In a return to the world created by Holly in The Demon’s Daughter and the novella included in Hot Spell, this novel is focused on the elitist Yama (demons) instead of the lowly humans. They are beautiful, intelligent, faster, and stronger than their human counterparts, and yet they lack the one quality humans possess: emotions.
Corum Midarri was born as an heir the emperor’s throne but with the genetic flaw of uncontrolled emotions. As an infant, he was paired with Xishi Huon – the disgraced result of a half-human yama and the emperor. When it became apparent at age eight that her presence was hindering his development, the empress had her sent away to an orphanage. That next morning, a streak of silver appeared in his hair…a reminder of Xishi and their unforgettable bond. Eventually he lived up to expectations, learning to control his emotions…so well that he became known as the Prince of Ice.
Years later, Cor has yet to find a mate and his royal parents increasingly became alarmed. His father suggests a “pillow girl” (think sex slave) to fulfill his sexual needs until he finds that special Yama girl. A trip to the most exclusive pillow house (think brothel) finds Cor face to face with Xishi yet again, only this time she is known as Buttercup, a well-trained courtesan skilled in the erotic arts. With Cor’s driving sexual needs and forbidden desires, she will need every skill to satisfy him
However the bond between Cor and Xishi is not one of owner/slave when it becomes apparent she is his true mate, which defies every convention of his society. As the story unravels, there is more than meets the eye. The circumstances that brought the pair together may be a dangerous plot that threatens both of their lives.
Warring emotions are a good thing for any romance, and it was intriguing to watch the transformation of Cor’s façade from icy prince to the warm, caring lover willing to throw caution to the wind. But using sex to build up the love and bonding between them is a bit overdone.
Mind you, I’m not prude and love the sensual and very graphic trysts, but after a while it gets in the way of what could be an interesting plot filled with political plotting, mystery, and danger. The motivation for the threat doesn’t become clear until the last quarter of the novel.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this particular tale. Because the storylines leave room for sequels, hopefully the author will make a return visit to the more human side of the demon world.
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Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (November 7, 2006)
ISBN: 0425212599
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