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League of Guardians #2
King of the Damned
For millennia the struggle between light and dark, between the upper and lower realms, has been policed by a secret group of warriors culled from every fabric of existence. They are both otherworld and human, male and female. They are light and dark themselves and known to each other as the League of Guardians. Their pledge, to protect the line between dominions and make sure neither side grows too powerful. If they fall, so shall the earth, the heavens and hell. And there will be no more.
With darkness all around him, The League of Guardians is his only means of redemption...
Azaiel, the fallen, has been given a second chance to atone for the sins of his past. With demons gathering and threatening the league, he must find out if their circle has been breached. What he doesn't foresee is a woman--a fierce warrior--who will turn his world upside down and awaken his tortured soul.
Rowan James is a powerful witch out to avenge the death of her beloved grandmother, but she needs an ally. Will she be able to trust a man with secrets as dark as the sorrow in his eyes? Loving Rowan means risking salvation and yet Azaiel cannot ignore the hunger burning hot between them--his one last chance at happiness. With danger all around them, will these two desperate souls finally find love in each other? Or be forever damned...
With darkness all around him, The League of Guardians is his only means of redemption...
Azaiel, the fallen, has been given a second chance to atone for the sins of his past. With demons gathering and threatening the league, he must find out if their circle has been breached. What he doesn't foresee is a woman--a fierce warrior--who will turn his world upside down and awaken his tortured soul.
Rowan James is a powerful witch out to avenge the death of her beloved grandmother, but she needs an ally. Will she be able to trust a man with secrets as dark as the sorrow in his eyes? Loving Rowan means risking salvation and yet Azaiel cannot ignore the hunger burning hot between them--his one last chance at happiness. With danger all around them, will these two desperate souls finally find love in each other? Or be forever damned...
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 27, 2012
6 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Juliana Stone
70 books1,292 followersJuliana Stone is also known as J.A. Stone.
USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.
USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 17, 2012
review posted on Demon Lover's Books & More
4.5
I love this author’s PNR because it’s always a little bit dark and a lot sexy. Her characters never take the easy way, and they have to earn their HEA. I tore through the Jaguar Warriors series last year and I was super excited for the spin-off series.
We first meet Azaiel in His Darkest Embrace book 2 in the Jaguar Warriors series and we learn in His Darkest Salvation why no one in the League of Guardians trusts him, I say this mainly because the series may stand on its own, but some details will be lost in not having read the Jaguar Warriors series.
Azaiel is sent to find out what happened to one of the League’s
members. When he gets there, he sees Rowan. She’s a witch who has just found out her grandmother, the woman who raised her, was killed. Rowan and Azaiel have to kill some demons right off the bat, and we find out that Rowan is no ordinary witch, she’s a very powerful witch, and she’s been killing demons since she was very young.
Rowan comes from a line of witches who, a long time ago made a very bad deal with a very powerful demon. To survive the Salem witch trials, an ancestor agreed to a bargain: Each generation, this demon takes the eldest and most powerful James witch, and he drains her dry.
It was supposed to have been Rowan’s mother, but she turned to drugs, booze and men to deal with the knowledge that she would be taken by this demon. The demon didn't want her, returned her, and marked Rowan as his instead.
Rowan’s mother is another issue altogether. I didn’t like how we knew so little about what happened. I’m assuming it will be brought to light in another book, but I really would like to know more.
Azaiel and Rowan make an awesome fighting team, and I really like Azaiel. I loved the quirky coven and extended family members, the donkey included. I loved how strong Rowan was, even when her own family turned against her, and I love that Rowan decided that the days of James witches becoming demon fodder were over.
The ending was tense, and I really can’t wait to see what Azaiel’s decision will mean for both him and the world. He’s still a Guardian, but. . .
I really liked this book, it was so intense, and it kept me turning pages as fast as I could.
***ARC courtesy of AVON and edelweiss
4.5
I love this author’s PNR because it’s always a little bit dark and a lot sexy. Her characters never take the easy way, and they have to earn their HEA. I tore through the Jaguar Warriors series last year and I was super excited for the spin-off series.
We first meet Azaiel in His Darkest Embrace book 2 in the Jaguar Warriors series and we learn in His Darkest Salvation why no one in the League of Guardians trusts him, I say this mainly because the series may stand on its own, but some details will be lost in not having read the Jaguar Warriors series.
Azaiel is sent to find out what happened to one of the League’s
members. When he gets there, he sees Rowan. She’s a witch who has just found out her grandmother, the woman who raised her, was killed. Rowan and Azaiel have to kill some demons right off the bat, and we find out that Rowan is no ordinary witch, she’s a very powerful witch, and she’s been killing demons since she was very young.
Rowan comes from a line of witches who, a long time ago made a very bad deal with a very powerful demon. To survive the Salem witch trials, an ancestor agreed to a bargain: Each generation, this demon takes the eldest and most powerful James witch, and he drains her dry.
It was supposed to have been Rowan’s mother, but she turned to drugs, booze and men to deal with the knowledge that she would be taken by this demon. The demon didn't want her, returned her, and marked Rowan as his instead.
Rowan’s mother is another issue altogether. I didn’t like how we knew so little about what happened. I’m assuming it will be brought to light in another book, but I really would like to know more.
Azaiel and Rowan make an awesome fighting team, and I really like Azaiel. I loved the quirky coven and extended family members, the donkey included. I loved how strong Rowan was, even when her own family turned against her, and I love that Rowan decided that the days of James witches becoming demon fodder were over.
The ending was tense, and I really can’t wait to see what Azaiel’s decision will mean for both him and the world. He’s still a Guardian, but. . .
I really liked this book, it was so intense, and it kept me turning pages as fast as I could.
***ARC courtesy of AVON and edelweiss
November 15, 2012
Ok... I have been really lucky lately. I have had some really good paranormal series kind of fall into my lap and the League of Guardians is another new, good one.
Rowan is a witch that is from - where else? - Salem, MA. But she hasn't been home in six years. Instead, she has been trying to build a regular life for herself in Southern California as far away from the "otherworld" existence she knows about as she can be. But destiny has other plans for Rowan and she is soon drawn home to meet up with her fate.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2012/1...
Rowan is a witch that is from - where else? - Salem, MA. But she hasn't been home in six years. Instead, she has been trying to build a regular life for herself in Southern California as far away from the "otherworld" existence she knows about as she can be. But destiny has other plans for Rowan and she is soon drawn home to meet up with her fate.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2012/1...
November 9, 2012
First, can I just say how much I am loving this series (shout out to Avon for introducing me to this fab author). Let me first begin with a bit of a synopsis for you other then the blurb above. So jump to the bottom if you don't want spoilers but I'll keep it to a minimum. We do have a bit of a classic plot line in this book (girl has a destiny, she doesn't want it, so she runs away and tries a "normal" life in another city, tragedy brings her home and destiny won't be denied). Even though we do have a classic story line, it's still worth the read.
So our heroine, Rowan James (whom I love BTW), is like a super witch who's family is marked by a demon lord. The demon lord is picking the women off, from the coven, one by one through a mark he brands into them. He is literally using them for batteries to fuel his power and Rowan is by far the most powerful James yet. Rowan knows she is marked and her grandmother (Cara) has muted the mark, so she can't be found. Knowing this, Rowan has moved to California to escape her destiny and is trying to live a normal life away from the supernatural but when said grandmother is killed, Rowan is forced back into the fray. She is the one who discovers her grandmother has probably been killed (Que big blood puddle in house) and decides enough is enough. She is going to go after the demon lord and end this curse on her family. She is not going to see another James witch used and drained dry.
Enter our hero, Azaiel. He shows up right after Rowan discovers the blood and at first she's not sure if he's the killer. Azaiel is part of The League of Guardians (see blurb) although he's probably the least trusted out of all of them. Azaiel is a Fallen Angel and did something so dishonorable, for an Angel, he was stripped of everything and was offered to work for the League or become mortal. He chose the League. Honestly all the Guardians are a bit shady. They all come from shady pasts, where they've done something horrible and joining The League is kinda like their penance. Azaiel has been sent by The League to find out who murdered Cara but what Azaiel didn't bank on was her granddaughter Rowan.
Rowan is a totally kick ass chick! She is totally an alpha and knows it. She is bound and determined to bring the demon lord down and wage war on whatever gets in her way, including The League, if need be to protect her family, friends and town. Rowan completely takes over the situation knowing what's at stake and accepts that likely also means her death, no rescuing males here. She needs all hands on deck. Her entire family and town who know what's going on are called to arms. In fact, when Azaiel calls in his own bad ass reinforcements, Rowan steps up to tell the huge hulking alpha males "I told you last night. This is my war, and I'm calling the shots. There's only room for one alpha in this pack, and it sure as hell isn't any of you. I'll accept your help because I'm not stupid. The shit is about to hit, and it's going to hit hard." Now who doesn't love a tiny slip of a woman saying that to a bunch of otherworld/supernatural testosterone filled men.
The romance that blooms in the midst of this war is fast, heated and wonderful. Azaiel adds a wonderful balance to Rowan. She's tough as nails but is jello on the inside knowing the gravity of the situation. Azaiel follows her lead and stands beside her. He never for once takes away control from her or belittles her in front of anyone but steps in to keep her in line if need be, like any good second. He also is there to catch her tears when no one is looking.
I absolutely loved this read and I think you will too.
So our heroine, Rowan James (whom I love BTW), is like a super witch who's family is marked by a demon lord. The demon lord is picking the women off, from the coven, one by one through a mark he brands into them. He is literally using them for batteries to fuel his power and Rowan is by far the most powerful James yet. Rowan knows she is marked and her grandmother (Cara) has muted the mark, so she can't be found. Knowing this, Rowan has moved to California to escape her destiny and is trying to live a normal life away from the supernatural but when said grandmother is killed, Rowan is forced back into the fray. She is the one who discovers her grandmother has probably been killed (Que big blood puddle in house) and decides enough is enough. She is going to go after the demon lord and end this curse on her family. She is not going to see another James witch used and drained dry.
Enter our hero, Azaiel. He shows up right after Rowan discovers the blood and at first she's not sure if he's the killer. Azaiel is part of The League of Guardians (see blurb) although he's probably the least trusted out of all of them. Azaiel is a Fallen Angel and did something so dishonorable, for an Angel, he was stripped of everything and was offered to work for the League or become mortal. He chose the League. Honestly all the Guardians are a bit shady. They all come from shady pasts, where they've done something horrible and joining The League is kinda like their penance. Azaiel has been sent by The League to find out who murdered Cara but what Azaiel didn't bank on was her granddaughter Rowan.
Rowan is a totally kick ass chick! She is totally an alpha and knows it. She is bound and determined to bring the demon lord down and wage war on whatever gets in her way, including The League, if need be to protect her family, friends and town. Rowan completely takes over the situation knowing what's at stake and accepts that likely also means her death, no rescuing males here. She needs all hands on deck. Her entire family and town who know what's going on are called to arms. In fact, when Azaiel calls in his own bad ass reinforcements, Rowan steps up to tell the huge hulking alpha males "I told you last night. This is my war, and I'm calling the shots. There's only room for one alpha in this pack, and it sure as hell isn't any of you. I'll accept your help because I'm not stupid. The shit is about to hit, and it's going to hit hard." Now who doesn't love a tiny slip of a woman saying that to a bunch of otherworld/supernatural testosterone filled men.
The romance that blooms in the midst of this war is fast, heated and wonderful. Azaiel adds a wonderful balance to Rowan. She's tough as nails but is jello on the inside knowing the gravity of the situation. Azaiel follows her lead and stands beside her. He never for once takes away control from her or belittles her in front of anyone but steps in to keep her in line if need be, like any good second. He also is there to catch her tears when no one is looking.
I absolutely loved this read and I think you will too.
March 30, 2015
What can I say, I'm a sucker for a bad boy trying to be good. Fallen angel Azaiel is definitely my kinda guy. He's incredibly hot, puts of that bad-boy vibe, has a tortured past and feels that he's not good enough for any woman.
Then we have a powerful witch named Rowan James whose family partnered with demons to survive the Salem Witch trials and forced their descendants into slavery to a really, really bad demon who marks his next victim and when it's time takes them to hell forever.
Well Rowan's time has come and she is not happy about it. She's not going to hell and being any demon's plaything. Lucky for Rowan she has a large family and coven who support her and a few extra Guardians for muscle.
I loved this book. I think Azaiel is one of my favorite heroes ever. I can't wait to see him reappear in future installments of the League of Guardians series.
Then we have a powerful witch named Rowan James whose family partnered with demons to survive the Salem Witch trials and forced their descendants into slavery to a really, really bad demon who marks his next victim and when it's time takes them to hell forever.
Well Rowan's time has come and she is not happy about it. She's not going to hell and being any demon's plaything. Lucky for Rowan she has a large family and coven who support her and a few extra Guardians for muscle.
I loved this book. I think Azaiel is one of my favorite heroes ever. I can't wait to see him reappear in future installments of the League of Guardians series.
October 31, 2012
At the end of Wicked Road to Hell readers learn that one of the members of the League of Guardians has been murdered. Bill the leader of the group needs to know if there is a bad seed within the folds of the League or if outside forces were at play in this witch, Cara’s death. Against the wishes of many of the other League members Bill sends the Azaiel to investigate the reasons behind Cara’s death.
Readers are first introduced to Azaiel in His Darkest Embrace, book #2 of the Jaguar Warriors series. It is in book #3 His Darkest Salvation where readers learn why no one in the League trusts him and many members have an animosity against him that is at times harsh. For the most part he is positive as he steps up to his new mission, finding out if someone inside the League has harmful intentions towards the members.
Rowan James is a witch, a very strong one from a line of powerful witches. She has returned to Salem to find that her grandmother has been brutally murdered and that the family curse is nipping at her heels in a way it never has before. She also finds Azaiel, a nonhuman man who claims to be a friend of her grandmother Cara’s. Rowan has gotten used to the life of a loner and now she has obligated herself to avenge her grandmother’s death and to rid her family of their curse once and for all.
Rowan and Azaiel together… oh my, lot of hotness there, the fact that my Kindle did not short out and melt is surprising. Kudos to Juliana on the heat factor with this book, it is sizzling. Azaiel is this strong, powerful, immortal Seraphim. He is oblivious to all pop culture references and many colloquialisms. He also has no clue he sexy and extremely easy on the eyes. Rowan plays with him about this. It makes them such a fun couple to read. Azaiel and his shirt situations are hilarious. They also have some common ground between them. They have done dark things in their pasts that they are ashamed of. The faults of their pasts make it difficult for people that should trust them to do so now. Azaiel and Rowan truly do make a well matched couple.
I loved Rowan’s family. I just LOVE the dynamics of a family that is bat shit crazy. Her family is witches that have been tortured and sought after for too many years. These ladies became feed up and started fighting the demons that chase them. To say that the James family is eclectic bunch crazies is an understatement. Leroy the donkey is reason enough to read this book!
I do recommend reading His Darkest Salvation before King of the Damned. I think readers could easily skip Wicked Road to Hell if they wanted to go directly into this book. I found that this book was an easy starting place for the League of Guardians series. The previous book and two novellas are not reflected in King of the Damned in any way. Some of the characters overlap, but key occurrences that would raise questions do not.
Readers are first introduced to Azaiel in His Darkest Embrace, book #2 of the Jaguar Warriors series. It is in book #3 His Darkest Salvation where readers learn why no one in the League trusts him and many members have an animosity against him that is at times harsh. For the most part he is positive as he steps up to his new mission, finding out if someone inside the League has harmful intentions towards the members.
Rowan James is a witch, a very strong one from a line of powerful witches. She has returned to Salem to find that her grandmother has been brutally murdered and that the family curse is nipping at her heels in a way it never has before. She also finds Azaiel, a nonhuman man who claims to be a friend of her grandmother Cara’s. Rowan has gotten used to the life of a loner and now she has obligated herself to avenge her grandmother’s death and to rid her family of their curse once and for all.
Rowan and Azaiel together… oh my, lot of hotness there, the fact that my Kindle did not short out and melt is surprising. Kudos to Juliana on the heat factor with this book, it is sizzling. Azaiel is this strong, powerful, immortal Seraphim. He is oblivious to all pop culture references and many colloquialisms. He also has no clue he sexy and extremely easy on the eyes. Rowan plays with him about this. It makes them such a fun couple to read. Azaiel and his shirt situations are hilarious. They also have some common ground between them. They have done dark things in their pasts that they are ashamed of. The faults of their pasts make it difficult for people that should trust them to do so now. Azaiel and Rowan truly do make a well matched couple.
I loved Rowan’s family. I just LOVE the dynamics of a family that is bat shit crazy. Her family is witches that have been tortured and sought after for too many years. These ladies became feed up and started fighting the demons that chase them. To say that the James family is eclectic bunch crazies is an understatement. Leroy the donkey is reason enough to read this book!
I do recommend reading His Darkest Salvation before King of the Damned. I think readers could easily skip Wicked Road to Hell if they wanted to go directly into this book. I found that this book was an easy starting place for the League of Guardians series. The previous book and two novellas are not reflected in King of the Damned in any way. Some of the characters overlap, but key occurrences that would raise questions do not.
December 16, 2012
Rowan James, a powerful witch, is marked by a high demon to become his slave. She's been hiding from him for years. But after her grandmother is killed, she decides that it's time for a showdown with the demon, to put an end to her family's curse generation after generation, once and for all.
Enter Azaiel, a fallen seraphim, a tortured soul, and a member of the secret League of Guardians. Unknown to Rowan, her grandmother was a member of the League. Azaiel and the Guardians working with him must determine if Nana was killed because she was a Guardian, or because of the James curse. They also must prevent Rowan from falling into the demon's hands--even at the cost of Rowan's life.
As they work together, Rowan and Azaiel fall for each other. But even if Rowan survives the coming conflict, they are doomed. As a seraphim, Azaiel cannot be with Rowan.
♥
I liked King of the Damned. I liked the dark and brooding Azaiel. But I wanted to love the book, and I didn't. Rowan was cold and mean. On the rare occasions when she was flirty or light-hearted or examined her pedicure, she seemed to be acting out of character and out of sync with the tone of the book. The book is dark and edgy. Even Azaiel and Rowan's relationship is dark and edgy.
I wish the book could have ended differently, but that's probably just me. Others will be perfectly satisfied.
In spite of my misgivings about some things, I do recommend King of the Damned and the series. I look forward to Awaken the Damned.
Enter Azaiel, a fallen seraphim, a tortured soul, and a member of the secret League of Guardians. Unknown to Rowan, her grandmother was a member of the League. Azaiel and the Guardians working with him must determine if Nana was killed because she was a Guardian, or because of the James curse. They also must prevent Rowan from falling into the demon's hands--even at the cost of Rowan's life.
As they work together, Rowan and Azaiel fall for each other. But even if Rowan survives the coming conflict, they are doomed. As a seraphim, Azaiel cannot be with Rowan.
♥
I liked King of the Damned. I liked the dark and brooding Azaiel. But I wanted to love the book, and I didn't. Rowan was cold and mean. On the rare occasions when she was flirty or light-hearted or examined her pedicure, she seemed to be acting out of character and out of sync with the tone of the book. The book is dark and edgy. Even Azaiel and Rowan's relationship is dark and edgy.
I wish the book could have ended differently, but that's probably just me. Others will be perfectly satisfied.
In spite of my misgivings about some things, I do recommend King of the Damned and the series. I look forward to Awaken the Damned.
October 22, 2018
THIS WAS A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF PARANORMAL...A BIT DIFFERENT THAN THOSE YOU'VE READ FROM FAMOUS AUTHORS LIKE SHERRILYN KENYON OR KRESLEY COLE OR NALINI SINGH. THIS ONE WAS SPECIAL IN ITS ON WAY, THOUGH I USUALLY STEER CLEAR OF WITCHES, THIS STORY WAS PAINTED SO VIVIDLY IN MY MIND, IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A TV SERIES IN MY HEAD.
OUR HERO is a Seraphim, or maybe he was after he fell from heaven all because of a female. He was tortured for decades in Hell, until he managed to get out and in the end worked for his 'brother', another Seraphim and got back his immortality. It's hard to explain here, but basically he was once almighty and now not much anymore, though he's still powerful compared to other supernaturals. And his existence is a lonely...almost meaningless one. He also don't have friends because of his FALLEN status and everybody he knows in this story is downright unfriendly to him. Poor fellow. When his 'brother' tasked him to protect a certain witch, only to find her dead and coming face to face with her granddaughter, he's not going anywhere until the threat of the Demon after Rowan is eliminated or vice versa. For a long time, his heart has been dead and so has his passion. BUT Rowan stirs him like no other woman, not even the traitorous female he fell for. Unlike most alpha heroes, Azaiel is one but he also takes a back seat in the story and offers emotional support instead of growling and huffing like some other heroes we read about. He's mostly a pillar of strength for Rowan to fall back onto and it was kind of sweet actually.
OUR HEROINE is tough as nuts and I don't blame her one bit for it, OR the fact that she ranaway from her responsibility for 6 years. In truth, it was all too much even for me as reader, the whole story while did suck me in, had me a little stressed because of all the negative family drama. I sided with Rowan the whole way especially when everyone blames her for running or putting her mother in the looney bin (for good reasons). I was glad that she stood up for herself to the point of being hostile. I absolutely hated her mom. I have a good mom, and seeing how irresponsible Rowan's mom was and the fact that most people sided with the mom just pissed me off. Who does that to their kid and expect a decent forgiveness? It was hard to chew down seriously. And while i wanted to like her twin brother....Kellen just loved his mom too much it was like he was blinded to her faults. All in all, Rowan had too much on her shoulders and with the Demon coming after her (you'll learn why in the story), I was just happy for her that Azaiel came into her life. He was just the right partner for her.
OVERALL this was quite emotionally intense and kept me flipping chapter after chapter. It reminded me of stories like True Blood or Vampire Diaries where there's just a lot of family drama going on and I'm just glad that this is a stand alone.
OUR HERO is a Seraphim, or maybe he was after he fell from heaven all because of a female. He was tortured for decades in Hell, until he managed to get out and in the end worked for his 'brother', another Seraphim and got back his immortality. It's hard to explain here, but basically he was once almighty and now not much anymore, though he's still powerful compared to other supernaturals. And his existence is a lonely...almost meaningless one. He also don't have friends because of his FALLEN status and everybody he knows in this story is downright unfriendly to him. Poor fellow. When his 'brother' tasked him to protect a certain witch, only to find her dead and coming face to face with her granddaughter, he's not going anywhere until the threat of the Demon after Rowan is eliminated or vice versa. For a long time, his heart has been dead and so has his passion. BUT Rowan stirs him like no other woman, not even the traitorous female he fell for. Unlike most alpha heroes, Azaiel is one but he also takes a back seat in the story and offers emotional support instead of growling and huffing like some other heroes we read about. He's mostly a pillar of strength for Rowan to fall back onto and it was kind of sweet actually.
OUR HEROINE is tough as nuts and I don't blame her one bit for it, OR the fact that she ranaway from her responsibility for 6 years. In truth, it was all too much even for me as reader, the whole story while did suck me in, had me a little stressed because of all the negative family drama. I sided with Rowan the whole way especially when everyone blames her for running or putting her mother in the looney bin (for good reasons). I was glad that she stood up for herself to the point of being hostile. I absolutely hated her mom. I have a good mom, and seeing how irresponsible Rowan's mom was and the fact that most people sided with the mom just pissed me off. Who does that to their kid and expect a decent forgiveness? It was hard to chew down seriously. And while i wanted to like her twin brother....Kellen just loved his mom too much it was like he was blinded to her faults. All in all, Rowan had too much on her shoulders and with the Demon coming after her (you'll learn why in the story), I was just happy for her that Azaiel came into her life. He was just the right partner for her.
OVERALL this was quite emotionally intense and kept me flipping chapter after chapter. It reminded me of stories like True Blood or Vampire Diaries where there's just a lot of family drama going on and I'm just glad that this is a stand alone.
July 30, 2017
I inadvertently read this book first and I'm glad I did, it's really good. Good characters, good writing, good story line. You'll probably enjoy this one, especially if you made it through book 1 since that one was not very good.
June 5, 2018
Our Fallen finally find his second chance, protecting Rowan. Lots of dysfunction in her family and yet there is still a loyalty. Was okay read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2021
Very complicated tale, with lots of inner and outer conflict. Enjoyed it.
November 15, 2012
If you're looking for a sexy paranormal romance with an edge of danger and suspense then look no further, Juliana Stone is your woman!
Following the events in Wicked Road to Hell, Bill, the leader of the League of Guardians, has sent the Seraphim, Azaiel, to investigate the death of a witch and find out if a traitor is behind her murder. Not everyone in the League is happy with who Bill picked for this assignment but Azaiel arrives in Salem determined to find answers.
Rowan James is a powerful witch, maybe the most powerful of all, but she is followed by a dark curse that has plagued her family for centuries. Returning home to Salem after six years away, Rowan finds her grandmother brutally murdered and a stranger in her house. And in the midst of Rowan's grief, demons attack, forcing her to put a being she doesn't know or trust at her back.
Rowan and Azaiel must band together to find the answers they seek and Rowan knows that to defeat the demon that hunts her, she cannot do it alone. Calling in her coven, hunters and two sullen Guardians, they prepare for Sahmain when it will come down to either the demon's life or Rowans. But as an impossible connection kindles between Rowan and Azaiel, Azaiel questions whether he'll be able to fulfill his duty. Even if they succeed in the end though, he knows that a relationship between a witch and a Seraphim is damned...
I absolutely loved Azaiel and Rowan's story and it really surprised me that I found it even better then Declan's (Wicked Road to Hell) because, hello, Declan! Hold on, I can't even say that hot piece of sorcerer meat's name without drooling. *wipes chin* Okay, and we're back...King of the Damned blew me away with its non-stop action, intrigue and all that delayed gratification of lust just oozing from our main characters. I was seriously feeling frustrated along with Rowan every time the brakes were hit. Rowan is a warrior all the way though. She is strong willed and kick ass, but she's not stupid and recognizes right away that she needs help to defeat the demon. She's a heroine that I could easily get behind. The dialogue between her and Azaiel is really fun and entertaining because they're both born alphas so naturally butt heads. But Azaiel knows that this is Rowan's fight and backs her up, the perfect Robin to her Batman. Readers first met Azaiel in the Jaguar Warriors series, books two and three, where we learn why no one trusts him and resents his involvement in the League. But despite the other Guardian's attitudes towards him, Azaiel is never bitter or brooding over it. This was a breath of fresh air for me because I have found, in the paranormal romance genre especially, that most heroes carry a huge chip on their shoulder with a past like this. But Azaiel accepts the blame for his actions and instead of being resentful about it, works hard to make up for them and prove worthy of that second chance he was given. Azaiel is also pretty oblivious to his many...charms, which makes him even more of an endearing character. Rowan and Azaiel made a perfect fit for each other not only because of their combustible chemistry, but because Rowan and Azaiel have both done things in the past that they need to atone for in order for others to trust and respect them again.
The world that Juliana Stone has created in The League of Guardians is constantly evolving with each book and I never know what otherworld creature to expect next! A colorful cast of characters in King of the Damned, consisting of not only Rowan's family, or coven, but the League as well as a few others, kept the plot moving forward at a fast and entertaining pace. I'm chomping at the bit for more and can't wait for the next installment. Rowan's brother, Kellan, and the Dark Fae really piqued my curiosity. And Priest, oh Priest, me thinks I have found another book hunk to add to my harem... In the meantime though, I vote for Leroy the Donkey having his own little short story! Another extraordinary read from this author, Juliana Stone is truly a rock star in the romance world!
Despite King of the Damned being the second book in a spin-off series, Juliana Stone weaves bit's of Azaiel's past throughout the story and more towards the end so new readers don't feel left out of the loop, but if you would like the full story on Azaiel then I would recommend reading His Darkest Embrace and His Darkest Salvation from the Jaguar Warriors trilogy. However, you can jump right into King of the Damned without reading Wicked Road to Hell with no problems.
Following the events in Wicked Road to Hell, Bill, the leader of the League of Guardians, has sent the Seraphim, Azaiel, to investigate the death of a witch and find out if a traitor is behind her murder. Not everyone in the League is happy with who Bill picked for this assignment but Azaiel arrives in Salem determined to find answers.
Rowan James is a powerful witch, maybe the most powerful of all, but she is followed by a dark curse that has plagued her family for centuries. Returning home to Salem after six years away, Rowan finds her grandmother brutally murdered and a stranger in her house. And in the midst of Rowan's grief, demons attack, forcing her to put a being she doesn't know or trust at her back.
Rowan and Azaiel must band together to find the answers they seek and Rowan knows that to defeat the demon that hunts her, she cannot do it alone. Calling in her coven, hunters and two sullen Guardians, they prepare for Sahmain when it will come down to either the demon's life or Rowans. But as an impossible connection kindles between Rowan and Azaiel, Azaiel questions whether he'll be able to fulfill his duty. Even if they succeed in the end though, he knows that a relationship between a witch and a Seraphim is damned...
I absolutely loved Azaiel and Rowan's story and it really surprised me that I found it even better then Declan's (Wicked Road to Hell) because, hello, Declan! Hold on, I can't even say that hot piece of sorcerer meat's name without drooling. *wipes chin* Okay, and we're back...King of the Damned blew me away with its non-stop action, intrigue and all that delayed gratification of lust just oozing from our main characters. I was seriously feeling frustrated along with Rowan every time the brakes were hit. Rowan is a warrior all the way though. She is strong willed and kick ass, but she's not stupid and recognizes right away that she needs help to defeat the demon. She's a heroine that I could easily get behind. The dialogue between her and Azaiel is really fun and entertaining because they're both born alphas so naturally butt heads. But Azaiel knows that this is Rowan's fight and backs her up, the perfect Robin to her Batman. Readers first met Azaiel in the Jaguar Warriors series, books two and three, where we learn why no one trusts him and resents his involvement in the League. But despite the other Guardian's attitudes towards him, Azaiel is never bitter or brooding over it. This was a breath of fresh air for me because I have found, in the paranormal romance genre especially, that most heroes carry a huge chip on their shoulder with a past like this. But Azaiel accepts the blame for his actions and instead of being resentful about it, works hard to make up for them and prove worthy of that second chance he was given. Azaiel is also pretty oblivious to his many...charms, which makes him even more of an endearing character. Rowan and Azaiel made a perfect fit for each other not only because of their combustible chemistry, but because Rowan and Azaiel have both done things in the past that they need to atone for in order for others to trust and respect them again.
The world that Juliana Stone has created in The League of Guardians is constantly evolving with each book and I never know what otherworld creature to expect next! A colorful cast of characters in King of the Damned, consisting of not only Rowan's family, or coven, but the League as well as a few others, kept the plot moving forward at a fast and entertaining pace. I'm chomping at the bit for more and can't wait for the next installment. Rowan's brother, Kellan, and the Dark Fae really piqued my curiosity. And Priest, oh Priest, me thinks I have found another book hunk to add to my harem... In the meantime though, I vote for Leroy the Donkey having his own little short story! Another extraordinary read from this author, Juliana Stone is truly a rock star in the romance world!
Despite King of the Damned being the second book in a spin-off series, Juliana Stone weaves bit's of Azaiel's past throughout the story and more towards the end so new readers don't feel left out of the loop, but if you would like the full story on Azaiel then I would recommend reading His Darkest Embrace and His Darkest Salvation from the Jaguar Warriors trilogy. However, you can jump right into King of the Damned without reading Wicked Road to Hell with no problems.
November 20, 2012
Rowan has been running for years. Running from her past and her family legacy. Excelling at her job and finally in a “safe” relationship she heads home to Salem for a much needed visit with her grandmother only to be confronted with her death. Salem is slowly being infiltrated by demons intent on making her family suffer in their search for her. Long ago she was given to a high level demon. She’s thwarted his attempts to find her by shutting down her mark burned into her skin in the past. Now faced with the only solution of taking him down, Rowan must tap back into her power along with her new found friends and family in a fight to the death.
Centuries ago Azaiel let lust be his downfall and he vows to never fall victim to a woman again. It cost him his position with his brothers and banished him from his home making his less then them but still more then human. He knows he can never allow Rowan to be taken by the demons because the power she harnesses could be the destruction of them all but he soon realizes that killing her isn’t an option. The witch is slowly breaking the mile high walls of steel he has built around himself.
King Of The Damned by Juliana Stone simply put is freaking awesome! I loved this book and the series is really starting to heat up! What I loved most was how capable Rowan was. She’s a heroine who has unimaginable power (think witch on steroids) on her own and she really doesn’t need help. She doesn’t shy away from confrontation and she lets the men tag along with her. I love a woman who doesn’t NEED help. A woman who can take care of herself. What made it even better was how Azaiel knew this and let her grow into her powers on her own while he stayed vigilant in the background watching her back for her. Azaiel….oh man, that was one hot hero! I fell just a little bit in love with the self loathing man. He was so hard on himself because of his past and his fall from his brothers. I enjoyed watching him wriggle with all the new emotions that Rowan evoked in him and his inner turmoil of letting her in. I do love to see the characters suffer before they get together and Juliana Stone wrung every drop of emotion from their stubborn bodies.
I have no idea how book one and book two are going to tie together but I think I’m going to like it. This is an ambitious story arc that includes a lot of different players…ok, mostly otherworld players. From shifters, angels and fae to witches and gargoyles this one has got something for just about everyone. Though Stone doesn’t go into it to much in this book it’s obvious there is a breach in security with the guardians that will eventually catch up to them. Packed with action scenes to get your blood pressure up and smoking sex scenes to get your heart pounding. There’s this one public sex scene that seriously sent me over the edge. Probably one of the hottest scenes I’ve read this year. I may have read it twice….ok three times. *wink wink*
Rowans resentment of her mother fuels her need to break the curse that marked her as a demon lords property. Her weak willed mother holds the key to finding the spell capable of taking him down but she sold it to fulfill her addictions. Rowan holds such animosity towards her mother for her inability to overcome her own destructive personality. In addition to a strained relationship with her own twin brother and half her extended family, just about everyone is both standing in her way and trying to help her out. Stone goes out of her way to set future story lines for Rowans brother who hasn’t come into any powers yet. Their lineage is revealed and his own legacy is mentioned shrouded in mystery. Though he currently holds no power, I have a feeling he’ll be quite fearsome when he finally starts to change.
King Of The Damned is a book about redemption, sacrifice, faith and forgiveness. In order to survive both Rowan and Azaiel will have to move on from the past to have any future. Full of surprising secondary characters who all need their stories told including a mischievousness charmed donkey (ok, maybe not his story but he is flipping hilarious). I have it on good authority that Priest and Nico will both get books in the future.
I really enjoyed this one and look forward to continuing this series in the future. I recommend you read these in order for the best understanding but it can also be read on it’s own fairly easily . Juliana Stone makes her world jump right off the page and putting this book down just isn’t an option!
I give King Of The Damned by Juliana Stone 5 stars!
Centuries ago Azaiel let lust be his downfall and he vows to never fall victim to a woman again. It cost him his position with his brothers and banished him from his home making his less then them but still more then human. He knows he can never allow Rowan to be taken by the demons because the power she harnesses could be the destruction of them all but he soon realizes that killing her isn’t an option. The witch is slowly breaking the mile high walls of steel he has built around himself.
King Of The Damned by Juliana Stone simply put is freaking awesome! I loved this book and the series is really starting to heat up! What I loved most was how capable Rowan was. She’s a heroine who has unimaginable power (think witch on steroids) on her own and she really doesn’t need help. She doesn’t shy away from confrontation and she lets the men tag along with her. I love a woman who doesn’t NEED help. A woman who can take care of herself. What made it even better was how Azaiel knew this and let her grow into her powers on her own while he stayed vigilant in the background watching her back for her. Azaiel….oh man, that was one hot hero! I fell just a little bit in love with the self loathing man. He was so hard on himself because of his past and his fall from his brothers. I enjoyed watching him wriggle with all the new emotions that Rowan evoked in him and his inner turmoil of letting her in. I do love to see the characters suffer before they get together and Juliana Stone wrung every drop of emotion from their stubborn bodies.
I have no idea how book one and book two are going to tie together but I think I’m going to like it. This is an ambitious story arc that includes a lot of different players…ok, mostly otherworld players. From shifters, angels and fae to witches and gargoyles this one has got something for just about everyone. Though Stone doesn’t go into it to much in this book it’s obvious there is a breach in security with the guardians that will eventually catch up to them. Packed with action scenes to get your blood pressure up and smoking sex scenes to get your heart pounding. There’s this one public sex scene that seriously sent me over the edge. Probably one of the hottest scenes I’ve read this year. I may have read it twice….ok three times. *wink wink*
Rowans resentment of her mother fuels her need to break the curse that marked her as a demon lords property. Her weak willed mother holds the key to finding the spell capable of taking him down but she sold it to fulfill her addictions. Rowan holds such animosity towards her mother for her inability to overcome her own destructive personality. In addition to a strained relationship with her own twin brother and half her extended family, just about everyone is both standing in her way and trying to help her out. Stone goes out of her way to set future story lines for Rowans brother who hasn’t come into any powers yet. Their lineage is revealed and his own legacy is mentioned shrouded in mystery. Though he currently holds no power, I have a feeling he’ll be quite fearsome when he finally starts to change.
King Of The Damned is a book about redemption, sacrifice, faith and forgiveness. In order to survive both Rowan and Azaiel will have to move on from the past to have any future. Full of surprising secondary characters who all need their stories told including a mischievousness charmed donkey (ok, maybe not his story but he is flipping hilarious). I have it on good authority that Priest and Nico will both get books in the future.
I really enjoyed this one and look forward to continuing this series in the future. I recommend you read these in order for the best understanding but it can also be read on it’s own fairly easily . Juliana Stone makes her world jump right off the page and putting this book down just isn’t an option!
I give King Of The Damned by Juliana Stone 5 stars!
June 11, 2014
King of the Damned was my first time reading anything by Juliana Stone and I loved it!
I went into this book much like I do a lot of others – I knew nothing about the author and I knew nothing about the series. In fact, I didn’t even know it was part of a series. All I knew was it was a urban fantasy / paranormal romance from the fine folks at Avon Books and they hadn’t steered me wrong yet. So I snagged off of Edelweiss and put it in my to-be-read pile. Shortly thereafter I became a member of the Avon Addicts and when I started organizing The Avon Affair (a 14-day Avon Books review event) with my fellow addicts I decided I wanted it to be one of my first reads for the event.
I was immediately sucked in. Rowan James, the main female lead is a badass among badasses. She’s calm and cool and can bring the pain when needed. I had a blast reading her as a character and UGH!! Her backstory!!! Marked by a demon to claim as his own thanks to a generations-old “curse” brought upon her thanks to nothing but her family tree. She had a somewhat sordid past and there was a huge event that caused her to hit the road and leave her home town years ago, leaving her family and all its crap behind her.
Well, you can’t run from your past.
She ends up back in Salem under shitty circumstances and immediately gets pulled into the middle of a battle for her….I would say soul but that’s not exactly what the demon wants. Wink wink. Upon returning, she meets Azaiel. Oh lordy…
Azaiel is pure alpha male. He’s gorgeous. He’s built like a Roman god on steroids. He’s mysterious as all hell. All Rowan knows is that he’s not human…..but she doesn’t much care. She needs help with what she’s about to face and he’s a great candidate for the job.
Azaiel was also a fun character to read but at the same time, that mysterious streak I mentioned has a tendency to be irritating on a whole new level of irritating that I didn’t know was possible. I spent a good portion of the book thinking “what is this man’s deal??!?!” In all fairness, as I mentioned, I didn’t know that King of the Damned was part of a series until I was about 75% of the way through reading it. With that being said, there’s a possibility that King of the Damned is not Azaiel’s first appearance in this world. Also, the important details about what he is and where he came from are somewhat revealed by the end of the book. Enough to satisfy the curiosity give an explanation about what he is.
King of the Damned was also action-packed from beginning to end. The action in this story literally takes off right from page one and doesn’t stop all the way through the book. The plot is intriguing and keeps you anxiously turning the page to find out what happens next. The dialog between characters is witty and at times it can be rather heart-wrenching. Nothing about this book felt stale and bland or over-written and a carbon copy of every other UF/PNR on the planet.
I was thoroughly impressed with King of the Damned and upon finding out that it is part of a series, I will most definitely be going back to read the first book in the series, Wicked Road to Hell. Also, according to Goodreads, the League of Guardians series is a spinoff of another series by her called the Jaguar Warriors series. Looks like my TBR pile is about to get a whole lot bigger!!
I give King of the Damned 5 stars!!! Can’t wait to see where this series goes!!
I went into this book much like I do a lot of others – I knew nothing about the author and I knew nothing about the series. In fact, I didn’t even know it was part of a series. All I knew was it was a urban fantasy / paranormal romance from the fine folks at Avon Books and they hadn’t steered me wrong yet. So I snagged off of Edelweiss and put it in my to-be-read pile. Shortly thereafter I became a member of the Avon Addicts and when I started organizing The Avon Affair (a 14-day Avon Books review event) with my fellow addicts I decided I wanted it to be one of my first reads for the event.
I was immediately sucked in. Rowan James, the main female lead is a badass among badasses. She’s calm and cool and can bring the pain when needed. I had a blast reading her as a character and UGH!! Her backstory!!! Marked by a demon to claim as his own thanks to a generations-old “curse” brought upon her thanks to nothing but her family tree. She had a somewhat sordid past and there was a huge event that caused her to hit the road and leave her home town years ago, leaving her family and all its crap behind her.
Well, you can’t run from your past.
She ends up back in Salem under shitty circumstances and immediately gets pulled into the middle of a battle for her….I would say soul but that’s not exactly what the demon wants. Wink wink. Upon returning, she meets Azaiel. Oh lordy…
Azaiel is pure alpha male. He’s gorgeous. He’s built like a Roman god on steroids. He’s mysterious as all hell. All Rowan knows is that he’s not human…..but she doesn’t much care. She needs help with what she’s about to face and he’s a great candidate for the job.
Azaiel was also a fun character to read but at the same time, that mysterious streak I mentioned has a tendency to be irritating on a whole new level of irritating that I didn’t know was possible. I spent a good portion of the book thinking “what is this man’s deal??!?!” In all fairness, as I mentioned, I didn’t know that King of the Damned was part of a series until I was about 75% of the way through reading it. With that being said, there’s a possibility that King of the Damned is not Azaiel’s first appearance in this world. Also, the important details about what he is and where he came from are somewhat revealed by the end of the book. Enough to satisfy the curiosity give an explanation about what he is.
King of the Damned was also action-packed from beginning to end. The action in this story literally takes off right from page one and doesn’t stop all the way through the book. The plot is intriguing and keeps you anxiously turning the page to find out what happens next. The dialog between characters is witty and at times it can be rather heart-wrenching. Nothing about this book felt stale and bland or over-written and a carbon copy of every other UF/PNR on the planet.
I was thoroughly impressed with King of the Damned and upon finding out that it is part of a series, I will most definitely be going back to read the first book in the series, Wicked Road to Hell. Also, according to Goodreads, the League of Guardians series is a spinoff of another series by her called the Jaguar Warriors series. Looks like my TBR pile is about to get a whole lot bigger!!
I give King of the Damned 5 stars!!! Can’t wait to see where this series goes!!
April 11, 2018
King of the Damned was my first time reading anything by Juliana Stone and I loved it!
I went into this book much like I do a lot of others – I knew nothing about the author and I knew nothing about the series. In fact, I didn’t even know it was part of a series. All I knew was it was a urban fantasy / paranormal romance from the fine folks at Avon Books and they hadn’t steered me wrong yet. So I snagged off of Edelweiss and put it in my to-be-read pile. Shortly thereafter I became a member of the Avon Addicts and when I started organizing The Avon Affair (a 14-day Avon Books review event) with my fellow addicts I decided I wanted it to be one of my first reads for the event.
I was immediately sucked in. Rowan James, the main female lead is a badass among badasses. She’s calm and cool and can bring the pain when needed. I had a blast reading her as a character and UGH!! Her backstory!!! Marked by a demon to claim as his own thanks to a generations-old “curse” brought upon her thanks to nothing but her family tree. She had a somewhat sordid past and there was a huge event that caused her to hit the road and leave her home town years ago, leaving her family and all its crap behind her.
Well, you can’t run from your past.
She ends up back in Salem under shitty circumstances and immediately gets pulled into the middle of a battle for her….I would say soul but that’s not exactly what the demon wants. Wink wink. Upon returning, she meets Azaiel. Oh lordy…
Azaiel is pure alpha male. He’s gorgeous. He’s built like a Roman god on steroids. He’s mysterious as all hell. All Rowan knows is that he’s not human…..but she doesn’t much care. She needs help with what she’s about to face and he’s a great candidate for the job.
Azaiel was also a fun character to read but at the same time, that mysterious streak I mentioned has a tendency to be irritating on a whole new level of irritating that I didn’t know was possible. I spent a good portion of the book thinking “what is this man’s deal??!?!” In all fairness, as I mentioned, I didn’t know that King of the Damned was part of a series until I was about 75% of the way through reading it. With that being said, there’s a possibility that King of the Damned is not Azaiel’s first appearance in this world. Also, the important details about what he is and where he came from are somewhat revealed by the end of the book. Enough to satisfy the curiosity give an explanation about what he is.
King of the Damned was also action-packed from beginning to end. The action in this story literally takes off right from page one and doesn’t stop all the way through the book. The plot is intriguing and keeps you anxiously turning the page to find out what happens next. The dialog between characters is witty and at times it can be rather heart-wrenching. Nothing about this book felt stale and bland or over-written and a carbon copy of every other UF/PNR on the planet.
I was thoroughly impressed with King of the Damned and upon finding out that it is part of a series, I will most definitely be going back to read the first book in the series, Wicked Road to Hell. Also, according to Goodreads, the League of Guardians series is a spinoff of another series by her called the Jaguar Warriors series. Looks like my TBR pile is about to get a whole lot bigger!!
I give King of the Damned 5 stars!!! Can’t wait to see where this series goes!!
I went into this book much like I do a lot of others – I knew nothing about the author and I knew nothing about the series. In fact, I didn’t even know it was part of a series. All I knew was it was a urban fantasy / paranormal romance from the fine folks at Avon Books and they hadn’t steered me wrong yet. So I snagged off of Edelweiss and put it in my to-be-read pile. Shortly thereafter I became a member of the Avon Addicts and when I started organizing The Avon Affair (a 14-day Avon Books review event) with my fellow addicts I decided I wanted it to be one of my first reads for the event.
I was immediately sucked in. Rowan James, the main female lead is a badass among badasses. She’s calm and cool and can bring the pain when needed. I had a blast reading her as a character and UGH!! Her backstory!!! Marked by a demon to claim as his own thanks to a generations-old “curse” brought upon her thanks to nothing but her family tree. She had a somewhat sordid past and there was a huge event that caused her to hit the road and leave her home town years ago, leaving her family and all its crap behind her.
Well, you can’t run from your past.
She ends up back in Salem under shitty circumstances and immediately gets pulled into the middle of a battle for her….I would say soul but that’s not exactly what the demon wants. Wink wink. Upon returning, she meets Azaiel. Oh lordy…
Azaiel is pure alpha male. He’s gorgeous. He’s built like a Roman god on steroids. He’s mysterious as all hell. All Rowan knows is that he’s not human…..but she doesn’t much care. She needs help with what she’s about to face and he’s a great candidate for the job.
Azaiel was also a fun character to read but at the same time, that mysterious streak I mentioned has a tendency to be irritating on a whole new level of irritating that I didn’t know was possible. I spent a good portion of the book thinking “what is this man’s deal??!?!” In all fairness, as I mentioned, I didn’t know that King of the Damned was part of a series until I was about 75% of the way through reading it. With that being said, there’s a possibility that King of the Damned is not Azaiel’s first appearance in this world. Also, the important details about what he is and where he came from are somewhat revealed by the end of the book. Enough to satisfy the curiosity give an explanation about what he is.
King of the Damned was also action-packed from beginning to end. The action in this story literally takes off right from page one and doesn’t stop all the way through the book. The plot is intriguing and keeps you anxiously turning the page to find out what happens next. The dialog between characters is witty and at times it can be rather heart-wrenching. Nothing about this book felt stale and bland or over-written and a carbon copy of every other UF/PNR on the planet.
I was thoroughly impressed with King of the Damned and upon finding out that it is part of a series, I will most definitely be going back to read the first book in the series, Wicked Road to Hell. Also, according to Goodreads, the League of Guardians series is a spinoff of another series by her called the Jaguar Warriors series. Looks like my TBR pile is about to get a whole lot bigger!!
I give King of the Damned 5 stars!!! Can’t wait to see where this series goes!!
November 27, 2012
King of the Damned is the 2nd book of Juliana Stone’s A League of Guardians series. When we left off at the end of Wicked Road to Hell, we met Azaiel, who is our hero in this book.
Azaiel is a fallen angel, who was saved by the Seraphim Bill, who secretly head the League of Guardians. Azaiel, due to his previous deeds, that led him to become a fallen angel, is not liked by most of the Guardians. Bill sends Azaiel on a mission, to find out who killed one of their own Guardians, Cara, as well as to ensure their secret group has not been breached.
We meet our heroine almost at the start. Rowan James comes home to see her grandmother, after running away to escape her duties as a powerful witch, as marked by a master demon. Mallick, the powerful demon, has been looking for Rowan for a long time. He marked her as a child, and now that she is grown up, he wants her for himself. However, Rowan’s grandmother used her witch powers to hide the mark on Rowan, and Mallick nor any demon can’t find her. But now that Rowan comes home, she finds out her grandmother is dead, and probably killed by Mallick. Knowing that she cannot hide anymore, Rowan decides it’s time to step forward, and at the risk of her life, gather her coven of powerful witches to fight Mallick at the Samhain.
Azaiel meets Rowan, as she comes home to find out about her grandmother. Rowan is now coming into her powers, as she will become a very very powerful witch, due to the ancestry of her father. Azaiel senses her power, which she has not fully harnessed. When they first meet, Rowan senses he is not human, but of the otherworld. Azaiel says he will help her find out who did this to her grandmother, and at first Rowan did not want his help. But demons were coming out to find the witches of her coven, and trying to kill them. Mallick wanted Rowan, and he had problems sending demons to kill all to find her.
Rowan is also a good fighter, and she holds her own with Azaiel as they fight the demons. She knows she needs all the help she can get, and she begins to trust Azaiel. Azaiel knows they have no chance to win this alone, so he requests help from the Guardians. Shortly after, Priest and Nico (we saw him in Wicked Road to Hell), arrive to lend a hand. The ladies certainly are in awe of these gorgeous specimens that have come to help. :)
This was a pretty exciting story, and some wonderful characters. You begin to see the romance build up between Azaiel and Rowan, which has no possible future for either of them. Him being a Seraphim, cannot be with a human, and she facing almost sure death. But it was a wonderful romance that grew slowly, with you finding yourself rooting for them. What made this story so good, was not only the fight with the demons, Mallick, the romance; but it was the mix of characters brought into play, part of whom are Rowan’s family (mother, brother, etc), that made this story so interesting and fun.
King of the Damned was a great fun, well done story by Juliana Stone. I could not put the book down, as it kept my interest throughout, without a dull moment. Wonderful characters, great story, excitement, tension, family disagreements, and a wonderful couple. Another terrific book in Stone’s League of Guardians.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Azaiel is a fallen angel, who was saved by the Seraphim Bill, who secretly head the League of Guardians. Azaiel, due to his previous deeds, that led him to become a fallen angel, is not liked by most of the Guardians. Bill sends Azaiel on a mission, to find out who killed one of their own Guardians, Cara, as well as to ensure their secret group has not been breached.
We meet our heroine almost at the start. Rowan James comes home to see her grandmother, after running away to escape her duties as a powerful witch, as marked by a master demon. Mallick, the powerful demon, has been looking for Rowan for a long time. He marked her as a child, and now that she is grown up, he wants her for himself. However, Rowan’s grandmother used her witch powers to hide the mark on Rowan, and Mallick nor any demon can’t find her. But now that Rowan comes home, she finds out her grandmother is dead, and probably killed by Mallick. Knowing that she cannot hide anymore, Rowan decides it’s time to step forward, and at the risk of her life, gather her coven of powerful witches to fight Mallick at the Samhain.
