Wicked as She Wants

Blud #2

by Delilah S. Dawson

The second book in the darkly tempting Blud series, featuring a vampire princess who embarks upon a dangerous journey to claim what is rightfully hers.

When Blud princess Ahnastasia wakes up, drained and starving in a suitcase, she’s not sure which calls to her more: the sound of music or the scent of blood. The source of both sensations is a handsome and mysterious man named Casper Sterling. Once the most celebrated musician in London, Sangland, he’s fallen on hard times. Now, much to Ahna’s frustration, the debauched and reckless human is her only ticket back home to the snow-rimmed and magical land of Freesia.

Together with Casper’s prickly charge, a scrappy orphan named Keen, they seek passage to Ahna’s homeland, where a power-hungry sorceress named Ravenna holds the royal family in thrall. Traveling from the back alleys of London to the sparkling minarets of Muscovy, Ahna discovers that Freesia holds new perils and dangerous foes. Back in her country, she is forced to choose between the heart she never knew she had and the land that she was born to rule. But with Casper’s help, Ahna may find a way to have it all….

Genres: Steampunk, Vampires, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

Delilah S. Dawson is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Black Spire: Galaxy's Edge, and The Perfect Weapon. With Kevin Hearne, she writes the Tales of Pell. As Lila Bowen, she writes the Shadow series, beginning with Wake of Vultures. Her other books include the Blud series, the Hit series, and Servants of the Storm.

She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.

Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.

Reviews

[Stacia (the 2010 club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine one lost princess,

a deadly unicorn teaming up with an equally deadly peacock,

a swashbuckling pirate,

and a game of naughty truth or dare.

3.5 stars. Welcome back to the land of Sang, where nothing can ever be called predictable. Needless to say, I kind of like that.

I think I might have expected a darker, more tragic story from Casper. While Wicked as She Wants was edgier in content, much of that came from Ahnastasia's addition to the story.

"Come on, beast," I whispered.

Speaking of Ahnastasia, I rather liked this chick. She was a little lost lamb one moment, and a vicious predator the next. I don't blame her for having a case of multiple personality disorder. If you were drained of blud (the bludmen have blud and the pinkies have blood, in case you forgot) and woke up after an extended period of time with a severe case of blood hunger, you might find yourself deciding that heads need to roll.



Anna was a good match for Casper. In what was a very rewarding scene involving blood, I felt the imaginary pages on my ebook start to smolder. It makes me sort of sad that we traded a portion of the hilarious banter in book 1 for more intensity in book 2, but I would rather this happen than feel like I'm reading the same story over and over. Casper didn't quite reach Criminy proportions of charm, but it was great to see him find some peace in the mess of heartache he'd had to endure.

"You make me remember things I thought were lost forever," he whispered.

Interestingly enough, my favorite character turned out to be a feisty scrap of a teenager. Keen stole the show. I absolutely adored her and found Casper's attachment to her to be so sweet and lovely to witness.

Maybe in book 3 we'll get some more pirate action. That would be awesome! Whatever's up next, I'll happily go along for the ride. I think I've fallen more in love with the land of Sang than any character, so at least this way, I'll get to look forward to spending more time with my love in the future. Three cheers for that!

What can I leave you with? How about a dose of Delilah Dawson's humor?

""My niece gets vertigo."
"Around here, we call that a case of the shits."

"Unicorns aren't magical and beautiful. They're just predatory horses that have horns and love to eat virgins."

Yes, the little things amuse me.

This book provided from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes mentioned are from the pre-published copy and may not be present in the final copy.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's always been something about Casper Sterling and it only became more prominent after Trish's "rejection" in Wicked As They Come. Right at the start, Casper comes face to face with Ahnastasia and the dance begins between predator and prey. Ahnastasia is the long lost Princess of Freesia and has been missing...and presumed dead for four long years. She has to trust in Casper that he is telling her the truth and that he will help her and Casper has to trust that she will not kill him.

Yes, the book is somewhat patterned after the Princess Anastasia story but don't let that stop you from reading it as it almost did me. I'm not sure why I have this constant ebb and pull regarding these books especially since I was sooo drawn to the first one, Wicked As They Come. I really need to quit questioning it because at fifteen percent, I was already under the book's thrall. The way that DSD tells a story simply captivates you and leaves you wanting more. I could not put the book down.

The first book and the last novella have been leading up to and giving us clues about Casper. Now we finally get to know the truth. All along we have known that something wasn't right with Casper but were unsure exactly what it was. It was intriguing...and a little unsettling - to find out the circumstances of his undoing especially since it involved one of my favorite characters.

I took to Ahnastasia right away....how could you not? I loved the way DSD created her and her "princess" persona. Reading about how she learned to be humble and humane was wonderful...it was never degrading and I enjoyed that.

Casper and Ahna together? so much passion. I loved how much he affected her after just one kiss and it was interesting to find out how he felt about her all along. The time at La Jamala was simply wonderful....I loved every minute of it and won't think of Truth or Dare the same ~ or Walt Whitman's Song of Myself.

And as different...aka weird, as this series is, The bluds are very much vampires. Never is that more apparent than this story. It was interesting hearing about all the type of foods that were coated with blood or made into candies and all the subtle differences in the taste of blood. Seems like it would be a little gross but it doesn't come off that way.

I thought Keen was amazing! Her struggles regarding what happened to her were sad but she is such a fighter and it was a little crazy how things unfolded. I really enjoyed when she took Ahna to Ruby Lane...it was funny how they escaped and how Keen assisted Ahna.

All through these stories, we've heard about the different animals....especially bludbunnies. Well, I have a new favorite and its the blud unicorn!! I loved how DSD set up the relationship between the unicorn and the bludded peacock!

And thankfully we do get a scene with my favorite character. I was sooo happy to read about Criminy again even if it was only a quickie. I loved what him and Trish did for Ahna and Casper.

The only things that bothered me was at the end...I thought the "battle" ended a bit too easily although the part with the ring was ingenious. And....I can't imagine Casper at the end being happy just being a Maestro and writing books. The earlier Casper? maybe.

Next up is another novella and the third story which will be in Paris. The first chapter was included but I couldn't bring myself to read it. Right now, I'm more curious if there will be more of the ongoing story line and of course, more Criminy.


Favorite quotes:

♥ "He has stolen my first kiss, the bastard."

♦ "Sorry, princess," he said. "But your Mario is in another castle."

♦ "It's not my fault I have vampire swagger."

♥ “I need you, not it. And I’m done being used. If you’re going to take from me, you’re going to start giving back, and I’ll start with your heart.”

[Anzû · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning. Review might contain minor spoilers. Read at your own risk.

“Death has to be better than this.”

A quote by Casper, the friendly vampire. You are right, my dear Casper. You are entirely right.

I have to start by saying that this has to be one of the ugliest covers I’ve seen in a while.

I was having high hopes for Wicked as She Wants because I really enjoyed the previous book in this series, Wicked as They Come . It wasn’t the best book out there, and I can never call it one of my favorites, but Dawson managed to create a very unique and intriguing universe. I also loved the characters, especially Criminy Stain. Yum. Casper on the other hand always managed to piss me off. He was better in this book, but I still don’t like the dude.

Anastasia, the wonderful MC, was also meh.

Yes, I know her name is Ahnastasia, and I don’t give a shit I’m never calling her that because it’s idiotic. She is Anastasia. Period. If you want to give your characters fancy names at least try harder. Don’t add extra letters for no reason.

Anyways, Anastasia is some sort of Blud princess. She looks like a teenage girl, all frail, short and underdeveloped. Not disturbing at all.

Most people mistake her for a teenager. Casper, of course, doesn’t. Karen Marie Moning would be proud.

I didn’t like Anastasia. She’s too messed up in the head and is a walking cliché. I could not relate to her, I did not like the way she was thinking. I pretty much didn’t like anything related to her. That’s that. I cannot enjoy a romance novel where I hate both main characters. Simple as that.

Some books can make up for the sucky main characters by giving the readers an awesome villain. Wicked as She Wants presented a good villain throughout the book and I was having high hopes for, you know, lots of pain and suffering coming from her. Ravenna, our villain, was a joke. She was supposed to be a bloodthirsty tyrant, and she ended up being a stupid ass vamp that was easily defeated by the main characters. She was present in ONE CHAPTER, in which she also died. How is that a villain? What about all the vamps that tried to defeat her and failed? How did she become the ruler of Sang, or whatever, while she was such a fucking idiot? I cannot seem to understand this. Meh.

And the cheese! Omg, the cheese!

“I have wanted you since the first moment I saw you. Even half-dead, you were more alive than any woman I’ve ever met.”

I highly doubt it. You were madly in love with Tish in Wicked as They Come as far as I remember.

It had been too long since I had looked at a Freesian calendar, and I didn’t know how close we might be to the Sugar Snow Ball.

The Sugar Snow Ball?!

Where all the big bad vamps go to have fun. So badass!

He leaned over my back, his lips warm against my ear. “You may be a princess, but you belong to me.”

Gag.

My beast purred for him […]

Gag.

