The male lead, Lothaire, was an absolute narcissist and barely redeemable. It was the wonderful heroine, Ellie Pierce, who carried the story. Ellie was such a wonderfully refreshing character, she didn't possess any super shiny powers or any great wealth. Ellie was a simple Appalachian girl, whose strength of character made her a true heroic figure. It was her presence that made Lothaire worth saving, once the moron finally admitted that it was Ellie who restored his beating heart. But it's no wonder the demonic Lothaire would think the evil sorceress possessed Ellie's body was his Bride, since his inflated ego led him to think that he was far superior to Ellie. But he soon came to the realization that she surpassed him in wit. I loved the droll banter between Ellie and Lothaire, she came back at his insults with a simple but humorous quip without being cruel. 
 I also loved Ellie's family. They stood by her no matter what, without judgment or fear and that made the Pierce family all the more endearing. The only way I would ever pick up another IAD or Dacian's novel would be to see more of Ellie and a still lethal but more sane and grounded Lothaire.