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Jaguar Warriors #3
His Darkest Salvation
In a world on the brink of chaos, passion and vengeance collide …
After six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned to the world a changed man. No longer the calm, powerful CEO, but a shifter fully embraced by the blood of his clan. Julian has one goal: find the key to the portal that stands between the human realm and unprecedented darkness—and win back the pieces of his soul. The last thing he needs is a distraction like the beautiful, enigmatic Jaden DaCosta.
Three years ago, a forbidden night of passion left Jaden forever altered: mated to Julian Castille–bound to a man who despises her. But the temptation to trust this darker, more savage—and more captivating—Julian is overwhelming. And as they fight for their immortal souls, their insatiable desire for each other may prove their fatal undoing…
After six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned to the world a changed man. No longer the calm, powerful CEO, but a shifter fully embraced by the blood of his clan. Julian has one goal: find the key to the portal that stands between the human realm and unprecedented darkness—and win back the pieces of his soul. The last thing he needs is a distraction like the beautiful, enigmatic Jaden DaCosta.
Three years ago, a forbidden night of passion left Jaden forever altered: mated to Julian Castille–bound to a man who despises her. But the temptation to trust this darker, more savage—and more captivating—Julian is overwhelming. And as they fight for their immortal souls, their insatiable desire for each other may prove their fatal undoing…
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 26, 2011
13 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Juliana Stone
70 books1,293 followersJuliana Stone is also known as J.A. Stone.
USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.
USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 17, 2011
4.5 flames
Jaguar Warriors are my new addiction. I want one soo bad!
I think it says something that 60 pages in, I went and bought the first 2 books. This is a different type of series, and I hope you guys like it.
Julian Castille has spent the past 6 months in hell. Literally. Being carved by a knife-wielding, slice-happy demon. So I think it’s safe to say he returns to his old life a bit...changed.
Jaden da Costa is a double agent. She’s walking a fine line between her family (da Costa jaguars are blood-thirsty and evil), and the greater good. Jaden now works with Julian’s brother Jaxon as part of PATU-Paranormal Anti-Terrorist Unit.
But the two have a history. A very interesting history. Julian and Jaden had a one-night-stand 3 years ago, and in that memorable, amazing, life-altering one night, Jaden did the unthinkable. Her jaguar claimed Julian’s as mate.
Once Julian realized the amazing woman he’d spent the best night of his life with was a jaguar (like himself), Julian freaked. He had been denying his other half. So in his panic, not only did he toss money on the nightstand, he treated Jaden like crap. And poor Jaden was now mated to this asshat who would never know.
Well, poor Jaden isn’t really “poor” anything. To the world, she owns and runs Mexico’s premier hotel. To her father, she is his good little daughter who will do anything for the cause of evil. To Jaxon, she is one of his best warriors. To Julian she is nothing but a regret. But when Jaden is all alone at night? She can’t keep her thoughts from drifting back to her GQ, white collar, master of the boardroom mate. And she hates herself for it.
At the end of His Darkest Embrace, Julian and Declan were sucked into hell, and even though Julian wasn’t of the warrior class like his brothers, he had left the boardroom, and his father’s business, and gone into the jungle. He was fast on his way to becoming a warrior, the warrior tattoos be damned.
That's exactly where this book picks up.
Jaden got a tip that Julian would be coming back soon, so she went to his apartment looking for him. And he did return. But he was far more dangerous than ever before. And to Jaden, that danger only made her want him more.
I've been reading other reviews and I'm surprised to see how many people are bothered by how dark and tortured Julian is. Really? It’s paranormal romance, and a dark and tortured hero is nothing new. He’s missing half his soul...it makes sense he’s an asshole. So, if you want a dark, tortured hero, this is your book! The awesome thing about the heroine is that Jaden is a warrior, so she's no shrinking violet. Jaden can take care of herself, and I love watching Julian learn to admire her for that. I love his fascination with her clan and warrior tattoos, and I love the sentence:
"Where the hell was her mate? Christ, if she belonged to him, he'd never let her screw off into the night, hitting homes that housed dangerous sons of bitches like himself."
This was right at the beginning, where even missing half his soul, he still felt something on a primal level for Jaden. Watching that grow, watching him gain hope...he was a great dark hero.
And at the end, I love that he didn’t get his soul back….it would have been too puppies and rainbows if he had ended all tidy and perfect.
So final verdict? I loved it! I have made Juliana Stone one of my new "authors to look for" every time I go to the bookstore. I hope she writes fast, because I want Declan's book in the next series, like yesterday.
thanks to Avon for letting me read this one, and thanks to Juliana for fielding all my questions :)
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
Jaguar Warriors are my new addiction. I want one soo bad!
I think it says something that 60 pages in, I went and bought the first 2 books. This is a different type of series, and I hope you guys like it.
Julian Castille has spent the past 6 months in hell. Literally. Being carved by a knife-wielding, slice-happy demon. So I think it’s safe to say he returns to his old life a bit...changed.
Jaden da Costa is a double agent. She’s walking a fine line between her family (da Costa jaguars are blood-thirsty and evil), and the greater good. Jaden now works with Julian’s brother Jaxon as part of PATU-Paranormal Anti-Terrorist Unit.
But the two have a history. A very interesting history. Julian and Jaden had a one-night-stand 3 years ago, and in that memorable, amazing, life-altering one night, Jaden did the unthinkable. Her jaguar claimed Julian’s as mate.
Once Julian realized the amazing woman he’d spent the best night of his life with was a jaguar (like himself), Julian freaked. He had been denying his other half. So in his panic, not only did he toss money on the nightstand, he treated Jaden like crap. And poor Jaden was now mated to this asshat who would never know.
Well, poor Jaden isn’t really “poor” anything. To the world, she owns and runs Mexico’s premier hotel. To her father, she is his good little daughter who will do anything for the cause of evil. To Jaxon, she is one of his best warriors. To Julian she is nothing but a regret. But when Jaden is all alone at night? She can’t keep her thoughts from drifting back to her GQ, white collar, master of the boardroom mate. And she hates herself for it.
At the end of His Darkest Embrace, Julian and Declan were sucked into hell, and even though Julian wasn’t of the warrior class like his brothers, he had left the boardroom, and his father’s business, and gone into the jungle. He was fast on his way to becoming a warrior, the warrior tattoos be damned.
That's exactly where this book picks up.
Jaden got a tip that Julian would be coming back soon, so she went to his apartment looking for him. And he did return. But he was far more dangerous than ever before. And to Jaden, that danger only made her want him more.
I've been reading other reviews and I'm surprised to see how many people are bothered by how dark and tortured Julian is. Really? It’s paranormal romance, and a dark and tortured hero is nothing new. He’s missing half his soul...it makes sense he’s an asshole. So, if you want a dark, tortured hero, this is your book! The awesome thing about the heroine is that Jaden is a warrior, so she's no shrinking violet. Jaden can take care of herself, and I love watching Julian learn to admire her for that. I love his fascination with her clan and warrior tattoos, and I love the sentence:
"Where the hell was her mate? Christ, if she belonged to him, he'd never let her screw off into the night, hitting homes that housed dangerous sons of bitches like himself."
This was right at the beginning, where even missing half his soul, he still felt something on a primal level for Jaden. Watching that grow, watching him gain hope...he was a great dark hero.
And at the end, I love that he didn’t get his soul back….it would have been too puppies and rainbows if he had ended all tidy and perfect.
So final verdict? I loved it! I have made Juliana Stone one of my new "authors to look for" every time I go to the bookstore. I hope she writes fast, because I want Declan's book in the next series, like yesterday.
thanks to Avon for letting me read this one, and thanks to Juliana for fielding all my questions :)
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
August 9, 2011
I've often said that I've never met a tortured hero who I didn't like. Well, now I have.
Julian has spent the past 6 months in hell with his buddy Declan. They've been tortured and parts of their souls have been ripped out. Now they must find a fallen angel named Azaiel to keep evil forces from the inter-dimensional portal he protects. If they don't succeed, they'll lose what little of their souls they have left and will walk the Earth as shades.
Almost immediately upon his return, Julian comes face to face with Jaden. Both Julian and Jaden are jaguar shifters, who hooked up once, years ago. But once he found out that she came from a rival family, he rejected her outright. He didn't realize at the time, she had claimed him as her mate. Now, the two of them must work together, along with a group of other warriors to find Azaiel and the evil sorcerer Cormac, who holds him prisoner.
Julian is a complete and utter bastard. Yes, I know he's missing part of his soul, but I simply could not get over the horrific way he treats Jaden. He breaks her heart over and over and over. Jaden's a warrior, but for crying out loud, no one should have to endure the cruelty she suffers from the people she loves. I kept waiting for Julian to come around, but he's even cruel to her when they finally sleep together again. In the second half, he starts to soften towards her, but it's really too little too late.
This is the third installment in a trilogy and it really took me a while to understand what was going on. Part of the problem was that I wasn't sure (and I'm still not) how much was information that I would have gleaned from the earlier books and how much was new and being revealed for the first time. I wish there would have been a little recapping to help me wade through things like why it's bad to be a DeCosta, who Cormac is to the existing characters, or what the portal is supposed to even do. I got all of my answers eventually, but the nagging questions burned until I figured it all out.
All that criticism aside, I really feel like I would like a book by this author, if I could catch the series from the beginning and if the hero isn't an asshat. I even went so far as to check out His Darkest Hunger, the first book in this series. Then I found out that hero is cruel to his heroine too. Maybe the next series... 3 1/2 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
Julian has spent the past 6 months in hell with his buddy Declan. They've been tortured and parts of their souls have been ripped out. Now they must find a fallen angel named Azaiel to keep evil forces from the inter-dimensional portal he protects. If they don't succeed, they'll lose what little of their souls they have left and will walk the Earth as shades.
Almost immediately upon his return, Julian comes face to face with Jaden. Both Julian and Jaden are jaguar shifters, who hooked up once, years ago. But once he found out that she came from a rival family, he rejected her outright. He didn't realize at the time, she had claimed him as her mate. Now, the two of them must work together, along with a group of other warriors to find Azaiel and the evil sorcerer Cormac, who holds him prisoner.
Julian is a complete and utter bastard. Yes, I know he's missing part of his soul, but I simply could not get over the horrific way he treats Jaden. He breaks her heart over and over and over. Jaden's a warrior, but for crying out loud, no one should have to endure the cruelty she suffers from the people she loves. I kept waiting for Julian to come around, but he's even cruel to her when they finally sleep together again. In the second half, he starts to soften towards her, but it's really too little too late.
This is the third installment in a trilogy and it really took me a while to understand what was going on. Part of the problem was that I wasn't sure (and I'm still not) how much was information that I would have gleaned from the earlier books and how much was new and being revealed for the first time. I wish there would have been a little recapping to help me wade through things like why it's bad to be a DeCosta, who Cormac is to the existing characters, or what the portal is supposed to even do. I got all of my answers eventually, but the nagging questions burned until I figured it all out.
All that criticism aside, I really feel like I would like a book by this author, if I could catch the series from the beginning and if the hero isn't an asshat. I even went so far as to check out His Darkest Hunger, the first book in this series. Then I found out that hero is cruel to his heroine too. Maybe the next series... 3 1/2 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
July 11, 2011
Juliana Stone knows how to get your emotions stirring, and she brings out all the stops in His Darkest Salvation. I love reading an exciting hot ride between two enemies, so this one really hit the spot for me. This book is nothing but pure action packed and the ending will leave you panting for more.
Jaden is your typical strong female lead, but she is also a romance flip flop one minute she hates and Julian then the next she is in his pants. The thing is the author doesn’t drag this out through the whole book because these two has sense about them they talk it out. Jaden is more of a tortured heroine, but of course, she would be having an evil father, so this is where you’ll find your emotions really stir. I really felt sorry for Jaden being caught in the middle of her father and Julian who doesn’t want her.
Julian is a tormented soul now that he’s been stuck in hell, so be prepared for a fight from him when it comes to mixing with the enemy. At times I didn’t like how he treated Jaden, but with his soul slowly going away you can’t expect anything but a fight with him.
I do wish there would have been a different ending between Julian and Jaden. It a HEA, but I wanted more. After you read the epilogue you’ll be wanting the next book NOW!
This is another hit by Juliana Stone, so if you’re a regular reader of this series don’t miss this story. If you haven’t read this series please start from the beginning or you’ll miss out on way too much or you’ll find it hard to keep up.
Jaden is your typical strong female lead, but she is also a romance flip flop one minute she hates and Julian then the next she is in his pants. The thing is the author doesn’t drag this out through the whole book because these two has sense about them they talk it out. Jaden is more of a tortured heroine, but of course, she would be having an evil father, so this is where you’ll find your emotions really stir. I really felt sorry for Jaden being caught in the middle of her father and Julian who doesn’t want her.
Julian is a tormented soul now that he’s been stuck in hell, so be prepared for a fight from him when it comes to mixing with the enemy. At times I didn’t like how he treated Jaden, but with his soul slowly going away you can’t expect anything but a fight with him.
I do wish there would have been a different ending between Julian and Jaden. It a HEA, but I wanted more. After you read the epilogue you’ll be wanting the next book NOW!
This is another hit by Juliana Stone, so if you’re a regular reader of this series don’t miss this story. If you haven’t read this series please start from the beginning or you’ll miss out on way too much or you’ll find it hard to keep up.
April 12, 2012
I was dreading reading this after book 2 was such a struggle. It actually started off quite promising and exciting, but I quickly got sick to death of the hero being such a jerk. I can't stand it when the hero spends practically the whole book pushing the heroine away and generally being a real as*hole.
Also, the whole premise of this book is the misunderstanding between the H & h - did she deliberately seduce him because of who he was? Heaven forbid that people should actually talk about whatever has upset them. It's very frustrating to read.
He then miraculously and inexplicably realises that she's the one for him...yada yada yada. I just didn't care by the end and wanted it to be over.
It's a real shame because book 1 in this series was really amazing and refreshing at the time and I had high hopes for this series. Like his brother, Jaxon was also a real jerk for most of book 1 and unfortunately it seems to be a problem for all of the heroes in this series. It was bearable in the first book, but then reading the same thing in the two books that followed was very tedious.
I probably won't read any more of this series.
Also, the whole premise of this book is the misunderstanding between the H & h - did she deliberately seduce him because of who he was? Heaven forbid that people should actually talk about whatever has upset them. It's very frustrating to read.
He then miraculously and inexplicably realises that she's the one for him...yada yada yada. I just didn't care by the end and wanted it to be over.
It's a real shame because book 1 in this series was really amazing and refreshing at the time and I had high hopes for this series. Like his brother, Jaxon was also a real jerk for most of book 1 and unfortunately it seems to be a problem for all of the heroes in this series. It was bearable in the first book, but then reading the same thing in the two books that followed was very tedious.
I probably won't read any more of this series.
July 21, 2011
Another sensational read from paranormal romance author Juliana Stone and a stunning conclusion to her Jaguar Warriors trilogy.
After spending six months in hell having their souls carved out of them Julian Castille and Declan O’Hara return changed men. In order to get the missing pieces of their soul back they must hunt down a portal that everyone seems to be after; and if they fail they will not only lose their souls completely, but hell will reign on earth. When Julian catches Jaden DaCosta hiding in his apartment though, the key might just be in reach. But will Jaden turn out to be a distraction that he can’t afford?
Jaden DaCosta has been a double agent, working against her family, for years. But Jaden first met Julian three years ago during what was supposed to be a simple one-night-stand that ended up turning into a life altering event when her jaguar claimed Julian as her mate. Denying his own animal and repulsed by hers Julian quickly fled, unaware of the irreparable damage he caused her.
Now they must work together in a race against time to find the portal before it’s too late. Skirting danger at every corner and fighting the undeniable animal magnetism between them while passion ignites and Julian must decide between his soul and the jaguar that is forever his…
His Darkest Salvation picks up six months after His Darkest Embrace. Dark, sensual and full of adrenaline pumping action, Juliana Stone delivers an exciting conclusion for the Castille brothers. The series arc consists of complex world building so I would recommend reading the first two novels prior to diving into His Darkest Salvation.
I was unsure as to how I would feel about Julian's story because in the previous two novels Julian didn't stand out or have that alpha quality to him that his brothers had. He wasn't a warrior and has spent his life denying his jaguar heritage until he assists on rescue mission with Jaxon, then he slowly starts to embrace his animal side. I should have known not to doubt Juliana Stone's ability to weave a captivating story though!
In His Darkest Salvation J. Stone adds unseen dimensions to Julian’s character; dark and tormented, his struggle with the missing pieces of his soul will capture your heart even as you want to beat him senseless for being such an ass! Yet while Julian knows that he is being a heartless jerk, he just can’t seem to care and you feel for him because he tries to but is ultimately incapable due the darkness inside of him. Jaden DaCosta is a tough-as-nails heroine though, a warrior through and through who can more then take care of herself. Being the daughter of the evil and manipulative DaCosta leader Jaden fights for what is right and is totally fierce. This novel would not have been the same without her, J. Stone did a fantastic job fitting the perfect heroine to the hero here because I don’t think anyone else would of been able to put up with Julian and stick by his side throughout the way Jaden did, even as she hates herself for not being able to let him go. There's no fighting the fact that their animals are drawn to each other though. This adds an abundance of sexual tension, anger and conflicting emotions to an already intense plot.
J. Stone has superbly woven an intricate tale of romance and end-of-the-world suspense that is unmatched IMO. By the end I was craving for more.
Though the ending was decidedly evil for Declan fans, such as myself, I cannot wait for the spin-off series, League of Guardians, in which we will find out the answers to a whole bunch of questions that arisen at the end of His Darkest Salvation. Now please hurry up and get here April, I'm already going through Declan withdrawals and need Wicked Road to Hell now! Evil, evil author making me wait through three novels and a novella for his story! LoL I ♥ Declan and I was very pleased that he played a big part in this novel. But, back to the review… Jaguar Warriors is a must read series and if you haven’t picked it up yet then you should right away! For fans of the series, you will not be disappointed with this last book and it is sure to leave you hungering for more as well!
After spending six months in hell having their souls carved out of them Julian Castille and Declan O’Hara return changed men. In order to get the missing pieces of their soul back they must hunt down a portal that everyone seems to be after; and if they fail they will not only lose their souls completely, but hell will reign on earth. When Julian catches Jaden DaCosta hiding in his apartment though, the key might just be in reach. But will Jaden turn out to be a distraction that he can’t afford?
Jaden DaCosta has been a double agent, working against her family, for years. But Jaden first met Julian three years ago during what was supposed to be a simple one-night-stand that ended up turning into a life altering event when her jaguar claimed Julian as her mate. Denying his own animal and repulsed by hers Julian quickly fled, unaware of the irreparable damage he caused her.
Now they must work together in a race against time to find the portal before it’s too late. Skirting danger at every corner and fighting the undeniable animal magnetism between them while passion ignites and Julian must decide between his soul and the jaguar that is forever his…
His Darkest Salvation picks up six months after His Darkest Embrace. Dark, sensual and full of adrenaline pumping action, Juliana Stone delivers an exciting conclusion for the Castille brothers. The series arc consists of complex world building so I would recommend reading the first two novels prior to diving into His Darkest Salvation.
I was unsure as to how I would feel about Julian's story because in the previous two novels Julian didn't stand out or have that alpha quality to him that his brothers had. He wasn't a warrior and has spent his life denying his jaguar heritage until he assists on rescue mission with Jaxon, then he slowly starts to embrace his animal side. I should have known not to doubt Juliana Stone's ability to weave a captivating story though!
In His Darkest Salvation J. Stone adds unseen dimensions to Julian’s character; dark and tormented, his struggle with the missing pieces of his soul will capture your heart even as you want to beat him senseless for being such an ass! Yet while Julian knows that he is being a heartless jerk, he just can’t seem to care and you feel for him because he tries to but is ultimately incapable due the darkness inside of him. Jaden DaCosta is a tough-as-nails heroine though, a warrior through and through who can more then take care of herself. Being the daughter of the evil and manipulative DaCosta leader Jaden fights for what is right and is totally fierce. This novel would not have been the same without her, J. Stone did a fantastic job fitting the perfect heroine to the hero here because I don’t think anyone else would of been able to put up with Julian and stick by his side throughout the way Jaden did, even as she hates herself for not being able to let him go. There's no fighting the fact that their animals are drawn to each other though. This adds an abundance of sexual tension, anger and conflicting emotions to an already intense plot.
J. Stone has superbly woven an intricate tale of romance and end-of-the-world suspense that is unmatched IMO. By the end I was craving for more.
Though the ending was decidedly evil for Declan fans, such as myself, I cannot wait for the spin-off series, League of Guardians, in which we will find out the answers to a whole bunch of questions that arisen at the end of His Darkest Salvation. Now please hurry up and get here April, I'm already going through Declan withdrawals and need Wicked Road to Hell now! Evil, evil author making me wait through three novels and a novella for his story! LoL I ♥ Declan and I was very pleased that he played a big part in this novel. But, back to the review… Jaguar Warriors is a must read series and if you haven’t picked it up yet then you should right away! For fans of the series, you will not be disappointed with this last book and it is sure to leave you hungering for more as well!
October 30, 2012
***If you have not read the other Jaguar Warriors books please note there will be spoilers to those two books in this review.***
Jaden DaCosta was an amazing heroine. She has some faults, they make her appear weak at times but I still felt deep down she was strong when it counted. She knows that some battles are best left alone, to fight that fight another day. I liked this about her. She is a rare female jaguar warrior. She leads a double life as both a PATU operative and member of the DaCosta crime family. She is actually the mole that is trying to bring her family down.
Julian is a jerk and that is putting it mildly. He doesn’t trust anyone. He doesn’t believe in coincidence. He has spent six months being tortured to the brink of death in Hell. He has some issues to say the least. The fact that he is missing half his soul is one of the big problems. He is hurting and is angry. He wants all those around him to experience the pain and anger that eats away at him. He really does treat everyone around him beyond poorly. I can honestly say these factors did not make me hate his character. It made me want him to experience happiness. I wanted him to find the healing that would make him whole again.
I have to go back to the reasons I loved Jaden. She walked away from their one night stand mating three years ago. Her mate does not want her, yes it hurts but she deals with it. She doesn’t put up with too much from Julian. She constantly tells him and those around him that he is a jerk. She doesn’t make excuses for his foul mood or his behavior. Jaden is Julian’s salvation. I loved how Juliana played that. Jaden is the piece that Julian is missing to make him whole.
I have to admit that this was my favorite book in the Jaguar Warriors series. All of the issues that were raised in the beginning with the first book and the issues that were skipped or omitted in the second book get the needed closure. The ending also leads readers into the spin off series (that I’ve already read) by introducing some of the characters that will have major roles in that series. I also liked the couple that Jaden and Julian turned into.
My only disappointment was Hell. Readers are given the facts that Julian and Declan have spent six months in there being tortured. They are freed but with conditions. As much as their time spent there affects them I would have liked some more details. I also know from reading Julian’s League of Guardian’s series that she writes a fascinating Hell. I have to point out that I love my books dark and twisty and her Hell plays right into that.
Jaden DaCosta was an amazing heroine. She has some faults, they make her appear weak at times but I still felt deep down she was strong when it counted. She knows that some battles are best left alone, to fight that fight another day. I liked this about her. She is a rare female jaguar warrior. She leads a double life as both a PATU operative and member of the DaCosta crime family. She is actually the mole that is trying to bring her family down.
Julian is a jerk and that is putting it mildly. He doesn’t trust anyone. He doesn’t believe in coincidence. He has spent six months being tortured to the brink of death in Hell. He has some issues to say the least. The fact that he is missing half his soul is one of the big problems. He is hurting and is angry. He wants all those around him to experience the pain and anger that eats away at him. He really does treat everyone around him beyond poorly. I can honestly say these factors did not make me hate his character. It made me want him to experience happiness. I wanted him to find the healing that would make him whole again.
I have to go back to the reasons I loved Jaden. She walked away from their one night stand mating three years ago. Her mate does not want her, yes it hurts but she deals with it. She doesn’t put up with too much from Julian. She constantly tells him and those around him that he is a jerk. She doesn’t make excuses for his foul mood or his behavior. Jaden is Julian’s salvation. I loved how Juliana played that. Jaden is the piece that Julian is missing to make him whole.
I have to admit that this was my favorite book in the Jaguar Warriors series. All of the issues that were raised in the beginning with the first book and the issues that were skipped or omitted in the second book get the needed closure. The ending also leads readers into the spin off series (that I’ve already read) by introducing some of the characters that will have major roles in that series. I also liked the couple that Jaden and Julian turned into.
My only disappointment was Hell. Readers are given the facts that Julian and Declan have spent six months in there being tortured. They are freed but with conditions. As much as their time spent there affects them I would have liked some more details. I also know from reading Julian’s League of Guardian’s series that she writes a fascinating Hell. I have to point out that I love my books dark and twisty and her Hell plays right into that.
August 11, 2011
If you have not read the first two books
, I recommend that you do. I did not. Although I could enjoy the book, it would have helped me for the first couple of chapters. I did not have the h/h Julian and Jaden's full background to draw upon. Also, previous characters appear in the book.
Julian Castille came back from hell dark, sinister, and missing half his soul. He is a 1st grade A-hole. The author kept him that way throughout the book-I liked that. He is the one you love to hate. Up until the end you are waiting to find out if she is going to soften him up. I really like this approach it was refreshing. Most of the books I read the hero starts off dark and all too quickly the author makes him have a miraculous turnaround.
Jaden DaCosta is a kickass heroine-she is tough and don't run from danger. She is Julian's mate (unbeknownst to him) and from a family that he despises. Although Jaden is tough you witnessed her vunerlability when it came to her father and most importantly Julian.
Julian and Jaden are such a tortured couple and this is evident even up to page 220 of the book. They constantly feel the pull towards each other but Julian allows the darkness inside of him to be an A-hole by telling Jaden how much he doesn't like her. Jaden wants Julian but is too strong and has too much pride to let Julian see it. Who can blame her after the way he treats her?
This book is full of action with dark elements. I enjoyed it and will go back to read the first two books.
Favorite quotes: "She was strong, a warrior, and her fierce, passionate nature was something to behold. He could snap her arm in two."
"My body feels like it's cracking into a million pieces, my brain won't stop, and that woman is driving me nuts."
, I recommend that you do. I did not. Although I could enjoy the book, it would have helped me for the first couple of chapters. I did not have the h/h Julian and Jaden's full background to draw upon. Also, previous characters appear in the book.Julian Castille came back from hell dark, sinister, and missing half his soul. He is a 1st grade A-hole. The author kept him that way throughout the book-I liked that. He is the one you love to hate. Up until the end you are waiting to find out if she is going to soften him up. I really like this approach it was refreshing. Most of the books I read the hero starts off dark and all too quickly the author makes him have a miraculous turnaround.
Jaden DaCosta is a kickass heroine-she is tough and don't run from danger. She is Julian's mate (unbeknownst to him) and from a family that he despises. Although Jaden is tough you witnessed her vunerlability when it came to her father and most importantly Julian.
Julian and Jaden are such a tortured couple and this is evident even up to page 220 of the book. They constantly feel the pull towards each other but Julian allows the darkness inside of him to be an A-hole by telling Jaden how much he doesn't like her. Jaden wants Julian but is too strong and has too much pride to let Julian see it. Who can blame her after the way he treats her?
This book is full of action with dark elements. I enjoyed it and will go back to read the first two books.
Favorite quotes: "She was strong, a warrior, and her fierce, passionate nature was something to behold. He could snap her arm in two."
"My body feels like it's cracking into a million pieces, my brain won't stop, and that woman is driving me nuts."
August 22, 2011
Rating 2.5
The first book in the series was so good, the other installments have been lacking sadly. I hated the hero Jagger in the second book and in His Darkest Salvation, Julian is a bit better but still a big time jerk. The whole back from hell thing, losing part of his soul and from pushing his jaguar legacy for years by going into the family business to embracing it.
He was a jerk of the highest kind to Jaden, who belongs to a clan his family is enemies with, three years before and over the course of the book. Jaden had mated with him three years back but he doesn't know that. As usual the book is action-packed but I felt separated from all of it. I didn't really buy their HEA and sudden proclamation of love after one night of sex.
The first book in the series was so good, the other installments have been lacking sadly. I hated the hero Jagger in the second book and in His Darkest Salvation, Julian is a bit better but still a big time jerk. The whole back from hell thing, losing part of his soul and from pushing his jaguar legacy for years by going into the family business to embracing it.
He was a jerk of the highest kind to Jaden, who belongs to a clan his family is enemies with, three years before and over the course of the book. Jaden had mated with him three years back but he doesn't know that. As usual the book is action-packed but I felt separated from all of it. I didn't really buy their HEA and sudden proclamation of love after one night of sex.
March 1, 2015
Loved and hated parts of this book. Some parts were great fast paced action then felt dragged and slow paced. Julian was a asshole to Jaden and even when she secretly loved and cherished every moment they had he'd kill the mood by saying they had no relationship or future together.
I loved when it all climax and everything came out. Can't wait to read Declan and Ana story.
I loved when it all climax and everything came out. Can't wait to read Declan and Ana story.
January 28, 2021
His Darkest Salvation is the third book in Juliana Stone’s series, and I am glad I started at the beginning. This book picks up where book 2 left off. Julian, the oldest of the Jaguar brothers (and the only one left single) is the hero of this book and my favorite type of hero – the corporate hottie with a dark side. He realizes his bitter enemy Jaden DaCosta appeals to his jaguar just before being sent to hell. Bummer. Julian, sexy mage Declan, baddie & demon Azaiel, and evil mastermind Cormac are flashed through the portal to hell for six months between the books. Julian and Declan befriend a master demon down below who makes them a deal: they return to earth to retrieve the portal for him. If they fail Julian and Declan will be bottom-feeder-shadows in hell for eternity. I’m still not sure how Cormac and Azaiel made it back through the portal especially knowing the portal’s secret (sorry it’s a spoiler), it makes no sense the two enemies would resurface together.
Jaden is one of the only female jaguar warriors and lives up to her title. She’s powerful in battles, her relationships, and her inner conflicts over Julian. Their relationship is the best enemies-to-lovers, I have ever read. Julian hates her family and threatens to battle with her, but he never actually hurts her (besides walking away a few times). Their sarcastic banter is funny at times and full of sexual tension at others. Stone has perfected the enemies-to-lovers trope in this book.
Where this book goes awry is the supernatural element. Declan and Julian must find the portal immediately, but they choose to hang out at Jaden’s hotel for several days. Julian is at the mercy of his jaguar, but why doesn’t Declan ditch him? Throughout the battle at the hotel, Jaden is focused on her family and staff until she randomly decides to visit an ancient Aztec temple. At the temple, we get a legend that connects some baddies (sorry spoiler), the portal, and Azaiel. I wish this legend had been carried throughout the book instead of the actual explanation for the portal chase.
Overall, if you are a fan of the I’m-supposed-to-hate-her-but-destiny-mated-us, you will absolutely love this book. They are believable enemies without Julian going too far into jerk territory to be forgiven…besides, he’s allowed to be grouchy after spending six months in hell, right?
Jaden is one of the only female jaguar warriors and lives up to her title. She’s powerful in battles, her relationships, and her inner conflicts over Julian. Their relationship is the best enemies-to-lovers, I have ever read. Julian hates her family and threatens to battle with her, but he never actually hurts her (besides walking away a few times). Their sarcastic banter is funny at times and full of sexual tension at others. Stone has perfected the enemies-to-lovers trope in this book.
Where this book goes awry is the supernatural element. Declan and Julian must find the portal immediately, but they choose to hang out at Jaden’s hotel for several days. Julian is at the mercy of his jaguar, but why doesn’t Declan ditch him? Throughout the battle at the hotel, Jaden is focused on her family and staff until she randomly decides to visit an ancient Aztec temple. At the temple, we get a legend that connects some baddies (sorry spoiler), the portal, and Azaiel. I wish this legend had been carried throughout the book instead of the actual explanation for the portal chase.
Overall, if you are a fan of the I’m-supposed-to-hate-her-but-destiny-mated-us, you will absolutely love this book. They are believable enemies without Julian going too far into jerk territory to be forgiven…besides, he’s allowed to be grouchy after spending six months in hell, right?
August 17, 2012
In a world on the brink of chaos, passion and vengeance collide . . .
After six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned to the world a changed man—no longer the calm, powerful CEO, but a shifter fully embraced by the blood of his clan. Julian has one goal: find the key to the portal that stands between the human realm and unprecedented darkness, in order to win back the pieces of his soul. The last thing he needs is a distraction like the beautiful, enigmatic Jaden DaCosta.
Three years ago, a forbidden night of passion left Jaden forever altered: mated to Julian Castille—bound to a man who despises her. But the temptation to trust this darker, more savage—and more captivating—Julian is overwhelming. And as they fight for their immortal souls, their insatiable desire for each other may prove their fatal undoing . . .
Julian Castille, is a shifter who has been trapped and tortured in hell for the last six months, and pieces of his soul are missing. He and his friend Declan, have been released but they only have a short period of time to find the portal that can keep Hell from taking over Earth. If they don't do this, they'll be missing the pieces of their souls that make them who they are, and basically Earth will be taken over by hell. No pressure.
He returns to his old apartment only to find, Jaden Da Costa hiding there, a woman he slept with once three years ago. Let’s just say that things didn’t go so well between them the last time they saw each other. Oh, the sex was great. Until he figured out that she was a Da Costa Jaguar, his family's natural enemies. Upon which time he dumped her and stormed off, and he hasn’t seen her since, what with the whole, being stuck in hell thing factoring in there.
Julian also didn’t know that Jaden's Jaguar chose him to be her mate. It may or may not mean anything to him but it has marked Jaden as female Jaguar warrior (a very rare thing) and a mated one at that, with magical tattoos on her neck, announcing it to the world. To say that her family isn't happy with her choice is an understatement. Luckily they don't know who it is, but they do know it isn't one of their tribe of Jaguars and that has caused Jaden a lot of trouble. As in her Evil dad threatens to kill her over it.
Moments after these two have their awkward, tension filled reunion, they are attacked by demons and have to fight side by side just to survive. Jaden is bitten and is dieing, and despite the fact that Julian can’t trust her, and REALLY needs to be focusing solely on finding the damn portal, for some reason, at her request he helps her get to her private airplane. He finds out that while he has been gone, she manufactured a demon bite antidote which can save her, something that leaves him feeling oddly relieved.
"His Darkest Salvation," takes us from Jaden’s plush private jet, to her exclusive and luxurious Casino in the heart of the jungle in Mexico, to battles with Aztec Gods inside ancient temples, a super secret organizations hide out in Canada and finally to a showdown in Sin City itself. Jaden and Julian have to find a way to get past the past, and work together to find the portal and shut it down before evil takes over the world.
The fireworks are everywhere in this book. The sheer sexual chemistry between Jaden and Julian was enough to burn the pages. Jaden is beautiful, strong and committed to doing the right thing, and it takes awhile before Julian sees past his prejudice to see what a treasure he could have, if he'd stop being such a jerk. He’s been so hardened by what he’s been through and with the parts of his soul torn out, he really doesn’t care about anybody or anything so it is difficult for him to work up anything remotely like civil behavior let alone kindness and love. Meanwhile Jaden has been treated so badly by her family, and already rejected once by Julian. She has a hard time letting the walls down.
The Da Costa’s are like the Khadaffi family of shifters. Everybody hates them. The Father is pure evil and has raised his kids to be the same, so while they are successful casino owning millionaires, they are also involved in any nefarious plot out they can make a buck off of. Except Jaden of course, who has silently behind the scenes been working with the good guys to try to bring her father down. In fact she has been working with Julian’s own brother, but Julian doesn’t know this. There is a chilling scene, where Jaden’s father shows up and confronts her at her apartment in the Casino, that makes your blood run cold, and Julian hiding in the curtains, see’s what Jaden has had to deal with. Feeling sorry for her, just confuses him.
There is a cast of side characters, some who have had their stories told already and some who you can’t help but hope are up next. Julian had a friend who was with him when he was “away” named Declan and Declan fights along side them as they are trying to get to the portal as he is missing pieces of his soul as well. Declan has a live interest in a Vampire named Ana and I am rooting for their love story to be next. There is also a rather tragic figure named Nico who is one of Jaden’s body guards, whose lover died and who seems to have transferred all his focus on to Jaden. He doesn’t do real well with her having a new guy in her life. Especially one who doesn’t appreciate her but seems to want her just the same.
My one complaint is there are so many characters whose names start with the letter J, it’s confusing. Julian, Jaxon (Julian’s brother) Jagger (Another brother). If she decided to have the brother’s names all start with J, I wish she’d reconsidered having Julian’s love interest, Jaden’s name start with a J as well. Even the author name is Juliana! Also, I’m still unclear on why Julian and Declan got carried off to hell, as to who let them out and why, how closing the portal gets them the missing pieces of their souls back, who the lady who tortured them was, and who the hell Bill is. Wait, let me scratch that. I know who Bill really is, I just don’t know what his game is.
Now some of this probably has to do with coming in the middle of the series and some of it is because it IS a series and mysteries will unravel slowly over the books. I’m actually okay with not knowing these answers because frankly, it was such a fun book it didn’t bother me and now I just want to go out and buy the other books and find out more.
After six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned to the world a changed man—no longer the calm, powerful CEO, but a shifter fully embraced by the blood of his clan. Julian has one goal: find the key to the portal that stands between the human realm and unprecedented darkness, in order to win back the pieces of his soul. The last thing he needs is a distraction like the beautiful, enigmatic Jaden DaCosta.
Three years ago, a forbidden night of passion left Jaden forever altered: mated to Julian Castille—bound to a man who despises her. But the temptation to trust this darker, more savage—and more captivating—Julian is overwhelming. And as they fight for their immortal souls, their insatiable desire for each other may prove their fatal undoing . . .
Julian Castille, is a shifter who has been trapped and tortured in hell for the last six months, and pieces of his soul are missing. He and his friend Declan, have been released but they only have a short period of time to find the portal that can keep Hell from taking over Earth. If they don't do this, they'll be missing the pieces of their souls that make them who they are, and basically Earth will be taken over by hell. No pressure.
He returns to his old apartment only to find, Jaden Da Costa hiding there, a woman he slept with once three years ago. Let’s just say that things didn’t go so well between them the last time they saw each other. Oh, the sex was great. Until he figured out that she was a Da Costa Jaguar, his family's natural enemies. Upon which time he dumped her and stormed off, and he hasn’t seen her since, what with the whole, being stuck in hell thing factoring in there.
Julian also didn’t know that Jaden's Jaguar chose him to be her mate. It may or may not mean anything to him but it has marked Jaden as female Jaguar warrior (a very rare thing) and a mated one at that, with magical tattoos on her neck, announcing it to the world. To say that her family isn't happy with her choice is an understatement. Luckily they don't know who it is, but they do know it isn't one of their tribe of Jaguars and that has caused Jaden a lot of trouble. As in her Evil dad threatens to kill her over it.
Moments after these two have their awkward, tension filled reunion, they are attacked by demons and have to fight side by side just to survive. Jaden is bitten and is dieing, and despite the fact that Julian can’t trust her, and REALLY needs to be focusing solely on finding the damn portal, for some reason, at her request he helps her get to her private airplane. He finds out that while he has been gone, she manufactured a demon bite antidote which can save her, something that leaves him feeling oddly relieved.
"His Darkest Salvation," takes us from Jaden’s plush private jet, to her exclusive and luxurious Casino in the heart of the jungle in Mexico, to battles with Aztec Gods inside ancient temples, a super secret organizations hide out in Canada and finally to a showdown in Sin City itself. Jaden and Julian have to find a way to get past the past, and work together to find the portal and shut it down before evil takes over the world.
The fireworks are everywhere in this book. The sheer sexual chemistry between Jaden and Julian was enough to burn the pages. Jaden is beautiful, strong and committed to doing the right thing, and it takes awhile before Julian sees past his prejudice to see what a treasure he could have, if he'd stop being such a jerk. He’s been so hardened by what he’s been through and with the parts of his soul torn out, he really doesn’t care about anybody or anything so it is difficult for him to work up anything remotely like civil behavior let alone kindness and love. Meanwhile Jaden has been treated so badly by her family, and already rejected once by Julian. She has a hard time letting the walls down.
The Da Costa’s are like the Khadaffi family of shifters. Everybody hates them. The Father is pure evil and has raised his kids to be the same, so while they are successful casino owning millionaires, they are also involved in any nefarious plot out they can make a buck off of. Except Jaden of course, who has silently behind the scenes been working with the good guys to try to bring her father down. In fact she has been working with Julian’s own brother, but Julian doesn’t know this. There is a chilling scene, where Jaden’s father shows up and confronts her at her apartment in the Casino, that makes your blood run cold, and Julian hiding in the curtains, see’s what Jaden has had to deal with. Feeling sorry for her, just confuses him.
There is a cast of side characters, some who have had their stories told already and some who you can’t help but hope are up next. Julian had a friend who was with him when he was “away” named Declan and Declan fights along side them as they are trying to get to the portal as he is missing pieces of his soul as well. Declan has a live interest in a Vampire named Ana and I am rooting for their love story to be next. There is also a rather tragic figure named Nico who is one of Jaden’s body guards, whose lover died and who seems to have transferred all his focus on to Jaden. He doesn’t do real well with her having a new guy in her life. Especially one who doesn’t appreciate her but seems to want her just the same.
My one complaint is there are so many characters whose names start with the letter J, it’s confusing. Julian, Jaxon (Julian’s brother) Jagger (Another brother). If she decided to have the brother’s names all start with J, I wish she’d reconsidered having Julian’s love interest, Jaden’s name start with a J as well. Even the author name is Juliana! Also, I’m still unclear on why Julian and Declan got carried off to hell, as to who let them out and why, how closing the portal gets them the missing pieces of their souls back, who the lady who tortured them was, and who the hell Bill is. Wait, let me scratch that. I know who Bill really is, I just don’t know what his game is.
Now some of this probably has to do with coming in the middle of the series and some of it is because it IS a series and mysteries will unravel slowly over the books. I’m actually okay with not knowing these answers because frankly, it was such a fun book it didn’t bother me and now I just want to go out and buy the other books and find out more.
June 5, 2018
There was so much reptition and 'poor me I'm doomed' that I almost quit reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 28, 2022I struggled with this particular book. The main leads I think were not my cup of tea
August 2, 2011
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/08/01/...
Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: July 26th
How I got this book: NetGalley
I was anxiously awaiting the book about Julian and Jaden, the final Jaguar Warriors novel, and getting the rest of the details about the portal and demons and everything else that was left to wrap up the story line. As much as I liked about this book, there were things I didn’t like, which makes this a difficult review to write.
Julian has been missing for a few months now, and suddenly he is back from the dead. No one knows where he was, and he returned with a touch of darkness that has those close to him wary. Jaden has always known Julian was her mate, and despite their horrible history, still feels something for him despite burning hatred. When he comes to her for help finding the portal, they will have to find a way to work together.
But with Jaden’s double crossing of her family, Julian’s time in hell including his bargain to get out, and the intense feelings that bounce between then – the stakes are constantly raised. When they finally find the portal and realize that together they might have the real deal, are they going to be able to even have a chance at life?
Again, this is a really hard review for me to write, because I have strong negative and positive feelings about this book. As the conclusion of the Jaguar Warrior’s series, I was glad with the way everything wrapped up nicely. All the questions surrounding the portal, the demons coming to earth, and the core characters were resolved in a way that was believable and satisfying. I especially liked that the few secondary characters who are not part of the core character cast were set up nicely to be stars in Stone’s next series: The League of Guardians. I’m *hoping* that Declan and Ana are up next, and I can’t wait to get their story as they are both very intriguing characters.
I also really enjoyed getting to see everyone again. All the Castille brothers were back and in action, fighting for their futures. I’m a sucker for seeing old characters once again, and love that the brothers play a big role in each other’s lives without taking over the main story. I can only hope we get a glimpse of these characters again in the next series.
Unfortunately the part that really annoyed me while reading was the romance between Julian and Jaden. I liked their characters separately, but when the two of them got together, they drove me bonkers. Julian is so hurt and jaded from his time spent in hell that he has become this angry and dark and brooding jerk who honestly doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Jaden has been playing both sides of the fence for so long now she is damaged in ways that seem almost insurmountable. And given their history, they honestly seem to hate each other. They say awful things to each other, cut deeper than either imagined, and yet neither of them really says their sorry. I think that bothered me the most. One moment they are hating each other and having angry sexy times, and the next they are admitting they are in love. O_o
It felt sudden and cold and almost convenient. I wanted to smack them both upside the head for the horrible things they did to each other, then I wanted to do it again when neither of them really put forth an effort to communicate about why, but just accepted their mating happily. I wanted to believe in their romance, but I just couldn’t see how either of them came to the “love” decision after everything they went through.
All in all His Darkest Salvation was an interesting reading experience for me. I can’t recall the last time I really had such conflicting feelings about a book. I enjoyed so many things, the conclusion of the overall plot arc, the secondary characters, and even the hero and heroine as individuals. But the romance (or lack there of) just brought the story down for me.
I give His Darkest Salvation a C-
Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: July 26th
How I got this book: NetGalley
I was anxiously awaiting the book about Julian and Jaden, the final Jaguar Warriors novel, and getting the rest of the details about the portal and demons and everything else that was left to wrap up the story line. As much as I liked about this book, there were things I didn’t like, which makes this a difficult review to write.
Julian has been missing for a few months now, and suddenly he is back from the dead. No one knows where he was, and he returned with a touch of darkness that has those close to him wary. Jaden has always known Julian was her mate, and despite their horrible history, still feels something for him despite burning hatred. When he comes to her for help finding the portal, they will have to find a way to work together.
But with Jaden’s double crossing of her family, Julian’s time in hell including his bargain to get out, and the intense feelings that bounce between then – the stakes are constantly raised. When they finally find the portal and realize that together they might have the real deal, are they going to be able to even have a chance at life?
Again, this is a really hard review for me to write, because I have strong negative and positive feelings about this book. As the conclusion of the Jaguar Warrior’s series, I was glad with the way everything wrapped up nicely. All the questions surrounding the portal, the demons coming to earth, and the core characters were resolved in a way that was believable and satisfying. I especially liked that the few secondary characters who are not part of the core character cast were set up nicely to be stars in Stone’s next series: The League of Guardians. I’m *hoping* that Declan and Ana are up next, and I can’t wait to get their story as they are both very intriguing characters.
I also really enjoyed getting to see everyone again. All the Castille brothers were back and in action, fighting for their futures. I’m a sucker for seeing old characters once again, and love that the brothers play a big role in each other’s lives without taking over the main story. I can only hope we get a glimpse of these characters again in the next series.
Unfortunately the part that really annoyed me while reading was the romance between Julian and Jaden. I liked their characters separately, but when the two of them got together, they drove me bonkers. Julian is so hurt and jaded from his time spent in hell that he has become this angry and dark and brooding jerk who honestly doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Jaden has been playing both sides of the fence for so long now she is damaged in ways that seem almost insurmountable. And given their history, they honestly seem to hate each other. They say awful things to each other, cut deeper than either imagined, and yet neither of them really says their sorry. I think that bothered me the most. One moment they are hating each other and having angry sexy times, and the next they are admitting they are in love. O_o
It felt sudden and cold and almost convenient. I wanted to smack them both upside the head for the horrible things they did to each other, then I wanted to do it again when neither of them really put forth an effort to communicate about why, but just accepted their mating happily. I wanted to believe in their romance, but I just couldn’t see how either of them came to the “love” decision after everything they went through.
All in all His Darkest Salvation was an interesting reading experience for me. I can’t recall the last time I really had such conflicting feelings about a book. I enjoyed so many things, the conclusion of the overall plot arc, the secondary characters, and even the hero and heroine as individuals. But the romance (or lack there of) just brought the story down for me.
I give His Darkest Salvation a C-
July 24, 2011
http://ismellsheep.blogspot.com/2011/...
More good old Paranormal Romance fun. This book is about the third and last Castille brother, Julian. Unlike his brothers Jaxon and Jagger, Julian didn’t embrace his Jaguar nature growing up. Instead, he chose to become C.E.O. of the family business and was doing a damn good job of it. Three years ago Julian had a one night stand with a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, his tryst partner turned out to be the daughter of the DeCosta clan patriarch, a truly evil man and sworn enemy of the Castille Clan. Julian treated her like the manipulative scum he *thought she was (you know where this is going ) and never looked back. Then six months ago he was dragged into the shifter world to help his brothers and ended up being cast into Hell alongside his friend and ally Declan (more on his sexy self later).
Julian and Declan, who have had their souls shredded for the last six months, have been let out of Hell on a mission to locate a portal that can open the door from Hell into the human world. The catch is whatever is left of their souls will continue to fall away unless they deliver the portal to the mysterious “Bill” and pledge 1000 years to his service. Either way they have no chance of returning to their old lives.
Dysfunctional doesn’t even begin to describe Jaden DeCosta’s family. She hates her father and brothers, and with good reason. She is a fierce Jaguar warrior that has been working as a double agent with the two other Castille brothers to destroy her father. When she unknowingly met Julian (who didn’t know she was a double agent) three years ago she made the mistake of giving into her inner Jaguar and claimed him as her mate. She has spent the last three years hating him while her inner soul still yearning for him. Her life pretty much sucks.
Jaden and Julian must work together to find the portal that will open the door to hell. Both of them are angry with themselves and each other for their current situation. They start in a very dark place, but fate has other plans for them. The mating bond between Jaguars is a powerful thing, more powerful than Hell itself. Once they get their head out of their butts and acknowledge their feelings they become quite the kick-ass team in the fight to save the world. This is definitely the darkest (heehee, pun intended) of the three Jaguar books, but I like my PNR dark so it worked for me.
One of things Juliana Stone does well is provide background information at the right moment. I would find myself thinking “I don’t remember this” and BAM! there would be the explanation I needed. You really don’t have to read the first two books to keep up with what is going on in this one. However, I do suggest reading the others so you can get the smexy details of the other Castille brother’s HEAs.
This story brings to a close the Jaguar series, but it segues nicely into the beginning of Stone’s new series League of Guardians. The first book Wicked Road to Hell is Declan’s story. He was a strong sorcerer before spending six months in Hell. He came back much stronger and with a darkness in his heart that he has hidden well so far. There is something about a man that can wield magic that turns me on ;)
Check out Juliana's website
I give this 4 Jaguar loving Sheep
More good old Paranormal Romance fun. This book is about the third and last Castille brother, Julian. Unlike his brothers Jaxon and Jagger, Julian didn’t embrace his Jaguar nature growing up. Instead, he chose to become C.E.O. of the family business and was doing a damn good job of it. Three years ago Julian had a one night stand with a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, his tryst partner turned out to be the daughter of the DeCosta clan patriarch, a truly evil man and sworn enemy of the Castille Clan. Julian treated her like the manipulative scum he *thought she was (you know where this is going ) and never looked back. Then six months ago he was dragged into the shifter world to help his brothers and ended up being cast into Hell alongside his friend and ally Declan (more on his sexy self later).
Julian and Declan, who have had their souls shredded for the last six months, have been let out of Hell on a mission to locate a portal that can open the door from Hell into the human world. The catch is whatever is left of their souls will continue to fall away unless they deliver the portal to the mysterious “Bill” and pledge 1000 years to his service. Either way they have no chance of returning to their old lives.
Dysfunctional doesn’t even begin to describe Jaden DeCosta’s family. She hates her father and brothers, and with good reason. She is a fierce Jaguar warrior that has been working as a double agent with the two other Castille brothers to destroy her father. When she unknowingly met Julian (who didn’t know she was a double agent) three years ago she made the mistake of giving into her inner Jaguar and claimed him as her mate. She has spent the last three years hating him while her inner soul still yearning for him. Her life pretty much sucks.
Jaden and Julian must work together to find the portal that will open the door to hell. Both of them are angry with themselves and each other for their current situation. They start in a very dark place, but fate has other plans for them. The mating bond between Jaguars is a powerful thing, more powerful than Hell itself. Once they get their head out of their butts and acknowledge their feelings they become quite the kick-ass team in the fight to save the world. This is definitely the darkest (heehee, pun intended) of the three Jaguar books, but I like my PNR dark so it worked for me.
One of things Juliana Stone does well is provide background information at the right moment. I would find myself thinking “I don’t remember this” and BAM! there would be the explanation I needed. You really don’t have to read the first two books to keep up with what is going on in this one. However, I do suggest reading the others so you can get the smexy details of the other Castille brother’s HEAs.
This story brings to a close the Jaguar series, but it segues nicely into the beginning of Stone’s new series League of Guardians. The first book Wicked Road to Hell is Declan’s story. He was a strong sorcerer before spending six months in Hell. He came back much stronger and with a darkness in his heart that he has hidden well so far. There is something about a man that can wield magic that turns me on ;)
Check out Juliana's website
I give this 4 Jaguar loving Sheep
November 2, 2012
His Darkest Salvation ของจูเลียนา สโตน
เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มที่สามในชุด ซึ่งดูน่าสนใจมากกว่าสองเล่มแรกตรงที่ พระเอกในเรื่อง จูเลียน คาสติลส์ พี่ชายคนโตของตระกูลไม่มีเครื่องหมายนักรบจากัวร์บนร่างกาย ทำให้เขาเลือกชีวิตที่แตกต่างออกไปจากน้องชายสองคน (ซึ่งไปทำงานเป็นหน่วยรบพิเศษ) จูเลียนบริหารกิจการของครอบครัว สร้างความร่ำรวยให้กับตระกูล เราคิดว่าคาแร็คเตอร์ของเขาน่าสนใจมากที่สุดแล้วในสามพี่น้อง
และนีจึงนำไปสู่ปัญหาแรกที่เรามีต่อเรื่องนี้ เพราะเมื่อเปิดเรื่อง จูเลียนเปลี่ยนแปลงไป เหตุการณ์ตอนท้ายเล่มสอง จูเลียนและเดคแคลน (ว่าที่พระเอกเล่มหน้า) ถูกดูดผ่านประตูจนต้องไปใช้ชีวิตอยู่ในนรกเป็นเวลาหกเดือน เขาเพิ่งกลับขึ้นมาบนโลกมนุษย์ได้สำเร็จ พร้อมภารกิจที่ไม่อาจผิดพลาดได้
จูเลียนคนนี้ไม่ใช่ชายคนเดิม เขาไม่ใช่นักธุรกิจมาดดีผู้ประสบความสำเร็จอีกต่อไป เขากร้านโลกมากขึ้น และรอยแผลเป็นไม่ได้มีอยู่เฉพาะบนร่างกายเท่านั้น หากแต่กัดกินลงไปในจิตใจของเขาด้วย เมื่อกลับมา จูเลี่ยนรู้ถึงหน้าที่ของตัวเองที่จะต้องตามหาอาซาเซล เทวทูตที่ตกสวรรค์ซึ่งเป็นหัวใจของประตูเปิดไปสู่นรกให้พบ ทว่าภารกิจของเขาไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย โดยเฉพาะเมื่อกลับมาถึงบ้านวันแรก เขาก็ได้พบกับเจเดน ดาคอสต้า บุตรสาวคนเดียวของตระกูลดาคอสต้า ซึ่งเป็นศัตรูคนสำคัญของตระกูลคาสติลส์
แต่จูเลียนและเจเดนไม่ใช่คนแปลกหน้าสำหรับกันและกัน ทั้งคู่เคยเจอกันมาก่อน และมีความสัมพันธ์กันอย่างลึกซึ้ง ก่อนที่จูเลียนจะขับไล่เจเดนไป หลังจากค้นพบว่า เธอเป็นคนของตระกูลดาคอสต้า สิ่งที่จูเลียนไม่รู้ก็คือ เจเดนซึ่งมีเครื่องหมายของนักรบจากัวร์ได้เลือกเขาเป็นคู่ของเธอแล้ว และเธอก็ใช้เวลานับจากนั้นอยู่อย่างปราศจากคู่ และโหยหาเขาอยู่ทุกคืนวัน ที่สำคัญแม้เจเดนจะเป็นคนในตระกูลดาคอสต้า แต่เธอไม่เคยเห็นด้วยกับการกระทำของผู้เป็นบิดา เจเดนทำงานลับ ๆ ให้กับองค์กรเดียวกับน้องชายของจูเลียน (พระเอกเล่มแรก His Darkest Hunger)
เรื่องนี้ดีกว่าเล่มสองขึ้นมาหน่อยนึงค่ะ (แต่เราคิดว่า อะไรก็น่าจะดีกว่าเล่มสองได้) จุดที่เราไม่ชอบก็คงเป็นอย่างที่เกริ่นไปตอนแรก การเปลี่ยนแปลงคาแร็คเตอร์ของจูเลียน ทำให้เขากลายเป็นเหมือนน้องชายอีกสองคนของเขาไม่ได้สร้างมูลค่าเพิ่มขึ้นมาเลย แทนที่เขาจะแตกต่าง ก็กลับกลายเป็นพี่น้องตระกูลคาสติลส์อีกคนนึง
ความไม่รัดกุมของพล็อตทำให้เราขัดใจมาก แล้วก็หงุดหงิดมาพอกัน หนังสือแนวพารานอมอลสำหรับเราต้องมีพล็อตที่ชัดเจน มีภารกิจที่ต้องกระทำให้สำเร็จ เรื่องนี้ก็มีนะคะ แต่ภารกิจก็ไม่ชัดเจน เทคนิคการเขียนก็เหมือนอยากจะเล่าอะไรก็เล่าออก��า เหมือนด้นเขียนสด เขียนไปวางพล็อตเรื่องไป ไม่มีการวางแผนล่วงหน้ามาเลย
อย่างเรื่องความสัมพันธ์แต่หนหลังระหว่างเจเดน และจูเลียน ก็น่าสนใจนะคะ แต่เขียนแล้วทำให้รู้สึกเหมือนพระเอกโคตรชั่วเลย แค่รู้ว่านางเอกเป็นคนของตระกูลศัตรูก็ทิ้งไปแบบไม่สนใจ (แล้วก็ไม่สนใจจริง ๆ ไม่มีการคิดถึง โหยหาย้อนหลังเลย) การวางพล็อตที่เจเดนเลือกจูเลียนเป็นคู่ก็อีก ไม่ม��คำอธิบาย เป็นคู่แล้วยังไง เกิดอะไรขึ้น ส่งผลยังไงบ้าง แค่บอกว่าเลือกแล้วเจเดนก็นอนกะผู้ชายคนอื่นไม่ได้ แล้วทางจูเลียนล่ะ
เรื่องพ่อของเจเดนก็อีก เรื่องเขียนเหมือนมีบางอย่างเกิดขึ้น พ่อของเธอเปลี่ยนจากคนดีเป็นเลวชั่วข้ามคืน อ่านให้อ่านแล้วรู้สึกเหมือนจะต้องมีปีศาจมาสิง แต่ก็ทิ้งไว้แบบนั้น ไม่มีคำอธิบาย จริงๆ ไม่ต้องอธิบายก็ได้นะคะว่า ทำไมถึงเลว แต่เรื่องได้เปิดมาแบบมีคำถาม (ที่เจเดนคิดถึงความหลังสมัยพ่อยังเป็นคนดีอยู่) คนอ่านก็ต้องอยากรู้สิ
แล้วยังตอนจบของเรื่องอีก จบแบบเด็กอนุบาลเขียนมาก เข้าใจว่าจะต้องทิ้งท้ายต่อปมไปหนังสือชุดใหม่นะ แต่หาทางออกแบบนี้ ง่ายไปรึเปล่า (สปอยล์) ให้คนอื่นมาขอรับทำตามคำสัญญาของจูเลียนแทน แล้วปล่อยให้จูเลียนไปครองคู่มีความสุขสมหวัง
เขียนมาทั้งหมด เหมือนจะด่าเยอะกว่าเล่มสองนะคะ แต่นี่คือข้อดีค่ะ แสดงว่าเรามีอารมณ์ร่วมไปกับเรื่องมากพอที่จะมีความเห็น ซึ่งทำให้เรื่องนี้ดีกว่าเล่มสองชนิดเทียบกันไม่ได้
คะแนนที่ 63
เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มที่สามในชุด ซึ่งดูน่าสนใจมากกว่าสองเล่มแรกตรงที่ พระเอกในเรื่อง จูเลียน คาสติลส์ พี่ชายคนโตของตระกูลไม่มีเครื่องหมายนักรบจากัวร์บนร่างกาย ทำให้เขาเลือกชีวิตที่แตกต่างออกไปจากน้องชายสองคน (ซึ่งไปทำงานเป็นหน่วยรบพิเศษ) จูเลียนบริหารกิจการของครอบครัว สร้างความร่ำรวยให้กับตระกูล เราคิดว่าคาแร็คเตอร์ของเขาน่าสนใจมากที่สุดแล้วในสามพี่น้อง
และนีจึงนำไปสู่ปัญหาแรกที่เรามีต่อเรื่องนี้ เพราะเมื่อเปิดเรื่อง จูเลียนเปลี่ยนแปลงไป เหตุการณ์ตอนท้ายเล่มสอง จูเลียนและเดคแคลน (ว่าที่พระเอกเล่มหน้า) ถูกดูดผ่านประตูจนต้องไปใช้ชีวิตอยู่ในนรกเป็นเวลาหกเดือน เขาเพิ่งกลับขึ้นมาบนโลกมนุษย์ได้สำเร็จ พร้อมภารกิจที่ไม่อาจผิดพลาดได้
จูเลียนคนนี้ไม่ใช่ชายคนเดิม เขาไม่ใช่นักธุรกิจมาดดีผู้ประสบความสำเร็จอีกต่อไป เขากร้านโลกมากขึ้น และรอยแผลเป็นไม่ได้มีอยู่เฉพาะบนร่างกายเท่านั้น หากแต่กัดกินลงไปในจิตใจของเขาด้วย เมื่อกลับมา จูเลี่ยนรู้ถึงหน้าที่ของตัวเองที่จะต้องตามหาอาซาเซล เทวทูตที่ตกสวรรค์ซึ่งเป็นหัวใจของประตูเปิดไปสู่นรกให้พบ ทว่าภารกิจของเขาไม่ใช่เรื่องง่าย โดยเฉพาะเมื่อกลับมาถึงบ้านวันแรก เขาก็ได้พบกับเจเดน ดาคอสต้า บุตรสาวคนเดียวของตระกูลดาคอสต้า ซึ่งเป็นศัตรูคนสำคัญของตระกูลคาสติลส์
แต่จูเลียนและเจเดนไม่ใช่คนแปลกหน้าสำหรับกันและกัน ทั้งคู่เคยเจอกันมาก่อน และมีความสัมพันธ์กันอย่างลึกซึ้ง ก่อนที่จูเลียนจะขับไล่เจเดนไป หลังจากค้นพบว่า เธอเป็นคนของตระกูลดาคอสต้า สิ่งที่จูเลียนไม่รู้ก็คือ เจเดนซึ่งมีเครื่องหมายของนักรบจากัวร์ได้เลือกเขาเป็นคู่ของเธอแล้ว และเธอก็ใช้เวลานับจากนั้นอยู่อย่างปราศจากคู่ และโหยหาเขาอยู่ทุกคืนวัน ที่สำคัญแม้เจเดนจะเป็นคนในตระกูลดาคอสต้า แต่เธอไม่เคยเห็นด้วยกับการกระทำของผู้เป็นบิดา เจเดนทำงานลับ ๆ ให้กับองค์กรเดียวกับน้องชายของจูเลียน (พระเอกเล่มแรก His Darkest Hunger)
เรื่องนี้ดีกว่าเล่มสองขึ้นมาหน่อยนึงค่ะ (แต่เราคิดว่า อะไรก็น่าจะดีกว่าเล่มสองได้) จุดที่เราไม่ชอบก็คงเป็นอย่างที่เกริ่นไปตอนแรก การเปลี่ยนแปลงคาแร็คเตอร์ของจูเลียน ทำให้เขากลายเป็นเหมือนน้องชายอีกสองคนของเขาไม่ได้สร้างมูลค่าเพิ่มขึ้นมาเลย แทนที่เขาจะแตกต่าง ก็กลับกลายเป็นพี่น้องตระกูลคาสติลส์อีกคนนึง
ความไม่รัดกุมของพล็อตทำให้เราขัดใจมาก แล้วก็หงุดหงิดมาพอกัน หนังสือแนวพารานอมอลสำหรับเราต้องมีพล็อตที่ชัดเจน มีภารกิจที่ต้องกระทำให้สำเร็จ เรื่องนี้ก็มีนะคะ แต่ภารกิจก็ไม่ชัดเจน เทคนิคการเขียนก็เหมือนอยากจะเล่าอะไรก็เล่าออก��า เหมือนด้นเขียนสด เขียนไปวางพล็อตเรื่องไป ไม่มีการวางแผนล่วงหน้ามาเลย
อย่างเรื่องความสัมพันธ์แต่หนหลังระหว่างเจเดน และจูเลียน ก็น่าสนใจนะคะ แต่เขียนแล้วทำให้รู้สึกเหมือนพระเอกโคตรชั่วเลย แค่รู้ว่านางเอกเป็นคนของตระกูลศัตรูก็ทิ้งไปแบบไม่สนใจ (แล้วก็ไม่สนใจจริง ๆ ไม่มีการคิดถึง โหยหาย้อนหลังเลย) การวางพล็อตที่เจเดนเลือกจูเลียนเป็นคู่ก็อีก ไม่ม��คำอธิบาย เป็นคู่แล้วยังไง เกิดอะไรขึ้น ส่งผลยังไงบ้าง แค่บอกว่าเลือกแล้วเจเดนก็นอนกะผู้ชายคนอื่นไม่ได้ แล้วทางจูเลียนล่ะ
เรื่องพ่อของเจเดนก็อีก เรื่องเขียนเหมือนมีบางอย่างเกิดขึ้น พ่อของเธอเปลี่ยนจากคนดีเป็นเลวชั่วข้ามคืน อ่านให้อ่านแล้วรู้สึกเหมือนจะต้องมีปีศาจมาสิง แต่ก็ทิ้งไว้แบบนั้น ไม่มีคำอธิบาย จริงๆ ไม่ต้องอธิบายก็ได้นะคะว่า ทำไมถึงเลว แต่เรื่องได้เปิดมาแบบมีคำถาม (ที่เจเดนคิดถึงความหลังสมัยพ่อยังเป็นคนดีอยู่) คนอ่านก็ต้องอยากรู้สิ
แล้วยังตอนจบของเรื่องอีก จบแบบเด็กอนุบาลเขียนมาก เข้าใจว่าจะต้องทิ้งท้ายต่อปมไปหนังสือชุดใหม่นะ แต่หาทางออกแบบนี้ ง่ายไปรึเปล่า (สปอยล์) ให้คนอื่นมาขอรับทำตามคำสัญญาของจูเลียนแทน แล้วปล่อยให้จูเลียนไปครองคู่มีความสุขสมหวัง
เขียนมาทั้งหมด เหมือนจะด่าเยอะกว่าเล่มสองนะคะ แต่นี่คือข้อดีค่ะ แสดงว่าเรามีอารมณ์ร่วมไปกับเรื่องมากพอที่จะมีความเห็น ซึ่งทำให้เรื่องนี้ดีกว่าเล่มสองชนิดเทียบกันไม่ได้
คะแนนที่ 63
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2011
3.5 stars
After spending six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned with a purpose. Find the portal that allows travel to other realms or he'll lose more than just the half of his soul that was ripped from him. He can't afford to stray from his path but he's unable to resist the alluring call of the woman he shared an unforgettable night with, then left 3 years before. Jaden DaCosta isn't the same woman she was the night she chose Julian as her mate, only to be rejected. She's now a warrior among her shifter kind and is also looking for the portal so it may be hidden from those who seek to use it to bring darkness and despair to our realm. Though she tries to deny it, Jaden has never stopped caring for Julian and will do what it takes to save his soul.
When Julian returns from hell, he's a changed man. Once a level headed CEO who shunned his shifter heritage, Julian now welcomes his inner beast. The physical scars he received while in hell are nothing compared to the memories of true evil. Each day it affects him and the lack of a complete soul has left him edgier, darker and a complete jerk. I have a love/hate relationship with Julian. His character is just what it should be for someone who has been in hell and the complexity of him and the situation he's in makes for an interesting character to read. My problem with Julian was how he treats Jaden. I understand the animosity against the DaCosta's because they are truly a vile bunch but it's obvious Jaden is an exception. He wants her one minute then purposely says hurtful things to scare her away. He's very hot and cold with her and I thought he crossed the line a bit too much for how easy Jaden forgave him.
Jaden is a great heroine. She's intelligent, strong, independent and courageous. She's risking her own life by defying her father and trying to stop those who are searching for the portal. My issue with her was how she allowed Julian to continually hurt her. He would say something hurtful, she'd say she'll never let him hurt again and then she would find herself with him to only have him spew more hateful words at her. It felt like a repeating cycle and then suddenly he admitted he cared and she gives in. It just didn't fit her 'I'm to be respected and taken seriously' personality she presents to everyone else. I found both Julian and Jaden to be more appealing characters separately rather than a mated pair.
His Darkest Salvation is the final chapter in the Jaguar Warriors series. The race is on to find the portal and Julian and Declan O'Hara, who was also dragged into hell, have a secret agenda for wanting it. Trying to uncover their motives wasn't as simple as getting back their souls and I found the twist regarding the portal kept me on my toes. This book is probably my least favorite of the 3 books but there was still enough drama and action to keep me reading. Though I didn't care for his treatment of Jaden, Julian and his dark, difficult battle to save more than just his life was what I enjoyed most about His Darkest Salvation.
-Stephanie
After spending six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned with a purpose. Find the portal that allows travel to other realms or he'll lose more than just the half of his soul that was ripped from him. He can't afford to stray from his path but he's unable to resist the alluring call of the woman he shared an unforgettable night with, then left 3 years before. Jaden DaCosta isn't the same woman she was the night she chose Julian as her mate, only to be rejected. She's now a warrior among her shifter kind and is also looking for the portal so it may be hidden from those who seek to use it to bring darkness and despair to our realm. Though she tries to deny it, Jaden has never stopped caring for Julian and will do what it takes to save his soul.
When Julian returns from hell, he's a changed man. Once a level headed CEO who shunned his shifter heritage, Julian now welcomes his inner beast. The physical scars he received while in hell are nothing compared to the memories of true evil. Each day it affects him and the lack of a complete soul has left him edgier, darker and a complete jerk. I have a love/hate relationship with Julian. His character is just what it should be for someone who has been in hell and the complexity of him and the situation he's in makes for an interesting character to read. My problem with Julian was how he treats Jaden. I understand the animosity against the DaCosta's because they are truly a vile bunch but it's obvious Jaden is an exception. He wants her one minute then purposely says hurtful things to scare her away. He's very hot and cold with her and I thought he crossed the line a bit too much for how easy Jaden forgave him.
Jaden is a great heroine. She's intelligent, strong, independent and courageous. She's risking her own life by defying her father and trying to stop those who are searching for the portal. My issue with her was how she allowed Julian to continually hurt her. He would say something hurtful, she'd say she'll never let him hurt again and then she would find herself with him to only have him spew more hateful words at her. It felt like a repeating cycle and then suddenly he admitted he cared and she gives in. It just didn't fit her 'I'm to be respected and taken seriously' personality she presents to everyone else. I found both Julian and Jaden to be more appealing characters separately rather than a mated pair.
His Darkest Salvation is the final chapter in the Jaguar Warriors series. The race is on to find the portal and Julian and Declan O'Hara, who was also dragged into hell, have a secret agenda for wanting it. Trying to uncover their motives wasn't as simple as getting back their souls and I found the twist regarding the portal kept me on my toes. This book is probably my least favorite of the 3 books but there was still enough drama and action to keep me reading. Though I didn't care for his treatment of Jaden, Julian and his dark, difficult battle to save more than just his life was what I enjoyed most about His Darkest Salvation.
-Stephanie
January 26, 2013
I was mesmerized by this book.
hardly got a heroine as badass as Jaden.. *love the name too*
not forget to mention the ruined half-soul hero, Julian Castile, whom humanity was slipping in a fast track until he realized his own personal salvation was his mate.
I really like how the story goes, unusually dark and kind of twisted, with so much unintentional hurt for both of them. This is not a regular Paranormal Romance story I used to read, but I eventually like it, after I read the previous book, Darkest Embrace (Jagger and Skye's story). I really recommend to read at least one book before this to got the story more understandable.
Jaden DaCosta, bear the name of the ruthless clan of Jaguar existed, has a deep scar of her own towards her that family name. Had a persona beyond her successful self, she is a warrior who try so hard to bring down her own father and his whole clan. Made herself a Mate out of Julian Castile, 3 years ago, while he rejected her all of the way, Jaden made herself cannot see other jaguar male noticeable.
Julian Castile, in other case, was MIA for the last 6 months in a place nobody knows, suddenly appear with a change so tangible from his old self. coming back from the hellhole, he has a mission to do, along with Declan O'Hara who was MIA with him, to get the portal back to where it used to be, the upper realms. As the time goes by, his humanity slipping away, leave him as a cold hearted mean person, until Jaden tag along.
In short, they fighting their own evils, finding a path of their connection, mere than a body level indeed. Julian saw his way of salvation in form of his own mate, that he already rejected once, but he no longer could diminished anymore. their bond, as strong as it is, could not bind them that easily. Their road to understanding each other was so rocky and fragile like walking on a thin rope, so much denials and roughness along the way.
What made me amazed, that this female warrior is not a pushy kind of girl, she knew how to deal with things, as life taught her, and that's how she treat and deal with Julian, even her jaguar was very pushy to claim what belong to her, her mate. Sometimes I really hate Julian, when he acted like a damn bastard toward Jaden (his lack of soul should take the blame then). I love it, when His left of soul, his jaguar side take control to make Jaden his mate, the possessive kind of act, which usually annoyed him, a lot.
As the portal, after so much body that gone down, finally getting back to the upper realm with this 'Bill' guy who connected with Julian's escape from hell somehow. The human realm was saved from the doom that shadowed, for now.
Now I am wondering bout Ana and Declan.. as Juliana Stone gave a sneak peak about Ana's resurrection at the end of the book. Anyway, that will be a story I had to read in the future.
hardly got a heroine as badass as Jaden.. *love the name too*
not forget to mention the ruined half-soul hero, Julian Castile, whom humanity was slipping in a fast track until he realized his own personal salvation was his mate.
I really like how the story goes, unusually dark and kind of twisted, with so much unintentional hurt for both of them. This is not a regular Paranormal Romance story I used to read, but I eventually like it, after I read the previous book, Darkest Embrace (Jagger and Skye's story). I really recommend to read at least one book before this to got the story more understandable.
Jaden DaCosta, bear the name of the ruthless clan of Jaguar existed, has a deep scar of her own towards her that family name. Had a persona beyond her successful self, she is a warrior who try so hard to bring down her own father and his whole clan. Made herself a Mate out of Julian Castile, 3 years ago, while he rejected her all of the way, Jaden made herself cannot see other jaguar male noticeable.
Julian Castile, in other case, was MIA for the last 6 months in a place nobody knows, suddenly appear with a change so tangible from his old self. coming back from the hellhole, he has a mission to do, along with Declan O'Hara who was MIA with him, to get the portal back to where it used to be, the upper realms. As the time goes by, his humanity slipping away, leave him as a cold hearted mean person, until Jaden tag along.
In short, they fighting their own evils, finding a path of their connection, mere than a body level indeed. Julian saw his way of salvation in form of his own mate, that he already rejected once, but he no longer could diminished anymore. their bond, as strong as it is, could not bind them that easily. Their road to understanding each other was so rocky and fragile like walking on a thin rope, so much denials and roughness along the way.
What made me amazed, that this female warrior is not a pushy kind of girl, she knew how to deal with things, as life taught her, and that's how she treat and deal with Julian, even her jaguar was very pushy to claim what belong to her, her mate. Sometimes I really hate Julian, when he acted like a damn bastard toward Jaden (his lack of soul should take the blame then). I love it, when His left of soul, his jaguar side take control to make Jaden his mate, the possessive kind of act, which usually annoyed him, a lot.
As the portal, after so much body that gone down, finally getting back to the upper realm with this 'Bill' guy who connected with Julian's escape from hell somehow. The human realm was saved from the doom that shadowed, for now.
Now I am wondering bout Ana and Declan.. as Juliana Stone gave a sneak peak about Ana's resurrection at the end of the book. Anyway, that will be a story I had to read in the future.
July 28, 2011
Favorite Lines: “Stupid, weak woman. Your path was set, the only thing you needed to do was choose wisely. It should have been one of our own, and now…” He spit at her though his voice never deviated from a flat tone. “You’re damaged goods…nothing more than a whore who plays in her resort, fucking anything that moves.” (p. 70, egalley)
Book three in Juliana Stone’s Jaguar Warrior series, His Darkest Salvation, shows the dark side of paranormal romance while highlighting the effects of love. I have not read the previous books (His Darkest Hunger and His Darkest Embrace) in the series. I think I’d have been more intrigued had I invested in the characters by reading those books. As it stands, the story was not horrible, nor was it spectacular. It simply was.
References to the couple’s past intermingle with characters from the first two stories to create a beloved atmosphere to those who love the series. For me, it was added information but didn’t really make me feel anything. I didn’t know the man who existed prior to being sucked into hell. I didn’t know the girl who dreamed of love before having her feelings crushed. I met hardened characters. It isn’t a bad thing, I just wasn’t rooting for the couple in the same manner as those who may have met them in previous books.
Jaden, the heroine, is a double agent. She is a complex woman whom I took an instant liking. She survived a vicious home life, heart break and the machinations of those who want her dead. She just can’t seem to catch a break. Julian, on the other hand, was an arrogant ass turned into a deadly man on a secret mission.
My biggest issue with the story was the ease at which Jaden’s family crap was resolved. I expected so much more than I got. I knew Jaden’s father as a brutal man and her brother as a scheming murderer, but the end of their story line quietly slipped away. Sure there was a battle, but not the battle I’d hoped to read about.
The conflict between the two main characters is played out almost to the end of His Darkest Salvation. Yes, it’s romance and there’s a happy ending. However, it felt like a lukewarm happy ending. Not all of the plot lines were ended, which left more questions than answers. And what was happy for the hero and heroine, was not so great for those who worked beside them. I guess all you really need to know is that the end of the book sets the scene for book four.
Read it or skip it?: Read it. It’s a mid-road type of book. If you love shifters and moody, alpha men, you’ll prob. adore this addition to the paranormal romance book shelf. For me, it’s not one that I see myself reading again.
Scooper Speaks
Book three in Juliana Stone’s Jaguar Warrior series, His Darkest Salvation, shows the dark side of paranormal romance while highlighting the effects of love. I have not read the previous books (His Darkest Hunger and His Darkest Embrace) in the series. I think I’d have been more intrigued had I invested in the characters by reading those books. As it stands, the story was not horrible, nor was it spectacular. It simply was.
References to the couple’s past intermingle with characters from the first two stories to create a beloved atmosphere to those who love the series. For me, it was added information but didn’t really make me feel anything. I didn’t know the man who existed prior to being sucked into hell. I didn’t know the girl who dreamed of love before having her feelings crushed. I met hardened characters. It isn’t a bad thing, I just wasn’t rooting for the couple in the same manner as those who may have met them in previous books.
Jaden, the heroine, is a double agent. She is a complex woman whom I took an instant liking. She survived a vicious home life, heart break and the machinations of those who want her dead. She just can’t seem to catch a break. Julian, on the other hand, was an arrogant ass turned into a deadly man on a secret mission.
My biggest issue with the story was the ease at which Jaden’s family crap was resolved. I expected so much more than I got. I knew Jaden’s father as a brutal man and her brother as a scheming murderer, but the end of their story line quietly slipped away. Sure there was a battle, but not the battle I’d hoped to read about.
The conflict between the two main characters is played out almost to the end of His Darkest Salvation. Yes, it’s romance and there’s a happy ending. However, it felt like a lukewarm happy ending. Not all of the plot lines were ended, which left more questions than answers. And what was happy for the hero and heroine, was not so great for those who worked beside them. I guess all you really need to know is that the end of the book sets the scene for book four.
Read it or skip it?: Read it. It’s a mid-road type of book. If you love shifters and moody, alpha men, you’ll prob. adore this addition to the paranormal romance book shelf. For me, it’s not one that I see myself reading again.
Scooper Speaks
September 7, 2011
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Oh. My. Goodness. All I can think to say is "wow," this book was just so freaking good. I honestly couldn't put it down. I stayed up all night reading it. From the first page, it was full of non-stop action. I just found myself continuously turning the page.
I just love both Jaden and Julian. They were just so right for each other. I will admit, I may have a slight girl crush on Jaden. She's just so kickass. She's strong, fierce, spunky and yet still vulnerable. She has a lot of issues with her family, mainly her father and it just broke my heart to see the pain he caused her. I also loved seeing how truly vulnerable she was with Julian. She may have put up this front that she's strong and doesn't need him, but inside she just wants him to accept her as his mate.
As for Julian, he has a lot of issues he's dealing with. First, he just spent six months in hell having pieces of his soul ripped away, and now he's back only to find out that he's been mated to Jaden DaCosta for the past three years. That is something that he doesn't even want to deal with. He's got way more important issues, but as much as he tries to put Jaden out of his mind he is finding that he can't. Julian is extremely attracted to her and thinks about their night they spent together frequently. Julian may be attracted to Jaden but nothing can ever come of it. First he's missing half of his soul and is on a mission to get it back. And secondly, and most important, Jaden is a DaCosta. The Castille's and the DaCosta are sworn enemies and Julian definitely doesn't trust Jaden, so what if they are mated? It's just one horrible cosmic joke.
I really enjoyed watching these two grow and learn to trust each other as the story progressed. There are just so many sparks between the two of them that the all of their scenes together just pop off of the page. I just loved watching the way these two are constantly sparring with each other and seeing their witty comebacks towards one another. I also enjoyed being able to see what was going on with the other Castille brothers. We were able to see what they have been up to since the last book left off.
We were also given more insight into both Declan and Ana and I honestly can't wait to see what happens with these two in Declan's book Wicked Road To Hell. I've been wanting to know more about these two ever since they were introduced in the first book and with the way this book left off I am definitely chomping at the bit to get my hands on it.
Oh. My. Goodness. All I can think to say is "wow," this book was just so freaking good. I honestly couldn't put it down. I stayed up all night reading it. From the first page, it was full of non-stop action. I just found myself continuously turning the page.
I just love both Jaden and Julian. They were just so right for each other. I will admit, I may have a slight girl crush on Jaden. She's just so kickass. She's strong, fierce, spunky and yet still vulnerable. She has a lot of issues with her family, mainly her father and it just broke my heart to see the pain he caused her. I also loved seeing how truly vulnerable she was with Julian. She may have put up this front that she's strong and doesn't need him, but inside she just wants him to accept her as his mate.
As for Julian, he has a lot of issues he's dealing with. First, he just spent six months in hell having pieces of his soul ripped away, and now he's back only to find out that he's been mated to Jaden DaCosta for the past three years. That is something that he doesn't even want to deal with. He's got way more important issues, but as much as he tries to put Jaden out of his mind he is finding that he can't. Julian is extremely attracted to her and thinks about their night they spent together frequently. Julian may be attracted to Jaden but nothing can ever come of it. First he's missing half of his soul and is on a mission to get it back. And secondly, and most important, Jaden is a DaCosta. The Castille's and the DaCosta are sworn enemies and Julian definitely doesn't trust Jaden, so what if they are mated? It's just one horrible cosmic joke.
I really enjoyed watching these two grow and learn to trust each other as the story progressed. There are just so many sparks between the two of them that the all of their scenes together just pop off of the page. I just loved watching the way these two are constantly sparring with each other and seeing their witty comebacks towards one another. I also enjoyed being able to see what was going on with the other Castille brothers. We were able to see what they have been up to since the last book left off.
We were also given more insight into both Declan and Ana and I honestly can't wait to see what happens with these two in Declan's book Wicked Road To Hell. I've been wanting to know more about these two ever since they were introduced in the first book and with the way this book left off I am definitely chomping at the bit to get my hands on it.
June 29, 2011
His Darkest Salvation by Juliana Stone
Book 3 in the Jaguar Warriors is filled with evil, shape-shifting jaguars, jaguars in heat, hate, self-loathing and a semi-rape (I will explain further later on in the review) and treachery. Every possible emotion is used to the best advantage in this book.
Julian Castille had sex with Jaden DeCosta…once. And once was all it took to set a mate bond in place. Then Julian disappeared. For months, he has been gone and Jaden tells herself it doesn’t matter. Now Julian is back. He has spent time in the bowels of Hell and has lost part of his soul. So now he is back, he meets with Jaden once again, finds that they are mated and Julian seems to believe Jaden to now be a whore and a traitor.
This book certainly delivers action, suspense and a heat that can be scalding at times. This book also delivers a lot of inner angst-ing and repetitive soliloquies on why they hate each other so much. This book is slow to build and the dislike between the two characters, although resolved in the end, can be somewhat annoying for those who don’t like books where the main theme is “I hate you…No I hate you more…You betrayed me…No, you betrayed me more”.
While this book is not for me, I can certainly see that this will resonate with many readers. As I said it is chock filled with all of the components that make up a great romance novel. I certainly can recommend this book to those of you who like such authors as Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon and some of Kresley Coles books.
SPOILER…SPOILER…SPOILER
The only reason I mentioned rape is that in one-scene, Jaden starts coming into heat (she is a cat after all!) and Julian, shall we say services her but does so with loathing and makes it known quite loudly. This scene can be somewhat disturbing for those of us that may like at least a little respect during love scenes between our protagonists.
Book 3 in the Jaguar Warriors is filled with evil, shape-shifting jaguars, jaguars in heat, hate, self-loathing and a semi-rape (I will explain further later on in the review) and treachery. Every possible emotion is used to the best advantage in this book.
Julian Castille had sex with Jaden DeCosta…once. And once was all it took to set a mate bond in place. Then Julian disappeared. For months, he has been gone and Jaden tells herself it doesn’t matter. Now Julian is back. He has spent time in the bowels of Hell and has lost part of his soul. So now he is back, he meets with Jaden once again, finds that they are mated and Julian seems to believe Jaden to now be a whore and a traitor.
This book certainly delivers action, suspense and a heat that can be scalding at times. This book also delivers a lot of inner angst-ing and repetitive soliloquies on why they hate each other so much. This book is slow to build and the dislike between the two characters, although resolved in the end, can be somewhat annoying for those who don’t like books where the main theme is “I hate you…No I hate you more…You betrayed me…No, you betrayed me more”.
While this book is not for me, I can certainly see that this will resonate with many readers. As I said it is chock filled with all of the components that make up a great romance novel. I certainly can recommend this book to those of you who like such authors as Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon and some of Kresley Coles books.
SPOILER…SPOILER…SPOILER
The only reason I mentioned rape is that in one-scene, Jaden starts coming into heat (she is a cat after all!) and Julian, shall we say services her but does so with loathing and makes it known quite loudly. This scene can be somewhat disturbing for those of us that may like at least a little respect during love scenes between our protagonists.
July 30, 2011
This review was first published at http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog
His Darkest Salvation is a dark paranormal romance and is the third in a series featuring jaguar warriors. Juliana Stone has written a wonderful book, full of emotion that leaps off the page. Her hero and heroine come from enemy families, yet during a meeting, years earlier, Jaden took Julian as her mate. He discovered her identity and rejected her, and when they come together again, their hatred and distrust of each other is clear. The constant push-pull between the characters is very well done. The reader experiences their hopes and the sheer hopelessness of the situation they find themselves in. At times the tortured Julian is plain horrible to the heroine, yet by the end of the story it’s clear why he behaves this way, and their relationship evolves to a deeper understanding.
Jaden is the perfect foil for Julian. She’s a warrior in her own right, is strong and capable and very sensual. The love scenes between the two are explosive and full of passion.
The story comes to an exciting climax with lots of drama and an ending that makes me hope there will be more books to come. I hadn’t read the earlier books in the series, and although I managed to follow most of the back story, there were a couple of places where I think I missed something that was imparted in previous stories i.e. the relationship between the characters. If you’re new to Ms. Stone’s series, I’d suggest you grab all three and have a dark paranormal blitz to get maximum satisfaction from the jaguar warrior world the author has created.
I recommend His Darkest Salvation to any reader who enjoys a dark paranormal story with lots of emotional intensity and drama. You won’t be disappointed.
His Darkest Salvation is a dark paranormal romance and is the third in a series featuring jaguar warriors. Juliana Stone has written a wonderful book, full of emotion that leaps off the page. Her hero and heroine come from enemy families, yet during a meeting, years earlier, Jaden took Julian as her mate. He discovered her identity and rejected her, and when they come together again, their hatred and distrust of each other is clear. The constant push-pull between the characters is very well done. The reader experiences their hopes and the sheer hopelessness of the situation they find themselves in. At times the tortured Julian is plain horrible to the heroine, yet by the end of the story it’s clear why he behaves this way, and their relationship evolves to a deeper understanding.
Jaden is the perfect foil for Julian. She’s a warrior in her own right, is strong and capable and very sensual. The love scenes between the two are explosive and full of passion.
The story comes to an exciting climax with lots of drama and an ending that makes me hope there will be more books to come. I hadn’t read the earlier books in the series, and although I managed to follow most of the back story, there were a couple of places where I think I missed something that was imparted in previous stories i.e. the relationship between the characters. If you’re new to Ms. Stone’s series, I’d suggest you grab all three and have a dark paranormal blitz to get maximum satisfaction from the jaguar warrior world the author has created.
I recommend His Darkest Salvation to any reader who enjoys a dark paranormal story with lots of emotional intensity and drama. You won’t be disappointed.
August 6, 2011
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Julian Castillo had been missing for three years. He’s back and he doesn’t even care about Jaden. Nor does he seem to know that they have mated…
This is fast paced story about shapeshifters and forces beyond our world. Julian has been in hell, literally, and he has very little time to accomplish his mission here on earth if he wishes to earn redemption. The premise of the story is pure fantasy, but the plot stands up well. There’s lots of action, and you get caught up in the fight between the jaguar clans. Julian is Castillo; Jaden is DeCosta. They’re sworn enemies. But in this fight, they need each other’s skills to find the portal.
The author creates hard-hitting characters with a touch of evil in them. She adds sorcerers and gods themselves to the story. You’ll keep turning pages to see just what is going to happen next. There are constant surprises in the story.
I enjoy reading about animal shape shifters, and jaguars fascinate me. But the real reason this story appealed to me was the romance between these two opposing clan members. They can’t trust each other, but they do love each other even if they are fighting it. They argue a lot and I enjoyed watching them turn from enemies into embracing the love between them.
Ms. Stone has created a complicated plot with lots of little subplots. There will be more in this series, I’m sure. She’s going to pick up one of the strings she left hanging out and work another story from there.
Why not get a copy of this book and maybe the first two in the Jaguar Warrior series? You won’t be bored!
Julian Castillo had been missing for three years. He’s back and he doesn’t even care about Jaden. Nor does he seem to know that they have mated…
This is fast paced story about shapeshifters and forces beyond our world. Julian has been in hell, literally, and he has very little time to accomplish his mission here on earth if he wishes to earn redemption. The premise of the story is pure fantasy, but the plot stands up well. There’s lots of action, and you get caught up in the fight between the jaguar clans. Julian is Castillo; Jaden is DeCosta. They’re sworn enemies. But in this fight, they need each other’s skills to find the portal.
The author creates hard-hitting characters with a touch of evil in them. She adds sorcerers and gods themselves to the story. You’ll keep turning pages to see just what is going to happen next. There are constant surprises in the story.
I enjoy reading about animal shape shifters, and jaguars fascinate me. But the real reason this story appealed to me was the romance between these two opposing clan members. They can’t trust each other, but they do love each other even if they are fighting it. They argue a lot and I enjoyed watching them turn from enemies into embracing the love between them.
Ms. Stone has created a complicated plot with lots of little subplots. There will be more in this series, I’m sure. She’s going to pick up one of the strings she left hanging out and work another story from there.
Why not get a copy of this book and maybe the first two in the Jaguar Warrior series? You won’t be bored!
October 6, 2011
This final story of the Jaguar warriors is about Julian who has been missing for the last six months. It starts out with him returning to his house to find Jaden, a rival clan jaguar, there. Turns out, she's his mate from a sexual encounter three years ago. They are both looking for the "portal" that separates realms and if Cormac (Mr. Evil Sorcerer) finds it, it will be the end of mankind.
This is a hard book. Let me explain. Julian is just plain mean and horrible to Jaden. I actually had to go back and read my reviews for the prior books to refresh my memory. All the brothers are this way to some extent but I guess (?) Julian is a bit more forgivable because he is missing part of his soul. The antagonism is what drew me in. I kept waiting for some redemption. But I LOVED Jaden, such a strong female character but also one who wants love and family. Her desire is so strong that it makes you want it for her just as much!
The background story is pretty good but is Mr. Evil really defeated? and what happens to Declan? Well, Juliana Stone is writing his story in her new series, The League of Guardians, so it's not really like the series is ending but more of including others who are not jaguars. I am so looking forward to Declan and Ana's story and hoping ~ hoping Declan's a bit nicer.
Favorite line:
"I'm also the best piece of ass you'll never have again."
This is a hard book. Let me explain. Julian is just plain mean and horrible to Jaden. I actually had to go back and read my reviews for the prior books to refresh my memory. All the brothers are this way to some extent but I guess (?) Julian is a bit more forgivable because he is missing part of his soul. The antagonism is what drew me in. I kept waiting for some redemption. But I LOVED Jaden, such a strong female character but also one who wants love and family. Her desire is so strong that it makes you want it for her just as much!
The background story is pretty good but is Mr. Evil really defeated? and what happens to Declan? Well, Juliana Stone is writing his story in her new series, The League of Guardians, so it's not really like the series is ending but more of including others who are not jaguars. I am so looking forward to Declan and Ana's story and hoping ~ hoping Declan's a bit nicer.
Favorite line:
"I'm also the best piece of ass you'll never have again."
September 2, 2011
Jaden DaCosta is "His Darkest Salvation."
Jaden DaCosta is a shifter, an untamed jaguar, on a mission to find the portal that is threatening the existence of life as she knows it. Julian Castille, her life-mate, is suddenly reappeared after 3 years and has the same agenda, but doesn't know that he's been claimed as her only one. Come follow their powerfully emotional struggle as they try to deny their overwhelming desire to be together as they hunt for the evil that threatens their future. Will they give in to their passions and desires? Can their future hold anything good or will darkness and evil prevail? The answers and so much more can be found in this wonderfully erotic tale.
This book was so much different than what I normally read and review but I must admit that it really held my complete attention. Ms. Stone has a definite talent for combining raw dialogue and emotion into her characters. She has their feelings just jumping off the pages, they are so intense.
Also, this is the first shape shifter story I have ever read and found the jaguars to be very powerful animals to read about. I enjoyed getting to know them and the other beings that blended into this tale.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good paranormal romance filled with eroticism and emotion.
This book was kindly provided to me by HarperCollins Publishers for my honest review.
Jaden DaCosta is a shifter, an untamed jaguar, on a mission to find the portal that is threatening the existence of life as she knows it. Julian Castille, her life-mate, is suddenly reappeared after 3 years and has the same agenda, but doesn't know that he's been claimed as her only one. Come follow their powerfully emotional struggle as they try to deny their overwhelming desire to be together as they hunt for the evil that threatens their future. Will they give in to their passions and desires? Can their future hold anything good or will darkness and evil prevail? The answers and so much more can be found in this wonderfully erotic tale.
This book was so much different than what I normally read and review but I must admit that it really held my complete attention. Ms. Stone has a definite talent for combining raw dialogue and emotion into her characters. She has their feelings just jumping off the pages, they are so intense.
Also, this is the first shape shifter story I have ever read and found the jaguars to be very powerful animals to read about. I enjoyed getting to know them and the other beings that blended into this tale.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good paranormal romance filled with eroticism and emotion.
This book was kindly provided to me by HarperCollins Publishers for my honest review.
January 27, 2012
Very enjoyable contemporary shifter story by Juliana Stone. This is the third in the series so you will need to read the first two books in the series otherwise this will be very confusing. There’s a great overall plot story and some great build up before this story so you don’t want to jump in on this story.
Julian Castille, the only non-warrior jaguar shifter of his brothers, has just come back from six months in hell. Literally. He is not the same man he was and never will be again. He has a job to do to try and rescue his soul but he was not expecting to run in to fellow jaguar Jaden DaCosta. The two shared a night of passion before Julian realized who she was, the daughter of his enemy. Now these two most work together to save the world, and try to save the love they have for each other. I loved the buildup in the relationship between Julian and Jaden. Jaden knows what she wants, or at least she did three years ago before Julian rejected her. Julian thought he wanted nothing to do with the sexy shifter but he just can’t stay away.
A great Star-Crossed-Lovers story with lots of anger, angst, and sexy looks. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series where we get to see what comes next for the rest of the PATU members.
Julian Castille, the only non-warrior jaguar shifter of his brothers, has just come back from six months in hell. Literally. He is not the same man he was and never will be again. He has a job to do to try and rescue his soul but he was not expecting to run in to fellow jaguar Jaden DaCosta. The two shared a night of passion before Julian realized who she was, the daughter of his enemy. Now these two most work together to save the world, and try to save the love they have for each other. I loved the buildup in the relationship between Julian and Jaden. Jaden knows what she wants, or at least she did three years ago before Julian rejected her. Julian thought he wanted nothing to do with the sexy shifter but he just can’t stay away.
A great Star-Crossed-Lovers story with lots of anger, angst, and sexy looks. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series where we get to see what comes next for the rest of the PATU members.
September 7, 2011
Elysium! Enravishing! Pure Magic! His Darkest Salvation by Juliana Stone is *'vivid Technicolor' paranormal! Juliana Stone keeps transmogrifying this wonderful series into an addiction. His Darkest Salvation is by far the juiciest in the Jaguar Warrior series. Julian has become one of my top ten heroes for 2011. His Darkest Salvation will allow you to get your "shifter fix" and then some. The descriptions in this book are amazing, Juliana had me hanging on her every word. Julian and Jaden are an emotional twister that spells perfection. Stone dives into the spirit of pain and drives it home. Jaden is by far Stone's best creation. If you haven't read the first two books in the series you will be missing an unbelievable piece of this seductive world, His Darkest Salvation is one of the most scrumptious layers.
Favorite Quote: "I'll neveer want anyone else," he said. "You've ruined me" - Julian Castille
* 'vivid Technicolor' ~Juliana Stone uses this phrase in a part of the story and I thought it was off the hook! I just had to use it in my review.
Favorite Quote: "I'll neveer want anyone else," he said. "You've ruined me" - Julian Castille
* 'vivid Technicolor' ~Juliana Stone uses this phrase in a part of the story and I thought it was off the hook! I just had to use it in my review.
June 11, 2012
In the last book, it ended with a big light and multiple people disappearing with the portal. Now Julian is back with Declan, but they´re after something and their under a time preassure.
Jaden is still working against her brothers and father undercover, but this night she´s in Julians appartment on a hunch to see if he´s got any clues to the portal. He´s been gone six months and all of a sudden he´s there and she´s feeling it, all over. They´ve got a history together, three years ago they had a one night stand that ended with her getting her warrior tat´s and him renouncing her because of her family.
A hopeless lovestory with lots of *unf* and smutty fluff and heart break, and you get to see Ana and Declan waltzing around each other.
I can´t wait for the next installment, this was just soooo good =)
Jaden is still working against her brothers and father undercover, but this night she´s in Julians appartment on a hunch to see if he´s got any clues to the portal. He´s been gone six months and all of a sudden he´s there and she´s feeling it, all over. They´ve got a history together, three years ago they had a one night stand that ended with her getting her warrior tat´s and him renouncing her because of her family.
A hopeless lovestory with lots of *unf* and smutty fluff and heart break, and you get to see Ana and Declan waltzing around each other.
I can´t wait for the next installment, this was just soooo good =)
June 17, 2011
Jaden DaCosta is a shifter, memeber of a powerful family of shape-shifting jaguars - who just happen to be about as evil as evil can be. Julian Castille, her former lover and supposed mate, has just returned from the dead. Add to that, demons are looking for the portal out of Hell, which Julian and Jaden are both trying to find, and you've got trouble.
Twisted family ties, unrequited love and heartache, plus unending danger of being discovered by the very people who are supposed to love and protect her, Jaden embarks on a mission to find out what happened to Julian, and to discover the location of the portal - before her father does.
Lots of action, shape-shifting, demons, and romance make for a white-hot read. Lots of fun - fans of Christine Feehan will enjoy this one.
Twisted family ties, unrequited love and heartache, plus unending danger of being discovered by the very people who are supposed to love and protect her, Jaden embarks on a mission to find out what happened to Julian, and to discover the location of the portal - before her father does.
Lots of action, shape-shifting, demons, and romance make for a white-hot read. Lots of fun - fans of Christine Feehan will enjoy this one.
August 25, 2011
Part of the appeal of this book was the utter contempt Julian and Jaden had for each other. Even though they felt this, both had other feelings too, they just didn't want to admit to them, especially Jaden. Julian was a bastard for most of the book, to Jaden and to his family too. I realize he just came back from hell, literally, but still. If he could have just talked to someone other than his partner in crime, Declan, things might have gone better. With the ending it will be interesting to see where things go from here, because obviously, while this one evil was conquered there are still lots more to resolve.
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