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Chronicles of the Shifter Directive #5
Emperor's Consort
[Siren Epic Romance, Erotic Alternative Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, M/M, werewolves, shape-shifters, HEA] Ice dragon Hareem Tersain was born to lead the draechen empire. He thought nothing could become more important to him than Ornoz. He was wrong. When his path crosses that of one beautiful werewolf, Hareem is torn between love and duty. For Hareem, Taryn Lovington, his mate, is perfect. But their bond is taboo. Other draechen would never accept a ninth caste member as an emperor’s consort and a werewolf’s child as an heir. Trying to protect Taryn, Hareem sends him away. He doesn’t realize his foes know about his connection with Taryn. When Taryn is attacked by vampires, a chain of events is set into motion that reveals an unexpected enemy. Forced into unlikely alliances, cornered by the selfish desires of others, Hareem has to build a safer world, one where he and Taryn would be free to love each other. Will he succeed in this daunting task, or will he pay the ultimate price for making the attempt? NOTE! You are purchasing Siren's newest imprint, the Siren Epic Romance collection. This is Book 5 of 7 in the Chronicles of the Shifter Directive series. The series shares an overall story arc with many crossover characters playing major roles in each book. These books are not stand-alone and should be read in their numbered order. ** A Siren Erotic Romance
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2013
3 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Scarlet Hyacinth
94 books385 followersScarlet Hyacinth was born in 1986, in a Romania still struggling under the weight of the communist regime. As a young girl, she started studying the English language and fell in love with books.
After a childhood spent devouring hundreds of pages of fantasy literature, Scarlet found her calling. While at uni, she discovered with the help of a dear friend that she had a knack for writing. The rest, as they say, is history, or rather, lots of hard work and sleepless nights. Today, she can only say with a smile that nothing is impossible and that no matter what others say, you can achieve your dreams if you work hard enough.
After a childhood spent devouring hundreds of pages of fantasy literature, Scarlet found her calling. While at uni, she discovered with the help of a dear friend that she had a knack for writing. The rest, as they say, is history, or rather, lots of hard work and sleepless nights. Today, she can only say with a smile that nothing is impossible and that no matter what others say, you can achieve your dreams if you work hard enough.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 4, 2013
Original Blog Post: http://headouttheoven.blogspot.com/20...
Scarlet Hyacinth continues to astound me. She has raised the bar for her Chronicles of the Shifter Directive Series to a much higher level and she still has two more books of the arc to go. Will she be able to keep this up? I think so. I feel it. Looking over her past works in this series, she seriously placed some great thought into the development over both the plot and the different major and minor characters involved that it is now impossible for me to expect nothing less than fantasy spectacular from her.
Emperor's Consort is the story of Hareem and Taryn, the emperor and his werewolf mate we first met way back in the first book, Werewolf's Way. Everyone, both readers and characters alike, knew what was going on between them but never were we privy to what actually went on. There was even a time when I considered Hareem a cowardly prince, then a cowardly emperor who did not seem to do anything right when it came to his relationship with his mate. Then in Naga's Concubine, he stupidly sends him away and I totally hated him for it, breaking Taryn's heart and thereby reaffirming my dislike for him.
Then the Shadow came and readers did not know which was more important: the Shifter Directive or this new and unknown enemy that could destroy everything and everyone in its path.
At first, I figured that there was absolutely no clue as to what this shadow was but going back and reviewing the previous four books, I saw that Ms. Hyacinth did leave the clues out in the open. It was just that these clues were so blatantly out there they ended getting obscurred by the other things going on. When I finally found out who or what this was, clearly I was astounded and wondered how this was going to play out.
Rachen's role has stepped up, as promised by the author. His role as the absorbed and then the reborn twin of Prince Karein should have clued us in that if he can be reborn along with the princes of old Kael and Tali, why not something that had been scrupulously lurking in the background be reborn as well?
As for Hareem and Taryn, readers now know what was going on, what drove the emperor to go down the seemingly stupid and cowardly path. Him being an emperor was a mantle he could barely handle, what with a pregnant, low caste wolf shifter for a mate who was expected to take on one of the most important roles in the draechen world: the Consort. It was apparent that Taryn was not going to be accepted and the fact that the consort is just second in power to the emperor, there were fears unmentionable. Hareem got caught between the mating and the brick wall and had no obvious way out.
Well Hareem found the way out and it was a brilliant but questionable plan. How this plan will play out in the succeeding books will have all readers and fans waiting impatiently. What is important is the (supposed) destruction of the shadow foe.
I still am not quite satisfied with that destruction. Ms. Hyacinth left some clues out there again that brought me back to how the book Sorcerer's Stone ended. And then there was the question of Alwyn: what or who is he? We know he is Rachen's mate, but after what power he just displayed, this tempts me to revisit the Chronicles of the Shifter Directive Companion Guide for that next book's blurb. I will not be tempted, I should not be, but you all know I will be.
