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doggielol16's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
becsa's review
3.0
This was an interesting read that I found somewhat difficult to get into as I was trying to figure out who was who is past lives and how everyone was intertwined. One part that I found confusing was that Dyletri was once Salicyar until he was betrayed by the Aviraji and he became Dyletri.
Ismini was a tough girl who was almost used as a pawn and I couldn't figure out why Enteax and Lisrin knew right from the beginning that she was the one that Dyletri was after. But they didn't give up and some not good things happened because of it.
I liked that Dyletri and Ismini were able to act on their feelings and figure out what they meant to each other. The role of Nylicia was interesting and I found myself very intrigued by her and what she could do.
I liked the ending and the change in Ismini and I wonder if the same thing will happen with her best friend, Evesse.
I found the book interesting but found it didn't grip me the way that others have.
Ismini was a tough girl who was almost used as a pawn and I couldn't figure out why Enteax and Lisrin knew right from the beginning that she was the one that Dyletri was after. But they didn't give up and some not good things happened because of it.
I liked that Dyletri and Ismini were able to act on their feelings and figure out what they meant to each other. The role of Nylicia was interesting and I found myself very intrigued by her and what she could do.
I liked the ending and the change in Ismini and I wonder if the same thing will happen with her best friend, Evesse.
I found the book interesting but found it didn't grip me the way that others have.
linathebookaddict's review
4.0
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
What an amazing paranormal tale!
Full review to come.
4 Stars
What an amazing paranormal tale!
Full review to come.
4 Stars
nbiblioholic's review
5.0
This was the first time I read a book by N. Isabelle Blanco. I’ve read a collaboration of hers, but this was my introduction to what she could really produce on her own. And I was absolutely blown away! She hooked me right from her prologue, sucked me into the lives and emotions of each of her characters, and has left me hungry for so much more.
What I liked:
★ This book was so HOT!! The words, the growls, the moans, the undulations of bodies, the descriptions... so. freaking. hot!!
★ The world building - the way that Enzyria was described, I could easily imagine this realm. From the 108-inch TV screen to the rooms to the hills and mountain ranges to the temples, I could picture it all.
★ The characters - I don’t just mean the main characters of this story, Dyletri and Ismini, although they were fantastic and I’ll get to them in a sec. I mean all of the characters. The author took the time to give details for each so that I was able to not only picture them in my head, but also give them their own unique mannerisms, facial expressions, etc. She made them so freaking real!
★ Dyletri and Ismini - Dyletri fancied himself in love with a Queen (Dimithinia) and when she was killed he vowed to resurrect her. He had to balance the tide, so in order to save her soul he had to sacrifice another. Both he and Ismini knew what her purpose was and although she wasn't okay with it, she had accepted it. But when these two meet face-to-face, their destiny takes a sudden swerve. Dyletri tries hard to deny the pull of this human but Ismini has already accepted her fate - she's mated to him. And there is so much more!!
★ The plot - it was like a mix of gods, humans, destiny, mating and then… oh yeah, btw, there’s a war coming between these amazing people I’ve met and the Aviraji, which as I understand it, used to be what all of these gods were.
★ The intricacy of the plot - yeah, I know I should have included this above, but it deserves its own point. There was so much going on (and easy to follow along) that I need to make it clear how freaking lovely this was. There’s obviously a romance build going on, but there’s also a battle, both internally and externally, for all of these gods, especially with Dyletri and Zeniel. Dyletri was originally the God of Lust, sleeping with anyone who called him. Zeniel was originally Mavrak, the God of Vengeance, who led a massacre and had to be tortured into submission. Gah!! And there is SO much more to learn!!
★ The so-called side characters who felt very much like main characters, although they didn’t each get a POV. I can’t wait to learn more about each and every one of them. I was able to see their plots developing in this story, but I can’t wait to find out exactly how everything plays out. Zeniel/Mavrak is next and I’m sure it will be just as fabulous as this one.
★ Cyake, Nylicia, Zexistr, Sil, Liz, Ian, Nythi, and I hope there’s a freaking story for Crius and Dimithinia. I NEED it!!
★ EVERYTHING!!
What I didn’t like:
★ *crickets* Cuz there was NOTHING that I didn’t like!!
I’m just gobsmacked! N. Isabelle Blanco’s new series has virtually smacked me in the face with this book’s awesomeness!! I want to tell you all about it, but I won’t. I really need you to add this to your reading list though. If you’re a fan of fantasy, mythology, and/or paranormal romance, you will definitely be a fan of this book.
Release Date: August 8, 2016
Genre: Paranormal Romance
POV: Primarily Dual - 1st person
Heat: 4.5 out of 5
Type: Book 1 of the Ryze series
What I liked:
★ This book was so HOT!! The words, the growls, the moans, the undulations of bodies, the descriptions... so. freaking. hot!!
★ The world building - the way that Enzyria was described, I could easily imagine this realm. From the 108-inch TV screen to the rooms to the hills and mountain ranges to the temples, I could picture it all.
★ The characters - I don’t just mean the main characters of this story, Dyletri and Ismini, although they were fantastic and I’ll get to them in a sec. I mean all of the characters. The author took the time to give details for each so that I was able to not only picture them in my head, but also give them their own unique mannerisms, facial expressions, etc. She made them so freaking real!
★ Dyletri and Ismini - Dyletri fancied himself in love with a Queen (Dimithinia) and when she was killed he vowed to resurrect her. He had to balance the tide, so in order to save her soul he had to sacrifice another. Both he and Ismini knew what her purpose was and although she wasn't okay with it, she had accepted it. But when these two meet face-to-face, their destiny takes a sudden swerve. Dyletri tries hard to deny the pull of this human but Ismini has already accepted her fate - she's mated to him. And there is so much more!!
★ The plot - it was like a mix of gods, humans, destiny, mating and then… oh yeah, btw, there’s a war coming between these amazing people I’ve met and the Aviraji, which as I understand it, used to be what all of these gods were.
★ The intricacy of the plot - yeah, I know I should have included this above, but it deserves its own point. There was so much going on (and easy to follow along) that I need to make it clear how freaking lovely this was. There’s obviously a romance build going on, but there’s also a battle, both internally and externally, for all of these gods, especially with Dyletri and Zeniel. Dyletri was originally the God of Lust, sleeping with anyone who called him. Zeniel was originally Mavrak, the God of Vengeance, who led a massacre and had to be tortured into submission. Gah!! And there is SO much more to learn!!
★ The so-called side characters who felt very much like main characters, although they didn’t each get a POV. I can’t wait to learn more about each and every one of them. I was able to see their plots developing in this story, but I can’t wait to find out exactly how everything plays out. Zeniel/Mavrak is next and I’m sure it will be just as fabulous as this one.
★ Cyake, Nylicia, Zexistr, Sil, Liz, Ian, Nythi, and I hope there’s a freaking story for Crius and Dimithinia. I NEED it!!
★ EVERYTHING!!
What I didn’t like:
★ *crickets* Cuz there was NOTHING that I didn’t like!!
I’m just gobsmacked! N. Isabelle Blanco’s new series has virtually smacked me in the face with this book’s awesomeness!! I want to tell you all about it, but I won’t. I really need you to add this to your reading list though. If you’re a fan of fantasy, mythology, and/or paranormal romance, you will definitely be a fan of this book.
Release Date: August 8, 2016
Genre: Paranormal Romance
POV: Primarily Dual - 1st person
Heat: 4.5 out of 5
Type: Book 1 of the Ryze series
morganblanch's review
3.0
3.5 STARS
Okay, so I enjoyed this way, way more than I thought I would.
Going into this, I wasn’t expecting much. I’ve had it sitting on my Netgalley shelf for a while, and whatever had made me request the title at the time, wasn’t really there when I thought that maybe I should read it. But, my low expectations starting this book were significantly raised the further I started to go.
Blood Flows Deep in the Empire (hereby shortened to BFDE) is a paranormal, adult erotic romance novel. It centers around the idea of being called the Szolites as the deities of our world. As far as I’m aware, the Gods in this novel are not based off of any Gods in mythology – despite what it’s shelved under on Goodreads. BFDE follows Dyletri, the God of Fertility, as he attempts to free his long lost love from the underworld – all the while trying to battle feelings for the girl he has to sacrifice in order to get the job done.
Yeah, okay, it doesn’t sound that impressive, and if I’m going to be completely honest, it’s not. The world-building, characters and plot of the novel are not original or fleshed out in the slightest. While the concept of the Gods was very interesting, I didn’t really understand their powers, purpose, backstory or the way it all worked together. The characters all seemed to be carbon copies of one another. The boys – foulmouthed, possessive, protective. The girls – foulmouthed, sassy, feisty, total babes. Other than a few little details (like different hobbies/interests), none of them stood out from one another.
But, this book has a strange, addicting quality to it. None of the writing is eloquent or beautiful in any way, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Actually, the whole story seems to center around the characters undying sexual attraction to each other, and there never fails to be a sex scene shoved in wherever it could. Often to the detriment of the overall plot. But those scenes were good. It was exactly what the little guilty pleasure part of my palette wanted. It was really, really fun.
BFDE was a quick, fun, sexy read that I found myself completely addicted to. So much so, that I am seriously contemplating buying the next book in the series.
I think I might just list this a guilty pleasure, ’cause damn. It was good in the worst way possible.
Okay, so I enjoyed this way, way more than I thought I would.
Going into this, I wasn’t expecting much. I’ve had it sitting on my Netgalley shelf for a while, and whatever had made me request the title at the time, wasn’t really there when I thought that maybe I should read it. But, my low expectations starting this book were significantly raised the further I started to go.
Blood Flows Deep in the Empire (hereby shortened to BFDE) is a paranormal, adult erotic romance novel. It centers around the idea of being called the Szolites as the deities of our world. As far as I’m aware, the Gods in this novel are not based off of any Gods in mythology – despite what it’s shelved under on Goodreads. BFDE follows Dyletri, the God of Fertility, as he attempts to free his long lost love from the underworld – all the while trying to battle feelings for the girl he has to sacrifice in order to get the job done.
Yeah, okay, it doesn’t sound that impressive, and if I’m going to be completely honest, it’s not. The world-building, characters and plot of the novel are not original or fleshed out in the slightest. While the concept of the Gods was very interesting, I didn’t really understand their powers, purpose, backstory or the way it all worked together. The characters all seemed to be carbon copies of one another. The boys – foulmouthed, possessive, protective. The girls – foulmouthed, sassy, feisty, total babes. Other than a few little details (like different hobbies/interests), none of them stood out from one another.
But, this book has a strange, addicting quality to it. None of the writing is eloquent or beautiful in any way, but I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Actually, the whole story seems to center around the characters undying sexual attraction to each other, and there never fails to be a sex scene shoved in wherever it could. Often to the detriment of the overall plot. But those scenes were good. It was exactly what the little guilty pleasure part of my palette wanted. It was really, really fun.
BFDE was a quick, fun, sexy read that I found myself completely addicted to. So much so, that I am seriously contemplating buying the next book in the series.
I think I might just list this a guilty pleasure, ’cause damn. It was good in the worst way possible.
readercecc6's review
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up for obvious thought and effort author put into creating this new Szolite universe
What's that sound I hear? It's the sound of thousands of future Szolite fangirls screaming for more of these delicious gods. Yes, the word 'Szolite' is fucking godawful and I really do wish N.I. Blanco would have chosen something sexier or catchier but hey, her world, her characters, her long ass glossary filled with crazy ass made up words and names (there are over 40 of them but don't bother trying to memorize any if you don't want spoilers. You'd think i'd have caught on by now after all the shellaning and hellrening and needing in [b:BDB|42899|Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1)|J.R. Ward|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309209351s/42899.jpg|2158128]'s glossary, but noo I had to read the ones in this one too). Can't fault her for her originality though, and I truly do applaud her efforts in creating a series with a whole new pantheon of gods amongst the sea of Greek, Norse, Christian, etc, mythology in PNR/UF right now. While the swirly silver eyes and elongated incisors of Dyletri (current god of constant change [chaos?], formerly known as Salicyar, the god of fertility and banger of anyone who required his *cough*services*cough*) reminded me of Sherrilyn Kenyon's [b:Acheron|2299110|Acheron (Dark-Hunter, #12)|Sherrilyn Kenyon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312230925s/2299110.jpg|3202442], the dual nature of the gods reminded me of Gena Showalter's [b:Lords of the Underworld|476543|The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, #1)|Gena Showalter|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1322237965s/476543.jpg|464779] and Larissa Ione's [b:Lords of Deliverance|8843801|Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance, #1)|Larissa Ione|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1305020644s/8843801.jpg|12799995]. That said, the characters in this book cursed more than all potty mouths in the series I've mentioned combined. It got to the point where I started scratching my head and wondering wtf everyone was so worked up about -- and coming from me, that's saying a lot because I drop more f-bombs than any other female I know so I do appreciate a well placed expletive every now and then but holy shit, this book was saturated in 'motherfuckers', 'assholes', and 'fucks'.
Expletives aside, this was a well written story. Sometimes (often, especially after the contemporary romance binge I've been on as of late) the authors' voice (not to be mistaken with the characters' voice but if it's first person POV then I guess they're one and the same) gets so repetitive/cliched/predictable/bloody boring that I lose all interest and end up skimming for pages until something exciting finally happens. Well, that never happened here. Other than the excessive cursing, the dialogue was refreshingly natural for an author's debut full-length novel and even the dreaded profession of love scene was 'real' (potty mouthed, but real) and didn't leave me dry heaving from overwritten cheese/glib overdose.
I do wish the major arc/conflict was explored more in this book but I get it, it was the first in a series so more attention was given to the backstory and character development. I did like the fact that none of the females in this book were catty towards each other and the heroine was probably the most unselfish I've ever read about. She was resigned to her fate and never bitched or complained about having her life/soul exchanged for the greater good. She cursed like a sailor but she never begrudged Dyletri/Salicyar his happiness when I would've gone apeshit on his ass.
Story:
Ten thousand years ago, Salicyar, the god of Fertility, lost the woman he loved due to the machinations of his enemies. As was her destiny, Dimithinia was killed for her crimes and her soul punished to spend an eternity in the Underworld, never to reincarnate or repent for her sins. Overcome with guilt and grief, Salicyar gave up his powers then made a deal with the Fates and swore that he would sacrifice the Prophesied One in exchange for his love's freedom. Ten thousand years later, Isimina is born. She grows up with full knowledge and acceptance of the fact that her life will be forfeited to save another's. What she doesn't know is that she'll fall in love with the very god who condemned her to an eternity in hell.
ARC provided by The Writer's Coffeeshop and NetGalley but I would've purchased/borrowed it after it's release anyway.
What's that sound I hear? It's the sound of thousands of future Szolite fangirls screaming for more of these delicious gods. Yes, the word 'Szolite' is fucking godawful and I really do wish N.I. Blanco would have chosen something sexier or catchier but hey, her world, her characters, her long ass glossary filled with crazy ass made up words and names (there are over 40 of them but don't bother trying to memorize any if you don't want spoilers. You'd think i'd have caught on by now after all the shellaning and hellrening and needing in [b:BDB|42899|Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1)|J.R. Ward|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309209351s/42899.jpg|2158128]'s glossary, but noo I had to read the ones in this one too). Can't fault her for her originality though, and I truly do applaud her efforts in creating a series with a whole new pantheon of gods amongst the sea of Greek, Norse, Christian, etc, mythology in PNR/UF right now. While the swirly silver eyes and elongated incisors of Dyletri (current god of constant change [chaos?], formerly known as Salicyar, the god of fertility and banger of anyone who required his *cough*services*cough*) reminded me of Sherrilyn Kenyon's [b:Acheron|2299110|Acheron (Dark-Hunter, #12)|Sherrilyn Kenyon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312230925s/2299110.jpg|3202442], the dual nature of the gods reminded me of Gena Showalter's [b:Lords of the Underworld|476543|The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, #1)|Gena Showalter|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1322237965s/476543.jpg|464779] and Larissa Ione's [b:Lords of Deliverance|8843801|Eternal Rider (Lords of Deliverance, #1)|Larissa Ione|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1305020644s/8843801.jpg|12799995]. That said, the characters in this book cursed more than all potty mouths in the series I've mentioned combined. It got to the point where I started scratching my head and wondering wtf everyone was so worked up about -- and coming from me, that's saying a lot because I drop more f-bombs than any other female I know so I do appreciate a well placed expletive every now and then but holy shit, this book was saturated in 'motherfuckers', 'assholes', and 'fucks'.
Expletives aside, this was a well written story. Sometimes (often, especially after the contemporary romance binge I've been on as of late) the authors' voice (not to be mistaken with the characters' voice but if it's first person POV then I guess they're one and the same) gets so repetitive/cliched/predictable/bloody boring that I lose all interest and end up skimming for pages until something exciting finally happens. Well, that never happened here. Other than the excessive cursing, the dialogue was refreshingly natural for an author's debut full-length novel and even the dreaded profession of love scene was 'real' (potty mouthed, but real) and didn't leave me dry heaving from overwritten cheese/glib overdose.
I do wish the major arc/conflict was explored more in this book but I get it, it was the first in a series so more attention was given to the backstory and character development. I did like the fact that none of the females in this book were catty towards each other and the heroine was probably the most unselfish I've ever read about. She was resigned to her fate and never bitched or complained about having her life/soul exchanged for the greater good. She cursed like a sailor but she never begrudged Dyletri/Salicyar his happiness when I would've gone apeshit on his ass.
Story:
Ten thousand years ago, Salicyar, the god of Fertility, lost the woman he loved due to the machinations of his enemies. As was her destiny, Dimithinia was killed for her crimes and her soul punished to spend an eternity in the Underworld, never to reincarnate or repent for her sins. Overcome with guilt and grief, Salicyar gave up his powers then made a deal with the Fates and swore that he would sacrifice the Prophesied One in exchange for his love's freedom. Ten thousand years later, Isimina is born. She grows up with full knowledge and acceptance of the fact that her life will be forfeited to save another's. What she doesn't know is that she'll fall in love with the very god who condemned her to an eternity in hell.
ARC provided by The Writer's Coffeeshop and NetGalley but I would've purchased/borrowed it after it's release anyway.
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