That is until Elizabeth Pierce stumbles upon his life. Ellie, as she is most often called in this book could not be more different than Lothaire. He, dark, cunning and lethal. She, a spit-fire, loyal and loving. Though Ellie is a mere mortal, her body is inhabited by a death goddess named Saroya. Once powerful, Saroya is now condemned to live within mortal bodies. She lives to draw blood and deal death, which is why whenever Saroya surfaces and takes control of her body, Ellie wakes up to find herself in a bloodbath.
When Lothaire meets Saroya/Ellie, he becomes blooded. His heart begins to beat after centuries of remaining still. His lungs fill with breath once again. And … other things begin to stir to life. Naturally, Lothaire, the maddened and most feared vampire in the Lore believes that Saroya is his Bride, not the hillbilly mountain girl. But in order for him to claim his Bride, Lothaire must dispose of Ellie’s soul from the body and make Saroya immortal, a vampire like him.
To do this, he must obtain a ring. This ring holds his one chance to keep his Bride, except locating it is his greatest problem.
In the meantime, Lothaire saves Ellie from jail where she is being held and almost killed. Saving her from death row doesn’t get any points for him because Ellie actually wants to die. To die would mean there would be no more innocent deaths on her head, and Ellie wants nothing more than peace.
Together, Ellie and Lothaire combust. One who is used to getting his way all the time, Lothaire isn’t used to the way Ellie refuses him. There were times when I wanted to slap him for hurting Ellie, but as you read this book, you learn that Lothaire never had any relationships before this. He has no friends, just a ledger with names scrawled on the pages that record the debts that must be paid to him. His madness is his only company, forever torturing him, allowing him no reprieve.
Cole stays true to Lothaire’s character. She doesn’t suddenly make him a “good guy” now that he is the hero of his own book. Called the Enemy of Old, Lothaire has created that name for himself. He remains ruthless and cunning, sometimes to the point where his actions are unforgiveable.
Though a mere mortal, Ellie sinks his claws into Lothaire. It was enjoyable to read his emotions – confusion, anger, distrust. No one else throws Lothaire for a loop like Ellie does. Lothaire reacts to Ellie in a way no like other. It is only then that the question of Saroya being his true Bride arises:
“Are you certain she’s not your Bride?”
“Careful, Hag,” he warned her, seething that she would even consider Elizabeth for him. “Your past employers might have forgiven your impudence; I will not.”
“I never predicted your female would be Saroya.”
“In so many words, you did. ‘A great and fearless queen beloved by vampires, who will secure your throne for you,’” he said. “Ellie Ann, late of Appalachia, just isn’t going to inspire Hordely, vampirely love.”
Though their times together may not be all hearts and goo-goo eyes, apart, Ellie and Lothaire wither. It is this conversation with Nix, everyone’s favourite cray cray soothsayer that became one of my favourite parts of this book:
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t feel old when I was with Elizabeth. I felt like a young vampire, just starting out with her. The world was ours for the taking.”
“I envy you that feeling.”
After several heartbeats, he admitted in a low voice, “I’d go back to the grave if it would force Elizabeth to love me.”
LOTHAIRE – just as the self-titled book entails – will demand your attention until you flip that last page! Just as addicting as the rest of the series, Cole is my new brand of crack. I’d do anything for that next hit!
*Review copy provided by publisher
(Speaking of next hit…the ending of this book opens up a lot of possibilities on whose book will be next!)
Special thanks goes to Simon & Schuster Canada for graciously giving away THREE copies of LOTHAIRE.
To enter, please:
2. Fill out the form below
Did you like this review? If so, please tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
[about-author author=”Kresley Cole”]
OK how much do I love that this is only CAD residents! We are constantly hit with US only. I feel smiley right now. LOL
Now here is something to make you fall off your chair. I have not read this series. I KNOW!
But to be honest, I only just read the FEVER series and PHy-Changling series just the past year so I admit there are a few of the standards that I need to get caught up on. So here is my chance!
Thank you so much!
Omg earlier today I saw on the sidebar Ann reading this. I was waiting for your review. I’m so happy you enjoyed it! This book was so good it makes me sad that it’s over.
As for the next book, I’d love to read about Nix, or some of the newer characters introduced. Maybe even Fury. Kristoff?
I just posted my review earlier today. If you’re interested, you can check it out here!
Ning @ Readin by Kindle Fire
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Why only canadian readers? Im dying for a copy too and would love to win.
Sorry Jess! Simon and Schuster Canada is sponsoring this giveaway so its only available to Canadian residents!
Ann
Great to hear how much you’ve enjoyed reading this! I still have a couple of books in this series to catch up on before I dive into this one, but reading reviews lately has gotten me excited to get to this book 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh my God, this book sounds SO good! I can’t wait to get my hand on it!!!And now i’m in love with Simon and Schuster Canada! LOL Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
proserpinecravedfor(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the Canadian giveaway! I haven’t read this series either even though it’s been on the to-read list forever. That’s my goal this year – start this series….
This book has me foaming at the mouth. He is my kind of anti-hero 😉 waiting for it to come out in paperback though…kind of expensive right now
I have this book on my wishlist and have been hearing so much about it. Lothaire seems like a interesting character. Thanks for the Canadian giveaway 🙂
I have heard am-A-zing things about this book! I’m really glad to hear that you liked it too, because it is moving to the top of my must read list! Thanks for an awesome review:)
jwitt33 at live dot com
Crap. You can take me out the contest. DeAnna Schultz
Good luck Canadians!!! 🙂
This book sounds amazing and I can’t wait to get my hands it. But shoot, I just saw the comments being the giveaway is for Canada only! So never mind my entry form! LOL! Oh, well! Good luck everyone!
Can’t wait to read this book!!! Thanks for the chance to win!!! 🙂
Excellent giveaway, good luck to all you Canadians.
I’m American, ignore me for the giveaway part.
Cancel my entry…US resident 🙁
So seldom do we see contests for Canadians only!!!
I have read Kresley Coles’ books since the first and I would love to read this next book in the series. Your review of the book only made me want it more.
Book sounds great.
How often do we get to see Canadian residents only? Not very often.
Thanks for the giveaway.
divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com
I filled the form out in error. I totally missed that it was only for CAD residents.
It sounds like an intense story and I will be looking for it.
Awesome trailer, juicy review. Thanks Joan Swan for sending me over.
Didn’t know of the trailer*gasp*! Great quotes.