Customer Reviews

Red Kiss: A Gods of Midnight Novel

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Trapped in dagger form, and swept out to sea after being cast into the water by an enemy during battle, weapons-shifter River Kassandros' life force is fading away. River has lost all hope of being found by his Spartan brothers, soon all that will be left of him will be an inanimate dagger. Praying for deliverance from a different kind of trap, Emma opens up to her psychic hearing ability to the higher power and instead of hearing a promise of aid, Emma hears a desperate voice needing her help to save him. Screwing up her courage, Emma faces her fear of drowning determined not to damn the owner of the mysterious voice to that dreaded fate. Emma is shocked to find that she is savior to a dagger and Emma even more surprised when her blood transforms the beautiful weapon into a gorgeous dangerous nearly naked man.

River, who started life as a slave, has great potential as a tragic leading man. But in focusing on River's struggle with his inner berserker instead of River's pain and feelings of unworthiness from being a lesser brethren - he's been cemented into the servant roll for eternity shifting in battle to a sword or dagger to be wielded by his 'master' the Spartan cadre's captain Ajax - Knight doesn't wring out all the poignant potential from River's story. The beserker thing does add to River's troubles - on returning to human form River is in thrall of emotions of violence or lust - but the isolation and feelings of unworthiness of eternal servanthood had a stronger sympathy factor. Knight does use River's berserker issues to stave off the consummation for River and Emma but doesn't really build the relationship between the pair. River falls immediately for Emma - which makes it feel like any woman would have done - Emma decides she's in love with River almost as quickly.

Red Kiss, book 2 in Diedre Knight's Gods of Midnight series, is stronger as an ensemble piece than it is as a paranormal romance. Knight's delving into more of the large cast was satisfying enough to make up for the simplisity of the romance between Emman and River. I enjoyed getting to see more of the star-crossed pairing of the scarred King Leo and the blue-haired nymph like oracle, and a bit of back-story and character development of several more of the Spartans was quite interesting: teases of Aristos' history with his lost love and Niko with his own secrets, one that sets him apart from the other brothers and one that hints at a secret shame that explains his past animosity toward River. Also, Knight throws some potential redemption in for one of the bad guys.

While I did like Red Kiss a bit more than Red Fire: A Gods of Midnight Novel, on the whole I still prefer Knight's Parallel series but still I found myself more intrigued enough by the setup for future romances that I will be keeping an eye out for the next book.

River Kassandros, a slave in Spartan times, serves his masters out of love and integrity. Because he does so with a noble attitude, he is considered to be one of the seven bravest warriors who will sadly lose the famous Battle of Thermopylae against the infamously powerful Persians. Approaching the River Styx, the seven warriors are offered an opportunity for immortality, but there are consequences whose terror and power is unforeseen by all who unwittingly take the vow to serve Ares, the God of War.

Unknown by the one who grants this immortality and unknown by the Djinn who seek to destroy the warriors, and indeed all who possess similar personalities, these Greek bonded brothers possess magical powers that are enhanced when the long-lost Oracle makes them aware of their "real" power. But before any of this can happen, many internal and external battles must be fought, i.e. water demons, silver shadows, and so much more.

River Kassandros first meets Emily, a woman who has magical powers to hear nearby spirits. She is able to free River from his "blade" appearance but must find a way to deal with his super-energetic bouts that erupt as either severe violence or ravaging lust beyond what any human being can endure.

The other warriors meet with humans and spirit-like forms and each has his or her immortal foibles to conquer before they are finally reunited and able to complete their real mission, to destroy the one to whom they have promised servitude in order to keep their immortal status.

Red Kiss is a lusty, adventurous, frightening but exciting story that will thrill every reader fascinated by Greek mythology, the paranormal and contemporary, romping and riveting stories about robust sex.

Interesting contemporary treatment of classic Greek mythology!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on July 18, 2009

....out pops this lovely gem of a story. Created in a richly textured world--both with real and super-real people and creatures. This story takes us down new roads. The Olympic Gods are around and a pretty delectible version of Ares is created. The use of a dagger, causing a bloody prick that leads to essential telepahty is fresh and not at all in the vampire style. Especially I enjoyed how the couples were balanced more like a team without one beng so much stronger--metaphysically or physically--than the other. Great new series and this author as always a dependable auto-buy.

After following Deidre Knight's Parallel series, which is awesome, her books are a definite pre-order and must-read for me. "Red Kiss", book 2 of her Spartan series has everything I love in a good book - great characters, engrossing plot, humor, emotion, romance, passion, and good sex. The Spartan series' cast of characters is varied and fascinating, and Knight does a great job of setting up future possible pairings and conflicts, and makes you wish she would write MUCH faster. I can't wait for book 3!!

After reading Red Fire I was absolutely hooked on Deidre Knight's Gods of Midnight series. The world she has created with the sexy and intriguing Immortal Spartans, Gods, Demons, and Demon Hunters captured my attention immediately. I couldn't wait for Red Kiss to become available. I had it pre-ordered and when it came, I couldn't put it down! River's story was absolutely captivating, and the challenges he and Emma face together keep you on the edge of your seat in action and romance! In the midst of it all she gives us sneek peeks into the hearts and minds of other interesting characters of the story, and makes us desperate to read her future novels so we can see how their lives will play out. Deidre is an amazing author. Read the books, you will be so glad you did!

Spartan warrior and slave River Kassandros has been missing in his dagger form for months. Tossed into a river during a climactic battle, River is unable to shift back into his human form. Now in danger of spending eternity as a dagger, River almost gives up. The only thing that is keeping him lucid is his connection to a woman on the beach. Begging her to search for him, River leads her to find him in the water, but not without repercussions. Fighting water demons is the least of their worries - it seems Ares has turned his back on the band of warriors he offered immortality to so long ago.

Emma Lowery knows she is losing her mind, but the man she hears in her head is real. Searching for a knife in the coastal waters off of a beach in Savannah, Emma finds exactly what the man tells her she would find. Only he didn't tell her that with the first draw of her blood the dagger in her hand becomes so much more. It becomes a deadly, yet sensuous warrior intent on her seduction.

Red Kiss by Deidre Knight is the second installment of her Gods of Midnight series and she definitely ups the ante on sensuality and passion. River is a slave - he knows this and because of this, he doesn't feel worthy of Emma. Emma, on the other hand, could care less. It is that emotion that prevails throughout Red Kiss and one I found simply mesmerizing. The fight between good and evil is predominate in Red Kiss and I found myself enthralled watching this enigmatic and passionate warrior battle more than just evil - he battles himself. I can't wait book three!

Talia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

River Kassandros is a weapon-shifter who is lost under the water after a battle that took place in the previous novel (Red Fire). Emma Lowery is a medium who denies herself the gift that she was born with because of past pain. They come together to fight for love with passion, compassion, and a heartfelt story.

I loved this book. Let me say that first and foremost. Reasons why I loved it: I felt the passion sizzling on the pages of the book when I read encounters between River and Emma. Especially the first one! This story (IMO) is fresh. I was really starting to get a little tired of vampire romance and wanted to branch out. I am so happy that I did. Mrs. Knight has a compelling story with not only the h/h but also the secondary characters. So much so, that I can't wait for the next few books in the series because I'm really interested in the HEAs for the other characters. River was an AWESOME hero. I love the tortured soul. The slightly insecure but still strong male lead. And Emma was definitely the perfect person for him. I love how strong she eventually became, how she was there for River when he thought he was unworthy due to his past. And to think that I picked this book up randomly from the library on a whim. I'm soooo happy that I did. Mrs. Knight is a refreshing writer and I even found myself a little teary-eyed at certain parts of the story. Definitely you need to either purchase or go to your local library and read this story. Especially if you are looking for something new.

Deidre Knight has created a remarkable series that blends immortal Spartan warriors and demons with the flavor of the south. RED KISS picks up exactly where the first book, RED FIRE, left off. In the first book, River Kassandros, who has the ability to shape-shift into any weapon, had been fighting a war with his master, Ajax. He'd been captured and thrown into the deepest part of the river where the tides would carry him out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Emma Lowery gets stranded on a small uninhibited island off to the coast of Georgia. Since she has the ability to hear voices in the spiritual realm, she is able to hear River. In midst of a demon attack, she releases River and he is able to save them both. Little do they know, the fight against evil has just begun. As the passion between Emma and River explodes, each will come to understand their own destiny. The God of War won't make it easy though. He will use River's fears against him to put a wedge between the two. Even with the intervention of the Oracle and the help of the Highest of God. River has so much to overcome.

In book two, the saga of the Spartan warriors becomes richer in depth. I can't wait to read more. The third and fourth installments of this series, RED ANGEL and RED DEMON, are scheduled for 2010.

Posted 06/22/09: After reading RED FIRE, I was wishing the months away so I could snuggle up with RED KISS and connect with River and Emma's story, and I am thrilled to say this book engaged me page after page until the end!!! I have been thinking what I love best about Deidre Knight's writing and it is the fact that she values relationships and the sanctity of two becoming as one - no matter what difficulties they face along the way. Her compassionate understanding of a hero and heroine and their challenges shows me the caring person she is. Deidre can delve into the human psyche and heal along the way. Her words are like music to my soul. Bravo for RED KISS, well done, Deidre!!! River was such a tortured soul right from the beginning and Emma embraced him with a beautiful heart. Tortured heroes are my favorite because I want them to find their way in love. It makes for great story tension. I am looking forward to the next Spartan Warrior's story and have enjoyed the world you have created for them in this day and age. Am thrilled I don't have to mourn the end of the story because the GODS OF MIDNIGHT series continues. All of your heroes and heroines, past, present and future, have a place in my heart.

Deidre Knight continues her steamy saga of Immortal Spartans with Red Kiss, the second installment in the Gods of Midnight series.

When River's Spartan brothers fell at Thermopylae, River was the only non-warrior to follow the fallen warriors into death and to the banks of the River Styx. When the war God, Ares, turned the Spartans into immortal warriors sworn to protect humanity from demons, River was dipped into the magical waters and transformed into a weapon shifter. Damned to serve his brothers in battle by assuming the from of their weapon of choice, River's existence is one of lonely and sometimes grudging servitude.

When the Spartans battled in revolt against an increasingly corrupt Ares, River was cast into the river in the form of a dagger. Now, at the beginning of Red Kiss, River is stranded in this form, with his soul and identity slowly seeping away. The violent nature of his weapon form threatens to consume all that was once good in him. Unless he is soon found and commanded into his human form by a mortal, he will lose his ability to return to his human form.

Months pass before River manages to make psychic contact with the mortal demon hearer, Emma Lowery. When Emma hears River calling out for help, she faces a lifelong fear of the water to rescue him. At River's urging, she uses him in blade form to draw blood from herself. From her blood sacrifice, River draws the energy he needs to shift back to human form. In the process a soul connection is forged between Emma and River, but River's psychic calls for help have broadcast his location to the demons Ares has sent forth to reclaim him.

While Emma's blood gift imbues River with the power to help her escape the immediate danger, the energy is fleeting. He cannot maintain his human form without more blood sacrifice on her part. But the evil that pursues River has no intention of letting Emma go. Without River's protection, she will surely die.

While River is captivated by the lovely Emma, every time he shifts from weapon to human form, he loses control of his emotions and sexual yearnings. Horrified that the episodes he calls berserkers might cause him to harm Emma, he warns her to steer clear of him. Instead of making love to Emma, as his heart yearns to do, he vows to to protect her from an evil he fears she can never comprehend.

But evil has its sites set on more than just River. They want Emma, too.

Even if River overcomes his dangerous side so he can be with the woman he loves, the demons will continue pursue him--and her-until they are both destroyed. Will River turn his back on love so Emma might remain safe, or will he and Emma combine their gifts to conquer the evil may soon destroy everything they hold dear?

As with Knight's Midnight Warriors Series, the Gods of Midnight promises to become stronger with each new installment. With the series world building done, Red Kiss is a faster, sexier read, liberally infused with the heat and sass its sultry Savannah setting.

As with all of Ms. Knight's romantic fantasies, a fresh and surprising new romantic pairing brews within the pages of Red Kiss, leaving the reader with the promise of more delicious reads set in this larger than life world populated by some of the sexiest heroes to come down the pipes in a long while.

Red Kiss proves again that Ms. Knight does, indeed, give great hero! Don't miss this one.