Release-Day Review: Shades of Wicked by Jeaniene Frost (Night Rebel #1)

Shades of Wicked (Night Rebel #1)
Jeaniene Frost
Published: Oct. 30, 2018 (Avon)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for and honest review

Reviewed by: Chelsea

Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars

Jeaniene Frost gave us an Ian book. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Starting today you can spend 384 pages discovering what makes Ian tick. Verbal sparring? Obviously. Physical sparring? That too. A badass woman seeing through his bullshit? Oh, yes.

I expect many readers of the Night Huntress series will pick up Shades of Wicked for Ian. They want to see that pierced snark master in action in every sense of the word, but I have to tell you guys: You’re going to finish this book with big love for Veritas.

Shades of Wicked‘s heroine is determined and focused and ridiculously smart. All the things Ian needs in a partner even if he doesn’t care to admit it. She isn’t fooled by his diversion tactics. She recognizes he’s attractive because she has eyes, but she also cares a whole lot more about integrity and intentions than bravado. This means she gets Ian on a level almost no one else does.

The forced proximity in this book put Ian and Veritas in a place to realize their complete opposite exteriors might just be the same on the inside. The longer their journey progresses the harder you’ll swoon. (A quick heads up: The initial enemies to lovers component does reference the ending of the Night Huntress series, and they move past it quickly. For those that remember it, you’ll know it’d be an insurmountable hurdle without a good clearing of the air.)

Shades of Wicked—despite its sinfully tempting title—is more than Ian and Veritas finding their way to a happily ever after…without pants on. There’s plenty of that, too, and it’s excellent as always. Both characters have to confront their pasts and battle familial obligations and demonic claims to make it out the other side. The result is an action-packed powerhouse with an unputdownable pace and serious swooning. If you need a paranormal romance fix with solid urban fantasy underpinnings, Shades of Wicked needs to be your next read. 

Sexual Content: Sex