What do you think?
Rate this book
Daughters of Arianne #2
A Witch's Beauty: A Daughters of Arianne Series Novel
The follow-up to A Mermaid's Kiss-from a national bestselling author who "stands out in a genre known for its out-of-the-ordinary love play."(The Romance Studio)
Mina is the daughter of an unholy union-a mermaid taken by one of the malevolent Dark Ones. While helping to rescue Prime Legion Commander Jonah, she exposed herself as a potentially dangerous weapon, susceptible to the darkness in her own blood. Now, for the general good, Jonah has angels watching over her...
Though Mina is resistant to being protected, her attitude begins to change when David, the human-born angel, is awarded the duty. Looking into his eyes, she can sense that he too knows what it means to fight the darkness within. But-as their passion threatens to take over-will it lead them to Heaven or Hell?
Mina is the daughter of an unholy union-a mermaid taken by one of the malevolent Dark Ones. While helping to rescue Prime Legion Commander Jonah, she exposed herself as a potentially dangerous weapon, susceptible to the darkness in her own blood. Now, for the general good, Jonah has angels watching over her...
Though Mina is resistant to being protected, her attitude begins to change when David, the human-born angel, is awarded the duty. Looking into his eyes, she can sense that he too knows what it means to fight the darkness within. But-as their passion threatens to take over-will it lead them to Heaven or Hell?
380 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2009
25 people are currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Joey W. Hill
117 books3,541 followers"BDSM Romance for the Heart & Soul"
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
A submissive herself, Hill brings authenticity to her intensely emotional BDSM love stories. With over fifty titles and seven series, her contemporary and paranormal romances feature everything from billionaires, bikers, SEALs, firefighters, cops and housemaids, to vampires, mermaids, witches and angels.
"Joey translates the world of BDSM with such intense power and exquisite beauty. LOVE is the most powerful element entwined through the Dominance and submission.” –Goodreads, Pink Lady
Joey is the recipient of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Erotic Romance, and she loves to hear from her readers!
If you're on Bookbub, she'd love for you to follow her:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joey-...
You can also find her here:
Website: storywitch.com
Facebook: @JoeyWHillAuthor
MeWe: mewe.com/i/joeywhill
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
romance-covers-i-have-loved
June 8, 2009although there is already a very detailed discussion about this cover on the bn page, i thought i would post it here too because it is worth checking out. the feasibility of love between an octopus-woman and a birdman needed to be explored, and i tip my cap to joey hill for being brave enough to tackle today's tough issues.
March 8, 2011
I have been pondering a few days on what to say about this novel and sometimes words cannot adequately describe or express the reading experience you’ve had and this is the case for me with A Witch’s Beauty. I am baffled, awe-struck and swept of my feet in a story that is brimmed with diverse, enigmatic and colorful characters who voiced an erotic romance that I cannot define as simply erotic or as a romance. Nothing is simple in A Witch’s Beauty; not the characters, the choices they needed to make, the love they feel, or the events that take place. Joey W Hill gave me two characters, the angel David and the sea witch Mina, and in the mere few days this story encompasses it felt like I’d spent a lifetime with them.
In the very first chapters it became evident there was so much more going on that I instinctively slowed down my reading to absorb as many character nuances and details as possible. I wouldn’t classify A Witch’s Beauty as an easy read. The emotional dilemmas are not black or white, good or evil, right or wrong and it seeks a unique balance between all facets because Mina is such a unique character. She is born from a sea witch and a Dark One, and because of that she is born with a natural evil and good side. It is by her own moral sense and sheer willpower she doesn’t tip over to her Dark One side. Complexity is Mina’s middle name with her scarred beauty, her powers, her sea witch body and often Dark One’s attitude which is rooted in pain and darkness. It would be an understatement if I say that she is an extraordinary heroine.
Opposed to Mina is David, a relatively young angel by their standard but one who is inexplicitly drawn towards Mina. As result of certain events Mina has angels guarding her and when the last one comes back with bat wings David pleas with Jonah to give him guarding duty over Mina. David has a contemplating personality, can be pensive at times, he is serious and has an earnest intensity about him. His quiet resolve throws Mina off balance but with his former life as a human David has his share of memories to deal with, memories that speak of dark heinous acts.
Because this novel is so character driven every single character is fully fleshed out and lots of pages went in to unfolding Mina and David’s past and present story. I could feel their separate and combined inner turmoil. I absorbed each shred of emotion between them. The heart tugging and endearing first times, the beautiful cadence of trust given by one which is treasured by the other, a love and eroticism blossoming between two very unlikely characters who fit each other at the core. It is also a story of sacrifice, of pain and loss that screams for healing and acceptance. The loneliness and inner strength that hides behind Mina’s salt and vinegar attitude is at times heart breaking. It is also exceptionally well captivated by the author that despite, or perhaps because of Mina’s tendency to lean towards evil, what makes her such a fascinating character. The synergy of David and Mina delivers a contrast of good and evil which is done with such an understanding of the concept that actions become understandable. But most of all, it shows how the emotional sides can war inside the soul, providing such conflict that on many moments my emotions were triggered in answer.
I feel like I should include a warning for other readers that A Witch’s Beauty can be an acquired taste due the physical description of Mina, in sea witch form her lower body exists out of tentacles, and I can imagine this could be too much for a reader to handle in the erotic department. I feel like I should tell you all that if you don’t “get” either Mina or David then a lot of this story will be lost to you. But I didn’t mind the tentacles of Mina’s sea witch body as it is such a defining part of her, and I “got” their personalities and issues. Their passion feels so natural, so fierce and sensual that I accepted it for what it is; a sea witch and an angel falling in love with every up and down that they needed to experience to fully come together in heart, mind and soul. I had no issues regarding the character development, which is a rarity all on its own. From A to Z it has been done with a fabulous perception and understanding of both David and Mina, of the world this author created with heaven and hell, and the oceanic world was one I loved to be in.
The dialogues sizzle with each character’s personality, be it Mina, David, Jonah, Raphael or anyone else the author conjured in this story. One of the greatest pleasures in reading this novel is getting to unravel and understand the characters, their pros and cons, their doubts and fears and most of all, how their joy and love soars. Also, I need to mention Dante, if there is one character who was introduced in this novel and caught my immediate attention then it was this cross between a vampire and Dark One. The romance gradually builds to a cresting intensity, each struggle, tender or erotic moment, each fight or emotional battle of wills, each holds a meaning and each event shares a piece of the protagonists personality with the reader. I was completely succumbed to this world, these characters and their story. Hubby could call me, I wouldn’t answer. Dinner preparations were forgotten and TV series held no appeal to me. For three days my mind and imagination was occupied by this novel and I didn’t mind it one bit.
The plot holds a minimal of action but when it happens it is formidably displayed in aggressive splendor. The primary focus of A Witch’s Beauty remains on the progress of the personal journey though and it speaks of various choices to make and maintaining a balance. If the right choices are made and a certain balance achieved, ultimate love is the reward. If they would fail a barren emotional abyss would be awaiting them. I always love this kind of high-stake romance and makes the read increase in its intensity. As I continued to read the chapters all minor and major things interconnected together. It created circumstances where I would think a happily ever after wasn’t going to happen. Emotions soared for me in those final chapters like only a few authors have the ability to do so with me. Joey W Hill made that list of authors!
As the author led me towards the ending I was already jubilating about the awesomeness of this novel but then there was the epilogue. I always enjoy an epilogue but then there are those very few that add something more to the story, something that suddenly becomes unique to the tale. There only comes one to mind that shares the same impact as the one in A Witch’s Beauty and that is the epilogue of The Immortal Highland by Karen Moning. I already had that five star feeling but with the elaborate epilogue it was hard to come down from that place I call ultimate reader’s bliss.
A Witch’s Beauty is a story that was a rare read of perfection and poured emotions from each page. It held out on nothing, not in the good nor the bad side of life, nor the powerful passion, or the romance. I will savor this story for the rest of my life.
I will not hold out on any of the quotes I written down:
Quote Mina:
“I don’t love anyone. I don’t laugh. I don’t hope for anything, and you’re the only one who imagines I might have a soul.”
Quote David to Mina:
“Forgiveness is something given by someone who sees all of you, every dark and light corner, who knows where you’ve been, where you’ll walk, where you’ll misstep again, sees it against what everyone else is or has done, and knows it’s going to be okay. That things are the way they were meant to be, that everything has a reason, even those that can’t be explained. That it’s just okay to just be, to take that precious moment of stillness and hold on to it, use it to give you the strength to fuel everything else.”
Quote David:
Mind-shattering orgasm, a violent argument, a harrowing revelation, and now food. Mina would never be a dull companion. (<- when I read this all I could think was: “That’s an understatement of the year!”:)
Quote Mina to David:
She tilted her head. “I don’t think you have to worry so much. He’s a little psychotic for me.”
“Oh sure, that’s what girls always say. Then they go for the bad boy. Look at me, I’m an angel. Harps, haloes, purity and goodness. What chance do I have?”
In the very first chapters it became evident there was so much more going on that I instinctively slowed down my reading to absorb as many character nuances and details as possible. I wouldn’t classify A Witch’s Beauty as an easy read. The emotional dilemmas are not black or white, good or evil, right or wrong and it seeks a unique balance between all facets because Mina is such a unique character. She is born from a sea witch and a Dark One, and because of that she is born with a natural evil and good side. It is by her own moral sense and sheer willpower she doesn’t tip over to her Dark One side. Complexity is Mina’s middle name with her scarred beauty, her powers, her sea witch body and often Dark One’s attitude which is rooted in pain and darkness. It would be an understatement if I say that she is an extraordinary heroine.
Opposed to Mina is David, a relatively young angel by their standard but one who is inexplicitly drawn towards Mina. As result of certain events Mina has angels guarding her and when the last one comes back with bat wings David pleas with Jonah to give him guarding duty over Mina. David has a contemplating personality, can be pensive at times, he is serious and has an earnest intensity about him. His quiet resolve throws Mina off balance but with his former life as a human David has his share of memories to deal with, memories that speak of dark heinous acts.
Because this novel is so character driven every single character is fully fleshed out and lots of pages went in to unfolding Mina and David’s past and present story. I could feel their separate and combined inner turmoil. I absorbed each shred of emotion between them. The heart tugging and endearing first times, the beautiful cadence of trust given by one which is treasured by the other, a love and eroticism blossoming between two very unlikely characters who fit each other at the core. It is also a story of sacrifice, of pain and loss that screams for healing and acceptance. The loneliness and inner strength that hides behind Mina’s salt and vinegar attitude is at times heart breaking. It is also exceptionally well captivated by the author that despite, or perhaps because of Mina’s tendency to lean towards evil, what makes her such a fascinating character. The synergy of David and Mina delivers a contrast of good and evil which is done with such an understanding of the concept that actions become understandable. But most of all, it shows how the emotional sides can war inside the soul, providing such conflict that on many moments my emotions were triggered in answer.
I feel like I should include a warning for other readers that A Witch’s Beauty can be an acquired taste due the physical description of Mina, in sea witch form her lower body exists out of tentacles, and I can imagine this could be too much for a reader to handle in the erotic department. I feel like I should tell you all that if you don’t “get” either Mina or David then a lot of this story will be lost to you. But I didn’t mind the tentacles of Mina’s sea witch body as it is such a defining part of her, and I “got” their personalities and issues. Their passion feels so natural, so fierce and sensual that I accepted it for what it is; a sea witch and an angel falling in love with every up and down that they needed to experience to fully come together in heart, mind and soul. I had no issues regarding the character development, which is a rarity all on its own. From A to Z it has been done with a fabulous perception and understanding of both David and Mina, of the world this author created with heaven and hell, and the oceanic world was one I loved to be in.
The dialogues sizzle with each character’s personality, be it Mina, David, Jonah, Raphael or anyone else the author conjured in this story. One of the greatest pleasures in reading this novel is getting to unravel and understand the characters, their pros and cons, their doubts and fears and most of all, how their joy and love soars. Also, I need to mention Dante, if there is one character who was introduced in this novel and caught my immediate attention then it was this cross between a vampire and Dark One. The romance gradually builds to a cresting intensity, each struggle, tender or erotic moment, each fight or emotional battle of wills, each holds a meaning and each event shares a piece of the protagonists personality with the reader. I was completely succumbed to this world, these characters and their story. Hubby could call me, I wouldn’t answer. Dinner preparations were forgotten and TV series held no appeal to me. For three days my mind and imagination was occupied by this novel and I didn’t mind it one bit.
The plot holds a minimal of action but when it happens it is formidably displayed in aggressive splendor. The primary focus of A Witch’s Beauty remains on the progress of the personal journey though and it speaks of various choices to make and maintaining a balance. If the right choices are made and a certain balance achieved, ultimate love is the reward. If they would fail a barren emotional abyss would be awaiting them. I always love this kind of high-stake romance and makes the read increase in its intensity. As I continued to read the chapters all minor and major things interconnected together. It created circumstances where I would think a happily ever after wasn’t going to happen. Emotions soared for me in those final chapters like only a few authors have the ability to do so with me. Joey W Hill made that list of authors!
As the author led me towards the ending I was already jubilating about the awesomeness of this novel but then there was the epilogue. I always enjoy an epilogue but then there are those very few that add something more to the story, something that suddenly becomes unique to the tale. There only comes one to mind that shares the same impact as the one in A Witch’s Beauty and that is the epilogue of The Immortal Highland by Karen Moning. I already had that five star feeling but with the elaborate epilogue it was hard to come down from that place I call ultimate reader’s bliss.
A Witch’s Beauty is a story that was a rare read of perfection and poured emotions from each page. It held out on nothing, not in the good nor the bad side of life, nor the powerful passion, or the romance. I will savor this story for the rest of my life.
I will not hold out on any of the quotes I written down:
Quote Mina:
“I don’t love anyone. I don’t laugh. I don’t hope for anything, and you’re the only one who imagines I might have a soul.”
Quote David to Mina:
“Forgiveness is something given by someone who sees all of you, every dark and light corner, who knows where you’ve been, where you’ll walk, where you’ll misstep again, sees it against what everyone else is or has done, and knows it’s going to be okay. That things are the way they were meant to be, that everything has a reason, even those that can’t be explained. That it’s just okay to just be, to take that precious moment of stillness and hold on to it, use it to give you the strength to fuel everything else.”
Quote David:
Mind-shattering orgasm, a violent argument, a harrowing revelation, and now food. Mina would never be a dull companion. (<- when I read this all I could think was: “That’s an understatement of the year!”:)
Quote Mina to David:
She tilted her head. “I don’t think you have to worry so much. He’s a little psychotic for me.”
“Oh sure, that’s what girls always say. Then they go for the bad boy. Look at me, I’m an angel. Harps, haloes, purity and goodness. What chance do I have?”
February 17, 2009
Hill's writing is beautifully paced and though she's famous for her explicit love scenes the characters in her novels are not 2 dimensional caricatures but have an emotional depth to them, such as this sequel to A Mermaid's Kiss which is an unconventional take on the 'Beauty and the Beast' plotline.
The first thing that differs is that it is the heroine who is scarred, emotionally (being unwanted, abhorred, feared and alone her entire life) and physically -her entire left half betrays her Dark One heritage- dark skin stretched taut, red eyes and a deformed breast whereas the right reveals her for the mermaid she is and which Mina jokingly calls her Venus half; utterly beautiful. Her hero, David the human born angel is perfection himself as all angels are and his resistance to her hateful demeanor shocks her as much as the attraction she feels to him and he to her.
I haven't finished it yet but it was difficult of me to put it aside so as to prolong the pleasure of reading it for the first time. One thing is sure, I have never known the eating of an orange to be so erotic.
This novel is amazing.
What Mina suffered through was cruel and unthinkable as well as what happened to David's sister in his life and his inability to do anything was simply heartbreaking.
---Finished 17 Feb '09
WOW. I just couldn't put it down, sacrifice made by both hero and heroine and a wonderful fitting ending that doesn't cross the boundaries into cheesy land. Mina is the rare type of heroine who stays strong throughout with David her perfect balance- the color of his restored angel wings is an outward manifestation as Mina's Champion, one midnight black and the other pure white.
The first thing that differs is that it is the heroine who is scarred, emotionally (being unwanted, abhorred, feared and alone her entire life) and physically -her entire left half betrays her Dark One heritage- dark skin stretched taut, red eyes and a deformed breast whereas the right reveals her for the mermaid she is and which Mina jokingly calls her Venus half; utterly beautiful. Her hero, David the human born angel is perfection himself as all angels are and his resistance to her hateful demeanor shocks her as much as the attraction she feels to him and he to her.
I haven't finished it yet but it was difficult of me to put it aside so as to prolong the pleasure of reading it for the first time. One thing is sure, I have never known the eating of an orange to be so erotic.
This novel is amazing.
What Mina suffered through was cruel and unthinkable as well as what happened to David's sister in his life and his inability to do anything was simply heartbreaking.
---Finished 17 Feb '09
WOW. I just couldn't put it down, sacrifice made by both hero and heroine and a wonderful fitting ending that doesn't cross the boundaries into cheesy land. Mina is the rare type of heroine who stays strong throughout with David her perfect balance- the color of his restored angel wings is an outward manifestation as Mina's Champion, one midnight black and the other pure white.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2014
oohhhh::i really enjoyed this book::it has a good storyline::love::sex::drama::for me this is romance with a bit more::i can see why the book is sold as *Erotic Romance*:: it is very very subtle but almost everything is there::i think i described A Mermaid's Kiss as senuous and for me this book is the same:: the dramatic parts are very dark though::ultimately it a battle between good and evil::
August 15, 2011
File this under amazingly sick and twisted! I loved David and his ability to be so calm encountering a raging sociopathic powerful witch Mina. Their story is so erotic, Mina having his sword and using it in herself and on herself (yes I just said that people) was shocking, the fact that David knew it was so sexy, and I loved how he never gave up on her even when she pushed him away so much he held strong. Their story got very descriptive at one point and I dont care for the mermaid sex but the blooding David does to Mina alone and the reasons behind it were beautiful as were his demands of only him doing it. She had to sacrifice him the only person that ever loved her, it was so sad and tragic but it all came together at the end...what a great story and writing by J.H.
December 8, 2009
4 1/2 Stars!!
A WITCH'S BEAUTY is a volatile and an emotionally dark rollercoaster of a read. The heroine, Mina, is an anti-heroine and an extremely dark character not only with regards to her nature but by genetics as well. The trials and tribulations she faces on a day-to-day basis would make the stark reality of most people's lives appear as a quiet picnic verses the raging chaos of Mina's hellish existence. Barely clinging to her sanity, Mina is pulled back and forth like the tides of a storm-tossed ocean between her mermaid half and her Dark One half. Light verses dark, with the constant need to maintain an exact balance between them both or an explosion of consequences will be the result.
The Dark Ones are an evil race of beings, a plague really that preys upon the humans of Earth. Since the dawn of our existence, the angles have guarded us from Dark One attack and are shown no quarter, just death. Mina, known as a Dark Spawn, is shunned alike by her fellow merpeople and the angels above with the stigma that all Dark Spawn eventually become like their Dark One sires after succumbing to their inherent evil. Unfortunately, after recently garnering the undivided attention of both the angels and the Dark Ones with her powerful sorceress abilities wielded in the epic Canyon Battle a few months previous, Mina is finding herself wrestling more and more with her Dark One half especially when a certain angel takes a personal interest in her.
One of the few human-born angels, David sees a woman within Mina verses the Dark Spawn that everyone else does. Currently, the seawitch's fate is very delicate causing the angels to believe that her safety from Dark Ones is paramount. Mina's magical abilities are like nothing ever seen and without knowing which side she'll ultimately fight for, the angels take a course of action to prevent her from making the wrong choice. David's request to be Mina's personal guard doesn't necessarily stem from gallantry but rather a deep seeded desire for her that can at times make him careless. Using his supremely dominant nature against Mina, he quickly dissolves her control but this in turn reveals that her Dark One half is much closer to the surface than any of his fellow angels could have ever imagined.
Mistaking Mina's darkness as a sickness rather than her blood and her undeniable nature, David attempts to eradicate what he assumes is a learned condition. He knows that she uses her darkness to shield herself from others around her and protect her inner self but what he doesn't understand is that the light he glimpses within her has a tenuous hold on her Dark One half and that balance is needed in order to not tip her soul into the evil that beckons her so strongly. With an iron will, Mina contains and controls her Dark One half but David's constant light and his attempts to demolish what is in fact her intrinsic nature nearly has catastrophic affects.
David of course has his own inner demons but unlike Mina, he's had the benefit of healing and acceptance from his angel brethren. Mina has never been offered any support by her people or her mother who abandoned her for death when Mina was nine. Someone to champion her is an unknown luxury and David's initial attempts to win Mina's trust is met with fierce resistance. If you've never experienced love or friendship then having it offered to you is something you'll resist because having it and then inevitably losing it (for life has taught Mina time and again that happiness is never lasting) will surely make life go from unbearable to intolerable. The whole concept of rather having love and loss than no love at all is not an experience Mina wishes to learn. Better to have no love at all. Fortunately David is persistent and he's determined to prove to Mina that there's nothing she can do, that no amount of her darkness can push him from his willingness to love her unconditionally.
I must admit that I dreaded the end of AWB not because I didn't want it to end but rather that I feared the hell that Joey W. Hill would inevitably wreak upon David and Mina. That may be why it took me so long to get through the novel for I feared the worst and the worst was definitely brought upon the seawitch and her angel lover. The foreshadowing was consistent not only with purpose but with darkness as well giving fair warning that the end would not be easy. That the lessons needed to be learned, by Mina especially, would not go down lightly. The proof David had to deliver to Mina that his love was unbreakable was beyond difficult to read and I did feel a measure of anger at Mina while understanding that there was a lot needed to break through the fortified walls of her highly guarded heart and soul. There was also the gratification that she felt incredible regret but I was surprised by what it took for her to finally open her eyes. In addition, her decision to remain away from David after the cataclysmic ending didn't help her cause in my opinion but she does eventually give up a hefty part of herself to save David when he most needed it and thus proving her capacity to love and that she deserved his love in return.
In my opinion, A WITCH'S BEAUTY was truly Mina's story with David, her hero, maintaining more of a supportive role although no less valuable. They both shoulder their own demons with the major exception being that David's range of acceptance far surpasses Mina's, whose evil is held closely and protectively to her heart. A dark anti-heroine isn't common in the romance genre and I found that it's not my favorite reading experience but I whole-heartily accept this type of heroine and admire her for her differences. I believe it's a mark of a talented author to showcase such humanity in a being that would have been rejected by anyone else. Hill's love for Mina is very evident and she wasn't afraid to take her characters through the extreme to wrench open Mina's heart.
Mina is also highly unconventional in her appearance, something that I found to be both extremely daring and admirable. Again, it's a mark of Hill's talent that she was able to pull off Mina's appearance so effortlessly and in such a way that she's easily accepted by the reader. I don't wish to go into detail regarding Mina's appearance because for one I couldn't do her justice nor would I be able to convey the broad and over-reaching reasons for it. Mina's outward appearance is a direct mirror to her inner and when the reader reaches the end of AWB, we see how Mina is able to come full circle with not only her outer beauty but her inner as well. Magical really.
A WITCH'S BEAUTY is very character driven. There are still Good vs. Evil concepts like its predecessor, A MERMAID'S KISS, but the concepts are condensed more specifically within Mina and David verses one race against another and the need to choose a side. Again, it is a testament of talent and I willingly give any author abundant respect for trying to tackle so bravely such a difficult, and at times, unclear and elusive concept.
This series is truly amazing and if it wasn't for my own personal hang-ups with Mina being an anti-heroine, I would have easily given this book five stars.
A WITCH'S BEAUTY is a volatile and an emotionally dark rollercoaster of a read. The heroine, Mina, is an anti-heroine and an extremely dark character not only with regards to her nature but by genetics as well. The trials and tribulations she faces on a day-to-day basis would make the stark reality of most people's lives appear as a quiet picnic verses the raging chaos of Mina's hellish existence. Barely clinging to her sanity, Mina is pulled back and forth like the tides of a storm-tossed ocean between her mermaid half and her Dark One half. Light verses dark, with the constant need to maintain an exact balance between them both or an explosion of consequences will be the result.
The Dark Ones are an evil race of beings, a plague really that preys upon the humans of Earth. Since the dawn of our existence, the angles have guarded us from Dark One attack and are shown no quarter, just death. Mina, known as a Dark Spawn, is shunned alike by her fellow merpeople and the angels above with the stigma that all Dark Spawn eventually become like their Dark One sires after succumbing to their inherent evil. Unfortunately, after recently garnering the undivided attention of both the angels and the Dark Ones with her powerful sorceress abilities wielded in the epic Canyon Battle a few months previous, Mina is finding herself wrestling more and more with her Dark One half especially when a certain angel takes a personal interest in her.
One of the few human-born angels, David sees a woman within Mina verses the Dark Spawn that everyone else does. Currently, the seawitch's fate is very delicate causing the angels to believe that her safety from Dark Ones is paramount. Mina's magical abilities are like nothing ever seen and without knowing which side she'll ultimately fight for, the angels take a course of action to prevent her from making the wrong choice. David's request to be Mina's personal guard doesn't necessarily stem from gallantry but rather a deep seeded desire for her that can at times make him careless. Using his supremely dominant nature against Mina, he quickly dissolves her control but this in turn reveals that her Dark One half is much closer to the surface than any of his fellow angels could have ever imagined.
Mistaking Mina's darkness as a sickness rather than her blood and her undeniable nature, David attempts to eradicate what he assumes is a learned condition. He knows that she uses her darkness to shield herself from others around her and protect her inner self but what he doesn't understand is that the light he glimpses within her has a tenuous hold on her Dark One half and that balance is needed in order to not tip her soul into the evil that beckons her so strongly. With an iron will, Mina contains and controls her Dark One half but David's constant light and his attempts to demolish what is in fact her intrinsic nature nearly has catastrophic affects.
David of course has his own inner demons but unlike Mina, he's had the benefit of healing and acceptance from his angel brethren. Mina has never been offered any support by her people or her mother who abandoned her for death when Mina was nine. Someone to champion her is an unknown luxury and David's initial attempts to win Mina's trust is met with fierce resistance. If you've never experienced love or friendship then having it offered to you is something you'll resist because having it and then inevitably losing it (for life has taught Mina time and again that happiness is never lasting) will surely make life go from unbearable to intolerable. The whole concept of rather having love and loss than no love at all is not an experience Mina wishes to learn. Better to have no love at all. Fortunately David is persistent and he's determined to prove to Mina that there's nothing she can do, that no amount of her darkness can push him from his willingness to love her unconditionally.
I must admit that I dreaded the end of AWB not because I didn't want it to end but rather that I feared the hell that Joey W. Hill would inevitably wreak upon David and Mina. That may be why it took me so long to get through the novel for I feared the worst and the worst was definitely brought upon the seawitch and her angel lover. The foreshadowing was consistent not only with purpose but with darkness as well giving fair warning that the end would not be easy. That the lessons needed to be learned, by Mina especially, would not go down lightly. The proof David had to deliver to Mina that his love was unbreakable was beyond difficult to read and I did feel a measure of anger at Mina while understanding that there was a lot needed to break through the fortified walls of her highly guarded heart and soul. There was also the gratification that she felt incredible regret but I was surprised by what it took for her to finally open her eyes. In addition, her decision to remain away from David after the cataclysmic ending didn't help her cause in my opinion but she does eventually give up a hefty part of herself to save David when he most needed it and thus proving her capacity to love and that she deserved his love in return.
In my opinion, A WITCH'S BEAUTY was truly Mina's story with David, her hero, maintaining more of a supportive role although no less valuable. They both shoulder their own demons with the major exception being that David's range of acceptance far surpasses Mina's, whose evil is held closely and protectively to her heart. A dark anti-heroine isn't common in the romance genre and I found that it's not my favorite reading experience but I whole-heartily accept this type of heroine and admire her for her differences. I believe it's a mark of a talented author to showcase such humanity in a being that would have been rejected by anyone else. Hill's love for Mina is very evident and she wasn't afraid to take her characters through the extreme to wrench open Mina's heart.
Mina is also highly unconventional in her appearance, something that I found to be both extremely daring and admirable. Again, it's a mark of Hill's talent that she was able to pull off Mina's appearance so effortlessly and in such a way that she's easily accepted by the reader. I don't wish to go into detail regarding Mina's appearance because for one I couldn't do her justice nor would I be able to convey the broad and over-reaching reasons for it. Mina's outward appearance is a direct mirror to her inner and when the reader reaches the end of AWB, we see how Mina is able to come full circle with not only her outer beauty but her inner as well. Magical really.
A WITCH'S BEAUTY is very character driven. There are still Good vs. Evil concepts like its predecessor, A MERMAID'S KISS, but the concepts are condensed more specifically within Mina and David verses one race against another and the need to choose a side. Again, it is a testament of talent and I willingly give any author abundant respect for trying to tackle so bravely such a difficult, and at times, unclear and elusive concept.
This series is truly amazing and if it wasn't for my own personal hang-ups with Mina being an anti-heroine, I would have easily given this book five stars.
May 21, 2009
Mina, the unholy sea witch, is the product of rape, a forced union between a mermaid and a Dark One. Mina should have been destroyed when she was born; instead she was tortured when she was a young girl resulting in scars covering her face and body. And yet she has many powers at her disposal, from the ability to shape shift into a human and dragon to an abnormal mermaid with two tentacles in place of a tail. And despite her disfigurements and because of her special abilities she is able to overcome, but remains alone, for she can barely keep the darkness inside her under control.
There is one angel who is willing to stand up to this challenge, David. He is the youngest angel in Jonah’s army, but has the biggest heart. David sees something special in Mina and wants to tap into the goodness he knows she has inside. Mina has no choice but to allow David into the safe haven that is her underwater home. All too soon, David sees the many different sides to Mina. He wants her to feel happiness and joy. But what David doesn’t know is that Mina can not feel too much joy, or the darkness that is threatening to consume her will explode. Light must equal the darkness and with that she needs both pleasure and pain. David is willing to give her as much pleasure as she can stand. He shows her the joys of sex. Mina wants to give into David, but she must always have balance and that means she must feel pain.
When a portal to the Dark Ones’ world is found and ready to be opened, Mina and David must work together to stop this from happening. This will require Mina to confront her demons, and for David to stand by her side, to be her hope in a future where the brightness she has always turned away from will now embrace her.
When Mina made her first appearance as a secondary character in A MERMAID’S KISS, she almost took over the story. I was so very intrigued by this character and when I heard Joey wrote a sequel making Mina the lead heroine, I just had to read it. At first I was a bit, shall we say, turned off by the notion of an underwater sea witch with tentacles having a love story. But just as Joey pulled off the mermaid and angel love story in a Mermaid’s Kiss, she has done it here with A WITCH’S BEAUTY. Mina is one tortured character. You can not help but feel deeply for her. Not only does she have scars, both inside and out, but even if she wanted to love and be loved, she may destroy herself in the process because of each half she embodies. Mina has been dealt some really bad cards in her life. But things look up when David enters it.
David is everything a hero should be. He is stoic, kind and understanding. He sees something in Mina no one else has and because of that he is able to break down her defenses. These two are so perfect for one another. David has a bright outlook on life even though the way he lived as a human and died will shock you senseless. He has lived through the most horrible of situations, and understands Mina’s actions and why she lashes out. He won’t back down and turns Mina’s world upside down.
These two have great sexual chemistry and the sensuality between them can be dark at times but also very loving. The way David embraces Mina, from her scars to her surly nature is a lovely thing to read. These two become a great team and that is where each one finally understands what it means to love and sacrifice.
Joey W. Hill stretches the boundaries of romance with her books. Who would have thought angels loving underwater creatures could be such great reading? I was pleasantly surprised, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the same situation I was. A WITCH’S BEAUTY is a very beautiful story that shouldn’t be passed by.
There is one angel who is willing to stand up to this challenge, David. He is the youngest angel in Jonah’s army, but has the biggest heart. David sees something special in Mina and wants to tap into the goodness he knows she has inside. Mina has no choice but to allow David into the safe haven that is her underwater home. All too soon, David sees the many different sides to Mina. He wants her to feel happiness and joy. But what David doesn’t know is that Mina can not feel too much joy, or the darkness that is threatening to consume her will explode. Light must equal the darkness and with that she needs both pleasure and pain. David is willing to give her as much pleasure as she can stand. He shows her the joys of sex. Mina wants to give into David, but she must always have balance and that means she must feel pain.
When a portal to the Dark Ones’ world is found and ready to be opened, Mina and David must work together to stop this from happening. This will require Mina to confront her demons, and for David to stand by her side, to be her hope in a future where the brightness she has always turned away from will now embrace her.
When Mina made her first appearance as a secondary character in A MERMAID’S KISS, she almost took over the story. I was so very intrigued by this character and when I heard Joey wrote a sequel making Mina the lead heroine, I just had to read it. At first I was a bit, shall we say, turned off by the notion of an underwater sea witch with tentacles having a love story. But just as Joey pulled off the mermaid and angel love story in a Mermaid’s Kiss, she has done it here with A WITCH’S BEAUTY. Mina is one tortured character. You can not help but feel deeply for her. Not only does she have scars, both inside and out, but even if she wanted to love and be loved, she may destroy herself in the process because of each half she embodies. Mina has been dealt some really bad cards in her life. But things look up when David enters it.
David is everything a hero should be. He is stoic, kind and understanding. He sees something in Mina no one else has and because of that he is able to break down her defenses. These two are so perfect for one another. David has a bright outlook on life even though the way he lived as a human and died will shock you senseless. He has lived through the most horrible of situations, and understands Mina’s actions and why she lashes out. He won’t back down and turns Mina’s world upside down.
These two have great sexual chemistry and the sensuality between them can be dark at times but also very loving. The way David embraces Mina, from her scars to her surly nature is a lovely thing to read. These two become a great team and that is where each one finally understands what it means to love and sacrifice.
Joey W. Hill stretches the boundaries of romance with her books. Who would have thought angels loving underwater creatures could be such great reading? I was pleasantly surprised, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the same situation I was. A WITCH’S BEAUTY is a very beautiful story that shouldn’t be passed by.
July 31, 2011
Some minor spoilers....David and Mina....sigh. I was looking forward to this one as it's generally thought to be the best of the series and I met David's twin sister, Marguerite, in one of Joey Hill's Nature of Desire books. You kind of meet David in that book (published in 2006, way before these), too :) I wonder if it inspired this series? But having read those books really enhanced this story for me as I knew even more backstory than she actually revealed to the reader here.
David and Marguerite come from a deeply tragic past. He committed suicide at age 14 along with his mother. His sister was supposed to die as well when all three of them jumped from a building, the culmination of years of abuse by their monster of a father. David broke his sister's fall. He died and she survived. David was made an angel and is now around 30 years old. He's a Lieutenant among the Warrior angels who falls deeply in love with Mina, a seawitch, and product of a Dark One (evil demon essentially) raping her mother. Mina is partially scarred, shunned by her people, and fights the evil part of her every day. David takes time to know her and help her manage her dark side while having a few personal realizations of his own.
Joey's writing is so crazy good, I could read almost anything she writes. This whole series has such a different tone from her others that it throws me off for a bit, but it's no less captivating. You just have to work harder to come to grips with this world of angels and mermaids, etc. Good vs Evil all the way. Travel to the Underworld. Epic battle for sure. I do kinda wish there had been more of a tie in to the "real world", but that's a minor complaint. I'm intrigued by Dante (lol, found wandering Hell) who seems to be a half vamp/Dark One who wants to escape, but can't. If he's related to the vamps of her Vampire Queen series, then I'm impressed because I love to find those crossover connections. I'm starting his book next!
David and Marguerite come from a deeply tragic past. He committed suicide at age 14 along with his mother. His sister was supposed to die as well when all three of them jumped from a building, the culmination of years of abuse by their monster of a father. David broke his sister's fall. He died and she survived. David was made an angel and is now around 30 years old. He's a Lieutenant among the Warrior angels who falls deeply in love with Mina, a seawitch, and product of a Dark One (evil demon essentially) raping her mother. Mina is partially scarred, shunned by her people, and fights the evil part of her every day. David takes time to know her and help her manage her dark side while having a few personal realizations of his own.
Joey's writing is so crazy good, I could read almost anything she writes. This whole series has such a different tone from her others that it throws me off for a bit, but it's no less captivating. You just have to work harder to come to grips with this world of angels and mermaids, etc. Good vs Evil all the way. Travel to the Underworld. Epic battle for sure. I do kinda wish there had been more of a tie in to the "real world", but that's a minor complaint. I'm intrigued by Dante (lol, found wandering Hell) who seems to be a half vamp/Dark One who wants to escape, but can't. If he's related to the vamps of her Vampire Queen series, then I'm impressed because I love to find those crossover connections. I'm starting his book next!
May 10, 2010
A Witch's Beauty by Joey W. Hill (Read Feb 2009)
Holy Macarena! I just finished reading A Witch's Beauty, and I am having heart palpitations. I honestly didn't think that this book could best A Mermaid's Kiss, but it did! Hill is a powerful, sensual, intense writer. Mina and David are an amazing combination..beauty and monstrousness, strength and weakness, good and evil...it's all here. Mina is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever met. Her physical manifestation of the struggle between good and evil (half of her body is physical perfection, the other half grotesque) is a poignant symbol of her inner struggle to control her Dark One blood. I usually have trouble with irritating heroines. It's a fine line for an author to create a character who is willful and prickly, while still maintaining some likability. Mina is an incredibly well developed character and her emotional journey in this story is utterly satisfying. Although David is a wonderful character in his own right, this is Mina's story all the way. Hill's expertise as a story-teller is never more apparent than in the chapters leading up to the climatic battle scene with the Dark Ones. Boy, does she know how to build up the sickening anticipation of what was going to befall poor David (and Mina) in the Dark One's World. I am ashamed to admit that I snuck at look at the final pages of the book to reassure myself before tackling those chapters...the awful apprehension was almost to much to bear! (I can't remember feeling that much anxiety since reading Stephen King's The Shining). Anyway, of course Hill takes her characters to Hell and back. If I had to pick one word to describe this book and Hill's writing it would be...powerful. Wow. I am officially a Joey Hill addict (that's the sound of Amazon's CEO cackling with glee). Grade: A+
Pleased as punch, Penelope
Holy Macarena! I just finished reading A Witch's Beauty, and I am having heart palpitations. I honestly didn't think that this book could best A Mermaid's Kiss, but it did! Hill is a powerful, sensual, intense writer. Mina and David are an amazing combination..beauty and monstrousness, strength and weakness, good and evil...it's all here. Mina is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever met. Her physical manifestation of the struggle between good and evil (half of her body is physical perfection, the other half grotesque) is a poignant symbol of her inner struggle to control her Dark One blood. I usually have trouble with irritating heroines. It's a fine line for an author to create a character who is willful and prickly, while still maintaining some likability. Mina is an incredibly well developed character and her emotional journey in this story is utterly satisfying. Although David is a wonderful character in his own right, this is Mina's story all the way. Hill's expertise as a story-teller is never more apparent than in the chapters leading up to the climatic battle scene with the Dark Ones. Boy, does she know how to build up the sickening anticipation of what was going to befall poor David (and Mina) in the Dark One's World. I am ashamed to admit that I snuck at look at the final pages of the book to reassure myself before tackling those chapters...the awful apprehension was almost to much to bear! (I can't remember feeling that much anxiety since reading Stephen King's The Shining). Anyway, of course Hill takes her characters to Hell and back. If I had to pick one word to describe this book and Hill's writing it would be...powerful. Wow. I am officially a Joey Hill addict (that's the sound of Amazon's CEO cackling with glee). Grade: A+
Pleased as punch, Penelope
January 13, 2025
หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นอีกเรื่องนึงที่แม็กซ์อยากอ่านมาก ๆ โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งหลังจากอ่านเรื่อง A Mermaid's Kiss จบไป เพราะแม็กซ์คิดว่า คาแร็คเตอร์ของนางเอกเล่มนี้ (ซึ่งเป็นตัวละครรองของเล่มก่อน) อย่างไมน่า เป็นคนที่น่าสนใจมาก ๆ ทำให้เราอยากรู้เรื่องราวของเธอ
ว่าอะไรอยู่ภายใต้ความคิดของแม่มดทะเล ลูกครึ่งนางเงือกและปีศาจ (ซึ่งเป็นกลุ่มที่เป็นผู้ร้ายใหญ่ในเรื่องชุดนี้) ผู้หญิงที่ถู���ทุกคนรังเกียจ เพราะชาติตระกูล (ไมน่าสืบเืชื้อสายมาจากแม่มดที่สาปแอเรียน --- ถ้าเคยดู The Little Mermaid ก็คงพอจะนึกออก) และเลือดของปีศาจที่แฝงอยู่ในกายของเธอ
แต่รู้อะไรไหมคะ พออ่านเล่มนี้จบลง กลับเป็นเดวิดที่จับใจของเราไว้ได้ทั้งหมด
A Witch's Beauty ของโจอี้ ดับเบิ้ลยู ฮิลล์
หนังสือเล่มนี้เปิดเรื่องเกือบจะต่อเนื่องกับเรื่องราวใน A Mermaid's Kiss แต่กระนั้นเราก็คิดว่า ไม่จำเป็นถึงขนาดต้องอ่านเรียงลำดับกันจึงจะรู้เรื่องหรอกนะคะ เพียงแต่คุณอาจจะพลาดการได้พบกันครั้งแรกระหว่างไมน่า และเดวิดไปเท่านั้นเอง (ทั้งสองพบกันเป็นครั้งแรกใน AMK)
ไมน่าซึ่งเป็นลูกครึ่งระหว่างนางเงือกและดาร์ควัน (หรือปีศาจซึ่งเป็นสิ่งมีชีวิตนอกโลก และมีประเด็นต้องชำระแค้นกับเทพบุตรที่ทำหน้าที่ปกป้องมนุษย์ -- เราไม่เล่านะคะว่าเพราะอะไร มันเป็นสปอยล์ของเล่มแรก) เลือดของปีศาจในกายที่กระหายความรุนแรง ความเจ็บปวด และการทำลายล้าง ทำให้ไมน่าไม่อาจเป็นที่ไว้วางใจได้ โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในศึกใหญ่ระหว่างเทพบุตรจากสวรรค์กับปีศาจ ไมน่าได้แสดงพลังอันเหลือเชื่อ จนทำให้เธอกลายเป็นที่ต้องการตัวทั้งของปีศาจ และสวรรค์
แต่ไมน่ายังไม่เลือกข้าง เธอต้องการเพียงแค่อยู่ตามลำพังในถ้ำใต้น้ำของเธอเท่านั้นเอง แต่นั่นไม่ใช่ทางเลือกที่ใครสามารถมอบให้เธอได้ พลังของเธอยิ่งใหญ่เกินไป
โจนาห์ (พระเอกเล่มแรก) ซึ่งเป็นแม่ทัพแห่งกองทัพสวรรค์ ส่งเทพบุตรลูกน้องของเขาหลายคนมาคุ้มครองดูแลไมน่า แต่บ้างก็ตาย บ้างก็แสดงอาการรังเกียจเธออย่างชัดเจน (ด้วยเลือดปีศาจที่แฝงในกาย) มีเพียงเดวิด เทพบุตรวัยละอ่อน (อายุแค่สามสิบปี ในขณะที่เทพบุตรคนอื่นอายุนับพันปี) ที่เสนอตัวเข้ามาขอเป็นคนคุ้มครองไมน่าเอง แต่เพราะโจนาห์รู้จักเดวิดที่เปรียบเสมือนบุตรชายของเขาเป็นอย่างดี โจนาห์จึงลังเล เพราะเขาไม่ต้องการให้เดวิดอยู่ในอันตราย และการอยู่กับไมน่า มันเกือบจะแน่นอนว่า อันตรายจะต้องมาหา ไม่ว่าจะจากน้ำมือของปีศาจที่ต้องการตัวเธอ หรืออาจเป็นตัวไมน่าเอง ที่อาจจะเลือกข้างปีศาจ และหันมาทำร้ายเดวิด
แต่โจนาห์ก็รู้ดีอีกเช่นกันว่า เขาไม่อาจห้ามเดวิดได้
เทพบุตรจะรักเพียงครั้งเดียว และนั่นจะเป็นความรักตลอดไป สำหรับเดวิดแล้ว ด้วยวัยเพียงสามสิบปี เขาเจอ "รัก" ของเขา เมื่อเขาได้พบไมน่า และไม่มีอะไรสามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงรักนั้นได้
แม็กซ์บอกอย่างไม่อายเลยนะคะว่า เราเริ่มร้องไห้ตั้งแต่อ่านไปได้แค่ร้อยกว่าหน้า ไม่ใช่เรื่องมันเศร้ารันทดอะไรหรอกนะคะ (แม็กซ์ไม่ค่อยร้องเพราะความเศร้า) แต่เพราะอารมณ์ในเรื่องมันท่วมท้น จนเราไม่รู้ว่าจะแสดงออกมายังไง นอกจากน้ำตาที่ไหลเอา จนหายใจไม่ออก
ตลอดชีวิตไมน่าอยู่ตามลำพัง เธอไม่เคยคิดถึงใคร เพราะครั้งเดียวที่เธอคิดถึงคนอื่น และช่วยเหลือแอนนา (นางเอกเล่มแรก) ด้วยการแก้คำสาปที่ติดตามตัวแอนนามาตั้งแต่เด็ก ไมน่าถูกเข้าใจผิด และลงโทษด้วยการเอาไปทิ้งก้นทะเล และการลงโทษนั้นทำให้ไมน่ามีแผลเป็นร้ายแรงที่ซีกหนึ่งของร่างกาย แผลเป็นที่ทำให้เธอดูเหมือนแม่มดใจร้ายในเทพนิยาย แผลเป็นที่ไมน่ารู้สึกว่าสะท้อนความเป็นตัวเธอเองได้มากกว่า ความงามที่อยู่อีกซีกนึงของร่างกายเธอด้วยซ้ำ
ตลอดเวลาไมน่าต้องต่อสู้กับแรงกระตุ้นของเลือดปีศาจในกาย แรงกระตุ้นที่เร่งเร้าเธอให้กลายเป็นปีศาจเต็มตัว แต่ไมน่าไม่เคยยอมแพ้แต่เสียงเรียกร้องนั้น แม้ว่าทุกอย่างในชีวิตจะพยายามผลักเธอให้ไปในทางนั้น ไมน่าไม่แคร์ต่อโลกที่ทำร้ายอย่างแสนสาหัส ชาวเงือกรังเกียจเธอ เหล่าเทพบุตรบนสวรรค์ระแวงเธอ โลกใบนี้ไม่เคยให้อะไรกับเธอเลย จนกระทั่งเดวิด
แม็กซ์เคยคิดว่าเดวิดเป็นเทพบุตรวัยละอ่อน ใสซื่อ และน่ารัก คิดว่าหนังสือเล่มนี้จะออกแนวผู้หญิงเป็นใหญ่หน่อย ๆ เพราะบุคลิกของไมน่าดูข่มเดวิดค่อนข้างมาก แต่ในเล่มนี้ เราได้รู้จักกับตัวตนที่แท้จริงของเดวิด และรู้สึกว่า คนเขียนหาคนที่เหมาะสมที่สุดแล้วให้กับไมน่า (แม้มันจะไม่ใช่เรื่องราวอย่างที่เราคิดเลยก็ตาม ซึ่งเราคิดว่าเรื่องที่เขียนออกมา ดีกว่าสิ่งที่เราคาดหวังเอาไว้ร้อยเท่า)
เทพบุตรส่วนใหญ่ที่รับใช้ "เลดี้" (ซึ่งเป็นเสมือนพระเจ้าในเรื่องนี้) เป็นเทพบุตรที่ถูกสร้างขึ้นมาด้วยมือของเลดี้เอง แต่เดวิดคือดวงวิญญาณของมนุษย์โลกที่ถูกเรียกให้มาเป็นเทพบุตร ความเป็นมนุษย์ที่ยังหลงเหลือในตัวเขา ทำให้เขาเข้าใจไมน่า อย่างที่เทพบุตรแต่กำเนิดไม่เคยเข้าใจ เขาเข้าใจความมืดที่เกาะกุมจิตวิญญาณ เพราะเขาเองก็มีมันอยู่เช่นกัน
คอนเซ็ปต์ในเรื่องนี้ ไม่ใช่เป็นคนดีแล้วได้ขึ้นสวรรค์ กลายเป็นเทพบุตรหรอกนะคะ เพราะการเป็นเทพบุตรไม่ใช่ผลตอบแทนการทำความดี (เทพบุตรต้องต่อสู้กับศัตรูของเลดี้) ดังนั้นการที่เดวิดซึ่งฆ่าตัวตายในวัยเพียงสิบสี่ปี ถูกเรียกมายังสวรรค์จึงเป็นเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นได้ในเล่มนี้
หลายคนไม่เข้าใจว่า ทำไมถึงเป็นเด็กหนุ่มซึ่งมีความโกรธและเกลียดอยู่เต็มจิตวิญญาณอย่างเดวิด ถึงถูกเรียกตัวขึ้นมา ทำไมไม่ปล่อยเขาไปเกิดใหม่ และระบายความเจ็บช้ำในดวงใจ (ที่มากขนาดทำให้เขาฆ่าตัวตายตอนเป็นมนุษย์) แต่ไม่ใครกล้าตั้งคำถามการกระทำของเลดี้ เมื่อขึ้นมาถึงสวรรค์ ด้วยวัยเพียงเล็กน้อย เดวิดกลายเป็นหนึ่งในนักรบที่โดดเด่นแห่งกองทัพ และกลายเป็นหนึ่งในผู้นำกองพลภายตั้งกองทัพของโจนาห์
เรื่องราวของเดวิด ทั้งในเรื่องที่เขาฆ่าตัวตายตอนอายุสิบสี่ และอดีตสมัยที่เขาเป็นมนุษย์ เป็นสิ่งที่แม็กซ์ไม่ได้คาดมาก่อน เราคิดว่า เล่มนี้จะใช้พล็อตชนิดที่พระเอกดีโคตร ๆ จนทำให้นางเอกใจอ่อน ซึ่งว่าไป มันก็เป็นอย่างนั้นนะ แต่มันไม่ได้ตรงไปตรงมาอย่างนั้นเสมอ
ในทางนึง เดวิดผ่านประสบการณ์ที่เลวร้ายที่สุดที่มนุษย์คนนึงจะได้พบเจอ แต่เขายังมีความเชื่อ และศรัทธาในความถูกต้องดีงามเหลืออยู่ และเดวิดก็คือกุญแจในการค้นพบตัวเองของไมน่า
ความต้องการหลักของแม็กซ์ในการอ่านโรแมนซ์ ก็คือ ความเข้ากันได้ของพระนางในเรื่อง และเรื่องนี้ก็สอบผ่านสบาย แม็กซ์เชื่ออย่างหมดใจว่าเดวิดและไมน่าเป็นส่วนประกอบที่เกิดมาเพื่อกัน และไมน่าไม่มีวันเป็นคนอย่างที่เธอเป็นได้ ถ้าขาดเดวิด
สปอยล์ เพราะสุดท้าย แล้ว ไมน่าไม่ได้แคร์ต่อความเป็นไปของมนุษย์โลก ความถูกต้องดีงาม หรือการเป็นข้ารับใช้ของพระผู้เป็นเจ้า สำหรับไมน่าแล้ว ชีวิตของเธอมีแค่เดวิด และเขาเป็นคนเดียวเท่านั้นที่ทำให้เธอเลือกข้างเทพบุตร เพราะเดวิดเชื่อในการกระทำของสวรรค์ และปีศาจคือคนที่ทำร้ายเดวิด เหตุผลมันง่าย ๆ แค่นั้นเอง
และก็เป็นไปตามสไตล์ของโจอี้นะคะ ที่ฉากรักร้อนแรงจนสามารถเรียกว่าเป็นอีโรติค โรแมนซ์ได้ แต่เราไม่รู้สึกว่าความอีโรติคมันมาเหนือพล็อตเรื่องเลย เราจึงไม่ได้จัดประเภทให้เป็นอย่างนั้น และขอเตือนไว้หน่อยแล้วกันค่ะ คนที่ขวัญอ่อน อาจมีปัญหาในการอ่านเรื่องนี้นิดนึง ไม่ใช่ว่าฉากเซ็กส์มันพิสดารอะไรหรอกนะคะ เพียงแต่แรงกระตุ้นจากสายเลือดปีศาจในกายของไมน่า ทำให้บางครั้งเธอต้องการ "เลือด" และความเจ็บปวดบ้าง ซึ่งแม็กซ์คิดว่าเขียนได้ดีมาก ๆ แต่อย่างที่เราเคยบอกหลายครั้ง งานของโจอี้ ดับเบิ้ลยู ฮิลล์ไม่ใช่สำหรับทุกคน
แต่เธอใช่มาก ๆ สำหรับแม็กซ์ คะแนนก็สะท้อนความรู้สึกนั้นออกมาที่ 93
ว่าอะไรอยู่ภายใต้ความคิดของแม่มดทะเล ลูกครึ่งนางเงือกและปีศาจ (ซึ่งเป็นกลุ่มที่เป็นผู้ร้ายใหญ่ในเรื่องชุดนี้) ผู้หญิงที่ถู���ทุกคนรังเกียจ เพราะชาติตระกูล (ไมน่าสืบเืชื้อสายมาจากแม่มดที่สาปแอเรียน --- ถ้าเคยดู The Little Mermaid ก็คงพอจะนึกออก) และเลือดของปีศาจที่แฝงอยู่ในกายของเธอ
แต่รู้อะไรไหมคะ พออ่านเล่มนี้จบลง กลับเป็นเดวิดที่จับใจของเราไว้ได้ทั้งหมด
A Witch's Beauty ของโจอี้ ดับเบิ้ลยู ฮิลล์
หนังสือเล่มนี้เปิดเรื่องเกือบจะต่อเนื่องกับเรื่องราวใน A Mermaid's Kiss แต่กระนั้นเราก็คิดว่า ไม่จำเป็นถึงขนาดต้องอ่านเรียงลำดับกันจึงจะรู้เรื่องหรอกนะคะ เพียงแต่คุณอาจจะพลาดการได้พบกันครั้งแรกระหว่างไมน่า และเดวิดไปเท่านั้นเอง (ทั้งสองพบกันเป็นครั้งแรกใน AMK)
ไมน่าซึ่งเป็นลูกครึ่งระหว่างนางเงือกและดาร์ควัน (หรือปีศาจซึ่งเป็นสิ่งมีชีวิตนอกโลก และมีประเด็นต้องชำระแค้นกับเทพบุตรที่ทำหน้าที่ปกป้องมนุษย์ -- เราไม่เล่านะคะว่าเพราะอะไร มันเป็นสปอยล์ของเล่มแรก) เลือดของปีศาจในกายที่กระหายความรุนแรง ความเจ็บปวด และการทำลายล้าง ทำให้ไมน่าไม่อาจเป็นที่ไว้วางใจได้ โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในศึกใหญ่ระหว่างเทพบุตรจากสวรรค์กับปีศาจ ไมน่าได้แสดงพลังอันเหลือเชื่อ จนทำให้เธอกลายเป็นที่ต้องการตัวทั้งของปีศาจ และสวรรค์
แต่ไมน่ายังไม่เลือกข้าง เธอต้องการเพียงแค่อยู่ตามลำพังในถ้ำใต้น้ำของเธอเท่านั้นเอง แต่นั่นไม่ใช่ทางเลือกที่ใครสามารถมอบให้เธอได้ พลังของเธอยิ่งใหญ่เกินไป
โจนาห์ (พระเอกเล่มแรก) ซึ่งเป็นแม่ทัพแห่งกองทัพสวรรค์ ส่งเทพบุตรลูกน้องของเขาหลายคนมาคุ้มครองดูแลไมน่า แต่บ้างก็ตาย บ้างก็แสดงอาการรังเกียจเธออย่างชัดเจน (ด้วยเลือดปีศาจที่แฝงในกาย) มีเพียงเดวิด เทพบุตรวัยละอ่อน (อายุแค่สามสิบปี ในขณะที่เทพบุตรคนอื่นอายุนับพันปี) ที่เสนอตัวเข้ามาขอเป็นคนคุ้มครองไมน่าเอง แต่เพราะโจนาห์รู้จักเดวิดที่เปรียบเสมือนบุตรชายของเขาเป็นอย่างดี โจนาห์จึงลังเล เพราะเขาไม่ต้องการให้เดวิดอยู่ในอันตราย และการอยู่กับไมน่า มันเกือบจะแน่นอนว่า อันตรายจะต้องมาหา ไม่ว่าจะจากน้ำมือของปีศาจที่ต้องการตัวเธอ หรืออาจเป็นตัวไมน่าเอง ที่อาจจะเลือกข้างปีศาจ และหันมาทำร้ายเดวิด
แต่โจนาห์ก็รู้ดีอีกเช่นกันว่า เขาไม่อาจห้ามเดวิดได้
เทพบุตรจะรักเพียงครั้งเดียว และนั่นจะเป็นความรักตลอดไป สำหรับเดวิดแล้ว ด้วยวัยเพียงสามสิบปี เขาเจอ "รัก" ของเขา เมื่อเขาได้พบไมน่า และไม่มีอะไรสามารถเปลี่ยนแปลงรักนั้นได้
แม็กซ์บอกอย่างไม่อายเลยนะคะว่า เราเริ่มร้องไห้ตั้งแต่อ่านไปได้แค่ร้อยกว่าหน้า ไม่ใช่เรื่องมันเศร้ารันทดอะไรหรอกนะคะ (แม็กซ์ไม่ค่อยร้องเพราะความเศร้า) แต่เพราะอารมณ์ในเรื่องมันท่วมท้น จนเราไม่รู้ว่าจะแสดงออกมายังไง นอกจากน้ำตาที่ไหลเอา จนหายใจไม่ออก
ตลอดชีวิตไมน่าอยู่ตามลำพัง เธอไม่เคยคิดถึงใคร เพราะครั้งเดียวที่เธอคิดถึงคนอื่น และช่วยเหลือแอนนา (นางเอกเล่มแรก) ด้วยการแก้คำสาปที่ติดตามตัวแอนนามาตั้งแต่เด็ก ไมน่าถูกเข้าใจผิด และลงโทษด้วยการเอาไปทิ้งก้นทะเล และการลงโทษนั้นทำให้ไมน่ามีแผลเป็นร้ายแรงที่ซีกหนึ่งของร่างกาย แผลเป็นที่ทำให้เธอดูเหมือนแม่มดใจร้ายในเทพนิยาย แผลเป็นที่ไมน่ารู้สึกว่าสะท้อนความเป็นตัวเธอเองได้มากกว่า ความงามที่อยู่อีกซีกนึงของร่างกายเธอด้วยซ้ำ
ตลอดเวลาไมน่าต้องต่อสู้กับแรงกระตุ้นของเลือดปีศาจในกาย แรงกระตุ้นที่เร่งเร้าเธอให้กลายเป็นปีศาจเต็มตัว แต่ไมน่าไม่เคยยอมแพ้แต่เสียงเรียกร้องนั้น แม้ว่าทุกอย่างในชีวิตจะพยายามผลักเธอให้ไปในทางนั้น ไมน่าไม่แคร์ต่อโลกที่ทำร้ายอย่างแสนสาหัส ชาวเงือกรังเกียจเธอ เหล่าเทพบุตรบนสวรรค์ระแวงเธอ โลกใบนี้ไม่เคยให้อะไรกับเธอเลย จนกระทั่งเดวิด
แม็กซ์เคยคิดว่าเดวิดเป็นเทพบุตรวัยละอ่อน ใสซื่อ และน่ารัก คิดว่าหนังสือเล่มนี้จะออกแนวผู้หญิงเป็นใหญ่หน่อย ๆ เพราะบุคลิกของไมน่าดูข่มเดวิดค่อนข้างมาก แต่ในเล่มนี้ เราได้รู้จักกับตัวตนที่แท้จริงของเดวิด และรู้สึกว่า คนเขียนหาคนที่เหมาะสมที่สุดแล้วให้กับไมน่า (แม้มันจะไม่ใช่เรื่องราวอย่างที่เราคิดเลยก็ตาม ซึ่งเราคิดว่าเรื่องที่เขียนออกมา ดีกว่าสิ่งที่เราคาดหวังเอาไว้ร้อยเท่า)
เทพบุตรส่วนใหญ่ที่รับใช้ "เลดี้" (ซึ่งเป็นเสมือนพระเจ้าในเรื่องนี้) เป็นเทพบุตรที่ถูกสร้างขึ้นมาด้วยมือของเลดี้เอง แต่เดวิดคือดวงวิญญาณของมนุษย์โลกที่ถูกเรียกให้มาเป็นเทพบุตร ความเป็นมนุษย์ที่ยังหลงเหลือในตัวเขา ทำให้เขาเข้าใจไมน่า อย่างที่เทพบุตรแต่กำเนิดไม่เคยเข้าใจ เขาเข้าใจความมืดที่เกาะกุมจิตวิญญาณ เพราะเขาเองก็มีมันอยู่เช่นกัน
คอนเซ็ปต์ในเรื่องนี้ ไม่ใช่เป็นคนดีแล้วได้ขึ้นสวรรค์ กลายเป็นเทพบุตรหรอกนะคะ เพราะการเป็นเทพบุตรไม่ใช่ผลตอบแทนการทำความดี (เทพบุตรต้องต่อสู้กับศัตรูของเลดี้) ดังนั้นการที่เดวิดซึ่งฆ่าตัวตายในวัยเพียงสิบสี่ปี ถูกเรียกมายังสวรรค์จึงเป็นเรื่องที่เกิดขึ้นได้ในเล่มนี้
หลายคนไม่เข้าใจว่า ทำไมถึงเป็นเด็กหนุ่มซึ่งมีความโกรธและเกลียดอยู่เต็มจิตวิญญาณอย่างเดวิด ถึงถูกเรียกตัวขึ้นมา ทำไมไม่ปล่อยเขาไปเกิดใหม่ และระบายความเจ็บช้ำในดวงใจ (ที่มากขนาดทำให้เขาฆ่าตัวตายตอนเป็นมนุษย์) แต่ไม่ใครกล้าตั้งคำถามการกระทำของเลดี้ เมื่อขึ้นมาถึงสวรรค์ ด้วยวัยเพียงเล็กน้อย เดวิดกลายเป็นหนึ่งในนักรบที่โดดเด่นแห่งกองทัพ และกลายเป็นหนึ่งในผู้นำกองพลภายตั้งกองทัพของโจนาห์
เรื่องราวของเดวิด ทั้งในเรื่องที่เขาฆ่าตัวตายตอนอายุสิบสี่ และอดีตสมัยที่เขาเป็นมนุษย์ เป็นสิ่งที่แม็กซ์ไม่ได้คาดมาก่อน เราคิดว่า เล่มนี้จะใช้พล็อตชนิดที่พระเอกดีโคตร ๆ จนทำให้นางเอกใจอ่อน ซึ่งว่าไป มันก็เป็นอย่างนั้นนะ แต่มันไม่ได้ตรงไปตรงมาอย่างนั้นเสมอ
ในทางนึง เดวิดผ่านประสบการณ์ที่เลวร้ายที่สุดที่มนุษย์คนนึงจะได้พบเจอ แต่เขายังมีความเชื่อ และศรัทธาในความถูกต้องดีงามเหลืออยู่ และเดวิดก็คือกุญแจในการค้นพบตัวเองของไมน่า
ความต้องการหลักของแม็กซ์ในการอ่านโรแมนซ์ ก็คือ ความเข้ากันได้ของพระนางในเรื่อง และเรื่องนี้ก็สอบผ่านสบาย แม็กซ์เชื่ออย่างหมดใจว่าเดวิดและไมน่าเป็นส่วนประกอบที่เกิดมาเพื่อกัน และไมน่าไม่มีวันเป็นคนอย่างที่เธอเป็นได้ ถ้าขาดเดวิด
สปอยล์ เพราะสุดท้าย แล้ว ไมน่าไม่ได้แคร์ต่อความเป็นไปของมนุษย์โลก ความถูกต้องดีงาม หรือการเป็นข้ารับใช้ของพระผู้เป็นเจ้า สำหรับไมน่าแล้ว ชีวิตของเธอมีแค่เดวิด และเขาเป็นคนเดียวเท่านั้นที่ทำให้เธอเลือกข้างเทพบุตร เพราะเดวิดเชื่อในการกระทำของสวรรค์ และปีศาจคือคนที่ทำร้ายเดวิด เหตุผลมันง่าย ๆ แค่นั้นเอง
และก็เป็นไปตามสไตล์ของโจอี้นะคะ ที่ฉากรักร้อนแรงจนสามารถเรียกว่าเป็นอีโรติค โรแมนซ์ได้ แต่เราไม่รู้สึกว่าความอีโรติคมันมาเหนือพล็อตเรื่องเลย เราจึงไม่ได้จัดประเภทให้เป็นอย่างนั้น และขอเตือนไว้หน่อยแล้วกันค่ะ คนที่ขวัญอ่อน อาจมีปัญหาในการอ่านเรื่องนี้นิดนึง ไม่ใช่ว่าฉากเซ็กส์มันพิสดารอะไรหรอกนะคะ เพียงแต่แรงกระตุ้นจากสายเลือดปีศาจในกายของไมน่า ทำให้บางครั้งเธอต้องการ "เลือด" และความเจ็บปวดบ้าง ซึ่งแม็กซ์คิดว่าเขียนได้ดีมาก ๆ แต่อย่างที่เราเคยบอกหลายครั้ง งานของโจอี้ ดับเบิ้ลยู ฮิลล์ไม่ใช่สำหรับทุกคน
แต่เธอใช่มาก ๆ สำหรับแม็กซ์ คะแนนก็สะท้อนความรู้สึกนั้นออกมาที่ 93
April 20, 2009
Mina, part mermaid and part Dark One, is a shape shifter who can take the form of a dragon as well as a mermaid, a human and a Dark One. Mina agonizes daily over the darkness inside herself and does her best to balance it with light and goodness. David, made angel (not born) was once human and died at a young age to be reborn as an angel. He has his own struggle between darkness (his human side) and light (his angel side). So he understands the battle that Mina is fighting.
A wonderfully written tale that focuses on the ultimate struggle between good and evil. A very dark story but so worth it. I love Joey Hill's characters - all the angels and the merpeople - are just spectacular. I'm not much for religion but man what a book!
A wonderfully written tale that focuses on the ultimate struggle between good and evil. A very dark story but so worth it. I love Joey Hill's characters - all the angels and the merpeople - are just spectacular. I'm not much for religion but man what a book!
February 10, 2011
This second story in the Daughters of Arianne is just as good as the first one. I liked the dark "Mina" and felt she received a bad rap. I'm happy to see that David understands her and sees past her defensive cold stance.
This world is rich with nuances that I like. I love mermaids and to be able to read about mermaids mixed with angels is wonderful. Another well created world by Ms. Hill.
This world is rich with nuances that I like. I love mermaids and to be able to read about mermaids mixed with angels is wonderful. Another well created world by Ms. Hill.
May 7, 2012
What the EFF. If it weren't for karen, I would have no idea such twisted fantasies existed! And how sad and pedestrian my life would be if that were so.
Read
February 27, 2022We read all books in the series and reviewed them together. This review is also available at
A Mermaid's Kiss
and
A Mermaid's Ransom
, and our full review can be read at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: There’s lotsa sex. Some of it is sexy. Some of it is wild. Some of it is BDSMy. And some of it is completely bonkers.
Character Chemistry: My female essence submits to your male energy.
Plot: A girl with a fish tail and a guy with wings hang out, do some traveling, and engage in an epic battle against the forces of evil.
Overall: If you’re in the mood for bonkers morality-chain paranormal romance, then these books are wildly entertaining. With a lot of caveats.
At the end of A Mermaid’s Kiss, Mina the Scary Sea Witch helped save the day against the Dark Ones, so now she has permanent angel bodyguards. She hates them, and the feeling is mutual, because she is half Dark One herself, which means she has Evil Blood! But David the Angel has had a thing for her ever since he pinned her tentacles to a rock with his daggers back in Book 1, so he volunteers for permanent guard duty. And decides to start sexing Mina to help her balance the good and evil within her. Mina doesn’t exactly agree to this plan, but she doesn’t curse David, so we’ll go with it. Then they go to the desert, and then they battle some Dark Ones.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Heat Factor: There’s lotsa sex. Some of it is sexy. Some of it is wild. Some of it is BDSMy. And some of it is completely bonkers.
Character Chemistry: My female essence submits to your male energy.
Plot: A girl with a fish tail and a guy with wings hang out, do some traveling, and engage in an epic battle against the forces of evil.
Overall: If you’re in the mood for bonkers morality-chain paranormal romance, then these books are wildly entertaining. With a lot of caveats.
At the end of A Mermaid’s Kiss, Mina the Scary Sea Witch helped save the day against the Dark Ones, so now she has permanent angel bodyguards. She hates them, and the feeling is mutual, because she is half Dark One herself, which means she has Evil Blood! But David the Angel has had a thing for her ever since he pinned her tentacles to a rock with his daggers back in Book 1, so he volunteers for permanent guard duty. And decides to start sexing Mina to help her balance the good and evil within her. Mina doesn’t exactly agree to this plan, but she doesn’t curse David, so we’ll go with it. Then they go to the desert, and then they battle some Dark Ones.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
December 18, 2021
HMM THIS WAS OKAY, A LITTLE LONGWINDED AND I WASNT ENTIRELY INVESTED IN THE COUPLE'S CHEMISTRY LIKE THE FIRST BOOK.
Sure enough the characters were unique but somehow, I wasn't invested in their romance or captivated by it. The hero - David - was once a human turned angel and is one of the youngest warriors in Jonah's legion, also a favoured son. In a nutshell, David was a good guy character - patient, loyal and so determined, no wonder he managed to win the heart of the ever prickly and closed off Mina. I've read sci-fi romances featuring tentacles, especially in sex but I did struggle a little with Mina's macabre half appearance, though it was part of the attraction. She's beautiful but she also keeps her scars and flaws to warn off others from getting too close. Mina's character was complex but, I couldn't seem to connect with her on any level at all. I suppose that's why I didn't enjoy most of it, and merely breezed through the entire thing just to get the ending.
And I still don't really know the entire motivation of the plot except that it's to protect Mina from turning to the dark side, becoming one of the Dark Ones or being exploited by the Dark Ones. The good news? We get to see Jonah and Anna again, and witness the birth of their baby girl!
Sure enough the characters were unique but somehow, I wasn't invested in their romance or captivated by it. The hero - David - was once a human turned angel and is one of the youngest warriors in Jonah's legion, also a favoured son. In a nutshell, David was a good guy character - patient, loyal and so determined, no wonder he managed to win the heart of the ever prickly and closed off Mina. I've read sci-fi romances featuring tentacles, especially in sex but I did struggle a little with Mina's macabre half appearance, though it was part of the attraction. She's beautiful but she also keeps her scars and flaws to warn off others from getting too close. Mina's character was complex but, I couldn't seem to connect with her on any level at all. I suppose that's why I didn't enjoy most of it, and merely breezed through the entire thing just to get the ending.
And I still don't really know the entire motivation of the plot except that it's to protect Mina from turning to the dark side, becoming one of the Dark Ones or being exploited by the Dark Ones. The good news? We get to see Jonah and Anna again, and witness the birth of their baby girl!
July 24, 2018
Another book I wish I had reviewed on my first run-through many years ago, because the subtleties picked up on a second-time-around are one thing: its the big things I missed that surprise me. For example, the entire point of the story? *smh*
In less skilled writing hands, the symbolism of Mina's physical presentation could be trite. But this hard-hitting journey of hers, in some ways, is as striking as David's sister, Marguerite, paranormal setting notwithstanding. And along with Marguerite, I personally think Mina is perhaps Ms. Hill's more tragic and at once, more inspiring characters because despite the odds and the isolation of mind and soul, she never quite gave up on herself. She feared herself and her presumed destiny, but she never quit fighting it and she never completely lost herself. And that takes strength. And I love strong characters who overcome their struggles. Or at least, find a way to live with their imperfect nature.
David was perfect as an anchor for Mina's soul and a beacon for her journey, but as a character he almost pales in the presence of Mina's strength. This is her story.
In less skilled writing hands, the symbolism of Mina's physical presentation could be trite. But this hard-hitting journey of hers, in some ways, is as striking as David's sister, Marguerite, paranormal setting notwithstanding. And along with Marguerite, I personally think Mina is perhaps Ms. Hill's more tragic and at once, more inspiring characters because despite the odds and the isolation of mind and soul, she never quite gave up on herself. She feared herself and her presumed destiny, but she never quit fighting it and she never completely lost herself. And that takes strength. And I love strong characters who overcome their struggles. Or at least, find a way to live with their imperfect nature.
David was perfect as an anchor for Mina's soul and a beacon for her journey, but as a character he almost pales in the presence of Mina's strength. This is her story.
August 6, 2017
A really good story, and while this can be read as a stand alone, I think the reader will get the best experience if they read these novels in order. I enjoyed this story more than book one, Mermaid's Kiss. I found Mina to be complex and well-developed, with lots of layers to peel back before you understand her motivations and isolation. David was a perfect, patient match for her, an alpha male willing to take the time and effort to learn about her and be a partner, rather than an overbearing ass (which happens in so many stories, nowadays). I didn't always like Mina, but I was rooting for her and David by the end of the story. Wonderful and unique plot-- this is a great series.
April 16, 2019
this one was an emotional roller coaster. it was very dark and for people who can't handle violence and rape mixed in with the story I wouldn't recommend this one. i didn't read the first book and I very much felt the lack of information that I would have had. Mina is such a tortured soul that you can't help but feel for her even when she's being snippy with others. David being a human born angel has had his own tortured past and that makes him the perfect mate for her... even if it takes her forever to realize and accept it.
June 29, 2021
Honestly enjoyed this more than the a mermaids kiss which is saying something because I loved that book! I preferred Mina as the main character because she had so much darkness and angst to over come that added to her character development.
So glad I found this series, I wasn’t looking for amazing plot just some steamy romance and I can’t get over how freaking good the plot is!!! Would recommend, I think you could even read this as a stand alone if you’re looking for something a bit darker than the first book
So glad I found this series, I wasn’t looking for amazing plot just some steamy romance and I can’t get over how freaking good the plot is!!! Would recommend, I think you could even read this as a stand alone if you’re looking for something a bit darker than the first book
November 7, 2018
I loved this book. The battles Mina and David both fought within themselves and without were so emotional. Very exciting battle scenes mixed with tender romantic scenes made this book one of my favourites from Joey W. Hill.
March 31, 2022
Some of the themes in this book are hard to digest, and I felt genuinely heartbroken for the characters, but I just love Joey W. Hill. She writes beautifully, no jarring dialogue that you find so often in this genre. It's not for everyone, that's for sure, but I couldn't put it down.
June 13, 2011
*Contains detailed sex scenes*
This book...god this book! In all honestly I wasn’t thrilled with the first one. It was alright, but from how much I liked both David and Mina even back then, I had a feeling this one would be better. And was it ever! Going into it this book I had no clue how amazing it would be. Every now and then you come across a book that is simply extraordinary, a book that takes your breath away in its brilliance, and this book...it’s one of those.
From the very beginning I was captivated by this tale. The storyline in dark and gritty with some really raw emotions and dark horrible themes, but there’s so much beauty and wonder in it too. The story was so powerful that it made it near impossible to stop reading and I found myself reading on, desperate to know more of the characters and to see their story unfold.
The characters, mainly Mina and David are haunted individuals, with pasts and lives that are affected by the evil and cruelty that are all around them. Their story is a heartbreaking one, filled with pain and anguish and yet it’s incredible watching them find happiness (even though Mina refuses to acknowledge it) with each other. They were so easily emphasisible and it was impossible not to want the best for them.
I’m not sure I have the words to describe how much I adore Mina. She’s one of those incredibly rare heroines you come across that are simply incredible. She was such a complex, tormented character, who fought not only the world around her, but everything inside her. Her entire life was a battle to maintain who she was and not let the evil that ran through her veins take control of her. She was so harsh and biting, with a sharp tongue and even sharper survival instincts. She suffers endlessly with self doubt and the fear of losing herself to the evil part of her and yet she manages to survive, abet in a lonely dark way. She fights constantly to maintain the balance within her and yet she’s so beautifully childlike, enjoying the simple things in life. My heart literally broke for her! She’d been through so much and yet she fought so valiantly not to let the world destroy her. God, this girl! Mina has got to be one of the strongest, toughest, most amazing women I’ve ever read about. I know she’ll stay with me for a long time.
And David....oh! He was so much more than you typical run of the mill hero, with beauty and no real depth. It was impossible not to see the connection both he and Mina shared in A Mermaid Kiss. For some reason, David saw something in her during the first book. Something no one other than Anna had even seen. He saw the courage and strength she held, something he too shared, and he saw the goodness in her under the surface. Something Mina herself didn’t often see. David had led such a harsh life prior to his suicide. Honestly the things that happened to him are just sickening and yet the fact that he had the ability to move past most of that pain and anger and to still see the goodness in the world that made it worth fighting for is just remarkable. He and Mina connected because he understood her in a way no one ever had and he was willing to learn more about her; essentially seeing her in a way no one ever had.
Mina and David’s relationship was beautiful. They actually took the time to get to know each other and there was nothing about their relationship that I didn’t adore. No matter how much she fought him, no matter how hard she tried to push him away David remained persistent, refusing to allow her to go one alone, not when she didn’t have to and not when he wanted to be there. It was incredible. Their relationship wasn’t one of physical beauty, even though David found her to be the most beautiful thing in the world. Mina did have insecurities about her scars, even though having them was her choice and it was so amazing that David saw past all of that. In fact, he loved her because of them; never shying away from her imperfections and instead choosing to see them even when she wanted to take them away from his view. When she offered him the illusion and he chose the reality and to have her as she was---god, it chocked me up! It was such a beautiful moment in the story to me.
I loved how even though Mina refused to admit she loved David and even though she told him she would never “love” him, he still loved her regardless and would be with her even though she would never admit those feelings. David was willing to have her anyway he could and to me that really is love.
The epilogue of this book was so lovely. It captured the end of the tale just right and when you look at Mina, in the way she lets Anna in and the way she acts you can see the changes in her. You can see the happiness that being David brings and you just know that those two are going to live happily ever after. Their story was one of pain and they had their issues and things that threatened to destroy them but in the end who they both were and what they had was stronger.
I can’t recommend this book enough and I’m planning to reading the last book, just to see how it holds up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2022
The cheesy cover and titles make this series easily passible, for sure. Glad I took a chance. Don’t ever judge a book by its cover.
June 8, 2024
DNF at 50%. Mina is not Anna 😓 which isn’t a fair assessment, and why I give it 3 stars.
Read
February 24, 2017The whole Her/His and such can drag for me in these that deals with angels.
April 29, 2011
If you haven’t read the first book 'A Mermaid's Kiss" you have to in order to get the full depth of Mina’s character. Mina is so complex in A Mermaid’s Kiss you believe she is evil, ugly, and hateful.
Mina has live such a lonely barren existence. She has never tasted human food and worse she has never had a thoughtful gesture made towards her. Because of all Mina has survived their is no fantasy in her mind about a good life. She has a steely resolve. She is extremely disciplined and focused. Mina has accepted her fate.
And then she meets David who is so in tune with her personal needs and idiosyncracies. David is patient and insightful. He is a tender romantic who helps Mina discover world pleasures. Only a great writer can describe syrup and the peeling of an orange in such an eloquent, that it is an intimate and sexually charged event.
This is an erotic novel. The author makes the sex so good it's sinful. I found the story a little more humorous than A Mermaid’s Kiss. Even though David was an angel he seemed to have more humanity and spoke in familiar human terms. I was surprised to find a reference to the Rolling Stones song "Pretty Pretty Girl" amid all the beautiful writing.
This book brings every negative emotion you may have ever felt to the forefront. Instances of bullying, failure, despair, loneliness and pain are common. You cannot get through this book without shedding a tear. I shed many. The emotional aspects of the story are not contrived or melodramatic. But necessary to the credibility of the story. Some pages of the story were a little preachy and confusing. But there were so so many other pages of meaningful observances that make you stop and ponder.
The story line is clearly a paradox. All of the characters in the book must make choices that are detrimental to the world. The theme of good and evil continually pops up in the story. The action consistently shifts so that you never get a clear sense of which side will win until the end. You will emotionally spent by the time the story ends.
All in all, This is an absolutely unforgettable story. Mina is a character I will never forget.
Mina has live such a lonely barren existence. She has never tasted human food and worse she has never had a thoughtful gesture made towards her. Because of all Mina has survived their is no fantasy in her mind about a good life. She has a steely resolve. She is extremely disciplined and focused. Mina has accepted her fate.
And then she meets David who is so in tune with her personal needs and idiosyncracies. David is patient and insightful. He is a tender romantic who helps Mina discover world pleasures. Only a great writer can describe syrup and the peeling of an orange in such an eloquent, that it is an intimate and sexually charged event.
This is an erotic novel. The author makes the sex so good it's sinful. I found the story a little more humorous than A Mermaid’s Kiss. Even though David was an angel he seemed to have more humanity and spoke in familiar human terms. I was surprised to find a reference to the Rolling Stones song "Pretty Pretty Girl" amid all the beautiful writing.
This book brings every negative emotion you may have ever felt to the forefront. Instances of bullying, failure, despair, loneliness and pain are common. You cannot get through this book without shedding a tear. I shed many. The emotional aspects of the story are not contrived or melodramatic. But necessary to the credibility of the story. Some pages of the story were a little preachy and confusing. But there were so so many other pages of meaningful observances that make you stop and ponder.
The story line is clearly a paradox. All of the characters in the book must make choices that are detrimental to the world. The theme of good and evil continually pops up in the story. The action consistently shifts so that you never get a clear sense of which side will win until the end. You will emotionally spent by the time the story ends.
All in all, This is an absolutely unforgettable story. Mina is a character I will never forget.
May 4, 2014
if you want to feel and experience what true love and faith is then this book is the book for you!!
again I have to say that I love paranormal romance to the point of limit that are vampires and werewolves ... all else is a huge stretch for me. so this book was a leap of faith cause I'm in love with this author and all her other work.
but if you put the paranormal facts aside you will find that before you you have everyday everyone's struggle when it comes to trusting somebody in the matter of your well being or trusting them with your heart and love.
I said to look past the paranormal factor of the book cause we all have scars to us, some visible and some not, we all have been hurt and we all are careful (maybe even extra - mad level careful) when it comes to the matters of trust and heart.
Mina and Davids story is such story. After being hurt, betrayed, ridiculed, shunned for all your existence, how to trust someone with your safety and ultimately with your heart. This book is not for the faint-hearted cause the emotions in this one are riding high above the stratosphere and it will make you cry your eyes out (like in my case ... I ran through more tissues with these series then during pms)
She (joey) test the outer limits of the characters and pushes them to the literal breaking point /thank Goddess they are fictional characters or else they would come knocking on her door LOL/ and points out the true meaning of what love and sacrifice is and what it means to do what needs to be done no matter how much it hurts, what it costs you and how much suffering are you causing or going trough. It's like she (joey) is set out to push each of the to their breaking point and bring them back BARELY !!!!! alive (even if you are not sure they are going to make it up to the last pages of the book --- again with the angelic copy-paste much ha !?!?!?) but as we all know and she makes a point of it at the end of the book, it's all worth the sacrifice for the prize is the worth it.
omg !!! I hope I have the strength and enough tears left to finish the series .... on to the next one.
again I have to say that I love paranormal romance to the point of limit that are vampires and werewolves ... all else is a huge stretch for me. so this book was a leap of faith cause I'm in love with this author and all her other work.
but if you put the paranormal facts aside you will find that before you you have everyday everyone's struggle when it comes to trusting somebody in the matter of your well being or trusting them with your heart and love.
I said to look past the paranormal factor of the book cause we all have scars to us, some visible and some not, we all have been hurt and we all are careful (maybe even extra - mad level careful) when it comes to the matters of trust and heart.
Mina and Davids story is such story. After being hurt, betrayed, ridiculed, shunned for all your existence, how to trust someone with your safety and ultimately with your heart. This book is not for the faint-hearted cause the emotions in this one are riding high above the stratosphere and it will make you cry your eyes out (like in my case ... I ran through more tissues with these series then during pms)
She (joey) test the outer limits of the characters and pushes them to the literal breaking point /thank Goddess they are fictional characters or else they would come knocking on her door LOL/ and points out the true meaning of what love and sacrifice is and what it means to do what needs to be done no matter how much it hurts, what it costs you and how much suffering are you causing or going trough. It's like she (joey) is set out to push each of the to their breaking point and bring them back BARELY !!!!! alive (even if you are not sure they are going to make it up to the last pages of the book --- again with the angelic copy-paste much ha !?!?!?) but as we all know and she makes a point of it at the end of the book, it's all worth the sacrifice for the prize is the worth it.
omg !!! I hope I have the strength and enough tears left to finish the series .... on to the next one.
September 12, 2010
Darkly beautiful and heartrending, Mina's story of overcoming the different sides of herself and taking hold of her own destiny.
After the events of the first book Mina the seawitch is put under protection of the angels as now the dark ones have seen the beginnings of her untapped power. She doesn't want their help though and the attention they bring to her. Jonah is close to giving up on her when David, the young, once human angel who felt such a bond to Mina, insists he alone takes up protection duty for her.
Mina herself feels a strange attraction to him but she was never one to allow herself his comfort. She is a darkspawn, half dark one, half mermaid. She lives a daily struggle to keep the two sides of her in balance. Too much light and the darkside causes her overwhelming pain, too much darkness and she may fall into its clutches forever. Still she fights it, thinking only of survival and how to discourage the angel who refuses to give up on her. But David holds his own darkness, the remnants of his wretched human life.
The story is very character driven. Mina is a challenge and it is to Hill's credit she remains consistent to her character and the changes taking place in herself throughout.
Her journey is very dark and heartrending. As is David's beside her, constantly fought at every turn, persevering in his love as she spurns him and slowly comes to trust him
******
slight spoilers
******
The ending was beautifully done, true to Mina. David giving everything of himself for a chance. Mina holding the universe in her hands and choosing to make her own decision over the darkness.
She still suffers from self doubt and darkness but letting herself let down some of her barriers so she can begin to feel. Deciding to chance everything because she decides to let herself want/need something. And David's wings, the mirror of her, proving he will never walk away
*******
After the events of the first book Mina the seawitch is put under protection of the angels as now the dark ones have seen the beginnings of her untapped power. She doesn't want their help though and the attention they bring to her. Jonah is close to giving up on her when David, the young, once human angel who felt such a bond to Mina, insists he alone takes up protection duty for her.
Mina herself feels a strange attraction to him but she was never one to allow herself his comfort. She is a darkspawn, half dark one, half mermaid. She lives a daily struggle to keep the two sides of her in balance. Too much light and the darkside causes her overwhelming pain, too much darkness and she may fall into its clutches forever. Still she fights it, thinking only of survival and how to discourage the angel who refuses to give up on her. But David holds his own darkness, the remnants of his wretched human life.
The story is very character driven. Mina is a challenge and it is to Hill's credit she remains consistent to her character and the changes taking place in herself throughout.
Her journey is very dark and heartrending. As is David's beside her, constantly fought at every turn, persevering in his love as she spurns him and slowly comes to trust him
******
slight spoilers
******
The ending was beautifully done, true to Mina. David giving everything of himself for a chance. Mina holding the universe in her hands and choosing to make her own decision over the darkness.
She still suffers from self doubt and darkness but letting herself let down some of her barriers so she can begin to feel. Deciding to chance everything because she decides to let herself want/need something. And David's wings, the mirror of her, proving he will never walk away
*******
August 1, 2013
Well… I asked for dark & Ms. Hill delivered. Dark & beautiful & captivating is what it was. It blew me away. I can’t believe it took me so long to put 2+2 together on David- fledgling angel, committed suicide at 14, sister was abused… Hello, McFly! He’s David, Marguerite’s brother of Ice Queen fame! I think Ms. Hill needed to draw me a diagram. There’s usually a couple or in the case of The Vampire Queen series a trinity that enchants me. I think David & Mina will likely be that couple for this series but I still have another book in the series. So, we shall see.
There’s nothing I didn’t love about their story. They’re both damaged & have had unspeakable things inflicted upon them yet survived but in coming together they thrive. David fulfills a need in Mina she wasn’t even aware she had until meeting him. Not only that but he takes some of the pressure off her in controlling/balancing her Dark One blood. And Mina is someone who needs him, someone he can actually help & save, to a certain extent, which was something he wasn’t able to provide Marguerite. That’s not to say that he compares the two but he seems to be someone who needs to be a caretaker, a provider, a source of comfort & being an angel of the legion gives him a power he can use to do that in unique ways as well as ensuring Mina can’t hurt herself & can always rely upon & trust him.
I’ve read quite a bit of Ms. Hill’s works & was aware of her (well, I’m assuming it’s hers) belief that God is female. Through this series she’s really given herself free reign to examine the relationship between Heaven & Hell, good & evil, the levels of Heaven, purgatory, the origins of man, the origins of evil that lie within all of us & how balance is struck between all. It’s fascinating not to mention creative. She’s clearly versed in theology but isn’t afraid to put her own spin on things. She sees the big picture which is, I think, what draws me to her writing over & over again.
There’s nothing I didn’t love about their story. They’re both damaged & have had unspeakable things inflicted upon them yet survived but in coming together they thrive. David fulfills a need in Mina she wasn’t even aware she had until meeting him. Not only that but he takes some of the pressure off her in controlling/balancing her Dark One blood. And Mina is someone who needs him, someone he can actually help & save, to a certain extent, which was something he wasn’t able to provide Marguerite. That’s not to say that he compares the two but he seems to be someone who needs to be a caretaker, a provider, a source of comfort & being an angel of the legion gives him a power he can use to do that in unique ways as well as ensuring Mina can’t hurt herself & can always rely upon & trust him.
I’ve read quite a bit of Ms. Hill’s works & was aware of her (well, I’m assuming it’s hers) belief that God is female. Through this series she’s really given herself free reign to examine the relationship between Heaven & Hell, good & evil, the levels of Heaven, purgatory, the origins of man, the origins of evil that lie within all of us & how balance is struck between all. It’s fascinating not to mention creative. She’s clearly versed in theology but isn’t afraid to put her own spin on things. She sees the big picture which is, I think, what draws me to her writing over & over again.
July 25, 2018
I'm reading this series years after it was written, but as a Joey devotee, it was time. This was positively gripping. It started out a little slow, but then the characters and worlds that only Joey knows how to bring to life, took hold and never let go. Two tortured souls, one who found his place among the angels and another who believes that she is evil and unworthy of love, friends, etc. He is a very young angel made from the soul of a 14-year-old suicide victim. Learning David's story via the Schism when we were introduced in "A Mermaid's Kiss" was crushing. "Watching" his interaction with a past before he was born took my breath away. Learning what Mina was put through as a child for saving Anna's life was disturbing. The bubble (world) she has created around her to protect herself from feeling is elaborate and desolate. She is continually tortured by the dark one's blood of her sire that raped her mother. She is in constant pain from the physical results of the torture that was done to her as a child. She hides and shows displeasure but finds a joy (well, maybe not quite joy) in creating love potions for her mer-clients. David recognized his one-true mate when they met (since he was planning on hurting her, it's a good thing he noticed). He is determined to learn everything there is to know about her, to understand her, to help her realize that she is not only worthy of another's love, but she is worthy to love herself. The journeys they must take and the decisions they must make are EPIC. Love truly does conquer all. It may take a while, but you have to have faith, and you have to be honest with yourself. P.S. If you're a VQS fan, you get an introduction to a briefly met character in that series. He fascinated me in the seconds that we met him in "You're All Invited."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews