Sweet Ruin introduces an entirely new set of characters, in fact, takes us to a whole new dimension. We are almost starting from scratch here, with a new crazy leader, new troupe of badass characters with special gifts and talents, and a different perspective because they are supposedly on the opposite side of the Accession from the all the other IAD characters whom we already know and love.
Much as we've been awaiting love interests for certain witches, lykae, demons, vampires, and valkyrie, Kresley Cole instead decided to introduce a whole new cast of characters, attached to our beloved Team Vertas by the relationship of the main character to Thaddeus Braden, a recurring side character in previous books.
My guess is that there is a reason for this seeming departure from the original core group, but only the next book will prove if I'm right or wrong.
Overall this book was good but perhaps not quite as fun or original as previous entires in the series. Woman as powerful, self-sufficient, strong, intelligent basass continues and it's still a breath of fresh air. The theme of men suffering centuries of abuse at the hands of a woman is becoming tired, as is the theme of constant sex sex sex. Sex isn't a plot most of the time, so after several books where that seems to be the main theme, and the main point of conflict between h&h, it becomes a bit tired. All that said, Cole has such a talent for writing sexual tension and fun, sexy love scenes, I'm not sorry to read the book. I do think this was one of the weaker books in the series.
Much as we've been awaiting love interests for certain witches, lykae, demons, vampires, and valkyrie, Kresley Cole instead decided to introduce a whole new cast of characters, attached to our beloved Team Vertas by the relationship of the main character to Thaddeus Braden, a recurring side character in previous books.
My guess is that there is a reason for this seeming departure from the original core group, but only the next book will prove if I'm right or wrong.
Overall this book was good but perhaps not quite as fun or original as previous entires in the series. Woman as powerful, self-sufficient, strong, intelligent basass continues and it's still a breath of fresh air. The theme of men suffering centuries of abuse at the hands of a woman is becoming tired, as is the theme of constant sex sex sex. Sex isn't a plot most of the time, so after several books where that seems to be the main theme, and the main point of conflict between h&h, it becomes a bit tired. All that said, Cole has such a talent for writing sexual tension and fun, sexy love scenes, I'm not sorry to read the book. I do think this was one of the weaker books in the series.
