Cursed by Fire by Jacquelyn Frank
Publisher: Ballantine Books (2/24/2015)
Series: The Immortal Brothers, book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: NetGalley
Purchase links || amazon || add to goodreads
Rating: ★★★★
For centuries, Dethan has been trapped in a fiery inferno for defying the gods and snatching the power of immortality. Condemned to have his battle-hardened body licked by flames only to regenerate and be consumed all over again, Dethan has lost all hope—until the Goddess of Conflict appears. She will release him from torment—if he’ll use his power and strength as a warrior to raise an army and defeat a fierce enemy faction of gods.
Free to live as a man once again, Dethan meets Selinda—heir to the throne of Hexis—and his thoughts quickly turn from the conquest of cities to the conquest of this headstrong beauty. Betrothed to a cruel, calculating powermonger, Selinda needs a champion, and so Dethan enters into another bargain: If she will share her bed—and her body—with him, Dethan will save her city from destructive forces within and without. As the lovers ignite a searing passion, Dethan will risk all—even the wrath of the Goddess of Conflict—for a chance to make Selinda his forever.
{ review } .
Sometimes the worst thing you can do when getting ready to read and review a book is get your post together and find links to places like Amazon and Goodreads... because then you end up stumbling upon some less-than-favorable reviews.
Granted, my opinion typically doesn't fully align with others, so it didn't deter me from wanting to read it too badly.
But because of said reviews, it made me want to like the book, because yeah, that's the rebel in me.
First off, what Jacquelyn does extremely well is explain the setting. We are put in a world of eight hells, a world of gods and goddesses, a world very unlike our own. It was immensely helpful to have everything explained. Did I still have questions? Sure did... but it didn't take away from the story. Honestly, I just got confused between the different worlds and whatnot. The goddess and world that were important to this story, however, were explained enough that I was well aware of what was going on.
Dethan and his brothers committed a crime that upset and offended the gods. As such, they were banished to immortality -- but said immortality would be forever dealt with in one of the eight hells. All four brothers were sent to different places. Dethan's punishment has him burning nightly. Come day light, the fires cease and the burns and scars slowly go away. Before they can completely heal, though, the fires begin again.
When Weysa, goddess of conflict, comes to him, it is to request him in aiding her fight. She will free him if he will put together an army and be her warrior. The catch? He will still burn nightly, so be sure to be away from people or anything where the fire would catch attention.
What I liked about Dethan was his strength. He was strong of body and of mind, but he also had strength in his compassion. When he first saw Selinda, he was immediately drawn to the burn on her face. It made him curious. Later when he sees her and sees a man fighting for her, a beggar of a man with rotten teeth, who's prize is not only money but a kiss, Dethan steps up and saves her from that fate.
However, when he states he will save her from his own kiss, she takes offense -- when in fact, he does it because he feels she should have a choice in the matter.
I liked that Selinda felt like someone who had a purpose when she was with Dethan. She wasn't the ugly daughter with burns and a fiery past. She realized that she could be, and was, desirable.
One of the other reviewers stated how (s)he had been annoyed with the constant flirting. I can totally see where there was constant flirting back and forth, but part of me also feels that that was simply the style and language Jacquelyn chose to use with this series/world.
As stated, I had moments of confusion, but in the end, I was intrigued enough to want to read more. I have Garreth's book on my to-read list, just waiting for a break in blog tours. I'm interested to see what happens with him... once he thaws and all.
But because of said reviews, it made me want to like the book, because yeah, that's the rebel in me.
First off, what Jacquelyn does extremely well is explain the setting. We are put in a world of eight hells, a world of gods and goddesses, a world very unlike our own. It was immensely helpful to have everything explained. Did I still have questions? Sure did... but it didn't take away from the story. Honestly, I just got confused between the different worlds and whatnot. The goddess and world that were important to this story, however, were explained enough that I was well aware of what was going on.
Dethan and his brothers committed a crime that upset and offended the gods. As such, they were banished to immortality -- but said immortality would be forever dealt with in one of the eight hells. All four brothers were sent to different places. Dethan's punishment has him burning nightly. Come day light, the fires cease and the burns and scars slowly go away. Before they can completely heal, though, the fires begin again.
When Weysa, goddess of conflict, comes to him, it is to request him in aiding her fight. She will free him if he will put together an army and be her warrior. The catch? He will still burn nightly, so be sure to be away from people or anything where the fire would catch attention.
What I liked about Dethan was his strength. He was strong of body and of mind, but he also had strength in his compassion. When he first saw Selinda, he was immediately drawn to the burn on her face. It made him curious. Later when he sees her and sees a man fighting for her, a beggar of a man with rotten teeth, who's prize is not only money but a kiss, Dethan steps up and saves her from that fate.
However, when he states he will save her from his own kiss, she takes offense -- when in fact, he does it because he feels she should have a choice in the matter.
I liked that Selinda felt like someone who had a purpose when she was with Dethan. She wasn't the ugly daughter with burns and a fiery past. She realized that she could be, and was, desirable.
One of the other reviewers stated how (s)he had been annoyed with the constant flirting. I can totally see where there was constant flirting back and forth, but part of me also feels that that was simply the style and language Jacquelyn chose to use with this series/world.
As stated, I had moments of confusion, but in the end, I was intrigued enough to want to read more. I have Garreth's book on my to-read list, just waiting for a break in blog tours. I'm interested to see what happens with him... once he thaws and all.
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