VivianIt’s been months since he’s been gone. Not a word from him. Not a single sign. He’s out there somewhere without a single memory of me. Without knowing about his child still growing inside me. And there’s no way for me to find him. He could be anywhere. On some distant planet or drifting in the vast black space of our universe. I want nothing more than to find him, but I’m stuck on the … on the Dahk’s home planet. I can’t exactly hop in my car and hunt him down. Not that my friends would even let me. I’m so pregnant I can’t even walk the castle halls without losing my breath let alone fly around in a spaceship searching for Juldo enemy camps he may be frequenting. So I stay and I wait and I pray for a word, a sighting, any kind of proof he’s still here. That some part of him may still remember me, us, what we used to be to each other.
Hector/Vyr
I drift in darkness. I am newly made. Juldo. I was not always. But I do not remember my past life. I do not remember her. But she is an echo that haunts me. She pulls me from the shadows into a light that burns. I watch her in silence. I wait for her to call that name. A name that no longer belongs to me. She looks at me with a sadness that I have no name for, yet I know I am the cause. She says she is mine. That I am hers. But I am not her Hector. I am Vyr and so she belongs to a male that is gone. But the deep ache inside me tells me I still belong to her. And so I will guard her and the babe she carries for the male I used to be.
This story is a standalone romance but it is highly recommended that you read the series from the beginning. Each contain an underlying plot that is a continuation from the first in the series, Pythen, and will continue on throughout the series.
Warning. For readers 18 years and older. Contains explicit sexual situations, possible triggers, dark themes, language, and violence.
more
My favourite of the series. I want a Juldo assassin of my own!
To be honest, I wasn’t super excited to read this book, the main reason being Vivian. In previous books she always got on my nerves with her whiny damsel in constant distress attitude, so having her take center stage wasn’t something I looked forward to. However, I am happy that my worries of her as a main character were unwarranted, seeing as she finally grew a spine and some independence on her own. With that she actually was a liked character and made this a quite pleasant read.
I did like Juldo made enough to give it four stars, but I am not going to lie and say that I didn’t have issues with the story. My biggest issue being how drama free it felt. I excepted a lot more from Vivian’s and Hector’s (sorry, Vyr’s) reunion. Him being indifferent and cold should have really sparked some drama and struggles for Vivian to reach him. Although it wasn’t completely struggle-free, it also was solved way too quickly and easily. One second Hector was that cold Juldo made and the next he was loving and protective and heads over heels in love with her. I understand why it went so quickly considering how short the book was, but compared to previous books it was lacking that extra depth and unexpected twists that I so admire in Erin Raegan’s books.
The lackluster twists were however made up for in a very compelling plot with the brewing conflict between the Dahk and the humans, the kidnapping, slave auction and so much more. Albeit a somewhat slow start to the story it built up something really suspenseful and thrilling, keeping me locked to the pages. I liked the new characters Ferhen and especially Gus, so much so that I kind of want my own Zythen in life. And I also liked the deeper look into the Juldos. Really the only thing that kept me from falling in love with Juldo Made was the romance. I did enjoy the protectiveness and the power from Hector’s part and how they in the end fully came together again as a family with a baby (and of course Gus). If only there had been a bit more drama and depth I would have been completely satisfied. As it was I am still happily giving it four stars and I can’t wait to see how the conflicts between all the different species will develop in the next book.
I really wasn’t sure I would enjoy a book about Vivian and Hector, they weren’t really characters that piqued my interest all that much before. Being really honest I wasn’t too bothered whether Hector lived or died. Oh how wrong was I!!! I LOVE this book. Delving more into their characters brought me far closer to them. I just had to know what was going to happen in their story. And as for Hector, he is soooo beautifully written in all his newness and change. I couldn’t have asked for more. I love the new characters too, one is forever lodged in my heart now.
My favorite part of SFR books is coming to know the unknown; watching the couple not just get to know each other, but getting to know a new culture, history, and species. Hector and Vivian’s relationship is a deep one that wouldn’t want to be overlooked in this series, but how could a relationship between two humans who have known each other for years hold up to a story where the individuals are on completely new territory? And that’s where the brilliance of this book comes in! There is the familiarity, but with Hector’s transformation into Hector/Vyr, both he and Vivian find themselves learning an entirely new world while (re-)building their relationship.
While what we see of Vyr is clearly different from Hector, the overall image of Hector’s persona remains: He’s direct, strong, independent, and completely devoted to Vivian. But he fears his lack of connection to his past, and his new dark baggage isn’t what Vivian wants. And poor Viv just wants her family together and safe.
Vivian’s journey shows us more of the Dakh world as well of the larger universe – and insight into the growing Juldo threat! We learn our enemies are just as fascinating, if slightly less endearing, than our protagonists.
And there’s an adorable giant furry friend who just wants to keep Vivian and baby safe!