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Immortals After Dark #7
Deep Kiss of Winter
Kresley Cole - Untouchable (Immortals After Dark #7)
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KRESLEY COLE delivers a breathtaking tale of a brutal vampire soldier about to know love for the first time... and a Valkyrie aching for his touch.
Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela - the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can't be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure. Can they conquer an agony of frustration and slake the overwhelming desire burning between them?
Gena Showalter - Tempt Me Eternally (Alien Huntress #4.5)
NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR GENA SHOWALTER puts a daring spin on a tale of huntress and hunted... and concocts a sensual chemistry that is positively explosive.
With only skin-to-skin contact, Aleaha Love can change her appearance, assume any identity. Now she’s an AIR (Alien Investigation and Removal) agent on a mission to capture a group of otherworldly warriors. Only she is held captive when dangerously seductive Breean, a golden-skinned, iron-willed commander, threatens her new life - and for the first time, Aleaha wants only to be herself.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KRESLEY COLE delivers a breathtaking tale of a brutal vampire soldier about to know love for the first time... and a Valkyrie aching for his touch.
Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela - the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can't be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure. Can they conquer an agony of frustration and slake the overwhelming desire burning between them?
Gena Showalter - Tempt Me Eternally (Alien Huntress #4.5)
NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR GENA SHOWALTER puts a daring spin on a tale of huntress and hunted... and concocts a sensual chemistry that is positively explosive.
With only skin-to-skin contact, Aleaha Love can change her appearance, assume any identity. Now she’s an AIR (Alien Investigation and Removal) agent on a mission to capture a group of otherworldly warriors. Only she is held captive when dangerously seductive Breean, a golden-skinned, iron-willed commander, threatens her new life - and for the first time, Aleaha wants only to be herself.
Mass Market Paperback
First published October 13, 2009
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About the author
Kresley Cole
67 books27.4k followersKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings.
Her IAD books have been translated into 23 foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a RWA Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.
Cole lives in Florida with her family. Learn more about Kresley at: www.kresleycole.com & www.thearcanachronicles.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,134 reviews
January 4, 2017
“I was alive back then. And all the Lore heard about the ruthless warlord brothers from Estonia. The general, the scholar, the enigma, and . . . the manwhore.”
Okay, I only read Untouchable by Kresley Cole, so I won't review another story which is a part of the Alien Huntress series written by Gena Showalter. Untouchable is a novella revolving around a Wroth brother. Murdoch Wroth is a manwhore but when he sets his eyes on Daniela, she makes his heart beat for the first time and he wants to claim her precipitately. The biggest problem is Danii being an ice fey, no one can touch her without being hurt; her skin is lethal for everyone except her own kind.
Frankly, I didn't like Murdoch at first, his character annoyed me for some reasons and his story didn't captivate me like the others. However, I liked the theme of this book, it's winter and the heroine's power remided me of Elsa from Frozen. Kresley Cole slays as always, her writing was the only thing that kept me reading until I finished even though I didn't get attached to the characters at all.
“Just as he was about to unleash his wrath in a message, a computerized voice said, "Mailbox is full."”
The ending was quick. I didn't prepare for the easy conclusion like this, this book would have been better if it had been extended like her other ones. Anyway, I still enjoyed this book and get a glimpse for future stories.
https://goo.gl/eURKKS
August 18, 2019
"They say I’m as fickle as winter, as shy as frost, and as indifferent as a blizzard. It’s rumored my body is pure as driven snow. Nobody imagines that I might be full of fire."
My review is only for Untouchable by Kresley Cole.
The main part of the story covers the events of the Immortals After Dark series from the first novella, The Warlord Wants Forever to the end of book 5, Dark Needs at Night’s Edge.
Murdoch and Nikolai (The Warlord Wants Forever) arrive in New Orleans together, and while his brother and Myst are trying to come to “some kind of understanding” Murdoch saves Daniela’s life. Reading the summary of the first five books of the series, following the main events from different aspects, from the viewpoints of Murdoch and Daniela was interesting, but as I was up-to-date when I read it, it made me a little bit bored.
Daniela is half-Valkyrie, half an ice fey, the rightful queen of the Icere. She suffers from burning if she is touched by anyone who is not from her own kind. As a vampire, Murdoch is unable to touch his Bride, which naturally frustrates him.
Murdoch and Daniela spend months together without touching each other at all. They make only half-hearted attempts to find a solution for that problem. Maybe the reason is that they are not sure of each other. First they slowly get to know each other, and falling in love doesn't happen in a couple of days like in many paranormal romances, but in months.
“Panic? I don't panic,” he sneered the word. “Daniela, you can't be touched.”
Enough of this. “No, you can't! Your heart's colder than mine. You are the untouchable one.”
She turned from him, wanting away from this vampire with his unflinching honesty. Because it… hurt. The life I have inside my head...
Murdoch followed her. “Just because I'm not ready to blindly accept a Bride I hardly know – for eternity – makes me coldhearted? I'd say it makes me rational.”
The end of the story is wonderfully written, and everything is set up. The most amazing thing is how simple and obvious the solution is for Murdoch and Daniela’s happily ever after.
I was so happy to see the Wroth brothers and their wives together in the epilogue. Murdoch and Daniela, Nikolai and Myst, Sebastian and Kaderin, Conrad and Néomi all appear in a charming, cozy Christmas scene at the end.
“Doesn’t it bother you?” she asked him. “Not to be able to sit with them around the fire?”
She gazed back at the scene, the family laughing around a hearth, holiday decorations glittering in the firelight. A Hallmark card. Except that a phantom, Valkyries, and vampires populated the portrait.
“Sitting around the fire, versus making love to my wife as soon as we can possibly ditch?” Cradling her face in his palms, he kissed her forehead, her lashes, the tip of her nose, and a corner of her lips. “Danii, I’ve never been more satisfied with my life, didn’t know I could be.”
My favorite quotes.
June 15, 2017
Murdoch Wroth, vampire & Daniela aka "Danii", Valkyrie and rightful queen of the Icere, the fey of the Frozen North
The practiced seducer is blooded by the virgin Ice Queen
If you loved children’s movie “Frozen”, you will absolutely love this book:
Cut through the heart cold and clear
Strike for love and strike for fear
See the beauty, sharp and sheer
Split the ice apart!
And break the frozen heart
Danii is not like the rest of the Valkyrie. She wants to be touched, to love, to be loved, to make a family. 2000 years alone, without a touch of love, without being kissed. She is so excited when she makes Murdock’s heart beat.
“Tell me I’m your Bride, and that I will be staying. Be an arrogant, possessive Neanderthal vampire!”
Unfortunatelly, Murdock is suffering from bachelor’s panic:
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“BP? It’s when a man irrationally fears a woman he especially likes. He gets ascared of said woman’s toothbrush breaching the perimeter of his man cave, et cetera.”
“Panic? I don’t panic.”
So the last thing Murdock wants is a Bride – especially one that cannot be touched.
-A game between a seducer and the one who is being seduced. The roles are not clear. Murdock is supposed to be the seducer, but virgin Danii is constantly taking the lead.
- A few stray kisses here and there, which I forgave because Danii is desperate to be kissed for 2000 years and Murdock has to come to terms with the fact that he is in love and he cares for someone for the first time in his 300 something years.
-A lost ice Kingdom that is urgently looking for the rightful Queen. Icere beings are introduced in the series.
-An excellent refresher of the first books in the series – especially “A Hunger Like No Other” and “Dark Needs at Night's Edge”.
-An excellent impossible lovestory.
The practiced seducer is blooded by the virgin Ice Queen
If you loved children’s movie “Frozen”, you will absolutely love this book:
Cut through the heart cold and clear
Strike for love and strike for fear
See the beauty, sharp and sheer
Split the ice apart!
And break the frozen heart
Danii is not like the rest of the Valkyrie. She wants to be touched, to love, to be loved, to make a family. 2000 years alone, without a touch of love, without being kissed. She is so excited when she makes Murdock’s heart beat.
“Tell me I’m your Bride, and that I will be staying. Be an arrogant, possessive Neanderthal vampire!”
Unfortunatelly, Murdock is suffering from bachelor’s panic:
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“BP? It’s when a man irrationally fears a woman he especially likes. He gets ascared of said woman’s toothbrush breaching the perimeter of his man cave, et cetera.”
“Panic? I don’t panic.”
So the last thing Murdock wants is a Bride – especially one that cannot be touched.
-A game between a seducer and the one who is being seduced. The roles are not clear. Murdock is supposed to be the seducer, but virgin Danii is constantly taking the lead.
- A few stray kisses here and there, which I forgave because Danii is desperate to be kissed for 2000 years and Murdock has to come to terms with the fact that he is in love and he cares for someone for the first time in his 300 something years.
-A lost ice Kingdom that is urgently looking for the rightful Queen. Icere beings are introduced in the series.
-An excellent refresher of the first books in the series – especially “A Hunger Like No Other” and “Dark Needs at Night's Edge”.
-An excellent impossible lovestory.
October 13, 2024
Every single one of these books has the most bonkers, out-of-pocket, cuckoo bananas premise ever, but buddies, all the previous ones walked so that this one could run. I’m talking an ice fey Valkyrie who can’t touch anyone without pain, a playboy vampire who is mad people only see him as a sexpot when he totally does other stuff too, an insane brother who thinks he’s in love with a ghost (CONRAD HAS ENTERED THE CHAT (again)), a Siberian hunting lodge decked out like the set of Frozen, and the smuttiest scenes this side of the river. A shower wank that can’t end? More mutual than you can shake a stick at? WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT ICICLE, YOUNG MAN?
January 10, 2016
This review is for "Untouchable"
3.5 "This Vampire Sucked Ass" Stars
Murdoch Wroth
Murdoch is one of the famous Wroth brothers. They are all Forebearer Vampires, which means they do not drink from human flesh. Murdoch used to be a man whore, never sleeping with the same woman twice. He always made sure his lovers were pleased because positive word of mouth was the best advertisement.
When Murdoch was turned into a vampire 300 years ago, he lost all desire for sex. Not only did his heart stop beating, his dick also became a useless organ. But Murdoch has just met his Bride and all of his organs have sprung to life. So what if she is a Valkyrie. He intends to have her in his bed.
Daniela, the Ice Queen
Daniela longs to be touched and loved. But she is half Valkyrie and half Icere, so any skin contact burns her and causes severe pain. She has just become a vampire bride, but can't even indulge in passionate sex with her vampire. Daniel is also the Queen of the Icere. But she is on the run from a rival king that wants her dead.
This could have been a fun novella, but Murdoch was such an ass that I found it hard to enjoy. I mean, he was a total jerk. He wanted to revert back to his bachelor ways of being a slut instead of clinging to the one woman that nature had picked just for him. I haven't disliked a hero this much in a long time.
These two worked it out in the end and had an adorable HEA, but damn if it didn't take a lot to get there. Murdoch is hands down my least favorite hero in this series so far. I loved Daniel. She saved this book. And I look forward to moving on to the next book in the IAD series.
My Immortals After Dark Reviews:
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Dark Skye
3.5 "This Vampire Sucked Ass" Stars
Murdoch Wroth
Murdoch is one of the famous Wroth brothers. They are all Forebearer Vampires, which means they do not drink from human flesh. Murdoch used to be a man whore, never sleeping with the same woman twice. He always made sure his lovers were pleased because positive word of mouth was the best advertisement.
When Murdoch was turned into a vampire 300 years ago, he lost all desire for sex. Not only did his heart stop beating, his dick also became a useless organ. But Murdoch has just met his Bride and all of his organs have sprung to life. So what if she is a Valkyrie. He intends to have her in his bed.
Daniela, the Ice Queen
Daniela longs to be touched and loved. But she is half Valkyrie and half Icere, so any skin contact burns her and causes severe pain. She has just become a vampire bride, but can't even indulge in passionate sex with her vampire. Daniel is also the Queen of the Icere. But she is on the run from a rival king that wants her dead.
This could have been a fun novella, but Murdoch was such an ass that I found it hard to enjoy. I mean, he was a total jerk. He wanted to revert back to his bachelor ways of being a slut instead of clinging to the one woman that nature had picked just for him. I haven't disliked a hero this much in a long time.
These two worked it out in the end and had an adorable HEA, but damn if it didn't take a lot to get there. Murdoch is hands down my least favorite hero in this series so far. I loved Daniel. She saved this book. And I look forward to moving on to the next book in the IAD series.
My Immortals After Dark Reviews:
The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire
Dark Skye
December 14, 2010
I'm rounding my rating up on this one, because I loved the Kresley Cole story enough on its own for five stars. The Gena Showalter story was a fairly solid four stars.
First of all, lets talk about how awesome "Untouchable" was. I liked Murdoch before I read this story, because the Wroth brother are four times hot! But, I didn't love him as much as Nikolai (swoon), Conrad (thud), and Sebastian (sigh). I'm not fond of womanizers. But somehow, I fell in love with Murdoch. I could see that his fear of giving himself away and losing himself in love with a woman was the reason why he was so love 'em and leave 'em. Truth be told, I don't think he really broke any hearts. He found woman who just wanted sex and he made sure he gave them what they wanted very well. I don't know that he held any more fondness for them than they did for him. As always, Kresley Cole does the devoted male very well. This Wroth courtship was very different in that Murdoch didn't want to be Blooded. He was rather unhappy with the fact that Daniela was his Bride, and she had brought his body back to life. This story is a good metaphor for the relationships that some women face with the reluctant bachelor, who doesn't want to give up his freedom, out of fear that he's going to miss out on something. Murdoch had to go through the process of realizing that he might no longer be fancy free, but he had found the love of his life, and he would have been miserable without her--she made his life better, just by being in it. Daniela also had her issues. Because of her Icere heritage, she couldn't be touched by anyone. She'd spent two thousand years of celibacy, as a chaste (other than self-pleasure) virgin, seeing her Valkyrie sisters have their love affairs and live a full life, while she felt she was on the shelf. When she meets Murdoch and realizes she is his Bride, she's willing to give him a chance. At times, I felt bad for Daniela. She really put herself out there to be hurt by Murdooch, and he did hurt her more than a few times. Yet, at the same time, he did care about her and tried to do right by her. He is probably the most like a real guy out of the heroes I've read about in paranormal romance. Not to pigeonhole men, but he had a lot of the fears and insecurities of a modern guy in relationships, instead of the slavish devotion and adoration that I've seen (and I freely admit I like) in a lot of paranormal romances. He fought the bond between him and Daniela. But, when he gave into it, boy did he! The love scenes were tres steamy! I was curious how Ms. Cole would pull off having lots of sexy encounters with a couple who couldn't touch each other, but I must say she did it well.
I love this world of the Lore. It's funny, fascinating, exciting, interesting, and very entertaining. The Immortals After Dark series is tied for my favorite paranormal series (with the Black Dagger Brotherhood) for a good reason--it's awesome. I was happy to see that this was a fairly long short story, just under 300 pages. And Ms. Cole used the time she had to excellent advantage. I totally ended up loving this story, and it more than earned its five star rating. I loved how well Ms. Cole wrapped up the Wroth brothers' stories. I think that she found the perfect mates with them, and I was very happy with how she resolved Daniela and Murdoch's prickly situation. And can I just say that I think I might be part Icere? I sure do love the cold, and I truly enjoyed the scenes in which Daniela gets settled into Murdoch's icy hunting lodge in Sibera, and the couple frolicking in the snow and ice. This story was fantastic!
"Tempt Me Eternally" by Gena Showalter had a tough job to accomplish, following an Immortals After Dark story. I have to say that it did it fairly well. I will always choose supernatural over science fiction. It's just the way I'm wired. However, I thought the concept behind this story was pretty interesting. The Rakans have come to Earth to settle down and rebuild after their world and peoples are devastated by an invasion by the Schon, a race of beings who have sex with and infect other races with a virus that causes the the females to turn into cannibals. All the females were killed, and they decimated many of the males of the Rakan world. The lone survivors have found Earth, and intend to live here peacefully. However, they encounter a force of AIR, an agency that protects Earth from hostile aliens. Things don't go well, and some of the AIR agents are killed by a rogue Rakan, and their leader Breean sees and kidnaps AIR agent Macy (who is actually Aleaha-a shapeshifting woman who has assumed the identity of Macy). Breean can actually see the real Aleaha under the mask of Macy. He sees and decides he has to have her. He takes her and some of the other AIR agents back to his hideout, biding his time to try to make an exchange with AIR and bargain for the right to live on Earth peacefully, but he's already determined that he will keep Aleaha. Aleaha is a pretty tormented heroine. She has an ability that has caused her a lot of trouble, because she morphs in moments of extreme emotion (including sex). She's tired of pretending to be someone else. When Breean seems to see and like the real her, as well as accepting her morphing abilities, she feels a real bond, not to mention he's sex on legs, and she's incredibly attracted to this tall, well-built, sweet-tasting, golden man. She doesn't want to be his captive, but he makes captivity very enticing as he seduces her body and soul into loving him and wanting forever with him. But, Aleaha has her loyalty to AIR to deal with before she can jump off the deep end into passion with Breean.
This was a good story. It was also very steamy. I ended up enjoying the science fiction elements very much. Ms. Showalter focuses more of the sensuality, but she does that very well. I knew the characters enough to care about them, and root for their happy ending, and I was pretty engaged. As I said, I was so blown away by the IAD story, it was hard to love this one quite as much. But it was good and entertaining. It easily earns a four star rating. And it was nice to revisit the Alien Huntress storyline, in which I am way behind.
I don't tend to buy very many hardcovers, because I'm cheap and they are harder to store, but this was way worth my money, even if just for the Immortals After Dark story. I think of the Alien Huntress story as a nice bonus, since I've been more interested in reading science fiction lately, and I really do like Gena Showalter's writing. This was a great read for the holidays. Although the stories weren't heavily focused on Christmas, I thought that the authors used the holiday theme to good effect. I especially loved the frosty moments in IAD. Oh to have a sexy guy to play in the snow with!
First of all, lets talk about how awesome "Untouchable" was. I liked Murdoch before I read this story, because the Wroth brother are four times hot! But, I didn't love him as much as Nikolai (swoon), Conrad (thud), and Sebastian (sigh). I'm not fond of womanizers. But somehow, I fell in love with Murdoch. I could see that his fear of giving himself away and losing himself in love with a woman was the reason why he was so love 'em and leave 'em. Truth be told, I don't think he really broke any hearts. He found woman who just wanted sex and he made sure he gave them what they wanted very well. I don't know that he held any more fondness for them than they did for him. As always, Kresley Cole does the devoted male very well. This Wroth courtship was very different in that Murdoch didn't want to be Blooded. He was rather unhappy with the fact that Daniela was his Bride, and she had brought his body back to life. This story is a good metaphor for the relationships that some women face with the reluctant bachelor, who doesn't want to give up his freedom, out of fear that he's going to miss out on something. Murdoch had to go through the process of realizing that he might no longer be fancy free, but he had found the love of his life, and he would have been miserable without her--she made his life better, just by being in it. Daniela also had her issues. Because of her Icere heritage, she couldn't be touched by anyone. She'd spent two thousand years of celibacy, as a chaste (other than self-pleasure) virgin, seeing her Valkyrie sisters have their love affairs and live a full life, while she felt she was on the shelf. When she meets Murdoch and realizes she is his Bride, she's willing to give him a chance. At times, I felt bad for Daniela. She really put herself out there to be hurt by Murdooch, and he did hurt her more than a few times. Yet, at the same time, he did care about her and tried to do right by her. He is probably the most like a real guy out of the heroes I've read about in paranormal romance. Not to pigeonhole men, but he had a lot of the fears and insecurities of a modern guy in relationships, instead of the slavish devotion and adoration that I've seen (and I freely admit I like) in a lot of paranormal romances. He fought the bond between him and Daniela. But, when he gave into it, boy did he! The love scenes were tres steamy! I was curious how Ms. Cole would pull off having lots of sexy encounters with a couple who couldn't touch each other, but I must say she did it well.
I love this world of the Lore. It's funny, fascinating, exciting, interesting, and very entertaining. The Immortals After Dark series is tied for my favorite paranormal series (with the Black Dagger Brotherhood) for a good reason--it's awesome. I was happy to see that this was a fairly long short story, just under 300 pages. And Ms. Cole used the time she had to excellent advantage. I totally ended up loving this story, and it more than earned its five star rating. I loved how well Ms. Cole wrapped up the Wroth brothers' stories. I think that she found the perfect mates with them, and I was very happy with how she resolved Daniela and Murdoch's prickly situation. And can I just say that I think I might be part Icere? I sure do love the cold, and I truly enjoyed the scenes in which Daniela gets settled into Murdoch's icy hunting lodge in Sibera, and the couple frolicking in the snow and ice. This story was fantastic!
"Tempt Me Eternally" by Gena Showalter had a tough job to accomplish, following an Immortals After Dark story. I have to say that it did it fairly well. I will always choose supernatural over science fiction. It's just the way I'm wired. However, I thought the concept behind this story was pretty interesting. The Rakans have come to Earth to settle down and rebuild after their world and peoples are devastated by an invasion by the Schon, a race of beings who have sex with and infect other races with a virus that causes the the females to turn into cannibals. All the females were killed, and they decimated many of the males of the Rakan world. The lone survivors have found Earth, and intend to live here peacefully. However, they encounter a force of AIR, an agency that protects Earth from hostile aliens. Things don't go well, and some of the AIR agents are killed by a rogue Rakan, and their leader Breean sees and kidnaps AIR agent Macy (who is actually Aleaha-a shapeshifting woman who has assumed the identity of Macy). Breean can actually see the real Aleaha under the mask of Macy. He sees and decides he has to have her. He takes her and some of the other AIR agents back to his hideout, biding his time to try to make an exchange with AIR and bargain for the right to live on Earth peacefully, but he's already determined that he will keep Aleaha. Aleaha is a pretty tormented heroine. She has an ability that has caused her a lot of trouble, because she morphs in moments of extreme emotion (including sex). She's tired of pretending to be someone else. When Breean seems to see and like the real her, as well as accepting her morphing abilities, she feels a real bond, not to mention he's sex on legs, and she's incredibly attracted to this tall, well-built, sweet-tasting, golden man. She doesn't want to be his captive, but he makes captivity very enticing as he seduces her body and soul into loving him and wanting forever with him. But, Aleaha has her loyalty to AIR to deal with before she can jump off the deep end into passion with Breean.
This was a good story. It was also very steamy. I ended up enjoying the science fiction elements very much. Ms. Showalter focuses more of the sensuality, but she does that very well. I knew the characters enough to care about them, and root for their happy ending, and I was pretty engaged. As I said, I was so blown away by the IAD story, it was hard to love this one quite as much. But it was good and entertaining. It easily earns a four star rating. And it was nice to revisit the Alien Huntress storyline, in which I am way behind.
I don't tend to buy very many hardcovers, because I'm cheap and they are harder to store, but this was way worth my money, even if just for the Immortals After Dark story. I think of the Alien Huntress story as a nice bonus, since I've been more interested in reading science fiction lately, and I really do like Gena Showalter's writing. This was a great read for the holidays. Although the stories weren't heavily focused on Christmas, I thought that the authors used the holiday theme to good effect. I especially loved the frosty moments in IAD. Oh to have a sexy guy to play in the snow with!
October 21, 2009
This review is for the Kresley Cole story, "Untouchable", only.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record regarding this series...I loved this book! Yes, when it comes to paranormal romances, I have a soft spot in my heart for vampires, so it stands to reason that I would enjoy this story about renowned sexy rake Murdoch Wroth (last of the unattached Wroth vampires) and his 'Bride', the beautiful Daniela the Ice Maiden. I won't get into the plot, since there's a nice synopsis that goes with the book details, except to say that of all the books in the series, it's probably the easiest one to follow and understand. The book is only 256 pages long, yet it doesn't read like a short story or novella. There's plenty of character development and a fast paced plot, and it's written very lean and tight, but still has a bit of the trademark humor and pop culture references that are sprinkled throughout the books in the series. (Funniest bit is when Daniela gives the arrogant Murdoch her phone number, which is actually the name of a well known song.) I will warn that it's best that you've read all the books involving the Wroth vampires before you start this one, which would include all the way up to Dark Needs at Night's Edge, which is book #5 in the series. This book actually takes place during the months that books 1-5 occur, which was a bit confusing for me at first. And since it's been a while since I read those books, I was second guessing myself when during the first part of the story it was mentioned that Sebastian (No Rest for the Wicked) and Conrad (Dark Needs at Night's Edge) hadn't been 'blooded' (finding their mates) yet. But gradually as the story goes along, Murdoch has some interaction with all his brothers and then you get a sense just where this book falls chronologically.
Now, as far as the hero and heroine? I fell in love with both of them! Sometimes I have a little problem with the heroines of this series--some of those valkyries are hard to take! But I loved part valkyrie/part ice fey, two thousand(?) year old virgin Daniela from the get-go. I felt sorry for her and her lonely existence. Imagine not being able to touch or be touched without feeling pain--what kind of life is that? And the lengths she had to go to just to be able to live with her half sisters (who thought of her as a 'broken doll') in hot and humid New Orleans--living in a room that was equivalent to a walk-in freezer, constantly having to be on guard that she didn't get overheated and go into thermal shock, making sure she didn't accidentally touch someone and get scalded...talk about tortured heroine! All she wanted was to be loved, and she was desperate to be touched by a man, but the chances of that happening were practically nil, unless she wanted to be with someone of her own kind. And that couldn't happen because she had Icere assassins hunting her, sent by the Icere king to make sure that she couldn't come back to her people and take over her rightful place as their queen. And when those assassins finally caught up with her as she was walking through the French Quarter, that's when she met the man who would save her and ultimately change her whole existence--Murdoch Wroth.
Murdoch--ah, what a guy! Tall, striking, mid-thirties, longish dark hair, fantasy worthy face, with a strong masculine jaw and chin, big and muscular--gorgeous...and he knows it. A different-woman-every- night 'manwhore' in his pre-vampire life, and now without a woman (and liking it) for over 300 years. Until he sees the beautiful Daniela...and saves her from attack...and then his heart starts beating...and he's been 'blooded'...to a woman he can never touch...or have. How ironic.
I just loved Murdoch and Daniela together. Even though they were deeply attracted to each other, Murdoch, with his love 'em and leave 'em mentality, wasn't entirely on board with being 'blooded' to Daniela. To him it was bad enough being blooded, but to a woman he could never touch or have sex with (without scalding her and causing her immense pain)? He just didn't see how that could work. Ah, but gradually as they spent time together they found creative ways to be together, which helped somewhat but also frustrated both of them. I loved when Murdoch took Daniela to his cabin in frozen Siberia--what better place for her? I loved seeing him fall under her spell, even though he wasn't aware that he was. I loved seeing him struggle over his feelings over wanting to be with her, yet not wanting to be tied to anyone. I loved when he finally realized that he loved her and just what he was willing to give up to be with Daniela for eternity. I just loved all the growth and maturity he went through while he fell in love with her. And what he was willing to do to be with Daniela (and what she gave up for him) in the end brought tears to my eyes. Of course you know after all that there's going to be a way for them to be physically intimate, and let me tell you--it's worth the wait. Scorching hot is all I'll say.:)
There's a nice, touching little epilogue where all the Wroth vampires and their brides get together on Christmas Eve, and it leads the reader to believe that we haven't seen the last of this family. I would love that, and I hope Ms. Cole has that in the works.
Fans of the series--I don't see how you can be disappointed in this one. This one had more pure romance, and less adventure, but that was okay with me. Daniela and Murdoch were real sweethearts, and are now probably my favorite couple of this whole wonderful series. What can I say, another 5 star read!
At the risk of sounding like a broken record regarding this series...I loved this book! Yes, when it comes to paranormal romances, I have a soft spot in my heart for vampires, so it stands to reason that I would enjoy this story about renowned sexy rake Murdoch Wroth (last of the unattached Wroth vampires) and his 'Bride', the beautiful Daniela the Ice Maiden. I won't get into the plot, since there's a nice synopsis that goes with the book details, except to say that of all the books in the series, it's probably the easiest one to follow and understand. The book is only 256 pages long, yet it doesn't read like a short story or novella. There's plenty of character development and a fast paced plot, and it's written very lean and tight, but still has a bit of the trademark humor and pop culture references that are sprinkled throughout the books in the series. (Funniest bit is when Daniela gives the arrogant Murdoch her phone number, which is actually the name of a well known song.) I will warn that it's best that you've read all the books involving the Wroth vampires before you start this one, which would include all the way up to Dark Needs at Night's Edge, which is book #5 in the series. This book actually takes place during the months that books 1-5 occur, which was a bit confusing for me at first. And since it's been a while since I read those books, I was second guessing myself when during the first part of the story it was mentioned that Sebastian (No Rest for the Wicked) and Conrad (Dark Needs at Night's Edge) hadn't been 'blooded' (finding their mates) yet. But gradually as the story goes along, Murdoch has some interaction with all his brothers and then you get a sense just where this book falls chronologically.
Now, as far as the hero and heroine? I fell in love with both of them! Sometimes I have a little problem with the heroines of this series--some of those valkyries are hard to take! But I loved part valkyrie/part ice fey, two thousand(?) year old virgin Daniela from the get-go. I felt sorry for her and her lonely existence. Imagine not being able to touch or be touched without feeling pain--what kind of life is that? And the lengths she had to go to just to be able to live with her half sisters (who thought of her as a 'broken doll') in hot and humid New Orleans--living in a room that was equivalent to a walk-in freezer, constantly having to be on guard that she didn't get overheated and go into thermal shock, making sure she didn't accidentally touch someone and get scalded...talk about tortured heroine! All she wanted was to be loved, and she was desperate to be touched by a man, but the chances of that happening were practically nil, unless she wanted to be with someone of her own kind. And that couldn't happen because she had Icere assassins hunting her, sent by the Icere king to make sure that she couldn't come back to her people and take over her rightful place as their queen. And when those assassins finally caught up with her as she was walking through the French Quarter, that's when she met the man who would save her and ultimately change her whole existence--Murdoch Wroth.
Murdoch--ah, what a guy! Tall, striking, mid-thirties, longish dark hair, fantasy worthy face, with a strong masculine jaw and chin, big and muscular--gorgeous...and he knows it. A different-woman-every- night 'manwhore' in his pre-vampire life, and now without a woman (and liking it) for over 300 years. Until he sees the beautiful Daniela...and saves her from attack...and then his heart starts beating...and he's been 'blooded'...to a woman he can never touch...or have. How ironic.
I just loved Murdoch and Daniela together. Even though they were deeply attracted to each other, Murdoch, with his love 'em and leave 'em mentality, wasn't entirely on board with being 'blooded' to Daniela. To him it was bad enough being blooded, but to a woman he could never touch or have sex with (without scalding her and causing her immense pain)? He just didn't see how that could work. Ah, but gradually as they spent time together they found creative ways to be together, which helped somewhat but also frustrated both of them. I loved when Murdoch took Daniela to his cabin in frozen Siberia--what better place for her? I loved seeing him fall under her spell, even though he wasn't aware that he was. I loved seeing him struggle over his feelings over wanting to be with her, yet not wanting to be tied to anyone. I loved when he finally realized that he loved her and just what he was willing to give up to be with Daniela for eternity. I just loved all the growth and maturity he went through while he fell in love with her. And what he was willing to do to be with Daniela (and what she gave up for him) in the end brought tears to my eyes. Of course you know after all that there's going to be a way for them to be physically intimate, and let me tell you--it's worth the wait. Scorching hot is all I'll say.:)
There's a nice, touching little epilogue where all the Wroth vampires and their brides get together on Christmas Eve, and it leads the reader to believe that we haven't seen the last of this family. I would love that, and I hope Ms. Cole has that in the works.
Fans of the series--I don't see how you can be disappointed in this one. This one had more pure romance, and less adventure, but that was okay with me. Daniela and Murdoch were real sweethearts, and are now probably my favorite couple of this whole wonderful series. What can I say, another 5 star read!
March 9, 2017
Mild Spoilers
This review is for Kresley Cole - Untouchable (Immortals After Dark #8)
This book was good, but it was not as good as the other wroth brother's stories. What can I say I have a thing for the wroth brothers. I enjoyed the story. Enjoyed Murdoch and Daniela. The only reason I took a star away is they both kissed other people and the cheating thing drives me crazy even if it was just a kiss before they were in a committed relationship or they pulled away whatev still don't like it. Other than the kissing issues the story was great and I loved seeing the overlapping stories and seeing them for different angles. Then when they finally are able to be together it is hott and the epilogue ending with all the couples together so sweet!
Few quotes from the book that I loved
"I was alive back then. And all the Lore heard about the ruthless warlord brothers from Estonia. The general, the scholar, the enigma, and... the manwhore."
"I'm dirty? You're the one getting busy with a leech. You naughty, freaky minx."
"BP? It's when a man irrationally fears a woman he especially likes. He gets ascared of said woman's toothbrush breaching the perimeter of his man cave, et cetera."
February 27, 2015
3 1/2 to 4 stars
I liked Deep Kiss of Winter, the 8th book in the Immortal After Dark series, but I didn't love it. (FYI: Deep Kiss of Winter is actually a novella that has been included in an anthology.) There was just too much contention and vacillating emotions between the two main characters, Murdock and Daniela, for me to fully enjoy or connect with their love story. I understand why it was such a difficult road to their happily-ever-after, since they could not physically touch each other throughout most of the book. Having said that, I still felt more frustration than compassion with their dilemma.
What I did love, however, was how Kresley Cole overlapped this story's plot with all the previous books in the series. What spectacular and creative writing! Also, there were more overall plot questions answered in this book, and I finally realized a very important plot development that somehow eluded me for 5 books. Apparently, Ivo the Cruel was killed in the second book, A Hunger Like No Other. How on earth did I miss that??? Lol.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novella and I will say for a book whose hero and heroine couldn't touch until the very end, it was surprisingly erotic. I also loved the short, heartwarming epilogue. It left a smile on my face.
I liked Deep Kiss of Winter, the 8th book in the Immortal After Dark series, but I didn't love it. (FYI: Deep Kiss of Winter is actually a novella that has been included in an anthology.) There was just too much contention and vacillating emotions between the two main characters, Murdock and Daniela, for me to fully enjoy or connect with their love story. I understand why it was such a difficult road to their happily-ever-after, since they could not physically touch each other throughout most of the book. Having said that, I still felt more frustration than compassion with their dilemma.
What I did love, however, was how Kresley Cole overlapped this story's plot with all the previous books in the series. What spectacular and creative writing! Also, there were more overall plot questions answered in this book, and I finally realized a very important plot development that somehow eluded me for 5 books. Apparently, Ivo the Cruel was killed in the second book, A Hunger Like No Other. How on earth did I miss that??? Lol.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novella and I will say for a book whose hero and heroine couldn't touch until the very end, it was surprisingly erotic. I also loved the short, heartwarming epilogue. It left a smile on my face.
October 4, 2016
This review is for UNTOUCHABLE by Kresley Cole (book 1 of this anthology).
Look, at this point, Kresley Cole** can do no wrong in my eyes. This was my 15th book by this author and I've yet to read about 'the same character caught in a similar predicament trying to resolve the same conflict', if that makes sense. This author's imagination is impeccable! I can't even begin to comprehend her ability to come up with such unique scenarios/characters. And don't even get me started on her flawless writing. I can literally count on one hand authors who can deliver such quality storytelling.
What I loved about this particular book is that, along with yet another unique couple and their own story, we almost got a recap of the series so far. As I sat there, reading Murdoch and Daniela's story, I kept wondering 'HOW on Earth would these two end up making it work?' and then Kresley just went 'BOOM!' and, once again, I was left in awe, thinking WHY I even bother having doubts.
After having read paranormal/fantasy genre by several amazing authors, I can honestly say that none come even close to the perfection Kresley Cole offers with this series. If you haven't yet, pick up this glorious fantasy ride and lose yourself in this magical world Ms. Cole created so masterfully!
Cheers!
**I am not trying to win Kresley Cole's affection or become her BFF by five-starring her books. I simply am expressing my true feelings about her work, which I find something special.
Look, at this point, Kresley Cole** can do no wrong in my eyes. This was my 15th book by this author and I've yet to read about 'the same character caught in a similar predicament trying to resolve the same conflict', if that makes sense. This author's imagination is impeccable! I can't even begin to comprehend her ability to come up with such unique scenarios/characters. And don't even get me started on her flawless writing. I can literally count on one hand authors who can deliver such quality storytelling.
What I loved about this particular book is that, along with yet another unique couple and their own story, we almost got a recap of the series so far. As I sat there, reading Murdoch and Daniela's story, I kept wondering 'HOW on Earth would these two end up making it work?' and then Kresley just went 'BOOM!' and, once again, I was left in awe, thinking WHY I even bother having doubts.
After having read paranormal/fantasy genre by several amazing authors, I can honestly say that none come even close to the perfection Kresley Cole offers with this series. If you haven't yet, pick up this glorious fantasy ride and lose yourself in this magical world Ms. Cole created so masterfully!
Cheers!
**I am not trying to win Kresley Cole's affection or become her BFF by five-starring her books. I simply am expressing my true feelings about her work, which I find something special.
May 5, 2010
A Deep Kiss of Winter combines two stories from paranormal romance writers Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter.
Untouchable - Kresley Cole: 4 stars
This story is like an Immortals After Dark-megamix! Except for the Woede, we see (or hear about) just about everyone in the series! And it was so much fun to catch up.
In Untouchable we witness Murdoch “man-whore” Wroth and Danielle the Ice Maiden (and Valkyrie) fall in love. People who’ve never read a book of the IAD-series might not like the story. The romance is sweet and hot –even while the heroine is literally untouchable- but the action part of the plot is a little thin and one might get confused with Cole’s Lore creatures and their rules, ideas and relationships.
For an IAD-fan however, this feels like coming home. The story evolves over a period of time and we return to several moments and conversations from the previous books in the series, this time from Murdoch’s POV. The cherry on the cake is the epilogue, in which we witness Christmas Eve with all the Wroth brothers and their females. (*sigh*)
As always, Cole delivered an entertaining, sexy and fun story. She combines just the right amount of drama and humor, never taking herself too seriously. Her bff Gena Showalter could learn a thing or two from her…
Tempt me Eternally – Gena Showalter 2,5 stars
I know enjoying a PNR novel requires a little suspension of disbelief and cynicism, but when the major characters’ actions defy all logic, secondary characters up and disappear without proper explanation and the heroine tries to kill the hero and wants him to feel guilty about it… I don’t know: it gets a little too much. The story promises action but doesn’t deliver. Well, except for bedroom action. Because there is a lot of that. And it was quite graphic. But good.
Even though I had many eye-rolling moments I’m still interested in Bride’s story. So I guess Showalter’s mission is accomplished.
Still: Gena Showalter: mweh, Kresley Cole: you rock!
Untouchable - Kresley Cole: 4 stars
This story is like an Immortals After Dark-megamix! Except for the Woede, we see (or hear about) just about everyone in the series! And it was so much fun to catch up.
In Untouchable we witness Murdoch “man-whore” Wroth and Danielle the Ice Maiden (and Valkyrie) fall in love. People who’ve never read a book of the IAD-series might not like the story. The romance is sweet and hot –even while the heroine is literally untouchable- but the action part of the plot is a little thin and one might get confused with Cole’s Lore creatures and their rules, ideas and relationships.
For an IAD-fan however, this feels like coming home. The story evolves over a period of time and we return to several moments and conversations from the previous books in the series, this time from Murdoch’s POV. The cherry on the cake is the epilogue, in which we witness Christmas Eve with all the Wroth brothers and their females. (*sigh*)
As always, Cole delivered an entertaining, sexy and fun story. She combines just the right amount of drama and humor, never taking herself too seriously. Her bff Gena Showalter could learn a thing or two from her…
Tempt me Eternally – Gena Showalter 2,5 stars
I know enjoying a PNR novel requires a little suspension of disbelief and cynicism, but when the major characters’ actions defy all logic, secondary characters up and disappear without proper explanation and the heroine tries to kill the hero and wants him to feel guilty about it… I don’t know: it gets a little too much. The story promises action but doesn’t deliver. Well, except for bedroom action. Because there is a lot of that. And it was quite graphic. But good.
Even though I had many eye-rolling moments I’m still interested in Bride’s story. So I guess Showalter’s mission is accomplished.
Still: Gena Showalter: mweh, Kresley Cole: you rock!
October 20, 2019
Sabaha kadar uyuyamayinca kitap bitti
February 4, 2017
One of my least favorite IAD books. Still rounding it up to 3 stars because Nix <3 :PP
I didn't read Showalter's story.
I didn't read Showalter's story.
October 30, 2009
Untouchable by Kresley Cole
First of all, I have not read Gena Showalter's story yet. This review is only for Kresley Cole's novella, Untouchable. Second, I am an idiot. I did not realize as I was clicking that fun little button for primetime customers at Amazon that this was a freakin' hardcover. So, I am doubly irked that I did not like this story, and I paid out the wazoo for it.
Okay, I am seriously disappointed. Lots of folks loved this story, and I was all jazzed up. I did not love KC's last book Kiss of a Demon King. I was hoping that this author would re-capture the magic soon, since A Hunger Like No Other is one of my favorite paranormals of all time. Here is what I liked about the story....
Good Stuff:
-Cover: scrum-diddly-icious
-Title: Untouchable is such a great title for Daniela the Ice Queen
-Premise for story: Half-fey, half-ice princess who cannot touch or be touched...incredibly great premise for a romance novel
-the build-up and anticipation for hot sex....Murdoch and Daniela staring at each other's lips, bodies, not being able to consummate their lust...hot diggity damn, Cole knows how to build up the anticipation
-the Wroth brothers (as you know, I LOVE cool brotherhood stories, and the Wroth brothers rock it)
-the whole ice thing....gorgeous imagery, absolutely spectacular. I especially loved the description of Murdoch's home after Daniela transformed it into her own ice castle...so cool!
Bad Stuff:
-After all that good build-up for the hot sex, I found their kiss unremarkable, and the sex was hotter when they couldn't touch each other. What the????????
-Pacing was off. Too much time walking around New Orleans, too much time with Daniela hanging out BY HERSELF in Siberia (Jesus H. Canola!), not enough action. In a short novella, gotta keep the action going. And I know damned well KC can do this...she is a master of it. But not here.
-No emotional connection. All the deep POV was about how pissed Murdoch was to be bonded to Daniela. When/how/where does he fall in love with her? Not feeling it.
-Re-hashing the other stories already visited in other books. Not a good idea, slowed down this story and was confusing if you haven't read the other books in the series.
-Re-cycling conflict. Same sentiment from Lachlain in AHLNO...why I am bonded to this girl? I'm so pissed off. Enough already, get over yourself. Here is the plot in a nutshell.....
I don't like you (but I lust for you).
Well, I don't like you either (but you are a hottie).
Still don't like you. Pissed we are bonded.
Well, I still don't like you either.
(This continues until the last 5?10? pages....)
Oh, I figured out I am in love with you. Let's get it on.
Okay.
(I apologize for the sarcasm, but sheesh! This whole thing got tiresome.)
So, I am a bit torn. There were some cool things about this book, but the bottom line is I didn't feel the love connection, and the lust connection started out with great potential, but in my opinion failed to deliver. Bummer. Still love this author and pray for the next installment.
Grade:? C+/B- (not really sure how to grade it)
Penelope
First of all, I have not read Gena Showalter's story yet. This review is only for Kresley Cole's novella, Untouchable. Second, I am an idiot. I did not realize as I was clicking that fun little button for primetime customers at Amazon that this was a freakin' hardcover. So, I am doubly irked that I did not like this story, and I paid out the wazoo for it.
Okay, I am seriously disappointed. Lots of folks loved this story, and I was all jazzed up. I did not love KC's last book Kiss of a Demon King. I was hoping that this author would re-capture the magic soon, since A Hunger Like No Other is one of my favorite paranormals of all time. Here is what I liked about the story....
Good Stuff:
-Cover: scrum-diddly-icious
-Title: Untouchable is such a great title for Daniela the Ice Queen
-Premise for story: Half-fey, half-ice princess who cannot touch or be touched...incredibly great premise for a romance novel
-the build-up and anticipation for hot sex....Murdoch and Daniela staring at each other's lips, bodies, not being able to consummate their lust...hot diggity damn, Cole knows how to build up the anticipation
-the Wroth brothers (as you know, I LOVE cool brotherhood stories, and the Wroth brothers rock it)
-the whole ice thing....gorgeous imagery, absolutely spectacular. I especially loved the description of Murdoch's home after Daniela transformed it into her own ice castle...so cool!
Bad Stuff:
-After all that good build-up for the hot sex, I found their kiss unremarkable, and the sex was hotter when they couldn't touch each other. What the????????
-Pacing was off. Too much time walking around New Orleans, too much time with Daniela hanging out BY HERSELF in Siberia (Jesus H. Canola!), not enough action. In a short novella, gotta keep the action going. And I know damned well KC can do this...she is a master of it. But not here.
-No emotional connection. All the deep POV was about how pissed Murdoch was to be bonded to Daniela. When/how/where does he fall in love with her? Not feeling it.
-Re-hashing the other stories already visited in other books. Not a good idea, slowed down this story and was confusing if you haven't read the other books in the series.
-Re-cycling conflict. Same sentiment from Lachlain in AHLNO...why I am bonded to this girl? I'm so pissed off. Enough already, get over yourself. Here is the plot in a nutshell.....
I don't like you (but I lust for you).
Well, I don't like you either (but you are a hottie).
Still don't like you. Pissed we are bonded.
Well, I still don't like you either.
(This continues until the last 5?10? pages....)
Oh, I figured out I am in love with you. Let's get it on.
Okay.
(I apologize for the sarcasm, but sheesh! This whole thing got tiresome.)
So, I am a bit torn. There were some cool things about this book, but the bottom line is I didn't feel the love connection, and the lust connection started out with great potential, but in my opinion failed to deliver. Bummer. Still love this author and pray for the next installment.
Grade:? C+/B- (not really sure how to grade it)
Penelope
June 18, 2019
June 2019 Reread:
Untouchable is a novella bundled with a Gena Showalter story in Deep Kiss of Winter. Even though it's a novella, I feel like Kresley Cole still delivers on the story and the character development.
I adore Danii. She craves touch, precisely because she can't have it. Touch physically harms her - not only is it blindly painful, it burns her skin. What others take for granted, a casual touch of a loved one, Danii has never known pleasure in.
Murdoch, you may remember, is Nikolai's brother. The one he hadn't lost. Known in his time, and throughout the Lore, as a rake of the worst sort - he's never wanted to settle down. So when fate deems that Danii is his Bride, he's not exactly ecstatic about it.
Murdoch fights himself, his feelings, and his instincts for a good part of the story. I found this incredibly frustrating, because it was so clear exactly how much he wanted her and how good they'd be together. At the same time, it read very real to every 'afraid of commitment' relationship I've ever been in. For example, Murdoch panics at the mere consideration of her things in his space - despite the fact that he wants to provide for her.
Because of this, he's kind of an ass. Danii's ultra-forgiving, maybe a little too easily forgiving. But that doesn't mean that she lets her desire for him, or a relationship with Murdoch, stop her from living her life. Danii presses forward on what she needs and who she is.
I love how Kresley Cole continues to expand this world, giving us more characters and beings to know and wonder about. I can't see myself ever wanting to stop learning about the beings of the Lore.
More available at The Alliterates
4 August 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
29 June 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
I've only read 'Untouchable' by Kresley Cole. I greatly enjoyed Danii's story. She's a wonderful character that really touched my heart.
Untouchable is a novella bundled with a Gena Showalter story in Deep Kiss of Winter. Even though it's a novella, I feel like Kresley Cole still delivers on the story and the character development.
I adore Danii. She craves touch, precisely because she can't have it. Touch physically harms her - not only is it blindly painful, it burns her skin. What others take for granted, a casual touch of a loved one, Danii has never known pleasure in.
Murdoch, you may remember, is Nikolai's brother. The one he hadn't lost. Known in his time, and throughout the Lore, as a rake of the worst sort - he's never wanted to settle down. So when fate deems that Danii is his Bride, he's not exactly ecstatic about it.
Murdoch fights himself, his feelings, and his instincts for a good part of the story. I found this incredibly frustrating, because it was so clear exactly how much he wanted her and how good they'd be together. At the same time, it read very real to every 'afraid of commitment' relationship I've ever been in. For example, Murdoch panics at the mere consideration of her things in his space - despite the fact that he wants to provide for her.
Because of this, he's kind of an ass. Danii's ultra-forgiving, maybe a little too easily forgiving. But that doesn't mean that she lets her desire for him, or a relationship with Murdoch, stop her from living her life. Danii presses forward on what she needs and who she is.
I love how Kresley Cole continues to expand this world, giving us more characters and beings to know and wonder about. I can't see myself ever wanting to stop learning about the beings of the Lore.
More available at The Alliterates
4 August 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
29 June 2015: $1.99 on Kindle
I've only read 'Untouchable' by Kresley Cole. I greatly enjoyed Danii's story. She's a wonderful character that really touched my heart.
August 2, 2020
Tüm kardeşlerin toplanması güzeldi...
November 17, 2009
**Sigh sigh** both books were a disappointment for me. Showalter’s was a disaster but I wasn’t expecting much from her story to begin with because she’s not an author that seems to work for me even if I had a teeny tiny hope based on the jacket blurb. Her story is more of a 2 star rating while the Cole one barely makes it to a 3 and I was really looking forward to it which is what makes it even worse.
Cole’s story, Untouchable, tells the story of Murdoch Wroth and Daniela the Ice Maiden. Murdoch is another one of the vampire brothers. His story takes place at the same time as his other brothers (Conrad, Sebastian and Nikolai) so they're all revisited in brief which keeps the story connected to the series. I think most series readers like the familiarity of past characters so it’s nice when the authors stick in a few appearances. As for Daniela, she’s a Valkyrie and that gang is all back too with Nix popping up the most often as usual. Murdoch is a playboy and Danii wants to find love but her problem is that no one can touch her because she’ll burn. I didn’t like Murdoch’s character because he was too ambivalent about everything and god only knows why Danii felt the need to stay with him when he wasn’t the nicest guy to her. His apathy was irritating. She’s extremely insecure and needy bordering on doormat which bugs me in a heroine.
As for Showalter’s story Tempt Me Eternally, I don’t follow the Alien Huntress Series so maybe it’d have been better if I did but I seriously doubt it. The h/h do absolutely nothing together and then BANG! they’re in love. Now I could’ve bought the lust because of the paranormal element and all the “mine” stuff (and that has gotten soooo old in paranormals I wish authors would at least try for a modicum of originality there) but I don’t see how they could’ve loved each other. The hero is this guy from another planet looking for a new place to live with his colony and she’s part of the AIR team out to kill them. At one point she’s an unforgiveable backstabbing b— and for the life of me I don’t know how he could’ve still loved her. Nothing was believable in terms of the emotion and intimacy between the two characters.
In a way both stories felt like they were haphazardly put together under a deadline, a kind of have-to-get-a-book-out and oh well they’re somewhat sloppy but they both have legions of fans so who cares about story quality. The story outline is there, the sex is there but the emotional connection wasn’t. It’s horrible to be addicted to series I tell ya because you’ll gobble up whatever is put out in the hopes of finding that/those great read(s) again ;)
There’s a little smidge of Christmas in both stories but that felt shoved in as a marketing ploy more so for readers looking for a seasonal story. Neither story is seasonal, Christmas dinner just happened to be there so don’t be fooled by the “Holiday Collection with Bite” blurb on the front cover.
Both stories have too much down and dirty sex and not enough story, lots of going round in circles with virtually no character development. Down and dirty sex is fine but you need some plot expansion otherwise the story just doesn’t go anywhere almost making you say “ok, and...next…geeze again!”. Both novels felt repetitive and again Showalter’s was the worst of the two. Neither story however felt like those short/rushed anthology stories which I was afraid would happen so hats off to them for at least not giving off that feeling.
Showalter is off my reading list, but I’m still looking forward to the next IAD because when Cole writes a good one, it’s keeper shelf for life material :)
February 15, 2010
People had issues with the hero in Untouchable, Kresley Cole's entry in this duology. I guess I wasn't as hard on Murdoch because I have SO dated him. (I.E.- at my age, all I ever run into is commitment phobes!) So I totally got Murdoch. Why then would I like him? Because he overcomes his fears, changes, and sticks with her. THAT is the heart of a good love story, imo. I LOVED both Dani and Murdoch and I loved them together. As another person observed- Cole knows how to write winning characters without becoming repetitive in a series. I totally agree. Def. a sign of a good series writer! If you haven't started the Immortals After Dark series- what's stopping you??
I adored Gena's story too in Deep Kiss (Tempt Me Eternally). Something about it reminded me of Johanna Lindsey's Alien Barbarian warrior stories which I just LOVED, even though they were the cheesiest books EVAH. (Those books were def. a precursor to the modern PNR sub-genre!) I'm anxious to hear more from these lovely warriors and hope to see more of them in some of Showalter's other tales!
Both get a 4 out of 5 from me. (Did I mention I hate short stories- that brings it down a bit for me.)
I adored Gena's story too in Deep Kiss (Tempt Me Eternally). Something about it reminded me of Johanna Lindsey's Alien Barbarian warrior stories which I just LOVED, even though they were the cheesiest books EVAH. (Those books were def. a precursor to the modern PNR sub-genre!) I'm anxious to hear more from these lovely warriors and hope to see more of them in some of Showalter's other tales!
Both get a 4 out of 5 from me. (Did I mention I hate short stories- that brings it down a bit for me.)
October 28, 2009
Review/Rating for Untouchable by Kresley Cole
Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series has been a hit or miss with me. Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night, Bowen and Mariketa’s story being a big hit, and her last couple especially her latest full length novel, Kiss of a Demon King a big miss. I wasn’t even that excited to read this book, but I am so glad I did. Untouchable has brought my love for Kresley Cole back in a big way.
Murdoch Wroth is a vampire, turned three hundred years ago against his will. He doesn’t know a lot about the Lore and is known very much as a womanizer. He is out in New Orleans one night and by chance, runs into Daniela, the ice maiden. Danii is from Icere, she thrives in the cold, and would literally shatter if she becomes overheated. She can only be touched by those of her kind, problem is, others from Icere want her dead. Her mother, the former Queen was murdered, and the current ruler is afraid Danii wants the throne back and is doing everything in his power to eliminate her. All Danii really wants is companionship and love. She has been untouched for two thousand years.
When Murdoch runs into her, she is being chased by assassins. Something about the ice maiden attracts Murdoch. He in an unblooded vampire, his heart does not beat. Once a vampire finds his “bride” his body comes to life and it is only the bride’s touch that can make his sexual release a reality. As Murdoch finds himself fighting the assassins that threaten Danii, the impossible becomes a reality. His heart starts to beat, he has his first erection in 300 years – he has become blooded by Danii. An aching, sexual need takes over – and Danii is not immune to his attraction either. But – they can not touch each other. One touch and Danii is burned severely and her freezing cold touch is something Murdoch can not handle.
Untouchable is such a good story, and as I mentioned above, I’m loving Kresley Cole again. Murdoch is gruff, and serious and blunders through his relationship with Danii with actions that beg for grace. He is kind of like a big oaf that can’t do or say anything right – but a sexy oaf..let’s not get that wrong. Danii is half Valkyrie and has that lightning quick temper that I have come to love so much from them. Plus Kresley Cole’s humor really shines in this couple. She is very sly and subtle with her humor. As Danii is recovering and slightly out of it, Murdoch asks her:
“How old are you?”
“Two Thousand or so.”
“Two thousand.”
“’m a Pisces”
We need to take a minute as well to reflect on the romance in this book. Dear readers – the romance is SMEXY. The first love scene – after Murdoch has been blooded and desperately needs release is one of the hottest scenes I have read this year. It is definitely making it into my top ten. It’s the best love scene with no touching of the other person. Oh yes.
I did find the that the resolution to the assassins chasing Danii was wrapped up without much “bang.” Towards the end, I realized that part of the story was done, and I felt like it was wrapped up a bit too easily. However, my mind quickly left that subject once we meet Jadian, another Icere. I won’t give much away, but from some of his unanswered actions and responses, I know we have not seen the last of him yet. He left me very intrigued.
Having read all the books in this series, I also liked that this story takes place from the time Emmaline and Lachlain first meet and ends with Conrad and Neomi mated. We also see Nikolai and Myst throughout their relationship and Sebastian and Kaderin. For being a 250 page story, it really encompasses the world well and ties everything together. Great addition, and this definitely makes me look forward to Pleasure of a Dark Prince coming in February.
Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series has been a hit or miss with me. Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night, Bowen and Mariketa’s story being a big hit, and her last couple especially her latest full length novel, Kiss of a Demon King a big miss. I wasn’t even that excited to read this book, but I am so glad I did. Untouchable has brought my love for Kresley Cole back in a big way.
Murdoch Wroth is a vampire, turned three hundred years ago against his will. He doesn’t know a lot about the Lore and is known very much as a womanizer. He is out in New Orleans one night and by chance, runs into Daniela, the ice maiden. Danii is from Icere, she thrives in the cold, and would literally shatter if she becomes overheated. She can only be touched by those of her kind, problem is, others from Icere want her dead. Her mother, the former Queen was murdered, and the current ruler is afraid Danii wants the throne back and is doing everything in his power to eliminate her. All Danii really wants is companionship and love. She has been untouched for two thousand years.
When Murdoch runs into her, she is being chased by assassins. Something about the ice maiden attracts Murdoch. He in an unblooded vampire, his heart does not beat. Once a vampire finds his “bride” his body comes to life and it is only the bride’s touch that can make his sexual release a reality. As Murdoch finds himself fighting the assassins that threaten Danii, the impossible becomes a reality. His heart starts to beat, he has his first erection in 300 years – he has become blooded by Danii. An aching, sexual need takes over – and Danii is not immune to his attraction either. But – they can not touch each other. One touch and Danii is burned severely and her freezing cold touch is something Murdoch can not handle.
Untouchable is such a good story, and as I mentioned above, I’m loving Kresley Cole again. Murdoch is gruff, and serious and blunders through his relationship with Danii with actions that beg for grace. He is kind of like a big oaf that can’t do or say anything right – but a sexy oaf..let’s not get that wrong. Danii is half Valkyrie and has that lightning quick temper that I have come to love so much from them. Plus Kresley Cole’s humor really shines in this couple. She is very sly and subtle with her humor. As Danii is recovering and slightly out of it, Murdoch asks her:
“How old are you?”
“Two Thousand or so.”
“Two thousand.”
“’m a Pisces”
We need to take a minute as well to reflect on the romance in this book. Dear readers – the romance is SMEXY. The first love scene – after Murdoch has been blooded and desperately needs release is one of the hottest scenes I have read this year. It is definitely making it into my top ten. It’s the best love scene with no touching of the other person. Oh yes.
I did find the that the resolution to the assassins chasing Danii was wrapped up without much “bang.” Towards the end, I realized that part of the story was done, and I felt like it was wrapped up a bit too easily. However, my mind quickly left that subject once we meet Jadian, another Icere. I won’t give much away, but from some of his unanswered actions and responses, I know we have not seen the last of him yet. He left me very intrigued.
Having read all the books in this series, I also liked that this story takes place from the time Emmaline and Lachlain first meet and ends with Conrad and Neomi mated. We also see Nikolai and Myst throughout their relationship and Sebastian and Kaderin. For being a 250 page story, it really encompasses the world well and ties everything together. Great addition, and this definitely makes me look forward to Pleasure of a Dark Prince coming in February.
December 26, 2010
Please note that this review is only for Kresley Cole’s Untouchable. I haven’t read the Alien Huntress series by Gena Showalter, so I’ll wait to read her novella “Tempt me Eternally” and review that later. I’m reading a series in order for once!
WHAT’S A WROTH BROTHER GOT TO DO TO GET HIS OWN FULL LENGTH BOOK!?!!?
First, Nikolai and now Murdoch? I WISH THEY HAD THEIR OWN FULL LENGTH NOVELS!!! These Wroth brothers deserve better!
Once again, Kresley Cole proves herself with this long novella. I didn’t think Murdoch’s story would be that great, considering his less than desirable reputation as a manwhore. I wasn’t that interested to read his story because I am so smitten with his brother, Sebastian, but Murdoch’s got some moves, no doubt!
I love Murdoch! As a former rake in his human life, he’s confident enough that his moves will work on Daniela, but when Danii doesn’t fall for his charming words and gift offerings, Murdoch realizes he can’t tempt Danii with his previously effective material. I found that the fights and conflicts between the two created for a much more interesting story. And the fact that Murdoch comes for her in the end makes me melt more than any words he can say.
Daniela the Ice Maiden is such a unique character. I found myself instantly adoring her. Part Valkyrie and part Ice Fae, Danii’s definitely got one of the most interesting powers from the Lore. But her Ice Fae half prevents her from forming meaningful relationships with either side. Her Ice fae side wishes to see her dead and she doesn’t necessarily fit in with her Valkyrie sisters. Being alone and untouched for so long, Danii finds it hard to let herself fall in love...especially with a vampire who has a reputation of “hitting it and then quitting it”.
I loved the interactions between Murdoch and Danii. I was surprised to see so much development in the plot and reading about familiar names here and there. I especially loved the part where Murdoch says he bought a gemstone comb for Danii, but when he tries to give it to her, he can’t find it. If you’ve read Dark Needs at Night's Edge, then you know that Neomi Laress, Conrad’s mate stole it from Murdoch when he was unaware. Little things like that make me smile and I can’t help but rave about KC’s plotting.
After reading Untouchable, I think Murdoch and Conrad are tied in second place for my heart. Danii and Murdoch’s story is so well-planned and eloquently written that I can’t believe it’s only a novella. It’s hard to believe that this story spans from the first IAD novella, The Warlord Wants Forever to the latest instalment when it was released. KC is a freaking genius!
Lastly, I need to mention that icicle scene in the wintery woods! That was HOT, right!? After reading all these books with sexy winter sexcapades (Sin Undone snowball scene ;P) I can’t help but find winter a little more enjoyable. I’ll admit, I’ve been yelling at kids having a snowball fight in the streets to SAVE THOSE SNOWBALLS! I can think of a much better use for them, if you know what I mean! ;P
WHAT’S A WROTH BROTHER GOT TO DO TO GET HIS OWN FULL LENGTH BOOK!?!!?
First, Nikolai and now Murdoch? I WISH THEY HAD THEIR OWN FULL LENGTH NOVELS!!! These Wroth brothers deserve better!
Once again, Kresley Cole proves herself with this long novella. I didn’t think Murdoch’s story would be that great, considering his less than desirable reputation as a manwhore. I wasn’t that interested to read his story because I am so smitten with his brother, Sebastian, but Murdoch’s got some moves, no doubt!
I love Murdoch! As a former rake in his human life, he’s confident enough that his moves will work on Daniela, but when Danii doesn’t fall for his charming words and gift offerings, Murdoch realizes he can’t tempt Danii with his previously effective material. I found that the fights and conflicts between the two created for a much more interesting story. And the fact that Murdoch comes for her in the end makes me melt more than any words he can say.
Daniela the Ice Maiden is such a unique character. I found myself instantly adoring her. Part Valkyrie and part Ice Fae, Danii’s definitely got one of the most interesting powers from the Lore. But her Ice Fae half prevents her from forming meaningful relationships with either side. Her Ice fae side wishes to see her dead and she doesn’t necessarily fit in with her Valkyrie sisters. Being alone and untouched for so long, Danii finds it hard to let herself fall in love...especially with a vampire who has a reputation of “hitting it and then quitting it”.
I loved the interactions between Murdoch and Danii. I was surprised to see so much development in the plot and reading about familiar names here and there. I especially loved the part where Murdoch says he bought a gemstone comb for Danii, but when he tries to give it to her, he can’t find it. If you’ve read Dark Needs at Night's Edge, then you know that Neomi Laress, Conrad’s mate stole it from Murdoch when he was unaware. Little things like that make me smile and I can’t help but rave about KC’s plotting.
After reading Untouchable, I think Murdoch and Conrad are tied in second place for my heart. Danii and Murdoch’s story is so well-planned and eloquently written that I can’t believe it’s only a novella. It’s hard to believe that this story spans from the first IAD novella, The Warlord Wants Forever to the latest instalment when it was released. KC is a freaking genius!
Lastly, I need to mention that icicle scene in the wintery woods! That was HOT, right!? After reading all these books with sexy winter sexcapades (Sin Undone snowball scene ;P) I can’t help but find winter a little more enjoyable. I’ll admit, I’ve been yelling at kids having a snowball fight in the streets to SAVE THOSE SNOWBALLS! I can think of a much better use for them, if you know what I mean! ;P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2020
2.5 stars
Note: I only read Kresley Cole’s book, “Untouchable” (Immortals After Dark #7.0). I didn’t read the other title, so this rating and review does NOT apply to that book. It only applies to Cole’s novel.
“Welcome to the Lore. Little makes sense. Rules are fluid. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you hear about a vampire unaffected by the sun, a mute siren, or a chaste nymph.”
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there was just something missing from this story. Something that all the other Immortals After Dark novels had that this one was missing. This book just doesn’t measure up to the other instalments in the series.
I liked the protagonists, Daniela and Murdoch, but that’s REALLY not saying much, since all of the IAD characters are fantastic. So that’s not really praise. I felt there was something missing from Daniela and Murdoch as characters. As if they were only 85% conceptualized. I didn’t feel completely invested in them, and I think it’s because they didn’t seem as well rounded and multifaceted as the other main characters in this series.
“And Murdoch? Well, he was a ladies’ man, a practiced seducer.
Or he had been, but no longer, now that he was an unblooded vampire. What a waste. The world just didn’t have enough broad-shouldered seducers with gray eyes.”
I also believe the plot was made flimsy due to when it takes place, and where certain characters were already established to be at certain times in the series. For example, Murdoch has been in every book that has had his brothers as central characters. Which means his whereabouts are already accounted for at random times throughout many months. Which wouldn’t be a problem if this book took place after all that, but it actually starts (chronologically) at the same time as The Warlord Wants Forever (Immortals After Dark #0.5). So there are long lags of time here and there in the book, that just don’t make sense for the story.
I have a theory that when Kresley Cole started writing this series, she got the idea that Daniela and Murdoch would be an interesting pair with a cool story. She just wasn’t ready to write about them yet, so she put a rough draft of them on the back burner. Then time went on, and there was never a good time for their story to take place, until eventually she had to get around to writing it, because it was alluded to so much. By then she just didn’t feel as passionate about the story as she did when she first conceived it, and it resulted in a weak pairing and flimsy plot. I didn’t feel like this was someone’s labor of love. It seemed more like a necessity due to foreshadowing. This is all just a theory of mine though, I have absolutely no evidence that this actually happened.
“You’re going to have to cut that out, vampire.”
His head whipped forward. “Cut what out?”
“Baring your fangs anytime a mortal checks me out” Now she sounded smug.
“I was not baring my fangs.” He might have been baring his fangs.
“Daniela, you’ll find that I’m far from a jealous person.”
“Uh-huh.”
Aside from that, what also made me less enthusiastic about this book compared to other instalments in the series is that Untouchable just felt kind of depressing? I never felt like there was a moment of excitement or hope, because we (the readers) already know what happens during certain time periods, and the whole “not being able to touch” thing just became a big bummer. At the very beginning it was sort of entertaining, but that quickly wore off, and then things just felt sad and dreary. The whole book felt like it was about a couple trying to make a relationship that wasn’t working, work, and failing and being miserable because of it for as long as a year. Instead of a new couple, learning who each other are, and falling in love in a few weeks or a couple months.
“Her half sister Reign liked her men young, dumb, and hung, as she put it. Danii now knew her type: vampire with an Adonis physique. And she didn’t say that lightly. She knew Adonis well.”
I’ll be honest, on surface level, the concept of this book seems pretty intriguing. A 300 year old vampire rake/manwhore falls for the ice queen with a frozen heart and gets bachelor’s panic? That sounds fun! This story was not though. Once again, I think it comes back around to the characters not feeling fully formed. I just didn’t get the impression that the author really loves these characters or this story, you know?
However, I must say that Kresley Cole, as a writer, continues to improve with every book she writes. It’s always amazing to discover an author that just keeps getting better with each book they write. There’s just something really wonderful about a creator that continually improves their ability, and therefore their content and art. Hell, I even liked the epilogue in this book, and I almost always hate those! So that’s got to be a testament to her ability.
“If you’ve reached this message and you weren’t trying to contact Reign the Radiant—
Reign?
—“then I know three things about you. One of my half sisters just tooled your ass and never wants to see you again. B. You’re pop-culturally illiterate not to know that this number is a song. And three, you’ll never tell another male about this humiliating prank, so the number trick can be continued indefinitely.”
At last, you may be wondering why I gave this book 3 stars, despite sort of bashing it (it’s actually 2.5 stars, but whatever). And that’s simply because this book was easy to read and enjoy. I could easily pick it up, and get enthralled instead of bored. If you’ve ever read my reviews, then you know that I value pure entertainment just as much, if not more, than “objectively correct” content. If it entertains me, then it can’t ever be that bad. Plus, this is an Immortals After Dark story, and those are hard to dislike.
“How old are you?”
“Two thousand or so.”
“Two thousand.”
“ I’m a Pisces.”
Note: I only read Kresley Cole’s book, “Untouchable” (Immortals After Dark #7.0). I didn’t read the other title, so this rating and review does NOT apply to that book. It only applies to Cole’s novel.
“Welcome to the Lore. Little makes sense. Rules are fluid. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you hear about a vampire unaffected by the sun, a mute siren, or a chaste nymph.”
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there was just something missing from this story. Something that all the other Immortals After Dark novels had that this one was missing. This book just doesn’t measure up to the other instalments in the series.
I liked the protagonists, Daniela and Murdoch, but that’s REALLY not saying much, since all of the IAD characters are fantastic. So that’s not really praise. I felt there was something missing from Daniela and Murdoch as characters. As if they were only 85% conceptualized. I didn’t feel completely invested in them, and I think it’s because they didn’t seem as well rounded and multifaceted as the other main characters in this series.
“And Murdoch? Well, he was a ladies’ man, a practiced seducer.
Or he had been, but no longer, now that he was an unblooded vampire. What a waste. The world just didn’t have enough broad-shouldered seducers with gray eyes.”
I also believe the plot was made flimsy due to when it takes place, and where certain characters were already established to be at certain times in the series. For example, Murdoch has been in every book that has had his brothers as central characters. Which means his whereabouts are already accounted for at random times throughout many months. Which wouldn’t be a problem if this book took place after all that, but it actually starts (chronologically) at the same time as The Warlord Wants Forever (Immortals After Dark #0.5). So there are long lags of time here and there in the book, that just don’t make sense for the story.
I have a theory that when Kresley Cole started writing this series, she got the idea that Daniela and Murdoch would be an interesting pair with a cool story. She just wasn’t ready to write about them yet, so she put a rough draft of them on the back burner. Then time went on, and there was never a good time for their story to take place, until eventually she had to get around to writing it, because it was alluded to so much. By then she just didn’t feel as passionate about the story as she did when she first conceived it, and it resulted in a weak pairing and flimsy plot. I didn’t feel like this was someone’s labor of love. It seemed more like a necessity due to foreshadowing. This is all just a theory of mine though, I have absolutely no evidence that this actually happened.
“You’re going to have to cut that out, vampire.”
His head whipped forward. “Cut what out?”
“Baring your fangs anytime a mortal checks me out” Now she sounded smug.
“I was not baring my fangs.” He might have been baring his fangs.
“Daniela, you’ll find that I’m far from a jealous person.”
“Uh-huh.”
Aside from that, what also made me less enthusiastic about this book compared to other instalments in the series is that Untouchable just felt kind of depressing? I never felt like there was a moment of excitement or hope, because we (the readers) already know what happens during certain time periods, and the whole “not being able to touch” thing just became a big bummer. At the very beginning it was sort of entertaining, but that quickly wore off, and then things just felt sad and dreary. The whole book felt like it was about a couple trying to make a relationship that wasn’t working, work, and failing and being miserable because of it for as long as a year. Instead of a new couple, learning who each other are, and falling in love in a few weeks or a couple months.
“Her half sister Reign liked her men young, dumb, and hung, as she put it. Danii now knew her type: vampire with an Adonis physique. And she didn’t say that lightly. She knew Adonis well.”
I’ll be honest, on surface level, the concept of this book seems pretty intriguing. A 300 year old vampire rake/manwhore falls for the ice queen with a frozen heart and gets bachelor’s panic? That sounds fun! This story was not though. Once again, I think it comes back around to the characters not feeling fully formed. I just didn’t get the impression that the author really loves these characters or this story, you know?
However, I must say that Kresley Cole, as a writer, continues to improve with every book she writes. It’s always amazing to discover an author that just keeps getting better with each book they write. There’s just something really wonderful about a creator that continually improves their ability, and therefore their content and art. Hell, I even liked the epilogue in this book, and I almost always hate those! So that’s got to be a testament to her ability.
“If you’ve reached this message and you weren’t trying to contact Reign the Radiant—
Reign?
—“then I know three things about you. One of my half sisters just tooled your ass and never wants to see you again. B. You’re pop-culturally illiterate not to know that this number is a song. And three, you’ll never tell another male about this humiliating prank, so the number trick can be continued indefinitely.”
At last, you may be wondering why I gave this book 3 stars, despite sort of bashing it (it’s actually 2.5 stars, but whatever). And that’s simply because this book was easy to read and enjoy. I could easily pick it up, and get enthralled instead of bored. If you’ve ever read my reviews, then you know that I value pure entertainment just as much, if not more, than “objectively correct” content. If it entertains me, then it can’t ever be that bad. Plus, this is an Immortals After Dark story, and those are hard to dislike.
“How old are you?”
“Two thousand or so.”
“Two thousand.”
“ I’m a Pisces.”
June 21, 2014
5 Untouchable stars
The story of a woman who couldn't touch anyone without suffering and a man who had "touched" way too many women in his mortal life. Can Daniela, a girl made of Ice, and Murdoch, a man hot as fire, find a way to be together or should they give up?
“When do you give up on someone you love?”
This book is as fun as it is heart-wrenching. At some points I felt so sad for Dani I actually teared up. It must be so frustrating not to be able to touch anyone. Still Dani never gave up and she never lost her sense of humor...
“...a woman's voice said, "if you've reached this message and you weren't trying to contact Regin the Radient" -
Regin?
-"then I know three things about you. One of my half sisters just tooled your ass and never wants to see you again. B. You're pop-culturally illiterate enough not to know this number is a song. And three, you'll never tell another male about this humiliating prank, so the number trick can be continued indefinitely. If however, you called for moi, then say something to amuse me after the beep."
..Just as he was about to unleash his wrath in a message, a computerized voice said, "Mailbox is full.”
Re-read it as part of the IAD series Read-A-Long with the League of Lusty Ladies.
The story of a woman who couldn't touch anyone without suffering and a man who had "touched" way too many women in his mortal life. Can Daniela, a girl made of Ice, and Murdoch, a man hot as fire, find a way to be together or should they give up?
“When do you give up on someone you love?”
This book is as fun as it is heart-wrenching. At some points I felt so sad for Dani I actually teared up. It must be so frustrating not to be able to touch anyone. Still Dani never gave up and she never lost her sense of humor...
“...a woman's voice said, "if you've reached this message and you weren't trying to contact Regin the Radient" -
Regin?
-"then I know three things about you. One of my half sisters just tooled your ass and never wants to see you again. B. You're pop-culturally illiterate enough not to know this number is a song. And three, you'll never tell another male about this humiliating prank, so the number trick can be continued indefinitely. If however, you called for moi, then say something to amuse me after the beep."
..Just as he was about to unleash his wrath in a message, a computerized voice said, "Mailbox is full.”
Re-read it as part of the IAD series Read-A-Long with the League of Lusty Ladies.
August 12, 2017
Reread Review August 11,2017
4+ "Untouchable" Stars!
No new thoughts except that I loved how this story started from the beginning of the series and brought us up to the current times (at the time this book was written- I think there are 16, or maybe more books by now). This one has a lot of spoilers for the previous books so be aware of that if you read the series out of order. It's a new story along with being kind of a review of all the previous stories in the series. Loved Danii and Murdock! They had more than the cold to overcome. But it worked out splendidly. Still loving my series reread. I'm now quite interested in Jadion. Why so reluctant?? Maybe he'll get his story told eventually. Happy reading!
Original Review May 27, 2013
Another great IAD story. I only read Untouchable so my review is only for that story. Anyway, I love how Ms. Cole continues to work out theses seemingly impossible situations so creatively. Although I did see this one coming, the story was still very enjoyable. Love, love, love Kresley Cole. Murdock and Danii are good together. I was surprised by how willing she was to give him a chance though, but I guess being untouchable can do that to a girl. I'm on the the next installment. Happy reading!
4+ "Untouchable" Stars!
No new thoughts except that I loved how this story started from the beginning of the series and brought us up to the current times (at the time this book was written- I think there are 16, or maybe more books by now). This one has a lot of spoilers for the previous books so be aware of that if you read the series out of order. It's a new story along with being kind of a review of all the previous stories in the series. Loved Danii and Murdock! They had more than the cold to overcome. But it worked out splendidly. Still loving my series reread. I'm now quite interested in Jadion. Why so reluctant?? Maybe he'll get his story told eventually. Happy reading!
Original Review May 27, 2013
Another great IAD story. I only read Untouchable so my review is only for that story. Anyway, I love how Ms. Cole continues to work out theses seemingly impossible situations so creatively. Although I did see this one coming, the story was still very enjoyable. Love, love, love Kresley Cole. Murdock and Danii are good together. I was surprised by how willing she was to give him a chance though, but I guess being untouchable can do that to a girl. I'm on the the next installment. Happy reading!
January 16, 2013
*** NOTE: This rating is for Kresley Cole's UNTOUCHABLE only! ***
If you're a fan of the Immortal After Dark series, you'll want to read this novella. It's about Murdoch, the remaining unattached Wroth brother, and Daniella, the Ice Queen, and even though it's a short story, its development spans several months and it's interwoven with all the previous books in the series. It was very interesting to revisit previous events from a different point of view while enjoying the complicated development of Murdoch and Daniella's romance. Me likey!
If you're a fan of the Immortal After Dark series, you'll want to read this novella. It's about Murdoch, the remaining unattached Wroth brother, and Daniella, the Ice Queen, and even though it's a short story, its development spans several months and it's interwoven with all the previous books in the series. It was very interesting to revisit previous events from a different point of view while enjoying the complicated development of Murdoch and Daniella's romance. Me likey!
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July 12, 2021Ben bu çifti resmen unutmuşum. Buz Kraliçe Daniela ve Vampir Murdoch Wroth'un hikayesiydi. Acayip imkansız bir birleşme. Zira Danii bir Valkyrie olmasının yanı zira buz perisi de. Kendi türü dışından kimse ona dokunamaz. Aksi takdirde tarifsiz bir acı yaşar. Hoş kendi türü de onu sürekli avlamakta. Bu yüzden uzuuuuun bir yalnızlıkla baş başa...
Murdoch ise başını bağlama niyetinde değil.Aşkın bir insana neler yaptığını biliyor ve sağolun ama o almasın. Yine de eşinin peşinde suikastçılar görünce ve Danii yararlanınca kendini kaybediyor.
Şöyle bir düşününce dokunamamak ne kötü. Sevdiğin birini ya da bir şeyi hissedememek. Çiftimiz bu süreçte bayağı bir zorlanıyor. Arka planda bir sürü olay gelişiyor. Açıkçası biraz tekdüze ve sakin bir okumaydı...🙈
Murdoch ise başını bağlama niyetinde değil.Aşkın bir insana neler yaptığını biliyor ve sağolun ama o almasın. Yine de eşinin peşinde suikastçılar görünce ve Danii yararlanınca kendini kaybediyor.
Şöyle bir düşününce dokunamamak ne kötü. Sevdiğin birini ya da bir şeyi hissedememek. Çiftimiz bu süreçte bayağı bir zorlanıyor. Arka planda bir sürü olay gelişiyor. Açıkçası biraz tekdüze ve sakin bir okumaydı...🙈
May 24, 2012
Really enjoyed Daniela and Murdoch's story. I didn't think it was as romantic as the other books, but the "loving and the smexing" was great! Loved the Epilogue too.
March 3, 2017
This is only book of IAD that I did not like.
February 10, 2010
Love Danii and Murdoch's story. A novella that spans the time from Nikolai and Myst storyline up to Conrad and Neomi's book, so it is fun to read tidbits from a different perspective of events that have happened in the previous books. As usual Cole's story is funny and poignant at the same time, as she gives her h/h almost insurmountable obstacles to their path to true love. A great addition to the Immortals After Dark stories.
The second novella is my first introduction to Showalter's Alien Huntress series. I find the storyline intriguing enough, but along the way, instead of enjoying the interactions of the main characters, I just feel like slapping them both. I did finish the story, and is still interested in picking up the first book of this series, but I'm pretty blah with this story. Plenty of hot sex, not enough action, and the romance development was pretty much shove down my throat.
The second novella is my first introduction to Showalter's Alien Huntress series. I find the storyline intriguing enough, but along the way, instead of enjoying the interactions of the main characters, I just feel like slapping them both. I did finish the story, and is still interested in picking up the first book of this series, but I'm pretty blah with this story. Plenty of hot sex, not enough action, and the romance development was pretty much shove down my throat.
June 7, 2021
Well, this was like a summary of everything that happened up until now with the series. Their relationship started at the end of the prequel book and it took a very long time for them to work things out.
I am glad that all the Wroth brothers are married and we will have a break from them now. Hehehe
Okay, this book was like watching the adult version of frozen. It was quite interesting and it was hilarious that a vampire thought it bizarre to heal her with ice. Another thing that I thought hilarious was the fact that the heroine wanted an alpha male to be extremely possessive about her and when the hero was not she was very disappointed. Lol she is full of contradictions.
This book was nice, but nothing wow.
I am glad that all the Wroth brothers are married and we will have a break from them now. Hehehe
Okay, this book was like watching the adult version of frozen. It was quite interesting and it was hilarious that a vampire thought it bizarre to heal her with ice. Another thing that I thought hilarious was the fact that the heroine wanted an alpha male to be extremely possessive about her and when the hero was not she was very disappointed. Lol she is full of contradictions.
This book was nice, but nothing wow.
June 19, 2016
This review is only for Kresley Cole's story, Untouchable.
Closer to 2.5 stars but rounded up...
This is by far my least favourite story in the IAD series. Maybe because it was a novella or maybe because there was nothing that particularly stood out about Daniela apart from her ice cold skin. Even Holly from Dark Desires After Dusk had a more distinct personality - annoying as she was.
Off to the next!
Closer to 2.5 stars but rounded up...
This is by far my least favourite story in the IAD series. Maybe because it was a novella or maybe because there was nothing that particularly stood out about Daniela apart from her ice cold skin. Even Holly from Dark Desires After Dusk had a more distinct personality - annoying as she was.
Off to the next!
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