Duality is just a fact of life when you're the hybrid offspring of a psychotic vampiress and an alpha werewolf. Remus Black is about to learn the hard way that the vampires aren't the only ones who have designs on the hybrid prince of legend. When the Family, a legion of undead hunters who have lain dormant for years, starts killing supernaturals and targeting the people Remus loves, old bonds and new alliances are tested.
The Family is only one of the problems Remus must face now that he's more vampire than werewolf and less human than ever before. Suppressing his wolf side was necessary in order to do what it took to save Victor's life, but his nascent vampire nature has come at the cost of his relationship with Sebastian. Even more shocking than how easy it is to live without his humanity is the fact that he finds it restored in the arms of his destined mate's brother.
Remus and his newfound pack are about to learn that surviving the harvest moon was nothing compared to the threat that looms with the hunter's moon. Remus finds himself at the center of a war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of the Sun, but the battle raging in his own mind poses the greater threat. It soon becomes clear that Victor is bound to the vampiric half of his soul while Sebastian holds claim to the very wolf nature Remus must keep at bay to protect his fragile heart.
To stop the hunters and ensure the future stability of the pack, Remus will be forced to do the unthinkable and choose between Victor and Sebastian. Will his choice tear the brothers apart for good, or is his love the key to bringing them together and standing against the hunters as a united front?
Author's note: Please see the “Look Inside” feature for content warnings.
Oh sweet lord there's part 3 ??? You're kidding me ! I am busting to know - Sebastian or Victor ? The story continues to unfold and I must say I'm really enjoying it even though they're very long books. As the story unfolds Remus has been dragged from pillar to post. He has accepted his duality - part wolf part vampire and he knows each half sings to the twin brothers. Why they can't agree on a ménage relationship baffles me - come on - they live in a damn dungeon ! So the battle continues, good vs evil and poor Remus is stuck in the middle. I sure hope the next book is out really soon
Book 2 in the Kingdom of Night and it really is just as epic, just as long and has just as many twists and turns as the first book. It also doesn’t give us a resolution in fact I think it just confuses the issue of who Remus is going to choose even more but it’s one hell of ride and I am sitting here (not so) patiently waiting for book 3.
A couple of things that are worth noting – you can’t read this as a standalone as it will make very little sense and there are so many characters relevant to the storyline that you need to start at the beginning. The editing in this one is about the same as it was in book 1 – there are a lot of errors, some that jolt you out of the story, but perseverance is key and the story is worth it.
Remus has accepted that he has a dual nature, both vampire and werewolf, but there are those around him that are not so keen and Sebastian is at the top of that list. There are also those that will stop at nothing to get their hands on Remus the most dangerous of those being the hunters and unbeknownst to Remus he had inadvertently become friendly with at least two hunters before he or anyone else at the Lodge even knew what he was.
The story is complicated and always moving forward. Just when you think you have a grasp on it or you think you know where it’s heading it alters course again. The author obviously has a vivid imagination and that has transferred to the characters on page. Just as you think you know Victor his past pops up and everything becomes confusing again – so many twists in the plot.
Obviously the story is going to finish with an epic battle but the only question I want answered is Victor or Sebastian. I really can’t decide and I’m pretty sure Remus feels the same way so I’m voting for both – remember that sketch with Remus on a throne and two wolves standing nearby – I have my fingers crossed!
KU Loved this except for proofing errors that drove me nuts. 2nd book of a series and must be read in order. No cliffhanger but story takes place over a 3 book span.
There's so much I want to say about this book and I know I won't do it justice. Yes, again there are the typos that can (for some readers) interrupt the flow of reading, but in all honesty, after book 1 I kinda got used to it and it wasn't such an issue to ruin what in essence is a fantastic book.
This is book two in the series, and it needs to be read as a book two - I wouldn't call it a standalone since you'll miss too much of the underlying series and there's no HEA, definitely a to be continued so you'll need to read the next book to get your conclusion. It picks up pretty much where book two ends although there are clearly some elements of the story going on in the background and some new avenues explored .... ... although that in no way detracts from the story - there are no gaps where you're left thinking 'huh?' and it flows as a cohesive tale.
This is one of those rare books where you can't see the ending coming a mile off - I'm totally engaged in the story because I'm being swept along with the dialogue and course of events rather than reading with any expectation in mind. I've also had a total change of heart in this instalment, switching which brother holds my allegiance! Can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
Again - I'm trying to recommend it to others (and am begging L.C. Davis to get a decent beta reader), a -because it's a brilliant series, and b- because I need someone to talk about it with! So please - go ahead and read (turning a blind eye to typos etc.) and get in touch when you're done :)
In its most basic form, this series can be narrowed down to the story of who Remus will choose as his mate, Sebastian or Victor. However, in order for Remus to decide that, there is a long, epic journey for him to cross through first. I’m fairly captivated by Remus and his story. While the book involves vampires, werewolves, hunters, and a long told legend, it is predominantly a character-driven story and the politics and legends never overwhelm the book. There is little physical movement to the book as Remus is sequestered in the Lodge, but his own personal journey moves forward.
To further narrow down this book, Remus must marry the next alpha of the pack. While that tradition cannot be changed, Remus is given a say in who that next alpha will be. It will be either Sebastian or Victor and Remus must figure out which of the two is his true mate. Only the hybrid can stop the hunters and Remus cannot fully become the hybrid until he marries his mate. But Remus has a vampire half and a werewolf half and being marked by two potential mates doesn’t make this decision any easier.
4.5 stars - This picks up right where Pendulum left off. Much is happening in this world, and it all seems to hinge upon Remus and his awakening as the true Hybrid. Unfortunately, that cannot happen until he actually chooses his mate, and being marked by both Vincent and Sebastian has made that rather difficult. There is also the issue of Ulric appointing his successor, but he can’t do that either until Remus chooses his mate, because that will also determine who becomes the successor.
So, needless to say, Remus is in kind of a rough spot. He still believes he truly loves and chooses Vincent, but Vincent isn’t convinced. He believes that while Remus still has Sebastian’s mark, it is possible that Remus will choose Sebastian, as it comes down to more than what the heart wants. But, there is a lot more at play here. What we thought we knew about Victor is put to the test in more ways than one. He uses his powers to sort of reset Remus’ memories thinking to do so will give Remus a fair chance at making the right decision as both he and Sebastian court him.
All while this is going on, the plan of the Hunters is brought into focus and the gang must figure out a way to unite with the vampires (including Remus’s mother) in order to be strong enough to stand a chance against them. Remus also learns more about Prentice and Arthur and that all isn’t what it seemed. His list of people he can trust is growing short, that’s for sure.
This is a fantastic paranormal series that focuses on the paranormal aspects, although there isn’t much actual focus on the shifting at the moment. I am thinking this will change a bit more when it comes time for Remus to awaken, unless the Hunters prevent that from happening. The romance and relationship is important, but it sort of takes a backseat for now, more so than the previous book. There are so many things at play here that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was getting just as frustrated as Remus in trying to figure it all out.
With the exception of some misused names and typo errors, this is an extremely well written and engaging story with interesting characters and dilemmas that had me turning pages quickly, paying no mind to how long this was. I was not ready for it to end and am eagerly jumping into the next installment. Definitely recommended for lovers of creative paranormal and alternate worlds.
OMG I am still annoyed as hell with these characters...ALL OF THEM!!! I don't understand how nobody believes in the Moon goddess ...stupid especially with everything that is going down...another reason is I'm sick of the back and forth between Remus,Victor, and Sebastian...just enough all ready...I'm tired of everyone keeping stuff from Remus and he's ok with that...I feel like I'm going in circles for no reason...but guess what...I CANT STOP READING!!! Now with the ending I have to read the next book to hopefully get all my damn questions answered and for these 3 fool's to get their HEA.... 3.5 stars... off to book 3....
Original review on Molly Lolly Four and a half stars! Ok seriously. This book was wonderful and I got sucked in again and couldn’t put the book down. Like stay up til 0330 and still struggle to put the book down knowing your kid will be up in a few hours level of engagement. I loved where the story went in this second book of the series. Some of my initial ideas about where Remus, Sebastian and Victor are headed continue to be obvious to me as an outsider. Plus some of the other characters hinted at it as well. We see far more of Victor’s depths in this book and not all of them are what I expected. Some of them I think have more story behind them than what initially meets the eye here. But others are straight up really bad for Victor. His devotion to Remus continues to be one of his sweetest qualities. But you can see the emerging alpha in him at the beginning half of the story. I’m fascinated to see what’s in store for him in the third book. I adored Remus even more in this story if it was possible. He continues to overcome so many things and show a level of strength he’s going to need in the days to come. As his role in the upcoming war is revealed piece by piece, I am glad he has his pack and family around him. He’s got a hard road ahead of him and the actions of others is going to make it harder. I like that he’s gradually accepting the lore and the words of the Priests and Her, but I do think he’s got to be more open if he’s going to get where he needs to be in time. Sebastian really showed his true self in this book. Much of the protective layers he projects to protect himself are stripped away throughout the story. I have to say the man revealed is so dang sexy in all the right ways. I was a little shocked at his reaction to some of the events later in the story. However I’m hoping his uncharacteristic reaction will be explained in the next book. His love for Remus is strong but he’s also slightly blinded by it the same way Victor is. The plot twist around the 3/4 mark though. HOLY MOLY! I was so shocked by Victor’s actions. Sadly I think Sebastian needed it though. I was doubly surprised by Clarence. I was floored when Sebastian drank the Kool Aid for this. It is going to blow up in ALL OF THEIR FACES! The book ends on another kind of big cliffhanger and I desperately need book 3 to know what happens next. I still have some predictions and wishes for how things go. But I want to know what really happens. Is book 3 out yet? No? How about now?
3.5 Bumped up to four stars because I am so stuck on this story (and the trilogy is really one story BTW, don't try to get away with just reading the first). Mr Davis writes a first-rate soap opera hampered by lack of editing and redeemed by his humor and wisdom. I bet he writes just like he talks, or maybe he just talked this into his voice-recognition software (that's what it looks like), but he's one hell of a storyteller, if a bit long-winded and sentimental. I'm going to try everything he's published.