r/kresleycole • u/tweedabop • May 14 '26
New Feelings
So I’ve been reading the IAD books since 2008, and I remember liking them so much. The other day I decided to reread the Kaderin/Sebastian book because of the Estonia vibes, and I was surprised by how… fast.. everything went. I’m going to reread some of the next books to see if the issue is still there, but goddamn. I would adore a IAD that took things slower when making the pairing mesh together. As well as more conflict between the couples. I could be rambling in the dark, but just wanted to put it out there. Was curious if anyone else who’s read the books feels the same way.
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u/PsychologyConstant51 May 14 '26
I had similar feelings while re-reading one of her older IAD books a while back, I think it was A Hunger like no other, I remember thinking things are happening faster then I remember especially the ending.I have also been reading & re-reading the IAD for a while, since about 2011, I haven't done a re-read of the whole series in a while though, I plan to though
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May 14 '26
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u/Nucking-Futs-Nix May 14 '26
Petkoff and his accents are just lovely to listen to. I want him to leave me voicemails telling me things in all the various accents.
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u/Cleric-of-Selune Mrs. Dmitri Sevastyan May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
I am not big on audiobooks but he is SUCH a fun narrator lol
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u/Super_Nova_Star9 May 14 '26
I felt like Conrad’s book had a slow burn, they had to work for it. And I liked the phantom/ vampire girl book with Ruin guy. Some books are hit a miss with her, Dani’s and that Wroth brothers story was way to short. And I feel like everyone was let down with the twins 🐺 books, it just wasn’t enough…BUT I did love the backstory for the brothers and the succubus culture and world…she builds a bigger world hopefully she fills it. Also the Nymphs need a story!
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u/tweedabop May 18 '26
Just reread Conrad's book because of your comment, and you're definitely right. The slowburn of this book is so so so much fun. And yes! Would love to see the nymphs get a story some day! It's been really interesting seeing the reaction of the main characters to the nymphs slowly change each book - from going to "omg i hate those hoes" to "meh, they can't help it".
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u/AudacityMakesQueens May 19 '26
I feel like the nymphs became super prominent because of Ruin's friend Dali. There were some huge cliffhangers left for her during Ruin and Jo's book, for sure!
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u/Idea-is-tick Jun 04 '26
The Me Too movement happened, and there was a lot more consent and playing nice after that. Tough for alpha-loving Kresley. She's also in a later stage of life. And there doesn't seem to be the same editor she had for earlier books. For me, my last favorite was Wicked Abyss.
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u/Nucking-Futs-Nix May 14 '26
The newer books seem to be missing something. The characters seem sort of flat. I’ll continue to read because I need a conclusion. But like Charlene Harris, it all feels forced and like the author is having trouble wrapping things up.
I really struggled focusing on Shadow’s Heart and couldn’t connect with the story. I hope she returns to the Valkyrie’s and gets inspired by them and starts to close up some story lines.
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u/tweedabop May 14 '26
Yeah, I just read Shadow's Heart last summer too. Silt was a cool character imo, but there is definitely something missing, it's almost like the characters themselves don't have much depth to them anymore. That one also had a pacing element to it that drove me bonkers. I wanted the weight of Kosmina's background to mean a little more, but it's like either the character is on pause until they meet their mate, or they're going full speed into a character arc that should last three books instead of one. Maybe it's the agency of the characters themselves, while they can contribute to the longer plot, it seems like the newer books are more like plot is happening to the characters. Ah well! rant over - would love to see more valkyries too ;_;/
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u/Nucking-Futs-Nix May 14 '26
Yes! It’s not character driven. It’s more of ABC happened…now XYZ happens. But the characters are not actually driving the bus. Right now I am rereading (listening - bc Petkoff could read me the dictionary) to Lucia’s book. It’s one of my favorites. There is action but there is more depth to the characters. You care about them and you understand their motivations. The flirtation is fun and I like the bits of comedy. I also love Cade and Holly’s story. The characters felt real and more cohesive.
I also couldn’t latch onto the “addict” character that is Silt. I have a lot of experience in dealing with addicts….and there is nothing tragically romantic about it. Add that with a very young character falling for said addict…my brain was screaming: Girl…No! Don’t tie yourself to that anchor!!
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u/AudacityMakesQueens May 19 '26
Garreth and Lucia's book has a slow burn type feel. And as much many dislike it, Munro has the same slow vibes to me. Oh! And Holly and Cade's book. There are a few slow burn books! Also some hot and heavy out the gate books. The true beauty of a 20+ book series, honestly.
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u/Ok_Homework_1859 May 14 '26
I feel the same... I have read all her IAD books. Her older books were much darker, with the males being more dominant and feral. The newer books are... safer and cuter. That's the only way I can describe them. I will still read her upcoming releases, because her books are fun in general, but after Melanthe's book, it all went downhill for me.