Dark Redemption

Wow! I had hopes for Enlil but never dreamed I’d end up absolutely loving him! Being set free of all his nasty past memory’s, and forgetting he was an unfeeling ruthless warrior that trained other killer warriors! Oh and not to mention mated to the notorious bitch thats trying to destroy everyone and everything! He’s suddenly just Eli and finds himself bombarded with feelings and following a strange but beautiful young woman around.
Clara knows she should feel fear instead of lust toward her gorgeous stalker but somehow she knows he’s actually just protecting her. Clara decides to confront her stalker and realizes he’s the most beautiful man she’s ever seen. Ohhh and these two are very good for each other! Whew! Sizzling Hot Read!
This as another emotional read in this amazing Dark/ Pure Ones series. I’ve decided I can’t pick a favorite anymore! I’ve loved each and every one! They’re all are my favorites because that’s always how I feel after I read a new one. Aja James is such a fantastic creative writer and you love these characters that you might’ve even hated in a previous book, then becomes this tortured soul and your all in hoping for happy ending!

Enlil of Anatolia, Lord Wind, has ever been used as a weapon by others — his father and Princess Anunit — in his life. He has never been his own person. One evening, he decides to sever the ties by cutting out the blood tie to Anunit. His act will either result in suicide or insanity. Enlil wakes up not knowing his name or his past.

Clara Scott is an artist and instructor. One day while visiting the Little Flower Orphanage, she meets Annabelle May Parker, a lost little girl. Annabelle, or Annie, is one of the Long Island Parkers, “whose family fortune is worth over a billion dollars in assets. . . . Almost everything the Parkers owned was tied to their cutting-edge robotics and technology corporation, Me2.” The corporation was taken over by a conglomerate in a hostile take-over bid.

Annie has not spoken since witnessing the death of her parents. Clara has always wanted a family and plans on adopting Annie. They communicate through Annie’s art and body language. One evening, Clara fills in for one of the resident supervisors at the orphanage. During the night Annie crawls in bed with Clara. From the shadows three men take shape. A fourth man, Clara’s stalker — Eli, materializes in the bedroom. A fight starts and ends with three piles of ash. Eli is injured during the fight. He asks for a safe place to heal. He asks for blood. Clara accepts all which has occurred “by concentrating on what she can do, instead of what she can’t.” She gives Eli her blood.

Sergei Antonov, a Russian mob boss, “seems to be focusing on illegal arms trade between the Russians, the Chinese, and, of course, the Americans,” instead of advancing the fight clubs. Jade Cicada, the Dark Ones’ Queen, assigns Anastasia Zima, head of security, to investigate whether the new illegal weapons are prototypes or real. Anastasia meets up with Dalair, the Pure Ones’ Paladin, and he spies on Antonov’s day-time meeting.

Will Clara have her little family? Will Eli find the connection he’s searching for? Can Anastasia and Dalair stop the arms deal before Dark Ones’ are killed?

Eli and Clara’s story is touching and moving. Enlil’s past is heart-rendering, but it’s Eli’s struggle to remember his past while living in the present that captures the heart. Clara’s love is unconditional and flows around and in the lives she touches. She is a strong woman who takes the bull by the horns when it comes to confrontations. She doesn’t hesitate to ask the tough questions. Annie is a captivating little girl with an attitude. I look forward to seeing more of her in future books. The plot is wrapped up while several subplots are left open for future stories. There is so much going on in this book I know it will require a second reading to catch it all. The ending is something else. The world building is awesome and the descriptions are captivating. I recommend this series be read in order. I’m off to the next book.

This story felt a little different than the stories that preceded it in that I felt like the couple was more front and center, although the conflict between good and evil was never far behind.

First, this story followed Eli/Enlil, the Master, and Clara, an artist who also took care of orphans. One orphan in particular was featured, Annie, and the interactions between Clara and Annie at first and then Clara, Annie and Eli were heartwarming and at many times, amusing. Eli, having lost his memories, was a bit of like a fish out of water and the author capitalized on that by showcasing that sometimes, in order to regain your humanity, you really just need to let the past go and start over. His story and his redemption was beautiful, well written and expressed in this story. And I adored how Clara and Annie helped him in his quest to become who he was always meant to be.

The underlying arc of good vs evil persists and the creature plays a really big role. The creature is a nuanced character, fulfilling his mistress’ evil orders but once in a while, showing a spark of humanity, for lack of a better word. As with the story as a whole, there are so many nuances, making this a complex, beautiful, often heartbreaking but also hopeful world. I love seeing the past couples and especially, I look forward to the next book in the series and wait, with bated breath, to see how difficult the next HEA is to achieve.