Review: Loved this paranormal romance! Completely hooked me in.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 12, 2013
Loved it! I was completely hooked on this book from the start. The characters, the action, the pacing, the clean writing, the romance - all were winners for me. Thrusting ourselves into Theo's world as a Gatekeeper to Hades, where he has patiently waited nearly a millennia to find his Mate, we start this story right where Sadie is thrust into this world as well. But the road to fate is not easy or risk-free. There are demons intent on destroying their potential before it even has a chance to bloom. And forgetting the demons, is Sadie even ready for this world and life that has thrown a major wrench in her plans?Starting with the main characters, this was one of those wonderful times when I genuinely liked both the main characters. There were no major issues for me to get past. And that not only made them likable in my eyes, but also perfect as "Mates." Theo, our 911-year-old Gatekeeper, has the patience of 100 saints combined. He takes his role seriously, he treasures his friendship with "The Great One," he is loyal to his brother Justin, and he has been considerately saving himself for the day he finally gets to meet his Mate. I loved his trust in the process, his patience with Sadie, and his fierce protectiveness. Nobody gets between him and his Mate! Then there's Sadie, our awesome kick-butt heroine. I love that we get a fierce, strong, intelligent, independent woman who has a black belt, a college degree at 18, and isn't about to be pushed into anything she's not ready for. But when she's committed to something (or someone), she becomes a fierce protector as well. There is no cowering from this girl, and it makes her character all the more refreshing.As for action and pacing, there was never a dull moment. Every chapter has something new, something exciting, or something dangerous. One moment we think we're going one way, then a new twist hits and we're thrown in a new direction. One moment we feel safe, then the next some new obstacle is thrown in our path. I felt on the edge of my seat and loved it. These demons are scary, these situations are frequently death-defying, the enemy is not backing down anytime soon, and our people need to stay on their toes at all times. Makes for exciting reading.We also get the build-up of a beautiful relationship between Theo and Sadie. Yes, this deals with soul-mates, so be warned if you are not a fan of that concept. But I also liked that their relationship still took time, and trust, and had all the usual insecurities and hesitations you would expect in a normal relationship. Sadie was cautious, and didn't just jump into anything blind. Theo also, though eager for his Mate, was also considerate and sensitive, taking his time in the relationship, but also being honest about his needs. And as their relationship blossomed, I really felt their connection and completely loved how things progressed. Beautiful.This appears to be the first in a series, though I don't know what the next book will be. But there is no cliffhanger at the end of this book, so you are safe to read and get to know these amazing characters, this well-developed story, be plunged into their danger-filled world, and be swept away in a beautiful romance. I loved this book and look forward to whatever comes next.