spiringvenus's review
5.0
Favorite book so far in the series! Loved the dynamic between Jackie and Iain. Glad to see two "broken" people interact. Surprise ending was great! Can't wait until the next Sentinel book comes out!
jynx66's review
5.0
Rating: 5/5*
Romance Rating: 4/5 <3
Iain is a Theronai warrior with no soul.
Jackie is a woman who just wants her old life back.
Match made in heaven?
Of course!
Iain is a warrior who lost his soul long ago. He's managed to convince everyone that he is fine and in no danger of becoming a monster. He is living by his own honor code to keep himself in check, all the while trying to help his brothers who are closest to losing themselves. On the surface, he is cold and heartless. Deep within, he is ravaged by pain, rage, and the urge to kill.
Jackie has wanted nothing more than to get her old life back, before she was taken by the Synestryn. However, walking the halls of Dabyr has become it's own kind of hell--for every time she steps foot outside her room, she is groped and touched by the other warriors in hopes that she will be a match for them and be the one to save their souls. Jackie has the ability to pair with any warrior, but she doesn't want the life of magic. She wants what she used to have, and what she will never have again.
From the beginning, I had wanted to read this book. From the moment Iain was introduced in the series, I wanted a happily-ever-after for him. He deserved it. And lo-and-behold, he got it in the form of Jackie.
This story opens up with Jackie on her way to see Joseph, the leader of the Theronai, in hopes that he will allow her to leave and being her life over again. She runs into Torr, grief-stricken over Grace, and is cornered and almost man-handled by him until Iain intervenes. After speaking with Joseph, she makes a deal with him. She'll pick a warrior to bond with, after which he must let her leave Dabyr. He agrees, but it doesn't go the way he expected it too. To everyone's shock, Jackie picks Iain. After some word play, Joseph must let her go because of his promise to her. While out on the town, Jackie and Iain get attacked by the Synestryn...and all hell breaks loose.
Iain was great character. Add the unique situation of not having a soul, but a monster than wants nothing more than kill, and wants Jackie for himself, and you have a new twist on the same story. It was great to see Iain recognize the differences Jackie brought out in him through their bond, and to see how easily she accepted all of him, despite his attempts to push her away in hopes that she would save one of his bothers. He was a strong character, but showed weakness when it came to Jackie and how he started "feeling" about her, and his inability to deny her what she wanted.
In the beginning, it was easy to understand why Jackie felt the way she did, and why she reacted to the warriors and their world as she did also. She had been captured and tortured and tried her best to protect the children she was held captive with until she was rescued. She had 2 years of horrifying memories to last a lifetime. But by the middle of the book, he usual excuses were getting a tad old. Not enough to take away from the book or to make me annoyed with her, but enough to make me roll my eyes when she said it. I really did like how she grew into her own after that. Things took a turn she didn't like, and she became this strong, loving woman who wanted nothing more than to save a man who had yet to do anything wrong against the injustice of the Theronai ways. She felt so strongly that she even gave in to Iain's wishes, but in the end, ended up saving them both in a way that, I have to admit, I didn't see coming.
And or course the thing we love most about it...The love? Oh is was just as I liked it. Hot. Steamy. and sooooo worthwhile! When they finally got together, it was like fireworks going off on the Fourth of July. Everything in the world was right again, and I knew it was only a matter of time before things REALLY got interesting.
The side stories that went hand in hand with Iain and Jackie's happily-ever-after were well placed, and helped move the story along. At some times I felt myself not caring about them as much, because Jackie and Iain were at such a crucial part that I wanted to go back to it, but I felt that the other stories were enough to keep me interested into the overall progress of the series. By the book's end, I found myself really wishing I already had to next book to read--so I could find out who would be saved next, and to see what happened to the side characters, most specifically Cain and Torr. Those boys are breaking my heart!
Jackie and Iain's story was a fresh twist on the Theronai "warrior-must-find-woman-who-can-save-his-soul" storyline. The last book was of one of the Sanguiner, and now, we get a warrior with no soul. It just shows that Butcher still has fresh ideas for this series, and continues to show us both in the main story and in the side stories that decorate the path.
I can't wait for the next installment.
Romance Rating: 4/5 <3
Iain is a Theronai warrior with no soul.
Jackie is a woman who just wants her old life back.
Match made in heaven?
Of course!
Iain is a warrior who lost his soul long ago. He's managed to convince everyone that he is fine and in no danger of becoming a monster. He is living by his own honor code to keep himself in check, all the while trying to help his brothers who are closest to losing themselves. On the surface, he is cold and heartless. Deep within, he is ravaged by pain, rage, and the urge to kill.
Jackie has wanted nothing more than to get her old life back, before she was taken by the Synestryn. However, walking the halls of Dabyr has become it's own kind of hell--for every time she steps foot outside her room, she is groped and touched by the other warriors in hopes that she will be a match for them and be the one to save their souls. Jackie has the ability to pair with any warrior, but she doesn't want the life of magic. She wants what she used to have, and what she will never have again.
From the beginning, I had wanted to read this book. From the moment Iain was introduced in the series, I wanted a happily-ever-after for him. He deserved it. And lo-and-behold, he got it in the form of Jackie.
This story opens up with Jackie on her way to see Joseph, the leader of the Theronai, in hopes that he will allow her to leave and being her life over again. She runs into Torr, grief-stricken over Grace, and is cornered and almost man-handled by him until Iain intervenes. After speaking with Joseph, she makes a deal with him. She'll pick a warrior to bond with, after which he must let her leave Dabyr. He agrees, but it doesn't go the way he expected it too. To everyone's shock, Jackie picks Iain. After some word play, Joseph must let her go because of his promise to her. While out on the town, Jackie and Iain get attacked by the Synestryn...and all hell breaks loose.
Iain was great character. Add the unique situation of not having a soul, but a monster than wants nothing more than kill, and wants Jackie for himself, and you have a new twist on the same story. It was great to see Iain recognize the differences Jackie brought out in him through their bond, and to see how easily she accepted all of him, despite his attempts to push her away in hopes that she would save one of his bothers. He was a strong character, but showed weakness when it came to Jackie and how he started "feeling" about her, and his inability to deny her what she wanted.
In the beginning, it was easy to understand why Jackie felt the way she did, and why she reacted to the warriors and their world as she did also. She had been captured and tortured and tried her best to protect the children she was held captive with until she was rescued. She had 2 years of horrifying memories to last a lifetime. But by the middle of the book, he usual excuses were getting a tad old. Not enough to take away from the book or to make me annoyed with her, but enough to make me roll my eyes when she said it. I really did like how she grew into her own after that. Things took a turn she didn't like, and she became this strong, loving woman who wanted nothing more than to save a man who had yet to do anything wrong against the injustice of the Theronai ways. She felt so strongly that she even gave in to Iain's wishes, but in the end, ended up saving them both in a way that, I have to admit, I didn't see coming.
And or course the thing we love most about it...The love? Oh is was just as I liked it. Hot. Steamy. and sooooo worthwhile! When they finally got together, it was like fireworks going off on the Fourth of July. Everything in the world was right again, and I knew it was only a matter of time before things REALLY got interesting.
The side stories that went hand in hand with Iain and Jackie's happily-ever-after were well placed, and helped move the story along. At some times I felt myself not caring about them as much, because Jackie and Iain were at such a crucial part that I wanted to go back to it, but I felt that the other stories were enough to keep me interested into the overall progress of the series. By the book's end, I found myself really wishing I already had to next book to read--so I could find out who would be saved next, and to see what happened to the side characters, most specifically Cain and Torr. Those boys are breaking my heart!
Jackie and Iain's story was a fresh twist on the Theronai "warrior-must-find-woman-who-can-save-his-soul" storyline. The last book was of one of the Sanguiner, and now, we get a warrior with no soul. It just shows that Butcher still has fresh ideas for this series, and continues to show us both in the main story and in the side stories that decorate the path.
I can't wait for the next installment.
nikkisreadingx's review
4.0
I'm having a serious book hangover with this one. I couldn't put it down. I didn't expect to finish it in a day, but here we are. It was just that interesting. Right now, there are too many thoughts bouncing around for me to figure out, but I'm going to try.
I don't like Jackie. I realize that my thoughts and judgments on her character aren't fair -- she had her life torn away for two years and she's forced into a war she never wanted and all she wants to do is go back to her own life. I get that.
As her bond with Iain grows, I get to like her a bit more. She's stubborn and extremely smart and a really good match for Iain.
And Iain? Oh, I love Iain. I've loved him since the first time he showed up. This book delves into his entire being and how he's able to hold on while having a dead soul. The tie between them and Iain slowly gaining emotions he hasn't had in years was a huge source of happiness for me. It was wonderful to read, just the perfect conflict for these two characters. They're both fighting a bond they don't want to want and it's just...perfect.
Here are the low points for me with this book:
Still, even with those things, I loved it. I'll be mentally revisiting that book for days.
I don't like Jackie. I realize that my thoughts and judgments on her character aren't fair -- she had her life torn away for two years and she's forced into a war she never wanted and all she wants to do is go back to her own life. I get that.
Spoiler
I totally get that. But it doesn't ever change. Not when she finds out her blood attracts Synestryn, not when she realizes she can't fight them on her own, not ever. She goes through hell and almost gets Iain killed and she's still hung over leaving Dabyr and going back her old human life. Which could be possible, only she refuses to give up her memories. My biggest issue is that she keeps this mindset and no one--no one--explains exactly why doing that will kill her. They just tell her she can't do it.As her bond with Iain grows, I get to like her a bit more. She's stubborn and extremely smart and a really good match for Iain.
And Iain? Oh, I love Iain. I've loved him since the first time he showed up. This book delves into his entire being and how he's able to hold on while having a dead soul. The tie between them and Iain slowly gaining emotions he hasn't had in years was a huge source of happiness for me. It was wonderful to read, just the perfect conflict for these two characters. They're both fighting a bond they don't want to want and it's just...perfect.
Here are the low points for me with this book:
Spoiler
(1) I don't like how "neat" the ending was. Jackie has never wavered in wanting to live a human life, not once, but the ending of the book doesn't address that. They don't figure it out at all. While I hope this is addressed in future books, I want to be able to shift my focus onto the next pair. We'll see. (2) Joseph's actual character is showing and I'm not sure if I like it. You can see the strain being a leader is for him and it's completely understandable, but I'm wondering how low it's going to reach before his book comes around. (3) I hate love triangles. I absolutely hate them. Bringing Serena back was just so...weird. I was expecting something due to the light Jackie sees from the luceria vision, but I don't see why she was brought back. I mean, I know it's because she's supposed to have a story of her own, but it didn't sit right with me.Still, even with those things, I loved it. I'll be mentally revisiting that book for days.
retiring2read's review
2.0
I really enjoy this series, but the leading lady in this book was annoying, distractingly so. She clearly suffered and was mourning her life before the trama. However, she was written to be a smart capable woman who was able to survive horrible atrocities. This could have produced a hardened woman trying to bring the scraps of her life back together in a new reality. That journey would have been interesting to read about. However, we were reading about a self-absorbed, whiny and selfish woman, who couldn't face the reality of her new situation.
tkat's review
4.0
I think this is my favorite of the Sentinel Wars series so far. I think Butcher has really found her stride with this one.
Dying wish is the 6th book in the Sentinel Wars series by Shannon K. Butcher. For those interested in a world overview, check me out here.
So the Sentinel Wars is all about a race of beings called Theronai trying to defend the world from demons, natch. They suffered a setback a few centuries ago, and were no longer able to propagate their species. As a result they have been slowly dying off.
Each book revolves around one male of one of three races: Theronai, Sanguinar, and Slayer falling in love and finding their mate. And for the male Theronai, it’s a big deal because they will die without a mate.
The Theronai of the day is a man named Ian, who really should have dies centuries ago, but has kept himself alive by sheer force of will, and good thing too. Because when him and his brothers raided a demon nest, they found Jackie; a woman who has been imprisoned, battered, fed upon, and gold knows what else while in captivity, and thankfully is capable of mating with one of the Theronai males.
What draws these two together in the first place isn’t love. Ian is a cold hearted S.O.B, and Jackie is so damaged at first from what she had endured that all she wants is to be left alone, so when she’s forced to choose a male, she chooses the one most likely to leave her alone: Ian.
Well you can guess where it goes from here.
I’m a little bit surprised with this one though, despite the fact that I enjoyed it so much. The love scenes between the two main characters are darker in nature than what Butcher usually writes. It’s still good, but surprising.
The only thing I don’t like about this series is how in the first book it was stressed how there are no more compatible females left in the world to save the Theronai men, and now they’re multiplying like rabbits ever since. Each book introduces anywhere from 2-3 compatible females, and here we’re told that Jackie is linked to dozens, if not hundreds of other women around the world. It seems like you can’t shake a stick without hitting one of these women anymore, and for some reason that bothers me.
But inconsistencies aside, still a good read, and I won’t be stopping the series anytime soon.
Enjoy folks.
Dying wish is the 6th book in the Sentinel Wars series by Shannon K. Butcher. For those interested in a world overview, check me out here.
So the Sentinel Wars is all about a race of beings called Theronai trying to defend the world from demons, natch. They suffered a setback a few centuries ago, and were no longer able to propagate their species. As a result they have been slowly dying off.
Each book revolves around one male of one of three races: Theronai, Sanguinar, and Slayer falling in love and finding their mate. And for the male Theronai, it’s a big deal because they will die without a mate.
The Theronai of the day is a man named Ian, who really should have dies centuries ago, but has kept himself alive by sheer force of will, and good thing too. Because when him and his brothers raided a demon nest, they found Jackie; a woman who has been imprisoned, battered, fed upon, and gold knows what else while in captivity, and thankfully is capable of mating with one of the Theronai males.
What draws these two together in the first place isn’t love. Ian is a cold hearted S.O.B, and Jackie is so damaged at first from what she had endured that all she wants is to be left alone, so when she’s forced to choose a male, she chooses the one most likely to leave her alone: Ian.
Well you can guess where it goes from here.
I’m a little bit surprised with this one though, despite the fact that I enjoyed it so much. The love scenes between the two main characters are darker in nature than what Butcher usually writes. It’s still good, but surprising.
The only thing I don’t like about this series is how in the first book it was stressed how there are no more compatible females left in the world to save the Theronai men, and now they’re multiplying like rabbits ever since. Each book introduces anywhere from 2-3 compatible females, and here we’re told that Jackie is linked to dozens, if not hundreds of other women around the world. It seems like you can’t shake a stick without hitting one of these women anymore, and for some reason that bothers me.
But inconsistencies aside, still a good read, and I won’t be stopping the series anytime soon.
Enjoy folks.
raven_acres's review
4.0
Most of the book left me feeling irritated over how whiny Jackie kept coming across. When she and Iain finally started working together, it got really good. Really enjoyed the twists and turns.
shadowmaster13's review
3.0
This series has the potential to be seriously long-running and still be good at the end.
laurenjodi's review
5.0
Quickie Review
Absolutely wonderful!
The action is exhilarating and the romance both steamy and emotionally charged. Iain's struggle to control his dark side and hang on to his honor makes him an amazing hero and Jackie is his perfect match. Her incredible loyalty, selflessness and willingness to sacrifice herself for Iain make her one of my favorite heroines in the series.
The installment ends with some intriguing hints at future developments and I hope the Butcher writes the next one quickly.
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