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Change of Heart #3
Honored Vow
Jin Rayne is still growing into his frightening new powers as a nekhene cat and his place as reah of Logan Church’s tribe when he learns that a sepat, an honor challenge, has been called. Logan, who has never wanted to do anything but lead his small-town tribe, must travel around the world to Mongolia and fight to become the most powerful leader in the werepanther world.
Logan won’t be the only one making the journey. As his mate, Jin must fight with him to honor his commitment to Logan, his culture, and his tribe. But the trial is long, involving a prolonged separation between the two men, and Logan’s humanity is at stake. In order to make it through the nightmarish sepat, Jin and Logan must accept their fates, trust each other, and honor the vows between them no matter the cost.
Logan won’t be the only one making the journey. As his mate, Jin must fight with him to honor his commitment to Logan, his culture, and his tribe. But the trial is long, involving a prolonged separation between the two men, and Logan’s humanity is at stake. In order to make it through the nightmarish sepat, Jin and Logan must accept their fates, trust each other, and honor the vows between them no matter the cost.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2011
112 people are currently reading
1,336 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
122 books4,943 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
March 7, 2020
Just when you thought the cover art couldn't get worse....
Okay, so pit fighting!! You can't have a paranormal series without at least one play on the Midnight Games. Bloody team fighting is part of the para-world, I guess. So, you know, for me, thanks but no thanks. I'm not a fan of dirt, sweat, or blood. Ew. There just isn't enough Purell. No, literally, does anyone know where I can get some Purell these days? This corona virus is really inconveniencing me.
But, I don't mind reading about a bloody evisceration and beheading or two.
A little, but I've seen better.
This whole book is one bloody battle after another. You see the absolutely horrendously ugly book cover and you think, "holy crap, why is that book cover so bad?" But, then you also think, "this must be a romance between those poorly drawn strange-looking fellas." You probably wouldn't think the book is a series of gladiator games with brutal violence, torture, and death.
Of course, I'm making a lot of assumptions on what you are thinking. But, you know. I'm right.
This book was the best of the series so far even though I gave it the same rating. Let's call it a 3+.
Okay, so pit fighting!! You can't have a paranormal series without at least one play on the Midnight Games. Bloody team fighting is part of the para-world, I guess. So, you know, for me, thanks but no thanks. I'm not a fan of dirt, sweat, or blood. Ew. There just isn't enough Purell. No, literally, does anyone know where I can get some Purell these days? This corona virus is really inconveniencing me.
But, I don't mind reading about a bloody evisceration and beheading or two.
A little, but I've seen better.
This whole book is one bloody battle after another. You see the absolutely horrendously ugly book cover and you think, "holy crap, why is that book cover so bad?" But, then you also think, "this must be a romance between those poorly drawn strange-looking fellas." You probably wouldn't think the book is a series of gladiator games with brutal violence, torture, and death.
Of course, I'm making a lot of assumptions on what you are thinking. But, you know. I'm right.
This book was the best of the series so far even though I gave it the same rating. Let's call it a 3+.
June 2, 2015
When it comes to Mary Calmes, you just gotta say "Fuck it" and go with it.
I like this series. Sure, all the werepanther laws and rules and shit make no fucking sense and nobody knows them--except for Jin--unless it's convenient to the plot, even tho they all live and die by these rules so you'd think everyone in the werepanther world would learn them. Anyway, it doesn't matter. It's MC so I just go with it and enjoy the ridiculous entertainment and the hot, lubeless, fluttering hole sex.
Thanks for reading this with me, Rosa! A hit of MC crack is always so much fun with you.
I like this series. Sure, all the werepanther laws and rules and shit make no fucking sense and nobody knows them--except for Jin--unless it's convenient to the plot, even tho they all live and die by these rules so you'd think everyone in the werepanther world would learn them. Anyway, it doesn't matter. It's MC so I just go with it and enjoy the ridiculous entertainment and the hot, lubeless, fluttering hole sex.
Thanks for reading this with me, Rosa! A hit of MC crack is always so much fun with you.
June 10, 2017
4 Stars!
Wow. This is some serious shit here. If you thought Trusted Bond was out of its mind, this is beyond rational sense because for sure, this ain't your momma's shifter book.
Calmes has created something unique, never slowing the pace, never apologizing for the horrific stuff she puts Jin and Logan through. She's making a point, making everyone see the truth of this world she has created, and making them notice the absolute, antiquated absurdity of their culture.
Convoluted and frustrating, compelling and exciting too - Jin and Logan realize what being true mates is, what they have to gain and lose, what they are and can be, what is undeniable, unquestionable, and impossible to destroy. Their love. Special and above all others.
So if you're ok with an over the top, violent, brutal love story that tests the two MC's to the max (for really no reason at all), then this is for you!! *high five*
I'll be honest. I didn't expect to be sucked into this like I did. My expectations weren't very high, but this grabbed me by the throat, slammed me into a couple walls, and clawed out my insides for good measure.
Definitely heady stuff. Addicitve. I see no reason to take a breather for the next installment, especially with an ending like that!! Talk about a game changer!
Meags, I'm grateful I had you to be indignant, angry and swoony with!
Wow. This is some serious shit here. If you thought Trusted Bond was out of its mind, this is beyond rational sense because for sure, this ain't your momma's shifter book.
Calmes has created something unique, never slowing the pace, never apologizing for the horrific stuff she puts Jin and Logan through. She's making a point, making everyone see the truth of this world she has created, and making them notice the absolute, antiquated absurdity of their culture.
Convoluted and frustrating, compelling and exciting too - Jin and Logan realize what being true mates is, what they have to gain and lose, what they are and can be, what is undeniable, unquestionable, and impossible to destroy. Their love. Special and above all others.
So if you're ok with an over the top, violent, brutal love story that tests the two MC's to the max (for really no reason at all), then this is for you!! *high five*
I'll be honest. I didn't expect to be sucked into this like I did. My expectations weren't very high, but this grabbed me by the throat, slammed me into a couple walls, and clawed out my insides for good measure.
Definitely heady stuff. Addicitve. I see no reason to take a breather for the next installment, especially with an ending like that!! Talk about a game changer!
Meags, I'm grateful I had you to be indignant, angry and swoony with!
April 21, 2019
The previous two books ‘Change of Heart’ and ‘Trusted Bond’ held the promise of more. This the third book is that.
Yes it’s crazy and completely OTT but it made for a fabulous nonstop read. It’s cruel and brutal in places so you have been warned. One thing I discovered is that the previous books while disappointing on some levels had made me fall in love with all these characters. And everything together made this book work.
But I didn’t love it all.
I didn’t like that Jin and Logan spent so much time apart. But that’s something this author does. I didn’t like it when she did it with Sam and Jory and I really didn’t like it when she did it with Ian and Milo either.
When I think about it there’s a lot I didn’t like. But...
And I don’t know if it was the fast pace or just that I’ve finally settled in with these characters. But I really enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to the next one as well.
June 8, 2022
I cannot stress this enough - THIS IS NOT A STANDARD FLUFFY ROMANCE - these shifter stories have bite.
I didn't enjoy reading this so much as listening to it mainly because while the other two in the series were at times brutal this installment has brutal moments and then veers over to downright fucking VIOLENT. Jeff Gelder's narration pushed me to loving this despite the violence, so...KUDOS TO YOU, JEFF!
The audio made me love the book so much more. I'll be honest, I didn't originally love this story as much as the first two in the story, but I practically squealed over it while listening. Because, honestly? Mary Calmes just does it for me. Even the what the hell is going on moments in this...it all just works for me.
This was super enjoyable to listen to and I don't think fans of the series will be disappointed.
I LOVE THIS SERIES!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave
Read: 09/2014, 10/2014, 11/2014, 12/2014, 01/2015, 02/2015, 03/2015, 04/2015, 05/2015, 06/2015, 07/2015, 08/2015
I didn't enjoy reading this so much as listening to it mainly because while the other two in the series were at times brutal this installment has brutal moments and then veers over to downright fucking VIOLENT. Jeff Gelder's narration pushed me to loving this despite the violence, so...KUDOS TO YOU, JEFF!
The audio made me love the book so much more. I'll be honest, I didn't originally love this story as much as the first two in the story, but I practically squealed over it while listening. Because, honestly? Mary Calmes just does it for me. Even the what the hell is going on moments in this...it all just works for me.
This was super enjoyable to listen to and I don't think fans of the series will be disappointed.
I LOVE THIS SERIES!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave
Read: 09/2014, 10/2014, 11/2014, 12/2014, 01/2015, 02/2015, 03/2015, 04/2015, 05/2015, 06/2015, 07/2015, 08/2015
December 5, 2020
A few elements make make me so unconfortable sometimes I want to crawl my eyeballs out and rupture my eardrums, but honest to god, this series has one of the most interesting worlds ever.
January 18, 2013
First off, let me start by saying I really liked the first book. Loved it even. In the second book, there were character and plot issues that annoyed me, felt overdone, but I was okay with because she seemed to set up nicely for a third book. In addition, I always try to find a positive in anything I read, and I really tried for this book. But, boy was I wrong.
I got this book the day it came out, excited about where the story would be going and who she would decide to write about next. By the first chapter in I was already struggling, and I know I won't be continuing with this series.
Mary Calmes basically decided to ignore basically everything she set up in the previous two books. She tore Jin's character apart so much that I hated him by the time was over and it felt like this book was written so she could set up a book for Domin, and that's honestly how I feel. She couldn't see a way to make a book work for Domin and Koren under Logan and Jin so this book happened.
If she hadn't set up the first and second book the way she did, I might have been able to get on board for this. BUT... she ignored one too many things in the first couple books in this book and made even more convoluted tribal rituals for this book.
1. In book one, Domin said he didn't want to be a semel. He wanted Koren and to be Logan's prince. He was happy with that and now she goes and makes him the leader of all panthers?
2. She made Koren wishy-washy after hinting at Domin and his HEA in the second book. I figured their book would have to do with Koren struggling with their relationship. Nope, Domin and Yuri hook-up instead and when was Yuri gay? Sorry, if she hadn't built up Koren and Domin I might have been okay with this, but I'm not.
3. She didn't give Jin the family she set him up for in the second book. This is a multi-point.
A. In the second book Jin (I think) said Logan built a big house on purpose - so that everyone could live there. Does she keep to this statement? No, not even close.
B. The whole situation with Russ hating to be a werepanther and forever staying away from his tribe. No hint to that whatsoever anywhere before.
C. What happened to Jin and Logan having kids?
D. With Domin gone. Crane - his best friend who refused to abandon him - leaving, again. Russ HATING Jin. Yuri leaving with Domin. The whole 'loving family' is gone.
4. Yuri leaving Jin. Mary emphasized over and over the bond between a reah and the sheseru not only in the first book and the second book, and she has Yuri leave with Domin. In the second book Jin had to reassure Yuri he would never replace him. And yet she has Yuri leave with Domin.
5. Castrating Crane? Why? It did nothing for the story or plot. And the convoluted fighting she made up for the semels - even worse. I was already struggling to finish this book and these scenes almost made me stop. It wasn't the violence that bothered me either.
6. Bringing the 'dead' reah back to life and making her the bitchest reah ever. I had so many issues with this I don't know where to start.
7. Jin - he went from being cool and able to stand-up for himself to whiney and dumb. He couldn't stand being away from Logan. He was clingy and insecure. I truly hated him by the time I was done reading. Jin's character degrades so much it almost feels like its his fault the family they wanted is gone.And I don't think I've ever walked away from a book hating a character like this before and it's upsetting. I've read stuff knowing you're supposed to hate characters before, but you weren't supposed to hate Jin, and now I do.
This book felt forced. Like Mary had to get Jin and Logan's story done and she didn't know where to go with Jin's character. As a result, I no longer like this series or its direction. And she didn't even wrap it up, not from where I stand.
I'm done, and I wish I could get my money back. I can't even enjoy the first book anymore knowing where this series went. While I plan on continuing with other Mary Calmes series, because I enjoy how she writes and her writing, she has effectively killed this series for me.
I got this book the day it came out, excited about where the story would be going and who she would decide to write about next. By the first chapter in I was already struggling, and I know I won't be continuing with this series.
Mary Calmes basically decided to ignore basically everything she set up in the previous two books. She tore Jin's character apart so much that I hated him by the time was over and it felt like this book was written so she could set up a book for Domin, and that's honestly how I feel. She couldn't see a way to make a book work for Domin and Koren under Logan and Jin so this book happened.
If she hadn't set up the first and second book the way she did, I might have been able to get on board for this. BUT... she ignored one too many things in the first couple books in this book and made even more convoluted tribal rituals for this book.
1. In book one, Domin said he didn't want to be a semel. He wanted Koren and to be Logan's prince. He was happy with that and now she goes and makes him the leader of all panthers?
2. She made Koren wishy-washy after hinting at Domin and his HEA in the second book. I figured their book would have to do with Koren struggling with their relationship. Nope, Domin and Yuri hook-up instead and when was Yuri gay? Sorry, if she hadn't built up Koren and Domin I might have been okay with this, but I'm not.
3. She didn't give Jin the family she set him up for in the second book. This is a multi-point.
A. In the second book Jin (I think) said Logan built a big house on purpose - so that everyone could live there. Does she keep to this statement? No, not even close.
B. The whole situation with Russ hating to be a werepanther and forever staying away from his tribe. No hint to that whatsoever anywhere before.
C. What happened to Jin and Logan having kids?
D. With Domin gone. Crane - his best friend who refused to abandon him - leaving, again. Russ HATING Jin. Yuri leaving with Domin. The whole 'loving family' is gone.
4. Yuri leaving Jin. Mary emphasized over and over the bond between a reah and the sheseru not only in the first book and the second book, and she has Yuri leave with Domin. In the second book Jin had to reassure Yuri he would never replace him. And yet she has Yuri leave with Domin.
