Fallen for love. Risen for revenge. Severn knows love. He knows how it feels to fight for love, and have it torn from his reach. He knows that when the killing fields are strewn with the dead, and love is all gone, only one thing keeps his demon heart beating: Vengeance. His life is now a web of lies. His act, a perfect one. His enemy—the guardian angel Mikhail—sits beside him, turns to him for … Mikhail—sits beside him, turns to him for guidance, and even loves him.
The time has come to make all the angels fall, beginning with the most powerful of them all.
Severn thought he knew love. But he’s about to discover that love takes no prisoners, and as demons and angels clash over London’s battle-weary streets, love will claim the souls of two destined enemies.
Primal Sin is a dark gay fantasy with a strong love-story. The series is brimming with savage desires, relentless lies and the bite of vengeance and is not for anyone easily disturbed by graphic scenes.
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I’m not sure if I love Ariana Nash or hate her, not after what she did to me, Severn and Mikhail.
We start with lies and betrayal, manipulation and machinations before sliding into the most wondrous, astounding and breathtaking love story until we reach a finale that brings it crashing down around us in the most heartbreaking of ways.
Severn is a man of many secrets, damaged both by the loss of his wings and the hand life has dealt him. A dark soul, conflicted and full of hurt. I very quickly found myself falling for this dangerous saviour. At first it was harder to know and even like Mikhail, this angel had such rigid thinking, blinkered and unfeeling. However seeing the change Severn wrought in him soon had me as captivated by Mikhail as much as his lover was.
Oh but there was never a truer saying than that of “the course of true love never did run smooth”. That was just so very true for Mikhail and Severn, two polar opposite and yet incredibly similar souls bound by a love to span the eons. Ariana Nash certainly likes to give to her readers with one hand, whilst quickly snatching all the joy back with the other. This book has left me reeling, my emotions torn asunder and my heart pummelled. I desperately need the next book, Eternal Sin , in order to soothe my tattered spirit.
I am a huge fan of this author even when she writes in a genre that isn’t my favorite. My favorite is urban fantasy followed by cozy paranormals; I like romance, but it isn’t in my top three. However, when it comes to this author, I’ll follow her wherever. I started this book and I knew she was going to leave me feeling devastated by the end and guess what? She did. On the ride there, she took me on a roller coaster of emotions with Severn and Mikhail. I felt for Severn and why he was after Mikhail’s downfall. However, after 10 years things change? That was a little out of nowhere. That aside, this was this author’s usually great writing, hot couples, and great action (both kinds!) I’ve come to love. The end was spectacular, and I loved the addition of the additional characters. I am excited to see what comes next. Recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
This took me some time to get into, most likely because I rarely, actually, I don’t read fantasy stuff. I can’t wrap my head around that type of world-building. It could also be the stressful times we’re living in right now. Thankfully, Severn and Mikhail have enough fire between them to make me want to know more about their worlds.
Let me tell you, sexy angel/demon times can cause combustions.
“I will love you, if you’ll let me.”
A rating. Talk about an epic enemies to lovers story…wow. This was fantastic. I cannot wait for the second installment…PLEASE LET IT BE SOON!!!
Highly recommend, but warning…this story is no where close to being over at the end of this book.
Angst and dark deception
I have a love/hate relationship with this author. The writing is excellent, the plotting is great, the characters are deep and wonderful, BUT every book (including this one) just tears my heart out! I know going in that it will be dark and difficult for the MC’s EVERY time. I have to admit that I love my happy endings, but I know if it happens that the characters will really have to SUFFER for it.
Primal Sin kept me up reading way too late at night! Severn and Mikhail….ugh the drama! Severn’s goals…Mikhail’s choices…Severn’s choices….sigh. This book has all the feels, and the angst is strong here, no doubt. The mythology and world-building in this book was so good, and I think the angels and demons as mirrors of each other will continue on into the next book. I can’t wait!
Conflicted characters in an alternative London complete with angels and Demons and things in between. My heart still hurts 2 weeks on. I will never get over this book
I wasn’t sure that I would love Mikhail and Severn like I loved Lysander and Eroan (Silk & Steel series go read it if you haven’t) BUT I fell head over heels.
Mikhail can’t explain the desperation that lead him to save Severn, Guardian Angels don’t have feelings and yet he had to make sure that his most trusted soldier survived, even if it meant sacrificing his position, the one thing that mattered to him.
Severn knows that Mikhail is responsible for not only the loss of his wings, but for the loss of his love, Samiel.
As soon as I finished this book I immediately wanted EVERYONE I know to read it, the world building is exquisite, the characters are so endearing, or irritating, you immediately feel invested in the story and the outcome. You get this slight hint that some of these events and people will be important later on, though I have come to expect with this author that nothing will play out the way I expect it to.
I dreaded seeing the progress bar eek its way closer and closer to compete not wanting this story to end. I absolutely CANNOT wait for book 2, which is already pre-ordered of course.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this story so I could leave a review. I have also pre-ordered a copy of this book, and the next, to support the amazing story this is!
Love, Lies, and heart-wrenching betrayal! This book savagely ripped out my heart and left it bleeding out! I was absolutely blown away. This was angels and demons like you’ve never seen them before. With so many twist and turns I was stuck on the edge of my seat unable to put this book down. I highly recommend!
The vengeance of a demon lord is dangerous, but what does it take to bring about the vengeance of an angel? This book dug its hooks into my heart from the first few chapters and never let go. The characters are so vivid and powerful, the world building is phenomenal, and the story shook me to my core.
I first discovered Ms. Nash’s work through Audible and the Silk and Steel series. Then, I had the opportunity to review King of the Dark, which was just the right kind of dark and gritty for my tastes. So, I have started on this series, and Primal Sin did not disappoint! Raw and underhanded ruthlessness takes front and center in the first third of this story. It was devious and calculated, and I was not sure what could possibly happen next.
When the vengeance comes face to face with a new reality, past decisions and mistakes are scrutinized and agonizing. As for the unknowing “innocent” party? He’s just that. His kind are not made to endure emotions. They are not equipped to balance their duties with lust, desire, and possibly love. So, when it comes from a trusted, yet wily comrade, it is a surprise.
But, Lies and deceit have a tendency to unravel, even those that were previously unknown to all. Wrath in its full, furious glory is something to be feared. And sometimes, even the unexpected hand held out to help can leave a bittersweet feeling in your soul. Be careful what you wish for, because when you get it, it might be more excruciating than what you had. The book ends with devastation, both physical and bone deep emotional. And a new vengeance; one built on betrayal, not just enemies. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book.
Happy reading!
Primal Sin is the first book in a new, dark m/m fantasy series by Ariana Nash set in an almost dystopian-like, post-apocalyptic London, where angels and demons have been waging war for decades. The angels maintain the seat of power in Aerie, the city of angels, high in the clouds above old London’s dark streets, whilst the demons lurk below in the shadows around the area known as the Cauldron, home to the refugees of war – humans, nephilim (half human/half angel) and cambions (half human/half demon) – a place where every desire can be serviced.
Mikhail is the current Guardian angel of Aerie, unemotional, ruthless, lethal, beautiful and in control of the angelic forces in the ongoing war with the demons. Fellow angel Severn is his blade, smooth, battle-hardened, eminently dangerous – Mikhail’s right hand. But Severn isn’t all that he seems, and the butchered stumps where his wings used to be are only part of his story. When Severn is struck down on the battle field, Mikhail makes the unprecedented decision to perform the allyanse (i.e. share his soul) with him to save his life.
The allyanse gives rise to an intensely physical, mental and emotional connection, which is a problem on so many levels in the angelic hierarchy – not to mention for Mikhail and Severn themselves.
As treachery, deception, betrayal and dark secrets are revealed, the relationship is put to the test in every way possible and (here’s the hot tip!) book one DOES NOT end in a HEA . Be prepared to be hanging out for book two, Eternal Sin, which is due to be released later this year.
Other than the two main protagonists who I adored (got to love those tortured characters, wrestling with their emotions and the need for vengeance, but also walking that fine line between good and evil, right and wrong, love and hate), keep your eye out for some other fabulous, diverse characters – the shape changing, bi-gender cambion, the old crone and her pet rayvern, the demon Lady Djall, warrior, manipulator and sister to the demon Konstantin of the Red Manor, Lost Lord of the Incubi.
If you’re into angels, demons, incubi, epic battles, love hate relationships, dark fantasy and all that goes with it, then you need to add this to your library immediately
All the stars
This story really sucked me in. I was immediately intrigued by the world, the post-apocalyptic feel of an alternative London. The angels, the demons, and everything in between. Captivating is an understatement.
I thought the whole storyline felt very fresh and inventive. But then, this is one of my first books about angels, so maybe I’ve just missed out on the trope. Either way, it’s great how the preconceptions of angels and demons gets turned on its head. How nothing is black and white but shades of grey.
And the plot twists! There are so many of them and they’re awesome.
(And the cover art is effing gorgeous! I mean, just look at it!)
Primal Sin is the start of a lovestory, sure. But it’s grim as well. It’s brutal and bloody and if you can’t handle the two protagonists hurting each other, this is not a book for you. It’s not dark per se, but very violent. I’d say the storyline is equal parts gore, sex and emotional angst. And there’s never a dull moment.
But there were two things that bothered me.
The first one is that the supporting characters are more props than anything else. The only three-dimensional portrayals are of Mikhail and Severn, and that hollows out the story a great deal.
The second thing is that there’s very little actual world-building going on which is a shame. There are just glimpses now and then and no real explanations as to the current state of things or how it came to be. It’s irritating, and also waters down the story – which could have been epic – to being merely great.
The lack of back-story might be intentional, it sure piqued my interest. But the read would have been better with at least a few more clarifications. There were some highly illogical aspects of the story that kept nagging at me and brought down my reading experience. Like the presence of a killing field in the middle of London. If angels and demons have been warring for hundreds of years, and truly want to slaughter each other, surely they wouldn’t wage that war by meeting up once in a while at a predetermined site to do some butchering?
But my reservations aside, when I finished this book, I dove right into the sequel, Eternal Sin. And it’s safe to say that I’ve been completely and utterly captivated by this angel-demon saga. This first instalment is a very well-deserved 4-star read. But I’m almost finished with the second, and that one’s a 5-star.
https://reflectionsofaswedishgirl.blog.se/primal-sin-primal-sin-1-by-ariana-nash/
Enemies to lovers. Angels and demons.Betrayal.
At this point I shouldn’t have to clarify how much I enjoy reading Ariana Nash’s books. If you are a fan of fantasy and enemies to lovers I don’t know under what rock you are living if you haven’t read any of her books yet.
Compare to Silk & Steel or King of the Dark (Prince’s Assassin Book 1), here the angst level is pretty low. So, if you like enemies to lovers tropes but are not a fan of angsty stories this series it’s definitely for you!
It’s been a while since I read a book about angels and demons and oh surprise now I need more. Severn and Mikhail’s relationship is goals (enemies-to-lovers-wise). All of Severn’s mixed feelings towards Mikhail were so well displayed. And Mikhail’s total obliviousness to his surroundings and the true nature of angels got me on the verge of my nerves. But you could tell that when Severn traid to explain to him that not everything is black or white, he listened to him at least a little bit to not make him an obnoxious character. With that final chapter I cannot wait for the next book!
P.s. I can see Solo’s potential to become an interesting secondary character.