4 stars
The Demon's Desire is the second installment of Hearts of Fallen series by Kendra Leigh Castle. The story continue from Demon's Song (I recommend to read it first), feature Meresin, one of the Fallen Angel that reside and protect Terra Nortem and Drusilla, the vampire king's sister. Both Meresin and Dru had a long history between them, all start with a kiss. Dru care for Meresin that always brooding, angry and homicidal. While Meresin care for nothing, not for his own brethren because his vindictive nature and his ability to wielding lightning and storm. Then, the Archangel Uriel give Meresin a task that maybe can save him from his condition. And from some accidental event, Dru and Meresin are bonded, both now go to the Purgatory. To bring back Meresin's sanity before he destroy himself.
I like this better than the previous book. Demon's Song feel like an ordinary PNR for me, with a same old-same old theme and especially the ending. While Demon's Desire not too different, it's grab me by the story and character. Meresin is what I called "Zsadist archetype". We all (okay some PNR fans maybe) know that Zsadist from BDB is so tortured, he decide that he's not worthy for his woman. Same case with Meresin, he believe that he's born alone, live alone and therefore will die alone. He doesn't give any of his brethren chance to care for him, even just a little. His emotion always raging, full of violence and unforgiveness because his past with the angels and his reason to fell to Hell. What we need with this kind of a hero? A heroine that can accept for what he is, and Dru is the perfect woman for Meresin.
I like Dru, a lot. She's better than Sofia,the heroine from Demon's Song. Dru is already immortal, therefore make her badass. But she also have feeling and flaws, that make her more real. Dru doesn't back off from Meresin's attitude to her. She challenge him with caring for him, understand him more than everyone. Even I'm not too fond with Meresin (tortured hero that think that he's not worthy for his woman kinda annoyed me sometimes), Dru is what I like from this pairing. They are balanced each other.
From story, not so much happen, and not all Fallen Angel show. Which make me kinda sad, since I want to know more about Gadreel, one of the Fallen. Lucifer made his first appearance here (he's the big enemy of the Fallen) and another Archangel too, but just briefly. The best thing? Ehm, Meresin is a virgin. I always have a thing or two for virgin heroes, even I'm so sad the sex scene just happen once. We (or I) need more here Ms Leigh Castle ;).
Some complaint from me, I don't like the cover :(. It's not how I picture Meresin (even they got his hair and eye color right). I picture him more brooding, not like an ordinary hunky that posing so awkwardly, lol!
I will recommend this to any angel and PNR fans, and readers who love their hero tortured (to redeem himself later) and a strong heroine. Since this is a novella (just 200 pages), it's perfect for a quick read :)
Thanks for Entangled for providing the e-ARC