So my lips will remain sealed and I am going to breathe deep and relax myself after experiencing the incredibly descriptive and visual battle scenes as well as Taryn's roller coaster of emotions which included the scorching hot erotic scenes between him and his mate.
Note: this was an exhausting book to read. Not only was there a lot going on, this was extremely fast paced and the heat level of SCORCHING is too tame a heat level. So yeah, EXHAUSTING!
But In A Great And Fantastic 5 Stars Way!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scarlet Hyacinth continues to astound me. She has raised the bar for her Chronicles of the Shifter Directive Series to a much higher level and she still has two more books of the arc to go. Will she be able to keep this up? I think so. I feel it. Looking over her past works in this series, she seriously placed some great thought into the development over both the plot and the different major and minor characters involved that it is now impossible for me to expect nothing less than fantasy spectacular from her.
Emperor's Consort is the story of Hareem and Taryn, the emperor and his werewolf mate we first met way back in the first book, Werewolf's Way. Everyone, both readers and characters alike, knew what was going on between them but never were we privy to what actually went on. There was even a time when I considered Hareem a cowardly prince, then a cowardly emperor who did not seem to do anything right when it came to his relationship with his mate. Then in Naga's Concubine, he stupidly sends him away and I totally hated him for it, breaking Taryn's heart and thereby reaffirming my dislike for him.
Then the Shadow came and readers did not know which was more important: the Shifter Directive or this new and unknown enemy that could destroy everything and everyone in its path.
At first, I figured that there was absolutely no clue as to what this shadow was but going back and reviewing the previous four books, I saw that Ms. Hyacinth did leave the clues out in the open. It was just that these clues were so blatantly out there they ended getting obscurred by the other things going on. When I finally found out who or what this was, clearly I was astounded and wondered how this was going to play out.
Rachen's role has stepped up, as promised by the author. His role as the absorbed and then the reborn twin of Prince Karein should have clued us in that if he can be reborn along with the princes of old Kael and Tali, why not something that had been scrupulously lurking in the background be reborn as well?
As for Hareem and Taryn, readers now know what was going on, what drove the emperor to go down the seemingly stupid and cowardly path. Him being an emperor was a mantle he could barely handle, what with a pregnant, low caste wolf shifter for a mate who was expected to take on one of the most important roles in the draechen world: the Consort. It was apparent that Taryn was not going to be accepted and the fact that the consort is just second in power to the emperor, there were fears unmentionable. Hareem got caught between the mating and the brick wall and had no obvious way out.
Well Hareem found the way out and it was a brilliant but questionable plan. How this plan will play out in the succeeding books will have all readers and fans waiting impatiently. What is important is the (supposed) destruction of the shadow foe.
I still am not quite satisfied with that destruction. Ms. Hyacinth left some clues out there again that brought me back to how the book Sorcerer's Stone ended. And then there was the question of Alwyn: what or who is he? We know he is Rachen's mate, but after what power he just displayed, this tempts me to revisit the Chronicles of the Shifter Directive Companion Guide for that next book's blurb. I will not be tempted, I should not be, but you all know I will be.
So my lips will remain sealed and I am going to breathe deep and relax myself after experiencing the incredibly descriptive and visual battle scenes as well as Taryn's roller coaster of emotions which included the scorching hot erotic scenes between him and his mate.
Note: this was an exhausting book to read. Not only was there a lot going on, this was extremely fast paced and the heat level of SCORCHING is too tame a heat level. So yeah, EXHAUSTING!
But In A Great And Fantastic 5 Stars Way!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 1, 2014
Starting this, I was a little leary.. not sure why since I've been looking forward to seeing these two finally resolve their issues and problems. Boy, let me tell you that didn't come CLOSE to what I thought!
With this daunting task of overcoming the enemy seemingly completed by the most unlikely person, I was left wondering... Where the hades does that leave to go in the last 2 books????????? Ohh again miss Crafty Hyacinth takes care of that in the very last chapter, again leaving this series followers on the tip of their seats to find out this 'final' truth and resolution! Thou, how this will play out in one more major finale remains to be seen..
Stay tuned for the next bump in the ride...
With this daunting task of overcoming the enemy seemingly completed by the most unlikely person, I was left wondering... Where the hades does that leave to go in the last 2 books????????? Ohh again miss Crafty Hyacinth takes care of that in the very last chapter, again leaving this series followers on the tip of their seats to find out this 'final' truth and resolution! Thou, how this will play out in one more major finale remains to be seen..
Stay tuned for the next bump in the ride...
December 4, 2013
I was about a third of the way into this installment.. and was thinking.. I'm still loving this world, but this isn't my favorite book or main characters in the series. Hareem was WORKIN MY NERVES!! But... My Ms. Scarlet worked her magic, and I found myself unable to put my Kindle down and got over my need to wanna clip Hareems wing's. :-)
I found that this was an extremely important installment in the series and tied in beautifully. How in the world is Scarlet gonna finish up this series in just two more installments??? You know... I think she just MIGHT have to revisit this world later.... You know, so we can see how all the baby's are doing.. (nodding head and sending Scarlet more expensive chocolates...)
I found that this was an extremely important installment in the series and tied in beautifully. How in the world is Scarlet gonna finish up this series in just two more installments??? You know... I think she just MIGHT have to revisit this world later.... You know, so we can see how all the baby's are doing.. (nodding head and sending Scarlet more expensive chocolates...)
September 1, 2013
This series gets better and better with each book.
There are so many twist and turns in this instalment
Of the series. Just when I started to feel like I learned
A lot something new is thrown in the mix. As always,
I am eagerly awaiting what's next.
There are so many twist and turns in this instalment
Of the series. Just when I started to feel like I learned
A lot something new is thrown in the mix. As always,
I am eagerly awaiting what's next.
April 14, 2019
I knew that 'Emperor's Consort' was going to be a little different than the first four books in this series. Why? Mainly because since book one, when Kerain captured Taryn along with Graham, I've watched some of the development of Hareem and Taryn's mating. So, in essence, quite a bit of their background is already known to me. I loved the fact that this book picked up almost immediately after the end of the previous installment.
Hareem and Taryn are mates, true mates, but Hareem is Emperor of the draechen, the very top of the shifter castes, and Taryn is a werewolf, the ninth and lowest caste. Not only is their mating in direct opposition of the Shifter Directive, but the child Taryn is carrying is against the law. In his efforts to protect Taryn and their unborn child, Hareem sends Taryn away to a draechen stronghold in New York. Considering Hareem's current issues with the vampires, it should've come as no surprise to him when the bats kidnap Taryn. The vampire king wants a trade, Taryn for his son, Fallon, and the other bats imprisoned at Draechenburg. What the king doesn't know, however, is that if it weren't for the draechen and their allies, Fallon would've been killed by the darkness he was working with. Instead, Talrasar used his healing powers to save him, but Fallon is still in a coma. Regardless, the bats are trying to take Taryn, the single most important person in the world to Hareem, even if he can't publicly acknowledge it. Luckily Taryn, with the help of Rachen, escapes and ends up on the neighboring property belonging to Jude, son of the elf king, but currently in exile from his people.
Hareem races to find Taryn and when he does, it's with a heavy heart that Taryn leaves with his brother Monroe and his pack. Taryn tells Hareem that no matter how much they love each other, their world is still divided by the Shifter Directive and centuries of hatred. No matter how much Hareem wants to change everything, Taryn must protect his child, so he leaves to return to his brother's pack. Hareem vows to get to the bottom of what's been going on, find the shadowy person causing all this trouble, and make the world a better place for Taryn and their child. Oh crap. Let's just say that the shadowy darkness, the true evil which has been behind so much, is even more horrific than I thought. Somehow, when the obelisk exploded and released Kael, Talrasar, and Rachen, a horror of the draechen was released as well and it's coming for revenge.
I'm running out of adjectives to express how much I love this series. At this point all I can think of is very expressive curse words and that's probably not appropriate. Needless to say, this book was just as incredible as the four previous ones. It revealed some hidden things and managed to hide some more stuff and then...then...the author left me on a cliffhanger. Granted, every book has left me wanting more, but this one truly had a cliffhanger and so here I go...off to read book six.
NOTE: This book was provided by Siren Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Hareem and Taryn are mates, true mates, but Hareem is Emperor of the draechen, the very top of the shifter castes, and Taryn is a werewolf, the ninth and lowest caste. Not only is their mating in direct opposition of the Shifter Directive, but the child Taryn is carrying is against the law. In his efforts to protect Taryn and their unborn child, Hareem sends Taryn away to a draechen stronghold in New York. Considering Hareem's current issues with the vampires, it should've come as no surprise to him when the bats kidnap Taryn. The vampire king wants a trade, Taryn for his son, Fallon, and the other bats imprisoned at Draechenburg. What the king doesn't know, however, is that if it weren't for the draechen and their allies, Fallon would've been killed by the darkness he was working with. Instead, Talrasar used his healing powers to save him, but Fallon is still in a coma. Regardless, the bats are trying to take Taryn, the single most important person in the world to Hareem, even if he can't publicly acknowledge it. Luckily Taryn, with the help of Rachen, escapes and ends up on the neighboring property belonging to Jude, son of the elf king, but currently in exile from his people.
Hareem races to find Taryn and when he does, it's with a heavy heart that Taryn leaves with his brother Monroe and his pack. Taryn tells Hareem that no matter how much they love each other, their world is still divided by the Shifter Directive and centuries of hatred. No matter how much Hareem wants to change everything, Taryn must protect his child, so he leaves to return to his brother's pack. Hareem vows to get to the bottom of what's been going on, find the shadowy person causing all this trouble, and make the world a better place for Taryn and their child. Oh crap. Let's just say that the shadowy darkness, the true evil which has been behind so much, is even more horrific than I thought. Somehow, when the obelisk exploded and released Kael, Talrasar, and Rachen, a horror of the draechen was released as well and it's coming for revenge.
I'm running out of adjectives to express how much I love this series. At this point all I can think of is very expressive curse words and that's probably not appropriate. Needless to say, this book was just as incredible as the four previous ones. It revealed some hidden things and managed to hide some more stuff and then...then...the author left me on a cliffhanger. Granted, every book has left me wanting more, but this one truly had a cliffhanger and so here I go...off to read book six.
NOTE: This book was provided by Siren Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 13, 2014
3.5 Stars
So the emo in me feels ripped off. There was definitely more angst in this book than the previous ones. However ... while the story was posed for some serious relationship building with a plethora of opportunity for some angst, SH soft peddled it to the point of ... blah. Instead of a wonderful explosion, I got a pop-sizzle-kaput.
On the other hand, the overarching story continues to intrigue me. What's going to happen to the draechen empire? What about the A------ H-----? I'm chomping at the bit to know the ultimate outcome but I'm getting a little bored because certain aspects of her storytelling are getting formulaic.
Bottom line: Conflicted feelings but moving on to book 6 nonetheless.
So the emo in me feels ripped off. There was definitely more angst in this book than the previous ones. However ... while the story was posed for some serious relationship building with a plethora of opportunity for some angst, SH soft peddled it to the point of ... blah. Instead of a wonderful explosion, I got a pop-sizzle-kaput.
On the other hand, the overarching story continues to intrigue me. What's going to happen to the draechen empire? What about the A------ H-----? I'm chomping at the bit to know the ultimate outcome but I'm getting a little bored because certain aspects of her storytelling are getting formulaic.
Bottom line: Conflicted feelings but moving on to book 6 nonetheless.
September 1, 2013
Could not put this book down, I did not think this series could get any better.... I was proven wrong.
December 4, 2013
Crazy awesome series so far! I stayed up until 3:00am to finish this. It was so worth it. Jonesing for the next one!
January 5, 2022
This one is too much story of another characters and not focusing only on main characters. Also they had been separated because of their status.
April 9, 2017
Hareem is an asshole. Taryn should get far away from him. But unfortunately there is that pesky mate bond. Hareem lets Taryn down throughout the entire series. And in this book there is no difference. Except in the last 30 pages or so. He makes a great gesture. But I'm like...mehhh...too little, too late. I don't like Hareem. He is stupid and undeserving of a mate like Taryn.
Why is it that Hareem does not realize that he is emperor and therefore he can do what he likes? If I was emperor I would not care about what other people thought. I would follow my own path, accepting the consequences. You know you get shit all over you if you bring in a mate from a lower caste (let alone the ninth caste). You know your mate will be a target for all your enemy's. Than you can better keep your mate close and safe and enjoy the time you have together, instead of pushing your mate away and be miserable and in the end have your mate under attack anyway. An emperor does not yield to his enemies. But it seems to me like Hareem did that exactly in this book (except in the last 30 pages or so).
Why is it that Hareem does not realize that he is emperor and therefore he can do what he likes? If I was emperor I would not care about what other people thought. I would follow my own path, accepting the consequences. You know you get shit all over you if you bring in a mate from a lower caste (let alone the ninth caste). You know your mate will be a target for all your enemy's. Than you can better keep your mate close and safe and enjoy the time you have together, instead of pushing your mate away and be miserable and in the end have your mate under attack anyway. An emperor does not yield to his enemies. But it seems to me like Hareem did that exactly in this book (except in the last 30 pages or so).
July 18, 2015
I'm glad that we finally got this story…it filled it missing parts from Hareem and Taryn's story, since they were always there from the beginning but were always on the side. I love the advance in the overall plot to this series, how everything is really ramping up and building. And I loved Hareem and Taryn together, and while it doesn't totally forgive Hareem for treating Taryn the way he did in sending him away, it does explain it and validate it. I love this series!
September 10, 2013
I just really really love this series okay. It's getting intense and I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.
June 15, 2014
Definately a 4 if you cut out the sex that goes on for pages and pages. I think we get the point, the sex is super hot. Let's not belabour the point.
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September 22, 2013Review being tidied.
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