Bound by Flames: Night Prince, Book 3

If you haven't read a Jeaniene Frost novel, do yourself a favor and start with HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE (the first in the Night Huntress series). The progression from that series to the three (so far) Night Prince novels is nothing short of delicious. Although I have read all these novels more than once, I made sure to reread Once Burned and Twice Tempted again before BOUND BY FLAMES.I remember liking Leila as a character in the earlier novels until she got to Vlad's home in Romania and then found that she didn't seem to appreciate Vlad. She seemed rather gauche in comparison to his old-world charm (aside from the dungeons and torture). Ms. Frost has done a great job of developing Leila's character to the point where she has become a worthy companion for Vlad.My biggest fear before reading this book would be that the plot would center on Leila leaving Vlad for being too controlling. I was absolutely not interested in a plot line that focused on why they couldn't be together. Jeaniene Frost didn't disappoint. While there is a lot of tension between Leila and Vlad, you can see how they are growing as a couple. Vlad is compelled to keep Leila safe, but acknowledges that doesn't work from her point of view. Leila matures enough to deal with the ultimate alpha male. Ms. Frost pulls a fast one on Vlad by having Leila agree to what he asks of her and having Leila still end up in trouble.This is a love story, but a dark one. Readers are brought into Vlad's real world when he is fighting his arch enemy. Leila's experiences are gruesome, but not done in such a graphic way as to sensationalize what is happening. We are dealing with two enemies who predate the middle ages, after all. In the midst of all the evil, though, we get a better sense of Vlad as a person and how Leila has become his world. "Vlad loved the same way that he lived -- untamable, dangerous, and full throttle,..." Regarding Leila's safety: "If I have to sacrifice every person in my line to ensure it, I will." After a 500 year romantic hiatus, Vlad has given himself over to love.We also see more of Vlad's sense of humor in this book. At one point he admits to watching a particular documentary because, "It was late, you were asleep, and there was NOTHING else on." Ha! "... bite, bleed, replenish," he said. "Easier than baking a cake."Watch out for spoilers when you are looking through reviews. Ms. Frost has some very interesting plot twists in store that are better left as a surprise. It was great to see Cat in a new light and have Vlad tangle with Marie. Even Mencheres gets stumped at one point. Vlad has some great interactions with Gretchen. The scene where he knows her weight is funny and Vlad does a great job of getting in Leila's father to face how much his abandonment has impacted her.Leila: You'll get a lot of 'no' RSVP's for your next party. Vlad: This is not the first party I've thrown where less guests left than arrived."This hovel and her RV are palaces compared to some of the places I've lived, so if we're finished with the poverty pi$$ing contest, I have business to discuss.""Love cuts deeper than the sharpest blade, cripples more than shattered bones, and leaves scars that never fade." It is hard not to have empathy for this brutal, brutalized man. "It's why I've protected my people as a whole, yet refused to value one person more than the other, and also why I've had few lovers and even fewer friends.""You are my destruction, because if I were to lose you, it would finish me.""If someone here gives you so much as an uneasy vibe, have them thrown into the dungeon. I'll sort it out once I return." I want to use that line!"You yanked wraiths out of the bones of slain men and you summoned the ferryman of the underworld to do your bidding, yet THIS is beyond you?""I want a hardened man, not a mass-murdering, pathologically vengeful one," Vlad said. "There's only room for one of those in my line right now, and that's me." Loved this.Okay, so why the 0.5 demerit -- easy. Not enough sex!

This book was fast paced and with so much betrayal, hurt, love and acceptance. Love these characters but when will they get a break?

Well, I have been waiting for this installment for a longgggg time, practically from the second I finished the previous one. Vlad Dracul, especially Jeaniene's Vlad Dracul is my absolute FAVORITE paranormal character, naturally most loved vampire, not to mention he isn't just ANY vampire he is THE vampire - Vlad Tepesh, the impaler! YUM on so many levels I can't even, no, there are NO WORDS!So it's obvious that I LOVED this book. What was so great about it, wasn't specifically the plot - it was how much character development both Vlad and Leila went through. Living with Vlad, isn't easy, Leila needs to adjust, he is hundreds of years old conqueror, expecting him to become "modern" doesn't make any sense, yet will Leila by his side he seems to change, learn to respect her and her judgement as well as actually TRUST in her. There is one scene he actually takes her with him and sees her as someone who more than have the ability to defend herself, she is capable as being HIS backup. I kept being surprised with how much Vlad is willing to "adjust" ("change" is a "big word" I think it's mostly about him seeing her differently and reacting to the way he sees her NOW and not becoming someone else). Leila is a real bad-ass, I love that about her, she is truly the EXACT woman a man like Vlad needs. She also has the will power and mental strength of a warrior. She went through HELL in this book yet she came out of it will her head held strong (even if on the inside she still hurts).There is a side appearance of Mencheres and Cat. I would have loved having MORE of Mencheres though. Also there is a visit to Marie Laveau which was quite entertaining and also even though Vlad bid goodbye to his long (mostly) loyal friend Maximus - he has quite an appearance and I have a feeling we will see him again in the next installment.In this installment, as was in the previous two, Vlad and Leila try and kill their tormentor - Szilagyi Mihaly - who is actually the vampire who brought them together when he kidnapped Leila and intended on using her against his long hated rival - Vlad Dracul.. Yet THAT deed won't get him invited to their wedding.. only to HIS impending doom.. Yet since the story doesn't end with this one (though first planned to be a trilogy this series will be getting one last installment after this one) not all ends well. There is one loose end to tie.. a very surprising one..I really enjoyed this one. Though I didn't like some things that felt a bit repetitive (Leila is getting kidnapped AGAIN, fourth time in 3 books is a bit excessive don't you think?), the way Cat helped felt a bit "off", somehow I didn't accept the explanation to the power she used to help Vlad. Yet all in all, the few things that DID annoy me were so mild.. it was such a JOY to return to Vlad and Leila for the third time which makes me really happy to know we are getting another book of these two where their relationship is established and they can actually work as a team and not only Vlad being the one saving Leila or generally being worried about her and how to protect her.Don't miss out on the Epilogue, it was GREAT, Laugh Out Loud funny! and also a beautiful and somewhat tender conclusion to the book.CAN'T WAIT for the fourth and last installment - sadly only next year..Tags: Paranormal RomanceMore Reviews - http://ultrameital.blogspot.co.il

This is the third book in the gripping night prince series and I absolutely devoured every word.Though a reread ready for the final book in this series I still enjoyed and appreciated this just as much the second time around.I think out of this series this is my favourite so far this one is just so gut-wrenchingly raw and I could feel every emotion amplified tenfold as I immersed myself fully in what has become one of my favourite vampire series ever.With Bound By Flames prepare to have your heart ripped out as the shocking events play out in full technicolour.I was weeping right alongside Leila at her brutally cruel treatment at Vlad's enemies hands.Her strength and resilience were severely tested with the trials she is forced to endure and what could have ripped them apart only solidified there bond, cementing their ties fully and I could feel the love and emotion here just projecting off the page at me.The Darkness and brutality here also have some much need lightness injected here in the form of a splash of humour usually delivered with Vlad's deadpan delivery.This was needed to cut through some of the heavy happenings and was like a breath of fresh air.This one didn't end on a cliffhanger but it is obvious there is still more to come.There is still one more book to go in this series and I am really looking forward to it but I will also be sad to end this journey we have traversed alongside Leila and Vlad.I am also definitely going to check out the Night Huntress series from this author next so will definitely be adding it to my huge TBR pile.

The war between the two arch enemies continues. Neither of them is going to give up until the other one is dead. They are both as strong as each other and they push each other to the limits through hatred. The only difference is that one has more to lose than the other.Vlad has never feared anything for centuries, until now. He is not afraid for himself but for the love of his life. His worse enemy is intent on hurting him and what better way to do it, than through her.Leila is still a baby vampire, adapting to the new way of life. She might be young and weaker than a full grown vampire but she is no wall flower and hates to be coddled!There is a lot of strain in their relationship. Vlad, because of his overprotectiveness. Leila, because of her independence. Leila is still being pursued and there is a lot of death and destruction along the way. She is held captive and put through some horrific ordeals. A means to hurt Vlad and make him lose control which is bound to destroy him!Leila proves to be more resilient than anyone expected. Vlad shows another side of himself. They might argue but would die to protect one another. The bond between them grows stronger as the story develops. It's soul wrenching seeing what Leila is being put through and how if affects Vlad. I like the changes in Vlad's character and how he finally opens up to someone. He appears to be more human. Stubborn as Leila is, she begins to see things from Vlad's perspective. These changes only reinforces their love and this is the best part of the story.It's quite violent and upsetting in places but the love and reconciliations outshine these parts. There isn't a dull moment and the surprise revelation at the end is quite the incentive to read the next instalment.I have enjoyed every part of this series so far and awaits in anticipation to read the next!

Another great book in this series, with just as much danger and sex as before. We ride that edge for most the book. In places we go back to the beginning. Leila is having to develop to new situations and feelings and experiences, while Vlad is as angry and powerful as ever. Romantically there are power struggles between the two and a need for each to be involved in the action, even when it's unwise, but they are learning and developing to the point where they can compromise for each other. I think that Leila grows a lot in this book especially, and a new magical element is introduced which sets up an interesting, powerful, new villain for any following books without leaving us on a horrid cliffhanger. I'll be looking forward to the next book. Luckily I don't have long to wait!

I found this really disappointing and flipped through the book to finish it - such a disappointment. Too many Daddy issues to be bothered with, so much guilt, so winy, whinging and boring. Really I couldn't care what happened to this girl. Not sure what has happened to JF, I used to really love her stories but this one is full of self-torture and self-doubt, and I just felt yada-yada-yada; because it's was also superficial and trite - there was little self-challenge or depth in the characters thinking, which made them one dimensional. Also a weird focus on virginity and marriage - the fake rape was most peculiar. Apparently all a girl needs is virginity, the ability to love her Dad no matter what and marriage.

I was a massive fan of the cat and bones books, so I guess I've been reading Vlad and Layla's stories just to remain in that world. However you can't help but feel that these novels are becoming more of a money making exercise to elicit cash from from die hard Cat & Bones fans and therefore little thought is given to the actual story. After originally being a 2 part series to a 3 and now a 4 part one. I don't think there's enough here to maintain the readers interest, I know that I certainly won't be pre ordering the next instalment. I look forward to jeaniene regaining her mojo because Beautiful Ashes was awful and now there are no series from her that I want to read. Thank goodness for the likes of Ilona Andrews and Kresley Cole!