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Immortals #5.5, 6.5, 7.5
The Reckoning
Three USA Today bestselling authors combine their talents in an anthology of sexy, action-packed novellas set in the hugely popular world of the multi-author series, Immortals.
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For centuries they have walked among us ... vampires, shape-shifters, the Celtic Sidhe, demons, and other magical beings. Their battle to reign supreme is constant, but one force holds them in check, a race of powerful warriors known as the Immortals.
In Wolf Hunt, (Immortals, book 5.5) by Jennifer Ashley, a lone werewolf defies his entire pack and everything he’s ever known to protect a demon woman.
In Blood Debt, (Immortals, book 6.5) by Joy Nash, a vampire thirsts to claim vengeance from the two beings responsible for his eternal nightmare: the Old One who turned him ... and, the beautiful Sidhe muse ... who killed him.
In Beyond the Mist, (Immortals, book 7.5) by Robin T. Popp, haunted by her past and reeling from her sister’s murder, one woman turns to a sexy spirit-walker on a ghostly cruise ship.
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For centuries they have walked among us ... vampires, shape-shifters, the Celtic Sidhe, demons, and other magical beings. Their battle to reign supreme is constant, but one force holds them in check, a race of powerful warriors known as the Immortals.
In Wolf Hunt, (Immortals, book 5.5) by Jennifer Ashley, a lone werewolf defies his entire pack and everything he’s ever known to protect a demon woman.
In Blood Debt, (Immortals, book 6.5) by Joy Nash, a vampire thirsts to claim vengeance from the two beings responsible for his eternal nightmare: the Old One who turned him ... and, the beautiful Sidhe muse ... who killed him.
In Beyond the Mist, (Immortals, book 7.5) by Robin T. Popp, haunted by her past and reeling from her sister’s murder, one woman turns to a sexy spirit-walker on a ghostly cruise ship.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2009
11 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ashley
215 books7,336 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 17, 2009
"Immortals: The Reckoning" is a three story anthology by the authors who penned the seven full length 'Immortals' stories. Each short story features a secondary character from the original series that I bet lots of reader wanted to know about...I know I did!
"Wolf Hunt" by Jennifer Ashley - When the demon Nadia places a terrified call to lone wolf Logan, it doesn't take him long to track her down. The story behind Logan's lone wolf status and his happily ever after.
"Blood Debt" by Joy Nash - Leanna was saved by her half-brother Mac but not until after she spent time in Hell. Now she's repudiated use of her death magic and has vowed not to kill. Of course, that was before she came face to face with the one man she loved...who's now a vampire in a fight for his existence.
"Beyond the Mist" by Robin T. Popp - Jenna couldn't save her sister with her magic, and she's always felt that her magic helped cause the death of her parents. So it's not surprising that she's having a hard time getting over her guilt. But when an interfering goddess tries to barter her soul, Jenna will discover her worth, and her hero.
If you read the series, you won't want to miss this anthology. If you didn't read the series, these stories will give you an idea of what you missed. I enjoyed all three as they tied up some loose ends and provided a sexy afternoon treat.
"Wolf Hunt" by Jennifer Ashley - When the demon Nadia places a terrified call to lone wolf Logan, it doesn't take him long to track her down. The story behind Logan's lone wolf status and his happily ever after.
"Blood Debt" by Joy Nash - Leanna was saved by her half-brother Mac but not until after she spent time in Hell. Now she's repudiated use of her death magic and has vowed not to kill. Of course, that was before she came face to face with the one man she loved...who's now a vampire in a fight for his existence.
"Beyond the Mist" by Robin T. Popp - Jenna couldn't save her sister with her magic, and she's always felt that her magic helped cause the death of her parents. So it's not surprising that she's having a hard time getting over her guilt. But when an interfering goddess tries to barter her soul, Jenna will discover her worth, and her hero.
If you read the series, you won't want to miss this anthology. If you didn't read the series, these stories will give you an idea of what you missed. I enjoyed all three as they tied up some loose ends and provided a sexy afternoon treat.
April 25, 2009
An anthology of stories written by the original authors of The Immortals series wrapping up some of the minor characters introduced in the earlier novels. All were competently done stories, although I liked the first ["Wolf Hunt" by Jennifer Ashley:] and last ["Beyond the Mist" by Robin T. Popp:] the best. That's just a matter of personal taste, "Blood Debt" by Joy Nash was a good story.
Immortals
The Calling (2007) by Jennifer Ashley
The Darkening (2007) by Robin T Popp
The Awakening (2007) by Joy Nash
The Gathering (2007) by Jennifer Ashley
The Redeeming (2008) by Jennifer Ashley
The Crossing (2008) by Joy Nash
The Haunting (2008) by Robin T Popp
The Reckoning (2009) by Jennifer Ashley, Joy Nash and Robin T Popp
Immortals
The Calling (2007) by Jennifer Ashley
The Darkening (2007) by Robin T Popp
The Awakening (2007) by Joy Nash
The Gathering (2007) by Jennifer Ashley
The Redeeming (2008) by Jennifer Ashley
The Crossing (2008) by Joy Nash
The Haunting (2008) by Robin T Popp
The Reckoning (2009) by Jennifer Ashley, Joy Nash and Robin T Popp
December 7, 2014
Zum Buch: Dieses Buch enthält drei Kurzgeschichten. Die erste Kurzgeschichte trägt den Namen "Wolfsjagd" und handelt von Logan und Nadia. Die zweite Kurzgeschichte trägt den Titel "Blutschuld" und handelt von Leanna und Jackson. Die dritte Kurzgeschichte trägt den Titel "Hinter dem Nebel" und handelt von Dave und Jenna.
Meine Meinung: Bis auf die mittlere Kurzgeschichte wirken die anderen beiden ein wenig von der Handlung übereilt und leider haben sie mir nicht so gut gefallen, sowohl von der Geschichte als auch von den Personen. Ich konnte nicht so richtig mitfiebern, wie ich erhofft habe und die Charaktere haben mich leider auch nicht berührt. Nur die mittlere Kurzgeschichte war wirklich toll, denn sowohl Jackson und Leanna verbindet eine Vergangenheit, die sie beide verändert hat. Beide Charaktere entwickeln sich weiter und gehen aufeinander zu. Das hat mir wirklich gut gefallen.
Bewertung: Die erste Kurzgeschichte erhält von mir 2,5 Sterne, die zweite Kurzgeschichte 3,5 Sterne, die dritte Kurzgeschichte erhält von mir 2 Sterne. Daher bekommt die ganze Sammlung von mir 2,5 Sterne.
Meine Meinung: Bis auf die mittlere Kurzgeschichte wirken die anderen beiden ein wenig von der Handlung übereilt und leider haben sie mir nicht so gut gefallen, sowohl von der Geschichte als auch von den Personen. Ich konnte nicht so richtig mitfiebern, wie ich erhofft habe und die Charaktere haben mich leider auch nicht berührt. Nur die mittlere Kurzgeschichte war wirklich toll, denn sowohl Jackson und Leanna verbindet eine Vergangenheit, die sie beide verändert hat. Beide Charaktere entwickeln sich weiter und gehen aufeinander zu. Das hat mir wirklich gut gefallen.
Bewertung: Die erste Kurzgeschichte erhält von mir 2,5 Sterne, die zweite Kurzgeschichte 3,5 Sterne, die dritte Kurzgeschichte erhält von mir 2 Sterne. Daher bekommt die ganze Sammlung von mir 2,5 Sterne.
July 7, 2010
WOLF HUNT BY JENNIFER ASHLEY
Logan Wright's former Pack Leader, Matt Lewis, has a score to settle with him and blackmails Nadia into setting a trap for Logan. Matt and Logan have a history together and Matt is the reason Logan left his Pack, even though he was a respected and feared Pack Master. Now Nadia is put in the middle because of her connection to Logan, she doesn't want to betray Logan but the life of a loved one is at stake.
Logan was one of the secondary characters I hoped would get his own story, after reading THE REDEEMING. He is loyal, gentlemanlike but a true werewolf at the core.
Nadia also was a secondary character in Tain's book but a minor one. I was nicely surprised to see her paired up with Logan. She is brave and has a snappy sense of humor.
I loved the chemistry and dialogues between Logan and Nadia. They were representing the humor I like so much in Ashley's books. Along the way there was lots of information on werewolves, their pack law and rules. Of course Tain and Samantha made a small appearance but the story is focused mainly on Nadia and Logan and the plot, which was well executed. I did miss Amber and Adrian though.
This was a great novella and has the quality that's to be expected from Jennifer Ashley. It was complete, well rounded, a short but very satisfying nonetheless. The plot is excellent, it's mysterious, suspenseful, humorous and filled with different little storylines and angles that ultimately all link together. Not being too short but not too long either, it was enough to tell the story of Logan and Nadia and a perfect closure to the Jennifer Ashley installments in the Immortals series.
Quote:
Except now she'd kissed that mouth, felt his lips respond to hers, tasted his life essence. The magic of him has singed her primal core, tightening her body and making her crave more.
4 stars
BLOOD DEBT BY JOY NASH
Because of Leanna's unreasonable and unjust fear of love Jackson Cabot was turned vampire and enslaved by Europe's vampire master, Armande Legrand. Jackson manages to escape Legrand and ever since he's has been plotting and planning revenge on Legrand. When by chance Jackson finds out Leanna is in the vicinity he decides to kill two birds with one stone and use Leanna to vanquish Legrand. But we all know what happens with the best-laid plans...
Leanna has come a long way since she was the evil love muse in THE AWAKENING. She has really grown up by suffering and has learned to be compassionate instead of self-absorbed. Her life has not been easy and everything has taken a toll on her: the abandonment by her Sidhe mother, the abuse by her human father and her imprisonment in Hell.
Jackson used to be a lighthearted and caring man. He was truly in love with Leanna when she used her powers on him and left him for dead, giving Legrand the opportunity to enslave him. Now more than a century later he has become a bitter and vengeful vampire with one goal and one goal only in his non-life: vengeance.
For a short story it had quite some secondary characters but they all fit in perfectly with the main characters and the plot. I enjoyed the glimpses of the two former main couples Kalen, Christine, Mac and Artemis.
This was an amazing story. The best of this anthology, one of the top stories in this whole series and by far the best by Joy Nash in this series. I never would have thought it after THE AWAKENING but this was truly a well written, compelling, intriguing and perfectly plotted story with the right amount of emotions, actions and hot love scenes. I loved the way the story between Leanna and Jackson was set up in the limited amount of pages Joy Nash had to work with. I really wonder what she could have done if she had a full-length book for this story. She mixed everything in the right way and delivered an excellent novella that is undoubtedly keeper material.
Quotes:
His mind blanked on a rush of white-hot lust. And red-hot anger. One hundred years might have passed but it would take much longer than a mere century to erase this particular redhead from his mind and his soul.
Seven decades of ruthless self-control, obliterated in one groan of ecstasy. Seven decades of hoarded power seeped through the rapidly widening cracks in the shield of death magic he’d constructed around his soul.
The wanting cut like a knife. It sliced at her soul, carving it into thousands upon thousands of yearning pieces. And more. It was as if Jackson had released every atom from her body, allowing them to float free, into the atmosphere. And then had recaptured and enslaved every particle of her being.
4,5 stars
BEYOND THE MIST BY ROBIN T. POPP
A deal struck between the goddess Sekhmet (Immortal Darius' mother) and the sea god Poseidon has now come back to bite Sekhmet in the behind. She thought to sacrifice her firstborn grandchild in order to keep Darius on Ravenscroft safe from earth's temptation (for more about this revert to THE DARKENING) because she never thought Darius would find love and have children. But he has and now Poseidon has come to collect on the deal. Out of desperation Sekhmet offers Poseidon a trade: Jenna Renfield, whom she knows through Mai and Nick, instead of her grandson.
Jenna Renfield has been going through the motions ever since she lost her sister to an evil genie (see THE HAUNTING) and lives with Nick, Mai and their roommate Dave. She's attracted to Dave but the parade of ladies passing through his bedroom is the reason she doesn't want anything to do with him. When an offer for a free cruise arrives, she grabs the opportunity to get away from Dave with both hands. But on this cruise nothing is as it seems and soon she's very glad Dave decided to come after her on it.
Jenna is a quiet young woman who has suffered many adversities in her life and every time she uses her magic it seems to get worse. So she has decided to go through life not using her magic ever again. She is intelligent and responsible. But after the loss of her sister she's also guilt-ridden and depressed. The only bright spots in her life at this moment are her roommates Mai, Nick and Dave. Even if Dave has a different woman in his room every night.
Dave is charming and flirtatious. He's what you would call a rake if this were a historical romance. He is interested in Jenna but since he thinks she won't give him the time of day, he continues with his amorous adventures. When Jenna received an invitation to a cruise he doesn't trust it and follows her on the cruise to protect her. His shape-shifting chameleon and spirit walker abilities sure come in handy when they end up in trouble.
Again an elaborate secondary cast fills the pages and like in Nash's story the two former main couples played their small part.
Since THE HAUNTING I was looking forward to Dave's story and I must say I'm glad it was included in this anthology but it kind of paled before the other two stories. This novella was kind of THE LITTLE MERMAID meets the LOVE BOAT, which on it's own wasn't a bad thing but compared to the other two novellas for me this was the lesser one. I missed intensity and where in the other novellas the stories were well rounded and compelling with this one it felt a bit rushed despite the great premise it held. Towards the end of the story it picked up a bit in intensity and plot so overall it ended on a satisfying note.
3,5 stars
THE RECKONING
Sometimes there are books you read and you wish the secondary characters would get their own HEA too next to the main couples. The Immortals series consisted of these kind of books and I am very happy that the authors decides to team up an give the readers an anthology that provided to be both a delightful ending to the series as well as a great opportunity to give some beloved secondary characters their own stories.
Overall it was an anthology of solid quality, one with two excellent novellas and one that was good. They were three totally different paranormal stories with a bit less of the magical feeling the first four books in this series gave me but even so each story was unique and well-written and THE IMMORTALS is a series of which the books will stay on my keepers' shelf until they fall apart from old age.
Logan Wright's former Pack Leader, Matt Lewis, has a score to settle with him and blackmails Nadia into setting a trap for Logan. Matt and Logan have a history together and Matt is the reason Logan left his Pack, even though he was a respected and feared Pack Master. Now Nadia is put in the middle because of her connection to Logan, she doesn't want to betray Logan but the life of a loved one is at stake.
Logan was one of the secondary characters I hoped would get his own story, after reading THE REDEEMING. He is loyal, gentlemanlike but a true werewolf at the core.
Nadia also was a secondary character in Tain's book but a minor one. I was nicely surprised to see her paired up with Logan. She is brave and has a snappy sense of humor.
I loved the chemistry and dialogues between Logan and Nadia. They were representing the humor I like so much in Ashley's books. Along the way there was lots of information on werewolves, their pack law and rules. Of course Tain and Samantha made a small appearance but the story is focused mainly on Nadia and Logan and the plot, which was well executed. I did miss Amber and Adrian though.
This was a great novella and has the quality that's to be expected from Jennifer Ashley. It was complete, well rounded, a short but very satisfying nonetheless. The plot is excellent, it's mysterious, suspenseful, humorous and filled with different little storylines and angles that ultimately all link together. Not being too short but not too long either, it was enough to tell the story of Logan and Nadia and a perfect closure to the Jennifer Ashley installments in the Immortals series.
Quote:
Except now she'd kissed that mouth, felt his lips respond to hers, tasted his life essence. The magic of him has singed her primal core, tightening her body and making her crave more.
4 stars
BLOOD DEBT BY JOY NASH
Because of Leanna's unreasonable and unjust fear of love Jackson Cabot was turned vampire and enslaved by Europe's vampire master, Armande Legrand. Jackson manages to escape Legrand and ever since he's has been plotting and planning revenge on Legrand. When by chance Jackson finds out Leanna is in the vicinity he decides to kill two birds with one stone and use Leanna to vanquish Legrand. But we all know what happens with the best-laid plans...
Leanna has come a long way since she was the evil love muse in THE AWAKENING. She has really grown up by suffering and has learned to be compassionate instead of self-absorbed. Her life has not been easy and everything has taken a toll on her: the abandonment by her Sidhe mother, the abuse by her human father and her imprisonment in Hell.
Jackson used to be a lighthearted and caring man. He was truly in love with Leanna when she used her powers on him and left him for dead, giving Legrand the opportunity to enslave him. Now more than a century later he has become a bitter and vengeful vampire with one goal and one goal only in his non-life: vengeance.
For a short story it had quite some secondary characters but they all fit in perfectly with the main characters and the plot. I enjoyed the glimpses of the two former main couples Kalen, Christine, Mac and Artemis.
This was an amazing story. The best of this anthology, one of the top stories in this whole series and by far the best by Joy Nash in this series. I never would have thought it after THE AWAKENING but this was truly a well written, compelling, intriguing and perfectly plotted story with the right amount of emotions, actions and hot love scenes. I loved the way the story between Leanna and Jackson was set up in the limited amount of pages Joy Nash had to work with. I really wonder what she could have done if she had a full-length book for this story. She mixed everything in the right way and delivered an excellent novella that is undoubtedly keeper material.
Quotes:
His mind blanked on a rush of white-hot lust. And red-hot anger. One hundred years might have passed but it would take much longer than a mere century to erase this particular redhead from his mind and his soul.
Seven decades of ruthless self-control, obliterated in one groan of ecstasy. Seven decades of hoarded power seeped through the rapidly widening cracks in the shield of death magic he’d constructed around his soul.
The wanting cut like a knife. It sliced at her soul, carving it into thousands upon thousands of yearning pieces. And more. It was as if Jackson had released every atom from her body, allowing them to float free, into the atmosphere. And then had recaptured and enslaved every particle of her being.
4,5 stars
BEYOND THE MIST BY ROBIN T. POPP
A deal struck between the goddess Sekhmet (Immortal Darius' mother) and the sea god Poseidon has now come back to bite Sekhmet in the behind. She thought to sacrifice her firstborn grandchild in order to keep Darius on Ravenscroft safe from earth's temptation (for more about this revert to THE DARKENING) because she never thought Darius would find love and have children. But he has and now Poseidon has come to collect on the deal. Out of desperation Sekhmet offers Poseidon a trade: Jenna Renfield, whom she knows through Mai and Nick, instead of her grandson.
Jenna Renfield has been going through the motions ever since she lost her sister to an evil genie (see THE HAUNTING) and lives with Nick, Mai and their roommate Dave. She's attracted to Dave but the parade of ladies passing through his bedroom is the reason she doesn't want anything to do with him. When an offer for a free cruise arrives, she grabs the opportunity to get away from Dave with both hands. But on this cruise nothing is as it seems and soon she's very glad Dave decided to come after her on it.
Jenna is a quiet young woman who has suffered many adversities in her life and every time she uses her magic it seems to get worse. So she has decided to go through life not using her magic ever again. She is intelligent and responsible. But after the loss of her sister she's also guilt-ridden and depressed. The only bright spots in her life at this moment are her roommates Mai, Nick and Dave. Even if Dave has a different woman in his room every night.
Dave is charming and flirtatious. He's what you would call a rake if this were a historical romance. He is interested in Jenna but since he thinks she won't give him the time of day, he continues with his amorous adventures. When Jenna received an invitation to a cruise he doesn't trust it and follows her on the cruise to protect her. His shape-shifting chameleon and spirit walker abilities sure come in handy when they end up in trouble.
Again an elaborate secondary cast fills the pages and like in Nash's story the two former main couples played their small part.
Since THE HAUNTING I was looking forward to Dave's story and I must say I'm glad it was included in this anthology but it kind of paled before the other two stories. This novella was kind of THE LITTLE MERMAID meets the LOVE BOAT, which on it's own wasn't a bad thing but compared to the other two novellas for me this was the lesser one. I missed intensity and where in the other novellas the stories were well rounded and compelling with this one it felt a bit rushed despite the great premise it held. Towards the end of the story it picked up a bit in intensity and plot so overall it ended on a satisfying note.
3,5 stars
THE RECKONING
Sometimes there are books you read and you wish the secondary characters would get their own HEA too next to the main couples. The Immortals series consisted of these kind of books and I am very happy that the authors decides to team up an give the readers an anthology that provided to be both a delightful ending to the series as well as a great opportunity to give some beloved secondary characters their own stories.
Overall it was an anthology of solid quality, one with two excellent novellas and one that was good. They were three totally different paranormal stories with a bit less of the magical feeling the first four books in this series gave me but even so each story was unique and well-written and THE IMMORTALS is a series of which the books will stay on my keepers' shelf until they fall apart from old age.
March 4, 2013
Overall: ❤❤5/8
Wolf Hunt by Jennifer Ashley
❤❤¾
In this story we revisit ex-werewolf pack leader Logan, Samantha's former parapolice partner, and demon Nadia who was one victim in a crime Logan and Samantha investigated (The Redeeming). Logan never forgot Nadia after that and he can chalk it up to his compassion and protective instincts for victims but he's knows it's always been something more where Nadia is concerned. Nadia had been kidnapped then raped and watched her sister's murder. Damnable, brutal stuff! In this short story Nadia has been abducted by Logan's old pack's new leader, Matt. Nadia manages to make it to a phone in order to call Logan for help. She's 10 hours away, running for her life in the forest, while the pack chases her for sport. Logan knows it's a maneuver by Matt to issue a challenge to the death but he has no idea what's at stake and who all the players are.
This story was only okay. Regretfully, I've found myself underwhelmed by Jennifer Ashley in this series and often times dissatisfied or squeamish with some aspects (or dialogue) from her characters. I hope I'm not being captious as I notice that so many people really enjoyed this series, and I honestly love Jennifer Ashley. I'm not sure why we aren't meshing this time around. Pride Mates remains one of my favorite book, eva! There is nothing offensive or off-putting in this story, it simply didn't enthrall me. It's decent, good even, just didn't work for me.
Blood Debt by Joy Nash
❤❤
Leanna is healed and finally well after living 9 mos in Annwyn and has finally been acknowledged by Niniane. She's vowed to no longer use her sex/muse magic or kill again. She's in Rome with the whole gang from The Awakening and The Crossing when vampire Arthur Jackson Cabot IV (Jackson) kidnaps her. Jackson and Leanna were lovers a century ago and when Leanna left Jackson she thought she left him safe in an alley. Instead she left him at the mercy of the sadistic vamp leader Legrand. Jackson has amplified his power by abstaining from sex and plans to kill Legrand for the years he abused Jackson. Now that he's captured Leanna, he figures she owes him and demands she kill or incapacitate Legrand with her sex magic. Leanna reveals some hard truths about a past filled with men who have used and abused her beginning with her own father and ending 9 mos ago with the demon Malachi. Jackson is really just another one of those men but she's not sure she can deny the one and only love of her life. Jackson is willing to force her if she tries.
I did like the scene when Jackson first comes to Leanna's hotel suite. It was very seductive. Niniane is still a despicable creature. She's well written and very true to her Sidhe self but it doesn't make me hate her any less. She's a great and horrible characters and joins the ranks of the other Goddesses/Gods I didn't like (because they are plain evil) from this series.
I wanted to care about Leanna but I don't think I did. I was a bit indifferent to her story so it's not that I hated her but she's hard to like.
As for the story itself, there was simply too much darkness for me to enjoy it. At every turn someone is being abused or used in some way. There's betrayal, killing, raping, fighting, torturing, whoring and the list goes on. It wasn't fun to read to me and generally I can take violence and grit. This one isn't overly violent by any means it just was too much for me at this point. And the HEA ending felt ridiculous when there was so much pain and resentment and a host of other emotions building for a century. All of this might have been okay in a full length novel where the good and bad can balance one another but in 115 pages it was just too much. It's another example, from this series, where I felt it brought about a lot of unnecessary pain (Tain's eye and captivity/Nadia's rape/Sarah's death/Mac's sacrifice/Adrian's guilt/Kalen's punishment/Goddesses cruelty/Niniane's wrath/etc). But I'm sure this sort of PNR mixed with the tough stuff is very good reading for many, just not me or just not me tonight. It left me feeling awfully sad.
Beyond the Mist by Robin T. Popp
❤❤❤
In Ravenscroft, Darius and Lexi's son Zach, is turning one year old. Sehkmet has been dreading this day since she found out about Zach. It's not because she doesn't love Zach, she adores him in fact. It's because 700 years ago, in a effort to not lose Darius, like Cerridwen lost Tain, Sehkemt made a bargain with Poseidon. In that bargain she forfeited the soul of her first grandchild in return for Darius's life essence being encapsulated in the orb. Poseidon arrives for payment and a desperate Sehkemt offers another bargain. In exchange for Zach's soul, Sehkmet offers Jenna's soul (Sarah's sister/Mia, Nick and Dave's roommate), a soul she'll think Poseidon will like since it's believes that Jenna's untrained magic killed her parents.
When a free ticket for Poseidon cruise lines arrives, and after a bitter rejection from Dave, Jenna packs her bags thinking she can do with some time alone. She's unpacking her bags aboard the ship when Dave comes barreling in, telling her she's not going alone. When a strange man starts following Jenna, and bizarre things keep happening, she's happier than ever that Dave is with her. In between running for their lives the pair succumb to an attraction that might be more than either bargained for.
In The Darkening a priest named Whitley comes to Darius in the dream dimension to explain the spell Sehkmet has cast. He calls Darius son but since he was referred to as a priest, I assumed he was simply Sehkmet's lover/care taker. In this short, Darius's father appears in the birthday scene and he's called Wesley. I'm assuming it's the same guy but I'm not sure.
For me, this was the best of the bunch and while I did enjoy many parts of it, it was also mostly underwhelming. I did like Dave's "gentlemen line" a lot. The merfolk were a nice surprise. Poseidon was benevolent in an evil way, I suppose. That's a God/Goddess trait I guess. I think my biggest complaint were character reactions. I was very happy with the ending and I think I officially hates Gods and Goddesses now. Such evil beings and, in many ways worse than the actually evil in these books. I think if a reader can feel that strongly about a character then the author is doing a decent job. All 3 of the author's in this series created characters I truly loathed by the end.
So as an 8 book series I'd say this was a good, but not excellent. I'm happy I read it and I'm happy I got to spend some time with these characters. Perhaps this is one that will grow on me as time passes but for now it's right in the middle.
Wolf Hunt by Jennifer Ashley
❤❤¾
In this story we revisit ex-werewolf pack leader Logan, Samantha's former parapolice partner, and demon Nadia who was one victim in a crime Logan and Samantha investigated (The Redeeming). Logan never forgot Nadia after that and he can chalk it up to his compassion and protective instincts for victims but he's knows it's always been something more where Nadia is concerned. Nadia had been kidnapped then raped and watched her sister's murder. Damnable, brutal stuff! In this short story Nadia has been abducted by Logan's old pack's new leader, Matt. Nadia manages to make it to a phone in order to call Logan for help. She's 10 hours away, running for her life in the forest, while the pack chases her for sport. Logan knows it's a maneuver by Matt to issue a challenge to the death but he has no idea what's at stake and who all the players are.
This story was only okay. Regretfully, I've found myself underwhelmed by Jennifer Ashley in this series and often times dissatisfied or squeamish with some aspects (or dialogue) from her characters. I hope I'm not being captious as I notice that so many people really enjoyed this series, and I honestly love Jennifer Ashley. I'm not sure why we aren't meshing this time around. Pride Mates remains one of my favorite book, eva! There is nothing offensive or off-putting in this story, it simply didn't enthrall me. It's decent, good even, just didn't work for me.
Blood Debt by Joy Nash
❤❤
Leanna is healed and finally well after living 9 mos in Annwyn and has finally been acknowledged by Niniane. She's vowed to no longer use her sex/muse magic or kill again. She's in Rome with the whole gang from The Awakening and The Crossing when vampire Arthur Jackson Cabot IV (Jackson) kidnaps her. Jackson and Leanna were lovers a century ago and when Leanna left Jackson she thought she left him safe in an alley. Instead she left him at the mercy of the sadistic vamp leader Legrand. Jackson has amplified his power by abstaining from sex and plans to kill Legrand for the years he abused Jackson. Now that he's captured Leanna, he figures she owes him and demands she kill or incapacitate Legrand with her sex magic. Leanna reveals some hard truths about a past filled with men who have used and abused her beginning with her own father and ending 9 mos ago with the demon Malachi. Jackson is really just another one of those men but she's not sure she can deny the one and only love of her life. Jackson is willing to force her if she tries.
I did like the scene when Jackson first comes to Leanna's hotel suite. It was very seductive. Niniane is still a despicable creature. She's well written and very true to her Sidhe self but it doesn't make me hate her any less. She's a great and horrible characters and joins the ranks of the other Goddesses/Gods I didn't like (because they are plain evil) from this series.
I wanted to care about Leanna but I don't think I did. I was a bit indifferent to her story so it's not that I hated her but she's hard to like.
As for the story itself, there was simply too much darkness for me to enjoy it. At every turn someone is being abused or used in some way. There's betrayal, killing, raping, fighting, torturing, whoring and the list goes on. It wasn't fun to read to me and generally I can take violence and grit. This one isn't overly violent by any means it just was too much for me at this point. And the HEA ending felt ridiculous when there was so much pain and resentment and a host of other emotions building for a century. All of this might have been okay in a full length novel where the good and bad can balance one another but in 115 pages it was just too much. It's another example, from this series, where I felt it brought about a lot of unnecessary pain (Tain's eye and captivity/Nadia's rape/Sarah's death/Mac's sacrifice/Adrian's guilt/Kalen's punishment/Goddesses cruelty/Niniane's wrath/etc). But I'm sure this sort of PNR mixed with the tough stuff is very good reading for many, just not me or just not me tonight. It left me feeling awfully sad.
Beyond the Mist by Robin T. Popp
❤❤❤
In Ravenscroft, Darius and Lexi's son Zach, is turning one year old. Sehkmet has been dreading this day since she found out about Zach. It's not because she doesn't love Zach, she adores him in fact. It's because 700 years ago, in a effort to not lose Darius, like Cerridwen lost Tain, Sehkemt made a bargain with Poseidon. In that bargain she forfeited the soul of her first grandchild in return for Darius's life essence being encapsulated in the orb. Poseidon arrives for payment and a desperate Sehkemt offers another bargain. In exchange for Zach's soul, Sehkmet offers Jenna's soul (Sarah's sister/Mia, Nick and Dave's roommate), a soul she'll think Poseidon will like since it's believes that Jenna's untrained magic killed her parents.
When a free ticket for Poseidon cruise lines arrives, and after a bitter rejection from Dave, Jenna packs her bags thinking she can do with some time alone. She's unpacking her bags aboard the ship when Dave comes barreling in, telling her she's not going alone. When a strange man starts following Jenna, and bizarre things keep happening, she's happier than ever that Dave is with her. In between running for their lives the pair succumb to an attraction that might be more than either bargained for.
In The Darkening a priest named Whitley comes to Darius in the dream dimension to explain the spell Sehkmet has cast. He calls Darius son but since he was referred to as a priest, I assumed he was simply Sehkmet's lover/care taker. In this short, Darius's father appears in the birthday scene and he's called Wesley. I'm assuming it's the same guy but I'm not sure.
For me, this was the best of the bunch and while I did enjoy many parts of it, it was also mostly underwhelming. I did like Dave's "gentlemen line" a lot. The merfolk were a nice surprise. Poseidon was benevolent in an evil way, I suppose. That's a God/Goddess trait I guess. I think my biggest complaint were character reactions. I was very happy with the ending and I think I officially hates Gods and Goddesses now. Such evil beings and, in many ways worse than the actually evil in these books. I think if a reader can feel that strongly about a character then the author is doing a decent job. All 3 of the author's in this series created characters I truly loathed by the end.
So as an 8 book series I'd say this was a good, but not excellent. I'm happy I read it and I'm happy I got to spend some time with these characters. Perhaps this is one that will grow on me as time passes but for now it's right in the middle.
July 12, 2023
What a great collection if stories set in The Immortals world. I enjoyed each of the stories and lived their happy endings. This world is like ours but with supernatural elements to it. I look forward to more from this world has to offer.
August 6, 2019
This is the weakest of all the books. I felt ad though they were rushing to tue up loose ends and it failed.
February 21, 2020
An excellent Paranormal ChicLit multi-author series. Worth reading.!!!
March 3, 2011
"In den Armen der Dunkelheit" ist der abschließenden Band der Immortal-Serie, zu dem alle drei Autorinnen eine Kurzgeschichte beisteuern. Leider geht das nicht eindeutig aus dem Klappentext hervor. Lediglich der Satz "Aufregende und sinnliche Geschichten..." lässt das vermuten.
Den Inhalt der jeweiligen Geschichte will ich nur kurz ansprechen, da man ja bei Kurzgeschichten schnell mal zu viel erzählen kann...
Geschichte 1: Wolfsjagd von Jennifer Ashley
Der Werwolf Logan bekommt, während er im Einsatz für die paranormale Polizei ist, einen unerwarteten Anruf von der Dämonin Nadia. Sie kennen sich bereits aus einem früheren Fall. Nadia fleht um Hilfe an, worauf sich Logan kurzfristig auf die Suche nach ihr macht. Es beginnt eine Jagd für Logan, die einige Überraschungen für ihn bereit hält.
Bei dieser Geschichte hatte ich auf den ersten Seiten meine Schwierigkeiten. Die Handlung zog sich und irgendwie konnte ich nicht in die Geschichte eintauchen. Später nahm die Handlung dann jedoch Fahrt auf und es wurde spannend.
Geschichte 2: Blutschuld von Joy Nash
Auf diese Geschichte bezieht sich der Klappentext. Sie erzählt von Leanna und Arthur Jackson Cabot IV., der im Klappentext Arthur genannt wird und in der Geschichte eigentlich ausschließlich Jackson. Das ist für mich ein weiterer Minuspunkt. Die Geschichte ist für meinen Geschmack etwas zu voll gepackt, ist aber flüssig geschrieben und reißt den Leser mit in die Welt der Todesmagie.
Geschichte 3: Hinter dem Nebel von Robin T. Popp
Jenna Renfield, Hexe, und Dave Runningbear, Geistwanderer, wohnen momentan bei Mai und Nick und haben auf den ersten Blick nicht viel für einander übrig. Dave genießt das Leben offensichtlich in vollen Zügen und Jenna kämpft immer noch mit Ihren Schuldgefühlen. Als Jenna einen Reisegutschein für eine Kreuzfahrt zugesandt bekommt, beginnt für beide ein Kampf um Jennas Leben... Diese Geschichte ist mein persönlicher Favorit. Sie ist spannend, flüssig und hat mich von Beginn an mitgerissen. Sie ist ein schöner Abschluss der Serie, die inzwischen so weit um sich gegriffen hat, dass die Unsterblichen mit denen es begann, nur noch dann und wann als Statisten auftreten.
Den Inhalt der jeweiligen Geschichte will ich nur kurz ansprechen, da man ja bei Kurzgeschichten schnell mal zu viel erzählen kann...
Geschichte 1: Wolfsjagd von Jennifer Ashley
Der Werwolf Logan bekommt, während er im Einsatz für die paranormale Polizei ist, einen unerwarteten Anruf von der Dämonin Nadia. Sie kennen sich bereits aus einem früheren Fall. Nadia fleht um Hilfe an, worauf sich Logan kurzfristig auf die Suche nach ihr macht. Es beginnt eine Jagd für Logan, die einige Überraschungen für ihn bereit hält.
Bei dieser Geschichte hatte ich auf den ersten Seiten meine Schwierigkeiten. Die Handlung zog sich und irgendwie konnte ich nicht in die Geschichte eintauchen. Später nahm die Handlung dann jedoch Fahrt auf und es wurde spannend.
Geschichte 2: Blutschuld von Joy Nash
Auf diese Geschichte bezieht sich der Klappentext. Sie erzählt von Leanna und Arthur Jackson Cabot IV., der im Klappentext Arthur genannt wird und in der Geschichte eigentlich ausschließlich Jackson. Das ist für mich ein weiterer Minuspunkt. Die Geschichte ist für meinen Geschmack etwas zu voll gepackt, ist aber flüssig geschrieben und reißt den Leser mit in die Welt der Todesmagie.
Geschichte 3: Hinter dem Nebel von Robin T. Popp
Jenna Renfield, Hexe, und Dave Runningbear, Geistwanderer, wohnen momentan bei Mai und Nick und haben auf den ersten Blick nicht viel für einander übrig. Dave genießt das Leben offensichtlich in vollen Zügen und Jenna kämpft immer noch mit Ihren Schuldgefühlen. Als Jenna einen Reisegutschein für eine Kreuzfahrt zugesandt bekommt, beginnt für beide ein Kampf um Jennas Leben... Diese Geschichte ist mein persönlicher Favorit. Sie ist spannend, flüssig und hat mich von Beginn an mitgerissen. Sie ist ein schöner Abschluss der Serie, die inzwischen so weit um sich gegriffen hat, dass die Unsterblichen mit denen es begann, nur noch dann und wann als Statisten auftreten.
March 22, 2009
Wolf Hunt (Jennifer Ashley): Logan is called by a demon from his past, Nadia, to help her escape a hunt perpetrated by his greatest rival from his former wolf pack.
This story starts quite abruptly with the action beginning instantly, and with a few twists.
Blood Debt (Joy Nash): Leanna is trying to atone for her sins, but finds herself faltering when a man from her past reappears. Jackson is now a vampire and looking for revenge--and she may be the tool he needs.
I think this was my least favorite of the three. The dark magic themes are strong, and I don't quite see how Leanna and Jackson make it out and have a future together.
Ghost Ship (Robin T. Popp): Dave has been in love with Jenna for a long time now, while she goes about oblivious, still mourning the loss of her sister. When she wins a mysterious trip on a ship that may not be what it seems, Dave is determined to protect her.
It took me a little bit to remember who these character were, and it was even stranger how it started with them seemingly not interested in each other. However, it was a fun little read with a twist on the 'cruise ship' that was fun to read.
This story starts quite abruptly with the action beginning instantly, and with a few twists.
Blood Debt (Joy Nash): Leanna is trying to atone for her sins, but finds herself faltering when a man from her past reappears. Jackson is now a vampire and looking for revenge--and she may be the tool he needs.
I think this was my least favorite of the three. The dark magic themes are strong, and I don't quite see how Leanna and Jackson make it out and have a future together.
Ghost Ship (Robin T. Popp): Dave has been in love with Jenna for a long time now, while she goes about oblivious, still mourning the loss of her sister. When she wins a mysterious trip on a ship that may not be what it seems, Dave is determined to protect her.
It took me a little bit to remember who these character were, and it was even stranger how it started with them seemingly not interested in each other. However, it was a fun little read with a twist on the 'cruise ship' that was fun to read.
March 11, 2011
The final volume in the Immortals series is a collection of three novellas featuring characters who appeared previously in the series. Samantha's ex-partner, Logan, Mac's sister Leanna, and Nick and Mai's friends Jenna and Dave all get stories of their own.
The thing I love most about this series is that the family keeps getting larger, but the tales do not become more outlandish. The challenge with writing fantasy and paranormal tales is that an author feels he or she has to go one better or step it up a notch for each additional tale. The villain tends to become even more unbeatable in every incarnation. This is a common problem found also in superhero comics and soap operas, where characters come back to life in increasingly unbelievable ways and seemingly infallible foes are somehow beaten (and a lot of the time in a very lame way). This series does not do that. Each story has explored a different aspect of the supernatural and featured specially gifted, but very relate-able characters. Personally, I wish this wasn't the last book, but I'm glad the series ended while it was still good.
The thing I love most about this series is that the family keeps getting larger, but the tales do not become more outlandish. The challenge with writing fantasy and paranormal tales is that an author feels he or she has to go one better or step it up a notch for each additional tale. The villain tends to become even more unbeatable in every incarnation. This is a common problem found also in superhero comics and soap operas, where characters come back to life in increasingly unbelievable ways and seemingly infallible foes are somehow beaten (and a lot of the time in a very lame way). This series does not do that. Each story has explored a different aspect of the supernatural and featured specially gifted, but very relate-able characters. Personally, I wish this wasn't the last book, but I'm glad the series ended while it was still good.
March 14, 2010
this was a close call between a 4 and a 5 star rating. 4.5 sounds good.
It's not a typical anthology because it is the last book in the 8 book series of the Immortals. There are 3 authors who wrote the series, and this has one from each of them.
The first story is about Logan, a werewolf without his pack, and Nadia, a demon who was attacked previously in the series. This is about how Logan is set up to rescue Nadia by his old Pack Leader, but it's really a ploy to kill him.
The second story is about a vampire named Cabot who fell for a muse who left him for dead...or did she. I had a hard time with Leanna as a heroine because she was the idiot bad guy. Even though she became demon-whore, and then redeemed herself in "The Crossing" by helping her brother mac Lir save his woman, she still was hard for me to see her as the good guy.
The third was a great story using the side characters from "The Haunting" and involved a deal with Poseidon, merfolk, and a ghostly cruise. I loved it.
It was a clever way to end the series, and I loved every book in this series.
It's not a typical anthology because it is the last book in the 8 book series of the Immortals. There are 3 authors who wrote the series, and this has one from each of them.
The first story is about Logan, a werewolf without his pack, and Nadia, a demon who was attacked previously in the series. This is about how Logan is set up to rescue Nadia by his old Pack Leader, but it's really a ploy to kill him.
The second story is about a vampire named Cabot who fell for a muse who left him for dead...or did she. I had a hard time with Leanna as a heroine because she was the idiot bad guy. Even though she became demon-whore, and then redeemed herself in "The Crossing" by helping her brother mac Lir save his woman, she still was hard for me to see her as the good guy.
The third was a great story using the side characters from "The Haunting" and involved a deal with Poseidon, merfolk, and a ghostly cruise. I loved it.
It was a clever way to end the series, and I loved every book in this series.
August 21, 2011
V. few anthologies are consistent, and this one is no exception. I rather liked story 1 because I liked Logan. Had issues with story 2 even existing, though I guess redemption is possible, and story 3's plot came out of left field. Huh? Possibly because of the weird plot, story 3 was v. underdeveloped. The fact that he'd been having the girl of the night while eyeballing the heroine who was living in the same apartment as he was (!) didn't help.
July 13, 2016
This book is a collection of books 5.5, 6.5, and 7.5 and I waited to read it until after reading book 7. If you've read the rest of the series then you have to read these shorts. Logan's story, Leanna's story, and Dave & Jenna's story. You could read each one in order of the whole series, there are no spoilers here. And they are all just as hot at the rest of the series. So glad to see Leanna's HEA!
March 19, 2009
I'm not a fan of these short story compilations but this one was pretty good. I really enjoyed all 8 books in The Immortals series. These three stories weren't really about the Immortals but each story did have one Immortal appear in the end to save the day. (Literally only given 4-5 pages in each story). This book really shouldn't be classified as part of the Immortals series.
August 25, 2013
Ok, finished the last book today. I literally plowed through all 8 books and enjoyed every single one of them. The characters just came alive and made you constantly root for the good guy and of course for a happy ending. Cause who doesn't like a happy ending, right? Gave 5 stars to all the books.
June 12, 2009
This book is actually made up of 3 anthologies: each story is about a character who played a role in the other immortal series. The immortals are mentioned here & there throughout the stories, although they play a minor role. Overall an enjoyable conclusion to this wonderful series.
May 21, 2014
Wow oh wow! I've never read a series that used their last book to tell the stores of 3 minor characters! What a fun read this was! I loved learning more about Nadia and Logan, Leanna and Jackson, and Jenna and Dave. A wonderful way to wrap up a series!
~Hope
~Hope
May 31, 2014
Wow oh wow! I've never read a series that used their last book to tell the stores of 3 minor characters! What a fun read this was! I loved learning more about Nadia and Logan, Leanna and Jackson, and Jenna and Dave. A wonderful way to wrap up a series!
~Hope
~Hope
October 4, 2016
2,5 étoiles.
Ce sont d'excellentes trames, on a envie d'y croire mais il manque beaucoup de choses.
Les histoires mériteraient d'être plus développées, éttoffées... pour accrocher entièrement.
C'est le probleme de toutes les histoires qui se passent entre 2 tomes
Ce sont d'excellentes trames, on a envie d'y croire mais il manque beaucoup de choses.
Les histoires mériteraient d'être plus développées, éttoffées... pour accrocher entièrement.
C'est le probleme de toutes les histoires qui se passent entre 2 tomes
March 11, 2009
Okay... I only read Popp's story since it goes with The Haunting that came out last year - I need to read the others - as soon as I read the other books in the second cycle.
July 21, 2009
all three stories very very good.
Read
September 10, 2016The e-version of Jennifer Ashley's novella, Wolf Hunt, released March 25, 2014, is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
October 3, 2009
Oh, what can I say about this book, except, Iove it
May 18, 2010
Loved the others - but this one was almost entirely chasing, running, hiding in the circles of hell. Could be interesting to some. - I just didn't enjoy it.
September 21, 2014
Nice way to end the series.
February 25, 2011
Excellent!
June 16, 2011
I have to say i love it just like the others. Jennifer Ashley is really good at capturing her readers attention.
July 30, 2012
I like the book I really did but there were minor issues I had with it. All in all good book descent stories a little bit of chaotic fun. ^_^
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