Oh me oh my. Darling readers its no secret how much I love Dawson's Blud books. I like seriously do. Dark, sensual, exciting and tempting each new story leaves me quite desperate to know more. Criminy owns my heart--like Tish I can't resist his...allure and charming madness, but I think Vale may be second in line.

This book takes us to Franchia (France) and more specifically to Paris...or at least the Blud World version of such. Demi convinces Criminy to let her and Cherie run off to find adventure. He offers them a chance at an education--practically unheard of for any females, never mind Bludman females--so of course Demi finds a way to get involves with slavers, brigands, cabarets, mechanical elephants and what an only be described as the Worst Boy's Club in existence.

I enjoyed Demi quite a bit in WICKED AS THEY COME, though during "The Damsel and the Daggerman" I was a bit teed at her for acting the teenager she didn't want to be seen as. What certainly helped was this book was told from Demi's POV. Whereas others saw her as childish, mischievous and selfish, the truth is that Demi was lost. Stuck in Sang for 6 years, turned into a Bludman soon after arriving, uncertain if her body in our world is still living, frightened that she may pop back into our world suddenly while anxious that she will never be able to--Demi didn't have a chance to acclimate. Not like Tish who is still human or Casper who was human (until WICKED AS SHE WANTS, but that's a different story). By saving her Criminy opened the world to her, a world she had to learn to survive in quickly.

Vale, oh Vale. A bit of a Robin Hood like fellow, it was interesting seeing how Demi interpreted their interactions vs. how they were really going down. As a reader the little things he did or said, that Demi dismissed or overlooked entirely, stuck out to me. Even as Demi found herself confused as to what she needed and wanted, he remained the rock. What she saw as hesitation was Vale trying to take it slow out of respect for the turn her life had taken. What she saw as him neglecting the niceties with her was him feeling they didn't need them because everything he needed to know about their compatibility was as obvious as the sun was bright to him.

For reference, while reading "Damsel" is not completely necessary to enjoying this book, its recommended. Jacinda and Marco from that book offer Demi advice that resonates strongly throughout this novel.

Full review to be posted closer to Release date in January 2014 ( )

Dreaming of being a big star and unhappy with a life as a circus performer, the heroine leaves for the city much against the wishes of her adopted family. She and her best friend go on their adventure and their future looks bright. One the way her bus is set upon by slavers and she barely escapes with her life but all her money is gone and she’s lost and alone in a big world after her friend is kidnapped. Then she meets the hero. He finds her intriguing and becomes a guardian of sorts. He helps her find the burlesque club and often pops up periodically to help her. The heroine is stupid, stubborn and so spoiled she’s rotten. She’s unhappy with her lower rankings in the club and conspires to steal a lead role on stage. She succeeds after she shows off her gymnastic techniques and finally she has her fame and praise. She often uses and abuses the hero’s good and given nature and I found her to be bitchy and snobbish. I also strongly dislike a weak, doormat of a hero and this guy was so love struck that he was willing to do anything and everything to get the heroine’s attention. ( )

This is the third novel in Dawson’s Blud series. There are four books in the Blud series, the fourth book is titled Wicked Ever After and released in October 2015. This was a fun steampunk romance read. I enjoyed this more than the 2nd book in the series but not as much as the first.

Demi Ward is sick of her position as a contortionist in Criminy’s circus. She wants to venture out into the world and is especially drawn to the cabarets of Paris. Criminy finally agrees to let Demi and her best friend Cherie go to University but Demi has other plans. Demi wants to ditch their original plans and runaway to Paris. Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse when their carriage is attacked by highwaymen and Cherie is kidnapped.

Enter Vale, a bandit who was searching the wreckage after the highwayman’s attack who stumbles upon Demi. Vale agrees to help Demi find Cherie and directs Demi to the glittering cabarets of Paris...which have a much darker underbelly than Demi originally expected.

Demi is a plucky and reckless heroine; she was fun to read about but a bit immature at times. I also enjoyed Vale and his roughish ways and rugged good looks. The two had excellent chemistry together and the scenes between the two were really well done.

The settings of Paris cabarets in this alternate Blud Paris were fascinating. The world building has always been one of my favorite parts of this series; I love this Blud world that Dawson has created. Although there isn’t anything super amazing about this book; it was a solid steampunk romance and a fun read.

Overall a fun and entertaining addition to the Blud series. I really enjoy the world and also enjoyed the main characters. I am eager to return to Criminy and Tish as main characters in the fourth book of the series, Wicked Ever After. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy steampunk romance or paranormal romance. ( )

Joint review with Victoria

Karina:
I don't know about you, Vika, but what attracted me the most to this book was it's Moulin-Rouge, bright burlesque atmosphere. This is why reading it was such sheer pleasure.

The difference between Moilin Rouge and this book is that Demi is not a helpless female and no-one's victim. When she comes to Paris, she has two goals: to become a star and to find her kidnapped best friend, Cherie; and her Bludman status is a huge advantage and a great weapon against those who chose to prey on female performers. So, watch out as she is on the prowl!

Vika:
Demi is certainly no damsel in distress and in that I admired her, but she was bratty and I found no sympathy for her. It is her rebellious wish to breakout from under Criminy's wing that lands Cherie in trouble in the first place, and further on puts Demi, herself, in dire circumstance.

Still I'm tipping my hat to Delilah Dawson for creating the incredible world of Sang. It's dark allure is enticing and she writes it so well, that I couldn't help but crave more of these incredible stories.

Karina:
Haha, yep, the main heroine had an attitude! Still, turned at what? nineteen in her student years when she was supposed to saw her wild oats, and then being stuck in Criminy's caravan without seeing the world... I kind of got her. By the way, her best friend's inability to say no to Demi did enable her to keep going. Just saying. Cherie could have stayed with Criminy and let Demi wander on her own.

Attitude aside, Demi's rise as a star in a Parisian cabaret and her lush performances left me mesmerised. I also enjoyed the darkness of that demimonde - the secret society, the power of rich over these poor cabaret girls, the mystery of disappearances, and of course Demi's dashing brigand, Vale, and his antithesis - Lenoir.

Vika:
Yes! Let's talk about Vale, because he pretty much stole my heart and the spotlight! I loved that he wasn't giving in to Demi's wishes every step of the way and made her work for his love and affection. He was dark, mysterious, and absolutely charming. And the chemistry... was palpable. *Steamy!* Although, I have to say there was a bit of an insta-affection feeling from his side (a little too soon?). Nonetheless, I adored their scenes and snarky banter the two shared.

And then there was Lenoir. Now, why was Demi so enticed by him? I mean the lure of Absinthe for one (and her having had an alcohol problem before is understandable), but Lenoir himself was giving me the creeps! Brr...

Karina:
And yet, I kept hoping for some redeeming qualities for Lenoir, Vika. *laughing* I have such a weakness for antiheroes!

Overall, despite unlikeability of the main heroine for many readers, this is a good book, whose strongest side is its dark, addictive and luxurious world of Sang. It's violent, ruthless, unapologetic, rough and beautiful. I might not have liked Demi very much, but I understood her and rooted for her. Wicked As She Wants is still my favorite read in the series, and because I know what Miss Dawson is capable of, Wicked After Midnight gets 4 stars. Recommended.

Vika:
I agree and like I said before Delilah crafts such an amazing world that it's hard not to be fascinated. Yes, it is dark and violent, but there is also passion, elegance and charm to it. And I did enjoy the burlesque atmosphere (much more so than the caravan in earlier books). It was also nice to have Criminy, Tish, and Casper back on the scene, even if only for a brief appearance.

Wicked After Midnight might not be my favorite book of the series (I'm with Karina on this one) but it was entertaining nonetheless. And Vale can swing by my window anytime... *winks* just saying! 3 and a half stars for me. ( )

This story could have greatly benefited from the removal of Vale. My vote would have been for Cherie to be Demi's love which would have made the search for finding her all the more intense. ( )