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oceancitybooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Chosen ones. Dangerous, secret world within our own. Hidden identities. Fate and destiny. A really hot warrior for good. A really hot prince of darkness. Sound familiar?
This book has everything that made me fall in love with fantasy romance, in the most unapologetic way! And I’m here for it.
I was hesitant about reading a book written in 2015, even knowing it had been given updates. But it was honestly a lot of fun to read a new story set to some classic tropes. Especially because it feels fresh and creative too. It’s a well-written story set in modern New Orleans, and the old-world elements of the setting really helped sell me on the secret world of demons and hell dimensions that Genevieve finds herself a part of. I loved the descriptions of the architecture, the clothes, the parties, the academia. And the scenes set in “other places” are just as evocative and rich as New Orleans. I was really swept up in the story by just the vibes that the great settings provided!
Gen is a great character because she’s smart, strong, and resilient. I never doubted the ability she has to navigate her changing circumstances, the danger she’s in, and the intense presence of new people in her life. But I also completely buy into her moments of vulnerability and weakness. She’s a dynamic person, and the book is all the more enjoyable for it.
The romance is so good! The tension, the small interactions, the banter - it’s all gold! There’s a twist to the relationship that I don’t love for reasons I don’t want to spoil, but I will just say that it is one trope that I could truly do without in any book, ever. But even as much as I hate it I have to admit that it makes for a creative and tantalizing barrier to the budding romance here, and Juliette uses it to great advantage!
I plan to continue in the series because I’m completely invested in what’s going to happen next!
This book has everything that made me fall in love with fantasy romance, in the most unapologetic way! And I’m here for it.
I was hesitant about reading a book written in 2015, even knowing it had been given updates. But it was honestly a lot of fun to read a new story set to some classic tropes. Especially because it feels fresh and creative too. It’s a well-written story set in modern New Orleans, and the old-world elements of the setting really helped sell me on the secret world of demons and hell dimensions that Genevieve finds herself a part of. I loved the descriptions of the architecture, the clothes, the parties, the academia. And the scenes set in “other places” are just as evocative and rich as New Orleans. I was really swept up in the story by just the vibes that the great settings provided!
Gen is a great character because she’s smart, strong, and resilient. I never doubted the ability she has to navigate her changing circumstances, the danger she’s in, and the intense presence of new people in her life. But I also completely buy into her moments of vulnerability and weakness. She’s a dynamic person, and the book is all the more enjoyable for it.
The romance is so good! The tension, the small interactions, the banter - it’s all gold! There’s a twist to the relationship that I don’t love for reasons I don’t want to spoil, but I will just say that it is one trope that I could truly do without in any book, ever. But even as much as I hate it I have to admit that it makes for a creative and tantalizing barrier to the budding romance here, and Juliette uses it to great advantage!
I plan to continue in the series because I’m completely invested in what’s going to happen next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual violence and Death of parent
amaznasia's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
**I received this ARC in return for an honest review.**
Forged in Fire is a re-release with a new cover coming February 1st. I had not previously read FIF before receiving the ARC, so I cannot comment on any of the updates. If you would like a bit of a twist on the angels and demons trope, you are in luck because Juliette Cross takes her own spin on this. FMC-Genevieve is a newly awakened Vessel, who has to accept what she knows about angels and demons is only partially true and that she could be used as a weapon for good or evil. MMC-Jude is a demon hunter, who has been tasked to protector and keep her on the side of good. After Genevieve has 'awakened,' she is stalked and attacked by demons at every turn, although with the help of Jude she is able to stay alive. Story does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger with the plot continuing into the next book.
Overall the story is enjoyable, if not a bit predictable with the chosen-one/prophecy fulfilment undertones. The book, for me, was a bit hard to get into and took me until about 65% to get really excited about it. In the end I really liked this book and am considering continuing the series.
Forged in Fire is a re-release with a new cover coming February 1st. I had not previously read FIF before receiving the ARC, so I cannot comment on any of the updates. If you would like a bit of a twist on the angels and demons trope, you are in luck because Juliette Cross takes her own spin on this. FMC-Genevieve is a newly awakened Vessel, who has to accept what she knows about angels and demons is only partially true and that she could be used as a weapon for good or evil. MMC-Jude is a demon hunter, who has been tasked to protector and keep her on the side of good. After Genevieve has 'awakened,' she is stalked and attacked by demons at every turn, although with the help of Jude she is able to stay alive. Story does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger with the plot continuing into the next book.
Overall the story is enjoyable, if not a bit predictable with the chosen-one/prophecy fulfilment undertones. The book, for me, was a bit hard to get into and took me until about 65% to get really excited about it. In the end I really liked this book and am considering continuing the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Suicide, Murder, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
rainbowsandbookshelves's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Thank you Juliette Cross for gifting me this ebook for review.
This is a good book if you're a fan of JLA's Dark Elements series.
Genevieve finds out she's much more than she initially thought when she's thrust in to a world of demons and demon hunters, with her being the centre of if all.
I really enjoyed Forged in Fire! I read the re-release version and enjoyed meeting the characters and seeing Juliette Cross's take on demons/hunters/angels. I liked Genevieve's character development throughout the book, and can't wait to see her control develop further later in the series. I also really liked her friendship with Kat as well as just Kat as a character - need more females like her in the book!
Jude was also a great love interest - so hot and did the dark and broody thing so well, which is what I love in my books! I really liked his dark Demon Hunter role and need to find out more about his origins.
The slow burn romance was great, with some steam to start us off but keeping it open for us to get more in the next one!!
For me, I could tell that this was written before some of her other series, like Stay a Spell, but I really enjoyed it and found it really quick and easy to read.
A fun story and I'm really excited to keep going with the series - can't wait to find out what happens next!
This is a good book if you're a fan of JLA's Dark Elements series.
Genevieve finds out she's much more than she initially thought when she's thrust in to a world of demons and demon hunters, with her being the centre of if all.
I really enjoyed Forged in Fire! I read the re-release version and enjoyed meeting the characters and seeing Juliette Cross's take on demons/hunters/angels. I liked Genevieve's character development throughout the book, and can't wait to see her control develop further later in the series. I also really liked her friendship with Kat as well as just Kat as a character - need more females like her in the book!
Jude was also a great love interest - so hot and did the dark and broody thing so well, which is what I love in my books! I really liked his dark Demon Hunter role and need to find out more about his origins.
The slow burn romance was great, with some steam to start us off but keeping it open for us to get more in the next one!!
For me, I could tell that this was written before some of her other series, like Stay a Spell, but I really enjoyed it and found it really quick and easy to read.
A fun story and I'm really excited to keep going with the series - can't wait to find out what happens next!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
thereadinghammock's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
First in a trilogy, this book is a rerelease, but having not read the original, I can't speak to the updates from the first version (I know it has been stated by the author there are a few additional steamy scenes), but this was a fun and engaging read!
Genevieve is a no-nonsense BAMF, but with the self-preservation skills of any 20 year old. She's pretty confident she could take on the world and win, and she probably could--except until she learns about the timeless war between angels and demons, and she's just been placed as a prize in the middle of the field and both sides want her BAD. Enter sexier than all get out bodyguard, demon-hunter, Master of Demons, Jude.
Jude is older than old (but not that old, just like a century give or take), and has been hunting demons for nearly as long. He's impossibly handsome and damn good at his job, being the second oldest Demon Hunter in the world (I think). Keeping a newly awakened vessel safe from the armies of Hell shouldn't be that difficult for him, right? Right?? Jude seems to have met his match in Gen, and he calls in the cavalry to help him train her and safeguard her as the upper echelons of Hell make their opening plays.
For no PiV sex scenes, this book got steamy! It just goes to show that sex and steam can be fun and creative if you put your mind to it. I got a little frustrated with Gen a few times, if only for her 20 year old hubris, but I remember thinking I too was once invincible, so it all felt so grounded in reality, despite the heaven and hell consequences. I wish we could have gotten more insight into Jude's inner monologue than just a bonus epilogue. He's a fascinating character and seems to have more layers than an opera cake and I can't wait to learn more about his past and history in the rest of the series.
CW/TW: Parental suicide, attempted sexual assault, attempted sexual coercion, sex (oral & vaginal fingering), assault/violence
Genevieve is a no-nonsense BAMF, but with the self-preservation skills of any 20 year old. She's pretty confident she could take on the world and win, and she probably could--except until she learns about the timeless war between angels and demons, and she's just been placed as a prize in the middle of the field and both sides want her BAD. Enter sexier than all get out bodyguard, demon-hunter, Master of Demons, Jude.
Jude is older than old (but not that old, just like a century give or take), and has been hunting demons for nearly as long. He's impossibly handsome and damn good at his job, being the second oldest Demon Hunter in the world (I think). Keeping a newly awakened vessel safe from the armies of Hell shouldn't be that difficult for him, right? Right?? Jude seems to have met his match in Gen, and he calls in the cavalry to help him train her and safeguard her as the upper echelons of Hell make their opening plays.
For no PiV sex scenes, this book got steamy! It just goes to show that sex and steam can be fun and creative if you put your mind to it. I got a little frustrated with Gen a few times, if only for her 20 year old hubris, but I remember thinking I too was once invincible, so it all felt so grounded in reality, despite the heaven and hell consequences. I wish we could have gotten more insight into Jude's inner monologue than just a bonus epilogue. He's a fascinating character and seems to have more layers than an opera cake and I can't wait to learn more about his past and history in the rest of the series.
CW/TW: Parental suicide, attempted sexual assault, attempted sexual coercion, sex (oral & vaginal fingering), assault/violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Bullying, and Torture
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