Review - Red Kiss

Title: Red Kiss
Author: Deidre Knight
Publishing Date: June 2009
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: D
Sensuality: Warm

Red Kiss is the second book in Deidre Knight's Gods of Midnight Series. River Kassandros is a shape shifting spartan warrior sworn to protect mankind from Demons along with six of his spartan brothers. Each of the warriors were given a special gift that helps make them unique. River can shapeshift into any weapon of his choice. But his special gift comes with a negative side effect in that when he emerges from his weapon form he in a berserker state and has the lust of battle riding him hard. River has been lost to his brothers when Sable, a Djinn Demon tosses River in the shape of a dagger into a river and he washes out to sea. For four months he remained in his dagger form at the bottom of the ocean. It isn't until Emma Lowery, a descendant of the Oracle with special powers of her own, hears River calling to her for help. She is able to save River and unite him with his Spartan brothers.

The biggest problem I had with Red Kiss was the hero, River. I'll be honest. I hated him. He was a big whinny baby most of the time and he drove me absolutely nuts with his constant yammering about how he isn't worthy of his fellow Spartan brothers' and Emma's love. I wanted to slap him upside his head and tell him to get over it already. So many times River's actions were that of a petulant child, not a grown man. I like my heroes to be confident and believe in themselves. River was constantly doubting himself and it slowed the pacing of the story to a snail's pace.

There are some interesting side stories within Red Kiss. The king and the Oracle were back. They didn't have much of an appearance and that was a mistake in my mind. Plus, a few of the other Spartans started to begin their stories. Knight even makes one of the warriors homosexual. I thought this was a unique twist to a romance series, where usually all of the men are heterosexual. I also liked how the villain tried to redeem himself in the end. Again, it is unusual to find that in the books I read. However, the poor pacing and execution of the story was still sorely lacking for my taste.

Here is what others had to say:

Darque Reviews

Review - Red Fire

Title: Red Fire
Author: Deidre Knight
Publication Date: Nov 2008
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: C+
Sensuality: Hot

Red Fire is the first book in Deidre Knight's Gods of Midnight series. Seven Spartan warriors were given the option to live eternal life as protectors of mankind. They will be destined to fight any and all evil in its various forms for the rest of eternity. Ajax Petrakos is one of these warriors. But immortality has taken its tole on him and the only thing keeping him sane is a prophecy that foretold of his destined mate. For many years he has been searching for that one woman and he finds her in present time New Orleans, Louisiana, being threatened by a powerful demon.

Red Fire started out slow for me. It took me a while to get into the rhythm and cadence of the book. I felt like the narration was a little unusual, in that we mainly get the hero's perspective as the story is being set up. At times his "voice" came across as more feminine than masculine. Occasionally, it would strike me that Ajax's thoughts or feelings might be more true to how a woman would react than a man. Once the back story was in place, the plot started to pick up this became less noticeable.

I especially enjoyed the first meeting between Ajax and Shay. Ajax is a most unusual character in that he can shapeshift into a hawk/man creature. Shay at first takes him for a demon. With good reason, because his form is very scary to behold. The other demons are well described and just as interesting. Ms. Knight very craftily creates a creepy mood and setting among the graveyards in New Orleans. I could easily picture the sweeping oak trees with their limbs draped in Spanish moss.

There are some very interesting secondary characters. I think my favorite was the Oracle. She had quite the personality and I loved her interactions with the King. I hope at some point they will get their own story. Even the demon, Sable was shrewdly crafted and was engaging to read about. I am going to go out on a limb and say I think that people who enjoy the author Nalini Singh would enjoy this book.

Here is what others had to say:
Errant Dreams Reviews
Ashley's Booktopia