What do you think?
Rate this book
Heirs of Kilronan Trilogy #1
Geheimnisvolle Versuchung: Roman (Historische Liebesromane. Bastei Lübbe Taschenbücher)
Catriona O'Connell landete unverschuldet in den Slums von Dublin, wo sie um ihr Überleben kämpfen muss. Als sie angeheuert wird, ein mysteriöses Buch zu stehlen, kann sie nicht Nein sagen. Doch der Auftrag geht schief: Aidan, Earl of Kilronan, erwischt die junge Diebin in seiner Bibliothek. Als er Cat ansichtig wird, ist er nicht nur von ihrem Liebreiz bezaubert, sondern erkennt, dass sie das magische Blut der Fey in sich trägt ... Und nicht nur das: Cat versteht auch die mystische Sprache, in der das Buch verfasst ist, das Aidan von seinem ermordeten Vater geerbt hat. Aidan stellt die charmante Frau vor die Wahl: Entweder übersetzt sie das Buch, oder er führt sie ihrer harten Strafe zu ...
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2010
13 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Alix Rickloff
13 books384 followersCritically acclaimed author of historical fiction, Alix Rickloff’s family tree includes a knight who fought during the Wars of the Roses (his brass rubbing hangs in her dining room) and a soldier who sided with Charles I during the English Civil War (hence the family's hasty emigration to America). With inspiration like that, what else could she do but start writing her own stories? She lives in Maryland in a house that’s seen its own share of history so when she’s not writing, she can usually be found trying to keep it from falling down.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 20, 2011
When I first started reading this book, I was quite taken. It starts out different and intriguing. But something happens along the way.
I like the lead characters. Cat is of noble blood but has been outcast, so she’s doing what she has to to survive. Aidan is a nobleman, an earl, and he’s tortured by the loss of his family, especially the death of his father, and he’s determined to find out what actually happened to his sire. To do that he has to have his father’s diary translated. Both he and Cat are Other, a mix of human and Fey. They each have their own powers. Cat’s is the ability to read languages. So when Aidan catches her red-handed stealing said book, he forces her to translate it for him in lieu of sending her off to prison. This concept works for me and I like the first number of chapters that set the stage for it all. After that, things just get too convoluted and a tad too complicated, and I found myself getting easily distracted.
Aidan’s cousin is introduced. There’s a couple of villains, one plain evil and one you feel for on occasion. Bad guys hired by the villains come and go. Eventually a madman and his lady friend are introduced. And, of course, with all of these introductions the plot gets thicker and thicker, we’re introduced to characters who are no longer, and through it all Aidan takes the brunt of the evil needed to combat evil while he’s also fighting Cat and his attraction to her. Cat just wants out initially, but after what she discovers in the diary she later wants to help Aidan, even as she becomes attracted to him too. All of this is in between the new characters that pop up and I just lost interest the more it went on and on. Especially when one character has had the answers all along and we go through a long drawn-out dance with that person before those answers are spit out out of the blue. I feel like I wasted a heck of a lot of time after that revelation.
Another drawback for me are all the incomplete sentences Ms. Rickloff uses in her writing. Sometimes those work and sometimes they don’t. Because there’s so many used in this book, they don’t work most of the time. I found myself having to re-read too paragraphs just to sort those sentences out. I think if they’d been used for one character’s point of view it might have worked better, but it’s throughout the entire book and just gets to be too much. It doesn’t enhance anything when it’s so overused. Other than that, the writing is sufficiently dark to bring out the same in the storyline.
The interaction between Aidan and Cat also suffers from all of these issues. I wanted more time with them together instead of fighting that much evil and each other. There’s plenty of evil, so a little more romance would have balanced it all out. Even when they acknowledge their feelings, they still go at one another and I just got fed up at that point.
With these issues cropping up, I started skimming here and there about three-quarters of the way through. For such a good start to the book, it’s disappointing how it just didn’t keep that consistency to the end.
I like the lead characters. Cat is of noble blood but has been outcast, so she’s doing what she has to to survive. Aidan is a nobleman, an earl, and he’s tortured by the loss of his family, especially the death of his father, and he’s determined to find out what actually happened to his sire. To do that he has to have his father’s diary translated. Both he and Cat are Other, a mix of human and Fey. They each have their own powers. Cat’s is the ability to read languages. So when Aidan catches her red-handed stealing said book, he forces her to translate it for him in lieu of sending her off to prison. This concept works for me and I like the first number of chapters that set the stage for it all. After that, things just get too convoluted and a tad too complicated, and I found myself getting easily distracted.
Aidan’s cousin is introduced. There’s a couple of villains, one plain evil and one you feel for on occasion. Bad guys hired by the villains come and go. Eventually a madman and his lady friend are introduced. And, of course, with all of these introductions the plot gets thicker and thicker, we’re introduced to characters who are no longer, and through it all Aidan takes the brunt of the evil needed to combat evil while he’s also fighting Cat and his attraction to her. Cat just wants out initially, but after what she discovers in the diary she later wants to help Aidan, even as she becomes attracted to him too. All of this is in between the new characters that pop up and I just lost interest the more it went on and on. Especially when one character has had the answers all along and we go through a long drawn-out dance with that person before those answers are spit out out of the blue. I feel like I wasted a heck of a lot of time after that revelation.
Another drawback for me are all the incomplete sentences Ms. Rickloff uses in her writing. Sometimes those work and sometimes they don’t. Because there’s so many used in this book, they don’t work most of the time. I found myself having to re-read too paragraphs just to sort those sentences out. I think if they’d been used for one character’s point of view it might have worked better, but it’s throughout the entire book and just gets to be too much. It doesn’t enhance anything when it’s so overused. Other than that, the writing is sufficiently dark to bring out the same in the storyline.
The interaction between Aidan and Cat also suffers from all of these issues. I wanted more time with them together instead of fighting that much evil and each other. There’s plenty of evil, so a little more romance would have balanced it all out. Even when they acknowledge their feelings, they still go at one another and I just got fed up at that point.
With these issues cropping up, I started skimming here and there about three-quarters of the way through. For such a good start to the book, it’s disappointing how it just didn’t keep that consistency to the end.
December 23, 2010
Originally posted at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439...
Favorite Quote: “I’ve been a fool twice over. And that makes what we’ve done here my folly. Not yours. So I can forgive your seduction. What I can’t forgive is your betrayal.”
Cat O’Connell has no idea why she was contracted to steal a diary from the Earl of Kilronan but her circumstances have forced her to do what she must for money. When the Earl catches her and realizes she alone can read the strange fae language of the diary he offers her a choice; translated the diary or go to jail. She chooses to help him.
The Earl of Kilronan is haunted by his brothers’ disappearance and his father’s murder. He feels the diary holds the answers. As he and Cat begin the translation they discover that the diary holds far more then answers and soon are swept up in a dangerous journey that will test the boundaries of reality and their love.
Earl of Darkness is the first story in the Heirs of Kilronan trilogy. A gothic regency with ties to King Arthur that sweeps you up in to its dark and delicious world. Smooth writing and a fast paced well developed plot seizes your attention right from the start.
We are given two story lines, the mysterious diary and a love affair that is doomed even before it starts. Running parallel to each other; intertwining and blending through out the book. Each filled with thrilling suspense and emotional anguish. I did feel that the over all arc loses out a bit to the romance in the story. I would have liked to have known more in detail about the Nine , their mission, and what really happened in their demise.
We learn that magic is only preformed in secret and those discovered using risk prosecution and death. Hiding in the shadows of society are the Others. Half fae and half human; each have a particular gift that marks them as an Other. Aidan Douglas (the Earl of Kilronan) recognizes that Cat is an Other just like he is. As they translate the diary it becomes apparent that Aiden’s father was one of the Nine Of The Inner Circle-a secret group that facilitated the return of King Arthur and used black magic to set it in motion. When a demon appears to take the diary, Aidan and Cat find out that this demon is among the walking dead and will stop at nothing to possess it for his master. Cat and Aidan flee Kilronan in an effort to outrun the demon and to try and discover who and what the Nine was and how it all figures into Aidan’s fathers death.
I found our hero and heroine to be quite forceful and captivating as they maneuver their way around each other. Both knowing that due to their circumstances in life, falling in love is not a luxury that either can afford. The chemistry that is between these two blazes white hot off the pages. It’s not a matter of if they will get together...but when.
Cat was a joy to discover. A gentile lady of the 1800’s she made a decision that cost her everything. Yet she isn’t a wallflower and didn’t drift off to die as the world assumed and hoped she would. She admits her mistakes and while it may not have been the right thing to do, she doesn’t wallow in her regrets. She stands firm to Aidan and doesn’t allow his lineage or personality to overshadow her wants and needs.
Aidan was a little harder for me to like. Ms. Rickoff draws him as the perfect 1800 male. Autocratic and demanding; he is used to getting what he wants and uses his strength and will to dominate and command those around him. His attitudes on some things made me cringe yet this is how he should have acted. Yet, there is a vulnerability to him that softens and makes him more endearing. He is truly caught between a rock and hard place. He needs to find out what happened to his family and also needs to marry for money in order to save the estate. Both become over shadowed once Cat comes into his life. He needs her like he needs to breathe yet his loyalty and his responsibilities make it hard for him to accept them together.
The journey Cat and Aidan travel is filled with pitfalls and traps that make this much more then a simple pnr. I did feel that the over all arc loses out to the romance in the story. I would have liked to have known more in detail about the Nine and what happened in their demise. I also would have liked to have seen more history of the Others and how the fae play a part. Perhaps this will be addressed later in the series.
The secondary characters are as well thought out as our protagonists and I do hope to see them in future books. The ending is a mixture of hope and despair as you are emotionally catapulted through the pages. Ms.Rickoff ends it well; answering a few important questions yet leaves others wide open in order to continue this series. The second Heir To Kilronan to be released is Lady Of Shadows.
Earl Of Darkness is sure to be a hit with those who love dark romantically dominate pnrs.
I gave this a C+
Favorite Quote: “I’ve been a fool twice over. And that makes what we’ve done here my folly. Not yours. So I can forgive your seduction. What I can’t forgive is your betrayal.”
Cat O’Connell has no idea why she was contracted to steal a diary from the Earl of Kilronan but her circumstances have forced her to do what she must for money. When the Earl catches her and realizes she alone can read the strange fae language of the diary he offers her a choice; translated the diary or go to jail. She chooses to help him.
The Earl of Kilronan is haunted by his brothers’ disappearance and his father’s murder. He feels the diary holds the answers. As he and Cat begin the translation they discover that the diary holds far more then answers and soon are swept up in a dangerous journey that will test the boundaries of reality and their love.
Earl of Darkness is the first story in the Heirs of Kilronan trilogy. A gothic regency with ties to King Arthur that sweeps you up in to its dark and delicious world. Smooth writing and a fast paced well developed plot seizes your attention right from the start.
We are given two story lines, the mysterious diary and a love affair that is doomed even before it starts. Running parallel to each other; intertwining and blending through out the book. Each filled with thrilling suspense and emotional anguish. I did feel that the over all arc loses out a bit to the romance in the story. I would have liked to have known more in detail about the Nine , their mission, and what really happened in their demise.
We learn that magic is only preformed in secret and those discovered using risk prosecution and death. Hiding in the shadows of society are the Others. Half fae and half human; each have a particular gift that marks them as an Other. Aidan Douglas (the Earl of Kilronan) recognizes that Cat is an Other just like he is. As they translate the diary it becomes apparent that Aiden’s father was one of the Nine Of The Inner Circle-a secret group that facilitated the return of King Arthur and used black magic to set it in motion. When a demon appears to take the diary, Aidan and Cat find out that this demon is among the walking dead and will stop at nothing to possess it for his master. Cat and Aidan flee Kilronan in an effort to outrun the demon and to try and discover who and what the Nine was and how it all figures into Aidan’s fathers death.
I found our hero and heroine to be quite forceful and captivating as they maneuver their way around each other. Both knowing that due to their circumstances in life, falling in love is not a luxury that either can afford. The chemistry that is between these two blazes white hot off the pages. It’s not a matter of if they will get together...but when.
Cat was a joy to discover. A gentile lady of the 1800’s she made a decision that cost her everything. Yet she isn’t a wallflower and didn’t drift off to die as the world assumed and hoped she would. She admits her mistakes and while it may not have been the right thing to do, she doesn’t wallow in her regrets. She stands firm to Aidan and doesn’t allow his lineage or personality to overshadow her wants and needs.
Aidan was a little harder for me to like. Ms. Rickoff draws him as the perfect 1800 male. Autocratic and demanding; he is used to getting what he wants and uses his strength and will to dominate and command those around him. His attitudes on some things made me cringe yet this is how he should have acted. Yet, there is a vulnerability to him that softens and makes him more endearing. He is truly caught between a rock and hard place. He needs to find out what happened to his family and also needs to marry for money in order to save the estate. Both become over shadowed once Cat comes into his life. He needs her like he needs to breathe yet his loyalty and his responsibilities make it hard for him to accept them together.
The journey Cat and Aidan travel is filled with pitfalls and traps that make this much more then a simple pnr. I did feel that the over all arc loses out to the romance in the story. I would have liked to have known more in detail about the Nine and what happened in their demise. I also would have liked to have seen more history of the Others and how the fae play a part. Perhaps this will be addressed later in the series.
The secondary characters are as well thought out as our protagonists and I do hope to see them in future books. The ending is a mixture of hope and despair as you are emotionally catapulted through the pages. Ms.Rickoff ends it well; answering a few important questions yet leaves others wide open in order to continue this series. The second Heir To Kilronan to be released is Lady Of Shadows.
Earl Of Darkness is sure to be a hit with those who love dark romantically dominate pnrs.
I gave this a C+
January 25, 2011
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5
Flaming Hearts: 3/4
Mystery and magic, romance and suspense found in the rigorous confines of the 1800’s complete with the legends of the fae and King Arthur himself!
Cat, who had a privileged upbringing until she fell for the wrong man and had a fall from grace, enters the Earl of Kilronan’s residence in Dublin to steal the Kilronan Diary but is caught in the act by the Earl himself. Instead of calling the watch on her though he offers her room & board in exchange for translating the diary for him. Cat has learned to take what she can get and basically go with the flow of life and accepts his offer. It’s better then prison anyway. But that is before a terrifying undead warrior arrives, determined to have it at all costs.
Impoverished Aidan, Earl of Kilronan, needs to marry a non-titled misses with a large dowry thanks to the late Earl’s mysterious dealings and loss of funds. First though Aidan must unravel the mystery of why his father was murdered and his brother suddenly missing. Finding Cat in his library was a stroke of luck and her translating will expedite his plans, but in the process he never imagined falling for the girl from the streets. Which will rule out, his responsibility or his heart?
I do have mixed feelings on this novel. I had a hard time getting into it at first but by page 50 the story started to sweep me away.
