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meloworld's review
4.0
Dear reader, if you are drawn to strong female leads, epic adventures of great proportions involving good vs. evil, and steamy romances then you will love Forged in Fire.
Juliette Cross is a wizard at creating amazing worlds that are so fantastical and yet invitingly relatable to the modern American reader. This book's characters are exciting, dark, and engaging. One finds oneself shouting at the characters to "beware" or "don't do that!"
This book's point of view is so refreshingly different than her other novels. Genevieve's perception of the world and the way her mind presents quotes of great literature as speedily as recognizing the songs played at the nightclub or on someone's smartphone is endearing.
Like all of Cross's amazing books there is a great love story afoot in this series. It will be wonderful to see how the story evolves in book 2.
Juliette Cross is a wizard at creating amazing worlds that are so fantastical and yet invitingly relatable to the modern American reader. This book's characters are exciting, dark, and engaging. One finds oneself shouting at the characters to "beware" or "don't do that!"
This book's point of view is so refreshingly different than her other novels. Genevieve's perception of the world and the way her mind presents quotes of great literature as speedily as recognizing the songs played at the nightclub or on someone's smartphone is endearing.
Like all of Cross's amazing books there is a great love story afoot in this series. It will be wonderful to see how the story evolves in book 2.
hgranger's review
1.0
It’s hard to say what bothered me most about this book but it’s a toss-up between bad dialogue, no chemistry whatsoever, and a protagonist who is supposed to know karate and be tough, but who constantly gets in trouble and has to get saved. Not impressed at all.
ladysadiereads's review
4.0
This is definitely a book that qualifies for my onlytropexception - it is both a Single POV and a new adult book! That being said - I was hooked from chapter one! Genevieve is badass. Like legit - she is a trained and has no problem standing up for herself - and when she borders on TSTL - she owns it and knows she was being a brat. It is a delight to read a heroine who can balance knowing how strong she is but also knowing that she doesn’t have to be an idiot to prove it. This is very much the beginning of a series and gives us the HFN - but I am definitely intrigued where it goes next! I am wildly curious about the rest of the cast too - Kat is so freaking cool I would read all about her. George - as in St. George - is equally intriguing and I hope to see more of him.
But let’s really talk about Jude - murder baby, demon hunter, zero chill - Jude. He is ancient - literally - and also has no idea how to handle this girl who blows in to his life with the subtly of a hurricane. I wish I knew his side - this is why I don’t love Single POV… - but I do love all the hints of his background and his thoughts that we get. There are very few moments that are soft and chill in this story so know that going in. It is fast paced and highly bingeable but I would say you have to be in the mood for that. It is not a cozy up kind of story.
Note: This is a rerelease of the book. I have not previously read the book and cannot speak to any changes that have been made. It is available on February 1 in its updated form.
TL/DR Review
Stars: Four Stars
Steam: Slow Burn, some sexy talk, one scene with some oral action
Tropes: fated mates, instalove, bodyguard, prophecies, Single POV
For Fans Of: Shadowhunter books - but not YA
Theme Song: Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
Subgenre: Paranormal Romance
CW/ TW: discussions of parental suicide, grief, some fantasy bloodshed on the page,
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
But let’s really talk about Jude - murder baby, demon hunter, zero chill - Jude. He is ancient - literally - and also has no idea how to handle this girl who blows in to his life with the subtly of a hurricane. I wish I knew his side - this is why I don’t love Single POV… - but I do love all the hints of his background and his thoughts that we get. There are very few moments that are soft and chill in this story so know that going in. It is fast paced and highly bingeable but I would say you have to be in the mood for that. It is not a cozy up kind of story.
Note: This is a rerelease of the book. I have not previously read the book and cannot speak to any changes that have been made. It is available on February 1 in its updated form.
TL/DR Review
Stars: Four Stars
Steam: Slow Burn, some sexy talk, one scene with some oral action
Tropes: fated mates, instalove, bodyguard, prophecies, Single POV
For Fans Of: Shadowhunter books - but not YA
Theme Song: Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
Subgenre: Paranormal Romance
CW/ TW: discussions of parental suicide, grief, some fantasy bloodshed on the page,
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
readliftbooks's review
4.0
4.5/5
Forged in Fire is a dark-fantasy romance series that I’ve found myself hooked onto. Having read Juliette Cross’ later works, I knew I’d be in for a broody-meets-sexy man with strong protective instincts. I didn’t expect the harsher topics within the story including attempted assault and reference to a suicide that precedes this story. While I can’t say I enjoyed these moments, they were influential to the story. Cross handled them with care and respect. Real life is not a walk in the park, and the growth we see for her characters is no different.
Genevieve is your average college girl with a more than average stature. She’s tall, she’s intelligent, and she’s a master at Karate. If a demon were looking through applications for a vessel to possess, Genevieve would be at the top of their call list. She is of course shocked when a handsome and mysterious man explains that she’s a vessel for any demon who wishes to posses her. She’s compatible to host a demon at their will. The only thing keeping a demon from taking control of Genevieve is her “untainted” soul.
The idea that virginity determines the goodness of a person is a big bowl of bologna. That said, I understand the use of virginity as one of the “sins” that would taint Genevieve’s soul. The creation of vessels and their purpose on earth is ancient; therefore, it’s totally suited for sex to be considered a deadly sin. It’s also the perfect setup for super frustrating sexual tension between Genevieve and Jude.
Jude has quite a temper on him. He’s been fighting the demons alone for way too long. He has a grumpy man exterior, but on the inside he’s all gooey for Genevieve. I like the power balance between them. Jude is the almighty force in their relationship; however, Genevieve develops into a stronger vessel than anyone could have predicted. She can also kick ass as a human. She’s no delicate flower sitting around for Jude to rescue. Jude is always there, always ready to protect, yet Genevieve tends to rescue herself quite a bit too. I really liked that about this storyline. They grow to really like it too, but her virginity is one of the keys to protecting her soul.
The only thing holding me back from a perfect 5 stars is how the conflict was handled between Jude and Genevieve. He said something to her about her deceased mother that was really harsh. There wasn’t enough explanation, and not a good apology.
Will I read the next book? ABSOLUTELY! Genevieve is getting stronger, but she’s not out of danger. I need to know if she can finally come into her full power and also get laid! I’m all for a steamy love scene for her and Jude!
** I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Forged in Fire is a dark-fantasy romance series that I’ve found myself hooked onto. Having read Juliette Cross’ later works, I knew I’d be in for a broody-meets-sexy man with strong protective instincts. I didn’t expect the harsher topics within the story including attempted assault and reference to a suicide that precedes this story. While I can’t say I enjoyed these moments, they were influential to the story. Cross handled them with care and respect. Real life is not a walk in the park, and the growth we see for her characters is no different.
Genevieve is your average college girl with a more than average stature. She’s tall, she’s intelligent, and she’s a master at Karate. If a demon were looking through applications for a vessel to possess, Genevieve would be at the top of their call list. She is of course shocked when a handsome and mysterious man explains that she’s a vessel for any demon who wishes to posses her. She’s compatible to host a demon at their will. The only thing keeping a demon from taking control of Genevieve is her “untainted” soul.
The idea that virginity determines the goodness of a person is a big bowl of bologna. That said, I understand the use of virginity as one of the “sins” that would taint Genevieve’s soul. The creation of vessels and their purpose on earth is ancient; therefore, it’s totally suited for sex to be considered a deadly sin. It’s also the perfect setup for super frustrating sexual tension between Genevieve and Jude.
Jude has quite a temper on him. He’s been fighting the demons alone for way too long. He has a grumpy man exterior, but on the inside he’s all gooey for Genevieve. I like the power balance between them. Jude is the almighty force in their relationship; however, Genevieve develops into a stronger vessel than anyone could have predicted. She can also kick ass as a human. She’s no delicate flower sitting around for Jude to rescue. Jude is always there, always ready to protect, yet Genevieve tends to rescue herself quite a bit too. I really liked that about this storyline. They grow to really like it too, but her virginity is one of the keys to protecting her soul.
The only thing holding me back from a perfect 5 stars is how the conflict was handled between Jude and Genevieve. He said something to her about her deceased mother that was really harsh. There wasn’t enough explanation, and not a good apology.
Will I read the next book? ABSOLUTELY! Genevieve is getting stronger, but she’s not out of danger. I need to know if she can finally come into her full power and also get laid! I’m all for a steamy love scene for her and Jude!
** I was provided an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
rotig813's review
5.0
I received an ARC of Forged in Fire to provide my honest opinion. I really like Juliette Cross' writing style. I stumbled across her Stay a Spell Series and was hooked! While it took me a little longer to get into this book (switch job positions and was on mental overload) and it wasn't until I was around the 40% mark that I didn't want to put it down (stupid job that pays the bills & allows me to buy books for interfering with my reading).
Genevieve is an interesting character. I'm pretty sure that if I learned I was a Vessel and demons were coming after me, at some point I would an epic melt down. But Genevieve is handling it much better than I would. I like strong female leads that are comfortable with themselves and don't take any crap and Genevieve fits that bill.
And as for Jude and their growing relationship, all I have to say is HOT! I cannot wait to dive into the next book (Sealed in Sin) to see where it goes.
It was a well written book that kept me turning the page and left me excited for the next book in the series.
Genevieve is an interesting character. I'm pretty sure that if I learned I was a Vessel and demons were coming after me, at some point I would an epic melt down. But Genevieve is handling it much better than I would. I like strong female leads that are comfortable with themselves and don't take any crap and Genevieve fits that bill.
And as for Jude and their growing relationship, all I have to say is HOT! I cannot wait to dive into the next book (Sealed in Sin) to see where it goes.
It was a well written book that kept me turning the page and left me excited for the next book in the series.
mrsmar10thereader's review
5.0
Juliette Cross is my supernatural guru! I don't know if there is anything that I didn't love about this book with the exception of some of the douchey demons, but they are demons so they are not supposed to be loveable. Jude Delacroix, Dominus Daemonum or Master of Demons is a demon hunter, and he's the oldest and best. So when he meets Ms. Genevieve Drake he has his work cut out for him because she's a Vessel. A Vessel is a person of power that can be taken over by a demon and used for ultimate bad shit. He becomes her protector, her teacher, the guardian of her virtue - because as a Vessel, she must remain pure of heart and body. These two have a very electric attraction going on, so protecting her virtue is getting harder and harder as the days pass. One day Gen is 19, carefree, college student, rooming with her childhood bestie Mindy, teaching Karate at her family dojo, and living life. Now she's learning to control how to cast illusions, avoiding getting kidnapped and killed, and hiding from two very powerful higher demons who want to use her light for their darkness. This was a great book about the battle between good and evil, what we perceive to be real or not, and things unexplained. Gen had already gone through so much in life and having to endure Dante and come out stronger was a testament to her strength of character. I hope she will be stronger in the next book because I expect things will become more difficult as she continues this journey. Hopefully Kat and George will be there alongside Jude to guide her.
"One thing I know for sure about this new world that I hadn't known existed,
demons suck."-Genevieve
"One thing I know for sure about this new world that I hadn't known existed,
demons suck."-Genevieve
mizerly's review against another edition
Felt kind of disjointed. Not sure how they even got together bc there was no build up imo
greylandreviews's review
3.0
3.25 stars
ARC provided by author for honest review
I think this was a good start to hopefully a great paranormal romance trilogy. I know Cross can write great scenes between characters and the chemistry she gives them is always amazing. I just wanted a little more back story for Jude and Genevieve's mom (because I think she's really important part to this whole vessel thing).
Trigger Warning: violence, death of parents, suicide(past), blood, graphic injuries, slight gore, and sexual assault
ARC provided by author for honest review
I think this was a good start to hopefully a great paranormal romance trilogy. I know Cross can write great scenes between characters and the chemistry she gives them is always amazing. I just wanted a little more back story for Jude and Genevieve's mom (because I think she's really important part to this whole vessel thing).
Trigger Warning: violence, death of parents, suicide(past), blood, graphic injuries, slight gore, and sexual assault
andireadsromance's review
4.0
Forged in Fire is the first book in the Vessel Trilogy and I will definitely be continuing after this first book. I was super glad there wasn't a cliffhanger, but you end it knowing there's more to come for Gen and Jude. I really enjoyed the story and Juliette has come to be one of my favorite paranormal romance authors. She writes well, but having read her previously, you can tell her writing has grown since this book, her first. The pace of Gen and Jude's relationship to lovers felt off a bit and forced for me, at times, but other than that a really great start to the series.
chllybrd's review against another edition
5.0
I have found that you can't go wrong with anything from Juliette Cross. I have enjoyed her characters, her writing and the great worlds that she has created for her stories.
I really liked Gen. She had a great personality, is easy to like and really stepped into her new life. Jude is a bad boy and very protective of his new charge. You can definitely feel the romantic connection between the two.
The secondary characters are just as important to the story. There is a great pace set from beginning to end. Book two has a lot to live up to!
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked Gen. She had a great personality, is easy to like and really stepped into her new life. Jude is a bad boy and very protective of his new charge. You can definitely feel the romantic connection between the two.
The secondary characters are just as important to the story. There is a great pace set from beginning to end. Book two has a lot to live up to!
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.