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Kresley Cole
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Immortals After Dark #12: Sweet Ruin Paperback

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,061 ratings
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An immortal assassin is caught between desire and duty in this sizzling new novel from Kresley Cole's No.1 New York Times bestselling IMMORTALS AFTER DARK series. A foundling raised in a world of humans Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn't know who or what she was - just that she was 'bad', an outcast with strange powers. Protecting her baby brother Thaddeus became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo's transition from angry girl...to would-be superhero...to ruthless villain. A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission Whether by bow or in bed, archer Rune the Baneblood never fails to eliminate his target. In his sights: the oldest living Valkyrie. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty mesmerizes him. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, stealing his forbidden blood - and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren. A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin...Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he's unable to turn her away. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.
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  1. Book 16 of 20
    Immortals After Dark
  2. Language
    English
  3. Dimensions
    13 x 3 x 19.5 cm
  4. ISBN-10
    1471149870
  5. ISBN-13
    978-1471149870
  6. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Sign up for Kresley's email newsletter to receive the latest book release updates, as well as info about contests & giveaways ( kresleycole.com/newsletter/ ) Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers Series, and five award-winning historical romances. A master's grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. Her IAD books have been translated into eighteen foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad. You can learn more about her and her work at kresleycole.com or facebook.com/KresleyCole --This text refers to an alternate paperback edition.

Product details

  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1471149870
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1471149870
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 300 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13 x 3 x 19.5 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,061 ratings

About the author

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Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole

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Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Game Maker series, and five award-winning historical romances. Her books have been published in 23 countries and consistently appear on the bestseller lists in the U.S. and abroad. 

A master's grad and former athlete, Kresley has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. She lives in Florida with her family and too many pets. 

Sign up for Kresley's eNewsletter at: https://bit.ly/KresleyNews to receive book updates and new release information. 

Follow her at: www.facebook.com/KresleyCole

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
5,061 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

ChelMarChamb
5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty damned good...
Reviewed in Canada on September 27, 2019
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I have read a lot of Kresley Cole, but never given a review with my rating. Since the final Arcana Chronicles installment, 'From The Grave', is taking a painfully long time to appear, I've decided that instead of twiddling my thumbs impatiently, I should try my hand at a review.
'Sweet Ruin' is actually a really great book, a break from the usual world of the lore to look at something (or some different species) and situations that are different from Coles usual.
So I guess this is where I say, *spoilers ahead*, and if you havent read the book, please go read it before reading this review. You want the surprise, I promise you, you'll enjoy it!

So the idea to make Jo (and her newborn brother) saved from another demolished planet is genius. I cant get enough of the Lore and the more I learn about it, the more I want new information.
I LOVED the vulnerability from BOTH sides of the romantic pair. What a change where it isnt just one character that's had it rough, but both. There really isnt a clear hero here, which is what I love about Kresley Cole. The sensitive issues present in this book (sexual slavery, homelessness, foster care, illiteracy, among other things) are portrayed in a way that doesn't offend and actually makes you feel so much more for the characters.

All of Kresley Cole's titles are worth the read and more. I've been reading the romance genre since long before I should have been, and I place her with names like Brenda Joyce, Johanna Lindsey, Sarah MacLean, Julia London, Judith McNaught, Jo Beverley, the list could go on and on...
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Ly
5.0 out of 5 stars I love Kresley Cole and her Immortal After Dark Series
Reviewed in Canada on September 8, 2016
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I love Kresley Cole and her Immortal After Dark Series. I have read all from the very beginning. There are never a dull moment and each book takes you to a whole new itch to continue on.... and on.
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Angie
4.0 out of 5 stars I found Rune annoying at times and Josephine whinny
Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2016
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This is not one of my fav books from KC, I found Rune annoying at times and Josephine whinny. It was still good, and we got to see other characters and she gave a little more insight on the hag and her possible mate. Hopefully her next one will be better!
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megholmes
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!
Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2015
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The only complaint I have is that I now have to wait for the next Kresley Cole book to be released!! Painful I know!!
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KS
5.0 out of 5 stars Cole does it again!
Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2015
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This long awaited IAD sequel definitely lived up to my expectations!! Amazing writing as usual and now the countdown begins for the next book!!
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Shona Steere
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in Canada on December 19, 2015
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As usual Kresley Cole delivers an awesome read!!! Couldn't put the book down till it was finished, can't wait for the next one!!
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PatsyL
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on September 30, 2016
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Very satisfied
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Leslie
4.0 out of 5 stars I love the series in general
Reviewed in Canada on January 19, 2016
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I found this book at first a little hard to follow. New characters were introduced that took a while to warm up to. I love the series in general. I will continue to read Kresley Cole
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Top reviews from other countries

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Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book as always x
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2024
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Good book as always, sometimes I find it takes a while to get a story going as there is alot of heated things happening but love this series x
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Carmen
1.0 out of 5 stars Carmen
Reviewed in Spain on March 1, 2018
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Está en inglés.... Me gustaría que estos libros los tuvieran en español, así podría leerlos,por ahora desilusionada por no poder disfrutar de ellos.
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Sheila M
5.0 out of 5 stars "What won't we do for the people we love."
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015
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"She was a killer with blood on her hands, but she wanted to give her heart away . . .Jo yearned for her other half with all the desperation of someone who'd always known something was missing."

FINAL DECISION: The story of two lonely immortals desperately needing connection, SWEET RUIN demonstrates the best in the Immortals After Dark series: humor, adventure, hot sex and deep loving bonds.

THE STORY: Rune Darklight is the assassin of the Morior (the group of ancient immortals coming to earth for the Accession for their own purposes). Rune is half fey/half demon which makes him dark fey. His black blood is poisonous to all but his own kind. For the first several hundred years of his life, Rune was a slave and trained as a sexual weapon. Rune is on earth hunting the Valkyrie Soothsayer Nix in order to assassinate her. While pumping some nymphs for information, Rune senses a voyeur and sets out to find out who the sweet scented female is.

Josephine Doe is an orphan without any knowledge of who or what she is. All she knows from the age of eight is that she has to protect her baby brother Thaddeus. When her brother is taken from her and her life changes dramatically, Jo first decides that she is destined to be a superhero. Her taste for vengeance and blood convince Jo that she is actually the villain of the piece. When she sees the mesmerizing Rune with his nymphs, she is intrigued by the male but as wary as a feral cat.

OPINION: "When two people form an unbreakable bond, it's like a reactor, feeding them power and heat and a sense of belonging. It makes them strong. They're the true superheroes."

Rune and Jo are both damaged people. I am a big fan of damaged characters where the rough edges of both seem to fit so well. Rune's past as a slave and a whore have made him doubt his own self-worth. He uses his sexuality as a crutch in his business because that is how he has learned to do his job. He thinks nothing and feels nothing during sex because it has become meaningless to him. Despairing of ever finding a mate, Rune desperately wants a connection that he knows will poison and kill any female foolish enough to get close to him.

Josie is feral. Years of living on the street and protecting herself have given her a hard shell. She is foul mouthed, prickly, and completely badass. Separated from her brother, Josie does not have a connection to anyone but desperately wants a connection. She has learned to vicariously experience relationship with others through use of her her abilities. Completely ignorant of the Lore, Rune is the first fellow Immortal that Josie has spoken with.

The relationship between these two jaded people ends up being incredibly sweet. The two learn the value of themselves as they bicker and fight and love their way around the world chasing Nix. They end up finding value in the relationship between them even as they discover and rediscover their own pasts. I did especially like the sweetness of their relationship in light of how dark their pasts were. Josie (although far from sweet and innocent herself) brings a freshness and newness to Rune's life which often feels oppressive and dark.

In the mythology of the Immortals After Dark series, this book continues Nix's work with the Accession (the battle between the creatures of the Lore). Some parts of her plans are disclosed while many others remain murky. It has become clear that Nix is not as crazy as she appeared in earlier books in the series but instead is making intricate chess moves to bring about a conclusion that she wants. There are numerous connection and appearances by past characters which will please fans of the series.

