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ameserole's review
4.0
Guys. I honestly have no idea what to think or say right now. Even though this started off a bit slow for me, I was really intrigued in finding out more about Tal. I mean, throughout the series I've had endless questions about who HER, Mistress, and Medusa exactly were. Well, have no fear - I found out. Not going to lie, I was a little shocked but then things started to make a lot more sense to me.
I feel like I have at least one character that I hate in each book. Luckily for me, they are all mostly villains or ex-lovers. So it works out but for this one - ugh - I'm just so sad that the villain in question didn't die. I did get some fun action scenes and I really adore Ishtar shifting into a giant leopard or any kind of cat form throughout the book too.
Other than dealing with my emotions, I really liked seeing Tal and Ishtar getting closer once again. I wouldn't necessarily say that they had a lot of tension filled moments but they obviously still cared for one another but had some demons to get out in the air before things could be right again. Then the drama unfolded and I was hooked for it all.
In the end, I can't wait to dive into the next book. I just need work to calm down so I can sit down and enjoy this series.
I feel like I have at least one character that I hate in each book. Luckily for me, they are all mostly villains or ex-lovers. So it works out but for this one - ugh - I'm just so sad that the villain in question didn't die. I did get some fun action scenes and I really adore Ishtar shifting into a giant leopard or any kind of cat form throughout the book too.
Other than dealing with my emotions, I really liked seeing Tal and Ishtar getting closer once again. I wouldn't necessarily say that they had a lot of tension filled moments but they obviously still cared for one another but had some demons to get out in the air before things could be right again. Then the drama unfolded and I was hooked for it all.
In the end, I can't wait to dive into the next book. I just need work to calm down so I can sit down and enjoy this series.
laura_devouring_books_crumpets's review
5.0
You know when your on a roller coaster, your going fast and its amazing, but that first loop the loop before the excruciating climb to the plunge, it's the first time your heart literally goes into your mouth, after being thrown about you can finally get a glimpse at the ending..... Well for me this book is the loop the loop! The ride has been amazing so far but this is the first real taste of how things may unravel... and who might actually be who, i have had my theories but a lot more light is shed!
Ishtar and Tal for me is an epic love story, it clenches your heart painfully reading how much these two have suffered and lost, but still manage to cling to the hope of each other if only by a thread!
We get a POV from the mythical Medusa, whilst unraveling more than a few characters backstories interwoven together.... the whole book has me like....
Thankfully i got and ARC from the Author.... Waiting for book 5 would have been excruciating....
And yes! Definately....
This installment had EVERYTHING!!!! I didn't want it to end
Thanks Aja for a phenomenal read!
Ishtar and Tal for me is an epic love story, it clenches your heart painfully reading how much these two have suffered and lost, but still manage to cling to the hope of each other if only by a thread!
We get a POV from the mythical Medusa, whilst unraveling more than a few characters backstories interwoven together.... the whole book has me like....
Thankfully i got and ARC from the Author.... Waiting for book 5 would have been excruciating....
And yes! Definately....
This installment had EVERYTHING!!!! I didn't want it to end
Thanks Aja for a phenomenal read!
ovuline's review
5.0
This one is my favourite of the series so far! I really really loved it. I went in with expectations and am so glad I wasn’t disappointed. Tal and Ishtar were great and I honestly fell in love with their love.
As always it was great to hear from the other characters we know and love and we finally got to hear from the big bad! Loved that! Enil’s story next and can’t wait!
As always it was great to hear from the other characters we know and love and we finally got to hear from the big bad! Loved that! Enil’s story next and can’t wait!
jazzrizz's review
5.0
Tal ... I knew he was going to break my heart. He carries so much weight. Due to his "gift", he has to make some heartbreaking sacrifices for his race, and his Mate. What he gives up for both is actual TORTURE.
Ishtar ... is pretty much clueless and isolated ... for several Millennia. She grew up a spoiled Dark Princess, who actually has compassion for the Pure Ones. She falls in love with Tal, with a pure innocence ... ending in heartbreak and capture by humans.
For Millennia, they both endure ... until an unexpected reunion, courtesy of their daughter. Ishtar doesn't deal with it very well, and Tal is looking to end his tortured existence. Thankfully, Tal is tougher than he thinks, and Ishtar comes to her senses.
Together, they try to find a way to cure him, and defeat Medusa's hold on him. I love that Val is back in action in this book. It's also great to see how far Ava & Rain's research and database have come. Ava figures out quite a bit of Ishtar & Tal's past, by blood tests alone. It was also intriguing reading bits and pieces of the Pure Queen Ninti in Tal's time, and her part in the Great War.
Who Medusa turns out to be was a shock. Creature plays crucial parts in Medusa's endgame plans, but still hasn't worked out who Tal & Ishtar are to him. I cannot wait for that to happen. Medusa's down, but not out. Enlil ... his fate seems to be the next book ... which is already purchased and downloaded :)
So many little things are revealed in this book. I'm looking forward to seeing the pieces fall into place.
Ishtar ... is pretty much clueless and isolated ... for several Millennia. She grew up a spoiled Dark Princess, who actually has compassion for the Pure Ones. She falls in love with Tal, with a pure innocence ... ending in heartbreak and capture by humans.
For Millennia, they both endure ... until an unexpected reunion, courtesy of their daughter. Ishtar doesn't deal with it very well, and Tal is looking to end his tortured existence. Thankfully, Tal is tougher than he thinks, and Ishtar comes to her senses.
Together, they try to find a way to cure him, and defeat Medusa's hold on him. I love that Val is back in action in this book. It's also great to see how far Ava & Rain's research and database have come. Ava figures out quite a bit of Ishtar & Tal's past, by blood tests alone. It was also intriguing reading bits and pieces of the Pure Queen Ninti in Tal's time, and her part in the Great War.
Who Medusa turns out to be was a shock. Creature plays crucial parts in Medusa's endgame plans, but still hasn't worked out who Tal & Ishtar are to him. I cannot wait for that to happen. Medusa's down, but not out. Enlil ... his fate seems to be the next book ... which is already purchased and downloaded :)
So many little things are revealed in this book. I'm looking forward to seeing the pieces fall into place.
chella1's review
5.0
This is such an amazing series. I binged read this series in two weeks and it was fantastic! Aja James has created an unforgettable world with unique characters and stories. Do yourself a favor and pick up this series, you will not regret it.
loverofromance's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
First Impressions
Pure Rapture is the next installment in the series that I have been so eager to read but also highly apprehensive because this is a couple where I knew there would be so much angst between them and I am so excited to see that this book wasn’t quite as angsty as I quite expected but it definitely has plenty if you enjoy good angst between a pair. I have to say out of ALL the books that I have read from this author so far, this is one that was the most heartbreaking to read. And this is probably why it took so LONG to actually get to. I just knew that this one would tear me apart emotionally and I also was so sure that it would have flashbacks and yeah I really wanted to be mentally prepared for that. There are certain aspects in romance, that I just can’t automatically pick up right away. I did love seeing how this author wrote this story though and what a captivating romance it turned out to be. This was simply such a precious love story and seeing it all come together was such an experience of the heart and of the soul. This author truly is talented in writing these captivating pairings.
Summary
Tal-Telal and Ishtar have known each other for centuries. They first met when they were kids and they build an unbreakable bond, but they weren’t fated to be together as they were on the opposite sides of a war, and even though they loved each other, there were outside forces that forced them to be apart from each other. Now in the present day, Tal-Telal has been recovering after being tortured for centuries and is now blind. He has been reunited with their long-lost daughter, but Ishtar believes that Tal-Telal betrayed her in the worst of ways and has a hate-filled heart for him even when she deeply loves him. What starts out as an attack of rage and pain turns into a sexual entanglement but one that puts Tal-Telal in a system overload and is slowly dying and the only cure will be Ishtar. But Ishtar doesn’t know of the sacrifices that her mate has made for her or that his heart has always belonged to her. And it will take the innocent frankness of a child to show her the true path back to him and Ishtar will need to learn to trust again in their love as it will be their only saving grace against their one true enemy…
What I Loved
I don’t even know what to say about this book because WHEW, completely blew my mind away. I was able to breeze through it pretty quickly and I was completely overwhelmed by the level of emotion that rises within this story. And seeing the way that these flashbacks show their history and their struggles and what they had to face just breaks the heart. They have such a sweet innocent love in the beginning, and it hurts to see what tears them apart and the secrets that keep them from truly being together. I was utterly charmed by “Ben” who is so honest and innocent (and yes he is a child) but he has the clarity to see elements in relationships most adults just don’t view and he offers the clarity that this heroine really needs to hear. I absolutely adored the family reunion in this book and by far the best aspect was seeing our main pairing really come together in such a beautiful way. Seeing them let go of those barriers that are keeping them apart, and opening their hearts to love again was so magical and the smexy times were so touching at times. I just loved seeing them reconnect and find their way towards their HEA that they had both waited on centuries to find.
What I Struggled With
Anyone that knows my reading tastes can probably guess what I will say and one of the main detractors of this book was the flashbacks. I only like flashbacks in certain ways and it wasn’t done that way that I can enjoy in this book. The first half of the book it was back and forth so often I felt like a ping pong ball and it was a struggle because while I understood why we needed them, I felt like they could have been handled better.
Overall View
Pure Rapture was a romance that won my heart so quickly, it captivated me in its most tender of emotional moments that will connect your heart to this beautiful love story. Its not an easy road this couple goes on, but it’s a well worth it vibe that crashes into your soul with such vibrancy you will be looking for more.
First Impressions
Pure Rapture is the next installment in the series that I have been so eager to read but also highly apprehensive because this is a couple where I knew there would be so much angst between them and I am so excited to see that this book wasn’t quite as angsty as I quite expected but it definitely has plenty if you enjoy good angst between a pair. I have to say out of ALL the books that I have read from this author so far, this is one that was the most heartbreaking to read. And this is probably why it took so LONG to actually get to. I just knew that this one would tear me apart emotionally and I also was so sure that it would have flashbacks and yeah I really wanted to be mentally prepared for that. There are certain aspects in romance, that I just can’t automatically pick up right away. I did love seeing how this author wrote this story though and what a captivating romance it turned out to be. This was simply such a precious love story and seeing it all come together was such an experience of the heart and of the soul. This author truly is talented in writing these captivating pairings.
It was in that moment that Ishtar Fell. Into the most brilliant, beautiful turquoise eyes she’d ever seen.
Summary
Tal-Telal and Ishtar have known each other for centuries. They first met when they were kids and they build an unbreakable bond, but they weren’t fated to be together as they were on the opposite sides of a war, and even though they loved each other, there were outside forces that forced them to be apart from each other. Now in the present day, Tal-Telal has been recovering after being tortured for centuries and is now blind. He has been reunited with their long-lost daughter, but Ishtar believes that Tal-Telal betrayed her in the worst of ways and has a hate-filled heart for him even when she deeply loves him. What starts out as an attack of rage and pain turns into a sexual entanglement but one that puts Tal-Telal in a system overload and is slowly dying and the only cure will be Ishtar. But Ishtar doesn’t know of the sacrifices that her mate has made for her or that his heart has always belonged to her. And it will take the innocent frankness of a child to show her the true path back to him and Ishtar will need to learn to trust again in their love as it will be their only saving grace against their one true enemy…
Love is a fearsome thing. It lays us naked and vulnerable at another’s feet. Hate is an addictive drug. It protects us with weapons and armor difficult to beat. To love, it takes incredible courage; to hate, only its mirage.
What I Loved
I don’t even know what to say about this book because WHEW, completely blew my mind away. I was able to breeze through it pretty quickly and I was completely overwhelmed by the level of emotion that rises within this story. And seeing the way that these flashbacks show their history and their struggles and what they had to face just breaks the heart. They have such a sweet innocent love in the beginning, and it hurts to see what tears them apart and the secrets that keep them from truly being together. I was utterly charmed by “Ben” who is so honest and innocent (and yes he is a child) but he has the clarity to see elements in relationships most adults just don’t view and he offers the clarity that this heroine really needs to hear. I absolutely adored the family reunion in this book and by far the best aspect was seeing our main pairing really come together in such a beautiful way. Seeing them let go of those barriers that are keeping them apart, and opening their hearts to love again was so magical and the smexy times were so touching at times. I just loved seeing them reconnect and find their way towards their HEA that they had both waited on centuries to find.
What I Struggled With
Anyone that knows my reading tastes can probably guess what I will say and one of the main detractors of this book was the flashbacks. I only like flashbacks in certain ways and it wasn’t done that way that I can enjoy in this book. The first half of the book it was back and forth so often I felt like a ping pong ball and it was a struggle because while I understood why we needed them, I felt like they could have been handled better.
Because she was the only female his heart wanted to Nourish. Since the first time he looked into those light purple eyes he’d been hers. Brand or not, she owned him. All of him.
Overall View
Pure Rapture was a romance that won my heart so quickly, it captivated me in its most tender of emotional moments that will connect your heart to this beautiful love story. Its not an easy road this couple goes on, but it’s a well worth it vibe that crashes into your soul with such vibrancy you will be looking for more.
bodebeabay's review
4.0
[b:Pure Rapture|40213393|Pure Rapture (Pure/ Dark Ones #5)|Aja James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527316051l/40213393._SY75_.jpg|60757871] by [a:Aja James|970774|Aja James|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1511880941p2/970774.jpg]
Genres; Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
4.5 Stars
It took me a while to decide on stars for this one. In the end I decided on 4.5 stars, and since I am one for rounding down that brings this one to 4 stars for me.
My reason for the drop in stars is the 1st half of the story. The first flash back with Ishtar in class with her sister was a bit to much dialogue and dragged for me. Once Ishtar skipped class it picked up again. There were a few of these instances for me throughout the first half that were about Ishtar and Tal's youth. The flash back would start off a bit slow for me, then pick up and become a lot more interesting.
Once I hit the 50% mark, everything took off at supersonic speed!
Tal will break your heart with all he has gone through. And you will absolutely adore and love Ishtar. She is strong & funny. Together they set the pages on fire. And a few beds!
Oh, you will HATE Anunit/Medusa!
She makes a great archenemy! She is truly wicked and cold hearted.
There are a lot of questions from the previous books that are answered, but there are new mysteries to solve. So the intrigue and suspense continues. The world of the Pure/Dark ones gets more interesting with every book. The depth that these stories and the characters are given will make you feel like they are very real and their world is the same world we live in.
At least while you're reading it!
Genres; Adult, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
4.5 Stars
It took me a while to decide on stars for this one. In the end I decided on 4.5 stars, and since I am one for rounding down that brings this one to 4 stars for me.
My reason for the drop in stars is the 1st half of the story. The first flash back with Ishtar in class with her sister was a bit to much dialogue and dragged for me. Once Ishtar skipped class it picked up again. There were a few of these instances for me throughout the first half that were about Ishtar and Tal's youth. The flash back would start off a bit slow for me, then pick up and become a lot more interesting.
Once I hit the 50% mark, everything took off at supersonic speed!
Tal will break your heart with all he has gone through. And you will absolutely adore and love Ishtar. She is strong & funny. Together they set the pages on fire. And a few beds!
Oh, you will HATE Anunit/Medusa!
She makes a great archenemy! She is truly wicked and cold hearted.
There are a lot of questions from the previous books that are answered, but there are new mysteries to solve. So the intrigue and suspense continues. The world of the Pure/Dark ones gets more interesting with every book. The depth that these stories and the characters are given will make you feel like they are very real and their world is the same world we live in.
At least while you're reading it!
blueepl's review
5.0
THIS. BOOK! Anything and everything i say will not be enough to describe how perfect this book is. It was everything i hoped for and so much more. Oh Tal!! How can someone edure so much and still be selfless? By far one of the best romance heroes i've read. The love story was heartbreaking and breathtaking all at once. The way they came back together was absolutely perfect! I will surely re-read this book a lot.
Aja James you can WRITE! Every word you write haunts me (in a good way). I find myself liking storylines and characters that i usually don't just because of your writing. Please, please don't ever stop!!
Finally, if you like epic love stories and good writing and you haven't read this series yet, please do. You will not regret it.
Aja James you can WRITE! Every word you write haunts me (in a good way). I find myself liking storylines and characters that i usually don't just because of your writing. Please, please don't ever stop!!
Finally, if you like epic love stories and good writing and you haven't read this series yet, please do. You will not regret it.
bronsbooks's review
4.0
I feel like I say this every time with this series but this one is my favorite so far!
I loved the history of the main couple and enjoyed reading their flashbacks as much as the present day story. There were more than a few twists thrown in as well which is so intriguing! Loved it!
This series really is a slow burn and each book builds on the others. Multiple storylines are woven into the main story which sets up the next book in the series perfectly. I just love the writing style , it reads like a movie which means it never gets dull. I am excited to start Book 6 which will probably be my new favorite! I'm sad I have nearly read all the available books in this series it's going to be hard to wait for them to be released!!
I loved the history of the main couple and enjoyed reading their flashbacks as much as the present day story. There were more than a few twists thrown in as well which is so intriguing! Loved it!
This series really is a slow burn and each book builds on the others. Multiple storylines are woven into the main story which sets up the next book in the series perfectly. I just love the writing style , it reads like a movie which means it never gets dull. I am excited to start Book 6 which will probably be my new favorite! I'm sad I have nearly read all the available books in this series it's going to be hard to wait for them to be released!!