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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I first bought these books over ten years ago and recently I discovered them again on my Kindle and decided on a re-read because I needed some easy reading and I remembered enjoying them when I first read them. Getting back into this series has been very interesting, mostly in seeing what a difference that ten years of life experience has had on my perceptions of these stories. What I once thought was a brilliant series just hit a little differently this time around, some were not as bad as others but I was a little stuck on the message that these stories feed to women, especially if you were to come across them at an impressionable stage in your life.
This book felt long, really very long. I feel like most of this could have been cut out and we would have still gotten everything we needed to. In this instalment of the series, Apollo asks the witch Valentine to bring his dead wife's twin from our world to his. I don't really remember thinking about how impractical this would be the last time I read this book, but it makes for an awkward love story.
Ilsa very quickly has to change her name to Maddie and pretend to be the dead wife's cousin to explain how they look identical. Also with the baggage that the two of them have it doesn't make you feel like they are going to have an easy time of a relationship which of course ends up being what happens. Apollo doesn't seem to like Maddie until someone else declares their love for her, everyone is constantly comparing her to Ilsa and implying that she comes up short, it doesn't scream romance.
Again we have an abusive and controlling male MC and for a glimmer of a moment I thought Maddie was going to stand up for herself but in the true style of this author she instantly forgives him because he loves her. I am just really struggling with these female characters that are being told that they are strong whilst they roll over like doormats for these men, and can't seem to stick to their convictions.
The climax of the subplot that became more apparent in book three plays out at the end of this story and I think the most shocking thing about it was that I realised that I couldn't tell any of the women apart. None of them has their own voice, it's the same ridiculous nature repurposed into a fractionally different character but when they were all together it was a bit ludicrous.
Oh my heart, 9 years later this one still hurts. You know it actually felt the most like a regency romance and that's not a complaint.
This is also the culmination of all the 'drama' and I really enjoyed that.
This is also the culmination of all the 'drama' and I really enjoyed that.
When you are young sometimes you make mistakes that can haunt you forever. Ilsa did just that and fell in love with the wrong man, a man that broke her body and soul. Now can his twin from another world hope to put that back together again?
“A dove has great beauty but is easily broken”
Apollo lost his wife and the mother of his children four years ago, he has grieved her ever since. When he learns that there is an Isla in the other world he decides he wants her no matter how difficult it might be since his twin broke her. But he is determined that he should have her, protect her. However when he sees Ilsa for the first time he realizes that it is hard to look at the twin of the woman you once loved. He thought he was prepared but she is not his dead wife and they have a lot of obstacles to overcome.
There are few things I really liked about this installment of the series.
First, I really enjoyed how the love story unfurled and that both struggled with their perspective pasts. Apollo essentially ran away for a little bit not knowing how to deal with his feelings about his dead wife and Ilsa needed time to heal herself from the life she had before. I liked that she had time to travel with Apollo’s men that showed you how different she was from the Ilsa of that world. Time to grasp that even though they looked the same she could claim a new life a new name and leave her past behind. Ilsa transforms under the watch of Apollo’s guard and affectionately becomes known as Maddie to them. It wasn’t an overnight thing I respected that KA took the time to let her heal a little before putting Maddie and Apollo back together.
Second, I like that Valentine showed up to give little pushes along the way. I didn’t think that Maddie and Apollo could get there on their own as quickly because of baggage, but Valentine’s meddling was funny and needed to progress the romantic aspect of the story.
Love like you build with Miss Madeleine is as she is. It is not of this world. Not of her world. It is beyond the worlds. It is beyond anything.
Third, I was ecstatic to see all the prior couples come into play. Toward the end of the story the underlying plot really picked up steam and it was fun to see all the couples together. I still have a special place in my heart for Circe and Lahn as they are still my favorite couple. Seeing all the women from our world in the other world together as friends added a new dimension to the story I appreciated and gave the plot an interesting twist.
Fourth, the sex scene are HOT really hot. That is a personal opinion but I found that KA really went all out with this couple and I immensely enjoyed their play time together, it was smoking.
The only things I got a little frustrated with at time were that the heroine was so broken that she didn’t trust in herself enough periodically. That said it went with her character but a few times I really just wanted to smack her. Apollo’s theme song is Hot n Cold by Katy Perri as he sometimes hid all of his emotions and seemed to be completely unfeeling occasionally. While I also understood this as part of his character and he needed to have a few of those ultra-alpha control moments so that he and Maddie could work out their relationship it was still angsty and difficult to read.
The ending is action packed and everyone gets to be involved. Golden Dynasty is still my favorite of this series but this is a close second. If you like kinky fantasies then this is a fun series to spend a little time with.
“A dove has great beauty but is easily broken”
Apollo lost his wife and the mother of his children four years ago, he has grieved her ever since. When he learns that there is an Isla in the other world he decides he wants her no matter how difficult it might be since his twin broke her. But he is determined that he should have her, protect her. However when he sees Ilsa for the first time he realizes that it is hard to look at the twin of the woman you once loved. He thought he was prepared but she is not his dead wife and they have a lot of obstacles to overcome.
There are few things I really liked about this installment of the series.
First, I really enjoyed how the love story unfurled and that both struggled with their perspective pasts. Apollo essentially ran away for a little bit not knowing how to deal with his feelings about his dead wife and Ilsa needed time to heal herself from the life she had before. I liked that she had time to travel with Apollo’s men that showed you how different she was from the Ilsa of that world. Time to grasp that even though they looked the same she could claim a new life a new name and leave her past behind. Ilsa transforms under the watch of Apollo’s guard and affectionately becomes known as Maddie to them. It wasn’t an overnight thing I respected that KA took the time to let her heal a little before putting Maddie and Apollo back together.
Second, I like that Valentine showed up to give little pushes along the way. I didn’t think that Maddie and Apollo could get there on their own as quickly because of baggage, but Valentine’s meddling was funny and needed to progress the romantic aspect of the story.
Love like you build with Miss Madeleine is as she is. It is not of this world. Not of her world. It is beyond the worlds. It is beyond anything.
Third, I was ecstatic to see all the prior couples come into play. Toward the end of the story the underlying plot really picked up steam and it was fun to see all the couples together. I still have a special place in my heart for Circe and Lahn as they are still my favorite couple. Seeing all the women from our world in the other world together as friends added a new dimension to the story I appreciated and gave the plot an interesting twist.
Fourth, the sex scene are HOT really hot. That is a personal opinion but I found that KA really went all out with this couple and I immensely enjoyed their play time together, it was smoking.
The only things I got a little frustrated with at time were that the heroine was so broken that she didn’t trust in herself enough periodically. That said it went with her character but a few times I really just wanted to smack her. Apollo’s theme song is Hot n Cold by Katy Perri as he sometimes hid all of his emotions and seemed to be completely unfeeling occasionally. While I also understood this as part of his character and he needed to have a few of those ultra-alpha control moments so that he and Maddie could work out their relationship it was still angsty and difficult to read.
The ending is action packed and everyone gets to be involved. Golden Dynasty is still my favorite of this series but this is a close second. If you like kinky fantasies then this is a fun series to spend a little time with.
4.5 Broken Dove Stars
I am loving this series so freaking hard, though that being said it’s not that I didn't like this book because I really did I just found it to be a little long winded, no that, that is or can be a bad thing. Just that I had wished the story would have progressed faster than it did.
What a perfect title for this book, Maddie really was a broken dove when we meet her. But she has fight in her a whole butt load of it. She wouldn't let anything get her down oh no freaking way. She fought with all that she had.
Apollo is a man who was broken himself, granted his was with grief but that’s still a kind of broken. When he saw Maddie his grief consumed him for a time but he learned that just because she looks like his beloved she is not. I really enjoyed hearing about this, getting to see him struggle with his feelings and how they were going to work things through.
Maddie… This woman has strength and courage of plenty but what she didn't have was faith in herself and getting to read how she did was pretty amazing. She really struggled with her own self-worth.
Fantastic book, it’s a story of growth, and learning to love again, for both of them really and the children.
I am sad to be starting book 5 that means we will be ending the series. But what a phenomenal job Tillie did with this narration.. I am stunned and in awe of how she can make everyone’s voices so very unique as they are in the story. I love it.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I am loving this series so freaking hard, though that being said it’s not that I didn't like this book because I really did I just found it to be a little long winded, no that, that is or can be a bad thing. Just that I had wished the story would have progressed faster than it did.
What a perfect title for this book, Maddie really was a broken dove when we meet her. But she has fight in her a whole butt load of it. She wouldn't let anything get her down oh no freaking way. She fought with all that she had.
Apollo is a man who was broken himself, granted his was with grief but that’s still a kind of broken. When he saw Maddie his grief consumed him for a time but he learned that just because she looks like his beloved she is not. I really enjoyed hearing about this, getting to see him struggle with his feelings and how they were going to work things through.
Maddie… This woman has strength and courage of plenty but what she didn't have was faith in herself and getting to read how she did was pretty amazing. She really struggled with her own self-worth.
Fantastic book, it’s a story of growth, and learning to love again, for both of them really and the children.
I am sad to be starting book 5 that means we will be ending the series. But what a phenomenal job Tillie did with this narration.. I am stunned and in awe of how she can make everyone’s voices so very unique as they are in the story. I love it.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Holly shittttt. Love this series, damn. Quiero el proximo like AHORA.
There really isn't enough I can say to convey how much I love Kristen Ashley's books. They make me feel every emotion possible. I laugh, cry, growl a bit out of frustration, get angry and then sigh in happiness.
I'm not a big paranormal/fantasy fan but I've learned that KA can write just about anything and I will love it. She's the author equivalent of Morgan Freeman's voice. He could read the dictionary and move you to tears and she can write anything and do the same.
Apollo is frustrating at times, swoon worthy at others and downright sexy almost all the times. To coin a phrase from a friend, the only time I didn't find him attractive was when he was "Assollo". (Thanks for that name Duchess, it was spot on for him a few times)
Ilsa/Maddie is lovable, funny, sweet and completely relatable. She was broken without being ruined. We get to see her lose herself and then find herself. We get to experience first time bliss with her along with true heartache.
All in all, you experience a multitude of things and emotions while reading this. If you don't find yourself a fan of fantasy/paranormal, I suggest giving this series a try. It may have the fantasy basis but it has a real world feel and you can still relate to it and believe it.
I'm not a big paranormal/fantasy fan but I've learned that KA can write just about anything and I will love it. She's the author equivalent of Morgan Freeman's voice. He could read the dictionary and move you to tears and she can write anything and do the same.
Apollo is frustrating at times, swoon worthy at others and downright sexy almost all the times. To coin a phrase from a friend, the only time I didn't find him attractive was when he was "Assollo". (Thanks for that name Duchess, it was spot on for him a few times)
Ilsa/Maddie is lovable, funny, sweet and completely relatable. She was broken without being ruined. We get to see her lose herself and then find herself. We get to experience first time bliss with her along with true heartache.
All in all, you experience a multitude of things and emotions while reading this. If you don't find yourself a fan of fantasy/paranormal, I suggest giving this series a try. It may have the fantasy basis but it has a real world feel and you can still relate to it and believe it.
Bros actions were so contradrictory. Like one minute he was like im all ears ask me ur questions and the next he was banishing her
This is what happens when KA has no restrictions and I have to say that I love it. Was it Golden Dynasty? No but there were a lot of parts- especially the epilogue- that made me swoon and/or tear up. Was it long winded, heavily detailed and slower in some parts that others? Yes...AND I'M TOTALLY OK WITH THAT. I love this world she has created, I love the details, the families and friends. I love it all. At times while reading this, I thought that this side of KA may be more incredible than the mountain man/hot bunch guys. This is a lonnnngggg book but I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in this world, with these characters and I totally need to do a re read of Finnie and Cora's books. I fell in love with Derrik and Achilles. They both need books....long ones. And yes, I'm ready for Noc's book too!
An OK Read.
Apollo's dead wife Isla and Maddie look exactly alike. So, Apollo paid Valentine, the witch to find his dead wife's twin (not exactly twin, Apollo's dead wife and Maddie are from the different universe, The Author addressed it as the other world Twin) and bring her to him.
Apollo brings Maddie to his world (Parallel Universe) through Valentine and realized that he made a big mistake by bringing her into his world. He was hurting because Maddie (The heroine) remind him about his dead wife. So he walked away and left her with his men (including Derrick, Apollo's close friend) to bring her Apollo's home. Maddie knows nothing of this world, nothing. But Apollo didn't care about this because he was hurting.
It takes four months to bring Maddie to Apollo's home. During this time Apollo's friend Derrick have fallen in love with Maddie and he wanted to claim her but, he waited till he can consult with Apollo about this matter. Because he knows Maddie looks like Apollo's dead wife and respect his close friend feeling dearly. Then suddenly Apollo decided that he wants Maddie, so he will keep Maddie. After that Valentine, the witch interferes and they (Apollo and Maddie) had a sex-a-thorn night because of Adela Tea (It's kinda drug, enhances a person's sexual urge). Derrick reacted when he knew that Apollo had claimed Maddie. Honestly speaking, I felt bad for Derrick, he was the one who was with Maddie when she needed someone in this world badly, not Apollo.
So, I didn't like the first part of this book. But then things got little better when Apollo and Maddie started their relationship and it continues with lots of drama.
What I didn't like was - Apollo wasn't understanding in many situations, sometimes he became deadly cold and obviously, his dominating behavior was truly irritating. Maddie was trying to explain what she needed and how she felt about her life but every time he became impatient and couldn't understand what she was trying to explain.
Maddie and Apollo had two big fights and every time she was the one who was trying to take steps to solve the matter. Why Apollo can't take steps to solve the matter, why? The reason is he is too proud to solve this kind of things. Man, you are losing your partner and you will not do anything because you are a proud man. What is the meaning of a relationship If you can't pass your ego?
But I also can't deny that he was very understanding in some cases.
One of the dialogues of Apollo was very true and I am giving one extra star for that quote.
I didn't like it a bit what Franka did to Maddie. I felt bad for what happened to her lover, but she should have sought help from the guys instead of plotting with evil Menavera.
Safety Issue
* Maddie was married to our world Apollo and he was very abusive. Because of him, Maddie lost two children. Parallel world Apollo saves Maddie from abusive Apollo and brings her to the parallel world. So she was still married to abusive Apollo when she started her relationship with parallel world Apollo. It didn't bother me. I didn't think it as cheating or anything. She ran from abusive Apollo for three years and lost two children because of him. So if she finds some peace from somewhere else I have no problem with it. There was so much one person can endure. But Before the Parallel world, Apollo and Maddie got married the Abusive Apollo was killed. So there was no technical issue.
** Apollo was not celibate after his wife died. The book starts like - Apollo sent her mistress to home and he was in bed thinking about his life. No details about his previous encounter and he was celibate after he meets Maddie.
I have to mention one thing - This is the only series where I find that prostitution is an honorable profession and a woman received a certain kind of respect who is a prostitute. Sex is not taboo here, anyone can enjoy his or her sexual life as they wish. It doesn't matter, he or she is married or not, everyone can enjoy sex. There was no slut shaming if a woman wasn't a virgin.
I can't say I liked it very much, but overall it was not that bad. So I am rating it as an average. So far my ranking for this series is
1. The Golden Dynasty
2. Wildest Dream
3. Broken Dove.
4. Fantastical
And I don't why, but I have a bad feeling about the next book of the series because it's Franka's book.
Apollo's dead wife Isla and Maddie look exactly alike. So, Apollo paid Valentine, the witch to find his dead wife's twin (not exactly twin, Apollo's dead wife and Maddie are from the different universe, The Author addressed it as the other world Twin) and bring her to him.
Apollo brings Maddie to his world (Parallel Universe) through Valentine and realized that he made a big mistake by bringing her into his world. He was hurting because Maddie (The heroine) remind him about his dead wife. So he walked away and left her with his men (including Derrick, Apollo's close friend) to bring her Apollo's home. Maddie knows nothing of this world, nothing. But Apollo didn't care about this because he was hurting.
It takes four months to bring Maddie to Apollo's home. During this time Apollo's friend Derrick have fallen in love with Maddie and he wanted to claim her but, he waited till he can consult with Apollo about this matter. Because he knows Maddie looks like Apollo's dead wife and respect his close friend feeling dearly. Then suddenly Apollo decided that he wants Maddie, so he will keep Maddie. After that Valentine, the witch interferes and they (Apollo and Maddie) had a sex-a-thorn night because of Adela Tea (It's kinda drug, enhances a person's sexual urge). Derrick reacted when he knew that Apollo had claimed Maddie. Honestly speaking, I felt bad for Derrick, he was the one who was with Maddie when she needed someone in this world badly, not Apollo.
So, I didn't like the first part of this book. But then things got little better when Apollo and Maddie started their relationship and it continues with lots of drama.
What I didn't like was - Apollo wasn't understanding in many situations, sometimes he became deadly cold and obviously, his dominating behavior was truly irritating. Maddie was trying to explain what she needed and how she felt about her life but every time he became impatient and couldn't understand what she was trying to explain.
Maddie and Apollo had two big fights and every time she was the one who was trying to take steps to solve the matter. Why Apollo can't take steps to solve the matter, why? The reason is he is too proud to solve this kind of things. Man, you are losing your partner and you will not do anything because you are a proud man. What is the meaning of a relationship If you can't pass your ego?
But I also can't deny that he was very understanding in some cases.
One of the dialogues of Apollo was very true and I am giving one extra star for that quote.
"In word and deed, she seems to have your best interests at heart. But it all depends on the person and their actions if their best interests are also yours, no?”
I didn't like it a bit what Franka did to Maddie. I felt bad for what happened to her lover, but she should have sought help from the guys instead of plotting with evil Menavera.
Safety Issue
* Maddie was married to our world Apollo and he was very abusive. Because of him, Maddie lost two children. Parallel world Apollo saves Maddie from abusive Apollo and brings her to the parallel world. So she was still married to abusive Apollo when she started her relationship with parallel world Apollo. It didn't bother me. I didn't think it as cheating or anything. She ran from abusive Apollo for three years and lost two children because of him. So if she finds some peace from somewhere else I have no problem with it. There was so much one person can endure. But Before the Parallel world, Apollo and Maddie got married the Abusive Apollo was killed. So there was no technical issue.
** Apollo was not celibate after his wife died. The book starts like - Apollo sent her mistress to home and he was in bed thinking about his life. No details about his previous encounter and he was celibate after he meets Maddie.
I have to mention one thing - This is the only series where I find that prostitution is an honorable profession and a woman received a certain kind of respect who is a prostitute. Sex is not taboo here, anyone can enjoy his or her sexual life as they wish. It doesn't matter, he or she is married or not, everyone can enjoy sex. There was no slut shaming if a woman wasn't a virgin.
I can't say I liked it very much, but overall it was not that bad. So I am rating it as an average. So far my ranking for this series is
1. The Golden Dynasty
2. Wildest Dream
3. Broken Dove.
4. Fantastical
And I don't why, but I have a bad feeling about the next book of the series because it's Franka's book.
Another exciting fun read with Kristen Ashley at the wheel. I enjoyed this series immensely, I enjoyed the change of pace that this has brought to her writing style.