Shadow's Seduction (Immortals After Dark) (Volume 17)

To start off, I always preorder Kresley Cole's books. For this novella I wasn't sure what to expect, but again my mind was blown. I love the banter, adventure, and romance. Loved every minute of it, only complaint I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for the next book in April!

I admit to being a little wary about reading a homosexual based book. Don't get me wrong I'm completely ok with whatever makes someone happy. I just didn't think it would flip my switch. So glad to be proved wrong. Love all the Immortals After Dark series and can't wait for Wicked Abyss!

Classic Cole writing. Perfect match as usual. Ugh, she just doesn't write these books fast enough. I know she has an end game in sight but I don't want to wait any longer but then again I don't want the series to ever end.

I enjoyed this book very much, but I wish there was an option for 3 1/2 stars. It really felt like half a book, unfortunately, with some loose ends left dangling. I'm an IAD fan from way back, and I can't help but wonder if this series will ever truly be resolved. Caspion spent quite a bit of time away doing things on his own; it didn't seem that realistic that he and Mirceo could find their way back to each other emotionally, and the complication later due to bad timing seemed a bit "out there". It was nice to see Lothaire and Ellie again, and I appreciated Ellie reigning him in. The M/M parts didn't bother me at all; I find it interesting that so many of my favorite authors are now turning to this sub genre. As someone who has been reading romances for almost forty years, the F/M tropes have gotten rather old and stale, and although M/M books have their own tropes, they still feel fresh and new. I hope to see more of these relationships from Kresley Cole.

I like the fact that this is a male/male soulmate story still with the obligatory ups and downs in the romance. I like the fights, the different dimensions and the on-going growth In the over storyline.

So the M/M romance thing kind of bothered me just because if I wanted a M/M romance I would have specifically searched for one. I bought this book though because I am a huge IAD fan and didn't want to miss out on anything important. To be honest I do not understand the point of this story. It doesn't add anything to the accession story line and does not answer questions about Kosmina. I feel like it was solely written for the purpose of a M/M story and not to actually contribute to the IAD story.

It was obviusly sexual but tender and sassy as well. Love it but wait until 2019 for conclusion about Kosmina on the next book it's killing me and it better be about her because it's such a long long long time.

Kresley Cole finally returned to give readers another fantastic chapter in her Immortals After Dark series. I loved Mercio and Caspion ! They were so hot together and the lead into Wicked Abyss was enthralling. Longtime readers will be thrilled with this book. If you still haven't had the pleasure of reading this series then do it now. I promise that you won't be disappointed.

TL;DR: a great book. But too short for any real developments.

I've been a reader of the Immortals After Dark series since A Hunger Like No Other.
Sadly I found this one to be lacking compared to her recent works. The book felt stagnant and lacking in action(and I don't mean sexual action). Other than a single mission carried out it very much felt like the two were never perusing a goal or doing much of anything.

The final chapters were the only time I felt a strong emotional development between the two. I think if the book had been longer, as most in the series usually are, I would have been more satisfied. More time to devote to the plot and fewer time lapses.

The male x male was very refreshing to see in romance. But not cliche or theatrical. I was wary. But very pleased with Cole's scenes.

The story line and the characters are good. It is male on male which is fine. My only complaint is it felt the book jumped way too much and too fast. I would of preferred more character development. Pace was just boom boom boom no slow down. I've never had a complaint for mrs. Cole but I think this could have been done better, for her waiting so many years to write it felt very rushed and thrown together

As always an interesting story with great yet agonized characters. I love how Cole's characters think. I did miss Nix, love her insanity. I am glad she gave these two their own story as I liked them in the other stories where we first got to meet them. But don't worry, you can read this one without reading those

I loved this couple individually and together they are irresistible. They fit perfectly from the moment they met. They are even best friends which is so endearing. Loved catching up with Lothaire & Ely again. Ending contains a bit of a cliffhanger about another character that was introduced in Lothaire's book.

I have no problem with guy on guy, loved the love story, I have felt for a while now that with the more open sexuality amongst Loreans, an alt or homosexual storyline was needed/expected for some main character(s). I give it 5 stars because I was happy with the story, the progress it portrays and the characters. It's not my favorite, by far (oh, lothaire, u have me lol) but for the most part I was happy. I would ;however, have preferred it to be longer and maybe these guys have a bit more in main storyline, but the latter may still present itself in future stories, so I'll stay open minded.

Once you start reading you immediately are hooked....devouring the book...it's passion and secrets....soaking up every crumb of information bout the others....feeling even a little lost when the end of yet another exciting, hot, explosive story ends....starting the count down for the next book to get released....
As a woman btw I loved the story of Mirceo and Cas....and that hot steamy sexiness.....it got me hot and bothered too....
Love your books and looking forward to the next....pre ordered off course !!!!!

This is the most scotching hot Kresley Cole book I have read in a long time.

It is lovely novella opposites attract, fated mates, friends to lovers fun with one heck of a resistant hero and another hero who needs to grow to be ready for his mate.

There is cool adventure mixed in with this erotic romance.

Enjoy!

I'm a huge Kresley Cole fan so I am bias. When I first started reading this book, I was a little surprised that it was a male/male romance. I usually just buy Kresley's book without reading the cover because I haven't been disappointed and this was no different. The emotional aspects included in this romance surpass any beliefs you may have about same sex relationships, so don't let that stop you from reading this book!

Absolutely loved this book!! I also love that Kresley is broadening her spectrum past the traditional female/male couples. I couldn't put this book down, and I think Mirceo and Caspion compliment each other extremely well. I seriously hope I see more of them in the books yet to come.

Well written and tastefully done. I hope no one is deterred by the 1 star reviews from people who didn't even read the novel simply because it's a gay romance. I must admit I wasn't a fan of the past 2 or so books in the series, between the random intro of new characters and heavy sex, but this one was pretty good. Mirceo got a bit sassy as time went on, the book ended kind of abruptly and it wasn't quite as action driven as some of the others hence my 4 star rating but it was entertaining and enjoyable. Mirceo was determined as most males in this series are, Cas struggled quite a bit but they were well matched. Give it a read

I adore this series and always buy Kresley Cole's books whenever a new one is published. I am not into explicit sexual content especially with guy on guy action. I would not have purchased this book if I had known the story line/plot of the book. I really feel the story line suffered in this book because basically it covered the two main characters Caspion and Mirceo's sexual exploits from first meeting to being seduced in vivid detail and not much else. A couple of mentions of family members, old grievances, crazy vamps. and best friends/from their pasts. I gave the book 2 stars because I learned something about guy on guy dalliances and Caspion came across as a sweet, hot alpha. I was disappointed he didn't tag Nix or another hot female from the Lore as a mate.

Usually her books are captivating and I stay up into the wee hours because the books are just impossible to put down, not this time. It took me days to read it. I imagine there is a population of Kresley Cole's readers who will definitely enjoy this genre but I am a not a fan. I had to console myself by re-reading several of her older books with hot demons and other alpha Lore males finding their strong ass kicking true female mates. This book was about seduction and raw sex and no romance - I missed the romance.

Some one mentioned that Sherrilyn Kenyon writes about same sex mates, which is true and I have read one of hers. That book I enjoyed because it had romance written into their relationship from the beginning. It was a lovely book. It didn't matter that it was same sex mates because there was more romance and less graphic verbage of male on male sex.

At first, I was a little uneasy with the male-male them, but knowing how much I enjoyed the series and the author, I continued with it and enjoyed the writing and complexities very much. Thoroughly entertaining.

I was one of those Cas/Tina shippers until Trehan came along and showed his stuff... I really wasn't sure what my feelings were going be... In the end, I freaking loved it like I did all her other books! To see into Caspion's past was heartbreaking, but it made so much sense to his hesitation for a mate like Mirceo.... And now Cas and Tina are in laws? Ugh so good! For the people writing one star reviews cuz its "not their cup of tea" maybe next time don't buy the book eh? Clearly states in the description, her FB page, newsletter, website NOT TO MENTION THE EXCERPT that was released before the book... GEEZ

cliffhanger. Kinda lost me from beginning to end since it seemed not to have a real purpose. right when the lead characters are about to get together after a misunderstanding, the book ends and you get 8 chapters of another book. you have no clue whats going on with the missing person or if they will find her. didn't have her usually flair and passion with trademark humor. just awkward all the way around

Loved the book. It was my first same-sex pairing and I think Kresley did so very well! I was a little surprised when I turned the final page of my eBook and realized it was over. It felt so unfinished that I expected there was more. Not complaining though. I'm a sucker for all of Kresley's work!

Such a great read, passionate, sexy and heart felt. THANK YOU, for continuing this series, my absolute favorite series, have read each book at least a dozen times...You truly make us love and hunger for your characters and want them to find a happy eternity.

The m/m relationship wasn't all that bad. The attraction between the two was believable. I share a view similar to others in that there wasn't a mention of Nix or many of the beloved characters of the past. I enjoyed the preview to the next book more than this book honestly! I guess with me being a female, I didn't really get the chance to live through these characters! I always enjoy when the heroines share similarities with me, it's almost like I can imagine I am in the story! With this story I could not. I am on pins and needles for the next book! I can't wait to read about the devil and his fey princess!

KC is my absolute favorite but the change to M/M is a trendy drunk college night for authors these days. Everybody is doing it. It is disappointing to see my fave sexy fun author be such a follower. I swear if Gena Showalter has one that I don't know about, or does one, I will lose it! Lead ladies, do not follow! If I wanted to read m/m I would find authors that regularly write it. But it's just not my bag. If there were already characters and a storyline that were in play towards that kind of love story I would embrace it more. But like Larissa Ione and others that are literally just throwing these m/m stories into a series, it is predictable and a let down. I am also disappointed with the stray to Dacians. I feel like the spinoff would've been better after IAD stories were done. Finally I too get tired of waiting in between stories. I stopped reading Karen Chance books for that reason. She took literally forever to get a book done and by then I was all "Cassandra who?" Too much time in between and I will stray and not come back. Hopefully KC can pull me back in but after this sucky addition my expectations and admiration have lessened.

if you're into these words/phrasings and things listed, youll love this book:

nubs, shafts, consent issues, orgies, sex being describing as riding, a woman tweaking her nipples as the prince walks by, the prince calls his own dick beautiful, time jumps, mention of self harm in the form of cutting/blood letting, bisexual character deciding nah he's not really bi/he just has eyes for the prince (bierasure), first chapter is the prince trying to convince cas he's not hetero, "lusciously beautiful" blonde pit hair, light voyeurism ?

save yourself some brain cells and head over to archiveofourown. it's fanfic by amateur writers (very talented) and it's a million times better than this book.

I bought this book because I love all the Immortal After Dark books, Dacian books and Arcana books. I was so disappointed that this is a homosexual book, it's hard to even get through the first few chapters, I don't know if I can even read the rest without gagging. I'm all for equality and everything, but I don't want to read about gay sex, and I feel like she wrote this just because it seems to be the popular thing to do these days I guess. Is the next book going to have a transgender unicorn next time, I mean, it's absurd. I just wish she would get to the point already, get to the main couple storylines, and the ascension, how long is she going to milk this stuff for.

I was really excited to get the next book but the M/M story really was more detail than I need to read about in their bedroom antics. Just because other serial paranormal books like Black Dagger of the Brotherhood had a male/male couple does not mean you have to keep up with them. Next a unicorn or bi sexual angels, Q Dragons? I want all these characters to make sense in your future books where we have them all come together. Right now it is wonderful when Nix gets involved and that was the best part of this book for me. When the Valk's get involved action happens.

I do not enjoy homosexual roamance, and it is not something I ever expected from Kresley Cole. I stopped reading after about 10% into the book. If this is Kresley Cole's "new normal", having read all of her past books, we're finished.

I have preordered/ordered every single Kresley Cole book, this one was disappointing, not of my taste. I understand artist/authors have to express dimension and have expansive thought but this book was 180 degrees from what I'm looking for from my favorite Author, not sure if I'm preordering the next book.

I'm getting frustrated here. After many years, many books, it feels like we're going off the rails here. Remember Anita Blake? Started out strong and took a sharp turn into WTF happened land?? I really hope we're not seeing the same thing with IAD. I wish she'd focus more on the meat of the series. The already established characters we've been waiting to read about, and the great war on the horizon. Romance is great, but it was the overall arc of Nix pulling together all these factions and players for the Assension (sp?) that kept me reading years on end. And what about Furie damnit?! We know where she is now, we've had teasing hints over many books - time to wrap that sh*t up!! I really, really hate to express frustration with this series. Its one of my top 3 all time fav long running series. Or it was ...?

It kind of feels like this book was filler, not really part of the series. And after a long wait no less. I think if she'd made it a companion novella instead of # 17, she wouldn't have so many angry readers. #16 contained more meat towards the overall series arc, but again, it didn't felt more like filler than a legit, useful addition to the series. What's going on here?

If this was just a minor detour, I could forgive it, but from the preview of #18, it looks like we're following more of the off-the-rails, filler trajectory. I'm all for trusting the author to lead you through a story, but this is a lot of trust!! 18 books worth!!

I used to think, "GREAT! More books! Keep going, I never want it to end!" But that's when we were making progress in the overall story line. Now it's trudging through stories about characters we don't know or aren't invested in, looking for teeny hints of what's going on with the broader story line. Enough already! Please! Get back on track!!! Nix, Furie, the Assension, all the secondary characters - we need them!! PLEASE!

Or release an explanation - why we're taking the detour through filler land (we already know you write great romance). If you can tell us why these guys might be important, and when (maybe even a book # ...???) we're going to get some forward motion with the Assension ... that would be helpful.

I have not, nor will I ever, read this book. I understand you want feedback from people who have read or attempted to read your novels, but I don't do M/M or F/F books. Like so many reviews already, I was looking forward to another book in the series, but why you would do a story on two characters that aren't even close to main characters and then you do a gay relationship! You might have gotten away with putting characters in the book that were in the background who had a gay relationship, but don't write a complete book on a gay relationship! There is another author who I like real well who did this to another series that I fell in love with and I'll never read her novel either!
If you want to write gay relationship novels, make a series devoted to that just that and don't mix it in with M/F series as it spoils everything and there are a lot of people that aren't into reading about this!
I'm very disappointed in you Kresley and this was one of my favorite series. Like some other reviews, I can't say I was crazy about Shadow Claim, but I figured maybe it was because it was a little bit different story, but they you go and write this! Very, Very disappointed you wrote this type of story in what I found a very enjoyable series.

Shadow’s Seduction is Kresley Cole’s first M/M romance and is another sexy love story for the Immortals After Dark series. I had no idea this was a M/M romance when I bought the book (Kresley Cole is an automatic purchase for me) and I haven’t read a love story like this. Caspion is a demon warrior and a dominate alpha. Mirceo is a vampire prince and has lived a spoiled life. The moment Mirceo and Caspion meet a friendship forms and they spend time partying just as any normal bachelors would do. But the more time they spend together the stronger their bond becomes. Mirceo knows that Caspion is his mate but Caspion has no clue. After they are dared to kiss their passion ignites but leaves Caspion confused and in denial of his sexuality. Caspion fights to understand his feelings for Mirceo and his dreams of having a family are shattered. Because of his rough childhood he has vowed to work hard to leave his past behind and earn honor in the eyes of his people. Mirceo made some bad choices in his pursuit for Caspion’s love, so I understood Caspion’s reluctance to trust Mirceo. I liked Caspion and Mirceo but I wish their story was longer. We see Caspion’s character accept his love for Mirceo, but Mirceo also needed to grow up, which we weren’t given the chance to see. Despite that I thought their love story had the right mix of steamy, intense and funny moments. This is why I love this series!

This was my first M/M romance and I prefer M/F romance, and I am so glad that I took a chance on reading this book. Fans who refuse to read this book because of the M/M romance are missing out on Kresley Cole’s signature style of a story filled with passion. Shadow’s Seduction follows the same storyline as all the books for the Immortals After Dark: two characters from different backgrounds/species discover they are mates, they overcome the odds against them and live happily ever after. I love the Dacian world and I can’t wait for more books in this series.

In Shadow's Claim: Immortals After Dark: The Dacians), Bettina's best friend Caspion came racing home from Dacia, freaking out about assassins (of course his assassin turned out to be Bettina's mate, Trehan) and in a fit of desperation he entered the contest to win her hand and become king (avoiding assassination) but he ends up getting the **** kicked out of him by Trehan in front of everyone. He decides to run off to a plane where time moves slower and he can basically get like 500 yrs of training and experience in the span of days. This novella explains why he ran from Dacia in the first place...

I don't think i've ever read m/m romance before but basically, the only reason i read this one was because i wanted to follow the overarching IAD storyline (no matter how disappointed i keep getting). It wasn't a total loss because (minor spoiler alert) Lothaire and Kristoff make an appearance (apparently he really did lock Kristoff in his dungeon) and now we know that Kosmina's gone missing (possibly taken by some new bogeymen introduced in the form of "the Gaolers").

Other than that though, this novella felt like a total waste of characters! Or a total waste of a novella; i can't decide which because there are definitely other characters i'd rather read about than these two... Mirceo and Caspion weren't very well developed, and neither was their relationship. Caspion is straight until suddenly, he just decides he's not (like *poof*; i just found this weird).

But Caspion still remains resistant to the idea of being mates with Mirceo--he wants kids eventually, which is obviously a problem--a problem that is solved in like 2 seconds flat when Hag tells Mirceo oh no biggie; they can just procreate by using some eggs she's got lying around her brewery (wtf?). There were some funny parts in there, i guess.

Maybe if these characters had been developed better i could've gotten into it more (they were too hard to take seriously) but basically the only interesting part in this book for me was when Caspion and Mirceo went bounty hunting or whenever anything related to the overarching storyline came up.

I quit half thru. Was there a story in there somewhere? This felt like a gay erotica novella, instead of the usual great romance interaction that previous books have with a story line and character development. I expected Casp & Mirceo to get the same respect in their story as her other couples. This felt like a smut rag that was disrespectful of the characters development. I love this series but this didn't mesh with her other books in romance and sex writing styles.

I feel it was the worst book yet of the IAD Series . I enjoy her other books but I feel you could skip this one. I am not a fan of the M/M relationship. I will not read another one if it is this type of relationship. I have stopped reading and will ask for a refund.

Seriously? Another author bowing to "PC" pressure and writing in the gay genre? KC has never written in this
genre before. Like JR Ward and many other authors before it seems a desperate attempt to seem relevant and
pull in dollars rather than actually write good stories or please fans. Very disappointed.

I know that LGBT is the hot issue nowadays in the America but this is a bit too much to have a book that has a love story between 2 heroes (yes, 2 male characters) instead of the usual Hero & Heroine. A romance writer of paranormal & historical romances, this Shadow's Seduction from her Immortals After Dark series is a deviation from all her previous works. Ms Kresley Cole previous romances feature regular straight couples (him & her). And, her fan base/ readers buy her books because they enjoy reading her stories that feature straight couples. As someone who have read all her previous books, this type of romance is not my cup of tea. I am not against LGBT but I prefer to read a regular romance between straight couples (Him & Her), especially when I have to pay for the book. Therefore, I regret buying this book. I hope that for Ms Kresley Cole next book of this series, she will have a love story between a Hero & a Heroine (of the same species or not).

I really agree completely with McDonough Mom above.I didn't dislike this but - it really seemed pointless, not at all in the style of Kresley Cole. I I Have loved Ms. Cole's series, I count A Hunger like No Other, Dark Desires after Dusk, and Lothaire among some of my favorite books of any genre. And I could not be more excited with her introduction of the Morior group, adored Ruin and JO. Even the other novella - and forgive my short memory, it was in combination with Gena Showalter, seemed more complete. There are so many stories that need to be told...I'm just not sure what the point of this was...perhaps she wanted to try her hand at an M/M story? Which is fine, zero problems with that but - again, the story was not as well developed, nor did it really contribute to the series as a whole. Even prior books that aren't my favorite, I just didn't like the characters themselves (Sabine comes to mind, or Neomi and Conrad, or Kaderin and Sebastian)...they still accomplished those two things. Hopefully this book doesn't indicate a trend that can happen in romance series, where the story[ies] "thin out"....Neither Mirceo nor Caspion, in spite of their connections to earlier books, seem grounded in the series. The entire time I was reading it I was thinking...this seems so light, the plot is rushed, it was almost like a paranormal Harlequin or something. Let's just hope Cole's delightful storytelling reemerges in the next stallment.

Enough already....it's going the same way as the Christine Feehan series...drawn out to the point of mind numbing. We're being given stories of minor background characters that do not really contribute to the plot development instead of concentrating on her core characters. It's to the point where frustration has set in reading these books because they add no value to the overall series. The essence of her original success has been watered down. I highly suggest KC go back to her basics for the remaining main characters story then move onto a new series.

4 Stars... We meet Mircea and Caspion in previous reads in the series, so we have some background and insights into these two characters... However, Kresley Cole certainly brings the physical and emotional intensity with the dualing personalities of these characters.... Mircea with his witty sarcasm, charisma, and charm and Caspion with his brooding alpha energy create an explosive chemistry that also has a fundamental structure of friendship, loyalty, and devotion... I enjoyed witnessing the evolution of these two powerful Immortals as they gave themselves both emotionally and physically to one another and allowed their vulnerabilities and insecurities to fade.... My only complaint is there was no sign of Nix in this read and she is my favorite... There is, however, a segue into future reads at the end of this story keeping readers coming back for more:)

2.5-3 stars

***Spoiler warning!!! I go into some details in this review so please don't read if you want to avoid spoilers***

This story was rather disappointing... I will admit that I already had issues with Caspion's behavior in Shadow's Claim. He seemed selfish and immature and I didn't like how he treated Bettina at all. I was hoping that he'd be better in this book but TBH, Caspion pretty much ruined any possibility that this book could get a higher rating from me. I seriously did consider giving it a lower rating but the story itself and the other characters don't deserve that...just Caspion.

So, those that have read the previous book (Shadow's Claim) know that Caspion is a tracker that was friends with Bettina and ended up entering the competition for her hand in marriage (in Shadow's Claim) to avoid a death he was marked for because he left the land of Dacia (which is forbidden). This story takes place both before and after that event.

Basically, Caspion is screwing around at an orgy when he catches the eye of Mirceo, who is a vampire and the Prince of Dacia. Mirceo invites him over and he declines but Mirceo persists. Caspion indicates he's straight and he and Mirceo become best buddies and spend a few weeks or so together, visiting all the brothels and orgies they can. They feel a strong connection and so obviously, Mirceo says "It must be because you're destined for my sister. Come to Dacia to meet her but be warned, once you enter our land, you can't leave or you'll be killed" (paraphrased but that's basically it). Caspion decides his instincts are telling him to go to Dacia so he does...only to find that Mirceo's sister isn't his mate after all. Something intimate happens between Caspion and Mirceo and Caspion ;eaves Dacia and goes running home with death on his heals and that's where Shadow's Claim comes in.

After his defeat in the competition, Caspion can't deal and so he goes off to a demon realm where time works differently to gain strength and money. A week or so in our time is 500 years or so in that realm so Caspion comes back much stronger and more confident than he was before. Mirceo had actually been trying to find him before he left for the other realm and instead, found him after he had come back. While they were apart, Mirceo had lost his heartbeat and suspected that Caspion was his mate and indeed, Mirceo was "blooded" (regained his heartbeat) when he got near Caspion, proving Caspion is his mate.

This starts a long line of denial, denial, denial. Caspion basically used every reason he could think of as to why they couldn't be mates, most of which were completely unfair. Also, since Caspion was technically much older than Mirceo after his time in the other realm, he seemed to feel the need to treat Mirceo like a child or something. He kept calling Mirceo names like Leechling, which seemed not only demeaning but also condescending. Also, Caspion couldn't seem to decide whether Mirceo was his BFF or a hated enemy...it seemed to vary by mood.

I'm not saying Mirceo was perfect, he made his mistakes and some were doozies. However, Caspion made a ton of assumptions about Mirceo and they were just a bunch of crap and it made it very difficult for Mirceo to even begin to prove himself to Caspion. Caspion tried to say that he knew Mirceo better than he knew himself when Caspion only really know him while they were partying together for a while and he saw that as the sum total of Mirceo and nothing else mattered to him.

Sorry I got a little carried away with my annoyance about Caspion but he just realy bothered me... Thankfully, this crap did get settled (but not until the very end) and Mirceo and Caspion end up together and heading towards a HEA (although the story does end with a cliffy concerning Mirceo's sister).

So kresley cole, after waiting years for the next installment of immortals after dark we are given this book. The book really adds nothing to the immortals after dark world and the main characters that we have grown to love throughout the series are mentioned very little if at all. I think as a fan base of immortals after dark series, we need to accept that its just over and that the books she writes now will still be good but have very little to do with the series. Just learn to take the book as a stand alone and nothing more. That way you aren't greatly disappointed in your purchase.

If your M/M erotica has been missing the supernatural, than this book is for you.

Mirceo, a bisexual vampire prince, and Caspion, a (previously) straight orphaned demon, are mates, whether they like it or not. While there are a few actual plot elements to this story, like a bounty hunter mission and the disappearance of Mirceo’s sister, a majority of this story dances around a ‘will they/won’t they’ between the two male leads. According to their lore, their mating is inevitable but Mirceo is going to have to get Cas past his little hetero-inflexibility problem in order for that to happen.

Overall, the writing was fine, but the non-sexual action was brief. Most of the story’s 232 pages were dedicated to the angst-y buildup and then the physical coupling of Mirceo and Caspion.

If you’re looking for some actual plot development with your explicit romance, this may not be the book for you.

This is a short story in this IAD series. It was an ok read but it didn't really seem to go anywhere in particular. There were a few moments of excitement to the story but as soon as it got going it was finished.

It was mostly about the M/M relationship between Mirceo the vampire prince and Caspion the demon warrior. Will they won't they? but of course you know they will. There wasn't even any of the notorious humour / sarcasm that i love so much in the other books.

It leaves you with a cliff-hanger which was annoying but hopefully the story line will be picked up in the next book.

So......not much to review in my opinion but if you have read the other books in this series you will want to read this and make up your own mind.

I will be reading the next one.

Was too excited for this to come out. What a bummer I love all of the other books in this series made it to the 4th chapter and quite reading. Had little to deal with series but focused more on a same sex pairing.

I really do not know how long I will continue to follow Ms Cole. To me it seems she has the true I.A.D. series. I do not care about the Dacian's series. For myself,I am still waiting for the end of Lothhaire's story when Lothaire pays a certain Vampire a surprise visit. Then there is Fury's story. Man what a

I do not know how long I will continue to follow Ms Cole. It seems tome she has left the true I.A.D. story line.The Dacian's series has not captured my interest at all. I am still waiting for Lothaire to pay a surprise visit to a certain Vampire. Then there is

I do not know how long I will continue to follow Ms Cole.To me it seems she has left the true story line of the I.A.D. series.I am still waiting for Lothaire to pay a surprise visit to a certain Vampire. Then there is Fury. Man is she going to be one PISSED off immortal when she surfaces from wherever she has been.Then there is sexy Highlander Munro .Last is Nix. I knew from the beginning her story would be last, and it is taking FOREVER for Ms Cole to get to any of the above stories I have mentioned. I say this only because not every one of her readers have 30 to 40 more years left to finally get to the end of her books. Sorry if I offended anyone it was not my intent,just expressing my thoughts.

Ok so I have to say I only read the free selection of this book on my Kindle so I don’t feel like so can truely review it. I gave only one star because after reading the free part because I couldn’t bring myself to buy the rest. I love KC in her early works. I totally agree with one review that said the last good book she wrote in this series was Lothairn. I just reread it. I just think it’s time to end this series with Fury and Nix’s stories snd call it good. And all I can say is Nix’s story better be epic. We have all waited too long.

I will not buy this book, or any other Kresley Cole's ,who talk about the Dacian, the Russian mafia. Only poison princess, each books have more and more time in between, game of throne style. I have no interest in the Dacian , on guy on guy stories, I want Nix, Fury, still lost under the sea somewhere.... Carafina even. Others I do not waste my money in reading them. The same way I stopped reading Feehan and her never ending of woman hatred humiliation, safe masochism under the disguise of love.the same way I never read the story of the ice Valkyrie , forgot her name, because had to pay more and had other author I had no intention of reading, so welI I skipped her story. They withhold the people I want to read about, or do a bundle forcing me to pay more, I just do not buy! Like I no longer buy prepay order, because you just cannot trust: come sundown Nora Roberts! While the obsession was wow. Nope no pre order also! Really now just fed up with those fillers books in the installement. Write fury book and I will become a reader again! Author five star, story line: meh....

Very disappointed in this book. It just STOPS in the middle of the story. What is THAT about? I
No references concerning the Accession and no NIX? Not sure where this book has anything to do with the series as a whole. The M/M thing doesn't bother me like it seems do bother others.
Authors are starting to get annoying with this trend of selling one part of the story at a time. I returned the book since it was not a finished product as far as I am concerned. Just when was this author going to finish this story anyway? Not in her next book as far as I can tell and she has done this, now, a few times.

Very disappointed. Hoping for a great IAD book that advances the series and instead got an experiment in m/m. I love her snappy writing and fun characters and this was just a dud. Couldn't get past chapter 2. With many teasers outstanding on other characters (Munro?? Nix??) I don't get the direction she is going. Turning off my auto renewal of her books and will definitely preview any books before buying.

Did I stay up all night to read this after I got home from work? Why yes, yes I did.

No regrets.

I'd been jones-ing for another dose of IAD and the little snippets I get from Kresley Cole's newsletter simply aren't enough. I need more Nix! I need more Lothaire! I need more Lore! You know?! That crazy world where everything is possible, beyond sexy, beyond dangerous, beyond all your imaginings, yet Cole has made a world of WORLDS where I can completely lose myself for HOURS; laughing at jokes, wondering at fates, and guessing at "who's gonna die next?" - to say I LOVE it is putting it mildly.

So thank you, Cole! In Mirceo and Caspion's story: Thank you for providing orgies with scenes so hot the nymphs need fans! Thank you for giving us another look into Lothaire's court where bones get broken and demon eggs are stored in basement drawers! And thank you for once again showing that love manifests in more ways than a prince and princess! Speaking of princesses; the teaser at the end of "Shadow's Seduction" for "Wicked Abyss" has me jumping up and down for April 25th!

Happy Reading!

Read it all in one sitting. Just couldn't put it down. I adored cocky Mirceo and alpha Cas. I want more M/M stories! I want variety in my paranormal romance. I want to see m/f, m/m/f, f/f, m/m, f/f/m and many other varieties and combinations. Well described sex scenes are hot between any couplings and I like deviation from constant hetero storylines. All hetero, all the time gets boring. Including non-hetero matching a in romance books just makes them more interesting and sexy.

So, I guess she went there. M/M or W/W is the 'IN' thing to do at this period in history, and I suppose that is why she wrote it ... but I'm going to have to say 'no' to buying and reading this. I sure hope Nix (who loves men) doesn't get thrown in on a W/W novel. That would just make me burn all my Cole novels.

Confession: I gave up on PNR a long time ago. I guess I burned out and I craved the world building from urban fantasy...sadly, this included Cole's IAD series. I haven't read the last 4 or so, but that's okay, because Katie still eats that stuff up like candy and she inhales Cole's books. Then I find out Cole is releasing an m/m IAD book. I'm a big gay romance reader so I was intrigued. But (there is always a but) I had my doubts because many PNR authors have put out an m/m book in their hetero series and they just haven't gotten it right.

I want to apologize to Ms. Cole for ever doubting her...
Shadow's Seduction rocked my PNR world! And made me kick myself for ever leaving her hot and sexy book embrace. Cole can write gay romance. *angles sing and Sharon hugs her kindle* Maybe I'm being a little dramatic but I really loved the vampire, Mirceo. He is everything I want in an alpha hero. Playful, sensual, humorous, mischievous, self-assured (some would say cocky) and determined. When he set his sights on Caspian (the poor demon didn't have a chance) he was unashamed to show it.

Caspion is an alpha male, too...of the demon variety and a little more old school. He fights the fact that Mirceo is his mate tooth and nail (or claw). Some of that has to do with Mirceo being a male, but most has to do with Caspian's insecurities and lack of self-worth.

While this is set in the complex and imaginative IAD world, readers who don't like m/m won't miss any important story arc info. But Lothaire and his bride show up and wow...he's a dick. Warning: if you don't like m/m sex scenes than you best stay away cause it is as detailed as her m/f sex scenes. If you do like that...this is must read...I'm thinking about reading it again...and I NEVER reread books...like ever.

Some favorite Mirceo moments:
He'd always topped with other males, but considering how dominant Caspion was, Mirceo figured he'd be falling on that sword, as it were.

My gods, look at him. Mirceo stared in awe. He's as magnificent as I am.

"This sounds perfect. I would like to throw gold at this problem and delegate all parts of it."

5 "demon-seal breaking" Sheep

Yes this book is about two men. That being said the scenes are all that Kelsey is known for as well as the emotional side of finding out your gay! Total props to Kelsey for not being afraid to “ go there”. You can tell this book is leading into the next as classic Kelsey leaves lots of hints as always. I’ve been a huge fan of this series and love them all! Can’t wait for the next one!

This book was a surprise. I had somehow overlooked that it was a lovestory of two males (completely my fault - I buy Kresley Cole books without even looking what they are about). So when I started reading, I was sceptical. I'm not particularly interested in M/M stories, I'm just not the target group ;)
Apart from that, the only other M/M book I read was "Lover at last" from the BDB series, which I didn't find very convincing. It seemed to me that JR Ward felt obliged to write this book but didn't feel really comfortable with it. To be clear: I wouldn't have needed the M/M sex scenes, but if you shy away when you write them, you shouldn't write them at all.
But back to this book. I should have trusted Mrs. Cole. She is not only capable to write a really beautiful love story about two male protagonists, she also manages it to write the sex scenes as frankly and erotic as the ones of her heterosexual couples. They were hot!
I only give 4 stars because the book was quite short, hence not as well elaborated as other books of the series IMHO. And it ended with a cliffhanger and I don't like cliffhangers ^^. But I stick to my opion: You can NEVER go wrong with a Kresley Cole book!

I didn't like it at all. No story just sex. Male I'm male, not feeling it. I'm not sure where the story was going. I would love to have a bwwm I'm this series. I'm a black female who is married to a white Hispanic male. Me and my twin sister love these men. I just love to have KC, or Gena Showalter or Sherilyn Kennyon one of the great paranormal romance writers to do a few books with a blk female with one of their white immortal warriors. I think it would be better than this book. You can skip this one, you won't miss a damn thang.

I'm not into male on male love stories. Got no problem with them, just not the story I wanted to read. I like that she tried something new and out of her norm, but I'm a charlatan who just wants my norm I suppose.

I didn't particularly care for Cass in Bettina's book (honestly didn't like that whole book) but I now have a new appreciation for him. Really enjoyed this book and the guy on guy action was super hot!

If you like same sex romances this is the book for you. it's not my thing so I didn't enjoy the book and couldn't get myself engrossed in the story. I will have to change this author from auto order to review description before ordering.

Love Kresley Cole but after seeing the low stars, I was hesitant to spend $ so I used the "Look Inside" feature to see for myself because I couldn't believe she'd write something as awful as the reviewers comments. The 1 star reviews are spot on. I honestly think that somebody else wrote this book. It is nothing like her writing. Sorry.

This has to be the least engaging book in the series. The story is mediocre initially, but gets better halfway through. Unlike other couples this one focuses more on sex and lust (not bad, but it had a different feel from her usual explosive passion) Still a thousand times better than other books, but the characters other than Caspion were a little bland, even old characters seem to have lost some of their unique traits

I bought this book on IBooks, but came to the store to leave a review here as well.

I love KC' books. All of them. Some more than others, but almost always give five stars and pay full price even though it's a lot to pay for an ebook. This author is worth it. Or was.....
I put off reading this as I wasn't sure how the male/male love story would work for me. I read reviews from one star to five. The whole debate over the homosexual story didn't deter me from reading it. I even read Wicked Abyss first to give myself time to get my mind wrapped around it.

The m/m thing was ok even hot in some scenes. I didn't really identify with either character but I was patient until they worked it out and just as I was starting to like these shallow people.....the book ended with Kosmina still missing and Cas and Merceo leaving to rescue her. A cliffhanger from Kresley Cole. I'm disappointed to say the least.

If the m/m thing is a deal breaker for you then you can skip this one. There are no clues to the assesion or any shenanigans from Nix.

I will gladly wait till the next IAD installment but I will no longer be prebuying them at full price.

Im surprised about the ratings so far. I read several guy on guy novelas and this is one of the most romantic ones I have ever read. It is really difficult to adapt a reader to the personality flow of just male characters when they are so used to experiencing the extra sassiness and wittiness that I think we only see in female characters (cuz WE girls are awesome!) - particularly so when it comes to Kresley Cole's. I think this is why a lot of people didn't find this piece as compelling or "funny" as the other Immortal After Dark Installments. But if you read other male on male novellas, I think that for the most part, Ms Cole did a wonderful job at balancing the romance and the passion.

I felt betrayed. I bought the book based on loving the other Immortal series books. I am a reader of a specific genre. If the author had this story to tell, I think it would have better been marketed to that genre's audience. I know it is popular to be inclusive and diverse, but a same-sex romance is not what I thought I was buying.

Thank you Kresley Cole for your fabulous imagination and for your storytelling majic in the creation of IAD. It was great to see Cas find happiness and with none other than Mirceo! Those that are not comfortable with same sex relationships skip this book, okay? Don't put shade on it because of it. My only complaint? Where is the audible book! The amazing Robert Petkoff adds extra level of magic to the IAD books. Please make the audible book available soon!

This is one of my favorite series and I automatically bought this without reading the description.Will not make that mistake again. Could not force myself to read all of it. If Ms. Cole wants to write gay romance (especially almost forced) then she should have started a new series. Probably lost me as a faithful reader because I feel she betrayed me and the series.

seriously No one could have warned me about this epic love story. i laughed...i cried...my heart twisted. cas was very believable. mirceo cracked me up. i have many gay friends and felt the relationship was realistic. bravo kresley!

I loved this book. Which even suprised me since i did not like Caspion in Shadows Claim but know i do. I love how cole keeps expanding her world and i cannot wait for Minas book the little synopsis I found wasnt enough. I really hope she shows Caspions and Mirceo's hunt. Loved it soo much

Not for me as I like when I can really relate to the main female character. No female character here, and MM not interesting/sexyto me, alas, so boring. First book of KC's I didn't adore . . . and first book of hers I could not finish.

This is my fault for not reading the description correctly and just buying because I was SUPER EXCITED for the release of another book in this series. However, I am not into same sex romance and as soon as I realised that this was about two guys I stopped reading, hence why I cannot give an accurate review on how the book actually was. Sucksss that I wasted my money and have to wait for her other release in the series...

If I could give it no stars I would. I did read the whole book but sooo disappointed I wish I would have read description better waste of time and money. I think this will be the last book I buy, having bought them all, all 3 series. I feel very bretrayed that, she used her popularity to sell a book I would never have bought other wise. Just not my cup of tea.

Short story that disappointed me in many ways; still thinking about reading the next installment in this series (even if I already know it's not going to be the last one), but I would really love to see the Ascension eventually....

Storia breve che mi ha deluso da parecchi punti di vista; continuo a pensare se sia il caso o meno di leggere il prossimo libro, che non sará nemmeno l'ultimo, ma vorrei veramente vedere come va a finire questa storia dell'Ascensione....

Pre-ordered this before there was a description. Features male/male relations. I am not against this, but it doesn't really do anything for me. I didn't care for the fact that one male character directly stated his lack of interest in the other multiple times, but was pursued aggressively anyways by the other male. Seemed a little like forced seduction. Writing mechanics and world-building were great though - Ms. Cole always does a nice job in that respect.