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Breeds #19
Stygian's Honor
Window Rock, Arizona, is the last known location of Honor Roberts, who vanished when she was just thirteen. It was her only sanctuary from the Breed research that would surely have ended in her death—one such insidious experiment should, indeed, have killed her. That she lived is both a miracle—and a great mystery.
Stygian’s mission is to find Honor Roberts, no matter the cost. Now, with the help of Liza Johnson, assistant to the chief of the Navajo Nation, he is closer than ever to his goal. But will the discovery of Honor Roberts mean the destruction of the mating heat that has developed between Stygian and Liza?
Stygian’s mission is to find Honor Roberts, no matter the cost. Now, with the help of Liza Johnson, assistant to the chief of the Navajo Nation, he is closer than ever to his goal. But will the discovery of Honor Roberts mean the destruction of the mating heat that has developed between Stygian and Liza?
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 7, 2012
179 people are currently reading
3372 people want to read
About the author
Lora Leigh
190 books10.1k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Lora Leigh is a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance novels. Leigh started publishing with electronic publisher Ellora's Cave in 2003. Leigh's longest-running series is The Breeds. She won the 2009 RT Award for erotica. Leigh was born in Ohio and raised in Martin County, Kentucky, US.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
Lora Leigh is a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance novels. Leigh started publishing with electronic publisher Ellora's Cave in 2003. Leigh's longest-running series is The Breeds. She won the 2009 RT Award for erotica. Leigh was born in Ohio and raised in Martin County, Kentucky, US.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
January 24, 2013
2.5-3 stars
Sigh.
I used to love the 'Breeds' stories - they were hot, deliciously angsty, sexy, emotionally taxing, and just plain HAWT.
Well now... the stories just seem to drag from sex scene to sex scene. They've definitely still got the steam factor, but it's all so.... perfunctory. And that is not hot and sexy. That's just steam for the sake of steam.
VS
The "story" in 'Stygian's Honor' is part of an arc that's been dragging on overtoo manyseveral books and this one picks up pretty much immediately where 'Lawe's Justice' left off.
(*side note*) Reading these books as "standalone's" is NOT RECOMMENDED!!! It's difficult enough at times to figure out what the hell's going on even if you have read the preceding books in the series (*end side note*)
The Breeds, led by Director Jonas of course, are still in the middle of Navajo territory trying to find the cure for his stepdaughter Amber. Now, I swear Amber was an INFANT in the last book, but apparently what's wrong with her causes extreme rapid aging in addition to her other symptoms because now she is TWO - consistency Ms. Leigh!!!! - but, whatever. The key to unlocking the secrets to Amber's condition lies with the mysterious Liza Johnson, who also happens to be the mate to Wolf Breed Enforcer Stygian Black.
How Liza fits into the plot is pretty freakin' obvious right from the get-go (hint: The answer's in the TITLE!!!!), but the story nevertheless (confusingly) drags on through the mating heat to conclude in a cliffhanger of sorts.
And then it was like Ms. Leigh remembered: "oh yeah, Stygian's a Wolf Breed!" So... why not go out with a bang and just "stick in" (ha ha) the Wolf's dominating ritual here at the end. See?!! Perfunctory!!
The sad thing is, for all I was rolling my eyes throughout this one... I can't even say this was my last 'Breeds'. It's Book 27 people!! I've already invested so much time in this series and there are still so many Breeds left who I NEED to see mated: Cassie!! Ashley!! Ely!! Brim Stone!!! Rule Breaker!! Dog!!!!! These are not just random words, they are Breeds and they deserve HEA's!
So Ms. Leigh (or whoever the power that be) can you please get a move on with one of their stories? I realize Gideon's Fawn or whatever is next (grumble grumble) but please, for the love of all that's holy, after that maybe we could be treated to one of their stories? I vote for DOG!
Sigh.
I used to love the 'Breeds' stories - they were hot, deliciously angsty, sexy, emotionally taxing, and just plain HAWT.
Well now... the stories just seem to drag from sex scene to sex scene. They've definitely still got the steam factor, but it's all so.... perfunctory. And that is not hot and sexy. That's just steam for the sake of steam.
VS
The "story" in 'Stygian's Honor' is part of an arc that's been dragging on over
(*side note*) Reading these books as "standalone's" is NOT RECOMMENDED!!! It's difficult enough at times to figure out what the hell's going on even if you have read the preceding books in the series (*end side note*)
The Breeds, led by Director Jonas of course, are still in the middle of Navajo territory trying to find the cure for his stepdaughter Amber. Now, I swear Amber was an INFANT in the last book, but apparently what's wrong with her causes extreme rapid aging in addition to her other symptoms because now she is TWO - consistency Ms. Leigh!!!! - but, whatever. The key to unlocking the secrets to Amber's condition lies with the mysterious Liza Johnson, who also happens to be the mate to Wolf Breed Enforcer Stygian Black.
How Liza fits into the plot is pretty freakin' obvious right from the get-go (hint: The answer's in the TITLE!!!!), but the story nevertheless (confusingly) drags on through the mating heat to conclude in a cliffhanger of sorts.
And then it was like Ms. Leigh remembered: "oh yeah, Stygian's a Wolf Breed!" So... why not go out with a bang and just "stick in" (ha ha) the Wolf's dominating ritual here at the end. See?!! Perfunctory!!
The sad thing is, for all I was rolling my eyes throughout this one... I can't even say this was my last 'Breeds'. It's Book 27 people!! I've already invested so much time in this series and there are still so many Breeds left who I NEED to see mated: Cassie!! Ashley!! Ely!! Brim Stone!!! Rule Breaker!! Dog!!!!! These are not just random words, they are Breeds and they deserve HEA's!
So Ms. Leigh (or whoever the power that be) can you please get a move on with one of their stories? I realize Gideon's Fawn or whatever is next (grumble grumble) but please, for the love of all that's holy, after that maybe we could be treated to one of their stories? I vote for DOG!
March 20, 2020
This was a good one. Sexy and Smart.
Much of the stuff I mention below is regarding ongoing storylines from previous books and just a little teaser as to what is happening with them in this book. If you are reading this series and are not up to this book yet, you might want to skip the rest of the review, but if you don’t mind getting caught up or if you plan to read it in the future but will forget what I said by that time, please go ahead. I often read reviews and even spoilers to see if I want to add a book or series to my TBR, knowing that by the time I read it, I won’t remember the spoilers, but if they help me choose a good book then it is all good.
The ongoing storyline regarding the chief of the Bureau of Breed Affairs, Jonas Wyatt’s adopted daughter, Amber, who was Injected with some altered Genetic material by Phillip Brandenmore before he died. Amber is now 2 years old and very sick, Jonas and the Breeds are looking for 4 missing people that may be the clue to saving her.
Gideon is one of the missing and he is also looking for the other 3. He is a killer and looking to kill them, because he thinks they betrayed him. They were all tortured in the same lab, but during an escape, he was dying and they saved him by giving him some of Fawn’s blood. He was recaptured and put through years of more torture so he blames Honor, Judd and mostly Fawn.
Honor and Fawn were human children who were sick and were basically guinea pigs for Dr. Brandenmore testing all sorts of drugs and genetic combinations for negative aging, and curative capabilities. They ended up cured, with some breed Genetics, and added capabilities like photographic memory, code breaking abilities, and other skills. Between the girls, Judd, and Gideon they saw most of Brandenmore’s documentation before the lab was destroyed and he was killed so they are the last hope for Amber. But all of them are needed. Because each has different pieces of the information.
In this story, Stygian meets Liza and has to protect her, he knows right away that she is his mate, but they are searching for Honor and Fawn. There is conflicting information regarding a car accident Liza and her friend Claire were in when they were kids which happened right around the time Honor, Fawn and Judd were seen in the area.
Liza has always had terrible nightmares ever since the accident when her and Claire drove over a Cliff. She hides from those nightmares and tries not to think of them. Stygian finds strange things at the accident site, like a sweat lodge under the cliff where it happened. Where it looks like a Navajo ritual was performed. More twists and turns and steamy 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 romance to follow!
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Much of the stuff I mention below is regarding ongoing storylines from previous books and just a little teaser as to what is happening with them in this book. If you are reading this series and are not up to this book yet, you might want to skip the rest of the review, but if you don’t mind getting caught up or if you plan to read it in the future but will forget what I said by that time, please go ahead. I often read reviews and even spoilers to see if I want to add a book or series to my TBR, knowing that by the time I read it, I won’t remember the spoilers, but if they help me choose a good book then it is all good.
The ongoing storyline regarding the chief of the Bureau of Breed Affairs, Jonas Wyatt’s adopted daughter, Amber, who was Injected with some altered Genetic material by Phillip Brandenmore before he died. Amber is now 2 years old and very sick, Jonas and the Breeds are looking for 4 missing people that may be the clue to saving her.
Gideon is one of the missing and he is also looking for the other 3. He is a killer and looking to kill them, because he thinks they betrayed him. They were all tortured in the same lab, but during an escape, he was dying and they saved him by giving him some of Fawn’s blood. He was recaptured and put through years of more torture so he blames Honor, Judd and mostly Fawn.
Honor and Fawn were human children who were sick and were basically guinea pigs for Dr. Brandenmore testing all sorts of drugs and genetic combinations for negative aging, and curative capabilities. They ended up cured, with some breed Genetics, and added capabilities like photographic memory, code breaking abilities, and other skills. Between the girls, Judd, and Gideon they saw most of Brandenmore’s documentation before the lab was destroyed and he was killed so they are the last hope for Amber. But all of them are needed. Because each has different pieces of the information.
In this story, Stygian meets Liza and has to protect her, he knows right away that she is his mate, but they are searching for Honor and Fawn. There is conflicting information regarding a car accident Liza and her friend Claire were in when they were kids which happened right around the time Honor, Fawn and Judd were seen in the area.
Liza has always had terrible nightmares ever since the accident when her and Claire drove over a Cliff. She hides from those nightmares and tries not to think of them. Stygian finds strange things at the accident site, like a sweat lodge under the cliff where it happened. Where it looks like a Navajo ritual was performed. More twists and turns and steamy 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 romance to follow!
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
July 31, 2012
I can’t figure out how to do this review without giving spoilers for Lawe’s Justice. If you haven’t read that one and don’t want spoilers, stop reading now.
Potential spoilers ahead!
In Lawe’s Justice, the Bureau of Breed Affairs and their enemies had descended on the Navajo Nation in search of four people that escaped the labs years ago. Honor, Fawn, Judd and Gideon hold the key to saving the life of Jonas Wyatt’s child and also destroying the Council.
After Lawe and Diane failed to find them, it became Stygian’s job in this book to find Honor and Jonas believes that Liza has the information. From there, it is a typical Breed book. Breed meets girl, knows she is his mate, pursues her, catches her, she doesn’t want to be “owned”, and they have lots of sex, exchanging the magical Breed jizz that bonds them together. I can’t tell you much about the plot because it and the big secret is given away within the first chapter. All suspense is lost at that point. The developing relationship between Stygian and Liza was mildly interesting and held my attention for parts of the book. Stygian wasn’t the typical alpha hero and was able to give Liza the freedom she needed. In the end, I believed in their romance.
The rest of the book I was either meh about or irritated with. I felt the Navajo plot was overcomplicated and dragged the story down. I started to hate Jonas and Rachel a little more. I know I’m supposed to feel sympathy for the parents fighting to save their child but it’s just not working for me. There is also a tiny side story involving Dog that left me confused. I have no idea what it meant, what it was supposed to add to the story, or how it fit the personality of the Breed we have known for many books now.
It wouldn’t be a Lora Leigh book without at least one repetitive word or phrase. For Stygian’s Honor, it was “spurt.” Poor Stygian spurted so much that I became worried about him dehydrating. After 20 spurts in 10 pages, I lost count. Wear your wet weather gear for this one. Spurt, spurt, spurt!
Potential spoilers ahead!
In Lawe’s Justice, the Bureau of Breed Affairs and their enemies had descended on the Navajo Nation in search of four people that escaped the labs years ago. Honor, Fawn, Judd and Gideon hold the key to saving the life of Jonas Wyatt’s child and also destroying the Council.
After Lawe and Diane failed to find them, it became Stygian’s job in this book to find Honor and Jonas believes that Liza has the information. From there, it is a typical Breed book. Breed meets girl, knows she is his mate, pursues her, catches her, she doesn’t want to be “owned”, and they have lots of sex, exchanging the magical Breed jizz that bonds them together. I can’t tell you much about the plot because it and the big secret is given away within the first chapter. All suspense is lost at that point. The developing relationship between Stygian and Liza was mildly interesting and held my attention for parts of the book. Stygian wasn’t the typical alpha hero and was able to give Liza the freedom she needed. In the end, I believed in their romance.
The rest of the book I was either meh about or irritated with. I felt the Navajo plot was overcomplicated and dragged the story down. I started to hate Jonas and Rachel a little more. I know I’m supposed to feel sympathy for the parents fighting to save their child but it’s just not working for me. There is also a tiny side story involving Dog that left me confused. I have no idea what it meant, what it was supposed to add to the story, or how it fit the personality of the Breed we have known for many books now.
It wouldn’t be a Lora Leigh book without at least one repetitive word or phrase. For Stygian’s Honor, it was “spurt.” Poor Stygian spurted so much that I became worried about him dehydrating. After 20 spurts in 10 pages, I lost count. Wear your wet weather gear for this one. Spurt, spurt, spurt!
December 21, 2016
Breeds 27
Wolf Breeds 9
Featured Couple: Stygian (Wolf) & Honor (Human)
The events of this book start right after the ending of “Lawe’s Justice”.
Honor Roberts disappeared when she was 13 years old at Window Rock, Arizona. Honor has been the result of many experiments. The ruthless scientists combined animal DNA with human embryos. Jonas daughter has undergone such a procedure and that’s the reason he is so interested in discovering Honor. If one of the kids has survived, then little Amber can survive as well.
Stygian Black and his assistant Liza Johnson have the mission to discover Honor. Liza is a mystery to say the least and a very strong heroine. She stands strongly next to Stygian. At some point she discovers that her memories are not her own. Only the Navajo Nation knows the truth to her identity.
At the same time, mating heat has started developing between Stygian and Liza. Liza refuses to acknowledge the Breed mating heat, but Stygian is a very patient wolf.
Dog is also making an interesting appearance and it seems that he needs his own book.
The book will cause you a lot of confusion, if you are not familiar with the story of Amber, the four missing girls in Window Rock, the Navajo Nation’s big secret, Gideon’s and Judd’s storylines (His book “Wake A Sleeping Tiger” is finally arriving in 2017).
That been said, although there is a HEA for Stygian and Honor, THE MAIN STORY LINE that basically started in book "Lion’s Heat” (when we met little Amber) and was extended in the book “An Inconvenient Mate” with the addition of Navajo Nation WILL CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MORE BOOKS.
Obviously this book is not a standalone.
Wolf Breeds 9
Featured Couple: Stygian (Wolf) & Honor (Human)
The events of this book start right after the ending of “Lawe’s Justice”.
Honor Roberts disappeared when she was 13 years old at Window Rock, Arizona. Honor has been the result of many experiments. The ruthless scientists combined animal DNA with human embryos. Jonas daughter has undergone such a procedure and that’s the reason he is so interested in discovering Honor. If one of the kids has survived, then little Amber can survive as well.
Stygian Black and his assistant Liza Johnson have the mission to discover Honor. Liza is a mystery to say the least and a very strong heroine. She stands strongly next to Stygian. At some point she discovers that her memories are not her own. Only the Navajo Nation knows the truth to her identity.
At the same time, mating heat has started developing between Stygian and Liza. Liza refuses to acknowledge the Breed mating heat, but Stygian is a very patient wolf.
Dog is also making an interesting appearance and it seems that he needs his own book.
The book will cause you a lot of confusion, if you are not familiar with the story of Amber, the four missing girls in Window Rock, the Navajo Nation’s big secret, Gideon’s and Judd’s storylines (His book “Wake A Sleeping Tiger” is finally arriving in 2017).
That been said, although there is a HEA for Stygian and Honor, THE MAIN STORY LINE that basically started in book "Lion’s Heat” (when we met little Amber) and was extended in the book “An Inconvenient Mate” with the addition of Navajo Nation WILL CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MORE BOOKS.
Obviously this book is not a standalone.
August 22, 2013
This book was just another frustrating mediocre addition to a previously good series. I am so so tired of the Breeds being on the Navaho reservation and the focus of the story staying on finding the four missing people, it's been the same for a couple of books so wrap it up already! I hate the way the author is using a little girl sick and in pain as an endless plot device.
The actual leads were ok but these recent books are all over the place with the story focus and don't seem to make sense. Don't get me started on the "big reveal" about Honor and Fawn, that is so unbelievable and dumb. The love scenes are full of overwrought wordings describing the mechanics of stuffing a big dong into a dripping honey cave with the help of the special man juice. Then at the end there was random butt secks out of nowhere to end the story, yeah no need to really address the seemingly big revelation for the heroine, lets just have butt secks instead to send off the story.
I didn't hate the story, it could just be so much better. The plot needs to focus on the leads and make more sense. Please stop with this endless storyline and for the love of God give us stories on Breeds we know and care about.
The actual leads were ok but these recent books are all over the place with the story focus and don't seem to make sense. Don't get me started on the "big reveal" about Honor and Fawn, that is so unbelievable and dumb. The love scenes are full of overwrought wordings describing the mechanics of stuffing a big dong into a dripping honey cave with the help of the special man juice. Then at the end there was random butt secks out of nowhere to end the story, yeah no need to really address the seemingly big revelation for the heroine, lets just have butt secks instead to send off the story.
I didn't hate the story, it could just be so much better. The plot needs to focus on the leads and make more sense. Please stop with this endless storyline and for the love of God give us stories on Breeds we know and care about.
August 12, 2012
I hate to rate a book in one of my favorite series so low, but this was a huge disappointment. Out of all the Breeds books, this is the one I least enjoyed. I think the story is just dragging on way too long now. It’s like watching a soap opera, you can stop watching the show and tune in a year and 260 episodes later and still they’ll be on the same plot line. That’s what I feel like Lora Leigh is doing with this story. I felt like the characters are talking in circles, repeating the same things over and over. The plot could have been resolved in one chapter but stretched to fill the word count—and ultimately finished unresolved.
On top of that, I couldn’t stand the heroine. She was so obnoxious. Arguing for the sake of arguing.
There were parts of the story I enjoyed, unfortunately there were more I didn’t enjoy. And yet, I will probably keep reading. The problem is I want to know how it ends now; I have 27 books invested into the series. I am just hoping she wraps it up already. Don’t get me wrong, I’d keep reading the Breeds books, but this particular plot thread has been stretched since Jonas’ book. It would be nice to see this story resolved and then move onto something new.
September 11, 2015
This review was posted Under the Covers
I have to be honest here... I read the book, I sat and thought about it. Then I walked away from writing this review for a couple of days because I wanted all my feelings to fall back and settle down and here's how I feel now.
When you run a series for 27 books you have to know that what keeps readers interested is not JUST reading about yet another couple in the world they've grown to love. There has to be more. When I finished reading STYGIAN'S HONOR I actually thought that this book had completely missed the mark on giving me that. Then on second thought I guess there was a good story, actually maybe even a better plot than in the previous book. But I have two major issues with STYGIAN'S HONOR and the reasons why I think I enjoyed the last book more than this one.
The characters...
I really haven't had the chance to care one way or another about Stygian. He's the typical overprotective breed and quite frankly, I've read that before. There was nothing that really stood out about him amongst a sea of other breeds. Well, maybe except for the fact that he's awesome at dirty talk.
Then there's the heroine, who actually annoyed me to pieces for most of the book. Then her back story comes along and yes, maybe she stops being so whiny, and she's tolerable. But again, her character is not all that memorable, even though there is a crazy twist at the end which I'm hoping will set a different tone and new adventures for the future of the series.
The plot...
OK ok ok it was interesting. And I may be the only one that feels this way but I am actually getting tired of the "save Jonas' daughter" plot. I think it's being dragged and I wish there was a resolution for it already. I need something to finally happen so that we can move on to something else.
What ever happened to...
I find the choice in couples lately to be a bit strange. We are getting books about breeds we've barely even heard of when we are still missing important stories, like Dr. Eli and Cassie. At this point, I don't think Cassie can possibly be too young still, right?
Miss Congeniality...
I love Cassie, don't get me wrong. But I find it so unrealistic when every time her character is needed in a book for some random breed that she has this special bond with them, they always have inside jokes and she's just their BFF almost. It happened again with Stygian and somehow it didn't ring true.
Gideon Cross...
Seriously, am I the only catching these things? Gideon was introduced in LAWE'S JUSTICE and we learn more about his character in this book. I have a feeling he might be the next book, since it would seem the logical progression of the general story. And I like him well enough. But has no one else notice that his name is exactly the same as Sylvia Day's hero in BARED TO YOU?
Overall...
This wasn't a bad book. It was pretty hot because, well, it's Lora Leigh. I just really need to start seeing some tying up of loose ends, fresh stories and a HEA for the characters I've already come to love without introducing a million new ones. I wish we had the magic of DAWN'S AWAKENING or even LION'S HEAT back.
*ARC provided by publisher
I have to be honest here... I read the book, I sat and thought about it. Then I walked away from writing this review for a couple of days because I wanted all my feelings to fall back and settle down and here's how I feel now.
When you run a series for 27 books you have to know that what keeps readers interested is not JUST reading about yet another couple in the world they've grown to love. There has to be more. When I finished reading STYGIAN'S HONOR I actually thought that this book had completely missed the mark on giving me that. Then on second thought I guess there was a good story, actually maybe even a better plot than in the previous book. But I have two major issues with STYGIAN'S HONOR and the reasons why I think I enjoyed the last book more than this one.
The characters...
I really haven't had the chance to care one way or another about Stygian. He's the typical overprotective breed and quite frankly, I've read that before. There was nothing that really stood out about him amongst a sea of other breeds. Well, maybe except for the fact that he's awesome at dirty talk.
Then there's the heroine, who actually annoyed me to pieces for most of the book. Then her back story comes along and yes, maybe she stops being so whiny, and she's tolerable. But again, her character is not all that memorable, even though there is a crazy twist at the end which I'm hoping will set a different tone and new adventures for the future of the series.
The plot...
OK ok ok it was interesting. And I may be the only one that feels this way but I am actually getting tired of the "save Jonas' daughter" plot. I think it's being dragged and I wish there was a resolution for it already. I need something to finally happen so that we can move on to something else.
What ever happened to...
I find the choice in couples lately to be a bit strange. We are getting books about breeds we've barely even heard of when we are still missing important stories, like Dr. Eli and Cassie. At this point, I don't think Cassie can possibly be too young still, right?
Miss Congeniality...
I love Cassie, don't get me wrong. But I find it so unrealistic when every time her character is needed in a book for some random breed that she has this special bond with them, they always have inside jokes and she's just their BFF almost. It happened again with Stygian and somehow it didn't ring true.
Gideon Cross...
Seriously, am I the only catching these things? Gideon was introduced in LAWE'S JUSTICE and we learn more about his character in this book. I have a feeling he might be the next book, since it would seem the logical progression of the general story. And I like him well enough. But has no one else notice that his name is exactly the same as Sylvia Day's hero in BARED TO YOU?
Overall...
This wasn't a bad book. It was pretty hot because, well, it's Lora Leigh. I just really need to start seeing some tying up of loose ends, fresh stories and a HEA for the characters I've already come to love without introducing a million new ones. I wish we had the magic of DAWN'S AWAKENING or even LION'S HEAT back.
*ARC provided by publisher
August 22, 2012
Review of the Earlier series
I started reading Lora Leighs (LL) breed series at Styx's storm and because i loved that book i started reading the series. Most if not all of the books are written the same way its like reading the same book with different character names. I had to skip out on a few of the books as they were too repetitive and boring.
It was a blessing when i read Dawn's awakening i thought it was one of the best breed books and it started the Cassie saga. After reading that book with the whole sniper and the mystery man stalking Cassie i got intrigued. I really thought LL would have continued Cassie's story however she said she would eventually write Cassie's story but she has some maturing to do. That still did not stop her from give us some more info on the cliff hanger in that book.
After dawn's awakening the other books were so boring its like she made a leap and fell in the same pattern she had before. This is because she did not continue the most important and intriguing parts of the story.
I still read her books to see what she writes about Cassie in order to build her character and her maturity for her mate. Surprisingly LL does not mention much of Cassie in her other books. Just a few pages her and there which totally have nothing to do with Cassie being mature. i thought Navarro's promise would be a turning point for Cassie as Mica is Cassie's best friend but the story line was flat and not that interesting. LL even hinted that Styx's Storm was a turning point for Cassie but as it was the first book i read in the series i had to read it again to refresh my memory. that was the only book which actually showed Cassie acting more like a teenager than a child and thats what i expected from the others but they did not delivered. its like after that book Cassie went back to being the little child that needs her daddy Dash to protect.
Stygian's Honor
I dont know what i expected from this book i guess i expected something about Cassie because she is the only reason i am still reading this series. But her cameo was just ordinary. Nothing about building her Character.
I liked the first part of the book you know the "chasing" between Stygian and Liza. However when the chasing was over the book went flat. I think LL needs to wrap up Jonas's daughter story and move on.
I like the fact that she showed us a little about who dog is. In addition i think she should develop the story's of the characters that are already in the series and not bring in a new characters and then write a book about the new character.
I started reading Lora Leighs (LL) breed series at Styx's storm and because i loved that book i started reading the series. Most if not all of the books are written the same way its like reading the same book with different character names. I had to skip out on a few of the books as they were too repetitive and boring.
It was a blessing when i read Dawn's awakening i thought it was one of the best breed books and it started the Cassie saga. After reading that book with the whole sniper and the mystery man stalking Cassie i got intrigued. I really thought LL would have continued Cassie's story however she said she would eventually write Cassie's story but she has some maturing to do. That still did not stop her from give us some more info on the cliff hanger in that book.
After dawn's awakening the other books were so boring its like she made a leap and fell in the same pattern she had before. This is because she did not continue the most important and intriguing parts of the story.
I still read her books to see what she writes about Cassie in order to build her character and her maturity for her mate. Surprisingly LL does not mention much of Cassie in her other books. Just a few pages her and there which totally have nothing to do with Cassie being mature. i thought Navarro's promise would be a turning point for Cassie as Mica is Cassie's best friend but the story line was flat and not that interesting. LL even hinted that Styx's Storm was a turning point for Cassie but as it was the first book i read in the series i had to read it again to refresh my memory. that was the only book which actually showed Cassie acting more like a teenager than a child and thats what i expected from the others but they did not delivered. its like after that book Cassie went back to being the little child that needs her daddy Dash to protect.
Stygian's Honor
I dont know what i expected from this book i guess i expected something about Cassie because she is the only reason i am still reading this series. But her cameo was just ordinary. Nothing about building her Character.
I liked the first part of the book you know the "chasing" between Stygian and Liza. However when the chasing was over the book went flat. I think LL needs to wrap up Jonas's daughter story and move on.
I like the fact that she showed us a little about who dog is. In addition i think she should develop the story's of the characters that are already in the series and not bring in a new characters and then write a book about the new character.
January 20, 2013
I've read all of the Breed books, and this may have to be my last. If you've read the past six or seven books in the series, you've already read this book. There was one good thing- I loved Stygian. He was dominate without being pushy and a great hero. I just wish he had a worthy heroine. I agree with other reviews on this site about Liza and her spastic, all over the place emotions. There is a line between torn and annoying and Liza lived on the annoying side of the fence too often.
The story telling itself was very jarring with the pacing feeling more like a detailed outline than a finished producted. A lot of characters were tossed introduced from the very beginning. Many I recognized and many more I didn't, but I had the impression I was supposed to. Point of view was all over the place, lines of dialgoue were interrupted with pages of internalization and there was instances of info dump that required many re-readings of passages to get the scene straight in my head. Because of these reasons, I was never able to get lost in the book and care about any of the characters, which made me so sad because I loved the first books in the series. Breed Next Door and Megan's Mark made this series an auto buy for me, alas, that is no more. I hope a mircle happens to breathe new life into the series, but one thing that is for certain is I will definately be looking at Goodreads for reviews before I invest any more of me time with the Breeds.
The story telling itself was very jarring with the pacing feeling more like a detailed outline than a finished producted. A lot of characters were tossed introduced from the very beginning. Many I recognized and many more I didn't, but I had the impression I was supposed to. Point of view was all over the place, lines of dialgoue were interrupted with pages of internalization and there was instances of info dump that required many re-readings of passages to get the scene straight in my head. Because of these reasons, I was never able to get lost in the book and care about any of the characters, which made me so sad because I loved the first books in the series. Breed Next Door and Megan's Mark made this series an auto buy for me, alas, that is no more. I hope a mircle happens to breathe new life into the series, but one thing that is for certain is I will definately be looking at Goodreads for reviews before I invest any more of me time with the Breeds.
August 18, 2012
Very, very slowly I am moving toward being finished with The Breeds. Although I have given up on Lora Leigh's other series, I loved (and still love --my tastes didn't change, her writing did) the earlier Breeds books. Coyote's Mate didn't quite do it for me and then all her books went off the rails with inadequate plotting, insane editing problems and generally subpar writing. All her fans said poor LL, she's had a bad year, her editor should be shot. After several badly written and beyond badly edited books at full price and now a few years later, I have no sympathy for LL who must have done very well for herself financially due to her loyal readership, of which I used to be one. And I will never forgive her for what she did to Jonas by turning him into such a doormat in his personal life.
But that general rant aside, Stygian's Honor was ok. I am not willing to give up on the storyline I have been reading for years and will no doubt continue to digitally plop down money for in the future. At least the crazed editing problems appear to be resolved. I was often bored with Stygian (hated that name) and Liza's story. OMG the melodramatics and carrying on were so tedious. LL has always had emotionally disregulated heroines, but the interesting, twisted and often exciting plotting made the over the top drama just part of the fun ride. And she used to be able to write very tender love scenes that worked. In this book, I often found my mind wandering and most telling of all, I started rereading another book while I was still making my way through this one.
Bottom line. If you are a long time Breeds fan, go ahead and read this. I couldn't stop myself, much less anyone else. It isn't horrible and your addiction should lessen a bit with each mediocre book she gives us. If you are not into the Breeds, seriously do not bother.
But that general rant aside, Stygian's Honor was ok. I am not willing to give up on the storyline I have been reading for years and will no doubt continue to digitally plop down money for in the future. At least the crazed editing problems appear to be resolved. I was often bored with Stygian (hated that name) and Liza's story. OMG the melodramatics and carrying on were so tedious. LL has always had emotionally disregulated heroines, but the interesting, twisted and often exciting plotting made the over the top drama just part of the fun ride. And she used to be able to write very tender love scenes that worked. In this book, I often found my mind wandering and most telling of all, I started rereading another book while I was still making my way through this one.
Bottom line. If you are a long time Breeds fan, go ahead and read this. I couldn't stop myself, much less anyone else. It isn't horrible and your addiction should lessen a bit with each mediocre book she gives us. If you are not into the Breeds, seriously do not bother.
March 22, 2013
I gave the book 2 stars only because I liked the premise of the plot. However I have many issues with this book.
1 This Amber storyline has been drawn out long enough. Either find the cure or let Amber pass.
2 Once again it's borderline rape with the breeds using their sexuality to get the women to bend to their wills. Yes the women eventually say yes, but it's always no until they use the mating heat on them. The breeds are just Wyatt's whores. He says take them to bed, they do.
3 Why hasn't anyone put a bullet in Jonas Wyatt yet? Even the breeds threaten to kill him because of his constant manipulations. He wanted a breed to betray his mate, their biggest taboo, in order to get his way. He has no problem risking someone else's life if it furthers his agenda.
4 This book needed major editing. So many grammatical errors and missing words.
5 The last couple of books the women have been whiners.
6 The sex scenes are redundant. Seriously Liza was covering her breasts all through the damn book. Wear something that isn't always showing your hard nips.
7 Liza, for someone who has read all these files on breeds, as well as having been taught to lie, why do you always act so surprised when they can smell and sense you?
8 I feel like I am reading the same book over and over, the names have been changed.
8 Leigh, Feehan, Hamilton and Ward...it's time to end your repetitive series. The sex scenes are the same, the love interests are the same and nothing is ever resolved.
Bored now.
1 This Amber storyline has been drawn out long enough. Either find the cure or let Amber pass.
2 Once again it's borderline rape with the breeds using their sexuality to get the women to bend to their wills. Yes the women eventually say yes, but it's always no until they use the mating heat on them. The breeds are just Wyatt's whores. He says take them to bed, they do.
3 Why hasn't anyone put a bullet in Jonas Wyatt yet? Even the breeds threaten to kill him because of his constant manipulations. He wanted a breed to betray his mate, their biggest taboo, in order to get his way. He has no problem risking someone else's life if it furthers his agenda.
4 This book needed major editing. So many grammatical errors and missing words.
5 The last couple of books the women have been whiners.
6 The sex scenes are redundant. Seriously Liza was covering her breasts all through the damn book. Wear something that isn't always showing your hard nips.
7 Liza, for someone who has read all these files on breeds, as well as having been taught to lie, why do you always act so surprised when they can smell and sense you?
8 I feel like I am reading the same book over and over, the names have been changed.
8 Leigh, Feehan, Hamilton and Ward...it's time to end your repetitive series. The sex scenes are the same, the love interests are the same and nothing is ever resolved.
Bored now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2014
Stygian's Honor disappointed me. I didn't expect it to considering I have waited on pins and needles for every previous book to be released. But alas it did. I love the idea of the boogeyman of the breeds to be so consumed with saving his child. Totally get that and love it but I think maybe it has dragged on too long. I also found that in this book as opposed to others everything is repeated way too much and the heroine (if you can call her that) maybe needs to go through a couple of classes on how not to be so argumentative. Liza annoyed me to the point I almost quit reading the story but I wanted to see Amber cured and all that good stuff. Call me Disappointed cause that's what I was. I found I couldn't concentrate on this particular novel and as a result it took me far longer to read than I even thought possible. Lora Leigh has never let me down on a book before but I honestly don't know what went wrong with this addition to the series I love. I will of course continue reading the series but unlike the previous books I will never pick this one up again.
April 23, 2013
Ugh. Convoluted circles. A merry go round of confusion. I used to love this series and have read them all, but I feel like Leigh is just beating a dead horse at this point. She's making the story lines so complicated and drawn out that its borderline ridiculous.
I keep hoping for Cassie's story and I feel like that's where Leigh is headed. I know she's been quoted as saying Cassie isn't "ready," so I feel like this (and maybe some previous to this too) are just filler until she gets to that point.
All I know is that this book was almost...tedious. I'm glad I got it used, otherwise I would be throwing a mini tantrum while screaming "you'll destroy me" Lora Leigh.
I keep hoping for Cassie's story and I feel like that's where Leigh is headed. I know she's been quoted as saying Cassie isn't "ready," so I feel like this (and maybe some previous to this too) are just filler until she gets to that point.
All I know is that this book was almost...tedious. I'm glad I got it used, otherwise I would be throwing a mini tantrum while screaming "you'll destroy me" Lora Leigh.
July 27, 2012
omg!! i love this book so much i didn't want it to end.and now i can;t wait for the next breeds book..i love this series!!! and this author.
April 3, 2016
I wanted to like this but unfortunately it felt repetitive just like the others. So sad because I used to love this series.
August 13, 2012
Oh Stygian. You animal.
I tried to resist you, but I just couldn't. It's been 90 plus degrees here in Portlandia (a rarity, thank god!) so this weekend was spent mostly not moving, trying to stay cool without air conditioning. And reading Stygian's Honor, of course.
This story picks up right where the last one (Lawe's Justice) left off. As Diane Broeing kicks some bad guy's ass, hot and virginal Liza Johnson is escorted to safety by Stygian Black, a "lone-wolf" breed working as an enforcer. Liza is desperately attracted to him right off the bat, but according to the LL script, must have a few token resistance moments. These grew tiresome mighty fast. It's clear that she wants to mate with Stygian but the over-the top angst about "what that could mean and she couldn't afford him as a complication etc." went on for far too long. While the first sex scenes were hot, after a couple of them, I was kind of over all of the spurting cocks and spasming vaginal walls.
Stygian knows right off the bat that Liza is his mate and for as exasperating as she could be, he was pretty patient with her. Sometimes too patient. I was alright with his character, he was alpha, but not as much of a bastard as some of the other Breed men.
Jonas and Rachel are prominent in the story, as they are still searching for a cure for their daughter's illness. At this point, I'm sick of the storyline and their characters. I couldn't care less what happens to Amber. The fact that Jonas goes to such lengths for a child that isn't even biologically his (and him being a LION breed--Lions kill the young sired by another male if they take over a pride.) was a little hard to believe. It also makes him a bad leader in my mind, to get throw the very people under the bus that he's supposed to be helping and protecting.
There's some Navajo Shaman shit that happens. Also Cassie makes an appearance. I'm still awaiting her story. Kind of hoping it happens in this lifetime but not sure if it will.
Dog is also up to some sneaky business that supposedly Jonas isn't even aware of. Really curious about that...he's one of my favorites. I sort of hope he's paired with Cassie, since she obviously must be mated with a Coyote breed. She needs a strong bad ass with crazy skills, and Dog could be just the ticket. Plus he's the exact opposite to her sweetness.
Anyway, the story sort of seems to move along, but by the end, you see it really hasn't. I'm hoping she gets another one out before the year ends, because I would like to see what happens still, believe it or not.
I tried to resist you, but I just couldn't. It's been 90 plus degrees here in Portlandia (a rarity, thank god!) so this weekend was spent mostly not moving, trying to stay cool without air conditioning. And reading Stygian's Honor, of course.
This story picks up right where the last one (Lawe's Justice) left off. As Diane Broeing kicks some bad guy's ass, hot and virginal Liza Johnson is escorted to safety by Stygian Black, a "lone-wolf" breed working as an enforcer. Liza is desperately attracted to him right off the bat, but according to the LL script, must have a few token resistance moments. These grew tiresome mighty fast. It's clear that she wants to mate with Stygian but the over-the top angst about "what that could mean and she couldn't afford him as a complication etc." went on for far too long. While the first sex scenes were hot, after a couple of them, I was kind of over all of the spurting cocks and spasming vaginal walls.
Stygian knows right off the bat that Liza is his mate and for as exasperating as she could be, he was pretty patient with her. Sometimes too patient. I was alright with his character, he was alpha, but not as much of a bastard as some of the other Breed men.
Jonas and Rachel are prominent in the story, as they are still searching for a cure for their daughter's illness. At this point, I'm sick of the storyline and their characters. I couldn't care less what happens to Amber. The fact that Jonas goes to such lengths for a child that isn't even biologically his (and him being a LION breed--Lions kill the young sired by another male if they take over a pride.) was a little hard to believe. It also makes him a bad leader in my mind, to get throw the very people under the bus that he's supposed to be helping and protecting.
There's some Navajo Shaman shit that happens. Also Cassie makes an appearance. I'm still awaiting her story. Kind of hoping it happens in this lifetime but not sure if it will.
Dog is also up to some sneaky business that supposedly Jonas isn't even aware of. Really curious about that...he's one of my favorites. I sort of hope he's paired with Cassie, since she obviously must be mated with a Coyote breed. She needs a strong bad ass with crazy skills, and Dog could be just the ticket. Plus he's the exact opposite to her sweetness.
Anyway, the story sort of seems to move along, but by the end, you see it really hasn't. I'm hoping she gets another one out before the year ends, because I would like to see what happens still, believe it or not.
October 9, 2018
A classical Breed romance: with lots of fights for independence (and we all know how they end :P), and a complex plot to keep the story up and kicking.
I loved the overall plot and the way the good guys (both Breeds and Navajo) are not that good (who wouldn't want to kick Jonas' backside? Here more than usual, I admit).
Liza is right when she declares you can't trust the Breeds and that they have the same goal and at times the same methods of the Council...
The book lost a star for:
-- the weak beginning. We start in media res with a full lust/mating heat absolutely unbelievable to me, or maybe I found it boring, can't say. I prefer them to know each other first...
I did warm a bit to the main couple, but I admit the focus of my interest was the ongoing battle (with the Council, the Navajo, Gideon) to save Amber. Moreover the big secret was clear from the start, so you don't really get why everybody is dancing to that tune...
START RANT
--the editing errors. I simply can't believe that Berkley can't pay for a damn editor. It wasn't last year debacle (they missed 10 pages from both the print and e-book. BTW, never replaced the editions...). But it is still annoying when you realize that one character is called with the wrong name or an article becomes a pronoun (t/he). They might have been few (I noticed a bunch only), but damn if I'm not fed up to pay 8 bucks to have the same problems of a self-pub book.
END RANT
At this point I do hope next book will involve Gideon...
I loved the overall plot and the way the good guys (both Breeds and Navajo) are not that good (who wouldn't want to kick Jonas' backside? Here more than usual, I admit).
Liza is right when she declares you can't trust the Breeds and that they have the same goal and at times the same methods of the Council...
The book lost a star for:
-- the weak beginning. We start in media res with a full lust/mating heat absolutely unbelievable to me, or maybe I found it boring, can't say. I prefer them to know each other first...
I did warm a bit to the main couple, but I admit the focus of my interest was the ongoing battle (with the Council, the Navajo, Gideon) to save Amber. Moreover the big secret was clear from the start, so you don't really get why everybody is dancing to that tune...
START RANT
--the editing errors. I simply can't believe that Berkley can't pay for a damn editor. It wasn't last year debacle (they missed 10 pages from both the print and e-book. BTW, never replaced the editions...). But it is still annoying when you realize that one character is called with the wrong name or an article becomes a pronoun (t/he). They might have been few (I noticed a bunch only), but damn if I'm not fed up to pay 8 bucks to have the same problems of a self-pub book.
END RANT
At this point I do hope next book will involve Gideon...
December 28, 2012
After 20 plus books in this series, how does an author infuse excitement back in? By adding new twists! In Stygian's Honor, the reader is treated to Native American lore. This was enjoyable and Ms. Leigh dropped plenty of clues for the ending.
Liza Johnson is an admirable female lead. She can kick butt and she doesn't allow people to push her around. Her interaction with her father, uncle and the Breeds is amusing. She fights for every little bit of independence.
The requisite mating bond as well as the denial of the bond is present as always. The hot smexy sex scenes still steam up the story and are arousing. With this new set of four characters, I'm expecting at least another couple of books. Hopefully Ms. Leigh will tie up a few story-lines. How will Amber be fixed? What game are the Coyotes playing? When will we finally have Cassie's story? Will this series ever conclude?
The one odd thing in the storyline which threw me was the reference to illegal weapons. In this world, apparently guns are illegal in the US. This was not something mentioned in the previous books so it really stood out. What happened in this timeline that suddenly a Glock is a restricted weapon?
Overall, this was an enjoyable book which can be read in one sitting. Recommended for the Breed lovers who want some smexy steamy sex and a devoted alpha male mate.
Liza Johnson is an admirable female lead. She can kick butt and she doesn't allow people to push her around. Her interaction with her father, uncle and the Breeds is amusing. She fights for every little bit of independence.
The requisite mating bond as well as the denial of the bond is present as always. The hot smexy sex scenes still steam up the story and are arousing. With this new set of four characters, I'm expecting at least another couple of books. Hopefully Ms. Leigh will tie up a few story-lines. How will Amber be fixed? What game are the Coyotes playing? When will we finally have Cassie's story? Will this series ever conclude?
The one odd thing in the storyline which threw me was the reference to illegal weapons. In this world, apparently guns are illegal in the US. This was not something mentioned in the previous books so it really stood out. What happened in this timeline that suddenly a Glock is a restricted weapon?
Overall, this was an enjoyable book which can be read in one sitting. Recommended for the Breed lovers who want some smexy steamy sex and a devoted alpha male mate.
July 22, 2012
I'm starting to suspect that Leigh is using some brand of dictation software when she writes because the typos are very similar ARC to ARC. Misused words, hellion becomes hel Lion, etc.
That aside, I do think this is one of the strongest Breed books in a while. So why only three stars? In the beginning, the Breed books were very grounded in science. With Stygian's Honor, Leigh introduces an element of woo woo. As a result, I found it hard to reconcile the disparate elements. The book also dragged at certain points as Jonas dug his heels in and played his games.
I'm kinda hoping that Leigh wraps up this plot arc soon. I'd actually like to see a fresh start, David and the next generation in the spotlight. I think Leigh needs to make a break with the past and look ahead to the future.
That aside, I do think this is one of the strongest Breed books in a while. So why only three stars? In the beginning, the Breed books were very grounded in science. With Stygian's Honor, Leigh introduces an element of woo woo. As a result, I found it hard to reconcile the disparate elements. The book also dragged at certain points as Jonas dug his heels in and played his games.
I'm kinda hoping that Leigh wraps up this plot arc soon. I'd actually like to see a fresh start, David and the next generation in the spotlight. I think Leigh needs to make a break with the past and look ahead to the future.
October 22, 2012
Much better than the last couple of Breeds books I've read. It was a bit predictable but still enjoyable. I am not surprised about the Gideon and Fawn revelation. Looking forward to reading that story.
It was a better storyline in this one. There wasn't all the hemming and hawing about the mating heat and trying to deny it. Kind of refreshing.
I still find myself skimming thru the sex scenes. I just can't stand reading about so much "dripping wetness" and "throbbing" nether regions. I did read the first one but skimmed the others. Even the last one. Maybe I will go back to reading those scenes in the future.
It was a better storyline in this one. There wasn't all the hemming and hawing about the mating heat and trying to deny it. Kind of refreshing.
I still find myself skimming thru the sex scenes. I just can't stand reading about so much "dripping wetness" and "throbbing" nether regions. I did read the first one but skimmed the others. Even the last one. Maybe I will go back to reading those scenes in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2012
This was a redeeming book after the last 2 disappointments. AND we get a flipping cliffhanger (kind of sort of) And now I cannot wait for the next book!
This is the major continuation of the story trying to save Jonas' daughter who was kidnapped by Bradenmore & injected with something giving her breed genetics, but making her very sick & dying as time passes... I read this in a day & a half forcing myself to put it down last night & picking it up again this afternoon!
I love these BREEDS!! God I want one!
This is the major continuation of the story trying to save Jonas' daughter who was kidnapped by Bradenmore & injected with something giving her breed genetics, but making her very sick & dying as time passes... I read this in a day & a half forcing myself to put it down last night & picking it up again this afternoon!
I love these BREEDS!! God I want one!
July 3, 2011
I love any book that Lora Leigh writes.
September 15, 2017
Originally Reviewed Bewitching Bibliophile
Back to the desert and the Navajo Nation we go. this book follows closely on Lawe's Justice, with us still hunting the three missing children and trying to find them before Council Coyotes, and the monster in the desert does. With that e have Stygian assigned to working with the Navajo council's people and he is assigned to Liza who is a bit more than she appears.
From there we get one heck of a ride trying to find the hidden children, the Navajo council keeps their secrets close to their chests, traitors abound, and Council Coyotes make themselves known. Liza isn't just a secretary and we learn that in the first five pages of the book, as it literally picks up in a scene from Lawe's Justice. She's actually pretty funny, and itty, sarcastic as hell a real fun character to read. Since the Breeds have learned what Mating Heat is so many of them are loking forward to it and a fe fear it, Stygian was looking forward to it, so he was really good to his mate. I loved that he was Alpha without being domineering even though at times he had his moments of thinking about being such, he always put his mate's well being first.
The major secrets the Nation has been hiding are starting to unravel and with them a traitor and his part in the destruction of the Tribes is revealed. We see Jonas, Rachel and of course Cassie again, as they work as fast as they can to unravel the mystery of what is happening to Amber. Major plot points are laid out for the following books with characters being set up and the big reveal being worked on. With this one character's revelation we get one hell of a story, and yet we still have the mystery of why those girls where out in the desert that night.
I really enjoyed reading Liza and Stygian's story as they were like many of the couples misfits who weren't sure where they fit. Liza especially had been hoping this was her year, to stretch to go beyond here she fit to be more, and some how it became the year of the Breeds.
This one lays down some serious ground work for the books coming up with major characters being hinted at and the overall story being moved forward. I can't discuss more without spoiling the bigger story, but just know this one was actually a fun, wild ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it. For me the second half of the book was the best once we had the major reveal it just flew by and we got serious action happening.
★★★☆☆
Happy Reading my loves,
Back to the desert and the Navajo Nation we go. this book follows closely on Lawe's Justice, with us still hunting the three missing children and trying to find them before Council Coyotes, and the monster in the desert does. With that e have Stygian assigned to working with the Navajo council's people and he is assigned to Liza who is a bit more than she appears.
From there we get one heck of a ride trying to find the hidden children, the Navajo council keeps their secrets close to their chests, traitors abound, and Council Coyotes make themselves known. Liza isn't just a secretary and we learn that in the first five pages of the book, as it literally picks up in a scene from Lawe's Justice. She's actually pretty funny, and itty, sarcastic as hell a real fun character to read. Since the Breeds have learned what Mating Heat is so many of them are loking forward to it and a fe fear it, Stygian was looking forward to it, so he was really good to his mate. I loved that he was Alpha without being domineering even though at times he had his moments of thinking about being such, he always put his mate's well being first.
The major secrets the Nation has been hiding are starting to unravel and with them a traitor and his part in the destruction of the Tribes is revealed. We see Jonas, Rachel and of course Cassie again, as they work as fast as they can to unravel the mystery of what is happening to Amber. Major plot points are laid out for the following books with characters being set up and the big reveal being worked on. With this one character's revelation we get one hell of a story, and yet we still have the mystery of why those girls where out in the desert that night.
I really enjoyed reading Liza and Stygian's story as they were like many of the couples misfits who weren't sure where they fit. Liza especially had been hoping this was her year, to stretch to go beyond here she fit to be more, and some how it became the year of the Breeds.
This one lays down some serious ground work for the books coming up with major characters being hinted at and the overall story being moved forward. I can't discuss more without spoiling the bigger story, but just know this one was actually a fun, wild ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it. For me the second half of the book was the best once we had the major reveal it just flew by and we got serious action happening.
★★★☆☆
Happy Reading my loves,
September 17, 2012
Twenty-seventh in the Breeds paranormal romance series revolving around a genetically altered people struggling to survive. The couple focus is on Stygian Black and Liza Johnson.
My Take
It's been a number of books so far and I still haven't grasped why the Navajo refuse to open up the database of DNA profiles. I really don't understand why it's such a big deal. Supposedly the Navajo want to help their people and the Breed DNA is part Navajo.
This was a clumsy effort. It reads more like Leigh wanted to get this done but couldn't be bothered to smoothly put clues in place. Instead it's more of a bludgeon over the head and big rocks dropped into place every once in a while.
One of those bludgeons is the stupid attitude that Liza takes towards her former friends: Isabelle and Megan. So they married Breeds. So what? That automatically makes them the enemy? Liza and her friends sound like brainwashed idiots in this. Of course, in some respects I can't blame them when Jonas and company refuse to tell any truths about why they want the Navajo DNA database.
Liza and her friends already know what the Council does to people and Breeds. Arghhh, I just hate it when authors can't be bothered to put some effort into making the story believable. This was infuriating.
Liza claims she'll never get involved or kiss a Breed, so, naturally, she's all over Stygian. A hot romance that would have been greatly improved if I wasn't so busy gagging over how clumsy and inept the writing was.
Leigh keeps going on and on about the information that is in Liza's computer. How the chiefs of the Six insisted on her having that information. What we never find out is why. Then the whole agonizing bit that Liza tortures us with over who she really is and how she'd help if she could. Oh whine, o' woe is me, o' gag me... A lame way to produce some drama when the most drama was whether I'd make it to the toilet in time.
The best I can say about this story is that we do discover Honor Roberts' whereabouts with a good idea of where Fawn is located. Obviously, Leigh is planning Fawn's story soon so we can be dragged kicking and screaming through that potential catastrophe. Oh, and Leigh provides a new way to turn a woman on. Not my cuppa tea, but then...
I really would have preferred that Leigh write this as a short story. For the great leap of progress made, there really was very little information provided. Just a lot of yammering over the same agonies over and over and over and over and...Are you getting the picture??
The Story
The prologue repeats events in Lawe's Justice and bringing us up to speed a bit.
The attack on Liza provides Stygian the opportunity to move in on Liza. It's a push-me/pull-me set of circumstances with the Council trying to kidnap Liza, the Breeds trying to get information to save Amber, and the girls' parents terrified that the truth will out.
Meantime Stygian too is caught in a tug-of-war between Jonas and his desperation to keep his daughter alive and the loyalty he feels to his mate.
The Characters
Liza Johnson is the daughter of Audi, the Nation's chief of security, and Jane Johnson. She works overtly for Ray Martinez and covertly for the Navajo Covert Law Enforcement Division led by Deputy Cullen Maverick. Reever Jacobs is NCLED's communications and electronic guru. Steven Jacobs, Reever's brother, and Klah Hunter are the men close to Liza.
Claire and Chelsea Martinez are Liza's housemates and cousins. Ray Running Wolf Martinez is the Nation president and Claire's dismissive father. Terran Martinez.
Stygian Black, a Wolf Breed, was named by his mother Nera before she managed to escape with her newborn daughter.
Diane Broen is mated to Lawe Justice. The enemy as far as the Navajo are concerned. John Malcolm is a member of Diane's team and he's brought four Coyotes on this snatch-and-grab: Dog (who seems to have a separate agenda he's cooking up), Loki, Mutt, and Mongrel. Megan Fields Arness is mated to Braden. Rule Breaker makes an appearance. Isabelle is mated to Malachi. Cavalier is a new Breed introduced into the series.
Jonas Wyatt is mated to Rachel Broen whose daughter, Amber, Jonas has taken as his own. He's also director of the Bureau of Breed Affairs.
Ashley and Emma Truing, Chimera Broussard, and Shiloh Gage are Coyotes who have been helping to train Liza, Chelsea, and Claire.
Dash Sinclair, a Wolf Breed, is bringing his daughter, Cassie, to the Nation when Stygian asks for her.
Gideon Cross is a rogue Breed. His only aim is to kill Tawnya Corrigan, Honor Roberts, and Judd for what he sees as a betrayal.
Honor Roberts is the missing daughter of General Roberts, who joined the Genetic Council to have access to their knowledge. The girls—Tawnya Corrigan had infant AIDS with only weeks to live and an Honor dying from leukemia—hooked up in the Council labs. Two Bengal tiger Breeds, Judd and Gideon Cross, who is very clever, were the other half of their group.
The Genetics Council tortured into creation a mélange of animal and human DNA to create the Breeds. Living beings who were taught they were not worthy of existence. Never received love. Until Callan Lyons broke the news of their existence.
The Cover
The cover finds a ghost-like wolf emerging from the lovely warmth of the brownish gray background. It's Stygian's nude, very defined torso and arms we see, his thumbs hooked into the belt loops of his jeans, casually tugging the waistband down. I do like the tattoo he has on his left bicep.
The title is the battle that Stygian fights. Loyalty to his mate, saving the life of a suffering little girl. What price Stygian's Honor?
My Take
It's been a number of books so far and I still haven't grasped why the Navajo refuse to open up the database of DNA profiles. I really don't understand why it's such a big deal. Supposedly the Navajo want to help their people and the Breed DNA is part Navajo.
This was a clumsy effort. It reads more like Leigh wanted to get this done but couldn't be bothered to smoothly put clues in place. Instead it's more of a bludgeon over the head and big rocks dropped into place every once in a while.
One of those bludgeons is the stupid attitude that Liza takes towards her former friends: Isabelle and Megan. So they married Breeds. So what? That automatically makes them the enemy? Liza and her friends sound like brainwashed idiots in this. Of course, in some respects I can't blame them when Jonas and company refuse to tell any truths about why they want the Navajo DNA database.
Liza and her friends already know what the Council does to people and Breeds. Arghhh, I just hate it when authors can't be bothered to put some effort into making the story believable. This was infuriating.
Liza claims she'll never get involved or kiss a Breed, so, naturally, she's all over Stygian. A hot romance that would have been greatly improved if I wasn't so busy gagging over how clumsy and inept the writing was.
Leigh keeps going on and on about the information that is in Liza's computer. How the chiefs of the Six insisted on her having that information. What we never find out is why. Then the whole agonizing bit that Liza tortures us with over who she really is and how she'd help if she could. Oh whine, o' woe is me, o' gag me... A lame way to produce some drama when the most drama was whether I'd make it to the toilet in time.
The best I can say about this story is that we do discover Honor Roberts' whereabouts with a good idea of where Fawn is located. Obviously, Leigh is planning Fawn's story soon so we can be dragged kicking and screaming through that potential catastrophe. Oh, and Leigh provides a new way to turn a woman on. Not my cuppa tea, but then...
I really would have preferred that Leigh write this as a short story. For the great leap of progress made, there really was very little information provided. Just a lot of yammering over the same agonies over and over and over and over and...Are you getting the picture??
The Story
The prologue repeats events in Lawe's Justice and bringing us up to speed a bit.
The attack on Liza provides Stygian the opportunity to move in on Liza. It's a push-me/pull-me set of circumstances with the Council trying to kidnap Liza, the Breeds trying to get information to save Amber, and the girls' parents terrified that the truth will out.
Meantime Stygian too is caught in a tug-of-war between Jonas and his desperation to keep his daughter alive and the loyalty he feels to his mate.
The Characters
Liza Johnson is the daughter of Audi, the Nation's chief of security, and Jane Johnson. She works overtly for Ray Martinez and covertly for the Navajo Covert Law Enforcement Division led by Deputy Cullen Maverick. Reever Jacobs is NCLED's communications and electronic guru. Steven Jacobs, Reever's brother, and Klah Hunter are the men close to Liza.
Claire and Chelsea Martinez are Liza's housemates and cousins. Ray Running Wolf Martinez is the Nation president and Claire's dismissive father. Terran Martinez.
Stygian Black, a Wolf Breed, was named by his mother Nera before she managed to escape with her newborn daughter.
Diane Broen is mated to Lawe Justice. The enemy as far as the Navajo are concerned. John Malcolm is a member of Diane's team and he's brought four Coyotes on this snatch-and-grab: Dog (who seems to have a separate agenda he's cooking up), Loki, Mutt, and Mongrel. Megan Fields Arness is mated to Braden. Rule Breaker makes an appearance. Isabelle is mated to Malachi. Cavalier is a new Breed introduced into the series.
Jonas Wyatt is mated to Rachel Broen whose daughter, Amber, Jonas has taken as his own. He's also director of the Bureau of Breed Affairs.
Ashley and Emma Truing, Chimera Broussard, and Shiloh Gage are Coyotes who have been helping to train Liza, Chelsea, and Claire.
Dash Sinclair, a Wolf Breed, is bringing his daughter, Cassie, to the Nation when Stygian asks for her.
Gideon Cross is a rogue Breed. His only aim is to kill Tawnya Corrigan, Honor Roberts, and Judd for what he sees as a betrayal.
Honor Roberts is the missing daughter of General Roberts, who joined the Genetic Council to have access to their knowledge. The girls—Tawnya Corrigan had infant AIDS with only weeks to live and an Honor dying from leukemia—hooked up in the Council labs. Two Bengal tiger Breeds, Judd and Gideon Cross, who is very clever, were the other half of their group.
The Genetics Council tortured into creation a mélange of animal and human DNA to create the Breeds. Living beings who were taught they were not worthy of existence. Never received love. Until Callan Lyons broke the news of their existence.
The Cover
The cover finds a ghost-like wolf emerging from the lovely warmth of the brownish gray background. It's Stygian's nude, very defined torso and arms we see, his thumbs hooked into the belt loops of his jeans, casually tugging the waistband down. I do like the tattoo he has on his left bicep.
The title is the battle that Stygian fights. Loyalty to his mate, saving the life of a suffering little girl. What price Stygian's Honor?
March 13, 2018
Rinse and repeat .... seriously you need to wash after all that spurting and juices.
October 6, 2020
Ufacık bir ara verdikten sonra Lora Leigh'in Stygian'in Honor adlı kitabını bitirdim.
Bir yazarın tarzını hem sevip hem nefret etmek mümkünmüş, bunu Lora ile anladım. Yarattığı karakterleri, kurgusunu seviyorum ama çoğunlukla bol bol kullanılan cisellik beni boğuyor, karakterlerin sadece diğeri tarafından tanıtılması beni sinir ediyor. Bu da içimde bulunan bir çelişki.
Lora'nın Breeds alemi biraz bilim açısından gelişmiş olarak başladı ve artık iyice paranormal olarak devam ediyor.
Breedler DNA'ları hayvanlarınki ile birleştirilerek oluşturulmuş yeni bir tür. Üstün koku alma güçleri, refslekleri var ve çok zekiler. Genetik Konseyi bu türü tehlikeli insanları öldürmek için bir silah olarak yaratmış.Labratuarlarda uzun yıllar acı çekilmiş bir tür. Hayvan akrabalarına çeken bu türün bir sorunu var. Kendi eşlerini bulunca vücutları bir hormon salgılıyor ve bu hormon iki kişi birbirine ayrılmaz bağlar ile bağlıyor.O kişinin her daim senin olacağını biliyorsun, biri olmadan diğeri yaşayamıyor.
Bu kitapta sevgili Stygian eşini buluyordu. Ama eşi, Honor/Liza, Jones'ın (Türün güvenliğini sağlamak için kurulan birliğin gizli liderlerinden biri) kızı Amber'in hayatta kalması için gerekli bilgiyi taşıyordu.
Kitabın başında kızımızın adı Liza ve gerçekten kendisinin Liza olduğunu sanıyor ama biz kitap ilerledikçe aslında onun Honor olduğunu öğreniyoruz. Nasıl mı? Şöyle. Liza arkadaşı Claire ile 16 yaşalrında ölümcül bir kaza geçiriyor ve o sırada Konsey tarafından kovalanan Honor ve Fawn bölgede bulunuyor. Bu iki kız ölmekte olan kızlar ile değiştiriliyor. Estetik ameliyata maruz kalıyorlar ve aileler bu sırrı saklıyor.
Ama sorun şu ki bu kzıların bile kim olduklarını bilmemesi gerekmekte, bu yüzden eski savaşçılar arasında bilgi kaybolmaması için yapılan bir ritüel ile bu iki kızın tüm anıları hayatları Honor ve Fawn'a aktarılıyor. Tek kurtuluş yolu bu.
Yıllar geçiyor kızımız Stygian ile tanışıyor ve şimdiye kadar pasif kalan Honor'un labratuvardaki korkunç anıları ve Honor su yüzüne çıkıyor. Konseyin onu deneyler hakkındaki bilgisi, (fotografik hafıza) için istediğini söylüyor Fawn ise her türlü kodu çözebilmekte.
Stygian'ın hikayesi pek hoşuma pek gitmedi. Pek bir olay yoktu. Şöyle büyük finalde ikilinin birbirine olan aşklarını ifade eden, biraz kanlı bir sahne mesela...
Tatmin etmedi, bu kadar bekledikten sonra daha güzel bir hikaye olabilirdi. 27 hikayeden sonra yazarın hikayeyi eskisi gibi yazamadığına karar verdim. Ama gene okumaya devam edeceğim, etmemek imkansız, çok fazla kişiyi tanıyorum :D
Bir yazarın tarzını hem sevip hem nefret etmek mümkünmüş, bunu Lora ile anladım. Yarattığı karakterleri, kurgusunu seviyorum ama çoğunlukla bol bol kullanılan cisellik beni boğuyor, karakterlerin sadece diğeri tarafından tanıtılması beni sinir ediyor. Bu da içimde bulunan bir çelişki.
Lora'nın Breeds alemi biraz bilim açısından gelişmiş olarak başladı ve artık iyice paranormal olarak devam ediyor.
Breedler DNA'ları hayvanlarınki ile birleştirilerek oluşturulmuş yeni bir tür. Üstün koku alma güçleri, refslekleri var ve çok zekiler. Genetik Konseyi bu türü tehlikeli insanları öldürmek için bir silah olarak yaratmış.Labratuarlarda uzun yıllar acı çekilmiş bir tür. Hayvan akrabalarına çeken bu türün bir sorunu var. Kendi eşlerini bulunca vücutları bir hormon salgılıyor ve bu hormon iki kişi birbirine ayrılmaz bağlar ile bağlıyor.O kişinin her daim senin olacağını biliyorsun, biri olmadan diğeri yaşayamıyor.
Bu kitapta sevgili Stygian eşini buluyordu. Ama eşi, Honor/Liza, Jones'ın (Türün güvenliğini sağlamak için kurulan birliğin gizli liderlerinden biri) kızı Amber'in hayatta kalması için gerekli bilgiyi taşıyordu.
Kitabın başında kızımızın adı Liza ve gerçekten kendisinin Liza olduğunu sanıyor ama biz kitap ilerledikçe aslında onun Honor olduğunu öğreniyoruz. Nasıl mı? Şöyle. Liza arkadaşı Claire ile 16 yaşalrında ölümcül bir kaza geçiriyor ve o sırada Konsey tarafından kovalanan Honor ve Fawn bölgede bulunuyor. Bu iki kız ölmekte olan kızlar ile değiştiriliyor. Estetik ameliyata maruz kalıyorlar ve aileler bu sırrı saklıyor.
Ama sorun şu ki bu kzıların bile kim olduklarını bilmemesi gerekmekte, bu yüzden eski savaşçılar arasında bilgi kaybolmaması için yapılan bir ritüel ile bu iki kızın tüm anıları hayatları Honor ve Fawn'a aktarılıyor. Tek kurtuluş yolu bu.
Yıllar geçiyor kızımız Stygian ile tanışıyor ve şimdiye kadar pasif kalan Honor'un labratuvardaki korkunç anıları ve Honor su yüzüne çıkıyor. Konseyin onu deneyler hakkındaki bilgisi, (fotografik hafıza) için istediğini söylüyor Fawn ise her türlü kodu çözebilmekte.
Stygian'ın hikayesi pek hoşuma pek gitmedi. Pek bir olay yoktu. Şöyle büyük finalde ikilinin birbirine olan aşklarını ifade eden, biraz kanlı bir sahne mesela...
Tatmin etmedi, bu kadar bekledikten sonra daha güzel bir hikaye olabilirdi. 27 hikayeden sonra yazarın hikayeyi eskisi gibi yazamadığına karar verdim. Ama gene okumaya devam edeceğim, etmemek imkansız, çok fazla kişiyi tanıyorum :D
August 12, 2012
Oh, dear. What to say about this book. First off, this will have spoilers! So, if you haven't read this book, stop reading this review now!
I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 only because of the ending! It felt rushed with no conclusions to many plots.
Jonas/Rachael/Amber-unfinished
Navajo Nation-unfinished
Stygian/Honor-unfinished (although the mating was complete)
Dog and crew-unfinished
Gideon/Fawn/Judd-unfinished
Cassie-never finished
And lastly, who the hell crashed into the room?
Jonas, ah, Jonas, my favorite breed male. He has the ability to grate my nerves and make me cry all at the same time. I felt so very sorry for him in this book. He is struggling so much and I haven't seen him this stressed and defeated since his mating/book. I still see him as a formidable Breed, but this book brought out a different side of him. Rachel played a role in this book, but LL could have made her character more pronounced in this book. And, ah, poor Amber. LL really needs to get this poor child healed soon.
Navajo Nation, corrupt, secretive and entirely annoying. She needs to hurry and complete this part of the plot line, what an annoying group of people....either finish them off by blowing their secrets wide open, or sick Jonas on them! :)
Stygian/Honor, okay, I like this couple. Yes, Liza/Honor was a bit annoying at times, but who wouldn't be with two people living inside your head all the time. She is strong and does make a perfect mate for Stygian. I think she will be a player in many books to come. she stands up for herself and she is loving and kind. I can't wait to see her in future books.
Why LL went into so many details about setting up Dog's team and didn't complete the mission is beyond me. So we just have all these "groups" of breeds, council dogs, and who know who else sitting out in the desert waiting for "something." what the hell?
I am assuming that the next book in the series will pull everything together, but it would have been nice to at least complete some of the plots in this book! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Hopefully there will be some closure in it. LL needs to tie up some unfinished business soon, lest I lose interest in them. Although I don't think we will ever see the last of the Council, sometimes, evil never dies!
September 2, 2012
Whenever I pick up a Breed book I expect three things: a dominating male, a pissed off female, and lots of very explicit sex. This book delivered right on cue, but I've come to realize I'm not necessarily satisfied with the same old formula anymore. Just once I'd like the heroine to maybe not be a total bitch to the man who is trying to worship at her feet. Just once I'd like maybe less than half the book to be sex scenes.
In this installment Liza becomes mated to Stygian. As expected, she's pissed about it and starts out being a real bitch to him. But why? Her history shows most of the men in her life (including her father) has loved and coddled her. She's never had a bad or abusive relationship with a man and Stygian shows nothing but devotion from day one. She references her friend Isabelle who became mated in the last book as a reason to fear the mating process. It still doesn't make much sense since Malachi treats Isabelle like spun glass. I understand the whole "I don't want to lose my independence" thing. But of all the books this hero is one of the tamer ones on the domination front. So her reactions to him just didn't ring true to me and it made me dislike her from the beginning.
This is yet another book where Jonas is accused of manipulating everyone for his "games". What games? He makes his motivation clear from page one and though he always seems to know everything, he doesn't actually make anyone do anything they would be or shouldn't be doing anyway. I think LL has spent so long making him the "bogeyman of the Breeds" that it's habit now. But he's one of my favorite characters anyway.
In this installment Liza becomes mated to Stygian. As expected, she's pissed about it and starts out being a real bitch to him. But why? Her history shows most of the men in her life (including her father) has loved and coddled her. She's never had a bad or abusive relationship with a man and Stygian shows nothing but devotion from day one. She references her friend Isabelle who became mated in the last book as a reason to fear the mating process. It still doesn't make much sense since Malachi treats Isabelle like spun glass. I understand the whole "I don't want to lose my independence" thing. But of all the books this hero is one of the tamer ones on the domination front. So her reactions to him just didn't ring true to me and it made me dislike her from the beginning.
This is yet another book where Jonas is accused of manipulating everyone for his "games". What games? He makes his motivation clear from page one and though he always seems to know everything, he doesn't actually make anyone do anything they would be or shouldn't be doing anyway. I think LL has spent so long making him the "bogeyman of the Breeds" that it's habit now. But he's one of my favorite characters anyway.
August 10, 2012
I was disappointed with this book. Stygian is a great hero, understanding and supportive, and not too much dominating and possessive. I had problems with Liza, she's too indecisive, she keeps telling him he will destroy her almost until the last chapters even though she loves him.
Jonas' actions seemed at times not really logical, and the plot about Amber's sickness goes on and on and on without real evolution. I hope the next book put a closure to this.
To stay with Amber, she's eight months old in Lawe's Justice, and 2 years old in this book when there's only a few weeks between the two books. Please LL be careful about time lines !!
The ending felt too rushed, it lacks an epilogue or a last chapter to explain and finish the problems with Liza's family (of course it's because of Amber's plot, but it almost seems like a cliffhanger).
Jonas' actions seemed at times not really logical, and the plot about Amber's sickness goes on and on and on without real evolution. I hope the next book put a closure to this.
To stay with Amber, she's eight months old in Lawe's Justice, and 2 years old in this book when there's only a few weeks between the two books. Please LL be careful about time lines !!
The ending felt too rushed, it lacks an epilogue or a last chapter to explain and finish the problems with Liza's family (of course it's because of Amber's plot, but it almost seems like a cliffhanger).
August 14, 2012
While reading Stygian's Honor I felt this book took a different approach then the last ones. Which in my opinion was a good move. Although the author leaves us with a major cliffhanger, but some questions are finally answered and parts to the mystery start to come together. Overall I enjoyed this book I liked the fact that Stygian while still being his dominant breed self was not overbearing with Liza and didn't go the typical route of trying to change his mate. Can't wait to see what Dog is up to and perhaps see who his mate will be. Loved Cassie's role in this book and the peek into her powers. Look forward to reading the next book which will hopefully be about Gideon. I know there are so many of you that love Jonas...but he is really a pain. Would love to see someone put him in his place. All in all liked the book. Thanks Lora for a good read.
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