Review: ‘Dark Longing’ by Aja James
Dark Longing
by Aja JamesSeries: Pure/Dark Ones #2
Published by Self-Published on January 18, 2018
SubGenres: Paranormal Romance
Format: eBook
Pages: 335
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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“Every story has more than one side, like a crystal that captures and reflects different colors of light. Do not take for granted what you think you know, for until you hold the entire jewel in your palm, the temptation is to fall prey to illusion and deception.”
This is a story of the Dark Ones…
Inanna: the vampire warrior
Known as the Angel of Death among her kind, she has lived millennia alone, one of the remaining True Bloods in existence, unconsciously longing for the one male she could never have.
Gabriel: the forbidden human
His soul recognizes hers from the first encounter. With the first touch, he is awakened. Though he does not know it, he has been searching for her across the ages.
But even as they are finally reunited, their love faces seemingly impossible odds. Will history repeat itself or will they break all the rules and chart a new course together?
Dark Longing is the second book in the Pure/Dark Ones series, and this book focuses on the Dark Ones. If you haven’t read the first book before reading this one I highly recommend reading in order because you’ll get introduced to the Pure Ones (which are different from the Dark Ones and are described as Elves in this book).
I loved this book from the beginning to end, especially with the world-building of the Dark Ones. I don’t know how Aja James does it, but her writing style is addicting, and this is only the second book in the series. Once I have some much-needed downtime, I’m going to dive into the third, fourth, and so on in the series, so I can catch up right now though I have some other books that take precedence since they have a deadline to review them.
I loved Inanna and Gabriel in this book because Aja has their past moments together that leads up to their present lives together. There is a lot of story between these two, and I loved the back and forth to the past to present to find out more about these characters and how they were meant to be with each other. It’s not easy for them to be together, though. Some elements and characters are going to try to rip them apart. Gabriel also didn’t know about Inanna until his wife passes away, which was a shocker for him. He had no idea about Inanna. Inanna has always been there since she was close to his wife. Now they are to raise a child together, and Gabriel is going to be thrown into the Dark/Pure Ones world. Gabriel is a fighter though in this story, and I loved how his present-day excursions showed what he did in the past.
There’s a villain or villains in this book and what I love that Aja does is you get a POV of the villain(s). There’s also some unexpected twists and turns in the story, and I was surprised with what happened to the characters. It was one of those moments where I was so shocked that I had a hard time putting down the book because I NEEDED to know what happened next in the story.
The Pure Ones are in this story too, so they don’t get left out, and they play a role in the book. I loved how Aja introduced the Dark Ones world in this book. Okay, I’m going to keep gushing already. If you haven’t read these books yet, then I highly recommend you do, especially if you are PNR and/or Fantasy reader.
If you are a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, then I would recommend checking out this series by Aja James. I can’t wait to dive into the third book in the series. (Now, if only I had more hours in the day and summertime was not fast approaching since my kids will be home and they don’t let me read as much.)
Story Rating: 5 stars
Steaminess Rating: 4 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of the Pure/Dark Ones series. I recommend reading in order.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, definitely.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes, she’s become an auto-buy author.
Tropes/Elements: Fated Mates; Slow Burn Romance; Paranormal Fantasy
Hero: Human; Fighter; Father
Heroine: One of the chosen for the Dark Ones (Vampire); Angel of Death
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About Aja James
A bit about myself:
I’ve been writing stories since the age of six, and novels since the age of thirteen. Can’t say that those early efforts were particularly good, but I sure loved putting them down on paper! And whether I document them or not, stories are forever forming and expanding and interconnecting in my head.
The best part is–it’s completely organic, the way the stories develop. When the inspiration hits, I write just so I myself can learn where the characters are headed because oftentimes, they take me by surprise! It is my ultimate dream to become a best-selling novelist one day and share my stories with as many readers as I possibly can.
My other loves include art, cooking, old movies (anything with Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Robert Redford, Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Clark Gable, and all the song and dance numbers because you can’t watch them and not be happy!)
I adore taking long walks with my husband and running after my two rambunctious kids. I have traveled extensively (all seven continents except Antarctica) and have a multi-cultural upbringing. I speak two and a half languages and binge watch TV shows when the mood strikes.
I love hearing from readers, so please contact me directly! Subscribe to this blog to get the latest news and updates and free chapters in upcoming books!
My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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