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Dark Ones #13 - Goth Faire Dark Ones 2
Ein Vampir in schlechter Gesellschaft
Die Hexe Francesca und der Vampir Benedikt sind vom Schicksal füreinander bestimmt. Doch Fran will sich nichts vorschreiben lassen und weigert sich deshalb, sich ihre Gefühle für Ben einzugestehen. Als Fran fünf Jahre später nach Europa reist, um nach ihrer verschwundenen Mutter zu suchen, trifft sie dort den attraktiven Vampir wieder. Inzwischen gibt es jedoch eine andere Frau in Bens Leben! Verfolgt von dem rachsüchtigen Gott Loki versucht Fran, ihre Mutter wiederzufinden und sich über ihre Gefühle zu Ben klarzuwerden.
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2010
71 people are currently reading
2590 people want to read
About the author
Katie MacAlister
121 books5,976 followersFor as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
January 13, 2023
Like many urban fantasy authors, Katie MacAlister is willing to mix and match her fantasy creatures. In this case, she has added in some Norse deities, some Viking ghosts, shapeshifter lions, and a witch or two. There are also a few brief appearances by Ulfur, the Icelandic ghost introduced in the previous two volumes. Unfortunately he has been captured by a necromancer and pressed into service.
Our main character, Francesca, is struggling. When she was a mere 16 years old, she was introduced to Benedikt, a Dark One who recognized her as his Beloved. But Fran wasn't ready to bond permanently with Ben. She wanted to discover her own identity, to get some education and experience, and to figure out if Ben is really the one that she wants. If she really loves him or if the Dark One/Beloved dynamic is overwhelming her true desires. Ben had the sense to let her have the freedom to grow up. He proves that Dark Ones can be flexible if they have enough incentive (and a few brains)! However, Fran's mother is missing and she must return to her childhood environs to head up the search. There she finds Ben, in the arms and trailer of another woman.
Fran has been loaned three Viking Warriors, ghosts made corporeal, by Freya, with the idea that she will also attempt to banish Loki. They provide comic relief, as they choose modern clothing (with Freya's “weasel gold," a Visa card), drink and eat copious amounts, and boast about their sexual prowess and bed as many women as possible, preferably with the largest breasts. Fran keeps a list of things she doesn't wish to discuss with them which keeps getting longer and longer.
Fran has her work cut out for her, but as MacAlister's heroines do, she deals with problems step by step as they present themselves. I may have to return to the book that I skipped where Fran and Ben meet. I'm liking the way the books have characters that recur as supporting actors in following installments. The change in main characters provides variety and keeps things fresh.
As much as I want to keep binging this series, I have physical library books with due dates that I should haul my attention back to….
Our main character, Francesca, is struggling. When she was a mere 16 years old, she was introduced to Benedikt, a Dark One who recognized her as his Beloved. But Fran wasn't ready to bond permanently with Ben. She wanted to discover her own identity, to get some education and experience, and to figure out if Ben is really the one that she wants. If she really loves him or if the Dark One/Beloved dynamic is overwhelming her true desires. Ben had the sense to let her have the freedom to grow up. He proves that Dark Ones can be flexible if they have enough incentive (and a few brains)! However, Fran's mother is missing and she must return to her childhood environs to head up the search. There she finds Ben, in the arms and trailer of another woman.
Fran has been loaned three Viking Warriors, ghosts made corporeal, by Freya, with the idea that she will also attempt to banish Loki. They provide comic relief, as they choose modern clothing (with Freya's “weasel gold," a Visa card), drink and eat copious amounts, and boast about their sexual prowess and bed as many women as possible, preferably with the largest breasts. Fran keeps a list of things she doesn't wish to discuss with them which keeps getting longer and longer.
Fran has her work cut out for her, but as MacAlister's heroines do, she deals with problems step by step as they present themselves. I may have to return to the book that I skipped where Fran and Ben meet. I'm liking the way the books have characters that recur as supporting actors in following installments. The change in main characters provides variety and keeps things fresh.
As much as I want to keep binging this series, I have physical library books with due dates that I should haul my attention back to….
September 3, 2017
In The Company of Vampires is a romantic tale told by Katie MacAlister.
I love Katie MacAlister - she's not your typical romance novelist. She writes about vampires, some of them from other times with very silly/interesting points of views, and her books are always hot and steamy. One summer, years ago, I binged as much of her and Gena Showalter as I could get my hands on (it helped that I didn't have a part time job at the time, so literally all of my time was allocated to Katie, Gena, Rachel Vincent, and a few other novelists).
Fran and Benedikt are the leads of this book - if you haven't picked up Katie MacAlister before, these two leads were going to be the main character in her Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend YA series that didn't go very far. I absolutely loved that little series, and was broken-hearted when I discovered it was not being continued. But then, Katie did what all the best novelists do, she brought them into the adult romance genre.
And OH MY GOODNESS did she deliver. This book was hot and steamy and everything I wanted it to be. She starts it off in a great manner - these characters haven't seen each other for a while (which makes sense since the YA was cancelled and we never knew what actually happened to them, since it was a sudden stop). The drama, romance and steamy sex scenes that follow will melt you.
This book is fast paced, and it's absolutely hilarious. Katie always adds a sense of humor into her books - so it's not a serious romance novel. When you have vampires, crazy unrealistic drama and the supernatural around, you might as well add in some humor! All of that together ties in for a perfectly good guilty pleasure read! I've picked up this specific book quite a few times, because it's my favourite out of all the Dark Ones series. And if you have read her previous books, yup, the vikings are back. Katie has a thing for vikings... You'll figure that out the more you read her novels.
Overall, I love this series. It's one of my giant guilty pleasures that I reread when I'm having a bad day. I definitely recommend this book if you want something easy to read, something funny, romantic or fast, or just want something that isn't your typical romance novel.
Five out of five stars.
I love Katie MacAlister - she's not your typical romance novelist. She writes about vampires, some of them from other times with very silly/interesting points of views, and her books are always hot and steamy. One summer, years ago, I binged as much of her and Gena Showalter as I could get my hands on (it helped that I didn't have a part time job at the time, so literally all of my time was allocated to Katie, Gena, Rachel Vincent, and a few other novelists).
Fran and Benedikt are the leads of this book - if you haven't picked up Katie MacAlister before, these two leads were going to be the main character in her Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend YA series that didn't go very far. I absolutely loved that little series, and was broken-hearted when I discovered it was not being continued. But then, Katie did what all the best novelists do, she brought them into the adult romance genre.
And OH MY GOODNESS did she deliver. This book was hot and steamy and everything I wanted it to be. She starts it off in a great manner - these characters haven't seen each other for a while (which makes sense since the YA was cancelled and we never knew what actually happened to them, since it was a sudden stop). The drama, romance and steamy sex scenes that follow will melt you.
This book is fast paced, and it's absolutely hilarious. Katie always adds a sense of humor into her books - so it's not a serious romance novel. When you have vampires, crazy unrealistic drama and the supernatural around, you might as well add in some humor! All of that together ties in for a perfectly good guilty pleasure read! I've picked up this specific book quite a few times, because it's my favourite out of all the Dark Ones series. And if you have read her previous books, yup, the vikings are back. Katie has a thing for vikings... You'll figure that out the more you read her novels.
Overall, I love this series. It's one of my giant guilty pleasures that I reread when I'm having a bad day. I definitely recommend this book if you want something easy to read, something funny, romantic or fast, or just want something that isn't your typical romance novel.
Five out of five stars.
April 9, 2011
This is the third in the Ben and Fran books. The first two, Got Fangs? And Circus of the Darned, were young adult novels. This one is not. It takes place five years after the previous two and Fran has broken off with Ben, graduated from college and finds herself still miserable.
The action starts off with the kidnapping of Fran's roommate. During the rescue (by Fran of course) it becomes apparent that Loki is at the root of the kidnapping. (Norse gods have long memories.) When Fran calls her mother, only to find that her mother is missing, she fears the worst. Fran immediately makes plans to head for Europe and the GothFaire, only to be interrupted by the arrival of her Vikings from book 2. It seems that Freya sent them to help her get rid of Loki using the necklace. Unfortunately she left the necklace in Europe so it is not immediately accessible. Her Vikings insist on going along with her. (Fortunately Freya provided them with their own Visa card so the only problem is convincing them they have to leave their weapons behind.)
She arrives at the GothFaire only to discover a wide range of problems. Ben is there and with another woman. (Yes she blew him off but she hadn't really expected him to move on – after all, she hasn't.) Imogen is there but the necklace isn't and her mom is still missing. While checking through her mom's things for clues she finds a birth certificate indicating she has an older half-sister she never knew about.
Like the other books this one has lots of wacky details; the town where the GothFaire is currently located is competing for a Wagnerian opera company so everyone is wearing Wagnerian costumes (including cross-dressing mermaid cabdrivers) and frequently bursting into song. Her Vikings have gone shopping and are now being Viking ninjas (based on having seen a ninja movie on TV) and have picked up new weaponry.
The plot concerns rescuing mom, saving shape shifters, confronting Loki, and of course resolving Ben and Fran's relationship problems.
All around a satisfying read.
Ben and Fran
1. Got Fangs? (2005)
2. Circus of the Darned (2006)
Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend (omnibus of 1 & 2)
3. In the Company of Vampires
Dark Ones
1. A Girl's Guide to Vampires (2003)
2. Sex and the Single Vampire (2004)
3. Sex, Lies and Vampires (2005)
4. Even Vampires Get the Blues (2006)
5. The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires (2007)
5. Bring Out Your Dead (2006) (in Just One Sip)
6. Zen and the Art of Vampires (2008)
7. Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang (2009)
8. In the Company of Vampires (2010)
9. Much Ado About Vampires (2011)
The action starts off with the kidnapping of Fran's roommate. During the rescue (by Fran of course) it becomes apparent that Loki is at the root of the kidnapping. (Norse gods have long memories.) When Fran calls her mother, only to find that her mother is missing, she fears the worst. Fran immediately makes plans to head for Europe and the GothFaire, only to be interrupted by the arrival of her Vikings from book 2. It seems that Freya sent them to help her get rid of Loki using the necklace. Unfortunately she left the necklace in Europe so it is not immediately accessible. Her Vikings insist on going along with her. (Fortunately Freya provided them with their own Visa card so the only problem is convincing them they have to leave their weapons behind.)
