A Shade of Kiev 2

by Bella Forrest

There is much about my past that I have never revealed to anyone.

Nobody knows that, before I lost myself, I was a physician's apprentice.

I have witnessed countless human illnesses.

But I have lived for centuries and never come across a vampire being sick with anything other than his own darkness.

Until today.

I'm staring at my blood on the floor and a raging migraine is taking hold of me.

I'm not sure what to make of it...

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Witches

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2014

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

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Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of the authors previous books and can say this book is also pretty good. So if you like this author, you'll most likely enjoy this book as much as I did, if not more.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. There was one thing missing and I can't even describe what it is. It just lacks that umph that the previous book had. Although it lacked this, I still enjoyed the book and want to find out more.

Like a lot of Bella's books, this was a very quick read. At 222 pages on my Kindle, it only took me about 2 hours to read. So hopefully this should be as quick and easy for you to read as the previous books were.

If you liked the first Shade Of Kiev, you should read this book. Although it lacked that extra something for me, it's still a very good book and you'll enjoy it. It has a definite 4 stars.

[Katie Tingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed the vampire shade books since the very beginning, loving every turn that Bella has taken with the story within the shade and now with the Kiev books.
I must admit that in book 6 when I first met Kiev I disliked him. There I said it! He made me so angry, but then again I never thought I would have had the chance to expand on his story and get to love him. He was introduced to me at a time when Derek and Sofia were struggling so dearly and I had been through a roller coaster of emotions with their love, that anyone getting in the way of that was bound to be damaged in the crossfire.
So Kiev was first introduced as being a horrible man who stole sofia and her children from Derek; but then set them free because he found that he in fact was in love with her. Then in his own book 'A shade of Kiev', you get to see him in his own rights- being perfect (or not so perfect) with Mona. Not wanting to love her but finding that even the dirtiest of monsters are able to love. And so that leads us to 'A shade of Kiev 2'...
Wow. I loved this book. It was do beautiful and I'm so happy that Mona and kiev ended up together in the end. Yes I must admit that I was annoyed that it took a large percentage of the book for them to even meet again but it made it even more special when they did.
Who else found Rhys weird? He reminded me of a molester. He was even weird as a child too, I wonder if his aunt did something to him???
Mona: I must admit I really hated Mona in the first book, she put Kiev through so much crap, but now I know why I love her even more. She deserves love, and I'm so glad she has found that in Kiev as they both needed resurrecting.
The witch Celice. Didn't see that coming:0
Super excited for the next one. Eeeekkkk!

[Heather Koczera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready for the finale! 😄

[Mummy's Naughty Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is starting to come out more now. Loved the background in this book and liked learning more about side characters. It was short and I feel that the books would be better put together so you can just sink your teeth into them. I wasn't too sure about Kiev in the first book but I'm starting to warm up to him in this one.

[J.E. Benoit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited when I got word last week that this book was coming out today! I was surprised that the first book in this spinoff was a cliffhanger so I was looking forward to continuing Mona and Kiev’s story and I’m glad we didn’t have to wait too long to get it. I thought this book was a good continuation and it gave us a lot of answers into Kiev and Mona’s pasts, we found out about Kiev’s family and about what happened to Mona and why she was cursed and why she didn’t have her magic and was exiled. They spent much of the book apart as their pasts start to catch up to them and they find themselves each wrapped up into separate situations. These separate paths finally converge and things really got good right at the end, leaving me again looking forward to the next installment!

Once again I found myself liking Kiev and rooting for him. I really felt bad for him because of some of the things that happen to him, but I like how he’s changed since we first met him in The Shade of Vampire books and I like the direction he’s heading. I’m still not totally sold on Mona, I never really connected to her in the first book and again I found myself struggling to do so in this book. But if Kiev likes her than I’ll try to keep an open mind and see where this thing goes!

All in all, another good installment and I look forward to the next one and to the surprise release coming in December with a new Sofia/Derek book!

[Katelyn Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread February 2019 - Don't know what I'm talking about in my original review because I loved this more the second time around! I think since I am reading them in order with the series this time, I feel more connected to the story and also Kiev is just such a complex character. I'll leave my star rating but it is definitely closer to a 4 stars!

------------------------

3.5 Stars! Overall I did enjoy this book, I just felt that it could have been combined with the first one. There isn't a time gape and I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if they were combined. The first half was interesting but a lot of facts with not as much action, but the second half was amazing! I would have given this 4 stars like the first one, just the beginning lacked a little for me, and I think it is only because I miss reading about the other characters from the original series. I know I shouldn't let that affect how I read these, but I wish all three of these books were just all combined as one big back story to how they got to where they were in book 9. Great read none the less!

[Jennifer Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always hated Kiev. Especially with what he did in book 6. Book 8 started making me feel sorry for him, but this book made me root for him and love him. Poor Kiev, every time he tries to do something good...it backfires on him. At least at the end of this book...he got a happy ending ;)

Can't wait to read what Kiev and Mona will have to do to stay together.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.... talk about star crossed lovers....

Well because I've read seventeen books in the 'Shade of Vampire' series, I know Kiev and Mona end up together.... It's just going to be so much fun to read how they make it all happen. I've already downloaded the next book in this series, so now I'm off to read #3.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

We start with a bit of Kiev's back story. Son of a physician, with a brother (Erik) and sister (Helina). His parents were dying of what I am going to assume is the plague. After Kiev murders a man who rides by on a coach, the man's wife shoots him and he finds the strength to kill her as well. He sends Erik & Helina with food and money from the coach to live with their miser uncle in 'the city'. After his parents die, Kiev starts coming down with the same symptoms - coughing up blood. The Elder finds him in this weakness and cures him, turns him into a vampire and then spits us back into modern day times.

Mona has left and the seductress witch (Lorena) has taken over her cabin on the lake. Kiev, wanting to cleanse himself of the hurt Mona left him with, decides to partake of Lorena and when they wake in the morning he starts coughing up blood. Mona, having ran away in the last book, shows up at the steps of the Ogre Castle and is taken as a prisoner. Once inside, she notes that it's all women prisoners and they all either had a baby or were pregnant. Mona manages to offer her services to the king of the Ogres and is immediately tasked with attending to his grandchildren, Elsbeth and Dorian (Dorian seems to be mistreating Elsbeth and when Mona tries to interfere, he nearly crushes her windpipe). Mona gets reassigned and after witnessing some pretty horrible stuff, she hears Dorian attacking Elsbeth and winds up killing Dorian. Elsbeth helps her escape. Launching into a nightmare sequence, she recounts swimming in the river with Rhys and coming upon some witches casting a spell on their teacher from The Sanctuary - they wind up killing her. Rhys calls her a coward and then says to prove she isn't. Trapping her in a cocoon, he arrives just in time to slit it open so she doesn't die but he's older now. She wakes up from her nightmare to find Rhys in her escape boat. They were bonded as young adults and share the same branding on their bodies. He is trying to convince her to return to him and serve the Ancients and maybe she can get her powers back.

Matteo has arranged for Kiev to find the Black Bell vampires and once he is out at sea, a vampire comes to him and takes him into 'the shade' (not the same as Sofia & Derek's Shade). Once he is inside the opulent black castle, he notes that his migraine and coughing have subsided. He drains a young human of their blood and catches his eyes in the mirror - they are red once more. He happens upon the youngest of the three witches in this palace, Celice, and is trying to manipulate her with his charm into leaving with him. She is about to transport them when the Lord & Lady arrive and Kiev stops in his tracks. It is Erik & Helina. In their back story, they reveal they were turned by a witch (Clara) after the uncle took their money and then called the police and they were homeless and living lives of crime. They also reveal that they are related to the Novaks, something the Elder mentioned in passing, and they spent time in Cruor instead of at the Blood Keep where Kiev was kept. As they exchange stories, the three witches are said to have rescued 51 vampires from Cruor and they are on this island, named after The Novak's Shade, and the witches spell prevents the Elders from being able to find the vampires. The witches also drink human blood....

Kiev's siblings agree to allow Celice to leave but they drop Kiev off and want to "apologize and mend the fence" with Matteo. They wind up ambushing the island and Matteo, Saira, and few others escape. Kiev is told that the witches are part of a darker witch cult, the Revivalists (unsurprisingly the same cult that Mona & Rhys were in, which Rhys reinducts Mona into after abducting her off the ship). The Novalic Shade runs errands in exchange for protection from the Elders and unlimited human blood. The Revivalists are living by the Ancient Scrolls, unafraid of darker magic, in fact intent that the reason the witches were growing weaker was precisely because of not advancing their magic. 2-3 days a month they also perform a ritual and they made Kiev (while drunk) perform it - turn a human into a vampire (whose blood was neither human nor vampire) and then mid-turn, drink the blood. The three sister witches are also Rhys's sisters. So Mona and Kiev are bound to crash back into each other's lives. Mona reveals to Kiev that she might be in love with him but she was taken by Rhys and her curse (if she leaves her bonded breathren, Rhys, that anyone she loves after leaving will die) and she can't see him again.

Kiev starts working on some ploy to save everyone. He first gets Tiarni (a witch that despises Mona because she herself is in love with Rhys) to transport him back to their castle, gets her drunk and releases all the humans they have captured. Then they transport back and he gets Damion, the night guard, drunk and releases all the humans captured there as well. With Rhys distracted by needing to get more humans, Kiev convinces Mona to transport them back to her cabin on Matteo's island where they hook up. But they don't know that Celice has been following Kiev this whole time and can't wait to spill the beans in the next book...

[Val. · Rating 5 out of 5]

cannot wait until the 3rd book! ahh! soooo good! I think I'm obsessed with Bella Forest!

[shannonbookishlife · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up right where the first of Kiev's story dropped off. The secret that Mona has been keeping is revealed and you see how deeply the two entrench theirselves back into their wicked past; and oh does that come back to bite them in the ole proverbial a**. This plot and storyline moves so fast there should be a warning label to buckle up before opening cover as injury may result. I hate to love my cliffhanger endings and oh does this have one. You know it's a good read when it leaves you breathless and your heart just about pounding out your chest. Once again before reading the first book I didn't think I could find redemption for Kiev but now the author only has me feeling such pity for him and rooting for him all the way. To get the who,e picture you really need to read the first book in the series "A shade of Vampire" then continue on to this spin off. You won't understand the full spectrum of the "hate to love" Kiev party without the background. You won't be disappointed though

[Ur Book Boyfriend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the 1st book in the series. I gave it 4 stars, I think. i really liked this one. The only reason I gave it 3.75 stars was because mid book, it got extremely dark all of a sudden. I was completely unprepared for it now. If that's your thing, then awesome, but for me, it got a little too dark for a few chapters, but overall, it's a great book.

[Natty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the world created in this story. Kiev is such a complex character and I have enjoyed learning more about his background and the life he is leading in the realm he has found himself in. I wish there were more than 3 books.

[Sonja Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Honestly I’m sad there is only one more book just about Kiev I am really loving his character and I can’t wait to start the next book

[courtney Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amaze-balls!!!

Absolutely one of the best vampires stories I've read...love this series, along with the shade series. Perfect combo. Well written, no errors. I just love it

[Pam Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiev

I have enjoyed the shade of vampire books and this one does not disappoint
Love it hoping there will be more books about The Novak Clan

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book

As always, I love these books. This particular book, I wasn't as enthusiastic about, but still a good read. Can't wait to see what happens next for Mona and Kiev.

[Shaz X · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Shade of Kiev 2 follows on from where book 1 left off, and so you need to have read that first in order to keep up.

Kiev and Mona are such dark characters, and I've found it hard to become attached to them. However, during this book I've slowly began to understand how and why they've become this way, making them a little more appealing. Plus they are fighting hard to find redemption in themselves for the evil in which they have partaken.

I enjoy Bella Forrest's story telling, and that keeps me going back for more of her books. Her writing is crystal clear to comprehend, and the flow of the story keeps a great pace holding my interest in the characters next moves, without leaving me waiting too long.

My only dislike of this book is that I find it hard to empathise with these characters. They aren't the "good guys" and some of their acts are totally despicable, but they did keep me enthralled.

There is a little sexual frivolity in the story, but it is nice and clean leaving most of the details to your imagination.

It has an open ending that would normally be an issue for me, but all 3 books are available now, so I can forgive that. :-)

Overall, an interesting read with great imagery and story telling.

See the full review at Sharon's Book Nook!

[Natalia Paez · Rating 1 out of 5]

My rating for this book is 1.0 star.


Estos libros me estan sacando las canas más faciles y rapidas en mi corta vida. Detesto todo lo relacionado con las historias que deberían ser para adolecentes y se convierten en caprichos quejumbrosos totalmente inútiles solo se basan en decisiones meramente adolecentes.

¿Donde quedaron las buenas historias de vampiros? Es terrible todo este libro es que me parece tan bobo Los segui, gracias a un hechizo de invisibilidad.... Es que si Kiev no es mio no va ser tampoco de Mona... ¿Que en el nombre de todos los dioses de cielo y el infierno es esto, ¿Desde cuando los libros se convirtieron en telenovelas?

¡Quiero lucha real, una razón totalmente escandalosa para una guerra, no un capricho estupi**!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoy all of the shade books but for some reason this one fell a bit flat for me.

Since the first book in the series Mona and Kiev have gone their separate ways and the chapters generally alternate between the two and what they are doing. It was good that we got to know a little more of the history of both of them but the story lost some of its flow as a result. Some of the episodes seemed a bit rushed and I couldn't really see the point in them. The story only really started to pick up pace towards the end but still the actions of the characters didn't really make sense to me.

Perhaps all will become clear with the next book in the series.

[Ameenah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in LOVE with A Shade of Vampire series. It was intriguing, imaginative, passionate and hilarious at some parts. I think the problem began when Bella started branching out with each character. I've no problems until it came to Kiev. The first book was wonderful but it seems as if the second book fell short. There was a lot of character jumping (even though it was from the point of view from two characters) and flashbacks happened suddenly. I know the flashbacks were there to give a backstory to the character but it only served to confused me more. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I hate to not finish a series but this character road is one I might not continue down.

[Maria Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new breed of witches

We find out why Kiev has become ill even though he is still a vampire. While trying to repay Matteo for everything he has done and to get his mind of Mona Kievs sets off to the island of the black bell vampires and reunites with people he long thought dead. Mona flees the Island and gets herself into one dangerous situation into another one that will cost her her soul. After Kiev finally accepts his feelings for Mona he sets in motion a series of events in order to get some time alone with Mona only they are not alone. The new witches are scary and almost as bad as the elders.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book failed to catch my interest at all. Kiev is a totally different character, which I could accept if there we're content explaining why. I could read only a chapter or two per night because I found myself looking for other books to read after realizing that my mind was wandering while I tried to read. I finished it simply because I like Bella's Shade of Vampire series and I hoped that this book would pick up at some point. It didn't, for me at least. I won't read the 3rd book in the series.

[Jinx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah! More of Kiev's story and the siblings! I am happy that he's found them, though they are vampires and in Kiev's experience that's not always a good thing. I also felt for Mona by the time this book was over. It was nice to get her background story and I was able to understand, though maybe not agree with the choices she was making. I hope there's a HEA for Kiev at some point but I also have the feeling something dark and evil lurks behind the scenes. Who the heck is Rhys, or better yet - who the heck does he think he is...

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really enjoyed it. Very exciting and continues the story effortlessly. I only have one negative and that is true with the other books too...that for me I really wish they were longer. They are so short that by the time I'm really really enjoying them and have fully got myself into "the zone!" I'm at 90%!! Literally read in a day! That being said, it doesn't stop me reading them because the stories are just so good! :) will be patiently waiting for my email! :)

[Mary L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disappointment

After enjoying the Shade of Vampire series so much, I found this series bland and with way too many holes where there was no explanation or believable reason for going from A to B to C. (No spoilers) I anxiously await the release the next release in the Shade of a Vampire series, but don't know that I will be back to follow Kiev's story here. His character and actions were much more believable there.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's nothing of interest this book that isn't covered on the back description but it is a good read, especially towards the end when the couple finally reveal more about each other and admit they want each other. Their relationship doesn't excite me in the way Derek and Sofia's does though. I think this is because you feel like you know Kiev from the shade books but he completely changes in these and I personally find it hard to picture and understand mona.

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm completely in love with this spin off of The Shade. In book 2 we get alot of questions answered yet that creates more questions. Which is fantastic. It's action packed, romantic, and very mysterious. I love seeing this side of Kiev. The writing was smooth and captivating. I loved every second of it. Awesome!

[Jenny Whetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silly me, I figured just the first Shade of Kiev would be enough and wouldn't need to purchase all of them. What was I thinking?!? After the first one, I HAD to hurry and purchase the 2nd so I could continue the story. I should know this by now after reading the first series of A Shade of Vampire.

Another fantastic read by Bella. :)

[Lacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Diving further into Kiev is a treat,I don't spoil stories with my reviews. I do wish Kiev can go back to the shade and tell them what he has learned, that would be interesting. As always bella has me wrapped up in her writing g and I have finished both 1 & 2 of the Kiev books in one day. U have to read these, if u love the shade you will love these