpart to break through all those walls and Ahnastasia’s strong personality and devil-may-care attitude when it comes to Casper makes her a worthy love interest…even when their relationship starts off as a nightmare!
“I have wanted you since the first moment I saw you. Even half dead, you were more alive than any woman I’ve ever met.”
Ahnastasia is a formidable heroine and a great match for Casper. Ahna is a true Blud princess in every sense of the word and she flawlessly exudes all the superiority and regal qualities you expect. She comes off as a spoiled princess for most of the book (think along the lines of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire), making it difficult to connect with her character but I found myself warming up to her in those few moments when she let her guard down and shows a little vulnerability. Ahna’s journey home to assert her throne was one of self preservation and self discovery. Casper and his teenage charge, Keen, give Ahna a dose of the tough love she’s long needed and open her eyes to a whole new world, so to speak. The dynamic of these three characters is fantastic and keeps you turning the page.
“It’s not my fault I have vampire swagger.”
The romance between Ahna and Casper is a little tumultuous, but organic. Sure, their first encounter almost ends in bloodshed, but luckily things take a turn for the better. It was fun to watch the flirty banter between them turn into something more. I kept my fingers crossed for some sexy moments between Ahna and Casper and Ms. Dawson did not disappoint! Each character is full of passion which makes for a red-hot romance that adds to the brilliant storytelling.
“I need you, not it. And I’m done being used. If you’re going to take from me, you’re going to start giving back, and I’ll start with your heart.”
This second installment delivers an amazing adventure of vampires, airship brothels, pirates and yes, an appearance by none other than Van Helsing! Ms. Dawson’s world building is phenomenal and puts you right in the middle of her victorian steampunkery, paranormal world of Bludmen and Pinkies…bloodthirsty unicorns included! The mix of history, the paranormal and pop culture is pure genius and makes the story truly stand out in the genre. I must confess I’m a huge Criminy Stain fan and was thrilled by his small cameo in Wicked As She Wants, but Casper won me over as the hero and intrigued me from beginning to end with his effortless sex appeal. Larger than life characters and unpredictability make this a supernatural adventure that’s hard to put down. Delilah S. Dawson has made me fall in love with her characters all over again!
Books in the Series:
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