She arrives at the GothFaire only to discover a wide range of problems. Ben is there and with another woman. (Yes she blew him off but she hadn't really expected him to move on – after all, she hasn't.) Imogen is there but the necklace isn't and her mom is still missing. While checking through her mom's things for clues she finds a birth certificate indicating she has an older half-sister she never knew about.
Like the other books this one has lots of wacky details; the town where the GothFaire is currently located is competing for a Wagnerian opera company so everyone is wearing Wagnerian costumes (including cross-dressing mermaid cabdrivers) and frequently bursting into song. Her Vikings have gone shopping and are now being Viking ninjas (based on having seen a ninja movie on TV) and have picked up new weaponry.
The plot concerns rescuing mom, saving shape shifters, confronting Loki, and of course resolving Ben and Fran's relationship problems.
All around a satisfying read.
Ben and Fran
1. Got Fangs? (2005)
2. Circus of the Darned (2006)
Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend (omnibus of 1 & 2)
3. In the Company of Vampires
Dark Ones
1. A Girl's Guide to Vampires (2003)
2. Sex and the Single Vampire (2004)
3. Sex, Lies and Vampires (2005)
4. Even Vampires Get the Blues (2006)
5. The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires (2007)
5. Bring Out Your Dead (2006) (in Just One Sip)
6. Zen and the Art of Vampires (2008)
7. Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang (2009)
8. In the Company of Vampires (2010)
9. Much Ado About Vampires (2011)
March 15, 2013
Man, I missed Fran and Ben, so it was great that there was another book after the teen series, Ben and Fran. Especially, since that series didn't have a great ending, it pretty much didn't even have an ending.
This book was funny just like rest in the Ben and Fran series. My favorite part of this book was the Vikings. They have returned from their "heaven" and are SO MUCH FUN! My favorite is Eirik, of course. I would have thought of "bedding" Finnvid if he didn't have facial hair. Anyways, the Vikings are so entertaining. I love how they keep giving Fran sexual advice. It was so funny when they thought that they had to give Ben advice about sex. I love how they like shopping. Their bizarre outfits were so cute. Their constant nudity and inappropriateness is adorable. I don't think all readers are going to understand how historically accurate their personas were. Really proud of the author for getting that correct. She did a great job.
My Eirik: (I would so rut him.)
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I like Fran and all but it didn't really feel like she was "all grown up." That was Ben, the mature one. She made some pretty annoying and stupid decisions, later asking Ben if she "had ruined everything." It was very annoying and I felt a little like slapping her at certain moments.
And even though this is obviously the last book where Fran and Ben are main characters, there really isn't an ending that solves all of the problems. I find that to be very annoying. Especially because that's the same thing the authors did with the teen series. I guess now I have to get the rest of the books in the vampire series and skim them for Ben or Fran.
It was such a fun book to read. Really really funny, courtesy of Fran and the Vikings. I like the author's writing. She is loosened up and writes naturally.
This book was funny just like rest in the Ben and Fran series. My favorite part of this book was the Vikings. They have returned from their "heaven" and are SO MUCH FUN! My favorite is Eirik, of course. I would have thought of "bedding" Finnvid if he didn't have facial hair. Anyways, the Vikings are so entertaining. I love how they keep giving Fran sexual advice. It was so funny when they thought that they had to give Ben advice about sex. I love how they like shopping. Their bizarre outfits were so cute. Their constant nudity and inappropriateness is adorable. I don't think all readers are going to understand how historically accurate their personas were. Really proud of the author for getting that correct. She did a great job.
My Eirik: (I would so rut him.)
I like Fran and all but it didn't really feel like she was "all grown up." That was Ben, the mature one. She made some pretty annoying and stupid decisions, later asking Ben if she "had ruined everything." It was very annoying and I felt a little like slapping her at certain moments.
And even though this is obviously the last book where Fran and Ben are main characters, there really isn't an ending that solves all of the problems. I find that to be very annoying. Especially because that's the same thing the authors did with the teen series. I guess now I have to get the rest of the books in the vampire series and skim them for Ben or Fran.
It was such a fun book to read. Really really funny, courtesy of Fran and the Vikings. I like the author's writing. She is loosened up and writes naturally.
June 28, 2011
Review for: Bloddeuedd
Before I start this review…
I must tell you that Katie MacAlister is among my all time favorite authors. Her books perfected my English and introduced me to Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. There is really hard not to like any of the books Katie MacAlister writes. In the Company of Vampires is the very very long awaited continuation of Ben and Fran(cesca)’s story that started over five years ago in the Goth Faire series. Can you say SQUEE? That is why I asked B. for this review (yes, seriously. I asked her!) so I can share the SQUEE that is In the Company of Vampires with you!
So In the Company of Vampires ey?
Yes, ja and da! The story most definitely did not disappoint and started of with a bang when Fran’s roommate is kidnapped and that is just the start. Trouble starts brewing with a capital B. Make that furiously boiling. Fran soon discovers her mum is missing and sets out to find her, but not before the return of everyone’s favorite Viking trio. Did I mention Vikings? Yes I did. I really shouldn’t mention what they do with the ‘weasel’ Gold/card (i.e. visa card) they got from the Goddess Freya to blend in. If you want to know what clothes they buy, you have to pick this book up, but let me tell you, it’s Viking approved and it’s outrageous.
Fran left the Goth Faire five years ago to go to college and also got a job. In all that time she didn’t see Ben, her Dark One (that would be soul mate). Fran fights the whole system. She wants her and Ben to be together because they belong together and can make it work together, not because of some destiny. In effect they are practically broken up. So it shouldn’t hurt to find out Ben has a girlfriend….right?
So with romance trouble, mystery mayhem, pillaging and rutting (their own words) Vikings, a bitchy friend, liches, demons and carnivals, Fran has enough to deal with right? Well there is also the little problem of her arch enemy…Loki.
That makes that is book is full of plot and then some. It makes for a highly entertaining story that moves at a fast pace. The Vikings are constantly entertaining us with their comic relief and annoying Fran to no end. At points I thought it was a little too much, but they were too cute to be a bother.
What I liked
The above is not enough? Well, yes, but here’s an in depth view of the book. With Katie MacAlister, no character is alike. Well except that the Dark One’s have the overprotective macho man thing going on. The same goes for Ben. But Fran is no woman to mess with. She is not so accepting of the whole Beloved thing. She wants Ben to love her because of love’s sake, not because she’s his Beloved. That cause some bumps in the road and Fran to overlook some vital issue.
Ben for his part is very accepting. Of course he doesn’t really have a choice. MacAlister made him a perfect blend of caring, seductive, romantic, protective and accepting. Ben let’s Fran work out her issues on her own, though he does wait awfully long.
Katie knows how to spin a story and to use the right words so they make not only a unique story, but also unique characters.
So was there anything I didn’t like?
Actually yes. I mentioned that his story is action packed and fast moving. There are several plots coming up in the story and while the book is awesome (yes, you’re going to hear that several more times) I did think that she wanted too much for the book and should have toned it down a bit in order to work the other sides out. In the end something happens that isn’t quite resolved. While minor, I didn’t like it. Though I have a funny feeling that this will be resolved in another book.
There is also quite a lot of comic relief. While funny and appropriate, it could have been a little less so that there would be more focus on the plot.
All in all…
In the Company of Vampires is an amazing book and it was well worth the five year wait. I do hope to see more of Fran and Ben, be in a sequel or as a subplot in another Dark One novel. To me it was quite a fulfilling story and I hope you like it too. It can be picked up as a stand alone book, but it is recommended that you read Confessions of a Vampire’s Girlfriend that combines the Goth Faire stories.
Before I start this review…
I must tell you that Katie MacAlister is among my all time favorite authors. Her books perfected my English and introduced me to Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. There is really hard not to like any of the books Katie MacAlister writes. In the Company of Vampires is the very very long awaited continuation of Ben and Fran(cesca)’s story that started over five years ago in the Goth Faire series. Can you say SQUEE? That is why I asked B. for this review (yes, seriously. I asked her!) so I can share the SQUEE that is In the Company of Vampires with you!
So In the Company of Vampires ey?
Yes, ja and da! The story most definitely did not disappoint and started of with a bang when Fran’s roommate is kidnapped and that is just the start. Trouble starts brewing with a capital B. Make that furiously boiling. Fran soon discovers her mum is missing and sets out to find her, but not before the return of everyone’s favorite Viking trio. Did I mention Vikings? Yes I did. I really shouldn’t mention what they do with the ‘weasel’ Gold/card (i.e. visa card) they got from the Goddess Freya to blend in. If you want to know what clothes they buy, you have to pick this book up, but let me tell you, it’s Viking approved and it’s outrageous.
Fran left the Goth Faire five years ago to go to college and also got a job. In all that time she didn’t see Ben, her Dark One (that would be soul mate). Fran fights the whole system. She wants her and Ben to be together because they belong together and can make it work together, not because of some destiny. In effect they are practically broken up. So it shouldn’t hurt to find out Ben has a girlfriend….right?
So with romance trouble, mystery mayhem, pillaging and rutting (their own words) Vikings, a bitchy friend, liches, demons and carnivals, Fran has enough to deal with right? Well there is also the little problem of her arch enemy…Loki.
That makes that is book is full of plot and then some. It makes for a highly entertaining story that moves at a fast pace. The Vikings are constantly entertaining us with their comic relief and annoying Fran to no end. At points I thought it was a little too much, but they were too cute to be a bother.
What I liked
The above is not enough? Well, yes, but here’s an in depth view of the book. With Katie MacAlister, no character is alike. Well except that the Dark One’s have the overprotective macho man thing going on. The same goes for Ben. But Fran is no woman to mess with. She is not so accepting of the whole Beloved thing. She wants Ben to love her because of love’s sake, not because she’s his Beloved. That cause some bumps in the road and Fran to overlook some vital issue.
Ben for his part is very accepting. Of course he doesn’t really have a choice. MacAlister made him a perfect blend of caring, seductive, romantic, protective and accepting. Ben let’s Fran work out her issues on her own, though he does wait awfully long.
Katie knows how to spin a story and to use the right words so they make not only a unique story, but also unique characters.
So was there anything I didn’t like?
Actually yes. I mentioned that his story is action packed and fast moving. There are several plots coming up in the story and while the book is awesome (yes, you’re going to hear that several more times) I did think that she wanted too much for the book and should have toned it down a bit in order to work the other sides out. In the end something happens that isn’t quite resolved. While minor, I didn’t like it. Though I have a funny feeling that this will be resolved in another book.
There is also quite a lot of comic relief. While funny and appropriate, it could have been a little less so that there would be more focus on the plot.
All in all…
In the Company of Vampires is an amazing book and it was well worth the five year wait. I do hope to see more of Fran and Ben, be in a sequel or as a subplot in another Dark One novel. To me it was quite a fulfilling story and I hope you like it too. It can be picked up as a stand alone book, but it is recommended that you read Confessions of a Vampire’s Girlfriend that combines the Goth Faire stories.
November 15, 2010
Awesome!
Another hit from Missy MacAlister! I love it, she always has a new amazing read. In The Company of Vampires is the eighth novel in the Dark Ones series by the awesome Katie MacAlister.
This novel is all about lost love, and redemption, but with a supernatural twist.
From the start, I enjoyed this book. The plot was good, the characters were fun, especially the three out of touch, hot Vikings.
Francesca is destined to be with Ben, she loves him but refuses to accept this destiny and with her own free will, she wishes to make her own destiny.
It's now five years past her "break up" with Ben, and she's as mixed up as ever. While reaching the door with her roommate, her roommate is kidnapped, when it turns out it was supposed to be Francesca that was kidnapped. Now her love life doesn't seem like such a big problem, because this assault is only the start of her problems. Now she has to deal with Loki, a missing mother and a broken heart. All while three vikings try to live the viking way in a modern world. She doesn't have it easy!
I really enjoyed this read. I liked the supporting characters a bunch, and felt they really made the story come together. I had a few problems with how easy it was for her to get back with Ben, not that I didn't want to see them together, because I did, but because there wasn't much of a build up to it. I like when a couple has to overcome obstacles throughout most of the book, before they unite. But that's just me.
That being said, this was a great read, and I hope MacAlister continues with these characters in another book. I would love to read more!
Another hit from Missy MacAlister! I love it, she always has a new amazing read. In The Company of Vampires is the eighth novel in the Dark Ones series by the awesome Katie MacAlister.
This novel is all about lost love, and redemption, but with a supernatural twist.
From the start, I enjoyed this book. The plot was good, the characters were fun, especially the three out of touch, hot Vikings.
Francesca is destined to be with Ben, she loves him but refuses to accept this destiny and with her own free will, she wishes to make her own destiny.
It's now five years past her "break up" with Ben, and she's as mixed up as ever. While reaching the door with her roommate, her roommate is kidnapped, when it turns out it was supposed to be Francesca that was kidnapped. Now her love life doesn't seem like such a big problem, because this assault is only the start of her problems. Now she has to deal with Loki, a missing mother and a broken heart. All while three vikings try to live the viking way in a modern world. She doesn't have it easy!
I really enjoyed this read. I liked the supporting characters a bunch, and felt they really made the story come together. I had a few problems with how easy it was for her to get back with Ben, not that I didn't want to see them together, because I did, but because there wasn't much of a build up to it. I like when a couple has to overcome obstacles throughout most of the book, before they unite. But that's just me.
That being said, this was a great read, and I hope MacAlister continues with these characters in another book. I would love to read more!
March 15, 2013
Weasel Gold. I will never again think about Visa in the same way. I'm still giggling. Fran's day goes from bad to worse when her female roommate Jeff is kidnapped because she looks like Fran used to. Clearly, because it must be clear to someone, Loki is behind this. The Goddess Freya sends the three Viking ghosts to help Fran banish Fran. (Freya made sure they would get along in contemporary society by providing them with Weasel Gold.) But it isn't that simple because all roads lead back to the GothFaire and her Dark One, Ben. She's five years older and it's time she made a decision one way or the other about him. It's an easy decision when she sees another woman all over him. Suddenly she can't understand why she waited so long. Nicole Poole has a wealth of material to work with and she gives it everything. Although graphic, it's funny graphic as much as it's hot. It's sets up the next book but you can walk into this series without feeling bereft of the facts because each story is its own disaster waiting to happen. MacAlister scored in every way.
November 24, 2010
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2010/11/rev...
Favorite Quote: “Virgin goddess! Isleif is getting our ale and Eirik is using the privy, but he will return soon, unless his guts are bound up again. If that is the case, then he may need to purge his arse. You will have ale with us.”
Francesca Ghetti told Benedikt that she could not be his Beloved until she knew she loved him on her own and not because of the bond. So Fran stayed in the US and tried to get on with her life. But fate never makes life easy. When Fran’s mother Miranda turns up missing, Fran travels back to Gothfaire for answers. What she finds is 3 weasel gold using McDonalds pillaging viking ghosts, crazy werebeings, necromancers, and Benedikt consoling his broken heart by burying himself in the cleavage of another woman.
Some days it just doesn’t pay to leave your bed.
In The Company of Vampires is # 8 in Kate MacAlister’s Dark Ones series. We first met Fran and Benedikt in Confessions Of A Vampire’s Girlfriend-a YA novel. Here Fran has grown up a bit. She is 21-22 years old. 5 years have passed since she met Benedikt and it hasn’t gotten any easier. When Ben and his sister continuously pressure Fran to accept the bond and join Ben as his beloved; she says ENOUGH and gives Ben the old “buh-bye”. Fran loves Ben, make no mistake about that, but she wants to make the choice herself. When Fran cannot get a hold of her mother Miranda, she fears Loki is up to his old tricks and is extracting his revenge by kidnapping her mom. Then the three vikings show up with orders from Freya so Fran decides to heads back to Gothfaire for some answers. But many surprises is waiting here for her. The most shocking is Benedikt isn’t “grieving” like he should be. Oh no. Ben has found a new squeeze and Fran is furious and hurt. But also resigned because she did tell him they were over. But in all this time Fran should have learned that nothing is ever what it seems.
I have never laughed so hard as I did in this book. Fast pacing and a smooth flowing story line with plenty of action, humor, and romance grabbed me up and held me hostage for the whole wild ride.
Fran shows more maturity here but you can still see the child in her with some of her responses and actions. I love the fact she doesn’t always censor her thoughts or comments and gives as good as she gets. The alternative cuss words do get a little annoying at times but it is part of her charm.
Ben is Ben. MacAlister does such a wonderful job on all her characters but she really captures Ben well. Sexy, controlled, and very much in love with Fran. At 300 years old, I find his reserved nature to be a perfect foil for Fran’s enthusiastic personality. I did hate him for a little part of the book. Fran’s hurt over his supposed betrayal breaks your heart. But we see a lot of growing up for both of them in this book and I enjoyed seeing the results.
The smexy scenes between Ben and Fran are HAWT. Smoking HAWT!! Makes me want a Ben. Or a viking. Or both. ;)
The vikings are back and better then ever. Full of unintentional mischief, these three will have you crying tears between the weasel gold, wenching, and viking ninja helmets.I love how protective they are of Fran. It gives them depth and makes then oh so much more adorable.
"He's shacked up with a woman who told me he was hers now. And he agreed."
"Then he will die," Eirik said simply, reaching for his hip. He swore when he remembered he'd had to leave his sword back in Oregon.
"Aye. He will." Finnvid said, looking around the trailer.
"Ah. What is this? It looks like stone grinder." He pulled an old-fashioned egg beater from the drawer below the tiny microwave.
"That's an egg beater. It wouldn't be effective on stones at all."
Finnvid's lips quirked. "It would on a man's stones. I'm willing to bet." He spun the handle around vigorously a couple of times.
Isleif crossed his legs. "You cannot kill a Dark One by grinding his stones."
"No, but we can make sure he doesn't rut with anyone but the virgin goddess," Finnvid answered.
"True."
The multiple story lines run parallel and are each given equal time to allow development. Nothing is sacrificed. They twist and turn together to keep you guessing with little clues given along the way. New and old characters are abound through out and we are assured that this is not the last we see of Fran, Ben, or our beloved vikings. This can be read as a stand alone but I really recommend reading Confessions Of A Vampire’s Girlfriend if you want Fran and Ben’s back story.
All in all I found this a delightful comedic Paranormal Romance that will be a sure hit for anyone who wants a little of everything in their romances. I will definitely be continuing with this series.
Rating: B
Favorite Quote: “Virgin goddess! Isleif is getting our ale and Eirik is using the privy, but he will return soon, unless his guts are bound up again. If that is the case, then he may need to purge his arse. You will have ale with us.”
Francesca Ghetti told Benedikt that she could not be his Beloved until she knew she loved him on her own and not because of the bond. So Fran stayed in the US and tried to get on with her life. But fate never makes life easy. When Fran’s mother Miranda turns up missing, Fran travels back to Gothfaire for answers. What she finds is 3 weasel gold using McDonalds pillaging viking ghosts, crazy werebeings, necromancers, and Benedikt consoling his broken heart by burying himself in the cleavage of another woman.
Some days it just doesn’t pay to leave your bed.
In The Company of Vampires is # 8 in Kate MacAlister’s Dark Ones series. We first met Fran and Benedikt in Confessions Of A Vampire’s Girlfriend-a YA novel. Here Fran has grown up a bit. She is 21-22 years old. 5 years have passed since she met Benedikt and it hasn’t gotten any easier. When Ben and his sister continuously pressure Fran to accept the bond and join Ben as his beloved; she says ENOUGH and gives Ben the old “buh-bye”. Fran loves Ben, make no mistake about that, but she wants to make the choice herself. When Fran cannot get a hold of her mother Miranda, she fears Loki is up to his old tricks and is extracting his revenge by kidnapping her mom. Then the three vikings show up with orders from Freya so Fran decides to heads back to Gothfaire for some answers. But many surprises is waiting here for her. The most shocking is Benedikt isn’t “grieving” like he should be. Oh no. Ben has found a new squeeze and Fran is furious and hurt. But also resigned because she did tell him they were over. But in all this time Fran should have learned that nothing is ever what it seems.
I have never laughed so hard as I did in this book. Fast pacing and a smooth flowing story line with plenty of action, humor, and romance grabbed me up and held me hostage for the whole wild ride.
Fran shows more maturity here but you can still see the child in her with some of her responses and actions. I love the fact she doesn’t always censor her thoughts or comments and gives as good as she gets. The alternative cuss words do get a little annoying at times but it is part of her charm.
Ben is Ben. MacAlister does such a wonderful job on all her characters but she really captures Ben well. Sexy, controlled, and very much in love with Fran. At 300 years old, I find his reserved nature to be a perfect foil for Fran’s enthusiastic personality. I did hate him for a little part of the book. Fran’s hurt over his supposed betrayal breaks your heart. But we see a lot of growing up for both of them in this book and I enjoyed seeing the results.
The smexy scenes between Ben and Fran are HAWT. Smoking HAWT!! Makes me want a Ben. Or a viking. Or both. ;)
The vikings are back and better then ever. Full of unintentional mischief, these three will have you crying tears between the weasel gold, wenching, and viking ninja helmets.I love how protective they are of Fran. It gives them depth and makes then oh so much more adorable.
"He's shacked up with a woman who told me he was hers now. And he agreed."
"Then he will die," Eirik said simply, reaching for his hip. He swore when he remembered he'd had to leave his sword back in Oregon.
"Aye. He will." Finnvid said, looking around the trailer.
"Ah. What is this? It looks like stone grinder." He pulled an old-fashioned egg beater from the drawer below the tiny microwave.
"That's an egg beater. It wouldn't be effective on stones at all."
Finnvid's lips quirked. "It would on a man's stones. I'm willing to bet." He spun the handle around vigorously a couple of times.
Isleif crossed his legs. "You cannot kill a Dark One by grinding his stones."
"No, but we can make sure he doesn't rut with anyone but the virgin goddess," Finnvid answered.
"True."
The multiple story lines run parallel and are each given equal time to allow development. Nothing is sacrificed. They twist and turn together to keep you guessing with little clues given along the way. New and old characters are abound through out and we are assured that this is not the last we see of Fran, Ben, or our beloved vikings. This can be read as a stand alone but I really recommend reading Confessions Of A Vampire’s Girlfriend if you want Fran and Ben’s back story.
All in all I found this a delightful comedic Paranormal Romance that will be a sure hit for anyone who wants a little of everything in their romances. I will definitely be continuing with this series.
Rating: B
November 6, 2010
Five years have passed since Fran left GothFaire for the US. She’s went to College, started a job & is trying to get past her break up with Ben. She just couldn’t deal with the whole “Beloved” thing, among other things. But when Fran’s mother stops answering her phone & the Vikings are sent back from Valhalla, Fran has to go back to where it all began, GothFaire.
But little does Fran know, Ben has a girlfriend & things are about to get hella ugly. She needs to remember, things aren’t always what they seem.
Fran has grown, boy has she grown. There are parts in the book that break your heart, especially when Fran finds out Ben has a girlfriend, you could feel that pain. But she is still the same old Fran, just more mature & still tounge tied around Ben. Ben has changed the most, but alas I can’t tell you anything about that lest I ruin it for you.
There are apperances by all our favorites from Confessions of a Vampire’s Girlfriend, but sadly no Soren as he is now attending University. Even worse, there is Loki but he’s not the baddest baddy on the block which Fran learns really quickly. But the best part, VIKINGS!!
WEASEL GOLD!!!
The Vikings are back & I damn near peed myself, I love them! They need their own spin off, do you hear me Ms. MacAlister?! Please!! Numerous times I was laughing hysterically outloud at the picture painted of them, they’re so damn great! Thankfully with the way this book ended, it looks like we’ll have more time with the Vikings. Thank god, I don’t think they ran out of money on their Weasel Gold Card (Visa Gold).
In The Company of Vampires is the best Dark One Novel Katie MacAlister has written to date! There’s snark, there’s romance & let me tell you there are some of the best sex scenes written in this book…they are steamy & funny as hell.
But little does Fran know, Ben has a girlfriend & things are about to get hella ugly. She needs to remember, things aren’t always what they seem.
Fran has grown, boy has she grown. There are parts in the book that break your heart, especially when Fran finds out Ben has a girlfriend, you could feel that pain. But she is still the same old Fran, just more mature & still tounge tied around Ben. Ben has changed the most, but alas I can’t tell you anything about that lest I ruin it for you.
There are apperances by all our favorites from Confessions of a Vampire’s Girlfriend, but sadly no Soren as he is now attending University. Even worse, there is Loki but he’s not the baddest baddy on the block which Fran learns really quickly. But the best part, VIKINGS!!
WEASEL GOLD!!!
The Vikings are back & I damn near peed myself, I love them! They need their own spin off, do you hear me Ms. MacAlister?! Please!! Numerous times I was laughing hysterically outloud at the picture painted of them, they’re so damn great! Thankfully with the way this book ended, it looks like we’ll have more time with the Vikings. Thank god, I don’t think they ran out of money on their Weasel Gold Card (Visa Gold).
In The Company of Vampires is the best Dark One Novel Katie MacAlister has written to date! There’s snark, there’s romance & let me tell you there are some of the best sex scenes written in this book…they are steamy & funny as hell.
February 11, 2017
Ich mag die Reihe ja sehr, weil mir der Humor der Autorin unglaublich gut liegt. Dieser Teil machte da keine Ausnahme. Eigentlich war er sogar mein zweitliebster Teil der Reihe.
Fran ist wirklich genial und ihre Geister-Wikinger ebenfalls. Man bekommt so unglaublich viele lustige Szenen mit ihnen bei denen ich mich stellenweise auf den Boden hätte schmeißen können. Diese ungehobelten Klotze sagen einfach frei heraus was sie denken und das ist einfach zum Schießen. Ich mag MacAlisters selbstbewusste Frauen, die mit solchen Typen sehr gut umgehen können ohne Tough-Ass Heldinnen zu werden. Die Tollpatschigkeit, die die Autorin vielen ihrer weiblichen Helden andichtet, mag ich im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Lesern sogar ungemein. Überhaupt kann die Autorin aus meiner Sicht die besten und unterhaltsamsten Charaktere schreiben. Es gibt kein Buch bzw. keine Buchreihe bei der ich je so gelacht habe wie bei dieser hier. Der Humor ist köstlich.
Aber auch die Liebesgeschichte konnte mich wieder voll überzeugen. Fran sträubt sich erst gegen die Beziehung und Ben geht (obwohl es für ihn ja um wahnsinnig viel geht) sehr diplomatisch und geduldig damit um. Das gefiel mir richtig gut und es war herrlich mitzuerleben wie Fran dann langsam schnallte, was sie an Ben hat.
Die Nebencharaktere sind einfach großartig und ebenfalls unglaublich witzig. Die Wikinger hatte ich ja bereits erwähnt, aber auch Bens Schwester war richtig interessant und nett. Die Bösewichte sind in dieser Reihe zwar wirklich böse, aber die Autorin bringt selbst in die gefährlichsten Szenen Humor rein. Sicher liegt das nicht jedem, aber ich LIEBE es. Die Reihe ist in Sachen Humor meine absolute Nummer eins. (knapp gefolgt von der Pride Reihe von Aiken)
Wertung:
5+ Sterne
Fran ist wirklich genial und ihre Geister-Wikinger ebenfalls. Man bekommt so unglaublich viele lustige Szenen mit ihnen bei denen ich mich stellenweise auf den Boden hätte schmeißen können. Diese ungehobelten Klotze sagen einfach frei heraus was sie denken und das ist einfach zum Schießen. Ich mag MacAlisters selbstbewusste Frauen, die mit solchen Typen sehr gut umgehen können ohne Tough-Ass Heldinnen zu werden. Die Tollpatschigkeit, die die Autorin vielen ihrer weiblichen Helden andichtet, mag ich im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Lesern sogar ungemein. Überhaupt kann die Autorin aus meiner Sicht die besten und unterhaltsamsten Charaktere schreiben. Es gibt kein Buch bzw. keine Buchreihe bei der ich je so gelacht habe wie bei dieser hier. Der Humor ist köstlich.
Aber auch die Liebesgeschichte konnte mich wieder voll überzeugen. Fran sträubt sich erst gegen die Beziehung und Ben geht (obwohl es für ihn ja um wahnsinnig viel geht) sehr diplomatisch und geduldig damit um. Das gefiel mir richtig gut und es war herrlich mitzuerleben wie Fran dann langsam schnallte, was sie an Ben hat.
Die Nebencharaktere sind einfach großartig und ebenfalls unglaublich witzig. Die Wikinger hatte ich ja bereits erwähnt, aber auch Bens Schwester war richtig interessant und nett. Die Bösewichte sind in dieser Reihe zwar wirklich böse, aber die Autorin bringt selbst in die gefährlichsten Szenen Humor rein. Sicher liegt das nicht jedem, aber ich LIEBE es. Die Reihe ist in Sachen Humor meine absolute Nummer eins. (knapp gefolgt von der Pride Reihe von Aiken)
Wertung:
5+ Sterne
February 2, 2011
I just grabbed a book at Albertsons since I was on my way to Urgent Care. I had no idea this was in a series. I need to read the ones before it to really have a grip on what is going on!
I finished and I think that if I had read the two previous ones I would have rated it higher. It is action packed which I liked. Fran, the main character, doesn't like to swear so she uses absurd words and expressions which I liked.Her Viking escorts were only talking about sex and violence-which I guess might be true to characterization, but it got old. I guess I was left with a longing.
Spoiler*******
Fran and Ben the vampire never had sex in the other two books-she is still a virgin. I guess they have had incredibly steamy mind sex (which I would love to read-I hear the shower scene was amazing) because I like the idea of being so in tune with each other that you can satisfy without doing the deed-physically it was all mental. In this book they hop into bed real soon and after that it is bunny city-I was disappointed. I wanted more mind melding. It is almost like at 30 (that is a guess) she felt like she was cheated for not getting any and now that she has a hunk of a man around and since she is his beloved (more committed than marriage-it is eternal) she can use and be used at will. Wow. whatever happened to a conversation and getting turned on by intellectual stimulation? Not happening here.
I finished and I think that if I had read the two previous ones I would have rated it higher. It is action packed which I liked. Fran, the main character, doesn't like to swear so she uses absurd words and expressions which I liked.Her Viking escorts were only talking about sex and violence-which I guess might be true to characterization, but it got old. I guess I was left with a longing.
Spoiler*******
Fran and Ben the vampire never had sex in the other two books-she is still a virgin. I guess they have had incredibly steamy mind sex (which I would love to read-I hear the shower scene was amazing) because I like the idea of being so in tune with each other that you can satisfy without doing the deed-physically it was all mental. In this book they hop into bed real soon and after that it is bunny city-I was disappointed. I wanted more mind melding. It is almost like at 30 (that is a guess) she felt like she was cheated for not getting any and now that she has a hunk of a man around and since she is his beloved (more committed than marriage-it is eternal) she can use and be used at will. Wow. whatever happened to a conversation and getting turned on by intellectual stimulation? Not happening here.
February 6, 2011
I've read the other books in the Ben and Fran series, I found them very cute and I liked Ben & Fran so I was eager to read this book.
But it didn't work for me. I found Fran to be hopelessly and annoyingly neurotic. The story overall bored me to tears and I just couldn't get into it. Finishing the book was very much akin to having teeth pulled.
The main characters and the secondary characters were all rather useless and just going through the motions without any purpose, emotion or thought behind it.
But it didn't work for me. I found Fran to be hopelessly and annoyingly neurotic. The story overall bored me to tears and I just couldn't get into it. Finishing the book was very much akin to having teeth pulled.
The main characters and the secondary characters were all rather useless and just going through the motions without any purpose, emotion or thought behind it.
April 12, 2013
I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. From start to finish I was laughing my ass off at the antics of the side characters and main characters alike. I often tell my friends to read this strictly for the vikings. I enjoy the norse mythologies and found it fascinating that vampires and vikings mixed as well as they did. Love love love.
December 3, 2010
One thing I can say about Katie MacAlister is that she has one wicked sense of humor that makes reading her books an amazing experience. I've read all of her Dark One novels and was giddy with excitement when I found out IN THE COMPANY OF VAMPIRES was set to be released. She writes great storylines filled with wonderful characters so I knew I was guaranteed a great read. What I forgot however, was just how much fun I'd have as I delved into the story.
This story reunited Fran and Ben again, giving them another opportunity to come together now that Fran was older and had a better sense of what she wanted. Having asked for space, Fran had spent a number of years away from Ben, who knew that he wanted her but was willing to give her whatever she needed in order for her to accept their relationship.
Through a series of events, Fran finds herself back amongst her friends at the Goth Faire and in the presence of Ben, this time much more aware of what she wants in a relationship and of how ready she is to finally commit to Ben. The story line includes Fran searching out the whereabouts of her mother, having to face the craziness of her past while finding out what it means to truly commit to Ben. I loved the way the author wrote the story, of the incredible way she described each scene that made it easy to imagine and of the attention she gave to each character.
I really enjoyed Fran in this story and appreciated the time she was given to mature. Having not been ready to fully commit earlier in the series, it took her a little time to realize that she did in fact want Ben but that it was okay for her to set boundaries and maintain some kind of identity for herself. I was impressed that she realized giving herself over to Ben didn't mean she had to completely lose who she was and I loved the innocence the author gave Fran as she explored each new situation and experience she had with Ben. It made each scene where they were together fun and I enjoyed the refreshing outlook Fran took on their developing relationship. I really liked Fran's quirky sense of humor, her sense of honor and loyalty but most of all, I LOVED the way she interacted with the Viking warriors. I couldn't help but laugh along with her, rolling my eyes as well as they drove her crazy.
Ben is an amazing character and it didn't take long for me to totally fall for him. Filled with an intense pain and darkness and knowing that as his Beloved, Fran held the power to bring him relief, it would almost make sense for him to want to rush the process and do whatever it took to make Fran commit to him. But Ben does the exact opposite. Knowing how important it is for Fran to come to him fully committed and ready, he gives her the one thing she needs most – time. He showed an incredible level of patience and his ability to look beyond himself to truly see the situation from Fran's perspective had me sighing all over the place because I could only assume how difficult it was for him to do. His love for her never faltered and he never once begrudged her. He was constant and faithful and it made him the perfect hero. Even now, I sigh whenever I think of him and his willingness to do whatever it took to make the transition easy for Fran.
This review wouldn't be complete without some kind of mention about the three Viking warriors that were sent to Fran to offer assistance in her battle against the god Loki. This is where the author's sense of humor shines because these three men are HILARIOUS. I don't think I've laughed so much or so hard before while reading a book and I converted my husband to the series because I had to share with him each scene. The warriors brought a definite lightheartedness to the story and I would definitely recommend people read the book for them alone. The quick wit that filled each scene made the book addicting and by far, THE funniest scene was the conversation the warriors had with Fran about the brother-in-law, his hoe-wielding wife and dress-wearing sheep. The book is worth reading solely for those moments.
The only thing that gave me the itty bittiest moment of pause was even though I 100% appreciated and loved the humor of the story, I kind of hoped the author had left some of it out when it came to those intimate moments between Fran and Ben. With a male character as sexy as Ben was, it wasn't hard to imagine just how sizzling he would be and the kind of sensuality he could introduce Fran to. I was hoping for some heat but felt it was put aside as the humor replaced it. Don't get me wrong. Reading the reactions Fran had to certain situations was hysterical and I could totally picture it as the scene unfolded. I just wanted a little seriousness in the moment – more loving and less laughing. In the overall scheme of things though, it didn't affect how I felt about the book and I loved it just the same.
For those who haven't read anything by Katie MacAlister and love a heavy dose of humor with their romance, this book and series is a definite MUST read. The story is fun, light read that keeps you entertained to the very last word. Here's hoping there is more to the series!
Review also found at The Romance Reviews
This story reunited Fran and Ben again, giving them another opportunity to come together now that Fran was older and had a better sense of what she wanted. Having asked for space, Fran had spent a number of years away from Ben, who knew that he wanted her but was willing to give her whatever she needed in order for her to accept their relationship.
Through a series of events, Fran finds herself back amongst her friends at the Goth Faire and in the presence of Ben, this time much more aware of what she wants in a relationship and of how ready she is to finally commit to Ben. The story line includes Fran searching out the whereabouts of her mother, having to face the craziness of her past while finding out what it means to truly commit to Ben. I loved the way the author wrote the story, of the incredible way she described each scene that made it easy to imagine and of the attention she gave to each character.
I really enjoyed Fran in this story and appreciated the time she was given to mature. Having not been ready to fully commit earlier in the series, it took her a little time to realize that she did in fact want Ben but that it was okay for her to set boundaries and maintain some kind of identity for herself. I was impressed that she realized giving herself over to Ben didn't mean she had to completely lose who she was and I loved the innocence the author gave Fran as she explored each new situation and experience she had with Ben. It made each scene where they were together fun and I enjoyed the refreshing outlook Fran took on their developing relationship. I really liked Fran's quirky sense of humor, her sense of honor and loyalty but most of all, I LOVED the way she interacted with the Viking warriors. I couldn't help but laugh along with her, rolling my eyes as well as they drove her crazy.
Ben is an amazing character and it didn't take long for me to totally fall for him. Filled with an intense pain and darkness and knowing that as his Beloved, Fran held the power to bring him relief, it would almost make sense for him to want to rush the process and do whatever it took to make Fran commit to him. But Ben does the exact opposite. Knowing how important it is for Fran to come to him fully committed and ready, he gives her the one thing she needs most – time. He showed an incredible level of patience and his ability to look beyond himself to truly see the situation from Fran's perspective had me sighing all over the place because I could only assume how difficult it was for him to do. His love for her never faltered and he never once begrudged her. He was constant and faithful and it made him the perfect hero. Even now, I sigh whenever I think of him and his willingness to do whatever it took to make the transition easy for Fran.
This review wouldn't be complete without some kind of mention about the three Viking warriors that were sent to Fran to offer assistance in her battle against the god Loki. This is where the author's sense of humor shines because these three men are HILARIOUS. I don't think I've laughed so much or so hard before while reading a book and I converted my husband to the series because I had to share with him each scene. The warriors brought a definite lightheartedness to the story and I would definitely recommend people read the book for them alone. The quick wit that filled each scene made the book addicting and by far, THE funniest scene was the conversation the warriors had with Fran about the brother-in-law, his hoe-wielding wife and dress-wearing sheep. The book is worth reading solely for those moments.
The only thing that gave me the itty bittiest moment of pause was even though I 100% appreciated and loved the humor of the story, I kind of hoped the author had left some of it out when it came to those intimate moments between Fran and Ben. With a male character as sexy as Ben was, it wasn't hard to imagine just how sizzling he would be and the kind of sensuality he could introduce Fran to. I was hoping for some heat but felt it was put aside as the humor replaced it. Don't get me wrong. Reading the reactions Fran had to certain situations was hysterical and I could totally picture it as the scene unfolded. I just wanted a little seriousness in the moment – more loving and less laughing. In the overall scheme of things though, it didn't affect how I felt about the book and I loved it just the same.
For those who haven't read anything by Katie MacAlister and love a heavy dose of humor with their romance, this book and series is a definite MUST read. The story is fun, light read that keeps you entertained to the very last word. Here's hoping there is more to the series!
Review also found at The Romance Reviews
July 6, 2024
Ich liebe die Vampirromane von Katie MacAlister!😍 - immer die perfekte Mischung aus Spice,Spannung und Humor.
Ihre Vampire sind der Grund,warum ich so gerne darüber lese.🧛🏻🖤
Ihre Vampire sind der Grund,warum ich so gerne darüber lese.🧛🏻🖤
April 7, 2015
Wer die Bücher von Katie MacAlister leist, der wird das Schema kennen. Dunkler/Vampir ist auf der Suche nach seiner Auserwählten um seine Seele zurück zu bekommen. Besagte Auserwählte ist zumeist nicht sonderlich begeistert und die Geschichte nimmt ihren Lauf. Mittlerweile bin ich also bei Band acht angekommen und ich störe mich an diesem Schema ganz und gar nicht, im Gegenteil mag ich solcherlei Bücher sogar ziemlich gerne, vor allem, wenn sie, wie hier, genau meinen Humor treffen. Die Bücher der Autorin sind nicht für jedermann, denn gerade besagter Humor kommt nicht bei jedem gut an und die Charaktere wirklich vielleicht auf einige etwas plump und ungelenk. Mir sagt das auf jeden Fall zu und so hatte ich auch hier wieder das Vergnügen einer wirklich unterhaltsamen Geschichte aus MacAlisters Feder.
Francesca ist noch sehr jung, als sie das erste Mal auf Ben trifft und will sich nichts vorschreiben lassen, schon gar nicht wenn sie zu lieben hat. Sie will ihren eigenen Weg gehen und eben dies tut sie, bis sie ungewollt und mit noch immer schwermütigem Herzen nach vielen Jahren zu ihrer alten Familie zurück kehrt, um ihre Mutter zu suchen. Natürlich trifft sie dort auch wieder auf Ben, doch hätte sie sich niemals vorstellen können, dass er etwas anderes für sie empfinden könnte als die Hingabe eines Dunklen zu seiner Auserwählten. So wie damals. Doch leider werden Erwartungen nicht immer erfüllt und, dass es dieses Mal nicht so ist, trifft sie wie ein Schlag. Frans innerer Konflikt ist, so finde ich, nachvollziehbar. Immerhin war sie erst 17 Jahre als und jeder bedrängte sie, wegen ihrer neuen "Aufgabe" als Auserwählte.
Die Geschichte ist einfach unheimlich witzig. Die Situationskomik, welcher Katie MacAlister sich immer wieder bedient, ist einfach herrlich und ich will es nicht missen. Die drei Wikinger-Krieger an Frans Seite sind auch einfach der Hammer. Sie sind ihr Jim (aus der Drachen-Reihe, wer sie kennt) und sorgen für mehr als nur eine absolute Peinlichkeit mit ihren unverblümten Vorstellungen und Kommentaren, sowie ihr Drang zur Nacktheit und dem Verlangen nach so vielen Frauen, wie sie in die Finger bekommen.
Pseudo-Ninja-Wikinger-Krieger, der dunkle Ben auf Abwegen und eine reichlich verwirrte Francesca machen dieses Buch zu einer Geschichte, bei dem ich aus dem Lachen nicht mehr heraus kam. Zusätzlich abgerundet durch eine, wieder einmal, recht schräge Liebesgeschichte á la MacAlister. Ich mags sehr!
Francesca ist noch sehr jung, als sie das erste Mal auf Ben trifft und will sich nichts vorschreiben lassen, schon gar nicht wenn sie zu lieben hat. Sie will ihren eigenen Weg gehen und eben dies tut sie, bis sie ungewollt und mit noch immer schwermütigem Herzen nach vielen Jahren zu ihrer alten Familie zurück kehrt, um ihre Mutter zu suchen. Natürlich trifft sie dort auch wieder auf Ben, doch hätte sie sich niemals vorstellen können, dass er etwas anderes für sie empfinden könnte als die Hingabe eines Dunklen zu seiner Auserwählten. So wie damals. Doch leider werden Erwartungen nicht immer erfüllt und, dass es dieses Mal nicht so ist, trifft sie wie ein Schlag. Frans innerer Konflikt ist, so finde ich, nachvollziehbar. Immerhin war sie erst 17 Jahre als und jeder bedrängte sie, wegen ihrer neuen "Aufgabe" als Auserwählte.
Die Geschichte ist einfach unheimlich witzig. Die Situationskomik, welcher Katie MacAlister sich immer wieder bedient, ist einfach herrlich und ich will es nicht missen. Die drei Wikinger-Krieger an Frans Seite sind auch einfach der Hammer. Sie sind ihr Jim (aus der Drachen-Reihe, wer sie kennt) und sorgen für mehr als nur eine absolute Peinlichkeit mit ihren unverblümten Vorstellungen und Kommentaren, sowie ihr Drang zur Nacktheit und dem Verlangen nach so vielen Frauen, wie sie in die Finger bekommen.
Pseudo-Ninja-Wikinger-Krieger, der dunkle Ben auf Abwegen und eine reichlich verwirrte Francesca machen dieses Buch zu einer Geschichte, bei dem ich aus dem Lachen nicht mehr heraus kam. Zusätzlich abgerundet durch eine, wieder einmal, recht schräge Liebesgeschichte á la MacAlister. Ich mags sehr!
December 4, 2013
Disappointing.
Kind of a failed payoff in the end. Fran & Ben get together. He does zero work to get her (even tho he has promised to court her.. never happens) but she wuuuvs him & Joins with him. She gets her Mom back and it ends.
Lots of loose endings left unanswered. So Fran & Ben get together. Her annoying viking ghosts are still there, Bad guy got away, Loki didn't get banished, her Mother is still glamored into thinking the wrong thing, the Vikingwhatever tool is melted, David is still missing- captured by the bad guy, Naomi got away, and that poor lich servant wasn't freed...
The End???
Yeah.... So both a Cliffhanger & a HEA but really neither.
The book wasn't bad, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Kind of a failed payoff in the end. Fran & Ben get together. He does zero work to get her (even tho he has promised to court her.. never happens) but she wuuuvs him & Joins with him. She gets her Mom back and it ends.
Lots of loose endings left unanswered. So Fran & Ben get together. Her annoying viking ghosts are still there, Bad guy got away, Loki didn't get banished, her Mother is still glamored into thinking the wrong thing, the Vikingwhatever tool is melted, David is still missing- captured by the bad guy, Naomi got away, and that poor lich servant wasn't freed...
The End???
Yeah.... So both a Cliffhanger & a HEA but really neither.
The book wasn't bad, but I wouldn't recommend it.
June 17, 2017
Ms. MacAllister's books are my guilty pleasure read. Fun stories -- like a romantic comedy with paranormal elements. I loved Fran and Ben in this book.
And I have to comment that the Viking ghosts in this book were frigging hilarious. I loved them.
And I have to comment that the Viking ghosts in this book were frigging hilarious. I loved them.
October 12, 2017
I am enjoying the whole series, but I think I enjoyed this the best so far simply because of the imperfect, happy sex
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2018
At last!
After a rocky start Fran and Ben are finally a joined couple. The 3 naked, sexy Viking ghosts are just extra. Great story!
After a rocky start Fran and Ben are finally a joined couple. The 3 naked, sexy Viking ghosts are just extra. Great story!
January 15, 2024
This made my "private parts" dryer than the Sahara Desert.
I picked up this book from a used bookstore because I wanted something light and fun to read. I will give Katie MacAllister points for entertaining me (that's why she's getting one star).
I hated everything about this book, and I got a list, so here we go.
#1: The Slurs - I know this was written in the 2010s, but constantly using the G slur to describe the Roma people is quite disgusting. Along with that, there were stereotypes that perpetuate the constant prejudice and discrimination the Roma people experience like the sexualization.
#2: Thinking that Viking Pillaging is funny - the Vikings were not only known as great conquerors, but also some of the worst oppressors. Using things like "pillaging" as punchlines is not funny considering that the Vikings would not only steal, but also SA. If you think SA is funny, then please go to therapy. Also, the constant infantilization of Vikings got boring really fast because if you did any research on Viking history, you would know that they were actually quite smart.
#3: That Weak *ss D*ck - Ben and Fran finally get together, but once Ben has to perform, he not only lets down Fran, but also me. These kinds of books are meant to give audience a certain sensation, but those were certainly ghostly sensations cause they not exist.
#4 Age Gap - Ben is 300 yrs old and he met Fran when she was 16. That's actually insane. Not only that, but the constant writing of Ben describing Fran as "not a woman" and is now "ripe for seduction" gives me the biggest ick. Why would you write this? Being once a teen myself and being groomed, I noticed a lot of the similar behaviors with Ben. Ben is a groomer, and you romanticized grooming. Congrats.
#5: Plot - the plot was instantly lost when she saw Ben again. She travelled to Germany only to go save her mom and figure out why she was kidnapped. This was completely lost after several characters kept telling Fran not to worry about. And she, even forgot to look for her mom. She only found her mom a chapter before the book ended. It was so anticlimactic. The fight scene was even a cop-out for writing because Fran just got blasted by Naomi and that was it. The consequences of the fight were only explained in the final chapter.
#6: Gunter, where is Gunter? And why is it okay for Imogen to cheat on Gunter when she still believes something bad happened to him?
#7: The Underlying Homophobia - if you think Geoff being bisexual is your form of tokenism, then please never write another queer character.
Overall, this was genuinely one of the worst books I have ever read. It reads like a bad wattpad book, and trust me, I went through that awkward teen phase and I know what a bad wattpad book looks like.
I picked up this book from a used bookstore because I wanted something light and fun to read. I will give Katie MacAllister points for entertaining me (that's why she's getting one star).
I hated everything about this book, and I got a list, so here we go.
#1: The Slurs - I know this was written in the 2010s, but constantly using the G slur to describe the Roma people is quite disgusting. Along with that, there were stereotypes that perpetuate the constant prejudice and discrimination the Roma people experience like the sexualization.
#2: Thinking that Viking Pillaging is funny - the Vikings were not only known as great conquerors, but also some of the worst oppressors. Using things like "pillaging" as punchlines is not funny considering that the Vikings would not only steal, but also SA. If you think SA is funny, then please go to therapy. Also, the constant infantilization of Vikings got boring really fast because if you did any research on Viking history, you would know that they were actually quite smart.
#3: That Weak *ss D*ck - Ben and Fran finally get together, but once Ben has to perform, he not only lets down Fran, but also me. These kinds of books are meant to give audience a certain sensation, but those were certainly ghostly sensations cause they not exist.
#4 Age Gap - Ben is 300 yrs old and he met Fran when she was 16. That's actually insane. Not only that, but the constant writing of Ben describing Fran as "not a woman" and is now "ripe for seduction" gives me the biggest ick. Why would you write this? Being once a teen myself and being groomed, I noticed a lot of the similar behaviors with Ben. Ben is a groomer, and you romanticized grooming. Congrats.
#5: Plot - the plot was instantly lost when she saw Ben again. She travelled to Germany only to go save her mom and figure out why she was kidnapped. This was completely lost after several characters kept telling Fran not to worry about. And she, even forgot to look for her mom. She only found her mom a chapter before the book ended. It was so anticlimactic. The fight scene was even a cop-out for writing because Fran just got blasted by Naomi and that was it. The consequences of the fight were only explained in the final chapter.
#6: Gunter, where is Gunter? And why is it okay for Imogen to cheat on Gunter when she still believes something bad happened to him?
#7: The Underlying Homophobia - if you think Geoff being bisexual is your form of tokenism, then please never write another queer character.
Overall, this was genuinely one of the worst books I have ever read. It reads like a bad wattpad book, and trust me, I went through that awkward teen phase and I know what a bad wattpad book looks like.
October 14, 2021
This is a another fun Dark Ones novel, in which we return to the Goth Faire so we are surrounded by people who are "other" or at least believe in it. Fran has psychometric powers and is the daughter of a powerful Wiccan. She is also the Beloved of Ben though she has been fighting fate, wanting to make her own decision rather than being "forced" to be his Beloved. When she shows up at the Goth Faire, Ben is embroiled in an investigation at the behest of his blood brother, who happens to be a Therion (we were introduced to them in the novella, Unleashed). We also see the ghost Ulfur and references are made to Pia (from Zen and the Art of Vampires and Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang book duo) but MacAlister just reminds us that Ulfur is still an open story arc--it is not furthered or resolved in this book. But I like that she hasn't forgotten him and his story helped to progress Fran and Ben's story. While they got their HEA (naturally), there are still a lot of open threads at the end of the book (which she is becoming more apt to do but I don't really mind because it means there are more great stories coming with characters that we know and love!).
November 1, 2022
Al principio lo que más me molestaba fue Francesca ya que estaba muy indecisa sobre su destino con Ben y aparte pensaba que aparecía el protagonista quién era su pareja, pero este no es más que el mismo Ben. Y bueno al terminar de leerlo no puedo estar enojada con Fran, todo tiene un porque y aquí realmente justifico el actuar de ella.
Y como dice la sinopsis también ya odiaba a Ben pero logré perdonarlo, me encanta como cuida a su Amada y no solo a ella sino también a sus amigos pero aún con todo eso siempre tiene a su primer lugar.
Fue muy rápida de leer y aunque es el octavo de una saga me pareció entretenida y no siento necesidad de leer los anteriores pero tampoco creo leer los siguientes.
Por último los fantasmas vikingos fueron la onda, no puedo ni recordar cuántas veces me reí, son unos tarados pero te enamoran. De plano la escena que más me mato fue cuando Fran reprende a Eirik por su shorts jajajajajajaja.
Solo por sus locuras me atrevo a recomendar el libro.
Y como dice la sinopsis también ya odiaba a Ben pero logré perdonarlo, me encanta como cuida a su Amada y no solo a ella sino también a sus amigos pero aún con todo eso siempre tiene a su primer lugar.
Fue muy rápida de leer y aunque es el octavo de una saga me pareció entretenida y no siento necesidad de leer los anteriores pero tampoco creo leer los siguientes.
Por último los fantasmas vikingos fueron la onda, no puedo ni recordar cuántas veces me reí, son unos tarados pero te enamoran. De plano la escena que más me mato fue cuando Fran reprende a Eirik por su shorts jajajajajajaja.
Solo por sus locuras me atrevo a recomendar el libro.
March 25, 2016
Als die Hexe Fran nach Europa reist, um nach ihrer verschwundenen Mutter zu suchen, trifft sie dort ihren Exfreund, den attraktiven Vampir Ben, wieder. Obwohl sie ihn vor einigen Jahren verlassen hat, sind Frans Gefühle für ihn immer noch stark. Inzwischen gibt es jedoch eine andere Frau in Bens Leben. Verfolgt von dem rachsüchtigen Gott Loki versucht Fran, ihre Mutter wiederzufinden und Ben zurückzugewinnen. Doch es sind dunklere Mächte am Werk, als sie geahnt hatte …
(Klappentext)
Dies ist ja nun der achte Band von MacAlisters Dark Ones Reihe. Ich habe sie alle im Regal, und sie sehen sooooo schön aus…
Ich sitze also voller Erwartung mit dem Buch am Tisch, schlage es auf und lese die Widmung
Dieses Buch verdankt seine Existenz den vielen Fans, die mir E-Mails geschrieben und nach weiteren Abenteuern von Ben und Fran verlangt haben, nach mehr Wikingergeistern und noch einer Duschszene mit Ben. Mit großem Dank widme ich Ein Vampir in schlechter Gesellschaft diesen Leserinnen und Lesern.
WEITERE Abenteuer von Ben und Fran? MEHR Wikingergeister und NOCH EINE Duschszene? Da habe ich dann mein Essen Essen sein lassen und bin erst mal an den PC gestürmt, um Amazon, Lyx und Katies eigener Homepage zu belagern.
Auf Lyx erfährt man ehrlich gesagt nicht viel, aber Katies Homepage ist ein Wunder. Es gibt zu dieser Reihe noch Extra-Bände, wie zum Beispiel auch Charlaine Harris sie hat. Bücher, die in der Welt der Reihe spielen und auch gerne mal die Figuren aufgreifen, aber kein eigenständiges Werk sind. MacAlister hat mittlerweile SECHS solcher Bücher zu ihren Dark Ones auf der Seite. Und eines dieser „part of the series“ ist also eine Geschichte über Ben und Fran.
Jetzt kommt dieses Buch acht auf den Markt und es ist die Fortsetzung von „part of the series“ mit B&F.
Da bin ich ein bisschen enttäuscht. Auf der Seite von Lyx habe ich keine Infos zu diesen „Seitenbänden“ gefunden und daher letzte Woche eine Mail an den Verlag geschrieben, bis jetzt aber leider keine Antwort bekommen (ich schiebe es mal auf die Urlaubszeit und warte ab).
Ich muss sagen, dass man Buch auch ohne die Vorkenntnisse aus dem anderen Buch versteht, aber es gibt ständig Hinweise auf diese Vorgeschichte (hier z.B. Seite 22):
Mein Blick fiel auf die Kommode am Fußende meines Betts. Geoff (Frans Mitbewohnerin) war nicht entgangen, dass ich das Foto von Ben weggeräumt hatte, das früher darauf gestanden hatte. Jetzt lag es in meiner Unterwäscheschublade, denn sein Anblick schmerzte mich zu sehr. Und als ich mich nun an unseren Streit erinnerte, holte mich der Schmerz wieder ein.
Jetzt wäre es sicher schön, wenn man denn wüsste, um welchen Streit es sich hier handelt. Naja, solche Anspielungen gibt es im Dutzend. Versteht mich nicht falsch, es stört den Lesefluss nicht, und im Laufe des Buchs wird alles aufgeklärt. Aber dieses Wissen, dass ich es wissen könnte, aber nicht weiß, hat mich tierisch gestört.
Naja, das dazu. Jetzt zum Buch an sich.
Wie alle Dark Ones-Bücher ist auch dieses hier ohne Probleme zu verstehen, wenn man die anderen nicht kennt. Dieses ist jedoch ein bisschen anders, da Fran und Ben sich bereits kennen. Normalerweise ist es ja immer so, dass die Auserwählte keine Ahnung von Vampiren, bzw. Dunklen, hat, aber Fran ist die Tochter eine Hexe (sie selbst ist gar keine Hexe, da tischt uns der Klappentext eine Lüge auf) und daher mit dem Übersinnlichen vertraut. Und sie kämpft mal ernsthaft gegen die Beziehung. Alle anderen sind kurz skeptisch, aber nach gefühlten fünf Minuten voll dafür. Fran hingegen hat vor fünf Jahren mit Ben Schluss gemacht, weil sie sich dem Schicksal nicht fügen wollte. Das kam bisher noch gar nicht vor, soweit ich mich erinnern kann. Der rote Faden zieht sich hier nur so halbwegs durch. MacAlister hat zur Vereinigung die sieben Schritte entwickelt, die in jedem Buch vorkommen. Hier leider nicht vollständig, da einige Schritte schon im Prequel abgehakt wurden.
Fran ist eine selbstbewusste, eigenständige junge Frau, die ungern Hilfe annimmt, im Laufe des Buches aber lernt, dass Hilfe nicht Unterdrückung ist, sondern manchmal wirklich einfach nur Hilfe. Sie hat auch wirklich viel zu tun. Der Lügengott Loki ist hinter ihr her, dann verschwindet ihre Mutter und dann ist da noch die Sache mit Bens neuer Freundin. Gut, Fran hat mit ihm Schluss gemacht, aber ist das ein Grund, sich eine neue Freundin zu suchen? Ich denke nicht. *Sarkasmus aus*
Ben ist der typische Vampir. Düster, gefährlich, sexy. Tiefe Stimme, muskulös. Und er liebt Fran. Oder Naomi? Oder beide? Man erfährt nicht wirklich viel von Ben als Typen. Wir wissen, dass er seine Auserwählte (also Fran) braucht, um seine Seele wiederzubekommen und von den Höllenqualen befreit zu werden. Aber sonst?
Das Cover passt super zu der Reihe. Ich finde das ja immer gut, wenn man eine Reihe auf einen Blick als Reihe erkennt und das hat man hier wirklich. Ansonsten muss ich aber sagen, dass ich bisher noch nie eine direkte Verbindung vom Coverbild zum Inhalt gefunden habe. Bei diesem Cover hab ich zuerst asiatisch gedacht. Bei genauerer Betrachtung sieht die Frisur der Frau gar nicht asiatisch aus. Dafür, dass die Geschichte auf einem Goth-Markt spielt, sieht die Frau auch nicht sonderlich düster aus. Naja, ich finde das Cover trotzdem hübsch… Durchgehender roter Faden in allen Covern ist jedoch das Kreuz.
Ich würde dem Buch inhaltlich wohl 4 bis 4,5 Sterne geben, aber mich macht es wirklich böse, dass das Prequel nicht übersetzt wurde und mir die Vorgeschichte fehlt. Ich finde die US-amerikanischen Bücher nicht so schön und die passen ja auch gar nicht optisch dazu. Die UK-Cover dagegen sehen ganz ok aus, aber ich finde die deutschen echt super. Ich kann aber ja dem Buch keine 3 Sterne abziehen, weil der deutsche Verlag nicht jedes Buch übersetzen will…
(Klappentext)
Dies ist ja nun der achte Band von MacAlisters Dark Ones Reihe. Ich habe sie alle im Regal, und sie sehen sooooo schön aus…
Ich sitze also voller Erwartung mit dem Buch am Tisch, schlage es auf und lese die Widmung
Dieses Buch verdankt seine Existenz den vielen Fans, die mir E-Mails geschrieben und nach weiteren Abenteuern von Ben und Fran verlangt haben, nach mehr Wikingergeistern und noch einer Duschszene mit Ben. Mit großem Dank widme ich Ein Vampir in schlechter Gesellschaft diesen Leserinnen und Lesern.
WEITERE Abenteuer von Ben und Fran? MEHR Wikingergeister und NOCH EINE Duschszene? Da habe ich dann mein Essen Essen sein lassen und bin erst mal an den PC gestürmt, um Amazon, Lyx und Katies eigener Homepage zu belagern.
Auf Lyx erfährt man ehrlich gesagt nicht viel, aber Katies Homepage ist ein Wunder. Es gibt zu dieser Reihe noch Extra-Bände, wie zum Beispiel auch Charlaine Harris sie hat. Bücher, die in der Welt der Reihe spielen und auch gerne mal die Figuren aufgreifen, aber kein eigenständiges Werk sind. MacAlister hat mittlerweile SECHS solcher Bücher zu ihren Dark Ones auf der Seite. Und eines dieser „part of the series“ ist also eine Geschichte über Ben und Fran.
Jetzt kommt dieses Buch acht auf den Markt und es ist die Fortsetzung von „part of the series“ mit B&F.
Da bin ich ein bisschen enttäuscht. Auf der Seite von Lyx habe ich keine Infos zu diesen „Seitenbänden“ gefunden und daher letzte Woche eine Mail an den Verlag geschrieben, bis jetzt aber leider keine Antwort bekommen (ich schiebe es mal auf die Urlaubszeit und warte ab).
Ich muss sagen, dass man Buch auch ohne die Vorkenntnisse aus dem anderen Buch versteht, aber es gibt ständig Hinweise auf diese Vorgeschichte (hier z.B. Seite 22):
Mein Blick fiel auf die Kommode am Fußende meines Betts. Geoff (Frans Mitbewohnerin) war nicht entgangen, dass ich das Foto von Ben weggeräumt hatte, das früher darauf gestanden hatte. Jetzt lag es in meiner Unterwäscheschublade, denn sein Anblick schmerzte mich zu sehr. Und als ich mich nun an unseren Streit erinnerte, holte mich der Schmerz wieder ein.
Jetzt wäre es sicher schön, wenn man denn wüsste, um welchen Streit es sich hier handelt. Naja, solche Anspielungen gibt es im Dutzend. Versteht mich nicht falsch, es stört den Lesefluss nicht, und im Laufe des Buchs wird alles aufgeklärt. Aber dieses Wissen, dass ich es wissen könnte, aber nicht weiß, hat mich tierisch gestört.
Naja, das dazu. Jetzt zum Buch an sich.
Wie alle Dark Ones-Bücher ist auch dieses hier ohne Probleme zu verstehen, wenn man die anderen nicht kennt. Dieses ist jedoch ein bisschen anders, da Fran und Ben sich bereits kennen. Normalerweise ist es ja immer so, dass die Auserwählte keine Ahnung von Vampiren, bzw. Dunklen, hat, aber Fran ist die Tochter eine Hexe (sie selbst ist gar keine Hexe, da tischt uns der Klappentext eine Lüge auf) und daher mit dem Übersinnlichen vertraut. Und sie kämpft mal ernsthaft gegen die Beziehung. Alle anderen sind kurz skeptisch, aber nach gefühlten fünf Minuten voll dafür. Fran hingegen hat vor fünf Jahren mit Ben Schluss gemacht, weil sie sich dem Schicksal nicht fügen wollte. Das kam bisher noch gar nicht vor, soweit ich mich erinnern kann. Der rote Faden zieht sich hier nur so halbwegs durch. MacAlister hat zur Vereinigung die sieben Schritte entwickelt, die in jedem Buch vorkommen. Hier leider nicht vollständig, da einige Schritte schon im Prequel abgehakt wurden.
Fran ist eine selbstbewusste, eigenständige junge Frau, die ungern Hilfe annimmt, im Laufe des Buches aber lernt, dass Hilfe nicht Unterdrückung ist, sondern manchmal wirklich einfach nur Hilfe. Sie hat auch wirklich viel zu tun. Der Lügengott Loki ist hinter ihr her, dann verschwindet ihre Mutter und dann ist da noch die Sache mit Bens neuer Freundin. Gut, Fran hat mit ihm Schluss gemacht, aber ist das ein Grund, sich eine neue Freundin zu suchen? Ich denke nicht. *Sarkasmus aus*
Ben ist der typische Vampir. Düster, gefährlich, sexy. Tiefe Stimme, muskulös. Und er liebt Fran. Oder Naomi? Oder beide? Man erfährt nicht wirklich viel von Ben als Typen. Wir wissen, dass er seine Auserwählte (also Fran) braucht, um seine Seele wiederzubekommen und von den Höllenqualen befreit zu werden. Aber sonst?
Das Cover passt super zu der Reihe. Ich finde das ja immer gut, wenn man eine Reihe auf einen Blick als Reihe erkennt und das hat man hier wirklich. Ansonsten muss ich aber sagen, dass ich bisher noch nie eine direkte Verbindung vom Coverbild zum Inhalt gefunden habe. Bei diesem Cover hab ich zuerst asiatisch gedacht. Bei genauerer Betrachtung sieht die Frisur der Frau gar nicht asiatisch aus. Dafür, dass die Geschichte auf einem Goth-Markt spielt, sieht die Frau auch nicht sonderlich düster aus. Naja, ich finde das Cover trotzdem hübsch… Durchgehender roter Faden in allen Covern ist jedoch das Kreuz.
Ich würde dem Buch inhaltlich wohl 4 bis 4,5 Sterne geben, aber mich macht es wirklich böse, dass das Prequel nicht übersetzt wurde und mir die Vorgeschichte fehlt. Ich finde die US-amerikanischen Bücher nicht so schön und die passen ja auch gar nicht optisch dazu. Die UK-Cover dagegen sehen ganz ok aus, aber ich finde die deutschen echt super. Ich kann aber ja dem Buch keine 3 Sterne abziehen, weil der deutsche Verlag nicht jedes Buch übersetzen will…
August 27, 2021
The Viking ghosts are back? Yes please. I love them.
Anyway, I was pretty here for seeing Fran and Ben all grown up. I understood why they grew apart and was happy to see their relationship unfold with them on (more) equal footing.
I did feel like there were a lot of unanswered questions at the end? Maybe those are answered in subsequent Dark Ones books, I’m not overly sure.
I wouldn’t even mind a little Ben and Fran novella if it were possible just to have those all answered and see what’s up. Do they stay at the Faire? Do they move to the Pacific Northwest. Inquiring minds need to know.
Anyway, I was pretty here for seeing Fran and Ben all grown up. I understood why they grew apart and was happy to see their relationship unfold with them on (more) equal footing.
I did feel like there were a lot of unanswered questions at the end? Maybe those are answered in subsequent Dark Ones books, I’m not overly sure.
I wouldn’t even mind a little Ben and Fran novella if it were possible just to have those all answered and see what’s up. Do they stay at the Faire? Do they move to the Pacific Northwest. Inquiring minds need to know.
December 15, 2018
Loved this book with all its humor and action. For some reason I just don’t like the heroine Fran. I had hoped she would grow out of her angsty teenage rebellious phase but she hasn’t. Although the end gave clarity on her actions and personality, I still wasn’t a big fan and was hoping she would be a little bit more mature. However of course I couldn’t put the book down.
May 3, 2019
I really liked this one, except apparently there were two teen books before this one? Like, what even KM??? You want teens to just leap from teen to adult, huh? That was weird. And don't even get me started on this ending. Super cliffhanger. Another series that isn't really billed as a series?
June 15, 2019
This is the book that has finally convinced me to give up on RB Digital. I accidentally skipped from chapter 7 to chapter 19, so the first star is in acknowledgment that perhaps the writing during those chapters was better. The second star is for the narrator who did her best with what she was given.
February 24, 2020
Maybe more like 2.5? I met this couple MANY years ago in the teen books "Got Fangs" and "Circus of the Darned." I didn't realize they had gotten an adult book! I thought it would be fun to revisit them and it was but it reminded me that slapstick-y supernatural romance is no longer my jam. I'm pretty sure nothing relationship-wise was actually resolved. *shrugs*
June 14, 2020
I think this book would have been better had I read MacAlister's YA book first. I understand that "Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend" sets up the characters and story line of this book. Was still a good story but confusing at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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