I felt like a bludmare running away with the reins pulled taut by a masterly rider.

Now this is getting ridiculous… Bludmare? Reins? Master rider??!

Ew.

It’s sad because Wicked as She Wants had potential and imho could have been much better with different characters. I don’t think I’m going to bother with the next book. There was a short preview for it at the end of the book and I did not like what I saw. It seemed very immature and, surprise surprise, cheesy.

So, the conclusion. Is Wicked as She Wants worth your money? No, it’s not. Unless you’re a Romance junkie, then go ahead and buy it. If you are picky, like me, then you should probably borrow it from someone and spend your precious money on something better.

[Vanessa theJeepDiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I don’t know how to be sorry, Casper. For a princess, I’m not a bit tamed.”

That quote really sums Ahnastasia up. She is haughty and proud. She is the Blud Princess after all. She is so far above the Pinkies that are helping her. She had this air of superiority throughout most of Wicked as She Wants. Ahna was difficult for me to connect to for this reason. She is the product of her raising. She is exactly as she should be. Had she been written kinder or more compassionate she would not have been the Blud Princess. Her character was just as she should be and because the story is told solely from her point of view readers get a ton of arrogance with a side of Casper and Keen.

“It’s endearing how often you threaten to kill me. That’s practically flirting to you isn’t it darlin’?”

Ah Casper, the handsome Stranger that never gets the girl. The man who has fallen so many times he is bound to forget which way is up. Casper is too much of an adorable flirt for you to not wish him a happily ever after. He just needs his wounds to be soothed a little first and Ahna is not the soothing type. The transition from Stranger to Sang has been rough on him. Ahna never cuts him any slack. She even manages to make his life more difficult at times. For reasons unbeknownst to me he decides to assist her in her quest to take back what is rightfully hers. I often found myself questioning his decisions regarding this quest.

Ahna’s journey from ragged valise to the Sugar Snow Ball was a necessity. The maddened half dead Blud Princess readers meet at the beginning of the book would not have made a good ruler. The woman who learned of life and empathy on the road and in the air with two Pinkies deserved all she fought for in the end. Ahna was a difficult read for me. I never liked her. I began to respect her at some point, but she was not someone I could relate to.

I love the quirkiness that is Sang. The similarities to our world but the vast differences make this such an interesting fantasy world to escape to. There are very few places where someone can demand another to jump through a nipple. The world of Sang is far too interesting to not read the Blud books.

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was at first excited to hear that the second book in the Blud series would be about Casper, who we met in book 1. We didnt see much of him, and although there was supposed to be a love-triangle going on between him and Leticia and Criminy, I felt no chemistry between him and Leticia. But that was fine because she was going to choose Criminy anyway. And I figured that his character would be developed more in book two. This is not the first sequel to focus on a supported or minor character from the previous book, and I know how this sort of thing usually works. But there really wasnt much of a difference between Casper's character in book 1 and 2. I didnt feel like we really knew him. I didnt feel much of anything for him. But I still liked him infinitely more than Ahnastasia.

Ahnastasia is an uppity, spoiled, evil bitch. She was the princess of Freesia, which is a neighbouring country to Sangland. In Freesia Bludmen rule and humans are no more than slaves, treated like cattle. When she wakes up in Sangland in Casper's bar, she just wants to kill him, drain him, and put his head on a platter. It takes her over half the book before she starts to have even the slightest bit of a conscience. She turns out ok in the end, but it took her way too long to get there for me to have enjoyed the book.

I still love the world of Blud. Its a great, unique concept, but I really would have preferred if it continued with the story of Leticia and Criminy. I felt like their story wasnt over. And they had amazing chemistry! Casper and Ahnastasia had some hot scenes, but I never really got them as a couple. Leticia was so much more deserving of his love. I think I also hated Keen a bit. She was a young girl of undetermined age, who Ahnastasia eventually grew to think of as a little sister. But she was so troublesome! Things would have been so much easier for them if Keen wasnt there. She was always in the way and so unrepentant about everything she did.

The story was interesting enough, if a bit slow. Ahnastasia convinced Casper to escort her back to Freesia where she could reclaim her country. The travel took a bit longer than I would have liked, but I really enjoyed it once they arrived in Freesia, especially the Sugar Snow Ball. It was such an interesting concept and it sounded beautiful. I would have loved to see it. I also really enjoyed the scene where Ahnastasia turned Casper. I have never seen it done like that in any Vampire books, and I think it was the best scene in the book.

I will still be reading book 3, Wicked After Midnight, which is again about supporting characters from book 1. Unfortunately I dont remember them at all, but that may not affect the read for me.

ARC provided by NetGalley on behalf of Threshold Pocket Books, in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casper, devastated by his life choices, has sunk to the bottom of his blud wine bottle. Working at a lowly pub, he is accosted by a once beautiful but now drained Bludwoman. The woman's feeble attempts at attacking the drunk Casper is easily deterred. It is quickly discovered that his attacker is the long-missing Blud Princess Ahnastasia.

Ahnastasia wakes up starving in her own suit case. Hearing a beautiful melody, she follows the sound to a handsome man that’s life blood just might save her. Quickly finding herself captured by her prey, the shock of her circumstances is overwhelming. Not only was she kidnapped, drained and stuffed into a suit case...her parents were executed, her sister is missing as well and her is brother apparently spelled by the witch Ravenna. Ahnastasia is sure Ravenna is behind all her misfortune.

An unlikely alliance is forged and Casper, along with his side kick Keen, agree to help Ahnastasia recover her kingdom from Ravenna’s rule. The journey is treacherous but facing Ravenna might be the end of them all.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I am a steampunk junky and Wicked as She Wants was a fabulous steampunk adventure with so much more. The slow-building romance between Ahnastasia and Casper was incredible to experience. I really loved the personal growth of Ahnastasia from the arrogant princess/monster to a compassionate but strong leader. Keen was such a great addition to the cast of characters! All three of them had issues, character flaws, but it made these fictitious characters more relatable. Delilah Dawson magically molded together a fabulous steampunk story of Bludman, steamy romance, airships, brothels, unlikely friendships, and political machinations.

This ARC copy of Wicked as She Wants was given to me by Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Since Casper Sterling, The Maestro, has been a side character in the last book (and in the last short) I was surprised to see that in his book he is not the main POV. And Wicked as She Wants is rough in the begining because the leading lady, princess Ahnastasia, starts out an arrogant spoiled and murderous bloodsucking brat - so not very likable - and Casper is a drunken mess.

So even though Tish (Wicked as They Come) 'glanced' (foresaw) a HEA for Casper, it was really hard to imagine even at the half way point of the book how that was going to come about. But never fear, both Casper and Ahna become their best selves together, have an adventure, find love and save a kingdom before all is said and done - I loved Ahna's transition and Casper's too and I was really glad to at last find out the real reason behind the Maestro's fall.

For fans, this is slow to roll, but it is worth it in the end - plus there is a nice little cameo for Criminy and Tish. For series newbies, the world building is not completely revisited, so it isn't clear for most of the book that this world is an alternate to ours set in an steampunk era Great Britain (and Imperial Russia) with many animals that in our world having a predatory blood drinking counterpart (Blud Bunnies, Horses, Unicorns...), and present day humans do cross over into this world from time to time.

Bottom line, I did end up liking this book - the ending 'makes' the romance and airships, pirates, and such 'make' the journey - and it looks like it's back to Criminy's Carnival next for another little short, The Damsel and the Daggerman, before before it's off to the Blud world equivalent of Paris in Wicked After Midnight.

[Lori {Romancing the Dark Side} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on Romancing the Dark Side:

A wicked sequel filled with more adventure, thrills and sexiness!

Wicked As She Wants follows the handsome musician Casper Sterling (whom we first met in Wicked As They Come) as he meets his match in a wild blud princess that drives him crazy in more ways than one! Our story begins when Princess Ahnastasia is awakened by the sounds of music and finds herself near death and in a suitcase. The music calls to Ahnastasia but her bloodlust overpowers her senses that lead to a predatory encounter with none other than Casper, a Stranger she'll have to rely on in order to get back home and claim what's been taken from her.

I liked Casper from the moment I met him in Wicked As They Come and was super excited when I found out he would be the main character in the second book in the series...he needs his happy ending! Casper is on his own, doing what he does best, playing music and being a loner. He's a tortured soul who charms you with his easy going personality and flirtations. I knew he would need a fiery counterpart to break through all those walls and Ahnastasia's strong personality and devil-may-care attitude when it comes to Casper makes her a worthy love interest...even when their relationship starts off as a nightmare!

Ahnastasia is a formidable heroine and a great match for Casper. Ahna is a true Blud princess in every sense of the word and she flawlessly exudes all the superiority and regal qualities you expect. She comes off as a spoiled princess for most of the book (think along the lines of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire), making it difficult to connect with her character but I found myself warming up to her in those few moments when she let her guard down and shows a little vulnerability. Ahna's journey home to assert her throne was one of self preservation and self discovery. Casper and his teenage charge, Keen, give Ahna a dose of the tough love she's long needed and open her eyes to a whole new world, so to speak. The dynamic of these three characters is fantastic and keeps you turning the page.

The romance between Ahna and Casper is a little tumultuous, but organic. Sure, their first encounter almost ends in bloodshed, but luckily things take a turn for the better. It was fun to watch the flirty banter between them turn into something more. I kept my fingers crossed for some sexy moments between Ahna and Casper and Ms. Dawson did not disappoint! Each character is full of passion which makes for a red-hot romance that adds to the brilliant storytelling.

This second installment delivers an amazing adventure of vampires, airship brothels, pirates and yes, an appearance by none other than Van Helsing! Ms. Dawson's world building is phenomenal and puts you right in the middle of her victorian steampunkery, paranormal world of Bludmen and Pinkies...bloodthirsty unicorns included! The mix of history, the paranormal and pop culture is pure genius and makes the story truly stand out in the genre. I must confess I'm a huge Criminy Stain fan and was thrilled by his small cameo in Wicked As She Wants, but Casper won me over as the hero and intrigued me from beginning to end with his effortless sex appeal. Larger than life characters and unpredictability make this a supernatural adventure that's hard to put down. Delilah S. Dawson has made me fall in love with her characters all over again!

{ebook courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.}

[Kira · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s amazing that I even finished this book. It was awful! I had really liked Wicked as They Come, so I figured this would be good too. This was soooo disappointing. It’s a spin on the story of Anastasia but with vampires. Ahnasatsia was drained and assumed to be dead for years. She woke up weak and hungry and Casper happened to be there. She treated him like shit, and for some unknown reason he kept being nice to her. Treating people like scum was the norm for her since she was a princess, but it did not make for an entertaining read.

I didn’t like any of the characters. Ahna was a bitch. She was more appealing as the story went on but not enough to actually say I like her. She was way too selfish. Casper was a doormat. He just went along with whatever Ahna wanted. The romance was dull. I really could have cared less if they were together or not. Keen (Casper’s sidekick) was a selfish brat who served no real purpose in the story.

The plot was lame. Ahna’s family was killed so she had to go back home to take control of Freesia from the person who killed her family. Through most of the book she was traveling incognito to get there. Half of the people she encountered knew who she was anyway. The big showdown at the end was short and highly anti-climatic. The enemy was too easy to overthrow. This book was not worth my time.

[Kara-karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked As She Wants is absolutely fabulous, my dear readers! Swashbuckling, steampunkish, fangy adventure with a lost princess who needs to exact vengeance on her family murderers, and a brooding man who has nothing left to lose and needs redemption.

I loved it from the bloody beginning to its dark end.

The book starts when Casper whom we know from Wicked As They Come finds Ahnastasia stuffed in an old trunk and drained to the brink of death. Yes, she is a princess from cold northern Freesia (the equivalent of Romanov Russia), a country where a witch instigated a coup and now rules as a regent for a young and very unstable Blud prince Alexander.

Ahnastasia and Casper make an unholy alliance. He'll help her to get back to Freesia, and Ahna will make him a court musician.

Of course, nothing as simple as it seems. Ahnastasia is an arrogant, spoiled girl who thinks of humans as slaves and who plans to kill Casper and his young ward, Keen as soon as she gets what she wants, and Casper... Well, that man has a death wish for reasons I won't mention.

Slowly through their mad, exciting adventures their perception of each other as individuals and as species change, and they constantly evolve as characters.

Ahna is a fantastic heroine. She is unpredictable, volatile and ever so alive. You can feel all her emotions. She reminds me of mercury as a chemical element - dangerous, but contained and always moving.

Casper is not only edgy, hot and charming, he is disarmingly truthful to her and himself. He doesn't do angst and he is very practical, and at the same time he is not some sort of carbon copy of a hero, he is flawed, he is relatable.

Keen - his teenage delinquent helper/ward, is an awesome addition to this book. She is super snarky, street smart and a pure delight to read about.

Overall, I think that Miss Dawson grew as a writer a lot with her second book. This was a really fantastic read with just enough adventure and romance to appeal to all. Bravo! Highly recommended.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...

WICKED AS SHE WANTS IS BLUDDY GOOD

Gosh, I love this series! It started off with the story of Criminy Stain and Tish, a stranger from our world who found herself naked in Sang in WICKED AS THEY COME. With that start Dawson throws us head first into a romantic steampunkery of Bludmen and Pinkies in a world roughly formed like ours but stuck in a sort of Victorian world where two species try to live together although one is prey and the other hunter; one is food and the other the predator. It is in an alternate parallel world. People can fall through from our world to this one.

But, where that could be nasty and horrific it is instead, in Delilah's hands, darkly romantic and sighingly sexy.

That dark romance continues here with the debauched pianist from our world, Casper. We first met him in Criminy's caravan. He was into Tish, but she chose Criminy. We then meet him again in The Peculiar Pets of of Miss Pleasance (released April 1). In neither book does he seem like a particularly nice man. Somehow his experiences with Miss Pleasance's pet shop have given him a bit more moral fiber. He also seems to have acquired a young ward form our world, Keen. She's a teenage girl; street wise, rebellious, not careful enough.

He picks up a damsel in distress -- a princess of the blud in a valise, actually. Ahanastasia is the equivalent of the Anastasia of Romanov legend. There's something like a Rasputin at the palace and she has taken over. Casper has to get them to Russia Freesia from London. Not so easy.

Why is Casper so handsome and charming, but then but occasionally rough, uncouth, strange and tortured?
And, of course, it is a love story. Love is the other side of the proverbial coin. Delilah employs the hate to love trope; but not in a sudden unwarranted change.

After creating the wonderful, luscious Criminy Stain, a bludman who falls for a human, what do you do for an encore? Well you create a human who falls for a female bludman and throw in Keen, his young ward, as a complication. I always fall right into Delilah's characters:

Casper is talented, unique, and complicated. He is noble but occasionally dinshonorable. While Casper is indubitably hot, he isn't puckish like Criminy. For me Criminy is a bit more luscious. But, no one would kick him out of bed for eating crackers either.
Ahnastasia is unusual in her ability to overcome her trials and the situation in which she finds herself. She also learns things about herself; truths she hadn't quite allowed herself to know. In the journey to her destiny she learns what kind of ruler she wants to be.
Keen reminds me of a young Tatum O'Neal in PAPER MOON (Yes, I just dated myself) -- an impish troublemaker with a quick temper occasionally running to revenge. Keen seems to tether and tame Casper from the scroundrel he became in earlier books.

The book moves fast, and I gobbled up page after page. Delilah offers fantastic imagery from the towns to costume, to conveyance to Bluddy Peacocks. It is really hard to stop reading the book and do anything else.

The romance is really nice, ending up on quite a steamy note, as the couple overcomes internal and external obstacles, plus Keen's impeccable timing and violent temper, to be together. The epic quest for the crown is very familiar. It is just that an epic quest: for purpose, for self and for duty.

Within the series this is an absolute MUST READ. If you like steampunk that doesn't belabor the machinery at the expense of story and romance, it is a MUST READ. If you are at all a fan of action paranormal romance and like a novel that leaves you wishing you were in it, it is a MUST READ.

[Cat Russell (Addicted2Heroines) · Rating 5 out of 5]

* * * 4.5 Stars * * *

Just as with Wicked as They Come, I finished this story thinking about how this novel could easily have been drawn out and made into its own fantastic series. The characters were amusing and full of personality, the settings were lively and original and the story line quickly pulled me in.

By the time the conclusion arrived I was very pleased by how incredibly entertaining the story was, but saddened by the fact that the journey with these particular characters had ended.

In the Blud series debut, the story was told from the female protagonist's point of view, but she was undoubtedly overshadowed by her love interest. I'm fairly certain that my review went something like "I love Criminy! XOXO Mrs. Criminy Stain 4ever." But with Wicked as She Wants, instead of being captivated by the male lead, I was very much in to the ice princess Ahnastasia Feodor.

Ahnastasia was a character who originally presented herself as selfish, violent, and arrogant. While I admittedly find these traits amusing to read about, it was obvious that her character was going to have to make some improvements if she were to remain likable. So, as the story progressed, her background was explored more thoroughly and her feelings and motivations behind her actions became easier to understand.

While Ahna had plenty of flaws, like her views on the status of Pinkies and her slight obsession with wanting to decapitate anyone she found disagreeable, I admired her fierce determination, her bravery, and her loyalty to her bludmen. When she discovered that she was kidnapped and left to die, her family murdered, and that someone had taken her place as the rightful ruler of Freesia, she was willing to do absolutely anything to return home and reclaim Freesia from the false queen. This included using the Pinky who rescued her and the young girl, Keen, that he watched over.

Casper Sterling, a character that Blud fans will know from Wicked as They Come and The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance, finds Ahna and nurses her back to health. They form an uneasy alliance and, along with Keen, make the dangerous journey to Freesia.

While I enjoyed Casper's character, he initially didn't make much of an impression on me. And at times it felt like there was more development put in to Keen's character as opposed to Ahna's potential love interest. It wasn't until much later in the story when some significant changes occur with his character that Casper really grabbed my interest.

When the dynamics changed in the relationship between Casper and Ahna, things really heated up and we're rewarded with a very intense and incredibly hot scene that was definitely one of the most memorable in the story.

If you're looking for a paranormal romance set in a remarkable world with fascinating characters written by an amazing author who consistently delivers the best, then the Blud series is a must-read.


http://www.addicted2heroines.com/2013...

[Francesca the Fierce (Under the Covers Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember it was a time much like this last year when I first picked up WICKED AS THEY COME. It was a debut novel and I had gotten an ARC and had left it sitting around. I’m not going to lie, it was because the guy wearing the top hat in the cover scared me a bit. Then I finished reading it and went to the RT convention and that book was the topic of more conversations I had with my friends that any other!

Delilah S. Dawson has created one of the most original and refreshing worlds in a time when I thought it had all been done before and nothing could shake me up. Much like Jeaniene Frost did with her Night Huntress series, Ms. Dawson defies genres and can’t be pinned down to one. Yes, this is steampunk, but not only that. And yes, there are blood suckers and all kinds of scary creatures. But along with the scary, the original and the amazing stories, these books are also sexy romances! They have it all!

If you are not reading the Blud series, you are missing out! This is a series I would recommend to anyone and everyone that will sit still long enough for me to tell them all the crazy things they can come to expect.

But I’ve strayed long enough, let me tell you about WICKED AS SHE WANTS. We met Casper, the hero, in the first book. He was kind of, sort of, the other guy for the heroine. But never one convincing enough that you would root for her to end up with him.

Ms. Dawson has taken him on quite a character evolution throughout the series. Every book we’ve seen him in has shown a different side to him, and WICKED AS SHE WANTS shows even more depth. And I wanted to eat him up! Casper is such an addicting, conflicting and just amazing character. I am staking my claim, I wantsssssss him!

But not only is Casper amazing, Ahnastasia was not what I expected for him to be paired up with. She’s a strong heroine, a little blud thirsty, a leader in her own way but she was also able to show some vulnerability. I think this was a perfect pair!

I only missed the traveling circus of the first book a bit, but we still got plenty of strange places, such as the brothel airship. The story of Casper helping Ahnastasia to regain her throne was full of twists and turns. Some blud, some action and some smex! I couldn’t have been happier.

The only thing I regret? Finishing the book! I don’t want to wait another year to be back in this amazing place. Please write faster!

*ARC provided by publisher

[Dark Faerie Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: This book has it all. It has vampires, romance, murder, revenge, steampunk and a special secret. To find out what that secret is you must read this amazing book.

Opening Sentence: I don’t know which called to me more, his music or his blood.

The Review:

This story took me by surprise on many levels. I was not sure I was going to like this story at first, but I got so into this story that I could not put it down. I finished reading this book at 2:30 in the morning. This story is about the vampire Princess Ahnastasia. She wakes up almost drained to death and in a suitcase, to the sound of a man singing. Somehow even almost dead she tries to attack the man and fails. This is a good thing because the man – Casper, is her only hope of figuring out who put her in the trunk and getting home to save her country.

Ahna is your typical princess, except she is a vampire. She is prissy, overconfident, and thinks she is above everyone, especially Pinkies, which is what vampires or Bludmen, call humans. She is unlike the rest of her family in that her hair is almost the color of butter and she has ice blue eyes that she must hide so no one recognizes her. In the beginning of the book it was hard to like Ahna because she is so superior, but at the same time you have to feel for her. Someone has tried to kill her and has succeeded in destroying almost all of her family. As the story progresses I really started to like Ahna. She stopped being so haughty and was actually a good person. She was tough, smart and actually kind. She also started to realize that everything she was taught was not how things really should be and she wanted to be able to change her world, as long as she stayed alive long enough to do so.

Casper was also wonderful. He is a drunken musician, who went from having everything to playing his harpsichord in a bar. Something in his past has made him reckless and very depressed. In the beginning he was even a little suicidal. Casper was such a good guy. Even though Ahna tried to kill him when she first came out of her suitcase he still decides to help her get home and save her country. Casper is your typical hero in looks, blond, golden skin, brooding, charming, and mysterious. Casper is keeping secrets though, beyond anything you can imagine. If nothing else than to learn Casper’s secrets it is worth reading this story.

The last major character is Keen. Keen is a ruffian, orphan girl who Casper has taken under his wing to protect. He does this because she too shares the same secret. Keen is probably my favorite character. She is your typical teenage girl in some ways and in other ways she is so much more. When things do not go her way she throws a tantrum and sulks, but even when things get tough she does not give up. She is so brave and knows how to take care of herself. Unfortunately, she is also a trouble maker. She was living on the streets before meeting Casper so she has become very adept at pick pocketing which has the tendency to get her into trouble.

I truly enjoyed this book and part of what made this book was the steampunk. There were a lot of different clockwork creatures throughout the story such as a bee that circled a woman’s head, a fox with wings that walked around, and a turtle that uncurled from a ball with a push of a button. Also the clothes they wore were symbolic of steampunk, such as top hats and goggles. Another part that made this book a good read was the mention of many mythical creatures such as unicorns and krakens. My favorite part is the secret that Keen and Casper share. It is something that once I figured it out, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it before. I suggest every adult read this book especially if you enjoy vampires and steampunk because what goes together better than vampire, romance and steampunk?

Notable Scene:

Body Parts, shiny skulls, deformed fetuses floating in large jars, a stuffed child covered in lizard scales, and a woman’s head mounted on a plaque. Keen kept walking, but I stopped to stare. That woman- I knew her. Correction: had known.

She wasn’t labeled. And I could tell that the eyes were made of glass, because the color was a little off. But the hair was real and arranged with care, and the earbobs dangling from her ears had surely been borrowed from my mother’s boudoir without permission.

“See something you need?” Keen shivered and turned to the next shop.

I put a glove to the ice-cold glass. “Olgha,” I said stiffly.

“My sister.”

FTC Advisory: Pocket Books/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Wicked As She Wants. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each new book I read in this series continues to 'wow' me. I love that while the tone and worldbuilding remain consistently the same wonderful world of the Blud series, the new lead characters in each one lend their story individuality and unique plotting. Some series have a formulaic plot particularly when it comes to the romance- not this one. And thus, its a toss up which story couple I like the most. That being said, I was more than eager to see Casper get his story because the poor guy has been the rejected suitor twice over now. It's a good thing he comes across as the confident, charismatic fellow that he does because the author set him up with one humdinger of a heroine to woo- none other than this alternate world's version of the last Romanov princess and heir to the throne of the Bludmen.

The story opens with Ahnastasia, the Blud Princess, waking up nearly drained and trapped in a suitcase that is being stored in a lowly Bludmen pub in the worst part of London. She is woken to the melancholy sounds of a pinkie's voice and playing of a harpsichord. First Ahna tries the to treat the pinkie like food and then realizes that she is so weak that she must bide her time using the pinkie to help her- then she can drain him.

But Casper Sterling is no ordinary pinkie. He takes Ahna's measure and knows she has plans for him, but he feels he has hit bottom with little to lose. The blud princess amuses him with her autocratic ways more than anything. Her plight seems as good as any adventure to pull him out of his drunken depression so he agrees to help her win back her kingdom. With the help of a young pinkie who Casper takes care of, they set out as an unlikely group to cross Sangland by bus and take to the skies to get to the blud kingdom of Freesia.

Along the way, they meet up with assassins, prostitutes, pirates, a usurper to the throne and other forms of adventure. The most dangerous adventure of all is that of the attraction between the blud princess and the maestro who is more than he seems.

The plot on this one reminded me of one of the old-fashioned high fantasy adventure journeys where a small band of unlikely heroes sets off to achieve the impossible. It was great getting to venture out into the world beyond Sangland and learn more about the other races inhabiting the world particularly the bludmen. The blend of action and character development was a nice switching of pace in the plot. There were slower moments when the characters are growing individually or in a relationship, but it isn't boring.

The characters are both people who have a lot of growing to do. Casper has had a hard row to hoe up until now and he has his moments of trying to dull the pain in drink. He knows what he is becoming through his own early mistake and he knows he is responsible for his career tanking, but he's not a whiner. In fact, Casper is a true hero because he does heroic acts for someone who until late in the story cannot even appreciate his actions or character. Ahna is a well-written character too and she's the narrator of the story. At first, I really hated her. She was the total ice princess who saw Casper and other pinkies as mere cattle- food. She planned to use him up and toss him aside to get what she wanted. While rescuing her people from a usurper who has let the kingdom go to pot is a valid quest, it was the way she went about it and assumed that getting her throne back was the best thing for her people. I loved watching her grow as she journeyed through the world and adventured with Casper and Keen, the orphan who travels with him. Her thoughts and reactions to things are telling. At first, I couldn't imagine what Casper saw in her, but then their relationship grew on me as she matured into someone who deserved to rule a kingdom.

