A pirate's treasure map leads Ben and Tenzin to Puerto Rico - a land controlled by a trio of powerful vampires - Los Tres. They'll need their permissiA pirate's treasure map leads Ben and Tenzin to Puerto Rico - a land controlled by a trio of powerful vampires - Los Tres. They'll need their permission to seek the treasure. While Tenzin is thrilled to be on the trail of a fortune in gold, Ben is hesitant to revisit the country and people of his past. The longer they stay, the more long buried memories surface, stirring a storm that continues brewing within Ben. Again and again, he questions what he's doing with his life. Through a few alternating past/present scenes, readers see Ben as the boy he was before Gio stepped in and changed his life. I enjoyed learning more about Ben and events in his past that helped form the man he has now become - one walking a fine, dangerous line between mortal and immortal worlds. Tenzin is . . . Tenzin - a force of nature to be reckoned with, powerful, scary, and complex as she blows through lives while struggling with a bit of inner turmoil of her own. Both characters seem to sense a showdown and time of decision coming, and neither are ready to face it. As a result, it's an understatement to say tension is turned all the way up to HIGH in this book, fueling some scenes and potentially deadly situations that fans of the series will not want to miss!
As always, Elizabeth Hunter excels are setting a scene with her descriptive writing style and use of location playing into the plot line. I enjoyed sensing the strength of each main character in their own right, even as each also displayed a sense of vulnerability and unsureness in their dance around one another heavily laden with emotions they continue to refuse to acknowledge. The snarky banter between Ben and Tenzin adds needed relief from the frustration and tension sparking between them as they each battle internal turmoil while fighting external forces together. Past characters as well as new ones round out a strong support cast even as hints of things to come tease readers. I have to say that the cliffhanger ending frustrated this reader a little as I was left with feelings that the story stopped just short of completion, but that's just me. I'm sure it served its purpose to leave readers begging for the next one. Blood Apprentice is another Must Read in the series! *With thanks to the author for an arc of this book! **Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews...more
As a Black Dagger Brotherhood fan, I’m game for anything that resides in the same world. And as I read the opening pages of Prisoner of Night, I knew As a Black Dagger Brotherhood fan, I’m game for anything that resides in the same world. And as I read the opening pages of Prisoner of Night, I knew I was going to be consumed alive by another dark, raw, compelling story by the master J.R. Ward. Once I began, the outside world ceased to exist for me until I read the final page of this novella – one that reads with the depth of plot and fully-explored characterizations of a full-length book.
Ahmare is on a mission to free her brother from the horrors of evil warlord Chalen’s dungeon. She does the unthinkable in order to fulfill the terms of Chalen’s agreement only to be told it’s not enough to settle her brother’s debt. Chalen charges her with one final challenge - to find and bring back his beloved. Duran has been held captive and brutally tortured in the same dungeon as Admare’s brother for 21 years. Admare and Duran must work together to retrieve the object of Chalen’s desire. It is through their journey and intimate talks together that we learn the depth of both their sad pasts. Duran’s is especially tragic, and my heart bled on the pages as he opened his to Admare. He’s on a mission for revenge while she’s focused on freeing her brother. Is it possible for both to achieve their goal without hurting the other?
There’s no easing into Prisoner of Night as the action is immediate and ongoing in this raw, gutsy novella. The contrasts between good and evil, love and hate, forgiveness and revenge are clearly defined and thought-provoking. All of it swirling together swept me up in a whirlwind of emotion that had me fighting tears as the outcome is unclear until the very end. Prisoner of Night is another knockout in this fantastic series. And I suspect we haven’t heard the last from this couple, along with some outstanding support characters like Shadow Nexi (I hope!). A raw, gritty, Must Read addition to the Black Dagger Brotherhood world! I loved it!
Another magical, mythical, mesmerizing story in the Irin Chronicles world! And once again, I find myself hopelessly in love with yet another scribe (sAnother magical, mythical, mesmerizing story in the Irin Chronicles world! And once again, I find myself hopelessly in love with yet another scribe (sorry, Malachi!). The Seeker opens with a decidedly more "modern" feel to it than previous books - maybe because it's set in America. I always enjoy the surreal aura surrounding these stories that's brought about in part by mythical type settings, I think. But, as always, I was soon encompassed by it all - the sights, sounds, smells, feels, touches. Hunter has such an amazing gift of pulling readers into a scene no matter the location. And as soon as the story entered the dark, mysterious swamps/bayou of New Orleans, I was hopelessly lost in the sultry, atmospheric world surrounding the characters . . . and me.
Rhys of Glast, scribe of Istanbul, an archivist, scholar, and seeker of truth . . . and a warrior who will do whatever it takes to secure the safety of singers by finding the key to their past. Meera, a legendary singer, keeper of memories, advocate for peace . . . currently on an interlude from a duty and future sealed by fate at her birth. All she's ever wanted is a choice in what happens in her life, and for a short period of time, she refuses to allow anyone to intrude on her plans - including one stubborn, arrogant, infuriating, know-it-all scribe . . . and yeah, okay, maybe he is gorgeous. Not that she noticed! The chemistry and interaction between these two characters is off-the-charts in every way that counts . . . they sizzle, fume, taunt, dance, and tease one another into a frenzy of desire that refuses to be denied. Can two strong, arrogant (yes, you are too, Meera!), bull-headed, written-in-the-stars characters find a common ground and figure out they're stronger together than apart - before it's too late?
As always, Hunter is a master at weaving the customs, heritage, and history of the past with the promise of a brighter, more peaceful future, not only for Rhys and Meera but for everyone including scribes, singers, and grigori. A star-studded support cast will delight readers with Vasu leading the charge with his outrageous behavior and many unique forms. The twisted plot line is intriguing, and while I found it a wee bit slow "getting there", I thoroughly enjoyed the journey! The Seeker is everything readers love about the Irin world. Another special Must Read in the series! *Many thanks to the author for an arc copy of this book. **Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews...more
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