Kresley Cole
A Hunger Like No Other (2006)
Author: Kresley Cole
Genre: Romance (Contemporary/Paranormal)
Plot Summary:
After 150 years of torture and imprisonment by the vampire horde, Laclain MacRieve, the king of the Lycae clan of werewolves, escapes from bondage and begins his search for his one true love. Much to his astonishment and disgust, Laclain’s mate turns out to be Emmaline Troy, a half vampire, half Valkyrie young woman who resists his violent sexual overtures. Emma is nothing what a werewolf would desire in a mate. She was raised by her Valkyrie aunts in isolation and never developed her vampire lust, prowess, or strength. In fact, Emma's waifish appearance and sarcastic baffling humor disorient Laclain's traditional werewolf values. Moreover, Emma is also dumbfounded and revolted to find herself abducted by this primitive man who continues to molest her while insisting that she like his advances. The problem is: Emma does like his advances. Despite the obvious differences between these star-crossed lovers, Laclain and Emma have a perplexing and powerful attraction for one another. Laclain and Emma yo-yo throughout the course of the novel between love and hate, lust and disgust, trust and fear. Tension builds between the ill-suited pair to an astonishing and humorous climax. Ultimately, external forces challenge their identities and lead them to their true feelings for one another. SPOILER: Laclain and Emma have more to contend with than their reservations over this questionable partnership. Neither Emma’s family nor Laclain’s clan approve of the unusual union and are even willing to wage war on their behalf. Meanwhile, the vampire horde is caught in the middle as the sworn enemy of Laclain and the relatives Emma never knew. Dangers from their respective pasts ultimately surface to transform Laclain and Emma, challenge their tenuous union, and eventually bring them closer together.
Geographical Setting: Paris, Scotland highlands, New Orleans
Time Period: Contemporary 21st Century
Series: Immortals After Dark Series, No. 1
Appeal Characteristics:
Kresley Cole makes detailed and evolving characterization the center of her novel. She plays Emma and Laclain off one another with brilliant, sexy, and often humorous dialogue. Moreover, Cole allows the reader into the minds of both characters as their feelings transform and they grow closer to one another. Emma goes from a weak and self-conscious woman into a saucy confident self-aware heroine. Laclain similarly transforms from an oversexed insensitive thug to a well-balanced affectionate modern man. As well, the significant and frank sexual content of the novel never overwhelms the romance between Laclain and Emma. Like any good romance, a monogamous and committed relationship between two complex characters drives the story. Although Emma and Laclain struggle to find common ground and resolve their opposing world views (Emma’s modern woman versus Laclain’s über-traditional man), they eventually form a lasting bond. Cole also fleshes out secondary characters by giving them depth and a true voice. Cole avoids caricatures of vampires, werewolves, and the Valkyrie female warriors. Instead, she animates them with the best and worst in human nature, from blind generosity to vengeful hatred. The pace of the novel is unique in that it taunts the reader with the escalating sexual and romantic tension between Laclain and Emma. The majority of the novel consists of the developing relationship between Laclain and Emma. Pages often fly by without any other character appearing until 100 pages into the novel. Their isolation and chemistry are what drive the narrative. The story line is not only character centered, it also consists of significant world building. Although the novel is set in modern day Paris, Scotland and New Orleans, Cole necessarily constructs a fantastical world of vampires, werewolves and Valkyrie. Despite the story’s dark and heavy sexual tension, Cole also infuses the novel with many light and humorous moments. Emma’s character in particular is sarcastic, hip, and easily pokes fun at the backward ways of Laclain. What’s better, Laclain takes the humor in stride, even when it is at his expense. The setting is peripheral to the crux of the story. Paris, Scotland and New Orleans provide flavor, but not body to the novel. Stylistically, Cole colorfully and frankly describes her characters and especially their sexual exploits. She infuses her narrative with witty repartee, colloquialisms, slang, and references to contemporary popular culture. Cole can turn on a hairpin from grave descriptions to comical dialogue. Ultimately, Cole resolves the main conflicts in the novel, but allows for windows into future novels in the series.
Read-alikes: For readers interested in another fast-paced peppery paranormal romance, well-developed secondary characters, and interspecies relationships, Sharie Kohler’s Marked By Moonlight will not disappoint. Claire Morgan, a mousy school teacher is bitten one night by what she thinks is a dog, a former student of hers turned werewolf. With the help of Gideon the Lycan hunter, a member of an elite underground werewolf hunting organization, Claire must find a cure for the werewolf curse before the first full moon. Torn by his duty to eliminate the fledgling werewolf, Gideon sets aside his prejudice and finds he is falling for Claire. Marked By Moonlight, a sultry sex-laden story, is not for the bashful. Readers attracted to unconventional relationships, detailed primary and secondary character descriptions, and a warm romance may enjoy Susan Krinard’s Prince of Shadows. Alexandra Worthington, a wolf researcher and preservationist, comes across a wounded black wolf in her home state of Minnesota. Much to her surprise, the wolf transforms into the beautiful and tormented amnesiac, Kieran. Alexandra and Kieran set off to discover Kieran’s veiled and mysterious past while attempting to exonerate him of several unsolved murders in the area. Meanwhile, the budding romance between the hero and heroine mounts. Although slightly more sentimental and tame compared to Cole’s A Hunger Like No Other, the evolving and romantic collaboration between Kieran and Alexandra proves compelling. Seize the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon will attract readers who enjoy light wry humor, a fast paced compelling read, and detailed characterization. Valerius Magnus, an immortal Dark-Hunter who protects humankind from soul-destroying Daimons, falls for the vampire huntress, Tabitha Devereaux. However, there’s a catch: Tabitha is the sister-in-law of Valerius’s sworn enemy. Moreover, Valerius is hated by Tabitha’s family for the evil deeds he committed in his mortal life. Despite these obstacles, the hero and heroine are attracted to one another and emotionally bond through the course of the novel. Meanwhile Tabitha is being hunted by a new breed of Daimon. Valerius and Tabitha come to trust one another as they battle against this new foe. The darkness of Seize the Night is countered by the lightness and humor Tabitha’s character brings to the narrative. This contrast is reminiscent of A Hunger Like No Other, and will compel readers to investigate other titles in the Dark-Hunter series. A newbie reader to the series may find Sherrilyn Kenyon's website on her Dark-Hunter series helpful in understanding the back-story. Readers looking for a hip, hot, complex world of vampires and vampire hunters, will find the paranormal romance Dark Lover: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward a tantalizing read. Wrath, the reluctant would-be king of the vampires and only remaining pure-blood, takes on the care of his deceased friend’s half-human daughter, Beth Randall. His job is to usher Beth into the world of vampires. Beth is unaware of her blood legacy and needs a little convincing from Wrath. Meanwhile, a band of vampire slayers called the Lessening Society are out to kill Wrath and Beth. Along the way the hero and heroine find themselves inexplicably attracted to one another. By accepting his rightful place on the vampire throne and Beth as his true mate, Wrath will be able to defend against the dangerous Lessening Society. The compelling pace, world-building, detailed character development, and intriguing character transformation in Dark Lover will appeal to Cole readers. The Forever Kiss by Angela Night will attract readers with an interest in spicier romances, a complicated unconventional relationship, a compelling fast-paced read, and adventure. Valerie Chase, a modern career woman, has had a recurring dream of the same man since the murder of her parents in her infancy. Her dream world hero evolves from a childhood friend to a passionate lover. Little does Valerie know that her imaginary hero is actually Cade McKinnon, the vampire who took part in the murder of her parents. After years of guilt and torment, Cade chooses to become Valerie’s protector from his evil nemesis, the vampire king Edward Ridgemont. Valerie resists his protections while battling with her conflicting attraction for him. The revelation of the truth behind Cade’s role in her parents murder leads to the unveiling of Valerie's true nature, her genuine feelings for Cade, and her place among the vampires. Although racier than Cole’s work, The Forever Kiss, develops the complex relationship between Cade and Valerie with detail and depth. Nonetheless, if readers find Cole’s work too peppery, they may want to steer clear of The Forever Kiss. In Still My Vampire Heart by Kerrelyn Sparks, readers will recognize a sexy female main character in CIA agent Emma Watson. Also similar are the elements of forbidden love, as Emma, a human, finds herself falling in love with a vampire sent to kill her. Readers will also enjoy the familiar juxtaposition of good and evil, as some vampires become ‘good’ by trading human blood for synthetic and others resist. Another similar appeal element is a paranormal storyline taking place in the ‘real’ world, as the action occurs in New York City. With the fifth novel in her Immortals After Dark series Kresley Cole does not disappoint her fans. Readers who enjoyed A Hunger Like No Other will without a doubt love Dark Desires After Dark. Much like the first novel readers will like the seemingly weak character Holly Ashwin, who is a halfling like Emmaline Troy and discovers a hidden power she uses to fight evil. Readers will also enjoy the unlikely romance between Holly and Cadeon Wode, the rage demon who must deliver her to his enemy’s brother. They will recognize a similar relationship to that shared by Emmaline and Lachlain, as they struggle to separate themselves from a passion they cannot deny. The Rogue Hunter, Lynsay Sands’ 10th novel in her Argeneau series tells the story of a workaholic mortal who falls in love with an immortal rogue vampire hunter. Readers will recognize the strong sexuality between Samantha and Garrett that they found between Emmaline and Lachlain. At the same time, the main characters are also reluctant to submit to their desires but soon realize their destiny, much like the protagonists of A Hunger Like No Other. Also familiar is the well-developed back plot, much like the secondary characters of the other novel while the passion between the main characters remains central to the story.
Red Flags: Four pepper romance; graphic sexual details; graphic violence
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