“And
if I am a monster? Will you want me then?”
Ten days after the battle at Blackriver, Michael struggles with new forbidden
desires, with his rampant Flame, and a deepening relationship with the taciturn
werewolf, Commander Gabriel Flanagan.
Feeling responsible for their loss, Michael longs to rescue the students stolen
by the manipulative vampire prince, Alexei Vasiliev. But the High Council
refuses to free Michael from his chains. They fear the Whisperer — the
half-breed who decimated an entire company of soldiers and came back from the
dead. Yet, Michael still yearns for a future among the Guardians. For a place
beside his Finnish, silver-eyed giant. For a home within the crazy supernatural
world he’s now bound to.
But does Michael still have a future? He’s a descendent of the Warlock — from a
bloodline that produces only monsters. If discovered, not even his protective
lover can save him from certain execution. He may not want to.
Dark Fate is the second book in the Flame Born series. This MM urban
fantasy/paranormal romance is action packed, featuring steaming hot scenes, a
hunk of an alpha love interest, a chocolate-scented snarky vampire prince, a
clever best friend who can kill a man with her little finger, and one too many
shady characters to count. See inside for trigger warnings on both books.
This is not a standalone; Dark Flame should be read first.
This story ends on a
satisfying cliffhanger.
Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Flame Born series!
For book one, Dark Flame, click HERE.
Book
2
Buy Links
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Paperback (US)
~ Also Available with KindleUnlimited ~
I grip the sink edge, knuckles white, and glare at the contents of the glass vial lying beside the tap. The viscous liquid, the color of a fine bottled wine, looks so innocuous. Innocent. A random sample of blood.
There’s nothing innocent about this vial’s contents.
Every time I see it, my mouth salivates with the need for a taste. Whenever I take the vial from my pocket to caress the cool glass in my hand, a clamoring monster of desire rips through me like a fire.
Not this time.
I swipe up the tube, twist out the cork, and prepare to pour the blood away. Metal clanks against ceramic, echoing through the small bathroom, as the chain between my wrist manacles knocks the sink. A heady smell of cocoa and figs hits my nostrils. My hand falters. God, that scent.
His scent.
An urgency to inhale the smell deep into my lungs, to press the glass into my lips and lick the rim, almost takes control.
Alexei. That devious vampire. He knew exactly what he was doing when he left me with this. His blood constantly tugs at me like an unfinished song. Like a broken tooth my tongue won’t leave alone.
I could wash temptation away. Watch clear water turn burgundy as the vile substance slides into the drain.
I won’t.
I’ve faced this trial for ten days, and the result never changes.
I’ve tried to show the vial to Flanagan. Tried to hand it over so he can smash the glass and destroy the contents. Somehow, it always returns to my hiding places. A dirty secret.
Erica
– ☆☆☆
Dark Fate is the second installment in the Flame Born series. Strongly
suggest against reading as a standalone, as this is a continuation. I'd also
advise that the novels are read back-to-back for the best entertainment value.
To be honest, I struggled to fall into the story for a large portion of the
novel, simply because I couldn't remember what occurred in the first
installment. According to my review, I was thoroughly entertained by Dark
Flame. It had been nearly a year since I read it, the events not fresh in
my mind. I believe had I reread the novel or had the ability to read both books
back-to-back, the connection I felt to the story and its characters would have
been greater. The anticipation following through from one installment to the
next.
As it was, I was confused by the world building without a refresher, but more
so put off on Michael, as he was operating in two modes: training and
"taking the edge off" which became dominant factors of his
personality, until he seemed one-dimensional. The fully developed, intriguing
personality from Dark Flame didn't seem present in Dark Fate.
The world building is highly complex and well thought-out, the flame an
intriguing concept when it comes to the magical systems. Michael's lineage
coming into question as he trains his abilities with the flame.
As a True Grounder, Gabriel is the perfect balance for Michael, not only as a
lover but as a solid presence in his life. There is a question on whether or
not Michael can truly consent, Gabriel seems good for Michael on the surface,
but that doesn't mean the blood doesn't still call to him – Alexei, a dark
influence that constantly beckons.
Several factions are fighting over who gets to dominate Michael, which removes
Michael's ability to have autonomy over himself. I spent a considerable portion
of the novel not finding any of the factions to be the good guys – all wanting
to use Michael for their own gains, not giving Michael a choice in the matter.
While I'm supposed to support or like many of these characters, I just kept
thinking that there is nothing more evil than evil masquerading as good. They
all believe themselves to be good while using Michael for their own gains, not
caring what Michael needs or wants if it doesn't line up with their needs or
wants.
On the other hand, Alexei is written to be the bad guy. Perhaps it's because
I'm always drawn toward the antagonists, but I felt as if Alexei was being
authentically himself, wishing Michael to be authentically himself with their
people.
Michael's personality (what the author decided to focus on for him – a throbbing
hormone with too-stupid-to-live actions), the dubious physical contact that
wasn't with Gabriel (which was in excess, the redundancy slowed the pacing of
the story, as well as took away any and all emotional impact), and the fact
that Michael and Gabriel didn't have much time together on the pages when it
wasn't physical intimacy, this lessened the entertainment value for me. What I
found so captivating in the first installment seemed to be missing in the
second.
I am curious as to the direction the story is headed, but that same sense of
anticipation I felt at the end of Dark Flame, where I was beyond eager
to read the next installment, that desire is not present at the conclusion of Dark
Fate.
I’m a simple northern English lass
with an addiction to writing, as well as all things romance. Also addicted to
cats, cat videos, and anything with, you know, cats in it. And there's
chocolate, and tea, coffee too, and rainy Sundays. Okay, I have many addictions.
But my first love has always been story in all its forms, from movies to books
to anecdotes told over a beer at the local pub. If we're sharing a story, I'm
all ears. And if it's fantasy with sexy heroes and vampires and lots of angsty
luuurve, I'm probably drooling.
Come in, pour yourself a tea, and kick your shoes off. Let me tell you a story.
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Enter the Dark Fate Release Giveaway
on King Sumo for a chance to win a signed copy
of book one, Dark Flame, and a $30 Amazon gift card.
Just click HERE.
Hosted by
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided
a free copy of Dark Fate (Flame Born #2) by Kat Silver to read and review for
this tour.
