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Order of the Blade #9
Darkness Possessed
A fatal mistake stripped Zach Roderick of the powers that define him, leaving him a tormented shadow of the warrior he once was. Now, his teammate's life depends on Zach resurrecting the fire that once burned within him. As he undertakes a battle he has no way to win, he is derailed by a tempestuous beauty that awakens in him the dark desires that destroyed him once before.
The scars etched on Rhiannon Diaz's soul are so deep that she will never again be free. The once-powerful guardian is facing her last and greatest battle, and failure means a return to a sexual enslavement that is far worse than death. Her intense and passionate need for the powerful warrior who has vowed to protect her threatens the very foundation of her survival, but his refusal to abandon her drags them both into a world where wild, untamed passion rages, and surrender is their only chance.
The scars etched on Rhiannon Diaz's soul are so deep that she will never again be free. The once-powerful guardian is facing her last and greatest battle, and failure means a return to a sexual enslavement that is far worse than death. Her intense and passionate need for the powerful warrior who has vowed to protect her threatens the very foundation of her survival, but his refusal to abandon her drags them both into a world where wild, untamed passion rages, and surrender is their only chance.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2014
86 people are currently reading
704 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Rowe
112 books1,536 followersHailed as a "paranormal star!" by J.R. Ward, Stephanie Rowe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty-five novels. She is the 2018 RITA® winner for Best Paranormal Romance, as well as a five-time nominee for this prestigious award. For more on Stephanie and her books, visit her at www.stephaneierowe.com, or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StephanieRow....
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
A life-long reader, she began crafting stories at age ten, but didn't realize it was her dream until she was an adult.
Once the light dawned, she immediately left behind "work" as the world defines it and went to "work" as she defines it, which means getting up every morning with a smile in her heart so she can spend the day doing that which makes her spirit sing.
Stephanie believes in learning to listen to your heart in order to figure out what your dreams are, and then opening yourself to the inspiration that will direct you there. She believes we all deserve the right to enjoy life, and for the ride to be as easy as we want it to be, and that we all should accept nothing less than making our dreams come true.
Stephanie lives in New England, and spends every day doing her best to fill it with people, observations and activities that uplift her soul, which include writing, tennis, dancing, friends, and her amazing family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 9, 2014
Stephanie just keeps getting better! This book is the best yet of the series! I will totally expand on this after release but I will say that be prepared for her to twist and manipulate the sheva bond like never before!
July 2, 2014
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW.... Just when you think the series can't get any better, Stephanie Rowe out does herself and writes a masterpiece.
July 30, 2014
Marked as to be read. Can't wait to read this book love this series.
July 7, 2014
Full review to come on July 28th!
"Order" fans who have been waiting ever so patiently (HA!) for Zach's story will NOT be disappointed! Stephanie Rowe pushes her own envelope with every book she releases and this one is no different. Pre-Order it now and then make a note to get a little extra rest (or caffeine) on the 28th!
"Order" fans who have been waiting ever so patiently (HA!) for Zach's story will NOT be disappointed! Stephanie Rowe pushes her own envelope with every book she releases and this one is no different. Pre-Order it now and then make a note to get a little extra rest (or caffeine) on the 28th!
August 1, 2014
I have read all the book in the Order of the Blade series and this book was my least favorite.
I had high hopes for this book because I've loved all the other books in the series.
What I liked about this book was Zach's story and background. You really get to know him and find out why he lives his life they way he does. It was also interesting to read a book in the Order of the Blade series where an Order member doesn't fall for "his" sheva. It was refreshing to read about Zach's love for a woman that had nothing to do with the "sheva destiny". I absolutely loved Zach, from the beginning to the end of the book. He's brutally honest, straight to the point, determined, driven and has faith in the right circumstances.
What I did not like about the story was the female lead, Rhiannon. I actually had to force myself to move on in the book because it didn't catch my attention until 50% into the story. I personally thought she was a very weak female. I understood that she endured abuse for years with a man (Jose) but there were many times in the book that I really questioned her motives…
She can't trust men because of all the emotional and physical abuse she endured over the years… but she agrees to help Zach find Jose to help Thano. For a long time Zach tried to get her to talk to him about the enemy but she would not say anything. Warriors are suppose to know their enemy well so they know what they're up against. Rhiannon used to be a warrior and it didn't dawn on her that she needed to confide in Zach about Jose until he made her angry to they point where she talked.
Jose used some sort of mind control over Rhiannon for years and that is why she could not trust men. She didn't have control over her body in years because Jose's powers were strong. Rhiannon used to be a strong warrior who had control over the vegetation in her jungle. She could manipulate trees, leaves, flowers, etc. As the abuse was prolonged, she lost her ability to use her powers because she became too terrified to focus. I understand the abuse can inject fear in a person but to lose a power that was innate since birth was hard for me to believe. It was also hard for me to believe that Rhiannon was a woman so consumed with fear that she had no control over herself during 85% of the story. Rhiannon could not overcome the sheva bond; she let it control her even though she knew that he "mate" was wrong in his actions in every way.
I found all this fear in Rhiannon hard to believe because all the other female leads in Stephanie's books did not show this type of weakness:
The second book: Gideon & Lily's story
Lily was gang raped by Calydons for days. She was terrified with her experience but used her faith to move on. Even though she endured this horrible event, she managed to recover to be able to fall in love and trust Gideon. She realized that information about all situations made her stable and secure to make the correct choices. She used her knowledge to assess every situation to work to her advantage.
The third book: Ana & Elijah's story
Ana was FORCED to brutally killed several great Calydon warriors, including the leader of the Order. Even with all her guilt and anguish, she managed to stay focus on helping the greater good and helping Elijah at the same time. She was strong enough to realize that there's more to her guilt and fear in life. I found this story comparable to Rhiannon's situation because Rhiannon was also forced. She was forced against her own free will to being a sex slave. Her trauma stuck with her throughout the entire story and never eased until the very end of the book.
Also, Ana was Ezekiel & Elijah's sheva and Ana's love for Elijah was strong enough for her to kill Ezekiel. Rhiannon was Jose's sheva and she was in love with Zach while Jose was controlling her mind to kill Zach… she could not overcome Jose in her mind and kept trying to kill Zach over and over again. I thought this made Rhiannon a very weak person which did not appeal to me.
I'm not going to go over every book and compare it to this one. That would be a long review! Overall, Rhiannon did not appeal to me. She was too weak of a woman for me to thoroughly enjoy this book. I loved Zach, thought it was interesting to see people fall in love without the sheva bond and loved that Thano is back in the game :-)
Oh other aspects I didn't understand in the book:
If Jose and Rhiannon were blood bonded, why couldn't he find her sooner? Why did it take Rhiannon going on camera to find her?
In chapter 5, Rhiannon gets scared going home from work because she hears noises, a squirrel runs across the street and she gets freaked out… it really doesn't seem like she's ready to go take on the Calydon that used to control her...
How can Zach & Rhiannon communicate through the minds if they aren't bonded?
What is significant about the staff? Why does it need plants and fire working together?
How does the staff exactly work? Does the male that wields fire have to have a female that controls vegetation? If so, how did Jose control it when Rhiannon didn't help him with her powers since she lost it from fear?
Why and how is the staff an Order of the Blade staff?
If it was an Order of the Blade staff, how can other calydon's that can wield fire use it?
I had high hopes for this book because I've loved all the other books in the series.
What I liked about this book was Zach's story and background. You really get to know him and find out why he lives his life they way he does. It was also interesting to read a book in the Order of the Blade series where an Order member doesn't fall for "his" sheva. It was refreshing to read about Zach's love for a woman that had nothing to do with the "sheva destiny". I absolutely loved Zach, from the beginning to the end of the book. He's brutally honest, straight to the point, determined, driven and has faith in the right circumstances.
What I did not like about the story was the female lead, Rhiannon. I actually had to force myself to move on in the book because it didn't catch my attention until 50% into the story. I personally thought she was a very weak female. I understood that she endured abuse for years with a man (Jose) but there were many times in the book that I really questioned her motives…
She can't trust men because of all the emotional and physical abuse she endured over the years… but she agrees to help Zach find Jose to help Thano. For a long time Zach tried to get her to talk to him about the enemy but she would not say anything. Warriors are suppose to know their enemy well so they know what they're up against. Rhiannon used to be a warrior and it didn't dawn on her that she needed to confide in Zach about Jose until he made her angry to they point where she talked.