This book seriously moves forward the mythology of the series without every losing sight of the importance of the romance and connection between the main characters. One of the best of the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: From the offhand reference to a female vampire living in New Orleans, I have hope that we will be seeing more of the Dacians from SHADOW'S CLAIM.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SWEET RUIN is the sixteenth book in the Immortals After Dark series. At this point, I believe that readers should read the other books in the series if they wish to fully enjoy this book. The romance here is self-contained, but there is so much else going on that is directly connected with events in the series as a whole.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I recieved an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide an honest review of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
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Jane Pike
5.0 out of 5 stars Two rare immortals complete each other
Reviewed in Germany on September 12, 2016
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I was waiting impatiently for the next book in the Immortals after Dark series, how the story continues, especially for Nix. At the beginning, I needed some time to get back into the writing, because I have read too many other books in the meantime, but Kresleys writing style is great. The book starts with Rune, a dark fey and you are left in the dark at the beginning how he fits into the Lorean, Vertas, picture. Also you are introduced to a little girl, Josephine, who has no idea what she is, what her brother might be and how all of that is related. As always you can truly feel with the main characters. You are getting a lot of background around them during the book and therefore you understand why they act the way they do. Those unlikely creatures meet each other by incident, the dark fey that is thousands of years old with a lot of experience and knowledge about Loreans and the young girl with no knowledge about herself and the other beings. While observing him and later meeting him, she steals a trinket. He is mad about it and also wants her for his pleasure. Bumping into each other, jumping to false conclusions and hiding a lot from each other, they meet again and she drinks his blood. After that he wants to keep her locked up in order to prevent her from unraveling and making known his secrets by dreaming his memories. As you can assume, she is not happy about it. Only relying on herself, she wants to win the upper hand and get free of him and he wants to keep her under control and his secrets safe. They fight each other on their, forced, way together. The story develops and you learn again a big deal about Nix and this time about Thad as well.
Rune and Josephine have to work together and learn from each other to achieve their goals. As always, this book is a fast-paced, fun, captivating story and a page-turner. Like all of the books, I could not put it down and read it in one go.

Recommended to read!! But I would read them in order. They are standalones, but the big story goes through the books. When I started with the first book, I kept reading the next one and the next and so on. Kresley never disappointed and the stories she creates are just awesome, always different, always interesting and always with strong fierce independent characters.
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Martina Nix
4.0 out of 5 stars Una parola per definirlo? Destabilizzante.
Reviewed in Italy on December 26, 2015
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Se l'intento della Cole era rimescolare le carte e confondere il lettore rispetto al proseguo della serie c'è riuscita in pieno.
Non sono riuscita a godermelo come avrei voluto. Purtroppo non riesco più a trovare il tempo e la concentrazione necessari per una lettura full immersion in inglese e spezzare in continuazione la lettura di questo libro non mi ha aiutato a comprenderlo del tutto. Mi rimangono il senso di vuoto che prova Jo, talmente coinvolgente da spezzare il cuore, gli scontri epici con Nix e il fascino dei componenti del Møriør. Mi è mancato un po' di coinvolgimento nella storia d'amore fra Rune e Jo, che è un po' ripetitiva rispetto ad altre passate. In questo momento sono veramente perplessa ed elettrizzata. Vedere la storia dall'altro lato, dal lato di quelli che finora ci sono stati presentati come un'entità malvagia lontana e incombente, è stato costruttivo. Chi è cattivo davvero? Orion che distrugge pianeti come nulla, o Nix, che come sappiamo porta la filosofia del cruel to be kind a estremi discutibili? Ha forse ragione Jo quando dice “E se fossero cattivi entrambi?”?
Rimane il fatto che comunque Nix è stupenda: seppure non si capisce una virgola in più di dove vuole andare a parare fra Ascesa e possibile Apocalisse, è spettacolare a trollare tutti quanti con una maestria eccezionale. Tanto da non capire fino all'ultimo quale è il suo vero intento in questa storia. Geniale.
E rimane il fatto che la Cole, nonostante tutti i libri di questa serie, nonostante il fantastico parco giochi che ha creato, e che distrae il lettore, sta costruendo un quadro incredibilmente complesso incastrando particolari dal primo libro fino a questo, magari a volte lanciando semi talmente tanti libri prima di quello in cui avranno un senso che possono venire considerati inutili da un lettore distratto. Invece non mette niente a caso. Non è un'autrice per lettori superficiali.
Ho talmente tante domande, anche solo da brevi riferimenti che ha fatto, che non so come sperare che continui la serie, se ripartendo dai personaggi amati, che qui seppure appaiono sono stati tralasciati (da Thad a Natalya, e tutti quelli ancora in sospeso, Munro, Furie e via discorrendo), se continuare con il Møriør o se ritornare sui Daci, perché il riferimento ad una vampira dei Daci che ha contratto la piaga dei vampiri, quella che ha sterminato la popolazione femminile di succhiasangue, mi fa pensare alla povera e tenera Kosmina.
Tirando le somme, non diventerà uno dei miei libri preferiti della serie, ma è un mattone importante nel proseguo della storia, che merita di essere letto con particolare attenzione.
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