Jeweled (Court of Edaeii, #1)

Nov 14, 2010 Laurie (Bitten by Paranormal Romance) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotic-romance, erotic-keepers, m-f-m

Anya Bast delivers a superb heartfelt story. I truly didn’t expect this erotica to be so emotional. It took me a bit to really get into this story but as I kept reading the more I was engrossed into the story, I just had to find out what really happened in Evangeline’s past that had her to put walls up on her emotions. You get hot M/F/M sex with back door. There is mention of same gender sex, but it never goes into anything. This is not a quick setup manage, it takes a while for these three to g...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Paloma Beck rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-fantasy

A world-building queen, Anya Bast has remarkable talent in creating distinctive worlds that incorporate unforgettable characters. Her newest fantasy romance, Jeweled, is a top example of Bast’s talent and is a must read. Her world building is fantastic with magic richly woven throughout the story, slyly creating the basis of the story’s conflict. And as the characters evolve, so does their world.
Evangeline is taken from her family as a small child and trained to excel in magic, categorized by he...more A world-building queen, Anya Bast has remarkable talent in creating distinctive worlds that incorporate unforgettable characters. Her newest fantasy romance, Jeweled, is a top example of Bast’s talent and is a must read. Her world building is fantastic with magic richly woven throughout the story, slyly creating the basis of the story’s conflict. And as the characters evolve, so does their world.
Evangeline is taken from her family as a small child and trained to excel in magic, categorized by her ability to manipulate emotions. Since the nature of a person’s magic causes the opposite reaction within themselves, Evangeline becomes closed off from her emotions. She has existed to advance in her position as a jeweled using her magic, is ruthless and highly calculating and has achieved great success. But Evangeline is not a likeable character as she uses others as means to attaining her goals, lacking compassion and devaluing her worth as a woman. It is only when the reader understands that using her magic has made her like this that we can accept her as a creature of her upbringing. While I believe it was Bast’s intention to create Evangeline in this light, my dislike for her made the first few chapters difficult to get through.
The action picks up when a revolution occurs and the common people overthrow the monarchy, leaving Evangeline’s world in disarray. Everything she knows is taken away, royalty are beheaded and she becomes just another of the hunted because of her magic ability. Thankfully, Anatol, always having longed for Evangeline, comes to her rescue. Anatol saves her not just that first day as they fled the palace but also as they settle into their new life together, particularly as Evangeline begins to feel emotions and is so uncertain.
And as she learns to accept her emotions, I begin to accept her. Through Anatol’s eyes, the reader develops an appreciation for her as a newborn baby, exploring her new emotional world that she doesn’t understand. It is equal parts frustrating, touching and fascinating to watch her gain understanding of her emotions. Anatol acts as her guide and main support system through her emotional re-birth and this endeared me to him. Their romance flows parallel to Evangeline’s emotional re-birth. Evangeline slowly came to care for Anatol, felt loss and pain when he was taken away and was swept up in love when he was safe again. Their intimacy was sweet as even the emotions associated with passion were new to her.

Anatol was a perfect friend and lover, always considering Evangeline’s needs before his own. He was honorable, steadfast and loyal – he was my favorite character in the whole book. Anatol’s magic ability is to see the truth within a person. This is what allows him to see into Evangeline’s true character and connect him to her so thoroughly. Though there were no redeeming qualities in Evangeline when they lived in the palace, it is this truth that only he can see which causes him to fall in love with her. Soon enough after living on their own in this changed world, Anatol realizes that Evangeline's emotional needs are too much for him to satisfy alone. He accepts that he may need another man to help ground her.

Enter Gregorio. Towards the final third of the book, we learn more about Gregorio, the leader of the revolution. He believes in democracy but is an idealist, not considering that his writing and call for actions could result in the bloody reality of the revolution. He is disheartened by the rebellion, regretting that his dreams ended in bloodshed rather than spurring democracy into action. As he develops a relationship with Anatol and Evangeline, taking them in after they are discovered, he is prompted by their enthusiasm to begin working at controlling the people and beginning the democratic ruling party he’d imagined. All three characters take part in the evolution of the government and slowly their friendship grows into a sexual relationship wherein they each find love, though on their own timetables. While sometimes jealous and territorial by nature, the men learn to share Evangeline. It is only as a three-some that they will each find happiness. Bast weaves this complex story so tightly, it is impossible for the reader to believe any other outcome would suffice.

I originally posted this review at http://guiltyindulgencebookclub.blogs...

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Oct 30, 2010 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jeweled by Anya Bast
Paranormal Romance- Nov 2nd, 2010
4 stars

Jeweled is a fabulous new fantasy with lush and highly erotic content.

In the country of Rylisk, children with magic are carried away to the high Court of Edaeii. The royal line no longer has magic and they hope to train and incorporate these children into their household or their royal line. Evangeline is one such woman. In addition to her fabled beauty she has the ability to pull emotions and create them. However, this ability cuts he...more Jeweled by Anya Bast
Paranormal Romance- Nov 2nd, 2010
4 stars

Jeweled is a fabulous new fantasy with lush and highly erotic content.

In the country of Rylisk, children with magic are carried away to the high Court of Edaeii. The royal line no longer has magic and they hope to train and incorporate these children into their household or their royal line. Evangeline is one such woman. In addition to her fabled beauty she has the ability to pull emotions and create them. However, this ability cuts her off from her own emotions. This makes her distant and even cold. But when revolutionaries topple the kingdom she finds she must flee with the handsome and charismatic Anatol. Anatol has the power of illusion but now their powers make them targets for the masses, which are out for blood! Hiding in the streets together they slowly build a caring relationship but Anatol is soon discovered. And Evangeline who has finally found emotion will do anything she can to save him. Even if she must ask the aid of the attractive Gregorio, the leader of the revolutionaries! To complicate matters Gregorio wants Evangeline for himself….

This was a decadent story. It reminded me of what I imagine the overthrow of Versailles would have been like for the poor nobles except it is also set in a fantasy world filled with magic. But I feel the paranormal aspects are secondary to the lush background of the court and the desperate poverty and filth as Evangeline and Anatol try to survive. This is an erotic story and includes many sensual scenes including a ménage. As Evangeline is seduced but not just 1 but 2 men who want her, the story gets hotter and hotter!

This was solid read. But it took me a while to warm up to Evangeline. Since she is so emotionally cut off it was difficult to like her and understand what the heroes saw in her besides her beauty. I liked Gregorio but found Anatol a lot sexier and enjoyed his nobility and protectiveness toward Evangeline.

This was a passionate and decadent fantasy that erotic readers will love.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
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Dec 15, 2010 Barbara ~*Lindt Ninja*~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, series, arc

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really don't think this contains spoilers, since my synopsis only goes up to the beginning of the relationship between Evangeline, Anatol and Gregorio and then I give my thoughts on it, but I put the warning there just in case...

In Rylisk, there is a distinct political, financial and social hierarchy: you are non-magicked, magicked and at the top, you are J’Edaeii, someone considered especially adept. The Czar rules all and the rural peasants have no voice.

Emotion-wielder Evangeline and illusi...more I really don't think this contains spoilers, since my synopsis only goes up to the beginning of the relationship between Evangeline, Anatol and Gregorio and then I give my thoughts on it, but I put the warning there just in case...

In Rylisk, there is a distinct political, financial and social hierarchy: you are non-magicked, magicked and at the top, you are J’Edaeii, someone considered especially adept. The Czar rules all and the rural peasants have no voice.

Emotion-wielder Evangeline and illusionist Anatol have just been Jeweled as J’Edaeii when the Court of Edaeii at Belai is overrun with revolutionists intent on overthrowing the Czar and magicks. The two manage to escape in the chaos and with the help from a prostitute, end up in a rundown apartment, where they spend the next several weeks barely eking out an existence. When the palace fell, magicks became hunted and when caught, beheaded, so the two have had to hide who and what they are.

While working one day at one of the rare jobs he’s been able to find, Anatol is betrayed and arrested. Desperate to save him, Evangeline manages to stumble across the one person who can help: the leader of the revolution, Gregorio Vikhin, remorseful himself that the movement had gotten so far out of hand and beyond what he’d intended it to do. The two of them free Anatol and take him to Gregorio’s house to recover.

While Anatol and Evangeline had been living alone together, the two had become lovers; he’d always been in love with her, but she’d coped with both her magickal skills and a trauma from her childhood by walling off her feelings. She had a lot of emotionless sex that gave her no pleasure but furthered her social standing; although she’d been attracted to Anatol, she’d always considered him a little odd, a little dangerous and off-limits. When the two ran from the palace, she was unable to stop herself from feeling again and her relationship with Anatol became very passionate, in bed and out of it. The first time she saw Gregorio, she felt some attraction for him but for a while after she and Anatol lived with him, it was overpowered by her anger towards him and his role in the revolution that destroyed her home and killed her friends. He didn’t have any ambivalence when it came to his attraction to her though; seeing that Gregorio wanted Evangeline and that she was struggling with an attraction to him as well, Anatol essentially gave both of them permission to have a relationship, with the understanding that he wasn’t leaving and would be a part of whatever they had.

That’s about as Cliff’s Notes-y as I can get, and even though that took me some time to whittle down, I’m not sure how much justice I did to the plot. There’s a lot going on here. I don’t want to go into a lot of detail about the backdrop of the revolution and Anatol and Evangeline’s weeks spent together before meeting Gregorio, not because it’s not vital to the story, but because it’s a sort of background world-building that I wouldn’t say I normally see in paranormal-style books. It’s sort of a French Revolution meets the Russian Bolshevik uprising with some elements of the Depression. Between the paranormal elements of the J’Edaeii, the revolutionists and the inventions Gregorio introduces Evangeline to, I had a hard time putting my finger on exactly what genre I was reading. I mean that in a good way.

I ran a little more hot and tepid when it came to the relationships between Anatol, Evangeline and Gregorio (each and all together). The relationship between Evangeline and Anatol essentially started many years earlier; they’d known each other since childhood, when they were training with their magicks and he’d loved her for years. When they finally started their physical relationship, sex with emotions was new to her, so she was essentially a virgin and he was her first lover; in a nutshell, they have a passionate love affair. With the intense, cerebral Gregorio, Evangeline finds herself suddenly drawn to someone completely outside of her magickal world. Their attraction is fierce and intense, a little rough. Obviously, intentionally, Anatol and Gregorio are two sides of a coin. I liked Evangeline’s relationships with each man separately and even found that when the three of them were having sex together (m/f/m), it was insanely hot, but I didn’t necessarily feel that there was a true ménage achieved for the two men.

I know, wait. No, not the guys having sex with each other meaning ménage. I meant that I didn’t feel that in his heart Anatol ever really wanted to let Gregorio in, even if it was because he felt like Evangeline needed it. And I think given the choice, Gregorio would have never included Anatol either. As a threesome, it all worked. As a ménage, I felt sad for the two men. There were definite signs given though that this was indeed a true, committed ménage, so perhaps I’m just being a whiner.

Did this affect my enjoyment of the book? Barely. I loved the backdrop; I really can’t say enough about how rich it is, how much the tone of it affects the story of Evangeline and sets it apart from what you would consider a “typical” paranormal. The erotic elements are exactly what you’d expect from Bast: intense, well-placed, well-written and emotional, worth popping a chocolate or two in your mouth while reading (my highest accolade). While there is less emphasis on using magick here than you might expect, I recommend reading this for those reasons alone.
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Dec 13, 2010 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-publisher-author

Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blo...

I have been wanting to pick up a copy of Jeweled since its release day but hadn't had the chance so when Anya asked for review sites to review a copy I jumped at the offer. It came in the mail and I immediately started to read it. I was NOT disappointing. Sometimes with Erotic books I tend to find it a little to raunchy and the story not at all satisfying but Ms Bast made all the erotic scenes tasteful and sensual while still making it extremel...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: witchy-ones

I liked this book. I really did. However, it wasn't one of my favorite books by this author. I'm a big fan of two of her other series, but this one seemed to have a far different tone. It was good, but there were parts where the pages didn't seem to turn quite as fast as I'm used to. The scenes were passionate, becoming more so as Evangeline comes to terms with her emotions. Anatol's character sometimes seemed contradictory, but was nevertheless the driving force of the book. He really seemed to...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Brenda rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 18, 2011 Gail rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anya Bast delivers yet another hot sexy read, while giving us a solid story of a land where magick is coveted by the ruling monarchy and feared by the common people.

Evangeline was born with special magick, she is taken from her parents at the tender age of 4. Delivered into the ruling monarchy, the Court of Edaeii. The Edaeii take gifted children and train them to be their personal/political slaves.

When civil unrest brings down the Court of Edaeii, Evangeline is helped by Anatol another gifted...more

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Dec 14, 2010 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

A world-building queen, Anya Bast has remarkable talent in creating distinctive worlds that incorporate unforgettable characters. Her newest fantasy romance, Jeweled, is a top example of Bast’s talent and is a must read. Her world building is fantastic with magic richly woven throughout the story, slyly creating the basis of the story’s conflict. And as the characters evolve, so does their world.
Evangeline is taken from her family as a small child and trained to excel in magic, categorized by he...more A world-building queen, Anya Bast has remarkable talent in creating distinctive worlds that incorporate unforgettable characters. Her newest fantasy romance, Jeweled, is a top example of Bast’s talent and is a must read. Her world building is fantastic with magic richly woven throughout the story, slyly creating the basis of the story’s conflict. And as the characters evolve, so does their world.
Evangeline is taken from her family as a small child and trained to excel in magic, categorized by her ability to manipulate emotions. Since the nature of a person’s magic causes the opposite reaction within themselves, Evangeline becomes closed off from her emotions. She has existed to advance in her position as a jeweled using her magic, is ruthless and highly calculating and has achieved great success. But Evangeline is not a likeable character as she uses others as means to attaining her goals, lacking compassion and devaluing her worth as a woman. It is only when the reader understands that using her magic has made her like this that we can accept her as a creature of her upbringing. While I believe it was Bast’s intention to create Evangeline in this light, my dislike for her made the first few chapters difficult to get through.
The action picks up when a revolution occurs and the common people overthrow the monarchy, leaving Evangeline’s world in disarray. Everything she knows is taken away, royalty are beheaded and she becomes just another of the hunted because of her magic ability. Thankfully, Anatol, always having longed for Evangeline, comes to her rescue. Anatol saves her not just that first day as they fled the palace but also as they settle into their new life together, particularly as Evangeline begins to feel emotions and is so uncertain.
And as she learns to accept her emotions, I begin to accept her. Through Anatol’s eyes, the reader develops an appreciation for her as a newborn baby, exploring her new emotional world that she doesn’t understand. It is equal parts frustrating, touching and fascinating to watch her gain understanding of her emotions. Anatol acts as her guide and main support system through her emotional re-birth and this endeared me to him. Their romance flows parallel to Evangeline’s emotional re-birth. Evangeline slowly came to care for Anatol, felt loss and pain when he was taken away and was swept up in love when he was safe again. Their intimacy was sweet as even the emotions associated with passion were new to her.

Anatol was a perfect friend and lover, always considering Evangeline’s needs before his own. He was honorable, steadfast and loyal – he was my favorite character in the whole book. Anatol’s magic ability is to see the truth within a person. This is what allows him to see into Evangeline’s true character and connect him to her so thoroughly. Though there were no redeeming qualities in Evangeline when they lived in the palace, it is this truth that only he can see which causes him to fall in love with her. Soon enough after living on their own in this changed world, Anatol realizes that Evangeline's emotional needs are too much for him to satisfy alone. He accepts that he may need another man to help ground her.

Enter Gregorio. Towards the final third of the book, we learn more about Gregorio, the leader of the revolution. He believes in democracy but is an idealist, not considering that his writing and call for actions could result in the bloody reality of the revolution. He is disheartened by the rebellion, regretting that his dreams ended in bloodshed rather than spurring democracy into action. As he develops a relationship with Anatol and Evangeline, taking them in after they are discovered, he is prompted by their enthusiasm to begin working at controlling the people and beginning the democratic ruling party he’d imagined. All three characters take part in the evolution of the government and slowly their friendship grows into a sexual relationship wherein they each find love, though on their own timetables. While sometimes jealous and territorial by nature, the men learn to share Evangeline. It is only as a three-some that they will each find happiness. Bast weaves this complex story so tightly, it is impossible for the reader to believe any other outcome would suffice.

I originally posted this review at http://guiltyindulgencebookclub.blogs...

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Feb 07, 2011 Cathiecaffey rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had the opportunity to review JEWELED by Anya Bast and grabbed that chance! I've read various books of Ms. Bast's but never have not reviewed a erotic historical fantasy, but so love to read them even though they are scarce. I have read very little to none of straight fantasy, so I then worried I wouldn't do so well with a review of this genre. I started out with taking notes and it was taking away time from the book, but also, being able to enjoy the book. So I put all the notes away and just...more I had the opportunity to review JEWELED by Anya Bast and grabbed that chance! I've read various books of Ms. Bast's but never have not reviewed a erotic historical fantasy, but so love to read them even though they are scarce. I have read very little to none of straight fantasy, so I then worried I wouldn't do so well with a review of this genre. I started out with taking notes and it was taking away time from the book, but also, being able to enjoy the book. So I put all the notes away and just sat and read this book from beginning to end in enjoyment, and so glad I did!

JEWELED is an oh so fastinating read! And so passionate! I firmly got caught up in this world and still haven't left it. Its set in no certain time period that was indicated, thus, an 'alternative historical'. There's some indications with one of the themes of the heroine being fascinated with the inventions that were happening (sewing machine, printing press). But as you read, its just 'the time it is' in the story and works! Set in a unique and creative world, I could feel that Ms. Bast really had a world planned out and everything flowed smoothly into it. Its set in a country called 'Rylisk' and they are in the city called 'Milzyr'. The heroine, Evangeline has been in a palace called 'Belai' where all those with Magick in their blood reside . Evangeline was taken from her family at age 4. She is isolated within the Palace with others who work on their Magick over the years. The Magicks started with the family of 'Edaeii' but with very little family left, they relied on finding those with any Magick and building on it through the years by isolating them. This family of the Edaeii also took over the city with their wealth and power, leaving the poor not taken care of.

Evangeline's Magick is consisted of feeling both physically and emotionally cold, but no other emotions are with her. She instead draws emotions from those around her and weaves those feelings back to those around her to manipulate what feeling they have. In other words, she can control and change the emotions around her. Anatol's Magick consists of illusion and light.

As Evangeline comes of age, she becomes jeweled by performing her Magick skills in front of the Edaeii family. Once she is chosen to be part of their Magick family, she is jeweled with a sapphire stone placed in her back. In the men, its placed on the back of their neck. Its here we meet one of the hero's, Anatol, who goes through the ceremony to be jeweled but wants nothing to do with the Edaeii family as he has heard the rumors of a possible revolution happening to take out this family and palace. When this does happen, Evangeline is totally unprepared to live outside of the palace while Anatol plans to survive through this. Anatol has falling in love with Evangeline from afar for many years. As the city takes over the palace, there's violence that occurs which I do tend to skip over. But its necessary to the story in the power of how this city took over.

As Evangeline and Anatol survive trying to blend in as well as hide at other times, Evangeline has a difficult time dealing with not using her Magick but also learning to be herself, to feel herself for basically the first time in her life. As their relationship grows strong, Evangeline has strong feelings for Anatol but its not complete. Its here we meet Gregorio who is helping the city take back their home and life and make their government for everyone. Gregorio may be the missing part that makes Evangeline complete. Evangeline struggles with her own self esteem and feeling emotions again, especially determining what love is, and mostly wondering if she's good enough for both Anatol and Gregorio.

As a reader I was enchanted by Anya Bast's JEWELED. Evangeline goes through so much within this story that I felt I could see her grow from the beginning of the book to the very end. I could feel empathy for her feelings of her being worthy. Both Anatol and Gregorio are so different but with the same goals. I did look up to both Anatol and Gregorio for their protectiveness of her. She had her own strengths and other times her strengths were with them and I didn't find this as a weakness of her. I found it made her stronger knowing she could depend on others in her life but also that she could include them as part of her life as well. The passion that was shared through this story grew from two to three and it worked. I realized that it couldn't be any other way but the way it was told. I found this book not only a gripping adventure with an exciting fantasy to read, but also breathtaking in the love that grew between them all to become one in love. Ms. Bast has created an erotic historical fantasy that I'm already waiting for the next book. Its been awhile since I read the book and I can still visualize as well as see the scenes still within me as a reader. This one's a keeper, an A for me!(less)

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Dec 29, 2010 Robin K added it

Jeweled, as its title suggests, is raw, refined and stunning. With rich emotion and characters the novel took my breath away. The novel begins with the atmosphere of decadence and indulgence. In a palace of fairy tale with princes and magic. Beautifully described nobles and royals. Lush furnishings and gowns. A unique read from page one I could not put the book down. I enthusiastically turned the pages and filled my imagination with passionate delights and intrigues.

Born with magic and raised as...more Jeweled, as its title suggests, is raw, refined and stunning. With rich emotion and characters the novel took my breath away. The novel begins with the atmosphere of decadence and indulgence. In a palace of fairy tale with princes and magic. Beautifully described nobles and royals. Lush furnishings and gowns. A unique read from page one I could not put the book down. I enthusiastically turned the pages and filled my imagination with passionate delights and intrigues.

Born with magic and raised as a pampered slave Evangeline has spent her life fighting for her place in the royal court. Her day has finally come and she is jeweled for her magical prowess. But with all dreams, one must eventually awaken. Evangeline's dawn is nothing short of a nightmare.

No sooner had I settled in for the royal entertainment when Evangeline is abruptly plunged into a turbulent revolution. Joy turns to sorrow and hope to despair. With no survival skills except those of seduction Evangeline flees the ravaged palace with the help of fellow magician Anatol. Void of the luxury they are accustomed to they quickly become dependent on one another to survive in the harsh new world.

When Anatol is discovered by revolutionaries, Evangeline is forced to seek help from the one man she despises above all others, Gregorio, the leader of the revolution. A man of rugged contradictions, Gregorio comes to her aid and offers to share his home with the two refugees.

What starts as a warming of heart between Evangeline and Anatol soon rages to a fire and consumes all in its path. Including Gregorio. As the three characters fight with their emotions and circumstance they soon realize that the only way they will endure is together. Their love is a tarnished gem, wrought of grit, blood and sacrifice. From the depths of their desire new hopes sparks and new light glistens.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to read and review Jeweled. It was nothing I expected and I could not have been more pleased. So pick up a copy, sit down by a warm fire and embrace these decedent characters.(less)

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Jan 26, 2011 Cynthia Cene rated it 3 of 5 stars

I normally like Anya Bast books. But for some reason this one didn't meet like the others, I could be cause it is really different from her other books. You know when you get used to an author and then they switch up on you? That's how it was for me.

This story is a bout a royal and powerful magical group who control everything. They don't care about wither there subjects have food, homes, or are healthy as long as they did and were. Eventually the subjects banned together and revolted hunting do...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Tez rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Best suited for fans of Megan Hart's Order of Solace series, Jeweled is an erotic fantasy romance - "fantasy" in that it feels like an historical, but is set in a fictional land.

The world-building intrigues: if the royalty likes them enough, the magicked join the privileged to bring magickal blood back into the royal family. Evangeline Bansdaughter's emotional magick leads her to be Jeweled, her back pierced to mark her as the royals' magickal property. She's also tattooed to mark her as the sex...more Best suited for fans of Megan Hart's Order of Solace series, Jeweled is an erotic fantasy romance - "fantasy" in that it feels like an historical, but is set in a fictional land.

The world-building intrigues: if the royalty likes them enough, the magicked join the privileged to bring magickal blood back into the royal family. Evangeline Bansdaughter's emotional magick leads her to be Jeweled, her back pierced to mark her as the royals' magickal property. She's also tattooed to mark her as the sexual property of a royal.

Then comes the revolution, with the beheading of royalty/nobility. Evangeline rescues Anatol Nicolison, one of her fellow Jeweled, and they disguise as lower-class folk. They're soon discovered, though - not because of the jewel or tattoo, but rather Evangeline's demeanour.

Really, I expected someone to tear out her jewel, either to help her assimilate with the lower class, or as an attack by the revolutionaries. But after the piercing heals, the jewel remains and is barely mentioned again. That tattoo never comes into play, either. So why all the big deal about them at the start to not become an issue later on?

Anyhoo, Evangeline and Anatol make a friend in a brothel owner who helps them acquire accommodation, but they soon move in with the leader of the revolution. But Gregorio Vikhin never wanted the beheadings, didn't want the violence. Too bad; they happened anyway. He doesn't hate the Jeweled, so he's quite friendly with his new housemates - and new bedfellows. Evangeline wants both men, and they both want her. They don't want each other, but are willing to share in order to both keep her. Therefore, Evangeline has the power, and this doesn't sit well with me. Romantic relationships should be absolutely equal - even when three or more are involved. That and the fact that m/m scenes totally float my boat. But Anatol and Gregorio don't act that way, though they both do Evangeline at the same time (different orifices).

For a tale including a revolution, there's little direct violence and danger to the trio. You'd expect maximum external conflict to strike leading up to the third act; instead, it comes in the final thirty pages. There's a capture, and fake bladder weakness is used as a ruse to escape/injure a captor, who totally falls for it. I think you know my opinion of that.

But Jeweled isn't plot-driven; it's really about the characters, but I can't muster up any enthusiasm for them. Partially - okay, mostly - because there's opportunity for m/m action, and it never happens. If Evangeline had been poor and hideous, would Anatol and Gregorio still love her? Maybe they'd still want to screw her, but they go on about how beautiful she is, lalala... It's difficult to care about a character with whom you can't identify. She freaks out about her new acquisition of emotions, and the men treat her special because of that, and you know what? I'm just getting fed up with Special Snowflake characters. People who are beautiful, smart, skilled, talented, beloved, adored, worshipped... I just want characters to whom I can relate. Relationships I can believe. (Which is probably why I shouldn't read romance, though I'm totally fine with erotica.)

I hoped for heavier political and exterior plot meat. I hoped for less shagging, and more chatting and having a sense of humour. And yes, I hoped for m/m action.

But what this novel did for me is help identify my reading preferences. And getting all ranty means I see the potential in this story, even if the execution doesn't work. That's better than feeling "meh" about it, right? It at least sparked some emotion. And isn't that why we read in the first place? To be engaged enough to give a toss either way? To feel feelings? If so, then Jeweled, indeed, achieves that goal.(less)

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Jan 18, 2011 Darcy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, erotica, menage

This author is an auto read for me, so I request her books from the library often without knowing what the book is about, that was especially true with this book. I started reading it during my lunch hour and after 15 minutes thought this one was going to go in my couldn't bring myself to finish, but as this book was my only entertainment I kept reading and it wasn't too much longer that I was sucked in.

I think what made the first part so hard to get into is the main character, Evangeline. She i...more

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Dec 24, 2011 Cecile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow... where do I start. First, let me say that Ms. Anya did another fan-freaking-tastic job of taking me to another time and place. She rocked my world with Wicked Enchantments world and now the Jeweled world. Where all things are mystical and dangerous. Where being yourself might actually cost you your life. Ms. Anya entwined her story around me so that I had to finish the story. It was like holding your breath... You just have to breath.. And I had to read this book. I had to know Evangeli...more Oh wow... where do I start. First, let me say that Ms. Anya did another fan-freaking-tastic job of taking me to another time and place. She rocked my world with Wicked Enchantments world and now the Jeweled world. Where all things are mystical and dangerous. Where being yourself might actually cost you your life. Ms. Anya entwined her story around me so that I had to finish the story. It was like holding your breath... You just have to breath.. And I had to read this book. I had to know Evangeline's story.

The world which we enter is where magick is special and treated as such. We enter a world of Royals and commoners. Where there is riches and the finer things of life... where there is poverty and starvation. But to hold magick, is a special thing and for that those chosen are taken from their parents at a very young age. To train and hone in on their special ability ~ daily, religiously and even to the point of exhaustion. But the training is so worth it... or it is worth it to some.

Evangeline lived her entire life, since she was taken from her family at the age of four, for the day she would be jeweled. She knew her magick would prove to catch the attention of the Royal and she seek to gain that acceptance. With that acceptance came the privileged world of the Royal. Being allow to marry into the Royal line was what Evangeline wanted, or so she thought. The childhood she could remember was not the best. Being poor was one matter, but being the daughter of a pig farmers was another matter all together. She knew she wanted better than that for herself and if using her magick and her body got her where she wanted to be... then so be it.

I admired her to an extend. She survived some pretty rough hands life dealt her. She did what she had to do in order to stay alive. I admired her determination, her spirit to never give up when it got tough and her stubbornness. Even though it almost cost her her life a couple of times. The only niggler I had about her was she thought she was not worthly of the love that one man wanted to give her. But when you sit down and truly look within yourself, I think we are all like that at some point in time in our lives. So even though she constantly reminded herself that she was not worthy (and that was a little issue with me) of love because she never knew love, I went past that and saw the woman for who she truly was... A woman who was never shown true love, never shown true passion, never show happiness within. She built walls around herself because of her special magick. She manipulates other people's emotions, but in doing so, she soaks them into herself... in her soul. She bounces off the emotions of others... taking from one to replace another. But it damages her each time she does it, hence the walls she built. She built those walls so thick that it hinder her from even experiencing any true emotions.

Anatol has watched Evangeline since she came to live at the the Court of Edaeii. Anatol's magick is that he is instilled with the power of illusion. Which is awesome, but you have to remember, to have a power also comes its draw backs. So with this ability, his curse is to see the true nature of person's soul. And what he saw in Evangeline made him want her that much more. He also has to be careful with Evangeline because he knows that he could never push her to him. He wooed the Royals at the ceremoy that was held to determine who would be Jeweled and who would be dismissed. He was Jeweled. But after the Jeweling ceremony... Anatol and Evangeline's world would soon change... forever.

Things are not always as they seem to appear. By keeping the Jeweled in the Royal tower, it kinda kept those away from the happenings of their surroundings. Evangeline was always busy training and making sure she was at the top of her game (or magick I should say) or she was using her *cough* magick to get one step higher in securing her place at the Court of Edaeii. Knowing what was happeneing outside the castle did not appeal to her, for she did not have the time to learn of the current events. If she would have, she might have been better prepared for what was going to happen to her next.

Revolution. Chaos. Citizens taking action. More chaos. Bringing down the Royal family and any one associated with them, even the Jeweled were in the making the night Evangeline got Jeweled. It was supposed to be the most special night of her life and it turned out to be the one that flipped her world upside and inside out and all the way around.

Ms. Anya is creating another awesome world for us to lose ourselves in. The story building is enough with out it being to much. Her writing skills made me feel the cold from the snow, the hunger within my own belly and the sensation from one kiss. And she will make you feel the passion come off the pages as you read, she will make you feel the desire the characters have for each other, you will feel the sadness, you will feel the happiness but most importantly she will make you feel the love that surrounds the characters in this journey! Now that is writing.

If I tell you any more about the story, I fear I may give it away. And you know I do not want to do that... But I will give you this... You know I am going to tease you now that I have given you a little history on the story...

Evangeline and Anatol alone will rock your world. But then there is a third party, the one that pushed for the revolution to happen. How does he fit in you ask... Well, you will have to read to find out, but I will tell you that when these three come together they bring out the best in each other, they work together for a brighter future for their country. They push each others buttons and get heated with each other and in more than one way... but it comes down to one thing... can a person love when they never knew love to begin with?

Let's find out....

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Nov 09, 2011 Lauren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: erotica, bought-in-2011, i-own, read-in-2011

I'm going with 3 1/2 stars on this one. It took a couple chapters to get into this but in the end it was a HOT read. Evangeline is a jeweled. She can take and manipulate others emotions. Her main goal at the palace is to move up the magical food chain even if it means sleeping with men and women. Just when things were going her way, the palace was invaded by the non-magical and the poor. Royals were killed and she barely escaped with her life. Thanks to Anatol, the man who saved her, she began t...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Martina rated it 2 of 5 stars

I love Anya, but this book was so difficult to read... it went beyond the norm of her stories and not to a good place. I found myself skipping a lot of pages, the story of loving and having a relationship with two men at the same time seemed unbelievable and I couldn't buy into it. After finishing the book I realized that all those skipped pages didn't even matter.

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Aug 09, 2011 Gina (bibliobuff) rated it 4 of 5 stars

This seems like it will be the start to a great series. In ways, it reminded me of Megan Hart's Solace books. My only complaint — and I've had this one a lot in recent menage books I've read — I felt like Gregorio was a third wheel. Bast so nicely built up the romance between Evangeline and Anatol that when Gregorio came into the picture, he felt intrusive. Which is a shame because he is a great character.

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Jun 26, 2012 Jessie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I liked this because it wasn't predictable and kept me guessing.... which doesn't happen very often anymore unfortunately :(

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Apr 19, 2012 Bridget rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction-fantasy, swapped-bfs

Story was a fantasy world where the ruling dynasty cultivates individuals showing "Magickal" abilities. Taking them as young children, they are trained to become honored members of the upper classes and some married into the ruling families, in an effort to bring magick back into the royal bloodlines. A revolution changes the society in a bloody uprising. Main characters Evangeline and Anatol are two of the gifted members of court who survive the revolution and must adjust to a new reality. Writ...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Missy rated it 4 of 5 stars

all I got here is.... oh my, wow!!!

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Nov 02, 2011 Karen Desmond rated it 4 of 5 stars

4

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Sep 27, 2011 Denise Psoinos rated it 2 of 5 stars

It seemed to have potential, but it just got really lame as it went on with the triangle relationship. I have to be able to believe that 2 guys could share this woman's love, and I just wasn't buying it.

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Jul 13, 2012 Vivian rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this one second. I liked jaded better,the second in this series. This one didn't carry as much emotional interest. But to me it was still worth the read. A lot of sex to look for in this one. The con to this, one of the characters feelings for falling in love with the other just didn't seem believable enough and vice versa. And Anatol the first male character is so p...whipped.

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Jun 15, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Very good book & very steamy, loved it!!

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Dec 30, 2011 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

This a was a hot little read. The ending was not at all what I expected.

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Feb 20, 2012 Julia rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, romance, fantasy, dropbox

An ambitious story that fell short both as erotica and fantasy, my emotions were never particularly engaged by the lovely, damaged Evangeline.

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Jun 06, 2013 Rebecca Duplantis marked it as to-read

Jun 05, 2013 Samantha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 15, 2013 Raven added it

title link	preview: Jeweled
avg rating	preview: Jeweled Goodreads rating: 3.63 (236 ratings)
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Jeweled (Court of Edaeii #1)

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