I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Eternal Kiss of Darkness
by
Jeaniene Frost
fantasy in Paperback edition that was published by Avon Publications on July 27, 2010 and has 361 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Halfway to the Grave, First Drop of Crimson, Death's Excellent Vacation, One Foot in the Grave, At Grave's End, Destined for an Early Grave, Unbound, This Side of the Grave, One Grave at a Time, The Bite Before Christmas, Once Burned, Twice Tempted, The Beautiful Ashes, Bound by Flames, Into the Fire, The Other Half of the Grave, Halfway to the Grave
Second in the Night Huntress World, a spin-off from Night Huntress (fifth I guess I’d have to slot it in as though it were a novella as the initial Night Huntress series is continuing and the .5 helps it fit chronologically). The focus is on Mencheres and Kira.
In 2010, Eternal Kiss of Darkness won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Vampire Romance.
My Take
Fascinating backstory on Mencheres and Radjedef with a different perspective on the pharaohs.
What I like best about this story — well, besides Mencheres’ getting his own back on Redjedef — is how true to life Kira’s actions are. Her transition is realistic with the issues involved in all the changes. She absorbs the information, but doesn’t trust any of ’em. Her disgust with the idea of how she’s expected to feed. Her reactions are more naturalistic than are usually found in urban fantasy or paranormal romances. I also like that she stands up for herself and her sense of honor.
I like too that Mencheres is so reluctantly interested and yet is not embarrassed by his interest. That scene where he ogles her clothed breasts and is astounded that he reacts to that after all these millennia was cute.
The chase is quite interesting. Certainly not the usual. There is twist upon twist upon twist in this story. I was feeling furious toward Kira for her stupidity until the reveal at the end. It’s just all sorts of clever in this story.
Crack me up! Kira is determined not to ask Dracula for feeding tips — although I don’t really get why not.. When Kira gets all stiff about feeding from Lewis, Vlad cracks up himself and tells her that “If [she] tells him wolves are the children of the night next, I might hurt myself laughing.”
This is definitely a buy for me.
The Story
Walking home from a stakeout, Kira hears cries of pain and rushes to help. Only to find that her aid really wasn’t required. And it’s too bad she didn’t simply close her eyes and/or walk on by. She has seen too much and Mencheres takes her prisoner.
She’s an intriguing woman. Willing to help a stranger. Not enthralled by his power or wealth. And beautiful.
She’s almost enough to entice him to stay, but Mencheres has planned it all out. Bones is “strong enough to lead their combined lines, Cat…[is]…the rarest type of vampire, and [his] visions are gone”. It’s a good time for Mencheres to leave. To protect his people from Radjedef.
However his plans for Kira are not panning out. He is unable to affect her mind, and the longer she stays resistant, the more they are attracted to each other. An attraction Radje is quick to use for his own ends.
The Characters
Kira Graceling works for a private detective since her dreams of being a cop got sidelined. Tina Graceling is a beloved younger sister, who is dying. Rick is her no-good, lying brother whom she enables. Lily is a friend and co-worker at the agency. Frank is her jerky boss. Mack Davis was a cop from Internal Affairs who helped Kira; his credo was to “save one life, every chance he got”. Pete was her controlling, possessive ex-husband. A cop.
Mencheres, a.k.a., Menkaure, has lost his ability to see the future, in fact, he’s lost his interest in life at all. Patra was a young Egyptian queen he had wed two thousand years ago. A mistake. (Read just how big a mistake in At Grave’s End, Night Huntress, 3.) Gorgon is a vampire loyal to Mencheres. Sam, Selene, and Kurt are humans who belong to Mencheres.
Bones is another vampire and Mencheres’ co-ruler. He’s rather furious with Mencheres right now. Cat is his very special wife (from the Night Huntress series). Vlad Tepesh is another friend of Mencheres’ who provides them refuge and backup.
The Law Guardians are the ruling body for the vampires. The Enforcers are their police. Veritas is a Law Guardian and not necessarily Mencheres’ friend. Josephus is an Enforcer who was killed.
Radjedef, a.k.a., Djedefre, is Mencheres’ uncle and power-mad. He’s furious that their original Maker gave Mencheres his power and not him; he’s even more furious that Mencheres gave Bones what power he did. He’s currently a Law Guardian and abuses his position horribly.
Jennifer Jackson is a missing person whom Kira finds in hideous circumstances. Flare is the vampire who owns the strip bar, Around the World. He makes a big, big mistake. Patches and Wraith are his minions and fellow vampires.
Aken is the ferryman Mencheres summons with a dangerous blood rite.
The Cover and Title
The cover is blues and a vibrant pink in the title and author’s name. I’m guessing that the male model in the cover is supposed to be Mencheres. Too bad they didn’t consider getting someone who looked more Egyptian than like an older version of Brad Pitt appearing to have just bitten a squeamish-seeming Kira in a skimpy black camisole, her head averted.
And what’s with the dorky “blood drips”?
The title refers to Mencheres having to bring Kira over with the Eternal Kiss of Darkness.