I really liked the main characters of Cat & Aidan and enjoyed the side characters of Jack and Lazarus, they were all rich & well developed, as well as Aidan’s family history. Aidan is a dark, sexy, brooding & tortured hero whose family has heaped a bunch of crap on him and he is put through the ringer throughout the novel, but both him and Cat have an emotional baggage laden past and dealt with loss and betrayal. Their growing relationship of first friends, then lovers is a bumpy road filled with twists and turns, emotional anguish, passion and desire.
The mysterious villain Maelodor is decidedly evil but never comes face-to-face with our main characters. Maelodor’s right-hand, an unwilling slave really, is Lazarus. He provides most of the action in the plot and some of the mystery. He is also one of those characters that starts off bad but half way through you start to wonder if that really is the case.
Despite the fact that the Earl or Darkness has a great story line and though the story has a fast pace and the plot complex it started to loose me again in the second half going towards the end. Sometimes there can be just too much detail, character development and new aspects thrown into one novel. The dialogue also includes several new terms that look similar to each other and would take me away from the story to sort them out. Together it was just a bit overwhelming and I couldn’t keep my attention on it much of the time. The purpose and future of most, well everything except the main characters relationship, is left open in the end to continue the series. Which is good for the series but not necessarily good for this novel itself.
Earl of Darkness basically was a good but difficult read.
Though the excerpt into the next novel in the series, Lord of Shadows out July 2011, sounded interesting and I will be reading it when it is released.
Flaming Hearts: 3/4
Mystery and magic, romance and suspense found in the rigorous confines of the 1800’s complete with the legends of the fae and King Arthur himself!
Cat, who had a privileged upbringing until she fell for the wrong man and had a fall from grace, enters the Earl of Kilronan’s residence in Dublin to steal the Kilronan Diary but is caught in the act by the Earl himself. Instead of calling the watch on her though he offers her room & board in exchange for translating the diary for him. Cat has learned to take what she can get and basically go with the flow of life and accepts his offer. It’s better then prison anyway. But that is before a terrifying undead warrior arrives, determined to have it at all costs.
Impoverished Aidan, Earl of Kilronan, needs to marry a non-titled misses with a large dowry thanks to the late Earl’s mysterious dealings and loss of funds. First though Aidan must unravel the mystery of why his father was murdered and his brother suddenly missing. Finding Cat in his library was a stroke of luck and her translating will expedite his plans, but in the process he never imagined falling for the girl from the streets. Which will rule out, his responsibility or his heart?
I do have mixed feelings on this novel. I had a hard time getting into it at first but by page 50 the story started to sweep me away.
I really liked the main characters of Cat & Aidan and enjoyed the side characters of Jack and Lazarus, they were all rich & well developed, as well as Aidan’s family history. Aidan is a dark, sexy, brooding & tortured hero whose family has heaped a bunch of crap on him and he is put through the ringer throughout the novel, but both him and Cat have an emotional baggage laden past and dealt with loss and betrayal. Their growing relationship of first friends, then lovers is a bumpy road filled with twists and turns, emotional anguish, passion and desire.
The mysterious villain Maelodor is decidedly evil but never comes face-to-face with our main characters. Maelodor’s right-hand, an unwilling slave really, is Lazarus. He provides most of the action in the plot and some of the mystery. He is also one of those characters that starts off bad but half way through you start to wonder if that really is the case.
Despite the fact that the Earl or Darkness has a great story line and though the story has a fast pace and the plot complex it started to loose me again in the second half going towards the end. Sometimes there can be just too much detail, character development and new aspects thrown into one novel. The dialogue also includes several new terms that look similar to each other and would take me away from the story to sort them out. Together it was just a bit overwhelming and I couldn’t keep my attention on it much of the time. The purpose and future of most, well everything except the main characters relationship, is left open in the end to continue the series. Which is good for the series but not necessarily good for this novel itself.
Earl of Darkness basically was a good but difficult read.
Though the excerpt into the next novel in the series, Lord of Shadows out July 2011, sounded interesting and I will be reading it when it is released.
August 26, 2019
Catriona - kurz Cat - bricht im Auftrag bei dem Adligen Aiden Kilronan ein, um das Tagebuch seines verstorbenen Vaters zu stehlen. Als sie es jedoch in den Händen hält, wird sie von Aiden überrascht und festgehalten, da dieser einen Vorteil in ihr sieht. Denn nur sie ist in der Lage das Tagebuch seines Vaters zu entziffern. Er bietet ihr an, dass sie das Tagebuch übersetzt und er über eine Anzeige hinweg sieht. Schließlich willigt sie ein und die beiden beginnen sich im Laufe der Zeit ineinander zu verlieben, während sich ein gnadenloser Killer auf den Weg macht, um das Tagebuch in seinen Besitz zu bringen und Kilronan auszulöschen.
Die Geschichte ist frisch an Ideen und sehr gut geschrieben. Es hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht sie zu lesen. Und ich hab mich auch sofort an den Nachfolger gemacht, weil es so viele Stellen gab, bei denen man mitgefiebert hat oder einfach nur herzhaft lachen musste. Die Charaktere sind sehr gut ausgearbeitet und man kann sich gut in sie hinein versetzen. Beweggründe und Randhandlungen werden ausreichend beleuchtet, sodass man sich sehr schnell einen Überblick über die Situation und deren Bedeutung verschaffen kann.
Aber Achtung! Wer das Exemplar von Weltbild hat, muss sich vorsehen! Ganze Passagen aus nachfolgenden Kapiteln tauchen schon vorher auf und lassen die Geschichte kurzzeitig ohne Sinn und Verstand dastehen. Man muss tapfer weiter lesen, dann kommt man schon dahinter, aber es ist einfach blöd. Genauso verhält es sich mit Absätzen in den einzelnen Kapiteln, die werden manchmal einfach weggelassen. Das mindert das Lesevergnügen und ist definitiv keine tolle Leistung vom Weltbild Verlag. Wer also kann, sollte sich schon ein Exemplar von einem anderen Verlag besorgen.
Trotzdem ist die Geschichte super und ich kann sie jedem nur weiter empfehlen, der Spannung und Romantik sowie Magier mag.
Format: Kindle Edition
Dateigröße: 1450 KB
Seitenzahl der Print-Ausgabe: 401 Seiten
ISBN-Quelle für Seitenzahl: 3404167074
Verlag: Bastei Lübbe (Lübbe Digital) (18. Mai 2012)
Verkauf durch: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Sprache: Deutsch
ASIN: B007M85USK
Die Geschichte ist frisch an Ideen und sehr gut geschrieben. Es hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht sie zu lesen. Und ich hab mich auch sofort an den Nachfolger gemacht, weil es so viele Stellen gab, bei denen man mitgefiebert hat oder einfach nur herzhaft lachen musste. Die Charaktere sind sehr gut ausgearbeitet und man kann sich gut in sie hinein versetzen. Beweggründe und Randhandlungen werden ausreichend beleuchtet, sodass man sich sehr schnell einen Überblick über die Situation und deren Bedeutung verschaffen kann.
Aber Achtung! Wer das Exemplar von Weltbild hat, muss sich vorsehen! Ganze Passagen aus nachfolgenden Kapiteln tauchen schon vorher auf und lassen die Geschichte kurzzeitig ohne Sinn und Verstand dastehen. Man muss tapfer weiter lesen, dann kommt man schon dahinter, aber es ist einfach blöd. Genauso verhält es sich mit Absätzen in den einzelnen Kapiteln, die werden manchmal einfach weggelassen. Das mindert das Lesevergnügen und ist definitiv keine tolle Leistung vom Weltbild Verlag. Wer also kann, sollte sich schon ein Exemplar von einem anderen Verlag besorgen.
Trotzdem ist die Geschichte super und ich kann sie jedem nur weiter empfehlen, der Spannung und Romantik sowie Magier mag.
Format: Kindle Edition
Dateigröße: 1450 KB
Seitenzahl der Print-Ausgabe: 401 Seiten
ISBN-Quelle für Seitenzahl: 3404167074
Verlag: Bastei Lübbe (Lübbe Digital) (18. Mai 2012)
Verkauf durch: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Sprache: Deutsch
ASIN: B007M85USK
June 18, 2017
A frustratingly turn-paging romance, with neither of our main characters knowing the intentions of the other or saying what needs to be said. I really enjoyed this book even if I wanted to ring both Aidan's and Cat's neck on more then one occasion. It was full of drama and magic, I just wish our main heroine was a little less damsel-in-distress and more of the Wildcat from the beginning of the book. She is able to start fire or open locks with a few whispered words, but during the majority of the book it seems she's forgotten these two talents (that could be helpful, perhaps in a fight).
The book is able to be read as a stand alone novel, but if you want to understand the big picture and find out what happens to Lazarus you need to read the others in the series.
The book is able to be read as a stand alone novel, but if you want to understand the big picture and find out what happens to Lazarus you need to read the others in the series.
August 1, 2018
DNF at chapter four. It was fine, I guess? It just didn't do anything for me. I opened it up no fewer than eight times and on the eighth try made myself actually read more than the first paragraph, and there wasn't anything wrong with it, I guess, except that I had no interest in the world or the characters, which is odd for something as heavily tied up in Celtic aesthetic as this is.
August 28, 2011
Cat O’Connell, a fallen lady turned thief, has been commissioned to steal a diary. An item of great importance, but the reason why eludes her. In an unfortunate happenstance during the robbery, she meets the owner of the diary, Aidan, the Earl of Kilronan. Aidan is dismayed to see a thief trying to steal the key to his family secrets, but elated when he discovers Cat can decipher the mysterious language within the volume. The thing is, Cat’s not the only one that wants the diary and the information it holds. Aidan and Kat must work together quickly in order to decipher it’s secrets before forces of evil take the diary and its power.
Earl of Darkness is a rip-roaring good time. The novel features a wonderful universe and great characters that make this mysterious tale set in the early 1800s a great treat. If you like a little touch of mystery mixed in with a little dose of magic, this is the book to pick up next. Earl of Darkness combines all the right intriguing elements to make an interesting mix of paranormal craziness with a touch of romance to boot.
It is easy to feel a kinship to the heroine Cat as a woman making the best of the options left to her. Rickloff creates an intriguing woman who is educated and proper, but followed her heart which ultimately led to her ruin. Now this second chance at love with Aidan has made her more reluctant to trust her heart. That and the fact that society would never welcome their union. She is the character any reader can relate to because she is a fighter and survivor, forced to become sensible about the harsh realities of life.
Aidan is the dark brooding hero that drives you crazy. His past reveals he is the tortured soul that Cat longs to save...and to love. You will fall in love with just as easily as any other heroine. He has a strong sense of obligation that is attached to any dutiful hero set in a Regency historical, yet it is the paranormal touches that draw out the best in him. His family history with magic shows his that not all answers are black and white and that there is more to life than titles and honor. Both of them harbor wounded hearts which is what drives them together and strengthens their bond. They start off as an unusual partnership and their journey through this magical mess is how they start to mend those wounds to start again.
Not everything was wrapped up in this installment. Really, only a few things were completed resolved by the last page. Hopefully more questions will be solved and answered in the next installment Lady of Shadows. As for Earl of Darkness, this historical paranormal romance is a smart and exciting journey that will keep you enthralled until the very end. Alix Rickloff creates a universe you won’t ever wish to leave and one that will keep you turning the pages desperate to know the ending. The writing is vivid, that characters are sharp and the romance is steamy. This novel conjures all the right elements for a fantastic read.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3/5
Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter
Earl of Darkness is a rip-roaring good time. The novel features a wonderful universe and great characters that make this mysterious tale set in the early 1800s a great treat. If you like a little touch of mystery mixed in with a little dose of magic, this is the book to pick up next. Earl of Darkness combines all the right intriguing elements to make an interesting mix of paranormal craziness with a touch of romance to boot.
It is easy to feel a kinship to the heroine Cat as a woman making the best of the options left to her. Rickloff creates an intriguing woman who is educated and proper, but followed her heart which ultimately led to her ruin. Now this second chance at love with Aidan has made her more reluctant to trust her heart. That and the fact that society would never welcome their union. She is the character any reader can relate to because she is a fighter and survivor, forced to become sensible about the harsh realities of life.
Aidan is the dark brooding hero that drives you crazy. His past reveals he is the tortured soul that Cat longs to save...and to love. You will fall in love with just as easily as any other heroine. He has a strong sense of obligation that is attached to any dutiful hero set in a Regency historical, yet it is the paranormal touches that draw out the best in him. His family history with magic shows his that not all answers are black and white and that there is more to life than titles and honor. Both of them harbor wounded hearts which is what drives them together and strengthens their bond. They start off as an unusual partnership and their journey through this magical mess is how they start to mend those wounds to start again.
Not everything was wrapped up in this installment. Really, only a few things were completed resolved by the last page. Hopefully more questions will be solved and answered in the next installment Lady of Shadows. As for Earl of Darkness, this historical paranormal romance is a smart and exciting journey that will keep you enthralled until the very end. Alix Rickloff creates a universe you won’t ever wish to leave and one that will keep you turning the pages desperate to know the ending. The writing is vivid, that characters are sharp and the romance is steamy. This novel conjures all the right elements for a fantastic read.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3/5
Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter
April 2, 2011
Catriona O'Connell was hired to steal a mysterious diary from a Dublin townhouse, but Aidan Douglas, earl of Kilronan, catches her in the act. Aidan agrees to keep Cat out of prison because during the robbery he noticed she seemed able to read the diary, something Aiden had not been able to to since it was written in a mysterious language by his father many years ago. Convincing Cat was not easy but after several attempts on both their lives by mortals and non-mortals alike, they came to a mutually advantageous agreement. Needless to say, while Aidan’s intention had been honorable in planning to wed an heiress, having daily interaction with Cat was definitely heightening both their physical awareness of one another.
*** Ms. Rickloff has debuted with and initiated a new paranormal series in EARL OF DARKNESS, which pits human Others with hybrid Fey’s and a quasi-Frankenstein medieval warrior being that could be slowed down but - not killed! Basically, Aidan’s father was one of The Nine when he began dabbling in a bit of dark and dangerous magic that ended up getting him killed. The character development of Aidan and Cat was relatively sparse, other than the author showing the reader how Aidan’s attempts in trying to cast spells were somewhat lacking. This lack of skills had been a bone of contention between Aidan and his father whose disappointment in his eldest son’s inabilities had saddened him placing his younger brother Brendan ahead of him in his father’s affection.
Lady Catriona “Cat” O’Connell had struggled to survive after an ill-fated love affair which resulted in an illegitimate child causing Cat to be tossed out of her home and left to eke out a living for herself. Unfortunately her child had not survived leaving Cat little option other than to become a thief in order to eat. Had it not been for Cat being Fey and her ability to read Aidan’s father’s diary Aidan would have sent her to jail, but they came to an uneasy truce and both would honor their business agreement, which ended up including Cat’s soft heart in attempting to heal Aidan each time he was hurt in battle against the demon sent to retrieve the diary.
This probably would have earned a higher rating from me but while the pace was fast, the lack of deeper character development kept me from being invested in what happened to Aidan and Cat. Unfortunately, this was just an okay read for me.
