Dark Longing

Pure/Dark Ones #2

by Aja James

“Every story has more than one side, like a crystal that captures and reflects different colors of light. Do not take for granted what you think you know, for until you hold the entire jewel in your palm, the temptation is to fall prey to illusion and deception.”

This is a story of the Dark Ones…

Inanna: the vampire warrior

Known as the Angel of Death among her kind, she has lived millennia alone, one of the remaining True Bloods in existence, unconsciously longing for the one male she could never have.

Gabriel: the forbidden human

His soul recognizes hers from the first encounter. With the first touch, he is awakened. Though he does not know it, he has been searching for her across the ages.

But even as they are finally reunited, their love faces seemingly impossible odds. Will history repeat itself or will they break all the rules and chart a new course together?

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Fantasy, Erotica, Urban Fantasy

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 18, 2018

About the author

https://aja-james.blog/

Best-selling author, Aja James, just completed the Pure/ Dark Ones paranormal-fantasy romance series in 2020. If you want your heart battered, bruised, shattered and skewered, then put back together in the most glorious ways, check out the series below. Every couple gets an HEA, but they fight like hell for it on the way.

Aja is now working on her new series, Dragon Tails, because dragons are her favorite shifters of all!

Check out Aja's expanded distribution of the Pure/ Dark Ones series on Google, Apple, Kobo and Barnes & Noble Books.

Visit Aja's blog or join her reader-started Addicts group to learn more:

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

She loves to hear from readers. Email her at:
megami771@yahoo.com

Reviews

[Princess under cover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a die-hard fan when she first came out with Pure Healing 6 years ago, and I've been reborn an even bigger believer! I'm calling it - this woman is going to be a rock star!



Update: This book was never my fav in the series for some reason. Maybe the beginning was a slow build? Or because I HATE Olivia? even tho she dies of cancer and I'm a horrible person for saying I hate someone dying of cancer? But then it all makes sense and the various threads in this particular installment, even the ones around Olivia, are so magically entwined and extended and created that you know what, I think I like this book better than Book 1. Once things start making sense and clicking after about one third of the way through I'm glued to the page. I LOVE the intense passionate scenes between Inanna and Gabriel, including the ones from the past. I LOVE the awesome fight scenes, and girl can seriously kick ass! I LOVE the drama of the ending scenes, the cinematic scope of it all. Wasn't expecting to like this one so much reading backwards from the latest ARC, but I really do. I can see the progression and subtle changes in AJ's writing style too. And I like that the style changes with the story while still maintaining her signature intensity and lyricism. Bravo!

This is the second time I read this book, as part of a buddy read (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...). And boy was it worth it!



Bear in mind that since the first time I read this, I have read all of the other books in the series (which is ongoing), through Book 6 (Books 4-6 are ARCs, all to be released this year). So with hindsight, I now appreciate this book even more than the first time.

What I can't get enough of:
1. The beautiful writing (Waaaaayyyyy better than most NYT best selling authors out there, I went on a rant about how it's ludicrous this woman isn't discovered by some agent/publisher/social media guru by now, so I won't repeat it here)

2. The incredible world-building. I would categorize this series now that I've had some time to think about it as dark fantasy/ epic fantasy/ paranormal fantasy romance. Strong intense romance in the series, and it's the focus of each book, but the suspense, mystery and world-building is truly epic, downright addictive.



3. The intense, passionate, swoon-worthy, heart-wrenching love story and steamy sex scenes (which are completely not gratuitous)



4. The brilliant plot, masterfully developed characters (the depth AJ puts into each character in the series is ridiculous), and an "ending" that is always a beginning for more, making me want to hunt the author down, chain her to a desk and make her do nothing but write more stories in the series, waahahahahahaha!



A+ for this installment.
A+++ for the overall series.

Below my review from last year:

Wow! I LOVE this book! It was a slow burn in the beginning but then it went on steroids :) It took me two nights to get through the first few chapters~I happen to like slow builds so I didn't mind, but then I finished the rest of it in one sitting! Just couldn't put it down!



I love stories about True Love, Destiny, overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds- Just really uplifting stuff and makes you believe in love.

My favorite part was after a certain key event happens that basically accelerates the storyline. Then the Hero becomes a whole lot more interesting-I like his dark humor and loss of control way more than his patience and unruffled-ness.



And I always LOVE a book that leaves you hanging, panting for more books to come. I also HATE this sort of thing, because I can't wait for Book #3!!!

[Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

update update: reading with the C’s POV is so fascinating... ‘it’ wasn’t very present in this one but enuf...u already see his vulnerability... poor C!

Update comment: What would you call "reverse virgin" trope? There's the reverse harem thing, but I haven't found a lot of authors who write about sexy men who are essentially born-again virgins or in Gabriel's case, first time virgins. I really LOVE IT!! Going to add it to my list of tropes I like. If only these men exist in real life. But alas, this is why I read fiction :P

This is my nth read of this book and my first time to read in a buddy group (which was awesome! by the way)!



I stand by my original review below, but here's what I would add/ change:

I enjoyed this book more on the second reading because I now know more about the fantastical, complex world that's continuously being built and I've been able to pick up more clues than the first time around. As a suspense/ mystery lover, I find this aspect of the series very addictive.

I absolutely love the beautiful writing and thought-provoking storylines. I love that nothing is really as it seems, and I adore destined true love stories. Makes me wish all the time reality could match fantasy!

The one thing I would suggest to the author (and to potential readers of this series), is that the cover of the first 6 novels don't necessarily match the experience of the novels. To better explain: you might see the gorgeous male torso on the cover and think - oh, it's a romance, or erotica or something with a very hot guy (obviously). But I would say this series is more dark/epic fantasy with paranormal romance elements rather than what I wrote before which is the other way around. As I read more books in the series, yes, a love story is at the heart of every book, but the world-building is truly epic! It's like it's own main character in the series, it has a life of its own and some things happen as you expect, some things very much surprise you (which is another reason this series is so good!)

I do not suggest this series to paranormal romance lovers looking for a quick, steamy getaway. This series requires thought and the world building can be overwhelming if you're not prepared for it.

I suggest the series whole-heartedly to fantasy lovers who also like to see romance in their epic fantasies. In which case, I also recommend that the author change/ modify the covers of her first 6 novels accordingly.

**Here's my review when I first read the novel.**

Yes! Got a copy from author (just contact her) before release! What can I say - I'd give this one six out of five stars if possible. I really loved the first book in the series, Pure Healing, and KNEW that the vampires would tell their side soon. So I was happy to see Dark Longing coming out.

Again, if you like paranormal romance with a fantasy twist, with an epic storyline--J.R. Ward cum Sherrilyn Kenyon cum George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones-- you will really enjoy the Pure/ Dark series by Aja James. You get bits of ancient history, modern struggles, star-crossed lovers, mystery villains, lots of threads inter-woven together leading to unanswered questions in the end, which just make you salivate for the next book.

FANTASTIC, off the charts sex scenes. LOVE the way Ms. James describes the coming together of two people. If you're single, makes you desperately crave for a better half; if you're happily in a relationship, makes you want to grab your partner and get down and dirty... very "inspirational" her writing in this area--wish I had fangs too =P

Of all the lose threads she's got going, I am most looking forward to the bad guy's story--oh, I hope there is one! I don't think he's irredeemable. And I love a baddie turned good!

[ren ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aye, he wanted to tell her, I am yours whether you accept me or not. My blood, body, heart and soul are yours to do with as you wish. There is nothing I would not give you, nothing I would not do to please you, though this love between us is forbidden by virtue of what we are.

WOW. Where do I even begin?

I honestly have nothing but praise for Dark Longing. Aja James really showcases her beautiful writing style here; weaving a gripping tale that’s both character and plot driven. Every page, every paragraph, every word captivated me. Everything was tuned to perfection and the world-building was out of this world! I wasn’t expecting such complexity and richness in the world of Pure/Dark Ones but James delivered.

While the first book Pure Healing focused on the Pure ones, we’re introduced to the Dark ones (the supposed villains) in this installment. I loved the main characters so much – Inanna and Gabriel were so wonderfully well crafted. Inanna has easily made it onto my list of favorite heroines. I liked that she embodied the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability. She’s quiet and composed but also a force to be reckoned with. She was also very believable too. Unlike the heroine of Pure Healing, I could actually believe that Inanna was ancient. And damn, she was so cool driving around in her Lamborghini.

And just when I didn’t think I could love another hero more than Valerius (the hero of Pure Healing), I was proven wrong (well, actually I think I still like Valerius a teeeeeeensie bit more). Gabriel D’Angelo was PERFECT. He was loving, attentive, loyal and all the other positive adjectives you can think of. The dynamic with his son, Benji made me want to cry my eyes out. Benji was such an amazing little boy, I loved his little inquisitive soul! At the end of the day, there’s something about selfless single fathers that just melts my heart.

“I wanted you,” she said at last, holding his mesmerizing gaze. “So I claimed you.”

Inanna and Gabriel’s star-crossed romance was ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Fated mates’ stories that span the ages operate on a whole new level of passion and intensity! Seriously, I was not expecting such an emotional and passionate journey. There’s something about two lost souls returning to each other that tugs on my heartstrings and makes my cold black heart feel things. Every time the flashbacks came around, I was crying into the abyss… It’s rare for me to get so emotionally attached and invested in characters, so this was *chefs kiss*. And wowowow, the sexy times were INTENSE, STEAMY and HOT. I was almost on fire with how sizzling hot the chemistry was!

I loved that the secondary characters were equally as compelling, and therefore I didn't mind the sub-plots as much. I’m so intrigued by Seth and Jade! And I might be in the minority here, but I really liked Sophia, I can’t wait to read her story. She was so real and well portrayed. I really appreciate that James wrote an eighteen-year-old LIKE an actual eighteen-year-old. I definitely understood her motives and desires. And Dalair… I need more of that guy.

I’ve gone on and one about the romance, but the action is not to be excluded either. James really knows how to write some kickass fight scenes. No cringey and unbelievable action sequences here! The characters were all so BADASS!

All in all, Dark Longing was EVERYTHING I didn’t know I was looking for. There were so many memorable moments, I know I’m definitely scheduling in a reread soon. A lot of my concerns in the first book were immensely improved in this installment. If you’re looking for an epic paranormal romance with meaningful characterization and a solid lore, look no further. I’m so excited to continue with this series!

Rating: 5/5

[Deborah Obida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until you embraced who you really were, you would never truly feel whole and reach your full potential.

The title of this series Pure and Dark Ones finally makes sense. The first book is about the Pure Ones this one is about the Dark Ones.

The Dark Ones are vampires that drink blood and can have sexual intercourse with someone who is not their destined mate without the repercussions of a painful death like the Pure Ones. The Dark Ones are big on sex, blood and battles. They are basically like regular vampires, they don't burn in the sun but have an allergic reaction to sun, it makes them weak.

There was a lot of back story on the main characters Gabriel and Inana which also focuses on the history of Pure and Dark Ones, how the two races separated. Inana is one of the choosen of Jade Cicada who is the vampire queen in New York. Gabriel is a human who was once a vampire that was reborn as human but will awaken soon(awakening is when a vampire's previous past and present collide and become one life)

I like the writing a lot, third person multiple POV, Sophia the pure queen was not only in this but also have a POV.

The love story even though it was more of a reunion/second chance romance was still insta love but I don't care I adore it. My favourite character is a five year old boy Benjamin who's POV is so refreshing.

[Coco.V · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 intense Stars - This book was an extraordinary, invigorating, and passionate journey to go on with the Dark Ones…and the world building was absolutely fabulous! Once again, hats off to Aja James for her ability to write such unique characters and stories. The Pure/ Dark Ones series is definitely worth the read!

[Azet · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! and OMG! were two of the expressions i constantly had on my mind while reading "Dark Longing" which is the second instalment in the "Pure/Dark Ones"-series.Aja James have created a world of danger and darkness,sensuality and intrigue.Its both magical and terrifying following the story of Inanna,Angel of Death and her reincarnated lover Gabriel D’Angelo.Aja James opens up a plot i have never done before and i loved every second of it!Before i even knew it i finished this book after only a couple of hours.It was exhilarating,heart-wrenching and sexy!!!

Inanna Angel of Death is a Dark One who is a born vampire (well its easier for me to think of her as a "good" vampire) and is also among the Chosen safeguards for the Queen of the Dark Ones.She is said to even be older than the Queen herself and for that reason i could sense how ancient and powerful Inanna is.I thought her connection to Olivia very strange at first,but i later came to realize that it was all done by fate,for her to finally meet and fall in love with Gabriel.The moments from her past with Gabriel made me cry rivers.I so badly love it when a soulmate reincarnates for his beloved to come back to her.It makes it more epic and bittersweet!I really came to love Inanna as a heroine,she was very determined,brave and badass and her heart so golden that i find it no wonder that even little Benji was smitten with her.

THERE GOTTA BE more talk about the hero Gabriel D’Angelo.Just come the FREAKING ON how i came to love this gorgeous angel of a man!He was so steadfast,selfless,strong,courageous and so beautiful that i wanted him for myself!He is also a virgin!!!!CAN HE BE SEXIER THAN THAT!!!NOOO because he was absolutely perfect in my opinion!I love how he took in the news of the secret world he never knew existed and him turning into a Dark One and bonding with Inanna.Inanna did change his whole world and entire existence and i love watching him open his heart to her and him accepting hers.It was like watching old lonely souls who have searched for each other finally coming together after millions of years.It was a volcanic explosion that was mean to be and damn it all but their chemistry was off the page burning so badly it got hot in my room!Gabriel and Inanna are meant to be,and thank you Aja James for creating the perfect couple in these two.Gosh how my romantic heart nearly burst in two pieces for them!

It was fun meeting the Pure Ones again,especially Sophia,Cloud and Aella.That one scene with Sophia and Dalair made my heart stop!I AM SO DYING FOR THESE TWO!Then we have got Seth and Queen Jade!I mean DAMN these two are so hot for each other that i have seriously been considering to read their book "Pure Ecstasy" first but then i changed my mind cuz it would be best to read every book in order from here on.Both Seth and Jade are calling to my soul!!!Then we have the mysterious Creature i am staring to get more intrigued by.In the former book he had been a bother to me,but in this one it was like a part of his soul got opened.I am strangely and very much intrigued by him,and i can`t wait to know more!

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm telling you... if you are a fan of paranormal romance, you need to get on the Pure/Dark Ones train!

Dark Longing was primarily about Inanna and Gabriel and it was beautiful! The way the author created their love against the backdrop of history (kudos on creating that history btw) and linked it to the present and gave their growing relationship depth, foundation, and a past... How could I not fall in love with these particular characters?!

The mysterious theme that was introduced in book one was still being explored here and I'm still left guessing about who is behind all the anarchy and mayhem amidst the Dark and Pure communities. Who is the creature? Who else is allied with it? And how will the author keep me on my toes in the next book? I'm so excited to find out!

Find the full review HERE

[❦O❦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Pain is transitory despite its depths. Hate eventually eats itself into a hollow void. Sadness can only last as long as life itself. But love, love extends beyond reason and time.”

✨4,5 Pure & Dark stars!✨

֎ ꕥ ❀ུ۪ ʏᴜᴀɴꜰᴇɴ(缘分) ⥂ 𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑦; 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟. ❀ུ۪ ꕥ ֎

Dark longing is book two in the Dark/Pure Ones series.
Unlike the first book Pure Healing, which focused on Pure Ones and their perception of good and evil, Dark Longing blurs the line between right and wrong, good and evil, as it takes us along to the opposite side of the coin, shifting the narrative from Dark Ones as villains and showcasing the importance of seeing things from another perspective.

As Aja James beautifully puts it: “Every story has more than one side, like a crystal that captures and reflects different colors of light. Do not take for granted what you think you know, for until you hold the entire jewel in your palm, the temptation is to fall prey to illusion and deception.”

I loved this book just as much as i loved book 1.
Aja James’s writing is blissfully compelling. Her ability to write such intricate characters and intriguing plot lines which completely draw you in and provide a wonderful escape from reality, is outstandingly impressive.

*＊✿❀ Inanna ‘The Angel of Death’ + Gabriel ‘The Forbidden Human’ ❀✿＊*

Dark Longing weaves the tale of two star crossed lovers, Inanna and Gabriel, two incredibly lovable and complex characters whose hearts and souls are beautifully and everlastingly woven together.
If i ever had to describe Inanna and Gabriel in one word, it would definitely be: Soulmates.
They’re each other’s destiny and salvation. They share a connection so deeply passionate, it knows no limits and no boundaries.

In order for me to talk about the romance in the present time between Inanna and Gabriel, i have to first go back thousands of years in the past, deep into the Akkadian Empire, where it all started.

“Libbu,” Alad greeted her gently, “is something amiss?”
Inanna gladdened slightly at his endearment for her as she always did.
Ever since she could remember, her father’s right-hand, the fiercest of all Pure warriors, Alad Da-an-nim, had called her his “heart.” He had always been there, as constant as her papa, and though she had lived only thirteen summers and he had lived many more, she didn’t think anyone could love him as deeply and as fiercely in a thousand years as she did in her short time in this world.”

When Inanna was ‘the prophesized daughter of the leader of the Pure Ones in the Great Rebellion’, and Alad Da-an-nim a.k.a Gabriel, ‘the fiercest of all Pure warriors and Inanna’s father’s right hand.’

“I want you.”
The words were so soft, they seemed like the wind’s whisper in the air. But Alad heard them in his heart, in his very soul.
He smiled and laid his cheek against her fine, golden crown.
“Then you shall have me,” he promised her. Teasingly, he tugged a lock of her hair. “But you have to grow up first, Libbu. You must stay strong and vital.”
“You will wait for me then?” she asked him innocently, full of effervescent joy once more. “You will not have any other female?”
He doubted she fully comprehended her request, but he answered her solemnly nevertheless.
“Aye. I will have no other female. When you are a woman and if you still want me, I shall be yours without contest.”
As I already am.”

I’m usually not a fan of flashbacks, however, in Dark Longing the flashbacks were something i looked forward to.
Witnessing the beginnings and blossoming of Inanna and Gabriel’s pure love in their past life, was so deeply touching and heartwarming.
It made me believe in their present love that much more deeply, because instead of it being a case of insta love, it was simply two past lovers and soulmates reconnecting in another life.

“Her soul had recognized his from the very beginning.
Mine, the word whispered through her consciousness like a spell or a wish from the deepest recesses of her heart.”

Unbeknownst to them, Inanna and Gabriel were feeling the built up energy over their other lifetime together, in which they were tragically separated by Gabriel’s, aka Alad’s, death.
The depth of their emotions was a result of their past life’s souls’s powerful recognition.

“Why me,” the question was more of a statement, a low, rumbling rasp that raised the baby fine hairs all over her skin.
Only one word blocked out all else in her mind: Mine.
“I wanted you,” she said at last, holding his mesmerizing gaze. “So I claimed you.”

I absolutely love how Aja James managed their fated romance.
Inanna made his body come to life like it never had before, and Gabriel made her feel emotions she had repressed deep in the recesses of her being. The romance was passionate but incredibly realistic.
I loved that despite being insanely attracted to Inanna, it took time for Gabriel to fall in love.
I also loved that Inanna fell for him from the very first moment they met in this lifetime.

“All coherent thought evaporated as she stared into the face of her gallant rescuer. 
It was the face of an angel.
A beautiful, passionate, warrior angel. 
And so fresh and innocent with youth it almost hurt to look upon him.
At that moment, Inanna Fell. 
For the first time in her long, lonely existence, she longed for something, someone, she should not have. 
Craved him at her very core.
Deep, chocolate brown eyes gazed back at her, first with concern, and then with confusion, as if he too became suddenly aware of the inexplicable tension humming between them.”

Inanna’s determination to make Gabriel hers and her protectiveness over him and Benji(Gabriel’s son), was so endearing.

“These are my guys,” Inanna said, gesturing to Gabriel and Benji, who nodded a greeting and waved in turn. “My… husband and son.”

I really loved how Gabriel’s couldn’t help but want and crave Inanna, how he couldn’t resist her lure and how his soul longed and yearned for hers.

“Who are you?”
What Gabriel really wanted to ask was:
Who are you really? Why do I feel this way around you?  I barely know you and yet I feel naked, vulnerable and lost before you.  What power do you have over me?  Over my family?”

This mix of irrefutable connection, fervent lust, yearning desire and aching need made for an explosive and scorching hot mating, filled with emotion.

“As the first salty-sweet tang of his blood hit her tongue, Inanna reared back with shock.
The first thought she had was: she’d tasted him before.
She could not recall the time or place, but she knew deep inside that she’d had him before. She knew.
The second thought she had was: Mine.”

“I know you, a part of him whispered in the recesses of his sub consciousness. I found you.
My love. My heart.
“Inanna,” a voice that was his own yet also apart from him uttered reverently, as if all the hope, desire, pain, and passion were embodied in that one word.
Her eyes widened in response, and a gasp escaped her lips.
The small sound triggered a primal need within him that could be denied no longer.
Gabriel stopped thinking, stopped fighting himself. And surrendered to the voracious compulsion to claim. To penetrate.
To Mate.
A pleasure like he’d never known flooded his weary, aching body, banking the fires, washing away the pain.
Finally, he was home.”

When the intense physical attraction deepens into something more meaningful, and becomes the seed of a deep and lasting bond, Inanna and Gabriel’s share an emotional connection and a feeling of intimacy and alignment that goes beyond surface level physical connection.
It’s a soul connection that transcends the earth plane, a fulfillment of a promise made by their past souls to be together.

“She felt cared for. Protected and loved.
Again, tears threatened at the back of her throat.
How she’d missed this.
In all her long existence she’d never had this soul-deep feeling of belonging and peace.
Except with him.
It didn’t make sense. How could she miss something she’d never experienced?
“I love you.”
And finally, her heart would no longer be denied. It demanded to speak its truth. Only to him. Always to him”

The idea that these two souls are so intertwined and dependent on each other is beautiful.
I know the word is vague and overused, but it’s truly and simply put, beautiful.

I have to say that although i loved Inanna and Gabriel together. Ultimately, it was Inanna who completely stole the spotlight in this one. She was everything i love in a heroine and more. Badass. Powerful. Confident. Defiant. Determined. Protective. Gentle. Vulnerable.
All those traits coexist with one another without one overshadowing the other or even lessening the strength of her character.

As for Gabriel, i have to admit, i loved him much more in his past life as Alad. I liked how unbeatable and fierce he was as a warrior while also being incredibly sweet and irresistibly charming with Inanna.
It was as if his whole purpose in life was pleasing and loving Inanna.
I still fell for him eventually as Gabriel, because of how great of a father he was to Benji, and how selfless his love for both Benji and Olivia(don’t like her) was.
I loved that he was a fighter in this lifetime as well, even if he wasn’t as powerful a warrior as he was in his past life.
By the end of the book, i was completely attached and connected to him and i understood the vision Ava James had in mind for him and Inanna, and therefore the length she had to go to, in order to make that vision come to life.

In conclusion, Inanna + Alad>>>>>>Inanna + Gabriel.
“Alad and Inanna took in the small victory with a brief, but intense look. A look that communicated their elation, pride in each other, triumph.
And love. Always love.”

*＊✿❀ Side Characters: ❀✿＊*

✧༺Benji(Gabriel and Inanna’s son):
Anyone who knows me, knows that kids in books are my kryptonite.

“I’m hungry,” he said next when no response was forthcoming from the group around him, followed quickly by, “where’s Daddy?”
The golden one spoke up, smiling at Benji in a worried way, as if she feared he might cry or something. Geez, adults could be so unnecessarily nervous.”

Benji was the perfect combination of adorably cute and mature beyond his age.

“But where are your fangs?” Benji asked, poking at Inanna and Gabriel’s upper lips with both his little hands. “Are you going to suck my blood?”
He didn’t seem too worried about that prospect, even seemed to relish the potential experience.
“No blood will be sucked,” Gabriel answered. At least not between anyone but himself and his Mate, and Benji didn’t need to know those details.
His son looked somewhat disappointed. “Then how can you say you’re vampires?”

I simply loved him and thought he was the missing puzzle to Inanna and Gabriel’s love story. He completed them and brought them together in the best ways.

“Together, all three of us,” Benji wanted to confirm.
“Yes,” Gabriel was the one who answered. “Always.”

I really hope he can get his own book, and if not that, then at least hopefully we can see more of him in future books.

✧༺Sophia & Dalair:
These two are characters I’ve loved and rooted for from the very first moment they interacted in book 1, Pure Healing.
I know it’s probably gonna be a love triangle between Sophia, Ere and Dalair. But, i personally think Ere is so creepy and i don’t trust him not one bit.
I personally think Dalair and Sophia are simply meant to be, and i can’t wait for the moment the secrets of their pasts finally unravel, and I’m impatiently waiting to watch them come together at last, after they get rid of the obstacle in the way of their happiness, namely Ere, because i have no doubt that they’re each other’s endgame.

“Sophia watched his deep, even breathing lift and depress his ribcage with utter fascination.  It was hypnotic, really, and strangely soothing.  If she could just see Dalair breathe like this, then everything was all right with the world.  And if it wasn’t, then it would be.  Because he was here, and she had absolute faith he would make it so.”

“She still hadn’t put her finger on the perfect descriptor for Dalair, but he was definitely double hot.  Hotness squared.  Hotness times infinity.”

“For every bruise and hit you receive, you can revisit that pain upon me twice over, whenever and however you choose to deliver it.  I promise you that justice.  But right now, you need to get up.”

“Wincing to herself, she looked up at the wall she’d run into and stared directly into Dalair’s smoky gray eyes.
All thought vanished as Sophia held his gaze. She should have been thinking, where have you been? What have you done? Why are you here? But all she thought was, finally.
Finally.”

“Ah. How she missed him.
How she hated him.
How she wanted him.”

“Sophia was the one to close the distance between them, inexplicably needing physical contact, as if to reassure herself that Dalair was truly here, within reach.”

“Because she’d never known the primitive drive to possess another being before now. She wanted to mark him for her own, climb his body and crawl under his skin.”

“She wanted to own him.
What she did was bite him on the neck, hard enough to draw blood even through his sweater.”

“After a long, deep inhale, he said, “Choose me. Not him.”
Sophia blinked in confusion at his nonsensical words.
Was this a new sort of greeting? For they were the first words he said to her in months. Was this some secret code the Dozen had neglected to teach her?
“Choose me this time,” the Paladin repeated, his voice deep and husky, vibrating with raw emotion.
The command tugged at an invisible tether within Sophia, hitched to something in the region of her heart, and she swayed forward involuntarily.”

Ahh, be still my beating heart. These two are hauntingly beautiful together. I can’t wait for their book. *le sigh*

✧༺Anastasia & the mysterious human fighter:
These two only had one scene together in this book, but it was so intense and tantalizing, that i really want, no need, to have their book.

✧༺Mama Bear:
”You know, my sweet girl, there is no such thing as stealing another’s lover,” she stated softly with a knowing smile.  “Love cannot be stolen.  It can only be given.  And it always takes two to make it happen.”
“If you see something you covet,” she paused to spear Inanna with her sharp intuition, “then take it.”

Please don’t let Mama Bear be a traitor, because her reaction to meeting Gabriele and Benji, plus Benji saying she looks the opposite of what we know, is setting off alarm bells in my head.
I love her too much and can’t bear(lol) for her to be a traitor.

✧༺Maximus & his Simca:
Maximus with his familiar Simca(a black panther) is utterly irresistible, and i can’t wait to see what AJ has in store for him. I just know he’s gonna be one of my favorites.

✧༺Jade & Seth:
Just like with Sophia and Dalair, from the very first moment Jade and Seth interacted with each other, i was hooked and now am dying to have their book.

“Since he first laid eyes on Jade Cicada, Seth’s body had no longer been his own.”

“Seth had no response, no ready quip to banter back.  Words eluded him in this moment of truth.  Whatever it was between them, it was not a game to Seth.  And though he struggled not to feel, his emotions grew stronger and more complex with each passing day.”

“Except for the first time they met, Jade had never seen the Pure Ones’ Consul so much as startle.
He was calm and tranquility personified.  Dignity and equanimity in the flesh.
How she craved to unbalance him.”

“But today, as he beheld the Vampire Queen, he felt himself stir.  More than just stir. 
He was veritably roasting in the flames of desire.”

This palpable tension will undoubtedly make for a passionately combustible coupling, and I’m so excited for that to happen!

✧༺The Creature:
“A tear of blood welled in its soulless eyes and slid unrepentantly down its cheek.
Stupid tear, it thought as its lips twisted to disguise an infinitesimal quiver.
Just because something ached in the vicinity of its chest did not mean it possessed a heart. Just because the acid in the back of its throat tasted of shame did not mean it possessed any pride.
The smile turned mocking and derisive.
Just because it longed for something it could never have, missed and mourned the absence of that lovely dream, did not mean it would ever know love”

Who is this mysterious creature ? What is it’s purpose ? And why do i feel bad for it ?
Someone send help😭😭

*＊✿❀ So why not 5 stars: ❀✿＊*

I felt like it was a bit slow at the beginning, and i really wish we could’ve had more Inanna and Gabriel moments, instead of all the other different POVs.
At some point, it felt like they were reduced to secondary characters in their own book. Thankfully, the other sub plots and world building were extremely interesting and kept me captivated. Still, i was incredibly sad to say goodbye to Inanna and Gabriel, and it almost felt like i didn’t have enough of them.
For that, i just can’t in good conscience give it 5 stars. In other words, I’m just being a bitter bitch lol

*＊✿❀ Overall: ❀✿＊*

I really enjoyed Dark Longing, and i love Aja James’s writing which is extremely addictive, so i would highly recommend this book and series in general to lovers of paranormal romance with fated mates, wonderful characters and a fantastically fascinating world.

⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆

“What is Fate but pearls of choices strung together? What is Destiny but a path we walk on of our own free will? Remember, Dark Ones, that nothing is written in the fabric of time until you decide where, when and what shall be the first verse.”
↳ I’m utterly in love with Aja James’s writing😍

[⚜️Charlotte⚜️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Fabulous Stars...

Another delicious read...
I loved Gabriel and Inanna.. their discovery of truth about themselves was enlightening, the plot is becoming more intriguing with some answers revealed, yet there so much more to unravel, so far my favorite it still the first one, but I am excited to get into the the third book, I think I might be hooked..

On to the next one..

[AlwaysV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've so fallen hard for this book! Thanks so much to Princess under cover's recommend as well as her superior review. The world Aja James built is so intoxicating. So fresh. So captivating. Checking out the inspiration for Gabriel and Inanna posted on her website has obliterated my hesitation and previous conviction of never wanting to pick up a new take on vampires. Another plus for the series is that only four novels are out now. It's easy for me to catch up. Having finished Book #2 first, I'm ready to read all four. Oh, and I have also preordered #5 and #6! That will definitely convince you to try the series too.

Here's something that might've stopped me from falling so hard for the series, but didn't. The nasty and creepy villains. I was going . . . "no no no . . .you can't suck up Gabriel's blood! you monster!" So I have to keep reading to see at least one of them getting ripped apart into tiny pieces or turned to ashes in the end and hoping to witness the same fate in the future for the other(s) who have escaped!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 'Pure' stars

“Love cannot be stolen. It can only be given. And it always takes two to make it happen.”

So many things happened in this book, I don't even know where to start. I have a feeling this review will be a mess but just because there's so much to process still. Ok, good things first. This worldbuilding is phenomenal and kind of overwhelming. Truly, it is a little complicated and when I started reading I had to look at the glossary of terms all the time. I admit that I'm still not 100% sure I got everything right. Because, wow, there are a lot of harsh laws. Especially those considering Pure Ones. I think I would rather be a Dark One.

And characters - this is one hell of a cast of characters! I can't wait to get to Maximus' book. I was really excited to find out that the upcoming book Dark Obsession will be his story. I've always had hots for generals and yeah he's yummy. Also, I'm very intrigued about Simca. And OMG I want Jade and Seth's book like right now! But no, I will read in order from now on. I never read out of order, so to skip the first book, that was big enough crime for me. I need to be patient. But damn, I just know they will be so hot together! About other characters, I'm not entirely sure for now. They all seem very interesting, I just haven't had a chance yet to really get to know them. And of course, Benji is precious. I imagine how fun would it be to be his babysitter. We could watch The Lord of the Rings every day. My kind of kid. I wonder who his real father is? Guess I will have to wait.

And now comes the bad. I felt that the book is too short for so many people. Don't get me wrong. I love a lot of characters in a book and I particularly like multiple POVs. There were just too many of them. They didn't really get the chance to shine. Inanna and Gabriel seemed like side characters in their own story. Also, Inanna hasn't entirely convinced me as a four thousand years old immortal. I mean, what happened there with Mama Bear? She noticed something was wrong and then just dismissed it or what? After four millennia of living and fighting the enemies, I would have expected better from her. I need to mention one huge pet peeve of mine too. Having people described while they are looking themselves in the mirror. And that happened twice. Don't do this, please. It's horrible and it's bad writing. Just, please don't.

But even with a couple of things that bothered me, I really enjoyed the story. I can't wait to see what awaits all these wonderful characters. I have countless unanswered questions. The biggest one is who or what is the Creature and what does it want? And OMG Inanna's parents!! I hope we'll get to know their story.

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay...

I still have no clue what to say about this 2nd installment to this series. All I know is that I LOVED every confusing, freaky, frightening, poignant verse, thought, and scene this book shared with me.

It was dark, erotically beautiful, and I saw everything as if I were watching it unfold on a screen. The same as when I was reading book 1. In case you don't know this about me, I LOVE when my books afford me this type of perk. I get lost in everything. Oh and I got my buddy hooked on this series too ;) He was so enthralled with the first 5 chapters of this one, he stopped and went back to book 1 to get the whole experience from the beginning.

This is a very involved plot it has so many characters, plights & POV's there's no way you should tackle this series out of order. Everything that occurs has a cause & effect. A point. It's just way too tightly woven together for you to attempt a book out of order. I strongly suggest you start from the beginning and keep going.

Based on what I've read and experienced with these first 2 books, I would highly recommend this series. I love both books equally, but for very different reasons. But that's the way journeys are supposed to be. They have you all in your feelings :)

Love, Peace, and Joy :)

[Danielle's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two halves of a coin. The Pure ones and the dark ones. One is born the other made. The two don't mix. Dark longing is the second book in the series and as you have guessed the other side of the coin.

In book one we meet Sophia the future queen of the Pure ones, therefore I would recommend you read that one first. This is a Kindle Unlimited series which is fabulous as it makes them all free to subscribers. In book two Sophia's story continues and she is becoming of age and trying to find her way.

Inanna is a vampire warrior and part of the Dark Ones. She has lived in solitary for a long time, but when she meets Gabriel she finds herself drawn to him. It's forbidden for them to connect. He is human and has his own commitments. Fate helps Inanna get what she needs but only at a price.

The story and writing style is consistent with the previous book. The story is told from multiple points of views and there are some hot steamy scenes.

4 stars out of 5. It's unique and interesting.

[Debra Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purch Amazon Oct. 11, 2018
Dark Longing by Aja James
Genres; Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense.
5 Solid Stars!

🎵Just finished my reread. Oh the clues to The Creature. I think I am just as curious about The Creature's story as I am for Sophia and Dalair! I want, no NEED, more of this series!

You want Mystery? Hidden on every page are clues to various mysteries. The mysteries starts immediately with the prologue. You think it is one person speaking, then as you read the story you realize you are Wrong! New elements of mystery are added continuously thru the story along with new characters that intrigue and delight you. Now you are ensnared in this world that Ms. Aja James has created.
There is no retreat.
You are in her web.
Prepare your mind and heart to be devoured.

The suspense rears its head by page 19. That is how fast paced this story is.
Who will survive? Villains with notorious intentions that will keep you on the edge of 'What next?'
There are spies and traitors on all sides. And you are never quite sure who they are. You make guesses according to the clues given, but you are kept...
Delightfully Dangling

Adult romance that pulls you apart and puts you back again. Your heart will break. Your heart will be full. You will feel like you are on an emotional teeter-totter. It is sultry. Virtually painfully Beautiful.

You want fantastic MC's that are strong and worthy of your time? They live here, in the world of the 'Pure Ones'.
Inanna: the vampire warrior is our female mc.
Gabriel: the forbidden human is our male mc.
They are both strong magnificent characters that inspire you.

Dark Longing surpassed book #1 'Pure Healing' by 'Leaps and Bounds.' And I thought that one was pretty amazing!

I found 1 typo. I may have missed some due to how immersed I was in the story.

My only real negative is the lack of a table of contents. It wasn't in the 1st book of the series either. Hopefully this is something the author will fix in the future.

It was so hard to say goodbye to this book. I don't have book 3 yet & I have dragged this out, reading slowly, savoring every word and nuance. I cannot express with mere words just how outstanding these books are.

[The Drowsy Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Amazing writing, world-building, character-building, everything! There were so many fun little moments where I thought "ooooooh I knew it!" or "wow! I did NOT see that coming!" It's amazing how certain storylines are coming together even as more seeds are planted for future conflict and shockers. I read the last 73% or so at work on my computer today because I just could not stop. So now I have to wait for my buddies to catch up so we can read #3 together haha. Loved this book!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Wow... just wow! I’ve begun to love every character and didn’t expect the turn this story has! Loved it! So glad I was informed about these books! Can’t wait to continue the series and see what is in store the rest of this journey!

************************************************************

After reading this a second time I feel like I need to add some more to this review! 😂 feels to short!

This book is amazing! As it is with all of them. If I were to use every word possible for this series this review would never end!

Gabriel the strong, pure, selfless, and so much more warrior who stands for what he believes in. Doesn’t let anyone push around the ones he loves, and is willing to sacrifice himself to make sure they are safe. This mans heart and soul speaks volumes in this book. Marrying a woman to help take care of her son, and so she wouldn’t feel alone in this world. The way he cares for Benji is so amazing. And when he finally has all of himself back it’s just breathtaking!

Inanna oh my gash! Who doesn’t love her?! The Angel of Death in her own right who does her job with such compassion! A warrior in the beginning and still a warrior to this day! Protecting everyone she loves just like Gabriel! Having the same traits as Gabriel, and she isn’t afraid to go after what she wants! And Benji and her together is amazing. She is an amazing mother to Benji it just leaves you smiling! So seriously who wouldn’t love Inanna!

And Benji! How I love that little boy! He makes me laugh every time he is in a chapter. He is smart, charismatic, and wise beyond his years! That little guy is going to be something great I just know it!

This series is beyond words! I love it so much! I could read every book 100 times and still not get enough! Still not enough stars to rate this series!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I cant wait to re-read this next!

Happy reading! 🖤🖤

[H.F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update : 20/03/20

I missed Gabriel so I reread again for 100th time lol
Reading the last fighting scene made me wish I can watch it in the big screen, so good.



_________

Ok I reread this 4 times now and I will again when the series progress more because I just love Gabriel!
I thought I loved Valerius but Gabriel is my favirote now (Sorry Valerius still love you ^^')
and Inanna just breaks my heart T.T love her too! They are the perfect couple.


BTW some stuff makes sense later like now after finishing book 6 and rereading this I think the creature is actually Inanna's brother.

[Cécile Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoot me now,please! The emotions that poor from these pages are killing me!

What Gabrïel does,who he is,is só pure,só selfless.....i’m lost for words.
And Inanna,she is going to get the shock of her very,very long life and i love it!
That is.....after the dust settles and my heart starts beating normal again.
Because what they go through is heartbreaking,not to mention all the other stuff that happens at the same time.
I can’t tell you too much,this is one of those stories you really have to experience yourself,trust me!
Bring me part three,Dark Desires,please!! I need more,so much more!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inanna & Gabriel = amazing story!

Ok so I have to say that I enjoyed this book more than the 1st one. Loved the history between both of them and how they end up together... to history/ the love/ the passion.... ekkk I just love them 💗

In the beginning I was super sad that Olivia was dying especially since she was leaving Gabriel and Benji behind....BUT.... as a read on I was so damn happy that she was no longer in the picture. She truly pissed me off which made me root for Inanna and Gabriel even more.

Ok can we just talk about how much of a bad ass human Gabriel is.... (ok so I get why he is such a bad ass after reading more into their history.... but still)

and HELLOOOOO vampires!!! So after reading the 1st book I was very much thinking that pure ones = elves (maybe) and of course the vampires were the bad ones, but then Inanna comes around with more about the dark ones background and etc etc etc.... and i'm super excited that vampires/ Dark ones might not actually be the "bad"guys...(obviously I love vampires)

This book seriously had everything that I enjoy! Super hottttt! sexy! and can we say that Benji is just ADORABLE and I wanna just hug him!!!!!

A must read!!!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel was swoooooonnnnnn and I loved him and Inanna both. I still felt that I as missing out on getting to know them both better and I really wished for more with them and Benji. Or Gabriel and Benji alone.

I didn't realize reading the first one that the Dark Ones had a similar society as the Pure Ones and that is really intriguing to me. Looking forward to more on them interacting (and Devlin).

So my guess for now is that the 'creature' is Inanna's brother. I also wonder if we'll get a book with her parents since Mama Bear is, again my guess, her mother.

Still hoping I'll like Sophia more as books go on as they're setting her and Dalair and I want to like her.

[CAROLYN Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inanna has secretly watched over Gabriel and his son Benji for years. She knew deep down that she has a connection with them - but was unsure of what exactly it is. After Gabriel's wife (and Benji's mom) die from a long illness, things are revealed to Gabriel which bind them all into a family style situation. This is full of so much heat and spice. Love the twists and the romance. Such a great story - Cant wait to read the next book.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel D'Angelo's wife, Olivia, is dying from cancer. His five-year-old son, Benji, is staying with a neighbor while Gabriel spends the evening with Olivia. They married for the sake of Benji. Gabriel feels Benji is his natural son, though his marriage to Olivia has been in name only.

Inanna Sharru-kinu is known by the name Nana Chastain to Olivia and Benji. Inanna has come to collect on Olivia's blood contract. Inanna is a Dark One -- vampire. Her moniker is Angel of Death. She eases the final moments of life into a painless death. Olivia has given half custody of Benji to Inanna. She has also chosen Inanna as Gabriel's next wife and Benji's new mother.

Gabriel joins the underground fight club to help pay the hospital bills. He plans for only one night of fighting. The next day Olivia is dead and he's making arrangements for her funeral. He finds out that Nana Chastain has joint custody of Benji. He has never met her, but he discovers Benji has known Nana for a long time. They meet Nana at the park. Gabriel and Nana have an instant attraction they cannot explain. Nana (Inanna) runs away because of the intense feelings.

The next day Inanna over hears Gabriel being threatened by two Russian thugs. They threaten to harm Benji if Gabriel doesn't fight in the underground fight club. Gabriel agrees to fight to protect his son. Inanna will do anything to protect Gabriel and Benji. Will Gabriel survive the fight? Can Inanna save them both?

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It is intense and emotionally charged. The main characters are flawed and relatable, but superhuman in their protection and their compassion for each other. Because of a past neither Gabriel or Inanna remembers, their love is instantaneous and passionate. Something the two accept without fault, and the reader as well. The plot is intricate, weaving the subplots skillfully within. There are a few subplots which are left open. These, along with the ending, open the window for the next book. A most excellent read. Highly recommended for fans of J. R. Ward and Christine Feehan.

The author provided me with an electronic copy of her book in exchange for an unbias and honest review.

[Mamacita aka MawMaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Pure or Dark, What's Your Pleasure???" Stars!!

BOTH!! I Love that the author has now given us a taste of the Dark Side.


I swear the world building is great! The author has great characters on this side too! 😄 The story continuation still flows really well as we head over to The Dark Ones or aka The Vampires. The suspension is far more than I would have suspected when I started this series. I am getting more clues along the way & hope I am onto figuring out who "the Creature" is. There were times when I figured out who was gonna be who, however with all the non-stop action, it didn't slow the story down at all.


In this series, each book has a HEA just the central storyline continues. Each book is a bit different & has a separate H/H with a story all their own. However it is an interconnected series as the same characters show up in the following books as the series progresses. New characters are added & some can be killed off. Whether they will show up later in the series or not, I have a theory but no proof or verification that yet.



Books 1&2 are currently available. Book #3 comes out in April.

Just 1 Click that bitch as it's only $2.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited!!

No matter what side you are on, I declare this series is


I graciously received a free copy for this ARC of this book & would like to thank the author. I voluntarily chose to post a review of my Honest Opinion of this book with No Influence or Interference from any company of person.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Dark Longing is the second book in the “Pure/Dark Ones” series by Aja James. I first heard about this author about a year ago, and ever since on Goodreads, I have been seeing so many users read these books and love them so much. I will admit I wasn’t really that impressed with book one, I had heard that it wasn’t the best in the series though and there was quite a bit of information overload and multiple plot lines, so I really had to get used to that. But as I was going through my Kindle Unlimited library I realized I still had the second book all this time and hadn’t realized it. So I thought it’s the month of October, its spooky season, so lets get some more paranormal romance in and I have to say that I LOVED this book so much. The main couple that we see in this book won my heart instantly and I knew this was the book and now I can’t wait to delve into this series and explore more of this author’s work.



Our story begins with two fated people who were destined to meet across the ages:



Inanna- vampire warrior, angel of death, lived through the centuries alone when she lost her mate until she found him and watched over him and his son



Gabriel-human male with pure one genetics, grew up in China learning how to battle, has a strength foreign to many of his kind, loving father to this son and a protector



Gabriel has been a devoted father and loving husband, and even though he has never been intimate with Olivia, he has remain true and faithful to her despite the struggles she has faced. But now she is dying of cancer, and wants him with her best friend Inanna, and to protect their son. Gabriel will do all it takes to protect those he loves. When he first meets Inanna he knows they have a connection he has never felt before, she awakens new life in him. But his life becomes ever changed when he makes a choice. With the medical bills stacked to the brim, he knows he has no choice but to go to a underground fighting ring he heard rumors of, he earns enough to keep them solid for a while, but when the owners of the fight, part of the Russian Mob, threaten his son, he knows he has no choice. But this time it might just cost him his life, what he didn’t plan on was becoming turned into a vampire (a dark one) and finding himself mated to Inanna. But what Gabriel doesn’t realize is their story didn’t just start recently but centuries before when they loved each other as young and now Gabriel has been reincarnated and Inanna found her other half again and will do anything to protect the man she loves and the boy he calls son.

What is Fate but pearls of choices strung together? What is Destiny but a path we walk on of our own free will? Remember, Dark Ones, that nothing is written in the fabric of time until you decide where, when and what shall be the first verse.

I truly had such a blast with Dark Longing and I couldn’t seem to get enough of this book or the story that it brings to the table. Now I believe the first book was more focused on the “Pure Ones” of the race and in this one we get more focus on the “Dark Ones” I am still learning the culture of this species but I can’t wait to learn more of it throughout the series. Its definitely one that may have you feeling overwhelmed by some the knowledge thrown at you. But unlike book one, where I think I was confused by much of what was going on, in this one, I was stunned by the sweet passionate romance. There are some side plot lines so be aware of those but there aren’t too many so it didn’t overwhelm the story too much. There are flashback scenes, but just a few and it shows the bond that Gabriel and Inanna once had and some of you may know of my dislike for flashbacks however I LOVED them in this book. They were so captivatingly written and my heart just went out to young Gabriel and Inanna, but seeing them find each other again and especially when Gabriel gets him memories back….it took my breath away. Their love was so beautifully captured in this book and I adored seeing their story unravel and I have to say I am so curious to see where they go from here.

I didn’t care if we never consummated our union as long as you could be with me forever. One moment with you is far more precious than a lifetime with anyone else.

The characters that we see shown in this book were so captivating. From the very beginning, your heart breaks for this family. I am curious what kind of mother Olivia actually was, because the young son didn’t seem to talk of her much after her death so I did find that a bit odd. I did love his character and how he accepts this world as the normal (he really likes his Lord of the Rings) so it probably felt like some aspects of that world was coming alive for him. I adored our hero, Gabriel. He is one of my favorite heroes I have read in a long while. He is loyal, strong, loving, affection and true to those he loves. Honestly there is nothing wrong with this man at all, he is true perfection and tops my book boyfriends of the year. The heroine, Inanna, was a delight. She is a warrior and fighter, and a dark one but not your average dark one, so there is definitely more to her story than meets the eye. I found her friendship with the queen different and you can see the respect between the both of them. I loved Inanna as the heroine though. She is strong but also shows her vulnerabilities at times too, and her devotion to Gabriel and his son, was beyond precious.

Love cannot be stolen. It can only be given. And it always takes two to make it happen

Overall I found Dark Longing to be a stunning addition to this marvelous series and I NEED more of it now!

[Mar, Queen of Darkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 but I'm rounding up to 4 because this series is the BOMB.

While I definitely enjoyed this way more the 2nd time around, it still didn't thrill me into oblivion like I know AJ is capable of doing. Still, if you're thinking of reading this series, ABSOLUTELY DO IT. You will be thanking me later! And it is 110% worth it to get into all the side characters and flashbacks because that shit is important for future books! Like Pure Healing, I think my favourite parts of this book had to be the hints and foreshadowing of those future stories coming up.
*Potential semi-vague spoilers ahead!*

I almost had a heart attack every time Inanna's father was mentioned, and whenever she visited Dark Dreams. And when the C went there as well in disguise and Mama Bear gave him the comb!!! And I almost DIED when "the vampire"/traitor hoe asked C if he was a Dark One and he was like, "Yes. And no." And then she asked if he was a Pure One and he was like, "No. And yes." (Not a direct quote lol)
Like, whaaaaat?! I was likeeeeee:


Gabriel and Inanna's romance didn't blow me away. I like it when a strong, badass female rescues her man as much as the next gal, but it seemed like every friggin' scene, Gabriel needed rescuing! He never got to do anything badass of his own and it started to kind of diminish his awesomeness in my eyes. I would have killed for a scene where Gabriel rescued Inanna, just to balance out the 3x she had to save his ass! Like come on, man!
Instead, any time shit went down, Inanna was all:


But back to the good stuff. Here are some fun quotes that made me super stoked on the foreshadowing or just rekindled my love of the amazing characters:

"Twenty-six-year-old male virgins in today's society were as rare as dragons."
ARE THEY, GABRIEL? ARE THEY REALLY?

"Except for the first time they met, Jade had never seen the Pure Ones' Consul so much as startle.
He was calm and tranquility personified. Dignity and equanimity in the flesh."
This was in my updates but I had to copy it into my review because Seth is just..... *Swoons* Like, WHY is that so hot? Jade gets me. (But girl, you're going to have work hard to deserve him!)

"It didn't matter the urgency, magnitude or direness of any situation, she had never seen Devlin lose his cool. His eyelids were ever at half-mast, as if he were perpetually sleepy or bored and couldn't be bothered to exert himself in any shape or form.
She knew it was a guise, for his mind was razor-sharp, his gaze brilliantly discerning. But there were times... she wanted to light a fire under his ass."
DEVLIN! I loved this quote. Gotta love that perpetual chillness.

"A tear of blood welled in its soulless eyes and slid unrepentantly down its cheek.
Stupid tear, it thought as its lips twisted to disguise an infinitesimal quiver.
Just because something ached in the vicinity of its chest did not mean it possessed a heart. Just because the acid in the back of its throat tasted of shame did not mean it possessed any pride."
THIS BROKE ME. Poor C :'( I don't care how evil you are, I want to hug you <3

[Paola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, recommended for fans of JR Ward, I will continue with this saga, I'm very intrigued and I wanna know what happens next....
Innana and Gabriel are soul mates, but their love is against the rules, they could loose everything if they surrender to their desires, could their love triumph in the end? or will they crash and burn? Read and find out.

[Cécile Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second time i read this beauty,i took my time reading between the lines. And i found so much more between those lines! Not jus the tragic story of Inanna and Gabrïel,but the threads woven into the story that’ll become more and more important along the way......I LOVE THIS SERIES!

[Midra · Rating 4 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER : This review may contain some spoilers. Also, a fair warning, this review is somewhat haphazard because of the time constraint as I wrote the points down as soon as they came to my mind, so bear with me.

STARS :
TROPE : Reincarnation
GENRE : Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

With the first book turning out to be not so good, I was hesitant to continue with the series. But I have a two-book rule in which I give every series a second chance before abandoning it altogether and boy, I am glad I continued. Overall, this book was much better than the first one. In terms of romance plot, both were just adequate, not something memorable. It is the plot developments that had me hooked on till the end, so much so that I was more interested than the actual romance. Hence me giving this book 3.5, almost 4 Stars…

- Now that I was acquainted with many characters keeping track of Dark Ones’ Chosen was much easier than the Pure Ones.

- The story is written in flashback form where we get bits and pieces of the past slowly as the novel progresses. The reincarnation trope was done extremely well despite the present slowly fizzling out. In fact, I was more interested in the past than the present.

- There was a big plot development in this novel, so much so that it left the romance part behind. Technically, there wasn’t much of a plot development as much as we got to know about The Great War fought between the Pure and Dark Ones.

- The villain from the first book who I am dubbing as the Creature seems to be not all bad. His multiple facets intrigue me to no end. I am suspecting that the Creature is Inana’s long lost brother. Despite being the perpetrator of evil things, that one Creature’s POV entirely changed how I viewed it.

"A tear of blood welled in its soulless eyes and slid unrepentantly down its cheek.
Stupid tear, it thought as its lips twisted to disguise an infinitesimal quiver.
Just because something ached in the vicinity of its chest did not mean it possessed a heart. Just because the acid in the back of its throat tasted of shame did not mean it possessed any pride."

From a bad guy, he went into that grey area. You know the feeling that despite everything pointing otherwise, you know, somewhere deep down that the being is not all evil. (Somewhat like Snape from Harry Potter) I hope they get a book in the future.

- Since Gabriel is new to the world, we get to know the information about Pure/Dark Ones when they tell him everything. Though the majority of it I had deduced and guessed, it was still good to know the facts. Still, a lot of things are unclear which I hope will be cleared up in subsequent books.

- I also got used to multiple POV jumps as well as omnipresent narrative taking over at times. Which was distracting and a source of irritation in the first novel, became a source of information and gave a well-rounded insight into what was happening everywhere. In fact, it was the major source of important plot development.

- This book gave more info about turning. I am thinking this is the way the series is going to progress leaving reading with several questions which as answered in subsequent books. Leaving gaps and holes in the information provided to us is irritating but it keeps us guessing and on our toes or else there is a danger of the series being stagnant. I guess there is a silver lining to everything. (This after my rant in the review of the first book)

- The sex scenes retained the distinct language that is characteristic of this series but were not as flowery as the first book, something for which I was very grateful. The word ‘Nourishment’ is still in use though it was not as awkward as reading it in the first book. This can be attested to the reason that maybe I’ve gotten used to it and because I think, there was comparatively less usage of the word during the actual sex.

- I felt Olivia’s character to be a little redundant. She may have played an important role in bringing our MCs together but I wasn’t very interested in her as a character because of which her death did not affect me very much. I couldn’t care less.

- I loved Gabriel’s five-year-old son, Benji. (Now ya’ll must be wondering, one one hand I mention that the hero is a virgin and now he has a son. To find out more, read the novel!! I am not gonna dole out any spoilers regarding this.) His POVs were an absolute joy to read. Also, a big mystery left unsolved is who exactly is Benji’s father because Olivia always mentioned him as HIM.

- Inana was a better heroine than Rain and her actions were in accordance with her age i.e. around 4000 years, unlike Rain who acted like a teen most of the time.

- And the epilogue!! OMG!! After reading it, I am even more curious and excited to read the future books in the series.

- Coming to the cover, it is something I missed talking about in the first review. The cover does not reflect what is inside. Like at all. The cover makes us think this is a sci-fi erotic novel (with that moon and naked torso in full glory whereas the reality is totally different.

- I have a feeling that Sophia and Dalair are going to make an excellent couple down the line despite Sophia being more or less a bratty teen right now. That scene in the club gave me literal goosebumps.

- While I was greatly intrigued by Jade’s character, I am not sure about Jade and Seth’s pairing with the way she is treating him. In fact, I do not like her at all when it came to Jade parading scores of men and having sex with them in front of him, something that is not exactly model behaviour of who is later going to be absolutely in love with Seth. Guess, their story is going to be a kind of second chance romance.

Coming to the issues I had with the book,

- In the blurb, it is mentioned that as a human, Gabriel is forbidden to Inana but apart from one or two mentions here and there, there is no angst. In fact, the romancer did not at all seem forbidden. They had to hide their relationship in the previous incarnation but in this one, I did not find any obstacles in the way of their bonding. Yes, there were mentions that their relationship is forbidden but just mentioning that when the characters did not seem to suffer any consequences and cruised through every obstacle makes me doubt if their relationship was actually forbidden or it was just for the sake of saying.

- While they seemed to get a HEA in this novel, a big question regarding their acceptance of relationships by others in their world is left unanswered. As I said in my previous point, their relationship is said to be forbidden but the MCs still go ahead with the bonding. So the consequences for that Mating is left for the subsequent books because now, their mating doesn’t only affect them but the entire Pure-Dark Universe. But still, I wanted a proper resolution and answers to the questions like
◾ Will they be hunted? Do they need to go on a Run?
◾ Will their child be accepted?
◾ Inana is said to be the Light-bringer. Does that give her a little leniency in forming the bond with a Pure One when she is a Dark One?
Because of the above question, I personally feel that they get an HFN, not HEA because the type of relationship they share is going to bring a lot of trouble to their door. Something I wanted to read in this novel because this is the book that focuses on them. Reading about their issues in another person’s romance novel doesn’t seem right.

- On a side note, I think that keeping the readers guessing is AJ’s MO. On the basis of the two books, I finished, I am deducing that this series is basically following a basic plot of Good Guys vs Bad Guys and while on the ride, we are given glimpses of romantic plots of important characters. So, this book is not a romance with a paranormal background but a paranormal urban fantasy with romance as a side dish. I have a feeling that the hints and foreshadowing are an integral part of the upcoming books.

- The hero is said to be a virgin and I thought it melded nicely with the way Hero’s previous incarnation died after promising to find her. Earlier he said that Inana would be the only woman in his life. So this virgin stuff was a nice touch but there was no talking or mention about this to Inana. We knew this only because Gabriel thought about this. I don’t need a very long discussion about it but I don’t think that Inana ever realized that he was a virgin.

- I also felt as if Inana and Gabriel were relegated to being the side characters in their own story. It was as if their romance never got the chance to shine, shoved to the background with so much going on as the plot thickened. Also, the number of other character POVs was more than these two combined (on the surface, it majorly felt like that) which made it difficult to concentrate on them as leads.

- This point is not an issue per se, but just a minor niggle. Gabriel turned to rather a Damsel in Distress for the majority of the parts. This series is really taking its women seriously. The role reversal where the women fight Challenges for the ‘possession’ of their men had me absolutely delighted. Nevertheless, call me sexist, I don’t care, I wanted Gabriel to take his survival into his own hands rather than being saved by Inana and wanted him to reciprocate at least once.

- Also, the last fighting scene when all of them suddenly regain their past memories was not done properly and I had to read the pages at least three to four times to make sense of what was happening. That scene was not written clearly which made the scene where they then fight against the enemies like they used to do in the past a bit jarring.

- One thing I was not one board with was the sudden change of Gabriel’s feelings towards Inana after being nursed back after that fight with several vamps. This happens after he is turned. (Sorry for so many ‘after’s) Suddenly declaring, to himself, that it seems that he has been in love with Inana from the very beginning, dimmed my enjoyment a bit. I was happy with the way they were spending time together as a family with Benji and all but crediting insta love was not done. His feelings after being turned were strongly against being a vampire but when he suddenly is okay with being Blood Mated to Inana after all that vehement arguments for the same thing and thinking about going on dates felt a bit jarring. It was like his reticence vanished like magic which makes me come to the next point which again is not a problem, as such. (I suspect this review is going to be all over the place till the time I finish with it because I am writing points under issues that are not exactly, issues. And I hope you understand the last sentence. LOL)

- The romance felt a lot like insta-love, especially on Gabriel’s part. Inana had been observing him from the sidelines for years may have validated her reasons for falling in love so quickly, but in my perspective, it still feels like insta-love because we were not privy to those years of silent observation. Again, here the reincarnation trope comes into play because while the body and mind don’t recognise each other, their hearts do which was the prime reason despite feeling like insta-love, I had no issues with it. (If you know me, then you know how I hate insta love)

So, despite all these issues, I can see that this series has a lot of potential. And the fact that this book came out 6 years after the first one, I can say that AJ has definitely improved a lot. All in all, I will give this book 3.5 “intriguing” STARS

Note : This is not a standalone even if it claims to be because many characters from the previous book make an appearance and the basic plotline carries over from the first book.


Plot Summary for Personal Book Tracking. BIG SPOILERS AHEAD. Click at your own risk!!

Inana, the Angel of Death is responsible for dispatching Lost Souls. She is the daughter of the General who was the leader of the Pure Ones in the Great War. Her mother was a Dark One princess.

Gabriel shares a platonic relationship with his wife, Olivia who is dying because of cancer. He remains faithful to her and loves her unconditionally even when Olivia cheats on him. (and he knows it because Olivia never claimed to love him) Olivia had a blood contract with Inana.

This novel focuses on various illegal fight clubs operating that involved the Creature, a Pure One and a Dark One. (Dark One is revealed to be Simone who is the scribe equivalent of Dark Ones.)

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are straight up matriarchy. lol
Inanna (now known as Nana Chastain) may be a fairy like silver blonde with blue eyes but she is also known as the angel of death and feels less of the sun's adverse effects than other vampires. She is a dark one, not a pure one because she is vampire born, not vampire made. She is also four thousand years old.
Gabriel is a cage fighter when he is pressed for money.

I believe Inanna is also a soul eater, and she reminds me of Hell Girl from the anime. Inanna used to go to the hospice to help people with their suffering in exchange for a blood contract when Olivia saw her and knew she wasn't human. She made a blood contract with Olivia when she was dying of cancer, to care for her child, Benji. Inanna is enamored with the child's father, Gabriel.
In a flashback, we see that Inanna is 13 and has a thing for Alad Da-an-nim who is Inanna's father's best warrior; she loves him as she loves her papa but also had a thing for him. At this point, she turn into her nature and bit him. Gabriel was attacked by the hateful Simone vampire at the fight club and Inanna had to turn him into a vampire at the moment of his death. By turning him and infusing part of her soul with his soul, she made him a blooded mate which means they are married until one of them perish. Sometimes this bond can drive them both mad if the soul is not strong enough or if they do not control themselves. They must have blood and sex magic in order to survive. He is the reincarnation of his father's best warrior Alad Da-an-nim. She knows that he is the reincarnation when he calls her by her real name, Inanna. And he is also a pure vampire, as is Benji, both need to awaken and survive it. Gabriel is an ancient warrior class. She doesn't know who her mother is, she is a vampire with dark hair and dark eyes, nothing like her. Mamma bear is her mother incognito; Benji saw her true form. And she has a trove full of treasures.

History lesson, a princess long ago was supposed to choose her dark mate but chose a pure mate instead and this caused The Great war. They had twins, a boy and a girl, the boy supposedly died and the whereabouts of the girl were unknown. The mother went mad from the loss. But she knows now that her son is actually alive and I think it's the creature. The Princess’ Pure Mate had been the leader of the Great Rebellion. Inanna is the lost twin sister, she is half pure and half dark. Alad Da-an-nim had known this about her origins.

Jade Cicada is the vampire queen in the New England, New York hive and her consort is Seth Tremaine, she has a harem though and an insatiable appetite. Inanna is her personal guard but she later left the circle to protect Gabriel and Benji for her actions of turning Gabriel, a pure blood into a dark blood. Jade is still her friend but would have had to pass judgement had she not left her kingdom. Maximus Justus Copernicus is one of the most fearsome warriors in the entire vampire race. Anastasia is the vampire Queen’s head of security. Ana is a vampire with telekinesis. Devlin is Inanna's former commander. Simone is a royal scholar and works for the queen. She is also the duplicitous traitor that has been working with the fight club leader. She challenged Inanna for the rights to Gabriel. "A Challenge by someone with a prior flesh or blood claim is the only thing that can break the Bond." So, this Simone bitch had tasted his blood before during the fight in the cage match. They killed that bitch. Once again the goddess makes her appearance and this time to Gabriel for him to choose his destiny. The goddess also asked Inanna to choose a side and she choose both sides. The creature can shape-shift and be whatever it wants to be.


Also, I'm a little confused because I thought that Sophia was kidnapped by the androgynous vampire?....Did I skip something there? But she is the vampire queen even though she hasn't awakened yet. I still don't trust that Ere. I am definitely seeing that these stories always have their resolutions with the main couples but Sophia is the long con.

[Luana ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh. Now we see more about the "bad" side of the story. The Dark Ones aka vampires. And it was simply great to expand more their world and get to know new characters in more depth.

A widower and a single dad? Yummy.
I loved both the hero and the heroine. They were both no nonsense kind of people and I am enjoying this reincarnation side of the story. Plus Benji was the cutest!

I was also glad that the Pure Ones Queen was a little bit more mature and the drama in her life was left to a minimum.

This series is getting so good that I already read the next book and only now took a break to post about it! XD

4.5 stars.