Sun is Burning (The Unbound Series Book 2)

Julia Unbound by Catherine Egan | www.newyorkethnicfood.com: Books

This is going to be a hard review to write. I think for hard-core fantasy readers, this might float their boat more: Reminds me of how bored I got reading my first Tolkien book. For hard-core romance readers, this might not scratch your itch entirely. I know it didn't scratch mine. In other words, I can get behind them, though it took me a lot longer to warm up to Gilene. Perhaps if I liked fantasy as much as I do romance, I would give this book 5 stars. Unfortunately, I like romance first and foremost, everything else is embroidery around it.

So here are a few things that made me take off a star and a half because the more I write, the more pissed off I get: I need help, male readers! If you were daily abused by a beautiful, evil woman who hurt you physically really bad whippings, make you fight to the death, stabbing, etc.

Let's take a poll, shall we? I get that he's "a survivor. But I for one am He actually got off on the violence himself. And the adrenaline charged his penis enough to be stiff. And his fury added to the fuel Now, granted, this author isn't the only person to depict these things - similar things happen in Spartacus, the HBO series which I watched quite religiously. BUT, the difference is that the gladiators were merely expected to service the rabid wealthy women, who didn't actually do heinous things to them to the extent of the things done to Azarion in this novel BEFORE they were expected to perform!

The author went into some detail to set this all up in the beginning, most of which I skipped because I wasn't enjoying the "anticipation. So given the criticality of this scene and this backdrop, you understand why I'm a bit obsessed with the validity of the whole setup. I've read other rape scenes before, some explicit, some implied. This one went somewhat beyond the pale for me, and BTW, so did that Maas book A court of whatever in which Rhys was tortured much the same way by some evil queen - thankfully didn't read the first book to get to the details, the mentions about it in the second book was already enough to turn me off --in that it made me want to disconnect and distracted me from the story being told.

So I wonder at the extremeness of it. Whether it was necessary to get the point across. It's very hard for an author to write these types of situations and not turn readers off. I think she might have tipped a little over the edge for me on this one. This is a big no-no for me. It made me skip a bunch of pages I paid for. Made the author work extra hard to win me back into her good graces with the rest of the novel.

I get that she's fighting her own battles. I get that she has a huge burden to carry and she's resentful of it. Maybe I skipped over the bonding bits? But I don't think I did. I skipped over a bunch of descriptions that didn't move the plot along or help with character dev. And BTW, aside from the H suffering some flashbacks and reminders of his brutal daily rape over 10 years, he doesn't seem to have any other complex about it. That also doesn't seem possible! Good pace, good climax, good interaction between the two main characters.

Redeemed itself for me. I'd give it 3. I liked the Wraith Kings 2-book and I guess the book I want to read book 3 deal. Also didn't like the torture she put on the H at the end of the first book. I have a feeling the answer might be yes, since I've read more of the same in other fantasy books too. Maybe fantasy is just not my cup of tea if I keep getting stuck on these things. OK, done with rant. Really liked H, and grew to like h too in the end but not for most of the book.

This book was good enough, brilliant in some places like the beginning and end, but definitely not overall great for me. View all 28 comments. This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books. I thought that this book was excellent.

I had not read any of Grace Draven's work before picking this book up but I had heard a lot of really good things. Since the premise of this book appealed to me, I decided to give it a try which ended up being a very good decision. I made the mistake of starting this book just before I planned to go to sleep. I had planned to read just one chapter but the first chapter of this book blew me away This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books. I had planned to read just one chapter but the first chapter of this book blew me away and I didn't want to stop after just one chapter.

It has been a long time since I picked up a book with such a strong opening. I had a great time reading this amazing story. Gilene and Azarion have both been through a lot. Gilene has been sent by her village to the capital as a sacrifice to be burned alive. She has a few special powers and has survived this event for the past five years but not without a terrible cost. Azarion is the best gladiator in the capital.

He was sold into slavery ten years prior and it is really a miracle that he has been able to survive not only the fighting but the empress's whims. I liked both of these characters. Gilene accepted her role and did her best to continue to protect her village. Azarion has not given up hope of returning to his homeland and he sees that Gilene may be the key to making it happen.

I completely understood his desperation and his willingness to force Gilene to aide him with his plan. This was a really exciting story that explored several unique and interesting settings. The horror of the Empire was incredibly vivid and emotional. It pained me to think of the needless sacrifice so many women were forced to make for the amusement of others. The book takes the reader on a journey of the lands surrounding the capital where each was a little different but still touched by the empire's power.

Azarion's homeland was such a nice contrast to the capital and I really enjoyed learning about his village. There were plenty of action scenes to keep the pages turning. Azarion and Gilene find themselves in trouble at various points of the story and there were times that I found myself holding my breath because I was worried about how things would turn out. It was fun to watch them learn to start trusting and counting on each other. I thought that the romance that built between them felt very authentic.

I really enjoyed the extra abilities of both Azarion and Gilene and thought it added an interesting element to the story. I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this book blended fantasy and romance in a spectacular manner that had me wanting things to work out for the characters more than anything. I can't wait to read more books in this series!

Initial Thoughts I thought that this was really good. Gilene and Azarion were both great characters and I loved that we got to see then in a number of really interesting and varied settings. There was plenty of action and suspenseful moments in addition to a few that melted my heart. This one is definitely worth picking up. Fallen Empire 1 Author: Grace Draven Release date: September 25, Cliffhanger: He dealt death with sword and ax, and she with fire.

Neither commanded their fates. This is exactly the kind of fantasy I love to read, but is so difficult to find. The storyline instantly engaged me, first of all. Which is not very common in the genre, as a general rule. The first in a fantasy seri Title: The first in a fantasy series tends to take more time to get into because of the world building detail. In this case, Grace Draven has done a flawless job setting the scene in bite sized increments that allow you to sink your teeth into the real flesh of the story. I didn't waste a moment of this book. I painstakingly consumed it, savoring the atmospheric world one word at a time.

You will take a trip out of the dank cells at the coliseum with captive blood soaked gladiators, through haunted towns, barrows with demonic guardians, past the imposing fire veil to the beautiful Sky Below. Where revenge will be satisfied, and two reluctant hearts will twine together that are destined to be torn apart. Azarion and Gilene's personal plights are front and center from page one in gritty, raw, detail.

Enslaved to the foul Empire, they no longer have the privilege of living a normal life. Their whole existence is narrowed down to one simple goal: Honor, perseverance, and courage are traits they both share, and they were both equally heroic characters in their own right. Be prepared for them to cast their spell upon you and leave you utterly enchanted. When the struggle only pleased the torturer and made the torture worse, you stopped fighting and learned to endure.

Gilene has the unfortunate duty of being the sacrificial lamb for Beroe year after year. Every generation, one person is born with her gift of fire manipulation. They're expected to become a "Flower of Spring" to be burned on the pyre as an offering to the gods. She faces her responsibility with grim obedience, because the alternative would weigh too heavily on her conscience.

How could she refuse, when other lives would be lost unnecessarily? Possibly even those in her own family? While I admired her for her incredible strength, those she protected were selfish and weak in comparison. I loathed them all for hiding behind her, and forcing her into a lifetime of hell. Physically and emotionally, she's a force to be reckoned with. Spiritually she is broken. The bitterness she feels towards the gods is something that holds her back from grasping who she truly is. She is a woman of immense power, even holding the ability of illusion, which is unheard of for other fire witches.

Her latest illusion is about to fail her in the most spectacular of ways, and it will change her life forever. Azarion is the Gladius Prime at the Coliseum. After ten years of enslavement to the Empire, he has become the fiercest fighter to play in their deadly games. He lives with one goal in mind, and that is to return to the Stara Dragana and reclaim what was stolen from him so long ago. All of the torture he's suffered only fueled the fire inside him to find justice. Gilene is his key to achieving that, and he doesn't hesitate to coerce, threaten, and kidnap in order to set his plan in motion.

There wasn't a moment of boredom with these two as they made their way to his clan on their long journey. Their path certainly wasn't for the faint of heart, but luckily they were both well used to tests of character and strength. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. Grudgingly, on her part. While he grew closer to everything he ever wanted with each step they took, hers took her away from where she was honor bound to be. The tension between them was well done, ratcheting up my excitement to see them come together and help find some measure of healing.

Painful memories battered him. He allowed them their abuse, then pushed them away.

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He might one day be able to face them and not flinch, scatter them into nothing because they no longer meant anything to him, but today was not that day. I loved every single minute in between the pages, and my mind refused to leave long after I closed it. It holds nothing back and goes right for the jugular. It was brutal fights, lovers finding tender solace, awe-inspiring backdrops, and some kick ass, powerful magic. Most importantly, as you can expect from Grace Draven, she has created characters you have no choice but to become invested in, and root for good to conquer evil.

It's invigorating to find a fantasy that isn't something you've read a million times before. It was different even from what I was expecting based on what she delivered in Radiance. It had a noticeably darker tone, but she didn't skimp on the emotional development of the romance in between the suspense.

It was a slow burn in the background that was magnificent when it finally sparked. The ending was breathtaking!! My heart was in my throat the entire time, and I was white-knuckling my kindle through the action. And the good news? There is NO cliffy at the end, it leaves you with more story to tell, but not in a place of suspense. So really, what are you waiting for? Go one-click this stunning introduction to the Fallen Empire series, where a thrilling adventure awaits you.

View all 8 comments. Phoenix Unbound has been a highly anticipated novel for me. I enjoyed getting into this new story. Phoenix Unbound opened up a wonderfully vibrant and detailed new world. The premise alone was fascinating. Engaging characters, and a slow burn romance kept me flipping the pages.

A gladiator and a witch just sounded too fascinating not to pick up. Grace Draven knows how to tell a Phoenix Unbound has been a highly anticipated novel for me. Grace Draven knows how to tell a story. At times the story dragged, and the chemistry between the characters was slow to develop. That could have been because it was the first book in a new series, or because it was only the first book about this couple. I would certainly love for it to be about Gilene and Azarion.

I want to know so much more about this couple, and they just started on their journey together. I want to read more about this fascinating world, its people and the characters I met so far. For more of my reviews: View all 5 comments. The writing for this particular new series feels different, not bad different, just.. I don't know if it's just me or what but I look forward to discussing that with others as more and more people get their hands on this title.

But I shall never forget this place. I shall never forget you. I definitely enjoyed this. The worldbuilding, the various cultures of the people within, the magic, it was all interesting. We have a reluctant partnership between our two leads, though said partnership is more in a reluctant captive to their captor situation, but the slowburn subtle change in their relationship is delightful.

It isn't as intense or swoony as Draven's previous OTPs but she's a spunky fire witch who is driven to annual sacrifice and pain for her people because she feels it is her duty and he's an unwilling gladiator who has survived a decade of violence and abuse with the hope that one day he will return to his home.

And there wasn't one. Which made certain events feel kind of.. The very end was great but there was a weird lull after a whole lot of action and I don't really know if there is to be more or what. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this. Though it maybe lacked some of the usual Draven magic and intensity that I've come to expect, all the elements are still there and so I'm going to round up on this baby. View all 23 comments. Phoenix Unbound contains a complex, captivating, dark and compelling plot that I couldn't help but love every second of it!

That being said, its a snowball rolling down the hill read. It starts out with a young woman being sent by her tribe as a sacrifice to the evil ruler's gods and ends up being SO. What can I say but I'm completely hooked. Draven writes a high fantasy packed with all my favorites, magic, mayhem, romance and writing that rivets the read to the pages.

I simply can't Phoenix Unbound contains a complex, captivating, dark and compelling plot that I couldn't help but love every second of it! I simply can't wait for more in the Fallen Empire world.

This is my honest and voluntary review. Phoenix Unbound is set for publication September 25, The Fallen Empire Book 1 Paperback: Ace September 25, Language: Romantic High Fantasy Amazon: This was a DNF so I'm leaving off a rating Speaking of someone who typically stays away from this subgenre, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Phoenix Unbound. Set in a world inspired by the bloodier and more decadent elem 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https: Set in a world inspired by the bloodier and more decadent elements of the Roman Empire, this story follows the journey of two people thrust together under unfortunate circumstances.

Every year during the Rites of Spring, the capital holds a lavish festival in which a great bonfire ceremony takes place requiring each village to offer up a young woman as sacrifice to be burned alive. However, the village of Beroe has a secret: Gilene is her name, and as a fire witch, she cannot be burned. While this process is painful, demoralizing, and traumatic, Gilene sees it as her sacred duty to perform, as it means sparing the other young women in her village a horrifying fate.

But this year, she did not anticipate Azarion. Thinking of Beroe and her own family, Gilene has no choice but to do what he says, realizing that the sooner Azarion can get his revenge, the sooner she can return home and prevent more death. Phoenix Unbound is proof that good writing can make all the difference. Building a believable, complex romance is an art, and too many authors try to rush the process without first establishing a connection between the characters.

It is a step that becomes even more critical when considering relationships like the one between Gilene and Azarion. Hate-to-love romances are immensely popular, but I find they also get bungled a lot in many books, mainly because timing and rhythm have to be just right. Far from making me want to cringe or tear my hair out, or roll my eyes the final scene in the book almost moved me to tears because it was so perfect and beautiful. Despite some of the more well-trodden tropes, there are many other aspects of the book that feel genuine and unique, like the personalities of the characters, both major and minor.

Each person comes across as real and lived-in, with distinct attitudes, motivations, strengths and flaws. I really Loved the storyline! It was easy to fall in love with the main character Jude. Her strength and courage was admirable. I even cried a little at the cruelty she endured at the hand of her peers.

Julia Unbound

I really look forward to the second book!!! Apr 27, K. Haigwood rated it it was amazing Shelves: I am in awe. I am additicted to Ms. I am an avid reader, and writer so I am extremely happy when I stumble over a book that is so fabulously different from any other. When a book can pull me from the couch into another world, making me forget everything else around me, it is a winner.

I felt like I was a teenager again, and was living out everyday life through the eyes of a girl who could never seem to fit in. I don't want to give any of the story away because I would h I am in awe. I don't want to give any of the story away because I would hate to spoil it for anyone, but I do have to say Ms. Bradshaw makes sure the reader experiences every emotion the characters do.

I was angry, happy, sad, excited and scared when June and Sam were. The rollercoaster of events had me gripping my reading device a little too hard at times. I have just bought the second book of this series, Sun is Burning, because I fell completely in love with Hazy Shade of Winter. Don't let this series pass you by or you will be the one missing out. This is definitely a story I will read again! Apr 15, Christy Sloat rated it it was amazing. The writing was brilliant in this novel about a guardian angel and the young woman he is guarding, Jude.

At first I didnt know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprisied to recieve chills from the first few pages. Bradshaw has many of the same views as I do about our world, Angels, Demons and the afterlife. So I fell for this book instantly. The writing was perfection. I am very excited to read more in this series.

I deeply fell in love The writing was brilliant in this novel about a guardian angel and the young woman he is guarding, Jude. I deeply fell in love with Jude! She is a girl to whom many teens can relate. Being an adult I can also relate to her through my teen years. Samuel is a tortured soul, that is for sure. I hope to see more of their romance in book 2. Jun 05, Melissa rated it liked it. Okay, so I was a little confused in the beginning and I felt like I got it a little figured out towards the end.

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I would totally read the next book. I was also very happy when Jude finally makes some real friends. I wanted to cry for her. Way to go Jessica! May 24, Esra rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is something different ,perfect storyline, really good.

Time is almost up!

Even more excited towards the end. I can't wait for the second one already lol. Apr 10, Adam rated it it was amazing. Jessica B has a way with words. Her first book, and she's already got me way too excited for number 2! Well worth the read. Aug 14, Nikki rated it really liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Good Story with Likeable Characters This is the story of Jude—a teenage girl who hears and eventually sees ghosts—and Samuel, her guardian angel and soulmate unbeknownst to them both. In the process, he hopes to reunite with his soulmate to be with her forever.

The book is an excellent r Good Story with Likeable Characters This is the story of Jude—a teenage girl who hears and eventually sees ghosts—and Samuel, her guardian angel and soulmate unbeknownst to them both. The book is an excellent read. I like the overall feel of her story and her world.

Her characters are appealing, and there is great dialogue between them throughout the book. The dialogue between Samuel and his friend Benjamin and between Jude and her friends in England is the most well-written and entertaining. These sections are set off in italics and flow nicely with the rest of the book. The book is currently being beta-read, then come final edits and proofing, typesetting, and proof ordering.

I anticipate completion by the beginning of June. Your donation will be used to cover end-of-project expenses Questions about this project? Check out the FAQ. Your donation covers up-front costs. As a "thank you", you'll receive an e-reader copy format of your choice of both Book 1 AND 2 - for a donation less than retail value - upon release of Sun is Burning.