Reviews

Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton

laurenjodi's review against another edition

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4.0

Entwined
3.5 Stars

As the Argonaut descended from Achilles, Zander has lived for over 800 years. In all that time, he has exhibited only one weakness: Callia, the love of his life who also betrayed him in the most fundamental of ways. Callia, healer to the King of Argolea, has given up on the life she once dreamed of having with Zander. However, fate has more in store for these seemingly star-crossed lovers because old secrets are about to come to light that may either rekindle the love and passion they felt so long ago, or will destroy them once and for all.

Zander and Callia’s second chances romance has tremendous potential. Unfortunately, their emotional connection is completely undermined by the angst, distrust and inability to communicate that characterizes their relationship. They are constantly at odds with one another even after the lies that separated them are revealed, and it is difficult to appreciate them either as individuals or as a couple. Callia, in particular, is a problematic heroine as the choices she made both in the past and in the present are completely incomprehensible
Spoilerwhat woman chooses to be flogged for infidelity or decides to accept and even encourage her soul mate’s binding to another?


In contrast, the secondary characters are far more interesting. The curious animosity between Isadora and Demetrius, the intriguing mystery that surrounds Orpheus’s true nature, and the compelling secrets behind Nick’s scarred facade all indicate that there are some exciting things to come.

Moreover, the developments in the ongoing story arc are engrossing. The elements and symbolism of Greek mythology together with the various conflicts (i.e., Atalanta vs. the Argonauts, the Argolean monarchy vs. the council, and the Argoleans vs. Misos) establish a complex and captivating world that I am eager to learn more about.

In sum, Entwined is a satisfying read despite its shortcomings and I am looking forward to Isadora and Demetrius’s upcoming showdown.

bookwife's review against another edition

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3.0

I read the first one a loong time ago and I have read 100+ books since then. So some of the characters were a little confusing to me at first because I was trying to remember what happened. And I couldn't remember if I had missed something with Zander and Callia from the first book. I know there was tension.. but I kind wish there would have been more of a flashback maybe of 10 years ago when they fell in love. But again.. maybe there was more to it in the first book. Honestly can't remember. I just felt like I was missing something with the story.

I hate the communication misunderstanding. I hate that something so idiotic kept two people apart. It makes me want to hit people. And I also think that Zander was a complete ass calling her a murderer. And right after he told her her just wanted to fuck her. ohhhhh. I would have chopped off some very important parts of him.

I will read the next book.. Although I really can't stand Isadora. I am hoping maybe that might change after her book?.. probably not.

myzanm's review against another edition

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2.0

I'm giving up.
The first book didn't stay with me, but I still tried the second book. Sometimes series gets better after the first book.
No such luck for me.
I understand many readers loved this book and the series, but I just can't connect to it. So... giving up...

hannas_heas47's review against another edition

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4.0

I felt a lot of angst reading this book. It took a lot of time to unfold.... almost to the last page. But it was a happy ending. I will read on!

amizo's review against another edition

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4.0

I am loving this series. On to the next

elliefufu's review against another edition

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4.0

Liked this one so much! Can't wait to read more of this series

goaskalix's review against another edition

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4.0

Oh Zander. He's so lovely.

And I'm thinking D is gonna be my favourite. I have a theme here; he's the one I see as being the most Z-like from BDB. Hmm...

Reread: April 2014

Reread: July 2016

raven168's review against another edition

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3.0

2.5 stars
Considering how much I enjoyed the first book, this one really let me down. And it's only because of near the end when it finally got good (though not the very end) that I decided to round up instead of down. Much of the book had me trudging thru it and just wanting to be done with it. I grew tired of Zander and Callia's misunderstanding causing so much tension and arguing and yadda yadda all the time.

Zander had found out that Callia was his soul mate nearly eleven years ago. But once she got pregnant their relationship was torn apart by lies told to each of them by Callia's father because he wanted her to have nothing to do with the Argonaut (we find out why later). So for over ten years the two of them had been avoiding the other while their resentment and anger grew.

Thinking he's immortal, Zander longs for death because of what he lost. But he's presented with an opportunity to have something to live for and to help his fellow guardians out. Because Casey stole the king's first choice of husband for Isadora, he decides she will marry Demetrius. But boy does he flip out. So Zander volunteers. And the pride he feels for doing so is something he hasn't felt in such a long time. Later while trying to protect some Misos, Zander gets shot and goes down. Titus brings Callia there to heal him and when he wakes up things kindle back up between them but turn cold even faster leading to Callia running away. Stupid move on her part. But because of what happens to her we finally learn that Zander can die and what his Achilles heel is. When Callia recovers they are given the surprise of a lifetime; their son is alive and in the hands of Atalanta. What happened to Max in the beginning had me worried what he was becoming but thankfully he didn't actually end up changing. Max had suffered much at Atalanta's hands and had almost given up hope that his real parents would save him, but once they found out that he was alive Zander and Callia were determined to get him back no matter what. And after a bloody battle where Callia loses someone close to her, they succeed and can finally bring him home. Callia decides it's best to not have a relationship with Zander and pushes him to marry Isadora and make the sacrifice for the greater good. But with Max being so much like Zander in so many ways, and with him giving her hope, Callia rushes to get to him before binding himself to Isadora. Where they're both surprised by a decision of the king.

We also learn something about Callia's heritage in this book that's kind of a surprise
SpoilerI don't think I would have really ever expected her to actually be the king's daughter
. Where Casey and Isadora are the chosen ones, Callia turns out to be their balance. And while Isadora clearly feels close to Casey, her animosity toward Callia doesn't lessen when she finds out. Anyway, the three of them being part of a whole will no doubt be important as we go forward.

And on a side note...I couldn't help but wonder about how Casey is treated there. Now that it's known she's the king's daughter, is she considered royalty? Or no, because her mom was human? She's usually close to Isadora's side now and as also the mate of the guardian leader one would think she should be treated as such should dictate...

willowisp79's review against another edition

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4.0

getting better. I think it's due to obviously getting to get to know the characters bette. in this instance it just took a book - I kniw some where it clicks immediately and others where it can take longer so this isn't too bad.

this couples struggle is zander and callia.
callia is the kings (and everyone in general really) healer.
she is present when the argonauts are present in the kings chambers to choose another due to Theron finding his soul mate in book 1.
initially Demetrius is called forward and the hatred and vehements he professed even in front of the king shocks everyone.
So the king asks for another. No one speaks.....

....so Zander offers.

He feels his gift is immortality - he is the oldest of the argonauts at just over 800 and nothing seems to kill him. He also found....and lost his soul mate 10 years ago so figures he has nothing to lose.

callia is called in to help when zander is very badly hurt in a battle with daemons. to the point he can't be brought thru a portal.
callia stays with Zander alone and when things get heated between them, she's shocked by the things he says to her.

this book is a total roller coaster. there are points you really don't think they're going to be able to salvage it.....

....and there's another aspect that hasn't been expected and when this is brought into the story it takes it to a new level.

getting much better to read!

booklvrkat's review against another edition

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4.0

This was slower than expected. But the heat got there and stayed there in this second book of the series. The Argonauts are thick-headed, stubborn, and absolutely love and adore their soul-mates. Of course, that's once they've figured it out because they are thick-headed and stubborn. Hera's Curse matches them with their curse, the women she has chosen for them. They become their only weakness, while being their only strength.