Review - Wicked as They Come by Delilah Dawson

Wicked as They Come
by Delilah S. Dawson
Publisher: Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster)
Copyright: 2012
Format: Paperback

I've been in a strange mood for a while now; I'm sure it has something to do with all the changes in my life.  But whatever it is has driven me more often than not to pick up romance books.  And of course my choices have a tint of abnormal - vampires, ghosts, time travel - something to keep a little magic in my world.   Enter the paranormal romance.  I've already reviewed one book picked up from this genre shelf.  And while there wasn't much chemistry in that first book, there was plenty to make up for it here.

Dawson took an interesting turn on the vampire myth, creating an alternate reality for her "bludmen".  She did a great job building a world I wanted to see and experience.  She also did a good job moving her main character back and forth between both realities. She could have dug deeper into the craziness of trying to live two very different lives in my opinion, but it was still a believable take on being transported into a different realm each night.

The main male character was delightful, complex, fierce and tragic.  He was a little steampunk, a little goth, and a little Victorian all rolled into one.  And it worked.  WELL.  What didn't work was the female lead. She never really came to life for me and stayed just a character on the page.  Which made the sex scenes weird.  Yes, I said sex.  Wicked had several erotic scenes, most of which actually made me laugh. <which I'm sure was not the intended response but I'm just weird like that; maybe it's because I'm still twelve but whatever>

So the sex scenes didn't work for me but the tension build up before the first scene was great.  And the traveling circus bit was wonderful.  Once the story strayed outside of those ideas though it lost me.  Which unfortunately was the last half of the book.  Don't get me wrong - there was plenty of adventure in the second half of the book and I expect it appeals to a broad range of readers; lots going on, tons to do and see, etc., etc.  It just did not work for me - enough that even with my extreme love for the lead male, I will not be picking up this series for future installments.

The first half of the story was full of wonder and emotion; a roller coaster of magic, tension, and marvel.  The second half just felt like a very well outlined plot being progressed through the points.  The wonder and magic disappeared into the details.

If you like romance or paranormal stories - or if you like paranormal romance stories - then you should give this book a try.  The writing is decent and the story is interesting.  And for anyone who wants to join the circus - read the first half of the book at least. ^_^

3 Brews rating - read it if you've got it