What do you think?
Rate this book
Jason and Azazel #3
Tortured (Jason and Azazel) by V. J. Chambers
Since she arrived in Italy, Azazel hasn’t been able to stop having nightmares. Sometimes her boyfriend Jason is covered in blood, grinning at her like a demon. Sometimes there is a gun in her hand, and she’s shooting the people she loves the most. The only way to stop the dreams is to drown them in liquor. Azazel can hardly concentrate on anything else. Not the library located in the Sol Solis School. Not the secrets about Jason’s origins they need to discover there. Not the prom. Not the fact that she can’t have orgasms. Azazel feels like black water is closing over her head. And she doesn’t know if she can breathe anymore.
Paperback
First published October 31, 2009
6 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
V.J. Chambers
104 books462 followersV. J. Chambers writes about being inexplicably attracted to the dangerously alluring. Her works span mundane settings and fantastic ones. She writes about serial killers, cult leaders, werewolves, witches, for-hire assassins, zombies, space pirates, and regular everyday people.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 20, 2010
(May contain spoilers)
In the third Jason and Azazel installment, their connection deepens as their world gets darker and more violent. Like, incredibly violent. And incredible deep. Jason and even Azazel descend into depths of violence and darkness that make me pretty sure they are indeed Chaos and/or the Devil incarnate. However, this is not the most disturbing part. The most disturbing part?
I liked them anyway.
That's right. I said it. I liked- no, loved- them anyway, and rooted for them the entire way. I wanted them to succeed. I wanted them to successfully mass slaughter entire buildings. (OK, arguably, these guys deserve it.) Azazel thinks the same thing about Jason at one point in the series. It may be in Book Two. Her brothers make her watch hours of videotape of Jason, smiling, during killing spree after killing spree, and she decides it doesn't matter. She'll love him no matter what he's done, or who he is, or who he's done it with. And he feels the same about her. Gut twisting, but masterfully so.
By the third book, we're pretty deep into the whole Sons of the Sun and the Satanists or the Rabbits or Chaos conspiracies. Oh, and you have to love it when the Catholic Church gets involved, as well as a couple of very fringe cults for good measure. And then Chambers throws in the coming Mayan Apocalypse. Conspiracy fans and Apocalypse nuts will *love* this. Part of me thinks this is foreshadowing for a future series, but fans be warned: she lays it on pretty heavy here with the conspiracy stuff. I needed a score card at times. But then, I think that's part of her point: when people start fighting over good v. evil, it all devolves into a game of deadly ridiculousness at some point. In Jason and Azazel's case, extremely deadly ridiculousness.
Because, as Azazel so insightfully points out, anything can be justified once your opponent is "evil."
The novel is not without its moments of tenderness, humor, teenage angst, and romance. In typical Chambers style, she does not back down from the tough subjects. Safe, healthy teenage sexuality is unflinchingly examined as two characters have to deal with the consequences of uninformed, and therefore unsafe, sex. Jason and Azazel struggle with intimacy. There is something so real in the way it is easier for Azazel to kill someone than to tell Jason he isn't satisfying her sexually. And the way she manages to sit through a group self-help session (or perhaps intervention) on the female orgasm is perhaps the bravest thing she does in the entire series. Such things are not easily discussed, yet Chambers does so with humor and grace. If only one of her readers learns from Azazel's experiences, then Chambers has done the world a huge service and deserves a medal.
In the third Jason and Azazel installment, their connection deepens as their world gets darker and more violent. Like, incredibly violent. And incredible deep. Jason and even Azazel descend into depths of violence and darkness that make me pretty sure they are indeed Chaos and/or the Devil incarnate. However, this is not the most disturbing part. The most disturbing part?
I liked them anyway.
That's right. I said it. I liked- no, loved- them anyway, and rooted for them the entire way. I wanted them to succeed. I wanted them to successfully mass slaughter entire buildings. (OK, arguably, these guys deserve it.) Azazel thinks the same thing about Jason at one point in the series. It may be in Book Two. Her brothers make her watch hours of videotape of Jason, smiling, during killing spree after killing spree, and she decides it doesn't matter. She'll love him no matter what he's done, or who he is, or who he's done it with. And he feels the same about her. Gut twisting, but masterfully so.
By the third book, we're pretty deep into the whole Sons of the Sun and the Satanists or the Rabbits or Chaos conspiracies. Oh, and you have to love it when the Catholic Church gets involved, as well as a couple of very fringe cults for good measure. And then Chambers throws in the coming Mayan Apocalypse. Conspiracy fans and Apocalypse nuts will *love* this. Part of me thinks this is foreshadowing for a future series, but fans be warned: she lays it on pretty heavy here with the conspiracy stuff. I needed a score card at times. But then, I think that's part of her point: when people start fighting over good v. evil, it all devolves into a game of deadly ridiculousness at some point. In Jason and Azazel's case, extremely deadly ridiculousness.
Because, as Azazel so insightfully points out, anything can be justified once your opponent is "evil."
The novel is not without its moments of tenderness, humor, teenage angst, and romance. In typical Chambers style, she does not back down from the tough subjects. Safe, healthy teenage sexuality is unflinchingly examined as two characters have to deal with the consequences of uninformed, and therefore unsafe, sex. Jason and Azazel struggle with intimacy. There is something so real in the way it is easier for Azazel to kill someone than to tell Jason he isn't satisfying her sexually. And the way she manages to sit through a group self-help session (or perhaps intervention) on the female orgasm is perhaps the bravest thing she does in the entire series. Such things are not easily discussed, yet Chambers does so with humor and grace. If only one of her readers learns from Azazel's experiences, then Chambers has done the world a huge service and deserves a medal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2013
I could not put this book down. I would go do something around the house and find myself wondering what Jason & Azazel were going to get themselves into next. Great ending for this side of the Trilogy!!
August 27, 2010
the 2nd book just keeps getting better...it revealed more of the characters emotion...a very complicated story but its really amazing..
July 5, 2011
Click Here to read more YA reviews at READING, EATING & DREAMING
My review is of the entire Jason & Azazel trilogy!!
****THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS, BUT IT ALSO GIVES LIGHT TO THE TRUE SUBJECT OF THIS TRILOGY…I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT THIS TRILOGY WAS REALLY ABOUT BEFORE I STARTED IT…SO CONTINUE PAST THIS POINT WITH CAUTION!!****
My review is of the entire Jason & Azazel trilogy!!
****THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS, BUT IT ALSO GIVES LIGHT TO THE TRUE SUBJECT OF THIS TRILOGY…I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT THIS TRILOGY WAS REALLY ABOUT BEFORE I STARTED IT…SO CONTINUE PAST THIS POINT WITH CAUTION!!****
December 17, 2014
Jason and Azazel are in Italy finishing off their senior year at a posh private school funded by the Sons of the Rising Sun. They bide their time trying to break into the school's library hoping to uncover evidence that Jason isn't the prophesied Rising Sun. Azazel is plagued by nightmares and feels overwhelmed by what their lives have become. This is the third book in the Jason and Azazel series.
Breathless is a young adult story. It was a fun and action packed read with tinges of darkness. It has a lighter tone than the previous books and makes startling revelations about everything the characters thought they knew. The narration was engaging and character development is great. The world building was given more focus offering a detailed and comprehensive overview.
The beginning was dark, Azazel's nightmares were intense and it was upsetting to see her drinking problem surface again. It was interesting to see her work through her psychological distress after everything that happened in the previous book. I liked that Azazel finally confronted how she would deal with navigating the violence in their lives. She becomes more assertive and it was heartening to see her boost of confidence and determination to stay with Jason.
The rest of the story was fluffy and cute. The scenes were amusing and lacked the violent intensity established in previous books instead it felt more action oriented. The mystery surrounding Jason and Azazel's lives was given more focus and they followed clues gradually piecing together the story behind their forced prophetic mantles.
The world building was given additional focus. It further expands on the lore of the Rising Sun and vessel of Azazel. It was interesting and thorough offering a different perspective on events. It felt fair considering those events were first meant to be shocking. Though I liked all the additional history, I really disliked the compiled info dumps dispensed through text heavy dialogue.
The first couple of books felt like they were leading up to a cataclysmic tragedy. This story releases a lot of that tension and it seemed to negate everything it previously established. I didn't necessarily feel let down but I did feel like I was tricked. The backtracking felt odd but it presents a new concept full of possibilities.
Tortured is fun read with a happy conclusion to the first trilogy in the Jason and Azazel series.
Breathless is a young adult story. It was a fun and action packed read with tinges of darkness. It has a lighter tone than the previous books and makes startling revelations about everything the characters thought they knew. The narration was engaging and character development is great. The world building was given more focus offering a detailed and comprehensive overview.
The beginning was dark, Azazel's nightmares were intense and it was upsetting to see her drinking problem surface again. It was interesting to see her work through her psychological distress after everything that happened in the previous book. I liked that Azazel finally confronted how she would deal with navigating the violence in their lives. She becomes more assertive and it was heartening to see her boost of confidence and determination to stay with Jason.
The rest of the story was fluffy and cute. The scenes were amusing and lacked the violent intensity established in previous books instead it felt more action oriented. The mystery surrounding Jason and Azazel's lives was given more focus and they followed clues gradually piecing together the story behind their forced prophetic mantles.
The world building was given additional focus. It further expands on the lore of the Rising Sun and vessel of Azazel. It was interesting and thorough offering a different perspective on events. It felt fair considering those events were first meant to be shocking. Though I liked all the additional history, I really disliked the compiled info dumps dispensed through text heavy dialogue.
The first couple of books felt like they were leading up to a cataclysmic tragedy. This story releases a lot of that tension and it seemed to negate everything it previously established. I didn't necessarily feel let down but I did feel like I was tricked. The backtracking felt odd but it presents a new concept full of possibilities.
Tortured is fun read with a happy conclusion to the first trilogy in the Jason and Azazel series.
August 23, 2012
This book was great. Of course it's silly but I got totally hooked on the these characters. This book takes us across the content which is fun, has a sort of vague Da Vinci Code feel to it at times (very, very vague, but yeah, it's there). I like that Azazel has become a badass. It was out of necessity to be sure, but it makes her a stronger character and a better match for Jason. The whole "are we evil or aren't we?" thing gets a little tired. I'm assuming Chambers is trying to show that there is both good and bad in all of us, it's part of human nature. The ending ties up well but of course there is that snippet that provides the fodder for more books.
January 6, 2011
I loved the ending. It was not a fancy happiness, but simply about how Jason and Azazel tried their best to continue living their life (as in singular cos they were meant to be together always and ever).
It also tells that no matter how Jason and Azazel loved and belonged to each other, they could still not figure out what each was thinking. It was so good that after having lots of obstacles and scary events, they were aware that nothing could separate them...
Loved it!
It also tells that no matter how Jason and Azazel loved and belonged to each other, they could still not figure out what each was thinking. It was so good that after having lots of obstacles and scary events, they were aware that nothing could separate them...
Loved it!
March 26, 2011
This was a good ending to the series.
February 1, 2012
4.3 stars! Loved this book! Loved this series! Wow!!!!
January 30, 2013
Wow, just keeps getting better and better.
May 17, 2013
This trilogy is a little like the Da Vinci Code meets Twilight. Secret societies and conspiracies, with a frustrating female protagonist in a less-than-healthy relationship.
Fun, light read.
Fun, light read.
March 18, 2014
Another hot action packed read. I really enjoy the twisted love attraction between the main characters. Not my dream man by any means but i sure like reading about Jason.
January 18, 2013
As always, V.J.Chambers has done a WONDERFUL job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! READ!!
April 15, 2013
Loooooooove this series!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews