Their love is outlawed by both their Kinds… blamed the one male who sacrificed all to protect her.
No matter the distance and time, love is a renegade that cannot be ruled…
Now Fate has reunited them in this modern time to combat a burgeoning threat. Can they put the darkness behind them and forge a brighter future together?
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This book broke my heart!!! It was so good though!!
Well dang! I don’t even know where to start. I actually read this one twice and reread a third time in places (I’m going to blame it on my migraine). I’m absolutely 110% into this amazing series! Aja James books are so well written you just can’t put the damn things down! Oh but then you get towards the end and almost grieve because you just don’t want it to end!
Tal and Ishtar’s story was so gut wrenching, heartbreaking, so much pain and torturing physically mentally and emotionally in their lives that it actually hurt my heart reading it! That being said, it was also my favorite and ohhhh the ending! Zip! I won’t even go there! It’s a lot going on in this series and a lot of characters I love reading about but this one had me threatening to bitch slap anyone that interrupted me! I loved their story and i know it’s much more that’s still to come in the future books! Yes pleaseee and thank you Miss James!!!
Oh Lort, what a fantastic book this was! This series just keeps on getting better. There are so many facets to this series and with each book you gain more of the puzzle pieces to fit it all together. So entrancing!!!! Can a love that is forbidden be rekindled after thousands of years? This book gets you right in the feels.
The suffering that Tal went through had me in tears more than once while reading this book. Held captive for so long and viciously tortured. Not knowing what had happened to his daughter or his love after he was captured, it broke my heart! Ishtar, she had suffered as well, but not the way Tal did. Ishtar’s suffering had her bitter and had turned her love to hate. But yet, after she had taken her hurt and pain out on Tal, she felt shamed by what she had done.
We have one of the puzzles answered for us in this book as well, we finally get to see who Medusa is.
This is a fabulous series, but you MUST read them in order.
Tal-Telal was known as the General of the Pure Resistance in the third millennium. Tal was held as a prisoner of Medusa until he is rescued by his daughter and her Blooded Mate. Making his home with the Pure Ones, Tal is remembered as the legendary General who led the Pure Ones to victory over the Dark Ones in the Great War.
Ishtar Anshar is known as Mama Bear to Inanna, Gabriel, Benji and Sophia. Ishtar use to rule the Dark Ones empire until the Pure Ones rebellion. She lost everything, including those she trusted and loved. She blames Tal-Telal and holds onto her vengeance. Ishtar can change into a snow leopard.
One day Tal comes with his daughter and her family and Sophia, the Pure Ones Queen, to visit Mama Bear (Ishtar). Tal is exploring the trinkets and treasures on the shelf of Dark Dreams, a bakery and tea shop, when he senses her, his one true love. Ishtar enters the establishment by way of the kitchen, when she senses him, her one true love. Tal holds out his hand to Ishtar. She turns and runs away.
Later, Tal returns on his own to the shop. Ishtar comes home after spending time at the orphanage. She feels Tal and warns him to leave. Tal refuses. Ishtar attacks him with fangs and claws. When she is done, Tal gets up and leaves. Coming to her senses, Ishtar goes out in search of Tal. She tracks him by his blood. When Ishtar finds him, he is laying in a ditch dying. Ishtar gathers him in her arms and takes Tal to her daughter. Inanna spots Tal immediately. She places him in the black SUV and with her family and Sophia, drive to the Shield, the Pure Ones base. Can they save Tal before it’s too late? Will Ishtar make the ultimate sacrifice for the man she loves?
The story of Ishtar and Tal is heartbreaking. We learn of the torture of Tal by Medusa and the manipulation of Ishtar by her twin sister, Anunit. Yet, in the midst of sadness there is hope, life and love. The plot is intricate and keeps the pace racing to the conclusion. The subplots, left open, yield the reader’s mind to unanswered questions (but plenty of theories). Overall, the novel is rich in characterization and mysteries.
*I received an ARC copy for review. This does not affect my review. This review is voluntary.*
I…this book, wow! I was super excited for this one, and yet, I had not idea how much I would love it! Tal-Telal and Ishtar are both familiar to readers of the earlier books in the series. (Note, while each book can be a stand-alone, they are so much better when read as a series!)
Both are powerful ‘alpha’ characters Tal-Telal a tortured, once mighty General, and Ishtar a leader by nature, and princess to the Dark Ones. This one is such a roller-coaster, and an interesting match. Enemies in every way, yet star-crossed, can these two ever find common ground?
It’s been a few months since I finished the fourth book in this series, but I was drawn right back in within the first pages of Pure Rapture, especially with how this one starts! Right away we meet the mysterious A. Medusa who we’ve only been given glimpses of in the past. I love Aja James’s villains almost as much as I love her protagonists and A. Medusa is no exception, especially since we find out here who she really is!
If I’m being totally honest I didn’t really expect to be sucked into Ishtar and Tal’s story, I dunno why. Maybe because they have both mainly been side characters and I have gotten attached to the previous MCs! Well, that was my mistake. This may be my 2nd favorite book of this series (#2-Inanna & Gabriel’s story- is my absolute fave so far!) I loved reading about ana Ishtar’s history, her broken family ties and scandalous past, and how her destiny is interwoven with Tal’s. Thanks to the lyrical writing everything sounds lush and beautiful, even when the subject is a Dark One’s bloody bonding ritual. You want to keep turning page after page, switching from past to present and back again as we’re able to start putting pieces together to create a complete image.
I don’t know if Aja James sat down before starting this series and made a huge outline; I mean I seriously imagine her with one of those wall murals like a detective would have, with characters’ pictures connected to each other with red strings and sticky-notes everywhere. How else does she keep this all straight? Everyone and everything seem to be connected and it feels like we’re only seeing half of the picture at any given time. But the “a-ha!” moments that occur are a big part of why this series is such a draw.
And that cliffhanger! Arghhh!!! That is just wrong, lol!
If you haven’t started this series already I would definitely recommend!
This was a wonderful addition into the Pure/Dark series that I’ve been addicted to! In this book we learn a little family ties some of the characters have, which answered a LOT of my questions I’d been having. It does a great job at continuing the story and helping to wrap up some things that needed it, like those relationships, but also leaving enough mystery to make you need to continue. I can’t wait to get to read the next installment and see what happens next!
I know i’ve said it before but this is my new favourite book in this series , i don’t know how Aja James keeps the pace & intrigue up in every book but rarely before has a series of books been this fresh & new each time while still bringing in characters we already know from earlier in the series . That said i do believe you could read this book as a stand alone as all the information on Tal & Ishtar’s past are there . This is a heartbreaking story of love , betrayal & jealousy on the highest level . Yes Tal & Ishtar’s love was forbidden under Dark ones laws but their’s was a chance for Dark & Light to unite that was destroyed because each tried to protect the other while behind the scenes the one that claimed to love Ishtar more than anyone seeks to destroy her & everything she has . You can’t put this book down once you start it & it leaves you begging for the next
5 stars!
In a word: RAPTURE
Pure Rapture is definitely the right title for book 5 of the Pure/Dark Ones series by Aja James! I am ever impressed with Ms. James’ ability to suck me right into the story and keep me hanging on every word — that is a rare occurrence these days with the volume of books that I read (or devour when it comes to this series!).
This installment focuses on Tal-Telal and Ishtar… If you have read the books in order (and I strongly recommend that you do), you know that Tal is the formerly imprisoned father of Inanna (whose story is told in book 2). Tal (once a mighty General of the Pure Ones) had been held captive and endlessly tortured by a mysterious and powerful Dark One for approximately 4,ooo years. He has endured unspeakable agonies that have left considerable damage as he is gaunt, blind, and physically & emotionally scarred. Up until his rescue at the end of book 3, no one knew for certain that he was alive, least of all the woman he left behind who has suffered under the belief that he betrayed her all those years ago.
Ishtar has been known to the reader since book 2, but she had been living undercover as a character known as “Mama Bear” — a 60-something, pleasantly plump grandmotherly type figure. She assumed this ruse in order to insinuate herself in the life of the daughter she was forced to give up thousands of years ago, and she has been successful in reconnecting with her in the capacity of a bakery/shop owner (though she never actually sells anything) whose presence and desserts seem to call out to those in need of her pampering. Unaware that he is being led to the only woman he has ever loved, Tal walks into “Mama Bear’s” (aka Ishtar’s) homey establishment, and they both immediately become aware of each other’s presence. At the end of the previous story, the sh!t hit the fan when Tal offers himself as a sacrifice to Ishtar; when his daughter finds him quite literally drained and shredded, he is seemingly beyond saving.
What I liked:
— The story was incredible — I love the level of detail (not too much to be dull but plenty to give the reader a mental picture of the scenes/time period/happenings)
— The main characters were fascinating to learn about, mostly via flashbacks — I’ve found that flashbacks interrupt the flow of a story sometimes, but that is absolutely not the case here: they’re perfectly timed and well executed
— As always, having characters from the previous books participate enhanced the story and made me as a reader feel a sense of familiarity and connection
— Oh the steamy goodness 🙂
What I didn’t like as much:
— Honestly nothing… and I really did try to find something to pick at, but I genuinely could not!
Overall, another stellar addition to the series. I am eagerly anticipating diving into the next installment!
Plot — 5/5
Main Characters — 5/5
Supporting Cast — 5/5
Steam Level — 4/5
Violence — not overly graphic
Language — not egregious
POV — 3rd throughout but slanted at times to the main characters’ perspectives
(As a note, I was gifted with an advanced copy of this book by the author; that has in no way influenced my review.)
Pure Rapture is yet an other incredible book written by Aja James. Just when you thought this series couldn’t get any better it does. I have loved the entire series so far, with book three being my favorite, but I think it just got dethroned just now! The plot continues to be intricate and well thought through. I have no idea how the author comes up with it, but you can tell there is a lot of planning in this book. I believe the story line that threads through the different books of the series was thought through when the author came up with this series and is tweaking it as she is writing it, how else could she make it fit so well? I enjoy that she also gives a voice to the foe, which doesn’t happen often, although I don’t think the foe deserves it but from a readers point of view it is definitely an added bonus seeing what is going on in the mind of the enemy. The pace is perfect and it is pretty much impossible putting this book down, so be ready for a reading marathon! This book is definitely another one of her page turners and one of the reasons I pick can’t resist them! There are some serious secrets revealed, some you probably figured out, but only because the author has given you enough clues, and a few more secrets are hinted at, so come on book 6!
Tal oh poor Tal! If anyone deserves a happy ending it is this guy. I thought Valerius had a difficult life, but it doesn’t compare to the torment this man went through! Reading about the past and present shows how nicely the author can mix different time lines without disrupting the flow of the story. I still find it amazing on how much character development goes into each and every single one of this book, mostly focusing on 2 characters per book, but always showing more and more of the others as well. There is a lot happening in this book and yes, a lot of steam as usual. However I think this is probably the one with the least hot and steamy scenes to date.
I admit this book is probably the one with the most heart wrench in it and you can’t help but try to hide a tear or two, probably more if your heart is in the right place. I for one am hooked and can’t wait to see what is in store for my paranormal family next! It amazes me how fast this author writes and a high quality level at that! Lucky me that is for sure!
I’m so happy and grateful because I could get an ARC of this book, it was so good.
This a story about eternal love between a dark one and a pure one, it’s a forbidden yet undeniable love.
She (Ishtar) is a princess of the dark ones and he (Tal) is a pure one, and because of that, he isn’t good enough for her, so their union is forbidden by the laws of their peers, in this scenario their relationship is doomed since the beginning, especially because the hero must choose between his princess and his people, and the heroin finds herself in the middle of a war where her family wants to destroy the rebellion and the pure ones.
So Tal in order to succeed and defend the pure ones, must betray Ishtar and suffer the consequences of his decisions…
So the question is…..could they forgive each other after all and find a way back to love????
The General already owned my heart before I started Pure Rapture and now he has devastated it. In the best of ways!
I don’t tend to get weak when I’m reading romance, but you see… I have an achilles heel when it comes to certain stories. Give me a beautiful, broken, but hopeful warrior of a hero and I become a gelatinous mess. And Tal had everything I love in spades!
This was probably the most heartbreaking story of the series. Each flashback to Tal’s past left me reeling. I approached each scene with fear and trepidation. The author did such an incredible job of weaving the history, struggle, romance, and odds of what became of Tal and Ishtar.
I’m declaring here and now… Tal is MINE and I will claw the face (and eyeballs) of anyone who dares to think to take him from me!
I am lost for words.My head refuse to think and still my heart feels like it have shattered so many times that i am numb by it.What a marvellous Story “Pure Rapture” is which is the 5:th instalment in Aja James addictive Paranormal “Pure/Dark Ones”-series that left me yearning for more.Her writing is lush,fresh and so passionate that it shows her love of writing and i in turn love the masterful tale she performs in this book that tells the story of how the respected Pure One general Tal-Telal had to break the love of his beloved to save her..and his people.How both suffer agony without each other in the thousands years apart and how they finally reunite in this masterful and phenomenal saga.
Ishtar Anshar is the former Dark Princess of the Dark Ones who have desperately hated Tal-Telal for breaking her heart while still yearning for him.That she even lost her two children soon after adds to the pain and i find her so strong for choosing to live throughout it all when her family have been out there all the time.She loved Tal-Telal on first sight in her innocence and later on with a extraordinary passion as a woman.I love this fierce,wild and brave heroine.Love her for striving to be good even when there always was this deep poison inside her.She is strong enough to love Tal-Telal despite all the hardships and are whole-heartedly willing to help him overcome his demons and love him with all her being selflessly.This woman undid me with the way she loves Tal-Telal.
***
“I don’t think I can live without you, ana Ishtar. And even if this is all just a dream, the dream of you makes me want to live. Even though half of me, the darkest despair in me, still wishes for death.”- Tal Telal
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Tal-Telal is not the type of hero you usually meet in romance novels.He is so beautiful and golden both inside and outside and always wanted to protect everyone around him.There was no evil bone in his body and every choice he made always was with his selfless heart and soul,ahhh how his torment and unhappiness made me weep.He is a Pure One and called a legendary General with the way he liberated the pure ones from vampire rule.But in saving his kind he sacrificed his soul and have been captive for over thousands of years by the hands of the Villain i so wanted to destroy!She have tortured and raped him for her own pleasure and used him as a Blood Slave and in that time of darkness he almost lost his soul.Only the memory of his Ishtar kept him alive and his daughter Inanna.He is this fiercely disciplined strong man with a heart and mind of steel.He is capable of coldness but have also so much raging emotions inside of him that i always got awed while reading his POV.When he got saved in “Dark Desires” his whole body was savaged by bruises and scars and he was totally blind.And even in his blindness he still feels Ishtar presence and that scene really shook me to the core.Watching them finally get reunited was like watching two lost and hungry souls come together.Their connection that always have been there since they first laid eyes on each other,their unwavering passion and devotion and selfless painful love-it made me cry with the way these two souls had longed for each other in all those agonizing long years.I also love that no one had to tell or prove of Tal-Telal`s love for Ishtar.She figured it out herself and never stopped trusting him after that.Tal-Telal and Ishtar are like two mirrors facing each other,both irrevocably and frantically in love with each other.
Thank you so much Aja James!Thank you so much for getting Tal-Telal and Ishtar back together this way.They have suffered enough and i am so happy for them.But i get the feeling that there will still be darkness left in Tal-Telal,and that it will take much time for him to over come the demons left threatening to drown him.But i have high hope in the power of love and with the help of Ishtar and his family`s love and support..and maybe finding their lost son will help him find the clear peace of mind he needs.
I also need to mention how happy we got that scene with Rain and Valerius because they are one of my favourite couples!I am also 100% sure that the man who is Dr Weisman is Ryus father,the so called Master that suffers amnesia right now and he is going after Clara Scott-i mean damn if they have electric chemistry!!!How cute little Benji is and so smart for his age and i feel he got his own gifts too.One thing more i am sure about is who the lost twin-brother of Inanna`s is and i can`t wait for more of the notorious and compelling “the Creature”.He is starting to make my heart sing which i never thought would happen,LOL.
(My review can also be found in Goodreads)
In search of answers i might’ve missed before,i decided to re-read the most painful,most tragic lovestory of this series….even though i knew i’d need at least another box of tissues just to get through the pain,agony and heartache Tal and Ishtar had to endure to find eachother again.
Aja is só good at leaving crumbs throughout this series,and if you blink at the wrong time,you miss them! I missed some the first time because i was so immersed into Tal and Ishtars story.
My advice is to keep your eyes wide open,your tissues near,your nails really short (so not to bite them to bits) and make sure to buckle up for the ride. This one’s going to hurt só good!
Can this series get any better? YES! With Tal and Ishtar’s story!
While more and more questions are answered and betrayal comes to light,their story is told.
And what a tragic story it is…..Ishtar has loved Tal from the first time they met,and that love grew with her age. Tal fell for her,but knew they wouldn’t be allowed a happy life together. And with war breaking out,they were seperated. For a very,very long time,Tal suffered such intense torment,it broke my heart. Until,mysteriously,he was allowed to be rescued by his daughter Innana. And i started to hope….for Tal to find his heart. And i hoped for Ishtar to find her heart….
This couple shines só bright after all the deepest darkness,it blinds me!