I found this quote from Casper to Ahna hilarious and very telling about their relationship: "It's endearing how often you threaten to kill me. That's practically flirting to you, isn't it darling?"

All in all, it was a thrilling story full of adventure and romance that kept me captivated from cover to cover. I suggest that this be read in series order and I recommend it to those who enjoy steampunk and paranormal romance.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing a copy of the book for review purposes.

[K.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book was Alice in wonderland... now we have the story of Anastasia. From the Gothic Setting of Wonderland (Tim Burton's STYLE!!) to the snow white setting of Russia. And yes!!! Once again, the Blud series had given us one of its delicious sequal featuring our former lovelorn Casper, the Stranger in the land of Sang.

Spoilers ALERT!!!

The book started at around 2 years after the first one (I Think), the great Maestro had fallen. His Blud drinking had turned him half bludded and halfmad.. so much so that he was beginning to feel that it was really gonna be his final fall... then came along a drained vampire, locked in a luggage, who awakened to his music and attacked him on first sight. Ahnastasia was the princess of Blood and Ice, a born royalty and a real blueblood. But she was kidnapped, drained and trapped into unconsciousness for over 4 years. She found Casper and obviously, she wanted to make him her next meal. After all, all Pinkies(humans) are servants to Bludmen, born and bred to service and feed the Bluds. Casper, obviously was not gonna stay still and let the small drained bludwoman to suck him dry.

Both their first impression were obviously not the best ones. But somehow, Casper ended up promised to help Ahna to reach her land in Freesia (obviously Russia) and helped her kill Ravenna and retrieve her rightful throne.. a huge task.

I truly love Ahna's characters. She was definitely ethereally beautiful and dainty and haughty and smug and a true royal. She looked down on the Pinkies as a servant and felt no remorse about it. Ahna was raised that way. She was raised to be a princess, a national treasure to be awed and to be worshiped. She didn't feel that her way was wrong just like she accepted the cruelty of her family. I was really really impressed with Ahna in many ways. Especially her mindset.

One of the example was that despite the fact that her sister Ohlga was cruel to her in their lives together, Ahna still honoured her as a princess and hoped to revenge her. Although she had also hoped to torment Ohlga had she survived. Ahna could differentiate well in her roles as a princess and a sister. Her disliked for her sister didn't mean that she had to sully her sister's title.

Most of all she knew that life as a princess was never easy. she was a princess and a pawn to her nation. She didn't have a loving parents but that didn't mean that her childhood was without love. She learnt to get it elsewhere like from her nursemaid. She was also willing to sacrifice her freedom for her birthright. Perhaps, she was selfish but I believe everyone should be selfish about their own desires. Just that we should not let our selfishness hurt others. and that was what Ahna had to learn. that her desire affected many and there were consequences especially those with power.

And how I loved her cruelty and bloodthirstiness. She was a through and through Bludwoman. She would rip head off quite easily as drinking Bludtea. She was perfect for Casper, the Stranger.

Casper's attraction to Ahna was not obvious until later on but it was definitely there since the start. Perhaps he knew and hoped that she would be his salvation as glanced by Lady Letitia. and their interaction was fun and sassy and very very bloodthirsty. Casper's vulnerability as a pinky helped to set Ahna in new mindset. How she never saw a Pinky any more than food, she now saw something more in Casper and his irritating companion Keen.

The book was the alteration of Ahnastasia.. how she turned from the haughty princess to a great queen and not just any great queen who rule her country well but a great strong and powerful queen who could probably change the world and get whatever thing she desired.. and Casper was the main reason for that change.

Another overall well done book!! 4.5 stars

[Visionary Druid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been eagerly awaiting this book since September (2012) and after finishing Wicked as they Come. Which came highly recommended by a friend and the author Meljean Brooks. The two plus Delilah answered my desperate call for more steampunk...

Delilah created such a wonderful world in Sang. So neat to see a world almost identical to ours but twisted and warped. Gotta love the Blud. What we believe as fairy tales in our world are considered dangerous in Sang... My views after Wicked as she Wants is I'll never think of a unicorn the same again!

But yes... Casper we met in Wicked as They Come... So the first book is necessary to learn the behind the scenes with him. Where he came from. What he was considered in his world. In the start of WASW he's wounded emotionally and like most who cannot cope he turned to a source.

So when he and Ahna first met he was sarcastic, taunting, and brooding. But throughout it all it did not take from his good looks or his intense talent with music. Then a haughty wasted princess enters the picture...

Ahna is everything people associate with princesses: haughty, vain, selfish. I really did not like her very much but was amused by the byplay and banter between her and Casper, how Casper dealt with her snobbishness.

Then, step-by-step through the story the two characters evolved, grew, changed. Ahna's behavior no longer bothered me and the person she was becoming I liked. And Casper changed more than just physically. With Ahna that deep wound inside started to heal.

And then there is Keen - smart-mouth teen companion. She was a riot and do hope we see more of her in future novels. I like her grit and guts. I had a squee moment when Criminy and Tish made a cameo appearance. And yes I laughed at several parts in there (the window and the guy saying he misses Def Leppard. Steve Clark! LOL)

Though I have to admit that the story is a bit darker but in no way did that deter me

[Mara]

I gave up on this book halfway thorough. I realize this author is very talented and the world she builds is an interesting one. Unfortunately what I could understand of it came from other people's review of Blud #1. The world was rich, the info on it pretty scarce (By the way what is blud, how is it different from blood?)

I don't think this would have normally been a problem. I guess some explanation is forthcoming in the second half of the book. Unfortunately I'm character-centred. And when you seriously dislike the only Pov you get, it makes for an untenable situation.

Ahna was a very difficult read for me. I never liked her. I'm wrong. I disliked her. She is everything I consider nasty: a rich, spoilt, useless brat. Her arrogance was ugly. I'm sure the plot would have brought me to respect her at some point, but I couldn't get to that point.

At 40% of the book I simply couldn't take her anymore. Why would I want to read about the unbearable queen-bee everyone of us has already met (and suffered) in high school?
Keen might be interesting, but she is a side character with nothing on her side except the lack of decision: grown-up or teen?

The hero was a mystery. No, I'm not talking exactly of his past. I'm talking of his present. Why does he decide to help her? A desire to die is hinted. There may be a hint of need (when Cora say she's halfblud). But they do not really add up. He really goes out a lot for her. And given who this woman is (and behaves), I really did not see his reasons.

At the end I couldn't really care. I'm moving this book in the DNF shelf for the moment. I'll decide whether to come back in the future.

DRC courtesy of Pocket Books and the author.

[Philisha Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, I'll admit a 2-star rating is not so fair considering I couldn't force myself to finish the book. The premise of the book was great. Blud princess gets put in suitcase for 4-years drained of blood and she is supposed to be sent to the taxidermist but is lost in transit. She comes out of her stupor at the scent of a handsome man, Casper. They go on grand adventure to try and reclaim her throne. Great story, right? Well, I didn't like the characters. The princess was snarky and I found no redeeming qualities in her within the first 100-pages. I wanted to quit reading at 50-pages but convinced myself it had to get better. The first 6-chapters Ahnastasia Feodor is a snarky self-important spoiled princess who grated on my nerves. The way she acted I couldn't care less if she got home, fed, or lived. Casper was not personable at all and for a reason unknown to the reader tried to help Ahnastasia. He's a letch and is mean and snarly to her. Finally by Chapter 7 there as a little something to keep me going when she found her sister's head in the taxidermist shop and had to get the ring. Then Chapter 8 blew it for me. There was no indication from either of the main characters that they cared about one another other than food for the princess. I was thrown for a loop (and not in a good way) when they kiss because it came across as forced intimacy. There was no sexual tension and the scene didn't fit. The princess has had no thoughts of Casper other than is blood smells good.

Needless to say, I couldn't force myself to finish reading it. If by chance this is the type of characters you like, then this may be the book for you. If there had been at least one character that didn't annoy me I would have at least finished it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahnastasia Feodor, the Blud Tsarina of Freesia (princess of Freesia) wakes up in a suitcase nearly drained of all her blood. After attempting to attack Casper Sterling, a drunk musician, she finds out that everyone believes that she is dead and her family was killed. Ravenna, a gypsy fortune teller is now ruling Freesia. Ahna's goal throughout the book is to get to Freesia and reclaim her royal status. Casper Sterling and his little orphan sidekick Keen lead the way with a lot of bumps in the road.

Ahnastasia's character started out as an ice princess that thought everyone was beneath her. She was uptight and to be honest not the kind of character I typically enjoy reading. Thankfully, her character evolved, or maybe I just got to know her better as the book went on. I adore Criminy Stain (from Wicked as They Come - book 1) and was intrigued and slightly tentative when I found out Casper would be a main character in Wicked as She Wants. I'll be honest, his character has come a long way from book 1 and even the novella (The Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance). His character has grown and I pretty much loved him from the start of this book.

One of the more entertaining scenes in the book is Casper, Ahna and Keen traveling on a flying brothel. That's right, I said a flying brothel. I never really know what to expect from D. Dawson's books plot-wise, the one thing I can count on is a amazing book that I can't put down. I highly suggest this series, and cannot wait until the next book is released.