5. Castrating Crane? Why? It did nothing for the story or plot. And the convoluted fighting she made up for the semels - even worse. I was already struggling to finish this book and these scenes almost made me stop. It wasn't the violence that bothered me either.
6. Bringing the 'dead' reah back to life and making her the bitchest reah ever. I had so many issues with this I don't know where to start.
7. Jin - he went from being cool and able to stand-up for himself to whiney and dumb. He couldn't stand being away from Logan. He was clingy and insecure. I truly hated him by the time I was done reading. Jin's character degrades so much it almost feels like its his fault the family they wanted is gone.And I don't think I've ever walked away from a book hating a character like this before and it's upsetting. I've read stuff knowing you're supposed to hate characters before, but you weren't supposed to hate Jin, and now I do.
This book felt forced. Like Mary had to get Jin and Logan's story done and she didn't know where to go with Jin's character. As a result, I no longer like this series or its direction. And she didn't even wrap it up, not from where I stand.
I'm done, and I wish I could get my money back. I can't even enjoy the first book anymore knowing where this series went. While I plan on continuing with other Mary Calmes series, because I enjoy how she writes and her writing, she has effectively killed this series for me.
September 28, 2015
Jin Church!!!! Loved to FUCK out of this book. On to book 4! Thanks Sara and Jenni Lea!
April 13, 2017
That ending? A big fucking no. I am not happy with the . That's fucking cruel and mean and I'm so disappointed with Mary Calmes. Hence why, even though this book was good, I gave it so low stars. That ending destroyed it all. This better not be the end for Jin Rayne and Logan Church, cuz I ain't reading someone else's stories in this series. Man I'm disappointed...
Glossary:
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Three
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Logan Church.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars
Glossary:
“You have to live, Jin, and know that I've never been prouder of anything than being the owner of your heart.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Three
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Logan Church.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Unsure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars
October 16, 2017
~ 2.5 stars ~
I'm sorry to say this because as much as I appreciate the world Mary Calmes has created for this series, it was just too much for me. At one point I just stopped paying attention and just let the words run through my mind. Listening to it, there were too many characters with foreign names and too many terms set in this world that I would have needed a spreadsheet to keep them all straight in my head. The amount of information was just too much for me to remember it all and the infodump took away from my enjoyment. Maybe it would have been different had I read it instead of listening to it.
I'm sorry to say this because as much as I appreciate the world Mary Calmes has created for this series, it was just too much for me. At one point I just stopped paying attention and just let the words run through my mind. Listening to it, there were too many characters with foreign names and too many terms set in this world that I would have needed a spreadsheet to keep them all straight in my head. The amount of information was just too much for me to remember it all and the infodump took away from my enjoyment. Maybe it would have been different had I read it instead of listening to it.
January 21, 2018
Hmm, my least favorite of the series so far. I was still totally engrossed in the story ‘til the end, but I can’t say this book made me very happy or relaxed.
There were quite a few things that bothered me in this. For one I got whiplash from all the almost-romances. Just when I thought Domin and Koren would become a couple, they broke up again and now Domin is with someone else entirely. The same with Crane. I was happy to see he would finally fall in love only to have them separated at the end.
What also bothered me was how everyone perceived Jin in this installment. Almost everyone was angry with him at some point. And I don’t mean just the bad guys, no, the good guys too. I didn’t like that.
And then the time Jin and Logan spent apart in this… it was nerve wracking. I know they eventually were allowed to see each other again, but by that time there had been so many deaths and so much blood that I was a huge mess.
And the end…. I didn’t like it.
I saw that the next book is from Domin’s POV and I’m not interested in him at all. So I guess this is the end of the road for me with this series. :( I really wanted to finish all books, but I don’t want to read the 4th book, and I can’t skip it… so…
Too bad this one was so dark. I would have enjoyed reading about Jin and Logan just being happy together for a change.
There were quite a few things that bothered me in this. For one I got whiplash from all the almost-romances. Just when I thought Domin and Koren would become a couple, they broke up again and now Domin is with someone else entirely. The same with Crane. I was happy to see he would finally fall in love only to have them separated at the end.
What also bothered me was how everyone perceived Jin in this installment. Almost everyone was angry with him at some point. And I don’t mean just the bad guys, no, the good guys too. I didn’t like that.
And then the time Jin and Logan spent apart in this… it was nerve wracking. I know they eventually were allowed to see each other again, but by that time there had been so many deaths and so much blood that I was a huge mess.
And the end…. I didn’t like it.
I saw that the next book is from Domin’s POV and I’m not interested in him at all. So I guess this is the end of the road for me with this series. :( I really wanted to finish all books, but I don’t want to read the 4th book, and I can’t skip it… so…
Too bad this one was so dark. I would have enjoyed reading about Jin and Logan just being happy together for a change.
May 19, 2015
I didn’t like this. This was just too barbaric and brutal. It really pushed the edge of what I could handle, and normally, a Shifter book I can deal with a lot more violence then in a regular book.
There also is so much to remember and, I found myself just skimming the names of people because I could not keep up. It didn’t keep me from getting the total story, I just could not keep track of who was who and who was what and who was with who.
I did enjoy a lot of the moments though. The non-violent moments. The Tribe is strong because of Jin and Logan and getting to see all that was nice and comfy, there just weren’t enough of those moments to cover up all the blood and pain. Then end made me sad and not happy. I just wanted everyone to go home.
I need to read the next book but it won't be now or even next week. I need a break.
There also is so much to remember and, I found myself just skimming the names of people because I could not keep up. It didn’t keep me from getting the total story, I just could not keep track of who was who and who was what and who was with who.
I did enjoy a lot of the moments though. The non-violent moments. The Tribe is strong because of Jin and Logan and getting to see all that was nice and comfy, there just weren’t enough of those moments to cover up all the blood and pain. Then end made me sad and not happy. I just wanted everyone to go home.
I need to read the next book but it won't be now or even next week. I need a break.
January 9, 2014
I can honestly say that the Change Of Heart series has just got better and better as its progressed. This one started with a shock horror moment that not only had my heart pumping but almost broke it in two. Then when I had just come down from that heart stopping moment I was immediately sent head first without a safety helmet into a story filled with delicious intrigues, deception, treachery and twists and turns that had me glued to every intense minute of it!
OMG!! My heart took beating after beating as the conflicts and drama just kept on coming. Its never been an easy ride for Jin and Logan and this book was no exception, the trials they go through as they battle the evil SOB Ammon are EXTREMELY violent but so exciting. I had palpitations all the way through. There were some really cool surprises too as Mary Calmes took certain preconceptions I had about the story and blew them right out of the window, taking it in directions I actually loved but never expected. Crane, Domin and Yuri in particular. Clever stuff!
Jins ongoing transition into nekhene cat and the fall out from it were also part of what made his and Logan's journey such an awesome tale. Always the trouble magnet, whenever they were apart the drama intensified and highlighted just how true and passionate the mate bond and love was between them. Sometimes exasperating and at times teeth grinding but always gripping. I've just found the whole concept a brilliant read.
I've had a ball revisiting the first three books and now I'm chomping at the bit to read Domins story which I never actually got around to . ** slaps forehead whilst mentally kicking myself and asking WHY??? **
I stand by all my five star ratings and if I could I'd double them. Sublime!
OMG!! My heart took beating after beating as the conflicts and drama just kept on coming. Its never been an easy ride for Jin and Logan and this book was no exception, the trials they go through as they battle the evil SOB Ammon are EXTREMELY violent but so exciting. I had palpitations all the way through. There were some really cool surprises too as Mary Calmes took certain preconceptions I had about the story and blew them right out of the window, taking it in directions I actually loved but never expected. Crane, Domin and Yuri in particular. Clever stuff!
Jins ongoing transition into nekhene cat and the fall out from it were also part of what made his and Logan's journey such an awesome tale. Always the trouble magnet, whenever they were apart the drama intensified and highlighted just how true and passionate the mate bond and love was between them. Sometimes exasperating and at times teeth grinding but always gripping. I've just found the whole concept a brilliant read.
I've had a ball revisiting the first three books and now I'm chomping at the bit to read Domins story which I never actually got around to . ** slaps forehead whilst mentally kicking myself and asking WHY??? **
I stand by all my five star ratings and if I could I'd double them. Sublime!
February 14, 2017
Hmmm...
So, I didn't love this.
I think part of it might be that I have OD'd on Mary but the other part was that I can't wrap my head around how ridiculous Jin is.
Jin is basically the definition of 'too stupid to live' and this was made abundantly clear by about chapter 5. I just couldn't bring myself to care about him anymore, I was actually rooting for the bad guys on a couple of occasions and that's bad. I'm kind of over it now, but for realz, Jin is a fucking liability. And actually I judge all his tribe for constantly leaving him on his own after vowing to never leave him on his own. His tribe were the most wishy-washy crowd of people ever. I mean they let him out for runs in a territory full of hostiles. On more than one occasion. One of those occasions after somebody was sent to kill one of his people.
As mentioned in other reviews, there is no logic in this one. Full of the plot holes and just so very confusing. It wasn't my favourite but the next book is Domin and Yuri so I have no choice but to read. I really like them both but I need a Jin break or maybe I just need a little Mary break and then I'll come back to it.
So, I didn't love this.
I think part of it might be that I have OD'd on Mary but the other part was that I can't wrap my head around how ridiculous Jin is.
Jin is basically the definition of 'too stupid to live' and this was made abundantly clear by about chapter 5. I just couldn't bring myself to care about him anymore, I was actually rooting for the bad guys on a couple of occasions and that's bad. I'm kind of over it now, but for realz, Jin is a fucking liability. And actually I judge all his tribe for constantly leaving him on his own after vowing to never leave him on his own. His tribe were the most wishy-washy crowd of people ever. I mean they let him out for runs in a territory full of hostiles. On more than one occasion. One of those occasions after somebody was sent to kill one of his people.
As mentioned in other reviews, there is no logic in this one. Full of the plot holes and just so very confusing. It wasn't my favourite but the next book is Domin and Yuri so I have no choice but to read. I really like them both but I need a Jin break or maybe I just need a little Mary break and then I'll come back to it.
October 16, 2015
WARNING: I tried to be general, but it might have some spoiler...just saying!XD
….you’re just gonna love this book
Okay, I got a bit carried away up there, but as I said … I’m having a freaking heavy book hangover right now.
Let’s set that the whole plot its backgrounded in a fantastic world full of laws based ( or at least it gives the reader that feeling )in ancient Egyptian myths. A world that lives inside the human world. Yeah! We all have read book about shifters, we all have read about alphas, pack, betas and mates… but this?? Holy sh*t!! I had to read TWICE some sentences in order to get the right sense of what the author was trying to tell me about a law or tittle
As I was saying.. we all know that mates, regularly are the halves of someone else, right? The one and only for your very own eyes(well, the alpha ‘s eyes)… but here we have some levels of mates( that’s some sort of way to calling it)…okay this is the thing:
A mate?--->It’s chosen out of love
A reah?--->It’s your other half, the one that you can’t f*cking live without.
A yareah?-->It’s the mate of a Semel, but not a Reah, just a regular panther.
Now what’s a Semel?
A Semel?-->similar to the alpha of a pack, only that here it’s a freaking sometimes huge tribe
A semel Re?--> A Semel that has miraculously found his mate, meaning his Reah! ‘cause Reah only mate with Semels
Semel Aten?-->Some sort of king of all the Semels, so let’s say that is kind of the king of the whole werepanther shifters world.
Why am I giving a Semel/Mate 101 here? ‘ cause if you don’t understand the huge difference between a reah( a truemate) and a mate you’ll not be able to realize how deep the bond is.
Now why am I giving my introductory course here and not since the first book? ‘cause the first two books were about forming the bond and the whole OMG you’re a Semel Re, you’ve found your Reah!( oh right! It also happens that a Reah is not someone that comes to the world everyday were like 2 in a gap of 50 years I think) and the whole you’re my other half and I can’t live without you thing
Now let’s get to the book already, shall we?
A Reah and a Semel are different from the rest of the panther ‘cause they both are powerful…The Semel is the strength and The Reah is the love, and they happen to display that power to the other panthers around them… so when a semel is around a panther… they submit to their strength and if they’re near a Reah… they all want to, well either love her/him or even politely talking make love to him/her.
Now, Jin has borne as a Reah, even though he’s a guy, but as a Reah he also has the love power in him… he’s mated to Logan, who happens to be one of the most hottest, kinder and strongest Semels in existence. And given that Jin is the first Reah in, I don’t know how many years, every Semel wants him (’cause a Reah straightens even more a Semel ) including a crazy Semel Aten, that even though Jin is already mated… still wants to have him… no matter what!
That No matter what means that he’s so f*cking out of his mind, that he won’t spare any thought to anyone or the live of anybody as long as he can have him. So he goes ballistic and goes after Jin’s BFF: Crane, maiming him in a way that got me crying and sharping my knives in order to go pay a visit to the bloody asshole of Semel Aten.
The only one above a Semel Aten was The Priest of Chae Rophon( ha! I even learned that name haha) who was some sort of keeper of the werepanther wisdom and knowledge, I guess…so as he realized that this Semel Aten was a freaking doucebag he got to be replaced… and in order to do that… this idiot had to be challenged … and he only could be challenged by Semel… which Semels? The Semels called by The priest… and given that Logan was supposedly the strongest ‘cause he was a Semel Re… he was also summoned to a very primal version of Hunger games version bloody Gladiator.
I’m not gonna tell the whole details about the games well, they were actually trials… the thing here is that as a part of testing the abilities of the Semels in order to see if they were suited to rule they got to spend a couple of months away of their mates… so given that Jin and Logan were not just mates but Truemates…. Imagine that…
They go through a lot of drama… it really was a whole Gladiator movie … really!
The good things? We get to see the new family development of Jin with some of their trustworthy members of his tribe… the ones that went with him, the ones that went to support him in any way they could.
So everything goes terrific at the end… way TOO terrific for my liking ‘cause yeah! No one is lost ( after reading a hell of ordeal they went through, and inexplicably they’re all alive ha!) but they’ll have to face a separation that I wasn’t , I WASN’T !!!!!! ready to face.
Oh right! Why did I say it was a perverted version of the Gladiator? Simply because as I said before a Reah is love and people would go to the length of wanting to, well f*ck him/her… and given that this pheromones go wild as long as the Reah is not with his/her Semel…. Well yeah! Every single time that Jin thought of Logan and realizing he was not at his reach… everyone in the room succumbed to the need of f*cking him… even though later they’d go through pain…So as I said they went separated a few couple of months…. you can figure out how was the mood for anyone around him.
And that was only due to Jin’s powers as a Reah and a Nekhene cat… things between him and Logan? Goes like this:
There you have it people! No more to say! Besides the fact that …
This is hard for me to write, I’ve taken a break for some of my favorite series ‘cause I really didn’t want a book hangover… and adding to that I’m just barely getting myself into the whole M/M genre… It never even crossed my mind that one book… a fictional book that plays for us a kind of caveman world… or as one the characters said a barbaric world… could be able to make my heart pound, my eyes go teary, my mouth smile and time after time… gasp… sh*t I even had murdering desires focused solely in some specific characters. So if you’re a reader and you’re able to see beyond the fact that this is fiction, ( and any of it would ever NEVER happen in real life; that any of this is nothing beyond someone’s imagination) and the fact that… yes! the main characters are guys, so… if you can go beyond the judgmental side ,and just focus in love between 2 human beings
“You fell in love with Logan and you weren’t even sure if he was gay or not. That’s pretty damn brave”
….you’re just gonna love this book
Okay, I got a bit carried away up there, but as I said … I’m having a freaking heavy book hangover right now.
Let’s set that the whole plot its backgrounded in a fantastic world full of laws based ( or at least it gives the reader that feeling )in ancient Egyptian myths. A world that lives inside the human world. Yeah! We all have read book about shifters, we all have read about alphas, pack, betas and mates… but this?? Holy sh*t!! I had to read TWICE some sentences in order to get the right sense of what the author was trying to tell me about a law or tittle
As I was saying.. we all know that mates, regularly are the halves of someone else, right? The one and only for your very own eyes(well, the alpha ‘s eyes)… but here we have some levels of mates( that’s some sort of way to calling it)…okay this is the thing:
A mate?--->It’s chosen out of love
A reah?--->It’s your other half, the one that you can’t f*cking live without.
A yareah?-->It’s the mate of a Semel, but not a Reah, just a regular panther.
Now what’s a Semel?
A Semel?-->similar to the alpha of a pack, only that here it’s a freaking sometimes huge tribe
A semel Re?--> A Semel that has miraculously found his mate, meaning his Reah! ‘cause Reah only mate with Semels
Semel Aten?-->Some sort of king of all the Semels, so let’s say that is kind of the king of the whole werepanther shifters world.
Why am I giving a Semel/Mate 101 here? ‘ cause if you don’t understand the huge difference between a reah( a truemate) and a mate you’ll not be able to realize how deep the bond is.
Now why am I giving my introductory course here and not since the first book? ‘cause the first two books were about forming the bond and the whole OMG you’re a Semel Re, you’ve found your Reah!( oh right! It also happens that a Reah is not someone that comes to the world everyday were like 2 in a gap of 50 years I think) and the whole you’re my other half and I can’t live without you thing
Now let’s get to the book already, shall we?
A Reah and a Semel are different from the rest of the panther ‘cause they both are powerful…The Semel is the strength and The Reah is the love, and they happen to display that power to the other panthers around them… so when a semel is around a panther… they submit to their strength and if they’re near a Reah… they all want to, well either love her/him or even politely talking make love to him/her.
Now, Jin has borne as a Reah, even though he’s a guy, but as a Reah he also has the love power in him… he’s mated to Logan, who happens to be one of the most hottest, kinder and strongest Semels in existence. And given that Jin is the first Reah in, I don’t know how many years, every Semel wants him (’cause a Reah straightens even more a Semel ) including a crazy Semel Aten, that even though Jin is already mated… still wants to have him… no matter what!
That No matter what means that he’s so f*cking out of his mind, that he won’t spare any thought to anyone or the live of anybody as long as he can have him. So he goes ballistic and goes after Jin’s BFF: Crane, maiming him in a way that got me crying and sharping my knives in order to go pay a visit to the bloody asshole of Semel Aten.
The only one above a Semel Aten was The Priest of Chae Rophon( ha! I even learned that name haha) who was some sort of keeper of the werepanther wisdom and knowledge, I guess…so as he realized that this Semel Aten was a freaking doucebag he got to be replaced… and in order to do that… this idiot had to be challenged … and he only could be challenged by Semel… which Semels? The Semels called by The priest… and given that Logan was supposedly the strongest ‘cause he was a Semel Re… he was also summoned to a very primal version of Hunger games version bloody Gladiator.
I’m not gonna tell the whole details about the games well, they were actually trials… the thing here is that as a part of testing the abilities of the Semels in order to see if they were suited to rule they got to spend a couple of months away of their mates… so given that Jin and Logan were not just mates but Truemates…. Imagine that…
They go through a lot of drama… it really was a whole Gladiator movie … really!
The good things? We get to see the new family development of Jin with some of their trustworthy members of his tribe… the ones that went with him, the ones that went to support him in any way they could.
So everything goes terrific at the end… way TOO terrific for my liking ‘cause yeah! No one is lost ( after reading a hell of ordeal they went through, and inexplicably they’re all alive ha!) but they’ll have to face a separation that I wasn’t , I WASN’T !!!!!! ready to face.
“We all cry when we lose something, and you just lost half of your family.”…”But we’re about to build a new one”
Oh right! Why did I say it was a perverted version of the Gladiator? Simply because as I said before a Reah is love and people would go to the length of wanting to, well f*ck him/her… and given that this pheromones go wild as long as the Reah is not with his/her Semel…. Well yeah! Every single time that Jin thought of Logan and realizing he was not at his reach… everyone in the room succumbed to the need of f*cking him… even though later they’d go through pain…So as I said they went separated a few couple of months…. you can figure out how was the mood for anyone around him.
And that was only due to Jin’s powers as a Reah and a Nekhene cat… things between him and Logan? Goes like this:
There you have it people! No more to say! Besides the fact that …
December 18, 2016
4.5 Stars
Jin and I got off to a rocky start. To be honest, we didn’t like each other very much when we first met. He thought I was too judgey of his behaviour, and I found him to be irrational and self-centred. We just couldn’t get along.
Luckily, over time, we got to know one another better. He realised I was only being hard on him because I cared so much about him and his tribe. I, in turn, began to understand that his actions weren’t as selfish as they first appeared, and that he was truly a great dude who loved his tribe with all his heart and would do practically anything to keep them safe. I had to respect this, however frustrated I became by the means he chose to achieve his goals.
So, although it may have taken a while, Jin and I now have an understanding, and our relationship is getting much better.
This particular addition to the Change of Heart series was easily my favourite (so far). It was intense, brutal, upsetting, heart-breaking, infuriating, romantic and sexy – all the good stuff, rolled into one.
The plot line involved a hell of a lot of on-page violence and brutality, which was, at times, extremely hard to handle. I completely understand why so many readers had difficulty with this story, but I seem to find that the more action packed reads, however upsetting, seem to be what keeps me entertained and fully engaged. I’m not demented, I promise - If this was a movie or TV series, I wouldn’t have been able to visually handle the graphicness of the violence depicted in this book, but because I was reading it, I felt like I was able to disengage a little bit and imagine what I wanted to imagine, which ultimately allowed me to experience the viciousness and bloodshed at a manageable level.
It also helps that I now truly adore most of the members of the Mafdet tribe, ensuring that I care for their safety and survival. Crane, Domin and Yuri were stand out characters in this story for me, and I appreciated the fact that the three of them played a much bigger on-page role this time around. I’ll take as much of these three guys as you’re willing to give me, Calmes, so keep it coming!!!
P.S. That ending was fucking brilliant!
Jin and I got off to a rocky start. To be honest, we didn’t like each other very much when we first met. He thought I was too judgey of his behaviour, and I found him to be irrational and self-centred. We just couldn’t get along.
Luckily, over time, we got to know one another better. He realised I was only being hard on him because I cared so much about him and his tribe. I, in turn, began to understand that his actions weren’t as selfish as they first appeared, and that he was truly a great dude who loved his tribe with all his heart and would do practically anything to keep them safe. I had to respect this, however frustrated I became by the means he chose to achieve his goals.
So, although it may have taken a while, Jin and I now have an understanding, and our relationship is getting much better.
This particular addition to the Change of Heart series was easily my favourite (so far). It was intense, brutal, upsetting, heart-breaking, infuriating, romantic and sexy – all the good stuff, rolled into one.
The plot line involved a hell of a lot of on-page violence and brutality, which was, at times, extremely hard to handle. I completely understand why so many readers had difficulty with this story, but I seem to find that the more action packed reads, however upsetting, seem to be what keeps me entertained and fully engaged. I’m not demented, I promise - If this was a movie or TV series, I wouldn’t have been able to visually handle the graphicness of the violence depicted in this book, but because I was reading it, I felt like I was able to disengage a little bit and imagine what I wanted to imagine, which ultimately allowed me to experience the viciousness and bloodshed at a manageable level.
It also helps that I now truly adore most of the members of the Mafdet tribe, ensuring that I care for their safety and survival. Crane, Domin and Yuri were stand out characters in this story for me, and I appreciated the fact that the three of them played a much bigger on-page role this time around. I’ll take as much of these three guys as you’re willing to give me, Calmes, so keep it coming!!!
P.S. That ending was fucking brilliant!
September 24, 2015
Holy mother effing... everything.
There will be no way I can coherently review this.
It was too much.
It wasn't enough.
It was everything.
I will always want more.
This was richly beautiful and gorgeously brutal.
So much happened in this book and boy did it go to the dark side. I went to the dark side with it and never wanted characters to die bloody deaths by way of Mortal Combat and spines being ripped out through their mouths more than I did in this book.
This was bloody and had so many new laws to learn but surprisingly, it flowed effortlessly along with the story that I never once got hung up on them. Maybe I am made for this crazy world of shifters after all?
I am enamored with the love story of Logan and his mate, Jin. They tear at my heart with their love/passion and it's stunning.
But the love between Jin and Crane? That brought me to my knees with emotions and made the tears come and run down my face. They were unstoppable the tears and I adore the friendship, loyalty and devotion the friends have for one another.
So, this being my first shifter series, I have to admit to simply loving these werepanthers. I loved it when they would shift into panther form to play, run or give comfort and have one big panther slumber party. It was adorable, and I am not a cat person, to witness the rubbing and all that cats, even big cats, do with one another.
Yeah, I need some wipers for my glasses right now because I am a ball of snot and tears and a ugly crying mess after reading this. It's my favorite out of the three and it was so damn good. It was so dark, so intense, so fucking sexy and so ingrained in me that I think I could be in one hell of a book funk if I didn't have two more books in the series to read.
There will be no way I can coherently review this.
It was too much.
It wasn't enough.
It was everything.
I will always want more.
This was richly beautiful and gorgeously brutal.
So much happened in this book and boy did it go to the dark side. I went to the dark side with it and never wanted characters to die bloody deaths by way of Mortal Combat and spines being ripped out through their mouths more than I did in this book.
This was bloody and had so many new laws to learn but surprisingly, it flowed effortlessly along with the story that I never once got hung up on them. Maybe I am made for this crazy world of shifters after all?
I am enamored with the love story of Logan and his mate, Jin. They tear at my heart with their love/passion and it's stunning.
But the love between Jin and Crane? That brought me to my knees with emotions and made the tears come and run down my face. They were unstoppable the tears and I adore the friendship, loyalty and devotion the friends have for one another.
So, this being my first shifter series, I have to admit to simply loving these werepanthers. I loved it when they would shift into panther form to play, run or give comfort and have one big panther slumber party. It was adorable, and I am not a cat person, to witness the rubbing and all that cats, even big cats, do with one another.
Yeah, I need some wipers for my glasses right now because I am a ball of snot and tears and a ugly crying mess after reading this. It's my favorite out of the three and it was so damn good. It was so dark, so intense, so fucking sexy and so ingrained in me that I think I could be in one hell of a book funk if I didn't have two more books in the series to read.
November 22, 2011
Finished...I cannot stop crying...the end was so beautiful and bittersweet at the same time...this is hands down my favorite shifter book...the love I have for all those characters...gah...it was magical...next one, pretty please??
November 29, 2011
Final Book for Jin and Logan
Ok for those of your freaking out about the title, while it may be the last (for now) for Jin and Logan it won't be the last for their world. The next book/s will focus on Domin and those who followed him.
On a side warning note this book is brutal. I mean Jin's story was always edgy and mixed with violence, but Mary Calmes takes it to a whole new level so if you're not ok with skinning, beatings, limbs being ripped off and Jin being whipped then don't even bother picking this one up... but if you don't you will never know how awesome Jin grows...
Ok so the story so far is that Logan's name has been put in a bucket so to speak for a candidate to take the Semel-Atan's place. (guy who tried to rape and kill Jin numerous times and almost succeeded in killing Logan in the last book, this is where we find out Jin is also a Nekhene Cat) This is a horrid tradition, the Semels are taken away and forced to stay in cat form for months, they go crazy then they're mates/guards/head guys get to come in and try to pass certain 'creative' tests designed to drive everyone mad and most get killed. That is basically the book, but of course there is so much more going on under the surface...
Crane's been castrated (yes i'm not even kidding), Yuri has a dark secret love for someone (nope won't ruin that!), there is another Reah who does all in her power to make the Semels betray their mates (and many do), the Semel-Atan is still trying to kill Logan and Jin, Jin's new powers are too much for him and he can cause shifters to shift around him... this is a sort of mental rape for those who have always had complete control of their beasts... and that just scratches the surface.
The ending was phenomenal and I honestly cried, I really didn't want the family to split up even though everyone needs to grow, I will miss Jin and Logan, I sincerely hope we get to see more of them, but I am anxious to see not just what happens with Domin, but with the werepanther community.
Enjoy, I highly recommend this series, but you have to read it in order. : - )
**Also on Amazon
Awesome side spoiler (about what happens between Jin and Logan between the sheets)
Ok for those of your freaking out about the title, while it may be the last (for now) for Jin and Logan it won't be the last for their world. The next book/s will focus on Domin and those who followed him.
On a side warning note this book is brutal. I mean Jin's story was always edgy and mixed with violence, but Mary Calmes takes it to a whole new level so if you're not ok with skinning, beatings, limbs being ripped off and Jin being whipped then don't even bother picking this one up... but if you don't you will never know how awesome Jin grows...
Ok so the story so far is that Logan's name has been put in a bucket so to speak for a candidate to take the Semel-Atan's place. (guy who tried to rape and kill Jin numerous times and almost succeeded in killing Logan in the last book, this is where we find out Jin is also a Nekhene Cat) This is a horrid tradition, the Semels are taken away and forced to stay in cat form for months, they go crazy then they're mates/guards/head guys get to come in and try to pass certain 'creative' tests designed to drive everyone mad and most get killed. That is basically the book, but of course there is so much more going on under the surface...
Crane's been castrated (yes i'm not even kidding), Yuri has a dark secret love for someone (nope won't ruin that!), there is another Reah who does all in her power to make the Semels betray their mates (and many do), the Semel-Atan is still trying to kill Logan and Jin, Jin's new powers are too much for him and he can cause shifters to shift around him... this is a sort of mental rape for those who have always had complete control of their beasts... and that just scratches the surface.
The ending was phenomenal and I honestly cried, I really didn't want the family to split up even though everyone needs to grow, I will miss Jin and Logan, I sincerely hope we get to see more of them, but I am anxious to see not just what happens with Domin, but with the werepanther community.
Enjoy, I highly recommend this series, but you have to read it in order. : - )
**Also on Amazon
Awesome side spoiler (about what happens between Jin and Logan between the sheets)
June 2, 2015
3rd time reading this book (well, I read it once, listened to it once and listened/read it now again) and I'm tempted to take off a star.
It's just so fucking ridiculous.
Then again, it's Mary so that means it's also ridiculously entertaining. And I only wanted to beat myself over the head over the gross stupidity 5 or 6 times....And snarking over it with Otila makes everything better so....
Fuck it. Four stars.
June 5, 2019
UPDATE FOR AUDIO 6/4/19
This is one of my favorite books in the series, so of course I have to give it five stars.
Three stars for the narration though. I guess I just don't gel with this narrator. Thank goodness Sean Crisden is back to narrate book four.
**********************************
Just as good the 2nd (3rd? 4th?)time around.
This is one of my favorite books in the series, so of course I have to give it five stars.
Three stars for the narration though. I guess I just don't gel with this narrator. Thank goodness Sean Crisden is back to narrate book four.
**********************************
Just as good the 2nd (3rd? 4th?)time around.
October 13, 2015
This was brutal.
April 4, 2020
I can't believe I never wrote a review for this. I know the first time I read this series I was obsessed. Now, with hundreds of books since read, and knowing MCs writing style, this isn't the be all to end all it once was for me. BUT the audio really makes this a much easier read for me. I was able to enjoy this much more than my last read. The narration is good, but again production issues make it clear there wasn't a final quality check.
4 stars all around.
4 stars all around.
May 15, 2024
05/15/24: Guilty pleasure reread 💔😭
Of all the 5 books in this series, this installment, book 3, and book 5 had always elicited the most emotions from me. I'm heartbroken whenever I read the incidents that happened to Crane even more so than Logan and Jin's. There's nothing purer than their friendship. Since the beginning, Crane had been his person and he will forever be his even after they're both mated. I loved how they're so honest and open about their feelings for each other, showing their love, devotion, and familiarity regardless of their circumstances.
After a few rereads, I'm still amazed with how the trials/challenges were created for this series. Given, through the years, there'd been so many interesting plots created for this genre that I really enjoyed. But somehow, I still find this fantasy fascinating.
Jin's train of thought remained fragmented here which made his anxiety very on-page, so to speak, but it just kind of became tolerable to me whenever I revisit the series. What I would give though, to actually have Logan's POV. There's never been one and I feel like that'd be an interesting perspective. 😌
Of all the 5 books in this series, this installment, book 3, and book 5 had always elicited the most emotions from me. I'm heartbroken whenever I read the incidents that happened to Crane even more so than Logan and Jin's. There's nothing purer than their friendship. Since the beginning, Crane had been his person and he will forever be his even after they're both mated. I loved how they're so honest and open about their feelings for each other, showing their love, devotion, and familiarity regardless of their circumstances.
After a few rereads, I'm still amazed with how the trials/challenges were created for this series. Given, through the years, there'd been so many interesting plots created for this genre that I really enjoyed. But somehow, I still find this fantasy fascinating.
Jin's train of thought remained fragmented here which made his anxiety very on-page, so to speak, but it just kind of became tolerable to me whenever I revisit the series. What I would give though, to actually have Logan's POV. There's never been one and I feel like that'd be an interesting perspective. 😌
November 23, 2011
What can I say, Mary Calmes really went out with a bang on this one, closing up the story of Jin and Logan. I have rarely found that I like the last book as much as the first in a series and often think the writer is just 'phoning' it in, just to get rid of it in order to go on to their next project. This is definitely not the case with Honored Vow.
The book begins on a dark note with Jin and Logan in Las Vegas heading to the morgue to identify his best friend Crane. It is in this moment that I knew this was going to be the darkest and most uncertain book in the series. I couldn't stop reading, but I was terrified of what was to happen next. Was Mary really going to break my heart after I had fallen in love with the characters and had come to love them? The answer, yes and no.
While there were no shattering losses (Crane was alive) there were also life changing trauma's that would never be overcome (What happens to him and others). I feel MC's writing shows more courage and depth of emotion than in the previous books. She is not afraid to challenge what we expect (or may wish for) but still manages to keep us with her until the very end. I have to say that there were certain things I absolutely did not see coming (Yuri,Domin,Semel-Atan?) and that was a pleasant surprise. So often, I can see what's going to happen from a mile away and I'm just reading to see when it will be revealed. Mary really threw me for a loop on this one.
Jin seems to have really matured and grown by his love for Logan. The absolute trust between the two is breathtaking. He shows in the beginning that he can still be foolish and stubborn, but he was also able to recognize this and did not run from his mate of responsibilities as he has so often done in the past. He certainly was no pushover and retained his strong spirit but tempered it with his growing awareness of his sense of duty and devotion to his people and his mate.
The ending was bittersweet for me. Jin had to let go of so many loved ones' in order to secure their happiness (which he did lovingly) but you can feel how hard this was for him. For a person to have gone so long without security, love or belonging I felt a stake through my heart at Jin's pain. At the same time it was clear that Jin and Logan were on their way to starting the next chapter of their live's that could only lead to more love and happiness than ever before. A beautiful way to end a beautiful love story and to set up the transition for the next installment of the tale....(Ah, Domin!!!!)
One thing I want to add about MC's male leads (Jin, Jory- A Matter of Time, Stef-Timing) is that they all share an ineffable kindness about them. That's what makes MC's books such a joy for me. They are never willing to hurt others out of self-interest, malice or spite. Even to their own detriment. Always willing to forgive and love despite their pasts without a trace of self-pity. This for me the secret of why they are so loved. Genuine caring is a rare thing in the world. All three men have this quality in spades. No matter their gorgeous appearances they approach others without a trace of ego, willing to love when they are not, forgive when they are harmed and still continue to keep a sense of laughter, wonder and hope for a better tomorrow. That's why they are and will always be the best of the best heroes of the m/m genre (IMHO!).
The book begins on a dark note with Jin and Logan in Las Vegas heading to the morgue to identify his best friend Crane. It is in this moment that I knew this was going to be the darkest and most uncertain book in the series. I couldn't stop reading, but I was terrified of what was to happen next. Was Mary really going to break my heart after I had fallen in love with the characters and had come to love them? The answer, yes and no.
While there were no shattering losses (Crane was alive) there were also life changing trauma's that would never be overcome (What happens to him and others). I feel MC's writing shows more courage and depth of emotion than in the previous books. She is not afraid to challenge what we expect (or may wish for) but still manages to keep us with her until the very end. I have to say that there were certain things I absolutely did not see coming (Yuri,Domin,Semel-Atan?) and that was a pleasant surprise. So often, I can see what's going to happen from a mile away and I'm just reading to see when it will be revealed. Mary really threw me for a loop on this one.
Jin seems to have really matured and grown by his love for Logan. The absolute trust between the two is breathtaking. He shows in the beginning that he can still be foolish and stubborn, but he was also able to recognize this and did not run from his mate of responsibilities as he has so often done in the past. He certainly was no pushover and retained his strong spirit but tempered it with his growing awareness of his sense of duty and devotion to his people and his mate.
The ending was bittersweet for me. Jin had to let go of so many loved ones' in order to secure their happiness (which he did lovingly) but you can feel how hard this was for him. For a person to have gone so long without security, love or belonging I felt a stake through my heart at Jin's pain. At the same time it was clear that Jin and Logan were on their way to starting the next chapter of their live's that could only lead to more love and happiness than ever before. A beautiful way to end a beautiful love story and to set up the transition for the next installment of the tale....(Ah, Domin!!!!)
One thing I want to add about MC's male leads (Jin, Jory- A Matter of Time, Stef-Timing) is that they all share an ineffable kindness about them. That's what makes MC's books such a joy for me. They are never willing to hurt others out of self-interest, malice or spite. Even to their own detriment. Always willing to forgive and love despite their pasts without a trace of self-pity. This for me the secret of why they are so loved. Genuine caring is a rare thing in the world. All three men have this quality in spades. No matter their gorgeous appearances they approach others without a trace of ego, willing to love when they are not, forgive when they are harmed and still continue to keep a sense of laughter, wonder and hope for a better tomorrow. That's why they are and will always be the best of the best heroes of the m/m genre (IMHO!).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2014
Lord have mercy I love this series!! This series has managed to keep my excitement level high through 3 books! I haven’t done a damn thing except go to work and read this series. I didn’t want to take a minute away from my reading time! I can go to the gym after!!
This book starts with shocking violence and absolute heartbreak, my mind and heart were filled with sadness. And just when I think things were going to quiet down, it immediately picks up speed again and I Logan is forced into an honor challenge and it taken to Mongolia. The details of the challenge are terrifying to say the least, and i am worried what will happen to Logan and Jin. This book is not for the faint of heart to be sure, there is lots of violence, torture, blood, it’s like gladiators.
During all of this Jin is dealing with his new powers and everyone around him is being affected as well. He is not only a reah, but a Nekhane cat, and it is not bringing people closer to him but keeping them at a distance because of their fear of him. And Jin being Jin he manages to do what those around him don’t want him to do, get in trouble. I love Jin’s heart, his passion, his emotions, while at times I want to slap him across the head i can’t help but love him.
And I have to mention the secondary characters, Domin, Yuri, Crane, Delphine, I love all of them. I love the world building, the passion, the chemistry and love between Jin and Logan still gets me all chocked up and swoony. In the end i will say this book took my heart and punched a hole in at times, tore out a piece at others and absolutely filled it with love and passion and teary eyed happiness at the end. I will be re-reading this series again and again!
This book starts with shocking violence and absolute heartbreak, my mind and heart were filled with sadness. And just when I think things were going to quiet down, it immediately picks up speed again and I Logan is forced into an honor challenge and it taken to Mongolia. The details of the challenge are terrifying to say the least, and i am worried what will happen to Logan and Jin. This book is not for the faint of heart to be sure, there is lots of violence, torture, blood, it’s like gladiators.
During all of this Jin is dealing with his new powers and everyone around him is being affected as well. He is not only a reah, but a Nekhane cat, and it is not bringing people closer to him but keeping them at a distance because of their fear of him. And Jin being Jin he manages to do what those around him don’t want him to do, get in trouble. I love Jin’s heart, his passion, his emotions, while at times I want to slap him across the head i can’t help but love him.
And I have to mention the secondary characters, Domin, Yuri, Crane, Delphine, I love all of them. I love the world building, the passion, the chemistry and love between Jin and Logan still gets me all chocked up and swoony. In the end i will say this book took my heart and punched a hole in at times, tore out a piece at others and absolutely filled it with love and passion and teary eyed happiness at the end. I will be re-reading this series again and again!
August 12, 2023
There is strength in Honored Vow that I did not feel in the first two books. It is less chaotic than number 2 and the writing feels more cohesive. The storyline is good even if there are moments where you are looking at the previous page going, did I miss something? (really only one spot towards the end) This book has advanced the series very well and I will be interested to see if we get more of Jin and Logan. I was surprised at the end and happy all the same. The character growth was big, even if at the start you were thinking 'Jin, Jin, Jin, not AGAIN!!!', but alas Mary threw a wide curve that came back for a strike.
I would be sad if this is the last book in the series.
I would be sad if this is the last book in the series.
January 8, 2016
Just WOW!
May 14, 2024
This is a wonderful addition to this series! I love it every time I read it.
November 11, 2018
First words that come to mind as I try to write a review: Ridiculous, melodramatic, inconsistent characterizations, convoluted, gratuitous violence, TSTL, cobbled together. Forget it. I just can’t muster up enough mental energy to write about what a train wreck this series is. Lovable characters or not, after finishing this one and reading reviews for the next two... I’m done.
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