Temptation

Blood of the Fallen #2

by Raven Stone

A vampire court is one of the most dangerous places I know, but I'll walk into one for Degarr.

Except when I get there, Court isn't Court. And King Gabriel is unlike any other king I've ever met.

And then there's the white wolf.

Grumpy doesn't begin to cover it. Apparently I live to piss this man off. Unfortunately, Gideon doesn't have the same effect on me. Quite the opposite.

He sets me on fire. Leaves me wanting things the innocent people of this place might not understand.

But Gideon's been screwed over and left hurting by someone else.

This wolf is temptation itself.

But the things I want with him? I can never have.

This is the second book in the series Blood of the Fallen. If you like challenges, you can read it on its own. Otherwise please start with Fallen for the best enjoyment and understanding.

591 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[Jerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2. Not quite a standalone, but quite a worthy continuation. Some characters from the first book make their first in-person appearance, and new ones are introduced.
Most everyone is polyamorous. It makes for some interesting dynamics in the extended group. Some are in established relationships while others dance around each other while they figure things out.
The world that Raven has built is fascinating in and of itself. I’ve never read anything quite like it. The different kinds of vampires and their natures, and that of the weres give it depth. I quite like King Gabriel, who has managed to carve out a safe haven for vampire and weres. There’s a few other unique individuals there, too. They all come together to feel like one big family.
That’s not to imply that Gabriel is weak or pushover. He has real power and is definitely worthy of being king.
Kai is headstrong and reckless. He knows he’s scarred but not how deeply it’s effecting him. He’s lucky to be surrounded by so many others who can help him.
And then there’s Degarr. His backstory isn’t really part of this book. He’s as much an enigma as Gabriel is. He’s larger than life while still being down to earth.
Quite good, I recommend the series.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow up story to Fallen

This book is a follow up to Fallen by Raven Stone but is very different in that the action is set in one place and the story is mostly about the interactions between characters in King Gabriel’s court. There are some discussions about what has come before and memories come out that explain why people are acting like they are but all in all this is a much less scary (that’s not really what I mean but I can’t figure out how to say it, action filled, tense, less of a linear plot). The relationships are pretty well all poly so if that kind of thing is something you like reading then this is something you will enjoy reading. The encounters are not very explicitly described and I must emphasize that this is not $mut even though there is a lot of people interacting in the story.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like historical stories and dramas and one of the things that seems to be consistent in those stories is how precarious it is to be at court. This story is a twist on that as this court is a vampire court which adds another element to the danger and intrigue to the story. It was fascinating following the characters, and there were more than just the main couple to follow along with, as to see how things would play out. The author does a great job of building the world and drawing us in in ways that made me want to stay and see how things would play out. I will now go back and read the first story in this series and look forward to the next.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites series and this book did not disappoint! I love that this book focused on moving forward and how Kai's world is expanding. Usually in books with a large cast, there's some perspectives that I like more than others, but in this book I literally loved every character (Gideon is a new favorite!). The character dynamics were beautiful and complex. Also, as someone who reads a lot of paranormal, I am very intrigued by the way vampires are portrayed in this series. The mythology in general is different from what I've read before and I am fully invested in the details (shades vs vampires vs power, etc.). I will literally read every Kai book there is.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Welcome home, love,” he whispered in my ear.

The first book in this series, Fallen, was the first I'd read by this author. I remember I loved it, but that was a year and a half ago and I admit I needed to go back and refresh my memory of what I'd read before. Great world building. I love the different types of vampires out there and the vampire court concept. I really enjoyed Degarr and Kai's deepening relationship, and the supporting characters that continue from the first book. I was more used to the polyamory in this story than I was in the first book and I liked how things turned out. 4 stars.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Points here for world building (interesting and immersive) and character development (same). It’s easy to be drawn into the story here, and the author’s writing style makes events easy to follow and details easy to imagine. Since this book is part of a series, it’s a good idea, for context on the world and some of the characters within it, to start at the beginning, if you haven’t already.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy a story that intricately involves more than just one central couple you will like this series. You do pretty much have to read in order however as all of the characters carryover and their personal journeys are all intertwined. The book is fairly lengthy, so everyone gets their fair share of time, and the world keeps building. I was most happy during Gideons perspective here, but I do like all of the guys.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues the world introduced in Fallen, but this time the focus is on multiple characters interacting at the vampire court. The author does a good job with the all the characters and relationships and I enjoyed the world building showing us how the court functions and the time spent placing all the characters within it. A nice, thick paperback to settle in with and get lost in.

[Viola Lafortune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I usually stay clear from books about multiple partners , BUT this series win me over. I like Degarr, especially the way he treats his partners, their dynamic, respect, love they share are refreshing. The story is well written, with enough details that leave room for imagination. I hope there is a book 3.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going to a vampire court is very dangerous and yet he will go for them, so he goes. There he will find life is not as he thought it would be and he rubs up one the wrong way. How will it all? Can he win them over? Can his life improve? See how it will all go

[brownsoda · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy hedonistic vampires with teeth, this book is for you. Kai is an interesting MC, getting to know his depth. Oveall this series is nice and light

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books takes you deeper into the world you see in book one and follows multiple characters. There's decadence and vampires. What more do you need?

[Virginia Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

the dynamic of the vampire court, we see how different act and behave there. things are different when front of others. must read series

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story.