Azaiel meets Rowan, as she comes home to find out about her grandmother. Rowan is now coming into her powers, as she will become a very very powerful witch, due to the ancestry of her father. Azaiel senses her power, which she has not fully harnessed. When they first meet, Rowan senses he is not human, but of the otherworld. Azaiel says he will help her find out who did this to her grandmother, and at first Rowan did not want his help. But demons were coming out to find the witches of her coven, and trying to kill them. Mallick wanted Rowan, and he had problems sending demons to kill all to find her.
Rowan is also a good fighter, and she holds her own with Azaiel as they fight the demons. She knows she needs all the help she can get, and she begins to trust Azaiel. Azaiel knows they have no chance to win this alone, so he requests help from the Guardians. Shortly after, Priest and Nico (we saw him in Wicked Road to Hell), arrive to lend a hand. The ladies certainly are in awe of these gorgeous specimens that have come to help. :)
This was a pretty exciting story, and some wonderful characters. You begin to see the romance build up between Azaiel and Rowan, which has no possible future for either of them. Him being a Seraphim, cannot be with a human, and she facing almost sure death. But it was a wonderful romance that grew slowly, with you finding yourself rooting for them. What made this story so good, was not only the fight with the demons, Mallick, the romance; but it was the mix of characters brought into play, part of whom are Rowan’s family (mother, brother, etc), that made this story so interesting and fun.
King of the Damned was a great fun, well done story by Juliana Stone. I could not put the book down, as it kept my interest throughout, without a dull moment. Wonderful characters, great story, excitement, tension, family disagreements, and a wonderful couple. Another terrific book in Stone’s League of Guardians.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
November 28, 2012
Thanks to a bad decision made centuries ago by a James witch, the entire family has been marked by a demon lord that consumes the women that bare his mark. Rowan is unlike any witch that came before her. The power residing in her is immense and if the demon lord gets his claws on her, it will irreversibly tip the scales in favor of evil.
Rowan is fierce and although she's terrified, she's determined to face her demons head on. She tried to get away from it all but the brutal murder of her beloved grandmother has her back home and ready to give all she has to end the family curse. Rowan's not perfect but she's honest and refuses to hide while others fight. What I found most appealing is that she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. She doesn't play games and I couldn't have been more thankful for that.
A member of the League of Guardians, a secret supernatural organization that keeps the balance between good and evil, Azaiel is sent along with 2 others to keep Rowan away from the demon lord at all costs. Azaiel is a fallen angel who spent countless years in hell after a fateful decision. Now, he's back on earth and given a chance to right his past wrongs. The attraction he feels for Rowan is unexpected and he feels undeserving of someone like Rowan. I can't point to anything specific I didn't like about Azaiel but he didn't have that extra something that made me swoon. He was a good hero that's in need of redemption, he just wasn't great.
Rowan took the lead in their relationship. She was the aggressor and Azaiel had to turn her down because nothing could come of their relationship. I liked this role reversal and that Rowan wasn't willing to take no for an answer. I didn't really feel a deep connection but the attraction was there and when the smex finally happened, which wasn't until the last 20% of the book, it was pretty explosive.
The pace was a bit uneven. A battle would ensue against demons, and then there would be James family drama. There would be intense moments where Guardians were discussing Rowan's fate without her knowledge, and then more family drama. There would be a trip to hell with no promise of success, and then, you guessed it, more James family drama. There's also a lot of lead up to the show down against the big bad demon lord who plans to use Rowan in every despicable way but then the finale was over too quickly. It wasn't as satisfying as I would have liked it to be.
This is a spinoff of another series and the previous book featured characters from the original books so it all felt familiar. In King of the Damned, you recognize some faces and places but for the most part, it's new so it took me a while to get into. Even with its pacing issues, once I got into the book and started investing in the characters, I was entertained until the end. Most of that was due to Rowan. She's a mix of powerful, sexy, intelligent, and vulnerable and the shining star of this book. I don't think it's necessary to go back and read the original series but you may want to check out Wicked Road to Hell, League of Guardians book 1, before tackling this book so you better understand what the League is about and why they're interested in the James family.
- Stephanie
Rowan is fierce and although she's terrified, she's determined to face her demons head on. She tried to get away from it all but the brutal murder of her beloved grandmother has her back home and ready to give all she has to end the family curse. Rowan's not perfect but she's honest and refuses to hide while others fight. What I found most appealing is that she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. She doesn't play games and I couldn't have been more thankful for that.
A member of the League of Guardians, a secret supernatural organization that keeps the balance between good and evil, Azaiel is sent along with 2 others to keep Rowan away from the demon lord at all costs. Azaiel is a fallen angel who spent countless years in hell after a fateful decision. Now, he's back on earth and given a chance to right his past wrongs. The attraction he feels for Rowan is unexpected and he feels undeserving of someone like Rowan. I can't point to anything specific I didn't like about Azaiel but he didn't have that extra something that made me swoon. He was a good hero that's in need of redemption, he just wasn't great.
Rowan took the lead in their relationship. She was the aggressor and Azaiel had to turn her down because nothing could come of their relationship. I liked this role reversal and that Rowan wasn't willing to take no for an answer. I didn't really feel a deep connection but the attraction was there and when the smex finally happened, which wasn't until the last 20% of the book, it was pretty explosive.
The pace was a bit uneven. A battle would ensue against demons, and then there would be James family drama. There would be intense moments where Guardians were discussing Rowan's fate without her knowledge, and then more family drama. There would be a trip to hell with no promise of success, and then, you guessed it, more James family drama. There's also a lot of lead up to the show down against the big bad demon lord who plans to use Rowan in every despicable way but then the finale was over too quickly. It wasn't as satisfying as I would have liked it to be.
This is a spinoff of another series and the previous book featured characters from the original books so it all felt familiar. In King of the Damned, you recognize some faces and places but for the most part, it's new so it took me a while to get into. Even with its pacing issues, once I got into the book and started investing in the characters, I was entertained until the end. Most of that was due to Rowan. She's a mix of powerful, sexy, intelligent, and vulnerable and the shining star of this book. I don't think it's necessary to go back and read the original series but you may want to check out Wicked Road to Hell, League of Guardians book 1, before tackling this book so you better understand what the League is about and why they're interested in the James family.
- Stephanie
November 18, 2012
Rowan is a witch who has denied her powers, wanting a different life from the expectations of being a part of the coven and fearing what she is capable of. Yet she returns to Salem when she has a feeling something is wrong with her beloved grandmother, only to find the woman missing, and a taciturn and mysterious stranger inside the house. When demons start attacking the house, she has no time for questions, they fight together, and open up a can of worms, involving not just Rowan's grandmother, but Rowan, her coven, and her family.
When this book started, I was all excited because I had discovered a new paranormal romance to read. There are never enough for me; I read to fast and sometimes they seem the same story with different characters. So I was really excited to read this. The excitement faded into reserved enjoyment, however, after the first couple of chapters.
I had no major problems with the plot, besides a little confusion as to why there were so many people involved. It seemed like every person that stepped into the scene has some significance (which I couldn't figure) that impacted the story. At times, I had to go back on my Kindle and revisit conversations between characters to see why they had said that now only made sense. It was a bit to keep up with. No, my issue was with Rowan's character.
It was hard to believe Rowan goes from reserved with sketchy powers to kick-ass moves and a major power player in a matter of one chapter. She spent years denying her powers and her place among the other witches only to decide to own them and be top bitch when her grandmother is murdered? I don't think so. I'm not saying it didn't work for her; Rowan as fierce and take charge was awesome to see, it was just hard to believe she did such a 180 in such a short period of time. I didn't find many details to explain this switch and I would have liked to see more of her internal struggle than outer battles. I think this story might have been better for me if it had been first person from Rowan's point of view.
In the case of Azaiel, I wish there had been more scenes with him. I felt as if there wasn't much description about him or his thoughts. We got only hints about his past--especially the relationship that made him Fallen--and glimpses of what attracted Rowan to him. I loved his scenes but they, too, felt internally incomplete internally. I wanted more of the turmoil and passion that had made him Fallen and now involved with Rowan.
I haven't read the other books in the series (although I do own a few on my Kindle) so I am not sure if this is a continuing bad guy story arc or if it is a recurring group of characters. There were times I didn't get certain references to events or didn't know certain names. I would say read the other books before attempting this if you want to get the full picture. King of the Damned was still an good paranormal romance with a nice addition filled kick-ass action.
*Review copy from publisher via Edelweiss.
When this book started, I was all excited because I had discovered a new paranormal romance to read. There are never enough for me; I read to fast and sometimes they seem the same story with different characters. So I was really excited to read this. The excitement faded into reserved enjoyment, however, after the first couple of chapters.
I had no major problems with the plot, besides a little confusion as to why there were so many people involved. It seemed like every person that stepped into the scene has some significance (which I couldn't figure) that impacted the story. At times, I had to go back on my Kindle and revisit conversations between characters to see why they had said that now only made sense. It was a bit to keep up with. No, my issue was with Rowan's character.
It was hard to believe Rowan goes from reserved with sketchy powers to kick-ass moves and a major power player in a matter of one chapter. She spent years denying her powers and her place among the other witches only to decide to own them and be top bitch when her grandmother is murdered? I don't think so. I'm not saying it didn't work for her; Rowan as fierce and take charge was awesome to see, it was just hard to believe she did such a 180 in such a short period of time. I didn't find many details to explain this switch and I would have liked to see more of her internal struggle than outer battles. I think this story might have been better for me if it had been first person from Rowan's point of view.
In the case of Azaiel, I wish there had been more scenes with him. I felt as if there wasn't much description about him or his thoughts. We got only hints about his past--especially the relationship that made him Fallen--and glimpses of what attracted Rowan to him. I loved his scenes but they, too, felt internally incomplete internally. I wanted more of the turmoil and passion that had made him Fallen and now involved with Rowan.
I haven't read the other books in the series (although I do own a few on my Kindle) so I am not sure if this is a continuing bad guy story arc or if it is a recurring group of characters. There were times I didn't get certain references to events or didn't know certain names. I would say read the other books before attempting this if you want to get the full picture. King of the Damned was still an good paranormal romance with a nice addition filled kick-ass action.
*Review copy from publisher via Edelweiss.
February 27, 2013
The more I read from Juliana Stone, the more I enjoy her books. This story centers around the fallen angel Azaiel and a witch named Rowan.
We've met Azaiel before. He's part of the League of Guardians, a supernatural consortium that tries to keep the balance between good and evil. But before that, he was an angel who betrayed his kind for the affections of a beautiful woman who eventually betrayed him --then was held captive for countless years in hell. Now, he's on a mission for his brother --the leader of the League-- who wants him to investigate the death of an old witch, Rowan's grandmother.
Rowan has spent the past six years of her life away from her hometown of Salem, trying to hide herself from a demon who has marked her as part of a family curse. But when her grandmother calls, she returns home, only to find the old woman has died. The demon has marked her whole coven in an effort to find her and now she realizes that it's time to take a stand and end the curse, once and for all.
Azaiel was at her grandmother's home when Rowan learned what happened to the old woman and she recognizes the power in him. So when he offers to help with her cause, she accepts. Azaiel knows the demon who is after her is very powerful, so he calls the League for reinforcement --and Nico and Priest show up to lend aid. From there, the story follows Rowan and the three men from the League as they work to reunite her coven and vanquish the demon.
The action was really good and the storyline was easy to follow. Even though this is the second book in the League of Guardians (which was a spinoff of the Jaguar books,) I think this would still work as a standalone. The wordbuilding is solid and the pacing is good. The real draw, though, is the romance.
Azaiel doesn't believe he can ever trust a woman again after what happened in his past. He is attracted to Rowan but doesn't want to act on it. The more time he spends with her, the more she wears down his resolve. She is a woman who is not afraid to go after what she wants. And it's hard not to want Azaiel. It really takes a long time for these two to really act on their feelings, but the sexual tension between them is very hot. It's cool to see the woman be the aggressor here and I was very pleased with the payoff.
Azaiel makes a great reformed hero. I like watching his struggle and his demons from the past. Rowan is pretty bad ass too. She's a very tough and take no prisoners kind of chick. There's a great wealth of secondary characters too... I definitely want to know more about Priest and there seems to be a side romance brewing for Nico (maybe we'll see it from his perspective in another book?) I've got my fingers crossed. --All this and a very satisfying ending.
Rating: B+
*ARC Provided by Avon
We've met Azaiel before. He's part of the League of Guardians, a supernatural consortium that tries to keep the balance between good and evil. But before that, he was an angel who betrayed his kind for the affections of a beautiful woman who eventually betrayed him --then was held captive for countless years in hell. Now, he's on a mission for his brother --the leader of the League-- who wants him to investigate the death of an old witch, Rowan's grandmother.
Rowan has spent the past six years of her life away from her hometown of Salem, trying to hide herself from a demon who has marked her as part of a family curse. But when her grandmother calls, she returns home, only to find the old woman has died. The demon has marked her whole coven in an effort to find her and now she realizes that it's time to take a stand and end the curse, once and for all.
Azaiel was at her grandmother's home when Rowan learned what happened to the old woman and she recognizes the power in him. So when he offers to help with her cause, she accepts. Azaiel knows the demon who is after her is very powerful, so he calls the League for reinforcement --and Nico and Priest show up to lend aid. From there, the story follows Rowan and the three men from the League as they work to reunite her coven and vanquish the demon.
The action was really good and the storyline was easy to follow. Even though this is the second book in the League of Guardians (which was a spinoff of the Jaguar books,) I think this would still work as a standalone. The wordbuilding is solid and the pacing is good. The real draw, though, is the romance.
Azaiel doesn't believe he can ever trust a woman again after what happened in his past. He is attracted to Rowan but doesn't want to act on it. The more time he spends with her, the more she wears down his resolve. She is a woman who is not afraid to go after what she wants. And it's hard not to want Azaiel. It really takes a long time for these two to really act on their feelings, but the sexual tension between them is very hot. It's cool to see the woman be the aggressor here and I was very pleased with the payoff.
Azaiel makes a great reformed hero. I like watching his struggle and his demons from the past. Rowan is pretty bad ass too. She's a very tough and take no prisoners kind of chick. There's a great wealth of secondary characters too... I definitely want to know more about Priest and there seems to be a side romance brewing for Nico (maybe we'll see it from his perspective in another book?) I've got my fingers crossed. --All this and a very satisfying ending.
Rating: B+
*ARC Provided by Avon
May 6, 2013
------ I received this book from Edelweiss and the publisher for my honest review------
This was a really good book. Both Azaiel and Rowan are great characters. Azaiel as a Fallen I am happy to say is while not happy about being a Fallen and not having complete control of all his powers does not lament on that. Instead he recognizes the fact and moves on, oh do I prefer a character like this instead of one that whines and complains about what they don't have. Thankfully Rowan is a very powerful witch with a decent sized family of witches working with her. The main point of this story is to destroy the Demon Mallick. Mallick has been feeding off Rowans' ancestors and she has decided that since she has been marked as his choice for this generation she is not going down with out a fight. So with the help of her scattered family, with all the dysfunctional problems they have. Along with three other beings who are not human, but with magical powers or at least powers to fight the bad guys. You have a story that is filled with a lot of fighting, bouts of humor and the fact that the characters in this story all might have problems but they are there to help and rid the world of a powerful bad Demon. I like the fact that Azaiel is not shying away from his past, he admits that he is/was not a good person. But from all the actions that we see him make in this story he is in fact a good person. He helps those in need and doesn't shy away from work. Rowan might have tried to run away from being the Demons next meal, but once she sets her mind to it she is determined to stop him at all cost. While we don't see her solve all the problems of her past she at least shows some maturity and stops being so hostile to her mother, who she does have reason to dislike and hate. While the story line is in no way close to reality I did enjoy seeing the character interactions mature as the story went on. I have not read the first book in this series, but I do plan on picking it up. When you are in the mood for an action romance with a bunch of butt kicking than this is the book for you, and I plan on seeing if the first one is just as good.
This was a really good book. Both Azaiel and Rowan are great characters. Azaiel as a Fallen I am happy to say is while not happy about being a Fallen and not having complete control of all his powers does not lament on that. Instead he recognizes the fact and moves on, oh do I prefer a character like this instead of one that whines and complains about what they don't have. Thankfully Rowan is a very powerful witch with a decent sized family of witches working with her. The main point of this story is to destroy the Demon Mallick. Mallick has been feeding off Rowans' ancestors and she has decided that since she has been marked as his choice for this generation she is not going down with out a fight. So with the help of her scattered family, with all the dysfunctional problems they have. Along with three other beings who are not human, but with magical powers or at least powers to fight the bad guys. You have a story that is filled with a lot of fighting, bouts of humor and the fact that the characters in this story all might have problems but they are there to help and rid the world of a powerful bad Demon. I like the fact that Azaiel is not shying away from his past, he admits that he is/was not a good person. But from all the actions that we see him make in this story he is in fact a good person. He helps those in need and doesn't shy away from work. Rowan might have tried to run away from being the Demons next meal, but once she sets her mind to it she is determined to stop him at all cost. While we don't see her solve all the problems of her past she at least shows some maturity and stops being so hostile to her mother, who she does have reason to dislike and hate. While the story line is in no way close to reality I did enjoy seeing the character interactions mature as the story went on. I have not read the first book in this series, but I do plan on picking it up. When you are in the mood for an action romance with a bunch of butt kicking than this is the book for you, and I plan on seeing if the first one is just as good.
December 4, 2013
Reviewed for Brazen Reads: http://brazenreads.com/review-king-of-the-damned-by-juliana-stone/
This is the second in Juliana Stone’s League of Guardians series, but readers new to the series should have no problems jumping in here at book two. Witch Rowan James has been marked for possession by a demon, but now it appears the demon is taking out members of her scattered coven one by one, starting with her beloved grandmother. Rowan is determined to fight her fate, reassembling her coven along with some strangers who claim they are friends of her grandmothers. If she happens to be ridiculously attracted to the fallen angel Azaiel, well, she’s just going to have to deal with it, because she has demons to slay.
Stone does a decent job here wrangling a large cast of characters and powers that can be unwieldy at times. The temptation is there to have Rowan and Azaiel hop into bed immediately, but Stone manages to keep the UST going for quite a while and the build-up is delicious. If the book falls short anywhere, it’s in the number of times Stone employs a fade-to-black for battle scenes; too often she skips over a fight scene only to end up describing the aftermath, leaving readers feeling just as unfulfilled as if she’d done the same for the sex scenes.
Stone also struggles a bit with keeping all her characterizations straight: By the end of the novel, nearly everyone — including the big baddy demon Mallick — is calling Rowan “little witch” (Azaiel’s pet name for her) even when there’s been no interaction between Azaiel and the other character using the nickname.
As a paranormal romance, this gets two thumbs up; as an urban fantasy, only a reluctant one due to too much skipping over of fighting.
This book was provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second in Juliana Stone’s League of Guardians series, but readers new to the series should have no problems jumping in here at book two. Witch Rowan James has been marked for possession by a demon, but now it appears the demon is taking out members of her scattered coven one by one, starting with her beloved grandmother. Rowan is determined to fight her fate, reassembling her coven along with some strangers who claim they are friends of her grandmothers. If she happens to be ridiculously attracted to the fallen angel Azaiel, well, she’s just going to have to deal with it, because she has demons to slay.
Stone does a decent job here wrangling a large cast of characters and powers that can be unwieldy at times. The temptation is there to have Rowan and Azaiel hop into bed immediately, but Stone manages to keep the UST going for quite a while and the build-up is delicious. If the book falls short anywhere, it’s in the number of times Stone employs a fade-to-black for battle scenes; too often she skips over a fight scene only to end up describing the aftermath, leaving readers feeling just as unfulfilled as if she’d done the same for the sex scenes.
Stone also struggles a bit with keeping all her characterizations straight: By the end of the novel, nearly everyone — including the big baddy demon Mallick — is calling Rowan “little witch” (Azaiel’s pet name for her) even when there’s been no interaction between Azaiel and the other character using the nickname.
As a paranormal romance, this gets two thumbs up; as an urban fantasy, only a reluctant one due to too much skipping over of fighting.
This book was provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2012
Extraordinary, filled with action, passion, and a dark intensity, KING OF THE DAMNED - book 2 in the League of Guardians series - by Juliana Stone is beyond good, it is incredible. Imagery that pulls you into a story that is amazingly real and terrifying - this is more than a romance, it's an adventure. A cast of characters, some of whom we've already met in both the League of Guardians series and the Jaguar Warriors series, takes this story to a new level. Whereas the darkness is deep and dark, Juliana has infused some wonderful humor that will have you laughing out loud at the images she creates. Fortunately for us, the gorgeous men in this novel, especially Azaiel, end up without their shirts on quite often but when poor Azaiel is left with only the strangest of costume, the image pulled from the reader's imagination is one that is priceless.
KING OF THE DAMNED by Juliana Stone is a riveting, passionate story about forgiveness, redemption, and giving up one's immortality (life) for true love. This is a story that everyone, who has even the slightest attraction to paranormal romance, should read. I was a bit worried that if you hadn't read any of the previous novels, you might feel lost but no! Juliana has written this story so well, so incredibly detailed that it works very well as a stand-alone. However, I highly recommend that you read some of her previous works just because they're all worth it.
I highly recommend the newest League of Guardians novel, KING OF THE DAMNED by Juliana Stone for to miss it would be such a shame as I cannot even begin to describe. Get it, read it and fall in love with the League of Guardians led by KING OF THE DAMNED.
***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review
KING OF THE DAMNED by Juliana Stone is a riveting, passionate story about forgiveness, redemption, and giving up one's immortality (life) for true love. This is a story that everyone, who has even the slightest attraction to paranormal romance, should read. I was a bit worried that if you hadn't read any of the previous novels, you might feel lost but no! Juliana has written this story so well, so incredibly detailed that it works very well as a stand-alone. However, I highly recommend that you read some of her previous works just because they're all worth it.
I highly recommend the newest League of Guardians novel, KING OF THE DAMNED by Juliana Stone for to miss it would be such a shame as I cannot even begin to describe. Get it, read it and fall in love with the League of Guardians led by KING OF THE DAMNED.
***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review
August 23, 2016
This is great urban fantasy romance that I could get lost in and enjoy. It's a bit long, but I treated it as my feel-good snack and I never wanted it to end.
I really enjoyed the heroine. Rowan was an awesome character. I really enjoyed every moment with her on the page. She could easily take care of herself, yet be vulnerable where it mattered. I love how her attraction to a mysterious superpowered stranger was handled very maturely. I also enjoyed reading a story where the heroine's problems are not fixed by the hero's awesome sexual skills. She clearly had issues, and even by the end of the book some of the issues were still unsolved - but this was handled perfectly, and meshed with with their HEA.
Azaiel was also another compelling character. His past was kind of cliched, but that didn't matter because the writing had me feeling for him. He wasn't an unfeeling brute who was magically saved by this woman, but was a complex man with a dark past (done right!).
The story which serves as the background for this love story was amazing. It was like one whole season of Supernatural. Demons, witches, hunters and huntresses, elves, a trip to Hell...it was amazing. I feel like I want to go back and read the other books in the series, more than that I wish that the author would finish the next book in the series. I love the author's writing voice; she managed to merge contemporary speech and pop culture references with this amazing magical world.
The secondary characters were entertaining and necessary. Every moment which shifted to a secondary character's POV had me wishing for that character's own book. I truly enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to any PNR fan - as long as you're ready to invest yourself in such epic storytelling and all the action.
I really enjoyed the heroine. Rowan was an awesome character. I really enjoyed every moment with her on the page. She could easily take care of herself, yet be vulnerable where it mattered. I love how her attraction to a mysterious superpowered stranger was handled very maturely. I also enjoyed reading a story where the heroine's problems are not fixed by the hero's awesome sexual skills. She clearly had issues, and even by the end of the book some of the issues were still unsolved - but this was handled perfectly, and meshed with with their HEA.
Azaiel was also another compelling character. His past was kind of cliched, but that didn't matter because the writing had me feeling for him. He wasn't an unfeeling brute who was magically saved by this woman, but was a complex man with a dark past (done right!).
The story which serves as the background for this love story was amazing. It was like one whole season of Supernatural. Demons, witches, hunters and huntresses, elves, a trip to Hell...it was amazing. I feel like I want to go back and read the other books in the series, more than that I wish that the author would finish the next book in the series. I love the author's writing voice; she managed to merge contemporary speech and pop culture references with this amazing magical world.
The secondary characters were entertaining and necessary. Every moment which shifted to a secondary character's POV had me wishing for that character's own book. I truly enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to any PNR fan - as long as you're ready to invest yourself in such epic storytelling and all the action.
December 6, 2012
What do you call that middle ground between romance and urban fantasy? I'm never sure, but King of the Damned is an excellent blend of both, having elements of both genres and successfully mixing the pacing and action of UF while tapping into the emotions of romance. Azaiel and Rowan are an incredibly intense couple, sizzling with sexual chemistry.
At the beginning Azaiel seemed defined by the sins of his past, punished and betrayed by the one he thought to love. Eventually he understands that his feelings were based off obsession and lust, having little to do with love. Rowan has spent her life running from a powerful demon curse that has plagued her family for generations, and keeps everyone at arms length, her feelings tightly locked away behind a wall of cynicism and hate. Rowan has serious mommy issues, all understandable, but sometimes her abrasive attitude...well, it just sucked and made liking her difficult. Her heart was so hardened that it seemed like she would never be able to forgive and move on.
Kellan and the rest of the coven were a motley group, all very individual and unique. I would like to read more about the League of Guardians and learn all their secrets. The inclusion of bands that influenced Mrs. Stone's writing process was also very cool, and cooler still was the fact that she had her characters talk music too!
At the beginning Azaiel seemed defined by the sins of his past, punished and betrayed by the one he thought to love. Eventually he understands that his feelings were based off obsession and lust, having little to do with love. Rowan has spent her life running from a powerful demon curse that has plagued her family for generations, and keeps everyone at arms length, her feelings tightly locked away behind a wall of cynicism and hate. Rowan has serious mommy issues, all understandable, but sometimes her abrasive attitude...well, it just sucked and made liking her difficult. Her heart was so hardened that it seemed like she would never be able to forgive and move on.
Kellan and the rest of the coven were a motley group, all very individual and unique. I would like to read more about the League of Guardians and learn all their secrets. The inclusion of bands that influenced Mrs. Stone's writing process was also very cool, and cooler still was the fact that she had her characters talk music too!
October 22, 2015
First time I have read something by this author and i liked it....A LOT!
Rowan, our heroine, a witch marked by a demon who wants to collect his prize...her. Azaiel, the Fallen, who has come to see who killed Rowan's grandmother and friend of the League of Guardians. From the first meeting sparks fly and we know we are in for quite an adventure. Both are bold and have secrets that haunt them...but can they fight what they feel for one another.
As time draws closer for Rowan's claiming the family (coven) comes together bringing a host of very colorful characters, including a donkey with an attitude (when you find out his story you can understand his attitude). Azaiel friends are nothing to sneeze at either. Hot and otherworldly powerful. Jaguar-shifter and Templar Knight...a nice eclectic mix of deadly and funny.
We get battles and magic all around. Only one moment bothers me. When Azaiel and Kellen (Rowan's twin brother) descend into hell to get the family's grimoire for the spell to help fight the demon it's an aburpt end to the scene. One moment the alarm of discovery is sounded the next they are back with the book and all we know is a brief recap that Kellen gives Rowan. And we meet her went to the looney bin mother and her Dark Fae father...who turns out to be a cold SOB.
All in all I enjoyed the story. The pacing was good and balance between the evil and romance.
Rowan, our heroine, a witch marked by a demon who wants to collect his prize...her. Azaiel, the Fallen, who has come to see who killed Rowan's grandmother and friend of the League of Guardians. From the first meeting sparks fly and we know we are in for quite an adventure. Both are bold and have secrets that haunt them...but can they fight what they feel for one another.
As time draws closer for Rowan's claiming the family (coven) comes together bringing a host of very colorful characters, including a donkey with an attitude (when you find out his story you can understand his attitude). Azaiel friends are nothing to sneeze at either. Hot and otherworldly powerful. Jaguar-shifter and Templar Knight...a nice eclectic mix of deadly and funny.
We get battles and magic all around. Only one moment bothers me. When Azaiel and Kellen (Rowan's twin brother) descend into hell to get the family's grimoire for the spell to help fight the demon it's an aburpt end to the scene. One moment the alarm of discovery is sounded the next they are back with the book and all we know is a brief recap that Kellen gives Rowan. And we meet her went to the looney bin mother and her Dark Fae father...who turns out to be a cold SOB.
All in all I enjoyed the story. The pacing was good and balance between the evil and romance.
January 30, 2014
Rowan is a witch, hunted by a demon lord who has been feeding off her family for generations. The murder of her beloved grandmother brings her back home to Salem. Azaiel is a fallen seraphim hoping to get his powers back and be forgiving for his past mistakes. Forgiveness and acceptance are big themes here. Azaiel wants forgivenes for his past and Rowan needs to forgive her mother. I felt the main focus was the action, and there was a lot of it. Rowan was kick ass and I loved that, she was in charge because the demon was hunting her. She came up with a game plane to deal with the monster and made it all happen. She was sassy and strong, with a hint of vulnerability. Lots of characters were introduced and I'm hoping some of them get books of their own.
January 15, 2014
I did really enjoy the ending of this book. I liked that they could still be together, although I did not like the fact that he had to give up everything he had to stay. I think that's just a bit unfair. Bill of all people I think could have seen passed that. But it still kinda worked out because Rowan isn't immortal so at least they get to grow old together. I do wish though that they were more accepting of each other a littler earlier in the book. I feel like I was only reading it to see if they even ever end up together. But anyways I really did enjoy it.
January 17, 2013
I felt this book was all over the place. I was lost a few times. I was also looking forward to more action. Jumping from what was building to be a hopeful action scene to one filled with doubt and dread, made me not want to continue to read the book. Completely bypassing the scene altogether was not a smart decision in my book. Also making the big bad Azaiel look like a big baby did not bode well for me. I think he gave in to easily. Not one of her strongest books thusfar but there was an openning for possibilities.
December 12, 2012
3.5 stars
Azaiel the Fallen (one of the original seven Angels) was newly recruited into the League in the previous book. The back story of his fall was apparently played out in the Jaguar Warriors series. So now I have to go and look for that series :)
I quite enjoyed this book. Rowan is definitely a kick-ass heroine and had no trouble taking charge of a group of 6ft+ otherworldly warriors as well as her motley crew of witches and hunters. Talk about Girl Power!
Azaiel the Fallen (one of the original seven Angels) was newly recruited into the League in the previous book. The back story of his fall was apparently played out in the Jaguar Warriors series. So now I have to go and look for that series :)
I quite enjoyed this book. Rowan is definitely a kick-ass heroine and had no trouble taking charge of a group of 6ft+ otherworldly warriors as well as her motley crew of witches and hunters. Talk about Girl Power!
December 2, 2012
It was an okay book. I liked the back story of the main male lead. The female main lead was hard to like. I get she was this tough no-nonsense kind of girl , but come on there is a limit to how many times you can say "You are to follow ME!". We got it the first time and the second time and it's drilled into our heads by the third time. Her cousin I found was much more likeable.
May 7, 2014
Enjoyable
I did enjoy this book. I read it as fast as the others in this series, but it wasn't my favorite. Nothing was wrong with it, I guess I just was drawn in more by Logan and Kira's and Declan and Ana's stories. Still recommend though. Especially if you read the rest of the series.
I did enjoy this book. I read it as fast as the others in this series, but it wasn't my favorite. Nothing was wrong with it, I guess I just was drawn in more by Logan and Kira's and Declan and Ana's stories. Still recommend though. Especially if you read the rest of the series.
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