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Synopsis
An immortal wanderer. A brilliant scientist. A centuries-old menace written in blood.
Lucien Thrax, son of the earth and child of the ancients, is a healer of immense power. But years of work on a deadly vampire virus have not led to a cure, nor have they softened the wall he built around his heart. When he’s forced to work with Doctor Makeda Abel, Lucien is convinced he’s reached his limit of patience with humanity.
Makeda Abel may be human, but she’s far from impressed with the brooding vampire healer, even if his mind draws her reluctant admiration. She’s learned how to survive in the immortal world, and it’s not by being afraid. Working together may lead them to answers, but it also pushes Lucien and Makeda’s attraction to the boiling point.
When nightmares become reality, Makeda will have to trust Lucien with her life. Finding answers has never been more vital. Finding love has never been more deadly. To heal the Elemental World, Lucien and Makeda must follow ancient paths and ask for help from the most inhuman of immortals. Because even with a cure in hand, the battle has only begun.
Review
4 stars!
I love this series! I think of it as ‘intelligent PNR’. There’s that creation of a whole new world and its unique characters that are an essential part of all PNR books, but Elizabeth Hunter writes smart storylines with drama, mystery and intrigue that keep you madly turning pages, and of course gorgeous romance that is both sexy and emotional. It all blends perfectly in her stories, and I loved this one.
This book is a part of the Elemental World series. It’s part of the series of standalones that follow the Elemental Mysteries series – standalones only because they each feature a different couple, and I would strongly recommend reading these books in order so that you can follow the overarching storyline (and just because they’re awesome books!).
Lucian Thrax was introduced in A Fall of Water (Elemental Mysteries, #4). He is a 2,000 year old powerful earth vampire who was left broken hearted by the death of his human lover, and joined in with Gio, Beatrice and the crew in the hunt for the person responsible for disseminating the deadly elixir that is killing both humans and vampires. This book sees his work continuing, with Lucien putting his brilliant healing skills to work to find a cure for the virus that is triggered by the elixir. For years he has concentrated on nothing but his research, blocking out everything else in his life and losing himself in his work.
Dr Makeda Abel is a human researcher who has been working on her own study of blood diseases. When she is brought on to work with Lucien, they are both highly unimpressed – Lucien because he’s a total loner who doesn’t need anybody’s ‘help’, and Makeda because she thinks Lucien is an arrogant, broody asshole (she’s not entirely wrong). Makeda knows all about the vampire world, having lived and worked within it for as long as she can remember. She isn’t intimidated by Lucien and his dangerous moods, and the insta-hate between them sets up a fantastic dynamic – but we know that there is a lot more than that actually going on.
She tempted him on every level. Her mind. Her body. Her softness and her arrogance. The scent of her blood called to him.
But she was human. She was mortal. She would die like all the rest, and his heart…
That ancient organ could only take so much.
The sexual tension literally hums off the page as Lucien and Makeda battle it out, and when Makeda’s world is literally ripped out from under her, it’s Lucien who is there to help guide her through it, and the shift becomes the catalyst for everything between them to change.
“You did this.”
“I didn’t sire you.”
“You. Did. This”
“I did this.”
“Why?”
“Because I need you.”
The romance is beautifully written! All of that antagonism turns into a gorgeous love story that is passionate, intense and full of feels, with lots of swoon and a whole lot of sexy time! The connection between Lucien and Makeda is wonderfully developed, and their partnership in all areas of their lives is explored beautifully as they fall deeper and deeper for each other.
Their love had been birthed in violence and politics and strife.
You are my peace.
But the growing romance is only a part of the story. Lucien and Makeda are in a battle against time to cure the deadly virus, and ancient forces stirring add a great twist as they step up to deal with the problem themselves. There’s lots of intricate plotting and political manoeuvring going on, as well as a lots of time spent exploring vampire abilities and lifestyle, and a whole lot of action, and I could see it all unfolding in front of my eyes. Hunter takes us on a journey across the world as her characters travel from the US to Ethiopia to the Middle East and Europe, and it’s wonderfully written! I felt like I was there and experiencing it all with them, and I loved every moment of it.
Lucien’s sire is Saba, mother of the vampire race, and I loved getting to know her. I loved seeing her in the maternal role that she has with Lucien, but she’s also a totally unapologetic badass, and I thought she, and her fellow Ancients, brought something really special to the story. And fans of the series will be thrilled to know that there are some fantastic cameos. Baojia is a major player (along with his mate, Natalie), and Carwyn, Brigid and Tenzin all make an appearance – and Carwyn continues to be an epic scene stealer, God, I love him!!!
“Hello!” Carwyn’s voice was loud enough to cause a wince. “Get that out of your system yet?”
“Is sex something that’s supposed to get out of your system?”
Carwyn grinned. “Not if you’re doing it right.”
*snort*
It was a bit of a slow start but once things got going, this book was a fantastic journey full of romance, intrigue, excitement and adventure, and I loved it!
4 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
See our Elemental Mysteries / Elemental World Series page for series details
– including full series reading order
Giveaway
To celebrate the release of A Stone Kissed Sea, the author is running a sensational giveaway!!
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About Elizabeth
ELIZABETH HUNTER is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and paranormal mystery author. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught a kindergarten class, but decided that middle school was far less frightening.
She’s the author of the Elemental Mysteries, the Irin Chronicles, and the Cambio Springs Mysteries.
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