Wicked As They Come Review

TITLE Wicked As They Come (Blud #1)
AUTHOR Delilah S. Dawson
PUBLICATION March 27, 2012 by Pocket Books
READ May 24 - 26, 2012
BUY IT Amazon / The Book Depository

Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me—only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)

Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk . . . and completely irresistible.

When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?

A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was having an internal struggle while reading this book part of me was thinking "wow this is long!" and a much bigger part was savouring every single word because it is so well written.  The world of Sang and all the haunting creatures that Delilah S. Dawson has created make for an engrossing read that keeps you turning the pages long into the night. 

Everything in Wicked As They Come is so unique from the fresh take on the old vampire to the fanged animals that scour the land.  The steampunk aspect makes for some very interesting contraptions, mechanical servant animals & carriages that run on the winding of a key. There was definitely no shortage of steampunkery here and I will say that this is the first steampunk novel I've read that I actually enjoyed.  I have had no luck with his genre, but this book had me fascinated and longing for more.

The love story here between Leticia and Criminy is fantastic.  Watching Leticia go from Tish, the woman who just got out of an abusive relationship to Lady Leticia, master of her own domain was mesmerising.  There is no insta-love here, Leticia meets Criminy and though she does feel an unnatural pull to him she keeps her wits about her and puts herself first.  I really appreciated that, in so many novels girl meets boy and throws her own way of thinking out the window just to be with a man who makes her feel safe.  She makes him work for her love.

Now Criminy is described in a very sinister, creepy way. He has a mouth full of sharp pointy teeth and his hands are black and scaley like a reptile.  Is it weird that in the end, that didn't bother me at all? At first I was thinking "with those teeth, and those hands? How is she going to let this freak touch her?" But alas, I fell for him, I really did. He was strong, determined and funny! He had a great personality and was a man who took charge when need be.  Not only that, he realised Leticias inner struggle and accepted it in his own patient way. So yeah, I looked past the scaley hands and pointy teeth.

Wicked As They Come was a great read with some hot steamy scenes that left me feeling as if I needed me a cigarette. Though I did have this itching in me while reading it that it felt a little long to me, once reading the very last page and reflecting on all of the events, I wouldn't change a damn thing.  This one is definitely 18+ so kiddo's stay away! If you're looking for a hot read with wonderful steampunk strewn in, then this novel is for you!