Queen of myth and monsters

St Clair's explosive second Adrian and Isolde romance (after King of Battle and Blood) finds emotions running high between the eponymous newlyweds. As vampire Adrian hunts the traitorous men set on assassinating Isolde, who they feel is unworthy of her new title as queen of Revekka, Isolde struggles with guilt about her desire to return to her homeland rather than commit to her husband's kingdom and worries that Adrian resents her for her lack of magic. While Isolde grapples with her feelings, Adrian struggles to control his body from Dis, the goddess who created and holds him. When an old enemy set on destroying the couple resurfaces, it threatens their very foundation--but the danger may be just the push Isolde needs to reconnect with her ancestral magic. Series fans should expect more of the same lively banter, bloody violence, and highly charged sex scenes that made the first book such a page-turner, plus an ending that will leave readers eager for the next installment. This more than lives up to expectations. (Dec.)