Review – As Wicked as She Wants (Blud, Book 2) by Delilah Dawson (3.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Steampunk
Length: 416 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: December 14, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1476772998
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Blud series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

This is the second book in the Blud series by Dawson. There are three books in this series, the third is already released and is titled Wicked After Midnight. This was a decent continuation of the series; although I didn’t like it quite as much as the first book.

Blood-princess Ahnastasia wakes up drained and starving in a suitcase; her rescuer is the most celebrated musician in London, Sangland…Casper Sterling. Casper has fallen on hard times and is just scraping by and Casper is Ahna’s only hope of getting help. Ahna needs to return to her homeland of Freesia to overthrow the evil sorceress Ravenna and reclaim her throne. Casper is accompanied by an orphan girl named Keen who seems to be from the same world Casper hales from. Can Casper, Ahna and Keen conquer all of the dangers enroute and finally get to Freesia?

I didn’t like this book quite as much as the first book in the series. However, it was still an engaging steampunk romance and overall I enjoyed it.

I really love the world created here, Sangland is both a magical and deadly place. We learn a lot more about the Blud men and Blud women in this book as well and how their world works.

Ahna and Casper didn’t have quite the chemistry of the two characters in the first book, but it was still well done. Ahna is feisty and haughty, honestly I didn’t enjoy her character a ton but she was okay. Casper has a very roguish desperate artist thing going on; again he is okay but not as interesting as Criminy was.

The story is mostly a romance, but there is some intrigue and adventure in here as well. The story wasn’t anything special but was a pleasant steampunky romance and entertaining.

Overall I enjoyed the story, though not as much as the first book in the series. The world continues to be intriguing but the characters just weren’t as engaging in this book. There are many paranormal and some steampunk elements in this story. I would recommend to those who enjoy steampunk romance with a heavy paranormal overtone. If you enjoyed this book I would also recommend Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series and Bec McMaster’s London Steampunk series.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge