Sheridan can't bear the thought of losing her beloved sister so she makes a deal with Gage Reubeau (the much feared Asesino) in the hopes of saving Vinnie's life. Gabe doesn't normally take personal requests. As the Asesino, he does the Fates' dirty work by eliminating any gods and goddesses who become problems or threaten their delicate ecosystem. Yet, he holds a soft spot in his heart for Vinnie. He has always been inexplicably drawn to her and can't bear the thought of having to eliminate Vinnie by cutting her thread. Once Gabe takes charge of Vinnie, he realizes that the cure for desolation lies beyond his abilities. He and Vinnie must embark on a journey to find the cure and thus begins the journey of Desolation (Mythical Madness Book 1).
As their journey progresses, we see Gabe earn Vinnie's trust and their connection grows. It was a joy to see Vinnie's character start to revitalize merely by Gabe's presence. I smiled through their initial encounters and his insistence on using her boyish nickname. She can also sense Gabe holding back because of the secrets he carries. Looking back now, I see the little hints given by the author as to Gage's secrets. His alpha male personality and primal need to "follow the beast" were cleverly placed. I loved that even though they both felt an instant attraction to each other, they were also cautious. We get to see their romance unfold in a very sweet, funny, and adventurous way.
Desolation had the perfect combination of great elements from both fantasy and romantic fiction. Since the book focuses primarily on gods and goddesses, the reader feels comfortable having some level of preconceived background knowledge of the fantasy world presented. Additionally, there are surprises along the way; unicorns, werewolves, and trolls coupled with plenty of adventure, twists, and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and guessing. The romance had just the right blend of attraction, tension, build up, and passion. There is a definite possibility here for romance readers to cross over and try some fantasy fiction and vice versa.
Fans of Harry Potter who enjoy themes that are slightly more adult and a light romance, will find a delight in Desolation. While the book concludes Vinnie and Gabe's story, it also lays the foundation for future couples in the mythical madness series, leaving readers happy, but yearning for more. 4 magical stars for Desolation by A R DeClerck!
Kathy
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Publisher - Nevermore Press
Date of Publication - November 21, 2014)