Jose used some sort of mind control over Rhiannon for years and that is why she could not trust men. She didn't have control over her body in years because Jose's powers were strong. Rhiannon used to be a strong warrior who had control over the vegetation in her jungle. She could manipulate trees, leaves, flowers, etc. As the abuse was prolonged, she lost her ability to use her powers because she became too terrified to focus. I understand the abuse can inject fear in a person but to lose a power that was innate since birth was hard for me to believe. It was also hard for me to believe that Rhiannon was a woman so consumed with fear that she had no control over herself during 85% of the story. Rhiannon could not overcome the sheva bond; she let it control her even though she knew that he "mate" was wrong in his actions in every way.
I found all this fear in Rhiannon hard to believe because all the other female leads in Stephanie's books did not show this type of weakness:
The second book: Gideon & Lily's story
Lily was gang raped by Calydons for days. She was terrified with her experience but used her faith to move on. Even though she endured this horrible event, she managed to recover to be able to fall in love and trust Gideon. She realized that information about all situations made her stable and secure to make the correct choices. She used her knowledge to assess every situation to work to her advantage.
The third book: Ana & Elijah's story
Ana was FORCED to brutally killed several great Calydon warriors, including the leader of the Order. Even with all her guilt and anguish, she managed to stay focus on helping the greater good and helping Elijah at the same time. She was strong enough to realize that there's more to her guilt and fear in life. I found this story comparable to Rhiannon's situation because Rhiannon was also forced. She was forced against her own free will to being a sex slave. Her trauma stuck with her throughout the entire story and never eased until the very end of the book.
Also, Ana was Ezekiel & Elijah's sheva and Ana's love for Elijah was strong enough for her to kill Ezekiel. Rhiannon was Jose's sheva and she was in love with Zach while Jose was controlling her mind to kill Zach… she could not overcome Jose in her mind and kept trying to kill Zach over and over again. I thought this made Rhiannon a very weak person which did not appeal to me.
I'm not going to go over every book and compare it to this one. That would be a long review! Overall, Rhiannon did not appeal to me. She was too weak of a woman for me to thoroughly enjoy this book. I loved Zach, thought it was interesting to see people fall in love without the sheva bond and loved that Thano is back in the game :-)
Oh other aspects I didn't understand in the book:
If Jose and Rhiannon were blood bonded, why couldn't he find her sooner? Why did it take Rhiannon going on camera to find her?
In chapter 5, Rhiannon gets scared going home from work because she hears noises, a squirrel runs across the street and she gets freaked out… it really doesn't seem like she's ready to go take on the Calydon that used to control her...
How can Zach & Rhiannon communicate through the minds if they aren't bonded?
What is significant about the staff? Why does it need plants and fire working together?
How does the staff exactly work? Does the male that wields fire have to have a female that controls vegetation? If so, how did Jose control it when Rhiannon didn't help him with her powers since she lost it from fear?
Why and how is the staff an Order of the Blade staff?
If it was an Order of the Blade staff, how can other calydon's that can wield fire use it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2014
4.25 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 28, 2014
A fatal mistake stripped Zach Roderick of the powers that define him, leaving him a tormented shadow of the warrior he once was. Now, his teammate's life depends on Zach resurrecting the fire that once burned within him. As he undertakes a battle he has no way to win, he is derailed by a tempestuous beauty that awakens in him the dark desires that destroyed him once before.
The scars etched on Rhiannon Diaz's soul are so deep that she will never again be free. The once-powerful guardian is facing her last and greatest battle, and failure means a return to a sexual enslavement that is far worse than death. Her intense and passionate need for the powerful warrior who has vowed to protect her threatens the very foundation of her survival, but his refusal to abandon her drags them both into a world where wild, untamed passion rages, and surrender is their only chance.
~~~~~
REVIEW: 4.25 stars-DARKNESS POSSESSED is the ninth instalment in Stephanie Rowe’s Order of the Blade adult, paranormal romance series focusing on a group of supernatural warriors. As members of the Order of the Blade, these Calydons are tasked with destroying their own who have gone rogue after finding and mating their ‘sheva’ (soulmate). Although some male Calydons have found ways to avoid the inevitable-going rogue-others are too far gone and must be destroyed before they destroy everyone else. This is Calydon and Order of the Blade warrior Zach Roderick and Calydon female Rhiannon Diaz’s storyline.
I will point out from the outset that many readers of this series believe that each storyline can be read as a stand alone but I would strongly suggest reading in order from the beginning. Case in point is the reference to Zach’s former Order of the Blade mentor (and leader) Dante whose declaration in a previous storyline fuels the premise of DARKNESS POSSESSED. Saying that, Stephanie Rowe does provide some background information that gives the reader a bit of cohesive history.
