Atlantis - Die Braut des Vampirkönigs

Atlantis #4

by Gena Showalter, Maike Müller (Translator)

Seit eine Horde Drachen seine Geliebte getötet hat, lebt der Vampirkönig Layel allein für seine Rache. Doch dann trifft er die kampferprobte Amazone Deliah. Obwohl er machtlos ist gegen das Verlangen, das ihn in ihrer Nähe überkommt, darf er sein Ziel nicht aus den Augen verlieren. Nur haben die Götter einen anderen Plan: Plötzlich findet er sich nicht nur auf einer Insel, sondern in einem tödlichen Wettkampf der Geschöpfe von Atlantis wieder - an seiner Seite: Deliah …

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires, Fantasy, Adult, Dragons

445 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this, so I was pretty surprised when I realized I didn't like it that much. I liked the whole 'survivor island' thing, but not so much the rest of it. There were two main stories running at the same time, the vampire/amazon and the vampire-demon/nymph. My problem really isn't with the fact that there was more than one story, it's just that both of the couples seem to have the same theme going in their relationships. The woman is in total love and the man doesn't want anything to do with her. I'm just not into women begging men to be with them. I can't conceive of a way that that is sexy. Yeah, yeah, the one chick was an amazon who was determined to fight for her man, but still.
Also, *sigh* and I can't believe I'm saying this, there was too much sex. Moisture was constantly pooling between someone's thighs, and the scent of arousal was always in the air. Everyone was aroused...for the entire book. Except me.

[Penny Well Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that The Vampire’s Bride might be the Atlantis series’ book that I appreciated the most.

Generally speaking, I enjoyed this series. However, I must confess that part of the rating I gave to these books is based more on my predisposition to like everything Gena Showalter writes than in my actual valuation of the books, sorry, my bad.

The Lords of the Underworld series and Alien Huntress series have a more complex and interesting universe, and on the whole I consider them to be superior to the Atlantis series books.


Atlantis #1: Heart of the Dragon - 2.5 stars.
Atlantis #2: Jewel of Atlantis - 3.5 stars.

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a big fan of the TV show 'Survivor', then you'll love Gena Showalter's "The Vampire's Bride". This is the story of the vampire king Layel and fans have been waiting for it since 2007 when she published her last 'Atlantis' book. You could call this one 'Survivor: Atlantis' or 'Paranormal Survivor' and you'd pretty much have it.

The gods have returned to Atlantis after centuries...and they're bored. To amuse themselves (which is NEVER a good thing), they decide to pit their creations against each other by sequestering them on a deserted island and dividing them into teams to compete in battles-both physical and mental-to determine who is the best warrior species. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, in the god's version getting kicked off the island isn't dramatic enough...instead they behead the loser voted off in the presence of the remaining team members. It's a perverted game played by prisoners worthy of the Marquise de Sade.

Layel is the King of the Vampires. He has been involved in a private war with the dragons since the day they captured he and his mate, violated her in front of him, and then killed her and his unborn daughter. On that day Layel vowed to obliterate the entire dragon race and has refused to feel or care about anything other than his vengeance.

Delilah is an Amazon, one of their best and bravest warriors. On a mission to retrieve her Queen's daughter, who was captured by dragons, she and her band come upon an ongoing battle between Layel and the dragons. Delilah's auddenly feeling things she thought she never would...and those thoughts and feelings center on the Vampire King.

Now these two are part of a group of nine pairs of each Atlantian race, taken against their will from their world, and deposited on an island to battle in teams, one of each race, against each other for the amusement of the gods. Their attraction grows, but their interactions are watched and limited by their opposing teams and their own personal struggles.

I'll confess that while I enjoyed the rest of this series, this one was just TOO much for me. While Delilah was a perfect mate for Layel, it was the whole 'survivor' theme that blew it for me. While I could certainly see the Pantheon acting in such a way, I wanted something more dignified for Layel. But such is the lot of readers. I'll still look forward to more books set in this world, but this isn't one I'll remember with much fondness.

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm bored. Listen, I like human men. Human. Just normal, warm-blooded, mortal men with all their faults and talents. I don't need a vampire, werewolf, nymph, weredragon, or whatever to make me happy. Why on earth would I want some supernatural being following me around, drooling and talking about how he "owns" me? I don't find this appealing.

This book is like a soap opera. A weird one. Layel is king of all vampires. He's consumed by hatred ever since his pregnant human wife was gang-raped and then killed by weredragons. That was 200 years ago and he's been on a murderous rampage for all that time.

The gods, bored meddling creatures, take two of each species (unmated) and put them on an island paradise to battle each other in a test of superiority.

Delilah is a little Amazon who is ashamed because she wants to be loved and cherished by a man. She should only want to be a killer and a great warrior like her Amazon sisters. But she can't help wanting a man - not just in bed, but someone who loves her and can be her life partner.

It's obvious from the get-go that Layel and Delilah are attracted to each other. Delilah's willing and eager for Layel to love her, but Layel is stubbornly holding onto the past and doing everything in his power to push her away.

There's just so many things wrong with this book I don't really know what to say.

I DON'T LIKE:
- When people climax sexually from vampires drinking their blood.
- When a vampire mindjacks a woman so that he can bite her in her ... sensitive parts and she just wakes up and thinks it's a dream, but wonders why she's so pale and weak now.
- When every single character has a raped, murdered, and sometimes raped-and-murdered relative or loved one in their past that is f*cking them up psychologically.
- When people often make the choice (?) to sell themselves into sexual slavery or bondage in order to save a loved one.
- When gods come down and treat people like their living toys, doing stuff like taking away their ability to feel emotion or manipulating them with visions of their dead wives.
- Slavery in this book is just the norm. Amazons take men as sexual slaves for two months out of every year, Layen's wife was originally his slave who he kept chained up in his dungeon, Zane sold himself into sexual slavery to the Demon Queen in order to save his lover's life, etc. etc. etc. Slavery is not okay, and while I don't mind slavery being in novels, I'd appreciate it being portrayed as a bad thing, not a casual throwaway occurrence.
- This whole idea that all that matters in life is your husband/wife - you'd die without them, you'd kill indiscriminately for them, you'll kill anyone who even dares to look at them, etc. etc. etc.

ONE REAL STAR, ONE ROMANCE STAR

[Pepito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this series ha some serious ups and downs. I loved books 1 and 3 but didn't enjoy close as much books 2 and 4. And it's weird because I was so sure I would love this one as everyone seemed to do so.

In this installment we get to read about Layel, king of the vampires, in a quest to kill everybody involved in the assassination of his past mate. We see everything he went through and how he suffered. While at the beginning it was sweet that he wouldn't let anything in between him and her memory, it became a bit annoying as me met a new mate and would not do anything about it. It took him almost a 85% of the book to finally realize he could be with this new mate.

I never really got to connect with any of the characters in this book We get to read about three different couples and I didn't love any of them. But the worst thing about this book fir me was the plot, which IMHO was just a mix between the Hunger Games, the Survivor reality show and LOST the tv. series. To read about superficial and egocentric Gods using people to get entertained making them play games and then killing one of the loosing team just seemed lame. Maybe if I had read this book before I would have enjoyed it more, but at this point it just seemed 0 original. I think everything which was good about this series was not present. I missed the battles between the species, the castles, to read more about the Dragons, etc.

It was a nice read, just not what I thought it would be.

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s something missing for me in Gena Showalter’s Atlantis series. This is the fourth book in the series, and each one has received a three star rating from me. On my scale, this equates to being pretty much an OK/average read – not bad, but nothing special, either – a mildly entertaining way to pass some time.

It’s a shame, because the premise has so much potential: The hidden city of Atlantis, populated by vampires, dragons, demons, nymphs, Amazons, centaurs, minotaurs, gorgons and formorians - the ‘mistakes’ created by the gods Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Hestia and Poseidon who have long since forgotten them.

Sounds great, right? It should be, but it doesn’t quite make it. For me, I think it’s something about the writing. Having not read the author’s Lords of the Underworld series, I don’t know if it’s her writing in general that doesn’t quite work for me, or just this series.

Certainly in this one, there was a significant lack of character development. We didn’t get enough insight into the characters other than they lusted after each other. King of the Vampires, Layel, had an interesting back story and tragic history, but we still didn’t get to know him past those facts. Delilah, an Amazon, had even less substance.

I also found that there was a lack of detail in the story. Again, this goes to character development, but also extends to the writing itself. It just lacks depth. It’s not that I want masses of information dumps, but the writing needs something more to give it some substance, intensity and heart. I never felt immersed in the story or connected to the characters because everything is fairly two-dimensional.

The Vampire’s Bride has a ‘Survivor’-esque plot that will appeal to some readers and alienate others, as the gods seek amusement and the exclusive right to enter Atlantis. Me, I didn’t feel strongly either way – much the same as I felt about the whole book and the series in general.

[Chippy Marco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Diandra Knutson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even when I say I won't read Gena Showalter again, I tend to pick up her books because I KNOW that i have to finish this series. It was hard to engage myself at the beginning. I literally forced myself to read the chapters until I found something I enjoyed, which ended up being Alyssa and Shivawn's story. I then found myself skipping chapters to read their story instead of Delilah and Layel's Survivor: Paradise story. Their story was boring...It's all "I hate you because I want your body which means i secretly love you". It was a mess. A big mess. For some reason, this whole story just seemed so inconsistent, I really couldn't enjoy myself.

It was like this with the Nymph King, but i actually enjoyed the nymph king. This book was a disaster (no offense Gena showalter). There's something in this book that's just....missing.

[Nadjab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Klappentext
Seit eine Horde Drachen seine Geliebte getötet hat, lebt der Vampirkönig Layel allein für seine Rache. Doch dann trifft er die kampferprobte Amazone Deliah. Obwohl er machtlos ist gegen das Verlangen, das ihn in ihrer Nähe überkommt, darf er sein Ziel nicht aus den Augen verlieren. Nur haben die Götter einen anderen Plan: Plötzlich findet er sich nicht nur auf einer Insel, sondern in einem tödlichen Wettkampf der Geschöpfe von Atlantis wieder - an seiner Seite: Deliah…

Meine Meinung
Das Buch erzählt aus der Sicht verschiedener Personen, aber hauptsächlich aus der Sicht des Vampirkönigs Layel und der Amazone Deliah. Es kommen aber auch weitere Personen zu Wort. Layel ist getrieben von Rache, nachdem die Drachen seine Geliebte Susan getötet haben. Er ist leidenschaftlich, stark, mutig und entschlossen. Delilah ist eine Amazone mit Leib und Seele, die sich dem Schutz ihrer Schwestern und ihrer Königin verschworen hat und sich nicht viel aus Männern macht. Sie ist stark, mutig, klug und entschlossen. Beide sind auf ihre Art und Weise stur und gehen ihren Weg, können aber der Anziehung zueinander nicht leugnen. Die Idee eines Wettkampfes zwischen den verschiedenen Geschöpfen von Atlantis ist nicht unbedingt neu und der Wettkampf an sich bietet auch nicht neue Ideen, dennoch war er gut umgesetzt. Der Wettkampf spielt eine eher nebengeordnete Rolle und die verschiedenen Charaktere stehen im Vordergrund. Es gibt daher auch nur mehr oder weniger überraschende Wendungen und Entwicklungen. Die erotischen Szenen passen sich auch gut in die Geschichte. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm und flüssig zu lesen.

Bewertung
Eine gelungene Fortsetzung, die wieder ein wenig actionreicher als der Vorgänger ist und wieder zwei andere Protagonisten hat, aber insgesamt weniger überraschend war und mir wieder gut gefallen hat. Daher gibt es auch diesmal
3,5 von 5 Würmchen

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others from the series, I was over half way through the book before I really got into it and before that frankly I was bored and had to force myself to pick it up each time.

[Videlastro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yooookkkk... Baca adegan kejer2an disini... huahhahha...

Ceritanya aga beda dari 3 Atlantis sebelumnya... yang ini Fuuullll of Adventure.. aga cape siih bacanya.. tp lumayan bikin penasaran... hoohoohoh... [image error]

Layel... Sang Raja Vampire... berjanji kepada dirinya sendiri bahwa dia akan menghabisi Kaum Manusia Naga. Janji itu terucap saat sekelompok Manusia Naga membunuh Istrinya secara kejam, beserta dengan Anaknya yang belum sempat di lahrikan.. [image error]
Dendam itu berlangsung selama ratusan tahun.. sampai akhirnya dia bertemu dengan...

Delilah... seorang wanita Amazon yang tangguh.. Delilah jatuh cinta pertama kalinya pada Layel saat Layel berhasil melumpuhkan dia.. [image error]

Awalnya.. Layel berusaha menghindari Delilah.. tapi tetap saja hal itu tidak bisa di lakukan.. karna mereka tiba2 terlempar ke sebuah Pulau.. bersamaan dengan beberapa orang dari masing - masing Kaum di Atlantis... Demon, Centaurus, Minotour, Nymph, bahan Manusia Naga. mereka berada disana.. hanya karena Para Dewa Yunani begitu bosan dengan kehidupan mereka sebagai penguasa... Hadeeehhhh... Dewa ga ada kerjaan begini niih... ckckckck [image error]
di sebuah Pulau mereka di kumpulkan.. dan di beri perintah, bahwa mereka harus dapat bertahan hidup saat mereka menjalankan apa yang di perintahkan para Dewa...

Dan.. GAme Survival pun DIMULAI!!! [image error]

sebelomnya gw bilang aga cape bacanya... bukan karna ada acara (hampir) bunuh2an dan kejer-kejeran selama mereka melaksanakan tantangan Para Dewa... tapi juga banyak Adegan Penolakan disini... hmpffth... [image error]

Yak... Mereka saling tolak menolak disini.. tapi akhirnya saling tidak bisa melepas diri satu sama lain...

**Adegan saat Shivawn Menolak Alyssa** (Tolak 1)
Shivawn : "Apa Kau benar - benar ingin endengarnya?"
Alyssa : "Ya, Katakan Padaku"
Shivawn : "Bercinta denganmu.. Tidak baik untukku, bahkan.. Aku tidak menikmatinya Saat Bersamamu"

*****JEDER SATU***** [image error]

**Adegan Saat Shivawn balik di Tolak oleh Alyssa (Shivawn akhirnya menyadari sebenernya Alyssa adalah Jodohnya)**
Shivawn :"Kemarilah Alyssa. Kumohon"
Alyssa :"Kembalilah, Ceritakan Pada Rajamu apa yang Telah Aku lakukan. Kirimlah seluruh bala tentara
Nymph untuk Membunuhku"
Shivawn :"Ini HAnya Antara kita berdua. Tak ada yang Lain. Aku tak akan pergi kemana - mana Tanpamu"
Alyssa :"Baiklah. Aku yang akan Pergi kalau begitu. Selamat Tinggal!" (Bum! Alyssa menghilang)

*****JEDER DUA***** [image error]

**Adegan Saat Nola (Wanita Amazon teman Delilah) menolak Zane (Vampire teman Layel)
Nola :"Kubunuh Kau!Mungkin dalam mimpiku aku menginginkanmu, Tapi sekarang Tidak, Aku Tak Bisa!!"
Zane :"Tapi aku merasa tidak seperti mau mati Saat Kau menyentuh ku. Artinya, Kau Miliku (maksa)
Nola :"Tidak, Aku bukan Milik Siapapun! Tinggalkan Aku Sendiri!!"

*****JEDER TIGA***** [image error]

**Adegan Saat Layel dengan Ngeyel menolak Delilah**
Delilah :"Layel, Jangan Lakukan ini.. Aku..."
Layel :"Tidak. Aku Tidak menginginkanmu, Tak ada apapunyang Kau Katakan dan Kau lakukanyang bisa mengubahnya...

*****YUK! JEDER EMPAT***** [image error]

**Adegan saat Delilah berbalik jadi menolak Layel**
Layel :"Aku membutuhkanmu. Aku membutuhkanmu lebih dari Aku pernah merasa membutuhkan orang lain"
Delilah :(Menatap Layel tanpa ekspresi)"Maafkan Aku, tapi Aku sudah Tak Tertarik Lagi"

*****HAIIIZZZ.... JEDER LIMA***** [image error]

See...?? tau kan kenapa gw bilang ceritanya aga cape... ckckckkc

===PecintaPriaNakalBersaksi... Ga ada yang Nakal disini [image error] ===

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Susan, dolce Susan. Nessuna donna era più tenera, gentile e affettuosa. Il suo maggiore peccato era – anzi, era stato, si corresse disperato – l’amore che li aveva uniti. Susan era tutto per lui, e i draghi l’avevano torturata e uccisa perché lui non voleva avere niente a che fare con il trono dei vampiri e si era rifiutato di imporre delle restrizioni alla sua armata, come aveva fatto il padre.
«Sono mesi che attendo questo momento» dichiarò un altro drago, investendolo con un fiotto infuocato. Le fiamme gli bruciarono una guancia, ma lui non reagì e chiuse gli occhi. Sentiva solo il dolore tremendo di quel momento e voleva rimanere là per sempre, voleva morire con la sua donna e la sua bambina. La sua famiglia.
«Guardatelo. Guardate come si è ridotto il possente Layel» lo schernì qualcuno. Tutti i draghi scoppiarono a ridere. «Capisco perché ti piaceva tanto, vampiro. La sua fessura stretta e bagnata era una meraviglia.»
«Mi è piaciuto sentire la sua bocca e la sua gola intorno al mio membro.»
«Quello che le abbiamo fatto le è piaciuto. Hai sentito come gridava.»
Layel aprì gli occhi e l’odio e la rabbia superarono il dolore. Si guardò intorno: i demoni erano ancora là e ridacchiavano come bambini, mentre gli occhi dorati dei draghi sfolgoravano trionfanti. Vedendo la sua espressione, i loro sorrisi si spensero e qualcuno indietreggiò. Forse si erano dimenticati che i vampiri potevano volare, o non pensavano che un uomo distrutto come lui fosse pericoloso. Si sbagliavano di grosso.
«Susan!» Layel iniziò con furia. E nella foresta risuonarono grida di dolore più acute e disperate di qualsiasi cosa fosse avvenuta prima.”
Gli Dei, stanchi di essere soli e desiderosi di avere qualcuno che li adorasse, tentarono di creare l’uomo. Dico tentarono perché la prima volta qualcosa non funzionò: al suo posto, nacquero straordinarie creature dai grandi poteri, e gli Dei ne ebbero paura.

Li confinarono così sotto l’oceano, ad Atlantide, legandoli indissolubilmente a quella terra.

Fra queste creature leggendarie c’erano anche i Vampiri.

Nel corso dei secoli, gli Dei mandarono ad Atlantide anche gli umani che durante la vita si erano macchiati di gravi colpe; i più vennero uccisi subito, altri furono ridotti in schiavitù, ma alcuni riuscirono a integrarsi e proliferare.

Susan, l’amatissima moglie di Layel, discendeva proprio dagli umani di Atlantide. All’inizio il vampiro pensò di prenderla come schiava ma la dolcezza e la bellezza della ragazza lo conquistarono, facendolo innamorare perdutamente.

Alla morte del padre, Re di tutti i Vampiri, Layel rifiutò di assumere il potere e i sudditi, rimasti senza un capo, cominciarono a uccidere. I Draghi comandati da Javar, uno dei Guardiani, decisero perciò di punirlo: con l’inganno si introdussero nel suo palazzo, per violentare e bruciare Susan, davanti ai suoi occhi.

Ridotto all’impotenza, Layel non poté fare altro che assistere alla morte della moglie e della bambina che portava in grembo.

Poi i nemici derisero il suo dolore, pensando di averlo annientato, ma compresero troppo tardi l’errore compiuto.

Ora Layel è il capo indiscusso della sua gente, che comanda col pugno di ferro in una guerra senza quartiere, atta a cancellare per sempre la razza dei Draghi. Coloro che hanno ucciso Susan sono già morti da tempo, in modo atroce, ma duecento anni di vendetta non hanno placato il dolore del vampiro. E per estinguerli non esita ad allearsi con chiunque sia loro nemico: demoni, umani o Amazzoni.

La nostra storia comincia mentre alcuni dei migliori soldati di Darius, il re dei Draghi, stanno riportando a casa una prigioniera molto particolare, Lily, una giovane Amazzone destinata a diventare la loro nuova Regina. I Draghi intendono riconsegnarla alla madre e stipulare un trattato con lei, ma Layel vede invece un modo per aizzare contro i Draghi le temibili guerriere. Ma durante quella che dovrebbe essere poco più che una piccola scaramuccia, Layel e altri guerrieri vengono trasportati per magia su un’isola dove saranno costretti a una olimpiade, orchestrata dagli annoiati Dei, che si sono improvvisamente ricordati di Atlantide dopo millenni.

A ogni gara persa qualcuno morirà, e fra quei guerrieri, due per ogni razza presente, c’è una giovane Amazzone che risveglia il cuore di Layel.

Abbiamo avuto modo di conoscere Layel nei precedenti libri della serie, in cui è sempre alla ricerca di alleati nella sua guerra contro i Draghi. Nonostante sembri spietato, alcune sue azioni hanno fatto comprendere che, in realtà, non è privo di onore o compassione: ha aiutato Jewel nonostante avesse l’occasione di catturarla, è sempre pronto ad aiutare il Re dei Ninfi, Valerian, che considera un amico; e nonostante odi tutti i Draghi, rispetta Darius perché in cuor suo sa che lui non avrebbe mai permesso ai suoi soldati di accanirsi contro una donna indifesa. Ma ha fatto un giuramento, sui resti della donna che amava, e non vi è mai venuto meno. Ha un solo desiderio: vedere annientato ogni singolo Drago, e poi ricongiungersi alla sua amata, nella morte. Per questo, quando si trova di fronte Delilah, l’Amazzone, e sente un’improvvisa attrazione per lei, in un primo momento pensa addirittura di ucciderla, scoprendosene poi incapace. Non solo, ogni qual volta la veda in pericolo durante le varie gare, non può fare a meno di salvarla, nonostante gareggino in squadre diverse. Lei lo tenta, gli offre se stessa e il suo sangue, e alla fine Layel cede a una notte di passione. Per correre via subito dopo, in preda al rimorso e a un tale dolore da tatuarsi sul polso la scritta “Mai più”, nel vano tentativo di arginare i suoi sentimenti. Delilah è un’Amazzone e come tale dovrebbe rifuggire la sola idea di un uomo nella sua vita. Eppure, nonostante l’addestramento e l’esistenza che ha condotto, nel suo cuore ha sempre desiderato un uomo pronto a combattere per lei, e che la considerasse il suo tesoro più prezioso.

Nonostante Layel tenti di sfuggirle costantemente, lei prova sentimenti fortissimi per questo vampiro tormentato e cupo, e dopo averne conosciuto la triste storia, farebbe qualunque cosa per essere colei che gli riporta la pace e il sorriso. Ma la Dea Hestia, decisa a far vincere la gara alla sua Amazzone, ha per loro in serbo due potenti incantesimi che potrebbero allontanarli per sempre.

Questo è sicuramente un libro più corale degli altri della serie. I personaggi sono davvero tanti, e se la coppia principale ne viene penalizzata, possiamo consolarci assistendo alla nascita degli amori fra un Ninfo e una vampira, e un vampiro e un’Amazzone. È un libro che si fa leggere con discreto piacere; Layel è il personaggio sicuramente più carismatico e ben caratterizzato di tutta la serie, e anche quello che ho amato di più. Le scene passionali non sono moltissime e sono dosate ad arte, e pazienza se la trama lascia un po’ a desiderare. Spesso avrete la tentazione di soprassedere alla gara di turno e passare oltre, ma non dimenticate che è una serie abbastanza datata e adesso siamo abituate a ben altri stili, e questi libri, per quanto gradevoli, dimostrano tutti i loro anni.

Da questo capitolo finale parte anche il racconto “La maledizione dell’Amazzone”, che chiude la serie ed è stato pubblicato nel libro “Demons”. Un racconto di poche pagine che non fornisce materiale sufficiente per una recensione a parte. Ma tutto si riduce a questo: per l’ultima gara vengono scelti un campione per ogni razza; il vampiro Zane, che è stato rapito insieme a Layel, e l’Amazzone Nola sono stati scartati dagli Dei e mandati nel campo delle Amazzoni. Zane dovrà essere uno schiavo nella stagione dell’accoppiamento e Nola si ritrova invisibile grazie a una maledizione lanciata dalla Dea, che intende punirla. Durante la stagione degli amori, le Amazzoni fanno prigionieri uomini di ogni razza con cui accoppiarsi e che vengono liberati subito dopo. Tutti i maschi di Atlantide sono ben disposti a questo tipo di schiavitù che sembra poco più di una vacanza con tanto sesso, ma per Zane questo non è possibile: lui detesta essere toccato, dopo essere stato schiavo di Marina, Regina dei Demoni, non sopporta il tocco di nessuna donna, tranne quello di Nola. Lei vorrebbe più di ogni cosa rivendicarlo e combattere per lui, ma per farlo dovrà prima liberarsi della maledizione. Corto. Troppo corto, e interessante solo se letto dopo “Il vampiro di Atlantide”, che dà modo di conoscere i personaggi fra una gara e l’altra, altrimenti risulta essere abbastanza insulso e di poca comprensione.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying, I love Gena. I cut my PNR teeth on the Lords of the Underworld last year and have ravaged many a PNR series since then. I read the first 3 tales of Atlantis last month to get ready for this new one. For me, the Vampire's Bride was anticlimactic.

1. I never liked Layel in any of the books. To find find him as a likeable character was a stretch for me, but I made the journey.

2. My favorite parts were the minor plot of Shivawn and Alyssa. In my opinion, that would have been a stronger book. I know a Nymph storyline was done, but I would have liked more.

3. This book DRAGGED. There was so much back and forth between Delilah and Layel. I was just rolling my eyes and internally screaming for them to just get it on already. The sexual tension became boring after awhile.

4. I hated the Survivor storyline. It was kinda cheesy. I loved Gena's ironic twists from the other three novels (the dragon who guards the gates but lets someone slip by, the man looking for the Jewel of Atlantis has it in his hands all along, the Nymph king is drawn to the one who hates him the most). I wanted some of that cleverness here. Maybe it is here and I missed it? I don't know.

I'm giving it 3* because, hey, it's Gena. Her writing is good stuff and deserves recognition for that. Also, I loved the Shivawn/Alyssa storyline.

That being said...I can't wait for LotU #4. That two page teaser at the end of this was borderline dirt mean. It left me craving more, more, more.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! It was an Atlantean version of Survivor and it was (of course) to the death. I loved the Amazons and I hope we get to see Nola's story next.
Not only were they fighting their desires, fighting for their lives, and fighting Layel's (the vampire king) memories of his dead mate, they were unkowingly fighting for the gods. It was a great read and an exciting book that was more than just boy meets girl (or vampire meets amazon) they deny love, they fight their desire, and they live happily ever after. It was one of Gena Showalter's best wor

[Ronda Tutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The God's will have their fun!

The Vampire King I believe has to be the most fierce and most logical being out of all the mystical species - LOL

Deliahla is definitely the perfect match for the vampire king. I enjoyed their story and found the God's mysterious island trails to determine who was the most fierce and intelligent warrior very humorous. At first it was very harsh and cold but in the end it showed the God's having a sense of riddled humor and sensible humanity. Besides love always wins in the end.

Enjoyable Read!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will write a full review when I'm at my pc but for now absolutely amazing

[Marulett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaking amazing!!! It was like the hunger games of the underworld and no PG restriction!!

Another great book by GS :))

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t connect with the main pairing at all.

My favourites were the side characters Zane,Nola,Shivawn and Alyssa.

The main pair felt too abrasive and headstrong,Delilah was behaving too arrogant for her skills and needed saving a lot while Layel was grieving his former mate for two centuries to enduring challenges by the gods and with external factors he realises that he’s in love with Delilah.

Favourite quotes:

“Even as he spoke,he longed to use his hands in a different way.For pleasure,not pain.Satisfaction,not death.Neither of which he would allow.The fact that he still wished to do such a thing told him beyond any doubt he needed to rid himself of her,just as he’d planned.”

“She would never again experience his kiss,his touch.Would never learn his secrets,ease the pain she saw in his eyes every time she looked at him.Never shine light into the darkness of his soul.”

“When she thought him dead,she had mourned.Mourned. The more time she spent with him the more she wanted him.What would happen if he was killed?What would happen if she gave herself to him and he pushed her away afterward?Next time,she might not survive.”

“Need was like a storm inside her,his every command hers to fulfill.Here was everything she’d ever wanted,dreamed about,craved,offered to her on a night of moonlight and bliss,starlight and dreams.”

“The fierceness of him,the darkness-they called to her,drew her.They represented the very thing she’d always craved for herself:to be loved so inexorably,no act was too vile when it came to protecting her-or avenging her.”

[mysticofworlds · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

At first I didn't like this that much, but once I got more into it, it was definitely better than the previous three books.

I couldn't say I liked Delilah or Alyssa that much- especially Alyssa, it was annoying how desperate she was over Shivawn mate or no and how she kidnapped him and tied him up. I get that she loved him, but still... she couldn't stop trying because of broken pride? Even after he's said that he's disgusted by her and all that?

What I didn't like about Delilah was how disparaging she was about Susan. I get that Layel needed to get over his grief and guilt, but she was ragingly jealous over Susan and almost rude to Layel over her.

I liked the plot of this more than the previous books. While I can't say it was incredibly original, it was definitely better than the usual "oh no I'm a ferocious male that has to protect this female and fight against this army because power power power" from before. And it was nice to see the different points of view.

Overall, I didn't really like this series; I felt like it was poorly developed with cringeworthy romance and unlikeable characters, but this book was at least better for an ending than the other ones.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the final novel in the Atlantis series and I confess, it was the one I was most curious about because it was the challenge of turning the bad guy into the good guy or at least a guy who would wasn't all bad.

Truthfully, I have never really looked on Layel, the Vampire king, as the bad guy. He had something horrific happen in his life and it broke him. I hated many of his actions, but I've mostly just felt pity. And pity isn't something I like for the most dominant thing I feel for my heroes so in truth that was the challenge the author had to overcome for me. She did manage to accomplish that and more with this story.

The beginning of the story opens with the Amazons and the dragons fighting over the fact that the dragon's had the Amazon princess in a cage and were taking her back to their castle. Layel and his vampires join the battle because he will do anything to take it to the dragons. In the midst of the battle, Layel sets eyes on the most beautiful woman, the Amazon warrior Delilah. He feels something for another woman for the first time since his mate was murdered and it troubles him.

Delilah is hit by strong attraction when she encounters the cocky arrogant vampire who butted in on her battle. Just as she rescues the young Lilly, something odd happens. Delilah along with another Amazon, Nola and two of every other race are whisked away and dropped onto an isolated tropical island. They are there to compete against each other all for the entertainment of the Olympians who are bored. The races are divided and put on opposite teams. Delilah soon discovers that the vampire, Layel is on the opposing team. The risks of losing a match are high. Death will visit the losing team. Yet, this is still not enough to keep her mind off the vampire.

Layel is angered by the gods playing with them and his emotions are all over the place with part of him wanting Delilah, wanting to killer her because he wants her, and feeling remorse and grief over his long dead mate. The challenges come and go, but as time passes his feelings grow stronger even if they are no less confusing.

There are two secondary story lines too. There is the continuing story from the previous book of Shivawn the nymph and Alyssa the vampire. Alyssa has loved Shivawn for ages, but he wants nothing to do with her until he spends one night with her. That night was the best night of her life until he tells her it means nothing and he won't be repeating it. Both of them carry a lot of baggage from an event that took place in their past though Shivawn is unaware of Alyssa's involvement in it. It is a drastic move on Alyssa's part in the present that changes things.
The other story is that of Nola the Amazon and Zane the Vampire who are also brought to the island for the challenge. Now these two had past histories that near broke my heart, but it left Nola almost stone cold and Zane so vulnerable.

For the most part, I enjoyed this story with all the tension caused by the characters' struggle and then there was the excitement of how this god's challenge would pan out. There were times when I just wanted to smack people and say 'quit fighting it' when they were trying to deny or repress their feelings, but in a way I understood too. There was a lot of angst because of some really tough pasts.
While I did enjoy the various plot threads, I did feel that each one suffered a little because of having to hop between them all. I can see how Layel and Delilah and Nola and Zane had to be together since they were all in the same place and part of the same action plot, but I almost wish that Shivawn and Alyssa's story had been given its own separate telling as a short story or novella. The story was not ruined for me at all and I loved each of those separate plots; I just thought it would have been even smoother and less distracting to read them straight through without breaking them up.

I'm grateful that a follow up story was written to give closure to Nola and Zane's story because I was totally curious to know what happened with them.

I have enjoyed the Atlantis series and marveled at the world building, plots and characters. Paranormal Romance fans should definitely give this series a try.

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มที่สี่ในชุดแอตแลนติส ซึ่งไม่ใช่ดินแดนในตำนานอย่างที่พวกเราส่วนใหญ่เข้าใจ เพราะแอตแลนติสแม้จะเป็นดินแดนที่จมลงไปสู้ใต้ทะเล แต่มันไม่ใช่ที่อยู่ของเหล่ามนุษย์ แอตแลนติสเป็นที่ที่เหล่าพระเจ้า (ตามตำนานกรีกโรมันโบราณ ไม่ใช่พระเจ้าตามศาสนา) นำความผิดพลาดในอดีตของพวกเขามาซุกซ่อนไว้ นั่นเพราะว่าก่อนที่พวกเขาจะสร้างมนุษย์สำเร็จ พวกเขาทดลองสร้างสิ่งมีชีวิตต่าง ๆ มากมายที่แตกต่าง ไม่ว่าจะเป็นเดม่อน, แวมไพร์, มังกร, และสิ่งมีชีวิตตามตำนานทั้งหลายมนุษย์เชื่อว่าไม่มีจริง

พวกนี้มีจริง และอาศัยอยู่ในแอตแลนติสซึ่งจมอยู่ใต้ทะเล พระเจ้าผู้สร้างพวกเขาทอดทิ้งพวกเขาไป ปล่อยให้อยู่กันตามลำพัง

เรื่องนี้เล่าเรื่องราวของตัวละครที่แม็กซ์คิดว่าน่าสนใจมากที่สุดในชุด สองเล่มแรกในชุด (Heart of the dragon และ Jewel of Atlantis) จีน่าพูดถึงตัวละคร "ฝ่ายดี" นั่นก็คือมังกร พวกเขาต้องรับภาระในการเฝ้าประตูที่เชื่อมระหว่างแอตแลนติสและโลกมนุษย์ ในทั้งสองเล่มตัวร้ายก็คือ ฝ่ายนิมและแวมไพร์ แต่จะเป็นแวมไพร์มากกว่าที่โชว์ความร้ายกาจ ดังนั้นเมื่อเล่มสาม (The Nymph King) จับเอาราชาแห่งนิมมาเป็นพระเอก มันจึงไม่ได้เป็นเรื่องยากเย็นอะไรนัก แต่เมื่อมาถึงเล่มนี้ เป็นคราวของเลย์เอล ราชาแห่งแวมไพร์

คนที่อ่านสามเล่มแรกก็จะรู้ว่าเลย์เอลไม่ใช่คนร้ายที่ถูกเข้าใจผิด เขาร้าย และเป็นศัตรูของมังกรอย่างแท้จริง แต่ก็มีบางอย่างในตัวเขาที่ดึงดูดให้��ม็กซ์คิดว่าเขาเป็นตัวละครที่น่าสนใจ มาก ความจริงก็คือ เขาน่าสนใจที่สุด

เคยไหมล่ะคะที่คุณอ่านนิยายเล่มนึง แต่มองหาตัวร้ายให้ออกมามีบทเสียที เขาน่าสนใจว่าดาเรียส พระเอกที่เป็นมังกรในเล่มแรก เขาน่าสนใจว่าวาเลอเรียนพระเอกเล่มสาม และแน่นอนว่าเขาน่าสนใจกว่าเกรย์ มนุษย์ที่บุกลงไปในแอตแลนติสเพื่อค้นหาสมบัติอันล้ำค่าที่สุดแห่งแอตแลนติส

เพราะอะไรเหรอคะ

นั่นเพราะเลย์เอลมีมิติ เขาไม่ใช่มังกรที่วันทั้งวันพูดแต่เรื่องเกียรติยศ (และทำตัวห่วยแตก) เลย์เอลเจ้าเล่ห์ และร้ายกาจ ชนิดที่ได้ใจแม็กซ์เต็ม ๆ (และขอใบ้ว่า คนที่ชอบพระเอกแนวแอน สจ๊วต น่าจะรักเขามากอย่างที่แม็กซ์รัก)

หนังสือเล่มนี้ไม่ได้เปลี่ยนแปลงสิ่งที่เลย์เอลเป็น ไม่ได้ทำให้การกระทำของเลย์เอลดูเป็นสิ่งที่ดีขึ้นมา แต่มันให้เหตุผลว่า อะไรทำให้เลย์เอลกลายเป็นคนเช่นนี้

เลย์เอลเริ่มต้นด้วยการเป็นพระเอกในนิยายโรแมนซ์ทั่วไป เขาเป็นคนที่มีเกียรติและรักครอบครัว ซูซานซึ่งเป็นคู่ชีวิตของเขากำัลังตั้งท้องลูกสาวคนแรก ตอนที่ทุกอย่างในชีวิตของเลย์เอลถูกแย่งชิงไปด้วยการกระทำที่โหดร้ายที่สุด เพราะเลย์เอลเป็นกษัตริย์แห่งแวมไพร์ เหล่ามังกรโทษเขาเป็นต้นเหตุที่ของพฤติกรรมอันเลวร้ายของแวมไพร์นอกรีต พวกนั้นบอกว่าเป็นความผิดของเลย์เอลที่ไม่ควบคุมแวมไพร์ให้อยู่ในแถว และลงโทษด้วยการข่มขืนและฆ่าซูซาน ทำลายศพของเธอต่อหน้าเลย์เอล และนั่นทำให้เขาเปลี่ยนแปลงไปตลอดกาล

เขามีชีวิตอยู่เพื่อการทำลายล้างมังกร ทุกการกระทำตลอดช่วงสองร้อยปีที่ผ่านมา ก็เพื่อทำล้ายมังกรให้หมดไปจากแอตแลนติส แม้ว่าพวกมังกรต้นเหตุที่ฆ่าซูซานจะถูกเขาลงโทษอย่างสาสมไปหมดแล้ว แต่ความเจ็บปวดก็ไม่อาจเลือนหายไปได้ เลย์เอลฆ่ามังกรต่อไป แม้ว่าพวกนั้นจะไม่ใช่คนที่มีส่วนเกี่ยวข้องก็ตาม ทำไมเขาต้องหยุดด้วยล่ะ ในเมื่อเขาเองก็ถูกลงโทษในการกระทำของคนอื่นเช่นกัน

"Hadn't he been blamed for the actions of others? It was only fair to use that same logic against the dragons."

ในศึกครั้งนึงที่เขาโจมตีเหล่ามังกรที่กำลังต่อสู้กับสาวอเมซอน (เพราะมังกรไปจับตัวทายาทแห่งบัลลังค์อเมซอนเอาไว้) เลย์เอลก็ได้พบกับผู้หญิงคนแรกที่ทำให้เขารู้สึกบางอย่าง เธอชื่อเดไลล่าห์ และเธอคือทุกอย่างที่เป็นด้านตรงข้ามของซูซาน

เดไลล่าห์เป็นนักรบแห่งเผ่าอเมซอน กลุ่มนักรบสตรีตามตำนาน เธอเข้มแข็ง เก่งกาจ ก็ไม่ต้องการผู้ชายคนไหน แต่มีอะไรบางอย่างในตัวแวมไพร์ที่โอหังคนนี้ แต่ก่อนที่ทั้งคู่จะเริ่มต้นอะไรกัน ทั้งหมด (รวมทั้งมังกรที่ต่อสู้กันอยู่) ก็ถูกเคลื่อนย้ายด้วยพลังอำนาจบางอย่าง ไปยังเกาะแห่งหนึ่ง เพื่อเข้าร่วมเกมการแข่งขันของเหล่าเทพเจ้า

หลังจากที่ทอดทิ้งแอตแลนติสมานาน เหล่าเทพเจ้าจดจำผู้คนที่เขาลืมไปได้ แต่ปัญหาคือ ต่างคนก็อยากจะเป็นผู้ครอบครองแอตแลนติสเพียงหนึ่งเดียว และเนื่องจากสิ่งมีชีวิตในแอตแลนติสแต่ละกลุ่มมีลักษณะเด่นจากเทพเจ้าแต่ละ องค์ พวกเขาจึงท้าพนันกัน ถ้าชนชาติที่พวกเขาให้การสนับสนุนเป็นผู้ชนะในเกมการแข่งขัน เทพเจ้าองค์นั้นก็จะมีสิทธิกลับไปที่แอตแลนติสได้

นักรบผู้เก่งสุดของแต่ละชนชาติถูกเลือกมาอย่างละสองคน ทั้งเลย์เอล และเดไลล่าห์เป็นตัวแทนของชนชาติของเขาพวกเขา ในเกมที่พวกเขาไม่ได้เลือกที่จะเล่น แต่ก็ไม่มีทางเลือก โดยเฉพาะถ้าพวกเขาอยากมีชีวิตรอดกลับไปแอตแลนติส

ผู้เล่นทั้งหมดถูกแบ่งออกเป็นสองทีม แต่เลย์เอลและเดไลล่าห์อยู่กันคนละทีม ซึ่งนั่นทำให้เรื่องยุ่งขึ้นไปอีก ทีมที่แพ้การแข่งขันในแต่ละครั้งจะต้องเลือกผู้เล่นคนนึงออกมาให้ถูกฆ่า นึกถึงรายการทีวีเซอร์ไวเวอร์น่ะค่ะ รูปแบบเหมือนกันเลย เพียงแต่คนที่ถูกคัดออกไม่ได้กลับบ้าน แต่จะเผชิญหน้ากับความตายเท่านั้นเอง

ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างเลย์เอลและเดไลล่าห์น่าสับสน วินาทีนึงเลย์เอลไม่อาจเก็บความสนใจที่ตนเองมีต่อเธอได้ อีกวินาทีนึงเขาพยายามผลักไสเธอออกไป (เพราะรู้สึกผิดที่ปันใจให้หญิงอื่นนอกจากซูซาน) แต่เขาก็ไม่อาจขับไล่เธอได้นาน ทุกครั้งเขาก็จะกลับมาหาเธอ

แม็กซ์ชอบบทสนทนาในฉากนี้มากนะคะ เพราะคิดว่ามันบรรยายอาการของเลย์เอลได้ดีที่สุด

"You confuse me" she said softly

"I know. I confuse myself"

และที่สำคัญแม็กซ์เข้าใจความรู้สึกของเลย์เอลนะคะ เขาจมอยู่กับความรู้สึกผิดที่ปล่อยให้คนรักตายโดยไม่อาจช่วยเธอได้ เขามีชีวิตอยู่เพื่อการแก้แค้น แต่เวลาช่วยเยียวยาทุกอย่าง เลย์เอลได้พบกับหญิงสาวอีกคน คนที่ทำให้เขากลับมามีความรู้สึก เพียงแต่เขารู้สึกว่า เขาไม่สมควรมีความสุข ไม่ควรลืมเลือนคนรักคนแรก แต่ขณะเดียวกันเขาก็ไม่อาจปฏิเสธความรู้สึกของตัวเองได้ เขาต้องการเดไลล่าห์ และไม่อาจอยู่ห่างจากเธอได้

แม้ว่าการที่อยู่ต่างทีม จะหมายความว่า หากเขาต้องการให้เดไลล่าห์มีชีวิตอยู่ต่อ และไม่เสี่ยงกับการถูกคัดออก เขาจะทำให้เพื่อนร่วมทีมเดียวกันแพ้การแข่งขัน

และเดไลล่าห์ เธอเป็นนางเอกที่เหมาะกับเลย์เอล หรืออย่างน้อยเลย์เอลที่เขากลายมาเป็นหลังจากสูญเสียซูซาน เธอชื่นชมความแข็งแกร่งและโหดเหี้ยมของเลย์เอล และคิดว่ามันเป็นลักษณะที่ดี ในฉากแรกที่เธอได้พบกับเลย์เอลระหว่างการรบ เมื่อเลย์เอลทำให้เธอล้มลงไปนอนกับพื้นได้เป็นครั้งแรก เธอไม่ได้โกรธที่เขาทำร้ายผู้หญิง แต่มันความประทับใจ เขาเอาชนะเธอที่เป็นนักรบอเมซอนได้ นั่นทำให้เขาเป็นผู้ชายที่คู่ควร

"That bastard! Delilah thought. That bloodsucking fiend. That black-hearted warrior. That ... man! He had no concscience, no sense of fairness. And she.. liked it. A sigh slipped from her, and she nearly melted to the ground in a boneless heap of feminine delight."

และความตรงไปตรงมาของเดไลล่าห์ก็เป็นส่วนต่อที่ดีกับความโลเลของเลย์เอล (ว่าเขาควรจะมีความสัมพันธ์กับเดไลล่าห์หรือไม่) เพราะทำให้เธอมองเห็นเจตนาที่แท้จริงของเลย์เอล ไม่ใช่แค่การกระทำ ตลอดทั้งเรื่อง ปากเลย์เอลบอกว่าเขาไม่ต้องการเธอ แต่เดไลล่าห์ก็มองออกว่า เขาปากไม่ตรงกับใจ

ปกติแม็กซ์จะไม่ชอบเรื่องที่พระเอกมีรักกับผู้หญิงอื่นมาก่อนเจอกับนาง เอกนะคะ เรามักรู้สึกว่า ทำให้นางเอกเป็นเบอร์สอง หรือเป็นตัวแทน แต่เล่มนี้เราพอจะเข้าใจว่าทำไมคนแต่งต้องทำ มันจำเป็นเพื่อที่จะเสนอด้านที่ถูกทรมานของเลย์เอลให้คนอ่านเห็น และอะไรจะทรมานพระเอกในโรแมนซ์ได้เท่ากับการเสียคนรัก

แต่เราคิดว่า คนแต่งแยกแยะได้ดีนะคะว่า เดไลล่าห์ไม่ใช่ัตัวแทนของซูซาน อันที่จริงเลย์เอลในอดีต คนที่รักซูซานไม่ใช่คนที่จะรักเดไลล่าห์ เธออาจจะแข็งกร้าวเกินไป เขาต้องการคนที่อ่อนโยน และไร้เดียงสาต่อโลกอย่างซูซาน และเช่นเดียวกัน คนที่เลย์เอลกลายมาเป็น คนที่ถูกไฟแห่งความแค้นแผดเผา คนที่ทำหลายอย่างที่ต้องเสียใจภายหลัง เขาไม่ใช่ผู้ชายคนเดิมที่ซูซานตกหลุมรัก และเขาก็ไม่ใช่ผู้ชายของเธออีกต่อไป หากแต่เป็นเดไลล่าห์ต่างหากที่เหมาะสมกับเขา และแม้จะได้ซูซานกลับมา เลย์เอลก็พบว่าเขาเปลี่ยนแปลงไป (เพราะความสูญเสียซูซาน) จนซูซานไม่ใช่คนที่เขาต้องการอีก หากแต่เป็นเดไลล่าห์คนเดียวสำหรับเขา

อ่านรีวิวแล้วคนพอรู้นะคะว่าแม็กซ์รักตัวละครมากแค่ไหน แต่ปัญหาใหญ่สุดของเรากลับเป็นที่พล็อตค่ะ

เคยบ้างไหม ที่คุณชอบตัวละครมาก ๆ แต่พล็อตเรื่องห่วยแตก และเล่มนี้ก็เป็นยังงั้น แม็กซ์ไม่ชอบพล็อตเรื่องเลย ไม่ชอบจริง ๆ มันดูปัญญาอ่อนและไร้สาระ ไม่มีทิศทาง แม็กซ์อยากเห็นเลย์เอลและเดไลล่าห์ในพล็อตเรื่องในโลกแห่งแอตแลนติสมากกว่า ไมใช่การเป็นตัวแทนเทพเจ้าแข่งเกมบ้า ๆ นี่ มันเป็นการเอาตัวละครออกจากโลกแห่งความจริง (ของพวกเขา ซึ่งก็คือแอตแลนติส) มาอยู่ในสถานการณ์ปลอม ๆ ที่ดูไม่สมจริงเนี่ย

เสียดายตัวละครและความเป็นไปได้ที่ว่าเรื่องนี้จะสนุกยิ่งไปกว่านี้

เพราะแม้จะเป็นพล็อตห่วย ๆ เรื่องนี้มันก็ยังสนุกค่ะ เพียงแต่มันไ่ม่ถึงจุดที่มันควรจะเป็นได้

คะแนนที่ 83

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must have a soft spot for vampires because it seems to be hard for me to read a book about them and not enjoy it. From the beginning, I had a hard time pulling myself away from The Vampire's Bride. There's a real story going on, not just a love story. The Gods have decided to wage a competition that involves all the races of Atlantis. People's true feelings for each other are revealed in the process, making friends enemies and enemies friends. Well... almost. They have to learn to live with each other or risk losing their own lives. Kind of Big Brother meets The Hunger Games.

Delilah is tough as nails and headstrong when she knows what she wants. She's a bit of an anomaly for the Amazon race in that she wants more from a man than she should. Just the type of woman that would suit Layel. We find out exactly what the dragons did to Layel's wife that has made him hate them all so much. I can now understand all that hate as it is so horrific even dealing out his revenge on the dragons that killed his wife would never be enough. The fight he's created in his head of how to deal with Delilah always had me smiling. The side story of the nymph Shivawn and the vampire Alyssa that was hinted at in the last book is focussed on too.

There's actually a few nice little twists at the end. I really had no idea where it was going, especially when there was only 40 pages left and things weren't showing any sign of slowing down. The only part that really annoyed me was Layel's devotion to his dead wife. It made the story drag when there was so much excitement happening in the other parts. Most of the time, The Vampire's Bride was fast paced making it a rather compelling read. Time to get a hold of the final story, The Amazon's Curse which seems to be only available in ebook.

Cover: It's actually a bit grainy so a better quality pic should've been used. Model isn't how I imagine Layel but I love the font and the shiny pattern.

Atlantis Series

1. Heart of the Dragon
2. Jewel of Atlantis
3. The Nymph King
4. The Vampire's Bride
5. The Amazon's Curse

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been waiting for Layel's book since he was first introduced and he didn't disappoint. He's tormented, bloodthirsty, strong and caring all at once. Of course, the tormented thing was mostly his own doing. I mean, there comes a point where you have to let things go. Right? If you don't it'll eat you alive and turn you into a shadow of the sexy vamp-hunk you should be. Poor Layel. All angry and brooding and not getting sexed up for 200 years. Come to think of it, that would make me both brooding and angry also.

One of the things I've been thoroughly enjoying with this series are the secondary romances woven throughout. In this case, Shivawn and Alyssa. Even Zane and Nola (who really didn't get the story I thought they deserved) had some sizzle and they were only lightly touched on.

I'm not a huge fan of the Survivor thing but I refuse to watch any type of reality show in general, so that's more me than a lack in the writing. I did like how Layel and Delilah couldn't keep away from each other despite everyone basically telling them it was the worst idea in the history of ideas. The longing looks, the stolen glances, the full-on eye fucking. It made me smile. I was also greatly amused by the way the Dragons would come rushing in to save her every time Delilah screamed in ecstasy. You'd think after the first time they'd catch on that those breathy shrieks weren't full of pain.

Overall, I liked the book. It was nice to finally see Layel get his happy ending (somebody tell a joke about massage parlors and happy endings here! PLEASE!) and come to terms with what happened all those years ago.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Chandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

AUTHOR: Had I read this book BEFORE having read Gena Showalter’s “Lords of the Underworld” series I would probably be done with this author. “The Vampire’s Bride” is book four of the Atlantis series. Continuous incessant and boring dialogue coupled with extreme sex scenes make the book dull and dry.

SYNOPSIS -
Two of the strongest from the various mythical characters living in Atlantis, vampires, dragons, demons and other legendary creatures, are pitted against each other. They have been transported to an island to destroy each other as entertain for Poseidon and a few other gods. Friend will be against friend and lover against lover.

This book gets (2 out of 5) Stars.
Elements of a Romance Book TEST =
2 central characters, 1 male, 1 female……………………………………….………..YES;
One or both of the main characters are in peril………………………….………..YES;
They work together to resolve the situation…………………………………………Um….not really
Some amount of conflict and resistance in working together…………………Kinda, sorta, maybe
The perilous situation brings them together....................................... Peril does not, Desire does

PASSION SCALE: This book gets (2) ASTERISK because the level of intimacy is entirely too drastic and does not flow with the story that flows around the passion. Boring and redundant
* NOT very descriptive and requires imagination
** WILL make you wiggle a little)
*** WISH it was me;
**** OH BODY, whew;
***** EROTICA and well over the top

FAVORITE PART: Lily is a loveable character.

LEAST FAVORITE PART: The entire island scene…..ENTIRE

YOU WILL LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: Mythology, Vampires, Demons, Dragons, Warriors, Gods

[Yola NY · Rating 4 out of 5]

waah,, akhirnyaaa gena nyeritain ttg vampir. hehe

ceritanya kali ini ttg Layel, raja para vampir di dunia atlantis. nah si Layel ini di novel2 sebelumnya terkenal jahat + sadis banget. karna obsesi dia yg pengen ngebunuh semua manusia naga..
usut punya usut nih, karna 200 tahun lalu, manusia naga ini ngebunuh istrinya (manusia bernama susan)

sejak itu Layel cuma hidup buat ngeberantas manusia naga. tapi pas di tengah misi hidupnya itu, dia malah ketemua Delilah, wanita amazon, ras yg terkenal haus darah dan kuat walaupun semua berjenis kelamin perempuan.

trus, tiba2 dari semua ras yg ada di atlantis, 2 prajurit terhebat tiap ras "dipanggil" oleh para dewa ke sebuah pulau buat ngikutin "permainan" hidup mati. termasuk Layel dan Delilah. otomatis mereka harus bermusuhan dunk, soalnya mereka harus nyelamatin diri sendiri dan bangsa mereka.

suka banget ama tokoh layel di sini. walaupun kejam, sadis, dia termasuk tipe cowok yg setia banget. udah jelas tertarik ama delilah, tapi masiiiihh gak tega "ngeduain" istrinya yang udah mati. duuhh,, gemes bangeet deeh.. malah si delilah tipe yg agresif di sini. hmm... asik jg pas bacanya..

gak cuma cerita ttg layel-delilah aja, juga ada cerita ttg Zane-Nola (vampir dan wanita amazon), trus juga ada cerita Shivawn-Alyssa (Nymph dan vampir).

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was sadly disappointed with this one definitely my least fav in the series so far. i had hih hopes to see what she did with layel but the plot was a big bomb for me. as with the first book he struggles with a strong desire to KILL the female lead which to me makes for poor romance silly girl that i am. alsothe survivor like tone had potential but just dragged on far too long. i loved delilah because how could i not love a tattooed blue haired amazon woman, but layel was the least appealing character so far strange to me because i liked him pretty well in the other books. again to me showalter detracts from her work by adding not one but two subplots this time. a nymph and vampire met in previous books hookup and this was by far the best part of this book and one of the amazons and a vamp have some weird love hate thing going on. my favprite parts of showalters writing is her fpcus on the main couple and i hate to see that deteriorating im hoping it ceases in the next one. i think every couple should be special enough for their own book or at least like an anthology of shorts or something which seems very possible to me otherwise they shouldnt be mentioned at all.

[Annalisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prima di tutto: FINALMENTE È ARRIVATO IL TURNO DI LAYEL!
Se dovessi descrivere questo libro in pche parole direi: "la versione di Hunger Games per creature soprannaturali" - visto che i partecipanti sono due per razza e solo uno alla fine rimarrà in piedi - anche se è più incentrato sui rapporti sentimentali tra i personaggi che sulle sfide. Comunque quando il Dio che ha dato il via ha detto ...Benvenuti in Paradiso, abitanti di Atlantide. Che i giochi comincino. io tra me e me mi sono detta Possa la fortuna essere sempre a vostro favore!
Rispetto hai tre libri precedenti, in questo le storie che vengono seguite, a parte la principale, sono più di una: abbiamo Layel e Delilah ovviamente, Zane e Nola e Shivawn e Alyssa (che erano già comparsi in "Passione ad Atlantide").
Le storie dei primi e degli ultimi vengono portate a conclusione, invece quella di Zane e Nola no e questo mi ha un po' deluso.
Comunque il libro mi è piaciuto molto e spero di leggere presto la storia di Zane e Nola ^-^

[SheLove2Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have you ever picked up a book and thought to yourself "oh, I won't like this"? But then you thought "well, its part of a series, I might miss something if I don't read it"?

I should have listened to myself.

This is the continuing saga of Atlantis and Layel's storyline. I've never been a fan of turning the bad guy into your hero in your next book - which is what this is. Its also very violent in the beginning. It also seems to glamorize pain and suffering to an extent, for the female lead - Amazon warrior Delilah.

I read about 4 chapters and very seriously skimmed the rest of the book. I think there was some side romance for another couple but I didn't stop long enough to digest it.

Disappointing "read".

[Cindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never been tempted to watch "Survivor" before, and after reading this book about Layel (Vamp King) and Deliliah (Amazon) I'm still not going to make the effort. Interesting concept to use in a book, but I felt it was maybe a little bit TOO like the show and less creative than Gena's other books, based on mythology as they are.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars to 4 stars.

Not quite as good as the previous three in my opinion, but good none the less. Finally a female lead who isn't a virgin! Hallelujah! Poor tormented Layel, caught between the pain of losing his past love and moving on with his new-found lover.