Embrace of the Damned (Brotherhood of the Damned1) by Anya Bast

Hello to all,

                   On Saint valentine day, i decided to read a book just for the pleasure even if it was one that wasn't fitting for a challenge i've entered just what i wanted....however just teh day before i've learned something that helped my choice or more precisely that decided it. On 13th february, the author Anya Bast announced on her blog that she is suffering a cancer and will start the medical procedure for.  I found her message really courageous and i was humbled by the fact that she was still thinking about informing us to be careful not just speaking about what was happening to her.

I follow her for quite sometimes and to me she is a really generous and kind person so i wanted to help without really knowing how. I had one of her book on my shelf and i decided it was time for me to read it so i could share it with you....of course if you buy her books it will help i guess but at the moment it's more positive thoughts, prayers and wishes, all kind of support she needs so if you have a little time... a little message on her blog here or just a thought or prayers send her way would be very kind.Thank you for her.

Now back to the book it self... it was really the perfect book for the day because it left me smiling and really satisfied ( perhaps a little to much even)... if you want a book with an HEA and some action.... viking action this is it.

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Publication: 2012

ISBN:  0425247961

Genre: paranormal romance
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: bought
 

Short description from goodreads :

 New York Times bestselling author Anya Bast introduces her newest paranormal romance, set in the world of Norse mythology…

A damned Viking warrior. Centuries ago Broder Calderson committed murder. As punishment, he was given over to the dominion of Loki, the Trickster God, made part of the Brotherhood of the Damned and condemned to an immortal life of battle against the Blight, blood-drinkers from Hel.

A mysterious woman he can’t resist. One thousand years to the day he was damned, Loki allows him a woman as reward for his good service and repentance of his crimes. Once Broder sees Jessamine Hamilton, he is overcome with need. But Jessa is no ordinary woman, and the truth of who—and what—she is could have dangerous consequences.

 A tormented man she can’t deny. Though a future together is impossible, the warrior’s touch ignites an irresistible passion in Jessa. But every heated kiss pushes them closer to destruction. Forced to return to the brutality of his Viking past to protect her, will Broder surrender forever to his darkest impulses?

My opinion:

          I took this book because of an excerpt I saw on Anya’s blog, I was drawn to it and I don’t regret it even if when I finished this book I had a strange thought but let’s start with the beginning.

I love Vikings and Norse mythology, it’s a great change in my reading and I took pleasure in it. Loki was exactly like I imagined him and he is so devious that you want to slap him, strangle him, etc.  The story starts when Broder is committing a massacre, we don’t know why he is fighting like a berserker but I got the feeling  there was a lot behind his action. They Loki enters and punishes him by cursing him. He will now be a fighter under Loki’s orders for the duration of his existence… eternally if he doesn’t find the demon that he is the source of the splinter Loki put in his soul.  Cruel, yes but in the Norse mythology things aren’t  soft like the life at that time still I was angry with Loki since the starts, how can he do that and then tell him  that if he is a good boy, do it’s job he will get the woman made for him…. But only for the time he, as a god, decide.  Grrr bad Loki!

At the present time, Broder is in a group of other Norwegians, cursed like him for a bloody crime, however the curse can have different specificities. The only common thing is the only way to break it, and then the rest is up to Loki’s mood when he curses you. In Broder case he can’t touch a woman except the one made for him (and only 1000 after the curse was given) So when he feels the woman made for him, the fighter starts to get feelings again like hope…even he suspects a trick from Loki.  And he was right, yes Jessamine is perfect for him but she is also a witch and Broder has a strong history with them so while he is deeply attracted, and tries to act with honor and not ravish her, he is also determined to keep his distance because he knows they can’t be forever together.

 I really loved to see his turmoil and how he wasn’t acting like a barbarians quite the opposite even.

Jessamine doesn’t know who she is anymore. After the death of her parents she was raised by her aunt… at least that was she thought, until she died suddenly. Then she discovered in her aunt house some pictures of her parents but older pictures with different name. That added to the fact that she is starting to get new strange abilities is starting to make her doubt what she was always told. So when she is attacked and saved in an underground parking she is only half surprised. Attracted to Broder but wanting answer more than anything she start a journey with him and enter a new world that didn’t suspect until after a kiss he announces her that she is a witch.

Jessa is strong minded, she knows what she wants and doesn’t hesitate to tell Broder what she thinks. However I didn’t like her at first because she was teasing him too much. She isn’t sure she is ready for a short relationship So he can give her pleasure yes but not take his own. Not fair even crueler when we know his history. She get better thought and I admire her, but still I resent her for their beginning^^;;.

What I really appreciate was the ending. We get answers and the heroine doesn’t need to change, be transformed etc for the relationship to have a chance.  No, Love really prevails and we get to see a goddess determined, moved and fair. Loki isn’t the only master that can decide everything anymore and what happen after really made me smile. That being said, I also told you that when I was closing the book something came to my mind… I don’t feel like I want to read the next book, or at least not soon.  It’s really strange because I really loved the book, perhaps it’s because the ending is so perfect that I don’t want something to alter that, that I was to savour it longer not sure but being honest I had to say it (now perhaps when I will read the next summary I will be anxiously waiting to read book 2 but so far book 1 is a wonderful stand alone too)

If you want a book with a wonderful happy ending, where love conquers all etc, a touch of mythology and lot of action this is an excellent book for you.

Score:  3,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

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