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Arelia LaRue #3
Possessed
Down in New Orleans, Arelia LaRue's once ordinary life has been transformed into something truly odd.
As she ventures further into the word of Les Mysteries she realizes that nothing is ever as simple as it appears.
Faced with challenges that threaten her very sanity, Arelia must decide if fighting for what is right is truly worth the risk.
In the intoxicating world of New Orleans Hoodoo/Voodoo expect the unexpected!
Come along for the ride.
As she ventures further into the word of Les Mysteries she realizes that nothing is ever as simple as it appears.
Faced with challenges that threaten her very sanity, Arelia must decide if fighting for what is right is truly worth the risk.
In the intoxicating world of New Orleans Hoodoo/Voodoo expect the unexpected!
Come along for the ride.
140 pages, ebook
First published July 6, 2012
34 people are currently reading
921 people want to read
About the author
Kira Saito
20 books414 followersKira is a magic junkie and loves writing paranormal romances with twists and soul.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
February 12, 2016
I have a really weird relationship with this series. I don't particularity like the characters. Arelia isn't bad, but she does bother me sometimes. Other characters just don't strike a chord in me. Throughout most of the book I just felt disjointed from everything, I don't even know why. Is it because things were going so fast? The writing? What? I really don't know. Despite my troubles with the books in this series, I keep coming back, wanting to know more. Mostly, it's because the story is always so interesting and complicated and I feel like it's growing more so as the series continues. I like this about this series, by the way, it keeps me surprised. Also, I must admit, that with each book, I find out more an more until the twisty end, in which there's a cliffy. Yep, I'm definitely reading book 4.
September 4, 2012
Again.
I was really REALLY hoping this book would tie up everything, have a nice, happy ending and let us weep over the unfairness of the fact that not all of us can have hot, French-speaking, rich and sweet boyfriends. Instead, this book ended like BOTH books before it. Let's hear it for the...CLIFFHANGER.
I was really getting into it, and I was practically squealing by the point that they're all in the graveyard and then...then...I saw:
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And I was like:
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No. Just no - I can't be expected to WAIT! Have you "any idea what condition my poor nerves are in?!" *whines like Mrs Bennet*
I was really REALLY hoping this book would tie up everything, have a nice, happy ending and let us weep over the unfairness of the fact that not all of us can have hot, French-speaking, rich and sweet boyfriends. Instead, this book ended like BOTH books before it. Let's hear it for the...CLIFFHANGER.
I was really getting into it, and I was practically squealing by the point that they're all in the graveyard and then...then...I saw:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
And I was like:
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
No. Just no - I can't be expected to WAIT! Have you "any idea what condition my poor nerves are in?!" *whines like Mrs Bennet*
July 25, 2012
I found this third book in the series to be a little different from the others, there seemed to be much more interaction with Ivan who is still a pain in the ass and Arelia is convinced she needs to free him from his anger and melancholy. Personally I would have buried him in a shallow grave quite some time ago as he is incredibly frustrating and the things he does to her, well let's just say not many people would still be on speaking terms with him if he did those things to them. Arelia is struggling to get the spirits to help her end the curse and her best friend is not speaking to her because Arelia stole the man she wanted. So life is a bit complicated and then just when you have the ending figured out, it goes in a completely different direction, intriguing for sure.
July 9, 2012
Liked this book much better than the others, but I still don't get a sense of "completeness" from the book itself.....it's the same story continued on and on. I might go crazy from frustration!
Love the ever-elaborate story of Marie Beau, Louis, and Lucas. A little annoyed with Arelia continuing to sacrifice herself for others, but I suppose that's just a part of who she is. Looking forward to seeing how this particular story unfolds. Hope it's not 3 books from now!
Love the ever-elaborate story of Marie Beau, Louis, and Lucas. A little annoyed with Arelia continuing to sacrifice herself for others, but I suppose that's just a part of who she is. Looking forward to seeing how this particular story unfolds. Hope it's not 3 books from now!
March 4, 2013
I absolutely hate the endings of these books. The ending is not a cliffhanger, it is an incomplete thought. Absolutely frustrating. I was so exited about this series when it first came out. When an author states that their weakness is closure, then they need to work on it. As a reader, book 2 made me mad, I forced myself to finish reading this book, though after page 15 I could see where it was going.
August 12, 2012
Each of these books really feel like a few chapters from a longer book. I know they're a series but a good book should be able to stand on it's own.
This book got a bit better towards the end but mostly because we spent so much time in the p.o.v. of a different character.
I honestly don't know why I'm still reading this series. I guess it's because I want to know what happens, I like resolution, but I'm not really enjoying the journey.
This book got a bit better towards the end but mostly because we spent so much time in the p.o.v. of a different character.
I honestly don't know why I'm still reading this series. I guess it's because I want to know what happens, I like resolution, but I'm not really enjoying the journey.
July 12, 2012
This book was not what I had hoped for. I was thinking that more would have happened or been revealed. All I can really say is that I feel cheated with this book. I hope the next one will be better.
September 2, 2012
Waiting on the fourth one!
January 16, 2018
None of the books in this series are anything I would run and tell a friend she has to read. However, I've gotten sucked in and now I can't stop. I desperately need to know how this series ends. It doesn't help that every book just kind of ends, forcing you to move on to the next one.
These books are also poorly edited. A couple of the spelling errors are really driving me insane.
These books are also poorly edited. A couple of the spelling errors are really driving me insane.
October 31, 2017
One of my main thoughts this whole book was how much the main character wouldn't listen and just rebelled so much. I wanted to slap her quite a few times to try and get something going
December 14, 2018
This book overall was great. I loved it, but it was really frustrating to get through. Onto the next in it's series. I have a feeling it might just get just that more frustrating.
April 19, 2023
Great Great read!
This is a really good book and series! I am having a real hard time not going straight to the next book instead of writing this review.
This is a really good book and series! I am having a real hard time not going straight to the next book instead of writing this review.
April 28, 2023
I have a love hate relationship with this series. Arelia is questionable at times as well as other characters in the book. I am solely reading to find out what is actually going on here.
July 2, 2024
I enjoyed this book! Hate Sabrina she annoying AF! And a useless character. But otherwise a good read
July 1, 2024
Nothing is how it seems when it comes to the Arelia’s life. Learning more and hoodoo and voodoo, she starts to realize the meaning behind the mysteries surrounding her. She’s finally accepted who she is but seems to still be confused on what she’s destined to do. I started to lose interest in the plot here but figured moving on to book 4 would help the story make more sense
March 23, 2017
I definitely didn't expect the story to take the twist it did, and the end about broke my heart and I cried. But, somehow I think it'll be fixed.
May 25, 2013
This series really is unique. I can honestly say that I've never read anything like it.
I love Darkwood as a setting, and I love that it's this plantation in New Orleans. I love seeing Arelia work with Les Mysteries, even though she tends to call on Ezrulie, and doesn't tend to call on anyone else.
What's really interesting about Possessed is that Arelia is possessed by Ivan/Louis, and he promises to leave her alone if she just leaves the plantation. She's determined not to, and through her possession, we get more glimpses into what it was like to be a slave. I really like the connection between past and present, and how connected everything is. We definitely learn something new in every book, and in Possessed, we learn that Marie wasn't the one behind the curse, and that Ivan and Lucas are brothers. Different mothers, of course, but I liked learning more about her past.
There was one thing that didn't make sense: Jacques, Lucas' dad, couldn't afford to free Marie, but he could afford to buy her diamonds?
I did like it better than Punished, and mostly because of the history we get to see. It really made Possessed interesting. It wasn't enough to make me really like it or even love it, but it's still a fun series to read.
I'm still not liking the ending. They are cliffhanger-ish, but it also makes me feel like I'm reading installments of one story as opposed to reading a complete book. It's not enough to make me stop reading, because right now, everything else is outweighing the ending.
The characters are, well, them. Considering the events of the 3 books have spanned the course of a month or so, it's not terribly surprising that the characters aren't changing as much as you'd expect, especially in the case of Ivan and Lucas, who have had decades and decades to hold grudges and feel bad for themselves and everything. Change isn't going to happen overnight with them, especially with Ivan, who (seemingly) doesn't want to change. Arelia is a different character than she was in Bound, and I have the feeling she's going to be the one who goes through quite the transformation.
Final Thoughts: I like Possessed, and seeing history really added an interesting element. At this point, though, the endings and the feeling that I'm reading installments rather than a complete book is starting to get more irritating as I continue. It's not enough to stop reading, because overall, I did like Possessed. In terms of history and the world that Saito's created, it's the one that's most interesting- and why it's my favorite in terms of history. Possessed gets 3 stars.
I love Darkwood as a setting, and I love that it's this plantation in New Orleans. I love seeing Arelia work with Les Mysteries, even though she tends to call on Ezrulie, and doesn't tend to call on anyone else.
What's really interesting about Possessed is that Arelia is possessed by Ivan/Louis, and he promises to leave her alone if she just leaves the plantation. She's determined not to, and through her possession, we get more glimpses into what it was like to be a slave. I really like the connection between past and present, and how connected everything is. We definitely learn something new in every book, and in Possessed, we learn that Marie wasn't the one behind the curse, and that Ivan and Lucas are brothers. Different mothers, of course, but I liked learning more about her past.
There was one thing that didn't make sense: Jacques, Lucas' dad, couldn't afford to free Marie, but he could afford to buy her diamonds?
I did like it better than Punished, and mostly because of the history we get to see. It really made Possessed interesting. It wasn't enough to make me really like it or even love it, but it's still a fun series to read.
I'm still not liking the ending. They are cliffhanger-ish, but it also makes me feel like I'm reading installments of one story as opposed to reading a complete book. It's not enough to make me stop reading, because right now, everything else is outweighing the ending.
The characters are, well, them. Considering the events of the 3 books have spanned the course of a month or so, it's not terribly surprising that the characters aren't changing as much as you'd expect, especially in the case of Ivan and Lucas, who have had decades and decades to hold grudges and feel bad for themselves and everything. Change isn't going to happen overnight with them, especially with Ivan, who (seemingly) doesn't want to change. Arelia is a different character than she was in Bound, and I have the feeling she's going to be the one who goes through quite the transformation.
Final Thoughts: I like Possessed, and seeing history really added an interesting element. At this point, though, the endings and the feeling that I'm reading installments rather than a complete book is starting to get more irritating as I continue. It's not enough to stop reading, because overall, I did like Possessed. In terms of history and the world that Saito's created, it's the one that's most interesting- and why it's my favorite in terms of history. Possessed gets 3 stars.
August 26, 2012
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
First off, Ivan/Louis's powers were not bound! And in this book he keeps tormenting Arelia, trying to make her understand what he went through as a slave. He even goes so far as to have her almost sold and a slave auction and whipped! He also puts a trick on her so that he can speak in her mind and make her see blood wherever she goes. All this happens when she is TRYING TO HELP HIM! Meanwhile, on a sub-plot, Sabrina catches Lucas and Arelia kissing! After a bit of fighting, Sabrina forgives Arelia, and THEN! Louis's mom, the one that ll along we haves supposed put the curse on Louis and Lucas shows up by taking over Sabrina's body. She transports Arelia back into her body and shows her that Louis and Lucas are half brothers!! Arelia helps Ivan understand, and he and Lucas start to get along, but then Sabrina is dying and Arelia sacrifices her love with Lucas to save her, which means that Lucas won't remember her. AND THEN IT ENDS! HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY END RIGHT THERE!! I am DYING for the next book!
First off, Ivan/Louis's powers were not bound! And in this book he keeps tormenting Arelia, trying to make her understand what he went through as a slave. He even goes so far as to have her almost sold and a slave auction and whipped! He also puts a trick on her so that he can speak in her mind and make her see blood wherever she goes. All this happens when she is TRYING TO HELP HIM! Meanwhile, on a sub-plot, Sabrina catches Lucas and Arelia kissing! After a bit of fighting, Sabrina forgives Arelia, and THEN! Louis's mom, the one that ll along we haves supposed put the curse on Louis and Lucas shows up by taking over Sabrina's body. She transports Arelia back into her body and shows her that Louis and Lucas are half brothers!! Arelia helps Ivan understand, and he and Lucas start to get along, but then Sabrina is dying and Arelia sacrifices her love with Lucas to save her, which means that Lucas won't remember her. AND THEN IT ENDS! HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY END RIGHT THERE!! I am DYING for the next book!
November 20, 2012
The good...
We learned a lot more about Ivan in this book, explaining how he came to be the way he is. It was beyond time for that because there was definitely an air of mystery around him in the first two books.
Overall, I think I liked this book the most thus far. The creepy factor is a big part of that, right alongside the magic and mystery. The imagery throughout this book is beautiful and sometimes haunting.
The bad...
The editing suffered in this book, too, which is just a shame. I still like the book, but it can be a bit distractig.
While I think that a touch of history was needed to explain the themes of the book, there were times when I felt like it was a bit overdone. It was, at times, almost as if I were reading an essay as opposed to fiction. It was needed, but I think it could have been accomplished with a little less "learning".
The ending was still a little abrupt, and I think it bothered me more this time because I am having to wait for Book 4 instead of jumping right into the nexx one.
Diva notes...
No matter the issues I have, the story is still fresh and unique and will keep me reading!
We learned a lot more about Ivan in this book, explaining how he came to be the way he is. It was beyond time for that because there was definitely an air of mystery around him in the first two books.
Overall, I think I liked this book the most thus far. The creepy factor is a big part of that, right alongside the magic and mystery. The imagery throughout this book is beautiful and sometimes haunting.
The bad...
The editing suffered in this book, too, which is just a shame. I still like the book, but it can be a bit distractig.
While I think that a touch of history was needed to explain the themes of the book, there were times when I felt like it was a bit overdone. It was, at times, almost as if I were reading an essay as opposed to fiction. It was needed, but I think it could have been accomplished with a little less "learning".
The ending was still a little abrupt, and I think it bothered me more this time because I am having to wait for Book 4 instead of jumping right into the nexx one.
Diva notes...
No matter the issues I have, the story is still fresh and unique and will keep me reading!
February 28, 2013
Hmph. Now who wudda thunk that I actually would have liked this installment? Idiot LaRue didn't piss me off in this one as much as she did in the other two, don't get me wrong, she still did a number on me but it wasn't so bad and the little secret at the end did help out in the Like Department.
However, I've said this before and I'll say it again, just because you admit that you are an angry egotistical stubborn bitch, doesn't make it better to be one. She was still crass and there were some points in the writing that didn't make sense. For instance the Marie asked Jacques why he didn't buy her if he was in love with her and he said that he didn't have enough money to but then in the very next paragraph he was draping her neck with a diamond necklace...so slaves are more expensive then diamonds then huh? There were a few other situations like that too but I cant remember and I didn't highlight them to go back to, soooo yeah.
And the fact that Lucas is in love with her bitchiness? Really? Hmmm, I've been doing it all wrong then...
Bitches for the win!
However, I've said this before and I'll say it again, just because you admit that you are an angry egotistical stubborn bitch, doesn't make it better to be one. She was still crass and there were some points in the writing that didn't make sense. For instance the Marie asked Jacques why he didn't buy her if he was in love with her and he said that he didn't have enough money to but then in the very next paragraph he was draping her neck with a diamond necklace...so slaves are more expensive then diamonds then huh? There were a few other situations like that too but I cant remember and I didn't highlight them to go back to, soooo yeah.
And the fact that Lucas is in love with her bitchiness? Really? Hmmm, I've been doing it all wrong then...
Bitches for the win!
November 17, 2012
Luckily, this book regained my interest where the previous one lost it. The story developed enough to lure me into reading the next book in the series.
I can honestly say that the story bares no similarity to anything I've read before, which provides some of its appeal. I particularly appreciate the depictions of slaves lives that the author included throughout the books. They are thought provoking and not the sort of perspective you see in YA/Paranormal books.
Unfortunately, the story ended predictably enough. Just as a new plot twist was exposed, the book abruptly ended. While I've gotten used to the cut-off endings, I've not grown any fonder of them.
I can't say that I'm all that fond of most of the characters. More often than not, I find their personalities grate on me. I keep hoping they will grow and change for the positive, but that hasn't really happened yet. I suppose since the three books only take place over the course of about a month, I shouldn't expect too much. People don't change overnight. I'll just have to wait and see what book 4 has in store for me.
I can honestly say that the story bares no similarity to anything I've read before, which provides some of its appeal. I particularly appreciate the depictions of slaves lives that the author included throughout the books. They are thought provoking and not the sort of perspective you see in YA/Paranormal books.
Unfortunately, the story ended predictably enough. Just as a new plot twist was exposed, the book abruptly ended. While I've gotten used to the cut-off endings, I've not grown any fonder of them.
I can't say that I'm all that fond of most of the characters. More often than not, I find their personalities grate on me. I keep hoping they will grow and change for the positive, but that hasn't really happened yet. I suppose since the three books only take place over the course of about a month, I shouldn't expect too much. People don't change overnight. I'll just have to wait and see what book 4 has in store for me.
July 14, 2012
The third book picks up immediately where the second one leaves off. Arelia is trying to figure out how to get Louis to listen to her. And then there's her feelings for Lucas. Add her best friend into the mix and some temperamental spirits, and she's got her hands full. Will she figure out a way to help Lucas & Louis?
As fast paced as the other two, I was glad to get more into the history of Darkwood's inhabitants - all of them. Plus there's Marie's story being told in it too. I look forward to reading the next one.
As fast paced as the other two, I was glad to get more into the history of Darkwood's inhabitants - all of them. Plus there's Marie's story being told in it too. I look forward to reading the next one.
July 18, 2012
The story still grips you and holds your spirit hostage. Ivan is still an ass but Arelia is determined to help him release his anger. He in no way makes this easy for her. He will do anything to make her leave.
I really like this series. It makes you feel all kinds of things, good and bad. And covers many many years. We meet some more spirits, one in particular who loves to party!
I can't wait until book #4. I wonder where this story will go next?
I really like this series. It makes you feel all kinds of things, good and bad. And covers many many years. We meet some more spirits, one in particular who loves to party!
I can't wait until book #4. I wonder where this story will go next?
August 24, 2016
Getting better
3.5 stars - rounded up because I'm looking forward to the next book (but seriously hoping that it's the last)
What's irritating me is how much the author focuses on how good the characters (Lucas, Ivan, etc.) look. I mean, seriously, I get it already - Arelia finds Lucas hot. Give it a rest. It feels like that's what Arelia first focuses on when she sees Lucas or some other hot guy and it's getting damn annoying.
3.5 stars - rounded up because I'm looking forward to the next book (but seriously hoping that it's the last)
What's irritating me is how much the author focuses on how good the characters (Lucas, Ivan, etc.) look. I mean, seriously, I get it already - Arelia finds Lucas hot. Give it a rest. It feels like that's what Arelia first focuses on when she sees Lucas or some other hot guy and it's getting damn annoying.
November 10, 2012
What another great book in the series! It was nice to get more information on what really happened with Marie. It also went more into Ivan and the interaction with Arelia. It started right from where Book 2 left off and kept pace and interest as well as the first two books did. Although, the ending left a little to be desired, it ended too abruptly I thought. However, the ending did set up the scene for the next book in
the series. I can't wait to read the next book!!!
the series. I can't wait to read the next book!!!
February 9, 2015
I like these books a lot but the endings tend to really piss me off. The writer leaves the endings at the worst parts, and instead of feeling like the end of a book it just stops. Even with this, I still enjoy the story, but I can't help but be weary of reading them all until I know the book after the one I'm reading is out because otherwise I'm going to end up being beyond frustrated by the end of each book.
July 17, 2012
I really do like this series. And I would say i enjoyed this book but I really was pissed at the ending. I really didn't like the ending even though it wasn't that bad like it was a ok ending but It left me mad. :/ but other than that I liked this book a lot :) I liked how much Arelia has grown and that she's more willing to just accept herself better :)
August 17, 2012
Arrghh, I just finished "Possessed" and I'm just dying for the next. "Possessed" does a great job of answering those questions that have been lingering since the journey with Arelia began. But at the same time, opens the door to many, many more. With the relationship between Arelia, Lucas and Ivan/Louis getting ever more complicated, I can't wait to see where their journey takes them next.
September 20, 2012
Like most reviews...I do not like how Kira ends her novels. It's as if the whole tale has been written & then chopped into 3 books by blindly selecting a page & ending it there. It's frustrating as a reader. It doesn't allow for any closure & smooth transiting from book to book. Other than the ending...this story is fantastic!
July 22, 2012
Intriguing...if you think you have any idea where the story is going your definitely about to rethink it. The voodoo aspect certainly gives it a lot of spice. It's a series that will keep you on your toes and probably a reread to catch all the clues.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews