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A Taste of Blood

Ever since his abduction by the Eternal Order of Vampires, Gray Donohue has finally found his true calling: vengeance. He will stop at nothing to bring his fellow Impure vampires the freedom they deserve. Now if he could just release his primal need for the beautiful vampire who saved his life—and rules his thoughts and desires…

After nearly killing the senator she was assigned to protect, Dillon is now in mortal danger. The jaguar within her has been unleashed, and she can no longer control it. Sex is the only thing that can tame her shift. And Gray is the only man who can make her surrender to a passion strong enough to overpower her inner beast. But she doesn’t want to surrender—she wants her life back. Because she is determined never to belong to anyone, especially not Gray—the male whom destiny claims is her mate…

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2012

29 people are currently reading
1732 people want to read

About the author

Laura Wright

310 books2,206 followers
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of Mark of the Vampire, Bayou Heat, Cavanaugh Brothers series, and Wicked Ink Chronicles.

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622 (42%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
Profile Image for Carla-Everything Romance.
115 reviews196 followers
June 5, 2012
All I can say is WOW!! After I read Eternal Captive, the third book in the MARK OF THE VAMPIRE Series, I thought "it just can't get any better than this"! Then I was extremely lucky and got to read Laura's upcoming release, Eternal Beast very early and Hot Damn!! Laura Wright has done it again and totally blew me away. This book is by far the EPIC book of the series and everything changes in the world of the Purebloods, Impures and Mutores.

In the enovella "Eternal Blood" Gray learned that his father, Jeremy Donohue was the leader of the Impure Resistance. Now Gray has a new purpose in his life. He has become the new Leader of the Impure Resistance and will do anything to save the Impures from being Blood Castrated and controlled by the Order. He's just got one problem….he can't let Dillon go.

Dillon is still recovering from the horrible beating the Senator and his men gave her. She's stuck in her "other" form and cannot shift back. She seeks Grays helping and in doing so they become even closer, which is something that scares the hell out of Dillon. Dillon has to make a choice; let Gray in or push him away forever.

That's all I'm going to say on the storyline. SO much happens and I don't want to give away any more details of the story. I will say this though…..Gray and Dillon are SMOKIN' HOT together!!

We also get to see more of the other members of the Impure Resistance (Rio, Vincent & Piper) and we gets LOTS more of the Mutore in this book. We learn more about the beasts; Lycos, Helo, Phane & Erion. The ending of this book leads into Erion's book, which is coming up next and I am DYING to learn more about him.

If you still have not experienced the awesomeness that is the Mark of the Vampire Series you are truly missing out. Every book is phenomenal and they just get better and better. I look forward to every release. Laura Wright has created an original and extraordinary world and I am her fan girl for life!!

I give ETERNAL BEAST 5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for  Danielle The Book Huntress .
2,756 reviews6,613 followers
April 17, 2014
I am torn about this one. I almost gave it four stars, but it seems a bit too much like the story arc of one of my favorite paranormal couples, and I had a hard time getting past that. I did like the relationship dynamic between Gray and Dillon. How her jaguar nature is drawn to him and sees him as her mate, but she continually fights it. I liked them both, although Dillon was annoying at times. The sexual language is too raunchy for my tastes, another drawback. Overall, a pretty good installment in this series.

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
Profile Image for Kelly| Just Another Horror Reader .
507 reviews347 followers
August 14, 2012
This was a was a good book but not as good as the first three. The first books spent more time on the main couple. I didn't feel the connection between Dillon and Gray that I felt in the previous books. It did set things up nicely for the next book, though. In fact I think this was a gateway book for Dillon's muture (beast) brothers to have their own books.

I am looking forward to Erion's book due out next Spring. Yes I will still read the next one. Ms. Wright is a wonderful writer and this series brought me out of the Black Dagger Brotherhood withdrawal. As long as she keeps writing them I'm there!

We really need a half star system. This was a solid 3 1/2 read for me.
Profile Image for Michelle Leah Olson.
924 reviews117 followers
August 2, 2012
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

The discovery of MARK OF THE VAMPIRE will always be a highlight for me. Eternal Hunger was the 1st book of LITERAL ADDICTION's 2nd Reading Event when we were still just a tiny Paranormal BookClub with 8 members. As time has progressed, so has the series, and so has my love for both it and Laura!

Immediately upon finishing this book my exact thoughts were: "Holy cow! Smokin' hot & action packed - an amazing read!" :)

Now I want to break it down for you all, but it's going to be a bit tough without spoilers because SO much happens in this book. I shall do my best though...

The MARK OF THE VAMPIRE world is opened up immensely in this release. There is additional information learned about all facets of the world and its inhabitants and each and every tidbit is titilating and incredible.

For those of you that are up-to-speed on the series, the previous eNovella release, "Eternal Blood", revealed to us that Gray's father was the leader of the Impure Resistance. In Eternal Beast we see Gray with a singleminded purpose and an incredible passion, and not only for his cause!

Dillon is still messed up over the trauma she endured at the end of the last book at the hands of the Senator and just isn't herself. She seeks Grays help as a form of therapy and inevitably, though they fight it every step of the way, they grow even closer.

I can't say much more without ruining things, but I can tell you all this... Dillon and Gray together are UNBELIEVABLE! Smokin' hot, smart, snarky, sexy, sarcastic and just about every other fabulous "S" adjective I can think of. ;-)

There are a lot of new characters introduced in Eternal Beast, as well as additional information on ones that we've met briefly before. It was an incredible installment to the series and there are TONS of directions that Laura could go with things now. I'm SO excited to see what the future holds!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Eternal Beast a well deserved 5 Skulls. If you haven't experienced this series yet, you are TOTALLY missing out, and you REALLY need to add it to your TBR and find it from your favorite bookseller ASAP!
Profile Image for Kelly at.
1,145 reviews13 followers
July 23, 2012
Full Review:
4 1/2 Stars

Ahhh the wonderful Laura Wright has done it again. She has made me fall in love with her Mark of the Vampire series all over again. I was very excited about Gray & Dillon's book and it really lived up to what I hoped and dreamed it would be. I will not give too much away, but........

From the very first time we meet these two back in Eternal Hunger (bk 1) I knew they were going to be a fun couple to read about. Both have been through hell and back in their lives. Each has their own demons they have to face. Individually they are both strong and determined, but together (if they would stop fighting it for just a second) they are a powerhouse couple that can’t be stopped.

This was a great book!!! Laura adds a lot of new dimensions to the Mark of the Vampire world, in both Eternal Captive (bk3) and Eternal Beast (bk 4). But in EB we get into the mindset of the Order and why they think they way they do (sneaky, sick b*st*rds). We also learn about the Impure Resistance that Gray is now a part of (looking forward to learning more about Rio, Vincent & Piper)and thier role in the world. We also get to learn more about the newest Romans, The Mutore’s: Lycos, Helo, Phane & Erion. We learn who and what they are and we actually see a very sweet and soft side of them (even if you only see it for a blink of an eye)

Which in classic Laura form, she leaves us hanging for the next installment in the Mark of the Vampire series. ERION’s story!!!! I am very much looking forward to this next installment in the wonderful series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and was not a paid review.
Profile Image for Jess the Romanceaholic.
1,033 reviews491 followers
August 19, 2012
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Penguin Publishing
Imprint: Signet
Author’s Website: http://laurawright.com/
My Source for This Book: Virtual Signing (Private Purchase)
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 4, Mark of the Vampire
Series Best Read In Order: YES
Steam Level: Hot
Romanceaholic’s Pet Peeves: Continuity Errors
Romanceaholic’s Favorite Tropes: Abused Heroine, Enemies to Lovers, Fated Mates

While I would definitely recommend that new readers go back and familiarize themselves with the previous stories in the series, I really enjoyed this installment to the series. I’ve enjoyed Gray and Dillon’s characters ever since they were first introduced, and I couldn’t wait to see how they both grew over the course of their relationship.

Dillon was just as stubborn as I’d come to expect, and Gray was even more delightfully alpha than I’d anticipated. The dynamic between them didn’t seem to follow the stereotypical “romance novel” feel, and yet, it still worked. Gray’s unexpected dominance was quite sexy, and the chemistry between the two was explosive.

Even with the crude sexual language, which as my readers mostly know is not my thing at all, there was no denying that the love scenes were hot, and the romance itself was quite satisfying.

Overall, this was an enjoyable installment to an already entrancing series, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next book.

A very solid 4/5 Stars.
Profile Image for Michelle the Romance Witch.
2,529 reviews75 followers
August 12, 2012
SANITY WARNING
Don't get me wrong i love this series and every book i have ever read by this author, but she is definitely the queen of heartbreaking and sanity stealing cliffhangers. I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT read this epilogue in this story if you want to maintain your sanity for the eight months we have to wait until the next installment in the series.

Other than that bit of angry ranting i will say this: this books is AWESOME. full of crazy unanticipated plot twists. Sexy and emotional expanding moments between two very scared warriors. And--up until that damn epilogue--a very heart lifting HEA.

Read this series if you haven't already but i reiterate.... stay away from, those damn epilogues. she does it to me every time. :(
3 reviews
November 15, 2011
definitely a must read -- I love all of Laura's books -- I'm sure this one won't disappoint.
Profile Image for Shannon .
2,370 reviews161 followers
August 14, 2018
Eternal Beast
Mark of the Vampire, Book 4

I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series

The Characters:

Grey Donahue:
Dillon:


The Story:

I’m having a tough time with this one. I feel like it must have been very interconnected with book 3 but I read that back in 2013 so I remember nothing. So that aside I’ll try to stick to what I know from this story alone. The Order are jerks (mild word choice) who want to subdue the impures and annihilate the mutori. Well guess what Gray and Dillon are. Gray is not only an impure but the leader of the resistance. Dillon is one of the few mutori who have lived to maturity under the unscrupulous rule of Cruelen (this is probably spelled very wrong).

So now we have Gray fighting the order, Dillon and Gray fighting their feelings for each other. Dillon, and her brothers, struggling to hide their existence from the order. Oh and Dillon has a problem with shifting. She gets stuck as a jaguar at least twice in the book. It’s a lot and that’s to say nothing of any additional characters.

The story leaves us in a place where I want to read the next book. Hopefully it won’t take me 5 years to do so.

The Random Thoughts:



The Score Card:

description

3.5 Stars
Profile Image for Megan Riverina Romantics.
1,365 reviews75 followers
November 18, 2018
Rating: 3/5
Heat Rating: 3/5
Narrator Performance: 4/5

Somewhat spoiler free rant...

I have a huge issue with a small part of this book and took off a whole point for it. It's something that first became known in Gray's novella, ETERNAL BLOOD (Mark of the Vampire #2.5), but should have definitely been revealed to his sister Sara, heroine of ETERNAL HUNGER (Mark of the Vampire #1), in this book. All through book three of the series it miffed me that it wasn't mentioned but the subject never came up and I figured that the author would put it in this book. Unfortunately when the secrets came out in this story the one affecting Sara the most never came out. I mean her whole existence is wrapped up in this secret and no one wants to relieve her of her guilt? INSANE!!!!! It really pisses me off!
Profile Image for Paranormal Romance.
1,312 reviews46 followers
August 6, 2025
The heroine has always been an ice maiden. Well, perhaps that is the wrong description considering she burns hotter than lava and is likely to scorch anyone who makes the mistake of getting too close. Even before she found herself stuck in jaguar form she was a vicious creature and the hero has always made it a point to keep his distance. Once, he thought of her as a desirable woman and he still does to an extent but she just comes with far too much emotional baggage. It's his focus on his rebellion that is drawing his attention and he's doesn't have the time to cater to this closed off hell cat. Too bad he suddenly finds himself with a new pet. When the heroine finds out that the hero’s touch manages to allow her to return to female form, she hates it. She hates it with a fiery passion rely on anyone let alone this particular male who always made her feel things she had no right or desire to. But he must swallow her pride and play by his rules because she's tired of not being able to control her change. Now, she finds herself in a bad situation, under the power of this beautiful, driven and arrogant male. Sure, the passion is there and he brings her body to flame with every caress but the heroine is disturbed by these other feelings that are creeping in. Feelings of tenderness and other disgusting emotions she has closed herself off from for so long.

Every time the heroine feels uncomfortable, everything she can't fool everyone behind that bitch mask of hers, she runs. The hero is sick of it. He once imagined he could sooth her and maybe draw out that kind female that lies within but it's so hard to try to become attached to someone who is fighting that connection with everything in her. He doesn't have time to play these games. His people are being tortured by the order and without him, the Impure have no real voice in the vampire society. The heroines attack was a source of true torment for her yes but her real pain came long before that and it's what's keeping her from just letting go and letting this male into her heart. She admits she loves him, allows for the knowledge of their mate bond to sink in. But she is still closed off. Never one to be soft of sweet, she is nether the less willing to show her affections in other ways. In bed, in her loyalty and the fact that when the hero is kidnapped- kidnapped trying to rescue his mother from the cages not knowing the heroine herself rescued the woman prior in a means of showing her love for the hero- the heroine will risk anything and everything to save his life. Showing that love is not always about the verbal but about the action.

I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed this heroines bitch personality and the fact that she hated being weak or vulnerable. She fought violently against any notion of her having feelings for anyone let alone a male she's sleeping with and managed to keep everyone at a distance. The hero saw I think the potential for something deeper inside her and the fact that she denied it for so long and pushed him away every time he got too close made his so angry. It made him want to give up on her many times but he never could. I enjoyed their very tug of war sort of relationship that showed a love built of two people really not wanting the pain of such a bonding at first but at the end coming to love each other so deeply. I enjoyed the hero’s vulnerability, his responsibility to his cause. He was a good man who risked his life for others and he was relentless when it came to getting the heroine to let her guards down. This book good and I found the chemistry great. Nothing wrong with a bit- alright a lot- of sexual tension laced with desperate control issues. The battle of wills was long and hard but it worked out in the end.

My other problem is that these characters love for one another, I felt, was nothing beyond sex and this idea of being true mates. Normally, in this situation, the author would give a good reason WHY they love each other. A bonding, a friendship and the notion that they want this relationship, not just that it’s meant to me. That didn’t happen. Instead, they fuck- consistently I might add and in great detail- and they just come to the agreement that they love each other based on that alone. I didn’t buy it.
Profile Image for Jen Davis.
Author 7 books726 followers
March 19, 2013
I had high hopes for this book. The romance between Gray and Dillon has been teasing me for ages. Both main characters have a great tortured history, so I expected angst, passion, and a whopping dose of sexual tension. What I got was... a bit of disappointment.

As the story begins, Dillon is stuck in her beast form of a jaguar. She thinks the only way she will be able to return to her vampire form is to kill the senator behind the beating that prompted her change. Instead, Gray ends up killing him and she is furious. The thing is, though, she quickly discovers another way to alter her form... with Gray's touch. She reaches out to him to help her, and for me, this is where the story went downhill.

I understand that Dillon has been the one to shut Gray down in the past, but that did not excuse the way he lorded his control over her. He tried to force her to be submissive to him in order for him to give her what she needed. It was unsettling to see this woman with a history of abuse have to kowtow to a man who supposedly has feelings for her. Why? Because he is trying to get even? Make a point? Granted, he didn't know what happened to her, but he had an idea. And when he pulled out a leash and collar, I was ready to throw rotten tomatoes at him.

Not that Dillon was much better. Even knowing about her baggage, she was difficult to like. She was single-mindedly focused on herself, just like Gray was obsessed with his mission to save the Impures. Neither seemed remotely capable of making the other a priority. Most of the time, they weren't even nice to each other. Basically, I found that didn't like either one of them, which made it really hard to root for their romance.

On top of that, the sex scenes didn't do it for me. Gray's attempts at talking dirty were just over the top and not at all sexy.

"The other fingers are getting lonely, D," he groaned, his voice rabid and raw. "They want to be together. They want to fuck you too. They want inside your silky wet pussy so badly. Can they all come to the party baby?"
...
When all five of his fingers entered her, Gray cursed. "The way your cunt took me in, inch by inch of drenched heat. Fuck and the way it's suckling my fingers."
...
"God baby, you're so beautiful. So wet, so tight. The way your pussy sucks me in." He cursed, moaned. "Oh shit. I knew you would feel like this. The perfect fit, your candy walls fisting around me."

I think you get the idea. If a guy talked to me like that in bed... ok, never mind. Suffice it to say, this did not do it for me.

I am still interested in the world. Specifically, I am very intrigued by Dillon's brothers. Erion, in particular, was a real scene stealer. The story that served as the backdrop for the romance was pretty cool and I like that series may be turning toward the mutore brothers. I really liked the last book, so between that, and the big cliffhanger epilogue, I will be back for Eternal Demon. This one, however, was a miss for me.

I should note that most of the reviews for this book have been very positive. I know I am in the minority.

Rating: C+
Profile Image for PepperP0t .
5,108 reviews86 followers
October 12, 2019
With grand plans for the Resistance's future, Grayson Donohue locates the man reputed to be a conduit for the Order. There's no limit Gray won't go to get what he's after... knowledge to help him access and control the Order's telepathic network. As Gray takes the memories from the man's brain, he learns who and why Dillon was so brutally beaten.

Having escaped the Romans plus the shifters raised with her as brothers by Cruen and Gray, Dillon's on the hunt to kill the human who had her beaten so mercilessly for not sleeping with him she can't control her jaguar shift to access her vampire. But determined to save Dillon from the Order or herself if need be, the shifters track her and take her back.

When Gray visits Dillon they experience and react differently to an unexpected physical connection. Grey decides to harden himself against Dillon and she's equally determined to make the connection again, hoping it will help access her vampire self. Meanwhile, Dillon's shifter brothers are hurt, angry and confused about if or how to help her.

As the Order searches for her, Dillon doesn't know if she's more frustrated at being trapped in a cage in her friend's caverns or the indignity of being trapped in her jaguar form! Either way Dillon's not happy since personal experience has taught her the jaguar needs to take vengeance before it cedes control to her and Gray has taken that from her.

When the Order learns Gray knows Dillon, they send a capable spy to Gray and look forward to the upcoming castrations. The Roman family and shifters learn why Dillon's stuck in her jaguar and set off to find Cruen. The Resistance isn't pleased with Dillon or rather Gray's dependence on her as Gray and Dillon strike a private bargain.

For my taste, this outing isn't among my favorite of the series, Gray and Dillon said the right words but lacked chemistry to have a believable romance. Also, the writing style of shifting to another thread with only a paragraph break was disconcerting and confusing in such a busy outing. For this reader, both items hurt the pacing and overall read.

This multi-layered outing reuniting two fairly good characters didn't connect this reader to the story. Dillon's traumatic childhood was too closely linked to her current horror trauma to give much depth. Gray as a pendulum swinging from obsession with Dillon to/from his desire to vindicate and replace his father within the Resistance was tiresome.
Rating 3.5stars
Profile Image for Viviana Izzo.
384 reviews56 followers
August 14, 2012
Allow me to begin by saying that Laura Wright is one of my favorite authors! I LOVE the “Mark of the Vampire” series and have been eagerly awaiting Gray’s story from the very beginning! Though “Eternal Beast”, the fourth book in the series, can be read as a standalone book, I would definitely suggest you read the entire series from start to finish! It truly is a fantastic series! This includes the e-novella “Eternal Blood”, which I recommend you read before “Eternal Beast”. Again, just a suggestion as it will provide you with some background information.

In “Eternal Beast”, the relationship between Gray and Dillon is still extremely intense. They continue to fight, not only with each other, but also their own feelings, their past and the Eternal Order. We get to watch them take steps towards each other and some giant leaps away. But the journey is all worth the wait.

I was extremely happy at the fact that we got to see the family dynamic of the Roman Brothers. And yes, there’s plenty of sarcastic, smart ass Luca to go around! Which I LOVED!!! He is my favorite after all! We also get to meet the newest members of the family, the mutore. I can see the importance of family for the brothers and understand where Laura comes from when she says they are like family to her as well! You get attached. It can’t be helped!

As with the previous books in the series, you’ll get hot, sexy vampires, romance, action and yes extremely steamy, erotic sex scenes! The ‘Writer Lady” has a talent to get you all hot and bothered!! It’s a gift!! One I’m extremely grateful she not only possesses but shares with the world!!

There’s much come in the MOTV world. We got to know a lot more in this book, and with new characters; the possibilities of what’s to come are endless. Now, we patiently must wait for the next installment. Sigh…..

Note: For this and other book reviews, please visit Reading Between the Wines Book Club
Profile Image for Visionary Druid.
695 reviews14 followers
August 13, 2012


Eighty two pages in - OMG! So laughing over the scene between Lucian - the lovable a@$hole - and the mutore! Oh man the entire interaction had me cracking a smile!

Luca and Phane! Oh man it seems Luca found the ideal peeps to sharpen his verbal taunts on! And the mutore takes them with ease.

And it's grate to see Nicholas with Kate, Alexander with Sara, and Lucian with Bronwyn - along with their little baby girl! And the way Lucian took to fatherhood. Awww moment!!

On page 152 - Dillion is such a ball-buster! So awesome to see her go toe-to-toe with a male. All the while Gray is enjoying the show! Dillion's character is one I can totally get into. Watching her put a male in his place I got savage pleasure out of reading that part.

The pages started to blur in my haste to read more, to see what happens next. Seems we had a different baddie, one we really did not meet in the previous. Many changes, better changes. Pasts learned. Questions answered but more answers posed.

So happy to finally see Dillion and Gray settled. We seen their sparks, their tensions in the previous books. So we really did not need so much follow up on the two characters. The chemistry and sex between the two were like dynamite!

There still that one deal with Gray and Sarah's mom. Her part with Cuen.. AND DAMN did Laura really have to end the book that way? Grrr! This author knows the best way to sink her hook into her readers to chomp and anticipate the next one.
Profile Image for Pam.
916 reviews45 followers
August 7, 2012
I recieved this from NetGalley for a honest review. I would like to thank the Penguin Group USA for the chance to read this amazing book. This has been a series I love to read and seem to fall more and more in love with. This 4th book in this series continues the greatness that if you have read the other books you come to grow and expect.

Gray has to be one of my favorite characters so far in this series. He is hot, loyal to those he cares about and very passionate about what he believes in and who he loves. The who just happens to be Dillion who has a whole heap of issues that Gray seems to be the only one who can help her with. These to are so very believable together. They fuss and argue but are so amazing together when they do get along. You think nothing can stop them but their own stubborness.

Other than those two great characters we also meet new ones and old ones we already know from the previous books in the series. The action keeps flowing with more and more insights to the wonderful work Laura Wright has create. You get it all here action, love and so much more I can't say without giving spoilers. If you haven't read the other books in this series I recommend you do as you may get a bit confused as to what is going on. No worries because it is a truly great series. I look forward to what comes next for these characters because to be honest they hold a big place in my heart.
Profile Image for Laura Beth .
846 reviews44 followers
February 13, 2017
Gary and Dillion's story was great. I wasn't sure about the turn the book was taking with the beasts but Laura Wright did the story justice and spun a tale well worth reading. Gary and Dillion struggled to find each other through past hurts and trust issues but find each other in the end and now on to the next chapters in the Marked series.
Profile Image for Jamie  Leigh.
6,567 reviews29 followers
August 17, 2012
Gray & Dillon's story. Gray is Sara's brother who was in a coma-like state after a fire. She tried to heal him. Dillon is the sister of Helo the water beast, Phane the hawk, Lycos the wolf. As usual, Laura Wright twisted and turned and surprised me with her world. I admit that at one point, I got confused but I re-read the part and realized I saw something the second time that I didn't see the first time. I love this world and the characters and I caught myself cheering for the mutores and the impures. i can't wait to see the next book in this series to see what she comes up with next!
Profile Image for Janne Swearengen.
Author 2 books8 followers
September 26, 2012
I really wanted to give this 4.5 stars as it was the best one yet and WHAT AN ENDING!! Holy cliffhanger, Batman. Now I gotta wait til may '13?? Oh well, gives me something to look forward to. Loved the Gray/Dillon struggle and action. I am still not happy with certain derogatory words used in a romantic/sensual way (which is the primary reason for the lack of a fifth star). The characters in this book were more 'believable' and I'm not sure if that's because the writing got crisper of I've gotten to know them over the first 3 books. In any event, I am now really looking forward to Eternal Demon.
Profile Image for M.
268 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2012
I LOVED this book and the others that come in the series! Its rare to find a book that has so much surprises around every corner, always keeping you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out what's next. This book is full of drama, suspense, love, humour and super sexy scenes that make you want a Paven or Impure of your own ;)

Most romances end with declarations of love and maybe family gatherings, that happens with this series too but then BAM!! something pops up at the last minute that makes you frantic and anxious to get the next book; which really gets you hooked!!

I would recommend this series to any paranormal romance readers looking for a FANTASTIC read :)
Profile Image for t'irla ~The Bookslayer~ aka Barbara.
1,018 reviews134 followers
July 24, 2013
Grey and Dillon's story. Again, unusual twists turns. The uprising is in full swing but you just don't know until the story moves forward how Grey and pals are going to win. I have to say again the quality of Laura Wright's writing really comes through as a lot of the subplots come together in this book, some are resolved but others still dangle. This novel is full of action and suspense that has you biting your nails. Dillon is a piece of work...so confused as to what she wants and who she is ...we learn more of her "siblings" and the relationships with Cruen ..these novels keep getting better and better and I keep asking myself why did I wait so long to read them!...
Profile Image for Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb".
1,440 reviews17 followers
August 8, 2012
I just got this book yesterday downloaded to Kindle and I returned it to Kindle today for a refund. I have read all the books by Laura Wright and liked all of them but this one. For Me rape and beating a women nearly to death is not romantic. I think Laura might be taken her story line in a direction that I personally don't like.
Profile Image for Ezi Chinny.
2,687 reviews538 followers
July 20, 2015
2.5 stars.
I haven't enjoyed the last couple of stories in this series, and I believe it's because I don't enjoy Tavia Gilbert at the narrator. It made it difficult for me to concentrate on the story, so I will try reading the next book before abandoning this series.
Profile Image for Pam Godwin.
Author 43 books12k followers
August 5, 2012
Couldn't get past the very un-sexy half-morphed heroine beast.
Profile Image for May Mostly Romance.
1,015 reviews72 followers
February 11, 2014
นี่เป็นหนังสืออีกเล่มที่เรารอคอยอ่านค่ะ ดังนั้นจึงเป็นโชคดีของเราอย่างมากที่ได้เล่มนี้มาในช่วงเวลาที่อาการเบื่อหนังสือของเรากำลังกำเริบ เพราะหลังจากอ่านเล่มนี้จบไป ความอยากอ่านหนังสือก็กลับมาเลยล่ะค่ะ เราอ่านเล่มนี้ด้วยความรวดเร็ว และจบลงอย่างประทับใจ แม้จะต้องบอกว่า มีอะไรหลายอย่างที่ดูไม่ค่อยลงตัว แต่ความชอบเกือบทั้งหมดที่เรามีต่อเล่มนี้ก็คือ คาแร็คเตอร์ของพระเอกและนางเอก

Eternal Beast ของลอรา ไรท์

เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มที่สี่ในชุด Mark of the Vampire และคงต้องบอกว่า ไม่ใช่จุดเริ่มต้นที่ดีในการอ่านเรื่องชุดนี้ค่ะ เพราะมีเหตุการณ์หลายอย่างเกิดขึ้นก่อนหน้า รวมทั้งความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งพระเอกและนางเอกที่รู้จักกัน มีปฏิกริยาต่อกันมาก่อนจะเริ่มต้นเรื่องนี้ด้วยซ้ำ ทำให้คนที่ไม่ได้อ่านเล่มก่อนหน้ามาก่อนเลย คงจะออกอาการงง หรือถ้าไม่งง ก็อาจจะไม่เข้าใจความซับซ้อนในความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างเกรย์และดิลลอน ซึ่งมันซับซ้อนมาก

แบ็คกราวด์ของเรื่องชุดนี้ เราขอลอกที่เราเขียนก่อนหน้าแล้วกันนะคะ

คอนเซ็ปต์ของเรื่องชุดนี้ แวมไพร์ไม่เหมือนตำนานที่เราคุ้นเคย มนุษย์ก็อยู่ส่วนมนุษย์ แวมไพร์ก็เป็นเผ่าพันธุ์ของตัวเอง และสภาแวมไพร์มีนโยบายกีดกันทางเชื้อชาติ ไม่ต้องการให้มีการผสมข้ามเผ่าพันธุ์ นั่นคือ แวมไพร์ที่เป็นลูกผสมกับมนุษย์ หรือแวมไพร์ที่ถูกเปลี่ยนจากมนุษย์ ไม่ได้เกิดจากพ่อแม่ที่เป็นแวมไพร์สายพันธุ์แท้ทั้งคู่ จะถูกกดลงเป็นพลเมืองชั้นสอง ถูกเรียกว่า อิมเพียว (แปลง่าย ๆ ก็คือ สายเลือดไม่บริสุทธิ์) ที่นอกจากจะไม่มีสิทธิแล้วก็ฝ่ายชายยังถูกจับตอนเพื่อไม่ให้มีความรู้สึกทางเพศ จะได้ไม่มีลูกหลานสืบสายพันธุ์ที่ไม่บริสุทธิ์นี้ต่อไป

และเกรย์ โดโนฮิว พระเอกของเล่มนี้ก็คือ ก็คือลูกผสมระหว่างแวมไพร์สายพันธุ์ที่ไม่บริสุทธิ์นี้ แต่เขาถูกเลี้ยงดูโดยคิดว่า ตัวเองเป็นมนุษย์ การตามล่าทำให้เกิดไฟไหม้ และบิดาของเสียชีวิตลง เกรย์เสียสติไปกับความหวาดกลัว ก่อนที่จะได้พระเอกเล่มแรกในชุดช่วยจนกลับมาเป็นคนปกติอีกครั้ง

ถ้าจะเรียกว่าเขาปกติได้นะ นั่นเพราะเกรย์ต้องปรับตัวกับการมีชีวิตอีกครั้ง และกับความจริงที่ว่า เขาเป็นแวมไพร์ ทำให้จากคนไข้โรคจิต เกรย์กลายเป็นเพลย์บอยที่มั่วไปทั่ว แต่แล้วเขาก็ตกเป็นเหยื่อของสภาแวมไพร์ ที่ไล่จับแวมไพร์สายเลือดผสม แต่ก่อนที่จะถูกจับตอน เขาก็ได้รับความช่วยเหลือจากแวมไพร์สาวที่เขาแอบปิ๊งมานานอย่างดิลลอน

ทั้งหมดที่เล่าไปเกิดขึ้นในเรื่องสั้น Eternal Blood ที่ออกขายเป็นอีบุ๊คอย่างเดียว และนี่เป็นปัญหาใหญ่ของคนที่อ่านเล่มนี้ค่ะ เราบอกเลยนะคะว่า ถ้าไม่ได้อ่านเรื่องสั้นเรื่องนี้แล้ว ก็คงจะยากในการทำความเข้าใจ หรือติดตามเรื่องราวต่อเนื่องต่อไปได้ (���ระทั่งสำหรับคนที่อ่านสามเล่มแรกในชุด ถ้าไม่ได้อ่านเรื่องสั้น ก็ลำบากค่ะ)

จากเหตุการณ์ในเรื่อง Eternal Blood เกรย์มีจุดมุ่งหมายในชีวิต เขากลายเป็นผู้นำในการต่อต้าน ความพยายามของเหล่าอิมเพียวในการเรียกร้องสิทธิให้เท่าเทียมกับแวมไพร์สายพันธุ์บริสุทธิ์ เขาได้พบความจริงว่า บิดาของเขาไม่ใช่มนุษย์ หากแต่เคยเป็นผู้นำการต่อสู้เช่นกัน จนกระทั่งถูกสภาแวมไพ���์จับได้ และถูกจับตอนจนหมดความรู้สึกทางเพศ เกรย์ที่รอดมาได้ เพราะดิลลอนเข้ามาช่วยไว้ได้ทัน ก็เห็นการกระทำอันโหดร้ายนั้นต่อหน้าต่อตา นั่นทำให้เขามีจุดมุ่งหมายในชีวิต ไม่ใช่แค่ใช้ชีวิตไปวัน ๆ อีกต่อไป

แต่การกระทำของเขาก็นำมาซึ่งอันตรายใหญ่หลวง ความไม่พอใจในกลุ่มอิมเพียวที่ปะทุขึ้น ทำให้สภาแวมไพร์เร่งรีบในการตามหาผู้นำการต่อต้าน และถ้านั่นไม่ยุ่งยากมากพอ เกรย์ก็ยังเอาตัวเองเข้าไปพัวพันกับสิ่งมีชีวิตต้องห้ามอีกชนิดนึงในบัญชีรายชื่อของสภาแวมไพร์ที่ปฏิเสธทุกอย่างที่ไม่ใช่สายพันธุ์บริสุทธิ์

เหตุการณ์ในเล่มสามในชุด Eternal Captive ทำให้ความจริงปรากฎออกแล้วว่า มีแวมไพร์อีกกลุ่มนึงที่พิเศษเหนือแวมไพร์ธรรมดา พวกเขาเป็นสายพันธุ์บริสุทธิ์ แต่มีบางอย่างกลายพันธุ์ ทำให้พวกเขาสามารถแปลงร่างเป็นสัตว์ได้ ตามธรรมเนียมปฏิบัติของลัทธิที่นิยามความบริสุทธิ์ทางสายเลือด เด็กที่แสดงลักษณะกลายพันธุ์เหล่านี้จะถูกฆ่าตั้งแต่เกิด ทว่าหนึ่งในสมาชิกสภาแวมไพร์ได้เก็บเด็กเหล่านั้นมาเลี้ยงดู ไม่ใช่เพราะความเมตตา แต่เพราะต้องการใช้งาน และเอาไว้เป็นหนูทดลองในการพัฒนาสายพันธุ์แวมไพร์ ซึ่งเมื่อความจริงปรากฎว่า บุคคลที่พวกเขาเรียกว่าเป็น "พ่อ" ไม่ได้รักใครพวกเขาอย่างที่เข้าใจ แวมไพร์พันธุ์ใหม่กลุ่มนี้จึงประกาศอิสรภาพ และแยกตัวเองออกมา กลายเป็นพันธมิตรแบบห่าง ๆ กับพี่น้องตระกูลโรมัน (พระเอกสามเล่มแรก) แวมไพร์ที่มองเห็นความจริงเกี่ยวกับการกดขี่ของสภาแวมไพร์ (และแยกตัวออกมาจากสังคมแวมไพร์เช่นกัน)

บอกแล้วไงคะว่า ถ้าไม่ได้อ่านเล่มก่อนหน้า จะงงมาก ขนาดเราเล่าเองยังรู้สึกว่า เรื่องมันเยอะจังเลย ทั้งหมดนั่นเป็นแบ็คกราวด์เรื่องเองนะคะ ยังไม่ได้เข้าเรื่องในเล่มนี้ด้วยซ้ำ

นางเอกของเรื่อง ดิลลอนซึ่งเป็นคาแร็คเตอร์ที่ออกมาตั้งแต่เล่มแรก (เป็นเพื่อนของอเล็กซานเดอร์ พระเอกเล่มแรก และถูกขอให้มาคุ้มครองนางเอกเล่มแรก) หลังจากที่ถูกวุฒิสมาชิกซึ่งเธอทำหน้าที่เป็นบอดี้การ์ดสั่งให้คนรุมทำร้าย ทำให้เธอไม่อาจคุ้มครองด้านที่เป็นสัตว์ป่าของตัวเองได้ และทำให้ความจริงเปิดเผยออกมาว่า แท้จริงแล้วดิลลอนก็เป็นหนึ่งในแวมไพร์สายพันธุ์พิเศษ แต่เธอหลบหนีจากการ "เลี้ยงดู" ของคนที่เหล่าพี่ ๆ ของเธอคิดว่าเป็นพ่อ ออกมาใช้ชีวิตตามลำพัง ปิดบังตัวตนที่แท้จริงของเธอเอาไว้เพื่อความอยู่รอด เพราะสภาแวมไพร์จะฆ่าทุกคนที่แตกต่าง ทว่าการถูกทำร้ายทำให้ดิลลอนไม่อาจควบคุมด้านสัตว์ป่าของเธอได้ และไม่อาจกลายร่างกลับมาเป็นแวมไพร์ตามเดิม ทางแก้เดียวที่หญิงสาวคิดออกก็คือ การฆ่าคนที่ออกคำสั่งให้เธอกลายเป็นแบบนี้ แต่การตามล่าวุฒิสมาชิก็ไม่เป็นผล เพราะเกรย์ได้ฆ่าชายคนนั้นเสียแล้ว เมื่อหมดบุคคลที่เป็นเป้าหมาย ดิลลอนก็คิดว่า ตัวเองหมดโอกาสที่จะกลับมาเป็นแวมไพร์ปกติอีกครั้ง

แต่แล้วการปรากฎตัวของเกรย์ (ซึ่งเขาวิ่งมาหาทุกครั้งที่ดิลลอนเรียก) สัมผัสของเขาทำให้เธอรู้สึกอะไรบางอย่าง ความรู้สึกที่ทำให้เธอเริ่มที่จะบังคับการกลายร่างของตัวเองได้ และนั่นทำให้ดิลลอนตัดสินใจว่า เกรย์คือทางออกเดียวของการกลับเป็นปกติ ซึ่งถ้านั่นหมายถึง การทำตามคำสั่งทุกอย่างของเกรย์ก็ตาม

สำหรับคนที่ไม่ได้อ่านเล่มก่อนหน้า (โดยเฉพาะเรื่อง Eternal Blood) อาจจะไม่เข้าใจไดนามิคของความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างเกรย์และดิลลอน และอาจจะงงไปกับท่าทีของเกรย์ นั่นก็เพราะว่า เขาเจ็บเพราะดิลลอนมานับครั้งไม่ถ้วน ทั้งคู่อาจจะไม่ได้มีความสัมพันธ์กันฉันท์ชู้สาว แต่ก็มีอะไรบางอย่างระหว่างกันเสมอ ในขณะที่เกรย์เปิดใจพร้อมจะอ้าแขนรับดิลลอน แต่เธอกลับวิ่งหนีทุกครั้งที่ความสัมพันธ์พัฒนาไปอีกขั้นนึง ดิลลอนไม่เคยอยู่เคียงข้างเกรย์ ทำให้ในเล่มนี้ เขาเริ่มจะตัดใจ และเลิกหวังกับความสัมพันธ์ในอนาคตกับเธอ

ส่วนที่ดีที่สุดของเรื่องก็คือปฏิกริยาทางเคมีระหว่างเกรย์และดิลลอน ไม่ใช่เซ็กส์นะคะ กว่าฉากเซ็กส์เป็นเต็ม ๆ จะโผล่เข้ามาในเรื่องก็เกินครึ่งเล่มไปแล้ว แต่ในระหว่างทาง บทสนทนา การมองตา การจับต้องระหว่างกัน ร้อนแรงมาก ๆ อ่านไปก็ต้องพักหายใจไปเป็นระยะ ๆ เรียกว่าหน้ากระดาษแทบไหม้เลยล่ะ

ในส่วนของพล็อต แม็กซ์ชอบประเด็นของเกรย์ค่ะ ในเรื่องการเป็นผู้นำฝ่ายต่อต้าน ชอบคาแร็คเตอร์แนวเป็นผู้นำแบบนี้มานานแล้ว และเกรย์ก็ไม่ทำให้ผิดหวัง แต่ก็ต้องยอมรับว่า (สปอยล์)

นี่เป็นอีกเล่มนึงที่นางเอกวิ่งหนีความรัก กลัวความผูกพัน เพราะอดีตอันเจ็บปวด ดิลลอนมีทัศนคติที่ไม่ยึดมั่นในอะไร เธอบอกเสมอว่า สิ่งสำคัญที่สุดสำหรับเธอ ก็คือตัวเธอเอง ดังนั้นเธอจึงไม่เข้าใจแรงผลักดันที่เกรย์มีในการต่อสู้เพื่อสิทธิของกลุ่มอิมเพียว แต่ (สปอยล์) เรากรี๊ดมากตอนที่ดิลลอนได้ข้อสรุปนี้

ไม่รู้ว่า เป็นเพราะพล็อตโฟกัสที่คาแร็คเตอร์เป็นหลักรึเปล่านะคะ เราเลยรู้สึกว่า ส่วนของพล็อตค่อนข้างหลวม มีหลายประเด็นที่คลี่คลายง่ายเกินเหตุ ตรรกะบางอย่างในการอธิบายเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้นดูไม่สมจริง แต่ก็นะ สำหรับเรา ส่วนเหล่านั้นเป็นองค์ประกอบ เราตกหลุมรักคาแร็คเตอร์ (ที่ไม่สมบูรณ์แบบ) อย่างเกรย์และดิลลอนไปแล้ว ก็เลยทำให้ส่วนที่เหลือดูไม่สำคัญเอาเสียเลย (แปลว่า แม้จะไม่ดีพร้อม แต่เราไม่สนใจ ชอบพระเอกนางเอกซะอย่าง)

เล่มนี้เปิดประเด็นอีกหลายเรื่องเพิ่มเติม หลายส่วนที่เรารู้สึกว่า ขัดกับตรรกะที่วางมาในเล่มแรก ๆ แต่ก็นะ ไม่ได้เป็นปัญหาอีกนั่นแหละ

สรุปว่าคาแร็คเตอร์เป็นไฮไลท์ของเรื่อง

มีหลายช่วงนะคะที่ คนแต่งใช้เวลาไปกับคาแร็คเตอร์ในเล่มก่อนหน้า เปลืองไปกับเรื่องราวที่ดูเหมือนว่า จะไม่เกี่ยวกับพล็อตหลักในเรื่อง แต่เราก็มองว่าไม่ใช่ปัญหาอีกนั่นแหละ กลับชอบด้วยซ้ำ ได้เห็นพระเอกนางเอกเล่มก่อน ๆ ออกมามีบทบาท ซึ่งทำให้เห็นได้ชัดว่า เรากลายเป็นสาวกของหนังสือชุดนี้ไปแล้วแหละ (นึกถึงเรื่องชุด DH หรือ BDB ที่ทำแบบเดียวกัน แล้วเราก็ไม่บ่นสักนิดเดียว)

อยากแนะนำให้อ่านเรื่องชุดนี้ค่ะ เพราะถ้าไม่ได้อ่านเรื่องชุดนี้มาเลย คงไม่สนุกกับการเริ่มต้นอ่านที่เล่มนี้เป็นแน่ และเราอยากให้อ่านเล่มนี้กันค่ะ

ลอรา ไรท์ยิ่งเป็นนักเขียนที่ยิ่งเขียน เราก็ยิ่งชอบ หลังจากที่ชอบเล่มสาม (Eternal Captive) มากที่สุด ตอนนี้ก็เปลี่ยนมาชอบเล่มนี้ ซึ่งเป็นเล่มที่สี่ แล���เล่มล่าสุดที่ออกขายมากกว่าแล้วล่ะค่ะ

คะแนนที่ 87
Profile Image for ✨✨ Claire✨✨.
1,131 reviews59 followers
May 17, 2017
Another one with a couple of twists. Which is pretty frefreshing as you don't want to always get the same template!!!

Dillon was first introduced as a bodyguard for Sara in book one.

We begin this book with her being beaten badly by her current client, the senator, muscles. Her rescue? Gray.

Oooooh. ...this book has a lot going on. The background is showing itself more. At the beginning and the middle there are a lot of crossing and double crossing. ... The Order is so corrupt it's just....no words....Titus....Cruen.....Feeyan. .... The Impures are fighting to get equality...

Gray is the leader of the Resistance but seems to have no sign of sitting back and ignores the danger to himself.

The Beasts we met from Cruens 'home/lab' are showing individual personalities and I have a feeling we may see them mate also.

This one was about Dillon and Gray. Another couple who fought the attraction every step of the way. But while D was a jaguar a lot of time it's a little difficult to get it together.....but I'm glad the viscous kitty with the lethal claws can have somewhere and someone to be herself to relax and purr.....

But don't be silly......we haven't heard the last of Cruen.....in fact.....Ladd was all excited about his letter to Santa and telling the family and in particular Erion. ....when he was suddenly just yanked out ........gone.....

.......a message on the wall.....of course he wants a trade ....Ladd for 'his' children.....-The Beasts......

This can't happen.....they've just got a taste of what life is.....so...I guess I'd better read.....!!!
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