Lothaire by Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark #12)
January 10, 2012
Paranormal Romance
Hardcover
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Reviewed by Mandi
I have been highly anticipating Lothaire for some time now, especially after seeing a lot of him in the previous book, Dreams of a Dark Warrior. Lothaire, the Enemy of Old, an extremely old and feared vampire who is set upon revenge. As the bastard child of the King of the Horde, Stefanovich, he promised his Dacian vampire mother before she was tortured and killed that he would slay Stefanovich so the Horde will ultimately swear fealty to Lothaire. He then plans to unite the Dacian and Horde kingdoms together. He has spent century after century set to accomplish his endgame and refuses to be stopped. Extremely smart, arrogant and lethal, he has so many in the Lore who owe him. This makes him very feared but also one of the most-hunted people in the Lore. But now one of the most feared vampires is about to be mated to a mortal.
Elizabeth Pierce, or Ellie, comes from a poor mining family in the Appalachian Mountains. At 19 she became possessed by the demon Saroya and is desperate to get rid of her. Saroya was once a goddess (a death goddess), but has been condemned to live in mortal bodies. She likes Ellie’s body. Ellie is beautiful and strong — maybe a little too strong, as Ellie often can fight to keep Saroya hidden deep within her. When Saroya rises, though, she is very violent, killing all in her path, which is how Ellie ends up on Death Row.
When Lothaire meets Ellie/Saroya, he becomes "blooded": His body becomes alive with a heartbeat, and he has breath. He assumes his bride must be Saroya, because she is a goddess, not the mere mortal Elizabeth:
"Because fate would not slight me so unspeakably. I’d seek a noon-day sun if I were paired with one such as you."
"Such as me," she repeated blandly. She’d been mocked too often over her lifetime to take offense. Her skin was as thick as armor.
"Yes, you. An ignorant, mortal Kmart checkout girl." He took the sharpest knife from his place setting, absently turning it between his left thumb and forefinger.
"Kmart? I should have been so lucky. Those jobs were hard to come by. I worked at my uncle’s outfitter shop."
"Then you’re even worse. You’re an outfitter checkout girl with aspirations for Kmart."
"Still better than a demon."
He has spent the five years Ellie has spent in prison trying to track down a special ring that he hopes can extinguish Ellie’s soul. That way, Saroya can use Ellie’s body to become an immortal vampire, getting around the curse, and become Lothaire’s bride so he can reclaim the Horde throne. When Lothaire nabs Ellie off of Death Row in the nick of time, he is stuck keeping her body safe until he can figure out how to extinguish Ellie’s soul so Saroya can fully take over her body. But Ellie isn’t going down without a fight.
As I sit here and try to think how to explain Lothaire, all I can really is say is that he is just one of a kind. There isn’t a lot of gray in his world. He is so old and his arrogance is so ingrained, that it is his way or else. Kresley Cole allows him to fall in love — and still retain these characteristics. Because of his age, and the fact that when he drinks from people, he retains their memories, he is not lucid at all times. He is skirting the edge of insanity and fears he may not make it to exact his revenge.
At times I wanted to slap him for how he acted, but he has gotten his way for centuries, so he knows nothing else. At times I felt sorry for him. While he keeps a ledger of everyone who is indebted to him — looking through all the names gives him a sense of peace — he barely has any friends. He has lived his entire existence trying to get revenge and hasn’t really experienced happiness. Now that he has a mortal who is not only extremely fragile in his world, but one who says "no" to him, he is baffled. He can’t comprehend how one would not be attracted to him or not think he is making the best decisions for her. As we learn, he is "Lothairistic."
"First of all, I’m not narcissistic." When she opened her lips to argue, he said, "I know Narkissos of Thespiae — while we might share traits, I came first, so he’s Lothairistic, not the other way around."
Ellie, thinking she only has days before Lothaire finds the ring and kills her soul, doesn’t have a lot to lose. She is spunky and stubborn and, although they have a difficult journey together, I loved how their romance plays out. They have to work hard for it, but it is very believable and well done. I also have to say the sex in this book is the best Kresley Cole has written.
I am amazed at this world Kresley Cole has created. It is so complex and vast, and while I appreciate that, I also think the amount of page time it takes to rehash events and remind us who everyone is weighs this book down in the beginning. Of course, I also needed that refresher, because I forget from book to book what is going on. So it is needed, but just be aware that the book starts a little slow. Once we get into it, though, it really takes off.
We also meet some new characters belonging to the very secretive Dacian, which will also star in her new spinoff series. (Lothaire’s mother is Dacian.) I don’t want to give away anything about them, but I really enjoyed what we get to see of them.
I think this is one of the few series that is actually getting better as it progresses. Lothaire is Book 12 and a definite favorite. I’m so intrigued by the characters. Nix is still walking around crazy, Furie is still chained somewhere at the bottom of the ocean, Thaddeus is 17 and turning into a stud — and we meet Hag, who will definitely amuse you. And those are just a few of the many insane, sarcastic and engaging characters in this world. My favorite thing about these books is that Cole lets the characters act like immortals. They are so violent, so cunning and evil. And yet they are hilarious and smart and, of course, amazing in bed. I believe the last page of Lothaire gives us a hint as to whose book is next, and I can’t wait.
Rating: B+
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Note: This review first appeared at Happy Ever After.
OH MY GOD… NO WAY!! I so cant wait…
Can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts!
My SIL just gave me all her paperback copies of this series. There are so many. I’ll never get to number 12!
Awesome! I didn’t love the first one..but otherwise they are fab!! You must read them! LOL.
Helyce, just make sure once you start them you can keep going cause they are hard to put down. It’s kind of like the Fever series when you start you just can’t stop….
“Lothairistic,” I lurve it!!! Can’t wait to read this tomorrow!! Kresley comes up with the best sayings/ phrases, etc… I’d love to live in her head for a day!! ;)
Srsly – her humor is one of the best things about this series.
And the hot sex. LOL
Did the book ever go into where we first saw Ellie, becuase KC made a comment that we have met her before?
I am happy about the hot sex.
Honestly, if it did, I didn’t catch it.
KC did say that…but i didn’t find her in her old books.
She said she was in Cadeon’s book. I dont’ recall Elizabeth in that book.
Mandi, I. AM. SO. Mad. (sounds like Cartman)and. AM. SO. JEALOUS.
Awesome review! I’m so excited to read this one now! I def. agree that the books just keep getting better. I didn’t care much at all for the first book in the series. It was too bodice ripper-ish for my tastes.
I didn’t love the first book either. Or the one with the ghost heroine…also Rydstrom (is that his name?)
….seriously….
really liked your point about how she lets them act like immortals. Cause if you are a immortal, you are going to drive a great car.
And you’re right the series keeps getting better. It is very cool that most of the books are happening simultaneously. I don’t know she keeps up with all of it. :-)
I didn’t hate the first book. I don’t understand why so many people have a problem with it. I love how Emma grows and kcomes into her own in that story.
The first book just didn’t do it for me. I don’t know..maybe I just needed to ease into her world a little more softer
ARGH! I am ridiculously excited for this one! I’m currently waiting for Amazon to click over to the 10th so my Kindle can download my pre-ordered copy (sometimes it sucks being ahead of time over here in Oz…)
Enjoy!
The Lothairistic line cracks me up. Oh Lothaire, you blood sucking comedian, you!
She has such a great sense of humor!
I’ve been looking forward to this one, although I need to catch up and read Dreams of a Dark Warrior first.
Yes – I def think that book needs to be read first before Lothaire.
One series that I have read out of order, but, so what, I will still read this one ;) But I will take that advice and read Dark first
I freakin’ love this series :) I can’t wait to read it!!! I seriously can’t wait!!! You had me at “the sex in this book is the best Kresley Cole has written”!! Hello :) Looking forward to reading a bit about Nix & Thad too! Thanks for the heads up about them. FYI, I’m gonna read the last page first!!!
I just finished this last night!!! It was soooo good. Your right. Each book gets better and better, not sure how she does it but some authors can learn from her!
I have a quick question. not sure if you can answer it or if it is spoiler so I will scroll down
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So did Hag really cut off Mariketa’s(sp?) hand?!?!!??!!? I mean, is that something that a witch can grow back? Weird that this has been the only thing bothering me about the book, lol.
Yes…I think she did! Through that mirror, right? Yeah..I assume it must grow back – Mariketa – she is immortal, right? Even though a witch? It has to grow back. But damn – they are violent! LOL
As Ellie is reading the Immortals’ Book of Lore she comes to the conclusion that Mariketa can grow it back. Remember her leg and the vines in Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night? She grows it right back.
I LOVED this book! Would have liked more time with the Valkyries though, they are hilarious.
Oh good..LOL. I had forgotten about her leg in the previous book. I feel better now :)
I would have liked more time with the Valkyries too
Lothaire’s puppy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sniff.
He has a mean daddy!
FUN-YUNS!
i read the book…and want to share my thought. Feel free to comment…
Spoiler…
I don’t really like Elizabeth. I try but I can’t. I don’t feel like she is fighting hard enough. Sometimes, I feel like she acts like a high school student/ young adult than a mature woman. I wish Leo pairs up with someone else… He deserves…better.
She also falls into his bed too quickly. I get he’s hot and all and the seduction plan to live but the continuous seducing attempts after the 1st failure, I think she’s just lust over him more than trying to live. Sleeping with him when he hasn’t done anything to redeem what he did to her (kidnap, sent her to jail, cruel words)…i think elizabeth should be stronger and resist his physical sexiness like Regin and Markarita did (they didn’t sleep with their guys until the guys did sth to redeem their actions)
However, I did like the note she sent back to him (heart & bird). that’s quite funny.
What I love the MOST in this book is the one chapter when Leo and Nix alone together. They are so sweet in a friendship kind of way. How they share the sentiment of being so “old”….and how everyone they knew died. How much I wish it’s Leo with Nix. Now that match fits! They are so perfect together.
I CAN’T CAN’T CAN’T wait to read the next installment. Is it finally going to be Kristoff? My heart aches whenever i think of how he looks out the window (think of his bride?). I know Nix book is going to be a long wait. I wonder who is her guy (now that Leo is taken)
i prefer the last book (Regin’s ) more than Leo (mainly due to Eliz’s action). This relationship feels more like lust than Love.
I give a B for this book. it does not make into my podium of favorite Lore world book
Regarding Elizabeth – I think she IS young..and maybe a little immature. I felt like she moved into a physical relationship quickly with him more because she was trying to seduce him into “keeping her” since she only had a few days to live. Also, she is a 23ish year old virgin living with a very sexy, demanding vampire. So I understood her falling for him fast and hard.
But I do think there was a lot of emphasis on the sex, and maybe she could have played a little harder to get. I love when she sent him her finger too! LOL. Great scene.
I adored the scenes between Nix and Lothaire too! So well done. For as crazy as Nix is, he needed her in this book. I love their history together and how it showed that being immortal and this old, is truly a lonely state.
Kristoff must be next, right? Which means they will find Furie!!! SO excited!!
BIG question is – who in the heck will Nix end up with???????