lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Finally! Ian's book - I know it released two years ago, but I only just read it now. And I loved it so much. There has always been so much more to Ian than what he's showed his friends and other people (or vampires...) The suspense and mystery part of Shades of Wicked was so well done. And I adored the witchy parts.
Finally! Ian's book - I know it released two years ago, but I only just read it now. And I loved it so much. There has always been so much more to Ian than what he's showed his friends and other people (or vampires...) The suspense and mystery part of Shades of Wicked was so well done. And I adored the witchy parts.
moodreader81's review against another edition
3.0
This was just fine. I thought the relationship development happened too quickly, but the magic systems are interesting. I also enjoyed the inclusion of different historical figures and mythologies. It didn't make me want to read the second book.
readliftbooks's review
5.0
The first of Ian’s story was well worth the wait. He has such a unique personality and I love it. I was so doubtful that I’d like whomever became his love interest but I actually think Veritas is a good match.
madamemidazolam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chelseavbc's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
Jeaniene Frost gave us an Ian book. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Starting today you can spend 384 pages discovering what makes Ian tick. Verbal sparring? Obviously. Physical sparring? That too. A badass woman seeing through his bullshit? Oh, yes.
I expect many readers of the Night Huntress series will pick up Shades of Wicked for Ian. They want to see that pierced snark master in action in every sense of the word, but I have to tell you guys: You’re going to finish this book with big love for Veritas.
Shades of Wicked‘s heroine is determined and focused and ridiculously smart. All the things Ian needs in a partner even if he doesn’t care to admit it. She isn’t fooled by his diversion tactics. She recognizes he’s attractive because she has eyes, but she also cares a whole lot more about integrity and intentions than bravado. This means she gets Ian on a level almost no one else does.
The forced proximity in this book put Ian and Veritas in a place to realize their complete opposite exteriors might just be the same on the inside. The longer their journey progresses the harder you’ll swoon. (A quick heads up: The initial enemies to lovers component does reference the ending of the Night Huntress series, and they move past it quickly. For those that remember it, you’ll know it’d be an insurmountable hurdle without a good clearing of the air.)
Shades of Wicked—despite its sinfully tempting title—is more than Ian and Veritas finding their way to a happily ever after…without pants on. There’s plenty of that, too, and it’s excellent as always. Both characters have to confront their pasts and battle familial obligations and demonic claims to make it out the other side. The result is an action-packed powerhouse with an unputdownable pace and serious swooning. If you need a paranormal romance fix with solid urban fantasy underpinnings, Shades of Wicked needs to be your next read.
Jeaniene Frost gave us an Ian book. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Starting today you can spend 384 pages discovering what makes Ian tick. Verbal sparring? Obviously. Physical sparring? That too. A badass woman seeing through his bullshit? Oh, yes.
I expect many readers of the Night Huntress series will pick up Shades of Wicked for Ian. They want to see that pierced snark master in action in every sense of the word, but I have to tell you guys: You’re going to finish this book with big love for Veritas.
Shades of Wicked‘s heroine is determined and focused and ridiculously smart. All the things Ian needs in a partner even if he doesn’t care to admit it. She isn’t fooled by his diversion tactics. She recognizes he’s attractive because she has eyes, but she also cares a whole lot more about integrity and intentions than bravado. This means she gets Ian on a level almost no one else does.
The forced proximity in this book put Ian and Veritas in a place to realize their complete opposite exteriors might just be the same on the inside. The longer their journey progresses the harder you’ll swoon. (A quick heads up: The initial enemies to lovers component does reference the ending of the Night Huntress series, and they move past it quickly. For those that remember it, you’ll know it’d be an insurmountable hurdle without a good clearing of the air.)
Shades of Wicked—despite its sinfully tempting title—is more than Ian and Veritas finding their way to a happily ever after…without pants on. There’s plenty of that, too, and it’s excellent as always. Both characters have to confront their pasts and battle familial obligations and demonic claims to make it out the other side. The result is an action-packed powerhouse with an unputdownable pace and serious swooning. If you need a paranormal romance fix with solid urban fantasy underpinnings, Shades of Wicked needs to be your next read.
alisonb's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a quick and entertaining read.
I enjoyed the plot and Ian, although I didn’t feel the connection between him and Veritas.
My other main genre of choice is historical romance. Why I bring this up is that historical romance tends to deal in the dual pov. I find that the dual perspectives build a more rich and convincing romance between two people. When it is a one-sided pov we rely upon that characters interpretation of the actions of their love interest. Most times that interpretation is doing a lot of assuming, which makes it unreliable or incomplete. And I felt this incompletion between Ian and Veritas. Perhaps that changes over the next two books, but I’m not sure if I’m excited to read them since the connection fell flat to begin with.
Also, the world is not one I am unfamiliar with, but it has been a long time since I have read the Night Huntress series and I can’t remember if it had that incomplete feeling that this book had. There was a lack of richness in the world in which they exist.
Also, Veritas being 4000ish years old, translated more as a young thirty year old if I were to throw an age out. I expected someone with more wisdom and cunning.
I may read the next one, but not anytime soon. Bummer.
This was a quick and entertaining read.
I enjoyed the plot and Ian, although I didn’t feel the connection between him and Veritas.
My other main genre of choice is historical romance. Why I bring this up is that historical romance tends to deal in the dual pov. I find that the dual perspectives build a more rich and convincing romance between two people. When it is a one-sided pov we rely upon that characters interpretation of the actions of their love interest. Most times that interpretation is doing a lot of assuming, which makes it unreliable or incomplete. And I felt this incompletion between Ian and Veritas. Perhaps that changes over the next two books, but I’m not sure if I’m excited to read them since the connection fell flat to begin with.
Also, the world is not one I am unfamiliar with, but it has been a long time since I have read the Night Huntress series and I can’t remember if it had that incomplete feeling that this book had. There was a lack of richness in the world in which they exist.
Also, Veritas being 4000ish years old, translated more as a young thirty year old if I were to throw an age out. I expected someone with more wisdom and cunning.
I may read the next one, but not anytime soon. Bummer.
snarkymotherreader's review against another edition
5.0
I never wanted a story about Ian.
He was a fun side character, but he was TOO MUCH:
Too smarmy.
Too uninhibited.
Too wild.
I never wanted a story about Veritas, either.
She was possibly the most boring character sprinkled throughout the Night Huntress series, and I couldn't figure out WHY she kept popping up. What could she possibly have to offer??
This book showed me how foolish I was.
The first two chapters were a bit stilted, but once the plot took off, it TOOK OFF. Ian's transformation from a walking STD to a man who hid his true strengths underneath sexual energy was smooth and flawless. Veritas' unmasking showed depth in a character who I would have sworn was made out of cardboard.
By the end of this book, I was clutching my imaginary pearls and begging for it to not be over. Then I read the epilogue and my heart exploded into a million tiny gleeful pieces.
Frost truly is a master at creating unique, inventive characters out of the shells of common paranormal romance tropes.
He was a fun side character, but he was TOO MUCH:
Too smarmy.
Too uninhibited.
Too wild.
I never wanted a story about Veritas, either.
She was possibly the most boring character sprinkled throughout the Night Huntress series, and I couldn't figure out WHY she kept popping up. What could she possibly have to offer??
This book showed me how foolish I was.
The first two chapters were a bit stilted, but once the plot took off, it TOOK OFF. Ian's transformation from a walking STD to a man who hid his true strengths underneath sexual energy was smooth and flawless. Veritas' unmasking showed depth in a character who I would have sworn was made out of cardboard.
By the end of this book, I was clutching my imaginary pearls and begging for it to not be over. Then I read the epilogue and my heart exploded into a million tiny gleeful pieces.
Frost truly is a master at creating unique, inventive characters out of the shells of common paranormal romance tropes.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely new series! Veritas and Ian share a common hatred for a certain demon and team up albeit reluctantly. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
What did I like? The enemies to lovers in this one was eye catching and just hawt! Really enjoyed both characters as they reveal pretty much everything to each other. The ending was fun and makes me want the next part immediately!
Would I recommend or buy? Yes, I never got into Cat and Bones series and they are add ons in this one. This series is great so far. I did buy a paperback and would recommend to people who love authors other books.