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
December 29, 2010
In this book being "Other" (mix of fae and human) is the persecuted group. They hide their magical abilities and become the target of fear when strange things happen. Cat is one of the Others but her fall from grace was more mundane than anything magical. She was young, fell in love and had a child out of wedlock. In the 1800s that was akin to calling the devil himself in society. So, shunned and after the death of her infant son she was ousted from her childhood home and found a place with an elf who treats her like family. He teaches her the thieving trade and this is how she meets Aidan. He's an Earl and an other who is exploring his family history which is hidden from him in a language he cannot understand. Cat's gift helps her to read Aidan's diary his father left him. Instead of turning her in for trying to steal the diary he decides to employ her. Their adventure and friendship grows from this mystery Aidan's father has laid before them. Plus, they also have to figure out who else knows and wants this diary so bad he is willing to raise an abomination which is unstoppable and kill everyone and everything in his way.
I have to say I loved Cat in this book. Despite the problems she has had in her life she faces life with bravery and a will to survive. She imparts this upon Aidan who is slow on the uptake of this gift. And although there is a great sizzle and lots of sexy time in this book, I had a hard time liking Aidan. Cat was the braver of the two and Aidan kept hanging on to his aristocratic ways. In fact, I really didn't warm up to him until he was finally honest with himself and with Cat as to what he was willing to face with the choices that have been left to him.
I give this book 3 stars. I really enjoyed Cat and the sexy-time was pretty hot. I will say that I would have enjoyed a bit more world building and the ending was left with too many questions left unanswered. It wasn't a cliffhanger, but you know you have to keep reading this series to find out who the heck they are up against.
I have to say I loved Cat in this book. Despite the problems she has had in her life she faces life with bravery and a will to survive. She imparts this upon Aidan who is slow on the uptake of this gift. And although there is a great sizzle and lots of sexy time in this book, I had a hard time liking Aidan. Cat was the braver of the two and Aidan kept hanging on to his aristocratic ways. In fact, I really didn't warm up to him until he was finally honest with himself and with Cat as to what he was willing to face with the choices that have been left to him.
I give this book 3 stars. I really enjoyed Cat and the sexy-time was pretty hot. I will say that I would have enjoyed a bit more world building and the ending was left with too many questions left unanswered. It wasn't a cliffhanger, but you know you have to keep reading this series to find out who the heck they are up against.
September 23, 2013
Earl of Darkness Do you think it's possible to become so jaded by too much reading that nothing "wows" you anymore?
I liked Alix Rickloff's narrative style and voice, it had a refreshing newness to it, and it most certainly was different from the other authors' out there. The pacing was also good and the characterization amazing.
That said, she apparently didn't know whether to write an angsty, emotionally-dark, and thought-provoking historical romance, or a paranormal romance with a Fey twist, so she did both.
The historical romance would've worked by itself. A destitute former-rake (he can't afford to be one, anymore), an educated lady down on her luck, forced to steal, hiding a deep, dark secret in her past, a murder mystery, a disappeared brother, a planned marriage-of-convenience thwarted by passion...I loved it.
The paranormal romance didn't have the kick it could've had, but that's probably me, fresh from reading KMM's Fever series. Still, it had potential. A secret society of Fey and human descendants (the Other) with magic abilities, hunted by mere humans that didn't understand them, a secret society within the society involved in black arts and trying to resurrect King Arthur to lead a brand new world, the permanent cancellation of said secret society within the secret society because of their dabbling in the black arts, an indecipherable journal someone would kill to possess (and did), a resurrected creature doing his master's bidding...As I said, it had potential.
Unfortunately, while the two genres separately would've worked, the mixture of the two didn't. There was too much "vying" for supremacy, the historical and paranormal aspects didn't complement each other, but constantly overshadowed one another. The passages between the genres seemed rather choppy, making the story very tiring to read.
While I did appreciate the separate genres, the story as a whole didn't wow me.
I liked Alix Rickloff's narrative style and voice, it had a refreshing newness to it, and it most certainly was different from the other authors' out there. The pacing was also good and the characterization amazing.
That said, she apparently didn't know whether to write an angsty, emotionally-dark, and thought-provoking historical romance, or a paranormal romance with a Fey twist, so she did both.
The historical romance would've worked by itself. A destitute former-rake (he can't afford to be one, anymore), an educated lady down on her luck, forced to steal, hiding a deep, dark secret in her past, a murder mystery, a disappeared brother, a planned marriage-of-convenience thwarted by passion...I loved it.
The paranormal romance didn't have the kick it could've had, but that's probably me, fresh from reading KMM's Fever series. Still, it had potential. A secret society of Fey and human descendants (the Other) with magic abilities, hunted by mere humans that didn't understand them, a secret society within the society involved in black arts and trying to resurrect King Arthur to lead a brand new world, the permanent cancellation of said secret society within the secret society because of their dabbling in the black arts, an indecipherable journal someone would kill to possess (and did), a resurrected creature doing his master's bidding...As I said, it had potential.
Unfortunately, while the two genres separately would've worked, the mixture of the two didn't. There was too much "vying" for supremacy, the historical and paranormal aspects didn't complement each other, but constantly overshadowed one another. The passages between the genres seemed rather choppy, making the story very tiring to read.
While I did appreciate the separate genres, the story as a whole didn't wow me.
January 4, 2011
Earl of Darkness by Alix Rickloff
Paranormal Romance – Dec. 28th, 2010
3 ½ Stars
Cat O’Connell was hired to steal a book from the Duke of Kilronan’s house in Dublin. She did not ask why or what was special about the book, but she did it as a favor for a friend who took the job but was unwell. But unfortunately, Aidan, the Duke, caught her red-handed. But Aiden uses Cat because he is astonished to find that she could read it! The book was not written in any human language, but the language of the Fey, or the Other. Aidan hires Cat to translate the book. He needs it to help him discover more about his mission brother Brendan. But the person who originally hired Cat desperately wants the book and will stop at nothing to get it. They are attacked. Cat and Aidan decide to retreat to his country estate while they finish translating the book, in hopes of finding out what important secrets are hidden within it...
Rickloff’s Earl of Darkness is a complex read with fast plot that had me feeling a bit overwhelmed in the first hundred or so pages. The story itself is fascinating, but readers must be prepared for the roller coaster ride in the beginning and pay attention. This suspensful novel lures you in by making you wonder why the villain wants the book so badly that he sends an undead warrior. And makes you wonder what exactly are the Fey? Packed with some really cool and deadly magic, Rickloff spins an exciting tale about mages and Fey. In addition, the main characters Cat and Aidan are both interesting characters that are likeable with some serious personal baggage. The constant push and pull between the two of them are so well-written that you can’t help but want them to be together.
A solid read, especially if you are interested in fantasy and romance.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance – Dec. 28th, 2010
3 ½ Stars
Cat O’Connell was hired to steal a book from the Duke of Kilronan’s house in Dublin. She did not ask why or what was special about the book, but she did it as a favor for a friend who took the job but was unwell. But unfortunately, Aidan, the Duke, caught her red-handed. But Aiden uses Cat because he is astonished to find that she could read it! The book was not written in any human language, but the language of the Fey, or the Other. Aidan hires Cat to translate the book. He needs it to help him discover more about his mission brother Brendan. But the person who originally hired Cat desperately wants the book and will stop at nothing to get it. They are attacked. Cat and Aidan decide to retreat to his country estate while they finish translating the book, in hopes of finding out what important secrets are hidden within it...
Rickloff’s Earl of Darkness is a complex read with fast plot that had me feeling a bit overwhelmed in the first hundred or so pages. The story itself is fascinating, but readers must be prepared for the roller coaster ride in the beginning and pay attention. This suspensful novel lures you in by making you wonder why the villain wants the book so badly that he sends an undead warrior. And makes you wonder what exactly are the Fey? Packed with some really cool and deadly magic, Rickloff spins an exciting tale about mages and Fey. In addition, the main characters Cat and Aidan are both interesting characters that are likeable with some serious personal baggage. The constant push and pull between the two of them are so well-written that you can’t help but want them to be together.
A solid read, especially if you are interested in fantasy and romance.
Reviewed by Pauline from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
July 28, 2011
This is one of those books where I liked it but at the same time I was left a little bit unsatisfied when I finished. I felt like the ending was sprung on me without a lot of windup. In fact, I finished the book, stared at the last page for a minute and then backtracked a few pages to see if I'd missed something. Now, I've read the synopsis for book 2 and I can definitely see where a lot of the plot threads that were left untended will be picked up but I still have this vague feeling of unsettlement.
This book has a rather dark feel. In a good way. One of our main characters invites a possession by an otherworldly creature, there's talk about human sacrifice, loss, a cursed rebirth, and losing oneself in the quest for power. As Aidan unravels the mysteries of the diary he begins to see that things he's taken to be the truth aren't the truth after all.
I'm going to be honest here and admit that I'm having a hard time with this review. Like I said, I did like the book. I liked a lot of the elements that made it unique and I liked that the characters had fire and flare. Yet... I still feel like we didn't get a lot of resolution to the overlying storyarc. Yes, we get a HEA but the driving conflict is sort of glossed over and left for book 2. On one hand, this makes me want to read the next book so that I can see some resolution. On the other hand, I'm left with that aforementioned feeling of dissatisfaction.
Overall, while it's a good book with interesting mythology and an intriguing overall arc, you might want to have book 2 on hand so you can see some progress toward a final resolution.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
This book has a rather dark feel. In a good way. One of our main characters invites a possession by an otherworldly creature, there's talk about human sacrifice, loss, a cursed rebirth, and losing oneself in the quest for power. As Aidan unravels the mysteries of the diary he begins to see that things he's taken to be the truth aren't the truth after all.
I'm going to be honest here and admit that I'm having a hard time with this review. Like I said, I did like the book. I liked a lot of the elements that made it unique and I liked that the characters had fire and flare. Yet... I still feel like we didn't get a lot of resolution to the overlying storyarc. Yes, we get a HEA but the driving conflict is sort of glossed over and left for book 2. On one hand, this makes me want to read the next book so that I can see some resolution. On the other hand, I'm left with that aforementioned feeling of dissatisfaction.
Overall, while it's a good book with interesting mythology and an intriguing overall arc, you might want to have book 2 on hand so you can see some progress toward a final resolution.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
January 8, 2017
Inhalt:
Die Geschichte, um die Diebin Catriona O’Connell, spielt um 1815 in England. Sie wurde beauftragt ein geheimes Tagebuch aus dem Kilronan House zu erbeuten, doch leider wird sie vom Hausbesitzer Aidan Kilronan beim Einbruch erwischt …
Schreibstil:
Was ist da nur passiert?! Die Geschichte soll im April 1815 spielen und die Protagonistin stellt sich als „Cat“ vor?! Schlimmer ist noch, dass das Wort […] Alter […] am Satzende sehr gerne verwendet wird! Wie krass ist das denn, Alter?!
Dazu kommt auch noch, dass die Geschichte an sich sehr schleppend anläuft und von vornherein klar ist, dass das Girl den knuffigen Boy am Ende bekommen wird.
Charaktere:
Cat ist eine untypische Frau, welche im Jahr 1815 bestimmt so nicht existiert hätte. Ich könnte sie mir gut in der heutigen Zeit vorstellen.
Aidan wirkt verweichlicht und verhält sich ebenfalls untypisch für einen Mann mit Stand und Ansehen.
Die anderen Charaktere passen ebenfalls nicht ins Zeitgeschehen und hätten besser daran getan sich in die Neuzeit zu verflüchtigen. Die Handlungen sind alle vorhersehbar.
Cover:
Das Cover war für mich kaufentscheidend, weil ich mal wieder einen sinnlichen-fantasy Roman lesen wollte. Leider hält die Geschichte nicht, was mir das Cover verspricht.
Fazit:
Ohne Angabe der Jahreszahl, in dem die Geschichte spielen soll, wäre die Story ggf ganz interessant geworden. Aber so: Thema verfehlt, setzen, sechs! Auch hatte ich nicht die Hoffnung, dass sich die Handlungen der Charaktere ändert und ein Spannungsbogen aufgebaut wird. Daher habe ich mich für einen Leseabbruch entschieden und vergebe nur einen Stern.
Die Geschichte, um die Diebin Catriona O’Connell, spielt um 1815 in England. Sie wurde beauftragt ein geheimes Tagebuch aus dem Kilronan House zu erbeuten, doch leider wird sie vom Hausbesitzer Aidan Kilronan beim Einbruch erwischt …
Schreibstil:
Was ist da nur passiert?! Die Geschichte soll im April 1815 spielen und die Protagonistin stellt sich als „Cat“ vor?! Schlimmer ist noch, dass das Wort […] Alter […] am Satzende sehr gerne verwendet wird! Wie krass ist das denn, Alter?!
Dazu kommt auch noch, dass die Geschichte an sich sehr schleppend anläuft und von vornherein klar ist, dass das Girl den knuffigen Boy am Ende bekommen wird.
Charaktere:
Cat ist eine untypische Frau, welche im Jahr 1815 bestimmt so nicht existiert hätte. Ich könnte sie mir gut in der heutigen Zeit vorstellen.
Aidan wirkt verweichlicht und verhält sich ebenfalls untypisch für einen Mann mit Stand und Ansehen.
Die anderen Charaktere passen ebenfalls nicht ins Zeitgeschehen und hätten besser daran getan sich in die Neuzeit zu verflüchtigen. Die Handlungen sind alle vorhersehbar.
Cover:
Das Cover war für mich kaufentscheidend, weil ich mal wieder einen sinnlichen-fantasy Roman lesen wollte. Leider hält die Geschichte nicht, was mir das Cover verspricht.
Fazit:
Ohne Angabe der Jahreszahl, in dem die Geschichte spielen soll, wäre die Story ggf ganz interessant geworden. Aber so: Thema verfehlt, setzen, sechs! Auch hatte ich nicht die Hoffnung, dass sich die Handlungen der Charaktere ändert und ein Spannungsbogen aufgebaut wird. Daher habe ich mich für einen Leseabbruch entschieden und vergebe nur einen Stern.
December 28, 2010
EARL OF DARKNESS by Alix Rickloff is a Regency Romantic fantasy set in 1815 Dublin, Ireland. It is well written with details, depth, twists, turns, a page turner, and action packed romantic fantasy.It is the beginning of the Heirs of Kilronan series.It has action, magic, romance, sweet sensuality, danger, evil vs good, mystery, secrets, mystical language, family legacy, passion, guilt, lust and a compelling love story. The characters are enchanting, witty, determined to conquer the evil that larks in the dark corners and find the truth. The hero, Aidan, is sexy,handsome, dangerous, determined to find someone who can read his family's diary. The heroine, Catriona, is beautiful, has secrets of her own, a thief, a burglar who is supposed to steal the magical Kilronan diary, gets caught and has to make a deal with Aidan. She is the only one he has find who can read the secret language of the diary. Sparks fly between the two of both, Together, they are thrust into a world of dark danger where legends where born and evil larks. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy magic, legend, danger, a dark power larking in the shadows and a compelling love story. This book was received for the purpose of review from the wonderful publisher and details can be find at Pocket Books, a division of Simon and Schuster and at My Book Addiction and More.