The focus of this storyline finds Zach on the hunt for a mysterious ‘fire god’ who is in possession of a weapon that will reverse the effects of ‘going rogue’. When Order of the Blade warrior Rohan orders Zach to retrieve the magical staff, Zach finds himself accidentally partnered with a woman who is hoping to destroy the very person Zach is desperate to find. Rhiannon’s former soul mate demands she return as his sex slave but Zach is hoping to make Rhiannon his own.
The call to mate is reluctant due to the potential for going rogue and in this the Calydon males avoid finding their ‘shevas’ at all costs. When true love sparks something within the heart and the soul, there is nothing that can stop the roller coaster of emotions. It is the fear of the inevitable that forces many Calydon males in another direction.
The relationship between Zach and Rhiannon is one born out of necessity. Each has lost a little of themselves-their individual powers have remained dormant through guilt and loss. Zach’s power calls to the element of fire and Rhiannon’s calls to the element of earth. Zach is a man possessed to save his friend and fellow warrior; Rhiannon is a woman whose need for revenge outweighs everything else in her life.
DARKNESS POSSESSED is a dark, imaginative and violent storyline. There are scenes of abusive control, deadly battles, murder and destruction; and there are scenes of sensuality and love. Stephanie Rowe pulls the reader into a passionate and suspense filled story where the past controls the present; where power and control destroy any chance for love; and where two people will find in one another what they never found (before).
Copy supplied by the author.
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 28, 2014
A fatal mistake stripped Zach Roderick of the powers that define him, leaving him a tormented shadow of the warrior he once was. Now, his teammate's life depends on Zach resurrecting the fire that once burned within him. As he undertakes a battle he has no way to win, he is derailed by a tempestuous beauty that awakens in him the dark desires that destroyed him once before.
The scars etched on Rhiannon Diaz's soul are so deep that she will never again be free. The once-powerful guardian is facing her last and greatest battle, and failure means a return to a sexual enslavement that is far worse than death. Her intense and passionate need for the powerful warrior who has vowed to protect her threatens the very foundation of her survival, but his refusal to abandon her drags them both into a world where wild, untamed passion rages, and surrender is their only chance.
~~~~~
REVIEW: 4.25 stars-DARKNESS POSSESSED is the ninth instalment in Stephanie Rowe’s Order of the Blade adult, paranormal romance series focusing on a group of supernatural warriors. As members of the Order of the Blade, these Calydons are tasked with destroying their own who have gone rogue after finding and mating their ‘sheva’ (soulmate). Although some male Calydons have found ways to avoid the inevitable-going rogue-others are too far gone and must be destroyed before they destroy everyone else. This is Calydon and Order of the Blade warrior Zach Roderick and Calydon female Rhiannon Diaz’s storyline.
I will point out from the outset that many readers of this series believe that each storyline can be read as a stand alone but I would strongly suggest reading in order from the beginning. Case in point is the reference to Zach’s former Order of the Blade mentor (and leader) Dante whose declaration in a previous storyline fuels the premise of DARKNESS POSSESSED. Saying that, Stephanie Rowe does provide some background information that gives the reader a bit of cohesive history.
The focus of this storyline finds Zach on the hunt for a mysterious ‘fire god’ who is in possession of a weapon that will reverse the effects of ‘going rogue’. When Order of the Blade warrior Rohan orders Zach to retrieve the magical staff, Zach finds himself accidentally partnered with a woman who is hoping to destroy the very person Zach is desperate to find. Rhiannon’s former soul mate demands she return as his sex slave but Zach is hoping to make Rhiannon his own.
The call to mate is reluctant due to the potential for going rogue and in this the Calydon males avoid finding their ‘shevas’ at all costs. When true love sparks something within the heart and the soul, there is nothing that can stop the roller coaster of emotions. It is the fear of the inevitable that forces many Calydon males in another direction.
The relationship between Zach and Rhiannon is one born out of necessity. Each has lost a little of themselves-their individual powers have remained dormant through guilt and loss. Zach’s power calls to the element of fire and Rhiannon’s calls to the element of earth. Zach is a man possessed to save his friend and fellow warrior; Rhiannon is a woman whose need for revenge outweighs everything else in her life.
DARKNESS POSSESSED is a dark, imaginative and violent storyline. There are scenes of abusive control, deadly battles, murder and destruction; and there are scenes of sensuality and love. Stephanie Rowe pulls the reader into a passionate and suspense filled story where the past controls the present; where power and control destroy any chance for love; and where two people will find in one another what they never found (before).
Copy supplied by the author.
www.thereadingcafe.com
August 4, 2014
This is a really good book, some people have said that it is not the best of the series, which means I am going to have to read more of them.
Rhiannon is a strong, amazonsque warrior who was stripped of her power mentally and physically due to a abusive ex. well ex is not the right word since they are kinda soul mate bonded to each other, but semantics right?
Her "friend" is one of those soul mated bonded women who had to kill her husband so that she could live without him being a major pain in the ass, literally they go bat shit crazy once the ritual is done.
You throw in a bad guy who is actually a good guy, and a guy that may be associated with Vampires... Yeah don't ask, it isn't in this book and I hope that Eric gets his own because what he can do with his fingers heehee.
This book started a little slow but sped and up and I was turning the proverbial page at the end trying to get more. The writing is strong, and I love how Rhiannon feels the plants breath, I mean how cool is that.
Rhiannon is a strong, amazonsque warrior who was stripped of her power mentally and physically due to a abusive ex. well ex is not the right word since they are kinda soul mate bonded to each other, but semantics right?
Her "friend" is one of those soul mated bonded women who had to kill her husband so that she could live without him being a major pain in the ass, literally they go bat shit crazy once the ritual is done.
You throw in a bad guy who is actually a good guy, and a guy that may be associated with Vampires... Yeah don't ask, it isn't in this book and I hope that Eric gets his own because what he can do with his fingers heehee.
This book started a little slow but sped and up and I was turning the proverbial page at the end trying to get more. The writing is strong, and I love how Rhiannon feels the plants breath, I mean how cool is that.
August 2, 2014
She did it again! .. , Zach Roderick and Rhiannon Diaz are on a mission to take down the same terrible evil , "the Fire God" that has taken over a South American jungle. Zach is trying to save his friend Thano and meets a beautiful woman Rhianna who has come back to the jungle to kill the man that is hunting her. Zach has to let go of his past in order to move on in the future, to not only save Thano but to save the woman that he has fallen for..Rhianna has to embrace her future so she can move on from the past.Both realize that it's love that will help them both but trusting in each other to do so takes them on a journey of dark pasts that neither want to share with the other.
Stephanie Rowe will take you on a very intense ride with this story that is a race against the clock to save a friend and each other.
I literally could not put this book down! the heat and passion of these two characters was amazing!
Stephanie Rowe will take you on a very intense ride with this story that is a race against the clock to save a friend and each other.
I literally could not put this book down! the heat and passion of these two characters was amazing!
August 1, 2014
Rhiannon was running from the sheva bond. She was always looking over her shoulder, waiting for her soul mate, Jose. On her journey back to the jungle to try to kill Jose and sever the sheva bond, she meets Zach. Zach is also looking for Jose. He needs the staff Jose carries to heal his friend and another.
WOW! This book is full of action! Their adventure takes them on a death defying journey full of discovery with emotional ups and downs. There are moments of extreme violence and sexual depravity. This is book nine in The Order of the Blade Series. This is the first book I've read in this series and I loved it! I can't wait to go back and start reading from book one. I could almost say this could be read as a stand alone but I have many questions about the Order and some of the characters.
Thank you Stephanie Rowe for an amazing adventure with The Order of the Blade.
*free copy gifted for honest review
**originally reviewed for welovekink(dot)com
WOW! This book is full of action! Their adventure takes them on a death defying journey full of discovery with emotional ups and downs. There are moments of extreme violence and sexual depravity. This is book nine in The Order of the Blade Series. This is the first book I've read in this series and I loved it! I can't wait to go back and start reading from book one. I could almost say this could be read as a stand alone but I have many questions about the Order and some of the characters.
Thank you Stephanie Rowe for an amazing adventure with The Order of the Blade.
*free copy gifted for honest review
**originally reviewed for welovekink(dot)com
July 10, 2014
Reviewer: Bex
Disclosure: This ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an HONEST and not necessarily positive review.
Darkness Possessed take a refreshing and exciting new route in Stephanie Rowe's amazing series. Not to panic, faithful followers of this series, the change is a whole load of hot and positive.
Following Zach was a thrilling pleasure. he's such an awesome character to get to know better, and the author has certainly done his character's growth and development justice.
The female lead, Rhiannon, was equally a refreshing change for the series. Creating a character with such power, yet one who is battling her own demons, ensured that not only did I really enjoy her character, but she was an exciting character to get to know and follow.
Darkness Possessed is a fantastic instalment and sets us up beautifully for book 10.
Disclosure: This ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an HONEST and not necessarily positive review.
Darkness Possessed take a refreshing and exciting new route in Stephanie Rowe's amazing series. Not to panic, faithful followers of this series, the change is a whole load of hot and positive.
Following Zach was a thrilling pleasure. he's such an awesome character to get to know better, and the author has certainly done his character's growth and development justice.
The female lead, Rhiannon, was equally a refreshing change for the series. Creating a character with such power, yet one who is battling her own demons, ensured that not only did I really enjoy her character, but she was an exciting character to get to know and follow.
Darkness Possessed is a fantastic instalment and sets us up beautifully for book 10.
July 31, 2014
Another incredible story in this amazing series, Order of the Blade, by Stephanie Rowe!! Zach Roderick and Rhiannon Diaz are on a mission to take down the same terrible evil that has taken over a South American jungle. Zach is trying to save his friend Thano from being a rogue Caldyon and Diana is trying to save herself from the Sheva curse. Both realize that it's love that will help them both but trusting in each other to do so takes them on a journey of dark pasts that neither want to share with the other.
Stephanie Rowe will take you on a very intense ride with this story that is a race against the clock to save a friend and each other.
I literally could not put this book down! the heat and passion of these two characters was incredible!
Stephanie Rowe will take you on a very intense ride with this story that is a race against the clock to save a friend and each other.
I literally could not put this book down! the heat and passion of these two characters was incredible!
July 29, 2014
She did it AGAIN!! what a wild ride! Zach is my favorite out of all the guys.. I had no idea where this story was going to end up,I was so worried for awhile..when we last saw the guys Thano went Rouge.. Rohan said he could help him and Zack went with then to keep Thano safe...They ended up in a jungle where things get out of hand quickly.. not only does Zach have to fight a "Fire God" he has to save a beautiful woman with demons of her own.. Will Zach save the woman? will he finally bring Thano back for the edge? Will Zach finally get in touch with his True self? All I can say is, strap in tightly and hold on for dear life, this is the wildest ride yet!..
August 2, 2014
I am so happy to have another book on my Calydons!!!!!! I love each and every one of them. Though Thano is still my favorite till this day, each one of these warriors and their sheva's are strong, kick butt, and are true to one another no matter what the cost is. I have to admit I cried for Zach, his heartbreak, torment, and past got to me. Stephanie as a writer pulls you in with her books and just can't deny the emotions you feel for these characters! Awesome job once again Mrs. Rowe I can't wait for the next book! THANO please!!!!!
July 31, 2014
Another great addition to the series. Darkness Possessed starts a new arch so it can be a great starting point for readers who haven't experienced the series yet. I do recommend reading them all, though. I liked that there was a new spin on this story that showed a dark side of the sheva bond. It's been known that a horrible prophesy comes with the bond, but this showed what happens when you bond with a calydon that's already rogue, and how the obsession still manifests even when there is no love involved. It was a neat twist, and I enjoyed it. The action was great as always.
August 2, 2014
The best story line of the series yet!!! This book had me on an emotional roller coaster, and it was so worth it!! Heartbreak. Fear. Laughter. I experienced them all! And, of course, there was the sexual tension aspect as well! :-) I love this book. I am so very ready for the next in the series to come out!!! Stephanie hit it out of the park with this one!!!!
August 6, 2014
One of my favorite paranormal series. Really enjoyed the story of Zach and Rhiannon and the dynamic between the two. But truth be told, I missed some of the quintessential order elements (no spoilers here) and the rest of the crew. However, that said, the characters introduced here, clearly for future books, are stellar and I can't wait for more.
July 29, 2014
Excellent book!! If you love paranormal romance series then you should read the Order of the Blade series. Stephanie has the right balance of sexy scenes, action and background information and story. Love the way she writes! Definitely recommend this book to everyone!
August 28, 2014
Not bad. But not as good as the others. Started really slow. Halfway through the book before anything good started happening. And I missed the sheva bond. The bond is what made the books. I am very glad that Thano is back though.
September 28, 2014
So disappointed, it dragged and was some secondary characters were just annoying *sigh had such high expectations. Loved every other book in the series but this one was just slow and depressing
August 1, 2014
loved it...
July 30, 2014
What can I say but awesome! ! Stephanie Rowe did it again this book was a can't put down book. love this series! !!!
April 24, 2015
Where to begin...Stephanie book never disappoint
November 30, 2020
Zack and Rhiannon
Two tortured souls that rely on each other to get them through their present.
They have so many similar experiences, connecting them strongly.
We learn all about Zack in this story. His heartbreaking loss. In the last book we learn how he met Dante, how he became order. This one we learn about his time from then on.
Rhiannon grew up in an all girl tribe protecting the jungle. She was born to excel at this, destined to. What she was not expecting was to be sheva to the one set to destroy it all. He's like any other caldyon we've seen before, he is fire, controls it expertly. More powerful than anyone we've seen. He also torments Rhiannon, controls her body. One day after a terrible experience she finds the one thing that is able to break that control. She tries to kill him and runs away for years. She's always looking over her shoulders fearful of the day she's discovered. She returns to the jungle focused on taking him out forever.
This is when she and Zack meet. Both going after him for different reasons. Zack needs to find him to get his staff that he uses to retun a rogue to his normal state. He needs to sane Thano. She just wants to be able to live without fear again.
They work together, lots of obstacles in their way to get their hea but its it's a wonderful read to get there. Not the traditional sheva bond we've read throughout this series.
We also see Thano and Apollo of course, Rohan and his men. Eric in particular, we learn a lot about him. He meets Jordyn, who is Rhiannon's friend. She also has this past we learn about. She and Eric share a common connection his brother, who is missing. I hope these two get their own book.
Two tortured souls that rely on each other to get them through their present.
They have so many similar experiences, connecting them strongly.
We learn all about Zack in this story. His heartbreaking loss. In the last book we learn how he met Dante, how he became order. This one we learn about his time from then on.
Rhiannon grew up in an all girl tribe protecting the jungle. She was born to excel at this, destined to. What she was not expecting was to be sheva to the one set to destroy it all. He's like any other caldyon we've seen before, he is fire, controls it expertly. More powerful than anyone we've seen. He also torments Rhiannon, controls her body. One day after a terrible experience she finds the one thing that is able to break that control. She tries to kill him and runs away for years. She's always looking over her shoulders fearful of the day she's discovered. She returns to the jungle focused on taking him out forever.
This is when she and Zack meet. Both going after him for different reasons. Zack needs to find him to get his staff that he uses to retun a rogue to his normal state. He needs to sane Thano. She just wants to be able to live without fear again.
They work together, lots of obstacles in their way to get their hea but its it's a wonderful read to get there. Not the traditional sheva bond we've read throughout this series.
We also see Thano and Apollo of course, Rohan and his men. Eric in particular, we learn a lot about him. He meets Jordyn, who is Rhiannon's friend. She also has this past we learn about. She and Eric share a common connection his brother, who is missing. I hope these two get their own book.
February 20, 2018
Now the world that Stephanie Rowe invents is good different from you typical fantastic world that we read in other series but;
- why the dissepirence of the other couples,I mean with each new hero who finds his sheva you expect a connection of some kind even interaction but we see that at the end of the book.
- There is also this expressing of feeling, of the fire between the couple that sorta repete it self in every single book it's like the author is not making an effort to reinvite, it feels like your reading the same book over and over again with the only change of the couple.
- My God also a kiss can't be derscribed in two straight pages I mean come on really 2 pages for a kiss.
- I have to say that i was really dissapointed in this series i don't evenwant to finish it because simply you start liking it at the begenning and then suddenly you get just bored out of your mindwith reading the same thing over and over again.
- why the dissepirence of the other couples,I mean with each new hero who finds his sheva you expect a connection of some kind even interaction but we see that at the end of the book.
- There is also this expressing of feeling, of the fire between the couple that sorta repete it self in every single book it's like the author is not making an effort to reinvite, it feels like your reading the same book over and over again with the only change of the couple.
- My God also a kiss can't be derscribed in two straight pages I mean come on really 2 pages for a kiss.
- I have to say that i was really dissapointed in this series i don't evenwant to finish it because simply you start liking it at the begenning and then suddenly you get just bored out of your mindwith reading the same thing over and over again.
March 26, 2020
Love this book! It kept me wanting more. Can't wait to read the next book
February 11, 2021
Loved it
I freaking love this series. It had me from beginning to end I hope Rohan gets a HEA he needs it
I freaking love this series. It had me from beginning to end I hope Rohan gets a HEA he needs it
August 6, 2023
⛔️(in notes)
January 10, 2016
2.5 stars - I can’t say I didn’t like this book, but I can’t say I liked it either. I’m kind of disappointed, actually.
What I liked: Zach, as I was curious about him after book #8. Surprisingly, he doesn't fall for his “sheva”. He actually falls in love with a woman, and that’s somewhat refreshing. Nothing in here about something that’s more like a cursed fate.
What I didn’t like: Rhiannon. One of the weakest female in the series, first depicted to be a warrior focusing on violent men abusing their wives, looking for trouble by attacking these men at their place. You really need to be tough and self-confident to do that. Then, just a few hours later, a victim afraid of every shadow in the streets; it’s kind of unbelievable. Yes, years of abuse, physical and/or emotional – both in her case – can damage a person but you get over it or you don’t. You can’t have it both ways. Her character is totally unbelievable, I rolled my eyes more than once.
Then, some really weird facts: knowing what I know from the other books in the series, Jose and Rhiannon were fully blood bonded but she could live 5 years without him finding her, and he/she couldn’t say whether she/he was still alive or not. On the other hand, Rhiannon is not Zach’s sheva but they are able to communicate telepathically. And last, but not least, the working of the staff. Fire and plants seem to be needed to activate it. How could Jose still use it when, first, Rhiannon lost her power over plants when she was his captive and after, when she escaped? Where did Jose find that staff by the way? It’s supposed to be an Order staff… he isn't Order but he’s able to wield it. Some consistency with the other books wouldn’t hurt.
I hope the last book will be better.
What I liked: Zach, as I was curious about him after book #8. Surprisingly, he doesn't fall for his “sheva”. He actually falls in love with a woman, and that’s somewhat refreshing. Nothing in here about something that’s more like a cursed fate.
What I didn’t like: Rhiannon. One of the weakest female in the series, first depicted to be a warrior focusing on violent men abusing their wives, looking for trouble by attacking these men at their place. You really need to be tough and self-confident to do that. Then, just a few hours later, a victim afraid of every shadow in the streets; it’s kind of unbelievable. Yes, years of abuse, physical and/or emotional – both in her case – can damage a person but you get over it or you don’t. You can’t have it both ways. Her character is totally unbelievable, I rolled my eyes more than once.
Then, some really weird facts: knowing what I know from the other books in the series, Jose and Rhiannon were fully blood bonded but she could live 5 years without him finding her, and he/she couldn’t say whether she/he was still alive or not. On the other hand, Rhiannon is not Zach’s sheva but they are able to communicate telepathically. And last, but not least, the working of the staff. Fire and plants seem to be needed to activate it. How could Jose still use it when, first, Rhiannon lost her power over plants when she was his captive and after, when she escaped? Where did Jose find that staff by the way? It’s supposed to be an Order staff… he isn't Order but he’s able to wield it. Some consistency with the other books wouldn’t hurt.
I hope the last book will be better.
August 14, 2014
A tormented shadow of a warrior undertakes a battle he believes he has no way to win in this spellbinding paranormal romance. The author has created a fantastic paranormal world with lots of complex and fascinating elements and characters. This story never has a dull moment and keeps the readers guessing with some surprises along the way. Rhiannon’s guardian powers add spice to the story and all the interconnected lives involved in the story add lots of depth an intrigue to the series ensuring that the reader’s want to learn more. Personally, I can’t wait to find out who’s story is next and since there are quite a few possibilities and I really don’t know whose I want to read the most, hmmm…
4 STARS 3 FLAMES
See my full review at:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
"Copyright Night Owl Reviews"
4 STARS 3 FLAMES
See my full review at:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
"Copyright Night Owl Reviews"
January 10, 2015
Seriously loved this series.... Could not stop until I read the most recent one. The whole Calydon mythology was really neat. While the Sheeva Bond thing gets a little worn out, it was still a bit of a twist on your typical soulmate idea. Books further in the series don't rely so heavily on the Sheeva Bond/curse/whatever, so I was thankful for that. The plot lines to all the books are great. The characters are solid. Writing is great. I was not disappointed, in the slightest.
I don't know how I feel about all of the order members just bailing, and going other places... This was good, don't get me wrong. I looooove this series. It's just, they are a team that is slowly disbanding, and it makes nervous as to where this may lead....
I don't know how I feel about all of the order members just bailing, and going other places... This was good, don't get me wrong. I looooove this series. It's just, they are a team that is slowly disbanding, and it makes nervous as to where this may lead....
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