[Sally Kilpatrick]

I adore Ahnastasia Feodor. I officially want to put someone's head on a platter just to be more like her. Ahna gets to tell the story, and I love her perspective on things we take for granted like, say, cats.

Even better? The treatment Casper Sterling gets in this novel. I liked his character in Wicked as They Come, but Dawson skillfully drew him as a worthy man but not Leticia's man. Then in the Peculiar Pets of Miss Pleasance, he emerged as even more sympathetic, but still not the right man for the heroine. Finally. Finally, Casper meets his match in the ice princess from Freesia. His transformation from indolent wastrel to honest-to-goodness alpha male with a purpose is stunning.

I am in awe of all that Dawson has going on in this novel. Both main characters--Ahna and Casper--grow and develop in surprising and delightful ways. Even Keen, the third biggest player in this novel, strikes the perfect balance as a supporting character. I'm hoping to read more about her in the future.There are tons of inside jokes and references back to Almanica--or, as we like to call it, modern day America. Best of all, The Blud World is still an exciting blend of steampunk, magic, and paranormal elements.

Adventure, romance, humor--Wicked as She Wants has them all in spades.

[Aya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blud: 2
This book takes place entirely in the alternate world of Sang and covers the story of Casper, who played a third in the romantic triangle in the previous book. Casper isn't doing too well after being rejected by Tish, having gone from celebrated musician to playing in seedy bars. Unfortunately, Casper isn't the main character, but the utterly selfish, extremely spoiled, and idiotically foolish Ahnastasia (fancifying an already fancy name is just ridiculous). This story draws from the real life story of Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia. I struggled to get through it. Ahna is a spoiled brat with no redeeming qualities, who displays uncharacteristic flashes maturity only when the plot requires it. The romance between the two is completely unbelievable, and the author falls back on the same old tired cliches of why the two can't be together in a desperate attempt to drum up drama. Also another negative - putting Casper on the cover when he's not the main character. I'm beginning to suspect the author hates women. None of her female characters have any admirable traits. Ugh, this book was a great disappointment, as I really enjoyed the first one in the series. And I still have no idea what wickedness has to do with the author's choice of titles.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We first met Casper Sterling in Wicked as They Come, the first book in the Blud series. He found himself in the new strange world after having a motorcycle crash that he never woke up from. He was a concert pianist in our world and is looked at as a musical master in the Blud world. He plays songs by Beethoven and Mozart and since the Pinkies (humans) and Bludman have not idea who they were he can take credit for the songs. He is a big Beetles fan as there are many mentions of Jude through Wicked as She Wants.

Casper fell in love with Tish the heroine of Wicked as They Come and after she picked a Bludman, Criminy Stain he started drinking his heartbreak away. Casper’s overindulging in Bludwine turned him half bludman. Leaving him with a blud craving that would either turn him mad or forcing him to become bludded, aka turning into a bludman.

Wicked as She Wants opens with Casper drunk and playing his harpsichord while being attacked by Ahnastasia. She has been stuffed into a suitcase and was never death, but because she is bludwoman she still had the strength to make an attempt to free herself.

After Casper escapes the feeble attack by Ahna, he decides to help her and nurse her back to health. Ahna is one of the missing princesses and wants to get back to her home in Fressia (similar to our Russia). With Casper’s help and his somewhat sidekick, Keen they make their way from London to Fressia so that Ahna can reclaim the throne and kill the evil witch who murdered her parents.

The chemistry between Casper and Ahna is a slow burn. They both have to overcome their prejudices against Pinkies and Bludman. Casper doesn’t care for Bludman and doesn’t want to become one, Ahna was raised to believe like most Bludman that Pinkies are for food and servants. Still, there is a strong attraction. A big mystery as to why Casper doesn’t seem to be a Pinkie and yet not a Bludman but Aha figures it out and uses his condition to her favor. She thinks she can get him to turn and use him as a tool to win her throne back. But once they get to know each other and she starts to have feelings for Casper she wants him bludded for different reasons.

Wicked as She Wants is a dark and fun journey from rags to riches in a wonderfully strange world with charismatic characters. I highly recommend the Blud series to fans of historical paranormal romance with a touch of steampunk. I have the next book, Wicked After Midnight on hold at the library and can’t wait to read it. I enjoy jumping back into this strange world. If you want to fully enjoy the series start with the first book, Wicked as They Come so you get the full feel of the world-building.

[She-Wolf Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

**An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

4.5 STARS!

I love this series. I do. I find the world to be wholly original; Dawson’s voice to be poetic, romantic, and smart; and the characters to be dynamic and absorbing. This follow-up to Dawson’s debut, WICKED AS THEY COME, is no exception. Taking her characters outside the world of Criminy Stain’s carnival and into the clouds of Sang and the world of Freesia added another layer to the series overall. Couple that with the deliciously vicious, spoiled but ultimately redeemed Ahnastasia and the tormented Stranger, Casper, and you have a book that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night wondering how it is that Dawson is able to make a world so fantastical, so very tangible for the reader.



The plot of WICKED AS SHE WANTS is a riff on the Princess Anastasia story. The royal family of Freesia, a country where the Bludmen (read: vampire…of sorts) are in power and humans treated as cattle, has been murdered, the princesses disappeared, never to be seen again. Bludmen around the world pray for the return of the missing princesses so that the tyrannical ruler, Ravenna, can be disposed of and the balance of power shifted back again into the hands of the Blud baron ruling class. Casper, the tortured figure of both WICKED AS THEY COME and the novella, THE PECULIAR PETS OF MISS PLEASANCE, is knee deep in his debauchery and imminent demise when he stumbles across a suitcase. And who should be in that suitcase but the starved and drained lost princess Ahnastasia. They strike a deal and so begins Ahnastasia’s struggle to return to Freesia (alive) and to regain her throne. The plot was well-paced and had enough excitement and uncertainty in it to keep me on my toes. The overarching question of whether or not Ahnastasia would succeed in her quest was a compelling one. Who can she trust? Can she make it alive? Will she have support? These were all questions that helped propel the plot forward and build enough tension so that I compulsively read this story any moment I had free.



The world-building is always stellar in the Blud series and WICKED AS SHE WANTS did not disappoint in that regard. Dawson takes us out of Criminy Stain’s carnival and into the dark streets of London and the decadence and splendor of Freesia. I’ve said this once and I will say it again, Dawson’s world is like a dream. Things feel so unreal – it’s fantastical but there is something that keeps you tethered to reality at the same time. The world she creates is like our own but slightly different. Freesia is like Russia, the capitol is Muscovy, like Moscow, Ravenna is like Rasputin, etc. There is a whimsy and utter darkness there (a taxidermist daemon that stuffs dead people and hangs them on the wall?) that keeps you fascinated and slightly disturbed at the same time. I appreciated the fact that Dawson opens this world up a bit more in this second book. We are able to see how different Sangland, the setting of the first book, is from Freesia where Bludmen hold the power. We’re given a deeper understanding of not only the politics but also the nature of Bludmen and the beasts within them. Couple this with the very cool steampunk elements of floating airships, mechanical animals, and other cool contraptions and you have a world that you look forward to stepping into any chance you get.



I don’t know which called to me more, his music or his blood. Trapped in darkness, weak to the point of death, I woke only to suck his soul dry until the notes and droplets merged in my veins. Whoever he was, he was my inferior, my prey, and his life was my due. What’s the point of being a princess if you can’t kill your subjects?



Central to this story, and the most compelling aspect of it for me, is the relationship between Casper and Ahnastasia. Now, I’m not going to lie – Ahnastasia is not a likeable character. She is spoiled, controlling, entitled, vicious, and manipulative. But I couldn’t help but be drawn into her struggle. And what I loved about this story is that she grows. She really does. By the end of the book you see someone whose worldview has shifted in a realistic way but also at a pace that has you wondering if you’re going to love or hate her. And though she has revelations, the core haughtiness and the royal “we” of her doesn’t change and I appreciated that dichotomy. Casper was also surprising to me because he has never been a character I thought was terribly interesting. But here, in WICKED AS SHE WANTS, he is charming, mad, talented, thoughtful, protective, and he’s hiding a secret. This, combined with what you know of him from the first book, and I was definitely compelled by his story and what his future holds. Together, they were combustible. Power, trust, fear, and, ultimately, respect were all elements that ebbed and flowed in their relationship. I was honestly unsure of what the end would be for them and I appreciated that push and pull. It made for a sexy chemistry that Dawson also excels at creating.



“You may consider us equal. Your blood in exchange for having restrained me. Shall we be friends?”

I didn’t mean it. Not the equal part, not the friends part. I’d seen a human singing to some pigeons once, luring one close enough to twist its neck. I could sing like that, too.



I couldn’t write this without a plea for more Keen, Casper’s charge and sidekick. I loved this character. I love what her end is in this story and I would love to start some sort of campaign begging Dawson to create a full-length or at least a novella centered on Keen when she comes of age. She’s an endearing, smart, land-on-her-feet, pain-in-the-ass who stole the show whenever she was in a scene.