August 5, 2011
I hate giving low ratings on novels, just because of the time and energy that goes into it. But in this case it is well deserved. This work was a merge of historical romance and paranormal romance, however, it was brought together badly. This was no Night’s Rose. The prose was stilted and wavered between modern and period speech.
I couldn’t connect with the characters.
Aiden was a down on his luck Irish Earl. What struck me as strange, for a man of limited means, he would light a cheroot, take one drag and throw it in the fire. He did this too many times to count. If someone has money problems, namely lack thereof, you tend not to waste things, as they are to dear.
Cat was a fallen woman turned thief with big trust issues. Other than that, she was unremarkable.
Both H/H had magical ability, lackluster at best, bumbling at worst. The Unseelie Court is represented in the plot, but no mention of the Seelie Court. To me, can’t have one without the other.
Certain plot issues were not wrapped up, which let me with some big questions, but not enough to read the next book in the series when it comes out. The H/H are really never certain who their main enemy is, they waiver back and forth with hypotheses, while they attempt to vanquish the pursuer sent by the main villain.
I hate that I can never get the time I put into this book back.
I couldn’t connect with the characters.
Aiden was a down on his luck Irish Earl. What struck me as strange, for a man of limited means, he would light a cheroot, take one drag and throw it in the fire. He did this too many times to count. If someone has money problems, namely lack thereof, you tend not to waste things, as they are to dear.
Cat was a fallen woman turned thief with big trust issues. Other than that, she was unremarkable.
Both H/H had magical ability, lackluster at best, bumbling at worst. The Unseelie Court is represented in the plot, but no mention of the Seelie Court. To me, can’t have one without the other.
Certain plot issues were not wrapped up, which let me with some big questions, but not enough to read the next book in the series when it comes out. The H/H are really never certain who their main enemy is, they waiver back and forth with hypotheses, while they attempt to vanquish the pursuer sent by the main villain.
I hate that I can never get the time I put into this book back.
September 20, 2011
Aidan Douglas, Earl of Kilronan has inherited an impoverished estate and has been selling off pieces of the estate but has a mysterious diary that he is unable to read. He hopes that it will shed light on the reason that his family was destroyed six years ago with his father's death and brother's disappearance. An unconventional thief who turns out to be the only person who can read the diary, Catriona O'Connell is captured and imprisoned by the earl one fateful night. She has multiple secrets of her own but Aidan is drawn to her. Together they gradually uncover more details about Aidan's family than he is comfortable discovering but he is even less sanguine about her secrets. A horrific creature with the single-minded purpose of retrieving the diary causes Aidan and Catriona to face their fears and decide what is truly important in their lives but they have to decide if they can afford the cost of an alliance between them.
Good premise that starts a promising series but an irksome leading pair. Too much ambivalence, improbable solutions and unfortunately, I have read the sequel before this one which makes me even more disenchanted with the villain in this book. I think that Catriona should have a little more self-respect and I am disappointed in Aidan so I was less than satisfied when this book ended.
Good premise that starts a promising series but an irksome leading pair. Too much ambivalence, improbable solutions and unfortunately, I have read the sequel before this one which makes me even more disenchanted with the villain in this book. I think that Catriona should have a little more self-respect and I am disappointed in Aidan so I was less than satisfied when this book ended.
June 23, 2011
Catriona O’Connell “Cat” is tasked with stealing a diary from Aidan Douglas, Earl of Kilronan. This sets into motion an adventure that keeps you turning these pages and wondering about the mystery of Other and their strange world. Men and women who have a mix of Fey and human blood are considered Other and must hide or face persecution. Cat must rely on these powers to survive in the slums of Dublin. She is caught by Aidan and is given only one choice, either translate this mysterious diary of he will throw her in jail. Aidan knows what she is and needs to use her for her abilities. What he didn’t plan on is falling for the vixen. She captivates him and he doesn’t know how much longer he will be able to keep his distance.
As they discover the secrets they find themselves being targeted and must live to be able to solve the mystery of the diary. To do this they must accept the help of the Amhasdraoi, who Aidan absolutely abhors but as a falls head of heels for Cat, he must protect her and he can’t do it himself.
Fast-paced and full of mystery and interesting characters makes Earl of Darkness a delicious read. Cat is a feisty heroine and Aidan is just plain yummy!
As they discover the secrets they find themselves being targeted and must live to be able to solve the mystery of the diary. To do this they must accept the help of the Amhasdraoi, who Aidan absolutely abhors but as a falls head of heels for Cat, he must protect her and he can’t do it himself.
Fast-paced and full of mystery and interesting characters makes Earl of Darkness a delicious read. Cat is a feisty heroine and Aidan is just plain yummy!
December 30, 2010
Earl Of Darkness is the first book in a new series the Heirs OF Kilronan Trilogy. The next book in the series Lord of Shadows will be out sometime in 2011. I haven't read anything from this author before so I am glad I got to on the first book in a series.
I love reading paranormal romance and this book was a good read. It was full of mystery, adventure and more. It was a little spongy for me at the beginning following things but it quickly rolled together and it was hard to put down tell the end. The author did a wonderful job with the characters descriptions and it made it easy to develop a feel for them.
This is worth taking the time to read and I can't wait for the second one to find out what happens next in the series. This ended up being a very nice read.
*I received a complementary copy of Earl Of Darkness for review threw an opportunity from the Gallery & Pocket Books Romance Blog Tours Group. Receiving a complementary copy of this book doesn't obligate me to give a good or bad review. I am an honest reviewer and my reviews are written by me based on my own opinion*
I love reading paranormal romance and this book was a good read. It was full of mystery, adventure and more. It was a little spongy for me at the beginning following things but it quickly rolled together and it was hard to put down tell the end. The author did a wonderful job with the characters descriptions and it made it easy to develop a feel for them.
This is worth taking the time to read and I can't wait for the second one to find out what happens next in the series. This ended up being a very nice read.
*I received a complementary copy of Earl Of Darkness for review threw an opportunity from the Gallery & Pocket Books Romance Blog Tours Group. Receiving a complementary copy of this book doesn't obligate me to give a good or bad review. I am an honest reviewer and my reviews are written by me based on my own opinion*
November 3, 2017
There's a new used book store two blocks from my work!! (I am so doomed.)
Anyway, I bought this for $1, and it's like a cross between Mairelon the Magician and the October Daye series (Rosemary and Rue), except much heavier on romance tropes and sentence fragments.
I was just going to skim it for the story/world and try to skip the (gross) romance bits, but I couldn't find much plot, just a lot of stupefyingly hetero mutual lusting. Then I picked up His Majesty's Dragon, which I also bought for $1, and I remembered that light fantasy paperbacks can be a delight you don't want to put down instead of a chore. Bye, Earl of Darkness.
Anyway, I bought this for $1, and it's like a cross between Mairelon the Magician and the October Daye series (Rosemary and Rue), except much heavier on romance tropes and sentence fragments.
I was just going to skim it for the story/world and try to skip the (gross) romance bits, but I couldn't find much plot, just a lot of stupefyingly hetero mutual lusting. Then I picked up His Majesty's Dragon, which I also bought for $1, and I remembered that light fantasy paperbacks can be a delight you don't want to put down instead of a chore. Bye, Earl of Darkness.
January 12, 2011
I got my hands on a copy of the Earl from the Book Blogs Gallery, and once in I could not keep my hands off of it. I absolutely loved these characters!
There interactions were so much fin reading, and the writing was so fluid and easy to read, even when my attention was turned elsewhere for a bit and I picked the book back up I was still ready to jump right back into the story.
While Cat and Aidan are sorting through this diary of his father's and finding all of this mystery out, we find their relationship expanding.
I loved all of the different characters and their abilities in this world magical entities. I really enjoyed Cat and her strong character, but I respect Aidan as he was coming to terms with his past and really finding himself.
There was a wonderful blend in this book that was just amazing and I cannot wait for more from this author. If you need something to kick past this season winter darkness, pick up the Earl and warm yourself with some pages.
There interactions were so much fin reading, and the writing was so fluid and easy to read, even when my attention was turned elsewhere for a bit and I picked the book back up I was still ready to jump right back into the story.
While Cat and Aidan are sorting through this diary of his father's and finding all of this mystery out, we find their relationship expanding.
I loved all of the different characters and their abilities in this world magical entities. I really enjoyed Cat and her strong character, but I respect Aidan as he was coming to terms with his past and really finding himself.
There was a wonderful blend in this book that was just amazing and I cannot wait for more from this author. If you need something to kick past this season winter darkness, pick up the Earl and warm yourself with some pages.
December 5, 2011
It took a while for me to warm up to Earl of Darkness and I honestly can't say why that was the case. It's set in Ireland in the early 1800s, and there is magic, and those elements are usually enough to grab me. It wasn't until we got Aidan and Cat away from Dublin that it all started falling in place for me, and then by the time I cared about them, I felt like we were racing to the finish. I was left with lots of questions, which I guess is to be expected from the first book in a series, but I was left feeling a bit cheated. Issues that seemed fairly important to me in both Cat's past and their shared future were brought up several times, but they seemed glossed over or pushed under the rug every time. I was left caring about the characters and wanting to see more of them together, but caring nothing at all for the big plot that I'm assuming will go throughout the series. This one was definitely worth my time, but I won't be seeking out more in the series.
February 26, 2015
I had read the second volume in this trilogy (Lord of Shadows) about three years ago, and found it interesting but tremendously confusing. When I had a chance to pick up the first volume at a library book sale, I decided to see if reading that would help the "universe" of the series to make more sense.
It did.
The basic premise is a Regency-era Ireland where people with combined human and Fey blood have to keep their magic a secret. But the hero's father and his friends were not content and decided to hatch a plan to use the "leadership" of a "resurrected" King Arthur to take over the human world.
This book is a racy romance novel, complete with lots of sex, but if you can get past that, the actual plot is pretty interesting. I give this a 3.5 stars, rounding up just because I feel like it.
December 29, 2010
This has been a very good read. This is the first book by Alix Rickloff that I have read and I really like the way this was written. The story is told wonderfully and with plenty of details. The characters are very strong and they need and learn from each other. Cat has special abilitities and can understand the language that Aidan is needing so that he may understand it. She won't be put in prison if she helps him read this book. They go through a lot together trying to get through this book and stay safe and naturally they are drawn together. This book has been put together well with this story having mystery, magic and paranormal all mixed together and that makes for a great read.
September 1, 2012
Interesting blend of historical romance and paranormal, that maybe didn't quite work as well for me as it should have, and I can't pinpoint exactly why. It was certainly engaging (I read it in one day), with a nice cast of characters and with well written leads that I did root for...even if I did want to shake some sense into both of them on occasion.
I'd say it's actually probably closer to 3.5-3.75 stars (which I would normally uprate to a 4) than the three I rated it, but holy sentence fragments, Batman! I have nothing against sentence fragments, and use them myself, but my word, there were a lot of them in this book. A lot. It got kind of jarring after a while.
That being said, I did enjoy this one enough that I may try the second in the series sometime in the future.
I'd say it's actually probably closer to 3.5-3.75 stars (which I would normally uprate to a 4) than the three I rated it, but holy sentence fragments, Batman! I have nothing against sentence fragments, and use them myself, but my word, there were a lot of them in this book. A lot. It got kind of jarring after a while.
That being said, I did enjoy this one enough that I may try the second in the series sometime in the future.
November 14, 2014
FANTASTIC!! For being a historical (let's be honest here, for all their charm and entertainment qualities they can tend to be a little dull and thrill-less) not so for this one. The author weaves a spectacular blend of paranormal and fantasy with suspense and the classic historical thrall. The author does a marvelous job of using humor and age old wit to keep you imagining the days of horse drawn carriages and scandalous rakes but integrates the new use of impossibilities and magic to add unpredictability and thrill packing every page. The passion and chemistry between the two leads is as addicting as it is believeable. This novel was splendidly done! Now I'm greedy and eager to get the next installment in my hands!
July 13, 2011
Since this is my first Alix Rickloff book, I have to say that without Ms. Rickloff and Goodreads, I may not have had the opportunity to read this one. Earl of Darkness is an enchanting page-turner filled with suspense, mystery and romance. What a great historical paranormal romance. This genre seems to have quite a following and since I've rarely given paranormal romances a chance, I'm quite happy I got to read Earl of Darkness. I enjoyed Ms. Rickloff's writing style and this series is one to follow. I'm very interested to see just how this series develops. Thank you Ms. Rickloff for the added bonus of your signature! All the way around, I'm quite pleased!
November 14, 2011
This is actually 4.5 stars. There are just a few niggling things that kept it from 5. But I really loved this book and I love the whole series. Historical fiction meets the Fey world. What can be better. I love the writing style the author has, there's a sparseness to it I enjoy and yet she paints beautiful pictures with her words. I read the 2nd book in the series first and really didn't like Aiden. After reading this book, I feel like I know him so well. He is the ultimate in flawed hero. He is so flawed! And yet you end up loving him. But he certainly made it difficult. And I love Cat. Such a wonderful strong female character.
May 1, 2012
This book was...good. I liked the action scenes, there were three, I liked the situations and emotions, I liked the characters too. I think this book was a little...slow? This is a good book to read and I enjoyed it, but it didn't really keep me up at night reading. The last part of the book, when it all came kinda together, was the most fast-paced energizing. I'm going to try the next book in the series to see if it gets any better. Sometimes the first is a little slow because of the info overload to carryout thru a series. I would read this again, but only if there wasn't anything else to read. I'd kinda put it lever the the darkfever series (still have more to read there too.).
April 10, 2013
Well....a good story line that has lots of potential for future books but the 'relationship plot' part of the book is very "Harlequin Romance" - all sex and not much character which tends to detract from the main story line.
It would have been better to devote more of the pages to giving the characters more depth an less of it to detailed descriptions of who put their hands and mouth where, etc. or at least to balance the two.
A good enough paranormal plot though to get me to read the next book...at some point.
It would have been better to devote more of the pages to giving the characters more depth an less of it to detailed descriptions of who put their hands and mouth where, etc. or at least to balance the two.
A good enough paranormal plot though to get me to read the next book...at some point.
December 29, 2010
reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blo...
I think any fan of Paranormal/Historical Romance will enjoy EARL OF DARKNESS. It is packed with Romance, chemistry, magical powers and paranormal elements. The main characters are strong and well developed as well as the secondary characters and I hope to see more of them in the next two books. I had a bit of a hard time following along with people, places and powers in the beginning but it gets more defined as the story goes on.
I think any fan of Paranormal/Historical Romance will enjoy EARL OF DARKNESS. It is packed with Romance, chemistry, magical powers and paranormal elements. The main characters are strong and well developed as well as the secondary characters and I hope to see more of them in the next two books. I had a bit of a hard time following along with people, places and powers in the beginning but it gets more defined as the story goes on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews