suey_library's review
5.0
***Received an Advanced Readers Copy through the author in exchange for an honest review - thank you Juliette Cross***
Cheese and crackers... Juliette you slay me. Just - ugh loved it comrades! This was a five stars hands down it was glorious. Juliette just take all the fucking stars. Gory hell it was an absolute phenomenal read.
I will admit here and now, I am in a huge binder read mode with Cross books. I have several of her series on my eReader that are on my TBR and I was blown away with her Vampire Blood Series that I have read at this point and I gotta say she is an amazing author. Her main characters always have this all-consuming, intensely passionate romance that just makes you gush. On top of that she rocks are world building.
So with that said ...before I dive into the more important thing - the obvious romance porn, I mean that is why we are all here right? But what I will be completely honest about is that Juliette has this way with building this fictional world that these main characters revolve in that just blows your mind. I know, the characters should, and ARE the main attribute to all reasons why I love her writing style but I cannot and will not move on without mentioning the killer world building and lore of Darkest Heart.
Anyone a gamer? Play Blizzard's Diablo? Whether you do or not doesn't really make a difference just really something I personally noticed and really enjoyed overall based around the backstory of the world, more or less just a connection of what I really felt slayed me. So in the game it is about fallen angels, the corruption of angels, Diablo himself destroying the world all the while battling and controlling humans. In short, there is an entire lore around angels and demons living in the world with mortals. So skip ahead to Darkest Heart, my spidey senses are tingling because I get nothing but Diablo lore feels with this dramatically intense romance twist that made my heart pound, my mind crazy and my loins dripping.
THAT is what makes this fucking brilliant. There is logically based demonology backbone but without forcing any type of spiritual bias onto the reader. Putting it simply, it is a world where angels and demons co-exist in our mortal world, and it isn't a pretty picture. The world is in ruin, the gates between hell and heaven are blurred, earth is desolate - humans are dying, demons are havoc, basic primal mayhem for conquering everything. It is a wasteland amongst a growing battlefield. And I say the line is blurred too (physically and dichotomy) because in the process of demons sucking our world dry, angels are no better; both sides fighting for control yet not caring what damage they are doing.
Alright - boom. I know that was a cluster fuck of amazing, but I couldn't move on with appreciating the research, the storyline, the overall lore that Juliette created for this romance because it was masterful. I honestly think that anyone who goes into this book thinking it is going to be this erotic, paranormal romance that just beaver drools you off the chair, you won't be wrong, it does that but it is not JUST the romance. When an author does paranormal fantasy world building and kicks ass at it, you have to take a moment to say you fucking nailed it.
Now what we all come here for - the romance... hold on to your tits babes.
Firstly I really enjoyed Anya. She was such a fierce, passionate type female, she was righteous yet grounded enough to understand herself and more importantly her needs. She is selfish yet selfless if that makes any sense. And more importantly, Anya as a guardian angel was just stunning. She wasn't weak. Not saying she didn't devolve into a lustful lush for our sexy as hell demon, Dommiel, but she was nonetheless a warrior. She kicked ass and took names all the while saving orphaned children. And as for the delicious demon...
Dommiel. Holy balls and yum comrades. Dommiel is the perfect fictional male character. I have a massive book boner for male characters with a hilarious sarcastic, flirty asshole complex, add in that he is a demon - you bet your bottom dollar I was head over heels in love with him. The crudeness, blatant sex appeal that radiates off him was entertaining enough. He too is also semi split in his personality as well. He is seen as a traitor among his own demon fellows but not entirely accepted by the other side, one in which he is now working for - the proclaimed good guys. He is compassionate towards the greater good while he also admits his own faults, the reason behind him falling.
Because of these clashes, Dommiel and Anya start an even more fierce connection that basically heightens the factor of blurred lines between demon and angels. Anya needs Dommiel's help to find the Archangel Uriel (both for self-righteous and selfish reasons) yet along the short time of adventure finds herself battling this gnawing need to be connected to Dommiel. And Dommiel on the other front, well shit a demon falling for an angel, she is the light in his darkness. Obviously you can kind of get these insta-lust, perhaps insta-love vibes I might be dropping down, I mean really they meet and fall fast I won't deny it but it flows smashingly. From the moment of meeting they have this intense just fierce chemistry that is just undeniable. It lights up the pages. Honestly when I wasn't chuckling at their conversations, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the duet to connect physically. Swoon worthy.
Absolute perfection.
I mean, what else can I say to peer pressure this book, hell this author onto more readers? Honestly this is one long review! But I couldn't stop. It was just amazing. Everything blew me away. The characters, the romance, the world lore - Juliette slays me. I cannot recommend this author enough. If you enjoy this genre I highly encourage giving her a dive, she is worth the chance.
So what is next in our Dominion series? I cannot wait to find out!
Cheese and crackers... Juliette you slay me. Just - ugh loved it comrades! This was a five stars hands down it was glorious. Juliette just take all the fucking stars. Gory hell it was an absolute phenomenal read.
I will admit here and now, I am in a huge binder read mode with Cross books. I have several of her series on my eReader that are on my TBR and I was blown away with her Vampire Blood Series that I have read at this point and I gotta say she is an amazing author. Her main characters always have this all-consuming, intensely passionate romance that just makes you gush. On top of that she rocks are world building.
So with that said ...before I dive into the more important thing - the obvious romance porn, I mean that is why we are all here right? But what I will be completely honest about is that Juliette has this way with building this fictional world that these main characters revolve in that just blows your mind. I know, the characters should, and ARE the main attribute to all reasons why I love her writing style but I cannot and will not move on without mentioning the killer world building and lore of Darkest Heart.
Anyone a gamer? Play Blizzard's Diablo? Whether you do or not doesn't really make a difference just really something I personally noticed and really enjoyed overall based around the backstory of the world, more or less just a connection of what I really felt slayed me. So in the game it is about fallen angels, the corruption of angels, Diablo himself destroying the world all the while battling and controlling humans. In short, there is an entire lore around angels and demons living in the world with mortals. So skip ahead to Darkest Heart, my spidey senses are tingling because I get nothing but Diablo lore feels with this dramatically intense romance twist that made my heart pound, my mind crazy and my loins dripping.
THAT is what makes this fucking brilliant. There is logically based demonology backbone but without forcing any type of spiritual bias onto the reader. Putting it simply, it is a world where angels and demons co-exist in our mortal world, and it isn't a pretty picture. The world is in ruin, the gates between hell and heaven are blurred, earth is desolate - humans are dying, demons are havoc, basic primal mayhem for conquering everything. It is a wasteland amongst a growing battlefield. And I say the line is blurred too (physically and dichotomy) because in the process of demons sucking our world dry, angels are no better; both sides fighting for control yet not caring what damage they are doing.
Alright - boom. I know that was a cluster fuck of amazing, but I couldn't move on with appreciating the research, the storyline, the overall lore that Juliette created for this romance because it was masterful. I honestly think that anyone who goes into this book thinking it is going to be this erotic, paranormal romance that just beaver drools you off the chair, you won't be wrong, it does that but it is not JUST the romance. When an author does paranormal fantasy world building and kicks ass at it, you have to take a moment to say you fucking nailed it.
Now what we all come here for - the romance... hold on to your tits babes.
Firstly I really enjoyed Anya. She was such a fierce, passionate type female, she was righteous yet grounded enough to understand herself and more importantly her needs. She is selfish yet selfless if that makes any sense. And more importantly, Anya as a guardian angel was just stunning. She wasn't weak. Not saying she didn't devolve into a lustful lush for our sexy as hell demon, Dommiel, but she was nonetheless a warrior. She kicked ass and took names all the while saving orphaned children. And as for the delicious demon...
Dommiel. Holy balls and yum comrades. Dommiel is the perfect fictional male character. I have a massive book boner for male characters with a hilarious sarcastic, flirty asshole complex, add in that he is a demon - you bet your bottom dollar I was head over heels in love with him. The crudeness, blatant sex appeal that radiates off him was entertaining enough. He too is also semi split in his personality as well. He is seen as a traitor among his own demon fellows but not entirely accepted by the other side, one in which he is now working for - the proclaimed good guys. He is compassionate towards the greater good while he also admits his own faults, the reason behind him falling.
Because of these clashes, Dommiel and Anya start an even more fierce connection that basically heightens the factor of blurred lines between demon and angels. Anya needs Dommiel's help to find the Archangel Uriel (both for self-righteous and selfish reasons) yet along the short time of adventure finds herself battling this gnawing need to be connected to Dommiel. And Dommiel on the other front, well shit a demon falling for an angel, she is the light in his darkness. Obviously you can kind of get these insta-lust, perhaps insta-love vibes I might be dropping down, I mean really they meet and fall fast I won't deny it but it flows smashingly. From the moment of meeting they have this intense just fierce chemistry that is just undeniable. It lights up the pages. Honestly when I wasn't chuckling at their conversations, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the duet to connect physically. Swoon worthy.
Absolute perfection.
I mean, what else can I say to peer pressure this book, hell this author onto more readers? Honestly this is one long review! But I couldn't stop. It was just amazing. Everything blew me away. The characters, the romance, the world lore - Juliette slays me. I cannot recommend this author enough. If you enjoy this genre I highly encourage giving her a dive, she is worth the chance.
So what is next in our Dominion series? I cannot wait to find out!
bewoelkt_aber_heiter's review
5.0
I have so much love for this story and its hero and heroine I can't even describe it right now...
Full Review: Diese Geschichte hat absolut alles, was sie braucht: fantastische, durch ihre Ambivalenz sehr interessante und nachvollziehbare Charaktere, ein dunkel-schillerndes Worldbuilding und einen spannenden Plot.
Einen Dämon als Protagonisten zu wählen, ist natürlich mutig, da ich hier einen ambivalenten Charakter erwarte, der sowohl seine dämonischen als auch seine sympathischen Züge durchscheinen lässt. Mit Dommiel gelingt der Autorin ein solcher Protagonist, der mit deinem Sarkasmus, seinem schwarzen Humor und seiner dunkel-verführerischen Art das Herz des Lesers wortwörtlich im Sturm erobert. Die „Tonart“ seines POV hat mich sofort in die Geschichte hineingezogen: Dommiel trägt die Geschichte sichtbar, auch wenn sein weiblicher Gegenpart Anya ebenfalls schnell meine Sympathie hatte.
Für diejenigen, die Juliette Cross‘ Vessel-Trilogie (die man nicht gelesen haben muss, um Darkest Heart zu verstehen – es schadet aber auch nicht, weil dadurch das Worldbuilding sehr viel tiefgründiger erscheint) bereits kennen, ist er kein Unbekannter und doch offenbart er erst hier die ganze Tiefe seines Charakters. Man merkt deutlich, dass die Autorin seit dem Debüt mit ihrer Vessel-Trilogie einiges dazu gelernt hat. Diese Geschichte ist atmosphärisch und dunkel, der Plot ist aus genau der richtigen Mischung von romantischen und spannenden Elementen gestrickt, da die beiden sich während der Suche nach dem verschollenen Erzengel Uriel sehr schnell zueinander hingezogen fühlen. Dabei weist der Roman einen klaren Fall von insta-lust auf, von dem man sich aber nicht abschrecken lassen sollte, da die Autorin es meisterhaft schafft, Dommiel eine fühlbare und authentische Wandlung durchmachen zu lassen, die mit einem atemberaubenden Showdown die Geschichte zum Höhepunkt führt.
Von vorne bis hinten fesselnd gestaltet und erzählt. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, die nächsten Titel der Dominion-Reihe zu lesen.
Full Review: Diese Geschichte hat absolut alles, was sie braucht: fantastische, durch ihre Ambivalenz sehr interessante und nachvollziehbare Charaktere, ein dunkel-schillerndes Worldbuilding und einen spannenden Plot.
Einen Dämon als Protagonisten zu wählen, ist natürlich mutig, da ich hier einen ambivalenten Charakter erwarte, der sowohl seine dämonischen als auch seine sympathischen Züge durchscheinen lässt. Mit Dommiel gelingt der Autorin ein solcher Protagonist, der mit deinem Sarkasmus, seinem schwarzen Humor und seiner dunkel-verführerischen Art das Herz des Lesers wortwörtlich im Sturm erobert. Die „Tonart“ seines POV hat mich sofort in die Geschichte hineingezogen: Dommiel trägt die Geschichte sichtbar, auch wenn sein weiblicher Gegenpart Anya ebenfalls schnell meine Sympathie hatte.
Für diejenigen, die Juliette Cross‘ Vessel-Trilogie (die man nicht gelesen haben muss, um Darkest Heart zu verstehen – es schadet aber auch nicht, weil dadurch das Worldbuilding sehr viel tiefgründiger erscheint) bereits kennen, ist er kein Unbekannter und doch offenbart er erst hier die ganze Tiefe seines Charakters. Man merkt deutlich, dass die Autorin seit dem Debüt mit ihrer Vessel-Trilogie einiges dazu gelernt hat. Diese Geschichte ist atmosphärisch und dunkel, der Plot ist aus genau der richtigen Mischung von romantischen und spannenden Elementen gestrickt, da die beiden sich während der Suche nach dem verschollenen Erzengel Uriel sehr schnell zueinander hingezogen fühlen. Dabei weist der Roman einen klaren Fall von insta-lust auf, von dem man sich aber nicht abschrecken lassen sollte, da die Autorin es meisterhaft schafft, Dommiel eine fühlbare und authentische Wandlung durchmachen zu lassen, die mit einem atemberaubenden Showdown die Geschichte zum Höhepunkt führt.
Von vorne bis hinten fesselnd gestaltet und erzählt. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, die nächsten Titel der Dominion-Reihe zu lesen.
morganbrown2900's review
4.0
Darkest heart is the first book of this series also my first book read by this author. I enjoyed this book it was interesting and kept my attention until the very end. Can't wait to read more books by Juliette Cross.
karen720's review
4.0
Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley for an honest and unbiased opinion.
It’s entertaining and exciting, I liked the characters, the romance and the world building and I’m looking forward to the next book.
I so love me an anti-hero, especially one that underneath it all there's still that inherent goodness. Dommiel had that in spades despite his living on the knife edge of good and evil.
A fabulous paranormal romance about redemption that had me glued to the page, recommended.
Release: August 20, 2018 | Genre: Fantasy/PNR | Dual POV - 1st person | Heat: 4 | Standalone - Dominion #1 | Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC
It’s entertaining and exciting, I liked the characters, the romance and the world building and I’m looking forward to the next book.
I so love me an anti-hero, especially one that underneath it all there's still that inherent goodness. Dommiel had that in spades despite his living on the knife edge of good and evil.
A fabulous paranormal romance about redemption that had me glued to the page, recommended.
Release: August 20, 2018 | Genre: Fantasy/PNR | Dual POV - 1st person | Heat: 4 | Standalone - Dominion #1 | Publisher: Entangled Publishing LLC
cely212's review against another edition
5.0
When Ms. Juliette Cross stated she was going to write Dommiel’s story I was super excited. I was excited because we all know of a character in a story we all want to know more of. Well in this case it was Dommiel for me from the Vessel trilogy (which even though it is a separate series it is built in the same universe and is connected) do you have to read them; no, because it explains the background of who Dommiel was.) however, I do recommend it so you can fully understand the universe itself and fully see how Dommiel truly changed. If you believe he changed I knew he had some good in him and Anya was the person to fully pull it out of him. If you are a sucker for a person who tends to be on the crazy side but is loyal to those he care for, I suggest you read this book it isn’t a let down. Love how it showed the internal struggles he endured from his fall. The whole time he looked for ways to redeem himself, (even when he was on denial that he was and truly believed he was set for failure he ended up finding it through the love he had for an angel).
ames599's review
4.0
When first starting Darkest Heart I was confused. There is a lot of backstory you simply don't know. I actually stopped reading to check if this was a second work in a series to explain how much I felt I was missing. Once you get over the fact that you're thrown directly into a world where you have to figure out the backstory as you go, the book is extremely enjoyable. It's fast paced, and as you go along you get a much better sense of who these characters are, as well as, what exactly has happened to make the world the war torn way it is. It's got romance, fighting, a kick ass heroine, and a bad boy with a heart of gold. What more can you ask for?
**I received an copy of this work from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
**I received an copy of this work from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
befreckledreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bananatricky's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 44%. First off, let me just say, it's me not the book.
The angels and demons have started waging war on each other and the humans are caught in the cross-fire. Anya is an angel who has become disillusioned with the angels and their disregard for human life, she's been bitten by a demon prince and has very little time before she becomes his thrall.
Dommiel is a demon who has grown sick of the violence and the war, when a favour is called in he can't refuse, but soon the unthinkable happens, the demon and the angel have feelings for one another.
Let me be 100% honest, the reason I did not finish the book was because what I really wanted was an urban fantasy type arc where Anya and Dommiel love from afar but but do nothing for at least three or four books. When the plot veered towards instant resolution my interest waned. I wanted snark and unrequited love and angst but what I got was more instalove.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The angels and demons have started waging war on each other and the humans are caught in the cross-fire. Anya is an angel who has become disillusioned with the angels and their disregard for human life, she's been bitten by a demon prince and has very little time before she becomes his thrall.
Dommiel is a demon who has grown sick of the violence and the war, when a favour is called in he can't refuse, but soon the unthinkable happens, the demon and the angel have feelings for one another.
Let me be 100% honest, the reason I did not finish the book was because what I really wanted was an urban fantasy type arc where Anya and Dommiel love from afar but but do nothing for at least three or four books. When the plot veered towards instant resolution my interest waned. I wanted snark and unrequited love and angst but what I got was more instalove.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
glimpses_of_my_books's review against another edition
5.0
Review coming soon!
For now, let this convince you:

For more reviews Subscribe/Like/Follow
Blog: http://glimpsesofmybooks.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glimpses_of...
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
For now, let this convince you:

For more reviews Subscribe/Like/Follow
Blog: http://glimpsesofmybooks.blogspot.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glimpses_of...
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
cranberrytarts's review against another edition
4.0
I read and enjoyed another novel by Cross, and this one sounded intriguing so I decided to give it a go. I like that each book in this series features a different couple. I've been reading a lot of UF lately, so this was a nice change.
In this apocalyptic world, the war between Heaven and Hell waged quietly for millennium, until the gates opened and battles between angels and demons started raging on Earth. Humans - those who survived - are just trying to find a safe place to exist, while the lines between good and evil blur...
Anya is desperate to find the archangel Uriel. She is slowly being poisoned by the essence of a demon and Uriel is the only one who can remove it before it turns her into a mindless slave. With the help of a friend, she enlists the aid of High Demon Dommiel to help her locate and rescue Uriel. Anya has always fought on the side of Good, and has no love for demons, but Dommiel is different. From the beginning they have a deep connections, and he makes her want things she never even thought about before.
Dommiel was once the High Demon of New Orleans. He's committed a lot of sins since his Fall, and he's not done yet. He will have Anya, he can't help himself. Walking away may prove to be impossible, but how can a demon and an angel who fight on different sides of the war ever make it work?
Anya used to fight for the angels, but now she and Uriel, along with some others, are fighting for the humans - trying to save them before it's too late. Dom was betrayed by the one who was closest to him, and he was cast out of heaven, then branded a traitor to demonkind. Now he works as a mercenary, helping the human resistance and others ...for the right price. I really liked the world and the way Cross blurred the lines between good and evil. Nothing is black and white, and it's surprising what allies you find in the gray shadows. The romance was also well done. I liked watching Dom fall for Anya, and her open up to him. Her faith and trust were given so freely, I couldn't help but laugh at how he tried to resist..and couldn't.
All in all, a great start to a new series. I can't wait to read the next two books (which feature characters I fell in love with here).
Rating: 4/4.25
In this apocalyptic world, the war between Heaven and Hell waged quietly for millennium, until the gates opened and battles between angels and demons started raging on Earth. Humans - those who survived - are just trying to find a safe place to exist, while the lines between good and evil blur...
Anya is desperate to find the archangel Uriel. She is slowly being poisoned by the essence of a demon and Uriel is the only one who can remove it before it turns her into a mindless slave. With the help of a friend, she enlists the aid of High Demon Dommiel to help her locate and rescue Uriel. Anya has always fought on the side of Good, and has no love for demons, but Dommiel is different. From the beginning they have a deep connections, and he makes her want things she never even thought about before.
Dommiel was once the High Demon of New Orleans. He's committed a lot of sins since his Fall, and he's not done yet. He will have Anya, he can't help himself. Walking away may prove to be impossible, but how can a demon and an angel who fight on different sides of the war ever make it work?
“So that’s what it feels like,” he mumbled, his breath coming heavy as he tilted toward sleep.
“What, what feels like?” I asked into the dark, the moonlight painting the coverlet silver.
I thought he’d fallen asleep entirely, but then, “To fuck a woman I’d die for.”
Anya used to fight for the angels, but now she and Uriel, along with some others, are fighting for the humans - trying to save them before it's too late. Dom was betrayed by the one who was closest to him, and he was cast out of heaven, then branded a traitor to demonkind. Now he works as a mercenary, helping the human resistance and others ...for the right price. I really liked the world and the way Cross blurred the lines between good and evil. Nothing is black and white, and it's surprising what allies you find in the gray shadows. The romance was also well done. I liked watching Dom fall for Anya, and her open up to him. Her faith and trust were given so freely, I couldn't help but laugh at how he tried to resist..and couldn't.
All in all, a great start to a new series. I can't wait to read the next two books (which feature characters I fell in love with here).
Rating: 4/4.25