Paranormal Romance Review: Aden by D.B. Reynolds

Aden by D.B. Reynolds (Vampires in America #7)


bought

Synopsis from Goodreads
She was seeking revenge. What she found was a vampire who swept her into the darkest depths of passion.

Chicago, Illinois... the windy city. Home to football greats, dinosaurs named Sue, and, when the sun goes down... powerful vampires battling for the right to rule the city and beyond.

Born into slavery, Aden is one of the most powerful vampires in North America, waging war on others of his kind in a struggle to become the next Lord of the Midwest. But in the midst of the deadliest fight of his long life, the ghosts of his past have come back to haunt him. Slavery still exists, and Aden is hellbent on destroying it and the vampires who profit from it.

Sidonie Reid is an investigative reporter in pursuit of the biggest story of her career, until that story costs the life of a friend and Sid realizes she has to do much more than write about it. Intent on bringing down the vampires and their slave network, Sid gains entry to the highest levels of vampire society, where she finds herself confronting the raw sexuality that is Aden.

Caught up in a dark passion that neither can resist, Aden and Sidonie join forces, determined to defeat the old regime and everything it stands for. The dangers are beyond calculation, but the ultimate reward is worth the risk. If they survive...

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8.5/10

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 I always know I can rely on D.B. Reynolds to deliver exactly what I want, so when Aden came out I snatched that book straight away. I love my comfort food, and this is what it is for me - cool non-technophobic mafia-like American vampire lords fighting for their territory, and strong, gutsy and clever women with whom they hook up. Total win.


It's never a straight up paranormal romance, more like a mix of one with some urban fantasy, which works great if you are more of a fan of UF than PNR. 

Aden is someone we met in Lucas's book, and at that point he didn't impress me as a reader with his chauvinistic attitude towards women. Never fear, the mighty lord falls hard when he meets the right woman. *grinning*

Sidonie is a beautiful, self-assured reporter, who tries to find justice for her friend by exposing Chicago's slave trade which was ruled by city's previous vampire lord. 

In Aden who started his life as a slave Sidonie finds more than a willing supporter for her cause, but he also admires her and wants to have her for his own. Add to it a battle of strong wills, a spice of danger, a slightly kinkier sexual preferences than I'm used to in D.B.'s books, and it's a fast, dynamic and enjoyable read.

My only complaint is that it felt too short and didn't have enough Cyn for my liking. Very much recommended to fans of Elizabeth Hunter and anyone else.


* * *
Я знаю, что когда мне хочется уютной книжечки про вампиров без слащаво-приторного тона большинства паранормальных романов, я всегда могу положиться на Д.Б. Рейнольдс.

Вот и в этот раз читала я продолжение мафиозной эпопеи вампирских лордов Америки с большим удовольствием. Мне кажется сама серия только становится лучше несмотря на её придерживание типичной формулы паранормального романа ака вампир встретил свою единственную и неповторимую и жили они долго и счастливо.

К этой формулировке здесь обычно притянуты красивые вампиры в костюмах от Армани, последними технологиями и различными оружейными гаджетами, играющие в политические интриги за владение американскими территориями.

В этом плане Рейнольдс и Элизабет Хантер очень похожи. У обоих вампиры не чураются современных технологий и обладают мистической элементарной магией. В то же время их жажде крови удаляется очень мало времени, она скорее представлена как препятствие в их играх, которой уделяется столько же времени скольки и еде для обычного человека.

Ещё что я люблю у Рейнольдс - бабы у неё сильные и ни одна из них не является жертвой, которую вампир как рыцарь на белом коне спасает. Скорее здесь партнёрство и практически равноправие, так что читать мне её книги одно удовольствие. 

По сюжету не буду, в синопсисе всё и так сказано, но книгу как и серию рекомендую. Читайте, если как и мне вам больше по вкусу городское фэнтэзи, чем паранормальный роман.

Comments

  1. Hm...I do not really know about this one

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  2. Oh boy, this is #7 already? That's a lot of books to catch up on. :) But I like strong women, who don't need a lot of saving.

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  3. Kink, hmm? Maybe I'll save this one for when I'm in a mood. Great review :)

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  4. I absolutely loved this book and was surprised by some of the comments made by supposed fans of the series who described Aden as TOO arrogant!
    D.B.Reynolds has always compared her Vamps to the ones of old, who relished their strength, power and love of blood, and never shied away from what they were; top of the food chain!
    My favourite Vamp has always been Raphael, and he is the epitome of arrogance, and deservedly so. But to each their own, and I acutually enjoy this series because the vamps are dark, vicious and on occassion arrogant too!
    My love for this series only grows with each new story; congratulations D.B.Reynolds on not being the same as every other author, please don't ever conform!

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  5. Kazza16, thanks for your lovely comment! I'm in Raphael's team too :) I actually really enjoy D.B. vampires arrogance. With their type of power it makes sense. I would hate if they were pining to be human again and hating what they are. They are happy here and all the good ones are ready to admit if they make mistakes. As to "supposed fans" *grinning* - we are all fans if we enjoy the books, even if we are not happy with some of the character traits, so I wouldn't be upset about it. Thanks again!

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  6. I've been wanting to read this series for years now, and still it has not moved from my wishlist to my TBR. Though it is encouraging that you really love this series ... Thanks for the review Karina!

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