What did I like? The enemies to lovers in this one was eye catching and just hawt! Really enjoyed both characters as they reveal pretty much everything to each other. The ending was fun and makes me want the next part immediately!
Would I recommend or buy? Yes, I never got into Cat and Bones series and they are add ons in this one. This series is great so far. I did buy a paperback and would recommend to people who love authors other books.
rebeccareadsmut's review against another edition
5.0
Second read thru as audiobook 2/1/2023
A week ago, I’d seen him naked and felt less affected. But I hadn’t really seen Ian as a man then. I’d seen him as a necessary burden that might end up stabbing me in the back. Now, I knew Ian was dangerously smart, complicated, loyal, powerful, lethal, sexy . . . and arrogant.
I love Jeaniene Frost so so so much.
I thought this book was just perfect. I love Ian. I miss not seeing his side of things, but that's really my only complaint. I kind of put off this part of the series for a while because it was the last books I had to read...and I didn't want it all to end, plus I wasn't excited about Veritas. We'd seen her a lot in other books and she was always very meh. And Ian being with a random vampire? It just didn't seem very exciting.
I was super wrong and Veritas is very much not your average vampire.
I appreciated that this book had a lot more spice than I'm used to with Frost's books, but with Ian it just seems necessary. He's a big man-ho. Anything less would be wrong.
Then I sprinkled the contents over my head while saying a few words he shouldn’t be able to translate. Both auburn brows rose. “The fictional Elvish from The Lord of the Rings? What sort of spell uses a fictional language?” Dammit, dammit, dammit! “When did you have time to learn every language ever spoken?” I demanded.
A week ago, I’d seen him naked and felt less affected. But I hadn’t really seen Ian as a man then. I’d seen him as a necessary burden that might end up stabbing me in the back. Now, I knew Ian was dangerously smart, complicated, loyal, powerful, lethal, sexy . . . and arrogant.
I love Jeaniene Frost so so so much.
I thought this book was just perfect. I love Ian. I miss not seeing his side of things, but that's really my only complaint. I kind of put off this part of the series for a while because it was the last books I had to read...and I didn't want it all to end, plus I wasn't excited about Veritas. We'd seen her a lot in other books and she was always very meh. And Ian being with a random vampire? It just didn't seem very exciting.
I was super wrong and Veritas is very much not your average vampire.
I appreciated that this book had a lot more spice than I'm used to with Frost's books, but with Ian it just seems necessary. He's a big man-ho. Anything less would be wrong.
Then I sprinkled the contents over my head while saying a few words he shouldn’t be able to translate. Both auburn brows rose. “The fictional Elvish from The Lord of the Rings? What sort of spell uses a fictional language?” Dammit, dammit, dammit! “When did you have time to learn every language ever spoken?” I demanded.
jlove731's review against another edition
4.0
Frost dives right into the action and doesn’t let up. I was absolutely engrossed in this story so quickly. Once I started, I did not want to put it down.
Shade of Wicked is, surprisingly, my first Frost book and I was not disappointed in the slightest. Now I need to go back and read all the others so I know the backstory behind all of these characters because I am absolutely invested.
Ian Ian Ian… love love love. Sexy, adventurous, strong and caring. Plus, he is so selfless. I’ll take five of him, yep. On the other side of our main duo, we had Verity. Verity I adored finding out more about her and her strong female persona.
With the fantasy side, I really liked that vampirism basically took a back seat. Yes they are vampires, but it’s not what drives the story which I really appreciated. It is a wonderfully written book and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the series.
Shade of Wicked is, surprisingly, my first Frost book and I was not disappointed in the slightest. Now I need to go back and read all the others so I know the backstory behind all of these characters because I am absolutely invested.
Ian Ian Ian… love love love. Sexy, adventurous, strong and caring. Plus, he is so selfless. I’ll take five of him, yep. On the other side of our main duo, we had Verity. Verity I adored finding out more about her and her strong female persona.
With the fantasy side, I really liked that vampirism basically took a back seat. Yes they are vampires, but it’s not what drives the story which I really appreciated. It is a wonderfully written book and I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the series.