For me, if there was any stumble in WICKED AS SHE WANTS it was in the climax. I wanted something a bit more when it came to the ultimate showdown. It felt too quick and the tension that had been so nicely built was wasted for me. After all the struggle, after an arduous journey, after the pain and loss of family and tightly held beliefs, I wanted something a little…well, more…maybe bloodier, more uncertain, more edge of your seat.



Regardless, I really liked WICKED AS SHE WANTS. It was a wonderful follow-up to a book I adored. I really cannot wait to see where else Dawson will take us in her incredibly well-drawn world of Sang.

This review has been posted courtesy of She-Wolf Reads.

[Deniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Wicked As They Come I was totally taken by the world Dawson created. And I adore Criminy. So when I found out that this book will be about Casper, I was not so sure if I will like it. To be honest I really didn't care for him in any of the previous sequels. Still getting a chance at reading any ARC of Dawson is a chance I would never pass by. The world she created in this series is so beautiful and enticing yet also gritty and dangerous, a place I every single time enjoy being taken to.
As expected this time wasn't any different.

Dawson's world building again was clever, beautiful and still surprising. I love how Sang is a parallel world to ours and how several people of our world somehow ended up there. This connection to our world is not only clever but somehow makes one able relate to it better. Then there is the overlap of certain things between the two worlds, like certain pieces of music or poetry ect. which is a stroke of brilliance in my opinion.
Dawson somehow each time manages to give one a dose of known and adds enough surprise and new bits so it's all balanced just right, and while familiar it is still captivating and exciting, but still pretty out there.

Her references to Leaves of Grass as example, while making me sigh internally (and possibly grin a wee bit silly) while reading the book, it also made me pick up my copy and browse through it again after finishing Wicked as She Wants.

I love Steampunk as a general and I love the machine and science bits of it. But I think Dawson's take on this genre is one of my favorites. She goes really easy on the machinery bits- she does bring some awesome ones in.. but her rather light take on it means that even people who are not totally into Steampunk will enjoy this book.

The character building was definitely interesting. As I said I started this book not really liking Casper. At the end of it I was totally invested in the three main character. And my opinion of Casper has changed quite drastically.
While he is the rather self-indulgent and oh so tortured artist we met before, during the journey more one gets to know him more and more. And I discovered that he is also honest, brave and noble.
Ahnastasia though was in my opinion an amazing character to watch. She grew and transformed slowly and discovered at the end where her true strength was and still was able to protect those she loved. Though I did kinda like the wicked predator she was at the beginning, her childish arrogance was a tad bit over the top for me.
Keen was a fun factor thrown in and I loved her snide remarks and her explosive teen temper.
I think one of the reasons I enjoy Dawson's novels are the way her characters interact with each other, the way they effect each other and subtly change as the story goes on. Dawson somehow has a beautiful take on love. Romantic and generally speaking. But her characters aren't pretty and prissy, just like her beautiful and dark world building, she creates character with very realistic traits and flaws, which makes them so likeable.

The storyline, like in the first book is a paranormal romance. While Wicked As They Want, was about a Bludman Criminy Stain saving a human girl Trish, and falling for her. They go on a quest and in the end have to make choices. Wicked as She Wants is about a Bludwoman needing help, which comes in the person of Casper, a human. They go on a quest and fall for each other... and in the end have to make choices...just like most Paranormal Romances I guess.
Wicked as She wants is in some ways based on the real Anastasia Myth. Actually it's a sort of Paranomal take of it. I always loved that myth, and kinda always hoped that she survived and found love... so Dawsons version was incredibly gratifying.
The book move fast and I found myself cobbling up the pages, just like it did with the first novel.
The romance was nice and had a good portion of steamy sexiness to it- but to be honest, personally I prefer the romance between Criminy and Trish. I first thought I might just be because I so much prefer impish, luscious and wonderful Criminy to Casper. But as I pondered about it, I came to the conclusion that Ahnastasia and Caspers romance was much more conventional than Trish and Criminy's.

The writing style is just simply beautiful. In fact on many occasions I was reminded of a book I had of Russian fairy tails which was full of beautiful illustrations. The feel of those stories, the mysterious beauty of Russia but also its harsh environment and it's gritty feeling were reflected in this novel, it's one of the things I absolutely adored in this book. Dawson's paints pictures with her prose.

Another fabulous installment for this series! Dawson had made it into my favorite authors list with her debut but with books like this she will be staying there for a long while to come

Wicked as She Wants is dark romance, gritty beauty and a must read for any lovers of the series as much as fans of Paranormals and Steampunk







ARC was provided by Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars - My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2013/04...

Ahnastasia Feodor, Blud Princess of Freesia, is used to the finer things in life: palaces, stunning gowns, the fresh blood of Pinky servants, and the like. Which is why she’s at a loss when she wakes up in London, in a suitcase, and nearly drained of blud. To her shock, Ahna learns that she’s been missing for four years and most of her family has been murdered by the gypsy sorceress Ravenna. Weakened in a strange land far from home is no way for her to reclaim her crown. As much as it galls her, Ahna needs help, and it comes from an unlikely source.

Casper Sterling was once the most celebrated musician in Sangland. But the Stranger from another world has lost his way…and is rapidly losing his humanity. His only connection to his home world is a fellow Stranger, a scrappy teenager named Keen. Neither he nor Keen fully trust Ahna, but nevertheless Casper agrees to help the princess on her quest and Keen tags along.

On their journey from Sangland to Freesia, Casper and Ahna will have to face pirates, assassins, dangerous beasts, and more. But more threatening than any foreign danger is the attraction they feel toward each other. Ahna’s used to getting anything she desires, but this time what she wants may be out of her reach. For even a princess cannot command the heart of the Stranger who has stolen hers.

Return to the world of the Bludmen in Wicked as She Wants . Delilah S. Dawson’s paranormal spin on the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia is both creative and fascinating.

Ahna’s a princess and her upbringing makes her more than a bit spoiled. Though she starts out Wicked as She Wants a bit of a brat, to have her be otherwise would make no sense. I loved seeing the growth in her character over the course of the story. Ahna goes from being a selfish young woman to the mature ruler she needs to be. Her transformation would not have been possible without her time with Casper and Keen. The two of them help her to see the world beyond the one Ahna has always known. Casper in particular brings out the softer side of Ahna. Readers who enjoyed the first Blud book, Wicked as They Come, will remember Casper as the charming musician from our world who didn’t get the girl. In Wicked as She Wants , Casper isn’t the same man he once was. He’s changing, though into what I won’t spoil. Casper’s personality is less lively for most of Wicked as She Wants , which was a pity. I missed the energy of the Casper I first met and I was relieved that by the end of the book Ms. Dawson brought forth the “true” Casper, a hero I could adore.

Wicked as She Wants is undeniably clever, but it was a bit of an uneven read for me. The first half of the book was a bit slow and it lacked the energy of Wicked as They Come. Though it wasn’t bad — not by a long shot — the biggest spark of life in the first half of the story came from a cameo made by Criminy and Tish. That being said, the second half of Wicked as She Wants was fascinating. As Ahna and Casper became more of who they’re meant to be, the story picks up, gaining momentum until it hits the final, tension-filled third act. The latter half of Wicked as She Wants was everything I hoped the book would be. There’s a lot of buildup to Ahna’s battle against the Rasputin-like Ravenna, and though I won’t spoil what happens, I will say that Ms. Dawson “brings it” when it comes to the climax of this plotline.

The world of the Blud series is bloodthirsty, exciting, and incredibly unique. I finished Casper and Ahna’s story a well-satisfied reader and my only complaint is that I now have to wait (im)patiently until the next Blud book comes out. Bring on Wicked After Midnight!

[JB · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Find this and other reviews at The Demon Librarian**

Sang For The Win!

My love affair with the Blud series began last year when I read Wicked As They Come and was introduced to the incomparable Criminy Stain and his clockwork caravan. Two novellas and a much-anticipated sequel later, the affair is still going strong. I adore the world of Sang. It's one of my favorite places to visit as a reader, so when I received my ARC for book two, WICKED AS SHE WANTS, I was a very happy bludbunny.

Before I dive into my review, I must first say this: WICKED AS SHE WANTS is NOT the continuing adventures of Criminy Stain and his lady-love, Tish. Yes I know, we all want more Criminy, and maybe someday Delilah S. Dawson will grant our wish, but for now, we must content ourselves with Criminy/Tish guest appearances. Not to worry, though. You'll still get a kickass story without them.

Okay, now that we've cleared up who the book isn't about....

WICKED AS SHE WANTS is the tale of Blud princess Ahnastasia and washed-up musician-slash-Stranger, Casper Sterling (whom we first met in book one). Their paths cross purely by chance, and after some initial death threats and much arguing back and forth, Ahna convinces Casper to escort her home to Freesia so she can reclaim the throne that is rightfully hers. Casper reluctantly agrees, and with Casper's young friend Keen in tow, they set off on a life-altering journey through Sangland and beyond.

I enjoyed the heck out of Ahna. She starts out as the typical spoiled, arrogant royal, with people skills that leave much to be desired and a view of the world that is limited at best. And so ruthless, too! She's a Bludwoman with a predator's killer instincts, and I got a hugest kick out of all the violent thoughts that swirled through her head. I also loved that she didn't lose that side of herself over the course of the story. She softened up in other areas and yes, her horizons broadened considerably, but that aspect of her personality remained.

As for Casper, what a surprise he turned out to be! He gets kind of a slow start in the beginning (not in every scene) and then WHAM, suddenly there he is, front and center. Is he as awesomesauce as Criminy Stain? Frankly, no, but he's a damn close second. There's a lot more to Casper than we saw in Wicked As They Come, and I loved discovering all the different sides of him. He is, by turns, brooding, gentle, daring, and when he gets his sexy alpha male on, whoa mama! SWOON ALERT! Ahna is a very lucky woman :P

Keen is also fantastic (honestly, I don't think Delilah knows how to write bad characters) and I hope she gets her own story someday, because she would totally rock it.

As always, the world-building is excellent. I really like the mix of paranormal and steampunk elements this series provides, and I think in this book, even more than the last one, I felt just how big, exciting and dangerous Sang really is. The descriptive passages were great, too. I could picture every person and place in my mind's eye in vivid, Technicolor detail.

Needless to say, WICKED AS SHE WANTS was a hit for me. If you haven't already discovered this incredible series, now is the time to start - and be sure to read the novellas too! Anything Blud is good :)

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casper Sterling has always been different. In the first book he was a mystery that couldn't quite be placed and as a musician, well he hid behind his talent and his pain. In the second book, he still is a mystery as well as a harborer of one. His acceptance of the "inevitable" leads him to make slightly impetuous decisions. So, I suppose it makes sense when, upon meeting the half-dead vampire princess Ahnastasia, who tries to kill him within minutes of seeing him, Casper decides "what the hell, let's get involved in this mystery so I don't have to worry about my own life."

Casper is a selfish man but he's honorable. That makes him human. He cares for a teenage girl named Keen who is from Earth as well. He loves her like a daughter but there are things he cant give up, even for her. In the first book I sort of wanted to punch him in the face with every scene he was in, in this one I wanted to pat him on the back and say "it's ok".

However, there wasn't enough development to him, maybe it's because of the POV, but I didn't get a clear idea of who he is. It could've been any man in this book and it would've worked. There was nothing distinctly Casper.

Our heroine, Ahnastasia, is the perfect vampire princess. Cold, selfish, ignorant, insensitive, cunning, and inhuman. Everything you'd want in a leader of the cold blooded. She is an ice princess who is bent on one thing only; getting her country back from the bitch who deposed her and killed most of her family. This is a nod to the Romanov story but with a twist. I won't spoil that for you. As the book progresses, Ahna doesn't necessarily soften but she does gain a better understanding of human wants as she is forced to disguise herself as one as well as spend time with both Keen and Casper. She will always see people as food but she understands the difference between servitude and slavery (trust me that's big coming from her).

She is an interesting character but not necessarily likable. She is certainty not relateable. Unlike Tish (who could be whiny and annoying at times I'll give you that), there was not an ounce of sympathy to really be had for Ahna. She's a predator, she's cold and calculating and you knew without a doubt that she would achieve her end goal.

The relationship between Ahna and Casper was the best part of the book. Both isolated and in pain but for different reasons. When Keen makes a statement that says perhaps Ahna will be the one to save him but he would lose her in the process, it couldn't have rang more true (even if there is that little neat solution to that problem at the end). Ahna is the emotionally and mentally stronger of the two and it with her, oft times dispassionate view of things, that helps him. Here you have an artist, a thinker and sensitive soul, who meets a politician. They actually mesh quite well once the masks come off and Ahna is just a woman and Caspar is just a man.

Their best scene together the bludding scene in the hotel *rawr* is the one where you realize that Ahna is perhaps gaining a bit more understanding and passion as a Blud Royal. While she has given Casper strength, he has given her a capacity to understand.

I really enjoyed the supporting characters although I felt Keen could've been better developed. I hope she gets her own story. Also, there is a nice cameo from Criminy and Tish.

A 3.7*




*netgalley let me read the book but they don't control my review

[Melliane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mon avis en Français

My English review

I was curious after the first book to know more about Casper and I could not wait to get into this one. My wish has been granted here. On top of that, what a better way than to feature Princess Ahnastasia with him? We all know her story and I admit that this is something that particularly interests me. It was therefore a great surprise to be able to follow her, even if in an alternate world.

We don’t have this time any interactions with the normal world, but it allows us to learn a little more about the world of the author. But what about the story? After many years locked in a suitcase drained and thinking only of her thirst for blood, our young princess is awakened by Casper, and I must say that their meeting isn’t a lovely one. Ahna feels weak and only dreams of killing the human who laughs at her and doesn’t care about her claims. Yet he is the only one who can help her to achieve her goals meaning: taking her home. Indeed, her ultimate goal is to kill the woman who took her place to govern her country and she will do everything to achieve that. But during her sleep, the world has changed a lot and she will have to adapt to this new life. We will have the opportunity to follow our little group throughout their journey to an unknown land. Yes group because with our couple we have the chance to discover a girl, Keen, who is also from our world. It will very difficult for her to accept this Bludwoman, and to share the person she considers as her father.

I really enjoyed learning more about each character. Casper is always complaining about his condition and it’s pretty sad to see the person he has now become. He lost everything and lives in a sort of dreary desolation. But his encounter with Ahna will turns everything upside down and it will give him a goal to pursue, and even a little more than that. Our two heroes are really perfect together. They complement each other and it allows them to have someone to rely on. Ahna will learn that being arrogant and authoritarian is not what will help her to move forward in life and she will have to change gradually to become complacent. It was interesting to see her evolution in this way, even if sometimes her choices are not really clever. I also enjoyed Keen. This is a girl full of resources and ideas. She seems strong, solid and full of confidence when in reality she is fragile as every little girl. It’s pretty sad to see how fate is always difficult to her. But her attitude does not help either. We’re touched or disappointed by her but she is still a highlight in the story. You surely also wonder if we see the characters from the first book? Well yes, but it really takes a few seconds. But it’s not a big deal as our new heroes are important here.

All the novel sfeatures the travel of our heroes and it was really interesting and intriguing to discover some new customs, new landscapes and environment. Everything was fascinating. We always try to see the similarities and differences that can be encountered in this new world and we can only wait with impatience to know what the author has for us.

[Stephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars



Ahnastasia is a Blud princess and was taught royalty never says please but after being kidnapped and gone from her homeland for 4 years, that's exactly what she'll need to do in order to get home to Freesia and take back her land from a wicked sorceress. Ahna isn't happy she must rely on Casper Sterling's, a great musician turned drunk, help but when their journey takes them from the harsh streets of London, Sangland to a flying brothel and they run into pirates and flesh eating unicorns, she'll discover he's just what she needs.

Ahnastasia is my kind of princess. From the moment you meet her, Ahna tries to take charge of everything and everyone. She's Blud (vampire), unapologetic, demanding, full of attitude, and vicious yet if you pull back a few icy layers, you'll find a caring heart that loves her country and a sexy maestro that seems to exist solely to challenge her authority. This is the kind of princess I've always wanted to be. When there are moments of doubt or fear that she'll be unable to take back her crown and land from her enemy, Casper is there to restore her haughty confidence.

Casper was a master musician back in America and became so again when he came to this strange world that is similar but magically different from his own. Unfortunately, with too much fame, a broken heart, and an addiction, Casper fell and when he thought there was no hope left, a feisty little Blud princess shot out of an old suitcase and tried to drink him dry.

These two come together at a time when they're at their lowest and it's great how they play off one other perfectly. Ahna drags Casper away from his bottle and gives him a chance to live and love again. Along the way, Casper, and his little foul mouth young ward Keen, teach Ahna life isn't about dominating and hiding all emotions in her private fortress. Not all give and take between them is intentional but it's there and it's what I love most about these two. You know a couple is meant to be when one informs the other she'll drink his blood and then behead him and he laughs like she's the most adorable person in the world. No offense to Criminy and Tish but they're my favorite couple from this series.

There's so much awesome in this book. In a world that mirrors our own, with some cool Victorian and steampunkery elements, Wicked as She Wants features names and pieces of history surrounding Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family, mainly his daughter Anastasia. The author makes the story her own, with an added vampiric twist, and it's very entertaining and fascinating. Everything is pulled together with such vivid details that I can picture Ahna's extravagant gowns and royal jewels, the bustling streets and shady corners of London, Keen's ragamuffin appearance, and hear Casper's rendition of "Hey Jude". Fantastic writing through and through.

It's slow to start but once the journey to Fressia begins, you'll find any excuse not to put the book down. I liked Wicked as They Come but I loved Wicked as She Wants and think this is the best book so far in the series. Casper and Ahna take everything to a wonderfully new level and I'm so excited to find out what happens next.
- Stephanie